Lobsterman Posted January 23, 2014 Share Posted January 23, 2014 (edited) Called one of my TRUs and was told the item number was discontinued, and they wouldn't be stocking anymore. So watch out, this may be a situation like wave 16, where not every store is getting them.Just a guess, but maybe TRU realized what happened with the shared item number and is in the process of "fixing the glitch"? Could explain why we aren't hearing more reports of people finding them in stores? Or, maybe 17 and 18 got purchased as a block and assigned an item number last year – going back to my theory of "refresh assortments." With as much toy volume in general as TRU deals with – and also observing the case pack out patterns of larger toy companies – i can't imagine the inventory folks messing about in the details of whether there are enough "new" versus "old" individual items on the shelf at any given time for a boutique brand like Minimates. The fact that they will to this day put out like half an aisle's worth of Iron Man 2 product tells me they regard toys as an interchangeable commodity and are going for volume, nothing more. I know we see Minimates as the most important item TRU ever has and ever will distribute, and the proper mix of new characters over the course of a year is a critical business decision, but to them, it's all "Marvel Minimates Assortment," and they go out on the shelf, yes, wherever the manager wants to fit them. We're talking about the Wal-mart of toys here, not a local comic shop where every item on the shelf is curated by the loving store owner. Edited January 23, 2014 by Lobsterman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lokash Posted January 23, 2014 Share Posted January 23, 2014 force2099, I snagged them from the Bloomingdale store on Army Trail Rd, but grabbed all the Ultron Drones. Everyone else, I have not had the time or money to go back for others, otherwise I would have. One of those I can help with the other not so much.Let me know when you get time and I'll get you the money Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nebraska Posted January 23, 2014 Share Posted January 23, 2014 Anyone seeing the Thing/Silver Surfer & Heralds sets? I need to replace my bum sets. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nessex Posted January 23, 2014 Share Posted January 23, 2014 We're talking about the Wal-mart of toys here, not a local comic shop where every item on the shelf is curated by the loving store owner. ^THIS^ It's sad, but it's true. I think we sometimes we let the name "Toys'r'Us" fool us into thinking this is a 'toy store' rather than a department store where every department happens to be toys. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
force2099 Posted January 23, 2014 Share Posted January 23, 2014 force2099, I snagged them from the Bloomingdale store on Army Trail Rd, but grabbed all the Ultron Drones. Everyone else, I have not had the time or money to go back for others, otherwise I would have. Thanks.... I will check the other two by me tonight Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turtle Posted January 24, 2014 Share Posted January 24, 2014 Anyone seeing the Thing/Silver Surfer & Heralds sets? I need to replace my bum sets. Wish I had seen this yesterday. A local TRU had one Thing/Surfer (but no 18). If I can make it back out there, I'll grab it for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mnemosis Posted January 24, 2014 Share Posted January 24, 2014 (edited) We're talking about the Wal-mart of toys here, not a local comic shop where every item on the shelf is curated by the loving store owner. ^THIS^It's sad, but it's true. I think we sometimes we let the name "Toys'r'Us" fool us into thinking this is a 'toy store' rather than a department store where every department happens to be toys. Yes and no. On the one hand, it's corporate that sets planograms that dictate where merch is supposed to be worked out, not anyone at a store level.That being said, a good manager let's a passionate department head make logical decisions, like marketing the Super hero mates with the super heroes and the others in the "collector" aisle. Trust me, when anyone even remotely likely to pick up Mnimates comes into my store asking for help, they get the nickel tour of every available line and offering DST has seen fit to mini-ize Edited January 24, 2014 by Mnemosis Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CortherX Posted January 24, 2014 Share Posted January 24, 2014 i updated my wants/haves list for wave 18... holler if you wants ta do any trading! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcastick Posted January 24, 2014 Share Posted January 24, 2014 I noticed wave 18 hasn't made it to the website. Is this possibly on purpose and they are keeping all the stock for in stores? Really hope so.......really like to get the Absorbing Man/Thor pack. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zak Katz Posted January 24, 2014 Author Share Posted January 24, 2014 They're always in stores for awhile before they go up online Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zak Katz Posted January 24, 2014 Author Share Posted January 24, 2014 Just got Thor and Absorbing Man, solid set, alternate looks for both, and weapons with one hero and one villain, this would be the perfect first set of minimates for someone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buttheadsmate Posted January 24, 2014 Share Posted January 24, 2014 Just got Thor and Absorbing Man, solid set, alternate looks for both, and weapons with one hero and one villain, this would be the perfect first set of minimates for someone. .....or last -gloomheadsmate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valo487 Posted January 24, 2014 Share Posted January 24, 2014 So are you recommending you buy this set for someone, then kill them? That seems harsh. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DSTZach Posted January 24, 2014 Share Posted January 24, 2014 Yeah, not cool, bhm. Nebraska, what's bum about your sets, are you missing parts or something? