Hasbro AU July 2009 Answers.

[griffin]

Read the update here for details relating to this submission.

Some really great answers here, for those of us wanting to know what to wait for, and what to import. It also looks like we get to be the first to know about another store exclusive Movie multipack called 'Data War'. And being a Target exclusive, it could mean redecos, not mere repacks.

Too bad about missing out on a Remote Controlled Wheelie toy in the RPMs line... it would have sold like hotcakes. Or at least, better than the lame Optimus and Bumblebee RC cars that are being released.

1 - Does Hasbro have any data as to what percent of the Transformer market is adults (collectors) vs. children?

(no reply)

2 - We are falling several waves behind on the Star Wars and Marvel Transformers. Are we going to catch up, or miss out on the figures that have not been seen here yet (V-wing, Plo Koon, AT-TE, AAT, Kit Fisto, Torrent Fighter, Magnaguard)?

You should see the AT-TE and Magnaguard in the market by Sept. We probably wont get the other in until late this year or early next year at the earliest. We may miss the V-19. Marvel Transformers we are currently overstocked on so we wont be getting more in until 2010.

3 - The last assortment of Universe Legends (Rodimus, Cosmos, Wheelie, Warpath) have not been seen here yet. Are these still going to be released in Australia?

No more Universe Legends unfortunately.

4 - Is there still going to be a second wave of universe special editions being produced?

For 2009 we have plans to release the G1 Commemorative Insecticons and Perceptor (TRU Australia have at this stage declinded these exclusives however so unlikely). Past that, we have not announced any other re-releases at this time.

5 - Are we getting any of the following items released here - 'Straightaway Shootout' Legends 5-pack, 'Robot Heroes Battle Scene packs (3 known so far), 'Autobot Strike Missions' 4-pack, 'Fury of Fearswoop' 3-pack, 'Gathering at the Nemesis' 3-pack, Movie small-Titanium 2-packs (US ToysRUs), Large Titaniums (US Target), Transformers Jenga set?

We are getting Gathering at the Nemisis (TRU). We also had 83793 Universe Legends 5Pk. We have offered some of the others to Australian retailers however they look unlikely at this stage.

6 - Will the new 'Buster Optimus Prime' from TakaraTomy (Movie Optimus with Gun) going to be released by Hasbro as well?

Unfortunately, we do not have any plans to release "Buster" Optimus Prime at this point in time.

7 - Why do running changes (like Movie Mudflap's numberplate, Skids' gold tooth, Sideways' darker colour, Breakaway's darker colour, Scalpel's shorter antenna, Cannon Bumblebee's clear windows) happen so soon after their first release? Why aren't they released like that in the first place?

In certain circumstances, such as those listed in your question, we made the decision to change certain colors and details on the product later in the development process. However, in order to maintain the production schedule of these products some of these changes are made on a running change basis.

8 - Any plans for Hasbro (or as another AUS Hasbro direct import), to release the Alternity and Disney Transformers?

Unfortunately, not at this time.

9 - Any plans for an actual Remote Controlled Truck to look like Wheelie from the Movie, in the RPMs RC line?

While we have discussed this as an option for our Transformers RPMs line, we do not have any plans to release him as an RC truck at this time.

10 - In your last email, you listed the following items:
93292 Movie 2: Deluxe Battle 2 Pack Asst - Sep-09 - TARGET (TBC)
93420 Movie 2: Battle Pack - Oct-09 - TRU (TBC)
16770 Transformers Voyager 2pk - Oct-09 - COSTCO (TBC)
93357 Movie 2: Voyager Exclusive - Nov-09 - (TBC)
93294 Movie 2: Movie Deluxe Battle 2 Pk - Nov 09 - (TBC)
With so many store exclusives being released for the Movie, are there any actual names with these, to know which ones they are?

Here are the names of the exclusives that you have listed in your question:
93292 - Data War (unknown) (Target Sep, TBC)
93420 - Gathering at the Nemesis (Megatron, Soundwave, Fallen) (TRU Oct, TBC)
16770 - Surface to Air Showdown (Ratchet, Grindor) (Costco Oct, TBC)
93357 - The Fallen (single packed fire redeco) (TBC)
93294 - Super Tuner Showdown (Blowpipe, Sideways) (TBC)

(And try not to blame Hasbro AU if we aren't getting certain store exclusive items here - it's the stores that don't want them, there is nothing Hasbro AU can do about it. We are just too small a market to support soooo many exclusives coming out this year.)

As usual, thanks to Hasbro for the answers. And for being generous enough to relaunch this Q&A project with us.

[Autocon]

so we wont be getting the ramjet skywarp walmarts in?
no fearswoop? no blowpipe? no red fallen????

WE NEED GROUP ORDERS!! who nominates themselves?

[Kyle]

At least now we know there's no waiting for the Legends Rodimus wave anymore...

so we wont be getting the ramjet skywarp walmarts in?

Ramjet and Skywarp weren't in the questions of this July Submission. So there's still a chance we might get them here.

[kup]

I blame TrU not Hasbro if we don't get some exclusives.

It's possible that some of the exclusives are declined by TrU because they see them shelf warm for months and even years but what they don't get is that they shelf warm not because the product is necessarily unappealing to shoppers but because its so over priced that it isn't worth it.