TRU MP Soundwave & A/Storm prices and codes

[SuspectimusPrime]

Excellent information indeed, thank you very much Sinnertwin ;):cool: - I just hope that the scalpers don't see this thread. :o


second this ^

Don't look now, but this thread has 12k views :p

[ohmic12]

You shall need to reach level 3 (established member) to reach that. :cool:


Cool but now for a stupid question what do the different levels mean and how do i get to level 3 since i have no clue how they work?

[lancalot]

Cool but now for a stupid question what do the different levels mean and how do i get to level 3 since i have no clue how they work?

just introduction your self in the "Board Info, Member Intros & Suggestion Box" thread firstly :)

http://www.otca.com.au/boards/showthread.php?t=2

[UltraMarginal]

Cool but now for a stupid question what do the different levels mean and how do i get to level 3 since i have no clue how they work?

There's also a sticky thread in there containing forum rules etc. might be worth a read, it'll clarify the ranks etc for you.

[ohmic12]

Cheers got it all sorted now:)

[Nevac]

Just saw the pics of Hasbro Soundwave at Botcon someone needs to fire/slap the guy that transformed the tapes. I can overlook the fins on Laserbeak/Buzzsaw not vertical but seriously Rumble is back to front, waist and thighs not extended.

[lancalot]

Picture of acid storm at botcon!!!:eek:
Has the same packaging as soundwave very nice...no more plastic bubble


http://imageshack.us/a/img713/1600/hk2e.jpg

pic from Ben's World of transformer face book page
http://www.facebook.com/bensworldtf

[Kazza]

I'm liking what hasbro are doing with their MP boxes, maybe even more than takara tomy MP boxes.

[Hursticon]

I'm really surprised by Hasbro's choice to go with the Hasbro HK packaging... :eek:
I sort of liked the minimalist packaging on their previous MP figures but can easily understand why others would prefer something more substantial like Takara's offerings. ;):)

Yeah, from all the on-floor pics I've seen thus far from Botcon, there is a helluva lot of mis-transformations going on and not simply confined to the MP Cassettes! :rolleyes::p

Soundwave seems to be retaining the same hue of Navy Blue as his Takara counterpart, his Yellow visor though isn't reflecting any vac-chrome from what I can tell thus far... odd. :confused:
Acid Storm looks suitably awesome though; that Toxic Green looks sweet! but I can't help but feel that some Yellow highlights & pin-striping would've helped to nail and break up his deco, for as it currently stands it looks a little... flat? - In my opinion anyway. :o
(Still looks bloody good though :D)

[lancalot]

the only thing that bug me with acid storm is that his decal on the wings just ends in a straight line where the body meets...making it look unfinished :mad:

[KaRNiV8L PRiME]

Picture of acid storm at botcon!!!:eek:
Has the same packaging as soundwave very nice...no more plastic bubble


http://imageshack.us/a/img713/1600/hk2e.jpg

pic from Ben's World of transformer face book page
http://www.facebook.com/bensworldtf

Didn't want to fold down the wing flaps in robot mode display or box art?

[kaiden]

i preferred the digital mockup :/

[kup]

The camo paint job and bright green is pretty terrible. Waste of plastic.

[panterali]

The camo paint job and bright green is pretty terrible. Waste of plastic.

Agree! And I think Soundwave is a better choice for Hasbro's "MP-01".

[orionpax1]

Not digging the bright green and soundwave looks great, might have to get myself another.

[Hursticon]

Have just learnt from a bloke at the Con that Soundwave's visor is actually a Flat Yellow, rather than a Chromed Yellow - I'm a little disappointed by this as I feel the Chrome helped to give life to the Takara version. :o

[Bidoofdude]

Awesome!!! :)

[Bidoofdude]

Didn't want to fold down the wing flaps in robot mode display or box art?

So, are the wings mistransformed the official transformation for the Acid Storm character, or just a messup on EVERY occasion? :confused:

[Sinnertwin]

So, are the wings mistransformed the official transformation for the Acid Storm character, or just a messup on EVERY occasion? :confused:

Messed up. :rolleyes: i dont think any other Seeker leaves them like that

[GoktimusPrime]

I only know Chinese so I might be wrong. While they can both be translated as "masterpiece", 名作 literally means "famous piece" whereas 傑作 means "execellent/extraordinary piece". Personally I think 傑作 is a proper translation.
Not in the context of a Masterpiece Transformer though. Firstly, Japanese Masterpieces are always called "Masterpiece," (マスターピース) and never as "Kessaku" (傑作). Secondly, even if they wanted to refer to it by the Japanese word, in the context of a toy line "Kessakuban" (傑作版: "Masterpiece Edition") would make more sense. "Kessaku" on its own is more appropriate in describing say a masterpiece work of art rather than a toy line. There's nothing semantically wrong with the translation per se, but it's just looks weird. I think the explanation of Hasbro MPs being released in Sinophone Asian countries would make better sense, because as far as the Japanese market is concerned, transliterated English words are far more exotic.


Kan ji (漢 字, lit. Chinese chracters) is the part in Japanese that was directly imported from ancient China with very little change/no change in written form. Only going by the two characters 傑 作 it's hard to tell if Hasbro intended these to be traditional Chinese or Japanese since they are exactly the same written down. But I guess they should be Kanji i.e. Japanese and is a way of Hasbro to acknowledge the franchise' Japanese roots as part of the "Thrilling 30" campaign.
I sure hope they meant it for Sinophone countries, because if they intended it for the Japanese market then they've made a gross misjudgment or generalisation. (-_-) The Chinese write everything in Kanji because they have little other choice since the language lacks a phonetic script, whereas the Japanese will transliterate a lot of English and other foreign words directly into Katakana, even if the name itself originates from Japanese, it's written in Katakana anyway just to make it look more exotic (similar to how Anglophone writers will create faux-Latin words to make it sound cooler, e.g. "Adamantium" and "Cybertronia" ("Cybertro" would be a more accurate Latin translation of "Cybertron")); e.g. Ginrai and Shouki's names are written as ジンライ and ショウキ respectively, even though it's painfully obviously meant to be 神雷 ("divine thunder") and 鍾馗 (Shouki is the name of a demi-god from Chinese mythology) et al. One of the annoying unresolvable fanboy debates in Japan is the gender of Akira, a name that can be male or female but you can tell which gender it is according to which kanji it's written in (e.g. 明 = m., 晶 = f.), but the name has ONLY ever officially been written in Katakana! Although the relatively recent Visual Works book refers to Akira as a boy... but shows an image of a very feminine looking Akira holding hands with Kain while frolicking through a field of flowers... not helpful! :rolleyes: :p

[lancalot]

Messed up. :rolleyes: i dont think any other Seeker leaves them like that

think they trying to make the new seeker look different leaving the flap up ...look at the cone heads ... isn't that a mistransformation from the g1 toy !

[Iriorne]

The Chinese write everything in Kanji because they have little other choice since the language lacks a phonetic script, whereas the Japanese will transliterate a lot of English and other foreign words directly into Katakana [...]

The Chinese write everything in Chinese. :p While there isn't a phonetic script, characters with similar sounds are often used. Sometimes even the meanings are similar, as in shampoo = 香波 (xiang bo), literally "fragrant wave". Foods are pretty common: chocolate = 巧克力 (qiao ke li), coca cola = 可口可乐 (ke kou ke le), hamburger = 汉堡包 (han bao bao). And table tennis is 乒乓球 (ping pang qiu), that always got a laugh in school. :)

I think it's unlikely that that box style will be released in Japan - isn't the deal that Takara-Tomy and Hasbro don't compete in each others regions? I'm surprised they didn't rework the box to remove the characters for western release, but perhaps that was the only one they had ready.


So, are the wings mistransformed the official transformation for the Acid Storm character, or just a messup on EVERY occasion?

I thought it was just messed up too, but even the box photography shows the flaps/ailerons sticking up. Hasbro probably won't beat down your door if you decide to fold them down instead. ;)

[GoktimusPrime]

I think it's unlikely that that box style will be released in Japan - isn't the deal that Takara-Tomy and Hasbro don't compete in each others regions? I'm surprised they didn't rework the box to remove the characters for western release, but perhaps that was the only one they had ready.
Sinophone markets are domains of Hasbro Asia-Pacific, not Takara TOMY. :) But yeah, this packaging is clearly aimed at Hasbro's markets. I think the Chinese characters are more intended for their Sinophone markets (as it sociolinguistically feels out of place for the Japanese market). Or it could be Hasbro trying to make the packaging look more "Asian exotic" for their own Western markets. They did this before with Hasbro Magmatron (http://www.tfw2005.com/resources/attach/4/0/5/9/7/BMDinobotsUltraMagmatronTarget_1227969157.jpg) whose box has Japanese text printed throughout what is a standard Hasbro style packaging (but still is primarily English language), as well as the tag "Japanese Dinobot now available in the U.S.!" (although it was available in non-U.S. markets like Australia too :o), so part of the marketing of the toy was to remind consumers that this was originally a Japanese toy. But considering that the Kanji on this box is more sociolinguistically appropriate for Sinophone speakers over Japonophone speakers, I'd say the Hasbro Asia (principally released through Hong Kong IIRC) explanation makes the most sense. :)

Hasbro and TakaraTOMY can release each other's toys in their markets with consent from the other party. e.g. Hasbro Australia would have secured permission from Takara(TOMY) to release toys here like MP Ultra Magnus, MP Convoy Perfect Ed., MP Ghost Starscream, Jetwing Optimus Prime etc., and likewise any Hasbro toys released in Japan would have been done with Hasbro's permission. This doesn't include specialty import stores though (who in Australia at least, have to pay a stackload of import taxes, duties etc. which is why they're so expensive here).

[Necare]

Welcome, the others gave you a good idea of prices to expect, i'm going to suggest you look out in the meetups section for the next parramatta fair. it's on 4 times a year, next one is in about a month and a half I think.

it starts early about 8 am I think, we go for a look around and then head over to the parramatta westfield food court for breakfast, to share our spoils of the hunt and have a general catchup.

Great! Will have to check it out.

I never went to the CollectionDX meetup though was tempted, I couldn't make the meetup which is once a year, and the TFW crowd in that area is pretty wide spread.

[Sinnertwin]

Oh, look, Toys R Us in America will have their Soundwave (http://m.toysrus.com/skava/static/product.html?type=TRU_product_us&url=%2Fproduct%2Findex.jsp%3FproductId%3D19038126&domain=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.toysrus.com) and Acid Storm (http://m.toysrus.com/skava/static/product.html?type=TRU_product_us&url=%2Fproduct%2Findex.jsp%3FproductId%3D19038406&domain=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.toysrus.com) available for purhase online on the 18th of June.
Hmmm... Hasbro, why aren't you releasing your stock here... I know you have it

[lancalot]

Oh, look, Toys R Us in America will have their Soundwave (http://m.toysrus.com/skava/static/product.html?type=TRU_product_us&url=%2Fproduct%2Findex.jsp%3FproductId%3D19038126&domain=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.toysrus.com) and Acid Storm (http://m.toysrus.com/skava/static/product.html?type=TRU_product_us&url=%2Fproduct%2Findex.jsp%3FproductId%3D19038406&domain=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.toysrus.com) available for purhase online on the 18th of June.
Hmmm... Hasbro, why aren't you releasing your stock here... I know you have it

and the price is very good as well.... MP soundwave with five tapes for 120 bargain!

