Toys'R'Us UK Faces Job Losses and Pension Fund Troubles

I have a friend who works for Toys R us, and she mentioned all the things she was told they were going to do during the holiday season to bring in customers and then she noted that they havn'r done any of it.
I wouldn't be surprised if Toys R Us wasn't around next holiday season.

oh well, maybe it's just it's time to go like many a loved store before it. Sad but these things happen I suppose.

Its about time toys r us goes away its shit anyway

The only reason i step foot into a toysrus is for the masterpiece line but they never have them instock. Toysrus gets in tf waves faster but at an inflated price.
So really why would i go there when i know walmart and target usually get in the newer waves about 2 weeks later at a cheaper price? And those two stores are alot closer.

Nothing about toysrus is great or gives much incentive to go there.

Even there masterpiece prices are insane.
Mpm-3 bumblebee is $90 at toysrus vs bbts $79.

Maybe it's different where you live. Toys R Us is the only decent toy store even remotely near me and is the only one that stocks any Mega Construx sets which is my other main collecting apart from Transformers. The only other dedicated toystore close enough is The Entertainer which often has a tiny stock of outdated Transformers often at silly prices (£23 for normally £18 Titans Deluxes for example). I've often got some great deals at the Toys R Us whether intentional (due to a sale) or accidental (like when I got Titans Cosmos for £7.99 instead of £12.99 due those Legends being put on the wrong peg). Don't have Walmart here... we have it's related branch Asda but they're usually pretty lousy at the toy thing and didn't have any TLK figures here apart from Hot Rod and only cos I had to do a click n collect on that (and it was the only TLK figure I could even find available to do that with).

It will definitely have an impact on me if TRU goes down. When I think of all the wonderful exclusives that never would have seen the light of day had it not been for Toys R Us, my heart goes out to them. If only they could get distribution under control in places like where I live, I'm sure they would be okay.

We have news from Bloomberg of Toysrus potentially closing 100 stores in the United States. This comes from "people with knowledge of the situation" and it is simply them considering it at this point. No decision has been made about whether stores will close or not or even the potential number, which may even go up to 200 according to other insiders. For those curious, Toysrus currently has 879 stores in the US which means that they would be potentially closing between %10-%20 of their stores. The strategy of closing stores with less traffic seems to be the main strategy of most department stores at the moment.

Bloomberg states that the holiday shopping season has not yielded the numbers Toysrus was hoping for, though with the season not being over and the numbers for this quarter not released yet, we do not have a clear view at what numbers they are actually referring to.

Toys “R” Us Inc., which filed for bankruptcy in September, is considering closing at least 100 U.S. stores in the face of weak holiday sales, according to people with knowledge of the situation.

U.S. sales have declined about 15 percent this Christmas-shopping season from a year earlier, according to people recently briefed on the matter, who asked not to be identified because the information isn’t public. The number of closed stores could reach approximately 200, one of the people said, but no decision has been made.

Toysrus themselves have commented by simply stating that any real number for stores closing is pure speculation at the moment and probably inaccurate:

“Final decisions about our real estate portfolio will be done only after careful consideration about the best interests of our business,” said spokeswoman Amy von Walter. “Any speculation on that figure is premature and likely to be inaccurate.”

Bye bye shits r us

That stinks, my 3 year old and I go to either one in Clearwater or Citrus Park. Granted Citrus Park is way better than Clearwater, but he loves the lego tables and the new play areas. Last weekend I could not get him away because they set up the Cars track one.

I have a ton of fond childhood memories of TRU, but most of those are in the Bay Area. I have 4 stores I can drive to within a 25 mile radius. If one or even two of them closed, It would not effect me that much, I'd feel sorry for the many people losing jobs, except for the few who gave me horrible customer service on occasion.

I just hope the couple stores I have a lot of sentimental attachment to stay open. They are in the heart of densely populated areas. especially THIS ONE, though it is over 120 miles from where I am currently, I have some history with it...

https://backpackerverse.com/haunted-toysrus/

nemesisorion wrote:Bye bye shits r us

Would you prefer shopping at walmart they don't sell master piece figures and there selection sucks no matter what prices are on all figures

nemesisorion wrote:Bye bye shits r us

Would you prefer shopping at walmart they don't sell master piece figures and there selection sucks no matter what prices are on all figures

yeah, this is sad news for kids and collectors. While it's always a little more pricy, I have found figures there that I haven't found anywhere else. Would be sad to not have the option.

