TimeLines (BotCon) 2013 discussion

[Dominic]

Burcham is not a terrible artist. I am getting sick of that style though.

[Dominic]

I meant to post this a while ago.


Apparently, Fun Publications has re-allocated some of their at-show boxed sets as non-attendee sets. The obvious inference that one could make from this is that BotCon registration is lower than expected this year. All things considered, it is probably a question of a steadily worsening economy making people less willing to spend money on travel and vacations.

We will have to wait until afte BotCon to see how many of the sets are still available, and by extension gauge interest in the toys themselve. The only BotCon exclusives to "sit" for any appreciable length of time were the 2005 boxed set figures, which sat for several years. (There were also some Fan Club figures, but those are technically not BotCon exclusives even if they are commonly branded as "Timelines" figures.)


Dom
-suprised more that this has not happened sooner if the economy is to blame.

[Tigermegatron]

I meant to post this a while ago.


Apparently, Fun Publications has re-allocated some of their at-show boxed sets as non-attendee sets. The obvious inference that one could make from this is that BotCon registration is lower than expected this year. All things considered, it is probably a question of a steadily worsening economy making people less willing to spend money on travel and vacations.

We will have to wait until afte BotCon to see how many of the sets are still available, and by extension gauge interest in the toys themselve. The only BotCon exclusives to "sit" for any appreciable length of time were the 2005 boxed set figures, which sat for several years. (There were also some Fan Club figures, but those are technically not BotCon exclusives even if they are commonly branded as "Timelines" figures.)

Dom
-suprised more that this has not happened sooner if the economy is to blame.

I don't Blame the economy on this. I blame the Botcon Scalpers & Fun pub for not caring to enforce anti-scalper rules. Their is a limit to what a casual fan/buyer will put up with until he quits & refuses to buy products.

[Dominic]

Based on what we have been hearing (admittedly from Fun Publications), it seems that the non-attendee sets *are* selling. Thus far, it seems that collectors and fans are more than happy to spend money on exclusive "Transformers", even if they are less willing to travel.

The more I think about it, the more I have to think that this was inevitable, even without the economy. BotCon is primarily a dealer-room convention. An attendee spends a given amount of money for the right to browse merchandise tables and possibly spend more money. This was making less sense even 10 years ago. The internet is common and people are comfortable buying/selling on it. Why spend time and money for the chance to buy stuff when you can buy stuff from home?

The social aspect of conventions is diminished considerably by email and forums like this one. Most of BotCon's guests are voice actors from various cartoons and (sometimes) writers from the cartoons and comics. Autographs only appeal to some people. And, they might still hold out and buy autographed items online.

The most unique thing about BotCon is probably the customizing class. But, the only way to get a spot in that is to register online within the first 5 minutes of registration opening. If you cannot get in to the class, the exclusive toy (or the parts used to assemble it) are going to be so expensive that even saving money by not travelling to the convention is not going to offset the after-market price (assuming somebody is willing to sell the damned thing). The at-show exclusives are typically available on eBay as well.

I am honestly curious to see how right I am and how Fun Publications will adapt to this.

[JediTricks]

I wouldn't be surprised to learn less people are going to this BotCon because it's a mere 3 weeks before Comic-Con in the same city. And not in the city's huge convention center, no, instead it's in a fucking tiny hotel out in Mission Valley where there's nothing but shopping centers and national chain restaurants as far as the eye can see.

I guess I should drive down there for one of the days and cover as much as I can, assuming I don't have more pressing obligations by then.

[Tigermegatron]

I wouldn't be surprised to learn less people are going to this BotCon because it's a mere 3 weeks before Comic-Con in the same city. And not in the city's huge convention center, no, instead it's in a fucking tiny hotel out in Mission Valley where there's nothing but shopping centers and national chain restaurants as far as the eye can see.

I guess I should drive down there for one of the days and cover as much as I can, assuming I don't have more pressing obligations by then.

I love that SDCC 2013 stole botcon's 2013 thunder.

[JediTricks]

I wouldn't be surprised to learn less people are going to this BotCon because it's a mere 3 weeks before Comic-Con in the same city. And not in the city's huge convention center, no, instead it's in a fucking tiny hotel out in Mission Valley where there's nothing but shopping centers and national chain restaurants as far as the eye can see.

I guess I should drive down there for one of the days and cover as much as I can, assuming I don't have more pressing obligations by then.

I love that SDCC 2013 stole botcon's 2013 thunder.

SDCC didn't steal shit, Botcon chose poorly. A similar same thing happened with Star Wars Celebration V where they stupidly put it 2 weeks after SDCC, which sets its dates a year in advance and is a 5-decade tradition that has everything. Plus, Botcon (I just accidentally typed "Butcon" and felt it was worth mention) being in Southern California in '13 when it's likely to be in the Los Angeles area next year for the 4th film's release was just short-sighted.

[Tigermegatron]

I wouldn't be surprised to learn less people are going to this BotCon because it's a mere 3 weeks before Comic-Con in the same city. And not in the city's huge convention center, no, instead it's in a fucking tiny hotel out in Mission Valley where there's nothing but shopping centers and national chain restaurants as far as the eye can see.

I guess I should drive down there for one of the days and cover as much as I can, assuming I don't have more pressing obligations by then.

I love that SDCC 2013 stole botcon's 2013 thunder.

SDCC didn't steal shit, Botcon chose poorly. A similar same thing happened with Star Wars Celebration V where they stupidly put it 2 weeks after SDCC, which sets its dates a year in advance and is a 5-decade tradition that has everything. Plus, Botcon (I just accidentally typed "Butcon" and felt it was worth mention) being in Southern California in '13 when it's likely to be in the Los Angeles area next year for the 4th film's release was just short-sighted.

Sorry i'm not a funpub fan,So naturally I look forward to them losing cash/atenddes for their 2013 botcon convention due to SDCC 2013 being 3 weeks before them.

[Dominic]

Pictures of the boxed set packaging have surfaced.

I will give Fun Publications credit, the mock "discount" sticker is kind of funny.

If anybody gets and wants to split a set, I might be interested in Styka and Obsidian. (I would hold out for both though.)


Dom
-will read Lewis' comic and/or wait for the Diamond Edition.

[BWprowl]

Pictures of the boxed set packaging have surfaced.

I will give Fun Publications credit, the mock "discount" sticker is kind of funny.

Yeah, even I have to admit, as a burn on Kay-Bee, and a self-burn on themselves, that ain't bad.

If anybody gets and wants to split a set, I might be interested in Styka and Obsidian. (I would hold out for both though.)

I would've totally been in for Megaplex had they been assed to give him a new head; I love that mold and it would work really well for the character otherwise. As-is, it's a big fat nope.