Where do you normally buy your Transformers from?

[GoktimusPrime]

While I realise some people here may obtain Transformers from different sources, for the purposes of this poll please choose which is your most frequent source. :)

[SkyWarp91]

Primarily local stores for the retail therapy experience and on the OTCA boards!

[Oilspill]

for the retail therapy experience

Is that like shock therapy?

[Eruntalon]

I've bought 90% of my collection online. The other 10% is stores and everything else.

[SkyWarp91]

Is that like shock therapy?

More like get out of the house so that I'm walking around at least so my ma can't call me a lazy ass :)

[liegeprime]

hmmm, lets see now for ....

More latest Tfs of course - local stores, for G1 and older stuff its a mix of Online and the Parra fair, rarely local hobby shop if I find one or two items, not so older stuff (e.g. Unicron trilogy) from co members here ( i guess that could count as online as well:D) and Parra Fair. Accessories Id say online

So Id pretty much say Online (legit stores, ebay or co-members selling) would be 50%, Local stores ( including hobby shops) would be 30% and the remaining 20% - at the fair

[kaiden]

retail - for hasbro stuff on sale.

online - primarily buy from RK but where ever cheapest is best!

[Ode to a Grasshopper]

I went for 'online', 'cos these days it's mostly just from here with the occasional sale item from a store.

[5FDP]

Yeah, I'm an online shopper too :) I find it to be easier than driving all over the place. Also, it's pretty much the only way of purchasing G1 toys unless your lucky enough to find some at a market / fair / garage sale (but even then the condition is usually below what I would accept).

[LordCyrusOmega]

I usually buy from local stores but lately have been buying more from online sources.
Choice is i'd rather buy from stores. i like the process of see it online, hit the stores, get frustrated cause i can't find it, find it, buy it, love it. It's all about the hunt

[gantz]

I get mine


BBTS

My 2 local Comic Stores

And then retail, such as Target, K-Mart etc

[jaydisc]

If it's available domestically or expected to be, I always wait. However, I have very little interest in domestic releases, so online it is.

[Hursticon]

Why isn't there an 'All of The Above' option?
(I can't vote more than once? I use all sources... :()

I basically purchase from where ever I can afford to and depending on availability.

[Jay-Tron]

I'd say 70% to 95% of my buys are from local online shops because I'm so much into G1 and anything that looks similar. But I do on very rare occasions buy at Kmart, Target if I see something interesting. Since when I go shopping I like to have a look just to see what's there that I haven't seen online.

[GoktimusPrime]

Why isn't there an 'All of The Above' option?
(I can't vote more than once? I use all sources... :()

I basically purchase from where ever I can afford to and depending on availability.

The question is asking where do you predominantly buy your Transformers from. Many people use multiple sources but tend to have one preferred source.

For example, I'll use online stores like HLJ to purchase stuff that isn't available here. And if I happen to come across something at the Parramatta Fair, and if I can afford it, then I'll grab it. But that doesn't happen often. And sometimes I'll come across members here selling stuff that I'll buy through private sales - but again, it doesn't happen a lot. So I buy the overwhelming majority of my Transformers from local brick and mortar stores like Kmart, Target etc.

So just think about where do you _mostly_ buy your Transformers from. If you can honestly say it's a perfectly even split between all of the above, then click other. :p

[Hursticon]

The question is asking where do you predominantly buy your Transformers from. Many people use multiple sources but tend to have one preferred source.

Hmm... fair enough, that clarifies it a bit better, though being a bit of an opportunist buyer 'predominantly' is a matter of timing. :p:D


So just think about where do you _mostly_ buy your Transformers from. If you can honestly say it's a perfectly even split between all of the above, then click other. :p

Aww! I already chose Local Stores. :(

[VERT]

I like to go out and hunt in stores but they NEVER restock! So like today I find myself online and got a Gen Blur online posted for $30 and I did not have to burn petrol to do it :D

[Seraphim Prime]

I think the answer to this question is inextricably tied to what you are trying to collect.

As some have said, they are aiming to complete older collections, so online is going to be their predominant method of aquisition.

I'm on a uni student salary, so focus largely on recent releases. If I was smart, I'd buy all online to take advantage of the cheap dollar, however I don't have a credit card, so I buy from the brick & mortar stores.

[kaiden]

I think the answer to this question is inextricably tied to what you are trying to collect.

As some have said, they are aiming to complete older collections, so online is going to be their predominant method of aquisition.

I'm on a uni student salary, so focus largely on recent releases. If I was smart, I'd buy all online to take advantage of the cheap dollar, however I don't have a credit card, so I buy from the brick & mortar stores.

which is why you should get a debit card instead.

