Seibertron.com Energon Pub Forums

KoH4711 wrote:And this is my personal rule... if I ever hear a kid in a store who is looking for something I have in my hands, I always give it up. This past Christmas, I snuck a Cybertron Soundwave to a mom after her son was upset they couldn't find it. She said it probably just made her son's Christmas, and that was worth more to me than having him on the shelf ever could be. (*end warm fuzzy moment*)

couldn't have said it better myself.

A story comes to mind: My Uncle was bringing my cousin to a Toys'R'Us way back in like 1990 when the first Batman came out looking for a Batmobile. My cousin, who must've been like 8 or so, runs ahead of my uncle to the action figure aisle. My uncle overhears a man's voice: "Sorry, kid, there's not enough for you," or something like that, then my uncle sees the guy walk around the corner, some 30 or 40 year old jackoff, with a Batmobile tucked under each arm. Dude, that's just chickensh*t.

So, yeah, I TOTALLY agree with you on that rule.

Anyways, I guess my advice would be to, if possible, have as many long distance contacts as possible. Brother stationed in North Carolina? Sister moved to California? Uncle in Ohio? Give'em a call if you're on a good basis with them. I don't even think an Alternators Rumble or Ravage even made their way to the Southeast Texas/Southwest Louisiana part of the country (trust me. I looked EVERYWHERE) but my cousin found a couple of each in Iowa for me. So, yeah, I'd say try not to focus in just your area. You never know where there might be a gross surplus of MP Screamer's just sitting there on clearance.

UPC's needed for: Animated leader Ultra Magnus
THx!


For those that are having a hard time finding Universe wave 3, here are the UPCs

Ironhide- 653569 325178
Sideswipe- 653569 325208
Silverstreak- 653569 325215

Deceptiwho? wrote:I personally like to drive to the "small town" wal-marts and what not to check for TF's lower population, usually , greater finds.... Also check wal mart late at night they usually have thier pallettes out and the employess are usually very good about helping u search them!! one more thing tell ur situation to the employee that u are talking to that usually makes them want to help u more!! Happy hunting!

QFT I have found many of my grails that way. And sence I work at a target lemmie give you guys a few tips

1) if you use the price scanner to check the back don't always trust it. The team members PDAs are updated more often than those. So just ask somebody with a gun to check.

2) Check in the morning for new tfs. Usually overnight team stocks tfs the dayside team which I'm on usually does'nt stock tfs during the day every once in a while we'll get some on a pull, but check in the morning.

Dunno if theres any Aussie collectors reading this, but I thought id throw this out there, seeing i work for Target in Sydney.

Best time to check for new TFs for us, is either wednesday or thursday mornings. We have a weekly sale on different items each week, starting on either the wednesday or the thursday, and the night before we always push as much stock out as possible.

Chances are, most of the time (and i know some of my fellow staff are like this) if they cant find what your looking for, or they dont know, theyll lie and just say, we're sold out. If one team member tells you this, and you have the time, perhaps as another who may be more helpful. because 9 times out of 10 there is stock either on a shelf somewhere, or sitting in the reserve waiting to be pulled.

If a member of staff cant hold or raincheck an item for you, dont get upset with them, its usually store policy, and theres nothing they can do about it.

Canopy shelves, you'll find at the end of the day when things need to be cleaned up, staff will put things anywhere and anywhere to get their cleaning done asap.

Stock for our stores comes in every few weeks, but when our deliveries come theres plenty of merchandise and may take a few days to get to the floor.

Be polite to the staff. The last thing we often want to deal with is some rude prick who cant use basic manners. Being polite gets you a long way with staff.

Wait for the big toy sales. I know here in AUS we have a massive toy sale in july, where a lot of people will get in to lay by stuff for christmas.
Get in early, research when a sale starts and dont leave it more than a day or two after the start of sale to get in and get your products.

As I've said, a lot of this may only occur to Australian collectors and stores, but i thought it was worth a post =]

Make sure to check the clearance aisles in stores too-sometimes it can be a goldmine. I've found Mighty Muggs, Target-exclusive scouts, TRU reissues, and even Classics/Universe figures by checking around.

