Also the shoulder cannons and the arm blasters that pop out.

 

It's got more articulation then earthrise prime which is a leader class its hardly a scam

 

I wouldn't call it a scam, just unfortunate timing. IIRC the ROTB line was supposed to come out last year before the film got delayed so the ROTB line and SS figures were not supposed to release this close together.

 

Sometimes I will buy a figure that I didn't plan to just because the price is to good to pass up...

Road Hauler is a decent mold that started badly with the original breaking the pegs near spontaneously... but at least this was corrected. My problem with the mold is that it's too freaking small and is completely out of whack with the line and all other figures. So I had nothing against the mold per say, just that it was horribly too small.

Road Hauler has the distinction of having one of the most stupid face of all times that has him screaming at everything all the time. And in part, that is why I bought him today as I found him and a couple of extra Override at a crazy liquidation price.

So my comment is that unless you completely write off a figure/mold, no price should change that, but one that has strong reason to skip, can be bought for the hell of it should it come by via an opportunity that barely cost anything (got him for 9$CAD).. and he will be a freaking comic relief, and he shall suffer.

 

Cost of food? Cost of health care? Yes, those are needs and therefore significant concerns.

But whining about the price of toys? C’mon, people. These are fun but not at all necessary. If they’re too much for your budget, you can simply not buy them and you’ll be just fine. Prices will rise until people are unwilling to pay them. That’s simple economics. If you don’t like the prices, stop paying them!

Also regarding cost: the price of a figure doesn’t determine how good it is. A toy bought at 50% off is no different than one marked full price. It might represent a better value, but not a better product. There are people scrambling for figures that I wouldn’t take if given to me. Cheap garbage is still garbage.

 

While I agree, I do have to say that yes these are toys and so on, but the main reason for complaining is the value for the price, at least that's been my view on it. Can I afford these, yes and without problem, but I also remember when I wasn't financially well and my collection was almost therapeutic to have at least this hobby outside of work and life (that was very harsh) for a very long time... when the toys get to the point that they cannot be a fun little purchase so to enjoy the hobby, it sucks as hell.

I don't like seeing comments about people having to budget for toys, where their payday needs to come up before the credit card bounces, as to me that's something that I never did nor ever would have. As you stated, there were a lot of priorities at the time, and buying toys to end up having trouble making ends meet was something that I would have kicked myself on... and part of why lots of my comments have been about me catching up on older figures, which hasn't been that bad and whatever I missed, well too bad, it's just toys in the end and common sense applies here for me. I was a bit crazy for a few figures but could afford to be, but I still refuse to buy some things that I consider way over the top in terms of price, something that sadly, some seem to believe that it's some sort of "creed" to rant about how they buy the expensive stuff and ridicule those that don't.

So opinion set aside, the point is that I believe that people can absolutely state that they aren't getting value for what's coming out... again, I love the figures I get, but damn I hate the price I paid for it, but it's either buck up the money or not get the figure that interest you. It's not for everyone, but as I stated, I prefer my figures to look complete so I get 3rd party kits which adds to it, and somehow, some ridicule it as they rant that "it's good enough for them" and anyone else's choice is stupid.

So yeah... people have to have priorities, that's a fact and something that some fail at understanding, but again, what are considered toys, shouldn't cost the level of pricing that so many do... it's all about the value for money as far as I'm concerned and I apply that to everything in life and not just toys... (tools, cars, food, etc. I try to be sensible about all of it and don't care about appearances or name brands).

 

I hate to say it, but it is correct that if you dislike the prices, value, quality, or anything else about Hasbro or their products, your ONLY meaningful way of communicating this is to not buy the products or engage with the media. That's it. Complaining on forums, sending emails, none of that matters unless it alters the purchase outcome; i.e. if you choose not to purchase it and\or if you're able to convince others not to purchase it.

 

I think we generally agree that it’s value and not price that matters. But again, it’s ultimately a decision being made about a luxury— not a need. In that sense, I don’t see the point of complaining about it. Either it’s worth the price they’re asking and I buy it, or it’s not and I don’t.

I honestly feel that the part of the value equation that is more important is what you get rather than what you pay. Hasbro’s prices are probably not terribly out of line with inflation, but the designs and quality aren’t up to par, in my opinion. They could cut their prices in half and I wouldn’t be any more inclined to buy more of the mainline branded TF toys. I already pay more for 3PLs than I do voyagers because of design, materials, and build quality, even if I’m technically getting less mass.

