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Re: BotCon 2012 Coverage:

PostPosted: Sun Apr 29, 2012 12:50 pm
by Dean ML
Best news all weekend. Anyone know if you can order masterpiece TFs from TRU online?

Re: BotCon 2012 Coverage:

PostPosted: Sun Apr 29, 2012 1:10 pm
by King Kuuga
Stormrider wrote:What the heck Takara? How come Hasbro can release the same figure for less?

Different market expectations are a big part of it. In Japan, EVERYTHING is expensive compared to what we're used to paying for the same or similar items, even without the exchange rate making things worse. Just look at the price of their normal Transformers releases. It's what, 2700 yen for a Deluxe? That's about $30. You charge that much in America, you can kiss your sales goodbye. So right off the bat you know the price is going to have to be lower in America to make it appealing enough that consumers feel the product is worth the amount they pay for it. We also don't know if there's any differences in composition, like cheaper plastic or removing the die-cast. If so, those would help account for it. Hasbro is probably selling it at much closer to production cost for a smaller profit margin with the hope that the price will lead to enough sales to make up for that.

Re: BotCon 2012 Coverage:

PostPosted: Sun Apr 29, 2012 1:10 pm
by WolfDawg
I'm pretty surprised to see people complaining about Hasbro's release of MP-10 or any of the reveals this year at Botcon. I remember last year people going on about how cool the WFC "sub-line" was, but bitched about how limited the characters were. Now they're giving us more characters and the Geewun fanboys are having a fit. The line is called Generations for a reason. It's supposed to encompass ALL generations and iterations of the Transformers franchise. I personally would love it if they DIDN'T reference the G1 toy line ALL the time. Give G2 some more love. Hell, some Armada characters could really use some updates (Starscream, Megatron, Sideswipe). Even Beast Machines should be referenced every once in a while; I'd love to see a Botanica toy.

I guess the point is that you can't please the fandom as a whole. Hasbro could give MP-10 away FOR FREE with a super model that gave free blowjobs every time you Transformed the figure and I bet there would STILL be fans who would complain that she used too much teeth. :roll:

Re: BotCon 2012 Coverage:

PostPosted: Sun Apr 29, 2012 1:59 pm
by nemesis345
Awesome, must have with trailer (and a 50% discount)!

Re: BotCon 2012 Coverage:

PostPosted: Sun Apr 29, 2012 2:18 pm
by Optimum Supreme
samikai wrote:
-Kanrabat- wrote:I'll say it again. Making it TrU exclusive is total bullshit because so many of us will miss out on him and we will have no choices but to pay scalper prices on Ebay.

To hell with store exclusives!


This!

How many people had to overpay for TRU Masterpiece Grimlock? Heck, how many of you never saw him or Rodimus at stores. Good luck to those who want the US release.


I never saw Rodimus, but Grimlock actually shelfwarmed at the local TRU for quite a while, believe it or not. I would've bought one, but $70 wasn't in my budget at the time.

Likewise, I think $100 is a fair price for this OP (it's what I paid for the original MP Convoy import) but I just don't have the spare dough anymore.

Re: BotCon 2012 Coverage:

PostPosted: Sun Apr 29, 2012 2:41 pm
by Powermaster Jazz
I saw both Grimlock and Rodimus at my TRU. Picked up Grimlock for 80.

Re: BotCon 2012 Coverage:

PostPosted: Sun Apr 29, 2012 4:33 pm
by chuckdawg1999
I think what people are forgetting is just what this release means. Before all the US MP had to fit into a certain shelf space, this was one of the reasons Rodimus didn't come with his trailer. Hasbro is taking a huge chance with this toy due to the size of the packaging. Prime takes up roughly the same space as two voyagers side by side, he wouldn't work at Target or Wal-mart due to the lost space. Would you rather see Prime at Target for a slightly lower price or plenty of Voyagers for you to buy? Remember Transformers at TRU have a much larger area.

