TRANSFORMERS Collecting in the UK (Sucks!)

[@NICKY0312]

I used to work at a UK supermarkets head office, for a time in the toy buying department. Though there was definitely a desire to get exclusives and more branded toys into our mix, the profit margin was always the sticking point. Hasbro and Mattel were pretty firm on a cost price to us which meant that we either went above RRP and became uncompetitive or didn’t make as much in comparison to own brand toys for example. So this is why we didn’t carry a bigger range as much as we (I) would’ve wanted to.

[@retroandreissue]

That makes sense - that's for the insider info!

[@BIRD_LABS]

Hasbro/takara: If you don’t live in America or Japan then GET OUT

[@jacksonhopp2003]

Ah, the TOHO Godzilla way. Or as I like to call it “Nationalised gatekeeping”.

[@Damien-q8t]

What collectors in America and any other country where Target or walmart have stores (canada and Australia for example) need to wake up to is when they are told something is an "exclusive " they are being lied to.....i live in Ireland and have bought quiet a few so calked "exclusives" over the counter in indepependat toy shops here....and no,we do NOT have Walmart, K-mart (before it went belly up) or Target over here and never have

[@AJLTgamesAndre4401]

Yes.

[@telaviefilms280]

@Damein-q8t that’s not really a lie, it’s an exclusive here to that store, we can’t really find that at independent stores

[@Damien-q8t]

@telaviefilms280 it is NOT a lie

[@suitedcollectibles8232]

To be fair. Game has gotten better with supplying transformers figures but you’re right. As a U.K. collector myself it’s a nightmare trying to find new figures on the shelves.

[@retroandreissue]

GAME is on my radar but I've yet to adjust to checking it (still associate it with video games exclusively!) Nearly got 86 Bee from there though

[@GamerbugUK]

@@retroandreissue The odd rare gem or really low price gem, but often nothing amazing, better than The Entertainer by a long shot though.

[@DisasterEnby]

I've had luck with Forbidden Planet, from time to time. It seems to be the best option in the UK besides Game.

[@ReallyTwistedHumor]

Game is shutting down a lot of its' locations.

[@GamerbugUK]

@@DisasterEnby My forbidden plant (high street not online) is garbage for Transformers.

[@TheDigitalApple]

No matter geographic locations, Transformers fans all agree Hasbro distribution is really bad.

[@victorfries8859]

Can someone tell me where i can buy Legacy Chase ? Asking from friggin' Italy...

[@tmntman3086]

Just to clarify a small point, Walmart in the USA is not a grocery store. Traditionally, they were considered to be a discount retailer. But in the USA, most discount retailers started to expand into selling groceries in the 90's. Over the last quarter century, many stores have been renovated and or expanded to add large food/grocery sections and are called superstores. But even now, not all Walmart stores have grocery sections. Though to be fair, traditional non-superstores are fairly rare.

[@retroandreissue]

Thanks for the info!

[@JurassicRod]

It's even worse for Marvel Legends and Jurassic World. They don't sell any Jurassic World toys in the UK now other than the very basic main line. Toy isle in supermarkets are next to non existent now like the DVD isle.

[@retroandreissue]

There was a brief window when I started collecting where Smyths sold MOTU Origins - but even that only lasted a couple of months. The only collector lines other than TF and Lego seem to be a few of the recent Playmates Turtles reissues

[@dansoloskywalkerproduction4329]

I'm just going to give my own country a big middle finger

[@Enerspook]

Yeah, the Netherlands is the same really. When I was a kid during the early nineties, we had several toy stores and it was nuts. Giantic walls of just Transformers. Sadly, over time toy store chains went out of business, Transformers became less populair for a while and the stores still in business concentrated on top sellers. The only TF toys they have are the most recent movie toys and that’s about it. I didn’t start collecting again until a few years ago, when I discovered the start of the Studio Series ‘86 line and it was bizarre to see how difficult it was to find it. Luckily I live near a shop called TF Robots and they have been fantastic.

[@retroandreissue]

A shop called TF Robots! Sounds perfect. Very similar to my experience though - coming back to collecting after so many years I was shocked how difficult it was to find things

[@dobbear]

It got to the point that I don't bother visiting stores anymore and just preorder/order online now.

[@retroandreissue]

I'm pretty much there now too. If I ever come across a toy shop or collector store in the wild I pop in but I don't really even check Smyths regularly now (I check their website first!)

[@Ethan-AndrewCupido]

My Dear friend, Napyet . I'm from South Africa. It's so much worse here, it's a flat out JOKE , compared to the UK and US.

[@retroandreissue]

Anything in particular? I'm always curious to hear the experience of other collectors!

[@Ethan-AndrewCupido]

​@retroandreissue I don't know why YT does this, but I did respond, only later to see my comment is gone .. now I have to rerespond as best as i can remembering what I said because it was quite lenghty

[@retroandreissue]

@@Ethan-AndrewCupido That's weird! I didn't see a comment on this end - make sure you reply to this thread so I will see the notification that you replied

[@Ethan-AndrewCupido]

@retroandreissue so I will tell you about my inconsolable pain, I would say the main issue is availability, we don't really have alot of dedicated toy stores , Toys R us nearly left my country afew years back and the other big Toy Store is 'Toy Kindgom' being the next best option . And to their credit, they have a wide range of toys except Transformers figures. You can disregard ever finding Voyager and Studio series. Because it's constantly packed with Gimmick and ROTB toys to this day. And if you do come across Legacy, it's a single 1 metre wide shelf of Arcee, Dragstrip, and Core classes .There's been a time when we miss an entire wave, there has also been times we received a figure from a future wave and then 5-8 months later receive their wave mates and tough luck if you didn't pick up that figure the first time cause it ain't coming back, and i know this when Gears released and i saw in hand images from Reddit and it was months later till we got him. And this is at the head stores at the Big Malls which is quite a drive from my home to check constantly. Don't even bother checking online , because Transformers are stocked under Assortment Categories so it's literally a Gamble purchasing a figure as no matter what image you selected in your cart it can be from any number of figures in their catalogue. The best method has to be importing, even though I have to pay shipping and Customs, I found it much more effective . I speak only from my own experience. It might be different for my fellow countrymen , but yeah, you have it so easy. That's a diluted response as unfortunately I wrote from memory, I responded directly after I received your comment .

