I am going to tf con in chicago this year. Its not my first convention but it is my first transformer convention so i have some questions.

1. How much money would you suggest saving for tf-con? (Im not paying for accomadations or food so its just the dealer room)

2. How many exclusives does the con shell out? And are tfcon exclusives Considered 3rd party items?

3. Are 3rd party items sold at the con usually more or less expensive at the con then when sold at online retailers?

4. Can i expect to see a large variety of 3rd party items at the con?

 

1- Depends on how much you want to buy.
2- TFcon Toronto usually has at least 2 exclusives. It hasn't been revealed how many exclusives Chicago will have.
3- The same, minus shipping. Some dealers will even sell for less.
4- Yes.

 

I shall endeavor to answer in order:

1.How much money to bring is the hardest part to estimate. Are you going one day or two? At TFcon Toronto last years weekend passes were $50, I don't know how similar the Chicago version will be.

2. Last year there were two official TFcon exclusives, plus two unofficial exclusives shared by TFcon & Auto Assembly. The backer cards of the Unofficial exclusives(I apologize if this isn't the right term) did have TFcon markings and fiction on them.

I would just say there were four exclusives in the grand scheme of things. TFcon has often had these secondary shared exclusives in recent years. The cost of getting every exclusive last year at TFcon was $200 grand total if that helps out any.

3. There will be tons and tons of third party items. Everything you can imagine and more. Some of those online retailers you mention may even be selling there. Prices are reasonable, occasionally you can find a deal. For instance I saw the Igear Swerve for $30 at TFcon last year.

 

Hello, Here is what I have seen at other shows I have set up at. Tho I do not carry 3rd party items. Most dealer that do sometimes will have a show special price on a item or items. As well you do not have to pay for shipping. Most dealers will also give you a discount if you buy multiply pieces.

As far as how much money to bring thats up to you. I would say bring what you can without hurting the bank and try to stay at that amount. I was at another show and saw a guy go thought 10g with the shows 1st day and had to sell some of it off so he could ship the stuff back.

Also bring cash as most dealer like cash over cards

 

I booked my flight and my room! This is going to be my first convention... well, I've been to what I GUESS might have been the NYCC? But all I did was wander around a bunch of dealers with my friends I was with and went to an Adam West panel, but I honestly didn't have a clue what was going on. So I'm counting it as my first REAL con. I've got a few questions too...

What should I expect to be doing? I mean... I have no idea what'll be going on. I'm sure there will be a lot of walking around and looking at stuff, which I'm totally looking forward to.

I'm coming with my wife and step son... step son is almost as excited as me (he's only been outside of Texas once, so going to Chicago is cool enough, but he also got into transformers thanks to my collection) but the wife has made it pretty clear that this is my baby and not to expect her to be all gung-ho and interested and stuff. She's cool with staying in the room with the laptop, TV and 3DS if need be (I've looked at the room pictures, too... wow)... but is there anything that would interest a non-fan?

Price of admission? Thanks for your answer, Robimus - I guess that's a good an answer as we can get right now. I'll definitely have to get one for me and the step-son. Based on the previous question, if there IS a reason to bring the uninterested wife out, are daily passes available?

So 3rd party stuff... even stuff I missed the boat on, I can expect to see? Should I expect secondary market prices? Example... I've been eyeing PE Warden, but I'm working on paying for this trip, putting spending cash back, and other important stuff (I think I have some car damage I need to get fixed), so he might be gone before I can afford him, and he seems pretty hot. Think I might be able to find one for $150 still?

This may be silly to ask, but will Hasbro/Takara stuff be available, too?

 

Wow where to begin!

Ok, first if your ever without an idea of things to do, when you get into the convention, you will be given a program which gives you a list of all the events and stuff going all during all the con hours (and even some con AFTER hours stuff too   )

There is the dealer room of course to buy stuff, but we also have guests from different walks of life from the brand. Famed comic book guests who are selling original art, or for a fee can draw you something amazing that is one of a kind just for you or sign something you fancy they did. Likewise we have voice actor guests from all over the brand which also you can get stuff signed or heck, just shake their hand and tell them how much you loved their work.

