Kudos to Hasbro on getting Wave 5 out there

[reapersaurus]

Yes, that's what I said. :D

Within just over a week after first sighting, Wave 5 has shown up in the NorthWest, West Coast, SouthWest, TX, MidWest, and all points East.
And also of importance is that Sandra with HouseMouseGames has them in stock, filling orders as of today. :thumbsup:

I wanted to publicly compliment Hasbro and their distribution arm(s) in making Wave 5 already more available to people all over than they collectively did for Wave 4.

I have been public in criticising them for terrible distribution (rightfully so) for a year now, with Wave 4 and Raknar's/Tundra problems - but from what I'm seeing with Wave 5, it seems to be a HUGE step in the right direction of fixing the DISTRIBUTION PROBLEMS ;) and making new product for this great game available to more people than 1 per major city.

So I wanted to publicly thank them for whatever they fixed in allowing more fans and potential fans to be able to purchase their product.

It makes news about upcoming products all the more interesting, when there is a chance that it may be stocked on the shelves of a store near you (or even better - HouseMouseGames).

[ultradoug]

not in Killeen :p

[hextr1p]

So help me Reaper, if you just jinxed the distribution of all the upcoming releases... I will hunt you down!

;)

But I agree. The availability of the current product came fast and furious!

[Kahrma]

Amen! Kinda funny that I finally saw Wave 4 on the shelves on a large scale for the first time just a few weeks before Wave 5. Based on previous experience, I was expecting to have to wait until after Christmas (possibly exaggerating, but not by much....) for Ninjas, Gladiators, etc.

Was great to hear all of the Wave 5 sightings within days of the official release, and even better to have as many as I had planned on purchasing 2-3 days later! I just checked my local WM, and they've already re-stocked their shelves.

I hope this is how things operate from here on out....

[brokeasajoke]

Bah, not where I live. Bah I say, bah! :grumble:

[funrun]

reaper, lol. Nice thread man.

[Hex_Enduction_Hour]

Sounds as if Reaper scored some Wave 5.

[reapersaurus]

Sounds as if Reaper scored some Wave 5.good guess. :)

But that's not why I posted the thread - I was actually thinking about all the different areas that had been reporting Wave 5 last night on the drive home, and realized that despite Wave 5 being unavailable in my area, it was available in enough areas that showed a different (more successful and expanded) distribution pattern from the past year's ineptitudes.

So with that conclusion, and the plan to post this thread on here in mind, I had enough hope to drop by my local Target on the way home.

WHAM. Despite all the countless previous fruitless drop-ins, they had all of Wave 5 and 1 extra of both of the commons there. Almost like someone had put em out for me. :D

So it took till now to get this thread up here.
I have 2 other threads still to make, too - on other subjects - but you'll have to wait for those. :) I'm sure you'll be waiting breathlessly. :lol:

My criticisms of Hasbro's HS distribution has never been a personal thing - I got Wave 4 the first week - Tory Adore managed to pick up a set that ( get this) someone had returned :!: and it wasn't in the computer.
So they rang her up for $4.95 each pack. :twisted:

[Hex_Enduction_Hour]

Sounds as if Reaper scored some Wave 5.good guess. :)

But that's not why I posted the thread - I was actually thinking about all the different areas that had been reporting Wave 5 last night on the drive home, and realized that despite Wave 5 being unavailable in my area, it was available in enough areas that showed a different (more successful and expanded) distribution pattern from the past year's ineptitudes.

So with that conclusion, and the plan to post this thread on here in mind, I had enough hope to drop by my local Target on the way home.

WHAM. Despite all the countless previous fruitless drop-ins, they had all of Wave 5 and 1 extra of both of the commons there. Almost like someone had put em out for me. :D

So it took till now to get this thread up here.
I have 2 other threads still to make, too - on other subjects - but you'll have to wait for those. :) I'm sure you'll be waiting breathlessly. :lol:

My criticisms of Hasbro's HS distribution has never been a personal thing - I got Wave 4 the first week - Tory Adore managed to pick up a set that ( get this) someone had returned :!: and it wasn't in the computer.
So they rang her up for $4.95 each pack. :twisted:

Congrats on scoring. I was searching in the wrong hotspots for my wave 5 - I thought my Walmart would have them. Nope. Nothing. Silverstoner just called me today and informed me he bought all of Wave 5 for me at Target! Bless his ass!

Nice find and I am waiting for those other two threads! Anxious!

[bluekitsune13]

I was very surprised too at finding a complete set of wave 5 at my Walmart. I just wished that they would have castles as readily available.

[droolster]

I never did see wave 4 or TT in any department store.

