Ebay Shoots MP Megatron Auctions!
Friday, April 27th, 2007 5:35am CDT
Categories: Toy News, Rumors, Store NewsPosted by: Stormrider Views: 20,377
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For the past couple of weeks, eager fans have been having a difficult time trying to purchase Megatron. The problem all started when the figure was announced as a Japan exclusive and has snowballed from there.
Modified orange gun barrels; online retail shortages; and inflated prices have only been the beginning.
Now, to make matters worse- eBay has pulled the plug on all MP Megatron auctions. It is unclear if this is a permit decision. eBay has not made an public comment about the matter. However, looking at eBay's rules it looks rather grim that eager Transformers Fans will get the Masterpiece that they have been begging for.
eBay Rules for Toy Guns
BB Guns, Replicas, Blank Guns and Imitation Guns
Prohibited
BB guns, air guns, black powder guns or muzzle-loader guns
Listings that use the term “BB gun” in the item title or description of any listing for an airsoft or replica gun.
Permitted
Paintball guns, "airsoft" guns*, pellet guns, replica, "look-alike," and imitation firearms under certain circumstances. These items:
Must have clear markings permanently affixed to them (commonly blaze orange markings on the barrel or a blaze orange plug inserted into the barrel)
Must not be readily convertible to shoot a lethal projectile
Must be located in the U.S. and the seller must be located in the U.S.
These rules apply to all items designed to look like firearms, including replicas/imitation guns of any age, as well as toy and cap guns.
Note: Most states require that purchasers of airsoft guns be 18 years of age or older.
Please note that any photos in a listing (including stock photos) must also abide by our Firearms, Weapons and Knives policy. If a prohibited item is included in a photograph for a non-prohibited item, the listing may be ended.
Modified orange gun barrels; online retail shortages; and inflated prices have only been the beginning.
Now, to make matters worse- eBay has pulled the plug on all MP Megatron auctions. It is unclear if this is a permit decision. eBay has not made an public comment about the matter. However, looking at eBay's rules it looks rather grim that eager Transformers Fans will get the Masterpiece that they have been begging for.
eBay Rules for Toy Guns
BB Guns, Replicas, Blank Guns and Imitation Guns
Prohibited
BB guns, air guns, black powder guns or muzzle-loader guns
Listings that use the term “BB gun” in the item title or description of any listing for an airsoft or replica gun.
Permitted
Paintball guns, "airsoft" guns*, pellet guns, replica, "look-alike," and imitation firearms under certain circumstances. These items:
Must have clear markings permanently affixed to them (commonly blaze orange markings on the barrel or a blaze orange plug inserted into the barrel)
Must not be readily convertible to shoot a lethal projectile
Must be located in the U.S. and the seller must be located in the U.S.
These rules apply to all items designed to look like firearms, including replicas/imitation guns of any age, as well as toy and cap guns.
Note: Most states require that purchasers of airsoft guns be 18 years of age or older.
Please note that any photos in a listing (including stock photos) must also abide by our Firearms, Weapons and Knives policy. If a prohibited item is included in a photograph for a non-prohibited item, the listing may be ended.
Credit(s): phoenix_78, eBay
This article was last modified on Friday, April 27th, 2007 5:37am CDT
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Re: Ebay Shoots MP Megatron Auctions! (100646)
Posted by Nemesis_Apoc on April 27th, 2007 @ 5:40am CDT
Posted by Nemesis_Apoc on April 27th, 2007 @ 5:40am CDT
this is fu*kin bullsh*t
Re: Ebay Shoots MP Megatron Auctions! (100661)
Posted by Yeti on April 27th, 2007 @ 6:02am CDT
Posted by Yeti on April 27th, 2007 @ 6:02am CDT
Whoa, glad I bought mine off Ebay (unopened and orange plug free before launch). He's a wicked toy and my hearts go out to you all....well, not really!! ![:P]( "Razz")
Re: Ebay Shoots MP Megatron Auctions! (100683)
Posted by Overloaded on April 27th, 2007 @ 6:28am CDT
Posted by Overloaded on April 27th, 2007 @ 6:28am CDT
How will I get my MP Megatron now
Re: Ebay Shoots MP Megatron Auctions! (100689)
Posted by D-340 on April 27th, 2007 @ 6:35am CDT
Posted by D-340 on April 27th, 2007 @ 6:35am CDT
As stupid as it seems I'm not suprised. It seems like common sense doesn't exsist anymore, eh? Just checked BBTS, and MP Megs is still in stock. That's were I'll get mine.
