The Energon Pub

[DavidT]

I have accepted that for right now and maybe forever, that there are not gonna be any new Alternator figures.

However, I truly believe they should re-release several of the figures that most people missed out on. An excellent case assortmant that I know will sell out right away would include figures such as:

Swerve - Super rare, almost $200 on Ebay
Meister - rare for my area so maybe just a personal preference for me
Camshaft - Really Rare and getting expensive
Grimlock or Wheeljack - real popular characters and I would like another set to open

Of course some ares probably got these figures in abundance but I'm sure there were more like my area. I never saw a Wheeljack in my city. Found one by leaving Texas and going to Oklahoma. Never saw a Meister in the Red Box...EVER...Found one Camshaft and never saw another one ever again. And Wheeljack and Grimlock seem to be pretty popular characters so I know people will buy them.

They sent out a bunch of Ricochets, Skids, Sunstreakers, and Rollbars here recently that were left over but they still sat around for a while. I know they don't plan on releasing anything new while the movie line is going, but these really aren't new. I believe I saw somewhere on here that Austrailia or somewhere re-released Silverstreak in the bubble packaging, I know I saw pics of it.

Oh well, A guy can Dream Can't He

[Son of Primus]

Ironically, all the Alternators in my area (Northern NJ) were shelf-warmers. I was able to pick up the ones without fear of someone coming in and scalping. One Sunstreaker at my local Target sat there for two months before I finally bought him, and he was on clearance to boot. I was trying to complete my Cybertron collection at the time, so adding Alternators wasn't a top priority - if I would have known how popular they were, I would have offered to pick some up for people on this forum.

[Autovolt127]

The only Alterntaor i've see at an regular retail was an Alternators Skids at sears,It was their for 1 whole F***ing year,Before i gave him a home,I wish i boughten Suntreaker earilier cuase i love the Dodge Viper Mold,I have Dead End and i know want Streaker.

[Cascadia]

My Alt/BT collection is rather large..my line-up

Jazz--both Alt & BT. My Alt has G1 stickers
Prowl--BT has the G1 stickers
Silverstreak
Red Alert
Tracks
Ricochet--my first alternator
Smokescreen-BT
Rodimus
the Twins
Hound-Alt & BT
Camshaft
Overdrive--BT version of Windcharger
Wheeljack
Mirage
Clear Mirage
Skids
Prime

essentially, the only Autobots that I am missing are Swerve, Grimlock, and Broadblast.

I can not find any Alt/BT in my area so I have to deal with online store or private sellers.

[AlienQuiksilver]

Alt. Swerve is more like $150. Keep looking and be patient.

Camshaft ... yes, very rare. I do see him for about $40/$50 when he does pop up though.

I have every character except Decepticharge and wonderfest black convoy. WFBC what I'm going to describe as rare. Nobody on ebay wants to put a reasonable BIN price on this guy. I can't bring myself to pay big money for him. If they had a Binaltech version of decepticharge ... I would shell out big money for him, but he's only made in alts. plastic. Therefore I wait. Maybe one day I'll win an auction.

my collection:

- Sunstreaker(custom Alt. and BTA versions)
- Sideswipe
- Lambor (binaltech)
- Dead End (binaltech)
- Wheeljack
- Grimlock (binaltech)
- Clear mirage
- Mirage(x's 2)
- Rodimus
- Hot rodimus (kiss players)
- Convoy (kiss players)
- Kiss autorooper (kiss players)
- Laserwave (binaltech)
- Shockblast
- Red meister (binaltech)
- Jazz w/ G1 decals (alts)
- Prime
- Nemesis Prime
- Overdrive (binaltech)
- Broadblast (BTA)
- Alert (BTA)
- Smokescreen (#7 alt)
- Silverstreak (alts)
- Ricochet
- Blue Pearl Prowl (binaltech)
- Police Prowl (alts)
- Camshaft
- Hound (Alts. and Binaltech)
- Swindle (binaltech)
- Rollbar
- Tracks, blue (alts)
- Tracks, yellow (binaltech)
- Battle Ravage (binaltech)
- Swerve (alts)
- Rumble
- Ravage 2.0

[Cascadia]

Wow...you have a good sized collection. A few weeks ago, I was one minute away of getting Swerve for $80 but someone outbid me on ebay.

[AlienQuiksilver]

I hate bid wars on ebay. Lost some great figures this way @ a .50 cent deficit.

I get up very early in the morning, so I usually go after lots with BIN's or "make and offer."

My collection is insane, yours is more healthy ... haha. I've been quite obsessive about completing this line. Can't wait, it's killing my wallet.

There always seems somewhere to go with it.

I'm DEFINITELY not getting a whole set for MISB. Screw that!

Although, some of mine are still MISB ...

I'll get around to opening them one day for sure. When the display case goes up.

[Cascadia]

lol...it is only one aspect of my TF collection. I also have G1 and Movie. My figures are in drawers in a corner of my home office (2nd bedroom). Your Alternators collection is quite large.

[Bumblethumper]

The alternator line was impressive at first, but after a while it began to seem repetitive.

