Hi, I was directed here from Reddit with some questions since I'm Canadian.
 

Hi, since I'm Canadian it was suggested that I might have better luck with my questions if I posted them here.

I'll try to organize them but I am mainly just going to paste what I've already typed out. Sorry that it is a bit long but I don't want to shell out the money for what the MP line goes for without these answers.

First,

"Hi, I have a few questions about both the reissues and the MP Collection.


Where do you suggest I go to get MP items at the best price while avoiding KO's?


Preferably a store that's IN Canada or an Ebay supplier in Canada, or as a last resort, a US place/Ebay user that ships to Canada although between the exchange rate and the duty this is not the best option."


Add: I've noticed most stores don't have much selection of genuine MP G1's or they want stupidly huge amounts of money for them. I know they're expensive, but I'm talking stupid expensive. lol

I also was looking for answers for these questions.

"I still don't have answers to whether I could buy a junker Starscream G1 original and use his smaller (not ridiculously long) missiles with the reissue version. Unless there is a version of the reissue that I can get in Canada that doesn't have the long missiles because of the USA's laws. I hear it's an American thing.


2nd, I still haven't gotten any reply about if the current issued Walmart Constructicon Set still has the error where there is no slot to put the chest piece for Devastator. Apparently if you bought the dump truck separately they must have used a different mold and it DID have the needed slot. I don't know if the current release fixes this issue.


3rd, I heard that the first run of the Japanese (with the trailer part) version of Hot Rod/Rodimus Prime had some of it's own issues with either the legs or the feet, I can't remember which. Has that been fixed? Can someone point me to where I should be going to find a Japanese version of Hot Rod so I can get the version with the trailer. (The NA version not having it is probably one of the stupidest things I've seen in a while.)


4th, there was already a Megatron release that took after the grey cartoon look with damage and face attachments from the movie. I often see them for $300+ (ouch) I've seen images of a new chrome finish Megatron that is supposed to be coming out soon. It actually looks really sharp.


A) Is this a genuine MP or a KO?


B) Will it have that orange plug that the US makes them put in some of the figures and if yes, can it be removed without damaging the figure? I'm not sure if Canada has a similar rule or not.


I might as well add the question, where in Canada should I pre-order this, unless it is a KO?


Lastly, here is a link to a Kajiji add as an example. I picked it because the price was lower but he says it is genuine. He admits that he is using stock photos. I was hoping someone who is really knowledgeable about KO's could look at this one and tell me if they had some guess as to if it is genuine, or a KO, and how I can tell the difference?

Here is a more expensive one but it doesn't say if it is a KO or genuine. It does show both the front and back of the box though so I'm not sure if they are stock images or not.


Thanks for any help you can offer. These aren't exactly cheap so the last thing I want is a KO. It would be a lot easier if I lived closer to a major city like Toronto."

That's it, plus a couple changes.


Note: The Toronto comment was because someone pointed out that going to a brick and mortar store would be the safest best but unfortunately I don't live all that close to a major centre. About 1:20h to London Ont. Much further to Toronto. If there is a store in London Ontario that carries the official MP's at non-insane prices I'd love to know about it. By insane I'm thinking of over $250. That doesn't mean that that sweet G1 Movie Megatron isn't worth $300. It's just that I still find it insane. ;) lol

Thanks to anyone who took the time to read that, even if you don't have any advice. I appreciate it! :)

DM

Re: Hi, I was directed here from Reddit with some questions since I'm Canadian.
 

Price from a canadian seller will always look ridiculous since they do all the importing for you.

Here is the main canadian seller of MP products: https://www.agesthreeandup.ca/search?q=masterpiece

As you can see, they have an MP Cordon for close to $200 plus you have to pay taxes and shipping.

You can also buy MPs from Amazon Japan https://www.amazon.co.jp/s/ref=nb_sb...rs+masterpiece

That Megatron there will not come with an orange plug.

The best thing to do from here on out if you want the cheapest price is to preorder on amazon japan for any MP toy that is not released yet. Like taht you are sure to get the real item (and not a KO) for the cheapest price.

Re: Hi, I was directed here from Reddit with some questions since I'm Canadian.
 

