Frank's Blog

Revenge of the Sith Collection Complete!

2006-06-30T18:50:00.000-07:00

I spent most of June weeding out extras, doubles, items that weren't neccessary to the collection that follows the last Star Wars movie. My blog has gone from a Revenge of the Sith Collecting Blog to a Star Wars collecting Blog.

At the end of 2005 a new line of Star Wars toys was released, and is refered to as The Saga Collection. My Blog has slowly started to become a journal for this line. Even though I decided to collect this Star Wars line of action figures, I will leave them stored in boxes when I finish in the coming months, and I won't report on them.

The future of my Star Wars Blog is uncertain. I will post pictures of my completed collection soon.

Weeding out my collection.

2006-05-08T11:09:00.000-07:00

The past couple weeks I've been selling off extras from my ROTS collection. Specifically, selling doubles of things and what I don't think belongs in the collection. Though I have also been adding a few items to it. I turned to eBay to obtain, of all things, the original movie poster.

New Target Exclusives!

2006-04-12T22:32:00.000-07:00

I found a couple new store exclusives for my continuing, growing collection of Star Wars items. One item was a Target Exclusive the Demise of General Grievous figure, another was a Target Exclusive battle pack titled the Skirmish at the Senate. The week before I picked up at an out of town Target 5 Vintage Saga figures that are in part a promotion where you send away your proof of purchase to receive an Exlusive George Lucas Stormtroope figure. I haven't mailed away anything yet, and am deciding if I want to keep the figures or not.

Latest editions, 2 more to go!

2006-04-11T22:20:00.000-07:00

After the latest items I acquired off eBay, my collection is merely 2 pieces away from reaching the end. The latest items are the ARC-170 Starfighter and the Anakin #2 packaging variation.

Vintage Saga figures for mail-in promotion!

2006-04-05T22:45:00.000-07:00

Today I found the 5 vintage Saga figures that are tied into a promotion where you mail away your proof of purchase to get an exclusive George Lucas stormtrooper figure. I paid a steep $11.99 for each, and had to buy 2 of each, due to the fact that if I wanted to save one of each sealed for my collection I would need to because in order to get the special mail-in figure you have to open each of the 5 figures and remove a certificate found within it. Geeez. I'm debating if I'm going all-in on this promotion of not.

Buying on-line.

2006-03-31T19:55:00.000-08:00

About a week ago I picked up the Wookie Flyer vehicle on eBay at a really good price. With shipping included I paid slightly more than what I would have if I would had bought it for regular retail. I also found the Obi-Wan w/Boga creature vehicle set on eBay for the regular retail price, plus shipping. This particular vehicle usually sells for an inflated price on eBay, but I found a nice lady who'd been selling them for regular price, and with the Buy It Now option. I then bought the Obi-Wan Toys R Us starfighter from a on-line retailer. As like the other two items, this exclusive starship is also no longer available through regular retail. Additionally, I bought the last 3 unleashed figures that I needed for my collection. These figure I don't keep in the card, because of the way the cards are shipped they were typically bent and not worth keeping for display.

Toy Show Findings!

2006-03-25T19:26:00.000-08:00

Today I attended a toy show in anticipation that'd pick up a couple loose ends to complete my ROTS collection. Specifically I was looking for:

Obi-Wan Boga vehicle
AT-RT vehicle
Arc-170 starship
Deluxe figures
Anakin, Obi-Wan and Grievous unleashed figures

To prepare for this show I'd been collecting a variety of SW stuff that I'd picked up at bargain prices over the last couple months. Before the show I stopped by my local Target store and found that the latest wave 4 figures had been put out. I selected the hard to find one's and was off to the show. I'd been communicating with an out of town collector in regards to trading merchandise with him at the show, or before, so I was anticipating certain success. He told me he had both Obi-Wan w/Boga and the Arc-170.

Upon arriving at the show I met my good friend who is a local collector. We had planned to meet up. He explained to me what he had seen at the show and suggested where to look for what I needed. When I met up with the other collector that I had been talking to about trading for the Arc and Obi-Wan w/Boga, I was dissapointed to find out that he didn't have either. Still, I managed to find a few things. The following is a list:

At-Rt vehcile with figure
Wookie Flyer with figure
4 x missig deluxe figures to complete my deluxe figure collection!
Grievous 12" figure with 2 other 12" figures
Juggernaut Marvel figure
Hulk Marvel figure
Target exclusive Clone Trooper
StarWars.com exclusive Clone Trooper
AOTC younglings 2 x two-pack

When all was said in done I accomplished much of what I wanted, but not everything. I did trade away a lot of things I had got a big discount prices, and came away with things I needed and wanted.

UGH Ultimate Galactic Hunt figs found!

2006-03-24T23:52:00.000-08:00

Tonight, right before closing, at an out of town Wal-Mart, I managed to get 3 ultimate galactic hunt figures. Hasbro has rereleased ten 2006 Saga figures with special packaging, with are refered to as UGH. Tonight I also bought some extras of the latest wave 4 to take with me to a toy show tomorrow for trades.

UGH basic figure list

02 Solo
06 Boba Fett
09 AT-AT
11 Snowtrooper
13 Vader
21 Scorch
24 Cody
25 Anakin
28 Obi-Wan
30 Grievous

The 3 figures I found were Anakin, Obi-Wan and Grievous.

Nice hull!

2006-03-13T14:53:00.000-08:00

Two of the most sought after and most difficult figures to find are Scorch and the orange Utapau Clone Trooper. After doing a mini run looking for wave 4 figures for a friend, I arrived at an out of town Target that had just put out a case of Scorch and Utapau Clones. The case contained 6 of each for a total of 12 figures. I broke down and bought them all, thinking this is well enough for what I need to use as trade bait at a toy show later this month. I also found the Chewbacca small chain variant figure, as well as a Darth Vader talking bank that was on clearance for only $6!

Coruscant Wave 4 found!

2006-03-12T17:56:00.000-08:00

Good nuff 4 ya!?
I picked up wave 4 in the Saga line at the local Target this morning. This is a pretty cool wave as Commander Cody makes his first appearance as do a couple other characters. This wave is supposed to contain 2 special foil-back carded vintage figures per case, and if you collect I believe 5 foils from these figures and send them to Hasbro they'll give you a special George Lucas Stormtrooper figure. I didn't see any of these special foil-back figures this morning.

Limited Edition Vintage Finish!

2006-03-08T17:52:00.000-08:00

Picked up the Vader and Boba Fett titanium figure variants. Both have stickers that say Limited Edition Vintage Finish. These two will compliment the painted versions of the titanium figures I just bought a couple days back.

The last 24 hours - Dissapointment, discovery, surprise, and fighting!

2006-03-05T17:59:00.000-08:00

Ok, so it was 24 hours that spanned over 2 days, but who's really counting, or for that matter, reading these Blog entries anyway?

Yesterday evening I found the 1st-release of the Titanium 3.75" figures at the out of town 24-hr Wal*Mart. One Darth Vader and the other Boba Fett. Both are metal figures with removable accessories! I think these titanium figures look much nicer than the standard plastic figures that have been made over the last 28 years. I was first to arrive on the scene, actually getting there some 45 minutes before the staff brought the pallets with toys out. I spent the extra time eating dinner and shopping for household items. Now pay attention people, a 1st-release of something should bring the $$$ to mind and the sound of ching to your ears. I will probably just sit on these 2 figures and then see how much they become worth 20 years down the road.

This morning I found a few Vader 500th special edition figures on clearance at another out of town W*lly, but not before seeing an out of control hardcore Star Wars collector being kicked out of a Toys R Us store for pushing, shoving, and trying to pick a fight with a Hot Wheels collector! Don't know if I need to say anything more than - c'mon guys, this is supposed to be a fun hobby! Each of the Vader 500th figures are a bit beat up, so I plan to open one to display and I'm sure whoever gets one from me will open theirs as well, so the condition of the package isn't important. I paid only $3 for each. The regular price is $16. Sorry to dissapoint, I don't have any pictures of the fight between the Star Wars and Hot Wheels collectors.

This afternoon my buddy Les came through and found me 2 deluxe figures that are missing from my collection. Both figures are in pretty good shape and I'm happy to add them to my collection.

What will this evening bring??
Does god eat turkey??

The Force continues to flow through me!

