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Collectibles => Past Hasbro 3.75" Lines => Revenge of the Sith => Topic started by: CHEWIE on March 24, 2005, 02:37 PM

Title: Midnight Madness Experiences! Share!
Post by: CHEWIE on March 24, 2005, 02:37 PM
So... what are everyone's plans this day?  Going to recoop from the madness on April 2nd? 

I am going on a bachelor party on April 2nd that starts at noon and won't be done until 6am.... it will be a lot of fun, but I wish it was on a different weekend!!!   >:(

So, Sunday, April 3rd will be a recover from hangover day.  On April 4th I am taking off work to enjoy my new toys.   :)

 :P
Title: Re: April 3rd... the day after.
Post by: SilverZ on March 24, 2005, 03:25 PM
Sounds like you're going to be a zombie next weekend!  :)

I'll probably be in a comatose state and not even be awake for April 3. I figure starting April 1 will continue sleepless through April 2, and I won't get back to the house with everything I need until at least 8pm Saturday.

Title: Re: April 3rd... the day after.
Post by: DoctorPadawan on March 24, 2005, 04:50 PM
This is what I will be doing on April 3rd:

Repeatedly saying to myself, "I spent THAT much money on toys?  No wonder I'm single."

 :D
Title: Re: April 3rd... the day after.
Post by: Ben on March 24, 2005, 11:55 PM
I usually stay awake till 3 or 4 AM, and that will be plenty of time to hit the two local Wal-Marts and still get a couple of beers at the bar before close. Then I can go home and ogle my new swag tillI fall asleep.

Then it's up around 9ish to hit TRU and Target, though I don't think it's too pressing since I've heard the holo Yoda won't be out till April 10th with that week's circular.
Title: Re: April 3rd... the day after.
Post by: Darth Broem on March 25, 2005, 08:27 AM
I will not be able to get all the merchandise I want on 4/2.  The wife will pull me back greatly.  Which is fine.  So, I will spend the day wishing I would have bought figures X instead of figures Y or vehicle X instead of vehicle Y, etc.   
Title: Midnight Madness Experiences! Share!
Post by: Famine on April 2, 2005, 01:13 AM
Ok, I'll start. I hit walmart at 10:45, I know, lame right? Anyway, not a single soul was in sight, so I did a little snooping, spotted some figures, etc. The entire ROTS Area was either boxed up, or in black celophane plastic. I chatted up with a Galactic Hunter guy named Steven, a real nice guys. Then some fellow with a very high pitched voice came over and started asking me and Steven about what figures would be hard to find, shortpacked, etc. Me and Steven lied and said we didn't know. He went away. A short Promo for ROTS aired over the PA.

Then this older lady (I'd say around 60) came and she was looking at the figures that were exposed with us. Then High Pitched Scalper(HPS from now on) came back. So we got tired of waiting, cause Steves phone said 12:00, so we started to peek, and an employee, Mike, who I went to highschool with, came over and yelled at us and made us put it back up. Then the Star Wars theme hit over the PA, the manager ran around the corner and said "Mike start cutting." So the plastic came down, and it was a grabbing frenzy. Collectivley me, Steven, and the older lady formed a wall preventing HPS from getting too deep. She found the first Blue guard, and offered up the second one to me. Very nice move on her part.

Then out of the corner of my eye, the cut open this HUGE box stacked deep of figures in end cap displays. I got all but one Blue Guard, that I left for a couple who arived late.

The Star Wars movie music was playing the entire time. I really enjoyed this.

They had out Wookie Soakers, Greivous and Clone Blasters, Nerf Bowcaster, Darth Tater, 12 inch, Greivous Wheel Bike and Ani and Obi's ship, and the Uleashed. I must say Unleashed Greivous was VERY VERY tempting.

At the register, the clerk said that "somthing new, and secret is being opened at 1 am in the electronics department." I was tempted but left.

I have to say, I did enjoy this.

Please, share you Hauls and Experiences!

My haul was:

4 Clones
3 Blue Guards
2 Greivous Guards

:)

Kevin
Title: Re: Midnight Madness Experiences! Share!
Post by: CloneF13Y35 on April 2, 2005, 01:30 AM
My walmart didn't put out the later waves so no cool arc clones etc or arc-170 ship just the regular clone trooper. Got two of those, grevious, r2, 3p0,  chewie, tarful, dooku,   obi-wan slash attack, deluxe anakin, plus the color change anakin lightsaber.
other things they had were the wheelbike, obi-wan starfighter,    tri-droid, bunch of 12" clone trooper, palpy and anakin. they had the anakin deluxe, obi-wan deluxe, palpatine deluxe, grevious deluxe, attatktix and force battlers - didn't notice anyone buying those. Plus they had all the regular jedis.
About ten people or so, plus ran into a friend and chatted with him and his family- we all grew up together and were star  wars kids  from the 70s and 80s.
All in all a fun time.
Will go sometime tomorrow with my kid the tent event at walmart.
 ;D ;D
Title: Re: Midnight Madness Experiences! Share!
Post by: Ben on April 2, 2005, 02:38 AM
Met Spuffy there at Wal-Mart, and another guy whom I forgot to ask his name.
Great bunch of folks, no pushing or shoving. The employees were going like mad getting it all set up.

Traveled to TRU, nothing that Wal-Mart didn't have. They had the Battle Arenas, which stunk. What a waste of plastic.
Saw a case of holo Yodas, but they wouldn't open it for me.  :( There was also a dude in a Sandtrooper outift that really kicked ass. I think I saw this dude at the local AOTC premiere. Stormtrooper armor is really threatening in person.  ;)

Went to the other area Wal-Mart. They had the first track of the Phantom Menace soundtrack on loop on a boombox near the display. Found an assload of blue Guards, so I was able to get the two of those I wanted. Also found the Darth Vader carrying case, which I'll get later.

I found no figures above #32, which kind of bites, since I want some AT-TE Gunners and Clone Commanders.

My haul:
Obi-Wan #1
Anakin #2 and #28
2 blue Guards
1 red Guard
Darth Vader
Padme
General Grievous #9
Grievous' Bodyguard
4 Clone Troopers #6
Unleashed Grievous
A set of Clone Wars packs, for Dale.  :)

Title: Re: Midnight Madness Experiences! Share!
Post by: jediguy on April 2, 2005, 03:32 AM
I normally just lurk here at JD, but I thought I'd share.

Okay . . . . here's my long MM story. Prepare for a long read.

So I leave my house about 10:45, and arrive at TRU at 11:00. There's probably about fifteen people waiting in the little area just inside, but the doors are still locked to get into the main building. I stand there and wait, but while I do I meet this kid and his dad who seem pretty cool and very interested in Star Wars. The kid said all he wanted was the basic figure General Grievous, so I make a mental note to get one for him if I see it. We also talk about Celebration III, and I even get them to go Saturday-Sunday, I think. So that's quite nice, just meeting and talking to fans.

About 11:58, this group of maybe ten people come. We're all like, cool, I guess the more the merrier. We continue to anxiously wait until the doors open at 12:01.

We rush in, and see the display. It is a beauty, I must say, with the fog effects and everything coming out and such. The problem was, there were about three displays in the middle of the floor showcasing LEGO, lightsabers, and vehicles that really got in the way, and only allowed for the first few people to get to the actual figure pegs. By 12:04, EVERY SINGLE FIGURE IS GONE OFF THE PEGS.

The manager then pulls out cases of figures on each side of the store and starts throwing them into carts for people to get to them. It's pretty maddening; knowing what is currently being thrown in what cart at which side and what not.

Now before I go on, let me say I really only came to TRU to get a few things, as I will be picking up all of my figures tomorrow at Target in the morning. I was basically looking for the Red and Blue Royal Guards, and the Holo Yoda if it was available (also the two Deluxe Anakin variants).

So as we are scouring the bins (myself with just a Red Royal Guard figure in hand), I notice someone with a Holo Yoda. I was extremely surprised, and go right up to the counter to ask if they have any more. They say no, they only could put out 12, and they were put on the very top of the display. I then find out that ONE GUY got ALL 12 of them. EVERY SINGLE ONE. He was even saying, ' Boy, this holo yoda which doesn't have a lightsaber will go for a lot on eBay!'. AHHH, the nerve of HIM! I am extremely pissed off by this time, and continue wading through the figures looking for my Red Royal Guard.

As I am doing this, I see the kid I was talking to in line find a General Grievous. He turns around to call to his dad that he finds one, and this guy just takes it RIGHT OUT OF HIS HANDS. RIGHT OUT OF HIS HANDS . The guy WILL NOT give it back, and there is nothing the employees can do.