[Sinnertwin]

and the price is very good as well.... MP soundwave with five tapes for 120 bargain!

Yes, and $80 for the green repaint.
$150 vs TRU$120 usd or ~$130 aud
$100 vs TRU $80 usd or ~$87 aud

[Trent]

Soooooo, do they post it here?

[jazzcomp]

Soooooo, do they post it here?
Hopefully :)

[kaiden]

Soooooo, do they post it here?

I've ordered from TRU.com before so yes they do. I think I remember someone ordering MP-10 from them too.

[doublespy]

Sinophone markets are domains of Hasbro Asia-Pacific, not Takara TOMY. :) But yeah, this packaging is clearly aimed at Hasbro's markets. I think the Chinese characters are more intended for their Sinophone markets (as it sociolinguistically feels out of place for the Japanese market). Or it could be Hasbro trying to make the packaging look more "Asian exotic" for their own Western markets. They did this before with Hasbro Magmatron (http://www.tfw2005.com/resources/attach/4/0/5/9/7/BMDinobotsUltraMagmatronTarget_1227969157.jpg) whose box has Japanese text printed throughout what is a standard Hasbro style packaging (but still is primarily English language), as well as the tag "Japanese Dinobot now available in the U.S.!" (although it was available in non-U.S. markets like Australia too :o), so part of the marketing of the toy was to remind consumers that this was originally a Japanese toy. But considering that the Kanji on this box is more sociolinguistically appropriate for Sinophone speakers over Japonophone speakers, I'd say the Hasbro Asia (principally released through Hong Kong IIRC) explanation makes the most sense. :)

Hasbro and TakaraTOMY can release each other's toys in their markets with consent from the other party. e.g. Hasbro Australia would have secured permission from Takara(TOMY) to release toys here like MP Ultra Magnus, MP Convoy Perfect Ed., MP Ghost Starscream, Jetwing Optimus Prime etc., and likewise any Hasbro toys released in Japan would have been done with Hasbro's permission. This doesn't include specialty import stores though (who in Australia at least, have to pay a stackload of import taxes, duties etc. which is why they're so expensive here).

My point was they are Kanji as nod to Transformers' Japanese roots, not that these are for Japanese release.;)

And these are obviously the general Hasbro version not some Hasbro Asia special edition
i.e. availablility will technically be the same as any previous Hasbro Masterpiece release.

Screw Hasbro AU I'm gonna get one from the states!

[BigTransformerTrev]

Screw Hasbro AU I'm gonna get one from the states!

Yeah, I've been stressing because I live 5 hours from the nearest TRU so glad I can order him online at a reasonable price.

I've got 3 mates who don't really collect but REALLY WANT this figure so hopefully if the 4 of us order as one the postage will come out less per person.

[lancalot]

Does TRU USA ship to aus don't they?

[Bidoofdude]

They shipped TC, but not OP. Op was too big. :(

[lancalot]

They shipped TC, but not OP. Op was too big. :(

Cool...well hopefully soundwave /acid storm box is small enough to be sent ...
how much was the shipping cost Bidoofdude?

[ILikeSoundwave]

Defiantly will order Soundwave when available but will wait for Acid Storm when he's out here!:)

[Iriorne]

Cool...well hopefully soundwave /acid storm box is small enough to be sent ...
how much was the shipping cost Bidoofdude?

I paid ~$20 US shipping for TC in January. Not sure if their shipping price was affected by the USPS increases. It was delivered by Australia Post but TRU have some funny arrangement with a group called iParcel, which seems to have it's own separate tracking system. :confused:

[ohmic12]

Does anyone know of anyone doing a group shipping for TRU usa?
I am keen at maybe getting the soundwave now rather then risk the local TRU aussie running out of it.

[Ae-Evolution]

Considering shipping a Voyager (.8lbs) is $37 US, so ~$40 AUS. And Acid Storm (1.9lbs) and Soundwave (2.6lbs), come to a total of 4.5lbs. Could breech their weight size limit even.

[Bidoofdude]

Cool...well hopefully soundwave /acid storm box is small enough to be sent ...
how much was the shipping cost Bidoofdude?

Around $30 for just TC. :cool:

[pw_sd]

and the price is very good as well.... MP soundwave with five tapes for 120 bargain!
Is that still avaliable? Can I order them now?

[lancalot]

Is that still avaliable? Can I order them now?

"
(not available for purchase online until July 18th, 2013)" on their site

[bassbot]

Went to my tru (castle hill) today and it was sadly bereft of Transformers. Only a couple of beast hunters...

[BigTransformerTrev]

They shipped TC, but not OP. Op was too big. :(

Just how big will they ship? I ordered 2 Voyagers, 2 deluxes & a Legion last December and they shipped them all together fine. Me and 2 mates are ordering our Soundwaves together to save on shipping so hope thats not above their limit

[Sinnertwin]

Just how big will they ship? I ordered 2 Voyagers, 2 deluxes & a Legion last December and they shipped them all together fine. Me and 2 mates are ordering our Soundwaves together to save on shipping so hope thats not above their limit


Perhaps the MP10 was. 2.5kg might be their limit?
Via BBTS:
The 2 Voyager, 2 Deluxes and Legion figures have a combined weight of 4.06 lbs or 1.84kg
Masterpiece Soundwave w/Laserbeak only is listed as 2.77 lbs or 1.25 kg
MP10 Hasbro is listed as 5.77 lbs or 2.61 kg

[BigTransformerTrev]

Perhaps the MP10 was. 2.5kg might be their limit?
Via BBTS:
The 2 Voyager, 2 Deluxes and Legion figures have a combined weight of 4.06 lbs or 1.84kg
Masterpiece Soundwave w/Laserbeak only is listed as 2.77 lbs or 1.25 kg
MP10 Hasbro is listed as 5.77 lbs or 2.61 kg

You have to be the most informative member on here ST - lost count of the amount of times I've thanked you for some info lol :D;)

[bassbot]

So, are there a bunch of us getting this rather than waiting for Aus TRU to get it?

[ILikeSoundwave]

So, are there a bunch of us getting this rather than waiting for Aus TRU to get it?

I'll wait for Acid Storm but will order Soundwave online:D

[Trent]

So, are there a bunch of us getting this rather than waiting for Aus TRU to get it?

Undecided. On one hand, I'm impatient and don't want to go running up to Sydney TRUs chasing it because there is a good chance Wollongong may miss out. But on the other hand, waiting allows me to buy it at a time that will be better for me financially.

I'll probably pick it up locally.

[Sinnertwin]

So, are there a bunch of us getting this rather than waiting for Aus TRU to get it?

I'll also be keeping an eye on the likes of RK, Amazon, BBTS etc. More often than not they end up with these TRU exclusives anyway, just look at their past history in that respect. Depends really, if it's suitable at the time for me to do so, then yes, i'll purchase online.

[GoktimusPrime]

My point was they are Kanji as nod to Transformers' Japanese roots, not that these are for Japanese release.;)
But they've used the wrong word in the wrong context. Hasbro's packaging for BM Magmatron was a much better example of a Hasbro toy using Japanese text as a nod to that toy's Japanese roots. All the Japanese text on that box was linguistically correct. I wonder if the designer of this packaging ever bothered to look at a Japanese MP box or (as others have suggested) just hit Google Translate. :rolleyes:


So, are there a bunch of us getting this rather than waiting for Aus TRU to get it?
I already have TakTOM Soundwave & Cassettes, so I just want Acid Storm. I'm not in a massive hurry for it, so I can wait. :o

[Sinnertwin]

Marked-up Hasbro MP Preorders are now at RK. Available 01/08.

Soundwave $200 USD
http://www.robotkingdom.com/services/eshop/main.php?action=details&CatType=Category&II=TFTRMP13HASBRO&lang=us&CatID=41_328

Acid Storm $140 USD
http://www.robotkingdom.com/services/eshop/main.php?action=details&CatType=Category&II=TFTRMP11A&lang=us&CatID=41_328

TT MP Soundwave with new coin $135 USD. Available September.
http://www.robotkingdom.com/services/eshop/main.php?action=details&CatType=Category&II=TFTRMP13R&lang=us&CatID=41_324

I expect other Etailers preorders to follow soon

[Kazza]

Damnit, i'm a coin collector as well. I hope it gets listed separately. If anyone is buying a re-run of MP soundwave and gets a coin they don't need or want, pm me as i'll be willing to pay for it.

[nsm034]

bbts have soundwave coins now seperate

[Kazza]

Hmm, i had interpreted that the coin will be a new version, but if it is the same as the first release than i don't need it.

[Sinnertwin]

Hmm, i had interpreted that the coin will be a new version, but if it is the same as the first release than i don't need it.

As did i. They're listed as substandard condition. Perhaps the coins that BBTS are currently selling are from the first run of SW's that are selling for $230.

[BigTransformerTrev]

WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED TO SOUNDWAVE BEING ABLE TO BE ORDERED ON THE 18th OF THIS MONTH FROM TOYSRUS ONLINE?!?!?!?! HE'S TOTALLY DISAPPEARED AND THE LINK I COPIED DOES NOT WORK ANYMORE!!!!

[ILikeSoundwave]

WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED TO SOUNDWAVE BEING ABLE TO BE ORDERED ON THE 18th OF THIS MONTH FROM TOYSRUS ONLINE?!?!?!?! HE'S TOTALLY DISAPPEARED AND THE LINK I COPIED DOES NOT WORK ANYMORE!!!!
Beascause of all the drama when TRU put them on their ebay store.:mad:
I was going to buy them:( now I and all others have to wait for November.


http://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/toys-r-us-cancels-masterpiece-soundwave-and-acid-storm-purchases-made-on-ebay-last-night/27815/

http://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/new-message-from-toysrus-regarding-sdcc-exclusive-purchases-on-ebay-last-night/27818/

[lancalot]

Beascause of all the drama when TRU put them on their ebay store.:mad:
I was going to buy them:( now I and all others have to wait for November.


http://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/toys-r-us-cancels-masterpiece-soundwave-and-acid-storm-purchases-made-on-ebay-last-night/27815/

http://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/new-message-from-toysrus-regarding-sdcc-exclusive-purchases-on-ebay-last-night/27818/

from the article it say it still be available on the 18th but

[BigTransformerTrev]

Beascause of all the drama when TRU put them on their ebay store.:mad:
I was going to buy them:( now I and all others have to wait for November.


http://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/toys-r-us-cancels-masterpiece-soundwave-and-acid-storm-purchases-made-on-ebay-last-night/27815/

http://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/new-message-from-toysrus-regarding-sdcc-exclusive-purchases-on-ebay-last-night/27818/


from the article it say it still be available on the 18th but

So if I'm reading this right the link should reappear on the 18th of July on their website and be available for order then?

It makes you wonder, if this is the case, why they removed it. The link on their site did not have a pre-order capacity so there should have been no reason to delete it if he is still going to be available for order that day

[Iriorne]

It's probably just been hidden as a precautionary measure to prevent any more more mishaps from occurring. Someone probably got in a bit of trouble over the ebay listings so it's an attempt to head off any problems at the source. Can't accidentally sell it early if no one can see it. :)

[BigTransformerTrev]

It's probably just been hidden as a precautionary measure to prevent any more more mishaps from occurring. Someone probably got in a bit of trouble over the ebay listings so it's an attempt to head off any problems at the source. Can't accidentally sell it early if no one can see it. :)

Lets hope so eh :)


So 9am eastern time US when they say he is available to order (presuming the link reappears) - I think that is 11pm eastern time here - is that correct? If so I'm going to be damn tired on Friday ;)

[ILikeSoundwave]

Lets hope so eh :)


So 9am eastern time US when they say he is available to order (presuming the link reappears) - I think that is 11pm eastern time here - is that correct? If so I'm going to be damn tired on Friday ;)

So 11pm here on Friday, ill be up and about.

