Im new to this trasformers thing. But what is lucky draw? I know its this golden special thing, but how do you get it? How much does it cost? Do you have to enter a DRAWING for it or something?
Lots of info for you here Frequently asked questions regarding Lucky Draw Transformers At LuckyDrawTransformers.com
Easier to understand if you've played shenmue and won the lucky draws in the shops. Shenmue: Semi-Realistic simulation of living in japan.
Technically, the three hardcopy Transformers Animated toys offered through Hasbro Toy Shop UK last year also count as Lucky Draws. There is also the all chrome Movie Optimus Prime offered in the US which is the equivalent of a US Lucky Draw. Arguably these are rarer still than true Lucky Draws due to the fact only one of each exists.
I don't understand them from a financial perspective... Takara designs a new deco and produces an extremely limited number of the toy, which they then GIVE AWAY. Net profit to Takara... zero. Outgoing costs, potentially thousands of dollars. However, I do get that they're usually tied into a magazine, so there's advertising/marketing value there. Take that gold Masterpiece Prime, for example... I'd happily pay up to around $250 for one. Why not a limited run of 500 or 1000 to be sold by Takara at 2x-3x retail? Seems like there's a solid collectors market for black, clear, and plated stuff... it's always seemed strange to me we don't see more of those offerings from Takara; especially considering the profit margins would be astronomical in their favor.
yeah, but takara doesnt make them for profit, they make them for contest winners. The magazine provides info for how rare they will be, usually jumping up the price considerably when they do hit the market. Ams already knows this, just throwing some additional info for the ones who dont know.
I only know of one person and that is Might Gaine(stateside) to win a Lucky Draw, and I only know of 4 Lucky Draws that actually have their prize paperwork, myself owning 2.
Sure, you're absolutely right. Just seems to me like there's an untapped collector's market for LD-type products made available on a slightly larger scale. Suppose Tak were to run off (and I'm just making this up for the example) 1000 gold chrome TF2 leader Primes and make them available for $120 (basically three times leader class retail). Guaranteed sellout, I would think. Wonder why there's not more stuff like this (outside of Wonderfest and convention stuff).