I'm always amazed when companies work their way to be a big/major name in their category/field, then somehow manage to self destruct, usually with a 'we're too big to fail' type attitude from the upper management.

But this is also the same company who thinks it's OK to regularly not have anyone at any register or anywhere else in the front of the store.

Fingers crossed the restructuring includes replacing upper management with better decision makers.

This is so sad! Really! The repercussions for the toy market remains to be seen! Sure we all(ok, some) get 99% of our plastic crack online but just how big are we in the totality of the toy buying market? Hopefully this doesn't affect the toy manufacturers who need a place to sell their wares.

Also, major bummer for the TRU employees.......

Kyleor wrote:I'm always amazed when companies work their way to be a big/major name in their category/field, then somehow manage to self destruct, usually with a 'we're too big to fail' type attitude from the upper management.

But this is also the same company who thinks it's OK to regularly not have anyone at any register or anywhere else in the front of the store.

Fingers crossed the restructuring includes replacing upper management with better decision makers.

It's called cost cutting.

It's going to end up being closing a bunch of locations in areas where a few stores are too close to each other, and stand alone babiesRus shops that will get merged into the TRU locations. It's crap for the employees, and for some communities that could lose their stores but honestly what did we expect when they filed for bankruptcy protection.

Editor wrote:It's going to end up being closing a bunch of locations in areas where a few stores are too close to each other, and stand alone babiesRus shops that will get merged into the TRU locations. It's crap for the employees, and for some communities that could lose their stores but honestly what did we expect when they filed for bankruptcy protection.

lets just hope that we dont see them go down like KB toys

It's official guys: Toys 'R Us has opted to close up to 182 locations across the US. Here's a quick link:

Full list of stores to close, sorted by state

And man! My local one is targeted! That means I'll have to go another town over for any TRU exclusives!

JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:It's official guys: Toys 'R Us has opted to close up to 182 locations across the US. Here's a quick link:

Full list of stores to close, sorted by state

And man! My local one is targeted! That means I'll have to go another town over for any TRU exclusives!

We are working on newsing this now.

But as I speak, I'm actually very surprised to see my local TRU is not on the list... interesting considering the size

We previously had news stating that a potential 200 Toysrus stores may close due to their financial restructuring. The official number has now been revealed to be closer to 180 US stores. News comes to us from several news outlets including CNBC and CNN. The full list can be seen at the end of this article. Regarding these store closings, this is what the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer David Brandon said in the memo posted on their website.

"The reinvention of our brands requires that we make tough decisions about our priorities and focus. The actions we are taking are necessary to give us the best chance to emerge from our bankruptcy proceedings as a more viable and competitive company."

As you may recall, Toysrus Canada had also filed for bankruptcy protection independently from its American parent. Those stores, which were later revealed to be very profitable and a crucial asset to Toysrus, will remain open. The president of Toysrus Canada, Melanie Teed-Murch, said that their Canadian operations "will be taking additional steps to improve the overall customer omnichannel experience with compelling promotions, continued improvements to mobile and digital marketing and enhancements to our baby registry and loyalty programs."

Now here is a list of all stores closing in the US. Please note that several of these are solely Babiesrus stores:

