[Crazy Jetty]

We're all used to it. Every christmas, there is that one toy or toyline that is just impossible to get because it is so ultra popular.
I would like to know which one it is this year, but I think the only way we can really figure that out is by putting our heads together from all across the country. Because what may sell out in one area can still clog shelves elsewhere. What may seem like a complete blowout may not be elsewhere.

This year, my prediction is the toyline to beat being TMNT.
I live east of Dallas. Went out late last week (Friday) to TRU, Target, and Walmart, and their TMNT sections were all fine.
Went back yesterday (Tuesday), and TRU was so blown out, it looks like they took the display down. The only reason I knew it wasn't, is because there was one opened shellraiser left (That had been there for weeks), and two roleplay weapon sets. Everything else... all the normal, classics, talking,a nd storage shell figures were gone. All the vehicles were gone. All the sewer sets were gone.
Walmart wasn't much different. Maybe two vehicles and three figures left.

Talked to a friend who lives in galveston, and he said it's identical at the stores down there.

However, no other boy's toyline seems to really be moving noticably.

So, anyone else have this experience, or simular with other toylines?

[Shin Densetsu]

Agree TMNT, constant sellout here.

[Optimus Vader]

It's definitely Turtle Time this year.

Kudos to Playmates and Nickelodeon for handling this line so well. Also to TRU who was the only store to step up and take on the Sewer Lair playset.. now they're reaping the benefits big time.

[trebleshot]

Yeah, TMNT seems to move pretty steadily around me as well. Which is great for picking up the newer figures while not having to wade through a ton of shelf-warmers. I only wish the TF Prime line would move through the Bumblebee backlog as quickly as TMNT move through their Turtle tonnage. Although, the FE figures and the GDO stuff does seem to be moving pretty well. OTOH, those are basically store-only exclusives so it's hardly a fair comparison.

Other than that, most other toy lines are trickling in new product here and there, but it's like watching molasses drip out of a tap, like a Chinese water torture.

[tlasjr]

Id say skylanders. I don't colkect them but I note 9 year olds waiting out front with me for tru to open

[redx24]

im guessing ninja turtles. possible power rangers. i know rangers are getting shoplifted in a local walmart where i live. i see empty boxes all the time. im waiting to see if the can pull off a complete megazord.

[Optimus Vader]

Quote:

Originally Posted by tlasjr

Id say skylanders. I don't colkect them but I note 9 year olds waiting out front with me for tru to open

I didn't think of these, but you're right,... kids are currently losing their minds over these.

[11figurehunter]

everything TMNT in richmond VA is plentiful and stocked even the new figures fishface dogpound and metal head

[Snowflakian]

Skylanders, Halo 4 Mega bloks, Skylander mega bloks, Marvel will be a strong line this year because of this being the first avengers christmas. Transformers will have a mild presence, and GI Joe could too. TMNT should have a pretty steady pace too.

Overall though, I'm expecting skylanders to be heavy this year in all their forms as well as Halo mega bloks sets that seem to be hitting fast at walmarts now while online retailers have sold out already. Skylanders Megabloks will be a pretty big thing too since they are articulated Skylanders.

That's about where I'd hedge my bets for this year. My shopping list for cousins and their kids seems to reflect it too. Most of it is skylanders this year.

[thetoybox1138]

I can't disagree more with you over TMNT being the hot item of the year. I'm someone who is personally sitting on three cases of figures, two cases of vehicles, once case of playsets, and several Classic rendition figures and Exclusive Night Shadow Leo's. I (and many others) can tell you without a doubt that this line may be selling out (occassionally) in stores, but that's as far as it's going. Sellers like myself are having an increasingly difficult times selling these online.

So as far as being the "hot" item of the holiday, no way. If that were the case, people selling online would be making fists full of cash because people would be climbing over each other to get them - Much like they were for Tickle Me Elmo.

Skylanders on the other hand...Yeah, those are huge.