[colin78]

Can they be shipped to us from toys r us' on ebay? I didn't think they allowed it to get posted here...

[Iriorne]

I think that is 11pm eastern time here

Yup, though I wouldn't be surprised if the website fails under the heavy traffic load. :)

[BigTransformerTrev]

Can they be shipped to us from toys r us' on ebay? I didn't think they allowed it to get posted here...

I've ordered direct from ToysRUs online before and they have direct shipped here, not sure about their ebay


Yup, though I wouldn't be surprised if the website fails under the heavy traffic load. :)

Knowing my luck - almost a certainty :rolleyes:

[griffin]

US TRU have been on ebay since Sept 2009, and this is the first I've heard of it.... how'd I miss that.

Pity their Ebay store doesn't ship outside of America.

[kup]

So is the July 18th date still on?

[Necare]

I would suggest jumping on their site often and well before the 9am US time. The last few years TRU has announced a date and time for expected figures and have opened sales well in advance and then closed them, multiple times on the first day.

Fr something like MP Soundwave I am exoecting the same thng.

Currently Sydney is 14 hours ahead of eastern standard time in the US. So I a, going to start checking the TRU site before midnight on the 18th their time (sometime in the afternoon on the 18 here.

By not doing so in the past several years I've missed out on many a figure online. The last was MP-10.

[Sarquiss]

This is great news. Cannot wait to add another MP to the collection :)

[Necare]

Nothing on the TRU site yet. i knwo they said 11pm Sydney time, but I am willing to bet between now and then, there will be several having been sole online.

[Vilkacis]

I'll be checking back regularly for the rest of the afternoon/evening. Hoping getting this wont be as much of a fiasco as buying anything from Matty Collector.

[BigTransformerTrev]

Yeah, I'm logged into my account, have the Soundwave search page open and just come back periodically and refresh it.

Does anyone else have an issue with the Australian shipping address thing? My account still has my billing account address details, but my shipping address details are blank and will only let me put in an American address. I'm thinking that must change when you order an item and tick 'ship internationally' or something

[nexusnixx]

If the system allows me to buy 2 or more I will do so and spread the joy here in Australia.

[Vilkacis]

I bought MP Thundercracker from them a while ago, but now the system doesn't recognize my account. Created a new one, and tried to checkout with a few misc. items as a test and it's giving me an error:

'The items listed below that appear in your cart cannot be shipped to the country that you have selected. Please adjust your cart accordingly.'

I hope this doesn't mean they've stopped offering international shipping ugh.

[Vilkacis]

I bought MP Thundercracker from them a while ago, but now the system doesn't recognize my account. Created a new one, and tried to checkout with a few misc. items as a test and it's giving me an error:

'The items listed below that appear in your cart cannot be shipped to the country that you have selected. Please adjust your cart accordingly.'

I hope this doesn't mean they've stopped offering international shipping ugh.

Nevermind, it works for some things but not others. I hope Soundwave isn't one of the excluded items though...

[Necare]

Nevermind, it works for some things but not others. I hope Soundwave isn't one of the excluded items though...

Hm, yeah I tried putting in an Aussie shipping address. The only country option us US.

Might mean I have to have it sent to a US address and bring over with other items.

Hm.

[Koroboo]

Item pages back up! Though you can't buy acidstorm yet

[Necare]

Hm, yeah I tried putting in an Aussie shipping address. The only country option us US.

Might mean I have to have it sent to a US address and bring over with other items.

Hm.

Red alert! By primus. He is up on the site..GO GO GO!!!!

[Necare]

I cannot get him to ship internationally.. Anyone else?

[Iriorne]

Might be out of luck, I just ran through the checkout process and it looks like Soundwave is restricted to US shipping addresses. :(

[BigTransformerTrev]

I cannot get him to ship internationally.. Anyone else?

NO! PRIMUS DAMN IT!!!!!!!

[Koroboo]

Agree getting a 'cannot ship to location you have selected' issue. bummer

[Necare]

Well, he is ordered. Too bad I wont see him until the end of the year or next when I head back to the states. DAMMIT.

Couldnt get it to ship to Sydney.

[Necare]

I'll probably see him in the stores here before I get him, though I would think the price would be higher here than 120...I presume he'll cost about $150?


Seriously though, what is the point of saying you ship to 68 countries...when ah...you do so for limited items.

Lame.

[skylynx]

omg! waited for nothing, no shipping to aus as it seems :/

[Necare]

If anyone wants...I can order and have it delivered to the US address, though you most likely wont get it until I go for a visit in December or January.

The other option is ai could have it reshipped but the shipping might be pretty costly...let me know.

I would buy in USD and you could pay me in AUD the conversion rate for EOD today.

The cost in USD before shipping would be 119 +6.5% sales tax in Massachusetts.

[lancalot]

I cannot get him to ship internationally.. Anyone else?

man that sux!!!!!!!

[lancalot]

and acid storm is instore only?.. cant seem to add him in anywhere

[BigTransformerTrev]

Right now am chasing up two people I know in America whom I could have him shipped to and then get them to ship him to me. Only prob is I haven't spoken to one in 3 years and haven't spoken to the other in 10 years. Plus I just sent them texts at like 5am there so they may not be happy with that anyway.


FRICKEN TOYS R US, JUST TAKE OUR MONEY AND GIVE US WHAT WE WANT!!!

[ILikeSoundwave]

Looks like my only option is now to wait and risk not getting him at all:(

[nexusnixx]

Nooooooooooo took a cab home just to be home earlier to sit in front of com. Makes me sick!

[Logician]

I know it might be futile, but I think I'll try every hours or so till 11 tonight, just on the off chance they haven't set up the international stuff yet (after all it's like 6am on the east coast, earlier on the west, so they might still be putting options in....right...right?)

[danny-boy]

I was refreshing every 2 seconds and caught it as soon as it went up. I've been trying to get it to ship to Australia. Looks like I've had the same luck as you guys. Sucks.

[Logician]

GAH! I think they've sold out???

[lancalot]

man their site seem to like crashing now...cant even checkout ! found me an adress .... but with sale tax ..it 130.89 ...then shipping it here be that same ...around 155

[lancalot]

Wow :eek:that was fast man.... lucky i checked out already.... but it keep crashing when checking out:( ....im glad i used paypal...so they cant multiple charge me... but it seem to be all done...

[Logician]

yep, seems sold out to me :( Lucky bugger! Enjoy him when he arrives (and fingers crossed for you they don't do anything wierd in between) - you must've got in at precisely the right second.

[skylynx]

omg i had it in my cart didn't even notice the paypal button lol!! :{

[lancalot]

man that meant acid storm was even faster of selling out then.....!

[lancalot]

time to look at crazy ebay prices ....:mad:

[Vilkacis]

Could someone throw me a link, even if it's broken? Searching around I couldn't even find it. Holding out hope just a little longer...

[skylynx]

http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=19038126&skuid=15104021

[Tober]

Do they even ship to Australia? I tried to create an account but it wouldn't let me have 'Australia' as a shipping option... :(

[BigTransformerTrev]

Wow :eek:that was fast man.... lucky i checked out already.... but it keep crashing when checking out:( ....im glad i used paypal...so they cant multiple charge me... but it seem to be all done...

OH F*$K I CANT BELIEVE IT! I HAD HIM IN MY PAYPAL CHECKOUT, THEN WHEN COULDN"T GET HIM SHIPPED CLOSED IT AND LOGGED OUT! AND JUST HAD A MATE RING SAYING HE HAS AN AMERICAN ADDRESS BUT HE'S NOW SOLD OUT! I LOST HIM!

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHH HHHHH!!!!

[Logician]

well that seals it, I am now truly the mope-apotamus for the rest of the evening.

[Bidoofdude]

well that seals it, I am now truly the mope-apotamus for the rest of the evening.

Join the club... :p Hope I can find one at retail. :o

[Iriorne]

There might be more stock coming in so it could be worth signing up to a US freight forwarding service (shipito has a free plan) so you have a US address ready if necessary.

[Freya]

anyone know when we will get it in TR U store?

[pw_sd]

:mad:On 20:00 they openned the link. When I checked those two MP on 20:16, they all sold out! :mad:

[Sinnertwin]

anyone know when we will get it in TR U store?

November.

I can imagine how frustrating it must have been for those that tried and were unsuccessful at TRU.com.

[danny-boy]

I was so frustrated that it wouldn't ship to Australia that I actually went through check out with my Australian address and selected CA 90210. I called them up and cancelled it. So close yet so far.

[lancalot]

hey he back on!!!!!!!!!

[Sinnertwin]

hey he back on!!!!!!!!!

2nd time 'round for the rest of the guys, hopefully :)

[Logician]

serious? Did anyone get him the 2nd time? Just my luck, when I was doing the dishes! (and so much for email notification)

[kup]

I take it this ship has sailed?

[Necare]

The second time around...was he shipping to Australia?

[lancalot]

nah he wasn't no shipping to aus.... and rumor has it that the 5am start wasn't valid.... so it was canceled and the reopen for the 9am one....
it might be true because i just checked my paypal and i wasn't charged for him yet :mad::mad::(

[lancalot]

hey Acid storm available now for US shipping if anyone can !!!

[Logician]

he's listing on the page as back up, but 'inventory adjusting to zero' when you go to checkout, I'll give it 4 mins more...

[Logician]

and out of stock again, apparently back on the web in august.

[Vilkacis]

So shipito is a good service? I've never used one before, but it seems like I'd have more luck with them than waiting for it to show up in a store locally.

[Vilkacis]

Do I continue to mournfully refresh the TRU website or give up and play Skyrim...

[lancalot]

Do I continue to mournfully refresh the TRU website or give up and play Skyrim...

lol i think it past now...

[lancalot]

i didn't know he was that limited in stock over in the US .... i thought he was a retail release ..
now i cant wait to see what happen when our TRU online launches here...!

[Andrew117]

So is it certain or not, regardless of when, that we will be seeing SW in our stores? I too missed out at TRU.com, had one in my cart ready to go and bam! no international shipping, I was shattered. :(

[BigTransformerTrev]

time to look at crazy ebay prices ....:mad:

It's disgusting how many TRU MP Soundwaves cropped up on ebay last night within an hour of TRU selling out. Most priced at $270+. Obviously TRU ships in 1 to 2 business days and they can say 'ships within 10 days' so they are covered. Sods!

:mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad: :mad::mad::mad::mad:

TRU online has given a big middle finger to their international customers and a big thumbs up to the scalpers as far as I'm concerned :mad:

[jazzcomp]

I hope no one patronizes the scalpers :( and force their prices down.

[nexusnixx]

Who knows maybe the scalpers are TRU employees themselves.
If there is strong demand and I am sure there will be with limited supply as of now prices will go up.

Putting this TRU Soundwave and sdcc metroplex to perspective if someone gonna spend $300 including shipping, better off with a huge tf? Ha ha

I will check on contacts and see whether they have resources to hunt down these TRU Soundwave.


