The Energon Pub

Well the last time Wal-Mart had a BFB exclusive TF (yellow repaint Landfill), they had plenty to go around.

They had an entire pallet of them at the beginning of the day, with 20 sets left by 11:30.

That most likely will happen here.

My guess is, with the time frame and the fact that the UPC isn't registering....he's going to be a BFB item. I'm none too happy with that prospect, but....I'll be there.

I tell you this, however....if I miss him on this trip, I will buy the mold one way or another, even if it's seafoam green Japanese Starscream.

URGH!

P.S. I tried to call Hasbro for more information (the rep gave me a card), but they closed at 12:30 today because it's Friday. =\

I'm going to keep trying the UPC until something hits. One thing though guys, if he's a BFB item, the computer won't even allow them to sell the item, even if you could get someone to grab you one.

Autobot032 wrote:Well the last time Wal-Mart had a BFB exclusive TF (yellow repaint Landfill), they had plenty to go around.

They had an entire pallet of them at the beginning of the day, with 20 sets left by 11:30.

That most likely will happen here.

My guess is, with the time frame and the fact that the UPC isn't registering....he's going to be a BFB item. I'm none too happy with that prospect, but....I'll be there.

I tell you this, however....if I miss him on this trip, I will buy the mold one way or another, even if it's seafoam green Japanese Starscream.

URGH!

P.S. I tried to call Hasbro for more information (the rep gave me a card), but they closed at 12:30 today because it's Friday. =\

I'm going to keep trying the UPC until something hits. One thing though guys, if he's a BFB item, the computer won't even allow them to sell the item, even if you could get someone to grab you one.

You're best bet might be to become buddy buddy with th toy person and ask them to hold one for you in the back.

If I buy the ActionHQ version, I'll just look at him as the iPhone of transformers for me. I'm paying to have him a little early.

Apparently people have been driving Hasbro crazy about this, it's like the 35th question or so... (confirming it is shipping and a Wal-Mart exclusive)

http://tinyurl.com/2hfqc9 (truncated so the page wouldn't stretch.)

Masterpiece Starscream 83496
Question


Has the Masterpiece Starscream been released?
Answer


This product has just begun shipping to Wal-Mart. It will be sold exclusively at Wal-Mart in the US.

TaiPoh wrote:hey, I'm sorry if this was already mentioned somehwere in the forum, but why is Takara's version more expensive compared to Hasbro's? I preordered Hasbro's version from a toy shop and the owner said the only difference was that Takara's will have the takara sticker on it, and that he'll be in by November (for Malaysia, but I'm not certain yet). But I kept hearing Hasbro's version will have a "battle damaged" look on it? Hope someone can clear up my confusion.

hmmm, well to answer that question, Takara is more expensive because...it's Takara.

well, seriously now, Takara's version is different from the US release because it will feature less-smoke damage on the guns and nosecone (though i still hope for no smoke damage at all haha). plus give the fact that Takara has more stricter QC than Hasbro (though this is NOT ALWAYS the case), factor it all together including shipping and there you can figure out why Takara's version is more expensive.

shortround wrote:WHAT IS BLACK FRIDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!

FRIDAY AFTER TG!!!!!!!!!

Also i noticed bbts used to have it for preorder but not anymore.

zemper wrote:

TaiPoh wrote:hey, I'm sorry if this was already mentioned somehwere in the forum, but why is Takara's version more expensive compared to Hasbro's? I preordered Hasbro's version from a toy shop and the owner said the only difference was that Takara's will have the takara sticker on it, and that he'll be in by November (for Malaysia, but I'm not certain yet). But I kept hearing Hasbro's version will have a "battle damaged" look on it? Hope someone can clear up my confusion.

hmmm, well to answer that question, Takara is more expensive because...it's Takara.

well, seriously now, Takara's version is different from the US release because it will feature less-smoke damage on the guns and nosecone (though i still hope for no smoke damage at all haha). plus give the fact that Takara has more stricter QC than Hasbro (though this is NOT ALWAYS the case), factor it all together including shipping and there you can figure out why Takara's version is more expensive.

Actually, a lot of people would say that Takara's overall QC is pretty bad. Oh sure, Hasbro cuts corners on paint details on some figures, that much is for certain. However, Takara fails on the physical pieces of the figure itself. Missing fingers (MP-06 Skywarp), missing accessories, etc. Now, that's not to say that Hasbro hasn't fouled up on the physical part themselves (molding errors and whatnot) but I'd say if you put them head to head, Hasbro would come out on top even by a centimeter compared to Takara on the quality control issues.

