Hey all, I just wanted to get your opinions on something as I'm sure most of the collectors frequenting this page, not to mention Hisstank and Thundercats.ws have experience w/ both parties. The parties I'm referring to are Big Bad Toy Store and Entertainment Earth and what I'd specifically like to know is whom you prefer to order with. The reason I'm asking is because I recently placed a pre-order with Entertainment Earth (utilizing their buy one, get one 30% off deal) for a set of the 8" Classic Thundercats. Anyhow, when I made the order, in early August, the estimated arrival date for the products was August 2011. Of course I realize those dates are subject to change, but after many brick and mortar retail spots (including those in my local area) have been getting stock of the TC in, EE has since pushed their arrival date for them back to Sept. Meanwhile, BBTS has had them in stock for a while now so I just placed an order with them and they've already shipped. That's what I'm talking about!!!!! Not having much experience w/ these specific on-line toy retailers, I was under the impression they usually got the jump on the goods and had them available early. Is BBTS, generally speaking, better than EE in this regard? They both seem like top-notch e-tailers, but I have to admit being a bit irked at EE's inability to get their stock in as originally advertised. To think, I passed picking up a Lion-O @ TRU when I saw him because I had him on pre-order w/ EE. SMH. In any event, inquiring minds want to know for potential future ordering/pre-ordering scenarios. As always, thanks.
I have never bought from Entertainment Earth before, but I'll say that BBTS is as reliable as they get. I haven't been disappointed yet.
They are both great shops, been doing bussiness with both for a decade. Nothing is better than EE'S newsletter.
Ive ueded EE back in the day the one problem i had, is that when i preordered stuff(most of the R.I.D line) by the time ive gotten my order the rid line was like everywhere.But BBts is great the only complant i have with them is their price.
EE is fine, I guess. I used them to get HA Roadbuster. Canceling preorders with them is a pain (easy at BBTS). I did find Roadbuster in a store a good month before EE shipped mine (I forgot to cancel, so now I have MISB extra). The one thing is for what ever reason (probably Hasbro's new habbit of packing BB with everything- and yes he pretty much is shelf warming now)- BBTS kinda dropped the ball and has yet to offer Roadbuster as a single order, forcing me to go elsewhere. The real shame of that is I got most of my HA's through BBTS last time around, and since I've NEVER seen Jazz or Mudflap in stores here, and it was at least 6 months later before I finally saw a Barricade I'm disappointed about that. I have a feeling I'll be getting Soundwave from EE or ebay as well. But generally I much prefer BBTS to EE.
They didn't really drop the ball (imo) -- they did this on purpose, so they didn't get stuck with tons of HA Bumblebees. Granted, they are still getting stuck with a ton anyways cause of case distribution (like 1 Roadbuster to however many Bumblebees, still getting stuck with some even after pairing it) but at least this way they are moving some Bumblebees. They do this a lot with items that are one to a case that are in huge demand (and its usually Hasbro products this happens with), especially if the rest of the case is nothing but pegwarmers. The alternative is probably not carrying the item at all as the Roadbuster is in high demand, but the Bumblebee will rot. If anything, blame crappy case ratios. Can't really blame BBTS for not wanting those HA Bumblebees and trying to unload them somehow before they lose money on them.
The pol feature is the main reason i use bbts. Once in a while you can also find gems on clearance or in their vintage area.
BBTS have become pretty much invaluable to me, and have yet to fail me. However i can't comment on Entertainment Earth at all unfortunately.
BBTS has been dropping the ball lately on transformer items, especially on those case pairings for DOTM. I don't think there was ever a single item Topspin [blue wrecker, deluxe] since they were first released. The later wave deluxe repaints in any line are notoriously expensive. Specialist Ratchet, Cyberfire whatever Bumblebee, Rescue Ratchet and Axor, Blades and Red Rampage, and so on. I do like them for their 10% off hot toys items, but that's not transformers related. They're a great way of buying smaller figures from past lines though, it's nice how they keep each transformers menu they have and expand on it from time to time, like with those car robots\BW Neo warehouse finds they come up with from time to time.
The only reason I use BBTS personally is their Pile of Loot. It's a great feature, and I think every online store should have their own variant of it. I've ordered from EE several times and not have had a problem with them. I wouldn't do pre-orders w/them though, I'd wait until it's in stock and grab whatever else you wanted too, just to make it easier for yourself. But EE has given me no problems at all, pre-order or not. BBTS never gave me problems either, for that matter. But beyond their clearance stuff, and stuff that is actually REAL MSRP, their prices are too inflated usually. $3-5 may not be so bad, until you have a large order with 10 or 20 items, that adds up.
Both have great stuff and is abit high priced but at least with BBTS you can buy 1 item and with EE you need to have a few items in your order to make it worth your wile but with SW figures they sell by the case or sometimes by the half case.
PoL and the nigh-idiot proof shopping at BBTS is why i prefer them. and depending on how well i treat lady Karma, i can find other things aside from TFs that make my day. They are still the only dealer i have come across that i got a UPS truck load of SW items on sale at one time and shipped them all with my TF haul. and their customer service demands respect. it's first class all the way. they'll take care of just about any issue you have.
