The UK Toy Discussion

Master Blaster · 02-23-2011, 06:11 PM

Aye, I believe Ironichide doesn't shop online, though I'm not entirely sure why...

It's a crying shame, but for the transformers fan who's gotta have it all there's not alternative but to shop online. Takes a bit of getting used to, but once you know the best stores and the safe way to do it, online shopping is the bomb.

Agree with you about the prices. Up til recently I thought it was crap, but when I actually thought about how much it costs me to go to town to just look for a figure (now £2.50), it doesn't seem so bad. Andy is one of the more prominent vendors (for good reason), I still plan to get united Wreck Gar from him once money's flowing better.

You guys seen Maiden Japan's Junkion kits? Extra parts and heads to help make every junkion unique! I might bite and get one of the heads and an rts Wreck Gar so I can have a third junkion alongside United Wreck Gar and the junkion remold (when it's finally released). The ehobby one, while totally badass, would be too much effort to get. Would have to buy the whole set, find buyers for the other two pieces, bleh. Effort.

jksit1 · 02-23-2011, 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Auto Morph

The thing about living in the UK and being a Transformers collector, is that sooner or later, you'll probably end up just ditching the supermarket and high streets in favour of online.
I know some people are not comfortable with shopping online, but for me it's the only way to go.
I know everyone probably gets tired of me banging on about how great Kapow are, but in all seriousness, their service has been superb and what's more, because of Andy and his band of toy elves I don't have to get up off my lazy ass to go find the latest figures or worry about what might or might not be getting released in the shops over here.

I would say my collection is as up to date as almost any American or Japanese or Chinese fan, simply because I get my TFs online. Don't get me wrong, I'm not one of those people who HAVE to have the latest figures RIGHT NOW, but I don't want to scour the shops for months on end until I realise we're not getting figure X and then it's sold out online. Besides, prices online are only slightly higher than retail, and if you consider the time and petrol money/bus fare/car park fees etc then paying, say, £15 for a deluxe instead of £13 isn't really that much of a stretch.

Please don't think I'm saying if you don't shop online you're a lesser collector in any way. I know it's not everyone's cup of tea. But I will always be one of its biggest advocates because, for the type of collector I am, I just wouldn't be without it.

Agreed!

Omnius · 02-23-2011, 06:11 PM

I've steadily found myself switching to online retail almost exclusively over the last 3-6 months - a good 80% of my TF purchases have been from Kapow, with the occasional toy brought in stores. I've been burned too many times waiting for toys to hit UK retail, and with the scarcity of lines like Generations on these shores, waiting for it to turn up in Argos/Sainsburys/wherever isn't a chance I'm willing to take anymore.

Auto Morph · 02-23-2011, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RipCurl

But it adds up sometimes. like if your getting it from japan or america then you may get charged customs and shipping is expensive. I like to go into a shop to see what I'm buying and having the figure then and there.

I don't disagree on any particular point.

It's just that sometimes, if you want a certain figure, you really don't have a choice. Like Master Blaster says though, it pays to do your research and learn about which places you can trust (ie Kapow) and which ones you're better off burning your money than spending it with them (ie Xybertoys). Unfortunately, sometimes it takes a shit experience or two before you can sort the good from the bad.

I gotta say as well, and this sticks in the throat a little, that eBay has been a godsend. Then again, as has the TFW Junkion forum. I tend to cherry pick my purchases from many different places. I'm just lucky that I can afford the extra few quid to ship from abroad when I need to. I just wish BBTS's prices were a little more friendly, as even with the exchange rate it's still pricey stuff on there.

Jonny Napalm · 02-23-2011, 06:28 PM

Online is where it's at for me too.

Speaking of which, my Energon Dreadwing arrived today.. Awesomeness.

Master Blaster · 02-23-2011, 06:29 PM

Like Counterpunch always says, you gotta pay to play baby!

Think of it like this:: you want x figure, and it costs so much. Would you rather not have it, or worse changing your mind later and buying it at an even higher price? Cos that's what's gonna generally happen with chug stuff. Better to bite the bullet now and be happy. And considering the figures- Kup, Wreck Gar, Tomahawk (could go on)- they're quality toys anyhow, so at least you're getting your moneys worth!

Ebay is great for buying, shit for selling. It just takes common sense when looking for stuff. The Junkion exchange was the reason I joined tfw in the first place, before expanding to the UK sightings scene. It really is just a quality B/S/T forum! Also a good reason to join many other tf sites, especially if you're selling.

I've never bought from any international webstore except tfsource for City Commander. The risk of getting slammed with customs puts the fear of god in me.

On a last note before I got to bed, it's a damn shame Xybertoys fell apart. Used to be a really good site before things just fell apart, had some great prices on stuff like RiD Black Convoy and henkei figures (used to cost £16 from them back in the day, got up to £20 just before they flatlined).

And with that, night! Hope there's not too many pages to catch up on tomorrow

EDIT:: that mold is damn fantastic. My bro has Mirage, but Dreadwing looks so much damn cooler! Highbrow's guns and Drift's sword do kinda suit him too, nice.

