Buying Advice - FOC Grimlock!

[orockwell]

Hey everyone - first time, long time;

I saw this at Seibertron, and damn near blew my gourd.

The preorder price seems to be all over the place: most for ~$60.

• Is the price likely to go down after release?
• Does limited stock tend to be an issue here?
• Where is the best (cheapest) place to buy from?

Also: any idea if the Hasbro version will get local-store release?

Thanks for reading, would really appreciate some help.

Cheers,

Owen

[GoktimusPrime]

I'm just gonna wait for a local release. Judging from pics and reviews, the toy doesn't seem importing at a premium price (if you can import it for a cheaper price, then sure).

[*]Is the price likely to go down after release?

If it gets released at Kmart, then there's a good chance they'll bring the price down. Also look out for sales, e.g. FoC Soundwave & Soundblaster sold for about $39 each at the last Target sale.

[*]Does limited stock tend to be an issue here?

If the local release is limited too, then obviously that'll make the toy harder to find. Sometimes toys that are hard to find in America are easier to find here, other times it's the other way around... I find it hard to predict.

[*]Where is the best (cheapest) place to buy from?

I find Kmart is often the cheapest outside of sales.

Also: any idea if the Hasbro version will get local-store release?

Most toys that America get are released in Australia. I'm personally just going to wait and see if a local release comes out and get it if it does. If you really really want this toy and you're not willing to "risk" Australia skipping this toy (which is always a possibility), then you might want to consider importing it. I'd personally try to find one for about $50 or less -- that way if you import it and the toy does come out here (and Voyagers typically sell for about $50), then at least you'll know that you paid about the same price anyway. The worse feeling for me is getting a toy at above RRP and then finding it for way less locally. Like one time I bought United Wheeljack for $37 because I spent months and months looking for a local Generations version... and a week after I got back to Australia I find Generations Wheeljack at my local Kmart for $23.

But it's up to you, dude.

[Bidoofdude]

Kmart would be the best for a local release as they seem to have slightly cheaper prices and quite a bit of availability.
For online, you can get it from Robot Kingdom shipped for around $40, if that suits.
$50 will be around the price here, but if you're lucky you might be able to get it for around $40 on sale at like Myer or Kmart.
Hope I helped.

[Paulbot]

Goktimus, I think Orockwell is after advice in the (better looking) Japanese version, not the Hasbro one.

It's not likely to drop in price afterwards as its a "hot" character with an in demand (better) colour scheme. Limited stock would only be a problem with buying from US based stores. If you go direct to Japanese based shops they wont sell out too quickly. Although the preorder still might. There will be plenty in Japanese stores soon and eBay might be a bet but again demand from overseas collectors might raise the price.

TinyJazz posted a few links to sites with preorders over here

If you do settle for the Hasbro version it should appear in shops but some members here might be able to help you track it down.

[BigTransformerTrev]

It's only $23.99 US here:

http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/p...62&mode=retail

[SuspectimusPrime]

For me, Hasbro version Grimlock but definitely Takara version for Ratbat (however, so far Ratbat has not been announced by Hasbro yet?).

[GoktimusPrime]

HLJ currently has TakTOM FOC Grimlock (TG-19) for pre-order with the earlybird price of 4160JPY ($43.96)
http://www.hlj.com/product/TKT48703

Amiami is a bit cheaper, but they're sold out atm. Amazon Japan also has it for pre-order discount, but it's about $5 dearer than HLJ (and you need to use a Japanese postal address). So yeah, HLJ's the best that I could find after a quick search ... I'm a highly inexperienced online shopper, so maybe someone else can find a better deal.

Amazon's listing the full RRP as 5460JPY ($57.70)! If anyone really wants the TakaraTOMY version of this toy, I'd highly recommend pre-ordering it at below RRP, or wait and see if you can find the toy on sale later. That RRP's a bit rich for my liking (and that's not even factoring postage cost).

[Tetsuwan Convoy]

Goktimus, I think Orockwell is after advice in the (better looking) Japanese version, not the Hasbro one.

Also: any idea if the Hasbro version will get local-store release?

Looks like he is ok with either.

I'd wait for a local release and grab it on special. It looks nice, but its a really bad toy and very disappointing. I don't even think that shiny gold would make it much better to be honest.

[orockwell]

Wow, I am stoked with the response here. Thank you all so much for the effort and detailed replies.

I was interested in Hasbro Grimlock's if it was cheap and readily available; 6 months is a long time time wait for Takara to catch up.

If I run into one, I may pick it up; but I'm definitely pre-ordering from www.hlj.com (big ups, GoktimusPrime!): The Red abdomen, silver tail/arms and darker head/legs really sold me on the Japanese release.

Thanks again all

[klystron]

...but its a really bad toy and very disappointing. I don't even think that shiny gold would make it much better to be honest.

+1
Personally I don't think I would bother.
Have a feeling this one will be popping up in 2nd hand sales all over the place...