The Energon Pub

According to their Facebook page, TFCC has sold out of the G2 Ramjet exclusive. Apparently Cheetor is on his way out too, at 75% sold already. Hope everyone got in on the madness...

signed up for the club JUST for Ramjet, so I ordered mine ASAP. Glad I did.

put my preorder in the minute i got the email, very glad i did

I resigned for the same reason. As a matter of fact, I think it was the reason I signed up last year too. Doesn't hurt that we get a free figure for signing up. Wonder if its going to be Animated...

bionic_radical wrote:I resigned for the same reason. As a matter of fact, I think it was the reason I signed up last year too. Doesn't hurt that we get a free figure for signing up. Wonder if its going to be Animated...

The free figure for this year is Side Burn using the classics Hot Rod mold. Unless you are talking about next year.

As most of you probably already know the Official Transformers’ Collectors Club opened preorders for their exclusives Animated TransTech Cheetor and G2 Ramjet yesterday. If you're hoping to snag a Cheetor click here, but you might want to hurry. Earlier today they reported via their facebook page they were 75% sold out. If G2 Ramjet was on your must have list hopefully you got in there and preordered early, as he sold out in less than 24 hours!

Glad I pre ordered Ramjet yesterday. But its some clown **** that they are all ready sold out. Why dont the geniuses at funpub order more ??? Obviously the potential for money making is there...

Rated X wrote:Glad I pre ordered Ramjet yesterday. But its some clown **** that they are all ready sold out. Why dont the geniuses at funpub order more ??? Obviously the potential for money making is there...

Because that defeats the very notion of it being an exclucive figure? Because they aim at collectors and not little kids and can't really afford to take a risk? Becasue things selling out in 24 hours is really rare and unpredictable?

Sigh. Of all the times to be too broke to preorder anything.
Well, as much as I love G2 Ramjet, there's a few dozen other toys I'd order first even if I had the cash.
And they may end up doing another batch, like with Punch/Counterpunch last year.
And some will turn up on ebay.
And if all else fails, (further demand) - (official supply) = K+O...

...not that I'm endorsing that, just stating it as a fact of life.

Oh, I have no doubt it'll be KOed. Those guys love their Seekers. I give it a year. Maybe less.

Gauntlet101010 wrote:

Rated X wrote:Glad I pre ordered Ramjet yesterday. But its some clown **** that they are all ready sold out. Why dont the geniuses at funpub order more ??? Obviously the potential for money making is there...

Because that defeats the very notion of it being an exclucive figure? Because they aim at collectors and not little kids and can't really afford to take a risk? Becasue things selling out in 24 hours is really rare and unpredictable?

For me the joy of collecting Transformers is being able to enjoy updated versions of all the characters I loved as a kid. I really dont care how many other people own what I own. I like seeing everone happy. At the end of the day theyre just toys. A true collectible is something antique that has withstood the test of time. G1 figures are true collectibles. Funpub figures are fresh off the assembly line. They are only "exclusive" because the creator wanted them to be.

Rated X wrote:

Gauntlet101010 wrote:

Rated X wrote:Glad I pre ordered Ramjet yesterday. But its some clown **** that they are all ready sold out. Why dont the geniuses at funpub order more ??? Obviously the potential for money making is there...

Because that defeats the very notion of it being an exclucive figure? Because they aim at collectors and not little kids and can't really afford to take a risk? Becasue things selling out in 24 hours is really rare and unpredictable?

For me the joy of collecting Transformers is being able to enjoy updated versions of all the characters I loved as a kid. I really dont care how many other people own what I own. I like seeing everone happy. At the end of the day theyre just toys. A true collectible is something antique that has withstood the test of time. G1 figures are true collectibles. Funpub figures are fresh off the assembly line. They are only "exclusive" because the creator wanted them to be.

So it's a collectible if you say so? Is that how it goes? Cause at the end of the day, those old 1980's Transformers are also just toys. Who's to say this figure or any of the classics figures won't withstood the test time? Yeah, this is manufactured rarity. Made to be sold to collectors and those that can afford it. Also, there is no predicting how well something sells. Just looks at the shelf warmers and pass exclusive figures that are still sitting at their warehouse. 2007 was a reminder to TFCC that just because it is a exclusive doesn't mean it will sell. The hobby interest in Transformers is at its highest right now, all thanks to 3rd parties. And as if you didn't know already, if there are profits to be made, people that has the capitol can do it if they so choose to. Last I check, this is the USA, it's a capitalist society, not communism where everyone get one and be happy. Just be glad that this isn't one of them lottery type exclusives, where you have to win the rights to buy it.

