• Discover Transformers History

• Get to Know the Types of Transformers

• Find Transformers on eBay

• Buy Transformers With Confidence

Discover Transformers History

Discover Transformers History

The Transformers TV show began in 1984 and was one of the first programs to take advantage of recently relaxed FCC bans on toy companies producing television programs. Hasbro worked with Japanese toy manufacturer Takara and Marvel comics to create a multimedia phenomenon. Transformers quickly became a favorite among children, and much of that enthusiasm continues in collectors to this day.

• 1984 Transformers: The Autobots and Decepticons made their first appearances in cartoons, comics, and on toy store shelves. Popular figures include Autobot leader Optimus Prime and three Decepticons: Megatron, Star Scream, and Soundwave. The Autobots were robots that took the form of various cars and trucks, while the Decepticons mostly took the form of planes; a Walkman; and Megatron, a very real-looking handgun.

• 1985 Transformers: The success of Transformers continued with the release of Constructicons and Dinobots. The Transformers mail order program also began, where children clipped “robot points” and mailed them in for special offers. In 1985, the1984 models reappeared with rub stickers that revealed whether the robot was an Autobot or a Decepticon. Also new in 1985 were Mini-Spys, Deluxe Autobots, Power Dashers, Jump Starters, Omnibots, Constructicons (which could combine to form a larger robot), Insecticons, Triple-Changers, and Dinobots.

• 1986 Transformers: More than 50 new figures hit toy shelves while Transformers: The Movie hit theaters, introducing Rodimus Prime, Ultramagnus, and Galvatron. 1986 saw another re-release of original figures, this time with some glow-in-the-dark accessories or parts. Released lines included Mini-vehicles, Protectobots, Stunticons, Combaticons, Battle Chargers, Predacons, and Decepticon Reflector.

• 1987 Transformers: Throttlebots, Technobots, Targetmasters, Headmasters, Double Spy, Terrorcons, Duocons, and Sixchangers joined the fray, including Fortress Maximus, a Headmaster toy that stands 2 feet tall. The Generation 1 Transformers television series ends.

• 1988 Transformers: Even without the television series, Hasbro introduces two new toy lines: Powermasters and Pretenders. Sparkabots, Triggerbots, Beast Pretenders, Vehicle Pretenders, Firecons, Seacons, and Triggercons were also released.

• 1989 Transformers: Hasbro released Micromasters, a line of miniature Transformers, and the Pretenders Classic line, including favorites like Jazz and Grimlock, Mega Pretenders, and Ultra Pretenders. K-Mart released a Legends series that featured Bumblebee, Grimlock, Jazz, and Star Scream. This year also marked the beginning of the end for the original Transformers line as Hasbro began to produce fewer toys.

• 1990 Transformers: 1990 marked the final year of production for the first generation of Transformers toys. Hasbro attempted to revitalize the line with Actionmasters, Transformers that have a high degree of articulation, but cannot transform. It also introduced the Micromaster Combiner Squads, Actionmaster Blasters, and Actionmaster Attack Vehicles.

• 1992-1999 Transformers: The early ‘90s saw the re-release of many popular figures in the Generation 2 Transformers line, often giving the figures new paint jobs or different accessories. Along with the re-release, the original series is also back on the airwaves with new computer graphics. But it wasn’t until the late ‘90s that the Transformers line was revitalized with Beast Wars.

• 2000-2002 Transformers: The Beast Machine line of toys became increasingly popular, ringing in a new era of Transformers. Coupled with a new story line, the Maximals battled the evil Vehicons for the future of Cybertron. The conclusion marked a return to form for the Transformers as the series brought back figures that transformed into cars again. A new 52-episode series launched along with many new action figure lines such as the Mini-cons and the Transformers Armada.

• 2003-present Transformers: Many classic Transformers came back in high detail with the Transformers Alternators line. Also, a 20th anniversary Optimus Prime figure appeared, and Transformers: Energon had a Unicron figure that transformed from a robot into a planet.

Get to Know the Types of Transformers

Get to Know the Types of Transformers

Transformer toys fall into seven major categories: Generation 1, Generation 2, Beast Wars, Beast Machines, Robots in Disguise, Transformers Armada, and Generation 1 Commemorative Series.

• Generation 1 Transformers: Generation 1 Transformers ran for six years, between 1984 and 1990. The category encompasses everything from the earliest Transformers such as Optimus Prime and Star Scream to the Micromaster and Pretender lines.

• Generation 2 Transformers: Generation 2 Transformers appeared from 1992 to 1995. The toys released during this period were mostly re-releases of classic Generation 1 figures with either new paint or new accessories. Some new lines emerged during this period, including the Rotor Force, Laser Cycles, Auto Rollers, and Cyberjets. 

