Macross toys at the supermarket

[Battlepod]

Hello!

I guess this topic could be a little bit stupid for someone in the other side of the world, but I just can't realize how can the toy market is in Asian countries (Japan, HK, Singapur, etc)

I would be one of the most happy persons in the world if I could find all those great toys at my local supermarket. Oh goood, stands full of Yamato, bandai, Aioshima, Takara, fewture toys.... valkyrias, mazingers, evas, transformers and gundams (o well, there are some of em here in Mexico, but not as much as I would like). I swear I would spend hours and hours at the toy department in each shop.

I was wondering if there are magazinges adds, tv commercials or ... I don't know, just like if they were selling shampoes, or cat food, or sodas...

I'm considering seriously kidnap my neighbor's dog to joint to the shopathon next january

Edited September 7, 2003 by Battlepod

[UN Spacy]

The only time we'll see Macross merchandise in the isles of TRU or K.B, is the day when the whole HG debacle is cleared up.

http://www.macrossworld.com/mwf/index.php?...t=ST&f=26&t=153

[BoBe-Patt]

I actually woundn't want to see macross stuff in a supermarket. If that were the case, I'd always come home with some milk, bread, microwave food, and a valk!! And instead of my total being 20 for food, it would be like 112 with the valks!!! ARRGGHH!! that would be the end of my bank account! I'd be left homeless! But it would be a nice idea. Actually, a few years back when Yaohan in J-town was still around, it was a supermarket that had everything. It even had some gundam models, anime books, and some other toys. ahhh.....those were the days......

[Battlepod]

I actually woundn't want to see macross stuff in a supermarket. If that were the case, I'd always come home with some milk, bread, microwave food, and a valk!! And instead of my total being 20 for food, it would be like 112 with the valks!!! ARRGGHH!! that would be the end of my bank account! I'd be left homeless!

Well, I'm sure we would pay much less for each part of our collection sometimes

Just thing:

This weekend at Wallmart!!!

Tomatoe and spinach 20% off !

All Soul of Chogokin products 2x1!

Yamato VT-1 & VE-1 40% off . Just $45 each!

Pepsi 1 lt 3x2!

Corona beer six pack $3.50!

[mmmm... beer....]

[miks]

They used to sell macross toys and transformers in the back of a local supermarket in the Philippines. It was pretty cool coz when my mom would do the groceries I'd be left behind in the toy section. hahaha... and so I always looked forward to going to the supermarket. this was back in 85/86

[EXO]

The other thread got me thinking about the stuff I bought off the shelves way back when.

RT Cyclone=$35

RT Alphas=$25

RT SDF-1=$20

I also got all of the Destoids both the 7" and 3.5" on clearance.

I didn't waste any money on the SD stuff... what a dope. I was saving my money for the Takas and bootlegs when I went to the swap meet. 1/100 = $5. And i got the the ugly small ride armors. All 3 for $10.

[JB0]

I actually woundn't want to see macross stuff in a supermarket. If that were the case, I'd always come home with some milk, bread, microwave food, and a valk!! And instead of my total being 20 for food, it would be like 112 with the valks!!! ARRGGHH!! that would be the end of my bank account! I'd be left homeless!

Well, I'm sure we would pay much less for each part of our collection sometimes

Just thing:

This weekend at Wallmart!!!

Tomatoe and spinach 20% off !

All Soul of Chogokin products 2x1!

Yamato VT-1 & VE-1 40% off . Just $45 each!

Pepsi 1 lt 3x2!

Corona beer six pack $3.50!

[mmmm... beer....]

And can you imagine what kind of deals might show up on the stupid preferrred customer discount cards?

"1/60 VF-1: buy one get one free(limit 4)"

[Lightning]

no, if they got in the supermarket, then HG would try to relabel them.

[kanata67]

I actually woundn't want to see macross stuff in a supermarket. If that were the case, I'd always come home with some milk, bread, microwave food, and a valk!! And instead of my total being 20 for food, it would be like 112 with the valks!!! ARRGGHH!! that would be the end of my bank account! I'd be left homeless!

Well, I'm sure we would pay much less for each part of our collection sometimes

Just thing:

This weekend at Wallmart!!!

Tomatoe and spinach 20% off !

All Soul of Chogokin products 2x1!

Yamato VT-1 & VE-1 40% off . Just $45 each!

