Is anyone from WA going to SDCC? I'm wanting the Baroness/Ravage set. I believe Heroes Resource in Lynden is down to 2 Metroplex for anyone interested.(and willing to make a drive almost to the border)

 

I think it would be better to have a unique thread for each meetup. It would be a little more organized and focused that way. We should definitely use that forum for the next meetup, though.

 

Mine's in two weeks, so who's throwing the party?  

 

I think that new posters get a lot of grief, it's like some try to use it as a form of hazing... and really it's not how we should introduce people to our group. As our group gets larger and closer, it becomes more intimidating for new posters to join. We were all once new posters and I hate to think that any one of us would have been turned away by the ribbing that some do.

In a few days I'm sure we'll get posts asking for help on MP Soundwave, let them ask, there is no harm. Just like Kusanagi suggested that these people ignore our messages we can just as easily ignore theirs, until they contribute to the sightings.

 

I've never gotten any grief. I rarely post. I like all you guys. I've helped/been helped by numerous WA dudes.

It's a message board dedicated to toys. (Well, lets call them "collectible action figures") if you're getting that butthurt over something like this, maybe you should re-asses your life. It's the Internet. Wahhhhhhhh.

Shame I missed the meetup. But when I put the directions into my phone, the hour drive was going to be a bit much with a baby and angry wife in tow.

Happy birthday to all. PM me and I'll send you energon chips or whatever random crap I have extra of.

 

All I know is you jerks have flat out ignored my birthday 37 years in a row!! 37 YEARS!!! Sure, for the first 9 of those years Transformers (as a brand) didn't exist...but that's no excuse!  

 

Thanks to everyone for the great responses here and in PMs. I've definitely noticed some general themes, and I've tried to address some of the questions and provide clarifications below. I tried to grab some representative statements below, and please let me know if I missed anything pressing.

To clarify here, there are ways to file complaints. You basically go up the chain -- if you feel a moderator has treated you unfairly, then ask a super moderator to review. If you're having trouble with a super mod then ask an admin. And if you're having trouble with an admin, ask another admin.

I'd also like to clarify that there are very few secrets among the staff here. Formal actions taken are available for all to review, and I can say that I've called and been called on actions in the past. It's rare, but it does happen. In short, there's little chance of someone "going rogue".

Yeah, and unfortunately the supporter stuff is still down. If you guys do want to set something up please let me know. I set one up for the folks in Connecticut a while back. You're not going to let Connecticut beat you guys, are you?  

Really though, totally up to you guys. The only thing I'll point out is that the normal rules of the board still do apply in social groups. So, you could pick and choose who's allowed there, but the same rules apply otherwise.

Yup, what you're describing is exactly what the sightings threads are. They were initially created to be strictly sightings reports, but they quickly evolved into small local groups of collectors talking about whatever as in-person friendships were made. The "no off-topic" rule was dropped (as is noted in the sub-forum rules thread), and some have said that allowing these local communities to flourish was the best thing TFW has ever done.

So yes, talk about comics, TV shows, and how your Seaducks stole a game from my Packers (with the help of the replacement refs) last season. Feel free to set up your meetups here, though personally I've found that setting up our Minnesota Meetup thread as SQ7 suggested worked better for us. And as long as it's reasonable you can post that you have things for sale, though again posting a link to a sales thread in the Junkion seems to be better received than posting them here. Basically, the rule states that as long as a particular off-topic conversation doesn't dominate the thread it's OK, and quite honestly I can't think of a single instance where I have seen it occur.

To be clear here, I mentioned that just to clarify that it's been going on for a while now and wasn't something new. It's also certainly not a frequent or daily occurrence, but that also doesn't mean that it's acceptable.

Please report this if it ever happens, or respond to the PM, warning, or infraction. We can't rectify things if we are never made aware that there is a problem, and there are certainly times where we don't have all of the information when we make a decision.

I've been thinking about the whole harassment issue off and on over the past day, and I think it really comes down to this: harassment is harassment in the eyes of the victim of the harassment, not the person perpetrating it. For example, what would happen if you were working with a coworker who was 60 and you started calling him "gramps"? It may be all fun and games from your perspective, but he may consider it harassment based on age and file a complaint.