So anyway, just as I am about to purcahse the ONE FIGURE, I see a Blue Royal Guard just sitting on the pegs which pretty much only had the Luminaria Undulis and Aayla Securas left. I hastily grab it, happy about my find.

But I am more concerned about this kid and his Grievous for some reason, so we keep searching through the carts. Apparently, my TRU got WAYYY too much Collection 2 and only a few cases of Collection 1.

So we don't find a Grievous, unfortunately, but I did find a cool Battle Droid whose head was actually at the bottom of the package. I thought it was pretty funny, so I bought it.

Anyway, so the boy's dad says, 'Hey, Meijers is open 24/7, why don't we check there? I heard they were doing something for this promotion!'. I am thinking that this'll be cool, because the kid will get his Grievous and I was going to go anyway.

So we both go to Meijers, and the kid and his dad get there before me a bit. As I am walking towards the action figure aisle, the dad comes back from it and says 'They got nothing.'

I check just in case, and notice that it looks EXACTLY like it did the day before; I checked because my mom was getting groceries there.

So I begin to think that they haven't even released them, and share this with the dad. He's pretty excited about it, too, and as we continue talking, this guy just walks through the aisle kind of curious.

He asks me what I am talking about when I proclaim, 'Well, I hope we get them!'. I tell him the Star Wars Episode III Figures, and to his bewilderment he thought they came out TOMORROW at midnight, and he had just been at Meijers after work to get some bolts.

He's a pretty cool guy, he shows us his Star Wars tatoos (I think he had like four of them), and this is all fine and dandy but I am wandering about the figures. So I have to search the store for ANYONE to ask about this, which ended up being an elderly lady who said that the guys from the toy department are just getting back from break.

So as they walk down the aisle, I ask them where their Star Wars stuff is. They said they were just getting ready to put it out; and I was REALLY stoked. I thought they were just going to put it on the pegs, but when they came rolling this HUGE DISPLAY down the aisle and fill in a gap in the open area around toys, I am even more excited.

So, as they do, we start to sift through the figures. The boy, thankfully, gets his Grievous, and the other guy we met with the tatoos is happily getting some Unleashed and the other cool figures (good for him, since he thought they were coming out tomorrow!).

As we continue to talk and look at the merchandise, the tatoo guy starts to talk about his Star Wars fandom and such. He even brings up the fact that he plays STAR WARS GALAXIES, and I am like WOW. So he asks me what server I am on, and I tell him Starsider. To my bewilderment, he replies he plays on Starsider as well (and this is kind of a bit thing, because I know Starsider is one of the lesser populated SWG servers). I ask him his character name (Laen-Ki), and he tells me. I then react, because I have GROUPED with this guy before in the game. Cool stuff, eh?

So as the boy is holidng onto his Grievous, I am holding onto a Darth Vader/Anakin Deluxe figure (trying to get both variants), and the tatoo guy is getting his stuff. It's all turning out good . . .

. . . then the TRU guy who scalped comes in. He's talking to his wife/girlfriend about how Wal-Mart had absolutely nothing he could resell, but that he'd check here. Luckily, he didn't get anything here either, because we had the stuff that he probably wanted.

So I check out, and come home and start typing this story, anxious for tomorrow when I will get my Lava Vader and the rest of the figures. I am also anxious about getting my Holo Yoda on 4/10 (I saved the ARC Fighter for then) for FREE, while that scalper had to pay $120 just for the Yodas. Hehe.

It's been a good night.
Title: Re: Midnight Madness Experiences! Share!
Post by: CHEWIE on April 2, 2005, 05:09 AM
I got the following, went to two different Walmarts that were packed with other collectors...

Obi Wan w/ Boga x 1
BARC Speeder x 2
Palpatine Deluxe x 1
Anakin/Vader Deluxe x 1

Kicking Obi Wan x 1
Mace Windu x 1
Blue Guard x 2
Ki Adi Mundi x 2
Aayla Secura x 2
Agen Kolar x 2
Luminara Unduli x 2
Sae Sae Tiin x 2
Plo Kooh x 2
Kit Fisto x 2
Tarrful x 2
Battle Droid x 8
Clone Trooper x 9

Including what I already had, I now have 1-32 (except the Red Guard) and 38, 39, 40. 

They didn't have the Force Battle 2-pks, ARC-170 or AT-RT...

I was actually a little let down by the lack of space for the 3-3/4" stuff and the overwhelming size of the LEGO section and other non 3-3/4" crap. 

So, did anyone find anything past #32?

 :P
Title: Re: Midnight Madness Experiences! Share!
Post by: Ook on April 2, 2005, 06:32 AM
Ok, I'll start. I hit walmart at 10:45, I know, lame right?
Dude, my first scouting of the place was around 6PM. I'm the lamest. I went back around 8:00 and started the line. Anyway, if I hadn't, I wouldn't have gotten everything I did. There were only four 12" Vaders, and very few of certain regular ones. Here's my Walmart.

(http://myo.homestead.com/files/Toys/MidnightMadness2005/MM1.jpg)

(http://myo.homestead.com/files/Toys/MidnightMadness2005/MM2.jpg)

(http://myo.homestead.com/files/Toys/MidnightMadness2005/MM_loot1.jpg)

I had fun. :)
Title: Re: Midnight Madness Experiences! Share!
Post by: Jediknight760071 on April 2, 2005, 10:27 AM
Found up to the Exploding Grievous, save for the ARc170 fighter, and the choper droid...oh yea..and no AT-TE Gunner.


Had fun at TRU (near the front) and the replica R2 made it even more fun. Waited outside WM alone, and now I'm off to Target to see if I can't pick some more stuff up!
Title: Re: Midnight Madness Experiences! Share!
Post by: Nicklab on April 2, 2005, 10:28 AM
I scored a number of figures ahead of what I did over the past 10+ hours.  So, I focused on some cool stuff!

Yoda - Firing Cannon
Grievous's Bodyguard X 4
General Grievous 4-lightsaber attack
Clone Trooper X 9
Royal Guard (blue) X 4
Royal Guard (red) X 2
Padme
Bail Organa
Count Dooku
Chancellor Palpatine
Emporer Palpatine
Mace Windu

DELUXE
Anakin with snap-on Darth Vader armor
Emporer Palpatine/Darth Sidious
Grievous
Force Jumping Obi-Wan

VEHICLES/BEASTS
Boga w/ Obi-Wan
BARC Speeder X 2
AT-RT X 2
ARC-170

TARGET CUPS w/ FIGURES
Obi-Wan Kenobi
Clone Trooper

WALMART Carrying Case w/ Anakin Skywalker & AOTC SA Clone Trooper

Unleashed
Anakin
Obi-Wan
General Grievous

Target Lava Vader X 2

DK Books Incredible Cross Sections of ROTS
DK Books ROTS Visual Dictionary
Art Of Revenge Of The Sith



There were a couple of things I was hoping for, like the Clone Pilot, AT-TE Gunner & Mas Amedda,  but they weren't to be found.  Probably in a week or so, I guess.  Basic Figures seemed limited to around #32 around here.  But I think I spent a fair ammount today regardless, don't you?
Title: Re: Midnight Madness Experiences! Share!
Post by: Jediknight760071 on April 2, 2005, 10:31 AM
Actually..upon further inspection, I found Mas and the Polis Massan, which I believe are 39 and 40.
Title: Re: Midnight Madness Experiences! Share!
Post by: Ook on April 2, 2005, 10:51 AM
I got Massan. He's a funny alien. I had the only Amedda I saw, but I put it back because it had a crap mark right on the tip of the nose. Hope to find one today.
Title: Re: Midnight Madness Experiences! Share!
Post by: Jim on April 2, 2005, 10:58 AM
I was really disappointed in not finding anything after #32 >:(  I was looking forward to those army builders the most.  Cant complain though.  I found 1-32 and was able to score 5 Clones, 5 Blue Guards and 5 Red Guards. Also picked up Obi's ship, the Barc and the Beast pack.  The Red Guard was tough, it took my 4 stores to find the ones I got.  The Blue Guard was in heavy abundance as was the Clone.  My fear is that Walmart  and TRU is so saturated with these figs we wont be seeing later waves for a bit.
Title: Re: Midnight Madness Experiences! Share!
Post by: Scott on April 2, 2005, 11:35 AM
Just got back after whirlwind trip aorund the metro

Last night Jeff, Paul and myself went to TRU:

Holo Yoda (we each got 1 and were the last 3 there)
Blue Guard x2

Then we headed to a 24 Hour Wally World (non-tent)

Where I bought quite a few figures and Obi-Wan and Anakin Unleashed

This morning I hit three Targets and 2 Wal-Marts and a TRU and was able to finish what I was looking for through #32

No figures above that.  I agree with Jim that the Red Guard was much harder to find and in general both of them (Blue and Red) were tough to get

Jeff took pictures of us at the stores, and the 501st was at TRU so we should be able to get some photo evidence

I still need to pick up the Novel and the Visual Dictionary and ART of EpIII so I may head out again here for some lunch and book shopping :)
Title: Re: Midnight Madness Experiences! Share!
Post by: CHEWIE on April 2, 2005, 11:48 AM
I have to say this is the most disappointing MM I have ever seen.