2006-03-01T17:28:00.000-08:00

I know that reads funny, but I think you know what I mean.
I Found some great deals at the local Target this morning! Apparently while resetting a couple isles for the patio furniture display, the staff discovered some last-year Star Wars toys that were stashed by the local collectors and or store staff. I am assuming this is what happened. Regardless, I benefitted from another's greed and dishonesty - and it felt good!

Arriving at the isle with the Star Wars toys I quickly spotted 3 Clone Evolution packs, 1 each Obi-Wan and Anakin lava reflection exclusive figures, and 1 Yoda basic figure. Now I have each of these items alreay, but what makes this a great find is that I bought all of them for under $25, and can now use them to trade for items I need to finish my collection! Normally prices for these items are:

Clone Evolution pack $19.99
Yoda Basic figure $5.99
Anakin and or Obi-Wan lava reflection exclusive $12.99

That is a $94.91 total, and with 8% sales tax = $102.50!

What was also good about this find was that the card of the Yoda basic figure was in better condition that the one in my collection. Finding it allowed me to upgrade! UPGRADE - YEAH! Now I'm just acting silly :-)

And even more Titanium!

2006-02-27T18:24:00.000-08:00

Today at the local Target I found the latest titanium ships. The ships were Obi-Wan's Jedi Starfighter, the Trade Federation AAT, the Sith Infiltrator and the Slave 1. Included in the latest wave is the first of special ships. From what I gather it's an all-metal forged Slave 1 ship (furthest right). See the picture!

My ROTS collection to date - kinda...

2006-02-22T20:16:00.000-08:00

Revenge of the Sith basic figure collection.
The photo to the left is of my ROTS basic figure collection to date. Not exactly everything I have, as I have some doubles and such that I saved for trading with fellow collectors. This collection is in a small closet in my guest room. The closet is only 60 inches wide, and as you can see I had to display some of the figures on their side to make them all fit. I built the shelves inside the closet to display the collection. I'm still collecting a few deluxe figures before I can call it complete, so I will not post pictures of the sides within the closet til I finish.

DO THE STAR WARS MATH!
68 scheduled release figures (each in protective case)
4 Sneak Preview figures! (each in protective case)
7 Store Exclusive figures! (each in protective case)
12 Variants and Errors! (each in protective case)
12 Deluxe figures!
----------------------
103 Total figures!

More Titanium ships found!

2006-02-21T09:10:00.000-08:00

Today at tha local Target I was surprised ta see tha latest wizzle of Titanium ships on tha pegs aww nah. The ships included Anakins Hustla Battle Damaged Milinium Falcon, Naboo Royal Starship, n tha Wookie Shot Calla. See tha picture!

Geonosis wave found!

2006-02-18T07:05:00.000-08:00

Thursday at an out of town Target store I came across the third wave in the Saga collection, the Geonosis wave. This wave of Star Wars figures is based on the Battle of Geonosis in Episode 2. I had an opportunity to get all but the one figure called Scorch. Scorch is actually a figure/character based on a Star Wars video game, and is technically not a part of the Battle of Geonosis. Friday I found Scorch at my local Target store, and I picked him up along with a second Jango Fett figure. Apparently the Jango Fett that I had bought on Thursday had a damaged bubble, and we all know that this is unacceptable to a collector. I returned the damaged card Jango Fett figure.

Jet Pack deluxe figure found!

2006-01-29T19:11:00.000-08:00

So the other week I decided to include the deluxe figure line into my Star Wars Revenge of the Sith collection. The deluxe figures are those that are packaged in a larger bubble and card than those the regular figures occupy. Upon viewing the photo of the Jet Pack Clone, you'll notice the larger size of the card it's on.

I came across the Clone w/Jet Pack at a Target store while out of town looking at a hardtop for my Miata. I left in the wee early hours of the morning. I left so early because I wanted to leave myself with plenty of time to hunt for SW before I transacted with the person selling the hardtop. I found the Jet Pack Clone under kickplates, in the Star Wars isle, at the second Target I visited. When I scanned the figure to get a price the the reader displayed 0.00. At the checkstand the cashier had to call her supervisor for a price. Once it was determined what the price should be, I wound up paying a whole $2.48! In all I visited 3 Wal*Marts, 4 Targets, and 1 Toys R Us store!

http://www.frankgemignani.com/images/jetpack.jpg

New Titanium Vehicles found!

2006-01-20T18:31:00.000-08:00

This morning on my way in to work I checked in at Target and found a new wave of Titanium vehicles. Left to right is the Clone Wars Republic Gunship, Imperial Shuttle, AT AT Walker, Vader's Tie Interceptor. I was very surprised as none of the web sites I use as a resource had reported these vehicles being released.

ROTS figures packed and protected!

2006-01-19T22:00:00.000-08:00

Taking advantage of the 75% off sale at the local Target store, I purchased some 15 boxes of collector cases (each with 5 sets of cases inside) for my ROTS figure collection. When the display within the closet in my extra room is finished, I now don't need to worry about people handling the figures and risking damage to them. Click on the links for a photo update.
http://www.frankgemignani.com/images/collectorcases.jpg
http://www.frankgemignani.com/images/shelf.jpg
http://www.frankgemignani.com/images/swcloset.jpg

'06 Saga Hoth Wave (Vader variant!)

2006-01-15T10:29:00.000-08:00

The Hoth Wave just hit the The Central Coast and South Bay Area, CA. How do I know??? I dropped into a Central Coast Wally 10 minutes before they closed Friday night, and minutes later at the 24Hr Wally in the South Bay while the employees were putting them on the pegs. I completed my Hoth wave. Included in this wave was Darth Vader, who has a variant. Apparently there are two different packagings for Vader, one is in a Egyptian-like walking pose, and the other is facing forward. I managed to get both, and believe that the variant is the walking pose, though others believe it to be the other.

Star Wars Clearance Finds...!

2006-01-12T17:27:00.000-08:00

M&M Empire figures (6) $1.74 each
Obi-Wan Lava Reflection in collector case (1) $1.64
Yoda Story Tellor figure (1) $6.24

Tie Fighter w/figure Target Exclusive (4) $9.98

Star Wars Trivial Pursuit (1) $11.17
Liea Collector Cup and Figure (1) $3.24
Star Wars Collector cases 5-pack (2) $2.24
Star Wars Wookie Puzzle (1) .98¢
Boba Fett Christmas Ornament (1) .60¢
a Diet Sprite for the thirsty guy busy grabbing clearance SW items (PRICELESS)

Kickplate finds & burned by a scam!

2006-01-11T19:48:00.000-08:00

Yesterday at an out of town Target my friend and me found two figures from an old line, 2003. R1-G4 Tatooine Transaction and R2-D2 Jabba's Sail Barge. Very minor blemises on the back of the card from being under the kickplates for 3 years - a couple spots! When we scanned the price the scanner said that the item couldn't be located. When the staff returned after checking the number on the barcode the price for each figure was .36¢ each!!!! Not bad for near mint cards!

At another Walmart I found Grievous' Wheel Bike discounted to $13.00. Then, back in town, my friends put a Republic Gunship on hold for me at the local TRU. I returned one of two Star Wars Pez collectors sets that were identicle Christmas gifts, which made the total out of pocket cost only $10.80. Not bad at all. Now here is where the story gets strange...

After picking up the Gunship I went directly to work. Having left work for the night I dropped on over my friends house, the ones that put the Republic Gunship on hold for me. Upon opening it we were all shocked, as the contents were of a returned POTF 1998 X-Wing fighter. The ship was disassembled and parts taped within the innards of the Gunship cardboard box. This was very strange. Even more so was that the ship still worked after 7+ years, and was only missing one wing gun.

After work today I returned the X-Wing and Gunship box, and then explained everything to a manger. I did sense some doubt of my story in his tone, in which he felt I may be trying to rip off the store, but I was very pointed and made my point that they need to refund my money as I was not paying for their mistake. If they had examined the returned merchandise when it was returned the first time, they would have prevented this. I did get my refund, and am now more suspicious of that Toys R Us operation than I had been before, after having found tons of toys hidden under the kickplates a month or so before. I just hope that the joker who put the wrong item in the box hasn't ruined my relationship with the store and staff. But then again, there are more important things to be concerned of.