Re: BotCon 2012 Coverage:

PostPosted: Sun Apr 29, 2012 5:04 pm
by samikai
chuckdawg1999 wrote:I think what people are forgetting is just what this release means. Before all the US MP had to fit into a certain shelf space, this was one of the reasons Rodimus didn't come with his trailer. Hasbro is taking a huge chance with this toy due to the size of the packaging. Prime takes up roughly the same space as two voyagers side by side, he wouldn't work at Target or Wal-mart due to the lost space. Would you rather see Prime at Target for a slightly lower price or plenty of Voyagers for you to buy? Remember Transformers at TRU have a much larger area.


If size was an issue Walmart and Target would not have had Ultimate Optimus on shelf as he was as wide as 2 voyagers and about 5 inches higher in box height. Not only did they have Ultimate but many stores near me had 6-8 on the shelf. Target and Walmart toy space may be small but they plan out according to seasonal, promotional, and manufacturer line changes. This allows movement of product placement and helps accommodate things like size constraints.

I think TRU might be a better fit due to the figures price point. Walmart sold Starscream well, but I believe when Skywarp tanked and they had to clearance so many that might have soured their desire to carry anymore. TRU seemed to fair better with the price point of the MP line an even sold them after they price hiked the figures.

Re: BotCon 2012 Coverage:

PostPosted: Sun Apr 29, 2012 6:36 pm
by Sodan-1
Again, very impressed with how hasbro are handling this figure. If the $100 price tag turns out to be true then that's simply amazing.

Living in the UK I'll inevitably have to import either way, so I may still get the Takara version just because I slightly prefer the colours on that one.

Re: BotCon 2012 Coverage:

PostPosted: Sun Apr 29, 2012 6:42 pm
by craggy
Sodan-1 wrote:Again, very impressed with how hasbro are handling this figure. If the $100 price tag turns out to be true then that's simply amazing.

Living in the UK I'll inevitably have to import either way, so I may still get the Takara version just because I slightly prefer the colours on that one.


Not so, Toys R Us UK seem to get in the MPs okay. They might not restock, but there was a 2nd wave of MP Grimlock that seemed to hang about for ages.

Re: BotCon 2012 Coverage:

PostPosted: Mon Apr 30, 2012 5:13 pm
by LiKwid
chuckdawg1999 wrote:I think what people are forgetting is just what this release means. Before all the US MP had to fit into a certain shelf space, this was one of the reasons Rodimus didn't come with his trailer. Hasbro is taking a huge chance with this toy due to the size of the packaging. Prime takes up roughly the same space as two voyagers side by side, he wouldn't work at Target or Wal-mart due to the lost space. Would you rather see Prime at Target for a slightly lower price or plenty of Voyagers for you to buy? Remember Transformers at TRU have a much larger area.


Not 100% TRU :P I can tell you right now, while on my way to Botcon I stopped at close to 15 different wal marts, targets and they had much larger display space for transformers than TRU. Star wars and the avengers stuff is hoarding space at all 3 but TRU seems to not give a *&^% about transformers imo..At least in across the 600 miles I drove to and from botcon this weekend. I can promise you that at least the star wars stuff dwarfs transformers stuff.

The worst part about this release is the fact that it is a TRU exclusive but the fact we are getting it is enough for me..I'll worry about everything else once hes on my shelf :p

Re: BotCon 2012 Coverage:

PostPosted: Mon Apr 30, 2012 5:22 pm
by Mindmaster
His smokestacks are actual smokestacks instead of stubs.

Ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooh yeah...

I really can't wait to replace my current MP Prime with this version. Don't know what I should do with him once I get Ver. 2. Probably just keep him as a momento or something.

