Masterpiece Soundwave and Acid Storm TRU Store Pickup

Va'al wrote:The Toys'R'Us website listings for newly released Hasbro Masterpiece Soundwave and Acid Storm, now shows that both figures have the Free Store Pick-Up service available for them! Just enter your ZIP code, and they'll let you know if they're in stock and put one aside for you if so.

Click here for Soundwave, here for Acid Storm. Good luck and happy hunting!

All my store locations say out of stock or not carried. Went to the one nearest me on saturday and spoke to the stock clerk. Had not heard of either and asked for an item number. I told him I didn't know so he couldn't check. Called another store and they looked it up online and said it won't be available at stores.

When does toysrus receive shipments?

This is perfect. Because by the time i got off work and went to TRU they would be out of stock. Now i can order it while im at work and pick it up after

You can also earn a 15% off coupon from Toys R Us Towers, a game on Facebook. Very similar to Sim Tower if you ever played that, only with toy departments.

I redeemed mine on MP Soundwave and got him for only $107 with free shipping.

blkdeath wrote:Picked up Soundwave on Saturday, July 27 at 9am when TRU opened in San Antonio, Texas, of course I was waiting from a little after 8am by the door.

They had exactly 2 Soundwaves and 2 Acid Storms, although only 1 of each on the shelf, stating the other set had not been unboxed yet. Myself and another collector picked up 1 each, then stayed and spoke with a couple of the managers and customer reps and they assured us that they would call us once they had the others unloaded.

Got a call today, Monday, 7/29, to come pick up Acid Storm, so they actually followed through. I am sure he got called to pick up his Soundwave.

Trucks come in on Thursday and Saturday Mornings. Hope you don't waste your time standing outside the TRU, just be early and be first.

Good luck!

Thursday & saturday intersring i never that differnt locations have shipment dates buffalo ny has wednsday & saturdays good luck to everyone to get one got mine from store other one is proably gone by now have him in hand yellow eyes is livable still perfer red buts doable with yellow.

Its sad I saw 5 cases of acid storm 1 case of soundwave

Yes I got Him . I had a feeling about Soundwave. I cannot believe my Toys R Us had him in stock they never have anything. the best part is I have had a 150$ gift card since my birthday and I finally cashed it in this is a good day.

All stores within 50 miles of me are sold out(That's 42 stores altogether).

Maybe next time.

every single store in my area is out & i asked if they knew when they'd be getting some in they said they dont know, i really hate TRU.

closest store to me with one is 5 1/2 hours away...

guess ill keep looking and hope for the best.

Grr. Showed in stock at a Bronx TRU, tried to checkout, and poof! It became unavailable and was removed from my order.

It was probably just a matter of seconds, too

Ah well. At least I can pick up Acid Storm from Times Square on my way home.

So is this a permanent thing for the both of them?

If so, I should start saving for Soundwave.

toys r us canada has him listed for pre-order now. of course i went and bid on ebay and just won mine so i paid a lil more than i woulda had i waited a day or 2 but alas. lol

it shows a release date of dec 31 but thats just a placeholder until the real date is released. as i often see dec 31 or jan 1 listed when official dates arent released yet.

I just picked up my Acid Storm - excited to crack him open.

While I was at the TRU (Times Square, NY), I asked about Soundwave. It looks like they're expecting another shipment sometime next week.

The guy, who seemed to know a lot about it, said that the first wave of Soundwaves were regular orders, and that now they've placed a "special rush order" due to high demand. Apparently, there's more stock out there

I'll be keeping an eye out - ya'll should too!

No stores between Memphis and Nashville have him. I'd check Chattanooga, but the cost of gas to get there would be silly (might as well pay ebay prices). The waiting game is still on... but at least there's a new tool available.

Wow TRU seems to really suck, this sounds worse than it did in previous years. What did they do, order like 5 for each store or what?

Each case has two figures. Each store seems to be getting one, maximum two cases each.

Total: four figures per store, on average.

Va'al wrote:Each case has two figures. Each store seems to be getting one, maximum two cases each.

Total: four figures per store, on average.

Which is bull crap, if you ask me. I know they're supposed to be exclusive and all, but Wal*Mart had its priorities straight when they did their exclusives.

Mindmaster wrote:

Va'al wrote:Each case has two figures. Each store seems to be getting one, maximum two cases each.