[@Ethan-AndrewCupido]

​@retroandreissue so I will tell you about my inconsolable pain, I would say the main issue is availability, we don't really have alot of dedicated toy stores , Toys R us nearly left my country afew years back and the other big Toy Store is 'Toy Kindgom' being the next best option . And to their credit, they have a wide range of toys except Transformers figures. You can disregard ever finding Voyager and Studio series. Because it's constantly packed with Gimmick and ROTB toys to this day. And if you do come across Legacy, it's a single 1 metre wide shelf of Arcee, Dragstrip, and Core classes .There's been a time when we miss an entire wave, there has also been times we received a figure from a future wave and then 5-8 months later receive their wave mates and tough luck if you didn't pick up that figure the first time cause it ain't coming back, and i know this when Gears released and i saw in hand images from Reddit and it was months later till we got him. And this is at the head stores at the Big Malls which is quite a drive from my home to check constantly. Don't even bother checking online , because Transformers are stocked under Assortment Categories so it's literally a Gamble purchasing a figure as no matter what image you selected in your cart it can be from any number of figures in their catalogue. The best method has to be importing, even though I have to pay shipping and Customs, I found it much more effective . I speak only from my own experience. It might be different for my fellow countrymen , but yeah, you have it so easy. That's a diluted response as unfortunately I wrote from memory, I responded directly after your comment .. and it's happened again the 3rd time I'm resending this message

[@DeltaTrion]

The amount of research and recording you’ve done for this video is outstanding. Showing us your home goods/vehicle isles is next level… maybe they could squeeze the Transformers in with the engine oil?

[@retroandreissue]

I could try that - but I was already getting funny looks from the staff in Smyths! What's this guy doing here at midday filming toys?! Hope the first episode of Deltabase is well received - I've shouted it out in the community tab

[@primalconvoy]

That's one of the reasons I moved from the UK to Japan (that and the women). However, Transformers aren't really available in regular shops. I buy all of my TFs from Amazon Japan (pre-orders from "ships and sold by Amazon Japan" and not usually via private sellers) and Takara Tomy Mall or via free figures with magazines. If I do see department stores or Toys R Us selling them, they're might be 5-10 figures for sale. Also, we DO use the term "convenience store" in the UK. That's what we called the Circle C or even Alldays where I used to work about 25 years ago. The final straw for me in the UK was trying to find BW TM Tigertron and Megatron 25+ years ago and having to deal with some old woman in Wales on the phone at Hasbro UK look it up, not find it and then say "Oh, we have it under "Flying White Tiger". Yes, even Hasbro UK didn't even know the correct names of their own products. In Japan, I can get Amazon Japan to ring me and they can translate their own website and speak to me in ENGLISH and use the correct names for TFs. I also went back to the UK about 15 years ago and the the teenage girl at Woolworths took the piss out of me/TFs to her colleagues after I asked her where the TF toys were (behind my back). Seeya UK.

[@dansoloskywalkerproduction4329]

Yeah uk full of asshole!

[@CarRobots]

I was born in the town that Walmart was founded in, so I've never realized how good I had it for finding transformers. It has gotten worse in the last decade though. When I was a kid, Transformers had its own ISLE. Not a section, just a massive massive wall of transformers. Wild times

[@retroandreissue]

I remember those Transformers lining the shelves of Toys R Us in the 80s! Now they can't coz there's no Toys R Us (how did that happen?!)

[@generalpoot5307]

Turkish collector here, we rarely get any figures, when we get any figures hasbro doesnt check how their retailer prices stuff, so a deluxe is nearing 58 dollars for no reason, i’ve been begging for hasbro pulse in turkiye on twitter for 30+ days straight, nothing so far came out of it, so yeah, we get 2-3 figures every 4-5 months (mind you that they sell like hot cakes despite some stuff) and they are extremely overpriced. Collecting stuff in turkiye is beyond harder than collecting anything

[@retroandreissue]

When the demand is obviously there it's crazy that these companies don't capitalise on it. They do like making money right?! Thanks for the info from Turkey (and thanks for watching!)

[@generalpoot5307]

@@retroandreissue thx for bringing this topic up man, i was waiting for someone to talk about this!

[@CaptainSnappy]

In Canada we mainly have Walmart, GameStop, and Toys R Us carrying Transformers at retail. Walmart is pretty decent. GameStop gets new stuff quickly, but usually doesn't restock (but they are good for preorders). Toys R Us is just awful. They charge 10%-20% more than anywhere else, don't often restock, they get all the US Target Exclusives, and they don't seem to do preorders. These Target exclusives end up being nearly impossible to get. Online is the way to go.

[@retroandreissue]

Toys R Us used to trade on having things at better prices - that was the whole point of it being a warehouse style store! Crazy

[@Vampyr787]

In Poland it sucks even more when it comes of getting them off the shelf in the store. My closest supermarket from collector line only had first wave of first year of Legacy but they stocked it for the end of that year. then the gimmick figures for Rise of the Beasts and Earthspark. Now they have nothing from Transformers. Some supermarkets have some Studio Series from Rise of the Beasts but that's it. They always get stuff late. This was a reason why I stopped collecting years ago, because I couldn't find anything on shelves, before I came back with Kingdom. But now I order online and mostly order stuff from independant collector toy stores that are run by collecotrs in my country. From Pulse I only order stuff I can't get anywhere else, their exclusives, and Amazon is the last resort, not only they sometimes sell returns as brand new stuff but also don't care about adding any padding in the packege to protect the content.

[@retroandreissue]

Yeah, that's the other thing I dislike about Amazon - the state things get packed in. At least with Ebay if someone is selling a Transformer they're usually a collector or someone who understands the collector mindset. With Amazon I'm often wodnering who the heck these companies are and where they're based. Probably some random warehouse somewhere. Sorry to hear it sucks also in Poland - seems like online is the way to go across Europe

[@Sturmvapor]

Same in the NorthEast USA. Where I live the retailers have nothing. I really hate that figures are never on shelves. I am not a fan ordering online.

[@retroandreissue]

Me neither. I really miss the days of seeing things on the shelves - I even set up my collection so it looks a bit like a toy shop - keeping some things carded or in boxes so it has that effect

[@AntiDecepticonCampaign]

They NEED to reissue GRIMLOCK!! It’s not like it won’t sell. SNARL too!

