The Energon Pub

Maybe the transformers brand is not really strong in the UK right now?

The cartoons generally air on cable only channels so there are a lot of kids in the core demographic who never see them or the adverts. Plus most kids enjoy videogames a hell of a lot more these days. Top that off with Skylanders, Disney infinity, Lego, ninja turtles and god knows what else dominating in the brand market right now and it's make sense for TF to be struggling to get a bite of the pie.

Most of the time with TRU and such it seems like we only get the first few waves, as the collectors buy up the first few cases and then they sit there forever because the kids won't buy them.

Parents won't take kids to toys r us when they can hit up the discount places like the entertainer, so now that all the generations figs are all TRU exclusive they never really have many kids window shopping for them. TRU's newer stores seem to be on the highstreet to address this, rather than their older warehouse models. So we could see a bit of a change, really.

But hell, my TRU has had the same 3 battered packs of Black Arachnia/Cheetor Robot Heroes peg warming since 2006.

MemphisR56 wrote:Maybe the transformers brand is not really strong in the UK right now?

The cartoons generally air on cable only channels so there are a lot of kids in the core demographic who never see them or the adverts. Plus most kids enjoy videogames a hell of a lot more these days. Top that off with Skylanders, Disney infinity, Lego, ninja turtles and god knows what else dominating in the brand market right now and it's make sense for TF to be struggling to get a bite of the pie.

Most of the time with TRU and such it seems like we only get the first few waves, as the collectors buy up the first few cases and then they sit there forever because the kids won't buy them.

Parents won't take kids to toys r us when they can hit up the discount places like the entertainer, so now that all the generations figs are all TRU exclusive they never really have many kids window shopping for them. TRU's newer stores seem to be on the highstreet to address this, rather than their older warehouse models. So we could see a bit of a change, really.

But hell, my TRU has had the same 3 battered packs of Black Arachnia/Cheetor Robot Heroes peg warming since 2006.

I think every TRU has those packs of Robot Heroes!

I think you're right though, my TRU has an amazing selection of TFs, it's just that none of it is new product and I can't see it shifting any time soon.

Kreo Optimus Prime anyone?

Primacron's Little Helper wrote:Kreo Optimus Prime anyone?

I almost bought it last week out of sheer spite.

Mr O wrote:

Primacron's Little Helper wrote:Kreo Optimus Prime anyone?

I almost bought it last week out of sheer spite.

I can't believe they're still asking £25 for them.

On some of the darker days of my toy addiction, I have actually considered buying up some of those robot heroes and dark of the moon legends, just to get them off the shelves and make room for new product.

This is probably on most people's radars already but forbidden planet's website has a lot of the generations figures for the next few waves up for pre-order at very reasonable prices. This includes the Skids wave and the Gears legends wave. Planning on picking up some of these myself come payday.

MemphisR56 wrote:This is probably on most people's radars already but forbidden planet's website has a lot of the generations figures for the next few waves up for pre-order at very reasonable prices. This includes the Skids wave and the Gears legends wave. Planning on picking up some of these myself come payday.

Thanks for the reminder. I always forget about Forbidden Planet as I dont bother going to their stores anymore after terrible customer service, low quality dog-eared comics on shelves, the lack of any decent back-issues and some crazy pricing to boot!!

Ive added a link to their site showing all the pre-orders that are up coming...

https://forbiddenplanet.com/toys/action-figures/transformers/?tag=&q=&gtin=&size=120&filter_preorders=on&sort=date-asc

Saw some AoE two pack Prime and Grimlock (FoC version) at Tesco in Middleton, however there were no prices on them, anyone know how much they are selling for?

MemphisR56 wrote:Maybe the transformers brand is not really strong in the UK right now?

The cartoons generally air on cable only channels so there are a lot of kids in the core demographic who never see them or the adverts. Plus most kids enjoy videogames a hell of a lot more these days. Top that off with Skylanders, Disney infinity, Lego, ninja turtles and god knows what else dominating in the brand market right now and it's make sense for TF to be struggling to get a bite of the pie.

