The Energon Pub

News Credits: 1082 · by **Tigertrack** » Fri Apr 18, 2008 11:48 am

A press release that you can find here http://www.botcon.com/ at the Botcon site states that Walmart, K-Mart, and Toy R' Us in the Cincinatti area would be the stores that travelers to Botcon and local folks could find the early release of many Animated toys possibly including The Animated Battle Pack, Deluxe and Voyager size toys (Wave 1 only), and others.

This is indeed good news for the Seibetron contingent that is building and building. Hope to see you there, Animated toys in hand or not!

by **Glitcher** » Fri Apr 18, 2008 11:58 am

Damn. I was hoping Hasbro would announce Belgium as the test location for its toys. T_T

by **Megatron's Lapdog** » Fri Apr 18, 2008 12:23 pm

I live near Cincinnati, and they're already out in the stores. My local Walmart in Maysville, KY was chock full, so I'm sure the others are too. If anyone needs something, let me know...

News Credits: 387 · by **Nekoman** » Fri Apr 18, 2008 12:41 pm

And then Hasbro will witness the atrocity they have created, managers scrambling to get their money back, stores burning their left over stock to get shelf space for something better, cries of disappointment from children AND adults!

Ah, kidding…

by **Roboto750** » Fri Apr 18, 2008 12:51 pm

This is one of the dumbest things I've heard so far in regard to Botcon. They're not "testing" anything, it's a money making opportunity. Compared to the last 2 years, this show is considerably lacking in content, costs attendees more, has one of the most disappointing exclusive sets (my opinion), released their registration info way too late, and yet more people are attending :???:

. I guess Hasbro needs to do something to insure Animated is marketed well during the time of the show (and will be a pay off). For me, I'm skipping this year for the above reasons and a few others. I hope they pick up the slack for next year's Botcon.

News Credits: 9 · by **Zeds** » Fri Apr 18, 2008 12:53 pm

Since I am not going to BOTCON it is time instead for a ROAD TRIP!

by **StryderPrime** » Fri Apr 18, 2008 12:55 pm

I dont know 2 much about how sales work but........

Is it a given if u put new figures out in a area that will be crawling with TFans for a coupling of days that it a sure bet that they will be flying off the shelves. Even ppl that hate animated r sure 2 buy at least 2 figures off the series and you jus gave the scalpers a definely(i know i cant spell) sign 2 raid all the departmment stores there

I not hating on Cincinnati or nuthin but 2 said they testing there is like u testing 2 see if the hungry birds outside will eat some 4weeks old mold bread........when u know they will.

Just my opinion........I just want a Prowl

by **Cyberjet #7** » Fri Apr 18, 2008 1:05 pm

It kinda sucks as an idea. "Test" area for a product coming out like a month later? What's there to test? I'm pretty sure fans of the show have waited long enough and will buy the toys...

News Credits: 2 · by **First-Aid** » Fri Apr 18, 2008 1:16 pm

That's a nice little bonus for you folks going to BotCon...anyway I can convince someone to pick me up the set?? :-P

by **ponycorn** » Fri Apr 18, 2008 1:39 pm

Too bad they don't want to have a control group for this "test" they're running. Say, the California Bay Area perhaps... :sad:

News Credits: 7 · by **shortround** » Fri Apr 18, 2008 4:01 pm

Interesting but I wouldn't really call it test marketing so much as a smart move on hasbro point since botcon is the biggest tf convention all year and there sure to make a butt load of money since they ran short on the convention execlusives set this year and people who didn't get one will have that extra money burning a hole in there pocket. I won't be attending but more power to the people who are. Someday I hope they hold botcon in washington state I would be the first person to sign up as well as the first person thru the door.

News Credits: 3 · by **bvzxa** » Fri Apr 18, 2008 5:53 pm

Hasbro is greedy like Mattel.

This what Mattel does when they have a K-Mart K-Day event with specially colored cars, a chance to hopen a whole case, and find treasure hunts.