[@retroandreissue]

Grimlock is being reissued according to a leak on TFW a while back

[@yetanotherspuart3993]

Never seen a snarl or swoop. I have the other 3. Sludge is still in box, I refuse to open him till I get all 5..... if that ever happens.

[@OfficialTransformers]

🦖

[@busterkich68]

I hope Snarl gets reissued. I'm only missing him and Swoop for my dinobots.

[@yetanotherspuart3993]

@@busterkich68 Good luck!

[@SirRoxy]

its even worse in Australia, most large retail stores here like big w or target typically have nothing, they might have some legacy wave one and nothing else, its near impossible to find voyagers and studio series leaders, thank god for the specialty store near me because i wouldnt have found half of the figures i was after, one annoying thing is the price increases for just being in Australia, commanders are going for 200 Aud now instead of 150 and now with tfone not a single retail store has the new mainline so you have to go to specialty stores to find them. its not fun

[@retroandreissue]

I've heard something similar re: the price of video games in Australia having a huge mark up. A feel for collectors down under for sure

[@mcviper270]

The Australia tax is real. And agree our big box stores lack variety and what they do stock is often rubbish.

[@jacksonhopp2003]

As an Australian transformers fan, I can relate to this… hard.

[@OfficialTransformers]

😮😮😮

[@RealMcSpoon]

They have like 4 types of figures per shelf 💀

[@Computron99]

Hello! Here collector from Barcelona Spain. The retail shops are not better than in the rest of Europe. We get something in Christmas Campaing. And of course, we have to use comic stores and online retailers like kapowtoys, actiontoys, ebay, etc. We also get hard to get some figures in Studio Series line.(Hello Swoop) I m ashamed because I have the knowledge and the money to find the Transformers, you know, looking for ebay, local shops, retailers and specialized sellers and webs like todocoleccion.But I would prefer of course go to the local shop and find a large shelf of Transformers. The Transformers are scarce and arrive at the ChristMas campaing (season). Shops were you can find something about are Corte Ingles, Carrefour, Alcampo (seasonly), and toy stores like juguettos or DRIM. We have still Toys R Us but is sad to go there, you know, the awesome it was in the 90s and the sad nowadays.

[@retroandreissue]

It's not like it was for sure. I think a lot of it is the general shift to more electronic entertainment for kids but the market is still there - and the adult market is growing. An adult collector focused version of Smyths Toys - could that work? Who knows. Thanks for the info from Bareclona!

[@thecheese4255]

I live in rural USA It is crazy how much stuff you can find in thrift stores and flea markets in my area. I’ve a small store ran by Mennonites near me that oddly has some bangers show up in it. I can’t get into the online collector culture as it seems full of greed and disappointment. My wife is a huge part of the fun as she loves to go thrifting and she’s into finding another robot at “big savings!”

[@retroandreissue]

I like the idea of thrifting! I watch LGRs thrifting videos religiously - seems like a lot of fun!

[@jondbm]

Coincidentally started watching this immediately after my Swoop from Smyths arrived in the post, so was funny for it to be mentioned at the start of the video.

[@retroandreissue]

Maybe that one on the shelf was mailed to you - you never know!

[@claudehorribly]

The amount of absolute tat that Hasbro churned out for TLK probably did a lot of damage at a lot of retailers. Some of it is STILL sitting around, remaindered to hell and utterly unwanted.

[@hotrodney964]

I’m not sure why the supermarkets are so bad at the moment as it’s not always been the case, I remember getting quite a few combiner wars from Tesco for instance, my concern is that there is uk stock available but it tends to be older and bought up by sports direct and tkmaxx and such that put out some great bargains in their shops including Game, and the prices are all over the place like £5 shockwave and £12 skylynx , i personally like the hunts in the random shops for the toys and I find car boots a great source of my collection. And there’s always the convention and toy fairs, tfnation my feel overwhelming to you but trust me it’s not, it’s quite rewarding.

[@retroandreissue]

Car Boot sales are something I've yet to try!

[@GhostRoasterDrankAllTheMilk]

Every time I go to The Entertainer, I see a sea of shelfwarming Legacy Evolution Nemesis Lio Primes... They are half-priced and still no one is getting them. I do think Forbidden Planet is a great place to find transformers figures, recently I got a Studio Series Galvatron discounted to Deluxe-class price, so that's another good source for collecting in my opinion.

[@retroandreissue]

I should pop into Forbidden Planet the next time I'm passing. They at least delivered my Skybound comic in one piece (and it was the right issue!) So they're going up in my estimation lol

[@bertb5992]

i'm with you%100 on not wanting to deal with people.

[@retroandreissue]

Excluding people on here of course! Chatting about Transformers is never a chore lol

[@yetanotherspuart3993]

I don't like people either

[@primalconvoy]

I don't even really go to TF conventions. The last one I went to before me meet a cracking Sicilian girl who loved Starscream a little bit TOO much but now I'm settled with a lovely Japanese girl so I don't really have the time to go to them (but she got me tickets to go to the recent TF expo in Tokyo to celebrate the 40th TF Anniversary, bless her).

[@zoltanperei4789]

Me, a Hungarian: "You guys are getting Transformers?"

[@thevoyagerv4499]

I only started collecting last year around this time, and I already hate retail stores. Most insulting thing to me is that some of the ones you want (I love the MPM line so I go for those) are always "sold out" online, but you know they won't be back in stock for MONTHS. We're talking almost a years wait. It doesn't help that you have to go all the way to the outskirts of the city (like you said) to some shabby retail park just to search for something. Namely, the retail park in Friern Barnet has a miniscule amount of things worth collecting, the rest were just for the kiddies. You know, the 2 step shellformers and what not.

[@SlashTheWeasel]

I've heard that its worst in UK than US. I too just buy from the internet. I got tired of not finding the toys I want. Many times they will not show up in store so I got Pulse membership which has paid for itself in shipping. So much headache and disappointment disappeared that I can just get the toys I want most and guarenteed I'll get it. Its really nice.

[@retroandreissue]

I've been really close to giving up and just pre-ordering things on Pulse a few times. I just don't like the business model of that. Not sure how long I can hold out though since I'm missing figures I really want now (unless I want to overpay on eBay)

[@SlashTheWeasel]

@@retroandreissue I gave up cause it got pretty bad where I live. Only thing I don't like is that it should be one per customer for at least week cause some things sale out fast! But at least I'm not overpaying and I just relax knowing its coming.

