Toys"R"Us Exclusive Hasbro Masterpiece Soundwave Sighted at Retail
Tuesday, July 23rd, 2013 2:33PM CDT
Categories: Toy News, SightingsPosted by: El Duque Views: 38,238
Topic Options: View Discussion · Sign in or Join to reply
News Search
Got Transformers News? Let us know here!
Most Popular Transformers News
Most Recent Transformers News
Posted by Va'al on July 23rd, 2013 @ 2:38pm CDT
Hmmmmm.
Posted by ScottyP on July 23rd, 2013 @ 2:43pm CDT
Posted by Convotron on July 23rd, 2013 @ 2:44pm CDT
Here's hoping I'll be able to find a MP Soundwave in my local TRU at a time when I can afford to put aside $120+taxes for a luxury item.
Posted by Questworld12 on July 23rd, 2013 @ 2:49pm CDT
This is the new release date as the employee told me
Posted by reluctantyouth on July 23rd, 2013 @ 3:12pm CDT
Questworld12 wrote:I just called my local TRU. They told me that HQ is rushing more out. In chicagoland area we should get more MP Soundwave this Saturday the 27th.
This is the new release date as the employee told me
I would hope so after the hasbrotoyshopesque way the figure sales were handled on the website. I had the figure in my cart twice and in the middle of trying to pay by palpal the screen went blank and I got screwed. I hope I can find one locally but not optimistic. Here is the cookie cutter response I got from TRU as I tried to lodge a voice complaint that day but wait time for a rep was 25 minutes.
Dear Mr. X,
Thank you for contacting Toys“R”Us regarding the online release of the TRANSFORMERS Masterpiece Soundwave from Hasbro.
We sincerely apologize for any confusion or inconvenience regarding this release. Limited quantities of the TRANSFORMERS Masterpiece Soundwave were made available online this morning in conjunction with International Comic-Con in San Diego. Due to high demand, this item is currently sold out, but is expected to be available in our U.S. stores and again online at Toysrus.com by late August.
If you have any other questions or concerns, please feel free to contact our offices at 1-888-BabyRUs (1-888-222-9787). Anyone who answers will be able to assist you.
Thank you once again, Mr. X, for contacting the "R" Us family, and we look forward to serving you in the future.
Sincerely,
The "R" Us Team
I'm sure many got the same load of slag message...
Posted by JesseTrupiano on July 23rd, 2013 @ 3:24pm CDT
Posted by Mindmaster on July 23rd, 2013 @ 3:25pm CDT
As much as I'd like to have this, I'm pretty much on the verge of giving up. I've got other, more important priorities, such as the Voyager Classics Optimus Prime, to deal with, no need to burden myself with this frustrating mess.
Posted by MasterSoundBlaster on July 23rd, 2013 @ 3:48pm CDT
Posted by Megatron Wolf on July 23rd, 2013 @ 4:06pm CDT
Posted by HairyDawg on July 23rd, 2013 @ 4:08pm CDT
I JUST missed out on SW on Thursday morning - literally by seconds - I had him in my cart, entered CC info, then had the stupid MasterCard extra security authentication and when my order was processed I got the dreaded "Updated Quantities" message. So I ended up buying a Bot Shot that was in my cart in case Acid Storm was released first and I needed the extra amount for free shipping. As gracious as they were, TRU.com did automatically ship me Iron Hide Bot Shot without charging me shipping. Nice of them.
Then I received Acid Storm yesterday in a completely crushed box. Yeah, I know, can't complain too hard, but jeez... Is crappy shipping the norm for TRU? Even for a $75 product?!?
And after the fiasco that was Thursday, I still decided to believe TRU when they said August for the release of these at retail. Why am I so stupid? No clue. Maybe it is the fact the "Sold in Stores" check mark was gone from the web listing. Who knows. I am a sucker. A sucker for abuse from TRU.
So thank you, Seibertron.com. This has made me feel better about the whole MP situation.
I will now line up for similar punishment from hasbrotoyshop.com. Thank you sir, may I have another.
Posted by HairyDawg on July 23rd, 2013 @ 4:16pm CDT
Posted by YRQRM0 on July 23rd, 2013 @ 4:20pm CDT
Posted by Autobot032 on July 23rd, 2013 @ 4:24pm CDT
HairyDawg wrote:I should also mention that my TRU here only received one box (so 2 SW) and it does qualify for the buy one get one 50% off. If only they had another one available (or Acid Storm) As it was I got the Beast Hunter Optimus Prime.
Could you please post the stores location? And post your sighting int the sightings forum? Thank you.
