iGear Computer Control Center. Is it really worth the money?

[Baron B of Triple B]

It looks good and it's something I would ideally like to have. But it seems as rare as an honest politician and due to that the prices are bonkers. Currently I've got the option of one at £300, I can't think it'd be worth that but it's a lot cheaper than any other I can find.

Does anyone have it or any experience and can tell me whether I should live on toast and beans for a month to buy it or give it a miss?

[Toph]

I've heard it has particularely bad quality, from a company notable for terrible quality.

[Toph]

I realize it would be helpful if I go into more detail, lol.

I've known a couple people who owned it, and it was their opinions who convinced me to pass.
It was one of iGear's earliest things. And in the beginning, their quality control was about as bad as dollar store knockoffs.
They talked about the plastic in this was fragile, and it did not fit together well at all.

Which is sad, because it was about the best concept they ever had, and the most unique 3P product out there.

[Baron B of Triple B]

That's what I feared. Well that saves me throwing a months rent at it, thanks you.

Might look at the Toyhax backgrounds and just deal with the high delivery.

[Pinwig]

Depending on the time of the month, the weather, the phase of the moon and various other factors, I might be up for splitting the postage cost to get some of those bloody things over here. I'm just starting to work out a display area for TFs in my new pit and I do want some Toyhax backgrounds.

[Toph]

I never looked into their stages so I dunno how much shipping is to US vs UK, but I can't imagine they would add much weight to a box of toys. We could see about sending them to me and I add them to UK bound packages if it would be significantly less than toyhax sending them directly to you guys.

[Pinwig]

<Strokes non-existent beard>

Interesting...

I wonder how big they are flat packed. They can't weigh that much as they're cardboard, but they're probably just large to prevent loads of folds.

[Baron B of Triple B]

Sept 27, 2016 19:34:54 GMT Toph said:

I never looked into their stages so I dunno how much shipping is to US vs UK, but I can't imagine they would add much weight to a box of toys. We could see about sending them to me and I add them to UK bound packages if it would be significantly less than toyhax sending them directly to you guys.

IIRC postage to UK from them is $35 which is more than the backgrounds cost so unless you're ordering a lot it's not viable.

[Toph]

Okay, so shipping to my house is $15.
Pretty pricey, but considerably less.

I think maybe a group purchase with everyone who wants one, sent to me, then I send it all out with a TFSS shipment might make it feasible.

I chose a random $35 dollar backdrop and shipping was $15. I added a second and it didn't bump shipping at all. still $15, even for two.

[Pinwig]

I think it's $15 flat rate to the US. Overseas goes up the more you order. It would need some careful calculations; with something awkwardly sized like that, three sets of postage would mount up. To US, to UK and then within the UK.

[Bogatan]

Those shipping prices are still less than FP default price for posting a comic to the UK.

Ive been thinking about making some of these ever since those backgrounds from the movie appeared online a few years ago. The really nice finish on the Rocklords fanzine and prints got me thinking about it again more recently.

Between decent screencaps and photoshop and Layerpaint I figure I can build up backgrounds to exactly fit between the various shelves I have. Only problem is I'd have to thin out the crowds a bit to make the backdrops visible enough to be worth while.

Still might be a fun project.

[Toph]

Okay, so playing around until toyhax shut me out with a "not enough product in stock"
I've gotten up to 5 $35 backdrops with no increase in shipping.
With five people involved that brings shipping to me down to three bucks a person.
(No clue how much bulk shipping in tandum with a tfss package from here to there would be)

So it genuinely seems like the more of you guys want in, the more reasonable and feasible this would be.
Although on the downside we've already breached by a long shot how many people would be interested (including myself!)

[Pinwig]

That's what I was saying CJ, $15 is the rate in the US for any number bought.

I have had the same thoughts myself, Bogatan. There's potential in those images to do this really cheaply just by using a pro online printing service using poster size prints.

[Pinwig]

Big B - X2 Toys have been showing a new MP Scale Teletraan 1 playset:

[Baron B of Triple B]

Superb. That's the problem solved.

[Shockprowl]

That's gorgeous!

[Toph]

www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/search.aspx?search=extreme%20sets

For largely the same price as Toyhax, these are much more involved and much bigger (most can be ten feet long depending on how you assemble it), and some even come with props.

[Pinwig]

That Ark one does look nice. 12" is a bit short for MP scale figures though?