The Energon Pub

by **UltraMaximus** » Fri May 02, 2014 3:26 pm

So I was at my local Toys R Us here in Greenwood Indiana, and found a 30th Anniversary Platinum Edition Year of the Horse Supreme Starscream (can that name be any longer?).

The front cover had been ripped off and they had it marked at normal price. I took the figure to the manager and showed him the box, and said that I would like to purchase the figure but wouldn't pay full price for a damaged collectible.

He offered to sell it to me for $80 and I told him I could order him undamaged online for $85 and counter offered $60. He accepted. It was the last one on the shelf and he would rather move the product than have to ship it back.

Since I will take it out of the package to review it, I figured it couldn't hurt. The worse he could have said was "no". This goes to show you, if you see something like that, don't be afraid to ask for a discount, the retailer will likely work with you in order to make a sale.

Thought I'd share.

News Credits: 12 · by **GuyIncognito** » Fri May 02, 2014 3:29 pm

Your headline is a bit misleading. I thought this was about a price drop.

I've tried this at my local TRU (and other retailers) with no luck, which makes sense. If they're willing to sell damaged stuff at discounted prices, what's to stop someone from picking something up off the shelf, ripping the box, and then asking for a discount? I'm happy for you, you got lucky, but this isn't something we can all get away with.

News Credits: 3 · by **Kibble** » Fri May 02, 2014 5:01 pm

I was at a TRU and they had a beat to hell, destroyed package Universe Darkwind that was not only falling out of the box, but had been rotting on the shelf for about 4 years. I tried to haggle hoping to get it 50% off (same as they had clearance Silverbolt for like a year or two earlier,) but they would only take $5 off. I passed...and as it turned out it was a good decision since I've since decided to quit buying every last random-ass Classics figure. When I have to look the character up to remember who the hell it is, I don't need it that badly. Not to mention that mold kinda sucks anyhow.

by **thedistinctroom** » Fri May 02, 2014 9:27 pm

Could be worse. I once bought a GoBot (Spay-C "600" Series) that was still sealed in it's card, from a local toy shop. When I opened it up, the tail wing was broken. When I took it back to the store and asked the owner for a refund or trade, he flipped out and slammed the toy on the ground and yelled some unparliamentary gibberish at me. I didn't get any refund and the toy he smashed stayed there!

:KYLE:

by **UltraMaximus** » Fri May 02, 2014 9:53 pm

I think it is all about approach and the manager. Like I said worse they can say is no

News Credits: 119 · by **megatronus** » Sat May 03, 2014 1:48 am

UltraMaximus wrote:I think it is all about approach and the manager. Like I said worse they can say is no

That's true. I've never had any luck, but I'm glad you were able to get something out of it.

But to GuyIncognito's point, the title is VERY misleading. It really sounds like you're announcing a TRU-wide price reduction on the figure.

by **UltraMaximus** » Sat May 03, 2014 8:47 am

I don't see that. If so it would read "TRU has reduced price"....

News Credits: 119 · by **megatronus** » Sat May 03, 2014 8:59 am

UltraMaximus wrote:I don't see that. If so it would read "TRU has reduced price"....

It really doesn't matter how you read it... but it does matter that at least two other people are taking away the wrong message from the title. Just a heads up.

News Credits: 241 · by **Jelze Bunnycat** » Sat May 03, 2014 9:03 am

UltraMaximus wrote:I don't see that. If so it would read "TRU has reduced price"....

Not all of us have English as a primary language

Without specific words like "I got a..." it just looks like a general, ambiguous statement.

by **UltraMaximus** » Sat May 03, 2014 10:36 am

Haha! English does help!

As far as people misreading - not my fault.

Just trying to help fans out.

News Credits: 60 · by **fenrir72** » Sat May 03, 2014 11:12 am

UltraMaximus wrote:Haha! English does help!

As far as people misreading - not my fault.

Just trying to help fans out.

Words delivered in a certain fashion can give the wrong impression. and your title was a bit confusing.

On the other hand.........congrats on the purchase. I also managed to get a Tomy MP-08 with a crushed box at a cheaper price. Beggars can't be choosers.

News Credits: 100 · by **-Kanrabat-** » Sat May 03, 2014 2:57 pm

I did a naughty

News Credits: 226 · by **Burn** » Sat May 03, 2014 3:59 pm

-Kanrabat-, you should know better. Contribute to the discussion, don't post just to attack someone.

UltraMaximus, I agree with the others, your title CAN be construed as misleading so I made it less so. Congrats on the grab btw, and the tips on how to get cheaper figures.

News Credits: 100 · by **-Kanrabat-** » Sat May 03, 2014 4:44 pm

Burn wrote:-Kanrabat-, you should know better. Contribute to the discussion, don't post just to attack someone.

UltraMaximus, I agree with the others, your title CAN be construed as misleading so I made it less so. Congrats on the grab btw, and the tips on how to get cheaper figures.

I tought posting the picture of the gurmpy old man made it clear that I was humoring the guy. Should have used this instead:

------

Dear Minicon UltraMaximus post your hauls or latest aquisition in the
Transformers Toy haul thread.
This is the place to post, no matter if your finding is ordinary or incredible.
Do it, for less clutter on the forum and misleading titles.

------

Oh yeah, I tried shaving off a few bucks from a 30$ voyager at TrU. The box was quite beaten up, but not split open. All I got was a stink-eye from the 60-something year old manager and a disgusted "We don't sell collector items here. We sell toys". Because it was the very last HFTD Banzaitron ever, I swalowed my shame and anger and bought the thing for 34.50$ total. No regrets, but still, I was pissed.