The Energon Pub

Hasbro UK's marketing strategy for AOE was all wrong IMO, they should never have made the deluxe/voyagers TRU exclusives for a start. TRU could effectively charge what they want, as a result they're all self warming with nothing from later waves (which people might actually want) being pushed through. Crazy.

ZeroWolf wrote:We've never really got later waves of toys in. Like the 2008 universe line there was a lot we missed out on. Seems we brits always get the short end of the Hasbro stick.

What still baffles me is the disconnect between Hasbro UK and Hasbro EU - meaning that the entire continent gets different kinds of awful distribution and availability! But yes, there is also the big part played by the various retailers, especially TRU, in terms of prices and what makes it through at retail.

Sigh.

Va'al wrote:

ZeroWolf wrote:We've never really got later waves of toys in. Like the 2008 universe line there was a lot we missed out on. Seems we brits always get the short end of the Hasbro stick.

What still baffles me is the disconnect between Hasbro UK and Hasbro EU - meaning that the entire continent gets different kinds of awful distribution and availability! But yes, there is also the big part played by the various retailers, especially TRU, in terms of prices and what makes it through at retail.

Sigh.

Wait, so Europe get more transformers then we do? Interesting I wonder if I can find some EU based distributors for my business plans. Could be cheaper then the American ones I've been looking at.

No no, Hasbro EU buyers get even less, but in a completely unique way.
(Sidenote: UK is EU/Europe. Carry on. )

All the exclusives are still under TRU, and I've never seen any of the 'better' figures around Italy, France, Germany or the Netherlands. Just ask RhA, JelZe, or Dead Metal - they get a lot of their stuff from UK fans, or import shops directly.

Va'al wrote:No no, Hasbro EU buyers get even less, but in a completely unique way.
(Sidenote: UK is EU/Europe. Carry on. )

All the exclusives are still under TRU, and I've never seen any of the 'better' figures around Italy, France, Germany or the Netherlands. Just ask RhA, JelZe, or Dead Metal - they get a lot of their stuff from UK fans, or import shops directly.

Dang, I want to stock transformers but to be viable I need to get them for less so I can charge for less, thus have an advantage when dealing online. Why are we all forsaken by hasbro don't they care about us as well?

Picked up Masterpiece Grimlock from TRU Manchester today. There's a number left of them left on the shelves if anybody else is interested.

Grimlock himself is beautiful.

For those interested I've had an email update from TRU to say that the evolution optimus prime packs are now in stock on their website. Message said possible limited stock so buy! Buy! Buy people!

Crankcase79 wrote:For those interested I've had an email update from TRU to say that the evolution optimus prime packs are now in stock on their website. Message said possible limited stock so buy! Buy! Buy people!

Click 'Reserve now' to check stock locally.

I keep thinking back to later AoE waves, namely Snarl and the Voyagers, and am pretty certain that we are not going to see them over here.

Anyone else had luck on secondary markets?

Crankcase79 wrote:For those interested I've had an email update from TRU to say that the evolution optimus prime packs are now in stock on their website. Message said possible limited stock so buy! Buy! Buy people!

Thanks mate, have just ordered online. Qualifies for free delivery and had a £5 voucher so it only cost £34.99 delivered. Result!

Also Smyths Toys have a sale on so picked up one step changer Lockdown for the boy for £7.49.

Glad to help mightymagnus78! I've reserved mine to collect tomorrow.

Norwich: IDToys(Toyz & Gamez) near dixon shopping centre had the Japanese Grimlock with crown and Throne for £180 and Metroplex for £140 way cheaper than EBay!!! just thought you should know

Crankcase79 wrote:For those interested I've had an email update from TRU to say that the evolution optimus prime packs are now in stock on their website. Message said possible limited stock so buy! Buy! Buy people!

heh. coulda sworn i signed up for that email too.

no-more to buy online but it does say there's some in stock at my local shop.

MightyMagnus78 wrote:Hasbro UK's marketing strategy for AOE was all wrong IMO, they should never have made the deluxe/voyagers TRU exclusives for a start. TRU could effectively charge what they want, as a result they're all self warming with nothing from later waves (which people might actually want) being pushed through. Crazy.

Yep!

Though I think even by their own high standards they've really outdone themselves, normally you'd be at least slightly optimistic for wave 2. I wonder whether we might see them in discount stores?

Crankcase79 wrote:For those interested I've had an email update from TRU to say that the evolution optimus prime packs are now in stock on their website. Message said possible limited stock so buy! Buy! Buy people!

Thanks for this, I picked it up in store today.

Double post.

craggy wrote:

Crankcase79 wrote:For those interested I've had an email update from TRU to say that the evolution optimus prime packs are now in stock on their website. Message said possible limited stock so buy! Buy! Buy people!

heh. coulda sworn i signed up for that email too.

no-more to buy online but it does say there's some in stock at my local shop.

