The Energon Pub

My market is typically 3-9 weeks behind the official release dates except for big ticket items at TRU like this. They are often there on projected date or within a week.

The only MP or G1 reissue to ever sit on the shelves here is the MP Thundercracker. I have 3 TRUs close to me. One is a "C" class store and the other 2 are "D" Class. The only Big figure I ever got from the C store was the 25th Anni Unicron armada reissue. All of the rest I've gotten from one of the D stores.

Most stores here are pushing Beast Hunters Wave 1 still. I saw a Deluxe Ripclaw at 1 walmart and he was gone by the time I went back to get him and all restocks have been that wave with BH Wheeljack, Soundwave, BB and I think Starscream.

At least I know they plan on selling him for real in August. My birthday's next Monday so I'm taking donations LOL.

Thanks again for the kind words El Duque.

Anyone know how to tell the class of the TRU near where you live?

chuckdawg1999 wrote:Anyone know how to tell the class of the TRU near where you live?

Call them and ask. That's all there is to it. Give 'em some kinda spiel about "I was told different classes aren't carrying them, like Ds. Which one are you?" Or something to that effect. It'll work. Unless you're talking to absolute jerk.

So the odds seem pretty slim for these being in store this week. The store closest to me said to check back this Thursday and I was going to adjust my work schedule and just show up when they open.

A long shot, but I dont see any other option at the moment. If the store only gets a case or two of these they will be gone as soon as they hit the shelves

I stopped by TRU on my lunch break today just for the heck of it. So MP SW, of course. But all TFs are BOGO 50%off and they had a full Generations Ruination set, so I got all 5 figures for $52 + tax. Damn you, TRU, for not only not having Soundwave, but for tempting me into buying something else even though I hate you right now.

GuyIncognito wrote:I stopped by TRU on my lunch break today just for the heck of it. So MP SW, of course. But all TFs are BOGO 50%off and they had a full Generations Ruination set, so I got all 5 figures for $52 + tax. Damn you, TRU, for not only not having Soundwave, but for tempting me into buying something else even though I hate you right now.

Would you happen to know how long that deal will last? I've yet to pick up Blaster, Springer, and Blitzwing; this would be a good opportunity to pick them up when they're in-stock, but it's probably going to be by Friday before I can stop by.

Mindmaster wrote:

GuyIncognito wrote:I stopped by TRU on my lunch break today just for the heck of it. So MP SW, of course. But all TFs are BOGO 50%off and they had a full Generations Ruination set, so I got all 5 figures for $52 + tax. Damn you, TRU, for not only not having Soundwave, but for tempting me into buying something else even though I hate you right now.

Would you happen to know how long that deal will last?

I didn't notice. I was in there over the weekend, though, and they DIDN'T have that sale going on yet. So I would think it should last through this coming weekend.

Antron wrote:No hard feelings @El Duque. I know you're a good guy. I just spent the morning hunting again and came home to that it it just rubbed me the wrong way. Thanks for the kind words. No hard feelings. I've a few leads this week so my fingers are crossed.

Note to they guys I saw on Thursday on Airport HWY in Toledo, I was told yesterday to check back on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Sorry if I ruffled any feathers.

No worries, in retrospect I can see how my comment would annoy those who have yet to obtain MP Soundwave. Good luck, hopefully he will start showing up at retail soon and you can get one that way. It's more fun at actually find stuff at retail anyway!

I spoke with the manager at my TRU (Charleston, SC). He looked up Soundwave and told me that there are THOUSANDS ordered and the distribution center is waiting arrival from Hasbro. Thought I'd pass this along as it seems TRU might not be at fault, sounds like Hasbro's shipment was botched. Either way, he's coming...be patient.

Thanks Hansolo and El Duque. This is the first year I've ever bothered with pre orders and such. I've only web ordered a few US toys and the couple of imports I own. I'm a fan of local hunting. I enjoy making the rounds.

I got Soundwave today, haven't opened it yet and already I'm not happy:


This is how I got the box MP Soundwave came in by chuckdawg1999, on Flickr

First the box is WAY to big for one Soundwave, the top right corner was crushed in


This is all that was in the box with Soundwave. The envelope was falling through the front because of how it was bent by chuckdawg1999, on Flickr

Not a bit of padding, not even brown packaging paper let alone bubble wrap or air bags. They made sure to get that stupid offers envelope in though. The front of the box was so bent out of shape it was sticking through.

The Soundwave box itself looks "OK" there are some dings and folds in the corners but I can't be sure if those were caused by how it was shipped or that's how TRU got it. What kills me the most is this is a $130 item after tax. Shipping was free because I spent more than $75, if this is how they pack free shipping items I'll happily pay everytime.

chuckdawg1999 wrote:I got Soundwave today, haven't opened it yet and already I'm not happy:

The Soundwave box itself looks "OK" there are some dings and folds in the corners

Do you have any idea how many of us would KILL for an MP Soundwave with a few dings in the box? Most of us can't even get it, so stop complaining about your dings.

