Now to add a movie review. I missed adding so many in the last seven months. I managed to catch this one over the weekend. And lets just say. It's not as good as I was hoping. I will however give them credit for trying to have a great R rated comedy. But, I didn't find it very funny. Mostly boring, and the funniest moment was an outtake during the credits with Anniston. Watch it to see.
Overall it's a decent rental, but I wouldn't say it was worth the current prices of a theatre ticket. If your choice is between this and Hangover III. This by far, HIII was a totally snorefest..
2 Stars out of 5
Wait for DVD
Monday, September 2, 2013
Time Flies
I surprise myself once again at how fast time can fly. It's hard to believe it's been so long since I did the last update.
It's been a slow year for the toy collecting. I've been focused on other things, and with attempting to downsize my collection skipped a lot of releases in the last year. This has been a good thing over all. It's forced me to focus the collection, and stop picking up cool things that don't really have any attachment appeal to them. But I'm still having the worst time trying to move items. I may have to resort to Ebay, but my last trip down that line was almost more trouble then it's worth.
The small hauls I picked up have been cool. Springer, Blitzwing and Sandstorm were all nice figures. More so than I thought they would be. I'm waiting for replacement parts for Blitzwing from BBTS since he came with a broken pin in his elbow, and it just dropped off right out of the box. I finally got my Masterpiece Thundercracker. Feels cool to have the seekers complete. Even though they are not all the same mold. Got a First Edition Vehicon, and I have to say the RiD version is the nicer of the two. I'd like to have a second Jet Vehicon so I could have them in pairs. But I don't want to pay the price. I'm no longer looking at grabbing pieces in that price range on a whim. If only Hasbro would release him.
I skipped Masterpiece Lambor and Red Alert. Going with my new collecting stance, wait for Hasbro. Not get sucked into the much higher prices generally for the Takara or over seas prices. Hasbro tends to release everything eventually. I'm glad I have my MP Megatron already. Because that is one I highly doubt will ever come out over here in his G1 form. But the Hasbro MP figures are damn hard to get where I am. I was very lucky to get Grimlock. Some work got my Rodimus, and some more luck got my an order in for Soundwave and Acid Storm. With these last two apparently they came and went in my neck of the woods (The closest store being almost 2 hrs away) 2 weeks ago and I only heard about it this weekend.
Wave 2 of the Transformers Kreons were awesome, as were the Kreo combiners. I love these little guys. Hopefully they release GI Joe in blind bags. I'd be sorely tempted to get them as well.
I got a new Hot Wheels car Magnum P.I. sports car. I wish these could be found at retail, I missed TCs chopper and van. As well as the white car from the A - Team.
I'm missing 3 limbs for Abominus in the Prime Cyberverse line. I took my chances to wait for retail. And so far it's burning me. Although patience did pay off with Prime Smokescreen. Found him in store about a month ago. Nice figure. Wish he was painted like he was at the end of the show. But he still looks good.
All I can say is this collecting things would be so much easier if I lived in the city where TRU is. With all the sales, and coupons they have. It would a great help. That's for sure.
It's been a slow year for the toy collecting. I've been focused on other things, and with attempting to downsize my collection skipped a lot of releases in the last year. This has been a good thing over all. It's forced me to focus the collection, and stop picking up cool things that don't really have any attachment appeal to them. But I'm still having the worst time trying to move items. I may have to resort to Ebay, but my last trip down that line was almost more trouble then it's worth.
The small hauls I picked up have been cool. Springer, Blitzwing and Sandstorm were all nice figures. More so than I thought they would be. I'm waiting for replacement parts for Blitzwing from BBTS since he came with a broken pin in his elbow, and it just dropped off right out of the box. I finally got my Masterpiece Thundercracker. Feels cool to have the seekers complete. Even though they are not all the same mold. Got a First Edition Vehicon, and I have to say the RiD version is the nicer of the two. I'd like to have a second Jet Vehicon so I could have them in pairs. But I don't want to pay the price. I'm no longer looking at grabbing pieces in that price range on a whim. If only Hasbro would release him.
I skipped Masterpiece Lambor and Red Alert. Going with my new collecting stance, wait for Hasbro. Not get sucked into the much higher prices generally for the Takara or over seas prices. Hasbro tends to release everything eventually. I'm glad I have my MP Megatron already. Because that is one I highly doubt will ever come out over here in his G1 form. But the Hasbro MP figures are damn hard to get where I am. I was very lucky to get Grimlock. Some work got my Rodimus, and some more luck got my an order in for Soundwave and Acid Storm. With these last two apparently they came and went in my neck of the woods (The closest store being almost 2 hrs away) 2 weeks ago and I only heard about it this weekend.