[jdtenor]

I'm so sick of seeing wave 5 all over the place went to TRU's today they had like 6 full sets of wave 5 it's all over the place, wish I could find castle & tundra.

[countblah]

I hate you so powerfully, I don't even have the words.

[ultradoug]

I hate you so powerfully, I don't even have the words.

they have been cencored! :D

Hey at least with that personal type attack Reaper will get back to being reaper and complan about something! Go, back to being reaper! If reaper starts being all happy about stuff does that meen I have to be normal? Will that meen funrun will reveal her face online? Will Nindoc stop drinking the brew? Will KH start using google? When will the madness end? It will be a chain of never ending events! jason will start being liked?! OH THE Humanty! Make it stop my universe is out of control QUICK complan about something! AHHH PANNIC PANNIC!

[jdtenor]

I hate you so powerfully, I don't even have the words.
Don't hate the player! Don't hate the game! :lol:

[Hex_Enduction_Hour]

I'm so sick of seeing wave 5 all over the place went to TRU's today they had like 6 full sets of wave 5 it's all over the place, wish I could find castle & tundra.

Buy them, stick 'em in a barf bag and send them to my address, won't you? Please?

[jdtenor]

I'm so sick of seeing wave 5 all over the place went to TRU's today they had like 6 full sets of wave 5 it's all over the place, wish I could find castle & tundra.

Buy them, stick 'em in a barf bag and send them to my address, won't you? Please?
Sure why not. :lol:

[geddy lifeson]

We have been real lucky here in San Antonio, everything has popped up numerous times. Wave 4 was the worst, but we did get plenty. Wave 5 has been quick to hit us and it seems in decent numbers at TRU so far, WalMArt nothing yet. I do know there are 6 castles coming to my Walmart alone and I am assuming some Wave 5 with it.

Hasbro finally got it right.

[reapersaurus]

Hasbro finally got it right.I credit my continual harping about the DISTRIBUTION PROBLEMS. :lol:

That's right - I'll take thanks in the form of extra tombstones from the Horrorclix starter set.... :D

[countblah]

We have been real lucky here in San Antonio, everything has popped up numerous times. Wave 4 was the worst, but we did get plenty. Wave 5 has been quick to hit us and it seems in decent numbers at TRU so far, WalMArt nothing yet. I do know there are 6 castles coming to my Walmart alone and I am assuming some Wave 5 with it.

Hasbro finally got it right.

Meanwhile, thank God I managed to find another frackin' Gorrillinators set in Regina. Thanks Hasbro. :tumble:

[LoneDragon]

I've never seen Wave 4 in any store. I have one set I ordered from Housemouse. I probably want more elves eventually, and with Wave 5's little surprise, I'm definately going to want more Gladiotrons.

Wave 4 mostly sucks anyway. All we ever used was the Samurai, and sometimes the elves and Deadeye Dan.

I just picked up the rest of Wave 5 today at Walmart, and an extra pack of elves. Wave 5 looks like good stuff... except the Deathstalkers look worthless...why wouldn't I want to use Marden Hounds instead?

[Avenger]

Ya, i walked into target, not really lookin' to buy anything, but, lo and behold.


WAVE 5!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I was super excited. Thanks Hasbro

[Teamski]

mmm.... I have only found 1 set out of 3 WM and 1 Target in my AOR. I need 4 more sets of commons......

-Ski

[brokeasajoke]

Ooo, I saw wave 5 tonight at my Walmart! :woot: I haven't been able to get to Target for a couple of weeks, though.

The Walmart I used to go to in Framingham MA had a pretty good selection of Heroscape expansions, but of course that was when I wasn't playing this game. :(

[Fallen Templar]

So help me Reaper, if you just jinxed the distribution of all the upcoming releases... I will hunt you down!

;)

But I agree. The availability of the current product came fast and furious! :word:

[Finrod]

I disagree.

I saw just as many people who saw Wave 4 early on in different areas around the country.

Now Wave 5 is being seen in various areas... but is also NOT being seen in various MAJOR markets, such as Houston, where I live.

I don't see the distribution as improved at all. Just... different. :)

[netherspirit]

I finally found Snow and the Lindesfarme at Target tonight! Woot. Its only a matter of time until Wave 5 shows up.

[Thor]

I disagree.

I saw just as many people who saw Wave 4 early on in different areas around the country.
This is what I remember with wave 4. It seemed a lot of people were able to find them fairly easily in the beginning, but after the initial sets were sold out they didn't get restocked well or at all. Instead wave 2 or no boosters at all were put out as replacements! Now I am not trying to be a downer, but I seriously hope this isn't the case with wave 5. This is how I remember wave four's distribution.