[@primalconvoy]

Same in Japan, but it's easy to buy them from Amazon Japan or Takara Tomy Mall. The only problem is that most of the Hasbro exclusives (including crossover toys, like Ghostbusters, etc) aren't released in Japan and the Yen is really weak against the dollar and pound, so importing them is too expensive).

[@Dylanquinn666]

I didn't realize you had Smyths over in the UK. Thought it was just an Irish thing.

[@Sonikgav]

I do remember back in the day the local Asda carried a bunch of G1 toys, mostly the 'deluxe class' cars so Jazz, Prowl, Mirage etc and the Cassettes because they were on a Cardboard backing and easy to fill a shelf. These days, as you say, it's near impossible. I don't technically collect but I am trying to fill out an 86 collection. I have 2 of the Dinobots, Swoop on Pre-order with a Supplier (might go to Smiths and see if they have them) but I never saw Grimlock or Slug on the shelf. Similar with Hotrod or a bunch of the 'main' cast. They tend to just devolve into shelves filled with the 1 or 2 things in a range that don't sell. This isn't just Hasbro though. I also used to collect Gunpla and frankly, that's even worse. The Japanese manufactueres don't see the UK as a real market. They did when it was 'Europe' but on it's own, we're an afterthought. Last I checked, Gunpla doesn't have a recognised distributor in England. The few stores that operate here have to but their stock from the European distributor in Italy, meaning that cost is much higher as we have to pay for double the shipping/import uptick.

[@mymaskofshame]

Not much better in Canada, yeah we get Toys R Us but their transformer section is a 4' section with all figures 2 years old and they claim why restock if stuff doesn't sell. We got Gamestop but only can get if you preorder. Walmart is basically gets a wave but misses the next. Then there is amazon but sadly scalpers often buy everything up with preorder then never comes in again.

[@OfficialTransformers]

😮

[@conorburke1999]

I’m Irish, meaning I don’t even have the entertainer as an option but it’s not all bad. Look at the Cosmos situation a couple of years ago. In America, the only way to get him was to go to a Walmart and hope they would eventually have one. In Europe Smyths had him in abundance, who also allow you to order items online. Netflix Soundwave was also abundant when he was known for being rare in the US.

[@retroandreissue]

I didn't realise Smyths had Cosmos - I honestly don't check on the regular anymore because it's so hit and miss. I was relieved to hear he's being reissued (and the Origins Bumblebee which I also missed!)

[@WHYISMYNAMEZ]

Im irish as well and we do have the entertainer now but only at big tescos and they only really have old mainline rotb toys, we also recently got GAME at Sports direct and their alr

[@conorburke1999]

@@WHYISMYNAMEZ Wait, we do? I guess I didn’t know cause my local Tesco doesn’t have it. I knew about the Game thing though.

[@WHYISMYNAMEZ]

@conorburke1999 yeah it only just came recently over the summer so it's gonna take some time for tescos to get it in, but as i said so far the section is very lackluster

[@conorburke1999]

@@WHYISMYNAMEZ The Game in Galway City has Masterpiece Bonecrusher somehow

[@bobahicks]

I'm in the Republic of Ireland. Our Smyths usually get a pretty good selection of Transformers but can be a bit hit and miss with other toy lines like TMNT and MOTU.

[@AntiDecepticonCampaign]

There is practically NOTHING where I live. I get online shopping and by the time anything IS available it’s already scalped or gone or the price becomes outrageous overnight.

[@retroandreissue]

Where are you based? (Sorry if you've told me before - I sometimes get people muddled up on here)

[@AntiDecepticonCampaign]

@@retroandreissue smack dab in the middle of the USA. They call this place the meth capital of the USA, and that’s no joke. It is awful here, it is in fact a literal meth-culture here. I’m taking care of a house property until I can move. I’m very alone here and do not belong, things get scalped up real quick and I mean anything that’s worth any money at all. Local businesses are pretty much dollar stores, Walmart and stuff on deaths door, you can’t even get good clothes out here though there is No one to impress at all, not much for opportunity either, this isn’t a place for “friends” so the little joys I have are my movie collection and the toy collection I’ve started with my family that lives far away, someday we will put it all together and tell stories and parables and play games, ugh sad but at least it’s not permanent. Sorry for the “trauma dump” comment.

[@retroandreissue]

@@AntiDecepticonCampaign No problem - you have my sympathies and you're welcome to stop by any time if watching random vids from some guy in the UK helps at all! At least as you say it's not permanent and things will get better for you in the future. Hang in there and enjoy those collections in the meantime

[@AntiDecepticonCampaign]

@@retroandreissue I keep in scripture and old texts studies, also learning of brand management stuff and the industry. Considering a new direction in life as being an “artist” is just simply not enough. Christ is King. And yes I do like the random vid from the UK. Joe from “off the curb” ministries is one of my favorites and he lives somewhere out there with you, he’s a super great guy, very nice. Thanks for your time and consideration, not common to get real(good) interactions with folks these days, sadly rare. Bless you and your hopes and endeavors my friend.

[@retroandreissue]

@@AntiDecepticonCampaign To you also! I like to think everyone is welcome on the channel and try to reply to all the comments - if people can find solace in videos online, whatever the topic, that's great!

[@SKAR__FOX]

I miss the days of woolworths on the high street

[@retroandreissue]

Ditto!

[@ToTheDepthZ]

Online shopping has killed the brick and mortar toy stores. In my local town there are no stores that stock Transformers and only have a small selection of new LEGO sets. I buy all my Transformers from Star Action Figures as they’re a great, friendly collector business

[@retroandreissue]

Star Action Figures is also my favourite

[@slacknhash]

Ah, the lack of G1 releases over here. I'll never forget the day I got one of those promotional poster-catalogue things in 86. "... there are Predacon toys?! What else have they kept from us? They lied to me about Swoop!"

[@retroandreissue]

I remember seeing "Deluxe" Autobots and Insecticons in one of those catalogues!

[@slacknhash]

@@retroandreissue The Wreckers: conceived in Britain, and we couldn't get half the lineup! It's like learning of action figures of Bad Company, only to find Kano, Thrax, and Flytrap weren't released here!

[@MrDEMarq]

The pictures you're showing, is something we WISH was here in the states!