Only one Walmart had anything past #24.  And that was up to #32, and they just had it looked like one case of that.

WAY TOO MUCH COLLECTION 1 STUFF EVERYWHERE...

My TRU has at least 1500 figures I'd say - and they are all Collection 1, #'s 1-12.

This is by far the worst distribution I have seen.

Went to three Walmarts (two tents), two Targets, one TRU and one Kmart. 

REVENGE OF THE PEGWARMERS.

 :P

 :P
Title: Re: Midnight Madness Experiences! Share!
Post by: Vator on April 2, 2005, 12:09 PM
Pretty good haul, considering some of the stuff I wanted wasn't out yet. Nothing over 32 here.  >:(

Scored 4 Blue Guards, 1 Red and 3 Clones. There was a lack of Clones...this can't be good.

Also got my 4 AT-RTs (which are 19.99 at Wal-Mart, btw)
Title: Re: Midnight Madness Experiences! Share!
Post by: Brian on April 2, 2005, 12:31 PM
Back, for now, but heading out again this afternoon.  The Mrs. wants to do some other shopping, and I still need to pick up the books, etc.  So far, this is what I've done:

-Headed to Wal-Mart (tent one) at about 11:45 last night.  The wife wanted to go with me (she's great), and helped by just holding a cart while I went in and got what I wanted.  There were probably a dozen or so other people there, and the WM employees pretty much just let collectors open the cases themselves.  I was sort of on the outside, waiting for my chance to get in the melee, and just picked up out of the cases when others were done with them.  Overall, everyone was very cordial with one another, and trying to help everyone else find what they were looking for.  Our particular Wal-Mart had #1-32 as well, and I found all I wanted outside of Emperor Palpatine.  He definitely seemed to be the hottest figure last night here.  I skipped the duplicate Yodas, Obi Wans, Anakins, and Battle Droids...but got the majority of the rest of the first 32.  I left Mon Mothma for now as well, but figured I could pick that one up later fairly easily.  I also picked up the Boga w/Obi Wan, BARC Speeder, and Obi-Wan's fighter.  They didn't have the AT-RT there, or the large scale ships.  Skipped all of the 1st Wave of Deluxe, and picked up Unleashed Anakin and Obi-Wan (Grievous was gone).  They also had the next wave of ROTS Galactic Heroes, so I picked those up as well.

-This morning, I headed out to Target/Wal-Mart around 8 or so.  Went to Target first, and they didn't seem to be doing anything with Lava Vaders/tickets, etc.  I didn't ask, and didn't really care if I got one anyways.  I picked up the Unleashed Grievous, a SaeSee Tiin that I couldn't find the night before, and two of the cup sets (didn't get the Grievous one yet).  Also ended up picking up the 2nd Anakin figure, sort of an impulse buy, might end up returning it.  They had the ARC Fighter as well, and I think I might end up going back to get that.  Then I went to the Wal-Mart "tent sale", which was kind of neat.  Cashiers were dressed up as Jedi and there video games occupied by the kiddos.  I picked up an Early Bird set, found the Palpy I missed the night before, and another Clonetrooper.

All in all, a fun...and expensive...experience.  I was a little disappointed there wasn't anything beyond 32 (the clones in particular), but its just as well because I'm spending more than enough as it is.  I was surprised to see the new Galactic Heroes, which was nice.  I've never had this big of a haul, and it is kind of overwhelming.  We're heading out later on today, and I might try to pick up the ARC Fighter, and a book or two.  Good luck to everyone in their searches!
Title: Re: Midnight Madness Experiences! Share!
Post by: Jeff on April 2, 2005, 12:42 PM
Just got back after whirlwind trip aorund the metro

Last night Jeff, Paul and myself went to TRU:

Holo Yoda (we each got 1 and were the last 3 there)
Blue Guard x2

Then we headed to a 24 Hour Wally World (non-tent)

Jeff took pictures of us at the stores, and the 501st was at TRU so we should be able to get some photo evidence

Here we go...

(http://www.jedidefender.com/jsmentek/theline.JPG)

(http://www.jedidefender.com/jsmentek/thelineMN.JPG)

(http://www.jedidefender.com/jsmentek/thelineforms.JPG)

(http://www.jedidefender.com/jsmentek/MNmadness2.JPG)

(http://www.jedidefender.com/jsmentek/buyingstuff.JPG)


All and all, a pretty good haul for myself!

(http://www.jedidefender.com/jsmentek/jlsrotsloot.JPG)
Title: Re: Midnight Madness Experiences! Share!
Post by: Pliscken on April 2, 2005, 01:17 PM
Well I have an intristing story. First I off, I thought i would be heading ther with 100 bucks, but I didn't get my money so i just used what i had............... $48 :(. So I figure i can get 5. We went to go and see the 9:30pm showing of Sin City..wich was great. But when we got there the 9:30 was sold out at 8:45! We were forced to go to 10:20. We got out of the movie and to Toys "R" Us at about 1:35am. So were an hour late and the store is still packed. I run over get the few i was looking for and figure..oh crap all the guards are gone now. I see a old lady (55ish) walk out with a Red Royal guard. To my left some guy is really bummed that they didn't have the Vader Pez dispencer.

I rummage around for about 10minutes and i see the Pez, I take and me and the stocker try to find the guy but he had already left. 1 hour goes by of me opening unopend boxes and getting no guards. I see a cart full of figures that i haven't looked at yet, but i was loosing hope and deciede that the guard could'nt be in there. As soon as i thought that a guy pulls one out.

30 minutes go by..everything was checked. So i deciede to walk out with the 4 i wanted. Then as i am paying, the stocker comes up to me and says "Here yah go man....it was mine." He hands me his royal guard and I didn't know what to say, I mean this guy was keeping it for himself the whole time and he gives to me in the end.

My haul is:
Lava Vader #Target
Anakin Skywalker #2
Clone Trooper #6
Grievous's Bodyguard #8
General Grievous #9
Darth Vader #11
Emperor Palpatine #12
Chancellor Palpatine #14
Kit Fisto #22
Royal Guard (red) #23
Royal Guard (blue) #23
Anakin Skylwalker (Slashing) #28
Ki-Adi-Mundi #29
Luminare Unduli #31
Aayla Secura #32
Clone Pilot #34

I can barely afford the rest but i need doubles to have loose figures!!!!
Title: Re: Midnight Madness Experiences! Share!
Post by: Jim on April 2, 2005, 01:30 PM
I forgot about the AT-RT.  I thought I overlooked it so I went back out to a few stores.  Nada.  Anybody find these in there New Engand TRU or WM?  Grabbed another handful of Clones and Bodyguards when I went out.  The shelves still had good numbers of every fig.  The figs that were short in my area were the 2nd Anakin,  2nd Obi-Wan and Tarfful. ???  BTW, when I hit stores this morning, I was the first person to buy ROTS stuff at 2 Walmarts, TRU and KB.  BTW, After finding a couple of Red Guards, I noticed that KB only had Red Guards and not Blue. 
Title: Re: Midnight Madness Experiences! Share!
Post by: Pete_Fett on April 2, 2005, 02:38 PM
Well - my son and I started waiting at the Toms River, NJ TRU at 3:30 PM on Friday. We set up two chairs and everyone thought we were nuts. Turns out it paid off....

This TRU only got in ONE case of the Yoda figures and they gave the 12 Yodas to the first 12 people in line.

Unfortunately things inside the store (besides picking up the Yoda) was ABSOLUTE CHAOS.

This TRU is so small they should let people in, in groups - and they didn't. Everyone was pushing and shoving, typical New Jersey folk.

Anyway, I grabbed:

Collection 1, Wave 1 Case
Collection 2, Wave 1 Case
2x Boga
2x Barc Speeder
2x AT-RT
2x Holo Yoda
12" Ultimate Anakin
12" Clone
12" Palpatine
Palpatine vs. Windu Battle Arena
Dooku vs. Anakin Battle Arena
2x Anakin Unleashed
2x Obi-Wan Unleashed
2x Grevious Unleashed

After that we headed over directly to the Target and we were again the first people in line and we waited all through the night.

