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Post by Mr. Ginrai on Oct 4, 2012 11:45:28 GMT -5
Chen is spot on. $89.99 and $99.99 back in '87. There were a few that I saw over the years with a tag of $109.99 and $119.99 but not many.
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Post by Mr. Ginrai on Oct 4, 2012 11:48:07 GMT -5
That's great news, I just wish these weren't straight re-issues. It would ve nice if Takara added more paint aps or re-designed faces or something, anything to distinguish it from the originals and show how 25+ years of manufactoring improvements. I am hoping it will have additional dates (i.e. 1987 & 2012/13 on the stampings) and that they maybe adjust the post size or add stamps to the weapons. That or a slight color change to the tint would help, and of course if you are familiar with the way new plastic looks compared to vintage you should be fine.
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Post by zman on Oct 4, 2012 12:57:57 GMT -5
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Post by locidm on Oct 4, 2012 13:46:24 GMT -5
That is a rather naive way in looking at pricing.
Back in 1987 TFs were mass produced with kids as target audience. Today, it is marketed for adult collectors who are making money, and is likely produced in much lower quantities. In addition, there is the weak US dollars compared to the yen, higher production costs, fuel costs, taxes, etc.
To be honest I was expecting it to be in the $500 range. Now it is just in the $350 range (similar pricing to the Mattel Voltron by the way). I am pleasantly surprised. Yes it is still a lot of money, but it's very reasonable.
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Post by quinjester on Oct 4, 2012 14:46:44 GMT -5
If you want a more appropriate conversion considering it's a Japanese import, convert that $89.99 to yen at the 1987 rate (approx 150 yen/dollar), use the appropriate inflation rate (approx 2x from 1987 to today), then convert it back at today's yen rate. You get $349.27 Of course, this is all blatantly unscientific
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Post by Mr. Ginrai on Oct 4, 2012 14:56:08 GMT -5
To be honest I was expecting it to be in the $500 range. Now it is just in the $350 range (similar pricing to the Mattel Voltron by the way). I am pleasantly surprised. Yes it is still a lot of money, but it's very reasonable. I agree with you 100%. When fans were clamoring for a Fort Max reissue years ago, many people as well as myself figured we'd be looking at $400 minimum, more like $450-500 before shipping said and done. This was when the US dollar was much stronger, and at that time pretty much everyone I spoke with agreed we would happily pay that much, this is at a time when a vintage Fort Max MIB was pretty much a solid $1000. Now that this thing is out, and the price is $350-400 without shipping depending on which delivery date you go with it is a steal. If the US exchange rate wasn't so sh*tty this thing would be coming out at a price where they'd literally be giving it away. There's no way you can pass this up unless you just don't like FM or don't want him (and some people will fall into those categories which is perfectly fine). It doesn't matter that the originals are 2-3k boxed, because even if they were still $1k for a boxed MIB vintage one today, you would still have a sh*tload of people who would buy this Encore Fort Max @ $500 and, as we know it's a $300-400 toy right now. The only people who are really going bash this toy are the people who don't understand FM or really don't want him. And I am making these statements as someone who will still buy a vintage US FM at some point, even though I will have this in a few months. The attraction isn't just the price, or if you sold yours, or if you didn't have it when you were a kid - It's crack this mother$&$&er open like its Christmas Morning in 1987!!!! If there was ever an excuse to put literally a handful of $ away each day (let's say $2) by not buying a coffee or soda to have with your lunch or just not buying some uselsess junk or toys you don't need right now so you can get this, this is it. Fix your childhood void and don't worry if this one toy triples in value or is worthless a week after you buy it. I was too young to get a FM in 87. Others couldn't afford it then or now. Millions of reasons not worth talking about. Much more factors into this for those that have already preordered. It's not a money issue, or an investment question to ponder. This toy will sew up a hole in many a heart, and as long as the mold has held up well put a smile on many of our faces - and maybe your kid(s) too. :-) FYI guys: Robot Kingdom is Asia has it for $300 but the shipping to the US starts at $110 and up. Also TFSource has it for 400/420 (standard box/mint box) and 350/360 for the second batch. They give you free shipping and knock $50 more off if you buy two ($25 off each toy) but you CANNOT cancel preorders like BBTS. You are locked in no matter what. It'll be interesting to see how many other retailers will offer this toy.