Posted by reluctantyouth on July 23rd, 2013 @ 4:37pm CDT
reluctantyouth wrote:Questworld12 wrote:I just called my local TRU. They told me that HQ is rushing more out. In chicagoland area we should get more MP Soundwave this Saturday the 27th.
This is the new release date as the employee told me
I would hope so after the hasbrotoyshopesque way the figure sales were handled on the website. I had the figure in my cart twice and in the middle of trying to pay by palpal the screen went blank and I got screwed. I hope I can find one locally but not optimistic. Here is the cookie cutter response I got from TRU as I tried to lodge a voice complaint that day but wait time for a rep was 25 minutes.
Dear Mr. X,
Thank you for contacting Toys“R”Us regarding the online release of the TRANSFORMERS Masterpiece Soundwave from Hasbro.
We sincerely apologize for any confusion or inconvenience regarding this release. Limited quantities of the TRANSFORMERS Masterpiece Soundwave were made available online this morning in conjunction with International Comic-Con in San Diego. Due to high demand, this item is currently sold out, but is expected to be available in our U.S. stores and again online at Toysrus.com by late August.
If you have any other questions or concerns, please feel free to contact our offices at 1-888-BabyRUs (1-888-222-9787). Anyone who answers will be able to assist you.
Thank you once again, Mr. X, for contacting the "R" Us family, and we look forward to serving you in the future.
Sincerely,
The "R" Us Team
I'm sure many got the same load of slag message...
HOLY CRAP!! HOLY CRAP!! HOLY CRAP!! I now own MP Soundwave!!! I found him at my TRU in Peoria, Illinois
I kid you not. I wrote this just before I left work. I went to my local TRU and guess what was waiting for me!?!...Two count them TWO MP Soundwaves for BOGO 50% off I have two in my possession for the unbeatable price of $194.83 $119.99+$59.99+$14.85 Tax= Total One will be staying in the box and the other will be opened after I get back from taking my 5 year old niece to see Turbo. Good luck everyone...if they're in the Midwest then they're getting mass distribution!!
Posted by sunburn on July 23rd, 2013 @ 4:53pm CDT
Also check the kreo aisles, its where I found mine.
Posted by Nemesis Destron on July 23rd, 2013 @ 4:55pm CDT
YRQRM0 wrote:Dang, do I want this guy or Metroplex?
Both dude...get one first and then the other!
Posted by LOST Cybertronian on July 23rd, 2013 @ 5:59pm CDT
Posted by reluttr on July 23rd, 2013 @ 7:22pm CDT
Hopefully this means that they will fill the online orders sooner. But I have a feeling us waiting are going to have to wait alot longer. :S
Posted by SentinelA on July 23rd, 2013 @ 8:00pm CDT
"What do we want?"
"We want MP Soundwave"
"When do we want it?"
"Now"
"How much are we willing to pay?"
"Under $100"
Posted by reluttr on July 23rd, 2013 @ 8:11pm CDT
SentinelA wrote:I think we should protest in front of our local TRUs.
"What do we want?"
"We want MP Soundwave"
"When do we want it?"
"Now"
"How much are we willing to pay?"
"Under $100"
I am not complaining about the price... I am saying that they need to fill their open orders before shipping more out to stores.
Posted by zatara1701 on July 23rd, 2013 @ 11:18pm CDT
reluttr wrote:No offense to the guys that are on the hunt, but what a load of bullcrap. They still have a ton of orders on back-order and yet they magically have the stock to send soundwave out to several locations.
Hopefully this means that they will fill the online orders sooner. But I have a feeling us waiting are going to have to wait alot longer. :S
I hate to burst anyone's bubbles...but does ANYONE remember LAST YEAR with Optimus??
I personally had one on "preorder" on TRU, found one IN the store, so I snatched it up and canceled my online order. I am SOOOOOoooo glad I did, because shortly after that TRU canceled most if not all the preorders for lack of inventory. Which is amazing since a couple months later I saw stores piled high with MP OP around xmas.
I didn't even bother with online for that fact... I HOPE that is not the case this year, but if you have an unfilled online order and see SW in store, Id snag it...Just saying.
Posted by Regimus Prime on July 24th, 2013 @ 1:00am CDT
Posted by Regimus Prime on July 24th, 2013 @ 1:02am CDT
Posted by Regimus Prime on July 24th, 2013 @ 1:08am CDT
Posted by Nemesis Destron on July 24th, 2013 @ 2:13am CDT
So after hearing the great news of sightings in Arizona and in Oceanside (just south of me) I will start hitting my local TRU's and hope to strike gold like with OP.