Wave 2 of the Transformers Kreons were awesome, as were the Kreo combiners. I love these little guys. Hopefully they release GI Joe in blind bags. I'd be sorely tempted to get them as well.
I got a new Hot Wheels car Magnum P.I. sports car. I wish these could be found at retail, I missed TCs chopper and van. As well as the white car from the A - Team.
I'm missing 3 limbs for Abominus in the Prime Cyberverse line. I took my chances to wait for retail. And so far it's burning me. Although patience did pay off with Prime Smokescreen. Found him in store about a month ago. Nice figure. Wish he was painted like he was at the end of the show. But he still looks good.
All I can say is this collecting things would be so much easier if I lived in the city where TRU is. With all the sales, and coupons they have. It would a great help. That's for sure.
Monday, February 25, 2013
RED DAWN
Well.. I may as well say right now. Go and watch the 1980s original right now, and don't waste your time with this remake, re-imagining or however Hollywood wants to paint the excuse for this movie.
In the last couple weeks I have re watched the new Nightmare on Elm Street and now the new Red Dawn. And neither seem but a pale comparison to their originators.
As for Red Dawn, I was thinking that if they stuck close to the original. And just had the new cast of up and coming Hollywood youth. New special effects, and updated backdrops. We could have a cool little action movie like the original. How far off the mark could that be.
As I was watching this movie, I was thinking they up to this point already... As has seemed to become typical the whole thing seemed like they took the best pieces of the original and strung them all together with big explosions and guns. And called it a day. In this version I didn't care about any of the characters. And none of them seemed to have any time to sink in to you while you were watching it.
One thing that stands out is how in the original they were running low on food and water, and were taking to raiding convoys to the point that the Invaders would poison the food to try and get to the 'Wolverines' The only point of that I recall from the new one. Is their 'accidental' raid on a.. Subway.
I just didn't feel the tension, the camaraderie or the plight of the Wolverines like the original. And moving it from a small rural town to basically an urban environment just didn't click with me at all.
Skip this entirely and go back and rent the original.
After watching both trailers here together, they both look good. And you would think the new version would be an awesome update. But once again, it seems to be an example of Hollywood making a kick ass trailer for what turns out to be a bad movie. Jeffrey Dean Morgan was probably the best part of the movie, and he wasn't as good as Powers Booth from the original.
So there you have it.
1 Star out of 5
Barely a rental
In the last couple weeks I have re watched the new Nightmare on Elm Street and now the new Red Dawn. And neither seem but a pale comparison to their originators.
As for Red Dawn, I was thinking that if they stuck close to the original. And just had the new cast of up and coming Hollywood youth. New special effects, and updated backdrops. We could have a cool little action movie like the original. How far off the mark could that be.
As I was watching this movie, I was thinking they up to this point already... As has seemed to become typical the whole thing seemed like they took the best pieces of the original and strung them all together with big explosions and guns. And called it a day. In this version I didn't care about any of the characters. And none of them seemed to have any time to sink in to you while you were watching it.
One thing that stands out is how in the original they were running low on food and water, and were taking to raiding convoys to the point that the Invaders would poison the food to try and get to the 'Wolverines' The only point of that I recall from the new one. Is their 'accidental' raid on a.. Subway.
I just didn't feel the tension, the camaraderie or the plight of the Wolverines like the original. And moving it from a small rural town to basically an urban environment just didn't click with me at all.
Skip this entirely and go back and rent the original.
After watching both trailers here together, they both look good. And you would think the new version would be an awesome update. But once again, it seems to be an example of Hollywood making a kick ass trailer for what turns out to be a bad movie. Jeffrey Dean Morgan was probably the best part of the movie, and he wasn't as good as Powers Booth from the original.
So there you have it.
1 Star out of 5
Barely a rental
Friday, February 22, 2013
The Walking Yawn
Is it just me?? Or is this show just one big long drawn out snore fest. I was a fan of the books as well, but after awhile I also started to find it boring and exceedingly repetitive to the point that I stopped reading it.