At the present time it does seem there are more initial sets available then there were with wave 4 so that is at least one plus. Now if they keep restocking wave 5 after their initial sets sell out we will be golden. Oh, and if they put some castles out too that would be even better :D

[ultradoug]

I disagree.

I saw just as many people who saw Wave 4 early on in different areas around the country.
This is what I remember with wave 4. It seemed a lot of people were able to find them fairly easily in the beginning, but after the initial sets were sold out they didn't get restocked well or at all. Instead wave 2 or no boosters at all were put out as replacements! Now I am not trying to be a downer, but I seriously hope this isn't the case with wave 5. This is how I remember wave four's distribution.

At the present time it does seem there are more initial sets available then there were with wave 4 so that is at least one plus. Now if they keep restocking wave 5 after their initial sets sell out we will be golden. Oh, and if they put some castles out too that would be even better :D

ok, someone complaned, my life is back to normal now.
Hey its Thor! YAY Thor.

[markwars]

Hey at least with that personal type attack Reaper will get back to being reaper and complan about something! Go, back to being reaper! If reaper starts being all happy about stuff does that meen I have to be normal? Will that meen funrun will reveal her face online? Will Nindoc stop drinking the brew? Will KH start using google? When will the madness end? It will be a chain of never ending events! jason will start being liked?! OH THE Humanty! Make it stop my universe is out of control QUICK complan about something! AHHH PANNIC PANNIC!

I will support anything that get's you to stop dry humping me in every thread UD.

That said...ahem...

reaper I have to agree that the Wave 5 distribution has been amazing. Much like Wave 1 and 2 and 3. I don't know what happened with Wave 4 and 4.5, but for the majority of the stuff so far has been out there fairly quickly for everyone. I'm not sure if Hasbro "fixed" anything...more like they went back to doing things the way they did before Zanafor's Discovery.

Perhaps the discovery in question was a shoddy new way of getting product onto shelves? And Thora came back with a vengence? But I digress....

[ninthdoc]

I'm seriously hoping that Wave 6 will be titled Sandra's Vengeance! :twisted:

[markwars]

:toast:

[geddy lifeson]

Very surprised when I went in to my never stocked with any new HS Target last week and finding TT and today a couple full sets of Wave 5. Please, please let this continue into future Waves.

[reapersaurus]

I'm not sure if Hasbro "fixed" anything...more like they went back to doing things the way they did before Zanafor's Discovery.

Perhaps the discovery in question was a shoddy new way of getting product onto shelves?
:lol:
Yeah - Zanafor's "Discovery" was a magical wellspring that allowed him to **** up Heroscape distribution for a year.

:rofl:

[LilNewbie]

I'm not sure if Hasbro "fixed" anything...more like they went back to doing things the way they did before Zanafor's Discovery.

Perhaps the discovery in question was a shoddy new way of getting product onto shelves?
:lol:
Yeah - Zanafor's "Discovery" was a magical wellspring that allowed him to frack up Heroscape distribution for a year.

:rofl:

LOL! Nice "Discovery", Reaper and MarkWars!

Newb.

[Finrod]

If Hasbro DID go back to their original distribution format that they had before Wave 4... then I'd be able to find Wave 5 all over the place right now. Wave 3 was everywhere around here.

Here's a local report of what's in my local stores, AFTER they've restocked:

Wal-mart #1: MS, Wave 1, Orms, RttFF
Wal-mart #2: MS, Orms
Wal-mart #3: MS, Wave 1, Orms
Wal-mart #4: MS, Orms, RttFF
Super Target #1: MS, Orms
Super Target #2: MS, Orms
TRU #1: MS, Orms, VW
TRU #2: MS, Orms, VW, various packs from waves 1-4 (briefly had RV & TT, only store around that did)

That's it. No one has Wave 5. No one has castles. Distribution problems still exist.

[Riggler]

If Hasbro DID go back to their original distribution format that they had before Wave 4... then I'd be able to find Wave 5 all over the place right now. Wave 3 was everywhere around here.

Here's a local report of what's in my local stores, AFTER they've restocked:

Wal-mart #1: MS, Wave 1, Orms, RttFF
Wal-mart #2: MS, Orms
Wal-mart #3: MS, Wave 1, Orms
Wal-mart #4: MS, Orms, RttFF
Super Target #1: MS, Orms
Super Target #2: MS, Orms
TRU #1: MS, Orms, VW
TRU #2: MS, Orms, VW, various packs from waves 1-4 (briefly had RV & TT, only store around that did)

That's it. No one has Wave 5. No one has castles. Distribution problems still exist.

