I don't understand the pricing on the TW/Zeta plates. The initial preorder price was stupidly cheap and now they're like $20 per 2 pack?

 

I definitely want to buy that extensive Ark display that is not for sale but will probably buy the X2 toys base and several of these sets. Buying 8 from TF-Direct for free shipping would probably solve all of my Autobot/Decepticon issues.

 

These are indeed cool but I don't know if they will be stable if built into tall background walls.

 

Still waiting for proper KO prices on these. That's $30 for like $7 in materials.

 

I'd love to see these with MP scale bots to get an idea of how many I'd need for a display. But they look way more interesting than previous (really overpriced options).

 

Oh, wow! Wish these had been available when I was making my TF photocomic!

 

I suspect, as long as you give them side walls that are deep enough, you’ll be fine.

Marketing 101:
Prices are set by what the market will bear (with the cost of goods/shipping/etc. as the floor).
In other words, If people feel the value of a thing is $X (regardless of the cost of materials/shipping/etc.), you’d be a fool to charge less than that, and leave money on the table. Even if you were a KO maker.

Also, the cost of materials is likely closer to $1.50 (assuming the volume is large enough). But labor, shipping, distribution, advertising, retailers, etc. also cost something.

 

Just did some measurements of my humble display area.



If I want to line half of a bookcase with these 10cm things, I’ll need 138 squares. That’s 14 sets. As $35/set, that’s almost $490.
Yikes.

While I am very excited about a product like this, it certainly doesn’t scale well.

 

Good news! If you are willing to buy in large-enough bulk, Show.Z is willing to give a pretty decent discount.
Now I'm conflicted again.  

 

Your hotlinks are broken, @sunshinefaye  

 

BBTS:
Iron Deck Base & Background Panels (Purple)
Iron Deck Base & Background Panels (Orange)
Iron Deck Base & Background Panels (Grey)

TFsource:
Wild Kidz - Iron Deck - Base Background Panels - Orange
Wild Kidz - Iron Deck - Base Background Panels - Metallic Grey
Wild Kidz - Iron Deck - Base Background Panels - Purple

 

If you like the design that much, I can just scan one of the original gray ones I have and you can print the image to tile your space with.

There are also other, larger display base pieces from other manufacturers that may be more economical for your large space.

 

How many squares high and wide were used for this display?

 

Going by the pic with Mech Planet BB the panels are maybe 4"x4" in packs of 10 at $35. So if connected them in a 2x5 configuration that would cover 8"x20"

The Zeta sets are 8"x11" in packs of 2 for around $14. If connected in series and area of 8"x 22".

The hinges on the Iron Deck panels are friction, they're hinges... not super convinced of this.

EDIT: saw preorders for $24 and I wasn't far off on the panels size, it's 4.33". That's better but not competing with what's already out IMO.

 

2~3 sets, i think.

 

I like the look of these, but I don't know that they'll work for my display...I have a Billy bookcase, and 7 panels would be 30.31 inches, whereas a shelf is 30 inches in length (according to the IKEA website...maybe the exact measurement is closer)...but even if it fits, two panels width is 8.66 inches, whereas a shelf is 10 inches...not thinking I'd like that much uncovered space.

Still...this is neat, and very affordable.