By now you’ve probably heard reports of Marshalls and TJ Maxx stores marking down the MTT to ridiculously low prices – if you’ve been waiting for your local store to mark one down, better head out quick… the Marshalls in my area had four of these marked at $59.00 as recently as Monday, then last night I swung by and they only had one left, for $39.00.  So don’t delay, be on your way!

Reminder:  Your mileage may vary.  Just because many stores have marked these down doesn’t mean your local store has yet. 

Yakreader Scott writes in with a report on what maybe the lowest price I’ve seen for the Trade Federation MTT. Click on through for his story.

I work across from TJ Max in downtown Boston.  I really wanted this vehicle back when it was first introduced but simply couldn’t justify the high price – as you know, some retailers were selling it for as high at $179.00.  Anyway, I was happy to see that TJ Maxx began carrying it once the holiday shopping season kicked in.  Over the course of a few months I gradually watched it drop from $79 to $59 but still held out.  To my pleasant surprise, I found it yesterday for a mere $29.00.  Glad I waited!

Thanks, Scott

Great score there Scott!

This account supports JTA’s announcement from last week.

If you have a Marshalls or TJ Maxx store in your area, it may be worth your time to swing by and see if you can score any toys marked down.  Many stores that have leftover 2013 stock are really slashing prices to make room for their 2014 toy sections.  As always, your mileage and success may vary.

If you have a TJ Maxx or Marshalls store in your area, it may be worth your while to swing by and see what they are stocking for the Christmas shopping season.  Many stores are still receiving older Legends figures for $4.99 each (which are fantastic kid and collector friendly figures), mid size vehicles in the Clone Wars line at discount prices, and even the giant MTT for $79.99.

It appears that TJ Maxx and Marshalls stores are gearing up for the Christmas season, as these stores continue to receive more of Habro’s older product at discount prices.  So if you have one of these stores in your area, it may be worth your while to make a quick stop and see what you can find!

Hasbro’s initial Class II Vehicle Assortment, after a very short-lived shelf life, started showing up at discount stores several months ago.  Stores like Marshalls and TJ Maxx, unable to move these items, are now clearancing them down to $7.00 each.  So if you have one of these stores in your area, and want to buy smaller versions of what you already have, now’s the time to get them on the super cheap.

Personal Note:  One can’t help but remember how excited the Hasbro Star Wars team was when they announced these.  It seemed in their minds, the smaller/cheaper scale was the answer to their 2012 problems.  The overwhelming consense at the time from collectors across forums here and other sites was that this new scale was not a good idea, and look where we are now.  Rather than understand the problem Hasbro created in 2012 by pushing product everyone already had, they appear to have made their mess even deeper… at least in my eyes.   I’m not much of a fan of the 5POA style either, and am hoping that Hasbro isn’t planning on this sort of strategy with the Episode VII line.

TJMaxx and Marshalls stores are marking down the smaller scale vehicles – down from $14.99 to $10.00 (and even $7.00 in some cases).

You know the market isn’t accepting Hasbro’s lineup when discount stores, who already have their prices lower than standard retail, are clearancing Hasbro’s product. 

Personal suggestion for Hasbro – Stop making smaller vehicles like these.  The lower pricepoint doesn’t matter if everyone already has better versions of these toys.  Instead, focus on making new items that haven’t been made before, or improving your product. 

And it’s a collective punch in the gut to a large portion of your loyal fanbase to refuse to make dioramas/playsets, yet continue down this failed path with this line of vehicles.  It’s bad business too.  Just ask the retailers who are unable to move this type of product for a profit.

Hasbro’s disaster line from 2012 continues to show up at discount stores like TJ Maxx and Marshalls – as just today, I saw more of this stuff that wasn’t there just a couple days ago. 

One has to wonder just how much of this stuff Hasbro produced… and it’s hard to not feel that Hasbro’s poor decisions with this line are the prime reason for the change in Hasbro’s business model to switch to cheaper, 5POA figures rather than their official reasoning of “changes in kids’ play habits.”

While on a toy run today, I swung by TJ Maxx… and stumbled onto a ton (and I mean a ton) of 2012-2013 Star Wars Hasbro product.  Deluxe size vehicles, Angry Birds, Fighter Pods, Role Playing blasters, etc… and these are all items that Hasbro really thought would appeal to kids this past year.

In my humble opinion, this is just another sign that Hasbro has lost touch with their consumer base.  I am hoping for a really strong showing at SDCC from the folks at Hasbro, because Hasbro, retailers and the fan base does not need another 2012 (or another first half of 2013).

TJ Maxx and Marshalls stores have been known from time to time to have some odd markdowns – at times clearancing some items, but leaving others (of the exact same SKU#) at full price. 

Forum member darthapathy also recently came across some sporadic markdowns at his local TJ Maxx.

So keep your eyes peeled when at these discount stores – you never know what you may come across, or if it might be marked down cheaper than you think.