Re: Ebay Shoots MP Megatron Auctions! (100693)
Posted by JetfireUK on April 27th, 2007 @ 6:45am CDT
Either try TFZone or Timban. Or perhaps go straight to a store like Xybertoys?
Posted by JetfireUK on April 27th, 2007 @ 6:45am CDT
Overloaded wrote:How will I get my MP Megatron now
Either try TFZone or Timban. Or perhaps go straight to a store like Xybertoys?
Re: Ebay Shoots MP Megatron Auctions! (100704)
Posted by Archanubis on April 27th, 2007 @ 6:54am CDT
Posted by Archanubis on April 27th, 2007 @ 6:54am CDT
Good thing I grabbed mine when I did! I even have the FedEx tracking number on my home computer to prove it!
Re: Ebay Shoots MP Megatron Auctions! (100716)
Posted by Counterpunch on April 27th, 2007 @ 7:05am CDT
Posted by Counterpunch on April 27th, 2007 @ 7:05am CDT
Not throwing stones here but...
eBay is a big place. Maybe there were at most a few hundred MP Megatron auctions?
It's not likely that they would just 'find' them floating about.
Someone had to point out the auctions to them.
Someone with a vested interested in selling their market share of modified Megatrons.
achem...BBTS?
I mean, I'd do it too. If I were one of the few places selling technically 'legal' merchandise, I'd tip ebay off as well.
At any rate, I bet that's how this came about.
eBay is a big place. Maybe there were at most a few hundred MP Megatron auctions?
It's not likely that they would just 'find' them floating about.
Someone had to point out the auctions to them.
Someone with a vested interested in selling their market share of modified Megatrons.
achem...BBTS?
I mean, I'd do it too. If I were one of the few places selling technically 'legal' merchandise, I'd tip ebay off as well.
At any rate, I bet that's how this came about.
Re: Ebay Shoots MP Megatron Auctions! (100736)
Posted by Blitzwing the warrior on April 27th, 2007 @ 7:30am CDT
Posted by Blitzwing the warrior on April 27th, 2007 @ 7:30am CDT
But Megatron is packaged in #$%@!$^ robot mode!
Re: Ebay Shoots MP Megatron Auctions! (100748)
Posted by Blozor on April 27th, 2007 @ 7:39am CDT
Readily convertible? Shoot, I already converted mine to feature a working nuclear fusion cannon. With only an Exact-o knife, a little duct tape, and a kumquat.
Why a kumquat? Because it's fun to say "kumquat."
Posted by Blozor on April 27th, 2007 @ 7:39am CDT
ebay wrote:Must not be readily convertible to shoot a lethal projectile
Readily convertible? Shoot, I already converted mine to feature a working nuclear fusion cannon. With only an Exact-o knife, a little duct tape, and a kumquat.
Why a kumquat? Because it's fun to say "kumquat."
Re: Ebay Shoots MP Megatron Auctions! (100765)
Posted by JetfireUK on April 27th, 2007 @ 7:47am CDT
You said Kumquat!
![:shock:]( "Shocked")
LMAO
![:P]( "Razz")
Posted by JetfireUK on April 27th, 2007 @ 7:47am CDT
Blozor wrote:ebay wrote:Must not be readily convertible to shoot a lethal projectile
Readily convertible? Shoot, I already converted mine to feature a working nuclear fusion cannon. With only an Exact-o knife, a little duct tape, and a kumquat.
Why a kumquat? Because it's fun to say "kumquat."
You said Kumquat!
LMAO
Re: Ebay Shoots MP Megatron Auctions! (100767)
Posted by Liege Evilmus on April 27th, 2007 @ 7:48am CDT
Posted by Liege Evilmus on April 27th, 2007 @ 7:48am CDT
Ha, I got mine through them last week and its already shipped. I made it just in time!
Still, it sucks for you guys that didn't, it does however look like the BBTS orange cap is easy to remove.
Still, it sucks for you guys that didn't, it does however look like the BBTS orange cap is easy to remove.
Re: Ebay Shoots MP Megatron Auctions! (100773)
Posted by Sunstar on April 27th, 2007 @ 7:51am CDT
Posted by Sunstar on April 27th, 2007 @ 7:51am CDT
Its funny it is only happening now....
Re: Ebay Shoots MP Megatron Auctions! (100853)
Posted by Sentinel Maximus on April 27th, 2007 @ 8:30am CDT
Posted by Sentinel Maximus on April 27th, 2007 @ 8:30am CDT
In the wake of the 'Virginia campus shooter', I'm not surprised that this is happening. Fortunatly for me, I already ordered and received my Meggy about a month ago. Its going to be alittle bit harder now for TF fans to acquire this figure and thats a shame.