Similar report where I live. After the stores have restocked, Orms, RttFF, MS are plentiful. Oh and did I mention the mass of Orms. In case I forgot to mention it, they restocked with Orms. And BTW, if you didn't know, they had plenty of Thora... nah, they had lots of Orms.

Distribution problems (wherever the choke point is, or who's problem it is -- my be is on the retailers) are still there.

[reapersaurus]

This is mostly for Finrod -

Just because there are no new product in Houston does not invalidate the many many reports of other Texas areas (and all over the country) reporting better distribution this go-round. Houston is one city in a big state. Just like of Sacto was overlooked, I couldn't say that CA was skipped, because of the many reports already (less than 2 weeks in).

When I say "DISTRIBUTION PROBLEMS", I do not mean personal distribution shortages in my area, or your area.
I mean, as-widespread-as-possible reports from hundreds of members/locations.

I've kept a pretty good handle on those reports, and have read the majority of them since Nov 2004.
As I remember, Wave 4 had VERY few, very spotty reports, from pretty small areas too - no rhyme or reason why the spots got that early shipment - nothing like the kind of widespread numerous reports with Wave 5.
Wave 5 is significatnyl better than Wave 4 distribution, from everything I remember.

And just a point - we as a rabid community represent more hands-on, reliable marketing information than (AFAIK) any other industry source or Hasbro survey.
Everyone that has commented thru the years has said that even Hasbro theselves don't have a good handle on who buys this game, where they are, etc. The multiple baffling useless surveys on HS.com support this, too.
To be blunt, I believe we HSers know more about Hasbro distribution success/failure than Hasbro reps do, or even the designers (since they don;t follow this site like we do).
For example, the failures of the TrU debacle - I doubt if Hasbro got as much feedback to them as was presented in the myriad threads on HSHQ about it.

[Finrod]

This is mostly for Finrod -

Just because there are no new product in Houston does not invalidate the many many reports of other Texas areas (and all over the country) reporting better distribution this go-round. Houston is one city in a big state. Just like of Sacto was overlooked, I couldn't say that CA was skipped, because of the many reports already (less than 2 weeks in).

Other Texas areas = Dallas/Fort Worth. Only. They have not been sighted anywhere else in Texas. Houston is just the fourth largest city in the country.

As for Wave 4 - I had NO trouble finding it, at least at first. It showed up all over the place here... and then was gone. Yes, Wave 5 has shown up in lots of areas... at first. So did Wave 4. The true test will be if it STAYS on the shelves.

[reapersaurus]

The true test will be if it STAYS on the shelves.This is truth.

If this is just a flash in the pan, then it would not be a fix of the DISTRIBUTION PROBLEMS.

[LoneDragon]

I've said this before somewhere... I've never seen Wave 4 in any store.

Anyone in one of those Wave 1 heavy areas willing to send me 2 Romans, 1 Orcs, and 1 Vipers?

[Thor]

reaper I have to agree that the Wave 5 distribution has been amazing. Much like Wave 1 and 2 and 3. I don't know what happened with Wave 4 and 4.5, but for the majority of the stuff so far has been out there fairly quickly for everyone. I'm not sure if Hasbro "fixed" anything...more like they went back to doing things the way they did before Zanafor's Discovery.
Actually, if memory serves me correct, wave 1 and 2 had horrible distribution as well. Wave 1 was originally released in December of 04 but it could not be found by the vast majority of people in their local stores. It's distribution was spotty at best. It wasn't until around March of 05 that people started to see more and more of wave 1. Wave 2, other then being pushed back as all waves have, was more or less the same. The only difference was it started trickling onto store shelves after a month and a half rather then be all but non-existant prior to March like wave 1.

[eaglekiller]

Only waves 2 and 3 had good distribution where I live. I don't know how wave 5 will do but I am not getting my hopes up already! :x Maybe I will see them by Christmas ...

[happyjosiah]

I've said this before somewhere... I've never seen Wave 4 in any store.

Anyone in one of those Wave 1 heavy areas willing to send me 2 Romans, 1 Orcs, and 1 Vipers?

Sandra has a great deal on snipers&vipers right now (8.99)

[Zincdust]

One of my local Wal-Marts put out a new box of boosters, after having an empty shelf for months!

It was Wave 1.

Which was GREAT for me, since I needed the heroes, romans and orcs sets. :D

[Kepler]

I've said this before somewhere... I've never seen Wave 4 in any store.

Anyone in one of those Wave 1 heavy areas willing to send me 2 Romans, 1 Orcs, and 1 Vipers?

I would be happy to pick these up for you at TRU. TRU price would be $55.08 (with tax) + shipping.

It looks like Sandra at Housemouse would send you those packs for $56 + shipping.

PM me if you need me to pick them up for you.