I would've liked it a lot better if they'd mixed it up a bit, thrown in some vintage cars, and some more imaginative alt modes.

My opinion, alternators are dull and boring, but you've gotta hand it to them, they are technical marvels. I'm much happier with the Classics and Movie line toys though.

[AlienQuiksilver]

lol...it is only one aspect of my TF collection. I also have G1 and Movie. My figures are in drawers in a corner of my home office (2nd bedroom). Your Alternators collection is quite large.

I'm really not trying to measure dicks here chief, but I also collect all movie toys ... all classics, some cybertron. Some RID, all 6" Titaniums and some MP. That's it for now. I'm complete/current on everything but alts/bt, with respect to the lines that I do not seek completion. Waiting for Universe 2.0 and Animated lines is going to kill me. Kitbashing is starting to hold me over though, I've already done some really cool stuff.

TF's are like plastic crack, aren't they?

Kudos to you for liking G1 stuff. Great collecting potential there, but I couldn't get into it. The newer lines are just leagues better in the articulation dept, and that's what I like most about TF's. I'll agree with a lot of people though ... G1 is arguably the best line out there, but it's totally not for me I found out.

I tried going G1, but just ended up selling everything off. I only have my Encore Soundwave left.

I look forward to seeing you around. lmk if you can't find any particular alts ... my resources are getting quite deeply rooted.

[coolpop]

I started collecting Alternators at first around mid-August, after seeing them from the galleries. While putting together the Alternators line, some BTs got into the mix and I thought I could do a 27pc Alternators/BT mix & match set. I was wrong! Greedy me discovered the beauties of each of the lines, so here's what I got so far:

Alternators:
Dead End (MISB & LOOSE)
Sideswipe (MISB & LOOSE)
Sunstreaker (MISB)
Camshaft (MISB)
Prowl (MISB)
Shockblast (MISB)
Meister/Jazz (MISB & LOOSE)
Battle Ravage (MISB & LOOSE)
Swerve (MISB)
Tracks (MISB & LOOSE)
Hound (MISB & LOOSE)
Swindle (MISB)
Rollbar (MISB)
Mirage (MISB)
Rodimus (MISB)
Decepticharge (MISB)
Windcharger (MISB & LOOSE)
Grimlock (MISB)
Wheeljack (MISB x 2 & LOOSE)
Optimus Prime (MISB & LOOSE)
Nemesis Prime (MISB)
Ricochet (MISB x 4)
Silverstreak (MISB)
Smokescreen (MISB & LOOSE)
Rumble (MISB)
Ravage (MISB)
Skids (MISB)

Binaltech:
BT-01 Smokescreen #7 (MISB)
BT-02 Lambor (MISB)
BT-03 Streak (MISB)
BT-04 Hound (MISB)
BT-05 Dead End (MISB)
BT-06 Tracks Blue (MISB)
BT-06 Tracks Yellow (MISB)
BT-09 Swindle (MISB)
BT-10 Grimlock (MISB x 2)
BT-11 Ravage (MISB)
BT-12 Overdrive (MISB)
BT-13 Laserwave (MISB)
BT-14 Wheeljack (MISB)
BT-15 Prowl Blue (MISB)
BTA-01 Alert (MISB & LOOSE)
BTA-02 Sunstreaker (MISB)
BTA-03 Broadblast (MISB)
KP Atari x Autorooper (MISB, just acquired this today at Guangzhou, China, 2 weeks business trip here)

My Alternators line is complete and as you can see I'm putting together at least 1 loose per mold so I can play with them too. BT I'm missing a few harder-to-find & expensive ones & the 3 main KPs. I know there are many collectors with complete sets of these awesome lines, someone even put together 5 MISB sets of Alternators. Orz!!! When my BTs are complete too I will remember to take a few pics and share with all.

Cheers,
Coolpop

[AlienQuiksilver]

I started collecting Alternators at first around mid-August, after seeing them from the galleries. While putting together the Alternators line, some BTs got into the mix and I thought I could do a 27pc Alternators/BT mix & match set. I was wrong! Greedy me discovered the beauties of each of the lines, so here's what I got so far:

Alternators:
Dead End (MISB & LOOSE)
Sideswipe (MISB & LOOSE)
Sunstreaker (MISB)
Camshaft (MISB)
Prowl (MISB)
Shockblast (MISB)
Meister/Jazz (MISB & LOOSE)
Battle Ravage (MISB & LOOSE)
Swerve (MISB)
Tracks (MISB & LOOSE)
Hound (MISB & LOOSE)
Swindle (MISB)
Rollbar (MISB)
Mirage (MISB)
Rodimus (MISB)
Decepticharge (MISB)
Windcharger (MISB & LOOSE)
Grimlock (MISB)
Wheeljack (MISB x 2 & LOOSE)
Optimus Prime (MISB & LOOSE)
Nemesis Prime (MISB)
Ricochet (MISB x 4)
Silverstreak (MISB)
Smokescreen (MISB & LOOSE)
Rumble (MISB)
Ravage (MISB)
Skids (MISB)