Re: Ebay Shoots MP Megatron Auctions! (100864)
Posted by Exulted Unicron on April 27th, 2007 @ 8:34am CDT
Posted by Exulted Unicron on April 27th, 2007 @ 8:34am CDT
and its gonna make life harder for those who want TFC megatron or Encore megatron
Re: Ebay Shoots MP Megatron Auctions! (100868)
Posted by Leonardo on April 27th, 2007 @ 8:35am CDT
Posted by Leonardo on April 27th, 2007 @ 8:35am CDT
In light of this I'm thankful for Classics Megatron's odd look.
Re: Ebay Shoots MP Megatron Auctions! (100874)
Posted by Exulted Unicron on April 27th, 2007 @ 8:38am CDT
Posted by Exulted Unicron on April 27th, 2007 @ 8:38am CDT
I feel glad I got my TFC megatron way back in January. I'd be hard pressed to get one these days
Re: Ebay Shoots MP Megatron Auctions! (100893)
Posted by skywarp-2 on April 27th, 2007 @ 8:49am CDT
Posted by skywarp-2 on April 27th, 2007 @ 8:49am CDT
Well from reading the rules of what can be acceptable as a "toy gun sale" it clearly states that the gun must have a orange tip or an orange plug inserted if its to be sold on ebay, and the seller must be in the US..
so according to my source at ebay, for now they are canceling all orders that are MP Megatron so they can sort out which sellers are in fact in the US, and have the required orange plug..
I have no doubt that the orange plug, US seller versions of MP Megatron will make it back on ebay..once they figure out whose in compliance and who is not.It's regrettable, but its the US law..
As far as price gouging on ebay..well its not the first time, and it is supply and demand.. so I feel the pain of those who want it and have a paypal account ready to go..
I'm happy I imported mine from Hobby Link,though it took forever by SAL, my friend that works there took great pains to make me feel assured that the orange plug wasn't an issue, and it really wasn't.. so I'm happy about that, and the fact that I got MP Megatron at the preorder price..Now having owned him and spent a total of 20 minutes with the toy since I had him, because I've been so busy with running my company, I am off to the Problems with Megatron section to voice some things I noticed right off the bat..
so according to my source at ebay, for now they are canceling all orders that are MP Megatron so they can sort out which sellers are in fact in the US, and have the required orange plug..
I have no doubt that the orange plug, US seller versions of MP Megatron will make it back on ebay..once they figure out whose in compliance and who is not.It's regrettable, but its the US law..
As far as price gouging on ebay..well its not the first time, and it is supply and demand.. so I feel the pain of those who want it and have a paypal account ready to go..
I'm happy I imported mine from Hobby Link,though it took forever by SAL, my friend that works there took great pains to make me feel assured that the orange plug wasn't an issue, and it really wasn't.. so I'm happy about that, and the fact that I got MP Megatron at the preorder price..Now having owned him and spent a total of 20 minutes with the toy since I had him, because I've been so busy with running my company, I am off to the Problems with Megatron section to voice some things I noticed right off the bat..
Re: Ebay Shoots MP Megatron Auctions! (100921)
Posted by Powermaster Jazz on April 27th, 2007 @ 9:15am CDT
Posted by Powermaster Jazz on April 27th, 2007 @ 9:15am CDT
I'm laughing at this situation now. Since I have an unmodded one.
Re: Ebay Shoots MP Megatron Auctions! (100948)
Posted by Anubiz on April 27th, 2007 @ 9:35am CDT
Posted by Anubiz on April 27th, 2007 @ 9:35am CDT
Does this mean that it is easier to buy a real gun rather than a toy one in the US. ![:???:]( "Confused")
Glad i got mine so easy, but for anyone who doesn't have one he is definitely worth the trouble.
Glad i got mine so easy, but for anyone who doesn't have one he is definitely worth the trouble.
Re: Ebay Shoots MP Megatron Auctions! (100952)
Posted by Bee-otch on April 27th, 2007 @ 9:37am CDT
I just received mine from BBTS on Wednesday and it literally took about 30 seconds to remove the plug. All I did was heat and pull. I know that it sucks having to pay full price for an item that has been opened, but it was really the only way that I was going to get one.
Posted by Bee-otch on April 27th, 2007 @ 9:37am CDT
Liege Evilmus wrote:Ha, I got mine through them last week and its already shipped. I made it just in time!
Still, it sucks for you guys that didn't, it does however look like the BBTS orange cap is easy to remove.
I just received mine from BBTS on Wednesday and it literally took about 30 seconds to remove the plug. All I did was heat and pull. I know that it sucks having to pay full price for an item that has been opened, but it was really the only way that I was going to get one.
