The Energon Pub

[fanboy999]

I think that it's awesome that people actually think Hasbro has this rad conspiracy going on to deprive Transformer fans of our much needed toy fix. Scalpers? of course. Ever since websites like Ebay and Amazon have flourished, the market for toys and other goods in our somewhat free-market society have flourished. Does it drive up demand? yup. But vast conspiracy? absolutely not. The bottom line, I think, is that Hasbro dropped the ball and they're playing catch up to try and remedy the problem. Yes, the shelves are bare right now, but I'm sure soon enough there will be Transformers filling the shelves up once again in newer and radder fashion. Until then, resist the urge to buy from some overpriced 'scalper'. It's called 'willpower', people. Utilize it!

[D-340]

Still can't find Wiis in Chicago unless you want to get up at the crack of dawn to go to a major retailer to buy one.

And this is not anywhere near as bad as the summer of 2005. At least you can still find Transformers products in stores, just not the ones you want. The summer of '05 was probably the worst I've personally ever seen it. The summer of '07 is just as bad as the summer of '02 for Armada and '01 for RiD.

Actually, I'm up past the crack of dawn(I work over night), and I still can't get my hands on a Wii. But I know why this is, and while I doubt stores are doing this with TFs, they do this with Wiis:

TRU and Best Buy(I have couple friends that work at each)told me they get shipments in of the Wii during the week, but put them out on Sunday as an advertised "fire sale". This is per Nintendo's order to drive up demand. So in this case, I don't think the Wii is a fair comparison, cuz like I said, I doubt Hasbro is doing this. Especially cuz there are no advertisements of any movie TFs going out for "fire sales".

Oh, and I remember summer 02. Man did that suck, for months all there was were Armada Smokescreens. To all the new collectors, you think this is rough, it has been rougher. At one point we were beating each other to death with our own arms. j/k

[Seibertron]

I think a lot of people posting here are newer collecters that haven't seen past patterns.

This is not unusual. This time of year, the shelves are always empty. The toy companies and stores are vamping up for Christmas. Trust me, you're gonna see so damn many TFs on the shelves in a few months, you will be on here complaining of overstock and complaining about how Hasbro overproduced the toys and complaining about how they should have started Classics 2.0 and the animated lines sooner.

Typical, lol. Just sit back and relax.

P.S. I see no problem wih scalpers. They provide a valuable service providing marked up product to impatient people, people who missed out on a store release, or people who just find it more convenient to pay 10 bucks more to not have to deal with a crowded store with bad service. Not to mention, they are doing nothing illegal. They have found a legitimate way to make a little extra cash. If they are that hard up for cash that they are willing to spend the time and effort to make 10-20 on a toy, I wish them luck. If I ever found myself unemployed and hard up, I would absolutely start selling TFs on ebay. It is what I know best to turn a few bucks while looking for a job.

Shizzles, I do it now. I sold my extra Botcon stuff for a minimum of 150% markup. If I see a good sale or an in demand toy selling for double on ebay, I'll definately pick up extras to ebay. I'd have to be an idiot or just plain lazy to stare free money in the face and walk away. Not to mention, its a nice way of supplementing my TF spending so I do not feel guilty about the thousands I spend every year. Reselling a few high margin items here and there probably gets me pretty close to even on my own spending.

It is similar to how I can offord Red Sox season tickets. I sell most of my mine and I get to go to games for free.

Oh, and I needed a house. So I bought 2 multifamilies and get to live rent free as the pair combine to pay my mortgages, house insurance and tax.

How is scalping any different from playing the stock market, or flipping houses, or running a used car dealership?

Oh and if you can't find stuff, blame your fellow Seibertronians. If we weren't willing to buy at the scalper's price, he wouldn't be selling at that price, now would he?

Don't like it? Might want to move out of the USA, 'cause thats how we roll.

Hmm, I wonder, is the TF secondary market a perfect example of Laissez Faire Capitalism? I might have to write my Econ PHD on this one.