There were the #25 - #32 figures at this store and they were in plentiful supply. I was also able to grab...

4x Lava Vader
2x Grevious fig w/Cup
2x Clone fig w/Cup
2x Obi-wan fig w/Cup
2x ARC-170

And my doubles of Col 1, Wave 1 and Col 2, Wave 1.

This store also had only ONE Pollis Massan and ONE Vader Medical Droid - I was able to snag both.

NONE of the stores had any signs of Clone Commander, AT-TE Gunner, Mas Amedda, Clone Pilot, Palpatine #35 or Exploding Grevious. I would have LOVED to get the Clones but alas the only clone to be had ANYWHERE was the quick-draw version. Pilots would have been nice especially since I found the ARC-170!

I ended up screwing up though in my rush 'cause I grabbed some extras and I didn't end up with a second Spinning Attack Yoda or Saesee Tiin.

I then went to WalMart and I picked up two of the Early Bird kits - ended up getting them both on the same receipt which means I can't redeem both, but I was only planning on redeeming both anyway.

I also picked up one of the Darth Vader Carrying Cases w/the two figures.

I then hi-tailed it over to another TRU to grab the last 12" figure I needed, 12" General Grevious.

I then went to a KB-Toys and was able to grab:

1x 12" Chewie exclusive
1x ROTS Gunship Repaint
1x Mace vs Palpatine Battle Arena
1x Anakin vs Dooku Battle Arena.

So all in all, here's all I have left to get:

1x Spinning attack Yoda
1x Saesee Tiin
7x Clone Pilot
3x AT-TE Gunner
4x Clone Commander
2x Palpatine #35
2x Exploding Grevious
1x Pollis Massan
1x Vader Medical Droid
2x Mas Amedda
1x ROTS Gunship Repaint
2x Obi-Wan vs. Magnaguard Battle Arena
2x Mustafar playset.

I don't think those last two items even came out anywhere though...

Not a bad haul really - I'll get a total posted to the contest thread soon. Right now I'm off to take a nap!
Title: Re: Midnight Madness Experiences! Share!
Post by: amarsella on April 2, 2005, 03:27 PM
Hit the Van Nuys CA TRU at about 10:30 and there were about 10 people or so lined up. Grabbed a cup of coffe at 7/11 and got in line at about #15. My wife came along to help out and we had a great chat with another guy on line while passing the time.

I picked up:

Slashing Anakin
Slashing Obi
Mas Amedda
Ayla
Luminara
Saesee
Ki-Adi
Grievous
Emperor
Chancelor
Dooku
Yoda w/Cannon
Magna Guard x2
Tarfull

I was bit disappointed that I didn;t see any Shaak-Ti, Agen Kolar, Kit Fisto or Plo Koon. I guess I'll try to find them today.

They gave out tickets to raffle the the purchase of 12 Holo-Yodas. I gave my wife's and my tickets to Darth_Anton, hey Anthony good to see you, and he nabbed one with our ticket. I would have taken that Yoda for free with the $35 but I was not interested in buying one. 

Great final MM for me.

Now, to find those missing Jedi....
Title: Re: Midnight Madness Experiences! Share!
Post by: JediMAC on April 2, 2005, 03:40 PM
Jared and I totally cleaned house on everything we were looking for, except the Target cups, where we came up a little short, and on figure #s 37 - 40.  Didn't see those anywhere, or even hear of any sightings of them.  Anyone else come across those?

I passed on the big ships and Battle Arena sets for now, so I can buy them next week and pick up a couple Holo Yodas, and spread the credit card charges out just a bit so I can still pay this month's bill in full!  ;)

Fun times, and not enough time right now to cover it all.  But the tough figures in our area were both of the Royal Guards (red/blue), the Clone Commander, Clone Pilot, and Grievous in Poncho.
Title: Re: Midnight Madness Experiences! Share!
Post by: Diddly on April 2, 2005, 04:18 PM
Target was DEAD, it was me and another guy (who I assumed to be a collector) in the isle. I saw at least 3 of each figure except for the Royal Guard (Both Red and Blue). I ended up getting each fig I wanted though, so I'm happy.

Not exactly a MM, but it worked for me. :)
Title: Re: Midnight Madness Experiences! Share!
Post by: Darth Kenobi on April 2, 2005, 04:21 PM
I ended up spending most of the day looking for stuff.  Started last night at midnight was second in line at the Indusrty TRU.  My cousin and his friend showed up and we teamed up to take different jobs, 12" figures, figures and getting baskets to but stuff in.  For the past few hours outside I was looking in to see what was on the pegs and spotted a red guard on the top right hand coner of the display.  When the doors opened I end up getting a two hand baskets and went straight to this figure and got it.  After getting it I started getting the others but eventually was pushed out by the crowd.  
My cousin who went to get the 12inch figures was now in the middle of the figure display calling my name and handing me figure after figures.  We got a basket full of stuff and went to a open area to look at what we got.  WE ended up seperating the stuff and looking for what we didn't have.  After about 12:40 or so we left and went to the Pomona TRU which had nothing left we need.  I ened up going to the San Dimas Walmart which had nothing.  
This morning I been all over and have found the Arc-170 and Gunships but no figures pass 36 or so.  
Title: Re: Midnight Madness Experiences! Share!
Post by: Holographic Elvis on April 2, 2005, 04:33 PM
OK, so last nite was pretty wild to say the least. I scoped out Covina TRU and Glendora WalMart last nite around 9pm PST. There were about 5 people at TRU and WalMart had yet to put out any product (they were still hanging pegs and putting up stickers) so I went home. I ate and passed the time playing ESPN MLB 2K5. Around 11pm I decided to head out. There were now about 30 people at TRU so I decided to hit WalMart. WalMart had a terrible setup. They had 1 row of SW product facing out into the aisle. Down the aisle were pallets so you couldn't walk across to the SW area. They had everyone lined up (about 20 people) on the other side of the pallets. They were doing what they did for Ep.II which was letting people into this section 3 at a time for a couple minutes and then sending in the next group, and so on, and so on. I didn't want to deal with that again so I left. I headed to another TRU (Monrovia) not far away (10 mins) thinking it may not be that crowded. This is where it gets nuts. There were about 60 people in line at this store, which was a shock. As we all head in, I notice that there is no big set up, a feature shop like my other TRU had set up. The SW section was just to the right as you walk in located inside the water toys section. You guys know what I'm talking about. It's that section located just inside the store where they keep all the pools, water toys and summer-type toys. The basic figs were set up in a corner, yes a corner. Picture 60 people pushing into an area that could fit about 5 people. The rest of the SW merchandise was next to it and on the ajacent row. It was f-in insane. People were shoving each other, reaching over each other. Even people who were up front and grabbed what they want couldn't get out! I pushed my way up and grabbed a deluxe Sidious and Anakin/Vader. By this time the basics started to disappear so everyone started heading to the end of the aisle because there were pallets set up w/ several employees standing there. They were in an area that blocked access to the rest of the store. What came next was what made it even crazier. As all of us started reaching for boxes and figures, the employees started cutting open cases and throwing them into the crowd! They just pointed at people like myself and said, "Hey, Yankee hat! Here you go!" and proceeded to toss a case at me. Figures and cases were flying everywhere. I saw 2 chicks get nailed in the head by flying cases. Product just littered the floor. After grabbing an Anakin and Vader out of the case, I looked back where the basic figs were and saw that the 12" figs were underneath where the basic figs first were. So I nearly knocked over a kid as I made my way through the crowd and grabbed the last 12" Grievous. I grabbed a Force Battler Vader and then hung out with a couple guys from my old gym who were there and waited to check out. Nearly all the cases that came out during that melee were the same Collection 1 case, so I didn't get a cloaked Anakin (the one w/ the evil eyes) nor did any of the deluxe cases have any Grievous figs. Didn't see anything beyond figure number 30 or so. I paid for my figs and left at about 1:30am.

