Entries Tagged 'Consumer' ↓

The new toys for the Transformers movie were released today, and being the true fan / nerd that I am I picked up the Optimus Prime “Movie Leader” toy. You can check it out at the US Hasbro site.

It’s a big toy, the biggest I have by far. It’s interesting to see the G1 Optimus Prime, release in 1984, next to the new one. Twenty-three years of toy technology certainly makes a difference!

I’ve also included a picture with the Rollbar toy I purchased last time I was in the US, as mentioned previously.

It’s interesting to see the difference in the way that News Corporation and Fairfax Media reported on the PS3 launch last week.

The Sydney Morning Herald reports:

The launch of Sony’s PlayStation 3 games console got off to a feeble start last night with officials, media and security outnumbering customers for most of the evening.

The Australian IT section, in contrast, makes no mention of a poor turnout - simply saying that:

GAMERS queued outside retail stores across Australia to buy Sony’s PlayStation 3 (PS3) from the stroke of midnight.

I’ve always been partial to Transformers, and in anticipation of the hype around the new movie (trailer) I dug up some of my old toys on my last trip home. I couldn’t find all of them, but I did manage to find my favourite - Optimus Prime. I even still have his trailer, one of his hands, and his gun.

It’s amazing how the toys have changed over years. For comparison, here’s the Alternators version of Rollbar that I picked up while I was in the US. The missing door and windshield is due to the rough treatment by baggage handlers.

The newer toys are so much more poseable, but they are definitely harder to transform.

I’m almost motivated to pick up some more new Transformers, especially before the market gets overrun with the toys for the new movie. I’m particularly keen to try and find some of the other Alternators toy series.

I recently bought a pair of black leather Chuck Taylor All-Stars from the Converse store at DFO Melbourne. Within a few weeks, the sole started separating from the rest of the shoe. Seeing as I’d lost the receipt (as usual), I didn’t expect much help from Converse in getting them replaced.

However, Rachel did some legwork and got in contact with Converse USA who in turn gave us the contact for the Converse distributor in Australia, Consports in Melbourne. A quick phone call, and they got in touch with the DFO in Harbourtown and organised an exchange. They even had a pair of size 13’s in stock! A quick trip in on the weekend and they were exchanged, no receipt and no problems at all.

So thanks, Converse, for looking after your customers.

I couldn’t help myself while I was there, and ended up buying a pair of Sailor Jerry All-Stars.