The Energon Pub

[Emperor Galvatron]

I just want to clarify, it's not Sideburn that's upset me about this, it's just the latest incident to show the poor planning and inability to learn from their past mistakes.

Options to avoid over-ordering:1) To ensure that they don't make too many or too few, set up a preorder on the figure. 2 per member max, second party stores like BBTS or TFSource can order extra to fill in production numbers. This will help drive initial prices down and limit risk for FP. Do a head/color scheme render and then let members order. Make 10% extra for defective replacements.

2) Fan voting on character for exclusive. Set up 4 mock ups have the major sites vote on the exclusive and winner is picked similarly to TF HoF.

3) Read a forum on the major sites. You can get a pretty good read from the fandom just by perusing some websites. I was not shocked at all that Ramjet or Punch/Counterpunch sold out so quickly. I knew that I should order mine as soon as possible if wanted it. I did, but only because I was off on the day orders went up. If I'd been working those days, I'd be out of luck. Hopefully, someone somewhere is taking some notes for Runabout and Runamuck, but I'm not holding my breath.

Botcon registration should be open at least 3 months prior to the event, if not earlier. Start on a set day, don't just randomly tweet "Yo bro, we started registration! Good lux LOLOLOLOL" in the middle of a work day/week.

Again, I like the club. I like being a part of it. But we're talking 7 years of the same issues every year. I have no doubts next year will have the same problms, if not worse. I'll renew next March, and so will many others, and we'll likely have to wait until Aug for Runabout(Runamuck?) and whose partner will be vastly under produced and create a shitstorm for Fun Pub because they are unable to create a viable preorder system. And Botcon prereg will still be a broken mess.

Prove me wrong, Fun Pub. Please.

[gothsaurus]

...poor planning and inability to learn from their past mistakes.
.

Some great advice, Emperor. You should actually email them the lot of that. Can't hurt.

I think the only thing I disagree with a little would be letting the fans actually pick the character. I might suggest this to get the feel of their leanings, but having a team behind with a long story arc, an intended "team" and comic... all this should be behind the toys and characters — in addition to just fan popularity.

I want the exclusives to all go together in style, display well together, be part of a great comic and plot line.... I think Waspinator and Erector's popularity in the voting this year reminds me this is a bad idea. We'd have a mix of continuities and boner jokes for our $60 exclusives... and I don't want that.

I'd say listen to the fans (and certainly dig in threads to get ideas and popularity) but leave the final decisions with a team that knows the intended plot.

[Counterpunch]

I just want to clarify, it's not Sideburn that's upset me about this, it's just the latest incident to show the poor planning and inability to learn from their past mistakes.

Options to avoid over-ordering:1) To ensure that they don't make too many or too few, set up a preorder on the figure. 2 per member max, second party stores like BBTS or TFSource can order extra to fill in production numbers. This will help drive initial prices down and limit risk for FP. Do a head/color scheme render and then let members order. Make 10% extra for defective replacements.

2) Fan voting on character for exclusive. Set up 4 mock ups have the major sites vote on the exclusive and winner is picked similarly to TF HoF.

3) Read a forum on the major sites. You can get a pretty good read from the fandom just by perusing some websites. I was not shocked at all that Ramjet or Punch/Counterpunch sold out so quickly. I knew that I should order mine as soon as possible if wanted it. I did, but only because I was off on the day orders went up. If I'd been working those days, I'd be out of luck. Hopefully, someone somewhere is taking some notes for Runabout and Runamuck, but I'm not holding my breath.

Botcon registration should be open at least 3 months prior to the event, if not earlier. Start on a set day, don't just randomly tweet "Yo bro, we started registration! Good lux LOLOLOLOL" in the middle of a work day/week.

Again, I like the club. I like being a part of it. But we're talking 7 years of the same issues every year. I have no doubts next year will have the same problms, if not worse. I'll renew next March, and so will many others, and we'll likely have to wait until Aug for Runabout(Runamuck?) and whose partner will be vastly under produced and create a shitstorm for Fun Pub because they are unable to create a viable preorder system. And Botcon prereg will still be a broken mess.

Prove me wrong, Fun Pub. Please.

