captain_cbecker

The case mix for the Bullseye/Moonstone issue is really a no win...

The arguement that the figure pack may be a little too obscure for mom's shopping at TRU, who will instanly recognize Iron Man, Hulk, Wolverine and Spiderman, (by virtue of their popularity) seems reasonable considering that TRU caters to very mainstream tastes at this point in time. As this is early in the propuct cycle for TRU, they may want to see how the market developes before the assortment gets too deep.... otherwise they risk lots of peg warming stock, which benefits no one.

For example: Look at Hasbro and Star Wars - how successful are all the really obscure characters performing? Not well (which is why there are are a $hit load of 6-breasted women, cantina aliens and random background characters clogging the pegs at every Walmart, Target & TRU.

On the other hand, you come in too short and you have the present situation.

Or, alternatively, you tweak the case mix and come up short on a different character set. Ultimately this could lead to case assormtnet that have more packs of a smaller assortment of characters w/ each wave (for example: a case that has 3 different 2-packs @ 4/case versus a case that has 4 different 2-packs @ 3/case) which might mean waiting for additional waves to get the same characters (if at all), considering that TRU is gonna want the mainstream characters to be well represented in each assortment (for non-collectors)

What does surprise me is the observation that this wouldn't have been a good assortment for the LCS channel... If I were DST, I would consider leaving TRU to distribute a much more mainstream assortment, while pushing the more obscure, collectable stuff in the LCS where the more avid collectors are likely to find it and shop. Additionally, I think DST is going to need to have a clear delineation between the mainstream TRU assortments and the deeper, more collector oriented assortments going the the LCS channel - otherwise the LCS distribution is going to dry up and stop buying if they feel that they have to compete w/ TRU in assortment and price and only get an occasional PX exclusive to give them an edge.

BTW: There's nothing wrong with "The hunt", in moderation. A neverending quest for characters that are impossible to find is a morale killer.

On a side note, Customs delayed AFXs shipment and their Minimates won't show up until later in the week. (Friday I think?) So no Thunderbolts, Champions, or Cyberdyne sets until then. Keychains are delayed too.

If they are a no show for the con, maybe the AFX keychains will end up going to people who preordered AFX's con exclusives.

Since I'm broke, and my wallet is already hurting from the comic con exclusives, not to mention comic book summer events, I hope they sell them in stores later, I Need that Iron patriot! till then I wait

The Dark Reign set specifically states that it will not be available in stores - see the last line of the item description

I was Searching Yahoo - found a possilbe source of the ERTL 1:21 Ecto-1A for less than $100. These look like they are available, or at least not "Out of Stock" according to their various sources:

http://www.collectablediecast.com/index.as...amp;ProdID=1848

Looks like these have hit Northern California. I'm about 10mi East of Dr. Baghead and found them in my store as well.... a whole case on the peg waiting to be pillaged.

If these will be offered through Previews, I wonder when we'll see some pre-orders?

I've been watching BBTS - they seem to jump the gun on a lot of these things and don't wait for Previews

Though I've pre-ordered the GB and T2-Cyberdyne exclusives online, I'd like a little help getting the ex-amazon set.

Anyone willing to give a hand? - I've got paypal

Though the BSG mates have been slow the last week, I went in today and found 1 D'Anna/Apolloa pack and 2 Adama/Cylon Packs - I grabbed up the extra D'Anna/Apolloa pack for a couple of quick customs. Glad to see these moving here.

Many retail stores are "classified" by size, population base and other demographics that determine what items they get and how much. Looking at this a bit more objectively, they (TRU) has got to make broad and often general decisions that allow them to place merchandise in the areas/stores it is likely to sell and, likewise keep items out of stores where they are likely to stagnate and end up clogging pegs.

Though there are those of us that may not like the way TRU is handling minimates, let's put the tar, feathers and pitchforks away and consider the following:

1. The Minimates line is a new experiment for TRU and, as such, they are probably looking at trends from the initial waves to see what works and where. It's stupid to expect that there is no learning curve for their merchandising people.

2. LOTR and Speed Racer mates bit TRU in the ass once - they may be exercising a little caution.

3. TRU people do not exclusively live in the super-hero and comic book world (that many of us dwell in). It is presumptuous to have any expectation that they could foresee the popularity of two characters that, from a layman's standpoint, are pretty obscure, and therefore made case mix decisions accordingly. Let's also not forget that their bread and butter is Spiderman, Wolverine, Hulk, Batman. Important Rule: - go with what works. This goes back to the learning curve point -

4. Piss and moan all you like, how TRU gets this stuff to the stores and sells to consumers (brick and mortar or online), is entirely at their discretion and subject to their distribution, ordering and merchandising systems. They are the largest toy retailer in the US for a reason afterall - why re-invent the wheel if something seems to work.