[@Mogwell]

This might speak to how I am as person but my first TF as an adult collector was bought from a now defunct website circa 2001-2002. Frequently used other sites like HLJ and ebay at the time, so much so that one of the sellers I frequented sent out a christmas card ever year! Was lucky enough to have In Demand's precursor physical store (I think it was called Toyz and Gamez back then) in the city near me and managed to get a few good pickups from them. I've never been much for the physical "hunt" aspect of collecting and have managed to get almost everything I wanted with the exception of the rare Lucky Draw or other really limited figures.

[@MassolaEsteban]

Ha! Try to collect in Argentina

[@bradleyknight8732]

My go to is always a Forbidden Planet or whenever I’m at a convention.

[@SOUNDWAVEMAN]

Thank you! We can’t get that Ultimate energon Optimus Prime from transformers one. And we can all see the film 11th October 😂 It’s gotten ridiculous. I would really encourage people to share this video I don’t have any social media as such but this needs to be said!

[@HWGearStory]

I lived in Hong Kong which is a Transformers paradise, and now relocated to UK, this video told the exactly same feeling of mine!

[@retroandreissue]

I am always amazed by the great stores I see in Hong Kong (and Japan also)

[@AJLTgamesAndre4401]

It's also hard to collect Transformers here in Canada as some of them are always sold out or you pay double for that one character you want.

[@retroandreissue]

I do hear prices in Canada can be ridiculous!

[@rickhunter6667]

Just bought 86Bumblebee from Smith’s toys. These days transformers are getting less and less in Smith’s toys.

[@retroandreissue]

They have a ton of him right now in my local store (and randomly Legacy Blitzwing - I guess he was just massively overproduced)

[@dansoloskywalkerproduction4329]

God I hope not

[@JuanPabloJonesR]

I live in Guatemala (Central America) and the stores very like the same, we have Walmart here but they didn't bring any of the exclusives they release in USA. If we need anything we need to buy in USA and pay extra in shipping and taxes to get those here.

[@retroandreissue]

Thanks for the info - I've had to order from the US a couple of times and obviously it's best avoided due to shipping costs and potential damage. But sometimes the only option!

[@bowelrupture]

In the EU we don't see that many transformers either in stock.

[@AFCManUk]

What we DO have in the UK, is quite an abundance of Toy and Collector fairs, from which a lot of the smaller and more obscure sellers without an online presence will have tables at. And, although it can be VERY daunting for anyone with a social aversion to attend, it's well worth a visit to the NEC Toy Collectors Fair at least once a year - I know it's held two or three times a year, but I say try for once, as it can be pretty expensive...so start saving those pennies as it's WELL worth it. The next NEC Toy Fair is 29th September, but the Flagship Show is 27th December.

[@retroandreissue]

That's true! And I've seen pics of In Demand Toys booth at several cons and fairs. I do need to get off my butt and go to some of them!

[@AFCManUk]

@@retroandreissue I normally try to get along to the Kempton Park or Sandown Toy Fairs at least once a year, but I went to the NEC in April, and that blows them out of the water!

[@retroandreissue]

@@AFCManUk I'm just looking at the website now - what are they like with people filming? Might be good to do a vid of the one in December

[@AFCManUk]

@@retroandreissue Loads of Toy Hunters film there,,,I think they're pretty good about it, as long as you try not to film people's faces. Some of the stall holders are good with filming too,,,they'll even be up for a chat, just ask them first :) Some good names for Transformers collecting are usually there,,,,ToysAreRuss and The Space Bridge are always about at the NEC.

[@retroandreissue]

@@AFCManUk Thanks for the info! t's definitely something I'd like to do. Although I joked in the vid about not liking people I'm okay out and about - honestly!

[@ellismark2750]

I actually manage to get the majority of my figures on store shelves, but the stock is so limited that i have to buy it once i see it, cause when it's gone it's gone. For example, i went to a chain collector shop, and they had two copies of legacy Tarn, and i bought one, and sure enough, I've never seen one again

[@thebrotherscrafters6486]

In Italy it's not even worth it to ceck the local toy store, because they for some reason only stock gimmick toys from the movie line, legacy and studio series are basically non existent exept for 2 or 3 shelf warmers, like jhiaxus

[@GWolfV3]

We're no less screwed in Ireland but Toymaster is all over the place still. S'weird

[@user-mu6sk7ub9r]

The only box intact transformers i own are legacy crosscut for 13 us dollars and the platninum edition scourge sweep cyclonus package that nobody wants to get. Everything else are bootleg, used, manufacturing defected, without box or stolen products (by the employee working at hasbro). Everything on shelves is way too expensive that they would stayed there for at least a year until the store decided to wholesale. I'm just glad i was quick enough to get the ss83 soundwave for $9 (without box and missing accessory of course) also $1 is about 26 times my currency.

[@retroandreissue]

I am getting into buying more second-hand stuff also. The cost is an issue but also for those older figures

[@mitchmegaw7201]

I don’t think it’s all that better here in the states. We have so many scalpers that take all the good stuff. Those endcaps were packed with more variety than I have seen here. These days, I don’t ever expect to see something I want on the shelf but I am also SUPER picky about what I want for my very limited space to display. Thankfully I don’t care about box condition so I can find loose figures on eBay.

[@retroandreissue]

I've heard that from other people in the US also - lots of stock but much less variety - with things from months or years ago clogging the shelves

[@soltandvinegar]

If you think it’s bad in the UK, imagine how it feels to be in any country smaller than it. I live in Ireland, and there’s only one place in the capital with any good stock.

[@ShaneSkaalerud-nk2jk]

0:17 this should be very interesting because I've wanted to know for a while. How different people in different states and countries collect Transformers or other things.

[@HERITAGE12]

fellow collector for Ireland here feeling the pain. yeah we get fecked big time this side of the pond. i cant stop laughing at the fact we got swoop this time around but NO grimlock ! i swear hasbro does it to us on purpose (i hear were getting a re release of studio series grimlock next october (25) so he'll prob hit the shelves then but honestly if it wasnt for the net half my collection wouldnt exist. still annoyed i couldnt get an SS ultra magnus though. by the way your getting stiffed BIG time on blitzwing if he's going for 49.99 in your smyths, over here hes 27 EURO. Dunno WTF is behind that but there ya go. oh and toymaster is still a thing here. :D the most BIZARRE thing i ever remember though was buying G1 OVERLORD in easons- a BOOK shop. dunno why they had toys at all.