Pepsi 1 lt 3x2!

Corona beer six pack $3.50!

[mmmm... beer....]

Wallmart sells beer?!?!?!?

Where???

I know I've wandered around the local wallmarts for numerous hours looking for crap and I sure as heck would have spotted beer!

My favorite trick still has to be... Get a toy or something on clearence at wallmart, take the price sticker off carefully, then return it to K-mart at full price store credit, and buy beer with the credit as K-mart DOES sell beer . Good way to get your beer even cheaper

[Lightning]

My favorite trick still has to be... Get a toy or something on clearence at wallmart, take the price sticker off carefully, then return it to K-mart at full price store credit, and buy beer with the credit as K-mart DOES sell beer . Good way to get your beer even cheaper

now that IS bad!

[j_wong00]

I actually woundn't want to see macross stuff in a supermarket. If that were the case, I'd always come home with some milk, bread, microwave food, and a valk!! And instead of my total being 20 for food, it would be like 112 with the valks!!! ARRGGHH!! that would be the end of my bank account! I'd be left homeless!

Well, I'm sure we would pay much less for each part of our collection sometimes

Just thing:

This weekend at Wallmart!!!

Tomatoe and spinach 20% off !

All Soul of Chogokin products 2x1!

Yamato VT-1 & VE-1 40% off . Just $45 each!

Pepsi 1 lt 3x2!

Corona beer six pack $3.50!

[mmmm... beer....]

Obviously you've never seen a reciept from Costco/Price Club .

[Graham]

Um...I think some of you may have a misconception about HK. Even here you cannot buy cool high-end collectible toys like Yamatos in Supermarkets!

At best, a few of the biggger supermarkests might stock a few very old 1/144 Gundam kits with really beat up boxes (other shop's deadstock), but that's it.

Most Supermarkets here have either no toy section on just a small one, selling really cheap made in China junk, like little plastic fire-engines or buses or crap like that.

However, back in 1986, I do remember a few of the Supermarkets here stocking some of the really cheap small scale Macross models.

Graham

[drifand]

There's an official sole importer of Bandai stuff here in Singapore, and the big shops like Seiyu, Isetan and Takashimaya probably get their supplies from this company. As a result, stuff like the recent Masked Rider Faiz and Machine Robo Rescue toys are waaay overpriced. Even during a major sale with 20% discounts, the prices may not reach the Japanese MSRPs at the big stores. Recently, the 1/48 Max 1A and the 1/60 1D have shown up at the big stores, but also at hefty mark-ups. Real dumb way to do business, because the serious collectors are more likely to be adults and they know where to get better deals from the specialist stores that bring in their goods from parallel importers or direct from HK/China. I really would love to support the big stores but their pricing simply defeats all logic. I got a feeling they don't even know their real competitors are.

Edited September 8, 2003 by drifand

[nemesis120]

Hmm, I wouldn't be surprised if some places in Japan had some anime stuff in it, but not now (especially given how hard Macross stuff is to find there). I'm pretty sure that Daiei had electronics and clothing (in addition to food, although they were getting out of electronics), so I would assume that they would have some sort of anime stuff (probably along the lines of MSiAs). And I'm sure there are other people there like that as well (I forgot who it is but Walmart invested in somebody in Japan 3 or so years ago).

[Lynx7725]

Um...I think some of you may have a misconception about HK. Even here you cannot buy cool high-end collectible toys like Yamatos in Supermarkets!

Depends what you really call "Supermarket".. if you are talking about grocery markets (like Singapore's NTUC Fairprice), you probably will not be in luck as they only comes in once in a purple moon (which means near never).

But departmental stores like Isetan, the now defunct Yaohan, Seiyu, Takashimaya et. al. do stock these items as Dri states. I tend to get my Gundam MGs from an Isetan near my place whenever they have a sale.. since this is Singapore that's practically every other month or so. Since I get them on sale the price isn't really an issue.

(Consider this.. sure, I can get MSRP or lower online, but I have to pay for shipping and insurance (optional), run the risk of damages in transit, AND have to brave the hassle of going to the local post office to do this. Simply not worth the trouble.)

The stock doesn't move very well during non-sales.. I make it a point to go past every few weeks to check for new stuff. For example, I've noticed 3 FIX that have stayed on the shelf for about 3 to 4 months already.