You're pretty much at the mercy of the CDN dollar. Just hope our dollar goes back up.

Re: Hi, I was directed here from Reddit with some questions since I'm Canadian.
 

I sent you over here, so hopefully you get the answers you need. Or maybe they're under the search function. :)

As someone already mentioned Amazon JP (I have used them before and never had an issue) for newer MP releases is great. Someone like MP Inferno would be C$175 shipped to your door after conversion from JPY, where on eBay they may be C$200 plus another C$20 for shipping. At BBTS he is on sale, but with shipping and the Customs charge I always get from them, it's still more than Amazon JP.


For eBay, I have used US, JP and HK sellers (toyspark, animeking_inc, iamratchet, etc) before without issue but I always compare the prices between them and the big online US retailers like BBTS, etc.

I have never bought MP from Canadian online retailers due to their markup.

For your 4 questions:

1) I only have the original G1 SS, so I'm not sure if the new launchers only hold the new missiles. Or if they can hold the old ones.

2) I've seen people online assembling the new WM Reissue Devy, so unless there's a QA issue, it should combine properly.

3) MP Hot Rod? I recall hearing there were issues but no clue about him. Sorry as I don't have him.

4) There is a new Megs coming... MP-36 toy version(?). For MP-36 Megs, they shouldn't have the orange plug if they're from overseas. But ordering from a US site -- they would probably have it.

Re: Hi, I was directed here from Reddit with some questions since I'm Canadian.
 

Check out my answers in blue above. Hope they help!

Re: Hi, I was directed here from Reddit with some questions since I'm Canadian.
 

For unreleased new MP releases, I suggest you pre-order from a Japanese website, usually you get 30% off.

Re: Hi, I was directed here from Reddit with some questions since I'm Canadian.
 

Honestly, just buy your Masterpiece figures from overseas. There are great Hong Kong and Japanese sellers that sell MP's at or below MSRP. Try the seller Toy Spark on Ebay. They're based in Hong Kong, sell only official products, ship for great rates (tracking included), and have great communication. I've purchased countless Transformers from them, MP's included, and have not had any trouble receiving my items (they also securely pack all of their orders and shipping is quite fast, 2 weeks at most usually)

Also G1 MP-36 Megatron will never be cheap. It was first released at $300, and probably costs more by now (I purchased him at $300 CAD from Toy Spark earlier this year).

Re: Hi, I was directed here from Reddit with some questions since I'm Canadian.
 

You should consider mandarake, a used toy store, but usually the stock is in pristine condition and they check for ko. They have several shops all over japan and they ship to Canada (sal small packet).

For transformers masterpiece
https://order.mandarake.co.jp/order/...&keyword=mp+tf

Just be patient and usually stuff comes up quite often.

Re: Hi, I was directed here from Reddit with some questions since I'm Canadian.
 

Canada always got the same long missiles/guns all the US versions did. Later series went back to the original length missiles.

From tfwiki "There are two variations of Long Haul: one with a slotted chest (a hold-over from the first Diaclone variant where the Super Wing chestplate connected to the Dump Truck instead of the Truck Crane), and one without."

The Super Wing attaches to Hook's tailpipe rather than into the slot in Long Haul and it was removed from later versions after the 80s. The wing still has the tab but it's about 1/8" away from where the slot would be. I couldn't find why it is so far back.

It's been only connected to Hook for all the NA releases.

http://toys.tfw2005.com/wp-content/u...1206823130.jpg

The plug isn't glued in from a lot of the US retailers so it can be removed but they DO have to open the box to install it so no MISB from them if that's what you're keen on.

Re: Hi, I was directed here from Reddit with some questions since I'm Canadian.
 

Thanks for all the great replies. When you said Starscream went back to the smaller missiles in later series do you mean later releases of the Starscream reissue from Walmart or are you talking about G2 and up?

Edit: I'm checking out the different places people suggested I go to get MP items but I am having trouble logging into Amazon Japan. Do I need to make a new account for the Japanese version of their site? If yes, does that mean that my Prime doesn't get applied?

Thanks.

Re: Hi, I was directed here from Reddit with some questions since I'm Canadian.
 

