Even though I want MP styled Armada figures (because I'm insane), I am worried about the lack of collector interest in Unicron figures. The reason why G1 MP figures do so well is due to the fact that the kids who grew up with G1 are now in their mid-to-late 40s and probably currently have a decent amount of disposable income. There is also the Chinese demand from the people who were first introduced to G1 Transformers back when it came to China in 1989 as one of the first Western properties introduced there. In comparison, the people who grew up with the Unicron trilogy are still relatively young and probably have less disposable income to spend (haven't advanced far enough in their careers yet). In order for this line to do well, the prices for the figures have to be low enough to entice the people who are on the fence on the Unicron trilogy or maybe only stick to popular characters like Armada Sideways. In the case of Sideways, you aren't competing with an official updated figure or another 3rd figure, plus I have seen multiple people showing interest for a Sideways on this forum multiple times. Maybe doing a poll would be a good idea.
You are amazing. Beautiful figure, incredible engineering. Great silhouette and awesome that it is a somewhat obscure choice. Awesome!
well so far in terms of pricing, what hes asking for Scattorshot is REALLY reasonable. $65 and hes going a $50 early bird sale. Hell, actual MP's/other 3rd party figures of the same caliber/size usually have their starting prince at like $80 or higher. it also helps that hes selling them directly instead of going through someone like BBTS or another online store, no middle man, so no mark up. And you are hardly insane, all ive ever wanted for years now have been Armada MP's, (FUCK YOU STARSABER!!! WE WERE SO CLOSE!!!) Unicron trilogy as a whole to a lesser extent, but hes hit a fan favorite sweet spot of mine with Scattorshot here.
A poll would be a good idea. I think I might do one before I start my next project. But really part of the beauty of my plan is that it is nearly market proof (silly phrase but bare with me, I'll enplane). Once I get a mini garage factory going the number of units I'd need to make a fairly decent living is in the hundreds. Don't get me wrong, if I can sell the numbers of other third parties I will, but it isn't necessary. So, I can do stuff that wouldn't really be otherwise advisable. If I can sell 200-300 it will be worth it. Thank you.
It's true, the official toy standing next to my prototype in those picks cost $80, it's only a little taller and weighs 4 oz less (when you're talkin' the difference between 5 and 9 oz, that's a lot). Something official this size would be at least 90 bucks, and if I were another 3rd party I could easily charge $100. Now that's not economically feasible given the market (as has been stated it's a smaller market). But I'm not another 3rd party and I don't have to give most of my returns to a factory. I will be the factory. I will however give some of it to retailers once the early bird special is over.
I think you could totally get away with an add-on kit for this, as an homage to his cybertron defense design.
Is there also a possibility for you to also sell figures unpainted, unassembled, and still on the sprues? Occasionally, Japanese manufacturers sell kits of their unpainted and unassembled figures for the customizer/DIY crowd. For example, Yamato sold a kit version of their VF-1 mold (which wasn't originally designed as a model kit). You would only need to put up instructions online, and this will save on the production costs.
If so I would rather pay the current price and have it the way it is now.beacuse I prefer my figures pre finished.
It would just be another option for those are willing to put in the time to assemble the figure in exchange for a lower price. I am not saying that NATO-BOT should not sell assembled figures.
What paint are you going to use for these figures? The paint used on most plastic toys (like Transformers) is PVC paint due to its durability and nontoxicity. However, wet PVC paint is incredibly toxic and is banned in the states.
I Have considered the idea before. Though, I'm not sure how much lower than $50 I could go. A Gundam kit of comparable size for example would be at least $50. Most resin garage kits (which this would essentially be) are in the hundreds of dollars. I thought my price was already pretty reasonable. My wife thinks (and the market for other third party figures show) I should be charging more than $65. But I'm charging low (at least I thought I was) to entice patrons to a new untested company. I'm even knocking $15 more dollars of the price if you order early. Do you think you could get an official product of this size and articulation without hollow arms and legs for $50 at your local Walmart? Hasbro doesn't even sell stuff this nice at this price. (even the kit in your picture was a $60 kit of $120-ish toy) I don't know for sure yet. I've been checking out various industrial paint suppliers and tampo ink makers. I'll probably order some samples and see what I like best. The toy will be cast in color so the paint apps will be sparse. Mostly just that copper color, some silver highlights, the face, and the yellow accents. Paint chipping shouldn't be too big a problem. Why, do you have a suggestion?
Man, this guy is all kinds of awesome. Just pre-ordered one. Scattershot wasn't even one of my more favorite characters, but he looks so impressive next to Sideswipe and his original incarnation that I couldn't resist at that level of engineering and pricepoint. Hope this guy takes off, because I would love to see some other Unicron Trilogy characters done to MP standards.
If I do one it will be TV scale. Not only would it be the "official" scale but he could combine with a possible Armada Megs. ...Who knows, I might go crazy some time in the future and do a few dozen 3 foot ones. But they an't gonna' be cheap. ... probably not though... Thanks for the support! It's appreciated.
Just about 3 weeks left on that early bird discount. Order soon! 30 day Early Bird PRE-ORDER : Cold Construct's cc-01 Satchel to be released 1ST QUARTER 2019