Most of the time with TRU and such it seems like we only get the first few waves, as the collectors buy up the first few cases and then they sit there forever because the kids won't buy them.

Parents won't take kids to toys r us when they can hit up the discount places like the entertainer, so now that all the generations figs are all TRU exclusive they never really have many kids window shopping for them. TRU's newer stores seem to be on the highstreet to address this, rather than their older warehouse models. So we could see a bit of a change, really.

But hell, my TRU has had the same 3 battered packs of Black Arachnia/Cheetor Robot Heroes peg warming since 2006.

I wouldn't call the entertainer a discount shop, their prices can more expensive at times and their stock just as lacking. Home Bargains and B'n'M are the shops parents prefer, as well as pound shops.

But I agree with the rest of what you say. We went from being able to get awesome exclusives in the late eighties/early nineties like Overlord to the sorry state of affairs we have now.

In other new the asda near me have been discounting a lot of AoE stuff, Construct-a-bots for £5, Construct-a-bots Dino Riders for £3.50 and the two packs for £6.50. Stocks though are seriously limited. Happy hunting.

leakin' lubricant wrote:Saw some AoE two pack Prime and Grimlock (FoC version) at Tesco in Middleton, however there were no prices on them, anyone know how much they are selling for?

£30 is what I've heard. I may be popping to Tesco tonight so if I see them (unlikely) I'll confirm.

Edit: Yep, £30 and they had TF Kinder eggs too .

MemphisR56 wrote:Maybe the transformers brand is not really strong in the UK right now?

The cartoons generally air on cable only channels so there are a lot of kids in the core demographic who never see them or the adverts. Plus most kids enjoy videogames a hell of a lot more these days. Top that off with Skylanders, Disney infinity, Lego, ninja turtles and god knows what else dominating in the brand market right now and it's make sense for TF to be struggling to get a bite of the pie.

Most of the time with TRU and such it seems like we only get the first few waves, as the collectors buy up the first few cases and then they sit there forever because the kids won't buy them.

Parents won't take kids to toys r us when they can hit up the discount places like the entertainer, so now that all the generations figs are all TRU exclusive they never really have many kids window shopping for them. TRU's newer stores seem to be on the highstreet to address this, rather than their older warehouse models. So we could see a bit of a change, really.

But hell, my TRU has had the same 3 battered packs of Black Arachnia/Cheetor Robot Heroes peg warming since 2006.

You've just succinctly summed up the problem for UK Transformer fans and collectors. It's increasingly rare to find a toy that I want on the shelf at retail and I'm relying more and more heavily on dealers online.

We're in a niche line of collecting now, ladies and gentlemen. At least we are if you're not interested in the poopy Beast War or Prime lines.

Mr O wrote:

leakin' lubricant wrote:Saw some AoE two pack Prime and Grimlock (FoC version) at Tesco in Middleton, however there were no prices on them, anyone know how much they are selling for?

£30 is what I've heard. I may be popping to Tesco tonight so if I see them (unlikely) I'll confirm.

Edit: Yep, £30 and they had TF Kinder eggs too .

Oh the kinder eggs are new? Saw them on Monday and wasnt sure about gething them put up as news. Saw they were Prime stuff though and figured they were old Also saw tf branded mini Oreos.

ZeroWolf wrote:

Mr O wrote:

leakin' lubricant wrote:Saw some AoE two pack Prime and Grimlock (FoC version) at Tesco in Middleton, however there were no prices on them, anyone know how much they are selling for?

£30 is what I've heard. I may be popping to Tesco tonight so if I see them (unlikely) I'll confirm.

Edit: Yep, £30 and they had TF Kinder eggs too .

Oh the kinder eggs are new? Saw them on Monday and wasnt sure about gething them put up as news. Saw they were Prime stuff though and figured they were old Also saw tf branded mini Oreos.

They're new here but Germany had them ages ago.