Alabama

2600 McFarland Blvd. East, Tuscaloosa AL

335 Summit Blvd., Birmingham AL

Arizona

801 W. 32nd Street, Yuma AZ

12801 North Tatum Blvd., Paradise Valley AZ

9139 Indian Bend Rd., Scottsdale AZ

4619 N. Oracle Rd., Tucson AZ

7000 E. Mayo Blvd., Scottsdale AZ

US 60 and Signal Butte Rd., Mesa AZ

Arkansas

2616 S. Shackleford Rd., Little Rock AR

California

42500 Jackson St., Indio CA

1189 Simi Town Ctr. Way, Simi Valley CA

26573 Carl Boyer Dr., Santa Clarita CA

960 Lakes Dr., Covina CA

1600 S. Azusa Ave., Puente Hills CA

2575 E. Imperial Highway, Brea CA

530 Westminster Mall, Westminster CA

20120 Hawthorne Blvd., Torrance CA

2550 Canyon Springs Pkwy S., Riverside CA

700 "A" Onstott Rd., Yuba City CA

2785 E. Bidwell St., Folsom CA

1330 Fitzgerald, Pinole CA

4505 Century Blvd., Pittsburg CA

600 Francisco Blvd., San Rafael CA

5461 Lone Tree Way, Brentwood CA

1400 Gateway Blvd., Fairfield CA

3938 Horton, Emeryville CA

2179 Monterey Hwy., E. San Jose CA

865 Blossom Hill Rd., San Jose / Almade CA

3520 W. Shaw Ave., Fresno CA

31250 Court House Dr., Union City CA

10640 Trinity Pkwy., Stockton CA

3900 Bristol Street, Santa Ana CA

3665 Grand Oaks, Corona CA

1240 W. Morena Blvd., Mission Bay CA

8181 Mira Mesa Blvd., Mira Mesa CA

1990 University Drive, Vista CA

Colorado

1150 S. Ironton, Aurora CO

Connecticut

376 North Universal Drive, North Haven CT

275 Union St., Waterbury CT

3491 Berlin Turnpike, Newington CT

169 Hale Road, Manchester CT

Florida

1625 Apalachee Pkwy., Tallahassee FL

1900 Tyrone Blvd., St. Petersburg FL

3908 West Hillsborough Avenue, Tampa FL

6001 Argyle Forest Blvd., Orange Park FL

Spring 708 West State Rd. 436, Altamonte FL

21697 State Road #7, Boca Raton FL

10732 SW Village Pkwy., Port St. Lucie FL

450 South SR 7, Royal Palm Beach FL

2601 W.Osceola Parkway, Kissimmee FL

6001 West Sample Road, Coral Springs FL

3214 N John Young Pkwy., Kissimmee FL

Georgia

2601 Dawson Rd., Albany GA

2955 Cobb Parkway, Smyrna GA

6380 No. Point Parkway, Alpharetta GA

1155 Mt. Vernon Hwy., Dunwoody GA

6875 Douglas Boulevard, Douglasville GA

8160 Mall Parkway, Conyers GA

221 Newnan Crossing Bypass, Newnan GA

132 Pavilion Parkway, Fayetteville GA

Indiana

3928 E 82nd Street, Indianapolis IN

8800 US 31 South, Greenwood IN

Iowa

1211 E. Army Post Rd., S. Des Moines IA

8801 University Ave., Des Moines IA

Illinois

1610 Deerfield Rd., Highland Park IL

16 East Golf Rd., Schaumburg IL

295 Center Drive, Vernon Hills IL

5001 Lincoln Highway, Matteson IL

6420 W. Fullerton, Bricktown IL

7750 South Cicero Avenue, Burbank IL

5660 Touhy Avenue, Niles IL

Kansas

4646 W. Kellogg, Wichita KS

8500 W 135th Street, Overland Park KS

Kentucky

4900 Shelbyville Rd., St. Mathews KY

1155 Buck Creek Rd., Simpsonville KY

1965 Star Shoot Parkway, Lexington KY

Louisiana

137 Northshore Blvd., Slidell LA

Maine

6 Bangor Mall Blvd., Bangor ME

200 Running Hill Road, Portland ME

Maryland

8401 Mike Shapiro Drive, Clinton MD

Massachusetts

302 Providence, Dedham MA

70 Worcester Providence Tpk/Rt. 146, Millbury MA

50 Holyoke Street, Holyoke MA

217 Hartford Ave., Bellingham MA

6110 Shops Way, Northborough MA

Shoppers World Plaza, 1 Worcester Road, Framingham MA

Michigan

5363 Harvey Street, Muskegon MI

2620 Crossing Circle, Traverse City MI

5900 W. Saginaw Highway, Lansing MI

4923 28th Street South East, Grand Rapids MI

3725 Carpenter Road, Ann Arbor MI

3725 Washtenaw, Ann Arbor MI

Minnesota

14100 Wayzata Blvd., Minnetonka MN

170 89th Ave., Blaine MN

8236 Tamarack Village, Woodbury MN

900 West 78th Street South, Richfield MN

Mississippi

1003 Bonita Lakes Circle, Meridian MS

