The Energon Pub

[Chibi Starscream]

Whoever found this toy probably found it at the Walmart I work at. I saw it the other day, as I visit the TF section daily. The pickings have been seriously slim though, but I saw this Ratchet there. It was a pass though, because I hate Bayverse designs. I wish the Bee movie toys weren't just cheap earlier movie rehashes.

[-Kanrabat-]

I learned the word from TV Tropes.

So you never went to 4chan? If you ever do, be careful. It's a dangerous jungle there.
Especially for a noob.

[BERSEKAEL]

and this is how HASBRO loose collectors and fans, that repaint is no where to be found in their shop online neither in my local stores in USA...

do you want to keep customers interested? then make toys available, first on your website, then on retail... few other toys I had to buy them online way overpriced on ebay, they never made it to my local stores neither to their shop online site

***legion class***
got lately on ebay 4x price: hound and dragonstorm
still looking for: cyclonus, sideways sneak attack set (last one on ebay was $500+)

[-Kanrabat-]

do you want to keep customers interested? then make toys available, first on your website, then on retail... few other toys I had to buy them online way overpriced on ebay, they never made it to my local stores neither to their shop online site

Distribution woes is an entirely different ball game. Retailers themselves also have a big chunk of responsibility here.

[ZeldaTheSwordsman]

I got Soundwave today as a belated Christmas present. He's quite lovely, although he's going to be placed with my CHUG toys rather than the movie ones because, well, that's where he fits in better. Now I need to get the DJ Bumblebee set.

[Flashwave]

and this is how HASBRO loose collectors and fans, that repaint is no where to be found in their shop online neither in my local stores in USA...

do you want to keep customers interested? then make toys available, first on your website, then on retail... few other toys I had to buy them online way overpriced on ebay, they never made it to my local stores neither to their shop online site

***legion class***
got lately on ebay 4x price: hound and dragonstorm
still looking for: cyclonus, sideways sneak attack set (last one on ebay was $500+)

You also have to remember that has Pros not trying to use their online shop as a distribution Point. Rather it's a close out outlets. The product they post to hasbrotoyshop, is product they have left over from their order run. The fact that we see it on hasbrotoyshop before it ever even makes it into the stores, is more indicative of how slow the retail distribution site is at Walmart, or Target, Etc, and not indicative of anything Hasbro is doing. I guarantee you, that they are not trying to undersell their primary consumers, remember we're buying from Walmart not from Hasbro Walmart is buying from Hasbro. It doesn't do Hasbro any good to sell the stuff to us because then Walmart doesn't sell it and Walmart doesn't buy it from them. That's also why hasbrotoyshop seems to sell out so fast, because they're not putting up nearly the quantity of product that an online retailer like Amazon is.

In short form, what's happening is say Hasbro makes around of 30,000 of a certain item the combined retailer Giants purchase 28500 that item. Hasbro's left with an extra 1500 of that unit item. That's some of that 1500 will be set aside for warranty replacement, and the rest of that is what goes on line. Eventually, the warranty replacement product that was not used, will also end up going online accounting for small restocks

[ZeldaTheSwordsman]

Exactly. Hasbro Toy Shop is not and CANNOT be a primary outlet.

I got Soundwave today as a belated Christmas present. He's quite lovely, although he's going to be placed with my CHUG toys rather than the movie ones because, well, that's where he fits in better. Now I need to get the DJ Bumblebee set.

Update: Meant the Cassette Pack set. Which I just got home with. The Tablessettes will be joining Soundwave, and Bee is probably going to be kitbashed and repainted into a Decepticon grunt.

[william-james88]

Exactly. Hasbro Toy Shop is not and CANNOT be a primary outlet.

I got Soundwave today as a belated Christmas present. He's quite lovely, although he's going to be placed with my CHUG toys rather than the movie ones because, well, that's where he fits in better. Now I need to get the DJ Bumblebee set.

Update: Meant the Cassette Pack set. Which I just got home with. The Tablessettes will be joining Soundwave, and Bee is probably going to be kitbashed and repainted into a Decepticon grunt.

Yeah, i figured you meant that. Congrats on your hauls. You guys are luckier than you think, the US is one of the only countries in the world to get these BB exlusives.

[ZeldaTheSwordsman]

Well, out of the lot Frenzy (who will be Rumble in my collection because I'm a cartoon fan. And who will get some red paint on his optics - they tried to pass him off as movie Frenzy by giving him blue optics) is probably the only thing to be really jealous of. Maaaybe Howlback too, but he's not as big a name.

[Rainmaker]

What places are the BB exclusives unavailable?