Bingo. I think the reason why Transformers fans get so upset is because it's the "devil you know" syndrome. So many, many fans do the exact same thing. Hell, I bought 2 Alternator Rodimus last week just for the simple fact that I want to have one for an investment. Yeah, at some point I plan on unloading it for $100 - $200+. Not yet, mind you, but at some point. I've done it before and I'll do it again. Just like all of the fans who at Botcon bought extra sets to pay for their trips and what not. We all love to take advantage of seeing a really hot figure and making a few extra bucks on eBay. In turn, I also buy a lot of figures off eBay from these so-called scalpers because I want figures ASAP and I don't always have time to go looking for them. To be honest, I buy most of my figures online through BBTS because I'm personally tired of all of the toy store hunting. I'd rather get figures posted on the site ASAP for all of you guys. My time is much better spent taking photos than hunting for toys.

Also, have you guys checked to see what the upcoming waves include that will be released in August or September? There's a shitload of figures coming our way. If I recall correctly, there are like 5 deluxe waves that will be released with various combinations during the next 6 - 8 weeks.

Another piece of advice: BBTS generally gets figures in before Walmart or Target puts them out on shelves. That's not always the case, but I would say that 75% - 90% of the time that it is. Watch the news for BBTS reports. When BBTS gets them in, then it is time to go hunting. Watch the toy sightings section.

[Seibertron]

Case in point with the 2009 Concept Camaro Bumblebee (yes it's a 2009 folks):

http://seibertron.com/sightings/item.php?item_id=533

Most of the sightings of this figure are at Walmart with a touch of Target and a few unlikely Zellers sightings. Why in the world would you stop at a KB, Kmart or a Walmart right now to find this figure? Heck, look at the sightings on Unicron.com at http://unicron.com/sightings/item_view.php?itemID=841

Same story. Don't waste your time right now looking at the non-major toy outlets. I probably wouldn't even stop by TRU until some sightings start to show up.

There's a way to hunt for toys that's smart and then there's the not-so-smart way which is to stop at every store in your area that sells toys. You are just wasting your time.

In case you guys haven't figured it out, I'm really trying to help you guys by showing you how to use the toy sightings section to your advantage. All you're doing right now by stopping at stores other than Target or Walmart is simply wasting your time. I wouldn't even bother until a few more sightings start going up. At least if you go, keep in mind that the figures most likely aren't going to be there. Don't get mad at Hasbro or the retailer because this is pretty typical for this time of the year. If you find them earlier than everyone else, kudos to you, pat yourself on the back for a job well done and be happy that you found them early. Other than that, keep your expectations in check because as I keep trying to stress ... this. is. normal.

[Seibertron]

First of all Ryan, I don't care for the way you've gone off on me here. Others said the same thing and got a simple quote here and there, but me? You came after me. Why? Because I was the most vocal and tried to cover more ground? What? I've never irked you before, at least not that I know of, so seriously...what is the deal?

I don't have any problem with you at all, Autobot032. I definetly didn't mean to single you out. I was just reading comments and replying to them. I think you just happened to hit upon enough of my hot buttons when it comes to this staff that you got the brunt of my responses. I apologize if I came across as singling you out or in a manner that appeared that I was attacking you personally. Such was not my intention.

I just wish you guys would back off Hasbro. It's not their fault. They didn't drop the ball. They simply sold more figures than anticipated ... that's it! That's an awesome thing and I hope this trend continues because it's good business. Over flooding the market with a certain product and not moving the product in a fashionable time frame is a bad thing.

That is obviously not the case with what's happened with the Transformers brand this summer. But it's also the same thing that happened in the summers of '01, '02, '05 and '07. It's nothing new. Retailers are gearing up for Christmas. They don't want left over products from the summer clogging up shelves at Christmas time.

[Agent 007]

You guys, Hasbro is making tons of stuff right now for the TF brand. You have Cyberslammers, FABs, Titaniums, Robot Heroes, Robot Replicas, Unleashed, Real Gear, T.E.C.H., God knows how much movie-themed stuff like the carabiners, computer-chip based games, board games, etc... This is in addition to the regular run of deluxes, voyagers, leader class, etc...

Is this not enough?

Are you not entertained?

