Toys R Us To Liquidate

LordMudd · 03-11-2018, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spasticplastic

here is something i just ran into. There has been a small shop by me since august. They have everything from shirts and comics to action figures and keyrings…anything "pop culture". It's a nice store with slightly higher prices than tru. I stopped in today and the owner had raised all the neca he had in stock from $24.99 to $29.99. When i asked about it, he shrugged and said, "i'll be the only game in town real soon."

bingo!

Ccc.

Dr Kain · 03-11-2018, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LordMudd

TRU used to have a price match guarantee. It was on a sign directly above their registers. One day I walked into a Target and found Playmates DS9 figures just arrived and already on sale. I bought what I could find and took my receipt to TRU. They did not have the figures. I showed the receipt to the manager and asked if he would match the price when he did get them in. He said no. A week later I found more at Walmart. I got what I needed and went to pay. I did not have the other receipt but told the clerk about the sale at Target. She did not even question but just rang up the sale price. I took that receipt and went back to TRU. Again no figures, again I asked the manager and again he said no. I then loudly announced "So much for your falsely advertised low price guarantee." while standing under the sign and then walked out. I did not make another purchase at a TRU for well over a decade, so you see, it is possible to successfully collect toys without shopping at TRU.

CCC.

What are you talking about? TRU always matches prices. That's why my g/f buys most of her LEgos at TRU.

Dolemite · 03-11-2018, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LordMudd

I have not seen one comment on the possibility of people opening small toy stores. You know, the ones TRU drove to extinction? Now there is no more TRU to do that, but everyone here is all doom and gloom. One door closes, and another opens.

Even if that was a viable option, there's no way enough mom and pop toy stores could open fast enough across the country to fill the massive void that will be left for toy manufacturers by TRU's closure. They also wouldn't have the same buying power to purchase inventory in bulk like big box stores do, so their prices would be much higher.

There's about a million reasons why your idea will never happen.

Joe Moore · 03-12-2018, 10:29 AM

Removed some posts from the last page and re-opening at the request of multiple users. I will say, any attack posts, or anything wildly off topic will simply be deleted and the person likely removed from the thread.

Also, the meeting with the judges, which was supposed to happen today, looks to have been pushed back until March 15th. So we have a few more days before we know the final fate of the stores.

Dolemite · 03-12-2018, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe Moore

Also, the meeting with the judges, which was supposed to happen today, looks to have been pushed back until March 15th. So we have a few more days before we know the final fate of the stores.

Ugh, the suspense!! But hopefully the delay is due to a last-second attempt to save the remaining stores.

Jeddostotle7 · 03-12-2018, 12:16 PM

Yeah, does anyone who's particularly knowledgeable in this kind of stuff know if the delay means something one way or the other (in terms of more/less likely to be saved)?

SpasticPlastic · 03-12-2018, 01:04 PM

I worked for Insterstate Brands, the company that owned Wonder Bread and Hostess, when it went under in 2012. The court date was pushed back twice. The first time was because the judge was still deciding whether or not to give the highest-ups the bonuses they requested 6 months prior and if they were indeed doing away with all severance packages. The second was because the judge was still deciding whether or not to give the guy that Interstate hired to save the company the second half of his 5 Million dollar bonus and the rest of his $480k salary, of which $70k was owed.

So, from my experience, I'd say it probably doesn't mean much. A short delay like that could very well just be a clerical processing delay or something equally meaningless about the actual future of the company. But, man, I hope I'm wrong.

Exodus · 03-12-2018, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gunathar

Toys R Us cares only for baby stuff, crayons and NERF guns. It never cared to adapt to the online market: the website, online inventory and prices are a sad joke (at least here in Canada). I am not at all surprised to learn the chain is going under.

I don't know the numbers, but collector-oriented companies like NECA won't disappear because of this situation. THEY will adapt. THEY will find a way to sell their products without the need of a brick store.

I live in a region where collector stuff is simply nonexistent anywhere else than online. No TRU or Walmart here carry enough NECA or Star Wars figures (or the like) that's worth the time and gas of a road trip. I read the toy news and reviews online, compare prices online, and shop online for my collector needs. So does the disappearance of Toys R Us from the landscape affect me as a toy customer?

Not at all.

Of course, I'm sad for all the employees who enjoy working for the big chain. But the market is as it is: Adapt or die. Toys R Us didn't adapt so...

Agree, the TRU near me started getting more collectible stuff which was pretty awesome...

Quote:

Originally Posted by tlasjr

It doesn't help that their prices are so much higher than anywhere else. Recent notable example, the Funko Stranger Things figures. 19.99 every where but try where they're 29.99.hard to compete when your prices are 50% above msrp.

I'll be sad to see them go. The last true toy store. Even worse that it sounds like bad Corporate strategy caused the demise.

Their prices may seem to be a bit higher then other stores but at least their rewards program made up for it and their BOGO sales were always nice...Who here hasn't taken advantage of both, I'm sure a lot of us have, heck I every month I get $20 bucks in TRU $ which is nice...You can't really say that about online stores having BOGO deals like them. Target has them but it's been rare lately now that they've had decent sales...