Total: four figures per store, on average.

Which is bull crap, if you ask me. I know they're supposed to be exclusive and all, but Wal*Mart had its priorities straight when they did their exclusives.

I should point out this is me observing, it's not definite and I don't how many cases are actually being shipped!

Mindmaster wrote:

Va'al wrote:Each case has two figures. Each store seems to be getting one, maximum two cases each.

Total: four figures per store, on average.

Which is bull crap, if you ask me. I know they're supposed to be exclusive and all, but Wal*Mart had its priorities straight when they did their exclusives.

Wal-Mart had their priorities straight... and had to clearance everything to clear the space. Remember <$30 MP Skywarps?

As easy as it is to blame TRU (and I do), I think this is more about retail trends since the great recession hit. Companies are simply less willing to take extra stock. MP's have becomes insanely popular only recently. Even Rodimus & Grimlock sat on shelves for a while. As crazy as it sounds, this was also true with TRU's MP-10 - some backwater stores had stock of it for weeks. And MP Thundercracker? That guy was sitting around forever.

Unfortunately, it seems TRU is unable to identify the star characters and make projections accordingly. I have full confidence that Acid Storm will be shelf warming for some time. Sales of MPs like that are what bring down projections for the more popular characters.

Although to us extra stock seems like an obvious thing to have on hand, on the retail side, extra inventory is a huge risk. They would rather deploy several waves of stock as needed; in effect, they would rather make slightly less money than risk having excess inventory.

As I mentioned earlier, there's a bright side. I don't think this is the end of the line for Soundwave - TRU should have more stock in a couple weeks, so I wouldn't pull that eBay trigger just yet.

Any news on release dates for Soundwave in Australia (specifically Melbourne)? I gots me the cash! I just need the product!

I had a rough time getting mine. I was at the store first when they came out, and waited in the car. While I was waiting, two other guys showed up and waited at the door. They got the only 2 available since they were 'at the door', even though I arrived first.

But the people in the store were totally cool, and sent out to other stores out of state that had been sent more than the measly 2 that were sent to Utah. A couple days later, I and two other collectors had our MP Soundwaves. But it was one of the most frustrating things I ever experienced, watching it being sold to someone else that first day....

My friend and I went to our two local Toys R Us in Brooklyn, NY. We got lucky. Each one had one Soundwave and one Acid Storm. We had to ask Guest Services for them. First store had it right next to the helpdesk lady's foot. Other store, the guy had to go to the back room for it. Unfortunately, the box was dented. We still took it.

My TRU will put an item on hold for 24 hours. I used this approach for MP Optimus and Soundwave. I recommend being cool with a few employees and they'll actually call you when the product arrives. I got a call from my boy that MP Soundwave was in, he held it for me and I waltzed in like a boss and bought.

Va'al wrote:Each case has two figures. Each store seems to be getting one, maximum two cases each.

Total: four figures per store, on average.

Got my Masterpiece SW yesterday at TRU Times SQ. This is their first restock since they sold out during the weekend. but the dude told me they had 40 in the morning. 20 cases. After I got mine last night there was 5 left as of 8:30 PM eastern time.

I think TRUs are over-ordering these and they will be pretty easy to get. Masterpiece acid storm is already shelf warming... they had at least 30 there last night.

mooncake623 wrote:

Va'al wrote:Each case has two figures. Each store seems to be getting one, maximum two cases each.

Total: four figures per store, on average.

Got my Masterpiece SW yesterday at TRU Times SQ. This is their first restock since they sold out during the weekend. but the dude told me they had 40 in the morning. 20 cases. After I got mine last night there was 5 left as of 8:30 PM eastern time.

I think TRUs are over-ordering these and they will be pretty easy to get. Masterpiece acid storm is already shelf warming... they had at least 30 there last night.

I also picked up a couple Soundwaves from Times Square yesterday. They had a dozen left when I left around 7:30 pm. They're probably all gone now, but as you said, they'll probably get more in, still.

I'm not sure we can say that TRU's Times Square store is a good model for the rest of the nation in terms of stocking this figure. Last week, I was speaking with a floor employee who was in the know, and he said that he and a couple other employees convinced the managers to put in huge orders for Soundwave, and to reallocate stock from other stores so that Times Square would get more. Apparently, they sold over 200 last week.