Me too! It's not the first time they've done this either, not sending the stock alert out. I even signed up for this one twice.

I'm going to see if I can put a click and collect on for this weekend in the Liverpool One store.

EDIT DUE TO DOUBLE POST:

Sure enough I went to pick up the 2 pack of primes last night, and right as I gave the Order number in at the customer pickup counter, a text message stock alert telling me it was back in showed up.


They're really nice, it's a great deco on the classics prime, though there's a lot of mold degradation on him. Lots of things feel loose and the joints feel more bumpy than clicky. The plastic they used is waxy and cheap feeling compared to the original classics prime especially the red and black, the smokestack gun feels as though it might fall apart in your hands. The wind vane just does not sit straight in vehicle mode, as the connector assembly behind his head is really warped and flashed. The chrome is also really thickly laid on and detracts from the surface detail a little. I'd rather they just left the chrome on the thighs rather than extending it to the hip armour. My intention was to have him replace my customised classics '06 prime in my display cabinet, but I'm actually rethinking the decision.

It's no wonder they're creating a new voyager prime this year, that mold really needs to be put out to pasture. His autobot symbol tampo is literally just a white outline on the red plastic, and mine has a slight smudge, along with some smudges on the silver stripes on the vehicle mode cab. Overall QC on the figure feels really poor. Has anybody else had issues with him?

The evasion mode prime in the set was really very fun. a lot more imposing looking than I expected, but I can understand some people's frustration with the arm transformation. My only disappointment with him is that the joints where his front wheels connect to his thighs are really loose and flop down under their own weight in robot mode, rather than sitting in tight to the waist. But he looks great standing alongside Bumblebee and Crosshairs.

I have a spare, unopened Leader Jetfire going for anyone that wants it in the UK. £44.99 inc next day delivery. N Ireland and Scottish Highlands would be a little more as I would have to use Royal Mail not my works courier.

I'm now one step closer to my own business of selling comics and toys, including thoes of the transforming kind question is though what's better to focus on, range or price?

ZeroWolf wrote:I'm now one step closer to my own business of selling comics and toys, including thoes of the transforming kind question is though what's better to focus on, range or price?

Well, the way I see it, it's no good having a fantastic range if people can just go to one of the other vendors and get it for cheaper. Unless, of course, you're offering to sell stuff that nobody in the UK is selling. Even then, that's probably because it's not so cost effective and you'll be needing to price it up to reflect that. Even if you price match people will go with who they already know and trust.

I'm not a massive collector, in that I don't collect a lot outside of TF figures/comics, and even then there's only a few ranges within TF that I do collect. Money is a massive stumbling block for me so I'm often scouting out for the cheapest option, and I'm not massively bothered by range as the stuff I collect is quite readily available from the vendors I mention above. But that's just me.

By the sounds of your post you're stocking more than just TF stuff, so you don't want to branch too far out. But you need to have some sort of draw to stand out form the rest, so it is difficult to try and find a balance.

Something worth considering is your postal costs. I don't know if you have a degree of flexibility around that when it comes to pricing?

Out of curiosity, what else are you selling other than TF? And within TF are you just focusing on new Hasbro/Takara releases, or will you be branching out into other things like used stock, 3rd Party items, vintage toys?

Marvel figures (well comic figures), some statues but they'll be more of an online thing. I'm still figuring stock out as there is still some Japanese toy lines I need to look at. On TF stuff, generations are the big draw as I want to do my part since domesticly we're let down. I do want to handle 3rd party and imports. Vintage figures, I'll stock what I can source, I'm allowing trade in on old figures.

ZeroWolf wrote:Marvel figures (well comic figures), some statues but they'll be more of an online thing. I'm still figuring stock out as there is still some Japanese toy lines I need to look at. On TF stuff, generations are the big draw as I want to do my part since domesticly we're let down. I do want to handle 3rd party and imports. Vintage figures, I'll stock what I can source, I'm allowing trade in on old figures.

That sounds awesome and you'd certainly have a customer in me.

Out of curiosity Operation Ravage, I don't do Paypal but could pay via bank transfer. Would this be a problem?

Tesco are having a big toy sale including the AOE deluxe OP and FOC voyager Grimlock 2 packs reduced to £20 if anyone is interested.

Just seen this on Ebay so thought Id post for a laugh!

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Transformers-Autobots-Wheelie-Bin-Stickers-House-Numbers-Graphic-Decals-/121442515186?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item1c4689b8f2

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Transformers-Decepticons-Wheelie-Bin-Stickers-House-Numbers-Graphic-Decals-/121442515222?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item1c4689b916

Transformers Autobot and Decepticon Wheelie Bin Stickers!!!

Transform and Throw Out?

In other news, TRU Norwich have one pack of Evolution OP, and are giving away free Power Attackers with a minimum spend. Pretty sure they'll start paying customers to get them out of the shop soon.