2006 Titanium wave update

2006-01-04T22:15:00.000-08:00

Ok, after more research apparently there are 7 new Titanium ships that have been released in this current wave. Today a friend an me were shopping a couple out of town stores and he came across the Death Star, Vulture Droid, and Jango Fett's Slave titanium ships. Overall this might have been the best looking titanium ship wave to date.

In other titanium news, Hasbro is planning to release a first series of titanium figures this year, staring with Darth Vader and Boba Fett.

http://www.frankgemignani.com/images/tslavejango.jpg
http://www.frankgemignani.com/images/tturbotank.jpg
http://www.frankgemignani.com/images/trepubliccruiser.jpg
http://www.frankgemignani.com/images/tdeath.jpg
http://www.frankgemignani.com/images/tvulture.jpg
http://www.frankgemignani.com/images/tspeeder.jpg

Lesson 5: Kickplates / Hiding Merchandise Eplained

2006-01-03T11:17:00.000-08:00

When I first learned of store employees and guests hiding items in various places within stores I had a difficult time understanding why. I first thought they were simply hiding it for their friends to come in and pick up. Thinking that the items would be purchased soon. Though after having found items dating back 2-3 years under kickplates in different stores I've reached the conclusion that a large number of merchandise hiding is done in the interest of returning to buy it after it has been clearanced priced. You see, today I found a ROTS action figure with food, dust and other stuff on it, sitting on the clearance shelf at the local Target. It was obvious that this figure had been under the kickplates, and I was considering it at a clearance price. Along with the few clearance-priced figures were larger Battle Packs, which originally costs $20 each. I believe that these more expensive items were hidden with the intent to return and puchase them at the $6 clearance price.

To summarize... Collectible items are hidden within the store for immediate purchase and long-term clearance purchase.

Immediate purchase hidden items are usually placed hehind different items within the same isle. Maybe they are placed behind items in different isles. But are not usually concealed under kickplates.

Long-term clearance purchase items are those in which one puts forward greater effort in hidding it, in hope of returning at a much later date after it has been marked down to a clearance price. This involves a longer waiting period, and in order to ensure that the item remains hidden, collectors/scalpers/store employees, go to greater lengths to hide the item. Guests are limited to hiding within the area they are allowed access within the store. Store employees can hide items long-term in areas guests don't have access to, such as in their stockroom, or other areas outside the main store layout. I have heard from store managers of boxes of items being found tucked away up on rafters in stockrooms and such.

How does this information help the average collector?

Be aware that after the holidays stores reset their displays, items get marked down, and often times merchandise that you haven't seen for some time is rediscovered during the reset.
If you can't find the item your looking for, don't hesitate to look behind other items in near proximity as it may be hidden for immediate purchase by another.
If the item you seek is slightly pricy $9.99 and above, know that someone has probably stashed it under a kickplace, or elsewhere for a long-term clearance purchase.

I don't recommend long-term hiding of items, because what you're really doing is stealing $ from the store who can make a sale at a higher price during the time the product is hidden. If anything else, this is bad Karma. Many items that are hidden long-term miss the holiday shopping season, a time when most shoppers are scrapping to find just about anything Star Wars. Maybe one way around this is to place the item(s) on layaway, if the store offers this.

New Titanium Vehicles

2006-01-01T10:07:00.000-08:00

Today I found the White Tie Fighter of the latest series of Star Wars Titanium Vehicles at the local Target. I asked one of the managers about them, who told me to get her a product number so she can check her stock, who in turn brought out an assortment box. There was only the one white Tie Fighter. The day after Christmas I had been able to find the other 3 ships in this series, but no the white Tie Fighter.

http://www.frankgemignani.com/images/tvehicles.jpg

2006 Saga Collection Wave 1 Found!

2005-12-26T11:46:00.000-08:00

Well, I tried. I figured the day after Chirstmas could be a good time to go on the hunt. The Wal-Mart at 6am, then Target at 7am, but had no luck. I was fortunate enough that a collector friend found the entire wave one of the Saga collection! I did find out from the Asst. Manager at Wally that the release date for the Saga line is January 14th. Or so he says, as the boxes are marked with a street date. Click the links to view the individual figures for wave 1 of the Saga collection.

2006 Saga Series Update

2005-12-24T22:20:00.000-08:00

A collector friend left a message this morning that the new line of Star Wars figures was spotted at a local Wal-Mart. After getting this message I made adjustments to my work schedule, allowing me to take the day after Christmas off to look for the new figures. Below is a link to the first wave of the new figures. The card presentation looks much nicer than the Revenge of the Sith line. What makes this series attractive is that it will span specific battles, movie climaxes over all six films. There are 8 waves of figues scheduled. For someone like me, who has never collected before, this will give me an opportunity to get the earlier figures and possibly vehicles that I never bought when I was a kid.
http://www.frankgemignani.com/images/sagawave1.jpg

Kickin plates!

2005-12-21T10:07:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I met an out of town Star Wars collector/friend on his lunch break, at a Toys R Us near where he works. I had especially wanted to check the kick plates at this store, as the store was very old and the odds on finding stuff should be good. While we did find some stuff, the store had new carpet toward the back and left side, which provided a reason why there wasn't as much stuff hidden as I thought there would be. Here is a list of what was found:

Hot Wheels (multiple, too many to list)
Johnny Lightning (multiple, too many to list)
Star Wars AOTC Mace Windu 12" (.01¢)
Star Wars 2004 Anniversary Silver Darth Vader ($4.99) x 2
Simpsons Kubix (sp?) lego block looking figure pack (.01¢)
Simpsons 2-figure pack w/Homer and another (.01¢)
LOR black dead guy on w/o horse chasing Froto for ring (Strider chased them away)
LOR the bad guy who had his finger chopped off (the main bad guy in physical form)
some stupide robot clock (.01¢)
Emitt Smith Arizona Cardinals Mc Farlands figures (didn't scan)
other varius items that I forgot...

*** I regret that I forgot to scan and take the LOR characters, as I have a friend, Kris, who will kill me for not grabbing them, especially since they were probably one penny each!

http://www.frankgemignani.com/images/silvervader.jpg

EPIII Basic Figure Collection pics!

2005-12-20T09:56:00.000-08:00

The above is a picture of the basic figures, not everything that I have collected. For a closer look at the basic figure collection from EPIII Revenge of the Sith, click...
http://www.frankgemignani.com/images/collection2.jpg
http://www.frankgemignani.com/images/collection3.jpg

SW Episode III figure collection complete!

2005-12-19T20:33:00.000-08:00

Yesterday a local collector friend, Less, brought over the 14th figure in the EP3 collection. One of two I've been looking for, and the one I'd been passing on in an attempt to find it in mint condition. The local Target had once had many of this figure, then suddenly they were all gone. Thanks for grabbing it for me!

Last night I then turned to eBay and won an auction for the 4th figure, the Super Battle Droid. I had passed on this figure before deciding to collect them all, then found myself in a spot where I couldn't find it. I thought about waiting a little longer and trying to find it in the store before turning to eBay. On-line I read that this early wave of figures, which this one is a part of, was showing up in stores again. And, one web site was actually selling the entire case of which it was a part of. This morning I arrived at an out of town Target at opening and was surprised when I found 4! I grabbed them all, and some extra figures along with them.
Below are links to the two final figures.

http://www.frankgemignani.com/images/04sbd.jpg
http://www.frankgemignani.com/images/14palpatine.jpg

On a side note I visited one out of town Toys R Us and found some interesting figures that others have hidden under the displays kickplates. I found Neo from the Matrix action figure line, and the large spider from Harry Potter action figure line. Both were only .o1¢ each! In addition I found Boba Fett, Luke and Secura figures each a couple years old also under the kickplates, and they were $2.49 each!
http://www.frankgemignani.com/images/oldfigures.jpg

Bottom Feeder!

2005-12-08T23:29:00.000-08:00

Been bottom feeding lately and today I found the entire second wave of the Titanium vehicles and an Unleashed Stormtrooper under the kickplates at the local Wal-Mart and Target. All in very good condition. The Unleashed Stormtrooper figure is from 2004, and is as sought after as it is difficult to find. Click on the receipt link to see how little I paid for this Star Wars figure. I also found a few Johnny Lightning Star Trek ships and random Star Wars figures. Gotta know where to look, those scalpers and dishonest store employees aren't safe when I start looking! I also found a Snickers candy plastic football that opens into a candy dish, with a bag of mini Snickers, under a kickplate in the Barbie section. Even though it was discounted to $1, that candy was old and nasty so I passed!

