Prime cartoon in AUS from November 6th (plus toy update)

[AJ_Prime]

If they send you a reply, post it here or in the AUS news section.

I sent an email to Hasbro AUS regarding this yesterday and got the following response this morning:

"The animated series and toys have already sold in the US but not in Australia.

For Australian consumers, the series is airing on cartoon network with a sneak peak double episode on November 6, before the series begins on November 14.

In March, Cartoon Network will re-run the series again.

Our toy range will coincide with this re-run and hit shelves March 2012. Unfortunately, I do not have any further information on whether Australia will receive the full range of product."

So it looks like next year end of first quarter...

[KillinSpoon]

Better than nothing, looks like I'll be watching this on tv also.
Hopefully there aren't too many annoying ad breaks.

[GoktimusPrime]

And for those of us without pay TV? (or is this gonna be like Beast Machines all over again? :()

[KillinSpoon]

And for those of us without pay TV? (or is this gonna be like Beast Machines all over again? :()

I'm fairly sure that everyone could tell that it would be on pay tv to begin with.
Even in the US it was.

Besides, there are no free to air channels that would suit it anyway.

[Hursticon]

Besides, there are no free to air channels that would suit it anyway.

I reckon ABC 3 would IMO, but yes Goki I think this will end up being not all too dissimilar to the situation Australia had with Beast Machines and unfortunately it'll cause some to seek less desirable means of viewing the show. :o
With regards to the figures, and Australia's less than stellar performance with receiving lines in their entirety :rolleyes:, take the safer and cheaper route and secure your toy acquisitions with online retail. ;)

[gantz]

Besides, there are no free to air channels that would suit it anyway.


I reckon ABC 3 would IMO

Yeah guys, ABC3 would be perfect for Prime!

Imagine Clone Wars, Avengers TF:Prime back to back, so much awesome!

[nyerk]

For Australian consumers, the series is airing on cartoon network with a sneak peak double episode on November 6, before the series begins on November 14.


A "sneak peak?" They know this show's been out for almost a year, right?

[GoktimusPrime]

With regards to the figures, and Australia's less than stellar performance with receiving lines in their entirety :rolleyes:, take the safer and cheaper route and secure your toy acquisitions with online retail. ;)
Please drop me a PM if you're doing an online order -- would it be okay if I piggy backed on your order and split the postage?

[Hursticon]

Please drop me a PM if you're doing an online order -- would it be okay if I piggy backed on your order and split the postage?

If and when dude, that wouldn't be a problem. :)
The only pain in the ass is that one would have to order 2 Voyager cases. :rolleyes::mad:
(Voyager Case = 3x Optimus Primes & 1x Bulkhead :confused:)

[GoktimusPrime]

If and when dude, that wouldn't be a problem. :)
The only pain in the ass is that one would have to order 2 Voyager cases. :rolleyes::mad:
(Voyager Case = 3x Optimus Primes & 1x Bulkhead :confused:)
Arrange a Sydney group order?

[UltraMarginal]

Arrange a Sydney group order?

still going to need a case for every order so we all get a bulkhead!

[Jaisun]

still going to need a case for every order so we all get a bulkhead!

...so many excess primes...

[Hursticon]

still going to need a case for every order so we all get a bulkhead!


...so many excess primes...

Which is why, in one of the recently announced OTCA Competitions (http://www.otca.com.au/boards/showthread.php?t=12374) :D, I chose Voyager Prime as my likely 1st TF: Prime Voyager figure that I'd purchase; the odds of getting your hands on a Voyager Bulkhead figure are 1 in 4, a very poor choice of case assortment IMO. :mad:

Therefore, I don't know how feasible a Group Order involving the Voyager Assortment would be. :(

[KaRNiV8L PRiME]

For Australian consumers, the series is airing on cartoon network with a sneak peak double episode on November 6, before the series begins on November 14.

In March, Cartoon Network will re-run the series again.