[@retroandreissue]

Waterstones were stocking Warhammer models at one point - I guess it happens when they get desperate! Why is nobody reading things! You still have Toymaster? I had no idea it still existed anywhere

[@djsoulchild]

If you think it's bad in the UK, you should try collecting in Switzerland...the availabilty and stock is absolutely ABISMAL.

[@dokadadoka]

You weirds own guns

[@djsoulchild]

@@dokadadoka The hell are you talking about?!

[@ultimateblaze23]

it was not always like this when i was growing up, i'm 25, I had a local Toys r Us with two massive sections for Transfomers, this was peak time 03-12. I bought everything in store, we had everything US had besides botcon stuff. Now Smyths and Entertainer both have tiny TF sections with random assortments so it's just not possible to buy in store.

[@retroandreissue]

It's hard to understand when it comes to Transformers, having so few, seems it seems like an evergreen brand. I think collectors would visit more if they carried a wider range

[@TonySpike]

My lad just immediatly zooms in on my neck of the woods And i can agree, the struggle round here is real

[@retroandreissue]

Welcome Tony!

[@williamhumes7332]

Ironic. The worst place to be a fan of Transformers is home of Simon Furman, who is responsible for most of the lore.

[@WarhammerWings]

For me it was this with Jazwares's Micro Machines and Star Wars Micro Galaxy Squadron.

[@LoneWolfInsane]

Welcome to europe i have not seen generations figures in retail since earthrise

[@PhantomDusclops92]

>Claims it's bad >Proceeds to show a toy store shelf brimming with recent releases You haven't seen Italy. We like get NOTHING like that in most toy stores. You get mainline figures like ROTB, EarthSpark and now I guess One (even though I've seen them only in like two stores thus far), but for Studio Series and Legacy? You're forced to go online. Or check for the VERY RARE comic book stores that have Hasbro products in their catalog, and even then they may be keeping only Star Wars Black Series and Marvel Legends so you have to go and ask specifically to order them for you if you really want to buy TF in a physical store.

[@shadowynne]

It also very much depends on where you are in the UK. Where I live there are two stores that sometimes have transformers. It is usually only 2 or 3, completely random on series or wave so I pretty much exclusively buy online.

[@victorfries8859]

If you speak for Italy i must assume you're italian. Hence my question: Quali sono le fumetterie fornite di prodotti Hasbro a cui ti riferisci? Se potessi darmi qualche nome non smetterò mai di ringraziarti. Devo assolutamente trovare il modo di acquistare Legacy Chase. Spero mi risponderai presto 😢

[@sgreaves80]

I never really put any thought into what you’re speaking about but I honestly couldn’t imagine going through that! Crazy! I guess we Americans do take a lot of things for granted.

[@retroandreissue]

I wouldn't say take it for granted - it's just a different setup entirely so people are used to what they're used to. But a lot of the coverage on KZbin is from stateside collectors - so I thought I'd prattle on from a UK perspective!

[@sethmurphy7243]

In the US but lived in Germany for 5 years when I got into collecting 20 years ago. A lot of people here have no idea just how inconvenient trying to shop in Europe can be in general. Need milk to finish a recipe? Well better hope it’s before 7pm and not on a Sunday!

[@jocelyncordeiro4870]

I hate the lack of character variety at my local Walmart. It's basically 90% of Optimus and Bumblebee, 7% Megatron, and 3% of everything else.

[@glencleland5849]

Well I also live in the UK but there is my local Forbidden Planet which has the best range for Transformers toys (Studio Series’s in particular) and has a decent range. But I do agree on your opinion.

[@aaronmolloy6934]

Any kind of collecting in the UK sucks. I was lucky back in the day to pick up a Human Alliance Jazz in a Tesco once, and that was the only time I ever saw him on shelves. It's part of the reason I distanced myself from transformers and moved on to something more easily obtainable... lego. Luckily for me, Lego have since released Optimus and Bee, so I still get that itch scratched.

[@retroandreissue]

I have thought about collecting Lego several times. I think the main reason I don't is a lack of space but some of the kits are really amazing!

[@ilikepigeons6101]

Hasbro's cheapened out with distribution (and toy packagings) pretty sure during the late 2000s early 2010s every store in the UK had an action figure. Remember finding a DOTM topspin in fricking B and M

[@retroandreissue]

I've never found much in B&M so I haven't checked in ages.

[@ilikepigeons6101]

@retroandreissue that was years ago though nowadays a transformers figure can only be found in the rarest of places

[@summonersumnerus4364]

I think i'm reasonably lucky where i am. There's a Smyth's nearby, a local shop that buys and sells pre owned vintage and modern toys, a toy fair every few months just a train ride away and the In Demand Toys shop not far from there. Plus my online purchases i'm happily well stocked.

[@retroandreissue]

I would love to live round the corner from In Demand!

[@LeeONardo]

Ah Norwich, when I go on holiday down there I always take a day trip over to check out ID toys :)

[@brandonchristopher9230]

I STILL haven't seen a single Swoop in any store here in my area in the southeast U.S.! And we have plenty of stores. About 10 Wal-Marts with in a 10 mile radius. About 3-4 Targets in that same area and about as many Game Stops as Targets and STILL not a single Swoop on a shelf! Springer and Sand Storm were Target exclusives and the Targets in my area never had any when I would go there. It's not just the U.K.

[@retroandreissue]

I have heard from other people in the US who say something similar. It seems it isn't unusual for something to be easily available in Canada well before the US. Have you noticed this happening?

[@brandonchristopher9230]

@@retroandreissue yes. One of the reviewers I watch is in Canada and he's reviewed figures he's found in stores there I still haven't seen in any here. Trying to find anything new outside of figures based off of the new movie is almost impossible here. It's all just the same stuff that's been shelf warming for months because they only stock the same 5-6 figures that were released 6 months to a year ago.

[@retroandreissue]

@@brandonchristopher9230 Thanks for the info. It just doesn't make sense to me - there's some sort of disconnect with what gets distributed where that seems nonsensical at times

[@raptorprimal1077]

I'm fortunate in comparison. I have a local smyths and am near Indemands physical store but agreed it's still annoying to collect here. Especially annoyed our stores like asda and tesco don't have collectors figures

[@retroandreissue]

I miss Woolworths the most. We need a store that stocks a lot of different stuff but not cheap the brands. Transformers and Pick n Mix in one place please!

