My Thoughts on Force Friday

[Apositive]

I recently began collecting Star Wars figures again and was really enjoying the hobby. It's kind of like my own "guilty pleasure" if you will. I run my own business, am under a lot of stress and I needed a hobby.

So I was really looking forward to the Force Friday events last night and today at area locations. I'm nursing a bad right shoulder, on a mild pain medicine(my fault for overdoing my shoulder workout)- nothing broken or dislocated- just in a lot of pain. So I took a trip to my local TRU and was hoping to pick up at least a few of the new characters like Finn, Rey and Kylo Ren.

Most of the crowd was my age(40 something- no shock there as we are the original Star Wars Generation) and some fans even brought their small kids out. I waited in line for at least 45 minutes ahead of two foul mouthed Star Wars fans who peppered their exchange with dozens of f-bombs and other swear words- real nice behavior when you are standing less than 10 feet away from small children.

I don't fault the management of TRU for limiting quantities of figures and letting the crowd in 10 people at a time....they have to keep order less someone get trampled. But by the time I made it back to the Star Wars Aisle, most of the 3 3/4 inch figures and vehicles were gone. I picked up an armored Finn, Poe Dameron and some of the regular series as well as a couple of vehicles. I was happy to walk away with these toys. But as I reached for one of the last Finn figures( keep in mind I was packed in elbow-to-elbow with other fans) I had to reach up using my bad shoulder- when someone rammed into my bad shoulder. The pain was tremendous. he offered a "sorry" but the pain was unreal. I just reminded myself that I had pain meds in my pocket, I've been through worse and there are others enduring worse in this world. I had an uneasy night's sleep.

This morning I traveled to my area Target, hoping to pick up a Kylo Ren and some First Order guys.....there was a fairly big crowd, no restrictions on quantities and just one manager telling the crowd "No Running! No Pushing"- very few people paid attention....it was actually kind of funny...seeing overweight Star Wars fans making like it was a sprint to the Toy Aisle.

Again, lots of bad behavior....obvious scalpers buying up toys. I got a few more figures and vehicles and just went home kind of disgusted.

I know not all SW Fans are like this....not all toy collectors are like this.....but Force Friday has left me more than a little disgusted.

[Hedji]

It's odd that there should should be any frenzy over the toys that will in all likelihood be produced in the largest quantities and readily available for discounts later. Didn't anyone learn from the prequels? I just like to go and look. I too hate when people can't control their language around kids, though. (And I can swear with the best of them).

[palitoy]

My son and I went this afternoon for no good reason, i don't think the figures made it to the store. It must have been a bummer for folks who waited.

[emeraldknight47]

Personally, and this is strictly only MY opinion, I think this whole thing is just license overkill and Disney heavily front loading a film which, with some 30+ years of fandom behind it, should really require no front loading at all. I can appreciate fans wanting to get "stuff" from their favorite franchise, but did Disney REALLY need to inundate virtually EVERY commercial outlet with SWs paraphernalia? In running errands today, I saw SW stuff and heard SW music playing in every place I went, including Rite-Aid, JC Penney and, of all places Bed, Bath & Beyond. At this rate, by the time December and the movie arrive, I'll already be as sick of the stuff and the promotions as much as most people (me included) are sick of Christmas by the time it arrives after having it jammed down your throat since Labor Day. Again, just MY opinion...

[Teemu]

I Don't know why people waste their time with this stuff especially having to battle against the crowds, scalper's and 30-40+ year old basement dweller's hoarding up all the latest Star Wars figures.These over-produced, 5 points of articulated junk SW figures will be all over the place in the coming month's.

[Goblin19]

Went last night to TRU with my wife. It was a small crowd of about 40-50. Everyone was well behaved and I got pretty much everything I wanted. I got one of every figure that I wanted, only new characters. Vehicles didn't seem to be selling so I waited until today to go to Target and used their $25 off any hundred dollar purchase to buy some vehicles. My TRU just let everyone in at once and had security checking on everyone. It actually went well. No men behaving badly stories.

[Hedji]

This made me chuckle

[warlock664]

My Hot Toys Han/Chewy 2-pack was shipped today; that's the only thing that interests me.

[Werewolf]

I went later in the day. I guess I thankful missed all the scalpers and "comic book guys." It was just kids and parents at the stores I went too. The stuff is selling crazy good. The pegs were nearly picked clean. But between all the stores I went to I was able to get all the figures I wanted other than Kylo Ren and Captain Phasma.

I personally think the figures are great. Very nicely sculpted and painted. I didn't get a single figure with sloppy paint. I also really like the Kenner style articulation.

[RickD]

I went to Target after work. All the Movie Figures and Black series were picked over. Nothing was left. I didn't mind. I had to take talking Chewbacca home though!

[Hedji]

Although I'm not buying this time 'round, I still remember the thrill of bringing home the Phantom Menace toys, and spreading them all over the floor as my brain tried to imagine their context within the movie. Good times. Hope those of you who went to shop got the goodies you want, and are having fun with 'em.

[phil]

I went out this afternoon and found nearly everything I was looking for. I didn't find the basic Kylo Ren and didn't care for the armor version. I'll find one eventually. Even though the toys had been available for several hours I was surprised by the lack of figures. It seemed to be more a case of the stores not having massive quantities rather than people buying everything. That was my impression and maybe I'm wrong.

My local Barnes and Noble had their stuff displayed off to the side like it was old merchandise. I found my Captain Phasma figure there so I was happy. 30% off with my membership and a coupon. I was amused at getting one so cheap since I imagine they are being scalped big time.

[Hector]

I don't go to any of those events, I can't stand stampeding Pamplona-like crowds.

Like others said, I doubt any of these mass produced toys are going to be worth anything down the line...and if for some reason some of they do...that will be a couple of decades from now, when half my foot would be in the grave, so what do I care at that point, lol.

Having said that, the BB-8 Droid (app version) does intrigue me, might get it down the line, and believe me, especially with that price tag, they will be plenty of them still available.

[LordMudd]

I am glad I don't collect Star Wars in any scale. I do wish Hasbro would make at least half this much effort for Marvel. Super heroes will still be around long after Star Wars becomes a memory.


CCC.

[MegoSteve]

I went to Target this morning before work, but the realization hit me that I've been through this before and I don't really need any of this stuff, so I just looked around a bit then walked out empty handed. Hit another Target after work to buy groceries and all the figures had been pretty well picked clean. Only ones that don't seem to be selling are the Hero Mashers.