Evan, IN 4-2-05 "Official Release Date" for ROTS toys/merchandise E'ville Jedi event thread.

This may be old news, but I just saw them today at the West Side Wal-Mart. The toy dept has ROTS Sneak Peek toys. There are only four different sytles, priced at (I think) $5.88. The only one I specifically remember is a Wookee Warrior. The dept. mgr. said they got a shipment in last week, and they sold out real quick. I double checked them today to make sure they did not have a sales restriction, and they do not. They didn't have a whole lot left, so if you're interested, you may wanna check it out.

 

Mr_Self_Destrukt had a great idea after the meeting today. He suggested that we each post our "must-have" toys that we want at the midnight release. That was we can help each other get everything we want. Here's mine:

Unleashed Obi-Wan

Unleashed Anakin

Unleashed General Grievous

 

This will give you all a visual guide thats numbered to correspond with the checklist.

[image=http://www.epicplastic.com/Untitled-2.jpg]

 

This posted in Bloomington:

HUGE HUGE SCORE THIS MOURNING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

K-Mart West had 4 full cases of Ep3 figures
Ep3 Unleashed
Ep 3 ships & deluxe figures .The cases CLEARLY said "Do not Release before April 2.2005 " On them. Thank you KWest employees!!!

I got the only Grievous Unleashed.
I spent around $150.00 and dint get everything!!!

Great find, I remember back in 02 when my local K-Mart put out the basic figures early but that was maybe a few days before the official release date.

I don't think that there is any type of consequence for releasing early. What gets me is that each manufacturer for each line is allowed so much space to display their product for sale. If a product doesn't sell and is taking up space on the shelves then the major retailer will lose money because of it.

My point is this, everywhere I go I see bare pegs and spaces where Star Wars should be and I not surprised if some managers are looking the other way while the dated items are put out on the pegs.

 

When it comes to the Star Wars figures, I definitly want to get any and all yoda related figures. I'd also like to have an Anakin and Darth Vader...

 

I got the following info from www.yakface.com

Wal-Mart's Sith Blitz Plans
March 12, 2005 | 10:34 AM EST | Bill

One of our Bothan Spies came through in a big way with detailed information on Wal-Mart's plans for the April 2nd Revenge of the Sith Product blitz:

According to the plans secured by our loyal bothan:

Toys are to be set up starting at 9:00 pm on Friday, April 1st and roped off until midnight. (Hopefully this will spare us the mangled cards which were dumped into shopping carts at many stores in years past)

In the top 400 stores there will be parking lot sales for the weekend of the 2nd.

Additional EXCLUSIVES will be in the toy departments on April 2nd (in the "normal" morning hours). No details on what yet.

There will be a Darth Vader Standee for photographs in the store

Greeters on April 2 and 3 will have collectible cards (a different one each day) to give out.

 

Darth Vader Standee!!

 

It looks like the West Side Wal-Mart is a top 400 store. I just went on a late night snack run and the security stands all have a cardboard cut-out of Yoda and Vader covering them with something that basically said "Join Wal-Mart April 2nd and 3rd for Star Wars"

Which means we will definately have events on Sat and Sun. I think we have an excellent oppertunity to capitalize on this event by "trooping", talking to fans in attendance, and passing out the cards that Scott suggested during our general meeting this past saturday.

What does everyone think?

 

According to the list, it isn't in the Top 400, but almost all Wal-Marts are doing the toy release thing (including photos with standees). The Top 400 will be having outdoor tents with more events.

This is according to our Garrison CO in the Legion. If it IS a top 400 store, then we (501st) would have to change our plans a little, because all of the planning for those stores' events come from the top (corporate and LFL). I'll double-check to be sure.

-=joe=-

 

It may be due to it being a brand new store, I wasn't sure if it made a difference.

 

I checked with my manager today on where ya'll could change. The best I could do was the family bathroom by layaway. I know it's a bathroom, but it is kinda big.

 

Did he say why they couldn't change in the dressing rooms?

 

For anyone curious, this is what I can confirm thus far:

West Side Wal-Mart is not making any plans for an outside sales event. No one in the store is aware of it. Things could change last minute, but I would assume that planning should have started by now if we were.

The toys are set to go up at 9pm. Like MSD said, they will be roped off until midnight.

The standee will probable work like the others in the past. People can get a free 8x10. However, DO NOT quote me on that. When it comes to certain things, expecially Wal-Mart, all plans are subject to change.

 

While I agree that handing out cards would be good to get the word out to people, please bear in mind that Wal-Mart does not allow solicitation. I've already asked my manager if that would be allowed, and he said no. So if you do pass out cards, please becareful. Just a little heads up.