I'm not sure other stores have the knowledgeable staff or the volume of sales necessary to maneuver the way Times Square does. I hope I'm wrong, and the sheer volume of Soundwave's on eBay might suggest that I'm wrong. Everyone, and I mean everyone, deserves at least one of this toy.

mooncake623 wrote:

Va'al wrote:Each case has two figures. Each store seems to be getting one, maximum two cases each.

Total: four figures per store, on average.

Got my Masterpiece SW yesterday at TRU Times SQ. This is their first restock since they sold out during the weekend. but the dude told me they had 40 in the morning. 20 cases. After I got mine last night there was 5 left as of 8:30 PM eastern time.

I think TRUs are over-ordering these and they will be pretty easy to get. Masterpiece acid storm is already shelf warming... they had at least 30 there last night.

I also picked up a couple Soundwaves from Times Square yesterday. They had a dozen left when I left around 7:30 pm. They're probably all gone now, but as you said, they'll probably get more in, still.

I'm not sure we can say that TRU's Times Square store is a good model for the rest of the nation in terms of stocking this figure. Last week, I was speaking with a floor employee who was in the know, and he said that he and a couple other employees convinced the managers to put in huge orders for Soundwave, and to reallocate stock from other stores so that Times Square would get more. Apparently, they sold over 200 last week.

I'm not sure other stores have the knowledgeable staff or the volume of sales necessary to maneuver the way Times Square does. I hope I'm wrong, and the sheer volume of Soundwaves on eBay might suggest that I'm wrong. Everyone, and I mean everyone, deserves at least one of this toy.

F*** TRU, F*** Hasbro, and F*** MP Soundwave.

Toys R Us online has Acid Storm ship to home. I was able to add it to cart. Soundwave has it to but won't let me add to cart. Good luck guys

megatronus wrote: Everyone, and I mean everyone, deserves at least one of this toy.

Indeed I have 3 now. The Takara version with all the Takara tapes. Picked one up yesterday to keep MISB because I got to pick the box, and I'll open the one I get from TRU.Com Using the tapes for my classics display. haven't decided where to put the yellow eyed MP soundwave yet. lol

mooncake623 wrote:

megatronus wrote: Everyone, and I mean everyone, deserves at least one of this toy.

Indeed I have 3 now. The Takara version with all the Takara tapes. Picked one up yesterday to keep MISB because I got to pick the box, and I'll open the one I get from TRU.Com Using the tapes for my classics display. haven't decided where to put the yellow eyed MP soundwave yet. lol

Ha! That's great. I also have 3.

I, too, am not sure where to put the yellow-visored Soundwave. I actually like it more than I thought, since it's not just metallic paint, like Takara's. It's actually this semi-translucent, kind of swirly plastic that gives his "eyes" much more depth.

Since I have 2 Hasbro Soundwaves, I'll keep one MISB, and probably use the one I open as an office piece. My Takara one will remain at home with the rest of my Masterpieces.

I'm glad you guys are hoarding multiples while some of us can't find one. That's cool. Maybe you should get a third so you can keep TWO of them MISB, one turned backwards so you can see the back of the box and one turned forwards so you can see the front. But don't ever open them, because then your children won't be able to live off trust funds from the fortune you make when you sell it.

GuyIncognito wrote:I'm glad you guys are hoarding multiples while some of us can't find one. That's cool.

There's tons around us. I would offer to send you one at cost+shipping but your sarcasm is not appreciated so if you want just come to NY and get it i guess or just check the TRU site they been re-listing it everyday and many people have gotten it. so how bout you do that instead of bitching about it on every thread? Everyone wants something without even trying.

GuyIncognito wrote:I'm glad you guys are hoarding multiples while some of us can't find one. That's cool. Maybe you should get a third so you can keep TWO of them MISB, one turned backwards so you can see the back of the box and one turned forwards so you can see the front. But don't ever open them, because then your children won't be able to live off trust funds from the fortune you make when you sell it.

Bitter much?

GuyIncognito wrote:I'm glad you guys are hoarding multiples while some of us can't find one. That's cool. Maybe you should get a third so you can keep TWO of them MISB, one turned backwards so you can see the back of the box and one turned forwards so you can see the front. But don't ever open them, because then your children won't be able to live off trust funds from the fortune you make when you sell it.

haha that's hilarious you must be a comedian. Maybe I'll take your advice cause these things will shelf-warm here and I'll be helping Has/Tak fund their next MP you can't find.

mooncake623 wrote:There's tons around us. I would offer to send you one at cost+shipping but your sarcasm is not appreciated so if you want just come to NY and get it i guess or just check the TRU site they been re-listing it everyday and many people have gotten it. so how bout you do that instead of bitching about it on every thread? Everyone wants something without even trying.

