Are you one of those collectors that waits in line to get your hands on new merchandise? Probably from a movie that is coming out? Oh… lets say for example Star Wars: The Force Awakens? Well I am, and there is an event this year called Force Friday! It starts at major store locations at 12:01 AM on Friday September 4th. I got to Toys R’ Us about 20 minutes early, and there was a line at the location I went to! Now some stores had giveaways or raffles I went to – Toys R’ Us and Target! The former had a poster and Lego brick! The latter had a raffle for a 3 foot Wookie! Le’ts just say I got the brick, and didn’t win the Wookie!
Okay, so at 12:01, they let people in. And by 12:05, all the figures were already gone! I didn’t even get my hands on one! And there was a lot of fighting, pushing, yelling, and grabbing going on! You would think that they got their hands on a piece of gold! There was a lot of merchandise but it seemed like everyone wanted the figures! So I stood back and watched as the fights took place! It wasn’t worth it to try and get in there! And you were limited to 3 figures each! People started hiding the figures so they can come back, and repurchase the items! But I did manage to get my picture taken with Geoffrey! (see above) All looked lost, so I jumped into the SpideyMobile and raced over to Target!
When I got to Target there was still a line outside!!! I got my raffle ticket; waited to go inside, and it was about the same deal there! All the figures were gone. Then people were just racing to try and get their hands on some merchandise! It was actually a little funny to watch! Then they made mention that there was another aisle that had figures! Everyone ran, and once again, the pushing, grabbing and fighting began! Now in this store, they actually had a little more than what they put out! So when the aisle ran low, they wanted to refill it. But the customers wouldn’t let them do so! Again the fighting began! It was amusing and sad at the same time! I didn’t get any of the figures. And with this store, you were limited to 2 figures each. I left empty handed from store #2.
I waited ’til morning and went to another TRU. That one was pretty stocked! They didn’t really have all the figures that were released. They didn’t have a couple of the figures I was looking for, so the hunt goes on! I noticed that the articulation was pretty poor. They looked a lot like the Kenner figures from long ago! I assumed that the figures would have better play value and have more articulation. The sculpts were OK, and the variety of figures and types of toys from young to old was nice! One thing I noticed though – it seemed like that there was a lot of new classic stuff, even though there is a new movie coming out! All the old ships and characters were out in different forms! Like many people, I am a fan of the original series! But even I was surprised as to how much stuff there was! Maybe as the rest of the year finishes out, we will see more original stuff! I guess time will tell!
I can tell you from this wonderful experience that I think this reporter won’t be attending many midnight openings any more. The stores used to get enough that there weren’t any issues. But to only get a few boxes of figures, and not have enough for the openings is just a shame! There was enough of the more expensive pro cuts talk a $150.00 Yoda, or even the tiny plastic vehicles for $5.00. The price points were there for any level of collector! The Legos seemed to move even less! I guess people know they can get those later on! I know I was pointing at a bunch of stuff I was interested in! There is a lot of stuff on the market now, and stuff that will be on the market later on! What’s even funnier is there was no products with Han, Leia or Luke on the shelves from the new movie! There was, however, a Lego Millennium Falcon that had Han in it!
Did you attend Force Friday? We are always interested in your stories and your experiences when it comes to stuff like this! What did you get if you went? What did you see? Did you wait until the next day? Or do you just hate collectors? Look below at some stock photos of pieces that were released!
n
