Ever wondered why you can't find the action figures you want in your local store? Why it is you can never find the ones you are looking for?
How can you ensure, or improve your chances of finding the figures you are looking for?
One of the biggest secrets is information, information, information so make sure you are subscribed to one of the many hobby magazines available.
Hopefully these tips will help you in your search and finding the action figures you are looking for.
1. Get to know your local store, how & when they get new stock.
2. When do they re-stock their shelves, i.e. morning, afternoon or overnight?
3. Sometimes new stock lies out the back in the store room until the current stock has been sold so if you don't see it ask.
4. Get to know the staff, be friendly and talk to them, get to know their names. Most people look straight past them so a little acknowledgment goes a long way.
5. Let them know you are a serious collector and NOT a reseller, staff will tend to be more helpful then.
6. Customer Service- They are there to HELP you and usually will be able to look up what stock is due in and when it is due, you may even be able to ask for a call when it arrives!
7. Your local Supermarket or Grocery stores, is often a good place to look as these are often neglected by collectors but many will stock popular lines and closeout deals.
8. Your local $1 store, close out stores or second hand stores are the ideal hunting ground for closeout deals and end of the line stock and older items.
9. Try inner city stores where customers haven't got the disposable income to spend on action figures.
10. Don't forget stores on the outskirts of town or in less frequented areas. These stores will often have older stock but generally will not carry a huge amount of stock and generally won't replace stock as it sells out.
11. If you're on an overseas trip to check out their local stores. Many manufacturers these deals have country specific exclusives or releases.
12. Toy and Collector fairs, excellent for closeout bargains, trading and older action figures you are looking for.
13. Because of the increased popularity of the hobby and the continuing increase in their values the staff of many stores have become "savvy" to the hobby and either collect themselves or know someone who does.
14. (Sorry but I'm superstitious, so...) Remember always be polite, friendly and courteous, it costs little and can gain you huge rewards!
This has led to an increase in the number of people saving or hiding items in the store to purchase later.
Although most stores don't allow staff to "keep back" items an easy work around to this is that they will get a friend to come in and purchase the item that has been "saved" for them.
SO, here's some tips for finding the "hidden gold".
Checkout behind current stock.
Check underneath the bottom shelve of the display units. These bottom panels are often easily lifted to reveal a hidden space underneath.
Look on top of high shelves, i.e. above head height. Ask to use the stores ladder if need be. This is an ideal place for staff to "hide" stock.
Check ALL the aisles, not just the toy aisles.
If you can't see it, ASK!
Happy Hunting!
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