It's disgusting how many TRU MP Soundwave's cropped up on ebay last night within an hour of TRU selling out. Most priced at $270+. Obviously TRU ships in 1 to 2 business days and they can say 'ships within 10 days' so they are covered. Sods!

:mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad: :mad::mad::mad::mad:

TRU online has given a big middle finger to their international customers and a big thumbs up to the scalpers as far as I'm concerned :mad:

[UltraMarginal]

If there are people here who, are no-where near a TRU (ie: a couple hours or more like BTT), would like a purchase on your behalf that I can then send to you, I'd be happy to pick a couple up on top of picking up my own when they arrive here. For the reasonable cost of whatever the shipping is.

I'll start a new thread for it here (http://www.otca.com.au/boards/showthread.php?p=365273#post365273)

I may be able to expand my collection past 2 of each but we'll see what interest is like and if anyone else is able to help out.

[BigTransformerTrev]

I hope no one patronizes the scalpers :( and force their prices down.


Sadly the scalpers are having a field day, as most of the ones I saw last night have been sold and dissapeared (leaving a lot of Takara ones unsold). The only ones left are those that are either open to bids or ones like this hideously expensive one for over $300! :eek:

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/SDCC-2013-TRU-Transformers-Masterpiece-Classic-Soundwave-NEW-/321167073323?pt=US_Action_Figures&hash=item4ac70ca02b#ht_1945wt_1088

Can anyone honestly say that one of us true fans from Oz didn't deserve to get this figure more than this price-gouging sod!?!




Apparently SW will be hitting Canadian TRU's soon. Already checked and they only ship domestically. However if you have a Canadian mate you might be in with a chance. I've got one but he's only ever been a remote FB friend so not holding out much hope myself.

http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/transformers-prime-39/new-transformers-skus-from-toys-r-us-canada-177013/

[Andrew117]

sigh...anyone else impatient like me and considering foregoing the extra cassettes and picking up the takara version?:(:confused:

[UltraMarginal]

sigh...anyone else impatient like me and considering foregoing the extra cassettes and picking up the takara version?:(:confused:

nup, no way.

[Andrew117]

I guess I should wait haha! Is it 100% we are getting him at all, regardless of when? Just hope hasbro or TRU AUS dont pull the pin on him here

[Andrew117]

It's disgusting how many TRU MP Soundwaves cropped up on ebay last night within an hour of TRU selling out. Most priced at $270+. Obviously TRU ships in 1 to 2 business days and they can say 'ships within 10 days' so they are covered. Sods!

:mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad: :mad::mad::mad::mad:

TRU online has given a big middle finger to their international customers and a big thumbs up to the scalpers as far as I'm concerned :mad:

I'd just like to know the exact reason for not allowing international shipping.

If was something as simple as it wasn't set up with iParcel due to its early morning release like someone else i saw theorize then that is really disappointing

[UltraMarginal]

I'd suggest it's because it's definitely going to be available here and being how they've previously been stung on MP Ghost Starscream TRU is probably shy of being stuck with 50% of their stock of an expensive item not selling. as such they are not selling internationally, avoiding undercutting their international counterparts.

that's my guess.

people that are spending upwards of $300 for MP soundwave on eBay today have more money than sense and don't deserve to keep their money. There will be store release of these in the states, and also here in Australia (as far as anyone knows) there is quite a mania going on about this at the moment. :rolleyes:

[Sinnertwin]

I'd suggest it's because it's definitely going to be available here and being how they've previously been stung on MP Ghost Starscream TRU is probably shy of being stuck with 50% of their stock of an expensive item not selling

Can't imagine why they had difficulty moving them at $249.99 when they were first released :rolleyes:

[Andrew117]

For the love of primus I hope you are right.

[ohmic12]

sigh...anyone else impatient like me and considering foregoing the extra cassettes and picking up the takara version?:(:confused:

Yeah this was going to be my plan B if i dont manage to pick up the SW when it comes here

[Sarquiss]

It really sucks that the scappers got what seems like all of the MP Soundwaves :(

Does anyone know when it is supposed to be released here? November/December?

[kup]

It really sucks that the scappers got what seems like all of the MP Soundwaves :(

Does anyone know when it is supposed to be released here? November/December?

October I think but not sure how solid that may be.

It wasn't just the scalpers, TrU USA also decided not to ship internationally so for most people, even if you made it in time, you wouldn't have been able to get it :(

[Starscream77]

Dont know if it helps anyone but RK has them up for pre order
S Wave is $199
A Storm is $139

... at least me know they ship to Australia :rolleyes:

[Sinnertwin]

It really sucks that the scappers got what seems like all of the MP Soundwaves :(
Does anyone know when it is supposed to be released here? November/December?


http://www.otca.com.au/boards/showthread.php?t=16318

[Iriorne]

Dont know if it helps anyone but RK has them up for pre order
[...]
... at least me know they ship to Australia :rolleyes:

Was just about to suggest that. Even with their markup it's still substantially cheaper than most of the current ebay prices.

[Andrew117]

How much are they asking for shipping?

[Iriorne]

$35 to ship Acid Storm by EMS or $26 for registered airmail with insurance. Seems like they've run out of preorder stock on Soundwave but the boxes are the same size so expect similar shipping costs.

[BigTransformerTrev]

Just got an email from a friend in the ol US of A. She went to a TRU for me to find SW, couldn't find him and asked the lady to get one for her. The TRU lady tried but according to her computer the warehouses are empty of the product in question.

Bugger, all gone

[jazzcomp]

Asked someone as well in the US to look for in store last weekend. Haven't heard anything :(

[Freya]

its will available in store from August. only available online due to SDCC.

[jazzcomp]

it's already available in TRU stores (at least the website says it is since online is already sold out).

[Krayt]

You've all gotta chill....

The MP's are still not released to retail. There are none at the warehouse as it probably still hasn't shipped to the dispatch warehouses yet.

THe online portion of TRU is a third party that probably received limited stock that were pulled from the advanced SDCC allotment, hence the superfast sellout.

Given time, and US retail will be overrun, and I have no doubt he will be online as well.

[Ultra Mackness]

This probably doesn't say anything different to what we know about the Australian release of MPSW, but this is the response I received fro TRU regarding my enquiry about availability:

Dear Michael,

We thank you for your email.

As you can imagine we have received hundred of emails and phone calls from customers requesting pre-orders or more product information about this item.

We will advertise the release of this item which will be in November this year. Unfortunately we will not be offering a pre-order for this item, nor are our stores able to take down customer names or orders as the response we have received from our customers has been astounding.

This item will be available in our stores on a first in best dressed basis as with the release of all of our other products.

We hope you are as excited about the release as we are!

Kind Regards,

Customer Service

[jazzcomp]

You've all gotta chill....

I was referring to US TRU. It was available online and sold out in a few hours last July 18 or so at US TRU. The website after then says In Store only.

[Krayt]

I was referring to US TRU. It was available online and sold out in a few hours last July 18 or so at US TRU. The website after then says In Store only.

I was refering to the US too....

As i said, TRU Online is a third party company that has limited stock... still hasn't been distributed to any store, as the DCs don't have it, hence why actually enquiries are getting told that the warehouse has none.

[Freya]

Its never hit TRU US store yet, those people got items in hands, they got it from SDCC. It's only available online on that date!

[jazzcomp]

False advertising then, it's corrected now.
Not sold in stores

http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=19038126
http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=19038406

[The_Damned]

i just ordered sw from Rk and it came to $260 posted.

[drifand]

I would say they are all on Ebay if any.

[drifand]

i just ordered sw from Rk and it came to $260 posted.

What is Rk? sorry I am not familiar to the short terms.

[UltraMarginal]

Robot Kingdom, an asian toy seller. pretty good shipping rates.
good source of Asian specific items as it's not being shipped to the states first before being shipped back to Australia.

[The_Damned]

What is Rk? sorry I am not familiar to the short terms.

As ultramarginal mentioned i meant robot kingdom.

[drifand]

As ultramarginal mentioned i meant robot kingdom.

Thanks dude, I am torn whether to just stick with my takara version and get the cassetts or get the TRU version with everything.

[The_Damned]

Thanks dude, I am torn whether to just stick with my takara version and get the cassetts or get the TRU version with everything.

that is the hasbro version that i ordered

http://www.robotkingdom.com/services/eshop/main.php?action=details&CatType=Category&II=TFTRMP13HASBRO&lang=us&CatID=1_42

[BigTransformerTrev]

False advertising then, it's corrected now.
Not sold in stores

http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=19038126
http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=19038406

Does that mean that they haven't hit the stores yet? Or does it mean it was in stores and they have already all sold out.

I'm hoping the latter because a USA friend of mine put her name down to be alerted when they come in:



Dear Valued Guest,

Thank you for shopping at Toysrus.com and Babiesrus.com.

This email is a confirmation that we have received your request to be notified when the following item is back in stock:

Notification Request Date: 2013-07-22

Item Requested: Transformers Masterpiece - Soundwave

You will receive an additional email when the above item is in stock.

Thank you again and hurry back soon to see what’s new at Toysrus.com and Babiesrus.com!


Sincerely,

The Guest Service Team
Toysrus.com and Babiesrus.com

[drifand]

wow in Singapore you need to be a Toys R Us member to order.

[SuspectimusPrime]

Does that mean that they haven't hit the stores yet? Or does it mean it was in stores and they have already all sold out.

I'm hoping the latter because a USA friend of mine put her name down to be alerted when they come in:



Dear Valued Guest,

Thank you for shopping at Toysrus.com and Babiesrus.com.

This email is a confirmation that we have received your request to be notified when the following item is back in stock:

Notification Request Date: 2013-07-22

Item Requested: Transformers Masterpiece - Soundwave

You will receive an additional email when the above item is in stock.

Thank you again and hurry back soon to see what’s new at Toysrus.com and Babiesrus.com!


Sincerely,

The Guest Service Team
Toysrus.com and Babiesrus.com

Good luck, I've noticed that it takes time for more popular items to reach the "ship to home" option.

[GoktimusPrime]

Thanks dude, I am torn whether to just stick with my takara version and get the cassetts or get the TRU version with everything.
If you already have the TakaraTOMY version, then I don't see the need to get the Hasbro version too. I got the TakaraTOMY ones, and I paid about $200 all up. Getting the Hasbro version would have saved me $50, but I preordered the TakTOM version before news of the Hasbro version came out. Oh well.

But for those who don't already have the TakTOM version, I'd totally be waiting for the Hasbro version. If news about the Hasbro version came out _before_ I preordered the TakTOM version, I would've held out and waited for a local Hasbro release. So yeah, I don't see the need to "double dip" with getting both versions unless you're some kind of variant collector or completist. But I'm happy just to stick w/ my TakTOM version. :)

[Krayt]

The first in store sighting has occurred in the US.... Now get contacts to start checking for him

[drifand]

yeah kind of agree about not needing the Hasbro though I like rumble and the lot.

Is Australia going to release this in TRU? I still have been looking at their website but see nothing.

[UltraMarginal]

Is Australia going to release this in TRU? I still have been looking at their website but see nothing.

Please see the first post in this thread.:D

[AJ_Prime]

Is Australia going to release this in TRU? I still have been looking at their website but see nothing.

TRU say Nov. However, with the news of an earlier release in the US I am prompted to ask if we are likely to see something similar happen here?

[Freya]

TRU say Nov. However, with the news of an earlier release in the US I am prompted to ask if we are likely to see something similar happen here?

Hi Freya,

We are expecting a shipment of the Transformers Masterpiece Soundwave and Acid Storm in November.

