Pete,
I totally agree with your sentiment. That's why I choose to remain silent and not post anything on the other boards. I read the whole thread and it just ticks me off. It seems poeple just want to complain just for the sake of complaining or are just ignorant to a lot of facts. Though everyone is entitled to their opinions, I just wish people were more informed/educated before postings some of the stuff they do. The truth is many people don't understand the process/time/costs that go into making figures.
Big whoop, there's armybuilders in the sets. I know Brian said there wouldn't be, but heck I'm sure if it was a Duke vs CC 2 pack, the same people would still be complaining that we are getting another Duke and CC in another paint scheme. And from MC's point of view, they don't want to be stuck with a s*** load of them. So if they can unload a few more to those who can/will armybuild them, great. No one is pointing a gun to anyone's head forcing everyone to armybuild them or even get one set. I don't understand why people freak out that they can't get like 15 of them or feel they are entitled to get them cheap. Someone posting that if they can't get a few to armybuild they won't at all, just stupid. If it's out of your budget, don't get it. That simple. Those that say they are completist, that's your fault. No one forces them to collect every single thing.
Heck if MC didn't do this, we wouldn't be getting these ARAH sculpts at all. MC has used a lot of molds that Hasbro has never even considered and never will. Sure Hasbro has been doing the comic packs, but they just seem to be repaints of molds we seen over and over again. Some with new heads and others just straight repaints. Do I really need another Tunnel Rat, Duke, Flint because of a new head? That's up to the customer. Does this mean I should kiss MC's ass just for doing this? Heck no. If I don't like the product or can't afford it, I just won't purchase it.
People complaining that the figs are too expensive compared to Hasbro just don't understand the economics of it all.
I think mogardee stated, maybe some molds were unavailable, so they went to plan B. Who really knows, I mean maybe they just don't have that many molds to choose from anymore. Maybe some are being used for next years con set. If they used 8 molds of individual characters that have been used in the last few years, everyone is going to cry fowl that we are getting ripped off with repaints (which is what Hasbro is doing with the comic packs but no one is complaining). Sure it's more expensive, but these are collectibles and aren't meant for everyone.
My only complaint is that I would have preferred 1 joe and 1 cobra per set. It just seems weird to have 2 cobras. Does this mean that another set will have 2 joes or all 4 sets be cobras? If I don't like the set, I just won't purchase it. If I do I'll probably pick one up, but won't be complaining if I don't.
Also that we have to pay higher membership fees, the duties and shipping hurts. I can only imagine what a set will come out to.
Sorry for the long rant, I hope I made it clear.