Jmacq1 · 03-12-2018, 03:30 PM

Was the court hearing being held in New York? If so, it's probably just a weather delay. But we can hope.

In a just world Bain Capital would be forced to suck up the debt they loaded onto TRU themselves and let the business keep going, but those that have the gold make the rules....

What does Bain Capital have against toys, anyway? This is the second toy retailer I know of that they've driven out of business (the first being Kay-Bee).

Dolemite · 03-13-2018, 02:31 PM

Things are not. Looking. Good.

Toys R Us prepares plan to liquidate its business.

Apparently TRU also missed a major payment to some of their vendors this week and haven't been returning their phone calls. It looks like this is truly the end.

SpasticPlastic · 03-13-2018, 02:39 PM

Ugh. Bad news indeed.

webz · 03-13-2018, 03:50 PM

Augustus_Cole · 03-13-2018, 04:08 PM

"As such, Wissink estimates as much as 15 percent of all toy sales could be lost for good."

well fuggggggg...

Dolemite · 03-13-2018, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DarkToyLord

"As such, Wissink estimates as much as 15 percent of all toy sales could be lost for good."

well fuggggggg...

Yeah. Fugggggggg indeed.

kylactus · 03-13-2018, 04:52 PM

Look I’m just as upset about this as anyone, but do you guys really think TRU closeing, if that’s what happens, will be the end? It’s not like people aren’t buying toys anymore. No parent (especially in the internet age) is going to be like “sorry Timmy your getting socks for Christmas, because the only large chain toy store closed”.Think of it like drugs, Pablo Escobar goes down the market is still there, someone else will step up. I’ve read a lot of articles about how this could be “the end of Toys”. I’m thinking no, if GM went out of buisness cars would still be in demand so someone would find a way to produce them and get them to market. This could even end up being a good thing. for the last few decades we’ve been under a virtual toy monopoly. If this were to lead to a few smaller regional toy stores expanding nationally to fill the void we may end up with two or three large national toy store brands. Hopefully someone steps up and starts supporting smaller brands like NECA, Funko, hot toys, hiya,and McFarland and carrying more imports and hell, even start buying bulk orders of Kickstarter figures instead of just carrying water for hasbro and Mattel.

Augustus_Cole · 03-13-2018, 04:56 PM

yeah ...no....it's just not good...lol
you underestimate the power of the force...and of this venue..
haven't you read that Walmart doesn't give a *&%$ about toys...no money there for them.
We're doomed...DOOOOMED I TELL YOU....

smh @ our
**first world problems**

LordMudd · 03-13-2018, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kylactus

Look I’m just as upset about this as anyone, but do you guys really think TRU closeing, if that’s what happens, will be the end? It’s not like people aren’t buying toys anymore. No parent (especially in the internet age) is going to be like “sorry Timmy your getting socks for Christmas, because the only large chain toy store closed”.Think of it like drugs, Pablo Escobar goes down the market is still there, someone else will step up. I’ve read a lot of articles about how this could be “the end of Toys”. I’m thinking no, if GM went out of buisness cars would still be in demand so someone would find a way to produce them and get them to market. This could even end up being a good thing. for the last few decades we’ve been under a virtual toy monopoly. If this were to lead to a few smaller regional toy stores expanding nationally to fill the void we may end up with two or three large national toy store brands. Hopefully someone steps up and starts supporting smaller brands like NECA, Funko, hot toys, hiya,and McFarland and carrying more imports and hell, even start buying bulk orders of Kickstarter figures instead of just carrying water for hasbro and Mattel.

If the manufacturers really don't want to lose that 15%, then they need to aggressively find other outlets. That is where the mom and pop stores come in. Are they smart enough to figure that out? Most likely NOT.

CCC.

kylactus · 03-13-2018, 05:22 PM

Oh I’m not thinking Walmart at all, I’m saying if TRU falls another, or multiple other toy stores will rise. Everyone seems to think TRU is the end all be all of the toy market. I just think, this being America, people won’t let a multi billion dollar market disappear just because some suit wearing greedy nazi jackasses wanted to use one chain for a huge corporate money making scheme. The first toys were found in ancient archeological sights near Damascus. People have been making and playing with toys sense we walked on two legs, live or die TRU will only be a blip on the radar of toy history. And if there is a dollar to be made, someone will make it there mission to get those toys to you... I hope somehow TRU is able to survive being broken by Bain, god knows batman did, but all I’m saying is this could just as likely lead to a toy industry renaissance as a dark age.

kylactus · 03-13-2018, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LordMudd

If the manufacturers really don't want to lose that 15%, then they need to aggressively find other outlets. That is where the mom and pop stores come in. Are they smart enough to figure that out? Most likely NOT.

CCC.

The mom and pops need to form an independent buying corporation with one another to get the bulk buying power (kind of like diamond distrobution), and discounts of a large chain, then they could compete. He biggest thing holding back Mom and pops are Mom and pop.
I find most LCSs to be lazily run, poorly stocked and over priced. They should join together and make a plan, even do inventory sharing. Otherwise most folks will just be like screw it, I’ll find it on amazon, and keep feeding that shit storm.