Now's the time to start checking the kickplates under the displays! Death to the scalpers and store employees who stash the toys from us!

Gotta get some toys!

Click on the links to see what I found.
http://www.frankgemignani.com/images/titaniumships.jpg
http://www.frankgemignani.com/images/unleashed.jpg
http://www.frankgemignani.com/images/receipt.jpg

Wal-Mart Clone Wars exclusive figure packs!

2005-12-07T11:14:00.000-08:00

Tuesday morning at midnight, I picked up the exclusive Clone Wars commemorative figure packs. Click the links to view the packs!

I borrowed the image on the left from one of the Clone Wars figure packs to make an animated gif avatar that I use in Star Wars forums.

http://www.frankgemignani.com/images/clonewars1.jpg
http://www.frankgemignani.com/images/clonewars2.jpg

Hidden treasure here, hidden treasure there, hidden treasure everywhere!

2005-12-05T22:27:00.000-08:00

Ok, so based on my finding hundreds of toys hidden under the kickplates at the local TRU, I decided to see how big of a problem this is elsewhere, and as you can guess by the title of this Blog entry it is common. I started the morning at the local Target and filled 1/2 a shopping cart with Star Wars, Hot Wheels and such. I then drove to 3 other Target stores and 2 Toys R Us stores. The Target stores were minimal as I guessed, due to the Employees generally doing a better job patrolling and seem to be more organized. Both Toys R Us stores had toys under the kickplates, and I feel that one had a substantial amount, similar to the TRU I checked last night. When I found the toys that collectors and store staff had hidden, I met with a store management figure and gave them the info on what to look for.

One of the Target stores actually secured their kickplates, preventing people from accessing them. This was good. One TRU I was able to almost fill a shopping cart from having checked under only a few plates. Mostly wrestling figures and Hot Wheels. I spoke to the Director at this TRU and came away from our conversation wondering about his involvement and to what extent he allows the local collectors and store staff to partake in this shading stashing of product. When I brought it to his attention he explained that he doesn't want me to look under the kickplates for obvious reasons. I told him that I had know interest in getting hurt, and only wished to demonstrate that the local collectors and probably his staff are cheating customers and his store of product. His response was that he's been in retail for many years and he is aware of stuff like this, and then he began telling me, repeatedly, that he doesn't want me looking under any more kickplates, and seemed very uncomfortable. The thought did come across my mind that he knew, allowed this, and partakes in it. Oh well. So, now knowing how bad the stashing of collectible toys is, I've developed a saying when shopping for Star Wars; "If it isn't in the store, then it's under the store!"

Hidden Treasures at Toys R Us

2005-12-04T23:52:00.000-08:00

So, yesterday the director at the local TRU asked me about some fellow collectors and employees at his store; whether or not they schemed and would hide merchandise, etc.. I told him that the local Hot Wheel collectors have shown me that they place items under the display bases. He replied, "the kick plates!?" He didn't believe me so I made a friendly bet and told him that if we were to look in his store we would be sure to find merchandise. Last night we went down through the Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, McFarlands, and some of the Hot Wheels areas in the store and filled up a cart and part of another cart full of toys that had been hidden by collectors or store employees. The Director told me he would do inventory and then call me and my friends and give us first crack at the toys before he returned them to the pegs. The majority of the merchandise was Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, Hot Wheels, Fantastic 4 and other Marvel figures.

Today my friends and I returned and began filling up another shopping cart full of toys. When the evening of was over, looking under just about every kick-plate in the stores, we filled up 5 more shopping carts full of the same toys mentioned above. Below are some cool finds that I bought.
http://www.frankgemignani.com/images/mcfar.jpg
http://www.frankgemignani.com/images/starwars.jpg
http://www.frankgemignani.com/images/fantastic4.jpg

Collectors Code!
Now some people may claim that there is some unwritten rule or code between collectors where they help one another out, but I feel that extremes such as hidding large numbers of popular figures from the public is wrong. Today and yesterday I would say I found hundreds of figures. If I were to guess, maybe 200 in all. Figuring 40 figures per shopping basket, multiplied by 5 or 6 shopping baskets full. Some of the figures that I found were those that I had come to this store looking for, for some time. These figures I ended up buying elsewhere, apparently because they were stashed in remote locations inside the store.

Burger King Star Wars Toys Series 2 [week 4]

2005-12-02T14:13:00.000-08:00

Sad news. This is the last week of the Star Wars toys at Burger King. I never thought that $1 toys could be so cool! While I'm sure many will continue to have some of the toys in stock after this week and will probably continue to put them in kids meals until they run out, this is the last week that new toys will be released. This second wave of Burger King toys was limited in number when compared to the first wave that was released when Revenge of the Sith debuted in the theaters in late May. The first wave ran 6 weeks. Each week had 6 different toys, whereas this release of BK Star Wars toys ran only 4 weeks, with 4 toys, and 3 weeks of 2 watches.

This current wave of BK Star Wars toys had my favorite style of toys, the fortune teller. Each week one toy figure contained a die with answers printed on it, visible while looking at it from the bottom. The fortune telling worked similar to the Magic 8 Ball toy. Ask a question, shake the figure, turn him upside down and read the answer. I'd like to thank my SW buds Jose and Kris for grabbing a set of the final week of BK Star Wars toys for me. Below is a picture of the entire second wave of BK Star Wars toys that was released to commemorate the release of Revenge of the Sith on DCD. I drew a circle around the 4th week of Star Wars toys.

http://www.frankgemignani.com/images/BKcompletewave2.jpg

Tarkin Found! + Seperation of Twins Exclusive!

2005-11-29T21:07:00.000-08:00

To make a long story kind of short... The Tarkin figure that I've been trying to locate for some friends was packaged with the Wal-Mart exclusive Separation of Twins figures. Sunday night I did a run and at one local Wal-Mart, just before they closed at midnight, I got the staff to open a box that said SW Exclusives + Basic Figures. I purchased the Tarkin, Count Dooku and 3 pair of the Bail and Obi-Wan figures holding the Leah and Luke babies. I placed the figures in the car and returned for more. I asked a manager this time, and he agreed to open up another box. When we arrived at the pallet the boxes with the figures had been moved. I told him that I was pretty sure that I saw 4 boxes total, and now they were gone. I think the lady that helped me put the rest away to avoid me taking too many.

Next I drove to the 24-hour Wal-Mart and found more boxes of the exclusives. After opening one when no one was around and grabbing a Tarkin and Count Dooku figure, I asked a worker for help and he allowed me to take another Tarkin, Dooku and twins pair. I then tried to call a friend of mine who excels at late night runs, but the phone at the Wal-Mart was broken. At home I called him and he informed me that he hit the jackpot, to which I asked if he found the exclusive figures at Wal-Mart. He asked me if I had just been there, and I explained that I was and told him where to look for the boxes that I saw on the pallet. He couldn't find them, so we guessed that the staff had moved them. I quickly drove back to Wal-Mart, now 2:15 a.m., and found another 2 boxes that my friend overlooked. Staff was nice enough to let us go through the boxes and take what we wanted. I grabbed another pair of the twins figures, and gave the Tarkin from the box to my friend who needed it. So, when all was said and done, late Sunday night/early Monday morning, I came away with 3 Tarkin and 5 Count Dooku figures, 5 pairs of the Bail and Obi-Wan figures carrying the twin babies, and a couple other hard-to-find figures that were packed in the exclusive case! Not too bad for one late night/early evening. My friend said it was probably the best single find yet!

The next morning a saw my friend at the local Target, who then informs me that I was right in guessing that the first Wal-Mart put away the remaining 3 boxes that I thought I had originally seen. He explained that they had plenty of twins figures, and he bought 3 more Tarkin figures. I asked how he managed that with the local collectors and he said that he drove by on the way to K-Mart and noticed that the store was open, so he quickly ran in at about 6:45 a.m. He thought that the collectors had already been there, but to his surprise, apparently they weren't aware that the store was operating under holiday hours and had opened an hour earlier than normal, at 6:00 a.m.

