2005 boards member yuujin-mikeru has spotted the Toys R Us exclusive, Hasbro version of Masterpiece Grimlock in the Philippines! The Toys R Us brick & mortar store in question is located in Robinson’s Place Metro East. The long awaited Dinobots leader arrived yesterday for the Philippine peso equivalent of a whopping $97.87(approximately).
MSRP in the US is $59.99 and was announced by Hasbro to be released on July 1st but unfortunately that did not reach fruition. Perhaps the earlier SDCC and post-con sell date is more likely the case. Hit the title bar to see more!
The Rage
That makes a lot of sense, I guess it would be stupid for TRU to have it all shipped to their warehouses in the states, and then ship them to their warehouse in the Philippines.
mampy
But how come we get them (presumably, because no one else posts) before China?
Maybe the guys at Playkit (the local distributor) have the best connections with Hasbro.
bny888
I'm not really sure why, but my theory is that it's because we are nearer to the factories which are located in China.
The Rage
Whats the reason that the Philippines usually gets TF's first, even if they're American releases? Like I understand Japanese stuff being there faster, but it seems like we see everything in the Philippines first then everywhere else.
Optimus Vader
If me saying that I think this will be in US stores before the SDCC is infuriating to you then you might want to take a break from the internet for a bit. I don't care whether I'm right or wrong, so don't worry about my time.
OmegaScourge
damn, my family usually goes between Jan-April…guess i'll have to go TRU hunting
Warbot Defender
The original plan was for him to debut in a booth at SDCC, then he'd be released soon thereafter (like a day or a week later) at TRU. That was the original plan.
Then Hasbro posted a release date of July 1st. Problem is, that wasn't the correct release date, and it's been confirmed that the 1st is not the release date.
So, the plan is actually still intact. The original one.
CETERUS PRIME
Hasbro's website says it will be available as of July 1st, and I can't get a response from either Hasbro or TRU to confirm anything, therefore, so much for the plan.
Railguard
He looks cool and all but I have to pass with all the new generations, hunt for the decepticons and the lot coming out now.
yuujin-mikeru
Thanks for the clarrification jiggles
I based the prices of MP-08 and MP-08x from Wasabi Toys Website. I hadn't realized the Market Price/Street Price had gone down that much.
I'll see you back in CybPH
Warbot Defender
It's out in the Philippines. Not the US. The SDCC notice mentioned nothing about the worldwide release waiting until his SDCC unveiling.
I understand you want this badly, we all do, and you may end up being right in the end, but you're bordering on infuriating here. You're just running headlong into a brick wall simply because you can and I'm telling you that you might very well be wasting your time.
Yes, it's possible we'll see him earlier than SDCC here in the states, but it's not likely, if Hasbro and TRU stick to the plan.
Tigertrack
So when should I start looking for him at my local TRU store?
Optimus Vader
But it's out already. It's not debuting at the SDCC if it's out already.
Either way though, it looks great. Can't wait to get one.
Junior
Grimlock is not an exclusive, but debuting at San Diego Comic Con. I have it on good authority that TRU will have a booth at the con this year, thus Grimlock will be available for sale. Remember last year that TRU exclusives were available thru retail partner Entertainment Earth at the show and then on the TRU website.
Lostprophets
i saw this also in TRU Robinsons Galleria, Philippines a while ago, very nice packaging! but still i want a takara one…if this will drop in 2-3k pesos, then ill get his…
alanyap
THAT, is not the original Grimlocks we've come to love and know.
If they are.. they would've chewed their way out of the boxes en masse within minutes after they were put on display.
jiggles97
And just to add to Yuujin's post.
For price comparisons, typical Philippine market prices are as follows for the TAKARA versions of the Hasbro MPs:
Takara Skywarp: Php3,500-4,000 ~ USD70-USD80
Takara Grimlock (Regular Version): Php4,500-5,000 ~ USD90~100
Is that cheaper than the market prices of takara MPs there in the US?
And yes, it is kind of funny that over here the Takara versions of the MPs are commonly cheaper than their Hasbro versions.
yuujin-mikeru
Masterpiece Skywarp is still at retail price here, approx $100, just like Masterpiece Grimlock. It's our Hasbro Masterpiece price point, I guess. MP Skywarp can still be spotted at a few Toy Kingdom branches in Manila just keeping the shelves company. The price is so high that when MP Skywarp went on clearance in the US, collectors started to import him form there. Even after shipping and customs charges, he still ends up cheaper than retail. (note: Toy Kingdom is TRU's main competitor in the Philippines)
BTW, HAPPY 4th of July to everybody in the US.
bny888
Almost PHP5K huh? I'm just glad I'm not a Grimlock collector anymore.
kajobaldisimo
nice shiny retro dinosaur! i hope it get clearanced. i only get mp hasbro versions on a sale so i can abuse them guilt free. the takara mp ones stays in prison.