There is more shelf space dedicated to Transformers than I have ever seen before. Think of the magnitude of the production runs they are doing on a worldwide scale. Their production facilities are probably running full steam since they began manufacturing movie toys plus all the other stuff. Transformers are their #1 brand right now and they are doing their best to keep Transformers fans and kids happy. Plus their R&D is full under way with the next two Transformer lines after the movie toys. Incredible. Documentaries should be made about how companies like Hasbro pull off such feats of worldwide marketing, production,and distribution.

Hasbro is not out to hurt the fandom. They have nothing against little Billy or SweatyFan-Boi#7. You may or may not get your 08 Bumblebee right now. I have not found one either, but I don't blame Hasbro, Walmart, Target, or whatever other retailer that is out there. Neither should you. How many complainers, or fans in general, have taken the time to write Hasbro an appreciation letter? How about showing some goodwill?

There are currently about 60 auctions coming up on eBay for 08 Bumblebee and not all of those are for the deluxe 08 figure. That is 60 auctions out of the tens of thousands of 08 Bumblebees produced. eBay sellers (aka scalpers) are not the problem. They are a drop in an ocean, nothing more. In fact, if it wasn't for them I bet a lot of members here would still not have an 08 Bumblebee.

The only prob most of the side items suck. Thats why there the only thing on the shelf. The point I'm tryin to make is scalpers are one of the many thorns in our backsides as collectors. And hasbro and the collectors aren't helping the situatation by not shipping enough. The demand shot up like a month ago. I would think that would be enough time to think about stepping up production so that the demand would be met. Not trying to be an ass but my point makes sence.

[Seibertron]

Actually it doesn't. If they turned up production a month ago, how long do you think it takes for those items to turn up on store shelves?

[Seibertron]

Deluxe wave 4 August 2007:
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/prod ... ode=retail

Deluxe wave 5 August 2007:
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/prod ... ode=retail

Deluxe wave 6 August 2007:
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/prod ... ode=retail

Deluxe wave 7 August 2007:
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/prod ... ode=retail

BBTS hasn't gotten these in yet. They'll have them in before you can probably find them at Target or Walmart or at least right around the same time. BBTS often lists products for a certain month but they often roll over into the next month (this is not the fault of BBTS). So sometime this month or in September, the above 4 waves of deluxes will be hitting store shelves. That's FOUR waves in a month's time frame. I don't know how much more you want Hasbro to ramp up production ... that's an insane amount of case assortments coming down the pipes to please all of us.

[Robinson]

Actually it doesn't. If they turned up production a month ago, how long do you think it takes for those items to turn up on store shelves?

2 day?

Seriously though people, we need to chill out and let the toys come to us, sooner or later they will be here.

Ryans right about the production aspect of it especially the shipping times from china, they don't fly this stuff over, it comes in big crates on a rusty old boat with a drunk sea captain that walks around saying "Why is there no rum?" .

I'm just as frustrated as everyone else over the bb not being anywhere but guess what theres nothing I can do but wait. Although it would be nice if we did get some sort of response from hasbro to know where it stands as of now, we are better off waiting until they show up in mass.

Besides some of the collectors have been waiting 20 years to get that g1 prime with no stickers and no damage to the box(just an example) so we all can wait a couple more weeks to a couple more months if need be.

[Lapse Of Reason]

The only prob most of the side items suck. Thats why there the only thing on the shelf. The point I'm tryin to make is scalpers are one of the many thorns in our backsides as collectors. And hasbro and the collectors aren't helping the situatation by not shipping enough. The demand shot up like a month ago. I would think that would be enough time to think about stepping up production so that the demand would be met. Not trying to be an ass but my point makes sence.

Hasbro makes something for almost everyone. Plenty of people have been buying the other stuff too, just not as many or not as much. From factory to store shelf takes a few months. 08 Bumblebee will be out in pairs per case for three of the next four waves. I promise you the stores will be flooded with them over the next few months.