Thank You The Facebook Team.

[drifand]

Hope they don't pull the same stunt as what Singapore is doing and making you join the TRU club in order to Pre-order one.

[Trent]

Hope they don't pull the same stunt as what Singapore is doing and making you join the TRU club in order to Pre-order one.

No chance of that. TRU Australia don't take preorders. I also believe it won't be a ail able online. You'll have to find one in store.

[GoktimusPrime]

I went to a TRU today and I saw that the toys are indeed on the database, but still listed as being ordered by head office and nothing else.

[kup]

I went to a TRU today and I saw that the toys are indeed on the database, but still listed as being ordered by head office and nothing else.

local price?

[GoktimusPrime]

local price?
$149.99 for Soundwave
$99.99 for Acid Storm
:)

[drifand]

you gotta be kidding right? I am pretty sure you just squashed my chances of grabbing one as people will buy them all at those prices?

More on Soundwave was my concern.

[Andrew117]

This was always the price that was set months ago, hasn't changed that I am aware of

[GoktimusPrime]

you gotta be kidding right? I am pretty sure you just squashed my chances of grabbing one as people will buy them all at those prices?
Uuuhh... I don't get it. Are you concerned that these prices are too expensive or are you actually saying that they're too cheap? :confused: I don't know about you, but I like lower prices! If you live >2 hours away from a Toys R Us then see this thread (http://otca.com.au/boards/showthread.php?t=16518), otherwise happy hunting! ;)


This was always the price that was set months ago, hasn't changed that I am aware of
^100%
These prices aren't news; what's of greater interest is the release date, which atm seems to be around November.

[drifand]

Yeah I like lower prices but I think it will be sold out if those are going to hit the shelves. Not that I am complaining, I am more worried about getting one.

[Sinnertwin]

Yeah I like lower prices but I think it will be sold out if those are going to hit the shelves. Not that I am complaining, I am more worried about getting one.

I see your point. There are only 3 stores in WA, isn't there? Then there's the issue of how much stock said stores may recieve

[drifand]

Basically I can just hope, nothing I can do.

I think there are 4 stores, unless Morley has closed.

Cannington
Innaloo
Joondalop
Morley.

Well no point worrying until it is out.

[Freya]

True, only need to be wait until its hit the store. They say its will be online and in store, but I didnt recall I see MP10 online.

[GoktimusPrime]

drifand: when MP Optimus Prime was sighted in Sydney I called every Toys R Us branch in Sydney. None of them reported having any in stock at the time of my call, but someone else sighted one at another TRU that evening (must've arrived after I called them); but by time I read that post, TRU were closed. So the next morning I called that TRU branch at 09:00 -- they said that it was not in stock according to the computer system. I insisted that the person go and physically check the shelves; she did and confirmed that they did have the toy in stock! So I asked them to reserve one toy for me, which I picked up later that morning.

TRU told me that they are able to reserve a toy for up to 48 hours. So if I were you, in November I'd start calling local TRUs and get them to reserve one for you.

[drifand]

thanks dude, Will hopefully actually physically speak to someone at the store maybe as Innaloo is like 5 mins away from my work place.

[Freya]

Yeah will do that, I only found out MP10 its when I saw him in TRU catalogues.

But for Soundwave, will call them in November every day and night, and make them remember my voice...lol

[kup]

drifand: when MP Optimus Prime was sighted in Sydney I called every Toys R Us branch in Sydney. None of them reported having any in stock at the time of my call, but someone else sighted one at another TRU that evening (must've arrived after I called them); but by time I read that post, TRU were closed. So the next morning I called that TRU branch at 09:00 -- they said that it was not in stock according to the computer system. I insisted that the person go and physically check the shelves; she did and confirmed that they did have the toy in stock! So I asked them to reserve one toy for me, which I picked up later that morning.

TRU told me that they are able to reserve a toy for up to 48 hours. So if I were you, in November I'd start calling local TRUs and get them to reserve one for you.

Yep. been in this scenario multiple times. I always make them go and check and 4/5 times, it's there on the shelf.

[jazzcomp]

TRU told me that they are able to reserve a toy for up to 48 hours. So if I were you, in November I'd start calling local TRUs and get them to reserve one for you.
According to TRU FB, they have no reservation policy. But people are still able to reserve thru phone at their specific TRU locations.

[GoktimusPrime]

According to TRU FB, they have no reservation policy. But people are still able to reserve thru phone at their specific TRU locations.
Uhh, yeah, that's precisely what I was talking about. Calling your nearest branch and making reservations over the phone. That's what I did w/ Hasbro MP10 Optimus Prime.

[Sinnertwin]

So, Sammy the Scalper for example, can ring 5 of his nearest stores, reserve the toys he wants, in this case lets say only one of each MP and then collect them within 48 hours? 10 toys. Awesome.

[jazzcomp]

Uhh, yeah, that's precisely what I was talking about. Calling your nearest branch and making reservations over the phone. That's what I did w/ Hasbro MP10 Optimus Prime.
Dialling is priority over physical appearance at the store? :confused:

So, Sammy the Scalper for example, can ring 5 of his nearest stores, reserve the toys he wants, in this case lets say only one of each MP and then collect them within 48 hours? 10 toys. Awesome.
Yup, awesome indeed ;)

[AJ_Prime]

I would say from the number of enquiries TRU have had about this item they will hopefully order sufficient stock. Further, even if they do hold stock for callers they still need to have some out for display. My suggestion would be for every board member who is interested in the item to contact TRU head office by email to ask about the item. Perhaps the more people who contact them, the greater chance the right people there will realise just how popular this item is and they will increase their order accordingly. It's worth a shot I reckon.

[GoktimusPrime]

Dialling is priority over physical appearance at the store? :confused:
I don't know which store has the toy in stock. Would you have me physically drive to every TRU branch in Sydney just to physically check if the toy is in stock, and if so purchase it? Maybe if I were a single employed person without work or family obligations I could spend all my time and fuel money doing that, sure. :rolleyes:

On the day that I reserved Optimus Prime I was actually at work. At exactly 09:00 I called TRU and reserved the toy. Then later on in the day I went into TRU on my break time to pick up the toy.


So, Sammy the Scalper for example, can ring 5 of his nearest stores, reserve the toys he wants, in this case lets say only one of each MP and then collect them within 48 hours? 10 toys. Awesome.
Unfortunately it seems that way. :( Of course, the best way to drive scalpers out of business is for collectors to NOT buy their toys. Yes it's an utterly despicable practice, but it's one that collectors are perpetuating every time someone goes and pays some inflated price for a current/recent toy. :rolleyes:

We could make suggestions on how TRU could try to prevent scalping, but it would only ever be a band aid solution. The only real solution lies in our hands and the way we vote with our wallets.

[drifand]

Just do what you can I guess.

[SuspectimusPrime]

I would say from the number of enquiries TRU have had about this item they will hopefully order sufficient stock. Further, even if they do hold stock for callers they still need to have some out for display. My suggestion would be for every board member who is interested in the item to contact TRU head office by email to ask about the item. Perhaps the more people who contact them, the greater chance the right people there will realise just how popular this item is and they will increase their order accordingly. It's worth a shot I reckon.

That's a good way of gauging demand for their high end lines. Even if not every enquiry converts to a purchase, I'm sure they've had enough data to see some sort of consistency or a ratio between the number of enquiries vs purchases. If they started a membership or loyalty program, this would allow them to collect more complex market data that may give them an idea of exactly how many adult collectors there are out there.

It seems like they have been very risk adverse in their ordering of MP toys - the more expensive a toy is, they simply order less of it.

[canofwhoopass_87]

I would say from the number of enquiries TRU have had about this item they will hopefully order sufficient stock. Further, even if they do hold stock for callers they still need to have some out for display. My suggestion would be for every board member who is interested in the item to contact TRU head office by email to ask about the item. Perhaps the more people who contact them, the greater chance the right people there will realise just how popular this item is and they will increase their order accordingly. It's worth a shot I reckon.

I seriously doubt it. Just be patient. Hassling TRU customer service (even more than they already are) about these MP's is just gonna give the collectors a bad rep and not much else.

[jazzcomp]

I don't know which store has the toy in stock. Would you have me physically drive to every TRU branch in Sydney just to physically check if the toy is in stock, and if so purchase it? Maybe if I were a single employed person without work or family obligations I could spend all my time and fuel money doing that, sure. :rolleyes:

On the day that I reserved Optimus Prime I was actually at work. At exactly 09:00 I called TRU and reserved the toy. Then later on in the day I went into TRU on my break time to pick up the toy.

I know we had this debate before. But if an item/toy is "really" wanted, people line up, take a leave from work or ask a "very good friend" who is available to buy it for you.

Of course, you can call and find out how many are available, choose to drive if you think there'll be some left when you arrive there. I call and ask how many they have and drove there, unfortunately, everyone else reserved over the phone and the fact that I arrived there before any of the callers doesn't make a difference. Even if I have the money before everyone else. :confused:

I did call to buy from Toyworld because there weren't any Toyworlds in NSW.
Also did the same to a Melbourne store who had the items I wanted that I couldn't get hold of in NSW. I paid thru bank deposit/transfer. Once payment was confirmed, they shipped the item to me. This I can understand since payment was done. But none of those who reserved had actually paid for their MP-10s.

Unfortunately, this is the reality with limited and high demand items. :eek:

[jazzcomp]

At US TRU, Buy 1 Get 1 50% off on Transformers (Exclusions apply)** :)

[Ae-Evolution]

At US TRU, Buy 1 Get 1 50% off on Transformers (Exclusions apply)** :)

For example, Metroplex is limited to one per customer :/

[nexusnixx]

But buying from robot kingdom will it be encouraging these retailers to sell higher. After all it retails at $119USD but they are selling at USD$199

[kup]

But buying from robot kingdom will it be encouraging these retailers to sell higher. After all it retails at $119USD but they are selling at USD$199

That may not be scalping but it is price gauging.

[kaiden]

yeah RK are notorious for price gouging. I've always hated that practice from online retailers.

[GoktimusPrime]

I'd have no problem w/ a 1 toy per customer policy.


I know we had this debate before. But if an item/toy is "really" wanted, people line up, take a leave from work or ask a "very good friend" who is available to buy it for you.
Take leave from work to buy a toy... yeah... that's totally not unprofessional at all. </sarcasm> :rolleyes: And if I can get a toy myself I'd rather do that before imposing myself on others.


Of course, you can call and find out how many are available, choose to drive if you think there'll be some left when you arrive there. I call and ask how many they have and drove there, unfortunately, everyone else reserved over the phone and the fact that I arrived there before any of the callers doesn't make a difference. Even if I have the money before everyone else. :confused:
Here's what happened. On the day Optimus Prime came out I called TRU Parramatta to see if they had any in stock. In the few minutes it took for them to check the stock, the toy was sold out. Forget the time it took to get there, the toy was sold out within the duration of one phone call! So the next day I wasn't going to take that chance again so I called TRU Castle Hill and got them to reserve it.

Also, understand that after work I have to pick up my daughter from preschool. Do you seriously expect me to drag a tired and hungry preschooler all around Sydney to every TRU branch in a mad dash to catch each one before they closed just in an effort to get one toy before they close?? By time I got home it'd be past her bed time, and she wouldn't have even had dinner yet. Like I said, I have both work and family obligations... so being able to make a phone reservation makes things much easier for me.