5. TRU's target market extends far beyond minimate collectors. It's something we call "Global View". Their systems and decisions have to work for diapers, clothes, bicycles, video games, Barbies, crappy Hannah Montana stuff, Greeting cards, Baby formula.... I hope you see where this is going. (clue: it's not all about minimates)

6. TRU is not Fedex or UPS - tracking every box on every truck with tracking, delivery confirmation and "quantum view" isn't what they do - It might be nice, but is it really necessary given their business model. Target reps cannot tell you what they are getting or when, any more than TRU or Walmart... if it's on the truck when they unload, then they're getting it.

7. How about a little frickin' gratitude - At least they've made a commitment to some exclusive merchandise and licenses that have been otherwise shelved. They seem to be in it for the long haul - maybe we should give them more than a couple months and a few waves of product to get this down (again with the learning curve).

8. Beyond getting minimates to the TRU distribution center, NONE of this is the responsibility of DST or AA and is entirely out of their control.

About the only item that TRU should control and monitor is their sales associates' attitudes regarding telephone inquiries and making a diligent effort to answer a customer's question, not just hurry through a token answer to get off the phone. That being said, it is equally unreasonable to expext the TRU rep to crawl through an unloaded truck or start breaking down pallets to find a mystery carton - checking the shelf for stock is about the best they can do under the circumstances

Interesting ultimatum - however, the rules of how things work in the real world are a bit different.

AA & DST are not responsible or accountable for the methods or methodology that TRU uses to determine stock/order levels, product mix or distribute stock to stores, nor are they in a position to second guess TRU's distribution or sales system (online or otherwise), so long as it's legal.

Once TRU takes delivery of the product, DST has no control as to when, how or where it hits the market.

Suggestions for a good place to get the Ghostbusters 5-pack at retail cost plus non-expensive shipping?

Anybody?

Toyrocket.com need not apply.

Scifigenre.com is pretty OK

didn't seem worth doing a thread necro on my customs thread but I've been doing some trek army building of my own.

and since I dont want to derail the current subject as far as the hot wheels ships go are the new enterprise and the bird of prey out yet?

I've seen the hotwheels Enterprise (Constitution Refit), Enterprise-D, Reliant and Bird of Prey on the shelf.

I have the Consitution refit ship and am waiting for the new motion picture Enterprise. Try Walmart or Target (near the rest of the Hotwheels Product). TRU has also had them - i've seen them stocked with both the ST figures and the vehicles.

Don't forget Dr. Janosz Poha ("Soon, the city will be mine and Vigo's... mainly Vigo's") - he could even be coated with the slime and packaged with Winston or Ray with the slime blower.

Egon with the overcoat from the first GB movie is another option.

How about Louis with the straightjacket with the wired collander on his head

Nothing out here in Sunny Northern California - though we seem to be at the ass-end of the TRU distribution chain. Sometimes the stuff doesn't hit shelves 'til Friday, so I guess I'll be making another trip tomorrow.

Let's also remember ...

Though TRU should know better than to trust fragile merchandise in bubble-envelopes, a fair part of the blame should fall squarely on UPS (pronounced "Oops"), who are paid to transport and deliver packages with a better standard of care than the gentle touch of a semi-retarded gorilla on PCP.

I still haven't seen these at TRU yet, but the BSG came in over the weekend, so maybe next week?

Out on the Pacific coast we got BSG this week, but still no new Marvel wave either

The good news - if BSG series 1 is any indicator - selling out online doesn't necessarily affect them being shipped to stores. I delayed on pre-ordering series 1, so at least I'm optimistic about finding it in store.

Lots of new DST stuff (Role Play Tricorder, Communicator & Phaser) at my TRU in the SF bay area - but no new mates...

Hey! I just noticed your location we most likely hit up the same TRU's...

EDIT on 6/30: Hey Captain, hit the Concord TRU if you get the chance, they got the BSG wave 1 in (minus the 3 packs I grabbed)

I've been busy buying a new car and haven't made the rounds to TRU in a couple of days - maybe I'll try close to home tonight -

BTW - where did your TRU stock them - that store is jammed pretty tight.

Well, after 3 and a half years, late last night, I proposed to my girlfriend and she said yes. Now just comes the long road to a Halloween 2010 wedding for to people without steady jobs, lol I just wanted to share that with my brethren here as this place is a big part of my life.

AND SHE SAID YES!!!!!!

Congratulations to you both...

