How can you tell the difference between the revised release and the version with defects.I'm want to buy one but don't to buy the one prone to breaking.
1st Takara version alphanumeric stamp on the bottom with an A (manufactured in Jan 2011) 2nd Takara version, alphanumeric stmap on the bottom with a H (Aug 2011) Whether you buy either of the above, the Hasbro version, or the black aqua version, you're pulling straws at random. They've all shown a tendency towards significant problems.
And thats just the QC issues with that particular figure. Out of all my Masterpiece, Alternators, and Human Alliance size figures (MP-01, the Two Examples of the MP-03 Mold, MP-05, masterpiece Grimlock, Alternators Jazz and Hound, Human Alliance Sideswipe, Masterpiece Rodimus Prime, MP-10) Rodimus Prime is the only one I Refuse to Transform due to how much of a pain in the ass it is to get him into Vehicle form. I'm also less Likely to Pose him due to his useless Karate-chop hands and Limp Elbows. His Targetmaster partner is a better figure than he is, and he's an accessory.
Yes, I would suggest buying new as well if you can. That said, I own several of original version and haven't had issue one with breaking. That you realize they are delicate will improve your odds of not breaking it. I think a lot of the people going into this figure thinking they could manhandle it during transformation resulted a significant number of the issues seen.
A better idea would be a general QC thread. Users can keep it updated with all known issues, and discuss them.
Count me on the opposite end; buy a USED one. Why? Because all four versions\revisions are out of production now, so buying one brand new and having it break on the exit from the tray is an unfortunate and pretty much absolute matter. Unless the seller takes returns on broken items, you're stuck. Buying a used one means you can have a detailed description of what's used\broken and whatnot. Take my two specimens for example, one was a v1 takara and the other is a hasbro version. When I sold the takara one to chris on these forums, I was upfront about everything. Guns not tabbing to hands, torso not locking together on the back, broken "boot" panel on one leg, couldn't clip together on car mode on one leg, and so on. If\when [highly unlikely] I sell my hasbro version, I'll be upfront and say that there's NO F*CKING thing wrong with mine. No limb has broken off, no loose joints, no cracks and I've manhandled it to vehicle mode about 5 times per month in the 15 months I've owned it. Wouldn't be able to explain any of the above if they were sealed