As for the show, I like the cast of actors, characters. The production values are good. And the scripts seem to be well written. I guess it's just the content that needs some tweaking. I need something more to go on than a bunch of arguing and complaining in every episode. I seen a poster the other day, that basically said an hour of people bitching and sometimes a zombie shows up.
Now the Zombie tales are about people and the undead are a backdrop. But, it doesn't have to be so boring. The season has been picking up as it has progressed. But I am getting to the point that I may be in favor of not having any more seasons if things don't get spiced up some.
Maybe they need to be on the road more, scavenging supplies as they go. Traveling and running into more strangers along the way. And losing someone every 5 or 6 episodes. And just follow the core of the group. Throw the red shirts to the zombies to keep things interesting.
Maybe I should look back at the book and see what has gone on since I stopped. But the last time I did that, I didn't even read to the end. Since it was just like more of the same over and over again.
There are more than a handful of good shows out now to keep up with. I don't know if this will be on my schedule next season or not.
As for the show, I like the cast of actors, characters. The production values are good. And the scripts seem to be well written. I guess it's just the content that needs some tweaking. I need something more to go on than a bunch of arguing and complaining in every episode. I seen a poster the other day, that basically said an hour of people bitching and sometimes a zombie shows up.
Now the Zombie tales are about people and the undead are a backdrop. But, it doesn't have to be so boring. The season has been picking up as it has progressed. But I am getting to the point that I may be in favor of not having any more seasons if things don't get spiced up some.
Maybe they need to be on the road more, scavenging supplies as they go. Traveling and running into more strangers along the way. And losing someone every 5 or 6 episodes. And just follow the core of the group. Throw the red shirts to the zombies to keep things interesting.
Maybe I should look back at the book and see what has gone on since I stopped. But the last time I did that, I didn't even read to the end. Since it was just like more of the same over and over again.
There are more than a handful of good shows out now to keep up with. I don't know if this will be on my schedule next season or not.
Sunday, February 10, 2013
New Toys for a New Year
It seems that Hasbro is getting set to release a fountain of new Transformers for the year.
There are a few that look to be quite interesting. Especially the new Kreo Combiners and of course FOC Metroplex. But if the past is anything to go by they are items I will never see at retail. I have yet to see a Vehicon at retail. And the Prime line has been pretty scarce. And the new Beast Hunter items
are already starting to show up. So, I can assume I will never see the rest of PRID.
With my reduced collecting, there are only a handful of items that I want from the listings, assuming I can find them. Not too mention MP10 was never spotted around here. Here's hoping for MP Soundwave and the flood of other G1 goodness this year when Hasbro gets around to making it available. If it ever lands on store shelves in more than a token amount.
There are a few that look to be quite interesting. Especially the new Kreo Combiners and of course FOC Metroplex. But if the past is anything to go by they are items I will never see at retail. I have yet to see a Vehicon at retail. And the Prime line has been pretty scarce. And the new Beast Hunter items
are already starting to show up. So, I can assume I will never see the rest of PRID.
With my reduced collecting, there are only a handful of items that I want from the listings, assuming I can find them. Not too mention MP10 was never spotted around here. Here's hoping for MP Soundwave and the flood of other G1 goodness this year when Hasbro gets around to making it available. If it ever lands on store shelves in more than a token amount.
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
Current Events
The last few months have left me pressed for time, and when I look at the date of my last post. It's hard to believe so much time has passed..
Downsizing
Still ongoing. I have several large boxes of items still to sell. Things have slowed down, and I still have items on my shelves I will probably add to the pile. But the house is old, and drafty. And I think I am done until spring. When I will do a re-inventory of everything that didn't sell. And make another drive to clear it all out.
As for collecting, I think I am mostly done with it. It never ends, and retail is just absurd. I have yet to see a Vehicon the shelf. Or anything from that wave. And having to buy online and the prices being higher with shipping. I am now in the camp of whether it is any cheaper on gas or time.. But when they don't even show up on shelves there isn't any real choice.
But so much of the new stuff just looks bad (Like the new Prime Smokescreen) and I bought so many pieces that looked interesting, but not good. And I had no real personal attachment too.
So I think I will be holding to my G1s, Beast Wars, and Car Robots items. And I have yet to decide on Prime and the 3rd Party items I still have.
Warhammer
My current hobby dollars have gone from Toy Collecting to getting back into Warhammer and tabletop wargaming. Having a local group makes a big difference. And getting out of the house is always a good thing (tm) and I can't support two expensive hobbies at once.