No, I meant that the later commemorative releases of other figures had the original sized missiles they would normally come with but only in black plastic. Ex: Sideswipe, Perceptor, Bluestreak, Prowl, etc.

https://tfwiki.net/wiki/The_Transfor...orative_Series

I believe Starscream was only ever released again in the US with that recent Walmart release, same long missiles sadly.

Re: Hi, I was directed here from Reddit with some questions since I'm Canadian.
 

All the Amazon accounts should be linked. Click their EN button (which is in a different location depending on Browser vs mobile) and things will be more readable in English. :)

Re: Hi, I was directed here from Reddit with some questions since I'm Canadian.
 

Thanks!

If I may ask one more question, which Hotrod/Rodimus Prime version would I get if I wanted the one with the improved quality control, and the trailer? Official obviously, not a KO.

Thanks!

Edit: BTW, do you need a certain post count for your avatar to show up? Or maybe be a member for a certain amount of time?

Re: Hi, I was directed here from Reddit with some questions since I'm Canadian.
 

Are we talking MP-09, or MP-28/40?


MP-09 is the one with the Rodimus Prime mode/winnebago. Hasbro and Takara did very different decoes on it (plus Takara's has the trailer) - as I understand it the second run of the Takara version had far less QC issues (I have a first run one but I got lucky.) Having both versions I definitely dig the Takara one more, but I don't know what the aftermarket will be like. Ideally you'd want one from the second production run.


MP-28 is the newer mold, and just has the Hot Rod botmode - overall it's a decent toy, but on the first version at least it came out at a period in time when Takara was having issues with chrome longevity (so you may want to clearcoat the chrome on him.) There's an MP-40 reissue of the mold in different colors (based on the badly colored AKOM model from Rebirth, IIRC) that comes with his targetmaster.


As for which version of the mold to get, it's important to note that MP09 is sized more skewing towards the Rodimus Prime scale - he's pretty much the height of MP-10. MP28 is closer to Hot Rod's relative size. There's also a big price difference because of that trailer. I'd personally recommend MP-28 over MP-09 purely because overall it's a better built toy that's more straightforward to transform/something you can mess with without being as afraid of breaking something. MP40 is more of an acquired taste given that while the deco is GORGEOUS it's also based on his colors in a particular set of G1 episodes by the bad animation studio.



I know there's a bunch of people who are aiming to get the FansToys one, so you might be able to get a used MP-28 for a little less if the timing is right. And honestly the FT one does look like it has a more accurate botmode with less of a backpack in the initial pics (MP-28 has a bit of a backpack to him), though we'll see how it is as a toy when it comes out.

Re: Hi, I was directed here from Reddit with some questions since I'm Canadian.
 

When it comes to getting MP Transformers (or any Japanese Transformers release), importing from Japan is definitely the way to go. Even if you factor in the shipping cost, you still come out ahead of any Canadian or US website.

The best place to get Transformers that are already released would be Mandarake:

https://order.mandarake.co.jp/order/

They sell pre-owned items. But that does not mean they are opened and used. They have an excellent assortment of Transformers that are brand new and sealed in addition to stuff that have been opened and used. They are very clear on the condition of the item in the description. Mandarake has very high standards so even if the item is used, you would be hard pressed to find any difference between a new and used item.

The prices are also very fair. I sometimes pass on certain pre-orders and end up regretting it. When I end up buying it from Mandarake, it is often the MSRP price or perhaps even lower depending on the demand for that item.

If I have to pre-order, here are my go-to websites:

https://www.amiami.com/
https://hlj.com/

Both offer very good prices and shipping rates. However, they declare the full value of the item so if you buy something crazy expensive like MP Beast Wars Megatron, expect to pay very heavy duties on it when it passes through Canadian customs.

My personal go-to is Nippon Yasan:

https://www.nippon-yasan.com/

People often say the customer service for NY is not as good as Amiami and HLJ. I agree but NY offers a huge advantage since they automatically undervalue all items they ship. That Beast Wars Megatron is 28000 yen? Well, they will say the package is only worth 30 buck so you won't be charged any duties when it crosses Canadian customs. You just saved $50 in taxes.