Now, of course not every cry of "harassment" actually is (and we certainly determine many reported posts to be OK despite this claim), but when something has been confirmed as harassment by the staff we expect that behavior will change, not continue on as if the PM/warning/infraction never happened.

And certainly some things are obviously just plain funny banter among friends, like these posts:

 

I'll try and wrap up whatever we're going to do about the situation by the end of the night or tomorrow. If anyone has any further comments or questions, please feel free to post here or PM me.

Thanks!

 

Pix Q, PIX! I wanna see these 3 shelves!

On a side note....You guys gotta remember that Rage's WIFE wanted us to do something special for him.... So if you want us to do something special for your b-day..... better get someone to ask us.... otherwise, we just don't care enough about you on your birthday  

PS You guys have neglected my birthday for years as well......

 

Glad you could use my HTS coupon Exodus.  

Thanks again Roger for the Leadfoot and Steeljaw. Daughters gonna love that dog.  

Thanks Keith for picking it up.  

Chris, email me for your Springer if you still need it.

And I'm still hoping to trade my Sandstorm for PRiD Skyquake. Since nefuds car was stolen our deal fell through.

 

Yes thank you! I actually found a skyquake here if you need it let me know, I can probably send it up with Regzero when hits up cybcon, let me know.

 

PM sent.  

I'm really trying to make CybCon.

 

Oh yeah...I forgot. Roger's wife wanted something special for MY birthday as well! And I've been eyeing that new MMC "Predaking" Feral Rex!  

 

Thats right boys, shes taken!

 

Woohoo found a giant underground yellow jacket nest in my backyard when mowing earlier today. Attack of the insecticons.  

 

grabbed two BH Dark Steel today... he's awesome... good luck guys...

 

I personally love this group. I've purchased numerous figures for others and vice versa. This past botcon I got several contacts for various board member to see it there was anything I needed. Ryan bought me a windsweeper for $12 to finish my 1987 g1 line. Jason hooked me up with several botcon figures at cost. Ed and steve texted me to see if i needed anything. Again none of this initiated by me - I would venture to say we have the best sightings group.

Yesterday about 40-50 met and ate, drank, sold, bought and traded plstic, had a gift exchange, watched an outdoor movir, and celebrated birthday (bough the guy a $350 toy - what other group does that? boys and girls start saving because my birthday is in march). Roger gave me two big bags of vintage ghosterbusters as a gift. Wyatt rented a clubhouse out of pocket by the water just so we could meet. I don't think there is a tighter group and the meet up was open to anyone. We all came with extra figures of all the scarce toys (I.e sandstorm) just in case someone needed it at cost - what other group does that?

We have dinner, contact, and are genuinely friends and therefore at times we can get a bit off topic but that strengthens the group (in my opinion).

I think if someone is offended they need to contact the offender and not go running to a mod. In all honesty if the moderators looked at the complaints I would venture to state the majority comes from a few members. They need to let people know what and how they feeling - we are adults and don't need to run to the principal everytime. Mods need to get involved if after stating that you don't appreciate a tone or statements the behavior continues.

I've only been collected for 3-4 years but this group is one of the main reasons that I continue to collect. I appreciate this group and am not looking for a huge change.

Just my 2 cents

 

Northbend toys r us has a kickback
Smokey point Walmart = nothing, but I did meet toddjumper - a cool guy who hooked me up with a vintage voltron - thanks

 

The latest happenings here only help demonstrate the antiquated design of these types of boards compared to modern social media networks. I'm surprised these boards haven't failed in the face of more powerful social interaction with sites like facebook. Places that are intertwined with the power of the smart phone allow the user to easily access photos, locations and other information at a few button presses compared to visiting a website that is not optimized for the interface.

Really if this was a place to post sightings, it would include automatic geolocation of said sighting , easy accessibility of uploading images to best show the find and instant notification of the a find. This site for sighting purposes is as antiquated as a newspaper classified add compared to craigslist.

 

I'm going to be in Seattle over the weekend and was wondering if any Seattle based boardies could give me suggestions of places to find Transformers, Comics, and vintage toys... Also maybe a good flea market to check out.

Thanks in advance

 

Looking forward to CybCon this year. Anybody looking for Canadian stuff?

On a side note, coming from an outsider, this thread is great. Lots of good info.