Something's fishy and it isn't Nightbird's metal coochatron!
I'm sorry, but I just can't believe that this year's 2008 Botcon box and loose sets have sold out if, and I mean if, they were produced in equal numbers to the last two year's sets.
Now I would believe it if they reduced the production run substantially and therefore, it has sold out because of that.
Now what's funny is that they are still trying to get rid of the extra 2005 sets, and they are using a slightly discounted rate to lure people to still pay for a Primus package.
At least they are throwing in this year's attendee figure, whatever it may be. (Though it'll be balls crazy hilarity if it those two leftover minicons!)
The spontaneous creation of that other package also is indicative of something bizarre.
Oh well.
We'll have to see when we get to the Queen City.
I suppose I shouldn't care.
I got my Jetscream and Earth-Three Convoy.
And I'm a total fucking selfish dick when it comes down to it anyway.
Or so I've been told.
I agree - they probably made fewer numbers of the 2008 BotCon set. Then again, perhaps there might be a surge of NEW TF fans from last summer's movie who are now hard core TF collectors.
Just playing devil's advocate ...
And I would love to get that Ironhide (repaint of Energon Towline) from that boxset ...
:(
N:
Maybe the movie just generated a lot more interest in Botcon? I wouldn't be surprised.
Cordially yours:
Autobus Prime
w/minicon Farebox.
In that case,the 2007 set would have sold out WAY faster,autobus.
I put a long post about this up at the Club forum. But, given that the Club kept the door open to the 2007 set for as long as possible, and realizing the popularity of that particular set, I would be really surprised if it produced the same number of sets this year (movie or no).
Who wants to take the chance on taking a bath just because there may be speculators (who I am sure will be very, very sorry...)
That said, I gotta say the 2005 box set offer is clever. They get rid of existing inventory and still entice collectors with the promise of the TYFSUNLUTFAF. (Which of course is going to be much less enticing to some when they find out that it is less collectible than the main set because it is available in larger quantities).
But not as clever as, say, actually putting out the form earlier so as to better allow them to adjust their numbers based on demand. Or you know, relying on something other than toys to draw people's attention.
And I will laugh if it is the remaining mini-cons. But then we will know soon since they are previewing tonight.
I honestly believe that there were a fair few people this year who bought this set for the RE-SALE value only. You will see a tonne of the 2008 sets on Ebay very soon after the GRC is over.
The free figure is Ricochet. Deluxe!
Continuing the theme of mediocrity...
Hey all,
So here's the deal IMHO. The set DEFINITELY sold out this year, and here's why:
1) TF was the #1 toy in North America this year, netting Hasbro massive profits across all merchandising cats, and tons of guys who were 80s 10yr olds are back...including me. I destroyed my bots with baseball bat at age 12 cause i was too mature (to make money?!?!?)...and with the movie, nostalgia hit, and I spent the late summer reacquiring my childhood collection.
During that process, I came across Botcon, etc and watched as the 2007 set went crazy on Ebay. I tracked them for a while and managed to flip one for $200 profit in Sep.
Given that sets can be flipped for 100% profit relatively easily (skip the initial rush, and the mid-may/june price drop, and wait till late summer when scarcity bottoms out again but interest is still high), and the fact that you can still get a bagged set for display, we have a recipe for speculation that though small scale, will kill the sagging markets for the next 6 months.
We have more fans, and more fans attract more scalpers, and hence we are sold out, despite the fact that the set is poorly executed (not nearly evil enough).
2) We used digital fax software to book our sets the second the lines opened and still took 8 hrs (!!!) of re-dials to get through and land the fax. What does that mean? That everyone and their dog was booking sets.
I feel sorry for those 2005 set hand me downs...and like many of the first day faxes, I'm sure I'll get to sell one of them a set.
It's 08 BB all over again....
Truthfully, I'm more interested in the 2005 set than the 2008 set. I may have to see if I can get one cheap (ish). Or have a fan club member pick me up one for the 130 they are offering it for.
Also, I'm not sure exactly what the othr package is but I imagine it was created for fans who would have gotten the Primus Package but wouldn't now because it has a 2005 set instead of a 2008 set. It's it essentially a Primus package without the toys?
As for Ricochet. Isn't he supposed to be black with flames? Heck the colors he has don't even LOOK evil.
The free Ricochet figure looks soooo .... meh.
:)
RJ: If we hook up at the con and I'm in line I can snag one for you.
Aaah! keep that thing away from me! no, N-NO! not...not a red inaccurate not-even-based-on crappy ricochet!
I'm very disapointed on how this year was handled and the fact they can't move into the 21st century for registration.
So far the things I know I'd love from the set that's been revealed is Evil Prime, Evil Rodimus (if the rumor is true), and Jetscream. The rest I would love but are not priority for me to want.
Ricochet is a total pass along with Jazz. Never cared for that mold. I am curious what the others will be. Rumor has an Energon mold Megatron. Could see Minicons for the others.
Dunno 2008 seems slopped together at the last minute with an earlier idea.
I agree all those Iacon sets will probably clog ebay and those that must have it will buy them at insane prices and then for a month there will be a ton of sets that will just sit there with the owners hoping they could get $500 for it.
Resellers are totally hoping for another 2007 year but there just isn't the same demand for the set.
Must have Dark Rodimus, don't know why that is appealing.