Macross (specifically Yamato) products are really much rarer, as the show doesn't get shown here nowadays. No exposure = no interest in merchandise. I think I did see a Yamato in a store before, but that's the exception, not the rule.

[Graham]

Ah, if you are talking about Department Stores and not Supermarkets, which are a completely different kettle of fish, then yes, the Department Stores here in HK (Jusco, Sogo & Mitsokushi) all have fairly large toy sections with lots of Japanese toys and models like Gundam MSiA, GFF & plamodels, the Bandai SOCs as well as the more kiddy stuff which I ignore like the Kamen Rider toys, Transformers, Ultraman, and toys from those Power Ranger type shows. No Macross stuff at all though. The department stores in HK are usually very overpriced. The only department store here which doesn't have a decent toy section is Seiyu.

Graham

[MicronianDevil]

Macross toys at the supermarket?

Let's see...I'll take a 12 pack of beer, chips, and a Yamato Valk.

[EXO]

I'll take one Hikaru 1/48, a box of condoms, a Roy 1/48, the new issue of playboy, 1 1/60 Super Ostrich, some ex-lax, and a couple of those trading figures...

PRICE CHECK ON A BOX OF CONDOMS, THE OCTOBER PLAYBOY, AND MAXIMUM STRENGTH LAXATIVE FOR THE MAN WITH THE TOYS PLEASE!!!

[kanata67]

I'll take one Hikaru 1/48, a box of condoms, a Roy 1/48, the new issue of playboy, 1 1/60 Super Ostrich, some ex-lax, and a couple of those trading figures...

PRICE CHECK ON A BOX OF CONDOMS, THE OCTOBER PLAYBOY, AND MAXIMUM STRENGTH LAXATIVE FOR THE MAN WITH THE TOYS PLEASE!!!

you forgot the industrial size jar of vasaline exo... "honest... it's for the toys"

I remember waaaay back in the day a couple supermarkets had mid level G1 transformes like trailbreaker and prowl, but not a chance in heck you'd find a jetfire in one. I'm amazed that you can buy DVD players in supermarkets now-a-days for less than $100. I see much crap non-grocery related, but few toys.

I do keep checking the asian grocery store hoping they will get some 1/55 bootlegs in so I don't have to pay as much for shipping as the toy costs.

[Commander McBride]

If anime were bigger over here, I could see my supermarket having the toys. I mean, they sell TVs and electronic stuff, office supplies (not just pens and paper, bug stuff, like file cabinets), some sporting goods (tennis rackets, for instance, not only cheap ones, either, i've seen ones for like 60 bucks there) plus, they have real name toys, mostly mattel stuff, and a lot of boardgames. I've certainly seen toys here that cost as much as an MG would, and a lot of MSiA level stuff.

[Rivervale_Elves]

I bought my Yamato YF-19A from Carrfaeur? but thats a hypermart which is a difference from a supermart. RIGHT?

[recon]

Ah, if you are talking about Department Stores and not Supermarkets, which are a completely different kettle of fish, then yes, the Department Stores here in HK (Jusco, Sogo & Mitsokushi) all have fairly large toy sections with lots of Japanese toys and models like Gundam MSiA, GFF & plamodels, the Bandai SOCs as well as the more kiddy stuff which I ignore like the Kamen Rider toys, Transformers, Ultraman, and toys from those Power Ranger type shows. No Macross stuff at all though. The department stores in HK are usually very overpriced. The only department store here which doesn't have a decent toy section is Seiyu.

Graham

Hi Graham,

I did happen to see quite a number of those at quite a big stationery/book shop in Hung Hom beside my fiancee residence Whampoa Estate, KL. Kind of took me by surprise as i never expect a bookshop to stock so many varieties of toys especially Bandai SOC, Gundam FIX/MSIA, Takara Transformers, Bandai Power Rangers, Yamato Macross toys, Kamen rider and even Model kits from Bandai, Hasegawa. Pick up 2 sets of 1/100 Bandai VF-2SS which i have being looking for high and low for a low price of about HK $120 each which is about SGD$27 or USD$15. Great bargain for a hard to find reissue item.

