Transformers questions by newbies, and not-so-newbies

[DELTAprime]

I've decided to pick up the Construct-Bots Optimus v Megatron, Bumblebee and Soundwave. How much are the local chains charging for them? I'd like to get them now but can wait if BBTS works out much cheaper.

[Cat]

Is it just Bumblebee, or are there others?

It'd be weird if it was just Bumblebee... unless they have more characters to come.

I hope it's worth $30, and not end up being some cheap, fragile thing (like a number of their other merchandise items I have).

You know, I didn't even think to ask in my excitement.

I was just going off the word of the guy from TFW, who said it was just Bee.

Well, I'll let everyone know what they're like when I receive mine, anyway. But I'm still amazed at their service, considering it took less than 12 hours from my initial enquiry, and it's not even an item that they carry on their website. I also had next to no info about it, other than the one blurry photo.

I seriously have not been able to locate anything else about this anywhere. I couldn't find anything on eBay.

I'm a bit annoyed at myself for not adding the nifty G1 stein to my order, but oh well. I'm just happy to have 'Bee.

I'm not expecting much from it, I just like the look of it.

It'll also be interesting to be able to see who the manufacturer is.

[griffin]

I didn't even know that Universal sold stuff online, or even to international buyers.
I never thought to look, as there was so much scalping of the Evac toy when it first came out... so just thought that buying things in person was the only way to get them.
(fortunately, they have a store outside the main gate at California Universal, so you don't even need to pay to get inside the park just to grab most of their items - or a friend on your behalf)

[Cat]

They actually have some decent looking stuff on their online store, and as happened with me, you can request items they sell but aren't listed online, and they'll still sell them, and ship internationally.

My experience with them has been great so far. Best service I've ever received with an online store, especially considering I didn't even know what the product was called, and it wasn't listed on the site.

[griffin]

I just tried to have a look... where are you buying it from?
I couldn't see any online store for Universal Studios, so is it a 3rd party dealer site?

Waitasec... I found the Florida park has an online store. Is that where you are ordering from? (the other three Universal Studios parks don't appear to have an online store)
If so, at least it gives keen people who can't get over there, a chance to buy up some of the exclusive merchandise (the really good stuff too).

[griffin]

Perhaps post up something in the Movie News section about the online store, if it is a smooth and affordable transaction for non-Americans.
There are so many items on there, and a number of them I'd like to recommend...

Their shipping rates aren't too bad either, as it is based on total spent, rather than weight... so if you can order over $200 worth of stuff, the shipping amount to Australia caps out at $70.
(unless the excessive profit margin is covering it, you'd think that there would be a limit to how much stuff you can order at once for that $70 shipping total)

Which means, if you want to get the replica cube for $225, it will cost US$295 with shipping, and anything else you buy won't cost anything extra in postage.
(just be aware of it being through FedEx though, so it has to be signed for - no POBox addresses)


If they pack well enough, and the stuff arrives in good condition, it would be worth offering to do a group order in your area first, just to see if anyone else is interested in ordering some stuff from the site. The more stuff you order, the less each person pays in postage.

[Cat]

I just tried to have a look... where are you buying it from?
I couldn't see any online store for Universal Studios, so is it a 3rd party dealer site?

Waitasec... I found the Florida park has an online store. Is that where you are ordering from? (the other three Universal Studios parks don't appear to have an online store)
If so, at least it gives keen people who can't get over there, a chance to buy up some of the exclusive merchandise (the really good stuff too).

That's the site, yes, Universal Orlando. It is their actual official online site, as I was put on hold at one stage during the card verification and the automated message was telling me all about the current events going on at the park (Blue Man Group, bizarrely enough) and then I was transferred to a different section in the park. And yes, the people I spoke with were in Florida, it wasn't a call centre.

I noticed it actually DOES mention that they will assist with items that aren't listed on the site but are carried instore. They were super-nice to deal with, and like I said, extremely efficient. The only thing was they needed to phone me to verify card details. I'm a night-owl so was up anyway. But they may be slightly inconvenient for some. Although the lady I spoke with did say that I didn't need to be up so late, that they would have worked something out. I then told her I was still awake anyway, so it wasn't a hassle.

The Bumblebees were 14.95US each, and shipping was 30US. I'm expecting these to be fairly light, so I guess it could be argued that that shipping was a bit high, but I'm perfectly content with what I paid.

I hadn't looked at the listed shipping rates beforehand. If I'd known that it was based on dollar amounts and not weight (highly unusual) I'd have organised it as a group order. Ah well. We can consider this a test run, and see how well packed everything is.

''8. I would like to check on the availability of an item.


If you are interested in a particular item that is not available for purchase and would like to know when or if it will be available, please contact Merchandise Services toll free at 1-888-762-0820 (Monday - Friday, 8:30am-6:30pm EST, Saturday & Sunday, 8:30am-4:30pm EST, excluding certain U.S. holidays) or email us at MerchServices@universalorlando.com. We regret that we do not offer backorders. Also note that our online store does not carry all items found at Universal Orlando Resort theme parks. If you wish to purchase items found only in the parks we can assist you.

Please note we reserve the right to limit quantities per guest.''

[griffin]

Ah... mentioning Universal Studios in your first post had me automatically thinking of the California one by accident. I never thought to check each one if they had an online store.
And it is worth noting for anyone visiting any of the other Universal Parks, there can be some different merchandise at each one (and some that is only found at one Park).

It means that Bumblebee is indeed fairly new, as Orlando was the last one I was at just 4 months ago, and they didn't have it at that time.
As such, if it is REALLY new, it could appear on the website later.

[UltraMarginal]

Those shot glasses and that stein are AWESOME, as are the fridge magnets.

Mohawk Beanie!!

Now I really want to go there.

[UltraMarginal]

I think that circle shape is a dob of glue behind the transparent visor. I recall some units from the TT release having the same issue so I'd say you were just unlucky.

Here is a close up photo, I've noticed also some rough mold flash around the side of his faceplate.

the circles are definitely on the outside of the visor.

Is this common? if its rare, should I be going back for a replacement before they all sell out? or am I being a bit precious?

To top it off my Lazerbeak has a misfired pin in the forehead camera! I can't open it without the use of a knife. I had higher hopes for a more "perfect masterpiece"