I don't blame Hasbro for trickling out product over the next few months. They have to keep the shelves under a constant stream of newer product and existing sold out product in order to maintain a presence on store shelves. If they dumped everything out once or twice per year, like LEGO, you'd buy up everything they had all at once and then look at nothing new for like 6 to 9 months. That would make a serious dent in TFs sale momentum and would have plenty of fans sitting around waiting for the next release.

I also collect LEGO Star Wars and this happens all the time with them. They release product twice a year. The LEGO fan sites like http://www.fbtb.net are almost virtual ghost towns until just before and during new product releases. Here, Transformers keep going all year round.

[Lapse Of Reason]

Is this not enough?

Are you not entertained?

Did you really just quote Gladiator while talking about tf toys? AAAAAhahahaha

I was laughing when I wrote that. For some reason it seemed appropriate.

[Agent 007]

Is this not enough?

Are you not entertained?

Did you really just quote Gladiator while talking about tf toys? AAAAAhahahaha

I was laughing when I wrote that. For some reason it seemed appropriate.

indeed it did

[jimi04]

This thread delivers more than Hasbro at my local stores right now!

[tom brokaw]

gi joe 25th anniverasry in stock! its good to see them in their old school package than that sigma six stuff.

[Wheeljack35]

gi joe 25th anniverasry in stock! its good to see them in their old school package than that sigma six stuff.

You should see the 5 packs with a Gi Joe logo that plays the old theme

[tom brokaw]

gi joe 25th anniverasry in stock! its good to see them in their old school package than that sigma six stuff.

You should see the 5 packs with a Gi Joe logo that plays the old theme

omg yes! i saw that. scalper hoarded 'em quick though, so i when i saw it, it was already in someone's arms .

[Toyotus Superion]

You could have asked him for them. Some scalpers will just give them to you. The worst he could have said was no. Then you just beat it out of him till theres only a pulpy bloody mess. Then you can buy all of them! Mwa ha ha ha!

[--B--]

Just to get a little back onto topic, the Exton, PA store did a reset, but did not get any additonal stock in. There is that 15.99 "Transformer G1" spot that I pray has 6 inch titaniums in it in the next few weeks or so.

[PGBot]

Went to Target today before work. The employees were restocking, but nothing new. I guess I may have to go the BBTS route, but they may not get shipments in until the end of August.

[tom brokaw]

You could have asked him for them. Some scalpers will just give them to you. The worst he could have said was no. Then you just beat it out of him till theres only a pulpy bloody mess. Then you can buy all of them! Mwa ha ha ha!

i shouldve . dang, he had two of the boxed sets and and a bunch of the singles. oh well, but since theres no gi joe movie, they wont be as hard to find as TF toys.

[zatara1701]

I've been to Target every other day this week, and I havent seen anything.... SOOooooo, I have no idea what ya'll are talking about.

Being in retail it does seem stupid to leave shelf space empty THAT long (been at least two weeks), but I havent seen anything.

I have seen the "Real Gear" two packs and a couple "Robot Replicas," at Walmart since this weekend.

[Autobot032]

I've been to Target every other day this week, and I havent seen anything.... SOOooooo, I have no idea what ya'll are talking about.

Being in retail it does seem stupid to leave shelf space empty THAT long (been at least two weeks), but I havent seen anything.

I have seen the "Real Gear" two packs and a couple "Robot Replicas," at Walmart since this weekend.

Five weeks for some. Which is ridiculous, but I'm not going to get back into that. I said my piece.

[bumblebee2007]

Well I'm gonna be real optimistic.

Look on the bright side, when the DVD comes out you can have a fresh 08 bumblebee in stores at the same time.

That's actually a good way of thinking about it...sorta having your cake and eating it too. The only thing to deal with is the wait.

[lanzajr26]

Well, both TRU and Wal-Mart were busts tonight, however I found a Deluxe Arcee over at Kohl's. Funny how these are the only places with toys right now

[tom brokaw]

Well I'm gonna be real optimistic.

Look on the bright side, when the DVD comes out you can have a fresh 08 bumblebee in stores at the same time.

That's actually a good way of thinking about it...sorta having your cake and eating it too. The only thing to deal with is the wait.

haha. nice avatar. it reminds me of a beatmix BB.... i can stare at it forever .