And already having a large Space Marine force in the basement for the better part of 14 years helps. Even when I didn't even end up playing with them much. Too many people still play Marines.
Battlestar Galactica
Just finished watching the new series for the second time. This time straight through, and what a fantastic job they did with this show. Holds up very well. And I dare say I feel like going back to the first episode and watching it all again. Except I have too much else to keep up with.
Comic Book Men
Another fantastic show, funny and entertaining for the geek crowd. Although I wish it was more of the banter among the cast in the store and their antics and less Geek Pawn Stars. But at least it's only a couple times an episode.
Highly Recommended
World of Warcraft: The Mists of Pandaria
So far looks like the best expansion to date. The commercials are telling the truth it seems. Very nice terrain, and lush environments. Blizzard continues to improve quests and presentation and mini game quests.
Haven t played the Monk much. Maybe it gets better later on, but so far doesn't impress me. But then I played a Monk in EQ1 and this is very different. But then a lot of classes don't get going until 30 or more.
So much has changed since I last played, its almost like starting over.
Guild Wars 2
Played the free weekend trial that just went by. A lot to like, but the graphics being nice, look so much like GW1. And like GW1 there is just that something that doesn't hook me. And I only play it less than casually. And that's not worth the price of admission right now.
Maybe down the road if I can pick it up for $30. But WoW MoP is much better at the moment.
One thing that sounded fantastic on paper was the Siege PvP warfare. Right out of Dark age of Camelot it sounded. If its true, and as good as it sounds. It should be awesome. And something Blizzard should be ripping off right this second.
Downsizing
Still ongoing. I have several large boxes of items still to sell. Things have slowed down, and I still have items on my shelves I will probably add to the pile. But the house is old, and drafty. And I think I am done until spring. When I will do a re-inventory of everything that didn't sell. And make another drive to clear it all out.
As for collecting, I think I am mostly done with it. It never ends, and retail is just absurd. I have yet to see a Vehicon the shelf. Or anything from that wave. And having to buy online and the prices being higher with shipping. I am now in the camp of whether it is any cheaper on gas or time.. But when they don't even show up on shelves there isn't any real choice.
But so much of the new stuff just looks bad (Like the new Prime Smokescreen) and I bought so many pieces that looked interesting, but not good. And I had no real personal attachment too.
So I think I will be holding to my G1s, Beast Wars, and Car Robots items. And I have yet to decide on Prime and the 3rd Party items I still have.
Warhammer
My current hobby dollars have gone from Toy Collecting to getting back into Warhammer and tabletop wargaming. Having a local group makes a big difference. And getting out of the house is always a good thing (tm) and I can't support two expensive hobbies at once.
And already having a large Space Marine force in the basement for the better part of 14 years helps. Even when I didn't even end up playing with them much. Too many people still play Marines.
Battlestar Galactica
Just finished watching the new series for the second time. This time straight through, and what a fantastic job they did with this show. Holds up very well. And I dare say I feel like going back to the first episode and watching it all again. Except I have too much else to keep up with.
Comic Book Men
Another fantastic show, funny and entertaining for the geek crowd. Although I wish it was more of the banter among the cast in the store and their antics and less Geek Pawn Stars. But at least it's only a couple times an episode.
Highly Recommended
World of Warcraft: The Mists of Pandaria
So far looks like the best expansion to date. The commercials are telling the truth it seems. Very nice terrain, and lush environments. Blizzard continues to improve quests and presentation and mini game quests.
Haven t played the Monk much. Maybe it gets better later on, but so far doesn't impress me. But then I played a Monk in EQ1 and this is very different. But then a lot of classes don't get going until 30 or more.
So much has changed since I last played, its almost like starting over.
Guild Wars 2
Played the free weekend trial that just went by. A lot to like, but the graphics being nice, look so much like GW1. And like GW1 there is just that something that doesn't hook me. And I only play it less than casually. And that's not worth the price of admission right now.
Maybe down the road if I can pick it up for $30. But WoW MoP is much better at the moment.
One thing that sounded fantastic on paper was the Siege PvP warfare. Right out of Dark age of Camelot it sounded. If its true, and as good as it sounds. It should be awesome. And something Blizzard should be ripping off right this second.
Thursday, October 4, 2012
Encore
News broke this week about the Encore we all wanted, but dared not believe would ever happen. Fortress Maximus. And not only that but apparently the Japanese version with the huge sword.