Re: Hi, I was directed here from Reddit with some questions since I'm Canadian.
 

Wow this is complicated. lol Lots of amazing info though.

I actually just read this post about a re-issue of the MP9 Convoy Hot Rod version with fixed knees that is supposed to be coming out around now as well. Have you guys heard about this? Is this real or fake? I mean the news. I hear it is an official Takara release, not a KO.

Here is the link.

https://www.seibertron.com/transform...te-2018/40972/


Thanks!

Edit: So if I understand right, only MP9 and the MP9 ver. 2.0 came with the back "convoy" part? Did the MP9 ver. 2.0 also have problems with its chrome? Also to confirm, MP9 and MP9 ver. 2.0 are about the size of the MP Optimus, where as the higher MP versions of the model don't come with the trailer, and the size is more along the lines for Hot Rod, not Rodimus Prime? I heard that one or both have some method of increasing his size through a clever method of colapsing the plastic parts down so they can be extended to increase his size. Do all the MP Hot Rods have this feature or only one, and if it is only one, which one has it?

I was wondering, I haven't seen a MP Galvatron yet. Has one not been released?

Also, is there a website that has a list, with pictures of each G1 MP release and how different versions of the same Transformer have changed from one to the other?

I heard there is a MP Devastator. Is it a G1 model? I think it is out of my price range anyways but I thought I'd ask. I'll probably just end up getting the reissue. I think I saw the MP one for something like $500 lol.

Lastly, will the chromed version of Megatron that is coming out have the same face and chest damage pieces from the movie like the older grey version or no? I love the chrome but Takara did such a great job on the look of G1 movie Megatron!

Thanks again. The other answers, and if I can get answers to these questions, will help me decide what I am shooting for. What would I want to have? One of every G1 in a mint unopened box, plus a mint figure to display and transform, and the same for the G1 MP line. Will I ever have that? Helllllllllll noooooooo. lol

Re: Hi, I was directed here from Reddit with some questions since I'm Canadian.
 

https://tfwiki.net/wiki/The_Transformers:_Masterpiece

https://tfwiki.net/wiki/Devastator_(G1)

Search "Devastator (Gift Set, 2015)" on this page. Not a MP, just a Titan class fig from the Combiner Wars line.

Re: Hi, I was directed here from Reddit with some questions since I'm Canadian.
 

Thanks.

Do you or anyone else know if the new MP Megatron coming out has the face and chest damage addons that came with the first grey Megatron?

Also, have you heard of an upcoming reissue of the MP Rodimus Prime with the trailer from Takara? I linked to the comment in my previous post.

If you haven't heard of such a release, do you know if the ver. 2 of the first MP Rodimus also had chrome problems or were they worked out by then?

Thanks!

Re: Hi, I was directed here from Reddit with some questions since I'm Canadian.
 

No. It looks like he comes with 3 non-damaged faces with yellow eyes and a chest plate without the black swirls on it but no damage. Check the pics in that wiki article I linked earlier.

Re: Hi, I was directed here from Reddit with some questions since I'm Canadian.
 

One option if you want all the faces and chests, of course, is going with a KO of MP-36. I've got both the original and a knockoff - because the state of stuff produced in China is weird that way, there's actually a few DIFFERENT knockoffs of MP-36 that are all a lower price but of comparable build quality, with their own differences. (The one I got for instance has a more metallic finish as well as the toy head and swirl chest - this was before they announced the limited run version of the toy.)


Like, different people have different opinions when it comes to straight off knockoffs of HasTak figures where someone clearly stole the CAD files or the tooling. Generally I don't go in for straight up knockoffs but I do have a handful.


And yeah, as for an MP Devastator, there's a TakaraTomy version of the Titan-class figure that got a TON of tooling upgrades on account of them having a bigger budget + the designer at Takara personally wanting to make it as good as he could (given the odds of an MP one ever happening aren't that high). If you plan on keeping it in Devastator mode the changes aren't that big a deal, but if you want to have the individual Constructicons on display or have the eyes instead of the visor for combined mode it's one to consider. (Then there's me who got the Hasbro one for combined mode and the Takara ones for their robot modes...)


