Hi,

I am 31 year old guy who like many here has grown up with these wonderful toys.

 

The first ever transformers I owed came when my grandmother came back from florida with a Grimlock for my brother and a Swoop for myself. I loved my damn Swoop so much.

My next toy was a SixShot and I wish I had both today, sadly I do not.

 

I didn't have many figured growing up, i remember my neighbor had so many i was always so jealous but I loved them.

 

Finally when I graduated high school and was in college I wanted to get back into the hobby again, I started watching Beast Wars, it was a decent series and only got better as they got into the whole transmetal then the Ark stuff. The toys never attracted me much, to me they seemed like bad animal forms and the robot forms seemed like guys with animal parts suck on their back.

 

I however did start to buy some, a Transmetal Terantulas, Waspinator, Terrasaur. I got an Inferno and a Quickstrike and a Rampage. All decent I guess but all the kibble and dangly animal parts even in robot mode just didn't do it for me and I stopped and for the second time i let those toys basically go to rot.

 

 

So lately I have been watching some reviews and chatting with folks and got the itch again. The animated cartoon aint half bad story wise, and I swear I watch the original cartoon movie atleast twice a year. I learned about Alternators and Masterpiece figures and whatnot and I couldn't help it. I was still hesitant because frankly the 2 movies and the toys bother me. I don't like Megatron who has alt forms like someone digested a hunk of metal and then claims the result is a tank or a plane when it looks like a mishmash of scrap. Maybe I kind of like bricks who knows, I like SOLID robot modes and vehicle's to look like a vehicle.

 

The masterpiece stuff looked so so so so amazing, everything I wanted, amazing vehichle modes with no kiddle or dangly parts, super detailed and great robot modes.

Anyway the other day I went shopping, I went to a walmart (they had almost 0 stock), 2 other outlet stores, a Toys r US and a speciality gaming store. I was a bit dissapointed at what I saw.

 

I should state beforehand that I lean towards the decipticons, i love em, i love planes, i like bad guys and I hate Bumblebee (yes I do with a passion). I virtually ignored any autobot I saw but my pickings were slim.

 

At the end of the day I came home with an animated Lockdown and a ROTF Voyager Bludgeon. They were in my budget for just starting up again and well Bludgeon is simply amazing in robot mode.

 

Today though I went with my brother to a real toy store, the store had everything and anything. I had my head set on getting a Masterpiece Skywarp, I love Starscream but the walmart one has that worn look in some areas that turn me off, the original Takara grey is amazing but they didn't have it and its expensive. The problem is my brother loved the Skywarp also and I dunno call me weird, even though we are both in our 30s, I can't stand having the same thing that he has and he had his mind set on that Skywarp and well I didn't want to have to fight over it (although to be honest I am alot bigger then my little brother by a good 4 inches and 100 lbs) but we are men and he was willing to pay for some of it as a mini gift to me. Anyway I then saw it, calling to me, despite my leaning towards the Decipticons, MP 1b! Black Convoy masterpiece! The price was acceptable, it was basically the same price as if i would buy it online and some shipping so it was fair in my book and i bought it.

 

HOLY COW AND A HALF DO I LOVE THIS TOY. Its massive! its SLEEK and oh so black.

 

Ok anyway so now I have my little gang of Black Convoy, Bludgeon and Lockdown.

 

My brother is getting the MP Skywarp but the store is getting a walmart version in so he will wait for that to save a few bucks.

 

 

So here are some questions (IF anyone is still reading this)

 

1)What do folks recommend for me to look into?

2)What are some hidden gems to look out for? I know people are all over animated ARCEE cause she is rare supposedly, are there any other such toys cause I find the idea of a little treasure hunt fun, ie looking through rows of toys and finding 1 remaining in stock hidden away item etc.

3)Any other ideas or advice?

 

 

Anyway thanks again :)

Well, welcome back to collecting and the forum.

 

I'm gonna give you my best bits of advice.

-Take a step back, there's already alot out there and getting caught up in the sweep of new figures can wear you out befor you begin.

Take some time read the reviews, search the databaseand find the figures that work for you without worry of hype

-Get me a beer and a sandwich

-If you have your hopes and eyes on a figure, ask about it before you buy. You may find some uniqu pro and con facts, or better yet find a fellow with the same figure to sell for cheap

-Where the hell is my beer and sandwich...