Cheers

[VF-2SS-BloodPhoenix]

I remember back in '84-'85, the Holiday stores in the U.S., were like "ALL-IN-ONE-MARTS" sort of like Walmart, but on a BIGGER scale. Besides selling groceries, they had clothing, electronics, and toys. I got an NES there, a portable walkman, and I saw plenty of NES games and Transformers. Now those places don't exist due to their lacking popularity or funds to run them. That would be a bit expensive to run an all in one mart.

[JRock]

I remember going into Acme Supermarkets as a kid and seein small and medium sized Transformers for sale(Priced as low as a toy store). Hell, I remember their Optimus Prime contest. But I don't think those days will be back. Getting good quality toys at the supermarket. Nowadays, its hollow doll babies and WWE detective kits they're selling.

Edited September 8, 2003 by JRock

[Battlepod]

Ah, if you are talking about Department Stores and not Supermarkets, which are a completely different kettle of fish, then yes, the Department Stores here in HK (Jusco, Sogo & Mitsokushi) all have fairly large toy sections with lots of Japanese toys and models like Gundam MSiA, GFF & plamodels, the Bandai SOCs as well as the more kiddy stuff which I ignore like the Kamen Rider toys, Transformers, Ultraman, and toys from those Power Ranger type shows. No Macross stuff at all though. The department stores in HK are usually very overpriced. The only department store here which doesn't have a decent toy section is Seiyu.

Graham

Yeah... maybe Graham is right... I had a misconception about HK... I thought buying a macross toy in HK was as easy as buy a bulb

Anyway.. You can say you can get overpriced toys in department stores but that's better than nothing

I had to pay u$120 additionally just for shipping in my last order and $200 in the previous one

I remember when some bandai super Vf-1S were available at Liverpool (A big departmental store here in Mexico) at the beginning of 90's... I was a poor student then but anyway a used to be a starwars fan

Since then it has not had any macross related toy available here... just at some toy stores with a stratospheric price (a 1/60 yamato vf-1a for U$150)

[kidkorrupt]

hmmmm, i remember in japan i had to go buy an umbrella from a 7-11 type place and they were selling some transformers ACT stuff and gundam stuff on the shelves.

they weren't actual toys but i didn't think much about it when i saw it.

after all, this is the place that has a claw-game where you can try and catch a live lobster. if you get it the restaurant cooks it for free.

[yellowlightman]

after all, this is the place that has a claw-game where you can try and catch a live lobster. if you get it the restaurant cooks it for free.

In Japan, my friend spent his last 300yen on one of those, but it was for a crab in the middle of an arcade. Don't think anyone would have cooked it for him, but doesn't matter, he lost anyways.

In San Jose there's a Japanese supermarket with a Kinokuniya (or some other Japanese bookstore) attached to it, thats almost as cool as toys.

[UN Spacy]

In San Jose there's a Japanese supermarket with a Kinokuniya (or some other Japanese bookstore) attached to it, thats almost as cool as toys.

I've been there a couple of times in the past several years, it's too bad they only carry Gundam (it's just like you were in there....in Japan), SLAM DUNK, and Pokecrap. Although.....they did have a couple of Bandai 1/72 VF-1's a couple of years ago. B)

Edited September 9, 2003 by UN Spacy

[Pat Payne]

Well, at the drugstore I got a job with, we sell Tamiya and Italeri models int he toy section.

[Graham]

Yeah... maybe Graham is right... I had a misconception about HK... I thought buying a macross toy in HK was as easy as buy a bulb

Buying Macross toys in HK is easy, just don't bother with the Department stores, when there are lots of toy/hobby shops that specialise in Japanese toys located in Mong Kok, Causeway Bay and Wanchai districts.

Graham

[Graham]

Hi Graham,

I did happen to see quite a number of those at quite a big stationery/book shop in Hung Hom beside my fiancee residence Whampoa Estate, KL. Kind of took me by surprise as i never expect a bookshop to stock so many varieties of toys especially Bandai SOC, Gundam FIX/MSIA, Takara Transformers, Bandai Power Rangers, Yamato Macross toys, Kamen rider and even Model kits from Bandai, Hasegawa. Pick up 2 sets of 1/100 Bandai VF-2SS which i have being looking for high and low for a low price of about HK $120 each which is about SGD$27 or USD$15. Great bargain for a hard to find reissue item.

Cheers

You are probably thinking of the big Jusco department store in Whampoa Gardens, although there are also one or two toy shops in that area which stock Macross toys.

Graham