P.S. I do realize you said that this isn't always the case. I'm not trying to misconstrue what you said. Just adding emphasis to it.

Maximus_Blade wrote:

shortround wrote:WHAT IS BLACK FRIDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!

FRIDAY AFTER TG!!!!!!!!!

Also i noticed bbts used to have it for preorder but not anymore.

Ooh...good catch. I just checked myself. I figured you meant as in sold out, but it's actually removed from their site completely.

That gives a slight bit more credence to the theory that it's a BFB item...

I'd think if they were just editing the page to correct the price, it'd be a simple reload of the page onto their servers. (I dabbled in HTML a long while ago, I know that it's not that difficult just to change the numbers for the price.)

Well, if he's a BFB item, that means they can't just order him from Hasbro, or from a contact overseas (although I'd love to know how Action-H-Q got their mitts on it) so...yeah, that'd explain why the page is gone completely.

Hmm.

EDIT: Oho! I spoke too soon. Check out A-HQ's page for 'Screamer...

http://tinyurl.com/2vf5tv (truncated to stop the screen stretch.)

...so what the heck is going on here? If they had sold out of him, it would just say sold out...but that's clearly not the case here. So...what on Earth is going on here??

I doublechecked BBTS's site for all things 'Screamer...only the Japanese version shows up. Not a single page for the US version, whatsoever.

I'm holding onto hope, but all signs seem to point to Black Friday. >_<

Which...would fit Action-HQ's new release date of October 30th. Two to three weeks after that (for us) would be either the 13th or the 20th (just in time for Black Friday).

*sighs* I'm glad he's coming. I'm willing to be patient and wait on him to save money. I know he's shipping now, I know he's a Wal-Mart exclusive. I just want somebody on the store side (and even on Hasbro's side) to give us a ballpark figure of an idea as to when we should even start looking for him! I mean seriously...it ain't that hard!

The most frustrating part of it is the fact that the UPC isn't showing in the computers at all. That tells me it's a BFB item. On the other hand, if it's not a BFB item and the UPC isn't showing, then that means he's meant for the Spring reset. If he isn't in the computers, and he's not on the current mods (which is the case for both situations) and he's not a BFB item like we're thinking...then he'd be a Spring item. It's happened before.

Weird thing though...months ago, fellow board members called a Wal-Mart employee a liar about info he found in their computers (he originally posted the info on another board, then came here) about Masterpiece Starscream. It was in the computer...but now it's not. What?!

...it's confusing. I'm the type of person that just needs a simple, honest answer. I don't care if it's yes or no, just a legit answer. Is that too much to ask for? Apparently.

been waiting a while for this guy. Don't need him b4 I get my MP Megs from BBTS, but that'll be a bonus I guess. It is easy to take the plug out of Meg's barrel?

vectorA3 wrote:been waiting a while for this guy. Don't need him b4 I get my MP Megs from BBTS, but that'll be a bonus I guess. It is easy to take the plug out of Meg's barrel?

Everyone says that it is. All you need is a pair of pliers (or a tool like it) and grab a hold of the lip of the plug, and wiggle up, down, left, right. It'll finally break the glue's bond, and you'll be able to slowly pull the plug out of the barrel. There will be some slight residue, but that can be removed with a Q-Tip and I think rubbing alcohol, or WD-40 (just enough to dampen the Q-Tip, not soak it.)

ok. cool. can't wait to get both of these!!!!!!

Takara version? The weathering looks lessened and it looks like they painted his face silver, which is what I wanted until Leo pointed the show screamer had a gunmetal face. However, seeing it I think it looks better silver anyways.

Yours AK

Ooooh Black Friday Blitz = Not a happy Camper.

A sea of frazzled Moms trying to find toys for a bunch of whiney kids, and only a limited amount to go around.

I want a American MP Starscream, but I will more then likely not get him at Wallys early in the morning because it is 8 miles away and I can only bike there. So I can't go too early. But, and this is a big BUT, I will mostly go there for the angry mom spectacle AND see if there are any Screamers left to buy.

For anyone who wants to brave the terrors of Wally's early in the morning I wish you luck, and may the Force be with you.

Ps, watch out for the folks who say "Toy are for kids!" and the dreaded "Kid who Snatches Stuff out of your Cart and runs away with it to the checkout," brat. These are a hazard to be aware of on Black Friday.

Zombie Starscream wrote:Ooooh Black Friday Blitz = Not a happy Camper.