Re: BotCon 2012 Coverage:

PostPosted: Mon Apr 30, 2012 5:23 pm
by chuckdawg1999
LiKwid wrote:
chuckdawg1999 wrote:I think what people are forgetting is just what this release means. Before all the US MP had to fit into a certain shelf space, this was one of the reasons Rodimus didn't come with his trailer. Hasbro is taking a huge chance with this toy due to the size of the packaging. Prime takes up roughly the same space as two voyagers side by side, he wouldn't work at Target or Wal-mart due to the lost space. Would you rather see Prime at Target for a slightly lower price or plenty of Voyagers for you to buy? Remember Transformers at TRU have a much larger area.


Not 100% TRU :P I can tell you right now, while on my way to Botcon I stopped at close to 15 different wal marts, targets and they had much larger display space for transformers than TRU. Star wars and the avengers stuff is hoarding space at all 3 but TRU seems to not give a *&^% about transformers imo..At least in across the 600 miles I drove to and from botcon this weekend. I can promise you that at least the star wars stuff dwarfs transformers stuff.

The worst part about this release is the fact that it is a TRU exclusive but the fact we are getting it is enough for me..I'll worry about everything else once hes on my shelf :p


Boy you've hit that one on TARGET :D seriously once again I'm learning that my stores suck and it's just me. My Target has TF's share space with GI Joe, GI Joe knockoffs, and some other toy lines I don't remember.

Re: BotCon 2012 Coverage:

PostPosted: Mon Apr 30, 2012 11:24 pm
by LiKwid
chuckdawg1999 wrote:
LiKwid wrote:
chuckdawg1999 wrote:I think what people are forgetting is just what this release means. Before all the US MP had to fit into a certain shelf space, this was one of the reasons Rodimus didn't come with his trailer. Hasbro is taking a huge chance with this toy due to the size of the packaging. Prime takes up roughly the same space as two voyagers side by side, he wouldn't work at Target or Wal-mart due to the lost space. Would you rather see Prime at Target for a slightly lower price or plenty of Voyagers for you to buy? Remember Transformers at TRU have a much larger area.


Not 100% TRU :P I can tell you right now, while on my way to Botcon I stopped at close to 15 different wal marts, targets and they had much larger display space for transformers than TRU. Star wars and the avengers stuff is hoarding space at all 3 but TRU seems to not give a *&^% about transformers imo..At least in across the 600 miles I drove to and from botcon this weekend. I can promise you that at least the star wars stuff dwarfs transformers stuff.

The worst part about this release is the fact that it is a TRU exclusive but the fact we are getting it is enough for me..I'll worry about everything else once hes on my shelf :p


Boy you've hit that one on TARGET :D seriously once again I'm learning that my stores suck and it's just me. My Target has TF's share space with GI Joe, GI Joe knockoffs, and some other toy lines I don't remember.


Indeed. Transformers are far from the most dominate toyline these days in terms if shelf space. Every store I go into has their star war section maxed out with 4 3-4 ft long shelf sections. Transformers is lucky to geth their little lone 3 ft section that has to share space with all of that avengers crap no one wants...

Re: BotCon 2012 Coverage:

PostPosted: Tue May 01, 2012 1:03 am
by King Kuuga
LiKwid wrote: Indeed. Transformers are far from the most dominate toyline these days in terms if shelf space. Every store I go into has their star war section maxed out with 4 3-4 ft long shelf sections. Transformers is lucky to geth their little lone 3 ft section that has to share space with all of that avengers crap no one wants...

I'm actually pretty impressed with how much space Transformers DOES get, compared to supposedly more popular things like Beyblade, Ben 10, and Avengers. Star Wars, of course, will continue to be huge for as long as they continue having shows and (the same) movies to market, so that gets a lot of space. In my view, I see Transformers with about 4 feet of shelf space, carrying Bot Shots, Prime mainline, Cyberverse series 1 and 2, and residual movie toys. Avengers is the hot-ticket item right now because of the movie, obviously, but that will shrink. It'll clog shelves for a while, judging by the fact that Iron Man 2 toys are STILL THERE, much less Captain America and Thor, but it will shrink and hopefully give Transformers a little more room once Generations FOC stuff drops. If they could get rid of the Real Steel stuff that nobody wants, that would probably help, too. Also, I see Avengers doing okay. There's always at least one kid and his mom or dad oohing and ahing at Avengers stuff when I go hunting for new Prime toys. Never as many going gaga for Transformers. :( I blame Bay for making Transformers seem transient.