I've been checking the TRU site all day every day for the past two weeks, so don't tell me I'm not "even trying".

GuyIncognito wrote:

mooncake623 wrote:There's tons around us. I would offer to send you one at cost+shipping but your sarcasm is not appreciated so if you want just come to NY and get it i guess or just check the TRU site they been re-listing it everyday and many people have gotten it. so how bout you do that instead of bitching about it on every thread? Everyone wants something without even trying.

I've been checking the TRU site all day every day for the past two weeks, so don't tell me I'm not "even trying".

Try to setup an auto-refresh on TRU's soundewave page. And leave it on in the background and check throughout the day. That's usually how I know SW is in-stock. Did the same thing with SDCC Metroplex.
If you don't know about the tool it's on Firefox and you can just google. "auto reload firefox." its real simple to set up

Checked online this morning and they had soundwave for store pickup. Quickly snagged it. Went to the store and was all excited. I didn't get to pick it but through the clear bag it looked immaculate. Got home and took it out of the bag and noticed a small crease near the back of the box. I'm a little upset but I guess there's nothing I can do about it. Hope it doesn't impact the price if I decide to sell it in the future. Another thing I noticed, not sure if its been covered here but in the side of the box it says 09 of 30. Did they only make 30 of these???

Finally found him this morning at a Ft. Lauderdale TRU, right off the truck. I can relax now, and stop being jealous and angry at everyone who had him, stop the murderous thoughts about scalpers, etc. He was my first TF back in the 80's. Now over 600 figures later, the cycle is complete. I can get out the game.

That being said, I think that Hasbro has heard the outcry over the demand...and they are feeling the pressure to rush more of these into production because now that I have him, I have to say that this is the WORST QC I have EVER seen on a TF toy.

I can imagine the Hasbro factory in China, with hundreds of workers suddenly forced to crank these suckers out double-time, whips cracking, no bathroom breaks, no sleep.

There are spots of silver and red paint all over his head and other body parts that should be blue. Joints too loose or too tight. Plastic parts quickly snapped off of the mold rack and not sanded down, chunks of discolored plastic just sticking out at these places, or a gouges. Not just on Soundwave, but on the cassettes as well. I see the glue under the visor. Unbelievable. I have no intention of returning it and I'm happy I finally got it, but I expected more care and consideration to be taken in a MP figure. Is anyone else noticing this?

conartist wrote:Finally found him this morning at a Ft. Lauderdale TRU, right off the truck. I can relax now, and stop being jealous and angry at everyone who had him, stop the murderous thoughts about scalpers, etc. He was my first TF back in the 80's. Now over 600 figures later, the cycle is complete. I can get out the game.

That being said, I think that Hasbro has heard the outcry over the demand...and they are feeling the pressure to rush more of these into production because now that I have him, I have to say that this is the WORST QC I have EVER seen on a TF toy.

I can imagine the Hasbro factory in China, with hundreds of workers suddenly forced to crank these suckers out double-time, whips cracking, no bathroom breaks, no sleep.

There are spots of silver and red paint all over his head and other body parts that should be blue. Joints too loose or too tight. Plastic parts quickly snapped off of the mold rack and not sanded down, chunks of discolored plastic just sticking out at these places, or a gouges. Not just on Soundwave, but on the cassettes as well. I see the glue under the visor. Unbelievable. I have no intention of returning it and I'm happy I finally got it, but I expected more care and consideration to be taken in a MP figure. Is anyone else noticing this?

I have to say, I'm not seeing any of these QC issues you're talking about. From what I've seen review-wise, your case seems to be an exception rather than the rule.

Can you post a few pictures so we can see what you're talking about?

Forgot to mention I found mine in Miami,FL. They had about 4 left. Checked online and they're available for store pickup at two more stores. Happy hunting everyone

conartist wrote:Finally found him this morning at a Ft. Lauderdale TRU, right off the truck. I can relax now, and stop being jealous and angry at everyone who had him, stop the murderous thoughts about scalpers, etc. He was my first TF back in the 80's. Now over 600 figures later, the cycle is complete. I can get out the game.