[Emerje]

You also have to remember that has Pros not trying to use their online shop as a distribution Point. Rather it's a close out outlets. The product they post to hasbrotoyshop, is product they have left over from their order run. The fact that we see it on hasbrotoyshop before it ever even makes it into the stores, is more indicative of how slow the retail distribution site is at Walmart, or Target, Etc, and not indicative of anything Hasbro is doing. I guarantee you, that they are not trying to undersell their primary consumers, remember we're buying from Walmart not from Hasbro Walmart is buying from Hasbro. It doesn't do Hasbro any good to sell the stuff to us because then Walmart doesn't sell it and Walmart doesn't buy it from them. That's also why hasbrotoyshop seems to sell out so fast, because they're not putting up nearly the quantity of product that an online retailer like Amazon is.

People still believe this? If this were true then they would have been swimming in Titans Return wave 5 since most physical retailers (and just barely the online ones) didn't get that wave, would have had a ton of TLK Cogs since he wasn't available in the US until he showed up at liquidation, among several other lines that were hard to find or had short release windows. Plus they were intentionally the first place to release Studio Series wave 1. They also only sell at MSRP (aside from Siege Deluxe, not sure what's happening there) and take forever to put things on clearance. I'll never understand why people continue to believe HTS is only a place to sell leftovers when there's so much proof that they don't.

Emerje

[ZeroWolf]

The UK got those Bee exclusives via Argos

[william-james88]

What places are the BB exclusives unavailable?

Canada, for one.

[Flashwave]

You also have to remember that has Pros not trying to use their online shop as a distribution Point. Rather it's a close out outlets. The product they post to hasbrotoyshop, is product they have left over from their order run. The fact that we see it on hasbrotoyshop before it ever even makes it into the stores, is more indicative of how slow the retail distribution site is at Walmart, or Target, Etc, and not indicative of anything Hasbro is doing. I guarantee you, that they are not trying to undersell their primary consumers, remember we're buying from Walmart not from Hasbro Walmart is buying from Hasbro. It doesn't do Hasbro any good to sell the stuff to us because then Walmart doesn't sell it and Walmart doesn't buy it from them. That's also why hasbrotoyshop seems to sell out so fast, because they're not putting up nearly the quantity of product that an online retailer like Amazon is.

People still believe this? If this were true then they would have been swimming in Titans Return wave 5 since most physical retailers (and just barely the online ones) didn't get that wave, would have had a ton of TLK Cogs since he wasn't available in the US until he showed up at liquidation, among several other lines that were hard to find or had short release windows. Plus they were intentionally the first place to release Studio Series wave 1. They also only sell at MSRP (aside from Siege Deluxe, not sure what's happening there) and take forever to put things on clearance. I'll never understand why people continue to believe HTS is only a place to sell leftovers when there's so much proof that they don't.

Emerje

So the Studio Series was a first release exclusive. So was Grotusque. That doesnt mean anything.

I dont know what happened to Wave 5 and Cogman, but clearly those figures got sold from Hasbro to the Big Boxes, because some people got W5, it made it to the Onlune retailers, and Cogman went to Ollies via TRU. I am of the opinoon that Hasbro either underproduced W5 or else there is a Walmart Warehouse somewhere that in 100 years is gonna be a goldmine.

HTS ia selling at MSRP because again, they do not exist to undercut their primary Customers: Walmart etc. And it gives them a helaciously noce profit because unlike Walmart, they are not paying for the logistics to go from Hasbro HQ to Distribution to Store. Look around un other hobbies and you'll find manufacturers doing the same thing. In model trains, Rapido, Walthers, all sell direct and through Hobby Shops and the direct is at MSRP.

[D-Maximal_Primal]

Thanks to Hasbro on their official site, which can be accessed by clicking any of the images below, we have news of 2 new members of the Energon Igniters class of figures, along with new images of 3 more!

Up first, we have the 2 new reveals: Power Plus Soundwave and Ironhide! Soundwave looks a lot like he did in the movie, with a G1-esque robot mode, and a new van mode that is very Animated-esque, complete with a totally metal image of a jaguar and bird of prey on the side, evoking Laserbeak and Ravage. Ironhide is an 80's-esque version of his movie self in his red and yellow G1 colors, complete with movie head.

We also get better images of the surprisingly announced Ratchet, who has an 80's ambulance mode mostly in white but with some movie-verse green and his movie head in there. Also shown are new images of Blitzwing and Dropkick, both of whom are looking really good.

For the above news, we thank @Jackthetinker and @KamenSpider for passing along the news to us and for the sources.

On a quick note to finish things up, we also have some new Amazon descriptions for the upcoming Mission Vision figures, which include a Bumblebee and Shatter in their 1977 Camaro and jet modes, respectively. The descriptions, given prior to the reveal images, give us an idea what to expect from the figures.

Let us know what you think of all these reveals below!