200 Bass Pro Dr., Pearl MS

Missouri

1901 Bernadette, Columbia MO

201 Silver Springs Rd., Cape Girardeau MO

5590 St. Louis Mills Blvd., Bridgeton MO

220 THF Blvd., Chesterfield MO

Nebraska

3505 S. 140th Plaza, Omaha NE

Nevada

2150 North Rainbow Blvd., Las Vegas NV

7020 Arroyo Crossing Parkway, Spring Valley NV

New Mexico

45 Hotel Circle, Albuquerque NM

North Carolina

801 Fairview Road, Asheville NC

7001 Fayetteville Road, Durham NC

3300 Westgate Drive, Durham NC

New Hampshire

29 Gusabel Avenue, Nashua NH

New Jersey

1280 Rt. 22 & St. James Ave., Phillipsburg NJ

137 Route 35, Eatontown NJ

100 Promenade Blvd., Bridgewater NJ

2700 Route 22 East., Union NJ

909 US Hwy 1 South., North Brunswick NJ

Rt. 541 & Cadillac Road, Burlington NJ

2135 Route 38, Cherry Hill NJ

7 Wayne Hills Mall, Wayne NJ

545 Route 17 South, Paramus NJ

98 Route 10 West., East Hanover NJ

Kids World 900 Center Drive, Elizabeth NJ

50 International Drive South, Mt. Olive NJ

New York

139-19 20th Ave., College Point NY

24-30 Union Square E, Union Square NY

5181 Sunrise Hwy., Sayville NY

5214 Sunrise Hwy., Massapequa NY

2335 Marketplace Drive, Henrietta NY

1569 Niagara Falls Blvd., Buffalo NY

401 Frank Sottile Boulevard, Kingston NY

708 Upper Glen St., Glens Falls NY

221 Wade Road Extension, Latham NY

2700 Central Park Ave., Yonkers NY

66 Metropolitan Ave., Middle Village NY

1350 Corporate Drive, Westbury NY

108 Veterans Memorial Highway, Commack NY

461 Lycoming Mall Cir, Williamsport NY

1530 Ridge Rd. West, Greece NY

Ohio

6251 Glenway Ave., Western Hills OH

2661 Miamisburg-Centerville Rd., Dayton OH

7841 Mentor Ave., Mentor OH

3610 West Dublin-Granville Rd., Dublin OH

Oklahoma

1119 SE 66th St., Oklahoma City OK

5609-E Rogers Ave., Fort Smith OK

560 Ed Noble Pkwy., Norman OK

Pennsylvania

1061 N. Dupont Highway, Dover PA

100 Welsh Road, Horsham PA

6680 Peach St., Erie PA

3700 William Penn Highway, Monroeville PA

104 Bartlett Ave., Exton PA

2003 Cheryl Dr., Ross Park Mall PA

301 Oakspring Road, Washington PA

18/Valley View Dr., Beaver Valley Route PA

Rhode Island

300 Quaker Lane, Warwick RI

South Carolina

254 Harbison Boulevard, Columbia SC

South Dakota

450 E. Disk Drive, Rapid City SD

Tennessee

7676 Polo Ground Blvd., Memphis TN

5731 Nolensville Rd., Nashville TN

Texas

801 Mesa Hills Dr., West El Paso TX

9730 Katy Freeway, Katy TX

170 E. Stacy Road, Allen TX

7730 N. MacArthur Blvd, Irving TX

420 E. Round Grove Rd., Lewisville TX

13710 Dallas Parkway, Dallas Galleria TX

1309 W. Pipeline Rd., Hurst TX

5800 Overton Ridge Blvd., Hulen TX

Utah

4042 Riverdale Rd., Ogden UT

1122 Fort Union Boulevard, Midvale UT

Virginia

14173 Crossing Place, Potomac Mills VA

12153 Jefferson Ave., Newport News VA

Washington

3567 N.W. Randall Way, Silverdale WA

1325A S.E. Everett Mall Parkway, Everett WA

6104 N. Division Street, Spokane WA

Wisconsin

18550 W. Bluemound Rd., Brookfield WI

2161 Zeier Road, Madison WI

Wow I'm surprised none of the (4) stores near me are on this list. Well the 5th one is, but I never go to that one, but people in that area are now going to have to drive about 40 mins to get to their closest store. There is one I noticed also, but it is basically just a small *clearance* store in an outlet mall I think it was an only KB that was just taken over in fact), not a real TRU. Besides when I would go there, nothing would be on clearance price, in fact it would sometimes be more expensive than a regular TRU store...never understood the logic in this, and no surprise its closing.