BTW - this happy news sounds like the set up for a great custom contest - minimate bride & groom caketoppers - I think the evening gown from the PX Spirit pack is a solid start

Huh...reading Cdubya's post post made me remember Series 2. Anyone else pre-order yet?? I made sure i did once i saw that Series 1 was going, just to be cautious. Hell, i made sure i got multiples in; i think like 5 Sharon/Centurion packs, 2 Chief packs, and one of the others. Might need a few Ellen/Simon's from the brick-n-mortar store for a doctor Simon and Season 4 Ellen (since i doubt she'll be made), but i'll definitely need a few more Centurions and Anders packs. I didn't realize that, when placing the order, Sharon and Sam didn't have the same chest print! I'm gonna need more male bodies now...

Also, is anyone pre-ordering the Mini-fliers so early?? I mean, i get the whole "these are gonna go fast in 3 months" but it is three months. Should we be ordering so soon?? I know i need like 3 Mk VIIs and maybe 7 Raiders (good guys don't always win ), and want to get them, but this seems a little soon. Still...

I live near two, not-so-huge TRU stores, and though one or the other has carried all the mates so far, I wasn't gonna take a chance that I'd miss out on those BSG wave & flier. There was no doubt about pre-ordering BSG for me... esp after Waves 5, 6 & new Caprica got yanked away, so I ordered both wave 1, 2 and the mini-viper. After GB 1 went off the online store, I pre-ordered GB 2 as well. I guess it comes down to a question of your confidence that your store will get them and that you won't have to compete with other collectors (doesn't seem to be an issue here) or those dirty goddam ebay scalpers.

What part of California are you in?

i live in california and i went to my local tru and they had everything from BSG to Marvel wave but somebody bought the last Bullseye/Moonstone pack!!!

so if any one needs any thing i will gladly pick it up for you

i live in redlands, CA near riverside or irvine

Lots of new DST stuff (Role Play Tricorder, Communicator & Phaser) at my TRU in the SF bay area - but no new mates...

As a child of the 70's, I was fortunate to have access to some cool Star Trek toys - including the Mego Star Trek Crew and the accompanying bridge set as well as some great role play toys.

DST has done a great job of resurrecting some of my favorite toys - but the ones I like most are the Trek Tek Phaser, Communicator and recently-released Medical & Science Tricorders.

All 3 props are full scale with accurate detail, light & sound.

Phaser includes the combination Phaser I/II unit with the removable palm phaser - both having light and sound which includes multiple settings. The combination unit also has an overload/explode setting and sound effect.

The communicator makes the distinctive chirps when the grill is opened, has a timed beep signal (can be set to make the hailing beeps after a delay, once the grill is closed) and most impressively is the spinning Moire. Voice recordings of Kirk, Scotty and the rest.

The newly released tricorders also feature lights, sound and spinning moire. The science tricorder uses Spock's voice and the Entertainment Earth Excl Medical Tricorder has McCoy's medical declarations. Each has a unique detachable scanner approriate to the type.

I was at TRU today and found all three in stock, in abundance.

These are great fun and I highly recommend them if you have an extra $100 or so (Phaser $30, Communicator: $30, Tricorder: $40-50)

Michael Jackson's substantially contributed to and defined popular music and revolutionized MTV & music videos with Thriller. He certainly left an indelible mark on the industry.

Regrettably, he was also his own worst enemy when it came to preserving and continuing that legacy... Unfortunately, the history of Michael Jackson will likely both reflect his great acheivements, as well as his erratic behavior and bizarre lifestyle of the last decade.

Along with titles like Thriller, Beat It, Billie Jean, Black Or White and A-B-C-1-2-3, which defined his early career, he will perpetually be associated with excessive cosmetic surgery, baby dangling, child-molestation accusations, cancelled tours, inability to socially relate to adults, pet chimpanzee and out of control spending & debt, which characterized his pulic life for the last decade.

Worse yet, even now, his attorney is blubbering on CNN and making the accusation that his death was caused by self medicating and mixing drugs from various sources a la Anna Nicole Whats-her-bucket.

What a waste.

Wow! those are so nice. I can't wait to get them.

EDIT: Wow, not much in the way of accessories like the regular waves. That is kinda a downer.

It's not as if the last BSG waves had a ton of accessories... the Roslin/Zarek set only had an arrow. Pilot sets have the same pistol/helmet combo that comes w/ Apollo. The D'Anna/Eight set had a crappy frame and pistol. Caprica Six & Baltar had that lousy concrete slab. About the only 2 figures that stand out as noteworthy (as fas as accessories go) is Tigh (flask, liquor bottle and spare card-play hand) and CAG Starbuck (with the pilot stein and cigar hand)

I like the Sarah Connor - the first thing I thought, when I saw it:

Where do I get a bottom torso w/ short-shorts, dual holsters and boots.... This has got the makings of a nice Lara Croft custom.