I think you're right - the days of scarcity are over. Had they maintained 2020 pricing it might be a different story but we are definitely hitting a "ceiling" per se with FT. Otherwise, other companies would be raising their prices equally.

For me I'm getting itchy since I only need Jazz, Trailbreaker, Cliffjumper, and Slag for my Autobot collection. So I'm playing it safe.

 

FT === Free Toys!!!

 

i m in on jazz too

 

Show Z has credited me the balance between my $200 order and the $160 price drop after an email to cstmr service. YMMV.

 

Where do I preorder!?

 

BBB have just received more stock, keep your eyes peeled for more sales, boys!

 

Got mine from Bombusbee today. Very happy with this guy. Though I have to point out that mine was opened. The outer box doesn't seem to have been searched but the FT box inside has the outside seal and the one inside on the clam-shell cut open. This makes no difference to me since all parts are intact and there are no damage to the figure, but if you care about "mint condition" something is up with china post or Bombusbee.

 

#ihasabox

 

ShowZ has raised their prices back up again, the sale price is now 189.99

 

If this wasn't a customs search, I think they should notify you that for whatever the reason it had to be opened so the seal has been cut and ask if this is ok with you! When customs opens packaging for random checks, they usually retape with their specific tape that indicates it was opened by customs.

 

The seals were broken for sure on both items that I received today. I checked the boxes to be sure and yes the box was sealed with the black plastic corner pieces and everything.

I know the metal build bael was opened because the little plastic pieces to seperate the thighs from the skirts weren't in.

Like I said as long as the products are unscuffed I'm fine but I'm sure this isn't the case for most people and so I reported it here.

 

Got mine from Bombusbee yesterday, no missing pieces or anything either.

 

How are you defining close?

Fans Toys still has a long list IMO of things to do.

 

I haven't seen anyone try this but FYI you can totally fake an elevated tank look with the FT tesla if you dislike the flat tank look. It will generally stay intact on a shelf and in hand if you be gentle with it.

 

My little tribute to the “Flowers for Charlie” episode of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.

 

Finally sent my Tesla (together with some replacement parts from FT) to Brazil. 114 USD + 30 shipping = 144 USD total. All in all, well worth the wait.

 

The Disney era Marvel ownership/copyright machine notwithstanding, I did a thread about wanting iconic 3P comics characters like Impactor and Death's Head in MP form (amongst others) a while back in 2018 (before "the dark times"  )

Can't hurt to rez it quickly for anyone who's interested ...

MP-Comics Characters: Ever Gonna Get 3P Love?

Okay, back to Perceptor as you were then ... 

 

Well that was quick.....he was shipped only last week Monday and he's here already, can I get a FAAAAAAAAAAAAANS TOOOOOOOOOOOOOYS!

My thoughts......

Out of the box, he's gorgeous but.....

....all the talk and debate of colour, there is no denying it, he's the wrong shade of red, a shade too dark. And, no, it's not one of those; "In this episode he looked like that shade of red!". It's just wrong, XTB's is closer. Perceptor's red should be such that Autobot insignia should blend into the background when placed on him, with FT-46 it clearly isn't the case. The Autobot insignia sticks out like a sore thumb. There's also the Huffer issue of him being a bit too blinged out, but it isn't much of an issue here as his colours are muted.

Other than that he's a fantastic looking bot, I prefer the proportions on him than on XTB's, it's not the usual heroic FT proportions we've become disdainfully accustomed to, the blue on him works well, and there's one facesculpt which is pretty decent, it just looks a bit too serious for the character but it's pretty good. I haven't transformed him yet so I can't give a verdict on that but if the tight joints are anything to go by....I have a feeling it won't be the most pleasant of experiences.

All in all he's a gorgeous robot not worth the crazy asking price, if you can get a good deal on him buy it but if you buy or bought it at the asking price you've been ripped off....there I said it.

On a finishing note, why in fuck's name can't anyone nail Perceptor? He's such a boring, boxy and simplistic looking robot with no unique bells and whistles and an alt - mode that shouldn't be too difficult to get to, yet here we are, 0 for 3 in Perceptors nailed! Mind you given his popularity and the minuscule of details needed to make any of the two options the perfect Perceptor I can't see it being worthwhile for any company to attempt it. FT could completely slam the door shut on this character by releasing a + version of this guy with the right shade of red and a less stoic face.

For me given what I got him for, his slender looks and the better shaped helmet, he's the clear winner, but at the normal rate and if you're not too fussed about the competition's toys breaking out of the box then it's a case of pick your poison between him and XTB's Junkssen.

 

I find it incredibly frustrating when the only thing separating it from greatness is surface level things like that which could have been easily fixed. It's the same crap they did with Acoustic Wave. They do almost the entire damn thing in a cartoon style then put shiny metallic parts on it.

 

I agree with most of what you wrote here. However, I love Tesla’s red and hate his blue.

I got this and Janssen at the same time and I can say that I must prefer Janssen to this one. My copy of Janssen is terrific. No loose joints, no thighs pulling part, nothing broken or falling off. Everything on it is much more pleasant to move and manipulate compared to Tesla, who is stupid tight absolutely everywhere. I don’t mind the blingy red on Tesla at all, it’s actually one of my favorite things about Tesla 2.0, but that blue paint is just absolute ass. First, while it may be accurate the shade isn’t aesthetically pleasing or eye catching at all. And since the shade of blue doesn’t look all that great, painted or not, there was no reason to do it other than to keep the BSFes of the world from crying that “iT lOokS lIke a ToY!” if it’s not completely painted from head to toe.

And the blue paint, in addition to being unnecessary and not eye grabbing (give me Janssen’s metallic blue any day), is the most fragile shitty paint I’ve ever seen on a FT figure. I transformed this figure one time, handling those legs with extreme caution knowing about the shitty paint, and I still got 3 massive paint v chips on the front of one of his thighs.