There's also a bunch of different third party Devastators to fill that void. 3P is a huge money sink if you aren't careful though. You get great stuff but you spend a lot getting it.

Re: Hi, I was directed here from Reddit with some questions since I'm Canadian.
 

If you want genuine TakaraTomy MPs go to any one of the Japanese sites like mandrake, amazon.co.jp, amiami, HLJ, anime-export and nippon-yasin. eBay and Chinese sites are risky - you might end up with a KO, although there are legitimate sources in Hong Kong, and some of these do state whether an item is KO or not. Or try a Singaporean store called ohmyprimus. You can also join some Facebook groups and there are (commercial, legitimate) sellers advertising over there.

For MP scale 3rd party stuffs you do have to go to some Chinese sites for deals such as showzstore. Do your research before putting your money on the table. Or try ohmyprimus I mentioned. Or Facebook.

Getting MP and even third party locally (or from the US) is just too expensive comparably speaking. As much as I want to support Canadian businesses the markups are too high. I do understand their costs of importing stuffs and their needs of making a healthy profit in order to be viable but I have limited funds so I have to pick the most economic path. Sorry. Having said that, the Canadian online sellers do offer deals sometimes so shop around. But if you want your MP almost right after their release the Japanese sites are the way to go since they will ship them out as soon as stuffs are released instead if having to wait for a local (or US) seller to receive their stocks AND THEN ship the things to you.

Of course you can deal with members here if you happened to come across somethings you crave.

BTW, we don’t have the same toys regulations like the States so all Megatrons (G1, reissues, MP and third party) from oversea sources sans the US have no orange plug. I have imported different Megatron figures from Japan w/o it and no issue at the border.

Someone mentioned the differences between the Hasbro and TakaraTomy “CW” Devastator: beside the minor mold differences like extra joints on the TakaraTomy bots each of them also comes with a gun. These are not presented in the Hasbro version. There is no official MP Devastator but there are third party alternatives. I think the ToysWorld one is the best but pricey - the best deal I can find will set you back at least $600 Cadn shipped.

As for MP-09, there is also the issue with the shoulder joints. Simply speaking they can be broken off. My Hasbro one suffered from this. One of the arms decided to fall off one day. I have yet to open my TakaraTomy one after all these years so it might have suffered the same fate. You should be able to get third party shoulder and knee joints repair/replacement kits. I got mine from eBay.

If you want to get G1 reissues w/o the long missles, short smoke stacks, etc. nonsenses you will have to hunt for the Takara/TakaraTomy/eHobby versions. Characters like Starscream have been done again and again already from eHobby to the latest Encore. The Japanese have even reissed Megatron (Hasbro will never do one I guaranteed).

Re: Hi, I was directed here from Reddit with some questions since I'm Canadian.
 

Great... everywhere that people had suggested weren't taking any more orders. Amazon.co.jp wants just under 40000 yen for it. :(


Any other places I should try that is more reputable than ebay?


Thanks.

Re: Hi, I was directed here from Reddit with some questions since I'm Canadian.
 

Which item specifically?

Re: Hi, I was directed here from Reddit with some questions since I'm Canadian.
 

The Rodimus Prime, presumably?

As yeah, that's not gonna be cheap at this point unless you get a used one. It came out several years back, after all.

Re: Hi, I was directed here from Reddit with some questions since I'm Canadian.
 

Rodimus Prime is getting rereleased this month in China. This is the ONLY place that still has orders available and it is way cheaper than any other option: http://ex.tfs-express.com/masterpiec...d-edition.html

Its $132.99 USD plus shipping.

To answer the original poster, all the recomendations we are giving you are only for NEW MP releases by Takara.

Re: Hi, I was directed here from Reddit with some questions since I'm Canadian.
 

Sorry, my bad. I was looking at the new MP36+ Megatron as well.

I'm keeping my eyes out for a ver 2 of the first release that had the trailer and I guess I just have to hope it has ok shoulders.

You know that Walmart.ca wants something like $190CND for the reissue of G1 Rodimus Prime? lol

Re: Hi, I was directed here from Reddit with some questions since I'm Canadian.
 

If you are interested in rodimus, look up dx9 carry

Re: Hi, I was directed here from Reddit with some questions since I'm Canadian.
 