I was completely drained after that surreal experience so I talked to my friend Cory on the phone and told him "screw the Lava Vader. I'm not doing this again." So I crashed out about 2:30am and didn't sleep much as I kept getting calls, mostly from Cory and Jamie. Well at about 10am this morning my buddy Cory calls and tells me that a new Target about 20 mins away still has 15 Lava Vaders! So now I'm awake and energized. I got my happy *** out of bed, drove out to the new Target and scored myself a minty Lava Vader!!  ;D  The geeky manager in electronics had the figs there and was sticking to the 1 per customer, so I couldn't grab more but I'm glad I didn't have to deal with any line or waking up at the crack of dawn to get one. Their SW section had barely been touched so I grabbed myself a deluxe Grievous. I then got a call from my friend who told me that Covina TRU put out a case of Holo Yodas! I headed there next and grabbed 3 of them (1 for myself, 1 for Jamie and one for Cory.) So now I don't have to deal with the "buy $25 worth, get one free" deal as the Yodas rang up for $10 each. I also picked up the cloaked Anakin fig at Covina TRU as they had about 6 of them. So all in all Midnight Madness lived up to its name and then some.

So the final tally was:

both basic Anakins
basic Vader
basic Padme (for sis)
deluxe Anakin, Palpatine & Grievous
12" Grievous
Lava Vader
Holo Yoda x3
Force Battler Vader
2 coloring books (for the nephew)
a Vader t-shirt (for the nephew)
and 1 enormous headache!!
Title: Re: Midnight Madness Experiences! Share!
Post by: JediJason on April 2, 2005, 04:45 PM
My Score and a trip around the Retail Chain World!!

(http://img214.exs.cx/img214/8349/img03884lc.jpg)
(http://img163.exs.cx/img163/8996/img03895jo.jpg)
(http://img163.exs.cx/img163/2305/img03906uu.jpg)

Title: Re: Midnight Madness Experiences! Share!
Post by: Jediknight760071 on April 2, 2005, 06:03 PM
Hey Matt....DId you see any AT-TE Gunners or Medic Droids?

Or those duel scenes by any chance? I went to 4 stores at opening and didn't find any of those. Huh. 8)
Title: Re: Midnight Madness Experiences! Share!
Post by: Darth Kenobi on April 2, 2005, 06:14 PM
Hey Matt....DId you see any AT-TE Gunners or Medic Droids?

Or those duel scenes by any chance? I went to 4 stores at opening and didn't find any of those. Huh. 8)
Justin, Like you I haven't seen any of the duel scenes or the AT-TE Gunners or Medic Droids.  I know my cousin found the Droids at a walmart, not sure where through in the area, I think somehwere near Pasedena. 
I'm going to check a few more targets and walmarts in the aera tommorrow to see if I can ind anything I need but after that not buy till next saturday or so when the buzz stops alittle.
Title: Re: Midnight Madness Experiences! Share!
Post by: Angry Ewok on April 2, 2005, 06:16 PM
I picked up...

TRU:
Dooku
Blue Guard
Red Guard

Target:
Clone Cup

Wal-Mart:
Darth Tater

 :)
Title: Re: Midnight Madness Experiences! Share!
Post by: Deanpaul on April 2, 2005, 06:22 PM
Thanks everyone -

Sorry I didn't share more story this morning - I was running out the door to hit the downtown WalMart tent that didn't exist. *cough* SPRRY75/Ryan *cough*

Ryan and I decided to head out together last night kind of at the last minute.

We decided to drive to Payson Walmart for midnight and work our way back.

We arrived at about 11:15 and went back to check the aisle out. There was a tape across the area with a note about Star Wars not being sold until 12 am.

They were still pulling a lot of the self-contained pallets out of the back, and Sprry and I asked if we could check out the aisle - the toy guy was totally cool, and even let us start filling our carts.

We had the aisle to ourselves for a good 45 minutes.

There weren't any figures beyond #32, and I was pretty minimal in what I wanted, so this was even a bigger bummer. The toy guy really thought he had seen the Clone Pilot (no way) and allowed us to open sealed 3 3/4 cases on a pallet and go through them. I know! It was so taboo. I felt dirty, and was certain someone else would come along at any moment and bust us.

But they didn't.

Scored one red and one blue guard, and left about ten (at least) of each there. D'oh! If I only knew.

Then we hit Springville Walmart, and I got the AT-RT like the tard that I am. $20 for a poorly painted figure who is eternally in the taking a dump position. They had the super-secret tent, and I was really pissed to learn that the early bird wouldn't be around until 8, and only in the tent. Suck.

Next we went to Orem TRU and saw Randy (Mandalorian Candidat) and Ryan2. I met Dave for the first time there, which was cool and another Randy. Nice to finally have the community aspect of the evening - we stood around talking for a while.

I'm a total tool, so I convinced Sprry to stop off at the AM FK Walmart even though I knew deep inside it would be a waste. We got a glimpse of the Early Bird throught the tent flap before the security guard made it clear we weren't getting in, even for a look around.

Dropped Ryan off at about 2:30 I think.

This morning I basically drove around looking for that dang ARC-170, and the Early Bird.

Walmart 13th - squat

Target 106th - Easy score on Lava Vader & I saw Abel

Abel told me that 106th didn't have any Early Bird sets, so I skipped them

Target Redwood 70ish - squat

Murray TRU - Met Jason Gibson in line because they don't open until 10 now, and we both thought 9:30. Nice guy. Also had the incredible line cutting bitch who wouldn't tell me what she was after and then didn't like it when I asked her how cutting in line worked for her in her life. She gave me a sad dance about how she had been in her car since 9 until she saw Jason and I cue up. I didn't really care, since I was there for sand for the sand box more than SW, but she was still a piece of work.

Kmart 9th E - crap, and not much shelf space

Smith's 3300 S - Bupkis - nothing even out

Kmart Parley's - boring

It didn't feel like a launch. It was great to hang out with Ryan, but I expected more stuff and more people. I was glad to not have the competiton at Payson, but felt a little dumb to be one of so few out that late.

Now to decide what I'm opening today, what I'm keeping around for a while, and what goes back the next time I walk into a Walmart.

BTW - EVERYONE gets the $1 off at Target, card or not. They scanned a photocopy at the register when I was at 106th S.
Title: Re: Midnight Madness Experiences! Share!
Post by: Jim on April 2, 2005, 07:11 PM
Anyone go to any K-Marts?  The one in my area is a good sized one, and they had nothing. Not one fig.  I asked a sales associate if there was a display somewhere else in the store. She looked at me like I had horns or something. 

I went to a TRU this morning and this family around my age with 3 kids between 5 and 8 were all excited about SW and I thought cool that some younger kids were interested.  The whole family turned out to be a bunch of jackasses.  They parked three carriages in front of the pegs and moved for no one.  The little bastards should of been beaten, just as an attention getter.  They made my son feel like dirt.  Rude, disrespectful and spoiled rotten. 

I hit 8 different stores today, totaling over 100 miles and found nothing past #32.  Did anyone figure out why the shopstarwars.com website was selling figs for 12.99?  It said they were in some kind of case.  What a markup.  They had figs past #32 and sold out quick.  Unbelievable for that price.  Walmart and TRU online had some figs past #32 as well but I missed out. 
Title: Re: Midnight Madness Experiences! Share!
Post by: Darth Kenobi on April 2, 2005, 07:18 PM
I cheked my local Kmart which had some Ep3 figures in the regular SW Asile.  There also still had POTC on the pegs with the Ep3 stuff.
Title: Re: Midnight Madness Experiences! Share!
Post by: Ryan on April 2, 2005, 07:55 PM
I got like 3 hours of sleep on Thursday night and woke up at 9 am. I haven't been to bed since. ;) :)  it was sooo much fun I went with 2 other guys and we all knew what each other wnated, we looted our local Wally. We caem out so much better than any one else there. I got one of 5 Red Royal guards that was found anywhere today, in Fort Collins, and I got half the Clone Commanders and Pilots found in the state of CO. ;D It was such a blast we all started grabbing stuff and piled our 2 carts full with what we wanted, then we sorted it all out later. It was cool meeting some other people too. And I kicked my MOMC habit last night, I'm loose first carded second now. :)
Title: Re: Midnight Madness Experiences! Share!
Post by: Jesse James on April 2, 2005, 07:56 PM
And I didn't even bother going, haha.

Couldn't figure out what the locals were going to do, so I stayed home...

Went at the buttcrack of dawn to get the Targer Vader.  Only exclusive I got this day.
Title: Re: Midnight Madness Experiences! Share!
Post by: Darby on April 2, 2005, 08:18 PM
For my 1000th post:

I went to WM with my cousins around 11 PM and somehow managed to be the second, third and fourth people there.  They had yet to stock the shelves and we watched as they did.  Met HMI, which was real nice, and met a lot of other nice folks.

