Seibertron.com Energon Pub Forums

[Bumblebee21]

But in the case of BBTS for me: the cheapest shipping I can get to my place for a deluxe class figure is $13. That is almost as much as the figure. I tried it out for MP SG Prime: my shipping was going to be $30! And he's the same price between the 2!

Wait, what?! I've ordered a few times from BBTS. Shipping for only Leader Jetfire was $5, and about $10 for UW Computron. I don't think you're that far from me that would justify that much of an increase in shipping costs.

i guess they dont like pennsylvania

[william-james88]

But in the case of BBTS for me: the cheapest shipping I can get to my place for a deluxe class figure is $13. That is almost as much as the figure. I tried it out for MP SG Prime: my shipping was going to be $30! And he's the same price between the 2!

Wait, what?! I've ordered a few times from BBTS. Shipping for only Leader Jetfire was $5, and about $10 for UW Computron. I don't think you're that far from me that would justify that much of an increase in shipping costs.

i guess they dont like pennsylvania

Must be jealous of all those great sports teams (as a Montrealer, I totally understand).

[Bumblebee21]

But in the case of BBTS for me: the cheapest shipping I can get to my place for a deluxe class figure is $13. That is almost as much as the figure. I tried it out for MP SG Prime: my shipping was going to be $30! And he's the same price between the 2!

Wait, what?! I've ordered a few times from BBTS. Shipping for only Leader Jetfire was $5, and about $10 for UW Computron. I don't think you're that far from me that would justify that much of an increase in shipping costs.

i guess they dont like pennsylvania

Must be jealous of all those great sports teams (as a Montrealer, I totally understand).

most likely or they know hes dmax

[Emerje]

The theory that shipping is included in the price is flawed in several ways.

1) Shipping costs for anyone that qualifies for free shipping is going to be different depending on how far away they live from the warehouse. There's no easy way to calculate that.

2) The price they sell large items, like Grand Galvatron for example, are priced at Asian MSRP just like Robot Kingdom. Considering they also have the added cost of shipping these in from China they've already spread their own profits thinner than RK would being in China. So logically if they were adding shipping to the price it should have cost more, but it didn't, TFS and RK both charged $160.

3) The free shipping isn't just on the big ticket items they can sell for over $150, it's for any order over $150. That means if you were to buy $150 worth of clearance or sale items or even just items sold at MSRP you'd still get free shipping.

The model that TFSource uses is one that encourages buying multiple items in one order. It helps them sell older stock that may go on clearance anyway and entices repeat customers. This same store also uses a points program, effectively paying you for buying from them and rewarding loyalty. Ultimately they're built on small gains multiplied over high sales volume allowing them to afford free shipping if you're willing to spend your money on them. I suspect they also own their warehouse, otherwise they wouldn't be able to do order stacking which greatly reduces their overhead as they won't have to pay to lease their warehouse space.

On a side note, way back in 2000 BBTS did $4 flat rate shipping. In 2002 it became $4.99 and in 2005 it became $6.99, but it didn't last as they dropped flat rate shipping when they introduced Pile of Loot that fall when they overhauled the site into what we know today. So BBTS has experimented with discount shipping, but they couldn't make it work for them.

Emerje

[SureShot18]

But in the case of BBTS for me: the cheapest shipping I can get to my place for a deluxe class figure is $13. That is almost as much as the figure. I tried it out for MP SG Prime: my shipping was going to be $30! And he's the same price between the 2!

Wait, what?! I've ordered a few times from BBTS. Shipping for only Leader Jetfire was $5, and about $10 for UW Computron. I don't think you're that far from me that would justify that much of an increase in shipping costs.

i guess they dont like pennsylvania

I'm confused. I think I only live a couple hours away from Dmax and when I placed my orders I was able to use saver shipping for $5.75.

[D-Maximal_Primal]

But in the case of BBTS for me: the cheapest shipping I can get to my place for a deluxe class figure is $13. That is almost as much as the figure. I tried it out for MP SG Prime: my shipping was going to be $30! And he's the same price between the 2!

Wait, what?! I've ordered a few times from BBTS. Shipping for only Leader Jetfire was $5, and about $10 for UW Computron. I don't think you're that far from me that would justify that much of an increase in shipping costs.