I admit I am a little tempted, between my downsizing still ongoing and already having a Brave Max with all
the goodies I won't be biting on this. And as much as I like having an original Takara version with all the original and repro goodies from Fort and Grand I'd be lying if I hadnt said where was this 7 months ago?? I'd rather have paid the $350 for this and kept the change than what BM cost me. But at least I have the satisfaction of a near mint original with all the add ons.
I admit I am a little tempted, between my downsizing still ongoing and already having a Brave Max with all
the goodies I won't be biting on this. And as much as I like having an original Takara version with all the original and repro goodies from Fort and Grand I'd be lying if I hadnt said where was this 7 months ago?? I'd rather have paid the $350 for this and kept the change than what BM cost me. But at least I have the satisfaction of a near mint original with all the add ons.
Monday, August 20, 2012
Legend of the Seeker
I ended up watching this after a recommendation. One of which I sat on for about a week or more, since what little I saw of it reminded me too much of the old Hercules and Xena. And once I knew Raimi was involved, it was like no..
But I was bored enough, and both season were on Netflix so I started watching it. And it's shame that the show was cancelled. I have never read or even heard of the books before now. But the show is your typical fantasy romp, and nothing too complicated. But I can say that it pleasantly falls into the category of being the best of the Hercules and Xena 'Mold'
The show isn't too campy, funny or silly. And strikes the right edge. And the casting turned out to be quite good. I especially liked the 'Train Man' from the matrix. He made a fantastic wizard, and the icing on the cake was the fact they actually spent some money on FX and he could cast more than 1 spell. And they weren't shy about throwing around some lightening and fire in this series.
I would heartily recommend it to anyone who didn't mind the Hercules and Xena style, but a little more serious. I have no idea how it reflects on the books. And being cancelled after two seasons, they still manage to end the show without too much feeling unfinished.
4 Stars out of 5
But I was bored enough, and both season were on Netflix so I started watching it. And it's shame that the show was cancelled. I have never read or even heard of the books before now. But the show is your typical fantasy romp, and nothing too complicated. But I can say that it pleasantly falls into the category of being the best of the Hercules and Xena 'Mold'
The show isn't too campy, funny or silly. And strikes the right edge. And the casting turned out to be quite good. I especially liked the 'Train Man' from the matrix. He made a fantastic wizard, and the icing on the cake was the fact they actually spent some money on FX and he could cast more than 1 spell. And they weren't shy about throwing around some lightening and fire in this series.
I would heartily recommend it to anyone who didn't mind the Hercules and Xena style, but a little more serious. I have no idea how it reflects on the books. And being cancelled after two seasons, they still manage to end the show without too much feeling unfinished.
4 Stars out of 5
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
TOTAL RECALL 2012
Being pressed for time working on my Downsizing, and panting for stepping back into Warhammer. It's been awhile since I managed a media related piece.
Well, I went to catch an afternoon show of the remake of Total Recall. Two days after it opened, and the theatre was damn near empty. That was odd, even for an afternoon. But it meant a quiet and peaceful experience with no interruptions, cell phones or any other annoying occurrences.
I will say right off the top, that the movie was decent. But not great, could have been better. I will lay the blame right on the script. I found the movie had a lot of just head scratching logic associated with the technology of the world in which they set the movie. It all moved along nicely enough, and I liked the casting. They had the bucks for all the effects and stunts. But the world that they laid the story out in just broke suspension of disbelief for me.
I mean, if you had the tech to build a skyscraper sized building that travels in a tunnel through the center of the earth from Great Britain to Australia in no time at all really, Android Police Officers and 90% of the planet is uninhabitable wouldn't you just build a colony on Mars instead?? It would be easier. Or the Moon even. Since for the purpose of the story you needed two locations.
Rekall itself just seemed to be an afterthought, it seemed to be more central in the original. More part of the plot. Here it just seemed to be minor stop along the way to tip off the plot. Which really was it's purpose, but it just didn't seemed to have enough weight. And seemed like an underground operation, rather than the recreational vacation company I felt it was in the original.
The best part for me was the throw back to the 1990 one in customs. You'll know when you see it.
I'm going to have try and see the 1990 version again soon, it's been a long time since I've seen it. But I fully expect it to be the better of the two.
