A few weeks ago, we had to report that Toys R Us Australia went into administration. It was an unexpected and sad event for Australian fans, since it seemed Toys “R” Us Australian stores will continue on the business like other stores in Asia, despite the US main brand closing .
There was one item that was left into unknown destiny. While back in February, Masterpiece MP-34S Shadow Panther was announced as a Toys R Us Australia Online Exclusive. You could pre-order it for AU $110 (US $90 approximately) plus shipping. Then, you had to wait until October 2018, when pre-orders would finally be delivered. Ozformers board member millhouse reported that he finally received an official e-mail about this matter.
“We regret to inform you that unfortunately we are not able to fulfil your Toys R Us Online Order for the following product, due to insufficient stock levels.
Transformers Takara Tomy MP-34S Shadow Panther
Toys “R” Us Australia have recently entered voluntary administration; therefore, a refund cannot be processed.
We can however, offer for you to choose other items to the same value, on our website www.toysrus.com.au and we will process this at no further charge to you. We can also provide your details to our creditors, who will contact you with a proof of debt form request.
The other alternative is to lodge a dispute with your bank for the amount charged on your credit card for this transaction. You will more than likely get your money back for the order we are unable to fulfil. We understand your frustrations with this matter and sincerely do apologise for any inconvenience caused.
Should you have any concerns regarding this matter, please do not hesitate to contact us on 1300 8697 787.”
Australian fans are not going to receive the item they paid for, and there’s no formal refund for it, sadly. It seems that raising a dispute with your bank may be the best solution. We hope all Australian fans will get their money back soon. You can now click on the bar to join to the ongoing discussion on the 2005 Boards.
AzT
Toys"R"Us Australia on Instagram: “Thanks to all the Toys”R”Us Kids in Australia for 25 years of fun! Don’t ever grow up! #toysrus #toysrusaustralia”
AzT
Toys"R"Us Australia
griffin-of-oz
The store nearest me, the Garden City store is now closed.
This was the final 30 minutes, with a few people walking through one last time, like the viewing of an open coffin at a funeral….
And at 10 to 5pm, it was all closed up and empty…
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I have to admit that I spent a lot of time and money at this store, and despite the good and the bad, this Toys"R"Us store will be greatly missed by me, as will all of the others around the country that I have visited or purchased from (I have probably been to at least half of the stores in Australia), as they would always be a store I would check out if I came across one in my travels (not to mention, the priority store chain I would look for and visit where ever I was in America, which I will also greatly miss).
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AzT
Ozformers
AzT
Toys"R"Us Australia
AzT
Toys"R"Us Australia on Instagram: “New Price Cuts! Now save 50-70% storewide during our Closing Down sale! Hurry in today and save on all your favourite brands and items!…”
fschuler
Keep checking…you might find some surprises as they clear out the warehouses. A couple stores near me received boatloads of some decent stuff I ended up getting at a decent discount due to the sheer volume they had received (Pacific Rim, Titans Return Grotusque, etc.). It's a bittersweet situation for sure…while it's nice to find a deal…it's sad to know that the stores are going away…
Sigmalock
I think you're right.
I subsequently went back to my local TRU, and they hadn't even increased the discount, yet most of their transformers stock was gone.
Can't say that there was a lot I was interested in to begin with, but it looks like I may have missed the boat on a couple of things.
Oh well.
fschuler
Keep your eyes peeled. A lot of the "good" stuff disappeared pretty quickly at the U.S. TRUs well before they hit the deep discount levels. So, if there's a TRU-exclusive you've been eyeing, you might want to grab it sooner rather than later.
AzT
Toys"R"Us Australia on Instagram: “FINAL DAYS TO SAVE! The end of the sale is around the corner. Don’t get left out. Hurry in today and save! All stock must go! Don’t miss…”
AzT
Sigmalock
Thanks for the update (keep us posted?)
Yeah, they have that at my local TRU.
The 40% doesn't apply to the transformers (yet); they're only reduced by 15%
Call me a cheapskate, but I think I'll wait until it's something more substantial (at least 30%).
It's just that 15% off TRU's prices doesn't translate into much of a saving (if at all) compared to other non-bankrupt retailers…
AzT
Toys"R"Us Australia on Instagram: “ALL Toys R Us and Babies R Us Stores are closing down! New reductions today! Now save up to 40% off lowest ticketed prices. Party supplies…”
griffin-of-oz
Despite the Brand disappearing from USA, Puerto Rico, England, Australia, Germany, Austria and Switzerland, it should still exist in other countries… but they probably won't operate as a united global entity for things like exclusives and promotions, as they would just end up being separate businesses that just have rights to use the same Brand name in their own country.
(unless there are more branches that need to sell off their operations soon, if they aren't deemed profitable enough without corporate support from the US entity)
RodimusSupreme
Smyth's"R"Us, maybe?
Nevermore
Toys"R"Us Austria still exists and, along with Toys"R"Us Germany and Toys"R"Us Switzerland, has recently been bought by Ireland-based toy giant Smyths, who are now the biggest toy chain in Ireland and the UK. All German, Austrian and Swiss TRU stores are planned to be rebranded as "Smyths" by next year.
RodimusSupreme
Oh of course, how could I be so silly?!
…So, basically, They give you a measly 10% off, but then refuse to take your gift cards and coupons after July 5th, refuse to take back most items, refuse to give you back your money because of their stupid policies that do nothing but steal money from you and put it right into the pocket of banks and investors, and make you have to go through this big hassle to even try to get your money back, even though it's likely a futile effort, because those banks and investors are going to make absolutely sure they get that money is their wallet, and GOD FORBID you actually get your money that you spent returned to you?…
…Yep. Cheap, greedy, money-grubbing corporate slimy scum.
griffin-of-oz
The first week of the closing down sale has Transformers at 10% off… and expect the percentage to increase every week or two like in America.
This was emailed out to people on their mailing list (like VIP members)…
On the first day of the closing down sale at the Garden City store…
Discount signs everywhere, with Transformers being given 10% off to begin with.
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The same with Playskool (Rescue Bots).
And the Store policies have been updated today as well…
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Of note in the new Store Policies, is that gift cards and coupons will not be accepted after July 5th (two weeks time), while you will not be able to exchange or return anything bought from now on (unless it is a faulty item), and if you want a refund from a layby or pre-order that ToysRUs can no longer fulfill, you will need to see if your bank can do a chargeback (if you paid by credit card), or go to a ToysRUs store to get a form to make a claim from the Administrators (which is unlikely to get any money back, as the banks and investors are likely to get all of the money raised from selling off the business and assets).
Also, there is no more price-matching and VIP points now either.
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AzT
State of play: industry in flux as Toys 'R' Us shuts down
Sigmalock
Note: that's "up to" 30% off i.e. the discount on many [most?] items could be less than that