[elbe]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trivial Psychic

Delivery schedules will be different for every store, as each one has their own delivery schedules, and since most of them will arrive by truck, are subject to delays due to inclimate weather, accidents, and staffing shortages.

Truthfully, when it comes to finding toys in the wild...I cannot stress this enough, it almost always comes down to two things, being polite and courteous when asking an employee, and being both patient and persistent in your hunting routine. While most employees at retailers aren't extremely learned in action figures and toys, many will help whenever possible provided you are polite and aren't a jerk. Snickering at them when they tell you "there's nothing in the back" is not going to win you any favors (and truthfully, when they do tell you that...9 times out of ten, it will be true, as NO retailer likes to keep extra stock on hand.) and it might leave a bad impression on them when you ask them for help the next time you are on your rounds.

Some stores have tools that can help (such as DCPI codes that can research online for or item finders that will help you locate stores) but more often than not, these tools are often not reliable, and it will ultimately require effort and boots on the ground to find what you're looking for.

If you choose to go from store to store in search of what your looking for, being persistent is very important, and remember to think outside the box a bit when picking stores to check out. For example, you might have better luck hunting Marvel Legends at a Target smack dab in the middle of a retirement community, than you will at your local one in the middle of town or at a shopping mall, as the interest in that community will more than likely not be on action figures.

Most importantly, do your best to not be discouraged if you cannot find what you're looking for. Don't always chalk everything up to the scalper "boogeymen" that people tend to blame here. For every scalper out there, there's honestly another person just like you who loves Transformers, Marvel Legends, Power Rangers, and what not, as well as their children. And if you run into someone with a pile of figures in their hands, don't immediately assume they are out to bilk the collecting community. I've bought entire cases of figures in single trips, and while you might mistake me for the "scalper", I actually open up and play with 90 percent of what I buy. Instead, nod at your competition, and say to yourself "better luck next time." The moment where you start to seethe and curse the world because you simply could not find a Deadpool, it's more than likely that you are no longer having fun doing it, and might want to try another hobby. We're all in this because we enjoy kick ass toys after all!

Finally, don't be afraid to check out online retailers. BBTS, Dorkside Toys, Amazon, and even Ebay will often have what you're looking for, and with free shipping no less, saving you the labor and gas of driving from place to place, and you might even score a good deal in the process. There are a lot of great sponsors here on Toyark, don't be afraid to check them out.

Thanks so much! This was incredible helpful and informative! I try to be persistent and look out for these things, but it can be incredibly difficult.

For instance, I remember when Hasbro released the X-men wave.... (Wolverine - mask off, Magneto, Storm, etc for the Jubliee BAF) and I thought, okay let me be persistent and look out for it at Toys R Us... but I could NEVER find them! lol

In the end... I had to buy Storm from Ebay where people were selling her for more than $100! Ridiculous! lol. Aw well... being a collector sucks sometimes.