GuyIncognito wrote:

chuckdawg1999 wrote:I got Soundwave today, haven't opened it yet and already I'm not happy:

The Soundwave box itself looks "OK" there are some dings and folds in the corners

Do you have any idea how many of us would KILL for an MP Soundwave with a few dings in the box? Most of us can't even get it, so stop complaining about your dings.

I was complaining more about the shipping box. I'm sorry that you can't find one yet but that doesn't negate the issue that I have with TRU and how they packed the item. I still haven't opened it so for all I know the toy could be in 100 pieces.

I'm just going to go ahead and step in now before it gets worse. Guys, I know this is a hot button issue and it causes anger and bad feelings. But, you cannot take your frustrations out on one another. I'm asking nicely, but next time we'll start telling you. You cannot antagonize one another over things like this.

Thankfully the giant tray that Soundwave comes in held everything in place so there wasn't any damage to the main figure. I do find it interesting that the instructions omit all of the bonus gimmicks like the ability to hold three tapes. Also none of the interactivity with rumble/frenzys' weapons is mentioned, including storage.

Well, there was a package in the mail today, so now Megatron and Starscream have some new friends...



Annoyingly, Ravage's head was upside down! I was able to fix it... After hammering out two pins, flipping some parts around, hammering the pins back in, trimming a bit of plastic around a still upside down but inaccessible joint so that it would bend in the correct direction, and filling in some paint now missing (because of that necessary trimming) with the use of a silver Sharpie... So yeah, that sucked. But that was the only issue I can see so far.

Yotsuyasan wrote:Well, there was a package in the mail today, so now Megatron and Starscream have some new friends...



Annoyingly, Ravage's head was upside down! I was able to fix it... After hammering out two pins, flipping some parts around, hammering the pins back in, trimming a bit of plastic around a still upside down but inaccessible joint so that it would bend in the correct direction, and filling in some paint now missing (because of that necessary trimming) with the use of a silver Sharpie... So yeah, that sucked. But that was the only issue I can see so far.

Haven't busted out ravage yet and now I'm worried. How was the packaging

chuckdawg1999 wrote:How was the packaging?

Well, the shipping box was ludicrously larger then Soundwave's own box. There was some packing material inside trying to fill the excess space, but it could have used more. (Still, at least it had some. I've read one other person saying theirs had none!) Soundwave's box itself was slightly dinged up, but not to a degree that I would get pissed about it. Inside, everything was snug in a plastic tray, with not a single annoying twist tie.

So, I'd say good packaging on Hasbro's part, kind of lazy packaging on TRU's part.

Good luck with your Ravage. Hope his head is on correctly! I would be curious if anyone else has this problem, or if I was just an unlucky bastard.

You should email TRU about the packaging so they don't keep doing that to people.

Yotsuyasan wrote:

chuckdawg1999 wrote:How was the packaging?

Well, the shipping box was ludicrously larger then Soundwave's own box. There was some packing material inside trying to fill the excess space, but it could have used more. (Still, at least it had some. I've read one other person saying theirs had none!) Soundwave's box itself was slightly dinged up, but not to a degree that I would get pissed about it. Inside, everything was snug in a plastic tray, with not a single annoying twist tie.

So, I'd say good packaging on Hasbro's part, kind of lazy packaging on TRU's part.

Good luck with your Ravage. Hope his head is on correctly! I would be curious if anyone else has this problem, or if I was just an unlucky bastard.

Mine had no packaging material too. I checked Ravage after you said something and his head is fine, thank goodness since my only recourse would've been to wait and buy one loose down the road.

I did call TRU today and they've opened a file. I'm not looking for anything but they need to be aware.

Mine just came in the mail from TRU today. To give you some size perspective next to the MLP figures I ordered for my daughter. This is a BIG box he comes in.

TRU Packaging...


Scale of actual box to other items!

Just out of curiosity, how did it come? UPS or USPS? Mine was something called UPS Sure Post which is UPS doing most of the work then handing it off to the USPS

I think USPS. I didnt hear the door bell it wasnt slated to be here until tomorrow. So when I went out to walk my dog, I was shocked to see my boxes there on the steps. I heard many of them started UPS and then once in the local area get handed off to USPS.

chuckdawg1999 wrote:Just out of curiosity, how did it come? UPS or USPS? Mine was something called UPS Sure Post which is UPS doing most of the work then handing it off to the USPS

That is how mine shipped, too. Kind of annoying. It arrived in my hometown on Friday, sat in UPS's warehouse until Monday, and then had to be handed off to the USPS, so it didn't come until today. Why couldn't UPS just deliver it itself? Even if I still had to wait the weekend, I could have gotten it a day earlier...

Still... I shouldn't gripe too much. At least I got one!

MenaceRX wrote:Mine just came in the mail from TRU today. To give you some size perspective next to the MLP figures I ordered for my daughter. This is a BIG box he comes in.

Your "daughter" sure, keep telling yourself that