Post by: olyeller01 on May 18, 2010, 08:40:29 PM
So what do you guys think? I'm going to stick with buying only cancelled figs...and I don't feel bad about that at all. I wonder what would happen to them if they weren't sold gray market...melted back down? Given to charity? Anybody have any idea?
Post by: bandonov on May 18, 2010, 11:03:41 PM
Post by: Stealth Viper on May 18, 2010, 11:06:55 PM
For example the initial wave of PoC stuff that included the RoC actor likenesses. Or items that have a pre-production paint deco on it that differs from what is released/will be released at retail.
I don't see this as taking money from Hasbro, as they weren't going to release these for sale anyway.
Post by: pdaat on May 19, 2010, 12:00:43 AM
I have to think Hasbro knows about it - they check the boards and eVilbay - and likely doesn't care too much.
Post by: Pete The Greek on May 19, 2010, 01:43:24 AM
Quote from: "Stealth Viper"
I only buy stuff that I know won't make it to retail.
Same applies for me. I won't waste my time with figures that will show up at retail.
Do I feel bad for Hasbro that people are buying figures overseas from China? Nope. After all, they decided not to use American or Canadian labour force to manufacturer the toys.
Post by: Editor on May 19, 2010, 02:21:04 AM
Most of the pieces I've picked up have become available but having a POC Ice Viper that doesn't seem to be on the release schedule anymore is a nice extra. I do wish I had Volcano Vipers when the were up.
Post by: Gyre-Viper on May 19, 2010, 01:58:53 PM
said bought-from-China merchandise). Which then I replied "I'm not out to screw over Hasbro... Hasbro screwed me over." Obviously I didn't mean it so black and white (and Mr. Warden knew what I meant). I was referring to things like Volcano Viper... and so John and I briefly spoke about Volcano Viper (who John designed) and he was unaware of how many had sold through WS and the other sellers. He knew they'd been sold but he didn't realize it was in the hundreds. And I told him... that $12.99 free shipping... that's great for a canceled figure. But for a popular figure that everyone was going to buy anyways... (even if it meant eating another mole pod)... if Volcano Viper were to make it to single card retail at any point, for $6.99-$8.99 ... it would still sell, no matter how many had been previously sold on ebay through China. And then either he or one of the other people listening said "but he's a vehicle driver." And I said "he's whatever the person who buys it wants it to be. And besides, he doesn't even FIT in the Lava Pod." Anyways...not sure what you can really get out of that anecdote but I figured it was at least relative to the subject at hand.
Post by: olyeller01 on May 19, 2010, 03:09:34 PM
Quote from: "Gyre-Viper"
Anyways...not sure what you can really get out of that anecdote but I figured it was at least relative to the subject at hand.
I really enjoyed that anecdote! And I'm glad that designer knows how much we appreciate his work, even if it doesn't get released. I also hope he read my review of Volcano Viper in the April newsletter. I FREAKING HATE the Mole Pod, I think it is the WORST GI Joe Vehicle EVER, but I'd buy another one just for another Volcano Viper.
Post by: Editor on May 19, 2010, 03:16:45 PM
Post by: Gyre-Viper on May 19, 2010, 03:18:45 PM
Quote from: "olyeller01"
I also hope he read my review of Volcano Viper in the April newsletter.
I'm sure he did.
Post by: Redmao on May 19, 2010, 03:53:09 PM
I often buy multiples of a single figure and I'll usually buy one carded either online or in a store and the rest I'll get loose on the cheap on the GM. It's great for army builders and custom fodders.
Post by: morgardee on May 20, 2010, 09:32:19 AM
Post by: pdaat on May 20, 2010, 10:04:09 AM
Post by: martin-montreal on May 22, 2010, 11:59:26 PM
But, what do you think about other figs like the one made by The Black Major? He use the same mold of vintage Hasbro figs, but Hasbro never planned to make these. And last year at the con, Habro rep saw those Red, Black and Brown troopers without even trying to stop those guys. Really, I don't understand Hasbro on these.
And don't get me wrong, I'm a pro o-ring figs, so I really like the fact that I can buy those brand new figs in 2010.
Martin
Post by: turner on May 23, 2010, 10:32:40 AM
Post by: roshan on May 23, 2010, 03:07:15 PM
Quote from: "martin-montreal"
But, what do you think about other figs like the one made by The Black Major? He use the same mold of vintage Hasbro figs, but Hasbro never planned to make these. And last year at the con, Habro rep saw those Red, Black and Brown troopers without even trying to stop those guys. Really, I don't understand Hasbro on these.
Now that o-ring is officially dead from Hasbro's end, I see Black Major's work as being less and less a thorn in Hasbro's side. Yes they're still selling Hasbro's intellectual property so it's still a legal no-no, but they're selling things Hasbro has no intention of ever releasing again. I picked up a few of these for curiosity's sake last year, but now that the o-ring will no longer be produced, I'm actively searching these out.
Post by: pdaat on May 25, 2010, 08:21:46 AM
Post by: pluv on May 27, 2010, 04:04:33 PM
Quote from: "Gyre-Viper"
Anyways...not sure what you can really get out of that anecdote but I figured it was at least relative to the subject at hand.That is a great story. I'm glad we all got to hear it. The fact this article is getting people to discuss the topic more is exactly why Hawk and I contribute to these.
Quote from: "martin-montreal"
But, what do you think about other figs like the one made by The Black Major? He use the same mold of vintage Hasbro figs, but Hasbro never planned to make these. And last year at the con, Habro rep saw those Red, Black and Brown troopers without even trying to stop those guys. Really, I don't understand Hasbro on these.I didn't bring up Black Major's and other people's vintage o-ring figures because we know those are bootlegs. There is absolutely no gray area with those. The Chinese workers behind this are using either Hasbro's molds or they created their own based on Hasbro's figures.
From my limited understanding of the law, Hasbro can trademark and copyright the characters. However they have a limited design patent for the actual workings of the figure which would have run out long ago. That is if they could prosecute anyone in the US. They know they'd eventually be dealing with Chinese workers under Chinese law all while doing business for their current products in China. If I had to pick my battles it would be over the stuff I'm currently paying to produce and market and not some old mold I (incorrectly) think has run its course.
Essentially those guys selling vintage stuff are doing what customizers have been doing since 1982, only on a factory level. Brian Savage was asked to do a set of army builders with minimal paint and sold without pretty boxes for the Club and Master Collector wasn't interested. I'm glad somebody took the ball and is running with it. I just wish it didn't feel like you had to buy these out of some guys trunk in a dark alley at midnight in the sketchy part of town. They are very low profile.