As far as Massachusetts goes, the one in Holyoke is no loss as far as our hobby is concerned, as it is a Babies R Us. The only Toys R Us in Western Mass would be in Springfield, so I am happy that that one isn't on the list.

Well, the two I take my son are not on this list in Florida. Yet, unlike the K-mart we avoid like the bubonic plague, that one is closing (probably closed now).

Tfw 15% of all closures are Californian

Is it wrong of me to be sad that the one in my town isn't closing? I just wanted some cheap shit.

24-30 Union Square E, Union Square NY there hasn't been a Toys r Us here in a long time....

Thanks, Seibertron. Looks like we're safe in North Carolina.

A source wishing to remain anonymous has uploaded a slide with broad strokes of the initiatives Toysrus will be taking in their 2018 roadmap. The same source also gave a breakdown of what all this means and some specifics:

- 181 stores are closing in first quarter, starting in February

- This 181 number breaks down to 91 Babiesrus, 47 Toysrus, 37 Side-by-sides, 2 outlets, and 4 express stores

- There will be an opening/remodeling of 12 new co-branded stores, different from the Side by Side build.

- Massive liquidation effort of $200M+ in merchandise.

- Plans to map and improve customer experience, revamp/improve online.

- Less skus in Brick and Mortar.

- Creating a pricing model and promotional strategy that improves the price perception.

Here is the slide they shared.



This information only pertains to the US stores.

The Illinois list makes some sense, but Moline, illinois should be on there. The store looks like it was transported here directly from 1985...no updates. The Bloomington, Illinois store should also be on the list. I don't understand the Schaumburg closure...the store was recently renovated from complete craphole to almost decent. I'm sure the rent is just too much in such a swanky Chicago suburb.

I'm glad Peoria, IL (my store) is a combo store and well run as far as TRU goes.

reluctantyouth wrote:The Illinois list makes some sense, but Moline, illinois should be on there. The store looks like it was transported here directly from 1985...no updates. The Bloomington, Illinois store should also be on the list. I don't understand the Schaumburg closure...the store was recently renovated from complete craphole to almost decent. I'm sure the rent is just too much in such a swanky Chicago suburb.

I think they are looking more at coverage areas than anything else. That would help explain Moline's and Bloomington's survival versus Schaumburg, Highland Park and Vernon Hills.

TF-fan kev777 wrote:

reluctantyouth wrote:The Illinois list makes some sense, but Moline, illinois should be on there. The store looks like it was transported here directly from 1985...no updates. The Bloomington, Illinois store should also be on the list. I don't understand the Schaumburg closure...the store was recently renovated from complete craphole to almost decent. I'm sure the rent is just too much in such a swanky Chicago suburb.

I think they are looking more at coverage areas than anything else. That would help explain Moline's and Bloomington's survival versus Schaumburg, Highland Park and Vernon Hills.

It's probably based on Performance as well, not just location.

I agree. Central Illinois benefits from (2) TRU. Bloomington, IL is a combo store. I know TRU has a warehouse in Joliet and Trucks need to pass Bloomington to get to Peoria. I think Chicago has more specialty stores and has to compete with the likes of Toynk and BigBadToystore.com for business. The Target and Walmart in Schaumburg are a hot mess too...Schaumburg store will be a loss for that area. I have yet to find anything when I go up there toy hunting though.