My haul:

Obi Wan Jedi Kick
Anakin Robes
Tarfful
Mace
Padme
Dooku
Agen Kolar
Bodyguard
Blue Guard

It was a lot of fun, and I'm bummed it's the last one.  Enjoy your toys!
Title: Re: Midnight Madness Experiences! Share!
Post by: Scott on April 3, 2005, 12:31 AM
I also have to say that the sales today were amazing.  I checked the local Target twice today, once at opening and again this afternoon, the pegs were bare after being loaded this morning, same goes for my neighborhood TRU.  They were emptying at least 10 more cases this afternoon at TRU
Title: Re: Midnight Madness Experiences! Share!
Post by: Vator on April 3, 2005, 12:42 AM
I picked up 10 additional clones this afternoon at TRU...so that's about $52 plus the $21 novel from Barnes and Nobel.
Title: Re: Midnight Madness Experiences! Share!
Post by: SilverZ on April 3, 2005, 01:43 AM
I wanted to post a small follow-up to Matt’s post about our trip, which was an all-nighter. My apologies for what is probably a rambling post – I’ve been up since 8am Friday. The basics for our trip into the high desert of Southern California:

Between 12:00am and 10:00am we visited 3 Walmarts, 1 Kmart, 2 Targets, 1 TRU, and one KB Toys. 

We each found our complete sets of figures #1-36. No sightings of the last 4 figures. Clone Pilot, Clone Commander, and Exploding Grievous Collection 1 cases were only found in limited amounts.

Found all vehicles with the exception of the AT-RT, which was MIA.

Secured the Lava Vader and Early Bird exclusives. The TRU only received a box of 12 Yodas, similar to other reports, so we missed out.

Battle Arenas were rarely seen, and when finally found, mostly in damaged packaging.

Target cups were sadly understocked at one case per store visited.
Title: Re: Midnight Madness Experiences! Share!
Post by: SilverZ on April 3, 2005, 01:53 AM
Target, 4am. No lights except those coming from Lowe's across the parking lot.

(http://www.jedidefender.com/jbrinkley/target4am.jpg)
Title: Re: Midnight Madness Experiences! Share!
Post by: Ben on April 3, 2005, 03:42 AM
I didn't see those cups today, which kind of ticks me off. They had plenty of micro vehicles, though.

These cup/figure sets aren't really limited, are they? I loved the first set and would love to get my hands on these.
Title: Re: Midnight Madness Experiences! Share!
Post by: aka DaBigKahuna on April 3, 2005, 10:46 AM
To all:

Well I made it through my first midnght madness!  I thought I would take a moment to share my thoughts.  I spent about $250 and had a memorable time. 

Went to Walmart and got 1-32 fine and had no problem getting the Lava Vader at the target a block away from my house. 

Scalpers were out as I heard them talking about selling stuff.  I understand the concept of free enterprise, but doing so at a release date where others will miss out iritates me.   

I went there later in the afternoon to return army builders as I got too caught up in the hype.  Also, here is what else I bought from a rescue mission yesterday...our first family dog.  His name is Sponge (http://image24.webshots.com/25/8/2/78/312880278PzJboe_ph.jpg).

(http://image24.webshots.com/25/8/2/78/312880278PzJboe_ph.jpg)

I hope you all had fun!


DBK
Title: Re: Midnight Madness Experiences! Share!
Post by: Famine on April 3, 2005, 12:17 PM
Awwww!  ;D I love yellow dogs! ;D

Kevin
Title: Re: Midnight Madness Experiences! Share!
Post by: DoctorPadawan on April 3, 2005, 02:33 PM
First of all, Sponge is adorable.  It's always good to hear stories about saving animals from shelters, so big thumbs up to you DBK!  Easily the best thing anyone got yesterday! :)

Okay, the MM story from my neck of the woods.  There are two WMs within a 20 mile radius, so I decided to hit the larger one first, as I figured they would have a better selection.  Well, at 11:45, they hadn't done anything.  Apparently, according to someone else in line, instead of actually stocking the toy aisle in addition to the tent, they stocked everything in the tent and claimed to know nothing about being listed as part of the MM promotion.  So, they had to start pulling stuff in from the tent into the store to keep people from rioting.  Naturally, the first three pallets they brought in were the Clone Wars/OT DVDs (which they had been holding for April 2nd for some reason), the Titanium series/Force Battlers, and the Vader carrying case.  At 12:15, I decided I had had enough, so I walked out of the store buying nothing.

And, naturally, when I showed up at the second WM in the area, they were completely dead, but they had stocked the toy aisle and aside from two very nice guys who were trying to find what they were looking for, there was nobody else in the aisle.  There were several figures in short supply at that point (anything Grievous involved peg rifling, including his guards) and the guy who stuck around helped me find anyone I didn't see on first glance.  So, as I said in the Lava Vader thread about someone else, anonymous WM aisle guy, I salute and thank you!

I picked up the new Unleashed, deluxe Anakin and Sidious, and figures 1-27 (minus either Royal Guard).  They had up to 32 at this store, but the guy helping me out had gotten the last four Jedi plus the second Anakin.  He said that they had only put out two cases of the 25-28 Collection 1 and one guy had yanked three of the four Anakins and was looking for the fourth one to get when my aisle friend found it instead.  He said they had only gotten one case of the Collection 2 Jedi, and nothing past 32.  We talked about the Clone Commander and Pilot not showing up and how cool they were, I thanked him for his help and walked out of the store, to come home and rest.  I won't retype the Target story, as it's over in the Lava Vader thread, but everything there went well too.

I decided I would check K-Mart and see what they had going on, and they had very little.  The ROTS stuff was confined to the regular SW aisle.  They had one case of the new Unleashed, one case of the first Collection 1 wave (the one with 1 each of each of the 12), Legos, and a metric ton of the Palm Talker things.  Way to get yourself out of bankruptcy K-Mart!

The WM that, the night prior, had left everything in the tent and caused quite a few people to leave early (according to someone I saw in line at Target who was also there the night before) had this come back to bite them in the ass when a huge rain and windstorm hit earlier that morning, flooding the ground on which the tent sat, and actually soaking quite a few toys.  Needless to say, the only thing I picked up there was the 12" Sidious (the only Grievous was in a kid's hands, which is where these things need to be if you ask me).

The other WM was much luckier, and I was able to pick up the last 12" Grievous they had.  Still no sign of anything other than 1-28 (plus the one sighting of 29-32), and several things were in short supply, including the overhyped Royal Guards, who everyone was buying up like crazy, rambling on about "needing to find the rare variant" or something.  Whatever guys, whatever.   ::)

My haul:
-Unleashed Anakin, Obi-Wan, Grievous
-Basic figures 1-28 (no red RG)
-Deluxe Anakin, Sidious, Grievous, Obi-Wan
-12" Grievous
-12" Sidious
-Lava Reflection Darth Vader
-Boga, BARC Speeder
-ARC-170 Starfighter

Oh, and I did not see anyone buying a non-Vader Force Battler or any Attacktix yesterday.  As I said a month or two ago, see you in the clearance aisle guys!
Title: Re: Midnight Madness Experiences! Share!
Post by: bobafett14 on April 3, 2005, 04:20 PM
Hehe, whoops, I just posted under th Lava Vader thread.
Title: Re: Midnight Madness Experiences! Share!
Post by: Brian on April 4, 2005, 09:57 AM
Quote
I also have to say that the sales today were amazing.  I checked the local Target twice today, once at opening and again this afternoon, the pegs were bare after being loaded this morning, same goes for my neighborhood TRU.  They were emptying at least 10 more cases this afternoon at TRU

I have to agree, at least at Wal-Mart and Target, the ROTS stuff seemed to be flying off the shelves.  I haven't visited any stores since Saturday early afternoon, so I don't know what it has been like since then.  When I went to TRU on Saturday afternoon, they were pretty well stocked.  They did have a few things (AT-RT and Battle Arena Sets) that I didn't see at any of the other stores.  Still want to go back there an (hopefully) pick up the AT-RT.

I'm wondering about how limited those cup sets are as well.  I got to Target right at 8 on Saturday, because I hoped to pick those up, and they had all three.  I, like an idiot, just picked up two, figuring I could still get the Grievous one later on.  When I came back later that day to pick up the ARC 170, they were all sold out.  Glad I picked up the Clone and Obi ones at least, hopefully they will restock/reship sometime soon.

DBK - That is one cute little dog.  Has to be the highlight of this weekend for you and your family.  Nice to see another proud dog owner :).
Title: Re: Midnight Madness Experiences! Share!
Post by: aka DaBigKahuna on April 4, 2005, 10:15 AM
Famine / DoctorPadawan / mosnab,

Thanks for the comments about Sponge.  We recently moved to a new state and I promissed my boys and wife a dog.  A little incentive to help us pursue the dream of owning our first house (which came throught too.)

