Just thought it might be nice to have a thread dedicated to the different online retail options that are out there, so anyone who might be curious about a particular e-store can check out how their business is.  I haven't ordered from a ton a different places, but here's some of my opinions:

Kebco I did some preordering through them starting last year, around May, during a major drought in figures in my area.  I ordered some 2003 basic figures, as well as the Han/Boba/Yoda and the Chewie/Luke Unleashed waves through them.  As of today, I have received each and every item that I ordered from them...although I will say that some took quite awhile.  The Unleashed I all got reasonable quick, and well before I found them in stores...but the basic figures that I preordered in May of last year I didn't receive until November/December-ish.  I am understanding that this was a shipment from Hasbro problem, and not their own though.  Overall, I'll say that I have always gotten what I have ordered...but sometimes a little slow.

Brians ToysI haven't ordered from here in quite some time now, but I did when I first got into collecting Star Wars.  I used them to pick up a bunch of loose POTF2 figs that I missed out on, as well as some loose vintage stuff.  At the times I ordered, I always received things very quickly (within a few days usually), and for loose vintage and POTF2, I think the prices are not too bad.  However, if you want anything new, be prepared to pay a TON for it, from what I can see.  I will say, good service whenever I have dealt with them (even replaced a vintage loose figure that I didn't think was C-9), but I haven't used them in quite some time.  Wouldn't recommend for newer stuff though.

Amazon I have used Amazon from time to time, with some TRU exclusive stuff and/or when they have figs in stock.  I've always had pretty good luck with them, however I am an opener, so I'm not sure how good card condition is with them most of the time.  I haven't ordered figures for awhile now because they charge $7.99 for the newer ones (but I think eventually come down).  Overall though, I'm pretty happy with their service.

KB Toys Another one I haven't used for awhile, although I have had decent luck with them as well.  Again, being a loose collector, card condition might be a concern for others.  They do use big stickers here across the front if I remember correctly (but they come off).  They don't usually have a lot of Star Wars stuff in stock (at least recently), but I have ordered a couple of SW things, as well as some LOTR stuff there.  Delivery is quick, prices are so-so for what I have bought.

I haven't used Entertainment Earth, Newforce, Big Bad Toy Store, etc., but have heard good things about all of them from time to time.  I am sure many others can give more details experiences of them though.  Thanks for any opinions everyone!

I know, I'm being slowly sucked into this line too...I kind of want to pick up a few more figures (just RA Legolas and bendy Smeagol right now).  I have been thinking those three packs might not be so bad for someone like me, since I don't have many figures.  Does anyone know how much they run?  I guess I still need to talk my wife into buying stuff beyond Star Wars , but I was just curious.

After reading the MOTU news this morning, it got me to thinking about Mattel and toy companies in general?  What are some of your opinions on the companies that you collect from, and the job they do?  I don't know that any company is perfect (at least from what I have read), but who is "on the right track" in your opinion?  I don't really buy from many other than Hasbro (Star Wars), but here's a few opinions to start things off:

Hasbro (Star Wars):  Although they have had their problems in the past, and still have their issues now, I think they have been much better as of late (particularly 2004).  It seems they have done a much better job of listening to collectors and fans, and really (aside from the re-releases), I don't know if there is much to complain about this year.  In 2004, they have done a lot of requested characters, much wanted resculpts, made the packaging more vintage-like for OTC (or exact for VOTC), and are making "ultimate" versions of main characters that we have wanted for years.  Like I said, not perfect, but I think they have done a very good job this year.

Toy Biz (Marvel Legends/Lord of the Rings): I am not nearly as knowledgeable on these lines as many of you, but have dabbled in both.  I'm thinking about stopping the ML for now, just because I don't have room and I'm leaning more towards Lord of the Rings if I do buy figures from another line.  It seems, especially now that they have the chase figure thing figured out a little better it sounds, that they do a pretty good job too.  I don't see quite as many complaints about not being able to find certain things...and if they do, later on they seem to be more readily available.  They keep their prices pretty low, especially with the "Trilogy" assortment of LOTR.  Marvel Legends seem to be a good value for the price as well.  And, overall, from what I have seen, they do an amazing job on both of these lines...and I don't see too many complaints about their product for the most part.