TF-fan kev777 wrote:

reluctantyouth wrote:The Illinois list makes some sense, but Moline, illinois should be on there. The store looks like it was transported here directly from 1985...no updates. The Bloomington, Illinois store should also be on the list. I don't understand the Schaumburg closure...the store was recently renovated from complete craphole to almost decent. I'm sure the rent is just too much in such a swanky Chicago suburb.

I think they are looking more at coverage areas than anything else. That would help explain Moline's and Bloomington's survival versus Schaumburg, Highland Park and Vernon Hills.

I don't think coverage is an issue there, as Davenport, IA is staying open, too (right across the river). I'm always able to find stuff there in stock the quickest, but it also looks transported here from the '80s.

william-james88 wrote:As you may recall, Toysrus Canada had also filed for bankruptcy protection independently from its American parent. Those stores, which were later revealed to be very profitable and a crucial asset to Toysrus, will remain open. The president of Toysrus Canada, Melanie Teed-Murch, said that their Canadian operations "will be taking additional steps to improve the overall customer omnichannel experience with compelling promotions, continued improvements to mobile and digital marketing and enhancements to our baby registry and loyalty programs."

This should not be surprising. The Canadian division filing for protection was a defensive measure to ensure creditors owed by TRU could not attempt to recoup losses by trying to bill the Canadian side for payments on American deliveries, or break orders/contracts with the Canadian side if they aren't happy with the US situation.

Long story short, it was done to have creditors treat the two divisions as separate entities, so the Canadian side doesn't "pay for the sins of the Father" so to speak.

That said, the Vancouver area could lose a store in the near future, as the Metrotown location could be impacted by developer (Concord Pacific) plans for the closed Sears that sat directly above that location. Of course the Target is still vacant if they just wished to increase in size and relocate to the other side of the mall, similarly to what they just did at their Willowbrook location.

I can tell TRU is run by MBAs and not retail people based on that slide. Reeks of the buzzword laden crap that Fast Eddie used to push before I left Sears forever ago. Look how they're doing now!

for those of us in Houston, the store listed in Katy, is incorrect. that store is actually located in Houston, at I-10 and Bunker Hill, on the west side.

kurthy wrote:

TF-fan kev777 wrote:

reluctantyouth wrote:The Illinois list makes some sense, but Moline, illinois should be on there. The store looks like it was transported here directly from 1985...no updates. The Bloomington, Illinois store should also be on the list. I don't understand the Schaumburg closure...the store was recently renovated from complete craphole to almost decent. I'm sure the rent is just too much in such a swanky Chicago suburb.

I think they are looking more at coverage areas than anything else. That would help explain Moline's and Bloomington's survival versus Schaumburg, Highland Park and Vernon Hills.

I don't think coverage is an issue there, as Davenport, IA is staying open, too (right across the river). I'm always able to find stuff there in stock the quickest, but it also looks transported here from the '80s.

Davenport remaining open was one of the reason's I thought Moline would likely close and surprised it is not on the list. Both locations have been helped by Kmart closures too. TRU Moline has Target to contend with, but Davenport location is holding its own in that very weird/horrible traffic/corner lot. I do miss the Davenport Kmart. I missed out on Lego deals at both and very disappointed.

ScottyP wrote:I can tell TRU is run by MBAs and not retail people based on that slide. Reeks of the buzzword laden crap that Fast Eddie used to push before I left Sears forever ago. Look how they're doing now!

Best thing I read today!

i think the one of the entries is wrong 5181 Sunrise Hwy is in Bohemia not sayville, started to freak out cause the TRU i go to is right on the edge of sayvile (think its technically holbrook) so i though it was closing but it looks like its just a babies r us that i didnt know existed. If someone can confirm this that would be great cause ill be really pissed if they close that down and i cant get gundam minikits anymore. Dont understand why the store id numbers arent there, would make things alot easier.

The only store in my town will be closing. The closest other store is almost a 2 hour drive. I hope at least they will mark down the stock so I can pick up a bunch of figures when my tax return arrives.