[solo0525]

Turtles all the way .. I havent seen the turtles playset now for at least a month

[ersico]

TMNT
skylander
SLUG zombies (christmas set)
new trannys (transformers)
furby

[Crazy Jetty]

Quote:

Originally Posted by thetoybox1138

I can't disagree more with you over TMNT being the hot item of the year. I'm someone who is personally sitting on three cases of figures, two cases of vehicles, once case of playsets, and several Classic rendition figures and Exclusive Night Shadow Leo's. I (and many others) can tell you without a doubt that this line may be selling out (occassionally) in stores, but that's as far as it's going. Sellers like myself are having an increasingly difficult times selling these online.

So as far as being the "hot" item of the holiday, no way. If that were the case, people selling online would be making fists full of cash because people would be climbing over each other to get them - Much like they were for Tickle Me Elmo.

Skylanders on the other hand...Yeah, those are huge.

Unless I'm mistaken, and you have a real toystore, I'm assuming you own a small webstore.
I'd have to say that you wouldn't get much traffic from small kids and parents then, and you're approaching this from an adult collector's mindset/angle, yes?
That's my guess. I could definately see Walmart and TRU selling out repeatedly while you have trouble getting rid of your stock.

On topic:
So the tally seems to be pretty much TMNT and Skylanders being the hot items for this year.
At least from this small group of contributers.

[trebleshot]

Quote:

Originally Posted by thetoybox1138

I can't disagree more with you over TMNT being the hot item of the year. I'm someone who is personally sitting on three cases of figures, two cases of vehicles, once case of playsets, and several Classic rendition figures and Exclusive Night Shadow Leo's. I (and many others) can tell you without a doubt that this line may be selling out (occassionally) in stores, but that's as far as it's going. Sellers like myself are having an increasingly difficult times selling these online.

So as far as being the "hot" item of the holiday, no way. If that were the case, people selling online would be making fists full of cash because people would be climbing over each other to get them - Much like they were for Tickle Me Elmo.

Skylanders on the other hand...Yeah, those are huge.

I think Crazy Jetty hit the nail on the head as far as e-retailers are concerned. TMNT is selling so well at the BnM end that there's little to no demand to hunt for it online. Everyone seems to be able to easily find what they want/need locally.

While my own personal experience is not necessarily an indication of the nation as a whole, I can say that every Walmart, Target, TRU and local chain store near me is moving product on a regular basis and I've had absolutely no problem getting everything I've wanted from that line.

About the only thing that seems to be scarce at regular retail is the Classic figures. But their appeal lies with older collectors and fans, more so than the kids watching the current series.

As for Skylanders, I have to agree they are the other hot item right now. Even my daughter wants some and we don't even have the game or console on which to play it.

[behindthemask]

Quote:

Originally Posted by thetoybox1138

I can't disagree more with you over TMNT being the hot item of the year. I'm someone who is personally sitting on three cases of figures, two cases of vehicles, once case of playsets, and several Classic rendition figures and Exclusive Night Shadow Leo's. I (and many others) can tell you without a doubt that this line may be selling out (occassionally) in stores, but that's as far as it's going. Sellers like myself are having an increasingly difficult times selling these online.

So as far as being the "hot" item of the holiday, no way. If that were the case, people selling online would be making fists full of cash because people would be climbing over each other to get them - Much like they were for Tickle Me Elmo.

Skylanders on the other hand...Yeah, those are huge.

Aside from the Collector series Classic line, all the other figures are pushing towards kids, and although these are selling a lot in stores, they're not selling out as retails are smart and reordering case after case. Because the restock levels are coming in, there isn't any real demand for online purchases. Especially when it comes to the vehicles and giant playset as the shipping costs make the overall price far above what they're worth and make them less desireable. Some figures are harder to find then others, such as April and Krang, at least for myself. I got the 4 turtles, splinter, and got 2 metalheads, shredder and april today.