I used to think like you do, now I've given up trying to have a voice with that organization. They'll do what they want, when they want. Their business model is only secured through monopoly.

[gothsaurus]

Some great advice, Emperor. You should actually email them the lot of that. Can't hurt.

I think the only thing I disagree with a little would be letting the fans vote to pick the character. I might suggest this to get the feel of their leanings, but having a team behind with a long story arc, an intended "team" and comic... all this should be behind the toys and characters — in addition to just fan popularity.

I want the exclusives to all go together in style, display well together, be part of a great comic and plot line.... I think Waspinator and Erector's popularity in the voting this year reminds me this is a bad idea. We'd have a mix of continuities and boner jokes for our $60 exclusives... and I don't want that.

I'd say listen to the fans (and certainly dig in threads to get ideas and popularity) but leave the final decisions with a team that knows the intended plot.

[Midnight_Fox]

The only problems I had was the actual Registration at Botcon: There was no name on the time slot sheets(people were actually bragging about getting 1 friend with a 6 PM time slot to print out enough copies for their entire group, the rest of which had 7 or 8pm slots) and the information for registrants was kept in binders on single sheets of paper. What, no one working for the club has laptops they could borrow?!

[NemesisMonkeySupreme]

They are in the United States but have not cleared customs. We are not going to give you an estimated date as we don't know when they will release them to us. As soon as we receive them, they will go to the mailer.

To play devil's advocate, how is product tied up in US customs TFCC's fault?

[El Duque]

TFCC has provided an update on this year's free membership figure, Sideburn, via their facebook page. Last we heard the figures were tied up in customs, but according to the following post it sounds like they've cleared and should be shipping soon.

SIDEBURN will be shipping soon! They are in the U.S. now and have to be processed for mailing. We will post updates as we progress. Thank you for your patience!

[gothsaurus]

Wahoooo. Great news.

[RiddlerJ]

Oh, that Sideburn. Always causin' trouble.

[Burnin12]

I would be all over a Fan Project Protector Upgrade for my Sideburn. I don't think it's too far out there since they have made 3 different ones all ready.
I would think that a different face would be in order or at least the same options as the Nemesis/Wild Rider version (face or mask). That would be good enough for me.
I was looking forward to getting Sideburn but now thinking about a possible FP upgrade, I'm actually excited for it!
Hell there doesn't seem to be much of a shortage of the original and clear Protector upgrade kits out there. Easily found on the interwebz. A repaint will definitely be in order if FP doesn't make one for us. Actually I think I may go buy one and do it anyway, along with some modifications to make him stand apart a little more from Rodimus. Maybe loose or re shape some trailer parts. Thinking make it look more like actual armor apposed to being part of him.Ok I'll stop now. Coffee's kicking in and I'm babbling.

[Midnight_Fox]

[Heavy B]

it better get here by the 29th. im moving from massachusettes to new mexico then and itll suck for it to arive at my old place before i get a chance to get a new one

[Blurrz]

Hopefully they land in Canuckialand soon..

[El Duque]

Still wondering where your TFCC membership freebie figure Sideburn is? Last we heard they had cleared customs and would be processed for shipping "soon". The TFCC facebook page was recently updated with this tidbit of information on Sideburn's status.

They should hit the mail this week. PLEASE allow until September 1 before making any inquiries. These ship bulk mail and can take a few weeks to arrive.

[xyl360]

Thank goodness, I've been waiting (and drooling ) over this thing for a long time, as have all of you.

I can't wait (even though I must) !

[GetRightRobot]

Good news. I look forward to this figure. I really would like see the Shadow Scyther kit released in blue. Instead of Sideburn Prime, it would just be a cool armor and weapon upgrade. Plus, it would give Fansproject a chance to reuse that cool head and weapon.

[D-340]

Bout damned time! And it's funny, I get emails from TFCC about store updates, site updates, Botcon, ect., but nothing on Sideburn what so ever. Not a single status update. Had to find out here about. Next year's figure had better be awesome, or I'll be hard pressed to renew my membership. It's my first year as a member and I'm extremely disappointed.

[gothsaurus]

Yeah, I KNOW the exclusive will get here some time this year... heh.