That being said, I think that Hasbro has heard the outcry over the demand...and they are feeling the pressure to rush more of these into production because now that I have him, I have to say that this is the WORST QC I have EVER seen on a TF toy.

I can imagine the Hasbro factory in China, with hundreds of workers suddenly forced to crank these suckers out double-time, whips cracking, no bathroom breaks, no sleep.

There are spots of silver and red paint all over his head and other body parts that should be blue. Joints too loose or too tight. Plastic parts quickly snapped off of the mold rack and not sanded down, chunks of discolored plastic just sticking out at these places, or a gouges. Not just on Soundwave, but on the cassettes as well. I see the glue under the visor. Unbelievable. I have no intention of returning it and I'm happy I finally got it, but I expected more care and consideration to be taken in a MP figure. Is anyone else noticing this?

No one who has a TRU MP Soundwave has reported anything near what you've seen on your MP Soundwave.

As far as Hasbro responding to any sort of outcry, I doubt it. They plan their production schedules months, if not years, ahead of time considering it takes 2 years or so to develop a Transformers toy.

So I doubt there's any sort of rush to produce the TRU MP Soundwave figures as you envision in a Chinese toy factory. It's not as if someone picked up a phone at Hasbro HQ and says "Get me China. I need some Masterpiece Soundwaves produced on the double!".

As far as QC, TakaraTomy uses the same factories as Hasbro. There's also no indication that there are two distinct conveyor lines with a TakaraTomy QC specialist team at one and a Hasbro QC specialist team at the other.

You seem to be a victim of bad QC, not specifically bad Hasbro QC.

megatronus wrote:Can you post a few pictures so we can see what you're talking about?

I'd like to see pictures as well. If it's in as bad a state as described, it should be returned for an exchange. It sounds like a Junkion had its way with MP Soundwave.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/100064875@N05/


Ok here are pics of the problems on the head and shoulder alone...




Haven't posted pics here before, not sure if I did it correctly...

conartist wrote:http://www.flickr.com/photos/100064875@N05/


Ok here are pics of the problems on the head and shoulder alone...




Haven't posted pics here before, not sure if I did it correctly...

That's... not as bad as you made it seem. I've seen much worse. I suggest using a dab of paint for the slightly unpainted bits on his head. As for the sprue bits, that's also not as bad as you made it seem.

Just scored my MP SWave in MA, made even better due to it being tax free weekend so I got it for the flat 119.99.

i got the transformers masterpiece soundwave in toy r us. in fl pembroke pines. toys r us hijack the price from 119.99 to 139.99.but they willing to match the price after i talk to a supervisor they left the price for 119.99

triKlops wrote:Just scored my MP SWave in MA, made even better due to it being tax free weekend so I got it for the flat 119.99.

Nice!

Just got my MP Soundwave today in Williston, Vt (nowhere close to any of you, I bet! ) , and I'm pleased to say the box was mint, with only one minor crease, and the toy didn't have any QC issues, or, at least, none that I noticed/care about.

Almost thought Ravage's head was on upside down when I transformed him, then I realized his legs can go the other way too, LOL! (Derp moment, I know!)

whitefangs29 wrote:i got the transformers masterpiece soundwave in toy r us. in fl pembroke pines. toys r us hijack the price from 119.99 to 139.99.but they willing to match the price after i talk to a supervisor they left the price for 119.99

I moved your post to the appropriate thread, the sightings forum is for specific country/state sightings.

conartist wrote:http://www.flickr.com/photos/100064875@N05/


Ok here are pics of the problems on the head and shoulder alone...




Haven't posted pics here before, not sure if I did it correctly...

While the pictures show a less extensive amount of poor QC than I expected from your description, I think the paint spots and poorly cut sprue points are significant.

I know you said you don't intend to return it but I suggest having it exchanged for another MP Soundwave.

Hasbro and TakaraTomy Transformers toys are made in the same factories. There's no reason for this kind of poor QC. We've seen production runs of MP toys with poor QC(MP Lambo/Sideswipe) in the past. This level of QC is not acceptable at MP level. They're premium products, they're meant to be high end toys, and so they should be held to a higher standard.

Frankly, this kind of QC wouldn't be acceptable for a main market Transformers toy.