I was comparing prices on the SDCC one vs the retail.

If I got SDCC Devastator at HTS, it'd be $205 for me after tax and shipping.

Amazon, after tax, would be $163.

Target with a Redcard would be $155.

Maybe that has something to do with it?

 

Sounds about what I will pay for Unite Warriors Devastator.  

 

That is correct. They were up for weeks then all the remaining SDCC exclusives (TFs, Jem, MLP I think?) all disappeared at the same time. Not sold out, listings pulled.

 

Anybody get a ship notice for exclusives yet?

 

That sounds awesome AND like an urban myth!   Why would Hasbro have a special store for employees only?   I'm not saying you're making it up! Just that it sounds ridiculous!   I wouldn't be surprised, however, given some of the other bonehead decisions the company makes.   For a second there, I was almost planning a road trip to RI, just to see the store!  

This. The Takara version is superior and virtually the same price. It's called cannibalization.
I know Hasbro wants to milk the mold, but they REALLY SHOULD HAVE DONE A G2 VERSION FOR SDCC!   Yes, that bares shouting.   I had money set aside, before SDCC, back when there were rumors of a yellow Devy. But then chromey came out and I was all, "Meh."

Thanks! Still a mystery about what they do with them, though...  

Mine was supposed to go out today... did anyone get a ship notice today? I was thinking of getting a second set of Combiner Hunters once the first went out (in case they go cancel crazy on me!  ).

I say the Combiner Hunters are still in stock cause Hasbro made a lot; not because no one is buying. I can't believe no one is interested in these. Especially with how popular female characters are nowadays. It's got to be excess product! Anyone specifically passing on these? why? Maybe saving money for a 3P?

 

My kreos are on their way but my hunters await shipping still!

I grabbed the hunters, actually really like the new colours and I'm all for supporting female characters in transformers!

 

For me...the fembot molds just aren't that great. Arcee is nice with a few mods, and I like the black, but not enough to pay this premium. Windblade is small, hard to pose, and this color scheme isn't appealing to me. Chromia is fine, but nothing special, and the colors aren't different enough to flip my cookie.

As for Devastator, I don't like the metallic. That and if I'm going to commit to a plastic toddler sized toy in my house, I can't imagine getting any version but the Takara, especially how close it is in price.

 

For my tastes the TT version is the one to get. Not a fan of the Hasbro version, except to use the Constructicons in alt mode, and the chrome color on the SDCC version looks gaudy. So, I'll get the TT release and wait to see if the Hasbro version shows up at Costco (at a reduced price).

 

Just about. I've got my TFSource preorder for $220 shipped. After shipping and tax the SDCC one is only $12 less.

I think most people would gladly pay $12 more for handguns, better joints, an optional visor, and purple hands. The only advantage the SDCC one has is the chrome, which is gaudy, unnecessary, and looks almost magenta in the photos I've seen.

 

Haha, Hasbro can't win. If they had made G2 Devi then people would have been complaining the hell out of their rear about not being able to get one.

The Takara Devi is definitely killing the interest in SDCC Devi, but also SDCC Devi barely is that different from the regular release.

A lot of people are saying they don't want Arcee because of the premium price. To be more accurate, it's because of the premium prices of Windblade and Chromia. If Arcee was being sold by herself for $25 I think there's a good chance she's sold out.

 

For what other online retailers and people on Ebay are asking for the Combiner Hunters Set, for me, this was sadly reasonable. To be honest, of the Femmes, Arcee is my least favorite. My favorite Femmebot is actually Chromia, followed by Windblade.

 

Crap. Just realized I totally forgot to try yesterday for a stormtrooper. Were they gone in a flash?

 

Yes. First to go and a lot of people got them in the cart but loss them on the long checkout load time. The good news is it's suppose to be the same figure for mass release just in different packaging.

 

Am I the only one to receive my SDCC order from HTS so far? I ordered one of everything that went UP, besides MLP and JEM (which I normally always get). I only used standard shipping, but I received a couple of boxes around 9am this morning, shipped from PA. Looks like I'm still missing a box or 2, though.

 

Wouldn't surprise me about the Hasbro store thing. Mattel has (or had?) one.

Was there a restock of Stormie yesterday? Didn't have a bell ring.  

Sooooo....anyone buy the Joe CS set? How big was the box? (actual not HTS shipping box). Have seen reviews but nothing about that or collector friendliness.   Trying to decide if it's worth near $30 extra with tax and shipping! Amazing that we're actually to that stage but not complaining!   Nice to have some time to think it over for once...Oh and, Is the Joe Kre-o shrink wrapped? Have seen some auctions that way.  

 

They haven't even shipped mine yet, I even called to make sure no holds ugh. Others have been getting there's though.

Mattel does actually have a store open to the public. I forget what state it's in though.

 

Thanks for sharing that! I also lol'ed at your Devy toddler comment!   They really missed an opportunity there: "NEW FROM HASBRO!!!! TODDLER DEVY!!!! YOU ALREADY HAVE KIDS, BUT THIS ONE SPLITS APART INTO SIX ROBOTS AND DOESN'T CRY AT NIGHT!  "

Costco!   Woo! I'd totally double dip if they showed up at Costco!

Why not release a G2 with chrome?   Then they could release a vanilla G2 version later for everyone else. It's basically the same thing they did here, but in YELLOW!!!       Owww, my eyes!  

I'm tempted as heck, but I'd probably save the $50 and go for the regular version! I don't actually own any form of that jet cause it's so damn big... which is still keeping me from pulling the trigger!  

 

In all seriousness I've seen SDCC exclusives at Toys R Us clearance before, but not Transformers. Have any more than Blaster ever been discounted? Could have sworn I saw a news story about HTS clearancing exclusives but maybe it was a wonderful dream. Though it happened for sure on their Joe DTC line (when I was broke natch).

 

Of course it is different strokes for different folks.

However, I decided against the SDCC set, because of the chrome and because Reprolabels can give me the stickers I want for him. It's only a matter of time before they make them.

Now owning the the Hasbro version, there is no doubt in my mind that I would prefer the Takara version. I really enjoy this guy and I have broken him down plenty of times. The options you get on the Takara version is well worth the money. You get a better paint scheme, weapons, new joints and an option for the visor vs. no visor.

And the joints things. While it has been played out to death, it is true. The lack of joints is a drawback. Especially with a toy this fun.

The only positive I see for the SDCC set is the box. I am sure you will be able to buy the box in the near future if you want it.

Now, this is just my personal opinion. If you like a chromed out Devy with a bit a bling bling, then I am cool with it. For me, I rather have the Takara goodies.

Now I am debating returning the Hasbro Devastator, or just getting a second one. I actually think I will wait till the Takara devastator goes on deep discount at the online retailers.

If history has taught me anything, it is that these will be HEAVILY discounted. The first discount we will see should be in about 9 months, when these will be sold at Japanese prices. So the shipping that is added will be gone on these. The second discount, if Devy lasts, will be about 20% after Japanese prices. But I am not sure it will get to that.

So I think that $220 Takara Devastator will eventually sell at a more reasonable $145 which is the yen conversion.

 

I know what you mean. Though I just have to have that TT Devy or my 9 year old self will somehow find a time machine, come to the year 2015 and kick the ever living **** out of me!