[@vilmerkrogandersen316]

'alright alright! Well if you think it's hard for you in the UK IT'S 100 TIMES WORSE IN DENMARK!! OMG IT'S EXPENSIVE!! also since lego is got invented in Denmark it's everywhere!

[@retroandreissue]

I hear you going swimming in the stuff? Is this true?!

[@vilmerkrogandersen316]

@@retroandreissue I’m sorry What?

[@retroandreissue]

@@vilmerkrogandersen316 It was a joke - swimming in Lego? Never mind, humour sometimes fails to translate!

[@vilmerkrogandersen316]

@@retroandreissue ahh. Now i get it! Haha

[@loganforbes5795]

From Scotland if I want anything transformers there is one game near me but they never change their stock so its all stuff I don't want

[@SonOfSodium]

I cannot imagine not having transformers stocked in walmart/target type stores. Dedicated toy stores dont exist in mass retail chains really, the way stores are hardly stocked sound like the pharmacy's here and you'd be lucky to find good cyberverse/earthspark toys there, certainly 0% legacy/SS anything and the biggest issue in my opinion is that we're so much better off and most places in the Midwest are just not even heavily enough discounted shelf warming leaders and shadow strikers with a ton of core class. In my collecting experience, ive bought SS86 brawn in person at a target because i scored and found a damaged box (small ding) over half off brand new still. Other than him though, Walmarts website with back stock is still better and more fruitful than hunting in person, i make pretty much all my purchases online too. Hasbro needs to fix their supply chain desperately bad, TF One will hopefully carry and pull in tons of new people, but the legacy/SS/Netflix series quality of figure is a crucial part of the current franchise, they're even releasing SS TF One figures, this problem will only get bigger the less they address it.

[@SonOfSodium]

Also I live in Ohio in the Midwest in America for context. Literally all places to buy toys so all places that would carry transformers stock are all Walmart or target or discount warehouse stores that end up stocking older figures and core classes if you're lucky. Sometimes it definitely has its benefits still, I wanted an Acid Storm figure for the longest time and the Netflix WFC Sparkless Seeker was way more affordable on deep discount for 15 dollars at a warehouse store than the almost now 100 dollar rainmaker 3 pack. Sometimes it's beneficial, but I'd rather other countries and regions have a fair shake on all figures.

[@retroandreissue]

I've heard US Collectors complain about ordering from the supermarkets because of them not taking care with the packaging. Have you experienced this yourself? It would be nice to have those big discount style stores where figures might turn up on discount but unfortunately that's not really a thing in the UK either. Thanks for the info on where you're finding things and what it's like over there - it's always interesting to read other peoples' experiences!

[@Adamm17-iq9gu]

I remember collecting transformers age of extinction toys in smyths and none of the deluxe voyager and leader classes were there apart from the Dinobots and bumblebee so I had to do an Amazon order

[@ShaddowToa]

No store chain carries mainline Transformers anymore in France, the last notable sighting of Legacy here goes back to wave 1 of Evolution and Studio Series is worse. Either we buy online or in specialized shops across the country or we stop collecting.

[@retroandreissue]

It seems like collecting TF is becoming online only across Europe. It's a shame because I think if more stores stocked things they would sell - but it's maybe about convincing mainline retail that the collectors market is actually very strong. It seems to have taken Hasbro quite a while to realise this so maybe not surprising

[@ShaddowToa]

@@retroandreissue At the very least, Hasbro Pulse is present in both UK and Europe so I can't really complain, we have options that allow us to still get most of the figures that we want as long as we pre-order them, but hunting for toys is pretty much dead and that saddens me a bit, because apart from entirely new lines, like the TFOne mainline for example, you won't have the joy of getting to a toy isle in a retail store and finally find that figure you've been looking for for a while.

[@chrishempstock2427]

Liked the nod to Toymaster. They still exist. There’s one up the road from me. Will go and check out their transformers soon. Back in the 80’s we had Zodiac and Toy and Hobby in Stockport. Good times

[@retroandreissue]

Someone said Toymaster is still in Ireland - are you based there also?

[@chrishempstock2427]

@@retroandreissue no there are still some in the UK. I live in Stockport and there’s one in Marple just on the outskirts. It’s been there years.

[@retroandreissue]

@@chrishempstock2427 Good to know - thanks!

[@ettoresammarco4648]

look I'll tell you a huge experience of mine, in Italy (Naples) it's impossible to find the studio series, you have to be lucky to find one forgotten by the almighty otherwise you'll never find one, there are only Rise of the beast and cyberverse toys but no studio series... luckily Amazon is releasing nice stuff about studio series

[@retroandreissue]

That's good - I'm only wary of Amazon due to a few bad experiences - it seems so random sometimes. I look to make sure it's either fulfilled by amazon (ie coming from one of their warehouses) or I recognise the seller

[@ettoresammarco4648]

@@retroandreissue Yea...I mainly bought on eBay but since Amazon created a separate section dedicated to Transformers and studio series in my opinion everything has become simpler, for example I purchased the Optimus Prime studio series from Transformers One for only 30 euros , is taken Grimlock from Transformers 4 buzzworthy Bumblebee at 70

[@retroandreissue]

@@ettoresammarco4648 That sounds great! I don't think there's an equivalent for the UK Amazon - but I'm about to double check!

[@Ethan-AndrewCupido]

Napyet, i have to respond to you outside of our thread because KZbin, for some Bizzare reason, is not letting me respond tell you directly. I've tried numerous times now , I would say the main issue is availability we don't really have alot of dedicated toy stores , Toys R us nearly left my country afew years back and the other big Toy Store is Toy Kindgom being the next best option .And to their credit, they have a wide range of toys except Transformers figures. You can disregard ever finding a Voyager and Studio series. Because it's constantly packed with Gimmick and ROTB toys to this day. And if you do come across Legacy, it's a single 1 metre wide shelf of Arcee and Core classes .There's been a time when we miss an entire wave, there has also been times we received a figure from a future wave and then 5-8 months later receive their wave mates and tough luck if you didn't pick up that figure the first time cause it ain't coming back, and i know this when Gears released and i saw in hand images from Reddit and it was months later till we got him. And this is at the head stores at the Big Malls, which is quite a drive from my home to check constantly. Don't even bother checking online , because Transformers are stocked under Assortment Categories so it's literally a Gamble purchasing a figure as no matter what image you selected in your cart it can be from any number of figures in their catalogue. The best method has to be importing, even though I have to pay shipping and customs, I found it much more effective . I speak only from my own experience. It might be different for my fellow countrymen , but yeah, you have it so easy. That's a diluted response as unfortunately I wrote from memory, I responded directly after receiving your comment, but I've run into a really odd issue

[@retroandreissue]

Looks like a really odd issue - but thanks for taking the time to respond! There is a catalogue company (Argos) here in the UK that used to do something similar with the figures you would get. It made absolutely zero sense. As a kid I wanted the figure I wanted and as an adult collector I still want that! It was like that company was run by people who'd never spoken to a customer (or even understood the retail business in the slightest!) Thanks for all the info and fighting with stupid KZbin's comment system.