 

Due to loss prevention risks, they do not want to open the dressing rooms. Not saying that star wars fans would steal anything, but they are looking at it from a retailer's point of view. Also, the dressing rooms are locked up at 10pm and do not open back up until 6 or 7 am. They can't very well tell customers that the dressing rooms are closed to them, while they open them up for others. They're just trying to be fair.

 

<<edit>> nevermind. Found the answer else where

 

Just as we thought the Evansville, Indiana Toys R Us will not be taking part in the Midnight Madness for 4/2. Here are the following Indiana locations that will be doing it.

Indiana

1650 E. County Line Rd
Indianapolis, IN 46227
(317) 882-5838

4575 W. 38th St
Indianapolis, IN 46254
(317) 297-0338

8250 Castleton Corner
Indianapolis, IN 46250
(317) 841-9334

9251 East Washington St
Indianapolis, IN 46229
(317) 897-0320

2020 E. Lincoln Highway
Merrillville, IN 46410
(219) 769-0630

 

Cool. One of those is about 2 minutes from where I go to school...

 

Here is the booklet from rebelscum.com that all the Wal-Marts GM's should be recieving...

[image=http://www.rebelscum.com/ROTS/rotsWMplaybook/front_cover.jpg]

http://www.rebelscum.com/ROTS/rotsWMplaybook/01.jpg Episode 3 Movie Crawl (may contain spoilers)
http://www.rebelscum.com/ROTS/rotsWMplaybook/02.jpg Episode 3 synopsis (gives basic over view, may be considered spoilers)
[image=http://www.rebelscum.com/ROTS/rotsWMplaybook/03.jpg]
[image=http://www.rebelscum.com/ROTS/rotsWMplaybook/04.jpg]
[image=http://www.rebelscum.com/ROTS/rotsWMplaybook/05.jpg]
[image=http://www.rebelscum.com/ROTS/rotsWMplaybook/06.jpg]
[image=http://www.rebelscum.com/ROTS/rotsWMplaybook/07.jpg]
[image=http://www.rebelscum.com/ROTS/rotsWMplaybook/08.jpg]
[image=http://www.rebelscum.com/ROTS/rotsWMplaybook/09.jpg]
[image=http://www.rebelscum.com/ROTS/rotsWMplaybook/back_cover.jpg]

 

I know it's not as exciting as the figures, but the jewelry department is also going to be releasing ROTS watches and jewelry. Hopefully will be in by April 2nd.

 

Are the watches made by Fossil? I wonder what the jewelry will be.

 

I have some info about 2 ROTS Exclusive figures that "supposedly" will be released at Target and Toys R Us on April 2nd.

First up we have the TRU Holographic Yoda...

[image=http://www.mousedroid.com/archives/05-02/image/truyodacard.jpg]

Then there is the Lava Vader from Target...

[image=http://www.mousedroid.com/archives/05-02/image/targetvader.jpg]

 

The watches and jewelry will probably(sp?) be geared towards kids. I remember getting some (watches) in for The Phantom Menace. I know they won't be Fossil. Wal-Mart isn't liscened to carry that brand. Anything else, though, remains to be seen. I haven't seen any pictures, or received any merchandise.

 

There will be a Wal-Mart Exclusive on 4-2. the following is from Rebelscum.Com


So what is the Early Bird set? Glad you asked.

It's a reproduction of the original Early Bird Certificate from 1977, the one where fans could get the Vintage Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, Chewbacca, and R2-D2 figures. The dates have been updated to 2005, although the same drawings from the originals are used again. Also included are stickers, a replica backdrop of the original kit featuring the original figures, figure stands, an honorary Hyperspace pass, and a few other small items. It also comes with its own case to protect it.

It's not yet clear if this can actually be redeemed for action figures, or if its just a nice collectible, but with the retail price under $30.00, there should be plenty available for those that want them.

For those old enough to remember this is a huge nod to the "very 1st" figures ever. When Star Wars came out in 77 you didnt go to your local store and buy figures, the 1st ones ever had to be ordered.

If I can remember the forum I will post it but I remember people talking about how hard the vintage figures were to find and the 1st pegwarmers ever, lol.

I am now hearing reports that only 395 Wal-Marts will recieve this item. We arent one of them. So we are screwed.

 

Scored the post ROTS 'juvie' novel titled THE LAST OF THE JEDI a week early...also issue number one of the ROTS comic adaption. Only five more days for ROTS merchandise...I feel the ground swell and the tangy buzz of fan an-tici-pation each time I pass by the boxed ROTS merchandise in Wal-Mart's receiving room. D-R-O-O-L...heh,heh,heh