Still...the ideal thing would've at least to have reversed the Spirit Of Anakin with the Gammorean Guards. It just doesn't make too much sense especially for armybuilders. At least this time around we aren't getting 4 of something we don't need multiples of like the X-Wing Luke or Jedi Luke...

That whole grocery store thing is just a blatant PR move on behalf of the big wigs at supermarket chains. When I got my first job at a supermarket when I turned 16, I was told by management on day 1 that tips from customers were not allowed and we were trained to politely refrain from excepting tips. When I moved into a different department (bakery), customers would leave tips on the counter (we had no tip cups). We'd use the tips the customers would leave on buying some drinks like a soda or water for our department. I never understood the mentality of telling your employees (especially those making minimum wage) that they could not accept money for providing an extra service. I guess they don't want the tipping to get out of hand so customers feel obligated to tip, but tell that to someone back in the day where minimum wage was $5.50 an hour.

Here's what I tip:
Restaurants: 20%. I never had any problems with service (knock on wood) but even still I would never screw someone else who has a cut in the tip because of one person.

Barber: $5 each time I go (usually every 3 weeks)...haircuts cost $12 but you have to realize that your haircut is an extension of your appearance...you get what you pay for and your barber remembers you for it.

Also, I tip maybe a dollar or two if my car gets valeted at a local eatery or at the greyhound park. Other than that, I think it's about it...

Take out service and "do it yourself" buffets, I never tip...

I've been seeing some more of these around the area, but places like Walmart and Target look to be dried up...I saw the 2 packs last week at Target and they only had one of each but sold out when I popped in later the following week. KB Toys seems like the best bet. I wound up getting a Wingo, Dinoco McQueen, and a Sally last Saturday (They had tons of Lightning McQueens and Maters). Another place to add is Advanced Auto Parts. I had to stop in today to pick up some motor oil and a gas cap for my rodeo. Their was a display in the front of the store for the movie Cars, they had a few 2 packs (the ones with Snotrod, etc) priced at $7.99....

Your collection is simply amazing!! Great job on the set-up!!!

Wow !! Nice setup Sithbaker !!! I hear ya with the single Fleet Trooper though. I wish they switched the X-Wing Lukes (multiples per box of 12) with the Fleet Trooper. It wouldv'e made a big difference. Hopefully Medicom doesn't do the same in the next assortment for Series 7. I'll go crazy if they pack in only 1 Royal Guard or Scout Trooper and have multiples of Boush Leia or Skiff Lando per box of 12....

I can see your point, and I'll admit it was a jab. I've let my disgust over these things get the best of me, and I couldn't contain my knee-jerk reaction. I suppose why I couldn't hold back with my jab was because I didn't see any dissenting opinion about these things, and I actually saw the opposite when posts started being critical of the criticism. To me, it all seemed rather silly, as if no one was thinking for themselves. I just cannot fathom how anyone can think these are okay. But like I said, I've let my own personal disgust over these things get the best of me. I've dug my hole, and I'm actually remorseful. I'm going to edit/omit that last line of my previous post.

I still absolutely hate these things and feel their real purpose (to make money) is being veiled by that silly statement (comment on war).

Thanks for letting me know I got out of line. I'm usually pretty level-headed, but (as you've probably read) these things have got me all riled up.

Again, sorry.

It's not a problem, stormie. Your a decent guy on the boards and it's very respectful on your part to look back and say you know what...maybe I went a little too far and I'll try fixing the problem the best I can. The last thing I wanted to do was cause any kind of stir on the boards because it seems like everybody here are really nice and I enjoy posting on here. The nice things about both forums is that people come from all over and have their own opinions on the things which I find really cool. What's even better is when boardies help each other.

 I was never bothered over the criticism of the toys itself, it was just the people on those boards on creatusmaximus.com are like one big, nice community. No matter what you collect or do for a hobby, they put forth respect and back you completely on your accomplishments or the road ahead. Alot of these boardies came from the now defunct Palisades board, myself included. With Ken Lilly, he wants to make a splash again since Palisades is no longer a company. He did very well with Palisades (one can only look at the Muppets line), but he needed to make a living (especially with raising young children) when Palisades closed its doors forever in December of 2005. You have that same community now supporting one of their own in Lilly. It never had anything to do about being a "yes-man", but as a member of a tight-knit internet community over the course of a few years. It's like one of the staff members here like Angry Ewok deciding he wanted to start a toy line and the people here (on Jedi Defender) embracing and supporting what he is trying to accomplish in the industry. You always want one of your own to be successful. And on the other end, it feels great to have the support of others. They offer differing opinions, some have even gone as far as designing their own stuff (see the Kockblockerz line that might come out if Smart Bombs does well), some have even given advice, or even offered to help him get him started in the industry since Palisades is no longer around.

Because of Lilly's closeness with boardmembers (new and old)-- he wants to get everybody involved the best way he can with the new venture. You may not like the product thats coming out and its fine. I respect your opinions on that. But I'll be hard pressed to find another forum to back up one of their own the way creatusmaximus does which I find very appealing.

In any case, thanks again for pulling that. I appreciate and respect you for it...I know that the line might not be appealling to you. It's certainly not a line for everybody (myself included- I'm sticking with Kubricks only at this point of collecting) and its definately controversial. The only thing that had bothered me was the comment about the boardmembers over there. They really are some of the greatest people on the net.

Like I said before, and this goes for anybody...browse the site or sign up, post your suggestions and concerns over certain products (it'll make a big difference over there), give advice and be heard. There are topics for everybody over there. You're all welcome to take part in our Fantasy Football league we are starting up (Baseball started back in April)  or take part in any of the discussions, topics, or games in the forums. It'll give you a chance to know a few more people, even invite a few of them over here to Jedidefender once you get  comfortable or another website to frequent. If you don't want to sign up, it's nothing big...It's just one person reaching out to another to hopefully find a greater good...

Damn! 17.99 each, even for the commons? Ugh.
4 Tie Pilots is a good thing though, army builders!

Yeah, the $17.99 price included commons. Believe it or not, they actually sell pretty well at that store (figure theres no other store in the area for that sell Kubricks). I'm thinking about going there tonight after I take my wife out to eat for dinner nearby to see if they had gotten their case in. I'll probably just splurge and get the Rebel Trooper and R4-M 9that nev er came in my case just to have the full set if they even have it in stock. I really don't feel like spending $60 and have to add to the total of X-Wing Lukes considering the cost of a box of 12 that I had already spent.

As for my case from BBTS, I'm going to preorder another box of 12 (series 7) and see the outcome from that. It's still a deal in my case because of the comic stores price for an individual common. I wish Medicom could've packaged more Death Star Troopers or Rebel Troopers in their boxes instead of X-Wing Lukes. I really don't know what I'm going to do with the 5 of them....would they even be considered an army builder??