Thinking back, Energon really did have a lot of fantastic voyager figures. Don't think I could ever part with my Landmine! (Though Bulkhead I probably could)

RipCurl · 02-23-2011, 06:33 PM

Yea I think Master B' right. Better to bite the bullet and have the figures the now rather than waiting later and potentially pay even more. On a side note lets try and make lots more pages so master blaster has to catch up

On second thoughts don't . cause I'm off to my bed and don't want to catch up either. Night fellow UKer's

Ishino · 02-23-2011, 06:46 PM

I'm one of the odd ones here, as aside from the odd secondhand bits off eBay or the Junkion board here, nearly all of my Transformers are bought in person. Of course though, the reason for this is that both Kapow and Toyz & Gamez are based in my hometown. It is nice being able to pick up all the rare, collector-centric stuff without having to wait (or pay) for the postman. Plus Andy makes a brilliant cup of tea

iamste · 02-23-2011, 07:09 PM

Urgh, I bought a generations Blurr on eBay last night without releasing it's American. I can just about justify paying for him (£17 with shipping), but if I get charged for customes I will not be able to like him the way I would have.

deathsheadx · 02-23-2011, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jonny Napalm

Online is where it's at for me too.

Speaking of which, my Energon Dreadwing arrived today.. Awesomeness.

Damn you, Dreadwing, a galvatron, and an Energon Bruticus Maximus are the only three things i need to complete my Amarda/enegon cons to a satisfactory level.

02-23-2011, 06:11 PM	#21
Master Blaster Fave cereal is yohoes Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 5,796 Location: United Kingdom Collection Count: 100+ News Credits: 1	Aye, I believe Ironichide doesn't shop online, though I'm not entirely sure why... It's a crying shame, but for the transformers fan who's gotta have it all there's not alternative but to shop online. Takes a bit of getting used to, but once you know the best stores and the safe way to do it, online shopping is the bomb. Agree with you about the prices. Up til recently I thought it was crap, but when I actually thought about how much it costs me to go to town to just look for a figure (now £2.50), it doesn't seem so bad. Andy is one of the more prominent vendors (for good reason), I still plan to get united Wreck Gar from him once money's flowing better. You guys seen Maiden Japan's Junkion kits? Extra parts and heads to help make every junkion unique! I might bite and get one of the heads and an rts Wreck Gar so I can have a third junkion alongside United Wreck Gar and the junkion remold (when it's finally released). The ehobby one, while totally badass, would be too much effort to get. Would have to buy the whole set, find buyers for the other two pieces, bleh. Effort. "If there's one thing I've learned from browsing these forums for the last 5 years, it's that this fandom has more than its fair share of retards."

02-23-2011, 06:11 PM	#23
Omnius TFW2005 Supporter Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 11,195 Location: Where distribution is poor Collection Count: 810 News Credits: 7	I've steadily found myself switching to online retail almost exclusively over the last 3-6 months - a good 80% of my TF purchases have been from Kapow, with the occasional toy brought in stores. I've been burned too many times waiting for toys to hit UK retail, and with the scarcity of lines like Generations on these shores, waiting for it to turn up in Argos/Sainsburys/wherever isn't a chance I'm willing to take anymore. Life on the Lost Light, Facebook style.

02-23-2011, 06:28 PM	#25
Jonny Napalm has got a WANK username Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 1,956 Location: UK Collection Count: Getting smaller, loving it more. News Credits: 2	Online is where it's at for me too. Speaking of which, my Energon Dreadwing arrived today.. Awesomeness. Attached Thumbnails My Sales Thread. 3rd Party, Classics, Universe, Henkei and more riches for the discerning Transformers fan. Need a Green Giant 'derp' head http://www.fullmetalhero.com/t4904/

02-23-2011, 06:29 PM	#26
Master Blaster Fave cereal is yohoes Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 5,796 Location: United Kingdom Collection Count: 100+ News Credits: 1	Like Counterpunch always says, you gotta pay to play baby! Think of it like this:: you want x figure, and it costs so much. Would you rather not have it, or worse changing your mind later and buying it at an even higher price? Cos that's what's gonna generally happen with chug stuff. Better to bite the bullet now and be happy. And considering the figures- Kup, Wreck Gar, Tomahawk (could go on)- they're quality toys anyhow, so at least you're getting your moneys worth! Ebay is great for buying, shit for selling. It just takes common sense when looking for stuff. The Junkion exchange was the reason I joined tfw in the first place, before expanding to the UK sightings scene. It really is just a quality B/S/T forum! Also a good reason to join many other tf sites, especially if you're selling. I've never bought from any international webstore except tfsource for City Commander. The risk of getting slammed with customs puts the fear of god in me. On a last note before I got to bed, it's a damn shame Xybertoys fell apart. Used to be a really good site before things just fell apart, had some great prices on stuff like RiD Black Convoy and henkei figures (used to cost £16 from them back in the day, got up to £20 just before they flatlined). And with that, night! Hope there's not too many pages to catch up on tomorrow EDIT:: that mold is damn fantastic. My bro has Mirage, but Dreadwing looks so much damn cooler! Highbrow's guns and Drift's sword do kinda suit him too, nice. Thinking back, Energon really did have a lot of fantastic voyager figures. Don't think I could ever part with my Landmine! (Though Bulkhead I probably could) "If there's one thing I've learned from browsing these forums for the last 5 years, it's that this fandom has more than its fair share of retards."

02-23-2011, 06:46 PM	#28
Ishino Classics Enthusiast Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 215 Location: Norfolk, UK Collection Count: Around 140 News Credits: 1	I'm one of the odd ones here, as aside from the odd secondhand bits off eBay or the Junkion board here, nearly all of my Transformers are bought in person. Of course though, the reason for this is that both Kapow and Toyz & Gamez are based in my hometown. It is nice being able to pick up all the rare, collector-centric stuff without having to wait (or pay) for the postman. Plus Andy makes a brilliant cup of tea My TFW feedback -\|\|\|- My eBay feedback

02-23-2011, 07:09 PM	#29
iamste Protectobot Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 1,295	Urgh, I bought a generations Blurr on eBay last night without releasing it's American. I can just about justify paying for him (£17 with shipping), but if I get charged for customes I will not be able to like him the way I would have.