A sea of frazzled Moms trying to find toys for a bunch of whiney kids, and only a limited amount to go around.

I want a American MP Starscream, but I will more then likely not get him at Wallys early in the morning because it is 8 miles away and I can only bike there. So I can't go too early. But, and this is a big BUT, I will mostly go there for the angry mom spectacle AND see if there are any Screamers left to buy.

For anyone who wants to brave the terrors of Wally's early in the morning I wish you luck, and may the Force be with you.

Ps, watch out for the folks who say "Toy are for kids!" and the dreaded "Kid who Snatches Stuff out of your Cart and runs away with it to the checkout," brat. These are a hazard to be aware of on Black Friday.

Don't forget the Grannys... they are the most dangerous... they distract you with questions, then they have your cheap appliances in their hands in no time--
"Now, sonny, where did you get this?"

"Hey....put that back in my cart."

Last year I tried WM BF- I was playing on their online section (computer) in store when all the items for BF came up online at 3am- I hauled butt out of there- bought everything online and called it a night- they make you wait till 5 am before you can smash and grab . As I ran out of the store I could see all the hordes coming- I had a nice grin as I left. At 5am the WM servers crashed...luckily I had finished my online shopping before that.

frag, you aren't serious? Black Friday?

Twenty, ready to ship, in hand.

From Taiwan....

http://search.ebay.com/Masterpiece-Star ... turnedZ300

Autobot032 wrote:Twenty, ready to ship, in hand.

From Taiwan....

http://search.ebay.com/Masterpiece-Star ... turnedZ300

that pic of the posed SS seems to be in line with the Takara version as it features no smoke damage at all. but for the price this guy is selling, that's a ripoff - sure, that's gonna be MP G1 SS's price - 3 years from now.

zemper wrote:

Autobot032 wrote:Twenty, ready to ship, in hand.

From Taiwan....

http://search.ebay.com/Masterpiece-Star ... turnedZ300

that pic of the posed SS seems to be in line with the Takara version as it features no smoke damage at all. but for the price this guy is selling, that's a ripoff - sure, that's gonna be MP G1 SS's price - 3 years from now.

Actually, that picture you're talking about...is stolen from A3U. It was used for his online store, he was repainting them into G1 colors and selling those. People love to rip it off all the time.

Autobot032 wrote:

zemper wrote:

Autobot032 wrote:Twenty, ready to ship, in hand.

From Taiwan....

http://search.ebay.com/Masterpiece-Star ... turnedZ300

that pic of the posed SS seems to be in line with the Takara version as it features no smoke damage at all. but for the price this guy is selling, that's a ripoff - sure, that's gonna be MP G1 SS's price - 3 years from now.

Actually, that picture you're talking about...is stolen from A3U. It was used for his online store, he was repainting them into G1 colors and selling those. People love to rip it off all the time.

oh? rats, fooled! hehe. no wonder the white was looking kinda bluish. but still, if he's selling the Hasbro version, the price is still a ripoff. SS isn't worth that much, especially with the ugly smoke damage.

zemper wrote:

Autobot032 wrote:

zemper wrote:

Autobot032 wrote:Twenty, ready to ship, in hand.

From Taiwan....

http://search.ebay.com/Masterpiece-Star ... turnedZ300

that pic of the posed SS seems to be in line with the Takara version as it features no smoke damage at all. but for the price this guy is selling, that's a ripoff - sure, that's gonna be MP G1 SS's price - 3 years from now.

Actually, that picture you're talking about...is stolen from A3U. It was used for his online store, he was repainting them into G1 colors and selling those. People love to rip it off all the time.

oh? rats, fooled! hehe. no wonder the white was looking kinda bluish. but still, if he's selling the Hasbro version, the price is still a ripoff. SS isn't worth that much, especially with the ugly smoke damage.

The thing that gets me is this guys has twenty of 'em, yet Action-H-Q moved their pre-order back. What the heck? Seriously...that's making me wonder if his shipment..."fell" off the truck.

I finally caved and just ordered it from ActionHQ. With all the Black Friday talk and so many unanswered questions about the release, I just went for what will hopefully be the sure thing. It'll be interesting to see when they ding my credit card and when he ships. I'll try not to cringe too hard if I get burned. I've prepared my dunce cap just in case...

Autobot032 wrote:

zemper wrote:

Autobot032 wrote:

zemper wrote:

Autobot032 wrote:Twenty, ready to ship, in hand.

