The UK Toy Fair 2012 is in full swing, with a few bits of new product news and some updates about the release status of Transformers in the UK. Macula of Fullmetalhero has posted news from the event, and here is a summary of the key items Hasbro had on show:
- There will be a new size class in Beast Hunters – Ultimate class. Expected to be around Leader size, the first two releases are Dragon Disk Optimus Prime and Predaking. Predaking is the larger one we saw images of at the New York Toy Fair (attached to this story for reference)
- There will also be a five pack of Legion class Predacons. No other details available as yet.
- UK release news – Beast Hunters will be released in the UK in May, with the expectation that three waves will be released between then and the end of the year.
- UK release of Masterpiece Optimus Prime is “in Toys R Us’ hands”
Keep tuned to TFW for news in February from the US Toy Fair, which should include all the above – with pictures – and lots more!
orangeitis
There are other sites that have them.
NemiMonkey
Aside from Predakings beast mode (which I think is still being used as the thumbnail for the news thread), the pics were blurry messes.
Nevermore
Same procedure as every year.
Bossguy
Hasbro removed the pics. Lovely.
NemiMonkey
But I wasn't trying to be a smart alec.
Merely stating that even if distribution is bad you can always rely on online retailers and ebay to get your TF fix or better yet board members here.
You win this round Mr. Bond.
Master Blaster
Retailers certainly are as much to blame as Hasbro. MP Op is a popular and pretty accurate depiction of the issue. Hasbro UK have proven they don't know their head from their arse time and time again, while recently TRU UK have demonstrated a similar level of intelligence. Neither seem to have any clue where this fabled MP10 is at, and accuse the other of having it on a regular basis. It's little wonder the UK high street is becoming naught but boarded windows whilst Amazon, Play and other online retailers rule supreme. They can't be relied on for squat, and the buying public knows this.
FYI, Windcharger was more or less well distributed here for a few weeks. A lot of UK users bought up stock to send overseas to other collectors, but sadly another good chunk was bought up by scalpers. Then, I'm fairly sure the remnants were packed up and sent US-ward, where it would seem retailers said "nah" and they ended up in cheapo stores.
With any luck, brick and mortar retailers will all die out and decent, online shopping will reign. We'd all be better off for it.
There's a problem. Hasbro US don't care, and Hasbro UK/Europe are too stupid to do anything about it. Or so it would seem. It should be all fair and equal, but I doubt it ever will be. The last time I bought a figure at retail was…MP Hot Rod a year or two ago. Yup. And that went back because it was a QC nightmare. I seriously recommend becoming accustomed to online retail my friend, it's pretty much the only reliable way for us UK collectors to get our fix. When it comes to ordering in from international retailers, I recommend buddying up with a few other collectors and doing group buys. Even if we get slammed with customs, it still usually works out cheaper or equal to UK RRP.
Gilgamesh
How Ironic.
Autovolt 127
Ironhide4
It's happened here for years though right as far back as the beast wars days, we're so far behind as is and get left behind, to think that two waves will already be available elsewhere 5-6 months before we'll even see wave 1 is despicable in my opinion. We play catch up as is and just when I had thought hasbro were playing fair and distributing equally they snatch it away. I'm not saying that we should get it before america,canada or anywhere else I'm saying equal release dates would be much fairer.
If a line releases january 1st, or march 1st it should be a global release to give all fans a good chance because as is we get shafted just when you buy into a line inevitably there'll be at least two waves if lucky then after that luck of the draw or nothing.
Should be equal release dates to be fair to everyone in my opinion.
Hollywood Hoist
I never saw a Windcharger at retail, never saw any of the generation legends like Cosmos and Warpath etc. I had to go alternative routes to obtain those figures, frustrating yes, but I understand that when figures are released at the end of a line there is a good chance the distribution will suck. This is a result of stores not ordering those cases.
I believe Windcharger really only showed up at discount stores like Ross/TJ MAxx, which is where unpurchased cases go. When a line reaches it's end and stores stop ordering cases that's where you see them, so it has nothing to do with the fans complaining, it was a matter of unsold cases of figures getting sold to discount stores.
I'm truly sorry that distribution across the sea sucks, but it's not just Hasbro's fault it's also the stores, it's supply and demand. If there's money to be made, than you know Hasbro will go for it. After all the put an investment in making the figures geared towards adult collectors, so it's in their best interest to sell as many as they can. I'm sure Hasbro is looking at statistics and making the decisions based on those numbers, I do not believe they're trying to spite the fans and collectors from around the world.
Hollywood Hoist
Well played sir.
Hollywood Hoist
However what is the total number of people with collections on the forum compare that to the number of children out there buying Transformers. I am not the average Bumblebee collector…. at least I hope not So using me as an example is misleading. Also for full disclosure I have 2 more Bumblebees that aren't in that pic, also for most of those I have 3 of each 1 in package, 1 in robot and 1 in vehicle.
Pride21
Oh well.
I decided to delete the message.
I've no intention of starting trouble.
Again my apologies.
Anti Spark
The hasbro nerf MIB.
Shin-Gouki
Yeah get ready for the Hasbro Butthurt all over again
Mechafire
I'm pretty sure it's NOT okay…
Prepare to have the Hasbro police kick down your door and take you to the Institute.
Sumner Sturgeon
Someone give this guy a medal. Seriously.
Master Blaster
It could be, and probably has been, said that collectors are the biggest children of them all. A fair chunk of the arguments, comments and smart-ass remarks you see daily on these boards certainly portray that.
Ironhide4
Pity there's no like button on this brittap, you are spot on!!!! Sit down hollywood hoist. Hasbro continually tell lies about product and distribution. They have dicked around with hasbro UK for the last two months about Masterpiece Optimus Prime. Hollywood you were probably one of those that whinged and cried and threw the rattle outta the pram when windcharger wasn't in the states but wait….didn't hasbro oblige by sending windcharger there. Think they did. Think the fan had enough sway there. Was hardly a group of children, who most likely did not grow up with G1 that got their way there right? To think the fandom are 10% of buyers you have to be joking. What a ludicrous little statement.
Oh and to the guy whom said "online retailers", I speak not only for myself but much of the communities that do not have that option readily available for different reasons. Plus what fan doesn't like going into a shop seeing the line he likes on pegs and being able to pick and choose. Sure online retail is easy but for the likes of me that live far away from places like America and Japan, shipping actually costs a fair amount. So you may also take your smart alec answer elsewhere. 😉