Transformers Prime First Edition Cliffjumper Showing Up at Toys"R"Us

Man, I tells ya', the stuff gettin' dug up in these warehouses just keeps gettin' weirder and older...

I wonder if this means he'll pop up in TJ Marshaxx too. So far every one I've hit just has one or two FE Bees, so I'll jump on this one whenever, wherever, and at whatever price he physically shows up marked.

I already got him during the rerun. For some reason my toys r us was stocking Canadian versions.

When I was there, it looked like there was a brand new case of these figures that had just been put out. Bunch of FE Bumblebees, Starscreams and a lone Cliffjumper. No Arcees. I'm assuming the case ratio was 4 Bumblebee, 2 Starscream, 1 Cliffjumper and 1 Arcee. It might have been 3 Bumblebees and 3 Starscreams though ... I didn't really make a note of it at the time because I was so surprised to see a Cliffjumper there.

Yep I found a FE Starscream at a TJmax for only $6.99 too

FFFFFFFFFF i literally JUST bought this figure off of a guy online!
Then again, he only charged me $15, so i suppose that's good

Old news...

But seriously, I'm absolutely bewildered. I was just explaining to my wife that TJ Maxx got a crate of these from TRU, which made no sense, as TRU did a lousy job of stocking these to begin with (they sold right out at all the local TRU). Lo and behold... THEY REAPPEAR ON THE SHELVES!

So my theory is TRU didn't bother shipping these to stores, as the DOTM line was gunking up shelves pretty bad. Finally, the holidays come around, some TRU warehouse employee stumbles on these (or more likely, they need the extra space for stuff that people actually want to buy in 2013), and the TRU execs are all, "F*ck it. SHIP IT!"

But they're a savvy bunch: they ship half to stores, the other half gets sold to TJ Maxx.

Was looking for this figure at BotCon 2012. Only one I ever found was part of a set with the other three Deluxes that I already had, and the seller wouldn't budge on selling Cliff by himself.

So I went with the ever-so-slightly darker red Takara version.

Metrosuplex wrote:Old news...

This isn't old news. This is First Edition Cliffjumper showing up at US stores. He hasn't ever been in US stores before.

get it! get it my US buddies..! FE Cliffjumper unexpectedly became one of my favourite Transformers.. the transformation is ingenious xx

Seibertron wrote:

Metrosuplex wrote:Old news...

This isn't old news. This is First Edition Cliffjumper showing up at US stores. He hasn't ever been in US stores before.

I was being facetious. It was a bit of a jeer at the people who read every post and write those comments! I seriously just found out about these at TRU at the same time you posted the news article, so NOT old news! But still funny to say that.

But seriously? He hasn't been sold in U.S. stores before? I assumed he was at TRU at SOME point before... but no? Wow, now my opinion of TRU distribution practices is even lower! It's not as if they JUST ordered these from Hasbro! Why would they keep these in a warehouse for so long, forcing the majority of you to buy it online or find Takara versions? Does TRU truly have to be the LAST toy store chain in America? I really think almost anyone else could do a better job...

Metrosuplex wrote:But seriously? He hasn't been sold in U.S. stores before? I assumed he was at TRU at SOME point before... but no? Wow, now my opinion of TRU distribution practices is even lower! It's not as if they JUST ordered these from Hasbro! Why would they keep these in a warehouse for so long, forcing the majority of you to buy it online or find Takara versions? Does TRU truly have to be the LAST toy store chain in America? I really think almost anyone else could do a better job...

Actually, I don't think this is on Toys R Us at all. Hasbro probably had extra stock from their Asia distribution or they had left over stock from a couple of years ago that literally has been sitting around in a warehouse this entire time. That or they took back extra stock that stores in Asia couldn't sell. It's tough to say without seeing the original case these came in, and even then that doesn't necessarily tell the whole story. This isn't uncommon at all. Even legit G1 warehouse finds continue to happen to this very day. Once Hasbro identified that they have X amount of pallets of a product sitting around, the sales rep at Hasbro probably reached out to his/her contact at Toys R Us, said "hey, we've got this many case units of these products that you guys picked up for the last couple of years, do you want some more?" TRU rep says "sure, those sold really well for us and didn't sit on shelves for long, we'll take them!" and now they're here on our shelves.

Seibertron wrote:Actually, I don't think this is on Toys R Us at all. Hasbro probably had extra stock from their Asia distribution or they had left over stock from a couple of years ago that literally has been sitting around in a warehouse this entire time. That or they took back extra stock that stores in Asia couldn't sell. It's tough to say without seeing the original case these came in, and even then that doesn't necessarily tell the whole story. This isn't uncommon at all. Even legit G1 warehouse finds continue to happen to this very day. Once Hasbro identified that they have X amount of pallets of a product sitting around, the sales rep at Hasbro probably reached out to his/her contact at Toys R Us, said "hey, we've got this many case units of these products that you guys picked up for the last couple of years, do you want some more?" TRU rep says "sure, those sold really well for us and didn't sit on shelves for long, we'll take them!" and now they're here on our shelves.

