Third Party Round Up

For a long time there's been speculation that the third party bubble is about to pop with many thinking we're seeing that starting to happen now. There's been a huge number of announcements recently, in fact nearly too many to keep up with, so let's have a look at who is bringing out what.

Badcube

At TF Con Badcube's Evil Bug Corps value pack went on early sale exclusively through Ages 3 and Up. While existing releases were on display there was no sign of the Sunstreaker inspired Sunsurge which Badcube really need to get right after the overcomplicated and easily broken Wardog. It's been a rocky road for Badcube from day 1 but slowly they are winning people over and Sunsurge is their big chance to put their past behind them. 

Beelzeboss

Returning from obscurity with a bang, Beelzeboss appeared at the China Joy event showing off their new upgrade set for Generations Nightbeat, a set of weapons for Generations Chromia and Windblade along with an upgrade set for Generations Trailcutter. Their big reveal was a huge add on set for Combiner Wars Optimus Prime which looks a little similar to another company's work. Beelzeboss and their other brand, Guilty, do good work although they aren't afraid to copy existing designs.

So. Much. Want.

Cloud 9

Already causing a huge fuss are newcomers Cloud 9 with their first release - an MP sized Shockwave called Quake Blast. Fans Toys have claimed that the figure is heavily based on their own Quakewave and is essentially stealing their design, which is interesting coming from a company who essentially steals Hasbro designs. Also alleged is that Cloud 9 is Gigapower under a different name.

Corbot V

Also returning after a long break are Corbot V with their first full figure - an Allicon named Project Reyes.

Dr Wu

Following on from the upgrades for Wheeljack, it made sense that the Doctor would be back with more Masterpiece upgrades - this time a jetpack compatible with both versions of MP-21 Bumblebee.

At TF-Con Dr Wu also unveiled 'Companion', a static Carly figure which scales with Masterpiece figures.

Also revealed is Dr Wu's first full figure Vigourous Mixer which is intended to replace Mixmaster in the Titan Devastator team of Constructicons. It's more detailed and gives a better proportion to the cab.

DX9/Unique Toys

 DX9 continue to impress and seemingly outdo their parent company Unique Toys. UT showed Provider (Masterpiece Octane) and Buzzing (Blurr) at TF Con and teased a Blitzwing release but many seem indifferent to these releases and the knee issue with Seigfried has done them no favours.

On the other hand, DX9 have built on the successes of Invisible, Chigurh, Cocomone. their Megatron upgrade kit and War in Pocket line with the upcoming Carry, the impressive Hulkie which is a small scale Devastator and their new legends scale Megatron, Mightron.

Bolstering the line further is a Legends sized Arcee known as Leah!

Fans Toys

Bizarrely at TF-Con Fans Toys didn't have much to show other than prototypes of their Insecticons which are bigger than expected. With FT-04T and FT-04X Scoria repaints shipping, Fans Toys have announce further Scoria repaints in G2 and Diaclone colours. Sever will also be getting Diaclone and G2 editions while an extra dinosaur head piece is being sold separately for Scoria to give the toy the "smoked" G1 look.

There has been no further news on their Jetfire project but with a Quakewave reissue, a G1 toy coloured reissue and a clear version, plus a distinct possibility of Diaclone coloured Insecticons and Willy, a Masterpiece style Hound,  it wouldn't be advisible to hold your breath while waiting for it.

Fansproject

One of the big things with third party is the constant "I know someone in the know and he told me..." statements. The recent one was that Fansproject were giving up on Transformers style designs and moving on to other projects which did seem possible given that Fansproject had been eerily quiet since the titanic flop that was MADLAW. As usual the rumour mongers were proved totally wrong.

At TF Con the remaining Exo Lost Realm figures (aka Dinobots) were unveiled: Snarl, Grimlock and surprisingly, a female Raptor with ridiculous breasts.

Picture courtesy Ages 3 and Up

In addition to the convention exclusives Knight and Combes Robin, the rest of the Function X line was unveiled. The major news from Fansproject was that they'd be tackling the Japanese G1 combiner Dinoking, and teased Monstructor by showing a Wildfly figure.

Picture via TFW2005 who stuck their logo over Fansproject's.