[gdmetro]

I only started collecting tfs this year, and the Aussie Dollar's been pretty good most of the year. Thus, majority of my purchases have been from online stores such as RK and Ebay. Add to the fact that I want mostly foreign or older releases so local stores are moot.

Whilst I have frequented stores like Kmart, Big W and TRU, the prices and most importantly STOCK available are not that great compared to online price including shipping or availability. They come to a similar cost, sometimes cheaper, depends on amount purchased and exchange rate.

The advantage is that you are able to see the fig and packaging, in hands and look for QC issues, and experience buying in person. For some, the hunt is also a huge part of the experience. It's also great when there are sales- which mostly mitigates the price diff between local and online.

However, buying online does have perks sometimes.
I remember Hasbro masterpiece Grimlock, including shipping was $40 less from RK compared to the local TRU price. Where to purchase was a no-brainer for me.

Don't even need to mention ghost starscream :rolleyes:

[snazzbot 101]

In terms of quantity - which this poll deals with - I have to say local stores.

I don't go on the Hunt as such - I'm more of an opportunist predator (plus I take public transport and I live in Melbourne: I may as well take my sleeping bag to the platform) but there is something more satisfying about making a physical purchase and having to wait until being home to open it. I regularly buy online and while there is that buzz of making a purchase and getting something I want, the impact doesn't seem to last as long.

[optimus1]

Interesting on how the results are pretty much even!

I get my Tfs from local shops, fairs and online (including the OTCA boards)

[GoktimusPrime]

I've been looking and looking and looking for nearly a month now and I cannot find Generations Soundwave or Dirge anywhere! :mad: :( This is giving me bad flashbacks to 1999 when Transmetal 2 Megatron and Tigerhawk were released here, but rare as hen's teeth. I remember hearing people sighting the toys, but I personally never found them myself! :( Fortunately Hasbro USA decided to give me both Ultra TM2s after I had a bit of a whinge... but I don't think I'll luck out a second time. As much as I much prefer buying toys from local stores, after what feels like an eternity of fruitless searching, I feel like I'm just getting really frustrated and I'm seriously tempted to just order these toys online.

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y227/goktimusprime/avatars/toyhunt_nosuccess.jpghttp://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y227/goktimusprime/avatars/jaam_pain.gif

[SkyWarp91]

I've been looking and looking and looking for nearly a month now and I cannot find Generations Soundwave or Dirge anywhere! :mad: :( This is giving me bad flashbacks to 1999 when Transmetal 2 Megatron and Tigerhawk were released here, but rare as hen's teeth. I remember hearing people sighting the toys, but I personally never found them myself! :( Fortunately Hasbro USA decided to give me both Ultra TM2s after I had a bit of a whinge... but I don't think I'll luck out a second time. As much as I much prefer buying toys from local stores, after what feels like an eternity of fruitless searching, I feel like I'm just getting really frustrated and I'm seriously tempted to just order these toys online.

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y227/goktimusprime/avatars/toyhunt_nosuccess.jpghttp://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y227/goktimusprime/avatars/jaam_pain.gif

+1

I will automatically shop in person over online as I know what I'm buying then and there. Only when I am buying older toys I will use the boards but I've never bought online before as A) I find the payment methods inconvenient for online shopping, B) Purchasing internationally causes unwarranted stress

I too can't find a Dirge and Blurr locally, though I've noticed that many of the stores I frequent are having their TF shelves clearing off toys at a fast rate and are yet to be restocked with newer toys. Fingers crossed the new toys will appear otherwise I'll end up having to use sites like RK.

[5FDP]

As much as I much prefer buying toys from local stores, after what feels like an eternity of fruitless searching, I feel like I'm just getting really frustrated and I'm seriously tempted to just order these toys online.
]

Couldn't agree more with you Gok. That's why I bought both Soundwave and Dirge online before they even became available here.

I have made the mistake of waiting for a mass local release too many times only to end up paying inflated prices down the track due to limited availability.

[Ryathalas]

Usually from the local shops,but online ebay and forums have worked in the past :),But when I see them at the shops I always buy them immediatley as I know now that in a couple of weeks there not going to be there.:mad:

[1AZRAEL1]

I've been looking and looking and looking for nearly a month now and I cannot find Generations Soundwave or Dirge anywhere! :mad: :( This is giving me bad flashbacks to 1999 when Transmetal 2 Megatron and Tigerhawk were released here, but rare as hen's teeth. I remember hearing people sighting the toys, but I personally never found them myself! :( Fortunately Hasbro USA decided to give me both Ultra TM2s after I had a bit of a whinge... but I don't think I'll luck out a second time. As much as I much prefer buying toys from local stores, after what feels like an eternity of fruitless searching, I feel like I'm just getting really frustrated and I'm seriously tempted to just order these toys online.

Gok, I will have a spare Soundwave at the fair, I will put him aside for you if you want.