Mattel:  Wow, these guys stink it seems.  I have been interested in a few of their lines (Batman, Justice League, and MOTU)...but they seem to be driving all of them into the ground.  We all know to well the trials of the MOTU line, and even though they had tremendous figures (courtesy of the 4 Horsemen)...they found away...with endless variants and HTF secondary characters to basically kill this line.  I'd like to collect a Batman line, but it seems that they do the same type of thing to this line.  I have a Zipline Batman, and that might be all I ever have because of all of the variants (and I wonder if this line will last much longer, with another one coming in the fall).  I really enjoy the Justice League show, but the figures are almost too simplistic (for what they cost)...although they are very true to the show designs, and I guess animated figures aren't usually too articulated.  But, again, just like the Batman line...endless variants and a complete lack of villains (2 in the whole line now, 3 with the Ultra-Humanite later this year).  I really wish they could get a good Batman line off the ground (or improve Justice League for that matter).  When I was a kid, I know I always wanted bad guys for Batman (or whoever) to fight, not just endless versions of him.

Anyways, what are some of your opinions on the toy companies (these or others)?  I hear good things about Palisades Toys with their Muppet Line too, but I don't collect it so I don't know how easy it is to find things.

Yeah, I'm not sure what to think of K-Swiss yet....I didn't ask for them, just got them as a gift.  I've only worn them a few times, but I guess they don't look bad at least...we'll see how they feel after awhile.  I did want to add, although I am Nike-buyer to some extent...that's not to say I like everything they do with their shoes (or their business practices).  I really think they make a lot of fugly shoes nowadays, and I have had troubles finding any b-ball shoes I have liked of theirs for awhile (probably why I've been wearing the same pair for 3 years now).  I always liked their "look" growing up (and still today, with some shoes), and they have always supported my feet well it seems.  I tried Reeboks one time, back in college, and my feet hurt so bad.  With my big, flat feet...I really need to find shoes that are comfortable.  But I do agree with you Morgbug about the changes (Air Pegasus, etc.), I don't care for them either.  Seems like those shoe models were better in junior high and high school, when there wasn't so many different ones.  Just Jordan, Flight, and Force for basketball .

For me, I guess it started as a kid too.  I had as many vintage figures as I was allowed to get, along with a "hand me down" Falcon and Snowspeeder from my cousins.  Between myself and some of my friends though, we had about everything so it was a fun playtime.  I wasn't collecting when the 95 line first started, but I was working at a Pamida (department store) we have here in town at the time Episode I was hyping up.  At the time, I thought "well, I have always loved Star Wars, so I'll just buy these six just to have something from the new movies".  I bought Maul, Obi, Qui-Gon, 3PO, R2, and Yoda.  Then I saw the commtech Han Solo and Luke Skywalker, and thought they just looked so amazing (when comparing them to vintage molds).  From there it was downhill, I went back (actually through Brian's Toys at the time), and bought a bunch of loose POTF2 figures that I had missed out on.  Since then I've pretty much been a "buy it when I see it" collector, and really enjoy the hobby.  I don't know what I did with my money before this .  I think I will probably be with the Star Wars line til the end now, I just enjoy it so much.  Unfortunately, if it wasn't for collecting Star Wars, I probably could have stayed away from all the other toy news as well.  Since I've been a collector, I've picked up Marvel Legends, a couple MOTU, a Batman, and a couple LOTR figures (and I want to buy more of those).  I never would have thought I'd have as much stuff as I do today.  But, collecting (particularly Star Wars) makes me happy.  And, I guess there could be worse things to spend my money on.

I guess I'm a little late, but I hope you had a great birthday David.

Nice to see some more pics of this wave, and I agree, these all really look fantastic to me.  The Cloud Car pilot is actually one of my most anticipated figures, it just looks "cool" to me for some reason (for lack of a better word).  One of the better faces on a Leia figure I think too, and looks like there is some good detail in her gown as well.  Lobot looks good too, I never picked up a modern one since I got into collecting late...and since the POTF2 version wasn't too good.  This one looks great, glad I waited.  For all of our complaints about repacks and the like, Hasbro really is putting out some great work this year.

  Thanks for the info and linky Scott.  I've been lurking around those AA forums since you posted that.  The more I look through pictures of the Star Wars Kubricks, the LOTR minimates, as well as the DC and Marvel stuff, the more tempting it is to start collecting these little guys.  I could see where "mini-fig" collecting could become quite addicting though  .  It sure wouldn't take up as much space though, would it?  Thanks again.