Robot Point: Difference between revisions
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:''Robot Points were part of Hasbro Transformers mail away offers in the [[Generation 1 (franchise)|Generation 1]] era.'' | :''Robot Points were part of Hasbro Transformers mail away offers in the [[Generation 1 (franchise)|Generation 1]] era.'' | ||
[[Image: | [[Image:RobotPoints Con87.jpg|right|thumb|250px|That and $3.50'll get you a [[Mini-Vehicle]]!]] | ||
As with [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]] Flag Points before them, Robot Points of different denominations came printed on the cardboard packaging of Generation 1 Transformers toys. Robot Points were designed to be clipped and saved along with [[Tech Spec|Tech Specs]] and were marked with a number and either an [[Autobot]] or [[Decepticon]] symbol. The number mattered, the faction did not. The amount of points on each toy was generally reflective of the size/expense of the toy. | As with [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]] Flag Points before them, Robot Points of different denominations came printed on the cardboard packaging of Generation 1 Transformers toys. Robot Points were designed to be clipped and saved along with [[Tech Spec|Tech Specs]] and were marked with a number and either an [[Autobot]] or [[Decepticon]] symbol. The number mattered, the faction did not. The amount of points on each toy was generally reflective of the size/expense of the toy. | ||
As was frequently the practice with toy lines of the time, most Transformers toys from 1985 until the end of [[Generation 1 (franchise)|Generation 1]] included small [[Pack-in material|pack-in flyers]] advertising exclusive Transformers merchandise, older discontinued product and even new exclusive toys and merchandise for purchase by mail-order. | As was frequently the practice with toy lines of the time, most Transformers toys from 1985 until the end of [[Generation 1 (franchise)|Generation 1]] included small [[Pack-in material|pack-in flyers]] advertising exclusive Transformers merchandise, older discontinued product and even new exclusive toys and merchandise for purchase by mail-order. | ||
Each item had a particular monetary cost (which was at least the ''regular retail price'' of the discontinued toys) plus a certain number of Robot Points needed to purchase them. The Robot Points acted a bit like "proofs of purchase" and a bit like "green stamps". A rather clever system, in that kids had to buy substantial numbers of Transformers in stores to be able to pay retail prices for mail-in toys. | Each item had a particular monetary cost (which was at least the ''regular retail price'' of the discontinued toys) plus a certain number of Robot Points needed to purchase them. The Robot Points acted a bit like "proofs of purchase" and a bit like "green stamps". A rather clever system, in that kids had to buy substantial numbers of Transformers in stores to be able to pay retail prices for mail-in toys. | ||
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In Japan [[TakaraTomy|Takara]] reserved many characters exclusively for mail-in offers, even some of a high level of prominence, including [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]], [[Cosmos (G1)|Cosmos]], [[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]], [[Warpath (G1)|Warpath]], and [[Repugnus (G1)|Repugnus]]. Strange. | In Japan [[TakaraTomy|Takara]] reserved many characters exclusively for mail-in offers, even some of a high level of prominence, including [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]], [[Cosmos (G1)|Cosmos]], [[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]], [[Warpath (G1)|Warpath]], and [[Repugnus (G1)|Repugnus]]. Strange. | ||
<gallery> | |||
Image:VideoGems RobotPoints.jpg|[[Video Gems]], 1986 | |||
Image:RobotPoints Con87.jpg|'Cons, circa 1987 | |||
Image:RobotPoints Con88.jpg|'Cons, circa 1988 | |||
Image:Apoint.gif | |||
Image:Bpoint.gif | |||
Image:RobotPoints BW98.jpg|''Beast Wars'', circa 1998 | |||
</gallery> | |||
== Mail away offers and cost/Robot Points == | == Mail away offers and cost/Robot Points == | ||
Revision as of 21:02, 31 January 2010
- Robot Points were part of Hasbro Transformers mail away offers in the Generation 1 era.
As with G.I. Joe Flag Points before them, Robot Points of different denominations came printed on the cardboard packaging of Generation 1 Transformers toys. Robot Points were designed to be clipped and saved along with Tech Specs and were marked with a number and either an Autobot or Decepticon symbol. The number mattered, the faction did not. The amount of points on each toy was generally reflective of the size/expense of the toy.
As was frequently the practice with toy lines of the time, most Transformers toys from 1985 until the end of Generation 1 included small pack-in flyers advertising exclusive Transformers merchandise, older discontinued product and even new exclusive toys and merchandise for purchase by mail-order.
Each item had a particular monetary cost (which was at least the regular retail price of the discontinued toys) plus a certain number of Robot Points needed to purchase them. The Robot Points acted a bit like "proofs of purchase" and a bit like "green stamps". A rather clever system, in that kids had to buy substantial numbers of Transformers in stores to be able to pay retail prices for mail-in toys.
Transformers mail-in offers were handled by Hasbro subsidiary Hasbro Direct, which was also responsible for effectively identical G.I. Joe and My Little Pony offers.
In Japan Takara reserved many characters exclusively for mail-in offers, even some of a high level of prominence, including Ratchet, Cosmos, Dirge, Warpath, and Repugnus. Strange.
-
Video Gems, 1986 -
'Cons, circa 1987 -
'Cons, circa 1988 -
Beast Wars, circa 1998
Mail away offers and cost/Robot Points
New items
- Time Warrior - $10 + 5 RP
- Powerdasher - $3 + 2 RP
- Reflector - $10 + 2 RP
- Omnibots - $5 + 2 RP each, or all three for $12.50.
Discontinued items
- Optimus Prime - $21.50 + 5 robot points
- Megatron - $21.50 + 5 robot points
- Thundercracker - $10 + 2 robot points
- Wheeljack - $8 + 2 robot points
- Mirage - $8 + 2 robot points
- Ratchet - $8 + 2 robot points
- Sunstreaker - $8 + 2 robot points
- Cosmos - $3.50 + 1 robot point
- Warpath - $3.50 + 1 robot point
- Cliffjumper - $3.50 + 1 robot point