Generation Toy

Warbotron's designer is on board for Generation Toy's first release - a huge Warbotron sized Devastator called Gravity Builder! All 6 parts are scheduled to be out by the end of the year but more likely are the same delays and 18 month wait that we saw with Warbotron.

Gigapower

Some people just can't get a lucky break and Gigapower seem to be in that category. A nice group of guys who have had a number of issues to contend with are seemingly preparing to release the chrome version of their spectacular Guttur. However, their competitor, Fans Toys have alleged that they have hired away Gigapower's designer. Considering Fans Toys lost their own designer of their Iron Dibot line it's expected that Giga's designer will now be in charge of getting FT's last Dibot together. The seemingly never ending soap opera of Gigapower and Fans Toys looks to carry on...

Guilty

Strangely, Guilty appeared at China Joy showing off Data Disc designs compatible with War For Cybertron Blaster and Soundwave. Data Discs had been solicited by Guilty two years ago and then were dropped by retailers when the designs turned out to be stolen from Shapeways. Are these new designs, will they see the light of day this time around, does anyone care? The answer to all three is 'probably not'.

Iron Factory

Yup. Miniature Overlord. 'Nuff Said.

KFC

Following the release of Transistor KFC went very quiet and the release of Fader seemed to quietly vanish as KFC concentrated on their X-Transbots brand instead. KFC have now reappeared touting their Transistor repainted as Broadcast and the cancelled Junkion designs. Will the Junkion designs see release this time?  Prototype pictures of their version of Reflector have appeared but with stiff competition from Fans Toys and Maketoys, will KFC's vision get a look in?

Maketoys

Floundering since their ill thought out double whammy of Quantron and Utopia last December, Maketoys only released repaints exclusive to their own store since then. However at TF-Con, Maketoys brought a rocket launcher to the proverbial knife fight as they simultaneously launched Cupola, a massive MP scaled version of Chromedome.

On show were the first 3 parts of their Guaria (Defensor) combiner and their Visualizer (Reflector) set. There were teases of MP scaled Targetmasters and the Powermasters Darkwing and Dreadwind along with Megatron and Starscream!


However, it's safe to say that of the imminent releases, one of the most anticipated is their version of Tailgate with add on parts for Universe Cyclonus.

MT have been on a serious roll as they also unveiled prototypes of Hardhead and Wrestle (Grapple), Hellfire (Inferno) and Gundog (Hound). Not to be outdone by Fans Toys, Gundog will be released in two colours - cartoon accurate and G1 toy accurate.

Mastermade

Hot on the heels of their Super Deformed Metroplex, comes the Super Deformed Trypticon, Diabolus Rex! The SD style isn't a major hit outside Asia but it's hard to deny how cool this Zoid-like figure is.

Mastermind Creations

Since Feral Rex, MMC have seemingly struggled after making a ton of announcements but then being very slow to follow up on them. Some questionable releases and the hugely over budget which in turn made it very expensive, Cynicus, plus parting ways with Ceno Kibble and using Cassie Sark less, both of whom were with the company from day 1, has jeopardised their arguable position as king of the third party mountain.

Finally we got to see pictures of their massive Carnifex (Overlord) figure though which was announced close to two years ago!

Continuing the IDW theme, we've seen more pictures of Commotus (Turmoil), Anachus (Kaon) and Kultur (Tarn). Considering the limited readership figures of IDW's Transformers comics, it's hard to see these figures translate into big money for MMC. Commotus hasn't been in the IDW universe for the last 18 months, Anachus will have reasonable success but it's hard to see Kultur getting to market as Hasbro is likely to hammer all retailers with cease and desists over the Decepticon logo which is the character's mask.

Also announced were Alpha and Beta (Decepticon Drift and Drift respectively), Sphynx (Mirage) and hopping on the bandwagon, more Insecticons.

Mayhem Mekanics

While not Transformers related as such, these transforming robots are worth mentioning. Cassie Sark and Ceno Kibble are two of the most prolific workers in the third party industry, famed mainly for their work for MMC from the company's start through to their most significant release, Feral Rex and the upcoming Carnifex. Now the two are teaming up to create their own vision. Mayhem Mekanics announced their Unrustable Bastards line at last year's Auto Assembly but then in the year since, there's been silence. At TF-Con pictures were shown of the UB toys and the idea is certainly a unique one.

