How do you hunt down your Joes?

The question that I have for my fellow tankers is: How do you hunt down your Joes? For me, the thrill comes from walking into various retail establishments and making my way to the toy aisle. This may seem obvious, however in today's famine of Joe's you hope to come across anything in the "wild". I know that with the internet and online retailer (e-bay included), it's easy to just reach out and find what are looking for. But does that really satisfy you. For me, that 10 second or so before I round the corner to that action figure aisle are a big part of why I still collect. I have the finances and could easily purchase off the internet. There is something much more pure about finding that rare figure in some out of the way store that you never expected to come across Joes. We all have our reasons for collecting these little pieces of plastic crack, but for me...the hunt is a much fun as opening the figure or placing on a shelf. It's kind of like that hot girl you pursue...and then...when you finally get her..you realize the pursuit was half the excitement. Thoughts?

I too, like the thrill of "hunting" for Joes. There are many times where I have taken a path that crosses every walmart, target, dollar general, walgreens, CVS, TRU, etc. just to get to my destination. I'll even throw in the occasional Ross, Marshall's, Tuesday Morning, Big Lots, too.

Originally Posted by CrimsonGuard

The question that I have for my fellow tankers is: How do you hunt down your Joes? For me, the thrill comes from walking into various retail establishments and making my way to the toy aisle. This may seem obvious, however in today's famine of Joe's you hope to come across anything in the "wild". I know that with the internet and online retailer (e-bay included), it's easy to just reach out and find what are looking for. But does that really satisfy you. For me, that 10 second or so before I round the corner to that action figure aisle are a big part of why I still collect. I have the finances and could easily purchase off the internet. There is something much more pure about finding that rare figure in some out of the way store that you never expected to come across Joes. We all have our reasons for collecting these little pieces of plastic crack, but for me...the hunt is a much fun as opening the figure or placing on a shelf. It's kind of like that hot girl you pursue...and then...when you finally get her..you realize the pursuit was half the excitement. Thoughts?

I couldn't agree more.
The hunt is what keeps me collecting.
Buying off of the internet is very anti-climatic and highly over-rated.

My local stores do such a crappy job, even when Joes are flooding the shelves, that hunting is useless. Total crapshoot.

So I get my stuff online and make visits to the stores now and then and just hope and pray and sometimes get lucky.

About 15 different ways. All with creativity

Those 10 seconds before you round the corner feeling are quickly replaced with " Oh shit! I wasted all that time driving here for absolutely nothing cause they havent stocked shit all year" feeling.

No screw retail stores. I work for toys r us and I cant get them to order new joes no matter what argument, logic or sales numbers I show them. To big retailers its all about numbers and pre-existing distribution plans that some corporate head of department came up with 2 years ago.
Online retailers survive exclusively from our business. They keep the collecing hobby alive. The only way to repay them, the very bare minimum any of us can do to thank them, is to buy our toys online from them.

Since it's pretty much only vintage for me-I am relegated to the web. Boy do I miss seeing a full wall of ARAH in a TRU.

Originally Posted by crimsonguard

how do you hunt down your joes?

<<<<<<<<<<<<<shadow tracker>>>>>>>>>>>>>

eBay, Amazon, hisstank, bbts, hts, and whatever other online outlet I come across.

Don't get me wrong --- I would MUCH RATHER buy at retail, but it has become increasingly difficult - not only because less retail stores are carrying, but also since I moved to a bigger place. Where I used to live, I was just about the only serious collector around, or at least it seemed that way because I had little problem finding anything. I'll never regret my move, but I've had to adapt.

I love the thrill of the hunt, and I love that feeling when you see exactly what you're looking for on the pegs. AND I hate paying online prices PLUS shipping. Sucks that I have to wait 5-7 days to pay for something I should be able to get at the Target that's just 2 miles from my house, and it sucks paying $15 instead of $9-10.

On the other hand, I'm thankful for the Internet, as there are some things (DG Joes) I'd never get otherwise.

I only hunt when I have to be at the store anyways..

but if I'm in a area with lots of different stores in walking distance, I'll walk around and hunt.