HasLab Transformers Victory Saber is now over 17K and Stand Tier has been Reached

Epsilon Delta wrote:I'm just thinking, if it was a Bumblebee or an Optimus Prime under $50, I could understand marketing to the parents. The fact that it's around $200 (after taxes) of an unrecognizable character (to a parent that would be "shoppinging off the ads" to find a gift for their child), it just really doesn't make sense. I would be very interested to know how many parents with no affinity for Transformers backed this because they were looking for a gift for their kid that likes Transformers. I need stats Hasbro

What makes no sense to me is that this toy comes out in 2022 and we don't have a sure date.

Parents do make big purchases for their kids, but it's usually for special events and it's of things they know they want then. Asking parents to spend 200$ for a toy released sometime next year with no guarantee that their kid will still be into it then? Just feels like a charade to make it seem like they are still a fully family friendly company and are not dedicating themselves to just fans, for even this particular product.

Unless Hasbro is talking to parents of 30 year olds who still live with them in the basement.

Well the irony of all this is, while I am purchasing this for myself primarily...It is ultimately for me and my son to share. I know some parents will buy 2 of some things (one for them and one for their kids)...but ultimately I have to face the realization that when my son eventually grows up and moves out, he may very well take ALL of the collection with him. It's not something I'm willing to argue our cause a rift about. If he wants them all, C'est la vie. If not, then I will be just as happy. Of course I'm going to "encourage" him to keep them perhaps in my home where they would be more secure. I don't imagine him taking these to a college living environment , or any small apartment he may rent. Of course this is still 3 years away at minimum, but time flies I'm tellin ya! I wish I could afford a 2nd one, but I'm happy just being able to back one form myself.

william-james88 wrote:

Epsilon Delta wrote:I'm just thinking, if it was a Bumblebee or an Optimus Prime under $50, I could understand marketing to the parents. The fact that it's around $200 (after taxes) of an unrecognizable character (to a parent that would be "shoppinging off the ads" to find a gift for their child), it just really doesn't make sense. I would be very interested to know how many parents with no affinity for Transformers backed this because they were looking for a gift for their kid that likes Transformers. I need stats Hasbro

What makes no sense to me is that this toy comes out in 2022 and we don't have a sure date.

Parents do make big purchases for their kids, but it's usually for special events and it,s of things they know they want then. Asking parents to spend 200$ for a toy released sometime next year with no guarantee that their kid will still be into it then? Just feels like a charade to make it seem like they are still a fully family friendly company and are not dedicating themselves to just fans, for even this particular product.

I didn't even think about it not coming out until next year. Kids' tastes are very fickle. My son is going from Transformers, to Beyblades, to Power Rangers, to Pokemon and back again. It changes weekly. You can't buy anything unless you plan on giving it to them right away because you wait too long and they might not be into it anymore.

I too want to know who the parents are throwing $200 around because they read an ad, and see if they want to adopt me. They really should word it "Parents, collectors, enthusiasts..." Are they just trying to fool... I'm not sure... Themselves?

cruizerdave wrote:I bet that makes Retroblasting’s blood boil!

Every Haslab has funded (sans cookie monster). The guy is just an unhappy, jaded collector. I admit, I walk that line myself sometimes, and I try not to be too critical, and I apologize when I do. I am all for wanting the best toys possible, for the least amount, and readily available, but unfortunatley that's just not real life all of the time. I loved the debate recently between Mike (Retroblasting), and Scott (Spectre Creative), if not for Scotts bad internet for the first 30 minuets, it would have been a much more enjoyable watch.

Once the TT and 3P orders flood into the total, I'll be surprised if the number end at below 20k backed units.

This probably happens more often, but just kind of keeping tabs to see when it hits 18K. It did take a little dip (was at 17970, then went down to 17945). Nothing to really be of much concern about, but still you just don't expect it

I was kinda hoping for a last minute 23K tier that had something else included, since I am thinking this is going to top out at around that level. Oh well, I am glad it is hitting the tiers. I would have been a disappointed if it didn't hit the tiers. I love rescue-themed Transformers and adding more Micromasters is pretty awesome. The shield isn't that important to me, since I actually want to put the V-Lock Cannon in the spot it takes on the ship mode (I love symmetry).

william-james88 wrote:

cruizerdave wrote:I bet that makes Retroblasting’s blood boil!

Any chance on keying me in on what this refers to?

Retroblasting is a channel for a Toy Collector/Reviewer on YouTube named Michael French. I haven't watched too much of his content, but from what I've seen, he is a very bitter and jaded toy collector. He has vilified Hasbro on several occasions, and has made his opinion quite well known about his disdain for the whole Haslab crowdfunding process (he believes all these big ticket items should be sold at retail).

This debate is actually a good watch, you can skip the first 30 mins though as Scott Neitlich was having internet issues the whole time. It raised a lot of good questions, unfortunately with very few answers though.

So I ended up ordering a second one, number 18,221, and shortly after it was already up to 18,264. It's going to be an interesting weekend. I just hope that at some point they don't pull a Unicron and change the number "20,000+".

Emerje

Flashwave wrote:

Epsilon Delta wrote:

william-james88 wrote:

Epsilon Delta wrote:I'm just thinking, if it was a Bumblebee or an Optimus Prime under $50, I could understand marketing to the parents. The fact that it's around $200 (after taxes) of an unrecognizable character (to a parent that would be "shoppinging off the ads" to find a gift for their child), it just really doesn't make sense. I would be very interested to know how many parents with no affinity for Transformers backed this because they were looking for a gift for their kid that likes Transformers. I need stats Hasbro

What makes no sense to me is that this toy comes out in 2022 and we don't have a sure date.

Parents do make big purchases for their kids, but it's usually for special events and it,s of things they know they want then. Asking parents to spend 200$ for a toy released sometime next year with no guarantee that their kid will still be into it then? Just feels like a charade to make it seem like they are still a fully family friendly company and are not dedicating themselves to just fans, for even this particular product.

I didn't even think about it not coming out until next year. Kids' tastes are very fickle. My son is going from Transformers, to Beyblades, to Power Rangers, to Pokemon and back again. It changes weekly. You can't buy anything unless you plan on giving it to them right away because you wait too long and they might not be into it anymore.

I too want to know who the parents are throwing $200 around because they read an ad, and see if they want to adopt me. They really should word it "Parents, collectors, enthusiasts..." Are they just trying to fool... I'm not sure... Themselves?

I always assumed its a required legal disclaimer. We have kids rhat browse this site , see the postings, this is one of those "ask your parents..." Type things that Hasbro has to include

I had this same discussion with a guy on Facebook and there are apparently parents who do buy these Haslab projects for their children. Supposedly, this one guy backed Unicron for his preteen daughter which I honestly don't know if he's serious and just using it for bragging or just full of it. Either way, I find it hard to believe anyone would be buying something like that for their child. Even more so here with Star Saber being so obscure that there's a contingency of adult fans who have grown up with Transformers since the 80s who have no idea who Star Saber is. I personally think that Hasbro needs to just accept that a lot of their products, especially these and any store exclusives, are more than likely being brought by adults for themselves than for kids. At the very least change their wording to "parents and collectors pre-order here" or something.