LordMudd · 03-13-2018, 05:30 PM

Here is another thought...what takes up more space on pegs and shelves, 4" figures or 6" figures? If you want to maximize your presence and minimize your cost at the same time in smaller outlets, which size do you run with?

CCC.

Augustus_Cole · 03-13-2018, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kylactus

i hope somehow tru is able to survive being broken by bain, god knows batman did,

quote of the month!!!
Lol

LordMudd · 03-13-2018, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kylactus

The mom and pops need to form an independent buying corporation with one another to get the bulk buying power (kind of like diamond distrobution), and discounts of a large chain, then they could compete. He biggest thing holding back Mom and pops are Mom and pop.
I find most LCSs to be lazily run, poorly stocked and over priced. They should join together and make a plan, even do inventory sharing. Otherwise most folks will just be like screw it, I’ll find it on amazon, and keep feeding that shit storm.

Who says that maintaining discounts for nonexistent retail outlets will continue to be good business?

CCC.

LordMudd · 03-13-2018, 05:36 PM

There is also the possibility of the big boys like Mattel and Hasbro opening their own outlets. Mattel already has the Disney store.

CCC.

LordMudd · 03-13-2018, 05:56 PM

Now here is a really radical idea. A situation like this creates opportunity for employees looking to get ahead to make suggestions that could earn bonuses or even promotion to positions like, oh I don't know, maybe Dwight Stall's job? OMG I REALLY REALLY HOPE SO AND IF THERE IS ANYTHING I CAN DO TO HELP THIS PERSON OUT, PLEASE LET ME KNOW!!!!!

CCC.

kylactus · 03-13-2018, 06:26 PM

There is already a Mattel store in lerado Texas. I hear it’s awesome.

03-11-2018, 01:27 PM	#102
Dr Kain King of Nerdom Join Date: May 2012 Location: Melbourne FL Posts: 11,753	Quote: Originally Posted by LordMudd TRU used to have a price match guarantee. It was on a sign directly above their registers. One day I walked into a Target and found Playmates DS9 figures just arrived and already on sale. I bought what I could find and took my receipt to TRU. They did not have the figures. I showed the receipt to the manager and asked if he would match the price when he did get them in. He said no. A week later I found more at Walmart. I got what I needed and went to pay. I did not have the other receipt but told the clerk about the sale at Target. She did not even question but just rang up the sale price. I took that receipt and went back to TRU. Again no figures, again I asked the manager and again he said no. I then loudly announced "So much for your falsely advertised low price guarantee." while standing under the sign and then walked out. I did not make another purchase at a TRU for well over a decade, so you see, it is possible to successfully collect toys without shopping at TRU. CCC. What are you talking about? TRU always matches prices. That's why my g/f buys most of her LEgos at TRU. __________________

03-11-2018, 01:40 PM	#103
Dolemite Join Date: Nov 2014 Posts: 4,016	Quote: Originally Posted by LordMudd I have not seen one comment on the possibility of people opening small toy stores. You know, the ones TRU drove to extinction? Now there is no more TRU to do that, but everyone here is all doom and gloom. One door closes, and another opens. Even if that was a viable option, there's no way enough mom and pop toy stores could open fast enough across the country to fill the massive void that will be left for toy manufacturers by TRU's closure. They also wouldn't have the same buying power to purchase inventory in bulk like big box stores do, so their prices would be much higher. There's about a million reasons why your idea will never happen. Last edited by Dolemite; 03-12-2018 at 07:28 AM..

03-12-2018, 10:29 AM	#104
Joe Moore Administrator Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 34,301	Removed some posts from the last page and re-opening at the request of multiple users. I will say, any attack posts, or anything wildly off topic will simply be deleted and the person likely removed from the thread. Also, the meeting with the judges, which was supposed to happen today, looks to have been pushed back until March 15th. So we have a few more days before we know the final fate of the stores. __________________

03-12-2018, 01:04 PM	#107
SpasticPlastic Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Minnesota Posts: 2,893	I worked for Insterstate Brands, the company that owned Wonder Bread and Hostess, when it went under in 2012. The court date was pushed back twice. The first time was because the judge was still deciding whether or not to give the highest-ups the bonuses they requested 6 months prior and if they were indeed doing away with all severance packages. The second was because the judge was still deciding whether or not to give the guy that Interstate hired to save the company the second half of his 5 Million dollar bonus and the rest of his $480k salary, of which $70k was owed. So, from my experience, I'd say it probably doesn't mean much. A short delay like that could very well just be a clerical processing delay or something equally meaningless about the actual future of the company. But, man, I hope I'm wrong. __________________ Spastic for Plastic Dead Air Disco

03-13-2018, 02:39 PM	#111
SpasticPlastic Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Minnesota Posts: 2,893	Ugh. Bad news indeed. __________________ Spastic for Plastic Dead Air Disco

03-13-2018, 03:50 PM	#112
webz Zero social skills Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 2,408	__________________ Bah! Humbug! Instagram @webzphotomania Facebook page: webzphotomania Last edited by webz; 03-13-2018 at 04:47 PM..