Studio Series Voyager Bumblebee Movie Soundwave Found at US Retail

My Wal-Mart is usually way behind, but I guess I'll start checking for this figure as well. I've been prowling my area's stores for Tigatron anyway.

Bounti76 wrote:He's packed with Hot Rod? Hot Rod? Again?? This is the third time he's been packed in a Wave. Who doesn't have him by now? Pack in some actually rare figures who've only had one release.

I don't disagree, but the problem is who? Assuming the selection would be from the last year, we have Hot Rod, Scourge, BB Starscream, BB Thrust, Sweep and Wreck-Gar. All the potential wave mates for Soundwave have been released recently enough to still be on shelves, or are retools of something currently on shelves. Thrust is clogging up most of the Targets by me. Wreck-Gar and Sweeps are on the shelves at all the Walmarts near me. Hot Rod is the only SS voyager mold not currently on the shelves in my area.

Scourge would be ideal since he was a single release and shortpacked to begin with, but the Sweeps are out currently making that difficult.

To me, it almost feels like the Sweep was made at all to make up for how hard Scourge was for people to find back when he was released.

Rodimus Prime wrote:

Sabrblade wrote:To me, it almost feels like the Sweep was made at all to make up for how hard Scourge was for people to find back when he was released.

Considering the very slight difference (handswap) and color change, I'm pretty sure it was pre-planned.

I'm certain of it. It also makes up for the people who bought multiple scourges early on to make their sweeps before an actual sweep was released.

Bounti76 wrote:He's packed with Hot Rod? Hot Rod? Again?? This is the third time he's been packed in a Wave. Who doesn't have him by now? Pack in some actually rare figures who've only had one release.

Is Thrust really rare and wanted? Seems like many G1 fans are poopooing him for his armada colour reference.

I'm good with Netflix Soundwave for now. Best G1 representation since the Masterpiece figure, even with the shortcomings.

Rodimus Prime wrote:

TF-fan kev777 wrote:For brick and mortar stores, I suspect there would be more parents buying than collectors assuming most of us are pre-ordering anyway. So in that regard, I think putting them in the same case would not be desired by the retailers.

Alright, my next questions:

Do retailers get a say in how cases are made up? I.e. in a case of 3, which figure gets 1 and which gets 2?

Do they see actual visual representations of the products, or do they go by item codes and names? Like, would Wal-Mart have known ahead of time that Scourge and Sweep were barely different? Or do they just see that 1 is called Scourge and the other is Sweep, so they must be different? I'm guessing that's up to Hasbro's marketing to communicate.

I wish I knew, I find that side of the business interesting. We knew from leaks or whatever that things like Black Zarak are shown to buyers. No idea whether everything is shown at some point or not. It would be interesting to know if retailer feedback is used for determining the case contents as well.

william-james88 wrote:

Rodimus Prime wrote:

TF-fan kev777 wrote:For brick and mortar stores, I suspect there would be more parents buying than collectors assuming most of us are pre-ordering anyway. So in that regard, I think putting them in the same case would not be desired by the retailers.

Alright, my next questions:

Do retailers get a say in how cases are made up? I.e. in a case of 3, which figure gets 1 and which gets 2?

Do they see actual visual representations of the products, or do they go by item codes and names? Like, would Wal-Mart have known ahead of time that Scourge and Sweep were barely different? Or do they just see that 1 is called Scourge and the other is Sweep, so they must be different? I'm guessing that's up to Hasbro's marketing to communicate.

Retailers do see what is coming. We already saw the slides they are given. There are pictures, but it can also be drawings or preliminary art. But the wave assortment is clearly stated, along wuth what is repacked.

As for getting a say, I wouldn't think so, or at least not as much as one would expect; exclusives are where they're more in charge. That said, there's still the option of buying solid cases, like they did with Siege Refraktor, is that still open?

Rodimus Prime wrote:Guess what I found:

By the Allspark!

TF-fan kev777 wrote:

Rodimus Prime wrote:Guess what I found:

So, do tell, how "ugh" is the alt mode in hand?

It is pretty bland. I mean, the transformation is okay, but then what? It just sits there. I guess you'll have to be imaginative to make it work.

And honestly, I'm not too impressed by the robot mode either. He's kinda chunky yet hollow. It's weird. He looks more like a mutant version of Soundwave. He is fairly poseable, though, so he'll look decent on a shelf.

I got him because I want to collect the Bee movie guys, but I really hope Ratchet and Brawn will be better.

chuckdawg1999 wrote:

Rodimus Prime wrote:

TF-fan kev777 wrote:

Rodimus Prime wrote:Guess what I found:

So, do tell, how "ugh" is the alt mode in hand?

It is pretty bland. I mean, the transformation is okay, but then what? It just sits there. I guess you'll have to be imaginative to make it work.

And honestly, I'm not too impressed by the robot mode either. He's kinda chunky yet hollow. It's weird. He looks more like a mutant version of Soundwave. He is fairly poseable, though, so he'll look decent on a shelf.

I got him because I want to collect the Bee movie guys, but I really hope Ratchet and Brawn will be better.

How many were there.

2 Soundwaves, 1 Hot Rod in the case.