Arriving at home from work today I called a collector friend who lives near the 24-hour Wal-Mart and he informed me that he found a Tarkin figure earlier in the day. Knowing that this figure comes packaged with the case of exclusive figures, led me to believe that I was again correct in thinking that the staff at the 24-hour Wal-Mart put away the other cases I had originally seen that my friend could not find. Still, my friend and I got enough figures for ourselves and our friends, and I feel better about being correct in believing that staff at both Wal-Marts hid boxes after I originally seen them. It was my eyes playing tricks on me after all!

Click on this link to see a picture of the spoils!
http://www.frankgemignani.com/images/tarkintwins.jpg

Burger King Star Wars Toys Series 2 [week 3]

2005-11-22T09:38:00.000-08:00

I picked up the latest Burger King toys which were released this 3rd week of the promotion. See the links below to view them.
http://www.frankgemignani.com/images/BK05week3.jpg

Almost there!

2005-11-18T09:27:00.000-08:00

Where have we all heard that before? So a Star Wars collector bud who does recon work at the local TRU called me yesterday with a pretty good find. The TRU had again gotten in the Mega Buy 2-packs of figures at a discounted price of $8.99, which had some common figures that I had initially passed up and need to finish my collection. I wound up buying 4 of the Mega Buy packs which added 4 older figures to my collection that I needed. I now only need 3 older figures to complete my collection. The local Target actually has them in stock, but I'm being picky and am trying to find them where the card is in mint condition.
The links below are to pictures of the last 3 figures I need to buy in order for me to complete my basic figure collection.
http://www.frankgemignani.com/images/superbattledroid.jpg
http://www.frankgemignani.com/images/palpatinechancellor.jpg
http://www.frankgemignani.com/images/polismassanloose.jpg

Burger King Star Wars Toys Series 2 [week 2]

2005-11-14T22:29:00.000-08:00

Ok, I picked up the 4 toys and the 2 watches that are out for week two. I put an "X" over Vader because his figure is released each of the four weeks that the promotion runs, so it's not really a new figure for any one week. The picture of the watches appears to show 12 individual watches, but it's actually only 6 total. They are bunched in pairs to show what the back and front of the watch and colletor tin looks like. During this 2nd week the 1st and 4th watch pictured are available. I've seen the watches up close and they are nothing special, better left in the collector tin.
That's it :-)
http://www.frankgemignani.com/images/BK05-week2.jpg
http://www.frankgemignani.com/images/bkwatches.jpg

2nd Clone Evolution Pack found!

2005-11-13T11:44:00.000-08:00

Earlier this summer I picked up an evolution pack of the Anakin character, which displays 3 figures. The evolution set displays what the Anakin character looked like over different movie episodes in a window of the box, the last figure transforming into Darth Vader. Since this initial evolution pack there has been a Sith, Clone, and now a second Clone pack. Earlier this week I found the Evolution pack on a pallet at a out of town Target store. There was an employee opening cases of toys and then placing their contents on display. I asked him if he could open the cases marked Star Wars Evolution, and to my surprise the cases contained the new clone evolution series. On a side note.. The employee apparently wasn't having a good day, and he carelessly opened the box with box cutters. From the two cases, 2 of the Clone Evolution packs had box cutter tears from the employee pressing hard when cuttin the tape.
http://frankgemignani.com/images/cloneevo.jpg

Burger King Star Wars Toys Series 2 [week 1]

2005-11-08T23:57:00.000-08:00

Ok, so I picked up the week 1 Burger King Star Wars toys tonight. I actually got a good deal too! Tonight I had decided to do a small run and hit a couple Wal-Mart stores as they were closing, well one is actually a 24-hr store, and thought I'd take a chance and see if the employees would put stock out on the floor before they closed. After being unlucky I decided to pick up the first week BK toys from a local BK's drive-thru. This series of BK toys consists of plastic toys as well as watches in colletor tins.

Pulling up to the drive-thru window I asked for the two watches in the collector tins, and the 3 figures, and one space ship. The cashier told me it would be $8. The toys are sold 2/$2, and each watch is $2. I asked about the tax, and he said not to worry about it. So I engaged about Star Wars and asked if he was a fan, and he said he collected all the first series of Burger King Star Wars toys, and because I was buying the toys he'd give me a deal. Seeing as how I had a $10 bill on me, I asked him how much a large fries would be, as I would have $2 left as change from the toys. He replied, "No problem, I'll comp you." Part of me was thinking this kid is just going to pocket the money I give him, and the other part of me thought it was getting late and this isn't an issue I need to deal with. Then he begins to tell me about the Vader chase (limited to one per box) figure, and how it's being packaged one per box. I asked if I could buy one, as looked at the $2 change I had. He left the drive-thru window and when he returned he had all the figures and watches for the first week, and the Darth Vader figure! Not too bad for the first week of BK figures.

http://www.frankgemignani.com/images/BK05-week1.jpg
http://www.frankgemignani.com/images/bkwatches.jpg

Target Shadow Trooper Found!

2005-11-06T18:33:00.000-08:00

So, this morning I went to the Bay Area to hangout with my sisters and catch the morning football games at the El Torito. Afterwards, to walk off the breakfast, we went to a few stores. Yes, one or two of the stores that we visited was a Target! I had just called ahead to another Target in the next area code and they had secured 4 Target Exclusive Shadow Troopers for me, when I began to interact with the Employees at this Bay Area Target. I was approached by this teenager who quickly responded to my request by saying, "We can't go in the back and look for collectibles", when I told him I was looking for the Shadow Trooper. Lucky for me, I had been talking to a nice older man in the bicycle area just before, and when he returned from helping another customer he again asked me what I was looking for. Upon him having typed in the DPCI# for the Shadow Trooper, his price gun beeped and displayed the message that there was stock in the back. After a number of unsuccessful attempts to call for help on his radio to check the location, he went into the back himself to look. After 10 minutes of me worrying that another store employee might have informed him that he can't look for collectibles, he came out. At the time I was asking a young female employee about the Shadow Trooper and she was about to go look herself as we had thought that he may have gotten lost. Though, when he returned he told us that he found them and they were being sent up the elevator (this was a two-story Target). He asked the young female employee to get them, as people needed his help in bikes. I asked her if I could follow, to be sure that what he found was what I was looking for and she said yes. When she returned from the back room she had a case marked Utapau Shadow Trooper! She commented that it was an entire box, and not just a couple figures like she thought, implying that she'd have to stock them. I asked if I can see how many were in the box, and told her that I was buying Christmas presents for Star Wars fans and could need a few, and she agreed. The box had 8 figures in it. I asked if I could buy all of them and she said yes. After thanking her, the thought had hit me that I should probably get out of the store ASAP, as a manager type figure might catch wind of this and stop the transaction. I explained to her that I had my family waiting in a car for me outside, and I was in a hurry. I asked if she could show me the quickest way out, and surprisingly enough, she did. She led me past large groups of guests and straight to the quick checkout. I was a little nervous up until the point where the cashier offered to bag the case of Star Wars figures. Once the case was in the bag I didn't need to worry about whether store employees would think that a guest walking out the front door with a case of collectible toys looks funny.

At a Target that my sisters and I stopped at prior to this I had purchased the Mace Windu Attacktix series no.1 chrome based figure. This is worthwhile to point out because I collect the small Attacktix figures, and had already completed the entire series #1 collection, and all with chrome bases! Chrome bases on these figures is the variant, and much less common. I became so efficient at finding the rare chrome base Attacktix figures that it led me to collect a second series #1 with chrome bases. I had 27/30 chrome base figures in my second set, and only needed Mace Windu, Obi-Wan Kenobi and Palpatine. Now I only need to more chrome base figures to complete my second set! An entire set of these chrome base figures goes for well over $100 if I were to sell it on eBay. And with series #2 out now, series #1 is going to become even more difficult to find.
So, this was a very good collecting day.
Below is a link to a picture of the exclusive Target Shadow Trooper!
http://www.frankgemignani.com/images/shadow.jpg

Revenge of the Sith DVD release!