I just set my Fox IQ to record TF:Prime today and it appears that we will be getting all 5 parts of Darkness Rising back to back :)

[reillyd]

I reckon ABC 3 would IMO, but yes Goki I think this will end up being not all too dissimilar to the situation Australia had with Beast Machines and unfortunately it'll cause some to seek less desirable means of viewing the show. :o

Damn. When I saw it was underlined, I thought it might be a hyperlink to those less desirable means. Do you mean torrents, or importing the Walmart DVD?

[gekisou]

Damn. When I saw it was underlined, I thought it might be a hyperlink to those less desirable means. Do you mean torrents, or importing the Walmart DVD?

For those who have only been in the country for the last nine years... what happened to BM?

[Paulbot]

Beast Machines wasn't shown on Free-to-Air TV in Australia, only on Pay TV, and it was the days before sites like YouTube and other video sharing tools existed so a lot of people missed the cartoon. And with many negative reviews online from the US fans, it became easy to be unfairly biased against the show without even seeing it. I didn't see the show until the DVDs came out here locally many years later, and found it not as bad as I had been led to believe.

Because only kids (or collectors) with PayTV could watch it when the toy was, and PayTV was less common than today, it may have an impact on the toys not selling very well here (but the ugly Beast modes was also a likely a big reason too).

[Jinto]

March... looks like I'll be ordering one or two from the US then.

[Sharky]

Do you think we will se prime on iTunes like it is in the states????

[Hursticon]

Damn. When I saw it was underlined, I thought it might be a hyperlink to those less desirable means. Do you mean torrents, or importing the Walmart DVD?

Either suggestion is acceptable dude, one will cost a lot and the other will cost even more if successfully prosecuted. :o

[5FDP]

A "sneak peak?" They know this show's been out for almost a year, right?

CN Australia does not acknowledge the interwebs :rolleyes:

[Hursticon]

CN Australia does not acknowledge the interwebs :rolleyes:

Hahaha - LOL! :p:D

[KaRNiV8L PRiME]

So it appears that CN are now showing TF:Prime weekdays at 3:30pm. This week is Darkness Rising Pts 1-5 followed by Masters and students next Monday

[Hursticon]

So it appears that CN are now showing TF:Prime weekdays at 3:30pm. This week is Darkness Rising Pts 1-5 followed by Masters and students next Monday

Well, this is certainly good for those who have Pay-TV and especially for the kids who have it; whilst it sucks for a great many people who don't have access to it, I'd much rather some kids see Transformers: Prime here in Australia than none at all. ;):)

[Tallestblue]

Oh, yeah. Because Transformers are for kids all of a sudden?

[Hursticon]

Oh, yeah. Because Transformers are for kids all of a sudden?

Only for those who's parents are collectors, or were fans of the 80s show. :p:D
Nah, we need kids to be interested in the franchise in order for it to have a future... Amongst other things. ;):)
(*Looks at Hasbro AU and B'n'M Retail Industry glaringly)

[Accel]

sorry to necro the thread but has there been any update on the toys if it will be March 2012 or even later?

[griffin]

Email Hasbro Customer Service (http://www.otca.com.au/boards/custservau@Hasbro.com), as they haven't been replying to my emails for some time now.

[jazzy_josh]

I just got word back from hasbro that they are going to be releasing voyager, deluxe and entertainment packs. Also it will be relesed mid to end of March.

[Hursticon]

I just got word back from hasbro that they are going to be releasing voyager, deluxe and entertainment packs. Also it will be relesed mid to end of March.

Well it certainly sounds like they're sticking to their aforementioned plans, much appreciated Jazzy. ;):)

@Griffin: It's honestly starting to sound like they're blacklisting you dude, but for what? :confused:

[griffin]

I just got word back from hasbro that they are going to be releasing voyager, deluxe and entertainment packs. Also it will be relesed mid to end of March.

If it is the FE Entertainment pack, it could mean we get the other FE toys... but if it is the new Starscream/Bbee 2-pack, then we did miss out.

Can you ask them which Entertainment pack it is?
Thanks.

[Doubledealer]

If it is the FE Entertainment pack, it could mean we get the other FE toys... but if it is the new Starscream/Bbee 2-pack, then we did miss out.

Can you ask them which Entertainment pack it is?
Thanks.