And I totally fail to see what your ethical objection is in the first place. It's a matter of first come first serve. What does it matter if the person who beat you got the toy over the phone or got the toy off the shelf? Either way, someone else got to that toy before you did. Nobody's stopping you from making a phone reservation too when you call ahead. If you choose not to then you choose to accept the risk that the toy may not be there by time you get there. My personal obligations don't afford me the time to take such a risk, so I'd rather make the reservation.

Let me put it this way... if I took your suggestion I could chuck a sickie and go to the shop at 9am and buy the toy straight away. Or I could still go to work and call at 9am and reserve the toy. Either way I would still get the toy at 09:00. The end result is the same, so what difference does it make??? I find the idea of taking a paid day off work (and lying to your employer about being sick when you're not) just to buy a toy to be much more ethically questionable than reserving a toy over the phone (which I fail to see the ethical objection to).


Unfortunately, this is the reality with limited and high demand items. :eek:
^Precisely. This is not something I would normally do. In fact, MP Optimus Prime is the only time I've ever done it, and I might do it for MP Acid Storm too.

99.99999999% of the time I buy what I can find on shelves when I physically go into stores. Which I already do spend a lot of time doing since, as you know, I really do not like shopping online.

[Kazza]

I'm pretty certain they won't do any kind of phone reservation for MP Soundwave and Acid Storm. When Optimus prime was in stock at northlands, i rang at 9am and asked for a reservation and that i'll be 45mins away before i can pick it up and they informed me that no reservations can be made. Might just be the northland TRU. Luckily i did get my hands on one from that TRU.

[jazzcomp]

Take leave from work to buy a toy... yeah... that's totally not unprofessional at all. </sarcasm> :rolleyes: And if I can get a toy myself I'd rather do that before imposing myself on others.
Yeah, professionalism is required for buying toys :rolleyes:


Also, understand that after work I have to pick up my daughter from preschool. Like I said, I have both work and family obligations... so being able to make a phone reservation makes things much easier for me.
My personal obligations don't afford me the time to take such a risk, I'd so I'd rather make the reservation.
Our individual situations do not provide an excuse to buying any item.


And I totally fail to see what your ethical objection is in the first place. It's a matter of first come first serve. What does it matter if the person who beat you got the toy over the phone or got the toy off the shelf?Either way, someone else got to that toy before you did. Nobody's stopping you from making a phone reservation too when you call ahead. If you choose not to then you choose to accept the risk that the toy may not be there by time you get there.
First call doesn't equal first come. That's how simple it is.


Let me put it this way... if I took your suggestion I could chuck a sickie and go to the shop at 9am and buy the toy straight away. Or I could still go to work and call at 9am and reserve the toy. Either way I would still get the toy at 09:00. The end result is the same, so what difference does it make??? I find the idea of taking a paid day off work (and lying to your employer about being sick when you're not) just to buy a toy to be much more ethically questionable than reserving a toy over the phone (which I fail to see the ethical objection to).
Who says ethics is involved? The end result is the same but the effort isn't the same.


^Precisely. This is not something I would normally do. In fact, MP Optimus Prime is the only time I've ever done it, and I might do it for MP Acid Storm too.

99.99999999% of the time I buy what I can find on shelves when I physically go into stores. Which I already do spend a lot of time doing since, as you know, I really do not like shopping online.
This is what people do - sample pics below
http://ggurls.com/images/stories/line-for-jordans.jpg
http://static0.demotix.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/a_scale_large/1600-4/photos/1606114.jpg
http://foundryintheforest.files.wordpress.com/2012/02/imag0458.jpg

I know it's not a concept you are familiar with. :eek:

If you really wanted something, you go to great lengths to acquire it or pay the premium. This is what scalpers hope for. They make the effort so that you will pay for the premium because you can't afford a sickie or can't be bothered to exert that extra effort because of personal circumstances.

[XMan]

I have to say I agree with jazzcomp.

I think if they're confident the toy will sell, there is no need for reservations.

I find it highly unfair for someone to reserve one over the phone only to come in at their leisure days later when it's convenient for them to do so, over someone who has made time to be there present in the store ready to buy immediately.

I can understand what you mean GoktimusPrime, as you intended to be there on same the day as you made the reservation, but you'd be the minority.

It should always be first 'in' best served, not first call imho.

[drifand]

I will do what ever it takes to get one, whether is reserve by phone or at the store if they don't reserve.

Will solve all issues if they brought in enough.

[Trent]

Yeah, professionalism is required for buying toys :rolleyes:

Remind me never to give you a job:rolleyes:



Our individual situations do not provide an excuse to buying any item.

No, but they do dictate the circumstances under which you can buy said item. And besides, no excuse is needed. What would you do in his situation? Just resign yourself to the fact that you're probably gonna miss out? No, I think you'd be making phonecalls ;)



Who says ethics is involved? The end result is the same but the effort isn't the same.

Because you put more effort into obtaining an item, then you are more entitled to it? You must HATE people that buy online then:rolleyes:

Oh and many people do actually try to live their everyday lives as ethically as they can. While you may be comfortable lying to your employer and having a day off to buy a toy (which technically is fraud. And most companies if they catch you out will treat it as such), you can't expect everyone else to be the same.



This is what people do - sample pics below
http://ggurls.com/images/stories/line-for-jordans.jpg
http://static0.demotix.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/a_scale_large/1600-4/photos/1606114.jpg
http://foundryintheforest.files.wordpress.com/2012/02/imag0458.jpg

I know it's not a concept you are familiar with. :eek:

Pffft. Screw that for a joke. Anyone that would rather line up like that for god knows how long rather than make a few phonecalls has got rocks in their head. Plain and simple.


If you really wanted something, you go to great lengths to acquire it or pay the premium. This is what scalpers hope for. They make the effort so that you will pay for the premium because you can't afford a sickie or can't be bothered to exert that extra effort because of personal circumstances.

No, you don't have to go to great lengths. Have you ever heard the expression "work smarter, not harder"? Well this is a perfect example. Making a phonecall is defeinately smarter than driving all around the region burning time and petrol.


I have to say I agree with jazzcomp.

I think if they're confident the toy will sell, there is no need for reservations.

I find it highly unfair for someone to reserve one over the phone only to come in at their leisure days later when it's convenient for them to do so, over someone who has made time to be there present in the store ready to buy immediately.

I can understand what you mean GoktimusPrime, as you intended to be there on same the day as you made the reservation, but you'd be the minority.

It should always be first 'in' best served, not first call imho.

But it has nothing to do with how confident they are that an item will sell. It's about convenience and customer service. And how is it unfair when that exact same service is available to everyone? And they generally only hold for 48 hours anyway. So if they don't rock up to collect it, thenit's back on the shelf.



Here's a question: have either of you ever rang up and made a reservation for dinner at a restaurant? Or do you simply rock up and hope for a seat? Because that is EXACTLY the same thing.;)

[Seraphim Prime]

Yeah, professionalism is required for buying toys :rolleyes:

No. But professionalism is required when working a full time professional job.


Our individual situations do not provide an excuse to buying any item.

First call doesn't equal first come. That's how simple it is.

This is what people do - sample pics below
http://ggurls.com/images/stories/line-for-jordans.jpg
http://static0.demotix.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/a_scale_large/1600-4/photos/1606114.jpg
http://foundryintheforest.files.wordpress.com/2012/02/imag0458.jpg

I know it's not a concept you are familiar with. :eek:

These cases above are all instances of items that are made available at a particular date and time, like a book launch or game launch. If an item is advertised as a limited run item, available on a particular date at a particular date and time, with a public no reservations policy, then that's the rules we play by.

The Masterpiece are a more general release item (although limited in it's production run). We don't have a specified release date, so I personally am not going to take a week or so off work in the chance that a toy might turn up.

If I ring a store and offer to definitely come in later if they are willing to hold it for me, then it's up to them if they're willing to do it. If they say yes, great. If they say no, then them's the breaks.



If you really wanted something, you go to great lengths to acquire it or pay the premium. This is what scalpers hope for. They make the effort so that you will pay for the premium because you can't afford a sickie or can't be bothered to exert that extra effort because of personal circumstances.
Scalpers are not a service to collectors as you want to claim. They're opportunistic scum who bu up large number of limited quantity items to drive down supply, drive up demand, and make personal profit from deny items to others.

[Sky Shadow]

I can't believe a thread in which all the relevant information is in the first post is nearly up to 500 replies.

[serialmonkey]

and the only reason we are all following still is in fear we will miss a crucial post about the release hidden in the middle of the ethics debate ;-)

[Bidoofdude]

you gotta be kidding right? I am pretty sure you just squashed my chances of grabbing one as people will buy them all at those prices?

More on Soundwave was my concern.

These are Aussie prices, which are quite the norm now. Considering Soundwave has the cassettes and various other accesories, he's on about the same price point as TRU Prime. ;)

[Sky Shadow]

and the only reason we are all following still is in fear we will miss a crucial post about the release hidden in the middle of the ethics debate ;-)

Spingler: i live on mars so can someone get one for me?
Fishywish: No - you should only buy for yourself!
HorseMagnus: I don't have a job so I will buy a million!
JOHN: Masterpiece Soundwave is out at TRU.
ilIKErOBOTS: We should be able to fone up for toyz!
ToiletPrime: No - you has to be at the shop!
TREE1: So, when do they come out?
JOHN: Dudes, the Masterpieces are at Toys R Us right now.
Fishywish: People should have to show their passports to buy Transformers.
ilIKErOBOTS: Layby is gud to.
TREE1: How many of the Masterpices Soundwaves are going to be sold?
JOHN: Whatever. They've all sold out now.
ilIKErOBOTS: :eek:
TREE1: :confused:
Fishywish: :(
ToiletPrime: :mad:
Spingler: :rolleyes:
HorseMagnus: ...
ScalperBot: Hellooo... :cool:

[jazzcomp]

Remind me never to give you a job:rolleyes:
If you made a total judgement about my work ethic based on one post then I don't think I need to :rolleyes:

No, but they do dictate the circumstances under which you can buy said item. And besides, no excuse is needed. What would you do in his situation? Just resign yourself to the fact that you're probably gonna miss out? No, I think you'd be making phonecalls ;)
In his situation, go there on his break (which he did), buy online, ask a friend or fellow collector who can, ebay, gumtree, others.

Because you put more effort into obtaining an item, then you are more entitled to it? You must HATE people that buy online then:rolleyes:
I just go by the principle "first come, first serve". No, I don't HATE online buyers. :confused:

Oh and many people do actually try to live their everyday lives as ethically as they can. While you may be comfortable lying to your employer and having a day off to buy a toy (which technically is fraud. And most companies if they catch you out will treat it as such), you can't expect everyone else to be the same.
You know the release date. You can always file vacation leave instead of a sickie. For the record, I have in reality have used only a few sickies and those are for when I was sick or when my kid is sick. I have "ethically" used my leaves. I'm just saying that if you consider it an "emergency" then you can use it as a last resort.

The ethics I was referring to in my post was calling to reserve vs going to the store (now if you took a leave whether vacation/sickie - that's your own personal call). I think this is where things got lost in translation.

Pffft. Screw that for a joke. Anyone that would rather line up like that for god knows how long rather than make a few phonecalls has got rocks in their head. Plain and simple.
I see you don't get the point I'm trying to make. But that's fine. If that happens, I will resign myself that I won't be able to get it @ the store. Now if you were the one selling and you see the line outside and someone called for a reservation. Who would you give preference to?

