Awesome stuff! I actually sold my Neo Geo AES and games I had (Last Blade was the dearest one, no Metal Slug unfortunately!) to fund the beginnings of my Transformer MP collecting a few years back.

 

Yeah I sold my Binaltechs and some old Masterpiece to fund my Constructor, it’s nice we can trade up!

 

I have spent the last 2 ears selling all my RID, Armada, and G1 re-issues to pay for my MP line.
Down to just a few left now. Same ones as most people, Astro-train, MP size defensor, etc

 

Well, quite - it's all about timing. Agree with you there - the stocks analogy is a good one. Takara has sucked lately though, the toys can't seem to leave the box without falling apart.

Yes, but I didn't say "all third party figures are a good investment" I specifically referred to Phoenix. It's made by arguably the best third party company, it's highly sought-after and is unlikely to be bettered by anyone. Kronos and Seige are both inferior options, and I wouldn't trust Takara to design a brick after Bumblebee, Hound and Arcee. So for all those reasons, and in my opinion, it's a solid pick-up.

If it had been Kronos I'd be double-facepalming  

Keeping it on Constructor, I know FT will release theirs (I'll keep them as individuals should that happen) but the severely limited release of the cel-shaded repaint and the general awesomeness of the toy overall make me happy I picked up, and confident that if I ever flip it, I won't lose much on it. Though I doubt he's going anywhere because I wuv him  

 

Yea I love my collection too. Yea I will say that no one ever has the absolute best TF because there will always be new releases and improvements. I am content with mine. Otherwise I’m just chasing improvements and it’s a headache and hurts my cash. LOFL. Kinda like when Hasbro came out with Hound. I was like meh. I’m ok with FT Willis.

 

Got a message from @ShowZStore that prices for constructor x will chill after this mess is over. I’ll wait to get it from him. That will be tricky and I’ll have to check constantly. I know TFS has him, but Show is my go to guy for Constructor X.

 

I saw a custom Devastator Decepticon emblem by G1StyleMPDesign on this forum and Ebay, but he doesn't ship to the UK. Does anyone know of an alternative on offer anywhere?

 

Kronos was going for $300 at one point... Then something better came along and now it's worth peanuts. If TT ever does one, it very well could result in Phoenix's value dropping like a rock, too. And this is all only as long as MP is all the rage. If/when the next collector line comes along and make MP the next Generations line, 3rd Party figures value will drop even if they're good. I have a Hegemon figure that apparently used to sell for $300. I'd be lucky to get $30 for it now. I had an MT Giant figure that I think I paid $450 for that I ended up selling for $150...and that doesn't even have an official alternative in matching Generations combiner sizes... But 3rd Party Generations figures are no longer relevant, the demand is little, and the supply is abundant so 3P Generations figures have little secondhand value now. I think in the long run, all 3rd Party figures value will eventually be lackluster because they're a very niche product.

 

The only ones I see on eBay (I'm in the UK too) are from a seller called golden_demon_winner_th and they don't show as having UK postage.

However, all his TW Jazz customs do, so maybe it's worth asking whether he'd be amenable to it for a fellow TFW2005 member?

 

Ultimately, the issue is the market size of 3P collectors is probably at its highest now and likely isn’t going to grow significantly enough that there will be a steady stream of new consumers looking to buy old figures to fill in their collection, which is where secondary market gets its value.

and, as you mentioned, as newer versions of the characters come out, those will be readily available to any new consumer into the market to buy so there won’t be a need to go back in time to buy an old figure. On top of that, 3P aren’t a uniform line of figures that compulsive collectors who enter late will feel the need to have to pay exorbitant amounts for in order to have a complete collection of a line — we are all just mixing characters we want as they are available from who makes them. Unless it’s specifically aimed at having a complete Fans Toys or XTB collection, which I assume would be a very small amount of consumers entering the hobby to do so, there is no line to have to pay a high price for to complete.

 

Well the comparison was made to stocks and shares earlier, and that applies to your example. The difference between Phoenix and Kronos is that, even when Kronos was the only option, he wasn't well received. Phoenix is widely very well regarded from what I've seen, therefore I assume he'll remain desirable. Even if Takara did release a Masterpiece Jetfire (doubtful), given their QC and general design, it's not a given that everyone would dump Phoenix.

So long as G1 is in vogue, people will want the best version of that character. Newer doesn't necessarily mean better, so whichever is the best interpretation will be the one that holds the value. If G1 falls out of favour, of course anything goes.

These things will only retain value while people want them, for now I'd say FT's Stomp, Koot & Quietus, Maketoys Utopia, Iron Factory Starscream, Arcee & Windblade & MMC's Overlord seem most desirable. Of course that could change, as you've found, but unless Takara vastly improves or a new third party company comes along, I just don't see these being beaten as the best versions of these characters.

I should say I don't buy TF's as an investment. I was there in '84 when they blew my 5 year old mind and I've loved them ever since. I build my collection to have the best figures for my needs. As such my FT Dinos and Insecticons won't be going anywhere, I consider those "locked in". My cel-shaded Constructor won't be going anywhere even if FT do a set, he's unique and stylish enough to have his space separately. I don't plan on buying these forever, but I expect that some of the figures I have will become highly prized, while others will be next to worthless. A bit like comics I suppose.

 

Same was said about MP-10 at one time...and again, if/when the next collector line comes along and MP becomes the second class collector line, all these 3P MP figures will lose their top value.

 

I don’t know, I think it’s different this time as we’ve been getting closer and closer to the original G1 cartoon. I remember I loved Binaltechs because they were die-cast licensed vehicles and the original characters. To me it seemed like the closest I’d ever get to a high end G1 interpretation.

It seems like TT and Hasbro always hinted at and were inspired by G1 but never went full G1. Now that we’re getting uncut screen accurate representations it’s gonna be much harder to overtake what’s been done. It’ll just be granular updates to posability or finish.

Some stuff will definitely be outdone but I think a fair lot will stand up/ and or just not be outdone.

 

"Constructicons! Form Jenga(c)(TM)nator!"

 

Thanks for the response. I messaged him on ebay but got no response. I'll try doing it direct through the forum and see if I have more luck.

 

I'd actually like a copy of the silver and green thighs.

Maybe a stupid question, but I was wondering if anyone has tried to strip the yellow thigh kit which is still the only one left to find? Was wondering if it was green underneath.

 

Man I hate coming into this thread..... everytime I do it makes me want to spend thousands of theoretical dollars  . That cartoon and weathered green set are so amazing looking.

 

I was under the impression that it was cast in yellow. I have the green thigh kit and the yellow box set, both of which are not painted.

 

That sounds correct. It would be silly for them to make the set green and have to paint it all yellow. Not cost effective IMHO.

 

yellow thighs are molded in yellow plastic, no paint.