 

-In general for this site, it's pretty easy going. Just step away from any flaming or bashing, and you'll do well. Feel free to express disintrest or even hate for something, just keep it on topic. Along the way should you find a button pusher who won't let up, just step back and keep in mind this: :P means someones just funning with you. If it escalates, tap a mods shoulder. Chances are though they'll step in before it comes to that.

 

These guys aren't hard asses but they are on point :thumb

 

OK BS out of the way, as I said, welcome aboard. If your getting back into collecting, take some time, look around, and ask a bunch of questions...

 

now about that beer and sandwich???

Okay, figures out now that I'd highly recommend: ROTF Thrust & Dirge - two jets excellent in both modes. Scout class Ransack is very good for his size. Animated Leader class Megatron is a masterpiece (but not a Masterpiece) - beautiful update of G1 Megatron, excellent helicopter mode, impressive, sword-wielding robot mode. The Classics Seeker mold is another gem, but no longer around at retail. Of the various uses, I'd recommend the original Starscream highest. Hasbro redid Starscream in more G1ish colors, but the joints were loose by that use of the mold.

Welcome.

 

I'm pushing 40 so don't get hung up on age.

 

After collecting for all these years, and massing a sizable collection, making customs, helping with books about TF's and writing fan fictions. I'd say posting here was the best thing you could do.

 

Old school G1 collector comes back to the TF universe. I have just the thing for you.

 

I would highly recommend the newer TF comic series, you can probably go back to a Comic convention or store in your area and snag whole series cheap. They are usually really well written and feature one of the current TF toy lines, also usually selling for reasonable prices "Classics" or "Universe", or as they are called in Japan Transformers Classic "Henkei". They created a lot of the original G1 characters in small, complex and true to the original (if not better) forms, usually selling for about $10 for the standard sized. You want Skywarp, Starscream, Ramjet or Acid Rain (Green jet, supposedly made a brief appearance in a TF cartoon) try these $10 bots. Thundercracker, Thrust and Dirge might cost a chunk of change more since they are more rare, and either Botcon or Henkei - Japan only.

 

Mastepiece, Binaltech / Alternators are the best of the best. But consider, that Nemesis Prime you bought, probably set you back $150. For that much you can get at least 10 classics toys, all made to bring back the old school look and feel.

 

Don't settle for things like the Movie toys, which simply don't have the same style as the G1's. Pick and choose, and take your time. Or if your a customizer like me ALTER them to suit your needs.

 

Check out Ebay for loose lots of Classics, and G1's. Parts lots might also help for a taste of classic toys for cheap prices. If you don't want what you get sell it back on Ebay.

 

Finally, key points and things you might want to check out.

 

G1 TF series that is coming out in stores now.

TF the Animated series, not quite the same as the original but very well done.

The POST G1 TF series from Japan. Like Headmasters (which takes up right where our G1 series left off, sort of), Masterforce, Zone, Victory. + related toys.

and my favorite: Learn what the word "Diaclone" is.

 

Jump on a plane and take a vacation to Florida this year for the annual BotCon - Transformers toy convention.

 

Have fun!

Get out while you still can!

 

but seriously welcome to the community. Advice for collecting? that's a hard one, because collecting is such a personal thing. all i can say really is collect what you like, and don't spend too much money, that's the best i can do. oh, also if youre looking to build up your collection quickly, buy some of those cheap transformers lots off eBay, the ones where mom or dad are selling juniors old toys, you can find some real gems for cheap!

So here are some questions (IF anyone is still reading this)

 

1)What do folks recommend for me to look into?

2)What are some hidden gems to look out for? I know people are all over animated ARCEE cause she is rare supposedly, are there any other such toys cause I find the idea of a little treasure hunt fun, ie looking through rows of toys and finding 1 remaining in stock hidden away item etc.

3)Any other ideas or advice?

