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herobot
Rank: Corporal
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Subject: Maia's VFA-6ZX Shadow Fighter of MPC (recalled!)
Started on: November 30, 2008 - 7:18:13 AM
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Response 60 of 201  |
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Bandman
Rank: Private
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Subject: Seems like they killed their own release...
Posted on: January 11, 2009 - 9:45:32 PM
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So, they missed with the wrong intakes, no place to put the gunpod, cheap plastic, and faulty hands... seems like they've managed to damage their own reputation, and keep this product from being a good seller. Then they complain that these toys aren't selling. C'mon, you'd think that putting 1 and 1 together, you'd figure out why. I was interested in getting one of these, and still may. I've seen these for about $45-$50 in some places already, so if I can find one that's decent, I'll get one and just frankenstein it with better parts from a bunch of rejects I have. It sucks to have to do that for a new toy, but that is the problem we've been given. | |
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SDFcommander
Rank: Master Sergeant
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Subject: Wow, I'm afaid to open mine.
Posted on: January 11, 2009 - 10:43:01 PM
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The quality control sounds pretty bad 
I got my Maia with my Beta. I have been spending so much time with my Beta, I have not even opened up my Maia yet. Now I'm a little scared to see what I will find.  | |
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"Thundering asteroids!!!"
http://sdfcommander.tripod.com/
(my new website...open during construction) | | | |
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rwoll622
Rank: Private 1st Class
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Subject: New Maia arrived...
Posted on: January 15, 2009 - 7:39:33 AM
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yesterday. I was a little concerned to pull it out of the box, but I wanted to make sure that it was ok since the first one fell apart. The replacement must have come from a different batch because it didn't have glue all over it, the paint was dry, and all of the parts moved freely. The last one was very stiff and this one is a little loose. I guess I would rather have a loose one, then one that's going to break again. | |
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whamhammer
Rank: Sergeant
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Subject: My Maia
Posted on: January 18, 2009 - 10:13:06 AM
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I wasnt very impressed with it. With the exception of the shoulder missiles, you couldnt see any of the missile pods,most of the doors wont openor close in the right position.
As in the previous peoples, it didnt have the right intakes (really doesnt bother me, I like the reguylar ones better), no place for the gun in fighter mode. The paint wasnt as bad as in that one guys pix so I was happy with that.
When the first run of the Alphas came out , the novelty of them made them (almost) worth the 80 bux. Now, some 60,000 more (built) later that novelty is gone and the build quality is still as if the production line is inexerienced on the product. Surely this is a different result than what I saw on my Beta.
Harmony Gold, you are licensing Toynami to make these Masterpeice Collection Alpha as Robotech , YOURE PRODUCT, this product is a reflection of your intellectual property and a symbolism of your hopes and dreams for the future of Robotech. Weve had over four years to see an improvement and havent on these Alphas and are being asked to pay the same price for these "new" ones that arent. I wouldve hoped the first 60k absorbed the cost for r&d and tooling, as well as q.c. .Are you (H.G.) proud of these representing you? When it comes time for the pre-order for the Marcus model, am I to expect the same out of that one for 80 smackers? If so I can paint grey in the strategic spots.
Please show us the value in buying new Alpha products......
Wham' | |
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THIS SPACE FOR RENT
Dacschund Squadron Leader (Weinnie One)
"D.O.L. -- The hizzeat on repeat!"
Leader of "Disciples Of the Mother (Sammie) And Daughter (Annie)" = D.O.M.A.D.
I
WANT
MY
BETA!!!!!!! | | | |
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Rmasterd
Rank: Master Sergeant
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Subject: In response to all.
Posted on: January 19, 2009 - 10:05:40 AM
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Wow! There is an enormous amount of criticism here. I really can't speak about quality control as I have not yet seen any of the Alphas in my livery. I have only done some reading on them and will get to see mine when I return from "my" expiditionary mission in Baghdad.
We all can identify with the perspective of the customer. NO ONE wants to invest in a poorly made product.
From the vendor or company's point of view, this is especially the case. Most people don't realize all that goes into getting a product to the market. In most cases, there is research. Design after design is reviewed in product development.
When it comes to finding a manufacturer, often times, the prototype seldom resembles the production product. In some cases, as you have seen here, the first run doesn't even make the safety or quality requirements. This, of course, is costly to EVERYONE. Toynami must take action and both they and their manufacturer will probably eat the cost of all the subquality product. This is a write off, and means that the order must be replaced and manufacturing must compensate for the lost product. People get paid by the hour or day, probably not the product. So, all those factory workers are getting paid for the same order AGAIN. Where does money come from? The company and the manufacturer must eat that cost. All this, as stated above, affects consumer confidence in the company and some of you have already pledged your boycott of their product.
As for the price, there is so much that goes into the determination of the price of a product: availablity of materials, quality manufacturing processes and procedures, tariffs(import taxes),fair market practices, transportation costs, storage, overhead, etc.
All that being said, I'm sure that Toynami is struggling to find cost effective solutions that will both meet Harmony Gold's and consumers' requirements.
