Except, it's not really free, and required people to subscribe to FPCore's membership. The cost of these "free" figures have pretty much been built into the subscription. Based on the responses ever since Smart Robin was initially released, a large number (possibly even a majority) of people preferred the masked version, and I don't believe FP wasn't aware of that.

Yes, I realize that, and I respect that. Heck, even if they were to do it the way they did Code, re-releasing it as a completely new figure with the new head, I'd be supportive of that. My problem is with the exclusivity of this release.

Exclusives are nothing new in this business. Things like the TFCC exclusives normally consist of repaints and are almost always non-canon items that people can optionally hunt down. But when something so massively popular is withheld from a general release, only to be used later as hook for FPCore's membership, it creates opportunities for scalpers. In this sense, they are consciously and willingly subjecting their fans to outrageous secondary market prices ($60+ on eBay).

By granting this as an exclusive for FPCore subscribers only, they are allowing their supporters to be exploited by scalpers. It just feels like they've taken a massive dump in my mouth, far worse than Warbo's 3-month exclusivity deal with BBTS. Personally, it doesn't bode well for their integrity as a business, and I cannot in good conscience support their decision.

I'm just explaining how things feel from my perspective, you're more than welcome to hold a different opinion.

 

The crazy thing is, I used to respect FP when they did seem to be sensitive to customers of their general releases. When they came out with a v2 of their City Commander armor, it had new shoulder missiles, which they made available for sale separately from the v2 release so the early adopters didn't have to buy a whole new kit to get them. They also did that super cool charity thing with Blesser.

But I agree that this latest stunt has really soured me on them. Plus, as far as I can tell, making this super-popular accessory exclusive to their Steel Core trailer set (besides not being related at all to the trailer itself) couldn't have helped their sales since it wasn't known until loooong after the trailers were no longer available for purchase. At best this sends the message "Better sign up for the FPCore club next time because if you don't, who knows how FP are going to screw you over."

This ordeal plus the Cubrar random red-head fiasco has pretty much entirely erased any brand loyalty I had for them. And that's an important thing to many people -- I probably wouldn't have bought their Stunticons if I didn't really like them, and now I regret that purchase.

 

This thread is convincing me that these companies should just release their products and let people either buy them or not buy them and otherwise completely ignore customers as they are completely impossible to make happy.

 

Based on what I have seen previously, this Smart Robin move seems par for the course. When FP first entered the third party world, they seemed more in touch with the fans. They've lost that aspect as the years have passed.

 

I don't think FP is necessarily to blame for all this. I mean they did retool this little guy to add the faceplate that so many had been clamoring for, essentially giving the people what they had been asking for.

I'm not completely sure that this had been planned to be a FPcore exclusive all along, either. Doesn't really fit with the rest of the membership items (SC trailer and Solerons).

I guess I'll ask the question, if FPcore didn't exist, would FP still have made this new Headmaster? I would lean toward probably. And in this hypothetical FPC-less world, how would FP have distributed this item? I would guess the same way they released their Code repaint.

 

Or maybe they could have just release it as a standalone offer as they did in the past with their $10 not-Firebolt that we bought separately from Protector. That was the way to go in my opinion. The whole FPC thing has alienated me as a fan, actually. The way it is conceived is not exactly friendly towards fans not living in North America (ridiculous shipping rates, inaccurate customs declarations, etc.)

 

omg, is that what came in the mail the other day!
I still don't ave this, or that repaint yet. I need the croc first.

 

Love how people assume that the posts on this board are "the majority of people" in the fandom. FP stuff still sells and keeps selling apparently since they crank out new products without "the majority" being their guiding force. There is nothing saying FP won't offer these for sale and leave it as a "free" fpcore exclusive. Fpcore folks get a bonus without having to buy the headmaster and others could just purchase it. It could be "exclusively free" to the members but not exclusive to the members. This is the same company that released a very nice code figure then re-released it in toon colors later (much to my dismay). It doesn't mean i like my v1 code any less but is still disappointing. People should be used to this from them by now.

 

I have a question. I was looking through the thread for the video review of the FPCore head, and the user posted something very interesting that made me want to ask this.

Now, if anyone else remembers there being an announcement of there being a reissue of Smart Robin with the alternate head, that would be good. If not, well I'll just get the original.

 

Hey guys, just wondering if the new membership figure was news to anyone else? I've been out of the loop for a little bit due to getting a house in August and since it looks like they only posted the info on the FP Core site I never saw it.

Needless to say my old address was still on file... and I really want the masked head. I'm hoping it gets forwarded to the new address but I'm not sure if it being an international package complicates things a bit. My hopes are low at this point but figured I'd see if anyone else suffered the same misfortune but received the figure forwarded to their new address? Looking for any bit of hope at this point...

 

I'd assume your best bet would probably be to reach out to FansProject Core, I believe I saw other people having address issues and they worked with them. Unless someone who actually had an issue is here and can comment?

 

Thanks Mondochuk, I actually sent them an email right before I posted on here. However, given other peoples experiences in trying to email them I'm not counting on a timely response... So yeah if anyone has any insight/advice it'd be much appreciated.

 

I'm happy to say that I received a response from FP Core support and they will be resending the figure to my new address! Apparently the original was sent to my old address and returned to them. At least they responded within a week of my original email, no complaints there.

 

So now the masked version of the Smart Robin Soleron is being sold individually for $25 and free shipping.

https://www.fpcore.com/product/fpcore-exclusive-smart-robin-masked-soleron

 

Thank you for posting this!

 

$30 if you're not a FP Core member....

 

I feel bad for those who shelled out $50+ on this on Ebay.

 

Isn't membership free?

 

huh....guess so.

ETA: Still trying to charge me $30.