What's the code for '08 BB?

Could it be the scalpers too? This is the primary reason the Japanese shelves are pretty bare actually.

It's not just the stores, by the way. Has anyone been to Hasbro's online shop recently? There's almost nothing worthwhile there anymore. I know part of it's that people are just skipping the stores and ordering instead, but still, Hasbro's either trying to raise demand, or simply can't keep up with it.

I think the toys were more successful than even hasbro imagined, so they just weren't prepared.

I saw some scalpers the other day, two guys with cart BLOCKING the damn transformers they had like 3 boxes each of voyagers, I told them how disgusted I was and managed to weasel a voyager prime out of thier steel claws (took it from their cart while they weren't looking) as they talked about "this one will be like really rare." V. Prime is very cool BTW, I highly recommend.

 

and it sucks that scalpers are getting away with it, especially for casual collectors. Actually I felt bad for one kid in TRU I was looking at a movie Starscream, and this kid, (obviously having a birthday) wanted "a Transformer from the movie" so I handed it over to the Mom, and told her "this is one from the movie, and trust me you're going to want to get it because they won't have anymore." I wonder if I did the right thing, i didn't want to feel like scum denying a little kid a toy, but the collector in me missed out, cause I haven't seen a voyager since.

 

I've been hearing of Toy recalls of late too. Mostly toxic paints from china made toys, I'm hoping this isn't the case with TF and the "shortage" Hasbro is having.

 

So I'll keep making weekly rounds til then. Maybe buy an Optimash to help them produce more deluxes.

 

I have a few more left on my list,:

bonecrusher

dropkick

08 BB

arcee

Longarm

payload

g1 Jazz repaint

The Shelves are bare because the retailers are holding on to the product in their back rooms. How do I know this? Because I was just told this by a guy a Target last night. The release date for Screamer and G1 Jazz isn't until the 26th or so...I sort of stopped listening once he put a Starscream in my hands. It's not a street date so they can break it but it is a release date. They're holding out on us....I'd venture a guess ans say Wallycron is doing the same since everyone seems to be finding toys at Kohls and nowhere else.

 

 

 

Well it's a different situation with the g1 Jazz and SS repaints because they're exclusives and they're being held for what I believe is an upcoming ad. Some stores have crews that don't care and just put them out anyway while others stick to the rules and if no location comes up, it goes in back.

 

Anything else that comes in will go on the shelf so long as there is a home for it.

 

If anything toys would be getting held up in the distribution centers who are probably stockpiling for the holidays.

I am kicking myself for not picking up an extra deluxe 74 and 08 Bumblebee. I love the figures and really would like to display them in both modes. I am greatful, however, that I got them at all because I know I would have turned to eBay by now.

 

I had made a topic before the movie came out about never seeing people actually buying TFs. Now, what a difference!! I would say 95% of the time that I go to a store, someone is checking them out...kids a lot of the time, which makes me feel good. I found it funny the one day though because a store employee wanted to buy a V. Screamer but it had sold. I was like WTF, you work here d00d...why didn't you stash it? Thats what I did way back when I worked at Wal Mart heh...I worked on the night crew and just stashed my stuff in the layway shelves hahaha. That was at the tail end of Beast Wars. I probably forgot some of them and they are still back there. TM3 Megatron anyone??

Why even stash? Just buy the thing outright, unless the company prohibits you from buying while on shift.

 

As for Hasbro being caught off guard w/pants down? BS. Hasbro did plenty of research as did the film community on the merchadising and the brand appeal that TF still holds. If the thought this film would not do well, I doubt we'd even see the damn film even being made and with so many fracking toys too boot! The did advance screenings on general test audiences, so they have a damn good idea on what the average viewer/consumer wants.

 

Bottomline Hasbro fracked themselves and the casual fan by failing to properly stock the key popular characters from the film. Is it really any surprise BB is so hard to find both the 74 and Concept version? Come on, the buck has to stop somewhere, scalpers can only play so much of a role, the larger issue is the insufficient quantity produced and released by Hasbro.

Why even stash? Just buy the thing outright, unless the company prohibits you from buying while on shift.

Well, I know I wasn't allowed to purchase anything until the end of my shift....

 

...furthermore, I worked at Wal Mart and this guy works at Zellers.......money wasn't exactly being thrown at me heh.

and it sucks that scalpers are getting away with it, especially for casual collectors. Actually I felt bad for one kid in TRU I was looking at a movie Starscream, and this kid, (obviously having a birthday) wanted "a Transformer from the movie" so I handed it over to the Mom, and told her "this is one from the movie, and trust me you're going to want to get it because they won't have anymore." I wonder if I did the right thing, i didn't want to feel like scum denying a little kid a toy, but the collector in me missed out, cause I haven't seen a voyager since.

 

I've been hearing of Toy recalls of late too. Mostly toxic paints from china made toys, I'm hoping this isn't the case with TF and the "shortage" Hasbro is having.

 

Airhammer you totally did the right thing there, because as much as I love collecting and I buy as much as I can, this hobby is totally about the kids first and foremost. And lets face it, you have the ability to go to ebay or trade in here with another forum member. that kid most likely doesn't. I just wish my 4 yr old hadn't gone through 2 classics rodimus's, RIP the first one and the 2nd one got left at the theater the night of the movie. But back on topic always gotta give the toys to the kids first, better for the kids to get them than a scalper.

 

And lets hope that the recalls aren't affecting our TF's, the toys recalled weren't from hasbro, but you have to assume they are being more careful as well now and triple checking the paints on all their toys as well. It just makes me wonder when I look at all my old G1 TF's and wonder if any of them are toxic?