The transforming robot bikers all share the same base body and colour scheme as the idea is that a motorcycle club would have a uniform look, but instead of multiple figures there is only one figure with multiple accessories so you can choose which of the seven characters you want to display. If you decide you want all seven then you'll need to buy seven figures. As the Bastards travel to different planets in their accompanying stories, their colour schemes will be changed for each release.

While this seems to be a continuation of the repaint syndrome we see so often, there is potential here. If MM include sticker sheets to customise the robots more or perhaps release accessory packs, the Unrustable Bastards line has the possibility to continue the idea that Stikfas used successfully for a number of years.

Megasteel

The bizarrely named Generations scaled Megatron, Granville, has been retitled a much more suiting, 'Tronus'. This impressive and heavy figure is apparently good quality and seems set to surprise when it hits the market in August.

Perfect Effect

With Leonidis about to be released, it seems Perfect Effect are content to carry on releasing add on kits for Combiner Wars including an Optimus kit that Guilty seem to have been 'inspired by' and an impressive add on set for Devastator.

Shadow Fisher Studios

As it's impossible for only one company to release a product, Shadow Fisher are joining in with the Devastator upgrades.

TFC Toys

For a company that was virtually dead in the water, TFC's versions of Ratchet and Ironhide were expected to be the death knell of the company. However they've announced their own version of Hound (what is it with Dinobots, Devastator add ons and Hound?) and in a move that took everyone by surprise, revealed Minos and Thanatos, the first two parts of the G1 Japanese combiner Liokaiser!

Warbotron

Unfortunately for Warbotron, the reveal of the final combined mode of their Computron homage was met with a cool reaction as fans complained that the arms were way too big. So far nothing past the current combiner has been announced but with a rift in the camp, will Warbotron be carrying on?

X2 Toys

Another company returns from oblivion! X2 are offering an upgrade kit for Masterpiece Ultra Magnus to give wider shoulder movement and a new weapon.

X-Transbots

The test shots of Andras (Scourge) have begun appearing as have pictures of the resin prototype of Eligos (Cyclonus). Digital versions of Boost and Hatch (Windcharger and Tailgate) have reappeared but the only mini seemingly close to production is their version of Beachcomber.

There are plenty of other releases out there but very little to report on them. Voodoo Robots seem to be forging on with their Ironhide and Ratchet inspired releases, Omnigonix's version of Sunstreaker is increasingly unlikely it seems to see light of day with Transform and Rollout's Hova (Jazz) is looking more impressive as time goes on. Play With This Too continue to show impressive prototypes after their very nearly successful crowd funding effort. That's it for now and remember most of these can be bought at www.masterforce.co.uk

So you want to sell toys? Part 2 - Selling

Last time we looked at how to set up a business and some of the numbers involved so this time let's look at actually selling.

Third Party
The third party market started off with fans who could use 3D modelling software to make add ons via Shapeways. I primarily collected Masterpieces so the Universe range was something I missed for the most part but I do remember the buzz around Fansproject releasing an upgrade set for the Universe Cliffjumper to convert a red Bumblebee into, well, Cliffjumper!

Cliffjumper in name only.

As much as we like to think of the third party industry as being big companies with toys on conveyor belts, not much has actually changed since the early days in 2008 with a number of the companies still being fans designing toys on 3D programs while someone middlemans between the designer and a factory in China. Accordingly, while some companies are an absolute pleasure to deal with, some are not easy when it comes to replacement parts because they are learning themselves how to run their operation whilst others are simply best avoided.

When it comes to third party, expect to have a number of bots lying round as organ donors because most releases will have issues. If you collect yourself, care about your customers and want to provide a high standard of service then your own collection will be very quickly missing a lot of bits. Also that profit margin we talked about last time is even smaller. Also a general rule when it comes to buying - don't get high on your own supply. Pay for everything you keep or you'll end up keeping more than your profit.

From a kit consisting of a head, 2 spoilers and a cannon to making some of the best transforming robots.

Some of the 'companies' have evolved from bootlegging and one in particular is still involved in it so as mentioned last time, be cautious of who you are sending money to on the other side of the planet. Paypal is very handy especially when certain companies decide to run off with £1,500 of your money. 

Hey KFC, how you doing?

Oh and expect delays. Lots and lots of delays. 