2005-11-02T22:10:00.000-08:00

Ok, so ROTS was released yesterday and there were some goodies to be had. Wal-Mart had a special DVD 2-pack, which included a special DVD that told the stories of both Anakin and Luke, told by C3-PO. Wal-Mart also had three commemorative figure sets that had 3 figures in each. They were a Sith, Clone Trooper and Jedi commemorative set. These are supposedly limited, so first come, and first serve. Target offered a commemorative coin with the purchase of the DVD, which is limited in number, but not nearly as limited as the DVD figure packs that Wal-Mart offered.
So, I began my *hunt* the night of the 31st. I checked on local Wal-Mart that closes at 11pm, in the chance that the figure sets would be put out early. I witnessed Employees moving an entire pallet of Star Wars boxed goods into the garden section, not to be put out on the sales floor until the over-night crew arrived said a salesperson. I then decided to try my luck at the 24/7 Wal-Mart just down the highway. Upon arriving there I saw 2 of the 3 commemorative DVD figure packs, so apparently they released them before the DVD. I spoke to a sales person and they informed me that they had released them over the weekend. This was unfortunate for me as now I had to go back to the other Wal-Mart and compete with the other collectors and scalpers for the commemorative packs.
The day before I had spoken to my collector Less, who told me that he would also be at this Wal-Mart at 7am. Arriving I decided to go through the automotive section, having before noted that the clock was a few minutes faster. I spoke to the employee at the register and she allowed me to wait until the store lights came on, and the clock said 7am...er...6:57 by my watch. So, when the time came she told me I could proceed, and as I made my way toward the Star Wars section of the store I listened for the flock of competition that would be coming from the front doors. I kid you not; when I arrived I was alone for a good 3 minutes! There were store staff still setting up the display, and one management figure informed me that the store wasn't open yet. I explained that I had my car in automotive, and the staff told me I could go in, explaining that the staff at automotive made their decision to let me in based on the traffic they had been listening to on their work radio. The management figure then replied "Ok." I then looked at their completely restocked pegs of figures and was quickly disappointed that there was nothing my friends or I had needed. I then asked the staff about the commemorative DVD figures and they pointed them out to me. I proceeded to grab enough for me, Less and another couple. Then after talking about Star Wars with the staff for another minute I heard another staff member say, "Here they all come." She was referring to the collectors and scalpers that had just been let in from the front of the store. Each one of them had a shopping basket and as they made their way toward the section of the store I saw my friend Less in the group and with a smug smile I waved. It is moments like this one, when I feel I've out-witted another collector/scalper, which makes the hunt all worthwhile!
http://www.frankgemignani.com/images/dvdpack.jpg

Holographic Emperor TRU Exclusive!

2005-10-29T23:31:00.000-07:00

Today, as well as yesterday, I picked up the Holographic Emperor Toys R Us exclusive star wars figure. There are two ways to get this limited edition figure, of which the first is to spend $30 at TRU and then it is given to you as a promotional product, and the second way is to order it from the Amazon/TRU site for $9.99. I was a bit sneaky and got mine the third way. Since all of my Star Wars toys are unopened, and I still have the receipts, I took a few items back and used the refund money to buy them again at another Toys R Us to get the figure free of charge.
http://www.frankgemignani.com/images/TRUholoemp.jpg

Count Dooku's Lightsaber found!

2005-10-25T23:49:00.000-07:00

Since I didn't work until 3pm, I did a little run to see if I could find some doubles of the last wave of figures. The local Target had the wave before the last wave, which wasn't too exciting. However I did find Count Dooku's lightsaber at a Toys R Us. This lightsaber is the unique one with a gun shaped handle. I bought 3 of the sabers in the event some friends were interested. And if not, I would simply return them. I had never seen this particular lightsaber until today. Apparently with the holiday shopping season upon us, and the release of the Episode III DVD, Hasbro seems to be making a little push to get as much merchandise out as they can. This means that some items that had previously been difficult to find should start to make an appearance again.

http://www.frankgemignani.com/images/dookusaber.jpg

Got the last basic figures!

2005-10-18T23:45:00.000-07:00

Earlier today I took the advice of a friend and went to two different Target stores in the Gilroy / Morgan Hill area. Upon reaching the MH Target, they had yet to put figures out. The sales lady told me in 15 minutes, 10:30am, they would restock the toys. Stupid me, I went to the store's Customer Service and asked them about a couple exclusive figures that they didn't have in the store. The nice lady checked the store stock in her computer, called other stores to confirm if they had te exclusvie figures and by the time she was done it was 10:40am. I'm not kidding when I say that I missed the last figures while I was at the Customer Service desk, because when I walked back to the toys I noticed a few new figures that were not there when I first arrived. These figures that I realized that they had just put out I later realized that are packaged in the same box that the new figures come in. How do I know this?

I quickly drove to the Gilroy Target and waited for them to put out their new stock of toys, and shortly after 11am a sales guy opened two boxes of new figures for me! I noted that some of the figures that appeared at the MH Target when I lost track of time by talking at Customer Service were in these boxes. This confirmed then that during the time I was at Customer Service, the employees at the MH Target restocked and guests quickly bought the new toys! Just water under the bridge, I quickly bought a complete set for a Santa Cruz collecter friend, Less, and was lucky to get doubles of the newer figures that another collector couple (Kris/Jose) had wanted, thus taking care of my friends needs.

http://www.frankgemignani.com/images/last5figures.jpg

What I haven't mentioned is that a collector local to the area had found an extra set of the last 5 figures and e-mailed me to see if I needed them. Later that evening I met my collector friend, Mike, at the Gilroy Wal-Mart and purchased the set from him! Now I have the last figures for my collection! Now all I need to do is fill in the holes, as I passed on apx. 10 common figures over the last 3-4 months of collecting. Should be no problem getting these figures - right?

Plo Koon's Starfighter and last # figure in series found!

2005-10-13T23:37:00.000-07:00

Last night I found the last figure scheduled to be released in the line of Star Wars action figures. Though I couldn't locate the 4 that preceeded it. Still, I'm getting closer to finishing my collection! Only 4 more figures left! Well actually, since I began collecting only my favorites, and what a list of favorites it was, I need another 10 common figures to officially complete the entire figure collection, not including exclusives or variants that have yet to be released.

Today I was able to once again use the DPCI# trick, and when I was greeted by the Target employee with a "Hello, can I help you find something", it was all good. I provided her with the product no. for Plo Koon's Target Exclusive starfighter and after some time hunting in 3 backrooms she returned with a case of them!

Plo Koon's starfigher assembled by Frank!
http://www.frankgemignani.com/images/pkstarfighter.jpg

Lesson 4: Know what to collect /Exclusives/Variants/

2005-10-10T22:47:00.000-07:00

Most people will probably give you one of two answers when they answer your question, "What do you collect?" The first answer is usually, "I only collect what I want...what I like." The second answer is typically, "I'm want each, the whole assortment, collection, every figure in the line, etc..." I agree with the many who believe that there is no right or wrong way to collect, but if you look at this from a value standpoint the collector who wants one of everything is going to come out ahead. LMX... The collector, which only buys their favorites, may miss out on exclusive limited edition pieces as well as variants.

Exclusives are pieces which are usually made in a limited number from the rest of the pieces in a line. Often these are available at a single retailer, and for a limited time. Limited = greater potenial value. One such peice was the Target Exclusive Lava Reflection Darth Vader. Only 50,000 were made, and each store only received a few dozen, of which sold quickly. Having missed this early season release, when it retailed for $12.99 at the time, I wound up purchasing mine from an on-line auction for $40.00. Upon selling out at Target after the initial release, this particular figure sold for well over $100 in on-line aucitons.

Variants are generally one of two things. A (1)planned repaint or reworking of a piece, or a (2)mistake made in the piece, occuring in production. An example of the first is figure no.34, the clone pilot. Refered to as a common "peg warmer" by collectors, store employees and scalpers. Stores often had dozens of this figure, as shoppers just didn't seem too interested in it. So what does Hasbo do? They issue a repaint of this figure that is almost entirely black. It looks good, people buy it, and then they go back and buy the original painting of the figure to have it along with the repaint/variant.

Informed of these "rule of buying" by other collectors, I have attained the following Exclusives and Variants thus far:

Exclusives

Target Exclusive Lava Reflection Darth Vader
Target Exclusive Clone Trooper
Target Exclusive Lava Reflection Anakin
Target Exclusive Lava Reflection Obi-Wan Kenobi
Target Exclusive Plo Koon Starfighter
Toys R Us Exclusive Holographic Yoda
Exclusive multi-figure Battlepacks for TRU, Target and K-Mart

Variants

Clone Trooper no.6 (have both white and reissue variant/red stipes)
Royal Guard no.23 (have both blue and red)
Clone Commander no.33 (have both red and green repaint)
Clone Pilot figure no.34 (have black repaint)
Palpatine figure no.35 (have blue lightsaber 'wrong color')
Wookie Heavy Gunner figure no.68 (side of package displays no.64)
Clone Trooper Evolution Pack (Mispelling of Republic as "Rebublic")

Here is a picture of the Palpatine figure with the wrong, blue lightsaber.
http://www.frankgemignani.com/images/palpatin35.jpg

Impressive...most impressive!