Re: BotCon 2012 Coverage:

PostPosted: Tue May 01, 2012 1:23 am
by RhA
I never thought they'd release it. I'm eating my words.

Re: BotCon 2012 Coverage:

PostPosted: Tue May 01, 2012 3:21 am
by User897
I still am in shock. First The Dark Knight Rises trailer hits, then I see that a COMPLETE MP-10 Optimus Prime is on the way. And for $100! I know that there are many different opinions about this news, but we must take a look at the big picture here. What has been the biggest complaint about Hasbro's version of MP's? That they are incomplete! Here, we get a chance to buy a domestic version of a COMPLETE Masterpiece, and people want to bitch? I have read thread after thread of the negative response to Hotrod not being complete, and I 100% agree. Without all the parts, he is simply NOT Rodimus Prime. We have been getting many Optimus figures across many lines for YEARS that are not complete, and now people want to flip the script and say they don't want the trailer? Seriously? I urge my fellow fans and collectors to NOT attack Hasbro for something that so many have wanted for years. If you whine loud enough and get their attention, we may never get a chance like this again. If anything, hug your Hasbro reps, and give them praise for a job (FINALLY!) well done!

Re: BotCon 2012 Coverage:

PostPosted: Tue May 01, 2012 3:26 am
by Breakdown 2099
$100 for an MP figure's awesome. :APPLAUSE:

I've visited T'R'Us online to compare some prices, and let me say compared to the rest of the world, the guys in the States have got it so easy, compared to say down under.

US Deluxe $10.99
AU Deluxe $23-30.00 (US 23.74-US$30.96)
Initial release prices. Figures do go on clearance for 25-50% off

US Kreo Optimus $39.99
AU Kreo Optimus $129.00 (US $133.13)
Still the current Target price

And it's not a shipping issue either, considering China is closer to Australia than the US.

So the next time somebody offers you an MP figure for $100, do not, I repeat do not, cry and moan about it being too expensive.

Re: BotCon 2012 Coverage:

PostPosted: Tue May 01, 2012 6:38 am
by korisifu
I just watched Vange1us review on this figure and with that price point I really want to see about allocating some overtime to afford it. Grimlock is the only masterpiece I own and Soundwave is the only other one I really want, but it is a very impressive piece and that seems like a total value to me.

Re: BotCon 2012 Coverage:

PostPosted: Tue May 01, 2012 7:06 am
by gavinfuzzy
That Bot wrote:
LiKwid wrote: Indeed. Transformers are far from the most dominate toyline these days in terms if shelf space. Every store I go into has their star war section maxed out with 4 3-4 ft long shelf sections. Transformers is lucky to geth their little lone 3 ft section that has to share space with all of that avengers crap no one wants...

I'm actually pretty impressed with how much space Transformers DOES get, compared to supposedly more popular things like Beyblade, Ben 10, and Avengers. Star Wars, of course, will continue to be huge for as long as they continue having shows and (the same) movies to market, so that gets a lot of space. In my view, I see Transformers with about 4 feet of shelf space, carrying Bot Shots, Prime mainline, Cyberverse series 1 and 2, and residual movie toys. Avengers is the hot-ticket item right now because of the movie, obviously, but that will shrink. It'll clog shelves for a while, judging by the fact that Iron Man 2 toys are STILL THERE, much less Captain America and Thor, but it will shrink and hopefully give Transformers a little more room once Generations FOC stuff drops. If they could get rid of the Real Steel stuff that nobody wants, that would probably help, too. Also, I see Avengers doing okay. There's always at least one kid and his mom or dad oohing and ahing at Avengers stuff when I go hunting for new Prime toys. Never as many going gaga for Transformers. :( I blame Bay for making Transformers seem transient.