I never had a pet as a child, so after a weekend of getting use to the puppy all is well.

Best Regards,

DBK
Title: Re: Midnight Madness Experiences! Share!
Post by: Scott on April 4, 2005, 10:26 AM
Funniest thing I saw at MM.  Dude waited in line with us at TRU and when the doors open proceeded to the skateboards.  He was the first one through the checkouts and was seen riding his new Star Wars board in the parking lot.
Title: Re: Midnight Madness Experiences! Share!
Post by: Brian on April 4, 2005, 11:05 AM
Still haven't had a chance to open anything up, but here's my haul from the weekend:

(http://us.f2.yahoofs.com/users/40f4021c_17421/c464/__sr_/1a4a.jpg?phRrVUCBAhDsEoP6)

Basic Figures: #1-32 (skipping Obi Wan v2, Yoda v2, SBD, BD, R2-D2, and Mon Mothma for now)..only double as of now is an extra Clone.
Unleashed Figures: Obi-Wan, Anakin, and Grievous
Vehicles/Beasts: Boga, BARC Speeder Bike, Obi-Wan's Starfighter, ARC 170
Galactic Heroes: Chewie/Clone, Mace/Kit, R2-D2/Super BattleDroid
Exclusives: Target Cup Sets - Clone and Obi-Wan, Wal-Mart Early Bird Set

Additional: Star Wars Revenge of the Sith Visual Dictionary
Title: Re: Midnight Madness Experiences! Share!
Post by: evenflow on April 4, 2005, 11:25 AM
Well i got the figures up to 40  ;D
Title: Re: Midnight Madness Experiences! Share!
Post by: Brian on April 4, 2005, 11:26 AM
Congrats evenflow.  It sounds as if 33-40 were tough to come by, and we didn't see any of those in our area.  I was really hoping to find the Clone Commander figures, or any of the other clones ;), congrats on the finds!
Title: Re: Midnight Madness Experiences! Share!
Post by: Pete_Fett on April 4, 2005, 11:53 AM
Personally, I am totally jealous of anyone who found figures #33 - #40. While I did have some mild "victories" - I was able to grab all three cups (x2), 2 AT-RTs, 2 Holo Yodas and 1 Pollis Massan and 1 Chopper Droid - I still wish I had been able to haul in a bunch of Clone Pilots.

Now, not only do I have an Obi-Wan & Anakin Starfighter w/o pilots, I also have an ARC-170 w/o three pilots...  :-[

To me - the Big H better come out with a case pack of nothing but Clone Commanders, Clone Pilots and AT-TE Tank Gunners, 'cause EVERYONE wants LOTS of them!
Title: Re: Midnight Madness Experiences! Share!
Post by: FX-7 on April 4, 2005, 12:29 PM
My wife let me head off to Wal Mart on Saturday and I went nuts!  I filled my cart wqith all I could find.  But then I started looking at them a little closer and put back R2-D2 and Yoda.  My Wal Mart only had 1-28  No Jedis around.  I got my unleashed as an earlty Birthday present.  Weee!
Title: Re: Midnight Madness Experiences! Share!
Post by: evenflow on April 4, 2005, 02:46 PM
Congrats evenflow. 

Thanks, they are pretty cool. I didn't find any of the cups though. No complaints, I dont mind it that much. I just didnt see any at either target i went to.
Title: Re: Midnight Madness Experiences! Share!
Post by: Jeff on April 4, 2005, 02:49 PM
My wife let me head off to Wal Mart on Saturday and I went nuts!  I filled my cart wqith all I could find.  But then I started looking at them a little closer and put back R2-D2 and Yoda.  My Wal Mart only had 1-28  No Jedis around.  I got my unleashed as an earlty Birthday present.  Weee!

Glad you could make it out for some shopping, wasn't sure you'd get to go... AND Happy Birthday my South Dakotan friend!  Maybe you'll be back more now that a new movie is coming out...  ;)

Jeff
Title: Re: Midnight Madness Experiences! Share!
Post by: Darth_Anton on April 5, 2005, 01:34 PM
I just wanted to share how the Van Nuys TRU MM experince was. In hind sight, wasn't too bad. First, I have to give props once again to amarsala for hooking me up with a holo yoda. Thanks Again! I went specificaly with freinds who weren't avid collectors, so that was really fun. The only down side was the scalper who got all of the AT-RTs, ARC-170's and 12" Grevious. They didn't have Col1 wave 3, but did have lots of col 2 wave three and I think everybody got what they wanted for the most part.
Title: Re: Midnight Madness Experiences! Share!
Post by: JediMAC on April 5, 2005, 01:49 PM
I went specificaly with freinds who weren't avid collectors, so that was really fun.

One of the fellas who went with us retired from the collecting circuit several years back, and just wanted to go for the experience.  Needless to say, 16 hours later, I think he was pretty thrashed, exhausted, and mind-numbingly bored!  :P

But he was a trooper, and never complained, so that's cool.  He also guarded my basket as I was grabbing at the new ROTS figures left and right, so that was a big help too, as was his nabbing a couple extra Target Vaders.  He did wuss out and take a couple naps though...  ;)
Title: Re: Midnight Madness Experiences! Share!
Post by: Jim on April 5, 2005, 07:10 PM
Its strange that one mans treasure is another mans junk.  I hear everyone talking about how the Unleashed Grievous and 12" Grievous went quick.  Ive see the same ones since the 2nd. 
Title: Re: Midnight Madness Experiences! Share!
Post by: Reid on June 30, 2006, 10:52 PM
I haven't shared my story, but what the hey, better late than never.

Part 1: Midnight Madness

This being my first Midnight Madness, I was pretty damn excited. I had invited a friend who collects SW over, and we played Halo 2 'til about 11:40. My mom, who would be our chauffer, was at a dinner party, and would not be back until around this time. Then it gets to 11:50, and were wondering why she isn't here yet. At 12:10 she finally comes home and we quickly set out.

We arrive at TRU around 12:20, and the place is already a ******* zoo. While my mom waits by the registers, me and my friend trek through the crowd of SW fans. We hit the basic figures first, and I pick out a #6 Clone Trooper and a #2 Anakin Skywalker, and my friend gets a #6 Clone Trooper too. While my friend fights his way through the crowds in search of a 12' Grievous, I make my way to the vehicles and pick out a BARC Speeder. Minutes later we check out, our bounty in hand. Me, my friend, and my mom bolt to our car, as it's pouring rain outside. We arrive home, and spend the rest of the night opening our ROTS items, drinking Mountain Dew, and playing Halo 2.

Part 2: Aftermath

We wake up at 8:00 with Mountain Dew in our bellies, visions of ROTS in our heads, and Clone Trooper rifles littering the floor. After my friend leaves, I hit Target, hoping to score a blue Senate Security Royal Guard. I fast-walk to the pegs, and there it is! A Royal Guard! I check out with my prize and head home. All in all, a great experience, and it felt cool being a part of SW history.
Title: Re: Midnight Madness Experiences! Share!
Post by: ngrant on July 4, 2006, 10:55 PM
Loved reading about the hectic Sith collecting experience, and as I am relatively new to the site I've only come across this topic now so that's why I'm adding my two (Canadian) cents (roughly 1.86 cents US I believe) now.  Even though I'm in the Great White North I thankfully live on the border with a sleepy US town that contains one Wal-Mart and a seemingly absence of Star Wars collecting.  There was no Midnight Madness but I treked over bright and early at 7am on the Saturday and wandered down the usual toy aisles. 

There was only staff in the store, and as the lone customer I found nothing.  Assuming that I had the wrong day I started to leave when something over beyond the assmebled bikes caught my eye... An entire rack of Sith toys.  Sorry to say this fellow collectors but I didn't elbow my way through scalpers.  I meandered back to the front of (the still empty) store and proceeded to find a nice big trolley.  I then spent over an hour BY MYSELF in the Wal-Mart toy section picking through the figures.  Bent card back? I'll buy that Blue guard to open and put this pristine one in the cart.   

I picked up at least two of each of #1 through to Aayla Secura's #32 (she was the last one they had).  Since that blissfull day I've visited my shangri-la many times as I've acquired the entire line,  multiple varients in multiple sizes (I've got seven of the #6 red clone troopers opened--- one still on the card).  The only thing that's ticked me off is that there's no Target on this side of the border and the closest one is over two hours away.  While I've picked up most of the exclusives there are still a couple (lava reflecting Vader and shadow trooper) that have eluded me.  Oh well, can't have it all.   