Yeah current gas prices suck ass but I enjoy the hunt...it's on like Donkey Kong!
Posted by neu318 on July 24th, 2013 @ 8:24am CDT
Posted by neu318 on July 24th, 2013 @ 8:25am CDT
Posted by neu318 on July 24th, 2013 @ 8:26am CDT
Posted by megatronus on July 24th, 2013 @ 9:28am CDT
I don't know if they arrived but sold out super quick, or if TRU just hates the East Coast. I feel like this crappy distribution is a very consistent occurrence.
Posted by Erailea on July 24th, 2013 @ 10:10am CDT
megatronus wrote:Just called my local TRU - Times Square, NY. They said they won't be getting in for another month.
I don't know if they arrived but sold out super quick, or if TRU just hates the East Coast. I feel like this crappy distribution is a very consistent occurrence.
That TRU is a royal pain in the butt. They have such a huge Transformers section and yet I can never find anything of interest there :/ Maybe I just have bad luck, but it's rather absurd how they still have 100+ DOTM figures hanging on the wall and their "newer" segment is, unsurprisingly, filled with the same figures that warm shelves everywhere else... just in far greater mass *sigh*
I think the only time I got lucky with that store was when the first wave of Prime FE's came out. But I also hit it early in the morning (like 6:30 or 7am, when they were opening early for the X-mas season that year).
Best of luck finding him! I would be surprised if Time Square didn't get a mass of MP's in, given how big and popular is, the problem will be getting it before the other fans and tourists in NYC do.
Posted by megatronus on July 24th, 2013 @ 10:21am CDT
Erailea wrote:megatronus wrote:Just called my local TRU - Times Square, NY. They said they won't be getting in for another month.
I don't know if they arrived but sold out super quick, or if TRU just hates the East Coast. I feel like this crappy distribution is a very consistent occurrence.
That TRU is a royal pain in the butt. They have such a huge Transformers section and yet I can never find anything of interest there :/ Maybe I just have bad luck, but it's rather absurd how they still have 100+ DOTM figures hanging on the wall and their "newer" segment is, unsurprisingly, filled with the same figures that warm shelves everywhere else... just in far greater mass *sigh*
I think the only time I got lucky with that store was when the first wave of Prime FE's came out. But I also hit it early in the morning (like 6:30 or 7am, when they were opening early for the X-mas season that year).
Best of luck finding him! I would be surprised if Time Square didn't get a mass of MP's in, given how big and popular is, the problem will be getting it before the other fans and tourists in NYC do.
They can be bad sometimes, but I've also been very, very lucky.
I got my 2 Hasbro MP-10s from the Times Square store. I called everyday for 2 weeks asking after it, and the guest services associate began to recognize me. When they received the only 2 pieces that came into that store, she was kind enough to fend off the back room employees who were going to keep them for themselves and put them aside for me. I was so grateful.
The downside is, of course, that because of the aforementioned DOTM shelf warmers, they often get things in a month or two later than other stores. So it goes.
I'm keeping tabs on the 2 TRUs close to my folks house in central NJ. I've learned their delivery schedules (more consistent than Times Square for sure), and it's just a matter of following up the morning of. Hopefully I'm in for some luck
Posted by cybertronprime1 on July 24th, 2013 @ 10:30am CDT
Posted by Metrosuplex on July 24th, 2013 @ 12:11pm CDT
reluctantyouth wrote:I went to my local TRU and guess what was waiting for me!?!...Two count them TWO MP Soundwaves for BOGO 50% off I have two in my possession for the unbeatable price of $194.83 $119.99+$59.99+$14.85 Tax= Total One will be staying in the box and the other will be opened
This is the biggest problem with finding him right now - I'm not knocking your good financial sense (as an MP Soundwave for $60 is INSANE ), but everyone is thinking what you're thinking, and that means doubles for the few, zero's for the many!
I'm really hesitant to post any "sightings" on this guy. What's to stop the poachers from reading these posts and eBaying the benefits??? If these threads (and sightings) were locked down to "members-only", I'd feel better about the whole thing.
But MP Soundwave is just too hot. IMO, reporting his location is like saying, "And oh yeah, there were a couple of $100 bills in the aisle. So if anyone wants to pick them up, go to ____ location". And I'm being conservative - I haven't even checked the scalper prices on eBay!
Big thanks to those posters who reported their findings and locations, however. I'm glad to hear you guys grabbed the last ones (better you than the poachers!), and I'm inspired to look for myself. I wonder how many phone calls these TRU's are fielding, regarding MP Soundwave! When I went in on Wed/Thurs of last week (Gurnee, IL), the electronics/video games guy heard the talk on his walkie and chimed in with clarification info (they didn't have any/not in system, so no way to track). Everyone seemed a bit bewildered, so this might just be one of their most popular items in a looooooooong time!
