The Energon Pub

by **Optimistic Prime** » Thu Aug 18, 2011 7:39 pm

So I went to my local Toys R' Us and asked if they had any of the Masterpiece Rodimus figures and no one there seemed to even know what on earth I was even talking about. I do know that there was no shelf tag for the figure, so is it possible that the figure is already out of circulation so quickly? Note that people have purchased the figure at my 2 local TRU stores according to the sightings forum.

News Credits: 5 · by **alexison** » Thu Aug 18, 2011 7:48 pm

If they don't even know what it is, I imagine it hasn't even been there yet. I wouldn't worry yet.

by **Optimistic Prime** » Thu Aug 18, 2011 7:51 pm

amcgrath929 wrote:If they don't even know what it is, I imagine it hasn't even been there yet. I wouldn't worry yet.

Normally it wouldn't bother me, it's just that like I said, a user posted that he and another gentleman had each purchased one 2 weeks prior at the same TRU.

News Credits: 5 · by **alexison** » Thu Aug 18, 2011 8:12 pm

Optimistic Prime wrote:
amcgrath929 wrote:If they don't even know what it is, I imagine it hasn't even been there yet. I wouldn't worry yet.

Normally it wouldn't bother me, it's just that like I said, a user posted that he and another gentleman had each purchased one 2 weeks prior at the same TRU.

Oops, guess I missed that part. I still wouldn't fret yet. It took the 2nd shipment of them to my local TRU before I was able to find him. That was last week.

by **Gurgintius Maximus** » Fri Aug 19, 2011 1:42 am

Anyone have any insight as to what Hasbro is thinking when a figure that would clearly sell well (ie Rodimus MP) is hardly stocked where as every poopy figure ever conceived gets 9000 per store? I mean really, who the **** is their distribution guy?

MP Prime was hard to find and when they did get a shipment it was like 2 units. Grimlock, same way. I quickly lose interest in going/calling the store every shipment day to see if they got their paltry ration of MPs in. Then me and the other geeks get to fight over the 2 they get in when and if ever they do.

But if I want a ****ing Optimus Prime voice changer mask, well hell, the whole bottom row is full of them. Or maybe ill get 27 movie version skorpinok figures. Or maybe(insert useless, overstocked item here) :-x

News Credits: 36 · by **Pretender Skywarp** » Fri Aug 19, 2011 2:24 am

At £60/$60 a throw, MP figures are out of the realms of an impulse buy as far as most "toys" go. The majority of people buying thus range will be us, with a few few exceptions for birthday presents etc.

Hasbro are only going to ship to the retailer what they order and at that price point, they're not going to order many. Don't forget that the big stores want stuff in DOTM packaging and will see anything else as a secondary seller.

I think it has more to do with economics than distribution.

News Credits: 1 · by **Marcdachamp** » Fri Aug 19, 2011 7:58 am

Pretender Skywarp wrote:At £60/$60 a throw, MP figures are out of the realms of an impulse buy as far as most "toys" go. The majority of people buying thus range will be us, with a few few exceptions for birthday presents etc.

Hasbro are only going to ship to the retailer what they order and at that price point, they're not going to order many. Don't forget that the big stores want stuff in DOTM packaging and will see anything else as a secondary seller.

I think it has more to do with economics than distribution.

I think you summed it up pretty nicely. It sucks, I know, but you can't blame them for trying to make sure these don't end up shelf-warmers. Otherwise, we're just not gonna get any more masterpiece figures at all.

News Credits: 3 · by **Kibble** » Fri Aug 19, 2011 10:12 am

Optimistic Prime wrote:So I went to my local Toys R' Us and asked if they had any of the Masterpiece Rodimus figures and no one there seemed to even know what on earth I was even talking about. I do know that there was no shelf tag for the figure, so is it possible that the figure is already out of circulation so quickly? Note that people have purchased the figure at my 2 local TRU stores according to the sightings forum.

It's not surprising they have no idea what you're talking about. Unless they're a TF fan or recently dealt with the figure themselves, why would they know anything about it? You might have better luck going in with the SKU number and having them look it up in the computer. They might be able to tell you if it's in stock at any other stores in your area or maybe even if/when they'll get more in.

News Credits: 5 · by **RodimalToyota** » Fri Aug 19, 2011 11:25 am

Ha, I have friends in the right places in, and all the local TRU's here ( around 8 stores) all the first and second shipments have gone to the employees.

The second shipment which hasn't even come in yet, has already been claimed by other employees.

It's complete bullsh*t, and the managers look right past it.
don't believe me? next time you are there, walk to that back door at the very back of the store, open it and look on either side of the door. You will see the employee hold section.

and probably a few Roddy's.

by **WolfDawg** » Fri Aug 19, 2011 11:44 am

I've passed around my local TRU several times and have seen Roddy only two times. However, I haven't seen him AT ALL in the past week and a half. Seems like they've gotten rid of him for the inevitable shelf warmer "Cybertron Warriors" legends pack.