As simple as that sounds, it makes it even simpler for scalpers.

No, you don't have to go to great lengths. Have you ever heard the expression "work smarter, not harder"? Well this is a perfect example. Making a phonecall is defeinately smarter than driving all around the region burning time and petrol.
A phone call to check if they have stock, yes I'll do that as to not waste my time & petrol going to a store with little or no stock. But I would make the effort of a long drive because that's the only store with stock left. But having a priority reservation system thru phone calls?

Here's a question: have either of you ever rang up and made a reservation for dinner at a restaurant? Or do you simply rock up and hope for a seat? Because that is EXACTLY the same thing.;)
Not really the same thing. Dinner reservations have a smaller window to guarantee the dinner sale/service. If you do rock up, you are waiting for a specific amount of time to eat. Also, if it's fully booked then just leave and find somewhere else to eat. ;)
And the food you want to have at that restaurant can "always" be eaten at a later date. I hope you can see the difference.

FYI - here is the official word from Toys R Us.

Toys"R"Us Australia does not offer a reservation service.
Now, if it is officially a phone reservation system - then I'd do the same and just call when the stores open. Or however number of days before stock is released for sale if they allow it?

[Bidoofdude]

I don't know which store has the toy in stock. Would you have me physically drive to every TRU branch in Sydney just to physically check if the toy is in stock, and if so purchase it? Maybe if I were a single employed person without work or family obligations I could spend all my time and fuel money doing that, sure. :rolleyes:

On the day that I reserved Optimus Prime I was actually at work. At exactly 09:00 I called TRU and reserved the toy. Then later on in the day I went into TRU on my break time to pick up the toy.


Unfortunately it seems that way. :( Of course, the best way to drive scalpers out of business is for collectors to NOT buy their toys. Yes it's an utterly despicable practice, but it's one that collectors are perpetuating every time someone goes and pays some inflated price for a current/recent toy. :rolleyes:

We could make suggestions on how TRU could try to prevent scalping, but it would only ever be a band aid solution. The only real solution lies in our hands and the way we vote with our wallets.


This. If we don't feed them the inflated prices, they just lose money and they'd have to give up eventually. I truly hate how they act like the saviours of everyone and like they're helping people.

[jazzcomp]

No. But professionalism is required when working a full time professional job.Yes and we give more than just time on our professional jobs.

The Masterpiece are a more general release item (although limited in it's production run). We don't have a specified release date, so I personally am not going to take a week or so off work in the chance that a toy might turn up.No one's asking you that.

If I ring a store and offer to definitely come in later if they are willing to hold it for me, then it's up to them if they're willing to do it. If they say yes, great. If they say no, then them's the breaks.What if they say yes to the hold then sells it to another customer anyway? It's just the breaks. For some, the holds are considered guarantees that you will get ithe item though.

Scalpers are not a service to collectors as you want to claim. They're opportunistic scum who bu up large number of limited quantity items to drive down supply, drive up demand, and make personal profit from deny items to others. I think you misread my statement. I do not claim that. They feed on collectors' "great personal need/want".

[Defcon]

if it makes others happy I think Im going to pass on Acidstorm :D leaving one more available! For Soundwave, well if im lucky. If not i'll just buy a Takara one instead.

[serialmonkey]

If not i'll just buy a Takara one instead.

Is there anywhere with a decent comparison between the Takara (easily available now) and the Hasbro (which sounds like every TRU is going to be like a mini hunger games on release day, based on this thread) ?

Is it just that the Hasbro comes with all the cassettes ?

M

[Sinnertwin]

Is there anywhere with a decent comparison between the Takara (easily available now) and the Hasbro (which sounds like every TRU is going to be like a mini hunger games on release day, based on this thread) ?

Is it just that the Hasbro comes with all the cassettes ?

M

http://www.fullmetalhero.com/content/comparison-gallery-hasbro-takara-masterpiece-soundwave-7337/

[nexusnixx]

Subtle differences in both soundwaves. Hmmmm

[GoktimusPrime]

Yeah, professionalism is required for buying toys :rolleyes:
I'm talking about professionalism in my job. You know, that thing that I get paid to do. As Trent pointed out, it's an unethical form of fraud to take a sickie when you're not actually sick.


Our individual situations do not provide an excuse to buying any item.
So you would seriously have me pick up my daughter at say 16:00, then spend the rest of the evening (or into the night if it's a Thursday) driving all around Sydney looking for a single toy? Say if I call all the TRUs in Sydney and the only one that has the toy is TRU Campbelltown, which is a good 60km away from my daughter's preschool; it'd easily take 2 hours (or even more) to drive there in peak hour... then it's about 43km back home, so that's probably an 80 min trip. So include time to park and physically shop (and I can't walk that fast with a preschooler in tow, it would most definitely include toilet breaks) -- we're looking at a good four hours to purchase a toy. And I'm citing Campbelltown, because as I recall when I was doing the call around Campbelltown TRU was among the first to confirm that they had MP Optimus Prime in stock.

So I wouldn't get home until 20:00... well after dinner time, so my daughter would be crying because she's so hungry (or should I just buy her cheap and nasty junk food and waste my wife's home cooked meal?), and by time she's finished eating, bathing etc., she'd be in bed WAY past her bedtime. So arguably negligent parenting is an acceptable cost for possibly obtaining a toy? That's totally not self centred at all! I totally wouldn't get in trouble with the missus and be riddled with self guilt for doing that! Yeah! :rolleyes:


First call doesn't equal first come. That's how simple it is.
That's just being simplistic. Whether someone beats you to the toy via a phone reservation or physical pick up, either way someone beat you to that toy first! :rolleyes:


The end result is the same but the effort isn't the same.
The effort is different, but that's NOT to say that the effort is less and somehow less deserving or worthy than the other. You're saying that people who phone up to reserve aren't making the effort to drive in and pick up the toy straight away... but what about the effort of actually phoning all the branches to make the reservation in the first place? I spent HOURS calling branches and being put on hold just to reserve one toy!


If you really wanted something, you go to great lengths to acquire it or pay the premium. This is what scalpers hope for. They make the effort so that you will pay for the premium because you can't afford a sickie or can't be bothered to exert that extra effort because of personal circumstances.
It's not that I can't afford to take a sickie. I have VERY generous amount of sick days that I can take... but it's matter of professional integrity that I only take sick leave when I'm SICK. That's why it's called sick leave! It's also incredibly unfair to my students when I take days off school too because it does interrupt their education.


In his situation, go there on his break (which he did), buy online, ask a friend or fellow collector who can, ebay, gumtree, others.
I really don't like online shopping and I only resort to it if I can't find the toy in a local store. I do ask friends/fellow collectors if I can't find the toy myself in local stores (otherwise I don't like to imposition other people if I can find the toy myself -- also it means I can open the toy faster if I can get it myself!). I refuse to use eBay, and I don't even know what gumtree is... aside from that thing that koalas live in. :o


I just go by the principle "first come, first serve".
Good for you. But that's YOUR principle... not mine.

I personally have a principle of NOT paying above retail prices for toys, and it's something I very strongly stand by. But it's MY personal principle... I know that it's one that I espouse frequently, but I always phrase it as something like, "I personally don't like paying above RRP for any toy." <--- it's a descriptive NOT prescriptive statement. Prescriptive statements sound preachy and feels like you're trying to impose your values on other people, whereas a descriptive statement is just that, describing something (but without necessarily prescribing it on others).

I personally don't agree with paying above RRP for toys, but I'm not going to stop or actively berate others for doing so (otherwise I reckon I'd be a LOT more active on the G1 Acquisitions Thread (and probably end up irritating a lot of the regular posters there)! ;))

You personally don't believe in phone reservations. Fine. So you go ahead and not do it then. I personally don't have an issue with it, so I'll do it if I feel the need to. I personally don't subscribe to online shopping (much) or paying above RRP, so I don't do it... but if others wanna do it, then good for them; I'm not going to try and stop them (it's their money).


You know the release date. You can always file vacation leave instead of a sickie.
While I do have an abundant amount of holiday leave, due to the nature of my occupation I can't change when they occur.


For the record, I have in reality have used only a few sickies and those are for when I was sick or when my kid is sick. I have "ethically" used my leaves. I'm just saying that if you consider it an "emergency" then you can use it as a last resort.
Buying a toy isn't an emergency to me.


If that happens, I will resign myself that I won't be able to get it @ the store.
Or you could just make a phone reservation yourself. But if you don't want to do that, then you have to accept the risk that you might not find the toy when you get there.

I accept certain risks with some of my personal policies.
e.g. buying toys at RRP when they come out. A lot of the time it saves me money because it's cheaper than paying inflated aftermarket prices, but sometimes it works the other way around when the toy gets cheaper later too. And I'm sure I would've completed my G1 collection a lot sooner if I used eBay, but I won't... so I've accepted that it'll take a jolly long time to complete my G1 collection (if ever). But that's okay because most of the toys that I really wanted to get I bought during the 1980s/90s when the toys where on shelves, and my Hasbro G1 collection is about 90% complete. The remaining 10% is pretty much "left over" stuff that didn't interest me at the time, so I'm content to take my time in collecting them. There's some figures like the Action Master Elites which I'll never get, but that's alright because they're crap toys anyway. :rolleyes:


Now if you were the one selling and you see the line outside and someone called for a reservation. Who would you give preference to?
I would give preference to whoever I was serving FIRST. It could be whoever physically got to my station first, or whoever calls me first - doesn't matter. It'd still be first come first serve, regardless of HOW they became first. Unless there's a store policy that explicitly directs me to favour one method over the other, I'm not going to favour one over the other... that would be unprofessional.

[serialmonkey]

Subtle differences in both soundwaves. Hmmmm
Very, very subtle. So I assume the only reason people are going crazy over a local TRU release is that it should be cheaper than importing the Takara plus the extra cassettes.

[Sinnertwin]

Very, very subtle. So I assume the only reason people are going crazy over a local TRU release is that it should be cheaper than importing the Takara. No insanely cheaper based on BBTS current pricing though (especially if you have a PoL the size of a shipping container at the moment)

The Hasbro version gives you Soundwave and 5 cassettes in one convenient package for $150.
To get the Takara equivalent you'll need to purchase Soundwave + Ravage & Rumble set + Frenzy & Buzzsaw set... Each sold seperately ;)

[serialmonkey]

The Hasbro version gives you Soundwave and 5 cassettes in one convenient package for $150.
To get the Takara equivalent you'll need to purchase Soundwave + Ravage & Rumble set + Frenzy & Buzzsaw set... Each sold seperately ;)

Yeah, sorry, edited my post after remembering the extra cassettes ;-) Obviously not quick enough !

[jazzcomp]

I'm talking about professionalism in my job. You know, that thing that I get paid to do. As Trent pointed out, it's an unethical form of fraud to take a sickie when you're not actually sick.
I think words were shoved in and misinterpreted. I proposed to take a leave. It's up to you whether you want to use a sickie or a vacation or if you are allowed some leeway to start work late and finish late, then that's fine too.

So you would seriously have me pick up my daughter at say 16:00, then spend the rest of the evening (or into the night if it's a Thursday) ....snipped... That's totally not self centred at all! I totally wouldn't get in trouble with the missus and be riddled with self guilt for doing that! Yeah! :rolleyes:
It's all up to you. It's your call what you want to do and what you want to prioritize. You can wait till the weekend to buy it. ;) Now if we have to weigh personal circumstance, then I'd totally allow you to have that reservation.