Call me old fashioned, but I actually enjoy going through all the bots on the shelves. The fun is in the hunt.

Anyone have the DCPI for Target Bruticus Maximus?

Thanks Dkaris, those are some good tips espically the one about stock being put out on wed/thurs. The target toy sale coming up is a good time to get stuff because with these high prices you need to save money. ($50 for a voyager? Come on!)

Scout around before you buy! Sometimes you should know whats popular and unpopular at certain stores.

Does anyone have the numbers for TRU exclusive Cybertron Mode Ratchet and Arcee yet?

Talked with a TRU associate today. They've over stocked Freeway Jazz and Soundwave for 5 to 6 each and he told me they are not ordering anything new of the animated line if they cannot get rid of at least half of the current animated line figures. Guess just keep waiting.

AAA discounts

use your AAA membership to receive discounts on online puchases through AAA.com

KMart.com 5% off

Kohls.com 15% discount on purchases of $100 or more (including sale items)

Target.com 10% off

follow link if you are member and enjoy savings
http://www.aaa.com

I picked up Animated Rodimus Minor and Ironhide today - don't know how it is with the other TRU stores, but mine had them mixed in with the Generations and HFTD deluxes, not on the Animated endcap.

Vapes wrote:Call me old fashioned, but I actually enjoy going through all the bots on the shelves. The fun is in the hunt.

I agree, after all, that IS how I found generations drift! (Topleftmost shelf at the VEEEEERRRRRY back.)

I think that HasbroToyShop updates there site for new transformers around the begining of each month. They added RTS a few days back and Axor was at the begining of last month, along with other new HFTD.

I have many great Transformer auctions going on right now, including, Botcon redux and more to come!

Huge lot of 27 ROTF figures:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... :MESELX:IT

Botcon Redux 2 box set:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... :MESELX:IT

Botcon Giveaway Slicer:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... :MESELX:IT

SDCC Soundwave:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... :MESELX:IT

Mighty Mugg lot with Comic-con Prowl:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... :MESELX:IT

Target Excluse Bruticus Maximus:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... :MESELX:IT

My advice would to do or have the following.

Work at, or know someone who works at a large retail chain store. This will help in finding those hard to get items before they come out.

Ask an employee to check current stock on hand in the back to see if there are any items you wish to purchase. Speaking to a store manager and advising him that you would like to make a large purchase of specific item will usually get their attention and cooperation.

Be there early and late. Some retailers will put out stock early in the morning but in some cases will pull out pallets of items the night before just before closing hours. You can check pallets if the employees dont mind, but keep in mind to clean up after yourself and dont leave items strewn about or in a jumble or you may not be welcome to look through those pallets again at a later date.

Keep in mind as well, those employees are people to. Dont demand anything from them, simple ask them if they arent busy at the moment to aid you in your search.

Above all else. Dont get discouraged if you dont find the items you are looking for. Time will eventually be on your side and it never hurts to wait a few extra days to get that special item.

DOTM Target DCPI numbers posted here: http://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/target-dark-of-the-moon-dpci-list/21647/. Thanks to Deceptigar for the info.

087-06-0794 Walkie Talkie Transformers 3 $14.99
087-06-1059 Transformers MV3 Ark Set $24.99
087-06-1530 Robo Power Battle Mask $9.99
087-06-1531 Mech Tech Optimus Prime $79.99
087-06-1559 Star Wars Transformers Class I $39.99
087-06-1630 Transformers Optimus Prime Helmet $29.99
087-06-2287 Transformers MV3 Activators $8.99
087-06-2288 Transformers MV3 Go Bots $9.99
087-06-2289 Transformers MV3 Revving Robot $19.99
087-06-2290 Transformers MV3 Megaverse Basic $4.99
087-06-2291 Transformers MV3 Megaverse Pl $7.99
087-06-2292 Transformers MV3 Cybertech Voyager $19.99
087-06-2293 Transformers MV3 Cybertech Deluxe $11.99
087-06-2294 Transformers MV3 Cybertech Leader $44.99
087-06-2309 Transformers MV3 Robo Fighters $9.99
087-06-2310 Transformers MV3 Bashbots Set $14.99
087-06-2311 Transformers MV3 Cyberverse Ac $14.99
087-06-2312 Transformers MV3 Human Alliance $29.99
087-06-2313 Transformers MV3 Basic Human Alliance $9.99
087-06-2314 Transformers MV3 Energon Shock $14.99
087-06-2321 Star Wars Transformers Class I $7.99

I go to targets, walmarts and a tru in really bad neighborhoods in Oakland and Richmond California. Most of the stock is on the floor or mixed up and don't expect any help, but not many people shop there for tf figures so I always find what I'm looking for.