Will and I discussed this before actually (a good ways back, before I was news staff). It really makes no sense. They don't give me the cheaper shipping options. I was appalled when I saw Onslaught on there and went to buy him individually back in January/February: the shipping was going to cost me $16. I'm not sure if it's just my rural area, or because the other shipping options won't work where I'm at, but I really don't know why BBTS has the weird options for my area.

But in the case of BBTS for me: the cheapest shipping I can get to my place for a deluxe class figure is $13. That is almost as much as the figure. I tried it out for MP SG Prime: my shipping was going to be $30! And he's the same price between the 2!

Wait, what?! I've ordered a few times from BBTS. Shipping for only Leader Jetfire was $5, and about $10 for UW Computron. I don't think you're that far from me that would justify that much of an increase in shipping costs.

i guess they dont like pennsylvania

I'm confused. I think I only live a couple hours away from Dmax and when I placed my orders I was able to use saver shipping for $5.75.

I'm about 5 hours west of Philly and 3 hours west of Harrisburg, if that helps with where you are compared to me. See, I look at the different shipping options, and it lists the saver shipping, but when I actually check out, it doesn't give me that option.

As an example, I just put MP Thrust in my cart and went through with an order (not actually placing it though). It only gave me 2 options: USPS Parcel mail, and Priority mail. Those are the only 2 options I get. One was $11.50, the other $20.

Edit: the costs keep changing on me (as evident by $13 deluxe, $16 voyager, $11.50 MP), but they have never really been cheap.

[mooncake623]

Great article Will

[BumbleDouche]

Reading that link on the Australian imitation gun-ownership/importation nonsense makes me realize just how lucky I was to be able to import Apollyon from overseas undetected.

I'd have to seriously reconsider whether or not he is worth replacing with the official product, just as a result of reading that information. For my state, it'd mean a several hundred dollar permit would be required & that would need renewing every three years.

Hasbro, Takara & the 3rd party companies have been raping us fans for years with their prices, now my government wants me to further expand the gaping maw that was my arse by voluntarily submitting to further financial rapage; one that basically binds me to a lifelong rent/upkeep (of potentially thousands of dollars) for an object that stands harmlessly on my shelf, in robot mode, no less.

Verily I say unto thee, Australia: FAR-Q!

It's this exact sort of nonsense that makes someone want to go out & buy a real gun & then go on a mental killing spree! & should this message be monitored by ASIO or whoever, I say this: whoever attempts to seize Apollyon from me will sooner have to remove that voluminous fake gun stock/silencer/handle-combination from their own arse, after I forcefully shove it down there, possibly via their throat or rectum... Dunno, I'll consider my options, should the need arise. Blood pressure: RISING!

[Cyberpath]

New pic and translation from Loopaza Mega Store:

There is also a notice that the last month coverage about MP36 Megtron have some error. The Fusion Cannon DO NOT have any light gimmick but sounds only. There is 3 patteren and about 9 different type of sound effect with the Fusion Cannon including transforming sounds, the class speech lines and the Fusion Cannon sounds etc.

Wish it were the other way around. Will probably skip this feature.

 

[Va'al]

Fellow Seibertronian Cyberpath has alerted us to the Loopaza Mega Store Facebook page - as reported in this other news story - as their Figure King scans bring us a detail concerning Takara Tomy Transformers MP36 Megatron, and specifically, the fusion cannon: no lights, sounds only! Check out more info and the image below.

There is also a notice that the last month coverage about MP36 Megatron have some error. The Fusion Cannon DO NOT have any light gimmick but sounds only. There is 3 patterns and about 9 different type of sound effect with the Fusion Cannon including transforming sounds, the class speech lines and the Fusion Cannon sounds etc.

[Bumblebee21]

well third parties are immediatly better in the light regard

[Sabrblade]

A talking cannon. Now Megatron can literally converse with his arm-mounted weapon.

Alternatively:

A talking cannon. Now Megatron has his own mode-locked Targetmaster!

[Alpha Dominus]

Oh that's cool. While I don't expect to get this awesome figure for free, I was wondering what that crazy price tag was about.

[fenrir72]

Sound effects, voice clips but no lights. Acceptable.

[Ravage XK]

I'm guessing any speech won't be from the English cartoon.

[fenrir72]

I'm guessing any speech won't be from the English cartoon.

100% "ie". That is not a speculation

[Sabrblade]

I'm guessing any speech won't be from the English cartoon.

100% "ie". That is not a speculation

Although, with Seizō Katō having passed away back in 2014, the voice clips will probably be recycled from preexisting sources rather than newly-recorded lines.

