The end of July always marks the start of the one big Transformers Convention, now known as OTFCC. This was TFsource's 4th year at the con', and we were ready en masse with our usual bevy of G1, Parts, Reissues, Binal Techs and e-hobby exclusives.

This year OTFCC was actually in a convention center, as opposed to a hotel convention room. For us dealers that also meant "conventionized prices" i.e. $35 to rent a chair instead of getting chairs for free, $300 to hook up an electrical outlet to the booth, and all the other luxuries that come with a convention hall (concrete floors instead of carpeting). The good news is that there was a loading dock right behind the booth area, which had lots of dolly's that allowed us to move our goods in and out in record speed. So there were some good and some bad.

This year also marked the 10th anniversary of Botcon, and with Botcon just a month prior, it definitely put a dent in the overall attendance. I'd say attendance was down 1/3 vs the prior year, but I have yet to get any official numbers. This was also due to all of the controversy revolving around OTFCC organizer Glen and the fact that it was widely announced that not all of the exclusives would be ready for the convention. That being said, it didn't put a damper on our convention experience, any big Transformers convention is a good one right? So rather than knitpick let's get on to the good stuff.

Dealers - In addition to your favorite dealer TFsource, many of the big guys were there: BBTS, Bill from Bill's Toys and Games, Unicron.com, Eric from Toyaddictssite, and many more. Those who complaned about Botcon being sparse in dealers, would have found OTFCC much more packed with dealers, but compared to the previous year I think it was questionable if there were more dealers. There was also a huge range of product, from Diaclone and G1 all the way through energon.

What was hot?

- BT-05 Deadend was just released, and those got burned through fast.
- Anything Energon was really popular, but very little available.
- G1 Omega Supreme - we sold 5 complete...probably due to the recent Energon release
- E-hobby Items - Hauler & Sunstorm, and Repaint Minibots Set
- G1 Loose complete - Series 5-7 were more popular than in previous years, we feel it is due to many Transfans now having completed their series 1-4
- World's Smallest - CVS series 2.5 was very hot, but Soundwave & the Prime Trailer were in extremely high demand. We also sold out of all of our series 2
- Robot Masters were just released and we heard they sold very well
- Boxed Vintage - We moved far more boxed G1 (both MIB & MISB) than in previous years, which may be a good sign....boxed toys have not performed well at all for the past 3 years
- The TFsource Bargain bin & El Cheapo! - Our bargain bins and el cheapo (anything $5) were raided so many times we refilled both 3 times! These are destined to become a TFsource staple.
- G1 Parts & Paperwork - As usual, parts & paperwork performed very well
- Our TFSource Omega Supreme Replacement Hubs - Since 75% of Omegas we find have these broken, for $10 you can get your Omega working again..need we say more?
- The Pizza Dinner exclusive autograph posters of Megatron & Optimus - These were highly limited and should have a high value on the 2ndary market.
- The Transmanual - Only TFsource had these, and our sets of books sold out by early Sunday.

What was not hot?

- RID - This stuff isn't worth the space it takes up in your closet
- G1 Cars - With all the reissues aside from the non-reissued items (Mirage, Sunstreaker, etc.) these Cars & Trucks just don't demand much anymore
- Combiners - Bruticus & Superion were not hot at all...maybe it's those fugly Superion legs
- Regular Reissues - They just didn't move like they did at Botcon
- Loose Targetmasters - Didn't perform nearly as well as last year
- KO's - Seems just about everyone has the combiner KO's etc by now
- G1 unlicensed junk - Like the sandblasted shot glasses, plates, etc. for the prices being charged, you could make your own for 1/4 the price.
- Previous Con Exclusives - Interest in these is definitely low aside from the original G2 Breakdown
- Overpriced MISB & Boxed toys - This stuff never moves, and I saw dealers leave with every one boxed toy they brought....but it's more due to the price since ours almost all sold
- Megazarak Exclusive - No shops were paying a premium in trade credit for these, unlike the year before. Seems lots of sites were stuck with exclusives that didn't move.

How did TFsource do?

As usual, our product was priced to move, with pretty much the best prices on our loose, loose complete, G1 parts, reissues, e-hobby exclusives, and Binal Techs our product didn't sit around. Reissues and Binal Techs were far slower than at Botcon, but still moved at a steady pace. All of our good G1 went fast, and most of our good boxed product (US Computron GS, Boxed Complete Fort Max, etc.) all sold by early the first morning. We sold out of nearly 70% of our parts, and the Transmanual Vol 1 & 2 set for $40 moved so fast we could barely keep them on the table long enough. Our Omega Supreme repro tumbler sets sold quite briskly, and our sets of World's Smallest Series 2 sold out despite bringing tons of the product. For $20, this was a big hit. This was the first year for our bargain bin and El Cheapo (=anything for $5). These are destined to become staples, as Transfans raided these steadily all day long...even when we had packed everything else up, they were still being ravaged. There were lots of good deals to be found, and many fans can attest to that.

Overall despite all the controversy and negative press the convention received, TFsource had a blast at OTFCC, and can't wait for the details to be hashed out for next year's con. Our whole team had a lot of fun at the convetion, and had a blast visiting with many of our TFsource fans, and regulars who now know the TFsource booth as their source for great deals on G1 loose, parts, reissues and more. We look forward to visiting with all of you next year, and enjoy all of our pics!

TFsource Booth
Convention Start

TFsourceExclusive:
El Cheapo!