Go to Garage sales.

I see older people selling boxes of their grown childrens old toys for next to nothing all the time. I got a whole box full of G1's (and other 80's toys) for free. I even told the guy that they were worth money and he just said (Oh, well take'em! I was just gonna throw them all out haha...). I wish I'd had a bigger backseet.

I also just got a red Takara G1 Bumblee (see post) for a buck at the Goodwill.

I don't pay full price for NOTHIN.

RustyRobotOil wrote:Go to Garage sales.

I see older people selling boxes of their grown childrens old toys for next to nothing all the time. I got a whole box full of G1's (and other 80's toys) for free. I even told the guy that they were worth money and he just said (Oh, well take'em! I was just gonna throw them all out haha...). I wish I'd had a bigger backseet.

I also just got a red Takara G1 Bumblee (see post) for a buck at the Goodwill.

I don't pay full price for NOTHIN.

This is great advice, especially your last sentence.

Out of curiosity, what area do you live near? I've never had luck doing garage sales. Do you have any advice on types of areas to hit? Long established neighborhoods? Do you often get lucky or do you go to a few dozen garage sales before finding something of interest?

Seibertron wrote:
This is great advice, especially your last sentence.

Out of curiosity, what area do you live near? I've never had luck doing garage sales. Do you have any advice on types of areas to hit? Long established neighborhoods? Do you often get lucky or do you go to a few dozen garage sales before finding something of interest?

I live in the North West (US) and yes, it can be many, many sales before you find anything good. I've found the best places to usually be upscale neighborhoods with older residence. They spoiled their kids, they have storage space, they take good care of stuff, and they're usually too old to realize how collectable some of these old toys are. I never try to take advantage of people (like I said, I told an old guy that they were worth money before I let him give me a box of freebee’s, INCLUDING a complete Go-lion/Voltron) but if they’re selling, I’m buying!

Second hand stores like the Goodwill can be great places to look. They clear out whole estates and donation boxes without anyone having ever sorted through what was inside. I’ll find G1’s in various states of repair fairly regularly. They’re usually rough but they add up.

Unfortunatly in the UK your better off going via EBay

I'll usually look for bulk lots on ebay( 20-50 Transformers), and drop £50-£100 on them for the 1-5 figures i want, then resell the rest.

It may be because i'm picky about the ones i want, but i only ever keep complete ones (ie all parts/accessories etc), and ones that i like (in the hope of making them complete if they are not already)

With the rest being resold on ebay as individual lots, it doesn't make alot of profit, if any at all, but does mean that i get to collect the ones i want, for quite cheap, yes non of them (or very few) will still be packaged, but its a far more cost effective (maybe not time effective) way of collecting, and i quite like the thrill fo the auction as well.


If your lucky enough to find good carboot/garage sales in the UK you might be in luck, but otherwise places like ebay are your best bet.


just my 2 pence

in addition to garage sales flea markets are great too. I got a powermaster prime for $5, a optimal optimus for $3, and an alternators sideswipe for $1!

There are some great tips here, especially for a n00b like me! (I only recently realized that now that I'm an adult, I can buy my own toys!)

I see a lot of clothing stores mentioned though, and honestly, I'm a bit skeptical. What's everyone's opinion on stores like Kohls, TJ Maxx, Marshalls, and Big Lots? I've found next to nothing at all but Kohls, which I never even thought to try. I will say that I recently had a surprising amount of success at Ross, so that will definitely be a store I check frequently. Are these stores to check only because they get such a random collection of stuff?