Packaging
One thing third party companies do well is shipping. Chinese factories are used to shipping overseas so your items will arrive pretty quickly and most of the time will be immaculate. The same can't be said for everyone though.

Expectations.

As a collector I'm fairly relaxed about packaging in the most part because I open all my figures and recycle the boxes. However when it comes to 30 year old Minibots I want them sent well packed in sturdy boxes; I absolutely do not want them sent in an envelope and yes, that has happened.

While as collectors we want our items to arrive with us bubble wrapped (especially if using newspaper so the ink doesn't mark the packaging of the toy) and in a sturdy, preferably new box...they don't come that way.

Star Wars and Pop Vinyl collectors are very particular about the condition of packaging but what many don't realise is how hard it is to supply mint packaging. If you collect Pop figures you may want to sit down for the next image. 

Reality

As you can see in the picture that is a brand new factory case of Punisher figures but the one in the middle left is already crushed and the box has buckled. If you send that to a Pop collector you can expect a torrent of 4 letter words to come at you in an email.

So know your customers. Some will be like me when it comes to new stuff and won't care about the packaging while others, like me when it comes to vintage, will most definitely care. Pop collectors know that Funko use very flimsy boxes and so part of the thrill for them is getting mint boxes. Star Wars fans generally keep their items sealed so they want mint packaging as that's part of their display while Hot Toys collectors place value on the brown shipping boxes the figures are packed in. We all have our standards and quirks when it comes to collecting and your customers will too, so know them and respect them.

Combiner Wars toys only combine out of packaging, not in it no matter how hard you crush them.

Recently I've turned some mint in box Transformers collectors away because I don't feel I can meet that expectation. As your deliveries arrive you'll find, as most fans have noticed over the last few years, that the quality of the package is in decline with most bubbles now attached to the cards by clear tape. This is because the bubbles are made of low grade plastic and glue alone won't hold them to the card.

Vintage Star Wars figures soared in price for two reasons - 1. Kids opened them 2. The packaging was designed to last for around 3 years so it had time to get from the factory to the distribution centre, out to the store and into the customers' hands. They weren't designed to last 40 years. Packaging for the most part still works the same way - it's a means to get a product to the shelves and look appealing enough for a customer to buy it; it isn't designed to be in perfect condition on arrival.

Again, order more than you list because some boxes will get very damaged along the way especially if FedEx are involved.

For when it absolutely, positively has to be there in as many pieces as possible.

Where to Sell
As this article is getting longer than intended let's have a brief look at the 5 major outlets for selling. They are your website, Ebay, Amazon, Facebook and forums.

Remember when we looked at the amount of money you need for buying stock? Multiply that by 5 and then the other 4/5ths is your advertising budget. People won't know about you unless you advertise and advertising costs. It costs a lot. Why do you buy Fairy washing up liquid? Because of advertising. Why are you always disappointed in McDonalds? Because you get served a wet squashed thing while the image on the board is of a plump mouth watering burger. Why do you go back? Because the advertising looks so good you forget about the pathetic squished bit of cardboard you were served and hope to get the one on the poster. It takes a lot of money to gain a new customer and it takes less money to retain customers than it does to acquire new ones so look after who you have buying from you because a) it makes financial sense to do so and b) do you really want to annoy the people who are paying your wage? However a tiny percentage will be far more trouble than they are worth.

Ebay is tricky these days. They take 10% of your closing price and the postage/shipping but yet if you add more to your shipping cost to cover the Ebay fees then you get downgraded for overcharging. Ebay doesn't filter results by most recent anymore and hasn't done for a few years, it shows results by relevance. By relevance Ebay means 'the sellers who make us the most money with the least complaints' so even if you're selling cheaper than your competition it doesn't matter if your listings appear on page 24 right below that G1 Warpath that is only the legs and torso that's been on Ebay for 5 years. Ebay want to be Amazon - they want you to offer free postage, dispatch quickly, offer 14 day no quibble money back refunds and have HD pictures so that they can be Amazon with you doing all the legwork. That's fine but be aware that if you move away from that model then Ebay will start downgrading you.

