Took a trip to a Target, Wal-Mart, and TRU...still looking for the VOTC Luke, Vader, and Yoda. Not too much new, although Wal-Mart had an absolute pile of VOTC Han and Bens, probably 10 of each. There were also a few Leias, but probably only 3 or 4. I probably should have been more patient instead of ordering these via Amazon, but you just never know with Star Wars stuff it seems. Although these are hanging around a bit here, I still think the next two waves could be tough ones to find.
Toys R Us has redone their aisles, and Star Wars is now located at the way back of the store, on the back wall right before you walk into their stock room. Despite the location, it is much better organized than before, but no OTC really. They were the first place in town to have the VOTC, and must have had one case that sold in a day, and they haven't had them since (or even a peg for them). No OTC figures here at all, just Saga and POTJ (!). They do have several each of the OTC Falcon, Vader TIE, and X-Wing. Also stacks of the Ki Adi council set. They just received the Galactic Heroes the way it looked, and had several of each set (except the Chewie/3PO one). Also, the same Unleashed Sidious and Jedi Luke hanging out...still need to pick that Sidious up some day.
Target...not much new. 4 VOTC Hans, 1 OTC figure (Han), and some Saga scragglers. They also have the Falcon, X-Wing, and TIE...as well as Unleashed Obi and Leia. The Star Wars section has expanded here (as well as everywhere else), which is a good sign.
One thing I have been noticing overall, which was at least a little bit surprising to me, is that the OTC seems to be selling out, consistently, while the VOTC is starting to sit a little. Maybe it is just for now, and things will clear up....maybe it is prices, and $10 is just too much for some people to pay, maybe it is the way they are shipping, and there is just a few too many, who knows. I guess I just found it surprising. I really thought that these would fly off the pegs as soon as they would show up (and I still think that the ESB and ROTJ waves will, much more so than the current waves). Maybe people in the area have just gotten their fill, and are waiting for new stuff (like me). I've been impressed with the OTC sales. Although they look great, they are still repacks, but every store I have went to has been in a consistent sell out, restock, sell out, restock pattern...with every figure. There doesn't seem to be any in particular that are hanging around, and all are selling...which is nice to see for the line overall (in some ways). Hopefully it won't give Hasbro the idea of "we just need to repack stuff all the time", and they realize that it is a combination of timing, price, and packaging. Anyways, it is nice to see things selling regularly like that, and not clogging up the pegs. I guess I was just a little surprised to see OTC outselling the VOTC, pretty easily, around here. Anyone else noticed this?