2005-10-05T20:01:00.000-07:00

My skills have improved, but I am not a Jedi yet!

My collecting skills have made me almost a Collector. Using the wisdom from my own lessons left throughout the Blog entries, I collected DPCI product numbers for different items and made a few phone calls to Target stores. Specifically I was looking for any of their exclusive items that are due out this month, possibly slated for the 15th or 16th. Oh, btw, I began doing this after reading multiple posts on-line this morning from east coast collectors stating that they used the DPCI#'s to look up items in Target stores and then had the staff sell the merchandise before its possible release date.

Upon calling this one Target the Operator gave me a listing of Targets that were local to me that had the Obi-Wan and Darth Vader (Anikin) Lava Reflection figures, and the Clone Attack Battle Pack. Surprised I was to learn that the Target down the street was listed as having bushells of them in stock. Not so surprised was I when I went in and they told me it must be a computer error. Slightly frustrated I returned home and called the Target just down the coast. Slightly excited I was when I spoke to the area leader for the Toy section who told me that he physically checked and had them in stock. I drove down the coast and purchased enough of the Lava Reflection figures for me and my friends who were also looking. The area leader at the Target couldn't find the Clone Attack Battle Pack, so I drove to another Target and asked the Employees if they could help me find the item. After giving them the DPCI# an Employee returned with 3 for me :-) Now I get to make this nice journal entry for you!
http://www.frankgemignani.com/images/targetanakinlava.jpg
http://www.frankgemignani.com/images/targetobiwanlava.jpg
http://www.frankgemignani.com/images/cloneattackcoruscantpk.jpg

Wal-Mart has been good to me so far...

2005-09-30T23:46:00.000-07:00

Now Target stores, that's another story. With action figures anyhow.

Tonight I went to the local Wal-Mart Super Center expecting SW figures. I was thinking that this store just had a grand opening earlier in the week, and now they have nothiing new and the weekend is the next day so they gotta have stuff. I know this is a narrow perspective, and SW toys aren't the only product to push for a busy weekend, and not everyone is specifically looking for SW toys.

Wednesday, the day of the grand opening, my friend and I managed to acquire all 7 of the new figures #57-#63, but only one of each. Thursday night I found doubles of #57, #59 and #63 at another store(see Blog entry "Fitting that September ends with Wal-Mart!). Tonight I arrived at this Super Center W-M hoping to get the other 4 figures so me and my friend could have a complete set. Then if there were more, I have a couple other friends who'd want a set.

At 9:15pm the pallets were distributed to the different product sections in the store and by 10:30pm the Employees arrived to stock the products. I kid you not, there were 3 pallets full of SW action figures. When they were done restocking, they had another 30 or so action figure boxes still unopened that would need to be taken back. Maybe there were more, but I counted about 14 boxes on the floor in the SW isle, and another dozen or more boxes still on the 3 pallets. I managed to purchase 3 #58, the Wookie Commando, and doubles of #57, #59 and #63. Figures #60-#62 haven't shown up in force yet, but I assume they will soon enough!

Fitting that September ends with Wal-Mart!

2005-09-29T15:48:00.000-07:00

Ok, well maybe not a day for the archives that'll be remembered long before I am gone, but nonetheless a very productive day for finding Star Wars shit!

Knowing that the new Wal-Mart Super Center restocks their merchandise after 9pm, I went there in hope of getting the new wave of figures right as they were being stocked from the pallet to the pegs. For the second night, Wednesday and now Thursday, the pallet didn't have any SW figures. Disappointed I drove to the older Wal-Mart just down the highway, and got their 15 minutes before they close at 11pm. To my surprise I saw figure no.46, Ask Aak. This is the second figure in the Tarkin wave of three, which has been most impossible to find. I grabbed him, as a friend of mine needs him for his collection. While looking around, I ran into another collector bud and we both acknowledged that we were hoping to get figures before the store closed so we wouldn't have to show up at 7am to fight (figuratively speaking) with the scalpers. As we were talking the announcement came over the loudspeakers that the store was closing in 10 minutes. Just then we saw the pallet with toy stock heading our way. I quickly noted a SW figure box on the top left of the array of stacked boxes. Andy then spotted another 5 boxes! We asked the young man who had brought the pallet if we could buy some figures before the store closed, because we never stand a chance against the scalpers in morning. We then proceeded to open each one of the six boxes and take the new figures we wanted. Myself, collecting for two others, grabbed enough for everyone. On the downside, the boxes only contained 3 of the 7 new figures. However, it contained both clone commanders, Bly and Gree, the figures most wanted. I bought 4 of each. One pair for me to open, as I already have a set of them I got earlier in the week (Read Blog entry titled "Execute Order No.66"), and the other three for my collecting buds who each need one, or a second one to open - and I guess play with - lol!
Click this link to see a pic of one of the more strage looking SW figures!
http://www.frankgemignani.com/images/askaak.jpg

Wal-Mart Super Center grand opening and Star Wars!

2005-09-28T13:55:00.000-07:00

The big news this last week in September was that people began to report in several web forums of finding the latest/newest 7 Revenge of the Sith figures. Just so happens that a Wal-Mart Super Center was having its grand opening Wednesday this same week. With a little planning and luck, a fellow Star Wars collector/friend and me made the grand opening and beat the other Bay Area collectors to the new figures! As we picked through the figures, we realized there was only one full set of the 7. Afterwards we divided up the figures between us.

How the everything unfolded...
As luck or planning would have it, the two of us were the first Guests in the store. We arrived early and realized that there was another door near the store nursery, and when we inquired the staff said that it opens at the same time. So, knowing from experience that information from store Employees can be inaccurate, my friend waited at this door while I waited at the main entrance to the store. We were a little uncertain as who was officially first, because we entered from entirely different points. I still contest that I was the first Guest in the store due to the Employee at the nursery entrance having to wait to be given the ok by radio from an Employee at the main entrance. Another point. I asked to use the restroom 15 minutes before the grand opening ceremonies began, and while in the store I asked for directions to the toy department. Funny enough, the directions weren't the most accurate, and we were led a little off course for a few moments. Regardless, we sourced the figures release from on-line forums, planned for the grand opening, and got the goods! The link at the end of the article is of the new figures.

Having the day off from work, after this find I stopped by the local Target and found the 3 Revenge of the Sith collectors cups with figures that were made exclusively for this movie! I obviously purchased them right away. I continued to check other local Wal-Marts, Toys R Us, and Targets stores but turned up nothing that my collection needed.

Another interesting point to make here relates to the restocking of items. As far as finding Star Wars toys goes, this day was very lucrative, but finding out when the 24-hour Wal-Mart restocks their items so I can beat the other collectors and scalpers to the new stuff is priceless! This 24-hour Wal-Mart restocks at 9pm daily.

http://www.frankgemignani.com/images/63niemoidiancommander.jpg
http://www.frankgemignani.com/images/62catmiin.jpg
http://www.frankgemignani.com/images/61passel.jpg
http://www.frankgemignani.com/images/60greivousbguard.jpg
http://www.frankgemignani.com/images/59commandergree.jpg
http://www.frankgemignani.com/images/58wookieecommando.jpg
http://www.frankgemignani.com/images/57commanderbly.jpg

Execute order number 66!

2005-09-27T10:58:00.000-07:00

As strange as this may sound, I had breakfast at the local Carl's Jr. and was given order no.66. I actually took the tag by accident. This morning I found both Commander Bly and Commander Gree at the local Wal-Mart. In the Star Wars movie Revenge of the Sith, these were two clone commanders that received order no.66 from the Emperor to begin hunting down the Jedi Knights. These figures were not available in this area until this morning when I found them.
Strange, but fortunate.
Emperor: "Commander Gree, execute Order No.66!"
The link below is of the figures and the famous Carl's Jr. order, no.66!
http://www.frankgemignani.com/images/blyandgree.jpg

Star Wars Titanium Vehicle

2005-09-25T20:52:00.000-07:00

Visiting Wal-Mart this morning I came accross a large collection of the series 3 Titanium Star Wars vehicles. At only $4.97 each I grabbed one of each and have since decided to track down the two series before.
http://www.frankgemignani.com/images/titanium.jpg

Lesson 3: Good sources = game plan!