As for the design, based on my observation of SC footage, Maia's figher looks like Bartley's with a custom paint job AND since we are pretty much discarding everything BUT footage these days when the storyline is concerned, I am just going with what I observe as a VAF-6Z. So, the intakes would actually be accurate. As far as the VTOL thruster is concerned, I don't recall. I will have to research that. We can always infer that the Shadow fighters were used primarily in space and therefore had the VTOL capablity ommitted.
Having customization kits would be an interesting marketing tool. "Build your own battloid." -hmmmm..
I agree with everyone when it comes to quality control. We have all invested in a "variable" fighter which is supposed to perform as promised. If this aspect is not practicle with the current design, I can always rely on the Battloid Aphas that I already have. They fill the ranks of my forces adaquately and rely on VF-1s for my primary variable fighter mission.
Finally, in regards to the desire for ASC Spartas Hovertanks, fighters, AJACs, and Super-Dimensional vessals. It was alluded to me a few years ago from a viable, yet unnamed source, that HG had no desire to market ASC products. I'm hoping that they will change their minds and that it will be legally viable to produce them. We already have to deal with the disappointment that there are no RDF mecha present in the current footage. Maia cannot even refer to herself as Zentraedi!
Tommy: I know you are working hard to make things right by all of Robotechdom. Your hard work is appreciated.
Everyone else, your honest input is invaluable for the rest of us who aren't yet in the know and to Toynami and Harmony Gold. I am now hesitant to even open my mecha when I get back from the war.
Have a Robotech Day!
David K. Perry
Robotech Master | |
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Micronian Ace
Rank: Master Sergeant
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Subject: minor correction
Posted on: January 19, 2009 - 7:02:17 PM
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As for the design, based on my observation of SC footage, Maia's figher looks like Bartley's with a custom paint job AND since we are pretty much discarding everything BUT footage these days when the storyline is concerned, I am just going with what I observe as a VAF-6Z
I'm guessing you weren't fresh from watching this as you wrote it. I double-checked back when this toy was released and Maia's Shadow Fighter is really an odd mix of Rook's VFA-6Z and a VFA-6X. It's the body of a VFA-6X with the head, shoulder array, and hands of a 6Z. You can clearly see in Shadow Chronicles that Maia's mech does have Shadow Fighter intakes and the toy is inaccurate. | |
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robotechfr
Rank: Corporal
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Subject: it's true
Posted on: January 20, 2009 - 4:17:50 AM
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Yes i agree with Micronian, and we can see perfectly the Shadow fighter of Maia when she defends Marcus at the beginning of the battle. | |
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Bastien
http://www.robotechcollections.fr | | | |
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robotechfr
Rank: Corporal
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Subject: More info..
Posted on: January 20, 2009 - 3:26:54 PM
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I just saw the message for MPC Maia.
Can you explain more clearly? Toynami won't provide a kit? or we must return our MPC for buy a new one later?
I ask the queston because for foreign buyer, shipping cost are high.. | |
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Bastien
http://www.robotechcollections.fr | | | |
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rwoll622
Rank: Private 1st Class
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Subject: Are you talking about...
Posted on: January 20, 2009 - 5:00:02 PM
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replacing a broken plane thru Toynami? Please explain further. | |
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SDFcommander
Rank: Master Sergeant
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Subject: I need a refund
Posted on: January 20, 2009 - 9:52:58 PM
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All was going relatively great, the paint was not so bad, there was some over gluing on some areas. I was willing to over look that. The hands are terrible. One of my thumbs is about to fall off and to top it all off one of my wings just broke off right now 
This is my 5th Alpha and the only one that had the wing break on me in transformation. The plastic is so brittle
If they remake them at the same place they did the Betas and used higher quality materials and fix the intakes, hands and the ability to hold the gun in fighter mode, I will be very happy even if it means I have to wait a while longer. | |
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"Thundering asteroids!!!"
http://sdfcommander.tripod.com/
(my new website...open during construction) | | | |
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guntech1
Rank: Lieutenant
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Subject: That's sucks that your Maia Alpha MPC broke SDFcommander.
Posted on: January 20, 2009 - 11:41:31 PM
Edited on: January 20, 2009 - 11:44:10 PM
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I too was considering in buying the Maia version, but with all the reports for this MPC being so horribly wrong I will definitely pass. I really can't believe after all this time that Toynami still have not looked into fixing the inherent problems will the Alpha MPC. Plus the fact that they have not even got the Alpha to match the design in the SC movie. 
At least the Beta MPC is worth buying. How about a Maia version of the Beta instead.  | |
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You can visit my Japan photos and anime collection site @ http://s52.photobucket.com/albums/g17/guntech1/ | | | |
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rhade
Rank: Master Sergeant
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Subject: From reading the recall notice
Posted on: January 21, 2009 - 8:14:20 AM
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They are not putting out a repair kit or such. All they are offering is a full refund of the product when you return it. They are tooling up a different factory to product the MPC all over again and, until that is done, will not be offering Maia's Shadow Fighter at all. | |
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- 85ER -
MEMBER OF THE MINMEI FOREVER LOUNGE
MEMBER OF D.O.M.A.D.
CAG AND ACTING SUPREME COMMANDER OF THE D.O.L.