CoLDBOTMan wrote:

Rated X wrote:

Gauntlet101010 wrote:

Rated X wrote:Glad I pre ordered Ramjet yesterday. But its some clown **** that they are all ready sold out. Why dont the geniuses at funpub order more ??? Obviously the potential for money making is there...

Because that defeats the very notion of it being an exclucive figure? Because they aim at collectors and not little kids and can't really afford to take a risk? Becasue things selling out in 24 hours is really rare and unpredictable?

For me the joy of collecting Transformers is being able to enjoy updated versions of all the characters I loved as a kid. I really dont care how many other people own what I own. I like seeing everone happy. At the end of the day theyre just toys. A true collectible is something antique that has withstood the test of time. G1 figures are true collectibles. Funpub figures are fresh off the assembly line. They are only "exclusive" because the creator wanted them to be.

So it's a collectible if you say so? Is that how it goes? Cause at the end of the day, those old 1980's Transformers are also just toys. Who's to say this figure or any of the classics figures won't withstood the test time? Yeah, this is manufactured rarity. Made to be sold to collectors and those that can afford it. Also, there is no predicting how well something sells. Just looks at the shelf warmers and pass exclusive figures that are still sitting at their warehouse. 2007 was a reminder to TFCC that just because it is a exclusive doesn't mean it will sell. The hobby interest in Transformers is at its highest right now, all thanks to 3rd parties. And as if you didn't know already, if there are profits to be made, people that has the capitol can do it if they so choose to. Last I check, this is the USA, it's a capitalist society, not communism where everyone get one and be happy. Just be glad that this isn't one of them lottery type exclusives, where you have to win the rights to buy it.

I'd say the collectibility ONLY depends on people sayin that it is. There is no universal law that states what is or isn't collectible. It just doesn't depend on one person asying so, but on a lot of people saying so. A collectible figure needs to be wanted in order to be collectible. A low number of units produced would be the second criterium. There need to be more people wanting it then there are people having it. As a sidestep I'd say that there shouldn't be any more (official) units produced (think Sunstorm and Star Convoy). And as a third it should be expensive. The figure should cost more then average Joe should be able to afford on any given moment. As a final step, the second hand market should eventually overinflate the price so that the figure stays expenisve or even unaffordable.

But all this start with, yes, a bunch of individuals SAYING that it's a collectible.

Rated X wrote:

Gauntlet101010 wrote:

Rated X wrote:Glad I pre ordered Ramjet yesterday. But its some clown **** that they are all ready sold out. Why dont the geniuses at funpub order more ??? Obviously the potential for money making is there...

Because that defeats the very notion of it being an exclucive figure? Because they aim at collectors and not little kids and can't really afford to take a risk? Becasue things selling out in 24 hours is really rare and unpredictable?

For me the joy of collecting Transformers is being able to enjoy updated versions of all the characters I loved as a kid. I really dont care how many other people own what I own. I like seeing everone happy. At the end of the day theyre just toys. A true collectible is something antique that has withstood the test of time. G1 figures are true collectibles. Funpub figures are fresh off the assembly line. They are only "exclusive" because the creator wanted them to be.

Things don't have to be old to be collectible. In fact, most creators of collectibles actually want you to buy them when they're new and they can make money off it. Your analasys is just ... wrong. Sorry, no other way to say it.

Rated X is right about one thing that's really important here.

The Ramjet figure was made at artificially low numbers. Hype and panic sold that toy. Constant tweets and posts from the club saying what percentage the figure sell-through was at only add to it.

A production run should have about 10-15% of stock remaining after the initial swell of purchases. Thus you retain interesting items in your store and if your prices are properly set, you see return at around the 50% sell through.

If the club really wanted to provide a figure and gauge interest, they would have taken pre-orders prior to production to see how many they could sell.

Hell, that may have even lowered the cost.

Counterpunch wrote:Rated X is right about one thing that's really important here.