I know they have convention toys and JoeCon to deal with, plus rolling with the factory and its schedule. My only judgements are on the toys themselves... and for those I've been mostly happy.

Punch, G2 Ramjet, and Cheetor (because he goes well with this year's set) top my list of favorite exclusives. Dion was a great idea... would have been a home run with a new head, I think. As is, good nod to G1.

OH. Hey D-340... next year's exclusives have been announced. It's supposed to be Runamuck as the member exclusive (likely) and then Runabout and SG Drift as the options to buy, supposedly.

[GetRightRobot]

Yeah, I KNOW the exclusive will get here some time this year... heh.

I know they have convention toys and JoeCon to deal with, plus rolling with the factory and its schedule. My only judgements are on the toys themselves... and for those I've been mostly happy.

Punch, G2 Ramjet, and Cheetor (because he goes well with this year's set) top my list of favorite exclusives. Dion was a great idea... would have been a home run with a new head, I think. As is, good nod to G1.

OH. Hey D-340... next year's exclusives have been announced. It's supposed to be Runamuck as the member exclusive (likely) and then Runabout and SG Drift as the options to buy, supposedly.

If you are right about Runabout-muck, what figure are they going to be?

As far as SG Drift.... I don't a want a black Drift. Actually, I'm wondering if we will ever move away from Shattered Glass. It's cool. A solid change with an awesome story....but are we to get a SG figure at each botcon and the Official club? I'm not knocking SG, just a little burned out on it.

[Midnight_Fox]

If you are right about Runabout-muck, what figure are they going to be?

As far as SG Drift.... I don't a want a black Drift. Actually, I'm wondering if we will ever move away from Shattered Glass. It's cool. A solid change with an awesome story....but are we to get a SG figure at each botcon and the Official club? I'm not knocking SG, just a little burned out on it.

Runabout/Runamuck are the Wheeljack/Tracks mold.

Also, SG Drift is red, not black. His deco is based on Deadpool, iirc.

OK, so, he's got a little black...

[GetRightRobot]

Runabout/Runamuck are the Wheeljack/Tracks mold.

Also, SG Drift is red, not black. His deco is based on Deadpool.

Well, that mold will serve the Battlechargers well, especially with the folded back glass of the vehicle mode making the "hoody" look they have and the front bumper for toes. Well played.

As for ole Drifty poo.... Deadpool you say? Are there pics somewhere already? I just figured SG, white would be black with yellow or something. Hmm...interesting.

[gothsaurus]

SG Drift is slated to be a red repaint with the Blurr guns as accessories. (Deadpool homage, I hear.)

As for me, I'm not really excited about Drift in general, but I AM hella interested in them occasionally putting out a SG (or G2) style figure. The SG set and storyline was really rich and well done. I liked how Prime wasn't all black like Nemesis Prime, etc...

Either way, Runabout and Runamuck have been neglected for a while. Getting the PAIR of them is fantastic... and getting a couple more cars for the Decepticon side, as well. (Still waiting for the Classics Stunticons, though. ha.) I can't complain about ANY use of the Tracks/Wheeljack mold. It was fantastic.

On that note, I'd love a Slicer or Road Rage, Hasbro. Seriously, you can't go wrong selling blue and red cars. Kids buy those no questions asked.

[Midnight_Fox]

Runabout/Runamuck are the Wheeljack/Tracks mold.

Also, SG Drift is red, not black. His deco is based on Deadpool.

Well, that mold will serve the Battlechargers well, especially with the folded back glass of the vehicle mode making the "hoody" look they have and the front bumper for toes. Well played.

As for ole Drifty poo.... Deadpool you say? Are there pics somewhere already? I just figured SG, white would be black with yellow or something. Hmm...interesting.

Sorry, was wrong about the Deadpool thing, actually. Thought I remembered someone mentioning that at Botcon. Now that I think about it, I think it was about his characterization, not his deco.

[Gandalf]

Runabout is the free membership figure. He and Runamuck are the Generations Wheeljack mold. Pics from Botcon here.

Edit: Whoa, I go looking for a link and get beat to the punch several times over!

[gothsaurus]

I think the Deadpool was referring to his personality rather than the deco, though red is definitely there.