The UK Toy Discussion

Discussion in 'Transformers Toy Discussion' started by Boardwise, Feb 23, 2011.

  1. Master Blaster

    Master Blaster Banned

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    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.
     
  2. jksit1

    jksit1 The Chosen One

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    Agreed!
     
  3. Omnius

    Omnius Guest

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    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.
     
  4. Auto Morph

    Auto Morph Gimmick Bot

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    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.
     
  5. Napalm

    Napalm Drinking About Robots TFW2005 Supporter

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    Online is where it's at for me too.

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

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  6. Master Blaster

    Master Blaster Banned

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    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 :D 


    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)
     
  7. RipCurl

    RipCurl Well-Known Member

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    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
     
  8. Ishino

    Ishino Studio Series enthusiast

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    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 :D 
     
  9. iamste

    iamste Well-Known Member

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    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.
     
  10. deathsheadx

    deathsheadx Well-Known Member

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    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.
     
  11. nemisispringer

    nemisispringer Well-Known Member

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    I wish i could share your point of view but im afraid I've always found our retail lacking i remember no skybyte scourge or predacons during RID and no astrotrain along with the original classic deluxe's in woolies no wingsabre, sharkticon or slugslinger during energon and no wheeljack in armada last time I remember being happy with uk retail was back during beast wars and g2

    Ah well we still got skywarp and magnus for 15 quid

    Im gonna say that honestly i dont understand people buying at retail nowadays the only stuff i buy at retail is sale stuff that swings me on the price such as the BIS set. I also tend to buy scouts at retail as they tend to be ridiculously expensive to get shipped i mean i dont mind paying £12 for windcharger but when it comes to the likes of firetrap and sunspot i really draw the line

    Ive also always found personally that if you miss preorders on figures that arent released they can cost twice the price or even be unobtainable such as legends wheelie I was also very worried about blurr and dirge because toyz and games werent contacting me about my preorder when they where both instock and remember seeing their prices on ebay being ridiculous

    Sorry to bring yet another downer on people but i dont remember seeing any online shops that post to the uk offering hardhead at all i know that was a figure i wanted that I almost couldnt obtain due to price insreases
     
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  12. Kraken

    Kraken Is a vegiesaurus, Lex. Veteran

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    You should be alright, I've never once been hit by customs when buying from the yanks, and that includes stuff like paints that they really should be double checking.

    This thread is already full of win, kudos and cheers to Boardwise and the staff :) 
     
  13. Draven

    Draven Banned

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    Hang on... we have Transformers over here?!?!?
    Roll on Botcon; I can finally catch up with the ridiculous amount of stuff I've missed!
     
  14. tikgnat

    tikgnat Baweepgranaweepninnybong.

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    Prolly because it gives him an excuse to cycle all over north west London, limits his spending (lets face it, once you start buying stuff online, you've opened the floodgates) and the buzz of finding a figure in a shop far far beats getting the same figure in the post.

    Heh, I like the idea of this thread. I was wondering why the actual UK sightings thread had slipped on my search.
     
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  15. simond

    simond Well-Known Member

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    It's good to have somewhere we won't get told off in as easily :) 
     
  16. Thenames9

    Thenames9 D-d-d-d-duel!

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    I don't understand the problem of eBay? I've got some good deals from there, a mint boxed complete Soundwave for 60 quid shipped!

    So RtS seems to have little chance of getting any more waves in, here's to hoping that DoTM doesn't shelfwarm!
     
  17. UKBrawn

    UKBrawn Intergalactic Tin Opener

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    No buying is cool from ebay, there are still some great bargains, last week won an encore jazz for £10 and complete Reissue Seacons for £30 for instance.

    It's the selling that hurts, the fees from ebay and then paypal, eat any potential profits.
    Where is the monopolies commision when you need them!
     
  18. BigPhill

    BigPhill Well-Known Member

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    I know I've probably missed theboat on these ones, but does anyone know of any shops that have HftD Teradive and Tomahawk?

    Cheers.

    Phill
     
  19. Thenames9

    Thenames9 D-d-d-d-duel!

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    They were never sighted in the UK I'm afraid, they were spotted on Boots' website but they never found their way into stores.
     
  20. BigPhill

    BigPhill Well-Known Member

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    I know that. But for example 3 Darths says they're in stock, but also not in stock till the 2nd of March.