[Cyberpath]

I don't like it. Seems cheesy to me. And everyone has a computer or a smartphone to play sounds. If Takara must put a gimmick in the fusion cannon I prefer lights. At least it has a photographic value. (And is kind of fun.)



It doesn't seem to interfere with the look of the figure though.

Also, I hope that the placement of the gun barrel on his back isn't off because of another unnecessary gimmick.

Figure's looks > gimmicks.

[william-james88]

Oh that's cool. While I don't expect to get this awesome figure for free, I was wondering what that crazy price tag was about.

But Prime is the same price tag and he doesnt have any electronics. I dont think its related. Its just a price point figures of that class share.

[Emerje]

Oh that's cool. While I don't expect to get this awesome figure for free, I was wondering what that crazy price tag was about.

But Prime is the same price tag and he doesnt have any electronics. I dont think its related. Its just a price point figures of that class share.

Megatron (24,840 JPY) costs more than Optimus (23,760 JPY), most likely because of the electronics. Just look at what electronics did to Shockwave's price, he's a pretty simple MP, but costs way more than similar sized figures.

Shockwave - 18,144 JPY
Coronation Starscream reissue - 14,040 JPY
Soundwave reissue - 17,064 JPY
Ironhide - 10,800 JPY
Inferno - 15,120 JPY
Optimus Primal - 12,960 JPY

As you can see they also don't really adhere to price points either.

Emerje

[william-james88]

But can we really assume its electronics and not the parts count? Also, I still find that Shockwave price quite high. As you already assessed, I keep being really surprised electronics cost that much.

[fenrir72]

I'm guessing any speech won't be from the English cartoon.

100% "ie". That is not a speculation

Although, with Seizō Katō having passed away back in 2014, the voice clips will probably be recycled from preexisting sources rather than newly-recorded lines.

Those releases with voice clips like Fortmax and G1 Glvatron., those were voice clips from the original show and not new lines.

Hell would probably freeze over first if Takara would use Frank Welker's voice clips (though selling one as an exclusive in Japan would be every JP or English speaking G1 fan's wet dream!

[Sabrblade]

I'm guessing any speech won't be from the English cartoon.

100% "ie". That is not a speculation

Although, with Seizō Katō having passed away back in 2014, the voice clips will probably be recycled from preexisting sources rather than newly-recorded lines.

Those releases with voice clips like Fortmax and G1 Glvatron., those were voice clips from the original show and not new lines.

What about other Takara toys with voice clips? Like the old purple reissue of G1 Galvatron, or the Galvatron II toy? Or the two giant-sized Adventure Optimus toys?

[fenrir72]

I'm guessing any speech won't be from the English cartoon.

100% "ie". That is not a speculation

Although, with Seizō Katō having passed away back in 2014, the voice clips will probably be recycled from preexisting sources rather than newly-recorded lines.

Those releases with voice clips like Fortmax and G1 Glvatron., those were voice clips from the original show and not new lines.

What about other Takara toys with voice clips? Like the old purple reissue of G1 Galvatron, or the Galvatron II toy? Or the two giant-sized Adventure Optimus toys?

The G1 Galvatron toy I mentioned, I meant the purple people eater version. The original 1986 ver just has those peew peew sounds. TL Fortress, I know those voice clips are canned from the original show, same with the TAV ( though for that I can only attest to the 1st bell bottom version which I own ).

[Sabrblade]

I'm guessing any speech won't be from the English cartoon.

100% "ie". That is not a speculation

Although, with Seizō Katō having passed away back in 2014, the voice clips will probably be recycled from preexisting sources rather than newly-recorded lines.

Those releases with voice clips like Fortmax and G1 Glvatron., those were voice clips from the original show and not new lines.

What about other Takara toys with voice clips? Like the old purple reissue of G1 Galvatron, or the Galvatron II toy? Or the two giant-sized Adventure Optimus toys?

The G1 Galvatron toy I mentioned, I meant the purple people eater version. The original 1986 ver just has those peew peew sounds. TL Fortress, I know those voice clips are canned from the original show, same with the TAV ( though for that I can only attest to the 1st bell bottom version which I own ).

What about the sound clips from something as far back as Super Fire Convoy and God Magnus from the Car Robots toyline?

Or wait, what about the Kenzan, Gekisoumaru, and Optimus ExPrime toys' clips from the Go! line? Didn't that Optimus toy come out before he appeared in that form in that cartoon?