Don't hate the player/collector, hate the game.  Great site--- I hope to visit here often.
Title: Re: Midnight Madness Experiences! Share!
Post by: Darth Slothus on July 6, 2006, 02:19 PM
Oops forgot to add mine!

Titled: OUTSMARTED BY MATT AND JARED!

Started the night out with Steve(Jediscar). We waited at a newer WM in my area(later found out that an old store in the neighboring city were the only ones who had any of the 'clone pilot wave'--so, we picked the wrong store to start.) At midnite the SW ROTS isle opened up worked together with Steve to get everything we wanted. He grabbed a greivous unleashed for me just before a scalper could. Noted that several ?scalping? folks wanted to asks us if 'is that your cart?'. We also went here first since our TRU manager promised us he was NOT getting a case of the holo Yoda...of course we found out later that they turned up a surprise case and we missed out. I also noticed WM got limited supplies of Gunship and Arc 170(had I only known how uncommon that gunship would become I probably would have snagged it). Got several blue R. Guards and purchased a set of titanium ships and an early bird set to round out the exclusives. Think my bill was 250$ or so. Next we camped in the Target parking lot since we heard/read online that vader tickets would be available starting at 0630. We got our Vader ticket at 0745 ::). Shopping in Target was interesting... Darth Gamboa sent his 'posse' to run in and grab all the red guards but they ran past the figs near the checkout so at least Steve got 1(I didn't get any). For exclusives I snagged micro line first wave, cup figures first wave and the L. Vader. After noticing that Target actually had a cheaper price then WM AND TRU on the Ultimate Vader by about 7$ I purchased a 2nd one so I could return the overpriced WM one.

In line waiting for Target to open I met Matt(JediMac) and Jared who outsmarted us... they went to the other Target at 4 something and actually got tickets for a Vader then...then came to the 2nd Target where I was so they could 'double up'. Oh well at least I got to meet them and learn about JD :-\.

All in all it was a good nite/morning.
Stores visited 3 Wm's 1 Target, 1 TRU, 1 Kmart.
Money spent probably 420$.
People met and liked - Jared and Matt.
People I saw and Hated for sending the 'dogs/runners'-Darth Gamboa (Arthur).
Hung out with- Steve(Jediscar)
Title: Re: Midnight Madness Experiences! Share!
Post by: Jesse James on July 6, 2006, 05:09 PM
I honestly didn't even go out at midnight.  I feel like a heel now.  I did get my ass up early for the Target run though and glad I did... 

Other than listening to the guys in line talk about where they'd be selling their Lava Vader the next week, it was fairly enjoyable to sit by myself, have some coffee and breakfast after I got my ticket, and go back and get Vader and some dandy figures...

What was great about MM (well, the day after for me) was that the figures were great...  I got home and ripped into packaging on stuff and wasn't disappointed.

I think back to 99 and 02, and honestly I went home bummed.  Hell in 02 I didn't even buy a figure at MM, I got TIE Bombers because they were a bitch to find up till that point...  I cleaned out my local WM of those though because I wanted 3, went home, and opened them...  Figures sucked so hard in 02 that I just looked at them and sorta felt depressed about the line in general.

In 99 I was one of the many that spent more than I wish I had...  It was one of those moments I wished I had an all-seeing crystal ball.   :-\
Title: Re: Midnight Madness Experiences! Share!
Post by: Diddly on July 7, 2006, 01:53 AM
Target was DEAD, it was me and another guy (who I assumed to be a collector) in the isle. I saw at least 3 of each figure except for the Royal Guard (Both Red and Blue). I ended up getting each fig I wanted though, so I'm happy.

Not exactly a MM, but it worked for me. :)

I feel like I should elaborate on this some.

I was 10 when TPM came out, so obviously no MM there, though I did pick up some figures like 3 days after they came out. In 2002 I was just getting into the Internet and was on collecting hiatus, which ended in June. So I was looking very forward to the ROTS launch.

I didn't get to go out at midnight, however, since my family had scheduled a garage sale for the morning of April 2 (we had moved a few months earlier and were selling off the junk we didn't need), so in exchange for helping out there I got a free trip to Target that afternoon. We made like $400 at the garage sale, and some was given to me for figure funds, so that was another plus.

I think all they had was 1-24 at the time, which is weird since some areas saw up to 40, but my area is slow like that. We caught up by the end of the month though. I stocked up on army builders and a few other figures I wanted. Never did see the Guards, and still haven't, except for one Red near Christmas and the KB 9 Pack. Target had everything else that was 1-24 though, along with a few cups, vehicles, Attacktix, Force Battlers, and Unleashed. I remember picking up 3 #6 Clones, 2 Battle Droids, 2 Super Battle Droids, 2 Grievous Guards, #9 Grievous, Emperor Palpatine, Chancellor Palpatine, Dooku, and C-3PO. Not much, but I'm not a completist, and I wait for the Ultimate versions of main characters.

As I mentioned over a year ago too, there was another guy there, though I wasn't paying much attention to him, I was too busy making sure I got the figs that I wanted. Afterwards I went home and had what I believe was my first online chat with Famine, then it was off to a Texas football scrimage. A very busy day, but very fun as well.

Fun times, fun times.
Title: Re: Midnight Madness Experiences! Share!
Post by: Darth Gamboa on July 7, 2006, 12:15 PM
Midnight  Madness  2005  was  a  ball.  Suncoast  was  the  first  place  I  went,  picking  up  a  gunship.  They  had  put  there  stuff  out  early  Friday  morning.  Determined  to  get  all  the  exclusives,  I  assembled  my  'posse'  which  consisted  of  2  nephews  and  2  nieces  of  high  school  age (It was easy, they just wanted to get out of the  house).  After  loading  up  the  truck  with  snacks  and  drinks  we  hit  Toys R  Us  Lancaster  at  9 PM,  there  was   already  4  people  there  ahead  of  us.  A  short  time  later  the  manager  came  out  and  informed  us  they  only  had  one  case  of  Holo  Yodas,  so  I  started  calling  my  buddies  to  get  their  butts  over  there  but  only  one  showed  up  before  the  line  got  too  long.  Toys  R  Us  got  pretty  crazy  that  night,  employees  brought  out  a  ton  of  cases  and  were  soon  letting  us  open  them  and  fill  the  bins.

After  picking  up   4  Holo  Yodas  and  other  figures,  we  proceded  to  Wal-Mart  at  J & 20th.  They  seemed  to  have  better  figures  like  clone  commander  and  such.  On  the  way  to  the  toy  area  I  passed  a  couple  of  guys  with  a  basket  full  of  the  miniature  booster  packs,  it  seems  Wal-Mart  had  mispriced  them  at  3  bucks  and  change,  and  those  guys  took  them  all.

After  dropping  off  the  girls  we  camped  out  in  front  of  Palmdale  Target.  About  an  hour  later,  as  I  suspected,  the  out-of-towners  started  showing  up.  Like  a  train  of  cars  they  showed  up,  one  after  the  other  into  the  driveway  and  parking  side  by  side.  The  guys  were  pretty  cool  though,  everybody  was  all  jazzed  about  what  they  had  found,  and  one  guy  was  even  playing  around  with  a  quick-draw  clonetrooper.  At  about  4:30  the  manager  came  out  and  gave  us  our  Lava  Vader  tickets,  which  was  very  considerate  of  him.

After  this  we  headed  to  Lancaster  Target,  hoping  we'd  get  the  same  treatment,  but  no  luck.  The  manager  there  is  apparently  anti-collector  and  probably  had  a  good  laugh  watching  us  freeze  our  butts  off.  When  we  finally  got  in  the  boys  were  able  to  help  me  pick  up  the  higher  priorty  product (exclusives, heroes, villains, clones, possible hot  items).  After  getting  those  artery  hardening  breakfast  sandwiches  at  BK,  we  headed  back  to  Palmdale  to  get  our  second  round  of  Lava  Vaders.  I  ended  up  buying  6  in  all.

I  went  to  the  Eastside  Wal-Marts  again  putting  low  priority  stuff  on  layaway.  By  then  the  boys  were  wiped  out  so  I  took  them  home.

The  last  place  I  went  to  was  Kay-Bee  to  pick  up  Chewy.  I  wasn't  at  all  worried  about  getting  him,  but  the  employees  there  are  pretty  cool  and  nice  to  talk  too.

All  in  all  it  was  a  satisfying  experence.  Goals  were  accomplished  and  a  plan  well  executed.  I  got  to  hang  out  with  my  buddies  and  met  some  cool  people,  as  well  as  a  whiny  guy  or  two.  I  believe  I  spent  enough  money  to  put  George  Lucas'  boy  through  college.