You're dreaming Griff if you think it's going to be the First Editions. :p

[Accel]

let us dream!! and hope! :P

[Doubledealer]

Well, I hope your dreams come true. Maybe if you're very bad and sing 5 Hail Megatrons before bed time your dreams will become a reality! Either that or the world will become like Silent Hill, all your worst fears will manifest themselves physically with isle upon isle littered with all-Hasbro-grey Bumblebees and Michael Bay mannequins. :p

[jazzy_josh]

I rang them up to find out and I also asked which figures they were sending us and the lady did not know at all, I was hoping for wheeljack,arcee and ratchet, wanted ratchet so I could get him signed by teh voice actor at OZ Comic Con.

[Hursticon]

You're dreaming Griff if you think it's going to be the First Editions. :p


let us dream!! and hope! :P

Hehe, yeah - It would be nice if the rest of the FE stock were to be dumped on Aussie shores, I wouldn't care if they shelf warmed for 6 months either! :D


Well, I hope your dreams come true. Maybe if you're very bad and sing 5 Hail Megatrons before bed time your dreams will become a reality! Either that or the world will become like Silent Hill, all your worst fears will manifest themselves physically with isle upon isle littered with all-Hasbro-grey Bumblebees and Michael Bay mannequins. :p

LOL! :p:D


I rang them up to find out and I also asked which figures they were sending us and the lady did not know at all, I was hoping for wheeljack,arcee and ratchet, wanted ratchet so I could get him signed by teh voice actor at OZ Comic Con.

Hmm, cheers for the inquiry dude, as before it's much appreciated; I reckon that chances are it's best to submit the questions via email as that'd likely give them a bit more time to seek better details, if they're even able to give that sort of thing out so far ahead of time though. ;):)

[Accel]

if FE stock was out here most of us would be employed as middlemen for Americans :P

[griffin]

We'd have some desperate American customers for sure, but keep in mind the 2-3 times we pay here. For an American to buy a single Deluxe toy from us and have it shipped to them, it would cost them the equivalent of 4 or 5 Deluxe toys in their prices. They're used to Deluxe prices at US$12... with the current exchange rate, one of ours at a cheaper source of AU$25, would cost them about $28 (to convert US$ to AU$) plus international shipping (say, AU$25 for one item... more if were registered or insured).

To put it in our perspective, it would be like paying over AU$100 to have a single Deluxe TFPrime toy shipped to us from a foreign source.
Unfortunately, that's why we wouldn't get much business, even if we were flooded with the toys. Because Hasbro won't pass on the savings of the Exchange rate.
They are still selling the toys at a wholesale price of 5-10 years ago when the exchange rate was 50 US cents.
The retailers here are actually paying 1 & 1/2 times US Retail price that American customers are paying... which is why it is so much cheaper to import now.

[5FDP]

They are still selling the toys at a wholesale price of 5-10 years ago when the exchange rate was 50 US cents.

In your dealings with them (Hasbro) griffin, or anyone else for that matter, has this discrepancy ever been explained? It simply doesn't make any sense especially when they have product sitting on the shelf that is not moving.

[Accel]

We'd have some desperate American customers for sure, but keep in mind the 2-3 times we pay here. For an American to buy a single Deluxe toy from us and have it shipped to them, it would cost them the equivalent of 4 or 5 Deluxe toys in their prices. They're used to Deluxe prices at US$12... with the current exchange rate, one of ours at a cheaper source of AU$25, would cost them about $28 (to convert US$ to AU$) plus international shipping (say, AU$25 for one item... more if were registered or insured).

To put it in our perspective, it would be like paying over AU$100 to have a single Deluxe TFPrime toy shipped to us from a foreign source.
Unfortunately, that's why we wouldn't get much business, even if we were flooded with the toys. Because Hasbro won't pass on the savings of the Exchange rate.
They are still selling the toys at a wholesale price of 5-10 years ago when the exchange rate was 50 US cents.
The retailers here are actually paying 1 & 1/2 times US Retail price that American customers are paying... which is why it is so much cheaper to import now.

Sad thing is charging American's 28 + delivery is still cheaper than getting it from Canadian eBayers ;D

[griffin]

In your dealings with them (Hasbro) griffin, or anyone else for that matter, has this discrepancy ever been explained? It simply doesn't make any sense especially when they have product sitting on the shelf that is not moving.