 

That's just it, the options are limited, either buy or don't, but as far as the rest, it's been stated that Hasbro does look at forums and such for the feedback, and that's why I could kick those that rant on about how "amazing" some stuff is because it isn't... yes, it's fine to rant about how much you may like something, but another to kick it to the point where one rants over and over how the thing is faultless and perfect and so on when the truth is that while it might be a great figure, there is always some aspects where they absolutely cut corners and could have done better especially at the prices, and worse are those that go on about "I'd pay more"... as that's exactly what we end up getting. And that's why I prefer to see posts that are clear about how the increase in price is affecting their ability to pursue the hobby (or drop out of it).

To put my money where my mouth is, I've cut down my purchases by a good 90% (but have to admit that it helps when so much new stuff isn't of interest to me) and it's getting to the point of close to getting to under 5-6 figures per year at this rate, with just a couple that pulls me in as must-have, the others are just because they are within my interest zone but aside that, it's a trickle... when I give feedback on any figure I try to give an unbiased view with pros and cons so that people can have a better idea than just either a full gushing or a full hating on the figure. And I'm always happy to get feedback, conversations or questions from other members...

Absolutely, if I didn't enjoy the figures, I wouldn't be here to discuss about them, and since the price hikes have been non-stop for the last couple of years, the quality that went to hell and back during that time, it becomes a case of "is the figure worth it" as opposed to other options.

I've gotten more into the 3rd and 4th party stuff including the KOs in the last few years but the same rule applies to me, I want a balance between quality and value, as these are toys, not pieces of gold, and I appreciate the work and details that are put into then, I also know that the actual value can go to a fraction of what they sell for for some items. When one company can do a superb figure at a very reasonable price, then another company makes a similar one at 3-4 times the price, there's a problem for me... and it's easily understood that 3rd/4th parties do not have the industrial capacity that Hasbro has by a massive margin.

As far as what people buy, it's not the main concern here, (as for me, I refuse to pay voyager pricing for legend sized figures as I don't see the value in it, it's just not for me), it's when one hit that wall that it's affecting their financial situation... for mass produced products that are distributed worldwide, the price should balance to what it is, which comes down to a simply reality... price against value and one's ability to afford it.

If a hobby is a strain on someone's finances, they should re-evaluate their priorities for sure. If they are pissed that they paid a fairly high price for a figure that they expected to be more than it is, then return it, bitch about their dissatisfaction in detail to explain if it's just due to a personal preference or actual failings of the figure, it's design or such, so that others can be aware of the possible annoyances that they may encounter should they buy it and no go in "blind".

One of the best replies I ever got was a member that thanked me for being specific about a figure's annoyances, so that they it helped them to make the choice to buy it regardless, but that they knew what to expect and were not disappointed over that particular annoyance as it was expected and they could appreciate the figure for the good side of it (and why they did buy it anyways). So speaking out about the things that aren't good about a figure isn't always "bad" or "hate" as so many jump onto.

 

Rational views, all of them.

I too get annoyed when people gush over what is obviously mediocre product, because it sends the wrong signals to both the manufacturer and other prospective buyers. It lowers quality expectations and substantiates price inflation. But a buyer’s true voice is in the pocketbook. Continued customer loyalty to the manufacturer means “they’re happy so let’s keep doing what we’re doing”.

Not all figures are perfect, and I don’t expect them to be. My favorites are all flawed in some way and I won’t hesitate to say so. But I bought them because they were worth the asking price… to me. I get rid of toys that don’t meet my expectations, and I won’t hesitate to be critical of them in forums. But it’s never the cost that I regret— it’s the poor product.

Lastly, I budget for these expenses just like anything else. But if my income didn’t first meet my needs, these toys wouldn’t even be a consideration. Anyone buying them instead of food, medicine, care for their children, or rent/mortgage needs to refocus their priorities.

 

Guys, this is out of control. It’s been nearly 3 pages of people having rational conversations and even acknowledging good points that the opposing viewpoint makes. Please remember that this is the internet and more importantly a TFW2005 board and act accordingly.

 

Rotb optimus prime >>>>>>>>>>> earthrise optimus prime

 

Not if you want something that fits in with the rest of your generations figures

 

I'm just talking about the figure not it's appearance

 

Well all you did was
>>>
I thought you meant in all aspects considering the sheer about of greater then signs

 

They just how much I enjoy and have fun with it

 

That's always good. I hate when I buy something and go 'wow this is not enjoyable at all'
I had this alot recently..
Armada starscream
Armada hot shot
Scraphook
Core wheelie but I kinda got that because lol wheelie. Still was disappointing somehow. Even though I expected nothing

 

I still genuinely feel like they chould have gotten a better wheelie by using the TR version as a template and building it from there. Hell, make him a small deluxe like Cliffjumper if need be. Core Class SS86 Wheelie looks like crap in both modes.

 

I don't even like wheelie. I hate wheelie
But I thought haha funny wheelie annoying guy. And still somehow expecting to hate it I was just disappointed because it was so.. Boring.

 

Your mother was a hamster and your father smelt of elderberries