|
|
Thread Tools |
07-29-2008, 02:36 PM | #1 |
Darth_Henning
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Canada
Posts: 21,174
|
Well, we're all familiar with scalpers and how hard it is to find Joes at the best of times. Many of us are also still hunting for our first sightings of Wave 9 singles. So I thought I'd share my experience from yesterday:
Up until yesterday, not a single case of G.I. Joe Wave 9 had hit Calgary, so I was going on toy runs with a friend for the last few weeks after work on MWF. Yesterday (Monday, July 28) I strolled into TRU in the neighborhood and was greeted with the eye-popping sight of the HUGE new Clone Wars set-up (oddly enough they had everything except the MF). My friend being only a Star Wars collector picked up most of the figures, and I picked up a couple of favs. So, on to the G.I. Joe aisle; sadly no luck. So, on to Wal-mart. In the aisle outside the toy department was a display of 8 brand new boxes of Falcons that had just been put out, "Look at the size of that thing." While my friend oogled the box I continued towards the single peg near the back of an aisle reserved for single Joes. To this point they haven't restocked in almost 5 weeks so I was hoping today would be my lucky day. Standing in front of the Bat-man pegs is an elderly fellow with his back turned to me. I smile that he's probably picking up a couple Bat-mans for his kids (or grandkids). So I round him, getting my first look at him; he's about 70ish, pot-bellied, wearing a white T-shirt and jeans, with a round, balding whit hair fringe and hitler-esque white mustache. I continue to look towards the G.I. Joe shelf. Hanging on the pegs are properly carded (ie American) Wild Bill and Torpedo. I'm highly excited; Wal-mart Canada's been getting the crappy international cards until now. However, this elation quickly turns as I notice the old guy's hand snaking away from the peg clutching a pair of Snow Serpents. My eyes travel up the length of his arm and see, clutched close to his chest, EIGHT wave 9 figures, Hawk, Bazooka, what I assume was Barbeque (only saw the back of the card), Ninja-ku, and a pair of BATS. At this point my eyes must have widened or bulged or something to show my interest in what the man was holding as he looks at me, furrows his brow, and quickly turns away and hurries down the aisle. My mouth drops open watching his hasty retreat. Surprised at this reaction I follow him down the aisle where he almost collides with my friend who is coming from gazing at the Falcon. My friend starts to say something to me, then winds up staring at what the man is holding; he knows how long and hard I've been hunting for these Joes. Because he's a nice guy, he starts to ask the old guy "Hey, are you a Joe collector too?" The guy ignores the inuendo and hurries first towards the back of the store, still clutching the joes in his arms, and turns into bedding. I'm throughly defeated by this point, and my friend asks if those were the only ones. I can only mutely nod. He shakes his head and leads me to the front of the store, kindly grabbing a couple cokes from the vending machine on the way out. Just as we're about to leave we see the old guy, with the Joes now bought and paid for walk out the doors inches in front of us. He does a double take (actually) at seeing the two of us again, and continues at a faster pace into the parking lot. My friend and I head for his car. As we do so, we watch the old guy glance over his shoulder at us twice, and zig-zag through 3 rows or parked cars before reaching his van. After this I lost sight of him, as I was getting into my friend's car. Despite the fact that the other Wal-mart is about 15 kilometers (8-10 miles I think) out of his way, he offered to drive me over there to see if they got the same wave. I initially refused, but he insisted, citing that he was still looking for the new Saga Figures (neither TRU or Walmart had had them). At the second Wal-mart we hurried in, already late and found that although there were four palets of stuff sitting outside the toy department, not one had a box of Joes. My friend was at least able to find his Saga figures, so the trip wasn't wasted. After leaving I commented that I should have tried to say something to that guy at the first Wal-mart, and my friend looked at me and said "What could you have done, if you'd gotten into any kind of argument with him, you'd have lost. Who's security going to believe an 'angry' teenager claiming he collects kids toys, or the old man who's 'just buying some toys for his grandson's birthday next week? You'd be lucky if they just kicked you out and didn't ban you from coming back for some period." So, now that you've heard the story, I have to ask: did my friend and I just over-react in the heat of the moment, and take the old guys actions to indicate he was a scalper when he was nothing of the sort, or did I just witness every Joe collector's worst nightmare? Also, does anyone have advice for how to deal with situations like this that might arise for collectors in the future? Thanks for reading, mainly I just needed to share that with people who would understand the heart-wrenching frustration. |
07-29-2008, 02:41 PM | #2 |
Gunslinger
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: MidWorld
Posts: 38,081
|
Maybe I missed something. Did he take the figures away from you, or grab them right as you were reaching for them, or did he already have them in his hands when you arrived? If he got them first, then they're his regardless of what he intends to do with them. I don't see what the issue is except your being disappointed which I can readily understand as we've all been there.