From Taiwan....

http://search.ebay.com/Masterpiece-Star ... turnedZ300

that pic of the posed SS seems to be in line with the Takara version as it features no smoke damage at all. but for the price this guy is selling, that's a ripoff - sure, that's gonna be MP G1 SS's price - 3 years from now.

Actually, that picture you're talking about...is stolen from A3U. It was used for his online store, he was repainting them into G1 colors and selling those. People love to rip it off all the time.

oh? rats, fooled! hehe. no wonder the white was looking kinda bluish. but still, if he's selling the Hasbro version, the price is still a ripoff. SS isn't worth that much, especially with the ugly smoke damage.

The thing that gets me is this guys has twenty of 'em, yet Action-H-Q moved their pre-order back. What the heck? Seriously...that's making me wonder if his shipment..."fell" off the truck.

heh, maybe he's a factory insider? these toys are made in China anyway, and Taiwan's like, a boat's cross away from the mainland. LOL.

You guys are getting paranoid!!!

I truely doubt this is a Black Friday exclusive...retailer like Walmart use $20 DVD players, $200 computers, and MAYBE $5 DVD's to get people in NOT a $60 Transformers MP figure.

We've just been waiting SOOOOoooo long for this and with the experience with the rest of hte line this summer, ya'll expect the WORST...which I can't blame you. Anyways, the logistics of all this should make you look on the brightside.

1) Being in retail I have dealt with reps and managers...as much as we'd like to think they know SOMETHING, they in fact 99% of the time know Jack ****. I work in retail, so I am speaking from experience...especially since some of the infered details are from a Walmart manager, sheesh, they know less than their employees that walk away from you.

2) Hasbro has to license this mold from Tomy/Takara. That costs WAY TOO MUCH $$$ to limit how many Starscreams they'll produce...case and example, 20th Anniversary Prime. Hasbro paid a pretty penny for the mold and materials and that's why you see shelves full of them now (although you didnt see them a whole lot when they hit)

Bottomline....QUIT BEING SO NEGATIVE!!!

Yes, some one could infer that it was a Black Friday item, but at the same time simply look at the two facts I put down you can infer the opposite. From a business stand point, what I am saying makes way more sense, and business is all of what Walmart and Hasbro are about.

Do what you feel you need to do to get one, but I am not going to break my neck untill SS breaks in the stores. I think there will be plenty (maybe limited at first like Prime) but patience will win out. There will be PLENTY to go around...just be patient and dilegent in your hunt.

PS- We havent seen as many of these on Ebay for one good reason. Look at how big the package is!!

Do you think anyone could sneak an ENTIRE CASE out the door without someone noticing??? This isnt a Voyager we're talking about, it's a MP.

Once again...logic prevails...thanks Mr. Spock

zatara1701 wrote:PS- We havent seen as many of these on Ebay for one good reason. Look at how big the package is!!

Do you think anyone could sneak an ENTIRE CASE out the door without someone noticing??? This isnt a Voyager we're talking about, it's a MP.

Once again...logic prevails...thanks Mr. Spock

Didn't you ever see the Chi Chi's commercial with the guy pumping free salsa through his sleeve and into his chambered coat??? Never underestimate him!!!

If I were to try and pull off something like this, that is the guy I would hire.

Seriously though ... why preorder? He is going to be EVERYWHERE!!! It's called ... patience, not pay-shunce. Who the hell is shunce anyway? He must be the guy with all the G1 MP-SS's.

What is logic doing here again?

I thought logic was banned from these forums

I thought this was all guesswork and paranoia?!?

Now don't get me wrong, I am very impatient, but damn, you people are down right jumpy.

Everyone freaked out the same way about Titanium G1 Ultra Magnus and the Fallen, and I sure as hell found them in stores.

Not trying to insult anyone's hard work or time taken, but just sit tight and wait for the real answer.

i think this might be a secret black friday release, they do this all the time with SW toys. They have an exclusive item for a decent price and keep it on the hush hush. Last year Target had the Imperial shuttle released on BF for $60. The last time this ship was released -it was an FAO schwarz excl. for $100-120 bucks. This year more of the same, the new battle packs at Target for BF (which haven't been confirmed -no one's talking) are the Battle of Hoth and Battle of Endor, both of these come with a boatload of figures and vehicles and they're both $50. It's hasbro, so I can easily see them doing this with the MP SS at walmart. I don't know about #s, how limited, but I'm definitely goin pretty early to walmart to make sure i get one. I live in scalper central LA - these guys have deep pockets & I wouldn't put it past them to screw everybody & buy em all.