Their excuse was that the exchange rate is too unpredictable to risk adjusting their prices... as in, if they drop their prices at Toyfair one year and the exchange rate suddenly plummets, they lose money on the prices they've locked in with retailers for the next 12 months.
Basically they claim to be shielding themselves from an exchange rate that could not occur in the space of time between Toyfairs, without a total collapse in the concept of capitalism (or a depression)... And if that happened, selling toys would be the least of their worries.

At least, that's their excuse... when in reality, it's just the result of them getting fat of the increasingly widening profit margin. Charging 3 times the price Hasbro America charges their retailers, means 3 times the profit... and the retailers here just have no clue they are being scammed. (or don't care)

[GoktimusPrime]

Maybe if you're very bad and sing 5 Hail Megatrons before bed time your dreams will become a reality!

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y227/goktimusprime/avatars/th_like.jpg

[jazzy_josh]

To put it in our perspective, it would be like paying over AU$100 to have a single Deluxe TFPrime toy.

So it's like them wanting to buy one of the new third party constructicon bots or a war defender bot? So why will they complain if we get the figure and they don't? Hell they would jack the price up on us if they had a chance.

[Hursticon]

So it's like them wanting to buy one of the new third party constructicon bots or a war defender bot? So why will they complain if we get the figure and they don't? Hell they would jack the price up on us if they had a chance.

I guess it just comes down to how badly someone wants something huh? :)

[Accel]

Hi Daniel,



Thank you for your email.



Unfortunately Australia or New Zealand won’t be receiving the PRIME First Edition Deluxe or Voyager products. However we are launching the main line PRIME products into our market in March so expect to see most of the line within the first 5-6 months of the year.



Regards





Hasbro Consumer Services


:(

[Hursticon]

Unfortunately Australia or New Zealand won’t be receiving the PRIME First Edition Deluxe or Voyager products. However we are launching the main line PRIME products into our market in March so expect to see most of the line within the first 5-6 months of the year.

Heh...
Well, it was kind of expected really but at least we now know :o - Cheers for the info though Accel. ;):)

[griffin]

Ah, so it'll be the Bbee/Starscream Entertainment pack.
This is such sad news. The retailers and consumers could do with a break from all this Movie universe of the last 4 years by having as much new different Prime toys as possible... but I guess the clashing packaging styles of FE and RID would be difficult to market to retailers, and from retailers to consumers.

[5FDP]

Australia won't be receiving FE toys... shock horror :eek: ;) :rolleyes:

Well, that's done it for me. I'm ordering everything online now. Why even bother with the stores <shrugs>

[GoktimusPrime]

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y227/goktimusprime/avatars/Hotrod-facepalm-uk187.gifhttp://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y227/goktimusprime/avatars/th_jaam_shoulders.gif

Accel: zOMG!!! You actually got a REPLY from Hasbro!! :eek: And it may be true!! :eek::eek: Go buy a lottery ticket! :D


Unfortunately Australia or New Zealand won’t be receiving the PRIME First Edition Deluxe or Voyager products. However we are launching the main line PRIME products into our market in March so expect to see most of the line within the first 5-6 months of the year.
:( :( I was honestly thinking that we would get FE, but in March... but anyway... glad I got my FE stuff from overseas. <sigh> That's really disappointing.


Well, that's done it for me. I'm ordering everything online now. Why even bother with the stores <shrugs>
Hey, I got all my FE toys from brick and mortar stores! Just... not in Australia. :p ;) :p But yeah, I can understand the frustration with purchasing from local stores if Hasbro won't bother supporting them with new stock. :( :mad:

[Accel]

you know whats even crazier?

the reply was 1 hour after I sent the email.

SCARY!

[Orion Pax]

I reckon ABC 3 would IMO, but yes Goki I think this will end up being not all too dissimilar to the situation Australia had with Beast Machines and unfortunately it'll cause some to seek less desirable means of viewing the show. :o
What... torrent it?... too late *sigh*
Impatience is a curse ;p;