Rodimus Prime wrote:The only store in my town will be closing. The closest other store is almost a 2 hour drive. I hope at least they will mark down the stock so I can pick up a bunch of figures when my tax return arrives.

But I thought people kept saying TRU was terrible at stocking TFs. So why would a sale matter if there is nothing to pick up?

william-james88 wrote:

Rodimus Prime wrote:The only store in my town will be closing. The closest other store is almost a 2 hour drive. I hope at least they will mark down the stock so I can pick up a bunch of figures when my tax return arrives.

But I thought people kept saying TRU was terrible at stocking TFs. So why would a sale matter if there is nothing to pick up?

Most Transformers fans buy more than just Transformers.

Is it just me or does it feel like the east coast has a disproportionate number of closings compared to the entire rest of the country? Even just going from New York to Maine is a big chunk of the list. Granted, most are BRU stores, but still.

One of the two TRUs in Maine is closing, but these stores are so far from me I struggle to feel sad about it. I honestly wouldn't be upset with the whole company closing, it would just be one less frustration for me trying to get exclusives.

Emerje

Honestly I have a ton of Nostalgia for TRU, from my earliest memories in the early 80's, until about 2005, I really enjoyed shopping there. In the last decade or so, its been hit-and-miss, and the customer service has been terrible. I would love to see some stores stay open for sentimental reasons obviously, but sentiment alone cannot make a business run successfully. If their prices cannot compete with Walmart or Target, then unfortunately I don't see much of a future. Its just a shame really. Sure I guess we will still get exclusives from HTS, or 3P online retailors, but there's just not much fun in that. I still like to see things before I purchase them.

Emerje wrote: I honestly wouldn't be upset with the whole company closing, it would just be one less frustration for me trying to get exclusives.

less frustrating but more expensive. As is already happening now, if a retailer chooses not to take an exclusive, it doesnt get released. It happened to several platinum sets in the US and thats why none of your stores ever stocked YOTR Optimus Prime. If TRU goes away, thats one less store willing to pick up exclusives. Sure, they will probably be available at Robot Kingdom, and thus the less frustrating part, but have fun paying $30 USD to ship an exclusive deluxe figure.

william-james88 wrote:If TRU goes away, thats one less store willing to pick up exclusives. Sure, they will probably be available at Robot Kingdom, and thus the less frustrating part, but have fun paying $30 USD to ship an exclusive deluxe figure.

Exactly. Shipping from RK is especially bad. The only time I've ever ordered from them was for some late release Kreon figures I knew I cold get nowhere else. When the shipping cost alone is almost the same price as the item you intend to purchase, that is unacceptable IMHO.

o.supreme wrote:

william-james88 wrote:If TRU goes away, thats one less store willing to pick up exclusives. Sure, they will probably be available at Robot Kingdom, and thus the less frustrating part, but have fun paying $30 USD to ship an exclusive deluxe figure.

Exactly. Shipping from RK is especially bad. The only time I've ever ordered from them was for some late release Kreon figures I knew I cold get nowhere else. When the shipping cost alone is almost the same price as the item you intend to purchase, that is unacceptable IMHO.

Well... there was this one time I bought the MP Casettes from Lena at 12$ for the pair and shipping was about the same. I didnt mind then

william-james88 wrote: Well... there was this one time I bought the MP Casettes from Lena at 12$ for the pair and shipping was about the same. I didnt mind then

that's why brought up my example with the Kreon's. Fairly small items, with equivalent shipping is fine. But $70 to ship a 150 Unite Warriors set =$220 -NO THANK YOU.

I got severely worried about my Toy's R Us in Monroeville when I saw the address...only to be relieved that it's just a Babies R US. Phew.

I feel bad for the two closing in Alabama, because they are the best 2 within my local area, the 3rd one that is local is kind of sorry and is a babies r' us/tru hybrid in hoover, alabama, another one that is just a babies r us is around, wish they would have closed those 2 instead... the best one in the state is Hunstville, AL followed closely by the Summit and Tuscaloosa comes in a not so distant 3rd... too bad they couldnt close the useless baby r u parts instead

guess I will have to check out and see if they have any exclusives soon if I get the chance before they close.