Quote:
Originally Posted by MisterVimesGoneSpare
When I was collecting the Transformers Animated, it was fun hitting up stores that were around where I worked. I remember when animated Rodimus and Cybertron Ratchet were rumored to be hitting the shelfat Toys R Us, and I'd pop over on my break to check (Had an account here at that time, but I lost access to the email address, so that lilGouki account is lost to the ages).
When I started collecting WFC I was able to do the same thing, but as time (and COVID) went on, I started ordering more and more figures online for convenience and necessity during lockdown.
Now it honestly feels like that if you don't pre-order a figure from Gamestop or a specialty store you're going to miss it. It seems like now it's either they order in low quantities that get snagged almost right away, or they order such bizarrely high quantities like Wreckgar and the Sweeps.
The distribution on the exclusives for Wal-Mart and TRU are nuts. They give them exclusive, in demand figures (Netflix Bumblebee, Soundwave, Velocitron Cosmos, Thrust) and then have a minimal amount available on the shelves.
I miss the days of spending a weekend day puttering around, but it feels like this is the new normal for the hobby, where it's about getting that pre-order in as soon as possible and not about the hunt.
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I didn't get into Animated until it had been out for a while. I was able to scoop up almost the entire line bombing around the lower mainland, hitting TRU, Walmart, Superstore, the fucking BAY, etc.
For a brief era when Target Canada was here, despite them sucking in almost all aspects, they had good toys. WM and TRU usually had lots on the shelves then too. COmbiner Wars was still decent, til its end. TR had more issues. POTP was... fine. But it was already progressively becoming more difficult by Siege and it's been a shit show ever since, even pre-covid.
It's a shame you can't just hit a few shops and find cool toys. At this point, if I want it, I preorder. Full stop. Cos who the hell knows if I'll ever actually find it.