The Ramjet figure was made at artificially low numbers. Hype and panic sold that toy. Constant tweets and posts from the club saying what percentage the figure sell-through was at only add to it.

A production run should have about 10-15% of stock remaining after the initial swell of purchases. Thus you retain interesting items in your store and if your prices are properly set, you see return at around the 50% sell through.

If the club really wanted to provide a figure and gauge interest, they would have taken pre-orders prior to production to see how many they could sell.

Hell, that may have even lowered the cost.

I agree. If the target is fans, a pre-order would act kind of like a "fan census" for them to figure out how many people actually want it. The benefits would be:

1. For a larger number of fans than expected, they could buy in bulk which might bring down the cost.

2. For a dud like Cheetor, they can know how many to order and not have excess stock for 2 years.

3. They get an idea how many fans that want the figure are actually out there. (Minus those who just buy membership for Botcon discount)

4. Nobody gets left behind. Everybodys happy. (except the guy who is bothered that 8 people in his city own the figure instead of 2...horrors)

I agree that it's overpriced and that they could have done a better job on preorders if that's what you mean.

In the end, however, somebody would be left behind. It's always the case.

Cheetor's hardly been a dud, though. 75% cold out in a day? That's pretty good. Maybe even more what they were expecting.

Gauntlet101010 wrote:In the end, however, somebody would be left behind. It's always the case.

I agree. Even if they did take preorders, the outcome will most likely be the same.

Prime Evil wrote:

Gauntlet101010 wrote:In the end, however, somebody would be left behind. It's always the case.

I agree. Even if they did take preorders, the outcome will most likely be the same.

I think it would be better. People could get in ahead of time, beat the rush, they would be guaranteed, and others could come in later as their finances allowed.

Counterpunch wrote:

Prime Evil wrote:

Gauntlet101010 wrote:In the end, however, somebody would be left behind. It's always the case.

I agree. Even if they did take preorders, the outcome will most likely be the same.

I think it would be better. People could get in ahead of time, beat the rush, they would be guaranteed, and others could come in later as their finances allowed.

I'm all for preorders and ensure those club members that pay $40 a year and want one are guaranteed one. For some, 24 hours to scrounge up $70 for 1 toy is a bit much. I feel bad for those that joined just to get this figure weren't able to. I also wouldn't have to have them on my twitter account. Hell, I only got twitter for Botcon and TFCC stuff. Now I can finally turn that shiite off. So damn annoying!

I don't feel too bad for people not being able to save enough on time. They knew this was coming FAR in advance. Don't liek it when the final photos arrive? LOTS of other crap to buy with that money.

I'm not convinced more efficient pre-orders would have kept the price down. These guys DO want to make a profit.

I can only imagine we'll get another run of both figures. We did for P/CP last year as he was the only to sell so quickly until now. Glad I got my Ramjet orders in but I skipped Cheetor. I don't like the mold, the head sculpt and honestly, Cheetor is probably my least favorite beast character. This concept was sunk with me since the announcement of him. I'm stunned that he sold nearly as fast. That truly speaks volumes for the Animated fans. I count myself in there, this just did nothing for me.

Gauntlet101010 wrote:I'm not convinced more efficient pre-orders would have kept the price down. These guys DO want to make a profit.

You aren't trying very hard then.

Confirmed pre-orders give them knowledge of demand. If demand is higher than expected, the production run can be increased and the cost per unit decreases.

It may not be much... but it would be something.

Counterpunch wrote:

Gauntlet101010 wrote:I'm not convinced more efficient pre-orders would have kept the price down. These guys DO want to make a profit.

You aren't trying very hard then.

Confirmed pre-orders give them knowledge of demand. If demand is higher than expected, the production run can be increased and the cost per unit decreases.

It may not be much... but it would be something.

And that would lower the price... *snicker* More like increase the margin of profit.

JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:

Counterpunch wrote:

Gauntlet101010 wrote:I'm not convinced more efficient pre-orders would have kept the price down. These guys DO want to make a profit.

You aren't trying very hard then.

Confirmed pre-orders give them knowledge of demand. If demand is higher than expected, the production run can be increased and the cost per unit decreases.

It may not be much... but it would be something.

And that would lower the price... *snicker* More like increase the margin of profit.

Yeah, they'd just make less and charge the same.