We have tons of events from educational panels, to voice acting panels, to cosplay (costume events), charity auctions and even our legendary 3rd party panel. So much to learn, do and experience and your son can come along too, it's kid friendly and it will open his mind. Also bring along that 3DS (You will get plenty of International Street Passes too ^_^)

As for the dealer room, you WILL no doubt find a Warden as TFcon is the central HUB of 3rd party merchendise. I can honestly say, you will find everything from every walk of live. Vintage G1 to modern Hasbro releases. Takara of yester year to the latest toys from Japan. 3rd party of the past and 3rd party of the future! You will find it all. As for prices, if your stalking a WARDEN, if he is currently going for $150, I can see him being at TFcon in that range, MAYBE even cheaper.

All I know is your're going to be VERY HAPPY and your son is going to have a blast (Just make sure to keep the wife happy too cause the show does not end at 5pm, there is much to do after that   )

Hope that helps

 

Hey gang,

I am REALLY excited for TFCon this year (haven't been to a convention since Botcon '97, ha ha). I was just wondering how long the "Customizing Class" usually goes. I know the registration says until "early afternoon" but...looking at last year's schedule...it overlapped a panel or two on Sunday if that is the case.

Since Sunday is the only day I can do this class, I was just wondering how long they usually are.
Thanks very much,
Chris Bucci

 

The class will run into most of the afternoon Sunday depending on how quickly you work and how many breaks you take, expect to finish at 2-3 pm.

 

My friend and I just ordered tickets for Tf con. So excited, since this is our first tf convention, and we are both big fans!

 

I should send a gmail back to the person at TFCon - I had discussed a panel showing some pictures and video I took when DOTM was in town in 2010, and I still wonder if that offer to have a panel to show stuff is on (I got pics of one area where they were planning to film, that didn't even make it into the film).

Anyone know if there is any/much trading going on at TFCon? I've had a SG Galvatron/Thundercracker burning a hole in my collection for 3 years now, and would love to see if I could do some trading with him. Probably the one Botcon 2011 set I bought that I have since regretted (should have gotten Sideswipe and Toxitron that year).

 

i have some more questions...

Q1
what are the hours the convention is open?

Q2
will tfcon chicago have a 3rd party panel? or just tfcon toronto?

Q3
on youtube i saw a video of vangelus at the cp3p thing where is it? (someones room, a panel, etc etc etc)

Q4
what kind of stuff will there be to do for someone just getting in the 3rd party scene?

 

There is always room to room trading, and people meeting up to do transactions they setup ahead of time.

 

Typically 9-5 Saturday and 10-4 Sunday (dealers room)

Chicago should have a 3rd party panel as well.

cp3p is a BotCon thing, TFcon allows third party on the convention floor.

Everything 3rd party should be for sale.

 

ok thats cool thanks

 

How friendly is the trading? Would it be worth looking into even if I only have one figure I really want to trade?

(2007 Leader class Brawl)

 

I'm looking to split a room with people for TFCon Chicago, when / where should I start asking?

 

I'm planning on going to TFcon in Chicago; this will be my first convention so I'm pretty excited! A lot of the posts here have answered my questions, but I have a couple more:

1.) I was just wondering if you usually just go to the convention one day, or is it recommended to pay for the whole weekend (is there enough to see/do for a whole weekend)?

2.) Why does the website list the convention as 24th-26th, but it looks like the convention is only open on the 25th and 26th (is Friday just kind a walk around the convention day)?

 

This is TFCon Chicago's first year.

 

I have a question that I bet many people are wondering. Because of personal circumstances I don't really want to get into, I'm not sure the kiddo is going to be coming along. It's not bad, it's just circumstantial.

So, assuming it'll be just me and the wife, who's pretty much not interested, the question is two-parted:
A) Should I buy her a weekend pass, just in case? Or should I maybe scope it out on day 1, and get a day pass for day 2? We're staying at the con hotel.
B) She can be stubborn. She thinks this is my thing because it's transformers and she probably won't have any fun. She is totally geek/nerd material (we met playing Everquest, if that's any indication) - any words of advise that might convince her to come and play? Of course, any words of warning if you think she wouldn't have any fun are welcome, too.

It feels like two and a half months is so far away, but... wow, it really isn't, is it? I'm so excited and nervous.

 

is there any pics online for the exclusives at tfcon Chicago?