• Beast Wars: Beast Wars revitalized the Transformers brand with the battle between the Maximals and the Predacons. Beast Wars also saw the return to the multimedia approach that made the original Transformers so popular. A television series that featured computer-animated Transformers told the story of the Maximals and the Predacons. 1995 saw the release of only nine different figures, but that changed in 1996 with the addition of 16 more models, including two exclusive figures: Bot Con and Onyx Primal. The Beast Wars line continued through 1999 and included variations like Fuzor and Transmetal.

• Beast Machines: Beast Machines ran between 2000 and 2001 and continued the storyline started in Beast Wars. But despite its short run, 60 new Transformers action figures launched, including new Maximal and Predacon assortments, as well as Transmetal Classics.

• Robots in Disguise: Debuting in 2001, Robots in Disguise was a return to the original struggle between the Autobots and the Decepticons. It also had a television series, this one running for 39 episodes. The figures were re-envisioned versions of older characters like Optimus Prime and Ultra Magnus (and of course Megatron). The Heroes of Cybertron line came out in 2002 and contained figures that did not transform. Instead they were more like classic action figures with articulated joints.

• Transformers Armada: Transformers Armada ran between 2002 and 2003 and added a new wrinkle to the classic Autobot Decepticon battle. A newly discovered race of transformers called Mini-Cons had the power to sway the balance, and both sides tried to utilize their power. Mini-Con toys were arranged in teams of three, each with its own focus. Everything from Air Defense teams to Emergency Mini-Con teams were available, as well as a large assortment of both Autobots and Decepticons.

• Generation 1 Commemorative Series: A Toys ”R” Us exclusive, the Commemorative Series consisted of high-quality reissues of favorite Transformers characters from the first generation of toys. Many were made of die-cast metal and had rubber tires.

When starting out a collection, think about the kind of collector you want to be. Are you collecting to put the figures on display? If so, does it matter that they’re in the box? Or is it okay if they’re loose, but still with their original accessories? If you don’t mind that the figure is loose, you should be able to find the figures you want fairly easily and relatively inexpensively. However, the value of loose figures won’t usually increase as much as a figure that is mint and in the box.

Find Transformers on eBay

Find Transformers on eBay

Once you know what type of Transformer you want, go to the Toys & Hobbies portal, click the Transformers link under Action Figures, and start searching for items on eBay.

• Categories: The Categories list on the left side of each page will help you narrow down your listings by item type. You'll find links for Generation 1, Beast Wars, and more.

• Keyword search: Search eBay listing titles for specific words. For example, if you want to find Star Scream, type "star scream" (without quotation marks) into the Search box. Click "Search title and description" to expand your results. Visit eBay's Search Tips page for more tips on searching with keywords.

If you can't find exactly what you want, try shopping eBay Stores, tell the eBay Community what you want by creating a post on Want It Now, or save a search on My eBay and eBay will email you when a match becomes available.

eBay Toy Finder can also help you find hot and award-winning toys appropriate for kids of any age.

Buy Transformers With Confidence

Buy Transformers With Confidence

Before making your purchase, make sure you know exactly what you're buying, research your seller, and understand how eBay and PayPal protect you.

Know your purchase

Carefully read the details in item listings.

• Figure delivery costs into your final price. If you spend a lot of money, make sure the seller will insure the item when it ships.

• If you want more information, ask by clicking the "Ask seller a question" link under the seller's profile.

• Always make sure to complete your transaction on eBay (with a bid, Buy It Now, or Best Offer). Transactions conducted outside of eBay are not covered by eBay protection programs.

• Never pay for your eBay item using instant cash wire transfer services through Western Union or MoneyGram. These payment methods are unsafe when paying someone you do not know.

Know your seller

Research your seller so you feel positive and secure about every transaction.

• What is the seller's Feedback rating? How many transactions have they completed? What percentage of positive responses do they have?

• What do buyers say in their Feedback? Did the seller receive praise?

• Most top eBay sellers operate like retail stores and have return policies. Do they offer a money-back guarantee? What are the terms and conditions?

Buyer protection

In the unlikely event that a problem arises during your transaction, eBay and PayPal are there for you.

• Pay safely with PayPal: PayPal enables you to pay without the seller ever seeing your bank account or credit card numbers. In fact, PayPal protects buyers 100% against unauthorized payments from their accounts. Plus, with PayPal Buyer Protection, your purchase can be covered up to $1,000.

• eBay Security & Resolution Center: Visit the Security & Resolution Center to learn how to protect your account and use eBay's quick and efficient resolution tools.