Blame Hasbro, not the retailers?!?! GASP! I'm sincerely shocked to see any responsibility put on Hasbro! Gadzooks.

One problem with your theory: when does Hasbro "take back" stock. I was under the impression that manufacturers like Hasbro no longer took back unsold stock (unless the rules are different for overseas business). This is the unfortunate reason why we see so much DOTM merch still out there, and why I believe the 80s/90s had better toy assortments in general.

Still, very good points you made and I thank you for educating me a little. We don't really know, and I suppose it is possible that Hasbro sold to both TRU AND TJ Maxx at the same time. It would explain how you can find a $16 SS and then go across the street and get him for $7 (if lucky). I don't understand how TRU would sell this kind of stock to TJs, if it directly competes with their own sales.
Plus, it seems like the TJ stock is a different assortment (BB, Arcee, SS) vs the TRU stock (BB, Cliffjumper, SS).

To be honest, at this point, I'm not sure which party is more incompetent for these kind of snafu's. I do think it's imperative, however, that these toys get put on shelves when demand is HOT, not when collectors and interested parties have most likely found the products elsewhere.

Metrosuplex wrote:Blame Hasbro, not the retailers?!?! GASP! I'm sincerely shocked to see any responsibility put on Hasbro! Gadzooks.

One problem with your theory: when does Hasbro "take back" stock. I was under the impression that manufacturers like Hasbro no longer took back unsold stock (unless the rules are different for overseas business). This is the unfortunate reason why we see so much DOTM merch still out there, and why I believe the 80s/90s had better toy assortments in general.

Still, very good points you made and I thank you for educating me a little. We don't really know, and I suppose it is possible that Hasbro sold to both TRU AND TJ Maxx at the same time. It would explain how you can find a $16 SS and then go across the street and get him for $7 (if lucky). I don't understand how TRU would sell this kind of stock to TJs, if it directly competes with their own sales.
Plus, it seems like the TJ stock is a different assortment (BB, Arcee, SS) vs the TRU stock (BB, Cliffjumper, SS).

To be honest, at this point, I'm not sure which party is more incompetent for these kind of snafu's. I do think it's imperative, however, that these toys get put on shelves when demand is HOT, not when collectors and interested parties have most likely found the products elsewhere.

I think you might be being a little too harsh on the retailers or on Hasbro. What I really think happened was First Edition was most likely supposed to see a wide retail release at stores such as Walmart, Target, etc. Perhaps because of factory delays, shipping delays, a strike, supply delays on the factory side, retailer(s) bailed out, etc ... too much stock ended up being made of First Edition for the amount of stores that wanted to take the product. Toys R Us agreed to X amount of product whereas Walmart and Target either declined perhaps because it was a unique sku or something along those lines or backed out altogether (maybe because a production delay for whatever reason prevented the products from arriving for a holiday season or something). So all of the First Editions were made because it was too late to change the production runs, so they farmed out the product to stores willing to take the extra product line in regional areas such as Canada and Asia. Those stores were only willing to order a certain amount of product, so the extra First Editions sat in a warehouse until they can find a home for them. Toys R Us took additional stock last year, but apparently that wasn't all of the rest because now the product is showing up again this holiday season at Toys R Us and discount chains like TJ Maxx. It's just a normal supply/demand/production issue that probably happens a lot more than we realize which is why products show up in weird places some times like grocery stores, discount chains, dollar stores, and other places where you don't expect to normally find main line Transformers products.

Kudos to Hasbro for continuing to get these products out to consumers by finding new homes for them.

Does anyone know if First Edition Megatron is going to be out as well with these other First Editions or is it one of those "hard to say" because of distribution? I've really liked how accurate to the show it looks, that's why I wanted it.

Tyrannacon wrote:Does anyone know if First Edition Megatron is going to be out as well with these other First Editions or is it one of those "hard to say" because of distribution? I've really liked how accurate to the show it looks, that's why I wanted it.

Unlikely, as he was part of the Entertainment Pack with Deluxe Optimus Prime which wasn't part of the reissue run. He was only sold standalone in Japan, and I'm not talking Arms Micron.

Tyrannacon wrote:Does anyone know if First Edition Megatron is going to be out as well with these other First Editions or is it one of those "hard to say" because of distribution? I've really liked how accurate to the show it looks, that's why I wanted it.

Are you referring to the Deluxe FE Megs? If so I have one for sale.

Whatever the reason, I'm glad he & other FE toys are reappearing. I was only able to get SS the first time around.

Nice. I want this.

And yet we still have no word on the status of Masterpiece Soundwave.

Xephon0930 wrote:And yet we still have no word on the status of Masterpiece Soundwave.

Whatchutalkinbout? He's out. I picked up mine from my local TRU store months ago.

Just recently picked up Acid Storm from the same store, too.

Well the site still doesn't have him and I didn't have the fortune to see him at my local store. Situation looks bleak on my end.

Xephon0930 wrote:Well the site still doesn't have him and I didn't have the fortune to see him at my local store. Situation looks bleak on my end.