Binaltech:
BT-01 Smokescreen #7 (MISB)
BT-02 Lambor (MISB)
BT-03 Streak (MISB)
BT-04 Hound (MISB)
BT-05 Dead End (MISB)
BT-06 Tracks Blue (MISB)
BT-06 Tracks Yellow (MISB)
BT-09 Swindle (MISB)
BT-10 Grimlock (MISB x 2)
BT-11 Ravage (MISB)
BT-12 Overdrive (MISB)
BT-13 Laserwave (MISB)
BT-14 Wheeljack (MISB)
BT-15 Prowl Blue (MISB)
BTA-01 Alert (MISB & LOOSE)
BTA-02 Sunstreaker (MISB)
BTA-03 Broadblast (MISB)
KP Atari x Autorooper (MISB, just acquired this today at Guangzhou, China, 2 weeks business trip here)

My Alternators line is complete and as you can see I'm putting together at least 1 loose per mold so I can play with them too. BT I'm missing a few harder-to-find & expensive ones & the 3 main KPs. I know there are many collectors with complete sets of these awesome lines, someone even put together 5 MISB sets of Alternators. Orz!!! When my BTs are complete too I will remember to take a few pics and share with all.

Cheers,
Coolpop

You are a god! Where the heck did you get your decepticharge?

Don't forget about Wonderfest Black Convoy ... the rarest and most expensive of them all!

[coolpop]

You are a god! Where the heck did you get your decepticharge?

Don't forget about Wonderfest Black Convoy ... the rarest and most expensive of them all!

Nah I'm just an enthusiastic collector of these great toy lines, not a god or anything. I've seen many more aggressive collectors on this site and on eBay.

The sources of my Alts/BTs are:
Walmart (Sunstreaker, Rollbar, Ricochet)
Forum Trade (Skids, although I've seen it at Walmart & local collectors show too)
Frank & Son Collectors Show (Nemesis Prime)
BBTS
Local collectors/hobby store (only 1 figure)
eBay (this is where I acquired most of my figures)

I have been hunting Decepticharge & Swerve on eBay as they are last 2 figures I need to complete. Decepticharge I lost bids at $53 & $54 (1 month ago), then I finally won it at $57 (shipping extra, but I usually only bid on sensible shipping charge auctions only). Swerve same story, lost bids at $90, $92 & $105 (1 month ago), then I finally won it at $115. I know both of these are going higher at eBay now, that's why I realized I had to bid to win, more days I wait will just cost me more money, unless I have the patience to wait until the fever dies down, but who knows when???

Hope you'll get your Decepticharge soon, brother AQ!

What Wonderfest Black Convoy??? (hahaha, j/k)

[AlienQuiksilver]

cool, thanks for giving me #'s on decepticharge. I've been mulling over what i'm going to bid. I keep missing the prime snipe times on the recent auctions.

WFBC ... ignore him if you can!!! He's really gonna punch you on the shoulder one day. I'm going to remain patient, a desperate fleabay seller will pop up eventually. I get up @ 3 am everyday, so I'll have my chance ... hopefully. It's just a matter of time.

I scored swerve last week for $95. I was shocked ... I had lost so many bid wars on him. I think depression was going to set in soon, but alas ... I got him!

[--B--]

I finished my Alt collection with Swerve at $75 (although I saw him in stores twice and didn't buy him ) in the time when all of the movie stuff was hitting ebay before it hit stores.

I acually found my D-charge in store, and then bought two more as shelf warmers and sold them on ebay to a guy in Japan, since it didn't come out over there.

Weird how that works out, huh?!

[ZenPrime]

All I need to complete my Alternator/Binaltech/BTA/Kiss Player collection is the Wonderfest Black Convoy. I just can't bring myself to pay almost $300 for the damn thing

[Cascadia]

Wow!!! huge collection..mine does not even come close to yours. My collection is in 8 drawers, which take up a small portion of my apartment.

[rpetras]

I would love it if they restarted the Alt line, but the line was definitely plagued by repaints.

I felt the Subaru mold was easily one of the best TF molds ever, and they even did OK by keeping it mostly to relevant characters. But overall there were just too many reuses.

While I liked the Subaru, how many do I need? Same with the Jeep. Hound was awesome, and Swindle was relevant, but adding Rollbar, a completely unknown character, just felt like a stretch. They needed more base car models.

I DO hope they try something like Alts again, even if it's part of the MP line or something, but they need more variety and a bit less reuse.

[AlienQuiksilver]

I would love it if they restarted the Alt line, but the line was definitely plagued by repaints.

I felt the Subaru mold was easily one of the best TF molds ever, and they even did OK by keeping it mostly to relevant characters. But overall there were just too many reuses.

While I liked the Subaru, how many do I need? Same with the Jeep. Hound was awesome, and Swindle was relevant, but adding Rollbar, a completely unknown character, just felt like a stretch. They needed more base car models.

I DO hope they try something like Alts again, even if it's part of the MP line or something, but they need more variety and a bit less reuse.

I'd like them to go back to the muscle car era with this line.

Make Laserbeak into a 1970 1/2 Trans Am. Niiice.