I loved Transformers as a kid and collect a few of their Masterpiece figures. So when I saw Hasbro/Takara tackling a full planet transforming Unicron, I was floored. It's massive, impressive and will make a magnificent centerpiece standing at 27" in height and weighing in at a whopping 19 lbs. Add that it will have over 50 points of articulation, transform and look close to the movie? Dang, I want this thing so badly!
Of course, I then see Hasbro/Takara put this up for crowdfunding and asking for 8,000 backers by the end of August to support this massive project. Ok, I'll bite... how much? … $575USD … not including taxes and shipping … really? … okay … yeah, not happening! Ouch. That's way too rich for my blood as that will push this close to $900CAD after factoring all the other costs involved in getting it here. For a single collectible toy done by a large toy company, that's pretty steep and hitting premium statue pricing territory. Yeah, they just priced me right out of the hobby with this thing.
Actually, I'll be putting out a full stop on my Transformers collecting when MP-44 Optimus Prime v3 hits the market. This one pretty much knocked me out of collecting the line altogether. I mean $350CAD for it... that's pretty steep as it is. Considering that MP-10 Optimus Prime v2 only cost me a fraction of the cost back then. Even Bandai's SoC line is getting pretty costly. Though in all honesty, I really hate how Bandai treats and screws collectors as well. I mean I get up at 3am for their PO madness (and yes, it's utterly insane and down right frustrating) and still come out empty handed in the end. It's frustrating that I get cart jacked trying to complete my PO and these things sell out in a few minutes. I'm pretty much done with them once the Lion and Vehicle Voltrons hit the market.
At the rate things are going at, I'll probably be more picky on the things I'll collect and start dropping lines I've collected over the years altogether. Costs are really becoming prohibitive in most cases and I guess it's time to re-evaluate the hobby as a whole.
Sorry for the long post. Just had to get this out of me as it was getting to be a bit depressing. LOL
Of course, I then see Hasbro/Takara put this up for crowdfunding and asking for 8,000 backers by the end of August to support this massive project. Ok, I'll bite... how much? … $575USD … not including taxes and shipping … really? … okay … yeah, not happening! Ouch. That's way too rich for my blood as that will push this close to $900CAD after factoring all the other costs involved in getting it here. For a single collectible toy done by a large toy company, that's pretty steep and hitting premium statue pricing territory. Yeah, they just priced me right out of the hobby with this thing.
Actually, I'll be putting out a full stop on my Transformers collecting when MP-44 Optimus Prime v3 hits the market. This one pretty much knocked me out of collecting the line altogether. I mean $350CAD for it... that's pretty steep as it is. Considering that MP-10 Optimus Prime v2 only cost me a fraction of the cost back then. Even Bandai's SoC line is getting pretty costly. Though in all honesty, I really hate how Bandai treats and screws collectors as well. I mean I get up at 3am for their PO madness (and yes, it's utterly insane and down right frustrating) and still come out empty handed in the end. It's frustrating that I get cart jacked trying to complete my PO and these things sell out in a few minutes. I'm pretty much done with them once the Lion and Vehicle Voltrons hit the market.
At the rate things are going at, I'll probably be more picky on the things I'll collect and start dropping lines I've collected over the years altogether. Costs are really becoming prohibitive in most cases and I guess it's time to re-evaluate the hobby as a whole.
Sorry for the long post. Just had to get this out of me as it was getting to be a bit depressing. LOL