__________________
FS/FT: Planet Grn Valley, Eagle Force Action Force http://www.hisstank.com/forum/g-i-jo...sell-list.html |
07-29-2008, 02:43 PM | #3 |
Vanquisher of Evil
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 269
|
...and then when you got home, THERE WAS A HOOK STUCK IN THE DOOR HANDLE! *dun dun dunnnnnnn*
__________________
NEW! he's BIG! he moves! he roars! |
07-29-2008, 02:44 PM | #4 |
Scrap Iron's Sidearm
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: MD
Posts: 661
|
I'm with Roland. If that old man were me, I would have probably been concerned that 2 young whipper snappers were about to accost me for some plastic toys. First come, first served that is how retail works. It sucks dude and we have all been there. Sometimes you are the windshield and sometimes you are the bug!
I also understand the need to vent, which some have a problem with on here, but I hope you found your post to be therapeutic. |
07-29-2008, 02:45 PM | #5 |
Darth_Henning
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Canada
Posts: 21,174
|
Quote:
Maybe I missed something. Did he take the figures away from you, or grab them right as you were reaching for them, or did he already have them in his hands when you arrived? If he got them first, then they're his regardless of what he intends to do with them. I don't see what the issue is except your being disappointed which I can readily understand as we've all been there.
|
07-29-2008, 02:47 PM | #6 |
Scrap Iron's Sidearm
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: MD
Posts: 661
|
Watch it Darth. You are making assumptions and that will get you pounced on here!
|
07-29-2008, 02:47 PM | #7 |
Banned, haha just kidding
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: I don't like duke.
Posts: 2,222
|
That stinks... I haven't found any wave 9 yet.
|
07-29-2008, 03:07 PM | #8 |
ARASHIKAGE CLAN
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 1,309
|
honestly I would be a little creeped out if someone was staring at me, then followed me.
|
07-29-2008, 03:07 PM | #9 |
Banned
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: South Texas RIO GRANDE VALLEY
Posts: 11,700
|
wave 9 scarce here as well except for Torpedo and wild Bill (Ron Simmons) DAMN!!!
|
07-29-2008, 03:12 PM | #10 |
Darth_Henning
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Canada
Posts: 21,174
|
|
Thread Tools | |
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
A TRU Story..... | spacemonkeymafia | G.I. Joe Buy Sell Trade | 42 | 07-19-2008 12:23 PM |
Oh the horror.... | Syn3sthesia | General Discussion | 35 | 07-11-2008 09:45 AM |
Comic 3-Pack #07 Horror Show Sgt. Stalker & Stormavik G.I. Joe Valor Vs. Venom | DESTRO | G.I. Joe Toys Vintage Discussion | 0 | 02-08-2008 03:27 PM |
Horror stories | BigErn | G.I. Joe General Discussion | 5 | 02-03-2008 08:47 PM |
|
|
Recent Off Topic Threads |
Star Wars 3 3/4 discussion thread |
G.I. Joe March Madness 2024 Round 2 Night Viper vs... |
Self Checkout apocalypse 3/26/24 |
JazWares 18th Halo |
Hisstank Late Night thread... |