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Post by zman on Oct 4, 2012 15:24:22 GMT -5
That is a rather naive way in looking at pricing. RELAX! Did you see the LOL and the big grin?
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Post by mpchi on Oct 4, 2012 15:31:00 GMT -5
I have no attachment to this toy at all. So I am looking at it with pure "love for robots" point of view. Is it really worth $400 just because the vintage one is $2000 right now? This is all plastic, right? You are not alone. I have similar feelings to this toy. It is very impressive to be such a massive TF/Battle Station, but I am too spoiled of modern TF aesthetics that I would only consider it as a MP remake, not a re-release. It was re-issued in a different color around 2000 under the Car Robot/RID line and cost only $199, and I passed on it then. Can't see myself pay double of that now. However, if it has similar treatment like this custom, I might reconsider (with improve sculpt & proportion): www.seibertron.com/energonpub/masterpiece-g1-fortress-maximus-t82645.phpIn comparison, the very huge 2010 Takara Unicorn is only $120, so Fort Max probably should be more fair at a $250 range with a much simpler structure and transformation, but wins in sheer size and amount of plastic. Just my 2 cents. But for folks that has a love for this bad boy, glad that you guys can get one G1 re-issue after all these years.
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Post by Mr. Ginrai on Oct 4, 2012 21:59:36 GMT -5
******************UPDATE****************** I just got the email, BBTS has DROPPED pricing on Fort Max
Now $379.99 for early delivery and $329.99 for second batch. Even with the US shipping this will make it equivalent to TFSource and Robot Kingdom pricing, AND still give you the option to cancel if necessary!
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Post by Chen on Oct 6, 2012 11:24:30 GMT -5
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Post by repairtechjon on Oct 6, 2012 16:43:42 GMT -5
Now,... onto the package speculation/griping... Will it come held in with cardboard plates like the 2000 version? Large clear crinkly formed tray? Most likely the only boo-hoo in all these encore releases is the lack of the old school white styro squeakyfoam tray. If you're near NYC, Image Anime will have it a bit more expensive. www.imageanime.com/ened23trfoma.htmlThey typically price some hot things high since they're air-mailing in 1st batches. Hard to beat that BBTS deal, YOW!
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Post by tetsuryu on Oct 11, 2012 8:35:19 GMT -5
I wonder how much this'll be on HLJ, provided they'll even stock it. Probably cheaper than BBTS; I'd guess around 310 dollars.
Does anyone know how much this thing weights?
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Post by nikodiablo on Oct 11, 2012 11:02:28 GMT -5
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Post by Chen on Oct 11, 2012 11:06:17 GMT -5
I wonder if Hasbro would consider releasing this? I doubt it though.
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Post by nikodiablo on Oct 11, 2012 21:08:57 GMT -5
Maybe not. I read in other forum that Fort Max failed a specific safety test called the "drop test" which is required in the US.
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Post by tetsuryu on Oct 12, 2012 0:38:10 GMT -5
I decided to stuff my cart on HLJ with something that goes over the 7kg limit and the shipping estimate for FedEX is a lot cheaper than regular mail. I wonder how accurate that is?
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Post by cupnoodles on Mar 17, 2013 7:13:30 GMT -5
I just preordered mine. The price on this guy has been dropping the last month over in Japan. I'm not sure of the reason why. Its at 37% below retail (roughly $210 in Japan).
I remember this one when I was younger and it was a great toy. I hope this one turns out well.
Also this thing has a pretty big box W= 40 cm H= 60 cm D= 23 cm
its about 10 cm/4 inches longer (close with other dimensions) than a typical atx computer case.
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Post by Mr. Ginrai on Mar 17, 2013 11:42:41 GMT -5
Where did you preorder from? Did you get it for roughly $210 like you had mentioned (not including shipping I assume).
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Post by mrclean08 on Mar 17, 2013 16:40:45 GMT -5
So from my understanding is several of the main stickered areas like the eyes and/or Autobot symbols will be tampographed. I'm really curious as to what else Takara Tomy plans on doing to differentiate the Encore from the G1 vintage.
I know a lot of the G1 vintage pieces have come down in price which I don't mind. It helps me to complete a 2nd vintage by being more affordable. However, what I am concerned with is Encore parts being unethically sold as original vintage parts. Thus, my curiosity on how the Encore will differ from the vintage.
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Post by cupnoodles on Mar 17, 2013 23:35:45 GMT -5
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