3 out of 5 stars
Well, I went to catch an afternoon show of the remake of Total Recall. Two days after it opened, and the theatre was damn near empty. That was odd, even for an afternoon. But it meant a quiet and peaceful experience with no interruptions, cell phones or any other annoying occurrences.
I will say right off the top, that the movie was decent. But not great, could have been better. I will lay the blame right on the script. I found the movie had a lot of just head scratching logic associated with the technology of the world in which they set the movie. It all moved along nicely enough, and I liked the casting. They had the bucks for all the effects and stunts. But the world that they laid the story out in just broke suspension of disbelief for me.
I mean, if you had the tech to build a skyscraper sized building that travels in a tunnel through the center of the earth from Great Britain to Australia in no time at all really, Android Police Officers and 90% of the planet is uninhabitable wouldn't you just build a colony on Mars instead?? It would be easier. Or the Moon even. Since for the purpose of the story you needed two locations.
Rekall itself just seemed to be an afterthought, it seemed to be more central in the original. More part of the plot. Here it just seemed to be minor stop along the way to tip off the plot. Which really was it's purpose, but it just didn't seemed to have enough weight. And seemed like an underground operation, rather than the recreational vacation company I felt it was in the original.
The best part for me was the throw back to the 1990 one in customs. You'll know when you see it.
I'm going to have try and see the 1990 version again soon, it's been a long time since I've seen it. But I fully expect it to be the better of the two.
3 out of 5 stars
Adventures in Downsizing
I've been working on pruning my collection, and getting a sales list together. The heatwave here the last couple weeks has put a damper on that. I don't imagine anyone wants anything with bonus sweat. So, beyond my original list. I only pulled some of the larger pieces.
With those, according to Ebays completed auction listing they sometimes sell for stupid amounts. So instead of risking insulting my fellow collectors I decided to list them on Ebay and see how that goes.
Let us just say that Ebay has a reputation, and it is well earned. As a buyer things couldn't be better usually. But as a seller it is a whole other ballgame. After learning my way about the system having never sold anything on there before I listed a half dozen items.
Nothing has sold, I still have a few remaining. And no matter how many watchers I doubt they will either. And it's not that I didn't price them competitively because I did. But probably because shipping is just too high. Canada Post does me no favors in that regard. And neither does Paypal if I want to protect myself by adding some stipulations to how I can ship and keep that protection.
But, getting back to Ebay again. I was very careful in how I setup my auctions. Shipping only in North America. USA & Canada. I excluded everywhere else and PO Boxes. And stated it in the auction. And yet I still get bids from Chinese buyers with Ebay accounts only 2 months old and almost 1000 purchases (Insane) but in all fairness maybe legit. I cancel those bids, and find out I missed a loophole buried in my control panel. So I close that loophole. And said Chinese bidder still get though, so I cancel his bid again and ban him. And I have one remaining bidder. He wins, which was great. And when I get payment I find out from the Paypal info that he is another Chinese bidder, shipping through Los Angeles to an unconfirmed address.. Here we go again. Opening a case with Ebay, refunding the money through Paypal and several hours later I'm back where I started.
Almost a month into this, and the only sales I have made are a handful to my fellow Canadians through the TF Community. Which is very appreciated. But I have a lot more I want to get moved. Once these last auctions come down, I may cross post my sales over into TFW2005. Members in the community seem to be a lot more understanding of what shipping is like. And there a lot more US members than Canadian ones.
But in the end, Ebay seems like a great waste of time and aggravation. I agree with all the complaints I've ever heard about. And I don't know how anyone makes any money on there with small ticket items with all the fees.
In other regards at present I am mainly keeping my G1s, Beast Wars / Machines, CHUG, RiD, Prime and Animated stuff. So that means I am mainly clearing out all the doubles, and movies stuff I shouldn't have bought. And any figures I bought for the 'Coolness' factor but have no real attachement to. Which means some third party figures.
Going forward I'm not sure. I'm thinking about staying with G1 / Masterpiece. And filling a few holes I have missing. And finish Prime since I'm half done or better now anyway( And how is Hasbro messing that up??). But I know one thing, I feel better without the weight of all the new releases on my shoulders (I was far from a completist. But I liked too much of what was coming all the time) And the flood of items that never seemed to end. There has to be a limit somewhere. The hobby is too broad and deep otherwise. Or else you need very deep pockets. Because you can't afford to do anything else if you don't.