So during K-Day events, they release new cars that won't be out for like a month or tow, and they call it first-to-market exclusives. The cool thing is they have variations to them, so they may fetch a pretty penny for a .99 cents car.

Now Hasbro is doing the same thing with the animated toys. It's a smart move since attendees and others get a first chance at the animated toys. Scalpers will make a last ditch run, but 30 days later, they will be out a regualr retail in massive quantities. Unless you're going to Botcon, you would be a dumb idiot to take a road trip for toys that will be out in a month.

test my hairy cybertron ass :twisted:

by **Autobot Snake Eyes** » Fri Apr 18, 2008 6:37 pm

****, ****, ****.

Why is it that Hasbro NEVER chooses the west?

News Credits: 409 · by **Stormrider** » Fri Apr 18, 2008 7:46 pm

Test market? huh? I thought the toys were already spotted in a few locations in the U.S. and Canada? Aren't test markets supposed to be a pre-release location? I have a feeling that this series will see a wide release everywhere in the U.S. right around the time of Botcon and Hasbro is just calling it "test market" to hype it up. The press release helps support the hype.

by **Defcon!** » Fri Apr 18, 2008 10:11 pm

If i can manage to hit one of those stores i will but unless i see one on the way or in the area i'll pass. I'd hate to be running around trying to find figures during Botcon! No thank you! I'll spend as much time as i can at the show!

News Credits: 4 · by **Firebird** » Fri Apr 18, 2008 11:36 pm

This means that I will actally have something for the voice actors to sign at the autograph sessions now!

And I can get Prowl

by **Bun-Bun** » Sat Apr 19, 2008 1:46 am

Roboto750 wrote:This is one of the dumbest things I've heard so far in regard to Botcon. They're not "testing" anything, it's a money making opportunity. Compared to the last 2 years, this show is considerably lacking in content, costs attendees more, has one of the most disappointing exclusive sets (my opinion), released their registration info way too late, and yet more people are attending . I guess Hasbro needs to do something to insure Animated is marketed well during the time of the show (and will be a pay off). For me, I'm skipping this year for the above reasons and a few others. I hope they pick up the slack for next year's Botcon.

QF f'n T

There really is nothing else to say about this announcment.

News Credits: 26 · by **Wheeljack35** » Sat Apr 19, 2008 3:16 pm

This is only good news for people who live in that area or who have the money to go to Botcon

I don't see why they need a test market These toys will sell

News Credits: 273 · by **Delicon** » Sat Apr 19, 2008 8:31 pm

Does anyone know where these stores are in relation to the Con?

Cincy isn't exactly small.

News Credits: 2 · by **First-Aid** » Sat Apr 19, 2008 11:50 pm

Satan's Camaro wrote:****, ****, ****.

Why is it that Hasbro NEVER chooses the west?

Probably because you guys usually get the figs firsts anyways thanks to distribution and arrival from China on the West Coast...gotta let us Midwesterners have something...besides earthquakes that is...

Besides the rest of us in Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, and Iowa will be lucky to see the figs by the end of August...

by **xler8** » Mon Apr 21, 2008 12:58 am

I haven't been reading posts lately, just the headlines. I surprised people don't like the anim figures. I picked up a bunch in Cinci this weekend and really like them. The voyager Megs is the my fav megatron after from the mpiece one.

--

lots of animated figs at tru in kenwood:
7800 Montgomery Rd Cincinnati, OH 45236
513 - 791 - 8697

walmart (ridge) had only 2 left:
3430 Highland Ave, Cincinnati, OH

by **Megatron's Lapdog** » Mon Apr 21, 2008 2:20 am

Delicon wrote:Does anyone know where these stores are in relation to the Con?

Cincy isn't exactly small.

I could take anyone who wants to go to about 15-20 Walmarts in a 50-70 mile radius. I'm sure that they will be all over the place. I'll be at the Early Registration on Thursday night, and most of the day on Friday, if not all day.