Another Hasbro America TFs promotion & prizes

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22nd September 2011, 01:57 PM
griffin

Another Hasbro America TFs promotion & prizes

The American fans are getting yet another promotion & competition.

We keep subsidising their Toy prices with over-inflated prices, and they keep getting all the free stuff (the Roll Out in Prime Style competition & buy $20 of toys for $20 worth of freebies, The free Kreon figure with any Online Store purchase until Nov 11th, The 16 weeks of DotM Prize draws from toys to a trip for 4 to see the Movie, The NEST mail-away Ravage promotion that was free to American fans, but we had to pay a premium for at TRU here... not to mention the occasional store exclusive/SDCC toys available only to Americans on the Hasbro Online Store - why can't they at least allow foreigners to buy those as it wouldn't be competing with the local branch's product).

This time its a National tour to promote Transformers, like the Sector 7 road tour that showed off the Scorponok Scene to Americans in the months leading up to TF1.

This particular road show looks like a travelling circus, with a big tent filled with interactive stations, photo-opportunities with a "life size" Optimus, and information on the new Prime cartoon, TF3 on DVD/Bluray and the Universal Studios Ride.
On top of that, there will also be on display the Bumblebee car and/or the Sideswipe car from the Movies.

Still not enough? How about some competitions as well...
Via their Facebook page, Americans can win a grand prize of being one of the first to try the Universal Studios Ride in 2012 valued at over $5,500, or one of 100 gift pack runner-up prizes.

Why can't Hasbro Australia ever have promotions like these, or even competitions or free stuff that the Americans keep getting showered with? We pay 2-3 times more than the Americans do for the same products, but they're the ones getting rewarded with all the free stuff from foreign profits.

Okay, enough of the ranting... the travelling show does look good though.
22nd September 2011, 02:29 PM
5FDP

As unfair as I think it is as well, it makes sense for Hasbro as a business when you consider the two markets. As a comparison, the US box office take for DOTM is just over 350 million compared to our 38 million dollar total. I know where I'd be investing my money in promotions.
22nd September 2011, 08:12 PM
bowspearer

I actually think what we need to do, and I've thought it for a while, is start shifting our buying power to buying from overseas. Get the fan community to spread hte word to the casual fans through things like fb, and actually orchestrate an international buying campaign and Hasbro Aust boycott.

Possibly even suggesting parents collectively buy from o/s as well. This could even be done with groups like SW fans in this country too.

The reason we get slugged so much is because Hasbro Aus act like they have a monopoly, and the best way to deal with a Monopoly is competition. People scream about the likes of Gerry Harvey, but Hasbro Aust is really not much better.

Who here thinks it's worth looking at doing?
23rd September 2011, 09:32 AM
Sutton

Quote:

Originally Posted by bowspearer

I actually think what we need to do, and I've thought it for a while, is start shifting our buying power to buying from overseas. Get the fan community to spread hte word to the casual fans through things like fb, and actually orchestrate an international buying campaign and Hasbro Aust boycott.

Possibly even suggesting parents collectively buy from o/s as well. This could even be done with groups like SW fans in this country too.

The reason we get slugged so much is because Hasbro Aus act like they have a monopoly, and the best way to deal with a Monopoly is competition. People scream about the likes of Gerry Harvey, but Hasbro Aust is really not much better.

Who here thinks it's worth looking at doing?

I already do. I'll tell anyone that'll listen how much cheaper it is to buy from overseas. Not just TF's but just about any popular toy. I'll talk to random parents of kids in the aisles at Kmart.

But I also make sure that they know to never, never, ever use USPS as the carrier. Not much of a saving if the order doesn't turn up in time for little Timmy's birthday.
23rd September 2011, 10:50 AM
Robzy

Quote:

Originally Posted by griffin

Why can't Hasbro Australia ever have promotions like these, or even competitions or free stuff that the Americans keep getting showered with? We pay 2-3 times more than the Americans do for the same products, but they're the ones getting rewarded with all the free stuff from foreign profits.

Because they don't care. We're a drop in the ocean compared to the US, and Hasbro Aus have demonstrated countless times (not just with the TF brand) that we don't factor. Also, Americans complain and demand alot... Aussies don't complain enough!

Quote:

Originally Posted by bowspearer

I actually think what we need to do, and I've thought it for a while, is start shifting our buying power to buying from overseas.

[snip]

The reason we get slugged so much is because Hasbro Aus act like they have a monopoly, and the best way to deal with a Monopoly is competition. People scream about the likes of Gerry Harvey, but Hasbro Aust is really not much better.

True!

I already buy most of my stuff online... it's cheaper, and generally arrives at my front door well before the same items even hit the stores here in Australia.

If we're gonna get treated like third-class customers, then I have no loyalty to them. Mattel is the same!
23rd September 2011, 08:04 PM
Demonac

Quote:

Originally Posted by bowspearer

The reason we get slugged so much is because Hasbro Aus act like they have a monopoly, and the best way to deal with a Monopoly is competition. People scream about the likes of Gerry Harvey, but Hasbro Aust is really not much better.

Hasbro have a monopoly on Transformers because they own the brand.
That's like saying Holden have a monopoly on the Commodore.
The reason we are charged so much is because people are willing to pay that much (although that could be on the verge of changing with the way these movie toys are still on the shelves).
24th September 2011, 12:21 AM
Robzy

Quote:

Originally Posted by Demonac

Hasbro have a monopoly on Transformers because they own the brand.
That's like saying Holden have a monopoly on the Commodore.

I think Bowspearer meant more from a Hasbro Aus Vs Hasbro US perspective. Hasbro Aus has held the balance of power because people haven't always had (or been aware of) an alternative way to get the same figures cheaper.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Demonac

The reason we are charged so much is because people are willing to pay that much (although that could be on the verge of changing with the way these movie toys are still on the shelves).

Well, up until the last few years many people probably haven't been aware of the ridiculously higher prices we pay in Aus for exactly the same items that people in the US pay for. Sometimes 2 or 3 times as much! It's the "we didn't know any better" scenario... but now, as with all things on the net, it's right in front of anyone who's willing to do 5 minutes of research.