Its not Walmart, its just a person like you or me posting his ad on rhe website. Also look what i wrote a few posts above, they are rereleasing MP Rodimus with trailer amd i give a link to the place to get it.

Re: Hi, I was directed here from Reddit with some questions since I'm Canadian.
 

Here is the only place in canada to order mp 36+ from. You wont find it much cheaper since this is an exclusive.

https://www.agesthreeandup.ca/produc...-color-version

Re: Hi, I was directed here from Reddit with some questions since I'm Canadian.
 

Pre-ordered. Thanks! BTW I looked at the Dx9 and I just... I dunno, maybe it's a bit of Transformer snobbery, but I just don't want a 3rd party figure. I'll keep my eyes peeled for a v2 of the trailer Rodimus that has decent shoulders.

Of course, at the rate Takara re-releases newer versions of the same toy, it wouldn't surprise me if they did a re-release of the trailer version with better QC.

Re: Hi, I was directed here from Reddit with some questions since I'm Canadian.
 

I know where you're coming from on the "snobbery", because I was very much in the same mindset a few years ago. For me it had to be Hasbro/Takara, and nothing else would do; it felt like cheating to go with a third party figure.

But that changed when I saw how many great figures there are that Has/Tak hasn't done in Masterpiece form, or have no intention of doing (that we know of), and I figured "You know what, I'll give these guys a shot." Read some reviews, shopped around for prices, and made some purchases. And I don't feel any guilt or snobbery about it anymore because damn they are some great figures.

That being said, I still have a bunch in sealed boxes, but that's a whole different issue.

Re: Hi, I was directed here from Reddit with some questions since I'm Canadian.
 

Did you not see the post I wote above that shows you exactly where to get that:

Re: Hi, I was directed here from Reddit with some questions since I'm Canadian.
 

Sorry my week has been rather "disjointed." It was one of those things where you read something but don't have time to reply, and by the time you do, you miss something, like mentioning your post.

Before I forgot, I was just going to ask if you were sure it was a Takara, and that it had the trailer. I've never owned a MP model so the clear stand, and the lack of any shots of him in "convoy" mode. made me wonder. I didn't think MP's had clear stands due to their excellent articulation and construction. I didn't think they would need them, but I can see how they could be handy if you wanted a really unique pose.

Re: Hi, I was directed here from Reddit with some questions since I'm Canadian.
 

This is a reissue of the Takara Rodimus Prime release with trailer.

Re: Hi, I was directed here from Reddit with some questions since I'm Canadian.
 

My hasbro rodimus is fine
I bought the trailer for separate from tfdirect.
As that was an option $59 cnd shipped.
Way better cost effective buy didnt have to get stuck buying the takara version as the trailer is done by takara tomy
And on the bonus side i got my target master for rodimus and his trailer.
You might still be able to just buy the trailer still from tfdirect.com

Re: Hi, I was directed here from Reddit with some questions since I'm Canadian.
 

Yeah; you can tell the difference between Hasbro and Takara's releases really easily. The Hasbro one skews to the Targetmaster Hot Rod colors, while Takara's goes for a pinker TFTM colorscheme.

Re: Hi, I was directed here from Reddit with some questions since I'm Canadian.
 

Anyone know of a store that sells the G1 reissues at reasonable rates? I would prefer English boxes but that may not be possible if I want to keep the price down. :(

Thanks

Re: Hi, I was directed here from Reddit with some questions since I'm Canadian.
 

Only walmart right now.

Re: Hi, I was directed here from Reddit with some questions since I'm Canadian.
 

Sadly they only have Hot Rod, Starscream, and Devastator. :/

They're also more money, even the ones sold in store compared to the Japanese versions. I sort of didn't want the Japanese writing on the boxes so I wanted the North American versions but am I pretty much SOL for the North American ones at this point?

Thanks!

Re: Hi, I was directed here from Reddit with some questions since I'm Canadian.
 

Do the Japanese imports with the Japanese writing have,

1. Any Japanese writing or symbols that are different from the North American versions?

2. Are they worth less if I sell due to the packaging being from Japan?

Thanks again!