Mr O wrote:

leakin' lubricant wrote:Saw some AoE two pack Prime and Grimlock (FoC version) at Tesco in Middleton, however there were no prices on them, anyone know how much they are selling for?

£30 is what I've heard. I may be popping to Tesco tonight so if I see them (unlikely) I'll confirm.

Edit: Yep, £30 and they had TF Kinder eggs too .

Great, thanks! Might have to get one of those.

I've seen nuffin new for a while now, and I'm worrying about waves later than the first one for most AoE Generations toys. I wasn't planning on getting anything, but Hound does look fairly appealing.

And being the grown-up I am, now it looks likely I can't have him - the appeal intensifies. Hng.

Not a toy sighting but Starscream and his boys just flew pretty low over my house in a minor upside to living about half a mile from the NATO circus.

Mr O wrote:Not a toy sighting but Starscream and his boys just flew pretty low over my house in a minor upside to living about half a mile from the NATO circus.

This is going to sound stupid but I thought the NATO meeting was in one of the eastern European country.

@Va'al There is still a little hope for the later waves but I'm not holding much hope. Windblade and Chromia won't show up here (Though I also now want a Nightbeat and Nautica). Oh well, I got money to save up, for a certain MP in march.

Smyths toys in Walsall have leader Bee reduced to £36? but no blood leader Prime. Has he even been released over here?

Leader Prime is an Argos exclusive over here...not sure why but there you go.

ZeroWolf wrote:Leader Prime is an Argos exclusive over here...not sure why but there you go.

Thanks. Just checked on line and he's in stock at my local branch although he is £45! . I can honestly say I don't want him that badly.

With xmas round the corner, I suspect a price drop for him and grimmy.

So getting impatient with waiting for Brainstorm/Windblade/Jhiaxus to be in stock and not finding anything of interest in stores I decided to buy Crosscut from Kapow, had a chance to play with him the last couple of days and he's quite cool. Seeing as I haven't been able to get a hold of skids I bought Crosscut as insurance so i'd at least get a hold of the mold, so glad I did the shoulders aren't nearly as annoying as I thought they would be, but now it makes me want skids even more.

Brainstorm in stock already? Are you sure you don't mean Nightbeat? I haven't ordered anything from kapow yet speaking about it but I do need a place to get Star Saber from. Any recommendations?

I'm considering Kapow for Star Saber, even if the prices are a little higher, because I like Andy.

For cheaper options, though there may be custom charges:

HLJ
http://www.hlj.com/scripts/hljlist?Genr ... &x=17&y=22

Anime-Export, around £78 but you have to pay upfront.

http://www.anime-export.com/product/21381

Va'al wrote:I'm considering Kapow for Star Saber, even if the prices are a little higher, because I like Andy.

For cheaper options, though there may be custom charges:

HLJ
http://www.hlj.com/scripts/hljlist?Genr ... &x=17&y=22

Anime-Export, around £78 but you have to pay upfront.

http://www.anime-export.com/product/21381

I'd like to ask a couple of questions to the UK based collectors, if I may. I'm a long time TF fan but I've only started collecting recently so I'm not really clued up when it comes to the best places to buy from in the UK.

I see that TRU stock the movie lines well but are a bit lax when it comes to the Generations figures (which I'm collecting right now), so I've been looking at getting these through independent retailers. Kapow, Omegalock and Masterforce are UK 3 sites I've come across. I've done business with Kapow and found them good to deal with but I know nothing about the other 2. Are they good?

Also, I did notice that Forbidden Planet appear to sell TF figures quite cheaply compared to these independent retailers, but I'm not sure if they're great in terms of stocking and fulfilling pre-orders. Just about everything on their site is a pre-order and the release dates seem to differ from other sites. Also, if I can help it I'd rather support the independent retailers who cater to the TF collector community, even if they're a bit pricier.

Ignore Forbidden Planet, unless you happen to be inside it.


I've heard really good things of Omegalock, not much of Masterforce.