view cart / checkoutJust the FAQs, frequently asked questions about Planet Robot, what we do and why we do what we do. Over the years, we have received quite a lot of mail - mostly spam, but we did get heaps of praise, some rants and one disturbing revelation.
We get a lot of repeat questions too, so here are some of the most frequent ones:
Are you still there?
Why, yes of course. We're all still alive and kicking here at Planet Robot, thank you.
Why are you not replying my emails?
We reply to each and every message we get, usually within 48 hours unless it's a weekend. If you do not receive a reply from us, your ISP may be rejecting our replies to you. Please check your spam or bulk mail folders for our reply. Or, we may not be receiving your emails in the first place (our ISP may be rejecting your emails as spam). The best way to get in touch with us is via our Contact Form.
What and when will be the next new release?
Firstly, huge apologies for the long, long delay and lack of updates. We have several new robots in various stages of development, but unfortunately, all are postponed indefinitely for now. Rest assured they will come in time, as ours is but a labor of love. The new revamped website is a small start.
Hey where's the member's section?
We are no longer accepting new members and the member's section has been phased out. If you are already a registered member, your membership is still valid. You will be entitled to all special offers for members that we may announce from time to time. Please check this page for updates.
I found an old robot in my attic/basement/closet, can you tell me what it's worth?
We really don't know, originality and condition aside, it's worth about as much or as little as what a buyer is willing to pay for it. Your best bet is to check Fleabay or put it up there and let the buyers (if any) decide.
For your next release, can you guys please do the Diamond Planet Robot?
Sure, send us your original and we'll see what can be done. Not. Honestly, these are "Holy Grails", some things are better left in the realm of dreams.
Why has my robot stopped sparkling?
Just like a Zippo lighter, your robot's sparkling action comes from a flint stone. It may be due to the flint wearing down from use or it may have just become stuck. Please check this page for more information.
So why Planet Robot?
If you meant why the name, we grew up in an age where robots were all the rage; in our minds the whole planet was filled with robots, hence Planet - Robot. We started this site in 2001 as a repository of all things robot, but our passion has always been robot toys, bipeds of the classic tin variety. By a stroke of fate, a chance encounter in the Far East enabled us to realize our dream of producing our own mechanical tin toys. If you meant why we're doing what we do, see below.
Aren't there enough reproductions flooding the market already? Why make more?
Yes, there are too many, cheap poorly made copies, without the spirit, the essence of what makes the originals what they are. Aren't you sick and tired of them? We are. That's why we initiated the True Limit Production project, we believe we can make a difference with our high quality true to the originals, limited edition productions. So that people can at least have an idea of what an original may be like. And all at a really fair price. Heck, a single reproduction part from elsewhere costs as much as an entire complete toy from us.
You say you're collectors, you should know that reproductions are killing the originals.
Not entirely true, we believe high quality reproductions bring deeper appreciation and value for the originals. But the poorly made mass productions are making a mockery of them. Motivated by profit and greed, these cheap cartoon like parodies churned out by the thousands kill the interest and desirability of the originals. Most people today have never seen, yet alone afford the originals, much less find them if they could. That's where we come in, our truly limited edition productions are meant to happily coexist with the originals - perhaps even inspire a new collector to look for an original.
How can I believe your productions will truly be limited?
Well, it's been 6 years since our sold-out first release, can you find any for sale today? Once they're sold out, they're gone, we don't do re-releases. We're more interested in getting the next new toy released, there's no fun in doing re-runs. You won't find our in-house productions anywhere else, they won't be flooding the market. We impose strict self limits on our releases. When you purchase a True Limit Production from us, it will be a truly limited production. The profits from the current production series are invested to fund the next new series. Think of this as your initiative as much as ours..
Are/were you Tin Tom Toys?
Should we be flattered or insulted that this somehow made it's way to become a top question? Once and for all, the answer plain and simple is, NO.
So who are you guys?
Well, we're all regular working joes, just like you, collectors first and foremost. A small group of us who just pooled together because of our love of robots and tin toys. We all share a sincere believe that we can make better productions. Rather than buying more toys, we thought why not make them really well ourselves? Our backgrounds and talents range from advertising, manufacturing, architecture to banking and design. Some of us hold sensitive positions in industry (and some of us can't let our wives know where the kids education fund has gone), so we'll just let our productions speak for us.
Where are you located?
The partners are all over the world, but our quality control, assembly and packaging center, warehouse and fulfilment facilty is in Taipei, Taiwan.
I'm a dealer/retailer, do you do wholesale?
We used to, but sorry, not anymore. This may change with the new releases. But for now, all the few remaining inventory will only be sold directly via our Shop.
I'm a collector, can I buy direct?
But of course, you are the main reason for us being here and you are most welcome to buy direct and save some money! No added reseller markups here. As all our productions are strictly limited, once they're sold out, they're gone. Please visit our Shop to see what's available.
So really, why Planet Robot?
Because we can. And for the pure joy of being able to relive the Golden Age of tin toy manufacturing! It's been a frantic, frustrating, stressful and a complete loss making venture, but it's been fantastically fun!
And if you're still reading, thank you. If the answer to your question isn't here, we would love to hear from you; so rants, raves and everything else, please contact us!
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