First of all, if you're talking about what I think you're talking about, such lines are still vintage toys, just unlicensed, like the Uzays. And in virtually all cases they are (often painfully) obviously bootlegs with wacky colors and/or goofy cards. There aren't enough of the ones that do look the same to infest the loose market and there is a subset of collectors that enjoys collecting the carded samples, which only a blind man could mistake for authentic vintage.

On a more relevant and much larger scale, aftermarket bootlegs completely destroyed the loose vintage Star Wars market and didn't do the carded market any favors. A loose, complete figure is worth more than a loose, incomplete figure, and SW figs had some small-ass accessories. Virtually every single vintage SW accessory got KOed..from the common Imperial/Rebel blasters to vinyl capes for Jawas and double telescoping lightsabers. It is a massive pain in the ass when buying a loose vintage figure to determine if the accessories are authentic. Didn't take people long to start slapping their fake vinyl cape Jawa or double-telescoping Vader onto a fake card either. While the carded fakes were never as organized and widespread as these TF KOs, people got hosed and still have to be especially vigilant when buying them today.

 

THe Uzays are the Hungarian ones no? They don't look legit. But the other sets this guy has from south america did on the hand. And what you've said is exactly my point. Vintage collecting is a pass time that involves actual work. To make sure you don't get screwed that is.

How is stating facts misguided? Fact is if there is a market for a collectors item some person (or group of persons) with the means and the loose morals is gonna make a rip-off reproduction of variable quality. You gotta look out for yourself make sure your getting what you pay for by being informed. If your a collector and your too lazy to inform yourself that certain products are being bootlegged and you buy one, in ignorance, at the price of a legit one. It's ultimately your fault. Remeber the saying buyer beware. This whole situation with KO/bootleg G1 figures is what that cluche was coined over.

 

lars, obviously you just got back into collecting TFs again (or are collecting them for the first time) but some of us have been doing it for many, many years. And for those who have, we had to spend a lot of money (and still do) to purchase authentic toys or official reissues. It's about taking pride in your collection and actually considerring yourself a connoisseur (for lack of a better term). It's the aesthetics of seeing an original (or official reissue) toy.

Obviously this is something you'll never understand. IMO, you're wrong for concluding that higher prices are the fault of buyers and for stating buyers are solely responsible for buying KOs. Please find the definition of free-market and its components, it may help you.

It's not for me to say what you can and cannot purchase, but when you buy a KO all you do is support a system that devalues the toys some of us worked hard to get over the years.

Perhaps you'll understand when some of the "real" toys in your collection are harder to find in the coming years and you see their value increasing...just to watch a cheap imitaiton come along and knock the value down.

Maybe I'm wrong, maybe that doesn't matter to you. Maybe it's about you getting your collection of imitations and passing them off as originals; even in your own mind.

Regardless, to each his own. Best of luck.

This subject has been discussed ad nauseum so I'm done.

 

I've only been good and serious about it for the last 2 years. But off and on it's been a life long thing. But I've never been willing to spend my money as freely as you'd have me believe is nessisary.

They are though. You do a lot of talking about the free market but if no one paid those exorbitant prices to being with they wouldn't exist.

Good, I want as many G1 toys devalued as possible. That way when I can go after one it'll be affordable.  

I hate it when anything I own goes up in value. I prefer it when it devalues. It's so much less pressure to take of it then.

I wouldn't do that, that's just stupid. The KO's I do have aren't in their boxes. Menasor wasn't worth it and Rumble/Buzzsaw is in with Soundwave. In fact I think when I get Mirage I'll put a big sitcker on the back of the box that says BOOTLEG in big red letters.  ream:

 

this thread had best get back on topic.

 

Master Sing anticipates the day when every G1 product is simultaneously reissued; I would love to see some of our comrades's reaction as the value of their collections are defiled by the company they fight so hard to defend!

However we can join together and fight this inevitable scourge now; list your G1 collections on ebay... Using the 'buy it now' feature, price the items no higher than what the original retail was... That way the combined tyranny of both the disloyal corporate conglomorat and KO makers can feel the sting of our revolt!

 

I just had to put my two cents in. The comments you make are simply ignorant. Some of us have been collecting for years and our toys are somewhat of an investment, when the market is flooded with these cheap KO's it shakes things up because of idiots like you who support this crap. I respect your opinion if you collect KO's. But you don't really have a TF collection, you have a knock-off collection, which isn't saying much and pretty much worthless to any Actual Transformer collector. But on topic, the set is so expensive you could just get the real ones off ebay.

 

I don't collect toys for their value. Sure, I have some pieces that are worth a lot of money, but I have them FAR more because I like them. I also have no problem with buying KOs.
Having said that, I won't be buying these; I won't buy figures that are already available, and may well be again.

 

Again with the promotion of KO's

 

Personally, I wouldn't get these insecticons because I generally don't consider bootlegs or KO's a part of my "official" Transformer collection. However, I am also not into used vintage toys. So, if someone really wanted a set of insecticons, and didn't mind the fact hey aren't official, and also don't like buying old used toys, then by all means they should buy these. As far as it being "wrong", well that's in the eye of the beholder OR up to Has/Tak to take action if they want. No reason for us to worry about it.
Oh, and I would never collect for value or for any other reason besides to make myself happy. I don't need to impress anyone with my "vintage" anything, as long as it looks nice to me.

 

I don't think any of us collect for Value. But our toys being worth money and steadily increasing makes it a definate perk.

 

Anyone know if BBTS will be selling this as well???

 

That's pretty cool. I'd buy a red Beachcomber.

-airfox

 

Yeah, I noticed that in the Gnaw auction pics before.

Although that link led me to this one...
http://auction1.taobao.com/auction/item_detail-0db2-ce65de79bd67f99d81e2782fae4ce80d.jhtml

If the picture doesn't show at first, click the magnifying glass.
Someone's done another Dino combiner.

 

Yeah. As I said in an earlier post why do some always have to be with the insults and slandering? And in every thread? I'm not talking about the differences in opinions and stances I'm talking about the disrespect and ill behavior towards other board members.

So has anyone seen anything about this interesting choice of release anywhere other than digital-toys yet?

 

You're a funny man.  

Do you own any vintage TFs? If so, I applaud at your idea & await the day when you start the ball rolling on eBay. I'll be keeping watch closely (both credit card & PC on 24X7 standby)  

 

Looks like he mixed Razorclaw with Grimlock pieces. I really wonder if any of those limbs can actually still transform.

 

See, the thing is, I would happily buy a lot of KOs if I had the money, and I would not care one bit about devaluing other people's collections, because I don't even care about the value of my own collection.

 

I'm with you! I made a huge mistake & sold my G1 collection back in the 90's. I want them back, not because their "collectible" or an "investment" or some stupid shit like that, I just want my toys back! I miss them. And the prices people are charging now feels like a punishment. "ha ha stupid, you sold them & now you're never gonna get them back unless you sell both arms, both legs, your kidneys & your left nut."

 

Ah yes I do my patronizing friend... However, their condition resembles that of ancient artifacts from the time of confucious; I will gladly give you deal that would be most special!