Seriously, I never knew the lack of Transformers here at local retail cos I usually buy from collector shops. Just went to around 3 different departmental store today, and the TF area was a 1m shelf height, from top to bottom, 1.5 feet left and right of it. There were just like 4 powerizer primes, and 6 PRID Cliffjumper (oh bumblebee sold) and a whole bunch of cyberverse from DOTM. Seriously? That little!? TRU used to have a whole row of TFs but now it's shared with Star Wars and Nerf in most outlets. Oh well, at least TRU carries the full range of Prime stuff and some leftover MP Rodimuses for $80 US (Original $145 US) Might have to get a Rodimus.

As for TFs seeming transient, I don't blame bay. I only knew about TFs back in 2007, when kids in my class were bringing deluxes and FABs to school everyday. If it wasn't for the 2007 Movie, I would have never knew gotten into TFs.

Re: BotCon 2012 Coverage: Masterpiece Optimus Prime

PostPosted: Tue May 01, 2012 3:48 pm
by Seibertron
Seibertron.com's video has been posted of this ...


Hasbro's Transformers Masterpiece Optimus Prime on display at BotCon 2012

Re: BotCon 2012 Coverage: Masterpiece Optimus Prime

PostPosted: Tue May 01, 2012 4:12 pm
by User897
Sweetness. I'd sure like to know a definite date and cost on this, and if it's for sure a TRU exclusive.

Re: BotCon 2012 Coverage: Masterpiece Optimus Prime

PostPosted: Tue May 01, 2012 4:13 pm
by Seibertron
User897 wrote:Sweetness. I'd sure like to know a definite date and cost on this, and if it's for sure a TRU exclusive.


Heard first hand from Hasbro that it is.

Re: BotCon 2012 Coverage: Masterpiece Optimus Prime

PostPosted: Tue May 01, 2012 5:01 pm
by Powermaster Jazz
So much want from BotCon this year! :DANCE: :DANCE: :DANCE: :BOT: :BOT: :CON: :CON: :michaelbay: :michaelbay: :michaelbay: :michaelbay:

Re: BotCon 2012 Coverage:

PostPosted: Tue May 01, 2012 5:49 pm
by Stormrider
chuckdawg1999 wrote:
LiKwid wrote:
chuckdawg1999 wrote:I think what people are forgetting is just what this release means. Before all the US MP had to fit into a certain shelf space, this was one of the reasons Rodimus didn't come with his trailer. Hasbro is taking a huge chance with this toy due to the size of the packaging. Prime takes up roughly the same space as two voyagers side by side, he wouldn't work at Target or Wal-mart due to the lost space. Would you rather see Prime at Target for a slightly lower price or plenty of Voyagers for you to buy? Remember Transformers at TRU have a much larger area.


Not 100% TRU :P I can tell you right now, while on my way to Botcon I stopped at close to 15 different wal marts, targets and they had much larger display space for transformers than TRU. Star wars and the avengers stuff is hoarding space at all 3 but TRU seems to not give a *&^% about transformers imo..At least in across the 600 miles I drove to and from botcon this weekend. I can promise you that at least the star wars stuff dwarfs transformers stuff.

The worst part about this release is the fact that it is a TRU exclusive but the fact we are getting it is enough for me..I'll worry about everything else once hes on my shelf :p


Boy you've hit that one on TARGET :D seriously once again I'm learning that my stores suck and it's just me. My Target has TF's share space with GI Joe, GI Joe knockoffs, and some other toy lines I don't remember.


Yup, I have been quite unhappy about the lack of Transformers carried in the big stores mentioned. Over the past 2 years I wasted silly amounts of time driving, searching, and getting disappointed with not finding the Transformers that I wanted. Last year, I gave up hunting for them and just purchase them online now