He was on the site previously, being listed periodically. Evidently, the TRU.com stock has likely sold out.

He was a hot item closer to his release date.

Seibertron wrote:I think you might be being a little too harsh on the retailers or on Hasbro. What I really think happened was First Edition was most likely supposed to see a wide retail release at stores such as Walmart, Target, etc. Perhaps because of factory delays, shipping delays, a strike, supply delays on the factory side, retailer(s) bailed out, etc ... too much stock ended up being made of First Edition for the amount of stores that wanted to take the product. Toys R Us agreed to X amount of product whereas Walmart and Target either declined perhaps because it was a unique sku or something along those lines or backed out altogether (maybe because a production delay for whatever reason prevented the products from arriving for a holiday season or something). So all of the First Editions were made because it was too late to change the production runs, so they farmed out the product to stores willing to take the extra product line in regional areas such as Canada and Asia. Those stores were only willing to order a certain amount of product, so the extra First Editions sat in a warehouse until they can find a home for them. Toys R Us took additional stock last year, but apparently that wasn't all of the rest because now the product is showing up again this holiday season at Toys R Us and discount chains like TJ Maxx. It's just a normal supply/demand/production issue that probably happens a lot more than we realize which is why products show up in weird places some times like grocery stores, discount chains, dollar stores, and other places where you don't expect to normally find main line Transformers products.

Kudos to Hasbro for continuing to get these products out to consumers by finding new homes for them.

Seibertron, I don't understand your unbelievable optimism and love for Hasbro. That was a beautiful story above. Just beautiful.
But you do realize it's just a story, right? Mere pontificating on matters beyond our knowledge? Your story is no more believable than mine is, differing only in unbridled amounts of gushing hope and positivity!

Regardless of who declined the re-order or who declined to offer a re-order, the point remains that an opportunity was lost (selling these toys when they were hot). Right now? I'm not sure anyone still cares. Except the scalpers, which are already listing these on eBay as "rare" and "hard-to-find!!!" Sure, some of your fine SEIBERTRON MEMBERS care about these... but even here, I've not seen an overwhelmingly enthusiastic response to this re-release (just check the number of comments/views on this thread).

Let's not look a gift horse in the mouth, as collectors, on this fine re-release... or maybe we should look in the mouth and x-ray the whole damn horse, for that matter. If Hasbro made more sales, they could afford to make more G1 and MP figures - or more succinctly, what's good for the goose is good for the gander (with us being the gander).

I see this news as a tie or defeat for Hasbro (who did not sell this product closer to release, when people were REALLY REALLY excited). If I were a football coach, I wouldn't pat my players on the @$$ for tying or losing. I want to see some more hustle, guys (Hasbro)! Let's move out there and score some touchdowns!

But don't take my word for it. Let's hear from another member...

Xephon0930 wrote:And yet we still have no word on the status of Masterpiece Soundwave.

You probably already realized that MP SW is no longer listed on TRU.com, huh?

I sincerely hope Hasbro plans to do another run of these MP Soundwaves for TRU, as demand has clearly NOT been met, and I say it's better to err slightly on more supply than demand. I think they could do another entire run of these figures and they'd STILL sell out.

I barely got my MP SW, and I'd be pretty pissed if I didn't. Maybe Hasbro just doesn't like money? Cause, y'know, when I have demand for a product I make, my favorite thing to do is come up with excuses about why I can't sell to meet this demand (factory labor/scheduling problems, retailer demand, blah blah blah, wank wank ).

More annoyingly, I'm seeing secondary sales of these releases make WAAAAAAY more than actual retail sales, and it's not a singular, isolated situation. Virtually every TF toy released today in short quantities hits eBay instantly, bought by people who don't even want the product (or Seibertron members who feel it their Manifest Destiny to clear stores of MP inventory to turn a profit). THIS is my biggest issue with Hasbro's lousy distribution, planning, poor work with retail chains, etc.

I say, fellow collectors, that the blame lies not in the individual stock boy, manager, or store, but at the very top of this supply chain: the manufacturer.

Demand is not being met, and the black market is literally STEALING from legitimate customers. The only way to combat either is to properly supply the distribution channels and thereby eliminate black market value... well, that is unless Hasbro is directly profiteering off of these prospectors and is literally taking advantage of people with no employment or of otherwise unsound minds.

Or maybe I'm being dramatic and Sound Wave is already owned by everyone who cares, and the few people who did NOT get him are just that: few. I don't have numbers, so this theory is as good as anyone else's.

(If it makes you feel better, Xephon0930, the TRU version of SW was not very impressive. It felt rather cheap for how much I paid, and because they painted my Buzzsaw without first taking it apart, the tail fin was literally stuck in tape form - the paint acting as permanent adhesive to this thin piece of plastic - and snapped when I tried to convert it into a bird tail. That tells me the line was rushed and painted sloppily, so I think you're better off ordering Takara on this MP. I would have loved to even CONSIDER the possibility of an exchange, but the broken piece seemed minor - even though it'll be impossible to actually repair - and I can only imagine the horror it would have been to try and find a replacement SW at TRU).