Now on eBay is an [EBAYLINK=”230231262728″]auction[/EBAYLINK] for a knock-off Transformers Generation 1 Devastator Giftset which is slated to be released on the 17th of March (according to the auction summary).
We would like to remind our readers to use caution when buying collectibles in the secondary market. Make sure you educate yourself and are aware of exactly what item you are buying, and whether the item is genuine or a replica.
You can check out the auction at the following link: [EBAYLINK=”230231262728″]Replica Transformers Generation 1 Devastator Giftset Knock-Off[/EBAYLINK]
airfox
Depends on whether you think the Chineses Company doing this is actually reverse-engineering the molds, or just using tooling lost by Hasbro.
Also, in the theory that they're reverse-engineering toys, who's to say they aren't using "worse" tooling materials than those used by Hasbro? After all a Hasbro/Takara production of these pieces seems to include many more units, at least as I understand it.
Hasbro has no interest in doing this. More profit elsewhere. It's not that different than what I said before.
-airfox
Nightrain
It's costly for Hasbro, but not for some two-bit Chinese company?
I don't really care about this debate, but it is curious to me the mountain of excuses that exist instead of simply admitting Hasbro has no interest in doing this. Period.
starscream.pt
gets worse every casting, gives about 20 good castings
airfox
I wonder about durability and mold degradation in that example.
-airfox
starscream.pt
i can cast a resin wheeljack at home under 100€ but that's resin, when it comes to metal casting i think they'd have to use sand moulds or sumthing, that's more expensive
airfox
Broken or LOST. Broken or LOST.
And reverse-engineering of molds seems to be a costly process for Hasbro, so much that they'd rather work on new molds than fix old ones … more profit that way it seems.
-airfox
agesthreeandup
Actually, when this figure was first solicted to me last year I was asked if I wanted boxes or individual cards. They were suposed to make them both ways, but the price would be the same. Also they asked me if I wanted single figures. Of course with the thoughts that these will be compatible with the G1 figures, I ordered several extra pieces of just Hook because that figure is the hardest of the six to get in good shape.
I have not inquired about my order but I assume it is still in place. Dunno if they will agree to selling without the packages. I have not asked that one. i don't really see why not. When they sent me my first shipment of swoop it was all the figures in one box, all the weapons in another and then all the packages in another box. It was up to me to pack each figure and tape and glue it all together. Don't see why they can't just send the figures.
Spencer.
Takeshi357
Of course they have to come in a box, how else are they supposed to be sold together?
However, it could at least be a plain white box – if that'll cut the price by $25, that's good enough for me. KO boxes ain't worth crap anyhow.
Blue Meanie
I'd like to know this too.
starscream.pt
how does reverse engineering = mold degradation?
Batman
This is real? It is the funniest damn thing I have seen in awhile. I can't stop laughing.
Anyways can you buy these without the box, just the figures? I don't like KOs but this is probably the closest we'll ever come to getting a Devastator reissue, and he is a pretty crappy figure to begin with, so I may bite if the price is right. They look good.
Erector
Reverse engineering = mold degredation.
Also, IIRC, Hasbro / Takara sold off a lot of their factories a while back, including stuff in them – which is where the KO people got some of their molds.
Glitcher
That's a poor excuse. How were these remakes made then? Sorcery? Hasbro can always reverse-engineer new molds from existing figures. ¬_¬
agesthreeandup
I am hoping they do the Devastator in the Diaclone colours. There were two versions and I am hoping for the one with the blue bots in it. I would love to have them next to the black, yellow, purple, green KO version I have.
Sorry, I think the green itself is just a little too boring.
Spencer.
starscream.pt
i had no clue they also had insecticons 😐
http://cgi.ebay.com/G1-Insecticons-…oryZ4696QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
they look gr8 !
Automorpher
Mm..Can the KO company come out with a "Japanese" version? Just like Reflector??
Anyone??
Trailbreaker77
WOW, must have missed this if the bots are not a fragile as some KO's I will get this.
Seeker
Certainly nice packaging.
Liege Prime
The recent "high qulity" KO's have been a bit more understandable, but I've seen so many KO's of Devastator already out that I don't know if this one is gonna turn as many heads as, say, Mirage. Low quality or not, the cheapy KO's were a whole $6 so I really wouldn't complain about them. However, if I did have a vintage set that needed a box, that's some great packing for them.
Oh, I was also never a big fan of Devastator. I like several of the constructicons, but Devastator always looked odd to me.
Skywarp181
Thank you Redline!
Now maybe we can have Ko threads without having to hear the complaints…