Thinking of buying something from Toyworld? I like some of their stuff, so I don’t blame you, but make sure you go into it with your eyes open…

An update on my Toyworld Constructor struggle:

1. I received the v2 Toyworld Constructor boxset in April from TFS Express. The first bot I take out of the box, Concrete, has two duplicate arms, meaning he can’t transform into vehicle or combined modes.

2. I contact TFS Express, who do not offer to replace him but do say they will chase Toyworld for replacement parts. They also recommend I do the same and give me an email address.

3. I do just that, both emailing Toyworld and using their dedicated replacement parts website. It’s June, and I’m yet to be acknowledged.

4. I buy a replacement Concrete myself from eBay on the presumption that I can re-sell him once this farce is actually resolved.

5. TFS Express do eventually source the parts for me, although they will only ship them as part of my next order.

6. The parts arrive with Fanstoys Phoenix in early June (TFS held Phoenix a week for me as I was on holiday).

7. I sit down today to finally replace the faulty arm… only to discover that I’ve been sent the arms for a different bot entirely.

8. (See UPDATE below)

I’ve dropped a line to TFS Express and they have already said they are back on the case. Gotta say though, this is the single biggest Transformers purchase I’ve ever made – over £400. Such a huge amount of money, yet almost two months down the line I’m still left with the same issue I had on day one.

Note too that Toyworld recently had a public falling out with their design team, who walked to start their own company. Toyworld say that they’re in the process of hiring replacement designers.

So yeah, buyer beware really. Constructor is great and if you get a set with no problems then happy days. But god help you if you do have any issues.

UPDATE: TFS Express have now offered me store credit to make up for the amount spent on the replacement Concrete, which I’m perfectly happy with. So thanks to them. I think perhaps they’ve not got the energy to keep chasing Toyworld any more than I have!