Mech Ideas have announced that they are continuing their partnership with Auto Assembly and TFcon for 2014, to bring a second set of limited edition recolors to fans. For 2014 they are offering something a bit special – recolors of their Techno Toon Titans Buster & Trench, aka Animated Huffer and Pipes, in red and green “Mushroom Kingdom” decos.
These crossover Mario and Luigi ‘bots will be limited to 300 pairs total in the west, with 150 of each available at Auto Assembly 2014 over the weekend of 8th – 10th August 2014 at the Hilton Metropole Hotel in Birmingham, England. A further 150 will also be available at TFcon 2014 over the weekend of July 11th to 13th, 2014 at the Delta Meadowvale Hotel and Conference Centre in Ontario, Canada.
CZ Hazard
Not sure I can give an answer here that anyone will find acceptable, but I will try.
Why is anything limited? This is a big question, with no clear answer. We looked at the market and the potential sales for the regular "show accurate" run, and then we looked at potential repaints.
We have a minimum run we have to produce at a factory level which sort of sets the level of production for an exclusive. Then we look at the places where they're being sold, average attendance, how many we've sold of past exclusives and try and factor that all in.
We sold out at TFCon, but only just. We certainly didn't turn anyone away other than on the Saturday morning when people wanted to buy multiples (had we done this, we would have had an easy sell out and been letting people down Saturday afternoon).
I'm sure some people won't be happy they can't get the figures, but that is the nature of an exclusive. I didn't make it to SDCC this year so I would have missed out on exclusives, if I didn't have good friends going who grabbed me a few bits. We could flood the aftermarket with exclusives, but that cheapens it for people who actually made the effort to go to a show to snag an exclusive.
Even with all the information we factor in to a decision, it doesn't mean we get it right every time, but it does mean we have an educated guess based on previous sales figures, which is more than most people will have. I guess time will tell if we massively messed up by making the Mario and Luigi themed figures exclusive, but at the moment it is still too early to 100% gauge the market.
twelvesam
Everything you say here is accurate, and though some others have said this also, I'm surprised the uproar hasn't been a bit greater. In the main Bluster and Trench thread there were many "I'd get this, but only in the inevitable Mario and Luigi repaint." The more money that goes to Mech Ideas on this mold, the more incentive they have to keep going with 3P Animated.
Lucky Logician
No offense intended, but can I ask why this special paintjob is convention only? There are lots of people out there who want this paint scheme.
I really don't want to pay a $50+ markup to a scalper on eBay. I'd much rather the money end up in the pockets of the people who make it instead.
Is there any possibility of these going for sale elsewhere? Even if it is at a future date down the road?
Jack Darby
Man limited to 150. Really would like to get a set but I doubt I could afford one at the price they will be at on eBay. They look really cool though.
archieboy
Okay got it, thanks for the reply.
CZ Hazard
Other than having a friend pick one up for you at a convention, no.
archieboy
Ceno, is there any way for a non-attendee to get this other than ebay?
CZ Hazard
Thanks to everyone for making these a success! We sold out our allocation Saturday, and were very, very close to a sellout on the Sunday.
The few people who thanked me for making them one-per customer to enable late comers and Sunday visitors to get these, no problem! We could have sold out early Saturday morning, but we want to make everyone happy, not just eBay.
daimchoc
Protoman review of MECH iDEAS TechoToonTitans Bluster and Trench (Mushroom Kingdom)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wk9fczNSP34
scoobsterinc
Hope this isn't to expensive at auto assembly because I really want to pick this set up!
CZ Hazard
Saturday stock has sold out. One case held back for sunday attendees.
Quicky
Sold Out…
rosewater
I was able to handle these today,and I gotta say they're really great. The plastics have a lot of heft, the joints feel nice and solid, and they pulled off the Animated sheen on the surface. Yeah, they're dope.
CZ Hazard
http:// http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/221491504130?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649
Ebay for those who can't wait.
Decay_is_awesome
If someone can pick one up for me ill make it worth your while.
CZ Hazard
Only 30 left!
Tiller
Also all in for these. If anyone picks one up and doesn't want the set, let me know.
Decay_is_awesome
So nobody is selling their sets? Ill pay handsomely if anyone wants to part with one
TheGame2K5
See Im all for some new animated but the official version of these guys dont do much for me. This I would buy for the whole presentation with the box and everything. Damn con exclusives.
brr-icy
I think he is on Virtual Boy