Transformers: Mission Vision Camaro Bumblebee

SEE THE MISSION AS BUMBLEBEE: See the mission through the optics of Bumblebee. Look and click between three unique views: Bee Vision, Scout Vision, and Autobot Vision. Imagine choosing the best view for action-packed missions!
CONVERTING ACTION: Convert 8-inch Mission Vision Bumblebee figure in 4 easy steps from robot to Chevrolet Camaro car mode — simple conversion fun for kids ages 6 and up. Mission Vision works in both modes!
CHOOSE A SIDE: Also look for Transformers: Bumblebee mission Vision Shatter action figure to see the mission through the eyes of the Deception bounty hunter (Sold separately. Subject to availability)
MOVE-INSPIRED: Classic yellow robot with black decals inspired by the world of Transformers: Bumblebee

Transformers Mission Vision Jet Mode Shatter

SEE THE MISSION AS SHATTER: See the mission through the optics of Shatter. Look and click between three unique views: Jet Vision, Tracker Vision, and Decepticon Vision. Imagine choosing the best view for action-packed missions!
CONVERTING ACTION: Convert 8-inch Mission Vision Shatter figure in 6 easy steps from robot to jet mode — simple conversion fun for kids ages 6 and up. Mission Vision works in both modes!
CHOOSE A SIDE: Also look for Transformers: Bumblebee Mission Vision Bumblebee figure to see the mission through the eyes of the Autobot scout (Sold separately. Subject to availability)
MOVE-INSPIRED: Red robot with black decals inspired by the world of Transformers: Bumblebee

[Cobotron]

That airbrush mural on Vanwave is just AWE-MAZING!!!!

[D-Maximal_Primal]

Dropkick and Blitzwing actually look really great! I might get them if I see them, especially Blitzwing

[Jelze Bunnycat]

OMG Soundwave's motor is sculpted like a boombox

[-Kanrabat-]

:lol: That airbrush mural on Vanwave is just AWE-MAZING!!!!

And this will be an INSTANT BUY from me.

[Nathaniel Prime]

:lol: That airbrush mural on Vanwave is just AWE-MAZING!!!!

And this will be an INSTANT BUY from me.

Lol, is that supposed to be a jaguar and a condor? Why have we not seen something like this before? Anyway, these guys look great, will probably pickup Soundwave, Blitzwing, and Dropkick if I see 'em.

Btw, you guys noticed how Blitzwing's jet mode kibble is extremely reminiscent of his G1 toy's? Looks pretty similar, don't ya think?

[Overcracker]

Am I the only one who would like a voyager class toy of that 80's pickup truck Ironhide?

Much better altmode than the Vanette in my view.

Also yes, the airbrushed Jaguar and Eagle on Soundwave is Awesome.

Interestingly enough I think Dropkick looks better here then the SS figure. Go figure.

Can anybody tell me why Blitzwing looks like Starscream? And why he looks nothing like his Megatronian tank self from the legends class?

Note, I have not seen the BB movie, so dont know if this version is accurate to the movie.

[D-Maximal_Primal]

Am I the only one who would like a voyager class toy of that 80's pickup truck Ironhide?

Much better altmode than the Vanette in my view.

Also yes, the airbrushed Jaguar and Eagle on Soundwave is Awesome.

Interestingly enough I think Dropkick looks better here then the SS figure. Go figure.

Can anybody tell me why Blitzwing looks like Starscream? And why he looks nothing like his Megatronian tank self from the legends class?

Note, I have not seen the BB movie, so dont know if this version is accurate to the movie.

I would not mind an 80's pickup Ironhide like this, it is a cool concept!

Truck >>> van

Jaguar Eagle is a thing Soundwave now needs to use more

Dropkick does look far better than his SS self. He also looks to make a good Rotorstorm!

Blitzwing is a seeker in the movie, and they all have that body type. He's not a triple changer in the movie, so the tank toy is kinda just for fun. As for why they went with Blitzwing for the Starscream looking guy, the world may never know

[Overcracker]

Dropkick does look far better than his SS self. He also looks to make a good Rotorstorm!

Blitzwing is a seeker in the movie, and they all have that body type. He's not a triple changer in the movie, so the tank toy is kinda just for fun. As for why they went with Blitzwing for the Starscream looking guy, the world may never know

Thanks. Looks interesting. Wonder if we'll get an SS version of that jet mode.

Would go well in Purple with SS Starscream and SS Thundercracker. To complete the traditional Seekers in Movie form, each with their own unique altmode.

[Cobotron]

Raise your hand if you not only want that Soundwave with the sweet mural, but also want a repaint into Soundblaster, with an A-Team van alt mode.

*hand frantically raised*

[Nathaniel Prime]

Raise your hand if you not only want that Soundwave with the sweet mural, but also want a repaint into Soundblaster, with an A-Team van alt mode.

*hand frantically raised*

Do you realize how perfect that sounds ? I'm down for that