Posted by atenciot on July 24th, 2013 @ 12:31pm CDT
Posted by atenciot on July 24th, 2013 @ 12:40pm CDT
Posted by Breakdown318 on July 24th, 2013 @ 6:09pm CDT
Posted by Zero_Decade on July 24th, 2013 @ 6:17pm CDT
Posted by Metrosuplex on July 24th, 2013 @ 6:39pm CDT
Zero_Decade wrote:Seriously dislike my local TRU right now. Every time I go in, I get a different answer. First time was check next week, then it was check tomorrow. Now, they check the website, which I can do on my own free time, and say "it's not available in stores, we're not getting it". I almost want to pull this page up and say "apparently not". If they sold, fine. But some consistency from minimum wage workers might be too much to ask for.
You would think TOY employees might know a little better... but I get the serious impression that TRU corporate did a real sh*tty job explaining how popular this item was going to be. Or perhaps I give them too much credit: they probably have no idea how MP Soundwave is popular or why...
Again, the sad part is how the poachers will be making far more money of this toy than either TRU or Hasbro. If only there was a special field in business to help gauge demand and forecast sales.... OH YEAH! MARKETING! Oh, well! Tough economic times, so Hasbro had to slash at least ONE department.
Of course, the irony is that if you have to pay 3rd Party prices on eBay for Soundwave... well, you might as well be buying 3rd Party. At least those aren't a b*tch to secure!
Posted by bouncer on July 24th, 2013 @ 6:47pm CDT
Posted by Zero_Decade on July 24th, 2013 @ 7:25pm CDT
Metrosuplex wrote:
You would think TOY employees might know a little better... but I get the serious impression that TRU corporate did a real sh*tty job explaining how popular this item was going to be. Or perhaps I give them too much credit: they probably have no idea how MP Soundwave is popular or why...
Again, the sad part is how the poachers will be making far more money of this toy than either TRU or Hasbro. If only there was a special field in business to help gauge demand and forecast sales.... OH YEAH! MARKETING! Oh, well! Tough economic times, so Hasbro had to slash at least ONE department.
Of course, the irony is that if you have to pay 3rd Party prices on eBay for Soundwave... well, you might as well be buying 3rd Party. At least those aren't a b*tch to secure!
True enough. I refuse to pay any more than $120 for it though. We saw quite a few of Grimlock, Rodimus and even MP-10 eventually; it's just a matter of being in the store at the right time before they sell out. Which is why a firm date would be perfect, but again, too much to ask of TRU and Hasbro.
Posted by Delicon on July 24th, 2013 @ 7:39pm CDT
Posted by Breakdown318 on July 24th, 2013 @ 9:24pm CDT
Zero_Decade wrote:Seriously dislike my local TRU right now. Every time I go in, I get a different answer. First time was check next week, then it was check tomorrow. Now, they check the website, which I can do on my own free time, and say "it's not available in stores, we're not getting it". I almost want to pull this page up and say "apparently not". If they sold, fine. But some consistency from minimum wage workers might be too much to ask for.
The workers at your Toys R Us must be a pain sometimes. The employees At my local Toys R Us (Bloomingdale,IL.) always look for stuff in the back/help us with items like masterpieces. I hope you find one eventually
Posted by Metrosuplex on July 24th, 2013 @ 9:26pm CDT
Zero_Decade wrote:True enough. I refuse to pay any more than $120 for it though. We saw quite a few of Grimlock, Rodimus and even MP-10 eventually; it's just a matter of being in the store at the right time before they sell out. Which is why a firm date would be perfect, but again, too much to ask of TRU and Hasbro.
Well, Thundercracker was around for a bit. It's a question of whether or not Soundwave will stick to shelves. You'd think, "YES," as he's a full $40 over the typical MP price (at TRU)... but who knows? My local TRU's just recently dropped the Millenium Falcon price from $250 to $199.98. The issue there is the thing is HUGE. I have to believe very few people would pay $250 for an action figure vehicle... do they pay $120 for a TF?
Personally, I'm not a fan of "Hyuck! I hope the toy is there on my 15th visit! My fingers are crossed!"
Screw that noise. A "hunt" involves an attainable prize. Hunting a Loch Ness monster is just silly. Unless you're filming it for $$$. (which would make for an interesting premise, should someone decide to do a documentary on bad distribution in retail).
Eventually, I think a lot of fans will move to 3rd Parties out of sheer frustration. And the 3rd Parties are increasing, so this whole idea of "put up with it, cause Hasbro has all the cards" is becoming more and more obsolete.
