For those that actually use the Wal-Mart layaway program, you might want to take note -

BENTONVILLE, Ark. (Sept. 14, 2006) – Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. said today that, because of declining use and increasing costs, the company will phase out its layaway program as it expands other financing options. Customers will have until November 19 to place items in layaway for this Christmas season and merchandise must be picked up by December 8.

“Demand for layaway service has declined steadily as consumers turn to other options, such as online shopping, gift cards and no-cost credit alternatives,” said Pat Curran, executive vice president, store operations, Wal-Mart Stores Division. “To assist our customers, we are offering one last opportunity to use layaway service this Christmas season.”

At the same time, Wal-Mart is working to offer customers new payment options. The company already has zero interest offers for 6 and 12 months for current Wal-Mart cardholders. For the first time, customers who apply for a new Discover or Wal-Mart Credit Card will receive $20 cash back when they apply at the register and purchase at least $100 on their card the same day.

Time to get those layaway folks on to the high-intereste rate Wal-Mart card!   

I thought TRU did one about four years back on basic figures...

Yeah, but those were not a new release or an exclusive item.  I think that is what Anton means.  Like last year, Target had the LEGO Falcon on sale on Black Friday for $50, but it had been out for a while and wasn't a new release nor an exclusive item.

Every year there is always Black Friday speculation for some unreleased excluisve item.  For example, last year everyone was speculating that the Separation of the Twins would be a Black Friday special.  But, just like last year, it's never turned out that a store started offering their exclusive on Black Friday. 

I think that most retailers already know that you will be making a special trip looking for the exclusives, so they use the other stuff, the regular release stuff, to attract you into the store because you are saving money versus another store.  No need to sell the exclusive stuff that day since you have to buy that stuff at their store anyway.

Sorry for asking a dumb question, but who's BT? 

BT = Brian's Toys. 

Apparently they cancelled a LOT of pre-orders for the Clone Busts because they WAY oversold on them... there is a lot of talk at the other site about it.

Thanks to Jayson for the nifty keen Kubrick banner - looks great with my cases!   

Thanks to Matt for the prompt payment for figures!   

Recieved a prompt payment from Jim for some figures tonight... and saddled him with some loot for Brent as well.   

I don't like it when any team from Minnesota wins a game.