 

 

Anyway thanks again :)

 

1) If you thought Animated was halfway decent theres always the Animated line (obviously). Pretty much that entire line is collecting dust wherever it's found. Theres not a great selection in stores. Soundwave, Ratchet, Oil Slick and Jazz are fairly easy to come across. Same with Lugnut and Starscream, but it does vary with area. Also be on the lookout for Arcee and Cybertron Mode Ratchet in Toys R Us if thats something that interests you.

 

2) This is your preference. Because its based mostly on the characters you love. For me it's Soundwave and when I found the last ROTF Legends SW on a peg I jumped for joy. I hate the ROTF movie with a passion but regardless of that there are some real gems in the toyline not worth missing. I dont have him but from everything Ive seen, Im really impressed with Mindwipe and especially Skystalker. If your into G1 and you see a Universe Ultra Silverbolt fuckin get him because he is perfect (minus the combining aspect). Even his transformation screams G1. As for rarities, pretty much everything that JUST comes out is the hot ticket and may be hard to find but generally that subsides after a month or so and you shouldnt have problems finding them. Exclusives can be a pain in the ass because usually you only have one chance to find the figures you want unless you wanna drive forever.

 

3) Go to the End Cap section on this forum. It has some great traders/sellers and a feedback list for your protection. Every transaction Ive ever made on here has been 100% satisfactory and its not hard to find a good deal. Even if you dont see anything you like you can post a thread listing things you want and let the deals come to you. Also check out online retailers. Sometimes Walmart has something online that they dont in stores. Thats how I nabbed leader Animated Bulkhead for 50% awhile back. Also look into BigBadToyStore.com, RobotKingdom.com and TFsource.com all three are great stores and you can peruse their selections at your discretion.

 

Welcome back to the plastic crack!

 

Wheres Liege's beer and sandwhich?

I aint making anyone a beer or sandwhich because i am looking at my Masterpiece toy! he is so awesome!

 

I saw some alternators at the store, they were going for 75$ I loved them but was hesitant, my brother bought 2 on craigslist for 40$ each.

 

What is a diaclone?

 

Also @Backfire, you make custom ones? that seems beyond amazing to me i don't think I have that sort of skill to do that but is there somewhere that I can see what you have done?

 

 

Also what did you mean by "G1 TF series that is coming out in stores now."

 

All I see in the stores are Animated, and ROTF Global Alliance type stuff, can you direct me to somewhere that will show me what to expect for this line?

 

 

I don't mind settling for a movie toy if they are "good" my ROTF Bludgeon i like alot for instance (while he aint in the movie so maybe that helps)

Then again I saw a Peaugh review of Leader Starscream and his jet mode is amazing and while i normally hate that triangular ape like robot mode I might make an exception.

I aint making anyone a beer or sandwhich because i am looking at my Masterpiece toy!

 

:fire

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

:P

Oh another noobish question.

 

Binaltech are the cars done in metal correct? 1/24 scale?

Alternators are the same but in plastic.?

 

Alternity are 1/32 scale in plastic?

I aint making anyone a beer or sandwhich because i am looking at my Masterpiece toy! he is so awesome!

 

I saw some alternators at the store, they were going for 75$ I loved them but was hesitant, my brother bought 2 on craigslist for 40$ each.

 

What is a diaclone?

 

Also @Backfire, you make custom ones? that seems beyond amazing to me i don't think I have that sort of skill to do that but is there somewhere that I can see what you have done?

 

 

Also what did you mean by "G1 TF series that is coming out in stores now."

 

All I see in the stores are Animated, and ROTF Global Alliance type stuff, can you direct me to somewhere that will show me what to expect for this line?

 

 

I don't mind settling for a movie toy if they are "good" my ROTF Bludgeon i like alot for instance (while he aint in the movie so maybe that helps)

Then again I saw a Peaugh review of Leader Starscream and his jet mode is amazing and while i normally hate that triangular ape like robot mode I might make an exception.

What is Diaclone??? ARE YOU KIDDING??? Diaclone and Microchange where the first round of transformable robots from Tomy Takara, The most famous is Soundwave and Blaster- then after that is was Megatron with the Autobots came CarRobots, battle convoy etc.

And if you look at a original G1 figure you will see the Hasbro/Takara dates and marks, I have a soundwave that states that the mold was invented in 1978, I think that all of the soundwaves say the same behind the battery cover

 

Hope this helps

 

AP