There's a lot of "hush hush" when it comes to certian vinyl toy releases. I've never experienced this type of secrecy with any other collectables, and to be honest I find it pretty annoying. I'm sure some people get excited and they like the suspense - I can totally understand this.

However, I do have a life to lead and I would rather KNOW if a certain release is something I'll need to watch for, checking specific sites on a daily basis waiting for the moment to strike. It's time-consuming and time wasted if you don't even like the release.

I know this is all part of the universe of collecting ltd run items, and I can always choose not to care, but I'm curious - what's the point of the "we can't tell you anything about this future release" rhetoric? Is it to build suspense? Is it because the final design hasn't been set in stone yet? Is it because toy makers are afraid of ideas being stolen? Or is it just elitist tactics so a few privileged people can feel important for a short time?

it puts the "secret" in secret base

yeah, in all honesty I think it's to make it more exciting. I understand where you're coming from as far as planning it out, but it's just not the way it's often done. you have to admit, even if it is annoying when something is unexpected, especially financially, it is more exciting when it just pops up one day and you're like "oh shit! that thing rules!"

the elitist attitude that people in general seem to have these days is what annoys me most.

aside from that, i like the secrecy. i like opening my email one morning and having emails from someone offering me something i might not have known about otherwise.

some folks are on mailing lists, some have "agents" (which i do, and get a kick out of) and others luck out on KT or other websites. i think all of these things make it kind of fun, and i think the secrecy sometimes keeps it out of flipper hands.

annoying sometimes yes when i see something i missed out on, but it's part of the hobby i guess. contrary to popular belief, we can't have everything.

I think some of it is just not wanting to announce it in a public forum in an attempt to increase your chances of getting it yourself,

I can also understand that from the buyer's perspective - but for example I once emailed One-Up about a future release and got the "I can't tell you, it is TOP SECRET" reply...why exactly is it top secret? Will it cause a public panic if you let me know? I'm sure that makes it more exciting to a lot of folks, and I do realize this. I guess I'm just not one of those people. It just seems a bit childish to me, but of course I feel like that anyway once I'm holding a new toy thinking "holy shit, this is so cooooool"...

Thanks for the responses...

Yup!

I'm glad other people see this as well, and it isn't just me. Some people have picked up this holier than thou attitude lately and it's a huge turn off.
there are days i come here and get anxious reading posts. it should be fun, not a matter of who you know, what you have, my shit is better than yours, etc.

the stuff i mentioned in my post is no secret if you try hard enough. it took me a little while, but i got the hookup for the stuff i like and i'm happy not to share it. a little grunt work never hurt anyone right?

I think you just have to do your homework, snoop around and keep your eyes open.

Some people are probably reluctant to share information in a public forum as so many others are lurking/lazy and looking for leads on stuff to flip.

Although it may sound childish (unless you're communicating to them in Japanese), I think the person you've been emailing knows just a little more english than you know japanese. i just think you should take that into account (when getting their responses)... maybe they're uncomfortable communicating back and forth in english

I took this as secrecy from the companies

if you're talking about secrecy among collectors, I feel like the comments of many others are dead on. no one wants to give away their hook up because they might not get one.

the Godzilla toy scene was that way for years, especially before the internet. I remember being a teenager and asking guys at conventions where they got stuff, and NO ONE wanted to help you out. private collectors didn't want to give away their "ins" and sellers naturally wanted you to buy from them, at jacked up prices. that's just the way it was, and I remember instances where I thought people were down right rude to me. sometimes it's very competetive and a very "I know more than you do" type of thing.

Yeah, I started using translation sites when contacting Japanese shops like One-Up...it helps a great deal. There's really no room for confusion when the response is "this release is TOP SECRET!!!" I'm quoting here...it seems a bit much to me, that's all.

with the exception of auction nazis like Rhino, everyone here seems to be really cool with information flow. my best source of toy leads bar none are you guys!

btw, i'm being sarcastic about rhino

no you're not.. and i don't care!

i've never tried contacting places in japanese before because I assume my words will come out all wacky. i also think they know more english than i know japanese (which is 0). personally i think it's cool if it is "top secret"... i like surprises. I also thought it was cooler when I didn't know what all the secret base figures looked like and once in awhile you bump into one and you're like "what the hell is that?"

what is wrong with a company wanting to control the way a toy is released?

Nobody is saying it's wrong or right - the question is WHY and how people react differently to that. Please don't point this thread in that direction.

the question is "why would a company want to control how a figure is release?"

umm...der....umm

Don't alot of companies behave like this?

Take Apple. They work in secrecy on new products and then unveil them at big events in a controlled way. Yeah, there are some rumor websites that try and steal their thunder, but Apple tries to keep everything secret.

I see no difference with some of the toy company releases.

My question is, why the secrecy? If that is how they want to control the release of a toy, what is the purpose? Some companies post pictures of prototypes, mock-ups, and even computer-generated designs. Every method generates it's own hype but I'm more curious of the "top secret" mindset...

Regarding technology, it's more of a safeguard against stolen product ideas...hence the entire Microsoft empire...

I think it builds hype and buzz.

Take the upcoming RxH releases.
They're shown photos of three of the figures, and there's a fourth mystery figure.

If they released photos of all four, there would be less buzz at the event.

the answer is simple... there's secrecy to stop annoying fanboys like you from emailing

case in point.. there are several threads about a particular clear jet jaguar. probably shouldn't have let the cat out of the bag back then

Why would anybody email if there was a clear idea of what was being released?

Why do companies sell figures in blindboxes?
Kinda similar thing, its all marketing and buzz, in my view.

Regarding technology, to a degree you're right about trade secrets and the competition. But I think you underestimate the showmanship of a live release.

Example? I'm confused. Who's emailing whom.

I think that this system of top secret toys are common. If you go to any toy shows in Japan, I bet almost every company has a secret toy release for that show. Having this makes alot of customers wonder what the hell is it, and maybe thats the kind of feeling the companies want to give. That heart pounding wait for that day when a toy maker releases the item. I don't think their trying to make themselves look like they rule anyone or even the world. Just the feeling and seeing that a lot of people are running toward their booth, watching tons of hit numbers go up on their site makes them feel happy that so many people are into their toys. Ofcourse this system will piss off alot customers, but you have to admit, this ind of shit does make you want to see what the hell is going to happen. Not just toys, but even in movie trailers and so on. I don't know. I just typing what I think and maybe imy point has nothing to do with it. Hey Man!!! I never got anything higher than a D in english.

P.S: By any chance, is this caused by my post "huh?"