2005-09-21T10:02:00.000-07:00

You'll notice that some of the links on my Blog page aren't related to my favorite movies, professional sports teams or the music I choose to listen to, rather they are links to great sources for Star Wars collectors.

When I first began collecting I'd randomly drive from store to store looking for figures. I called this my first phase. Aimlessly wondering, looking. Then I began to network with fellow collectors and found out when the stores would get shipments and began to arrive early to better my chances. So far so good? Networking was phase 2. However, just because a store is receiving a truck doesn't mean that what your looking for is on it. And chances are that if you don't have access to the packing list from the shipment, you're not going to know, etc. Realizing this I turned to a handful of on-line resources. A few web sites allow visitors post their daily findings, and if you live on the West Coast such as I do, you can read the morning posts and sometimes a sighting will be reported on the East Coast. Normally this should be seen as a clue. I call this Phase 3, or the third lesson I learned as a collector. Check the East Coast reportings on-line before spending the day driving around from Wal-Mart, to Target, to Toy's R Us...well you get the picture. So, check out the links if this collecting interests you!

Mace Windu lightsaber found!

2005-09-17T23:55:00.000-07:00

When leaving the local Target this morning I noticed that they had put out a small number of lightsabers. It had been a while since they had lightsabers, and I wanted to check for any elusive ones. I was surprised to find two Mace Windu purple blade lightsabers! I have never seen this one before! I quickly snatched one up for my collection and put one on hold for a friend at the Guest Service desk. This saber is of the variety that is packaged with the picture of the jedi Mace Windu on the box.

http://www.frankgemignani.com/images/saberwindu.jpg

This lightsaber will be added to my ROTS collection.

Sorry for the lack of a picture - still trying to figure out why my browser crashes when I try to load it.

Burger King Star Wars toys collection complete!

2005-09-10T23:51:00.000-07:00

I forgot to mention that Burger King had a promotion at the time of the movie release in which they would release 5 figures each of the first 6 weeks the movie was in the theater. The promotion worked this way... You could buy two figures for $2 each or you could get one free with the purchase of a Kids Meal. I didn't begin until week no.4 so I had my work cut out for me. Though lucky for me one of the local Burger Kings had a good amount of each toy remaining after the promotion, allowing me to buy the complete collection of 31.
These figures will be added to my ROTS colletion.

Unfortunately I'm experiencing problems posting pictures in my Blog. Specifically, my browser crashes. Follow this link to see a couple Burger King toys.
http://www.frankgemignani.com/images/lukeandhan.jpg

Searching for Governor Tarkin figure!

2005-09-01T23:34:00.000-07:00

Since July I've been looking for the Tarkin wave of ROTS (Revenge of the Sith) carded figures. This is figure no.45, no.46 and no.47. This wave has been very difficult to find in local stores. Earlier this month on a Sunday morning, this wave of three figure appeared at my local Target. Only one of each three figures was on the pegs. I had actually found figure no.46 Ask Aak two weeks before at the local Toys R Us. I left Ask Aak on hold for a friend, and have since recently found figure no.47 at Wal-Mart in the next county. Still I have a list of two friends that need Governor Tarkin for their collection. Recently I met with a collector who offered to sell me no.45 Tarkin for $10. I turned it down, as my friends who I network with don't feel they should have to pay a mark up.
http://www.frankgemignani.com/images/tarkin.jpg

Lesson 2: Network with fellow collectors.

2005-08-15T22:32:00.000-07:00

Since I began collecting I've learned that it's better to talk to others than it is to simply view them as someone you're in competition with. Since I’ve begun collecting in late June, I’ve run into all types of people looking for specific SW toys. Sometime I’ll gain an extra pair of eyes that can help me track down the item I want. This has worked to my advantage. Specifically, on one occasion one day a friend drove around the greater Bay Area and found each one of the four limited edition "sneak preview" figures that I had been looking for. I had found a couple figures at the local Target and put them on hold for him just the week before.

Not all networking experiences are profitable. I’ve learned that serious collectors are seldom straightforward with you. Specifically, one morning at the local Target I ran into a guy I’d seen the week before at Toys R Us in the next county. The week earlier he told me about how before had to have to pay higher prices to scalpers/collectors for hard to find items and then wised up and began arriving at stores early to get the toys first thing. This day I had found 4 Red Royal Guards on the pegs that he was too slow to notice. Now I had just purchased one for my collection the day before and had no need for another one. I grabbed them because I was surprised to see them, as I understood that they were difficult to find. Upon taking them he asked me if I was interested in all of them, and I asked him if he wanted some. He said yes and I told him that he could have all of them if he wishes. He bought all four. The next day a different guy shows up at the Target and tells me that he’s trying to find a red Royal Guard. It just so happened that the collector the day before walked in, so I told this guy to ask him if he’d sell a red Royal Guard to him because he purchased four the day before. When I was leaving the guy told me that the collector denied having any extras and said that he didn’t buy any here the day before. I was shocked when I heard this and realized that some people our out there for strictly their own benefit and will be dishonest. This is just one account of serious collectors and their disinterest in aiding anyone without it being profitable for them.

Lesson 1: Collecting basics learned from the Hot Wheels guys!

2005-07-20T22:16:00.000-07:00

This post is a combined thought of recent interactions I've had with people I've met while trying to collect Star Wars toys. My first tip in collecting came form store Employees at Toys R Us that were actually being helpful. One long-time TRU employee told me that the collectors arrive early in the morning when the store first opens to grab all the hard to find items, which is why I can never find what I'm looking for. These collectors then buy certain sought after figures and sell and trade them to make money, build collections, etc.

Upon hearing this, I began arriving at my local Target store by 8am to get first crack at the SW toys. What I found was that there is a dedicated group of Hot Wheels toys car collectors that have been coming to this local Target for years and can range form one to five different people on any given day. Each morning they greet each other and then go over their Hot Wheel car findings from the last day or so. As the doors open they continue with the small talk, but engage in a quick pace along a specific route to the toy isle.

My first day there they mistook me for a Hot Wheel collector, and me them for a SW collector. Once the door opened we quickly entered and made way to the toys. Our pace quickened, and when we made a different turn in the store I could hear the others running the isle over. I then quickened my pace and eventually we all met at the toy area. I had arrived first, and we all felt better when we understood that we were there for different things. I see the same two guys almost every morning at Target, and while we still make walk briskly to the toy department, we understand that we're not a threat to one another. I was a bit surprised by the speed they used to get to the toys, but can understand that if one puts the effort into getting here at such and early hour it best be for not.

These Hot Wheel collectors confirmed the fact that you need to get to the store at opening to get the good stuff. They also helped create the foundation that I have today for morning collecting; check with the store management to learn when the next truck delivery is due and when the crew plans to put the merchandise on the shelves; know the shortest route to the merchandise from the store entrance. I also learned the art stashing items if I needed to, and where to look for stashed items by fellow collectors. Would you believe me if I told you that collectors stashed items under the shelf’s base panel?!

Frank's Star Wars Episode III Collecting Blog

2005-07-01T10:13:00.000-07:00

Welcome to my Blog. As a kid in the 1970's I grew up on Star Wars. I was 9 years old when Star Wars: Episode IV "A New Hope" was released in the theater. At the time I thought it was the greatest movie I'd ever seen or could want to see. I never did buy or collect Star Wars toys then. Now, some 28 years later, I decided that I wanted to experience and say that I too collected Star Wars toys at one time or another. Once Episode III: Revenge of the Sith was released I realized that this was my last chance to experience the excitement of collecting Star Wars toys released uniquely for one of the 6 episodes. My Blog is an account of a kid who's all grown up now, getting a second chance to relive his childhood, and buy all the Star Wars toys he never had. Before I began I vowed to stop once I collected the toys I want that are specifically related to this last episode. I have no wish of collecting releases beyond this movie. Star Wars items specific to the last Star Wars episode will denote that they are from the Revenge of the Sith movie. Follow my progress in my Blog as I attempt to collect the Star Wars Episode III toys, unravel the mystery and uncover the truth about collecting.