I've been thinking about the shortages, and I think it's tied to Hasbro's factory leases/use. We know Hasbro has been cutting jobs and costs, right? Well, they must simultaneously be cutting factories out, as well. I'm seeing a business model that involves production runs long in advance of actual sales; in other words, Hasbro seems to have a business model that does not react to demand surges in the way you would hope it could. And that's bad for a company that is looking to cut costs - if they could only capitalize on this demand, and in a timely manner, I think the TF brand would benefit and see higher quality toys on shelves.
Posted by Zero_Decade on July 24th, 2013 @ 9:59pm CDT
As for large, expensive figures; the Millennium Falcons I remember sitting for a while, as well as some of the larger Power Rangers sets, and even some of the larger voyager TFs will sit on the shelves for a while, so it's kind of a coin flip.
RE: The 15th visit thing, the TRU is literally next door to my work, so it doesn't particularly cost me anything to go there and check. I can see where if it was out of my way and felt like a "hunt", that it would be even more frustrating.
Also, don't give me ideas on documentary topics: "hard to find figures and the people who spend way too much time looking for them"
Breakdown318 wrote:The workers at your Toys R Us must be a pain sometimes. The employees At my local Toys R Us (Bloomingdale,IL.) always look for stuff in the back/help us with items like masterpieces. I hope you find one eventually
Thanks! It's also probably the fact that I get stuck with the people who I can tell don't really want to be there, and especially don't care about Transformers. Naturally they wouldn't want to do more than the absolute minimum.
Posted by reluctantyouth on July 25th, 2013 @ 7:49am CDT
Metrosuplex wrote:reluctantyouth wrote:I went to my local TRU and guess what was waiting for me!?!...Two count them TWO MP Soundwaves for BOGO 50% off I have two in my possession for the unbeatable price of $194.83 $119.99+$59.99+$14.85 Tax= Total One will be staying in the box and the other will be opened
This is the biggest problem with finding him right now - I'm not knocking your good financial sense (as an MP Soundwave for $60 is INSANE ), but everyone is thinking what you're thinking, and that means doubles for the few, zero's for the many!
I'm really hesitant to post any "sightings" on this guy. What's to stop the poachers from reading these posts and eBaying the benefits??? If these threads (and sightings) were locked down to "members-only", I'd feel better about the whole thing.
But MP Soundwave is just too hot. IMO, reporting his location is like saying, "And oh yeah, there were a couple of $100 bills in the aisle. So if anyone wants to pick them up, go to ____ location". And I'm being conservative - I haven't even checked the scalper prices on eBay!
Big thanks to those posters who reported their findings and locations, however. I'm glad to hear you guys grabbed the last ones (better you than the poachers!), and I'm inspired to look for myself. I wonder how many phone calls these TRU's are fielding, regarding MP Soundwave! When I went in on Wed/Thurs of last week (Gurnee, IL), the electronics/video games guy heard the talk on his walkie and chimed in with clarification info (they didn't have any/not in system, so no way to track). Everyone seemed a bit bewildered, so this might just be one of their most popular items in a looooooooong time!
I totally agree with you about members only postings. I just couldn't believe sandwiched between all the old DOTM crap were 2 MP Soundwaves after 4 pm in the afternoon...that is insane . There are not too many Transformer collectors in my area, mostly Hotwheels and McFarlane Sports, but there is a good size comic book store and I see those guys often rummaging for all kinds of HTF stuff. I do not think the employees in my area knew anything about the figure and looked perplexed with how excited I was to get the 2. I hate scalpers...drives me nuts. I hope Gurnee gets them in soon. I checked back at my TRU last night and there was still a big gaping hole where my figures had been. I picked up Ironhide and Starscream Construct Bots...kind of cool little guys. I had to color in Starscream's helmet with a sharpie though.
Posted by 009* on July 26th, 2013 @ 11:18am CDT
Posted by Cyber Bishop on July 26th, 2013 @ 1:51pm CDT
Posted by tmk9883 on July 26th, 2013 @ 2:16pm CDT
I then called a store that was close to work and was told that someone just walked out with the two they had.
Ill try hitting up them up tomorrow at opening just cause and after that, forget it.
Posted by Spleenzorio on July 26th, 2013 @ 2:51pm CDT
Posted by Zero_Decade on July 26th, 2013 @ 6:41pm CDT
Does anyone know if the "late August" time being thrown around in the questions page @ TRU.com is legit? If so, I think I'm done with the "hunt" for now. At least until I hear more Northeast sightings.