Once I get the bulk of items moved that I cleared in the first passes I will go back and decide what else is staying. I have duplicate Cyberverse, Deluxe and Voyager stuff. Clear out the Cyberverse versions?? Keep the voyager versions?? I will need to decide that once I've sold most of what is waiting to go now.
And too add to the aggravation.. Paypal is being a real pain.. I setup an account to link for selling purposes. And PP stated that if the account held too few funds to cover a purchase it would go to the CC attached instead. Well, for the record they don't. They like to overdraft the account and not go to the CC as they are supposed to. Something that needs to be watched carefully. I feel like changing my sales to EMT only.. But I know too many people use PP and have money in their accounts. But once I'm done selling, I will be closing that account and removing it from my PP account. I don't want to have to go into my accounts and transfer funds to cover purchases every time I buy something because PP doesn't go the CC when it's supposed to.
With those, according to Ebays completed auction listing they sometimes sell for stupid amounts. So instead of risking insulting my fellow collectors I decided to list them on Ebay and see how that goes.
Let us just say that Ebay has a reputation, and it is well earned. As a buyer things couldn't be better usually. But as a seller it is a whole other ballgame. After learning my way about the system having never sold anything on there before I listed a half dozen items.
Nothing has sold, I still have a few remaining. And no matter how many watchers I doubt they will either. And it's not that I didn't price them competitively because I did. But probably because shipping is just too high. Canada Post does me no favors in that regard. And neither does Paypal if I want to protect myself by adding some stipulations to how I can ship and keep that protection.
But, getting back to Ebay again. I was very careful in how I setup my auctions. Shipping only in North America. USA & Canada. I excluded everywhere else and PO Boxes. And stated it in the auction. And yet I still get bids from Chinese buyers with Ebay accounts only 2 months old and almost 1000 purchases (Insane) but in all fairness maybe legit. I cancel those bids, and find out I missed a loophole buried in my control panel. So I close that loophole. And said Chinese bidder still get though, so I cancel his bid again and ban him. And I have one remaining bidder. He wins, which was great. And when I get payment I find out from the Paypal info that he is another Chinese bidder, shipping through Los Angeles to an unconfirmed address.. Here we go again. Opening a case with Ebay, refunding the money through Paypal and several hours later I'm back where I started.
Almost a month into this, and the only sales I have made are a handful to my fellow Canadians through the TF Community. Which is very appreciated. But I have a lot more I want to get moved. Once these last auctions come down, I may cross post my sales over into TFW2005. Members in the community seem to be a lot more understanding of what shipping is like. And there a lot more US members than Canadian ones.
But in the end, Ebay seems like a great waste of time and aggravation. I agree with all the complaints I've ever heard about. And I don't know how anyone makes any money on there with small ticket items with all the fees.
In other regards at present I am mainly keeping my G1s, Beast Wars / Machines, CHUG, RiD, Prime and Animated stuff. So that means I am mainly clearing out all the doubles, and movies stuff I shouldn't have bought. And any figures I bought for the 'Coolness' factor but have no real attachement to. Which means some third party figures.
Going forward I'm not sure. I'm thinking about staying with G1 / Masterpiece. And filling a few holes I have missing. And finish Prime since I'm half done or better now anyway( And how is Hasbro messing that up??). But I know one thing, I feel better without the weight of all the new releases on my shoulders (I was far from a completist. But I liked too much of what was coming all the time) And the flood of items that never seemed to end. There has to be a limit somewhere. The hobby is too broad and deep otherwise. Or else you need very deep pockets. Because you can't afford to do anything else if you don't.
Once I get the bulk of items moved that I cleared in the first passes I will go back and decide what else is staying. I have duplicate Cyberverse, Deluxe and Voyager stuff. Clear out the Cyberverse versions?? Keep the voyager versions?? I will need to decide that once I've sold most of what is waiting to go now.
And too add to the aggravation.. Paypal is being a real pain.. I setup an account to link for selling purposes. And PP stated that if the account held too few funds to cover a purchase it would go to the CC attached instead. Well, for the record they don't. They like to overdraft the account and not go to the CC as they are supposed to. Something that needs to be watched carefully. I feel like changing my sales to EMT only.. But I know too many people use PP and have money in their accounts. But once I'm done selling, I will be closing that account and removing it from my PP account. I don't want to have to go into my accounts and transfer funds to cover purchases every time I buy something because PP doesn't go the CC when it's supposed to.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)