VISIT THE DOL WEBSITE AT:
http://www.angelfire.com/planet/d-o-l
MEMEBER OF THE A. k. L. DOWN WITH lynn kyle AND HIS LIES!! | | | |
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Gerwalk
Rank: Lieutenant
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Subject: --
Posted on: January 21, 2009 - 8:17:56 AM
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For what it's worth, they apparently are going to approach the company that manufactured the Beta fighter. If they manage to fix and solve the problems inherent in the design (namely that the joints aren't strong enough to keep the many moving parts tight, and the tiny pieces that are not secure and pop off), it should be a fantastic piece.
I really can't stress how good of a toy the Beta is. It easily is the best Robotech toy I think that's ever been made.
Sorry to hear about the Maia fiasco, but I'm glad that Toynami is doing the right thing and taking them back to the drawing board and offering refunds.
With any luck a "proper" Alpha will come out of this, if a little later than we wanted. | |
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rhade
Rank: Master Sergeant
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Subject: I have emailed Toynami
Posted on: January 21, 2009 - 8:42:55 AM
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and requested some more information about this recall. In addition, I took many of the comments I have seen about the Alpha's quality and rolled them in to questions and included them in the email as well. Hopefully, I will get some kind of response. When I get a response, I will post the message here for all of you to read. In the mean time, let us all be thankful that Toynami is admitting they put out a sub par toy and are taking steps to correct that. | |
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- 85ER -
MEMBER OF THE MINMEI FOREVER LOUNGE
MEMBER OF D.O.M.A.D.
CAG AND ACTING SUPREME COMMANDER OF THE D.O.L.
VISIT THE DOL WEBSITE AT:
http://www.angelfire.com/planet/d-o-l
MEMEBER OF THE A. k. L. DOWN WITH lynn kyle AND HIS LIES!! | | | |
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rwoll622
Rank: Private 1st Class
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Subject: For those of you...
Posted on: January 21, 2009 - 9:31:46 AM
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that have purchased your Maia from another e-tailer like I did. I have contacted the company I bought mine from to find out how to return the item. I'll let you know what the vendors have been advised to do. | |
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MEMO1DOMINION
Rank: Commander
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Subject: NEED YOU PICTURES
Posted on: January 21, 2009 - 10:32:54 AM
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HEY GUYS. CAN YOU SUPPLY PICTURES AT WWW.ROBOTECHX.COM.
WOULD LIKE THE PICS TO SHOW ALL THE PROBLEMS THAT HAVE COME OUT OF ANY ALPHA PROBLEM OF THE MAIA BATCH AND PAST. THE FORUM SUPPORT PICTURES AND YOUTUBE VIDEOS.
ALSO IF YOU FRANKENSTIENTHEM... WHAT CHANGES WERE MADE.
THANX. | |
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IF IT DOESN'T EXIST.....HECK, BUILD IT.
I "THE GOOD AND TRUE", A SUPERMAN COMPLEX
L.A. ANIME EXPO-CON HERE I COME. 7/03/08-7/6/08
SAN DIEGO COMIC-CON HERE I COME 7/24/08-7/27/08
72ND AIRWING DRAGON SQUADRON
CPL. M."MEMO" DOMINION
DRAGON 9 | | | |
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Treiz
Rank: Master Chief Sgt
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Subject: meh
Posted on: January 21, 2009 - 11:07:51 AM
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looking forward to the Maia re-release! I hope it doesn't take too long to get things rolling on the next batch.  | |
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**Beat Kiyora final on hard with VF-1R using GUARDIAN ONLY!!**
D.O.L. Member
Zor Prime Fan
XbL: Treiz the Leo
The ORIGINAL meh!!! | | | |
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Tommy
Rank: Captain
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Subject: To Rhade and Robotechfr:
Posted on: January 21, 2009 - 12:23:46 PM
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We're still discussing the possibility of a parts kit for folks who live in remote international locations where it may not be practical to send back merchandise. Since corrected Maia parts will need to be produced for the new manufacturing run of Maia Shadow Fighters at the Beta Fighter factory anyway, we're looking into having these parts (correct intakes and backpanel with notch for gunpod) made available at cost on a pre-order-only basis from Robotech.com. Hopefully this will be a viable compromise. | |
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mallory74
Rank: Master Chief Sgt
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Subject: Does that mean...
Posted on: January 21, 2009 - 1:07:11 PM
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that they are going to remake all the Alpha MPC's or just the Maia? They still have like 5000 left in the production run to make? In that case, does the recall work for all the alphas? | |
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You can click my icon and view the latest pics of my toy collection. | | | |
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Micronian Ace
Rank: Master Sergeant
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Subject: reaching...
Posted on: January 21, 2009 - 2:43:49 PM
Edited on: January 21, 2009 - 2:44:38 PM
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Mallory that seems like a bit much to ask. Toynami's biggest issues were the intakes and a place to put the gun, those problems don't exist on the other MPC Alphas. It would also be an impossible task to refund all that sorts of money to everyone who just hopes a future release of the other variants might have better build quality. Also, Toynami still has no plans to release the other 4 in any greater production. | |
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