What you'll disover very quickly if you sell cheap items is what carbooters (garage sale hunters for those outside the UK) fail to realise - it's easy to lose money on Ebay. By this I mean that if you sell a product for £1 with £2 postage (actual cost) then once you take out Ebay's fees of 10p on the item and 20p on the postage then you've only sold the item for 70p (as you still have to pay £2 postage). Now if you remove Paypal's 3.5% fee plus 35p flat charge per transaction you're left with 20p. Factor in your time in taking pictures and listing the item, the cost of the packaging, then your time again sending an invoice to the winning bidder, packing the item, going to the post office and queuing then the leaving feedback. You've wasted your time and money. 

Thankfully I stole this image from Ebaum's World and it isn't a screencap of my own feedback.

Amazon works the same way except they take 20% of your selling price.

That leaves you Facebook and forums. These are a lot of work because a website automates the sale, while selling on these mediums involves a lot more time and then you need to manually adjust your website database to remove sales. Plus the first message you get from a potential customer will usually involve the words "deal", "discount" or "best price" so if you don't like being haggled with then these aren't the avenue for you.

Next time - customer service from both sides of the virtual counter.

FansProject WB004 - Revolver Core

‘This one will be an easy pass’, he said.

‘There’s a Hasbro version of Roadbuster coming out’, he said.

‘I have no need for two Roadbusters’, he said.

And  y’know what? I think he was right.  Cos this thing is 'effing epic.

The fourth in FansProject’s Warbot series and the second in the ‘Core’ line of robots introduced with WB002 - Steel Core, Revolver is a big blocky thwack of Third Party fun. 

And in true to form fashion, the designers at FP have put their own stamp on G1. One glance at him in the box and you know where you’re at here. It’s definitely Roadbuster. It’s just not particularly accurate to any one take on the character. What it is, however, is definitively FansProject.

Unapologetically about to kick your ass

Angular, chunky, squared off and pointy with that distinctly anime flavour, Revolver Core is a military muscle machine, presenting a look that screams not only strength but agility with it.

One of these days, these poses and that canal are going to become acquainted

And he’s got some pretty great articulation to back up that aesthetic. Nagging things like the armour around his ball jointed head blocking full movement bring it down a bit, but double jointed knees and foot rockers lift things right back up again.

But not today

Some joints are not so much loose, but a bit more ‘fluid’ than I would like. The waist and one elbow on mine. I can live with that. I’ve been putting this thing through its paces too.

Like any good Wrecker, sorry.. Warbot, Revolver comes packing heat. Twin pistols, a laser rifle and a cannon. And these beauties, as you can see from the photos, are modular too.

An engine resides in Revolver’s back.

This piece is a transformable robot, with ball joints and swivels and an overall spot on attention to detail.

Tiny dude of goggled awesome

In the fiction FP has given us to accompany this line so far, these smaller robots combine with weaponised larger bodies. Very, um.. very Masterforce. No complaints here though – it's an extra element of play and integral to the Warbot story. But if you don’t like it you can hardly tell it’s there.

Transformation to vehicle mode is surprising. Somebody has been taking notes from Jizai and the Function X line and I’d like to buy that somebody a round of high fives. Arms twist and fold in myriad but understandable ways. The legs are clever too, folding backwards into themselves while the shins go and meet his back panels to form the rear of the car.

Plenty takes place during the conversion and while it isn’t in quite the same league of oil based origami that the F(x) line has treated us to, it's a well thought out and enjoyable slice of engineering.

That bumper.. that bumper is made of GUNS

We end up with a halftrack jeep slung low to the ground, slow looking but powerful.

To be honest this mode is never going to set the world on fire but getting here was eye opening and it’s a lot of fun having his smaller self interact with the vehicle. Because pilot.

It doesn’t roll freely which is a shame – no tiny wheels within the treads, alas

Admit it, the fact we have a tiny goggled dude of awesome driving a car with a bumper made of guns makes you smile

In closing, this is a damn fine release from FansProject.

Revolver is full of play features and badass good looks, meaning the Warbot line is back with a bit of a stormer. The modular weaponry is a lovely touch, the transformation is a lot of fun and I enjoy the 'Core' interaction with the smaller robot.

Above all else though, he's scratched my Roadbuster itch with consummate skill.

Let's go to work

(NB. Revolver can interact with the recently released Riftshot and Recoiler Core retools, each of whom comes with attachment pieces. This adds further modular options to the figure, not just in terms of weaponry but in armour options for both robot and vehicle modes. Sadly, these have been a FPC exclusive thus far. Let's get them on a general release, eh?)