[@reachlol1]

Bruh, as an Australian this stuff is non-existent. We dont even get the right waves and theyre months late and incomplete. Its why I stopped buying any. That and leader class figs are $110 for 50% less plastic than they were in 2011

[@kaat117]

Hit the nail right on the head here, I honestly get the vast majority of my figures from ebay because it's just objectively the most reliable place in the UK

[@Blueffect_22]

That's what happens when you support toys like studio series which aren't made for mass sales but for collectors only and they don't care about distribution, they know you will pay whatever

[@GamerbugUK]

Tesco back in the 80s stocked more quality toys that Tesco now, its a big shame really. I could spend hours just browsing the toy aisles. I think it's worse since they teamed with the Entertainer as that is one of the worst toy shops, even my kids find it meh. I miss having Toys R us (had one about 10 mind drive away) and the likes of yes Jolly Giant, Skills, Beatties, Woolies and more. Local Smyths is 20 mins away in the car, and at, as you say, a retail park (stocks are kinda decent at least, but hit and miss what they stock as you say). In the 80s you could get lucky using the good old catalogues to get some stuff not typically sold in the UK, but I only had more mainstream guys. In Demand Toys, Star Action Toys, Kapow Toys are my go to, then Hasbro Pulse then Amazon. Like you I have so far got every figure I want using them, well except Thrust... Cool video and a good watch.

[@retroandreissue]

Thanks for watching. Not sure why but The Whole Shebang doesn't pop up in peoples' lists of shops as often as it should I think. I just stumbled across that one and they are really good - sending out a weekly email with new arrivals if you sign up

[@GamerbugUK]

@@retroandreissue Honestly never heard of them, but I am always up for new options and to support independent retailers.

[@DrPoth]

It also feels like Hasbro Pulse stocks a lot less in the UK

[@retroandreissue]

And they sell out real fast!

[@dansoloskywalkerproduction4329]

I started collecting transformers back in 2022. i did not know it suck in uk!

[@retroandreissue]

I started not long before you (roughly 2020/21 I think) It's been a learning curve for sure

[@dansoloskywalkerproduction4329]

​@retroandreissue I used to think To myself UK Really hate selling toys or action figures or nerds And the against us

[@RickBerman-iv2il]

Kapow, Indemand, Comics&Cocktails, StarActionFigures, Omegalock - and ShowZ. Can get anything, effortlessly. If you will only use a neaby shop then get with 2024.

[@TonySpike]

Forgets to mention how expensive those stores are to ship to the UK Honestly is all good telling someone to get with 2024, but its not that easy

[@M3XICAN_09]

Bro it's *worse* here in mexico 😭🙏

[@dansoloskywalkerproduction4329]

Even in colombia😢

[@MrMarcvenables]

I was fortunate to get the entire constructions at a french market randomly on holiday in Minehead in 1986

[@monkeyguy80]

Smyths Toys sells SS86 Swoop for £55.99 while in Singapore, it sells at £59! I think Only Smyths Toys & Kapow Toys that sells TF in UK ya! 🤔

[@christopherwarden1949]

I’ll be in Scotland next month. I was wondering about this.

[@Soundwave_0908]

What is your go-to website to look for figures?

[@retroandreissue]

If I had to pick a number one it would be Star Action Figures.

[@sh00k3th]

I LOVED BEING TAKEN TO THE JOLLY GIANT IN GLASGOW!!! 😀

[@retroandreissue]

I haunted the one in Rotherham! Got so many figures from there

[@banobobot]

Maybe things will be better when the Transformers Store opens exclusively in the UK

[@ShaneSkaalerud-nk2jk]

Damn good prices. here in Canada Alberta it's about $40 to $80

[@retroandreissue]

I have heard that - Canada has high prices and Australia in particular

[@lunaraenrux1172]

Also the fact they don't do massive sales like the US/Canada, Smyths is like two bus journeys away from me in Glasgow just not worth the trip.

[@drewhertel2462]

Honestly, most places here in america are the exact same, it isnt any better. Big retailers in my state have maybe a single isle for toys. And thats for everything. They order one box and if those figures get bought thats it. No re stock. And the old stock just clutters shelves. My walmart is still trying to sell gi joe classified figures from the snake eyes movie. Wish theyd get that garbage gone and get something new

[@seankelly9541]

I"m not sure how tongue in cheek all that was so... s86 Blaster was a Target exclusive in the US. Target exclusive items are usually fan channel exclusives in Europe... Asife from which its 95% the sane toy as Kingdom Blaster anyway.. US retail stopped being the promised land for action figure (im counting TFs as action figures) yrs ago. Not Just because TRU went belly up. The "return" of TRU in the US hasnt fixed it.

[@superomegaprimemk2]

My local supermarket is the biggest in the region but in resent years they narrowed the space for the upper floor and very recently they stopped selling lego and have about two islse given over to toys in general and the only Transformers is the core class or those silly RED figures that don't transform, while my local toy shop is slightly better but not great either, so I use online stores, but I rarely use Hasbro pulse, their premium thing has no actual value unless you are a fool, they charge like £40 for nothing but a few pennies off and there's just no value in it!!

[@retroandreissue]

I'm not a Pulse member either - I've yet to buy anything from the website! I'd rather support the independents

[@ethanielm03]

Bro! You at least have Sandstorm there. I live in the U.S. and I can't find him anywhere! Plus we don't even really have toy stores anymore. Walmart and Target are our primary toy retailers now. If you do go to a store that specializes in toys or collectibles in the U.S., it's usually a privately owned business that charges way more for their products.

[@ethanielm03]

Also, Distribution is just bad anywhere. Hasbro really needs to amplify the amount of products they send out to each store regardless of region