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zexion_Armando Posted January 24, 2014 Share Posted January 24, 2014 Nothing today either (Had to crowbar my door open today since the frost froze it shut... was not fun) I wonder what the lady at customer service thinks of me. I see her there nearly everytime I visit, and I go there at least once a week. If a new wave has been spotted, sometimes every day till I find it. lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MiniFiend UK Posted January 24, 2014 Share Posted January 24, 2014 Just got Thor and Absorbing Man, solid set, alternate looks for both, and weapons with one hero and one villain, this would be the perfect first set of minimates for someone. .....or last -gloomheadsmate I have to agree why so down? You have a very strong impression and voice to alot of ppl be them board members or just even casual browsers and fans. So just saying the "last" kinda can put the impression that this figures suck. I think and this is just me that the "last" comment was aimed more at the way TRU and minimates are with the clearence and whatever is happening right now not that this set is so crap no one will buy another. I havent got these in hand yet so really cant say much more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CortherX Posted January 24, 2014 Share Posted January 24, 2014 i used to work in a mall that had a TRU in the same parking lot. i remember when wave 8 was out, i was there every day until i spotted it. people probably thought i was cray. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gambitron Posted January 24, 2014 Share Posted January 24, 2014 My tru had the Absorbing Man/Thor set ( the one I wanted) and the Falcon/Winter Soldier set but the other two packs were already gone. What made it even better was that when it rang in it rang in at 3.98$!!!!! Love the Absorbing Man. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buttheadsmate Posted January 24, 2014 Share Posted January 24, 2014 Just got Thor and Absorbing Man, solid set, alternate looks for both, and weapons with one hero and one villain, this would be the perfect first set of minimates for someone. .....or last -gloomheadsmate I have to agree why so down? You have a very strong impression and voice to alot of ppl be them board members or just even casual browsers and fans. So just saying the "last" kinda can put the impression that this figures suck. I think and this is just me that the "last" comment was aimed more at the way TRU and minimates are with the clearence and whatever is happening right now not that this set is so crap no one will buy another. I havent got these in hand yet so really cant say much more. Anybody who bothers to read what I write must ...they really must..... know that I am absolutely stoked up about this wave even if it were only for my two most wanted grails - Winter Soldier & Falcon . 'Even if ....' would be way short of the mark . I take it on the chin if my compatriot 'Fiend may have misconstrued what I meant or how it was read ......'Fiend's latter comments about my feelings for the current TRU situation is spot on . ...& as regards being 'cool' ? I am being cool.... I am being very cool ......... ....down in my cellar feeling like a mushroom being fed bullshit . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Vox Posted January 24, 2014 Share Posted January 24, 2014 Love Falcon. Love Absorbing Man. With Falcon, my core Avengers group feels complete. Thanks TRU and DST! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VulcansFury Posted January 24, 2014 Share Posted January 24, 2014 (edited) BHM, I agree with a lot of what you say. I get that you feel TRU is on the verge of parting ways with minimates. I have to disagree with you if that's the case. I just don't think TRU is going to throw the baby out with the bath water at this point. I feel that what's going on now is just the colonic before the next meal. But I don't think TRU is the best parent to said baby Not that I'm advocating a change of parents, just some parenting classes to know how to raise that baby better! Edited January 24, 2014 by VulcansFury Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buttheadsmate Posted January 24, 2014 Share Posted January 24, 2014 What I feel is 'in the dark' . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zak Katz Posted January 24, 2014 Author Share Posted January 24, 2014 It would be nice to see a pic of 19... or to hear what it is Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VulcansFury Posted January 24, 2014 Share Posted January 24, 2014 We're all a bit in the dark, especially since TRU changes their mind. I'm not thrilled that TRU pulled the rug out from under DST's planned Thor 2 TRU wave. So even with what Zach knows, doesn't mean TRU won't change their plans. My view from the trenches is that the clearance sale is going very well, and TRU shouldn't have to eat a loss on minimates. Calico Jack and Battle Beasts sold well, yet TRU got out of those games while they were ahead. That would be my only concern now. If TRU takes a break from Marvel mates, I just don't think it would be for long. If wave 19 doesn't get picked up by TRU, I guess they could fold the figures back into the main line at some point, unlike a limited license like Thor 2. I just don't know what else they would fill the shelf space with, TRU has a lot of junk that just pegwarms, like those Iron Man light bracelets they couldn't give away last year. Zach's pretty much told us not to give up hope yet, so I'm just biding my time til Toy Fair. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zak Katz Posted January 24, 2014 Author Share Posted January 24, 2014 (edited) Wave 17 was shown and came out soon after, I'm hoping for the same turn around with 19 Edited January 25, 2014 by Zak Katz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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