Glad I picked this guy up when I had the chance.

by **Gurgintius Maximus** » Fri Aug 19, 2011 12:21 pm

Pretender Skywarp wrote:At £60/$60 a throw, MP figures are out of the realms of an impulse buy as far as most "toys" go. The majority of people buying thus range will be us, with a few few exceptions for birthday presents etc.

Hasbro are only going to ship to the retailer what they order and at that price point, they're not going to order many. Don't forget that the big stores want stuff in DOTM packaging and will see anything else as a secondary seller.

I think it has more to do with economics than distribution.

I dont know man, maybe it is a retailer decision what gets ordered but I seem to recall a TRU employee telling me years ago that Hasbro decides what and how many get distributed to the stores. She seemed as annoyed about it as I am.

As for not putting many out because, as you correctly stated they are for a niche consumer base, the proof is evident they severely lowballed the expected demand since none are available(around here anyway) and Ebay is selling them well over sale price.

Nor did that thinking hold true with the Bumblebee at the same price point since my TRUs have them in abundance as shelf warmers.

Besides, this is completely typical of them since day one as far as TF's go. I remember boxes and boxes of the same four figs back in the early 80's when the "popular ones" were hard to find if not impossible. Even if you went on shipment day. they would open a crate and pull out 15 of 1 guy they had tons of and then like 2 of one the had none of.

I personally believe they do it on purpose expecting you to go looking for one guy, not see it, then buy one of the crappy ones since you don't want to leave empty handed. Rinse repeat till your collection is full of ones you dont want and Hasbros pockets are nicely lined. I got a boxes of Armada figures sitting in my basement to attest to this and my inability to walk away.

News Credits: 2 · by **AdamPrime** » Fri Aug 19, 2011 1:32 pm

Be patient, dudes. They'll be on the shelves or online soon enough. Heck, here in Exeter, they had SIX of Rodders, and Grimlocks as far as the eye could see.

I don't think they're being pulled from shelves, and I don't think they're being withheld. Different stores will receive different stock.

If you're really desperate, ask around! Or keep checking online: it's free delivery, you know.

Peace, guys.

News Credits: 2 · by **Nemesis Destron** » Fri Aug 19, 2011 2:53 pm

I dunno, my local TRU had the actual tag and space for it last week and yesterday nothin'. Just thought I would share that with everyone. :VEHI:

by **Optimistic Prime** » Fri Aug 19, 2011 3:01 pm

Yeah, I just called both stores in my area and they said that they are not expecting any more shipments. And also they said they have no control over when they come in.

News Credits: 2 · by **AdamPrime** » Fri Aug 19, 2011 3:55 pm

I spoke to the store manager, shortly before the toys arrived, and he had no idea what a Masterpiece Rodimus was. I clearly explained the product (and the fact it was an exclusive to HIS STORE) and he still couldn't tell me anything. Take anything you're told with a pinch of salt.
Take it from someone who worked in the toy biz for years; often, "We're not getting any" is code for "I have no idea what you're talking about".

Keep the faith, guys. It's what makes the world go round - and what makes toys appear on shelves.

Peace & love!

News Credits: 36 · by **Pretender Skywarp** » Fri Aug 19, 2011 3:57 pm

Most stores don't actually order stock in the traditional sense anymore. the computer will know that the store is a particular size and should therefore have x amount of range y.

There being enough in the warehouse depending on how quickly they have sold through compared to other stores is another matter.....

News Credits: 2 · by **Nemesis Destron** » Fri Aug 19, 2011 5:35 pm

Pretender Skywarp wrote:Most stores don't actually order stock in the traditional sense anymore. the computer will know that the store is a particular size and should therefore have x amount of range y.

There being enough in the warehouse depending on how quickly they have sold through compared to other stores is another matter.....

It wouldn't surprise me one bit if there were jerks in the warehouse making adjustments and pulling items for themselves or for some shop owner...just a thought. :VEHI:

by **Optimistic Prime** » Sat Aug 20, 2011 2:41 pm

Its official. I called both local stores today, which is their truck day and after speaking with several employees at both I was informed that they would no longer be receiving any more shipments of Masterpiece Rodimus :evil:

News Credits: 1 · by **Cyberseven** » Sat Aug 20, 2011 7:12 pm

I am not sure what the deal is with this figure. As most of us on here have experienced, Toys R Us employees seem to be a bit oblivious to the fact if they received any, and or if they will receive any more.

I guess it is kind of a luck of the draw thing, as I happened upon 2 today by accident at the Manassass Va Toys R Us. I would have been surprised to see1, let alone 2. Not a scalper in sight...lol.

Because I am a collector and not a scalper, I grabbed one, and left the other for the next lucky collector to find.

This is a hard figure to find for sure. Not sure if it's a production issue, or a distribution issue.
We all know there is plenty of demand out there.