*edited with a list of sellers who are suspect-
The Knockoffs: Who wants one anyway ("I do I do," some say.) The very tempting toys...I know that the thought of a KO 'transformer' making it in to someone's collection would turn them ill. Others buy them to have as part of their collection to kitbash, fill a void until an
original can be found, or (insert reason here).
I have to say, I am guilty of buying some of the newest G1 accurate KO's (sorry HASBRO, I promise never to do it again). I did this because I knew there would never be a NEMESIS MIRAGE made, and also because I knew getting my hands on the red version of the G1 Mirage mold was as likely to happen as me winning the lottery to be able to afford it. So I justified the purchases to myself. However you justify buying or not buying them though, the fact is these are out there, and they are taking the money of loyal TF brand buyers and in some cases deceiving them into believing they are buying an officially licensed re-issue (Deceptive seller title to avoid the HASBRO hammer of truth). Or in some other cases, buying a vintage piece (outrageous seller claim!). HASBRO has taken notice, and seem to be slowly but surely attempting to take action, but based on their blanket statement made at Botcon it seems they are more concerned with warning their purchasing public, and less worried about stopping this (and the lunchtime specials).
KO Transformers have been out forever. As long as there have been toys, there have been cheaply made KO's sold and bought (just ask ol' Spidey), and since Transformers are very popular, well, cash called and asked if you wanted to make some...but none have been this accurate, this spot on, which is what makes them so tempting.
Spotting A G1 'Vintage' Re-issue KO:Yes, I know the title seems obvious, but some people may not know that sellers often replace 'Knock Off' with 'Re-Issue' because well, they are smart and want to sell product. Which sounds like a nicer, friendlier name to you, KNOCK OFF, or RE-ISSUE?
#1) So be leery when you see the name
'Re-issue!' in an auction title. You may be purchasing a product that you are not intending.
'KO reissue' means just that-- it's a Knock Off--!
#2)
Price-- It seems obvious to collectors that have been around the block that getting a MINT IN SEALED BOX VINTAGE G1 Optimus Prime for $80.00 is outrageously cheap, and will never happen these days. But to the naive grandmother shopping for her grandson/daughter that may seem about right--even too much. Poor HASBRO, you lost another, and worse, you may have lost a potential money maker because this mistake was made. Poor quality in the KO, it breaks, "I'm not buying any more of those for my grandchildren" and BAM! a customer may be lost to the market or brand. I know this is extreme, and I also know seniors are not the only naive buyers out there, it was simply to make a point. The poor quality will win out, and may cause some to change their favorites because there was no reliability in a supposedly quality product (Mattel is feeling this wrath right now). HASBRO gets screwed but really had nothing to do with it. Let's not forget also that Prime is also tripley caution worthy because he has been re-issued a few times, and his ENCORE version is worth about $80 in some places.
The List of Vintage G1 Knock Offs that 'Look' and 'Feel' just like 1984-1989:Yes, it's true they do, and they do. My Mirages feel and look just like my original--minus the dirtiness (of course, my new ones have the variant colors...).
How can one avoid them? The best way, be armed with knowledge, and ask questions. To help with the knowledge part, I am attempting to create a list of these accurate phonies with their respective repaints in hopes that it will help someone along the way make an informed choice whether to buy or not. I don't care either way, but you need to know what you are getting, or what you are not getting. There are a lot of good people on this site that can give you their thoughts about the item, thus, there is no reason for you to get taken out of your hard earned money, use it on what you intend to, not on something that was a mistake!
This is the list of Transformers marketed as possible re-issues that are not licensed re-issues that have boxart, box, specs, bubble, weapons--everything accurate to the original--even the quality
SOMETIMES.
Beachcomber
Bluestreak (blue)
Bombshell
Brawn
Bumblebee
Buzzsaw/Lazerbeak (Normal, clear, clear orange, clear blue, white, and black)
Cliffjumper
Constructicon Boxed Set (G1 colored)
Constructicons Boxex Set (G1 box, G2 orange/purple colored)
Cosmos
Cyclonus
Frenzy/Rumble (Normal, clear, clear orange, clear blue, white, black)
Gnaw (Sharkticon)
Grimlock (Normal, Clear)
Hubcap
Kickback
Lazerbeak/Buzzsaw (Normal, clear, clear orange, clear blue, white, and black)
Metroplex (Normal, Metrotitan variant colors)
Mirage (Normal, Black, Clear, Red)
Optimus Prime (Normal, Normal/gold chrome**, Black***, Clear, Tan)
Outback
Powerglide*
Prowl (no POLICE sticker on doors in package)
Reflector (Updated 5/15)
Ratbat
Ravage
Rumble/Frenzy (Normal, clear, clear orange, clear blue, white, and black)
Seaspray
Scourge
Shrapnel
Slag (Normal, Clear)
Sludge (Normal, Clear)
Snarl
Sunstreaker
Swoop
Warpath
Wheeljack
Windcharger
*
--NEW--Here's a list of sellers who don't state their Transformers items (figures, accessories, stickers, instructions, packaging) are bootlegs or even 'reissues':
yc-collection
mecharsi
akara32
trainee007
linanma
zoe_jj1984
doufaceb (some items)
I hope someone finds this useful and makes an informed decision because of it. If there are missing TF's on the KO list let me know and I will add them. If there are more ways/tricks to spotting them, I will be glad to add them in.
Remember, be forewarned, and go shopping with knowledge!
*nope not mine, but a cool picture, nonetheless
**
***
The saying goes "If it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck, it must be a duck!" does not apply to Transformers. Transformers is a brand name that applies to a product owned by HASBRO and TAKARA/TOMY. If it has the name TRANSFORMERS it is an approved product--until now, at least--. But just because it is a transforming toy, does not put it in the category of being the official TRANSFORMERS that HASBRO and TAKARA/TOMY intend and approve to put on the market.
Be careful in your shopping, be cautious, be wise, and know what you are buying.