That's just being simplistic. Whether someone beats you to the toy via a phone reservation or physical pick up, either way someone beat you to that toy first! :rolleyes:
Your view and my view are different. I don't think someone else beat you to it when they haven't paid. Also, the phone reservation helps scalpers as well.

The effort is different, but that's NOT to say that the effort is less and somehow less deserving or worthy than the other. You're saying that people who phone up to reserve aren't making the effort to drive in and pick up the toy straight away... but what about the effort of actually phoning all the branches to make the reservation in the first place? I spent HOURS calling branches and being put on hold just to reserve one toy!It's not about who is less or more deserving. It's just who is there at the store at the time the toys are available for sale.

Good for you. But that's YOUR principle... not mine. You personally don't believe in phone reservations. Fine. So you go ahead and not do it then. I personally don't have an issue with it, so I'll do it if I feel the need to.
It's not about believing or principle. TRU Australia doesn't have a phone reservation policy. Even if the staff are doing it, they actually aren't allowed to take/make that reservation.

I can also argue for using work time to call for reservation. But I assume most don't think it's a big deal. It all depends on the kind of work you do. Like if you were a 000 operator or some customer service rep then I assume that unless it was your break that you aren't allowed to make personal calls.

It's actually more convenient to call and reserve. Then it'll just be a battle of dialling and who gets lucky when staff answers the phone. If you called and waited and got on hold on a store with no stock and other people called other stores and reserved, then it's just unlucky then. Or if you have meetings at the time the store opens, then you can't make the call and miss out as well.

When you come to the store and buy and the staff say it's sold out. It's not really sold out. Everyone just reserved ahead of you. Now if those who called actually paid thru bank deposit/credit card or some method then it is actually sold out.

Or you could just make a phone reservation yourself....
I meant if there was a long line, I know that my chances are almost nil.
I will definitely call this time and make a reservation. It requires the least amount of effort with the same result. Now if they sell the stock because of the no reservation policy, then I will just vent that someone else got my toy that I reserved.

Buying a toy isn't an emergency to me. Then you can wait and don't need to buy it at the day it's available for sale.;)

I would give preference to whoever I was serving FIRST. It could be whoever physically got to my station first, or whoever calls me first - doesn't matter. It'd still be first come first serve, regardless of HOW they became first. Unless there's a store policy that explicitly directs me to favour one method over the other, I'm not going to favour one over the other... that would be unprofessional.
You wouldn't have a chance to prioritize calls when there are customers waiting in line. I would even argue as to why you should answer the call.

Yes, there is no policy for phone reservation. Meaning it shouldn't be allowed though it's not enforced.

[nexusnixx]

Back to the topic about TRU sound wave and acid storm, interesting how the branding stamp is also different. Reckon it's the same mould or different?

P.S let's keep this about the toy in mind for discussion, enough of long thesis about other things.

[Starscream77]

Back to the topic about TRU sound wave and acid storm, interesting how the branding stamp is also different. Reckon it's the same mould or different?

P.S let's keep this about the toy in mind for discussion, enough of long thesis about other things.

Agree, if you guys want to debate acquiring toys and ethics please start another thread elsewhere as this is not helping anyone here.

[UltraMarginal]

I can't believe a thread in which all the relevant information is in the first post is nearly up to 500 replies.

HAHA, I've been smiling at that for a couple weeks now.


Back to the topic about TRU sound wave and acid storm, interesting how the branding stamp is also different. Reckon it's the same mould or different?

P.S let's keep this about the toy in mind for discussion, enough of long thesis about other things.

i'd suggest (just a guess) that the branding plate can be swapped out of the mold. or that part of the mold is interchangeable.

[nexusnixx]

do notice the blue on Rumble is darker too.... someone must have decided to add a little more "black" ink.. ha ha ha...

other than that... besides the screws visble and the manufacturer stamp... nothing else is different..... so why is Hasbro able to do it at a cheaper price, considering its the "same" different toy

[GoktimusPrime]

Because they're not needlessly marking up the price like TakaraTOMY has been doing. (-_-) The old Masterpieces were better value IMO; relatively cheaper for what they were.

The first price hike I noticed was in November 2008 with MP07 Thundercracker; a toy that retailed at 10500JPY ($116) whereas MP Starscream and Skywarp sold for 10290JPY ($113) each. The weakened Aussie Dollar in latter 2008 (post Lehmann Bros. collapse GFC) made it even more painful. :( After that we just saw the price of Masterpieces skyrocket...
+ MP-8 Grimlock = 13650JPY ($150); the Hasbro version ended up costing the same, but at least you didn't have to pay for postage on top of it
+ MP-9 Rodimus Convoy sold for 17640JPY ($194); I saw this toy in a store when I was overseas, so I had the chance to buy it without needing to pay for shipping, but even then I still couldn't justify paying that price. I later learnt of this toy's quality control/manufacturing issues. :/
+ MP10 Convoy = 22000JPY ($242). Yes, it has much nicer colours than the Hasbro version, but not $90+ nice IMHO! :o
+ MP-11 Starscream & MP Sunstorm = 13650JPY ($150) each. What a massive hike in price. The retooling and addition of crown and cape aren't worth paying an additional 3650JPY ($40) for! (IMHO) :eek: Hasbro's MP Acid Storm is set to be $50 cheaper!
+ MP-12/14 Lambor/Alert = 6000JPY ($66). For such a small toy (and especially with the dodgy shoulders) - totally not worth it. I'm glad I got preorder discount on my Lambor (paid about $50).
+ MP-13 Soundwave = 16000JPY ($176). Hasbro's version's gonna be cheaper than this, and it has ALL the Cassettes! The Cassettes cost 4400JPY ($48) each, so in total getting the TakTOM version of Soundwave and all the Cassettes at RRP costs 20840JPY ($230); so anyone getting the local version here will be saving $80 off the Japanese RRP (and that's not even including postage costs).

We pretty much saw a slight increase in the price of MPs in Japan in Nov. 2008, then we saw a much more significant jump in the cost of MPs since 2009. Then in 2011 we saw a new smaller scale kick in with continuing high prices! :rolleyes:

[Nevac]

Is MP Soundwave's head on a small ball joint that easily comes off? Reason I ask is I have MP Soundwave but for some reason they had to make his insignia slightly off center on mine so there is more white paint on the right of the insignia instead of being even on both sides. Love to get the Hasbro one and just switch the heads over provided they center his chest insignia properly on the one I get. The yellow eyes just don't do it for me, I guess I could paint them but I don't have any experience with it and I'm worried I'll botch it.

[GoktimusPrime]

If the insignia application is that poorly done, perhaps you could contact your seller to get an exchange or refund... or maybe they can source a spare part from TakaraTOMY for you. Also I think the blue on Hasbro's MP Soundwave is a slightly different shade than on TakTOM's (I think it's a bit brighter), so swapping heads might make it look out of place.

Here, I nabbed pics of TakTOM and HAS MP Soundwave off the net and put them together for comparison. You can see that the difference in the blues.
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y227/goktimusprime/Transformers/comparisons/mpsoundwave_headcompar_zps24a2415a.jpg

[Nevac]

Yeah too late to get an exchange now and back then they were sold out by the time I got mine so I didn't think to contact them. That and I wasn't sure if it warranted a replacement being a minor thing although it does bug me still. Shame about the colors being different how would I go about contacting Takara-Tomy for a replacement tape door?

https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/32139_10151752335618849_730596500_n.jpg

[GoktimusPrime]

On the back or bottom of any TakaraTOMY Transformer packaging are their customer call centre numbers. But be aware:
1/ TakaraTOMY only service toys that are purchased from their market (i.e. Japan). If you purchased your MP Soundwave from a retailer located outside of Japan then you'll need to contact that retailer who in turn can contact TakaraTOMY to source the part for you.
2/ TakaraTOMY customer call centre staff don't speak English, so you will need to be able to communicate in Japanese (either yourself or elicit the help of a Japanese speaking friend).

[nsm034]

bbts has Masterpiece Acid Storm $119.99 and soundwave for $200

[GoktimusPrime]

bbts has Masterpiece Acid Storm $119.99 and soundwave for $200
:rolleyes: Impatience tax much (esp. when you incl. postage). :o
I'll just wait for November and get Acid Storm for $99.99. ;)

[drifand]

kind of funny if everyone can't wait and you end up a surplus in Aust. Are we last to get these?

[1orion2many]

kind of funny if everyone can't wait and you end up a surplus in Aust. Are we last to get these?

Yes, Perth will be the last to get these:p:D. Originally slotted for an earlier release in Australia they pushed it back until November:rolleyes:. I actually hope we do end up with a surplus so I have a chance of getting one unlike the MP-10 fiasco:(

[crankcase76]

Just checked out TRU in Penrith for these two and an interesting thing showed up on the system, they still don't have them yet but they now have a shipping in movement ( SIM )on them. So does any one knows what this means?.:)

[Starscream77]

Just checked out TRU in Penrith for these two and an interesting thing showed up on the system, they still don't have them yet but they now have a shipping in movement ( SIM )on them. So does any one knows what this means?.:)

Don't know but it sounds like a good thing !

[1AZRAEL1]

I would imagine that it means they on the way. Keep on checking for me dude, get me one of each if you can :) :p

[Sinnertwin]

Just checked out TRU in Penrith for these two and an interesting thing showed up on the system, they still don't have them yet but they now have a shipping in movement ( SIM )on them. So does any one knows what this means?.:)

Stock is on it's way.

[crankcase76]

Stock is on it's way.

Sweet, I guess we just keep checking then.:) thanks Sinner.


I would imagine that it means they on the way. Keep on checking for me dude, get me one of each if you can :) :p

Will do AZ, will put a couple on hold and let you know.:)

[ILikeSoundwave]

They will probably be out a bit earlier that November, can't wait for both, been waiting for a local release of Soundwave since the Takara was announced.

[GoktimusPrime]

Both MPs were on the computer system at TRU Parramatta when I checked there 22 days ago (http://otca.com.au/boards/showpost.php?p=366321&postcount=425). It means that stock has been ordered, but _when_ they'll actually get the toys is anyone's guess.

So I'm expecting (hoping) that it'll be out in November. If it comes out a bit earlier then that's a bonus, but I'm not holding my breath for it.

[Sinnertwin]

Both MPs were on the computer system at TRU Parramatta when I checked there 22 days ago (http://otca.com.au/boards/showpost.php?p=366321&postcount=425). It means that stock has been ordered, but _when_ they'll actually get the toys is anyone's guess.

So I'm expecting (hoping) that it'll be out in November. If it comes out a bit earlier then that's a bonus, but I'm not holding my breath for it.

When you checked it last GP, the status would have been 'open order' -basically an order on file only. Now that it's moved to 'Shipping in Movement' -physical stock being processed/ transported, tracking it will be that little bit easier :)

[liegeprime]

Stock is on it's way.

well hopefully it is...Most of my friends in Philipines have been buying their Hasbro MP Acid storms and Soundwaves from the local hobby shops.... man wish our supply is enough for everyone. :(

[Sharky]

well hopefully it is...Most of my friends in Philipines have been buying their Hasbro MP Acid storms and Soundwaves from the local hobby shops.... man wish our supply is enough for everyone. :(

I hope so as well, i didnt buy the taktom version as i held off for the hasbro version now i wonder if i will miss out,

[tangy]

i'm going to the states next month - what are my chances of getting an MP off the shelf?