For those interested, Supanova is running all weekend at the Gold Coast, and quite a bit of TF merchandise. Toynkdownunder and Tfidownunder both had stalls.

Toynkdownunder

Masterpeiece items were grossly overpriced and Toynk, and if you were balking at TRU prices you should see them! Even with the low dollar, their merchandise was overpriced, and I saw they were still selling the Encore Devestator from last year. Nice range, but a quick check of ebay might save you a bundle. If you're desperate for an impulse buy, well you get to play the same day.


Tfidownunder

When I saw that they were participating, I was quite surprised and made sure to stop bye. I had noticed the enthusiasm with which it was promoted here, and have to admit being quite skeptical it would last given how competitive online pricing is. The range of Masterpiece stock there was cool, even the ehobby Green Convoy (was it bathing ape?). There was also quite an assortment of third party stock there in a giant Diorama, with Takara Grimlock being mauled by three sharkticons (if you remember from the movie). There was also on display Fans Toys Swoop with glorious chrome wings next to Grimlock, and he looked gorgeous. If you're going to the con, at least take a look at the diorama. I wish I had had a camera on me to show it off.

I ended buying a Takra Go Green Lion Prime (Thundertron) as an impulse buy, and stopped to chat to the store owner. He seemed a really nice, genuine guy. After talking to him for a bit, I quite revised my opinion if the store actually. He's really passionate and enthusiastic for toys, and I think what people might have perceived as "hype" in the testimonials might just be his contagious enthusiasm. I think he's going very hard on customer service, and that his putting all his energy into making it a success. Best of luck to him.

Also I did see a number of stores selling licensed logo Autobot and Decepticon hats around, and there's an artist store of ironwork characters that had some Prime figures as well. Anyone else see something that caught their eye?