Random Vintage Collection Thought:  I Miss The Thanksgiving Weekend LTO’s

The weekend after Thanksgiving used to be a time of excitement for Star Wars 3.75" collectors. At varying times, both Target and Walmart have had "Limited Time Only" or "While Supplies Last" Star Wars exclusives. Of the two, Target had the most noteworthy items. Some of their "Ultimate Battle Packs" were down right epic, such as the Battle at the Sarlacc Pit. Other memorable Target LTO's were Saga Collection Imperial Shuttle, and the Special Action Figure Set 9-Pack. Or should that be considered three 3-packs? Walmart's offerings haven't been as inspired. In fact, I only recall the six figure bundles of Hasbro's surplus stock for the year in 2009 and 2010. Don't get too excited about 2010 being listed there. It wasn't a TVC bundle. It was the "The Dark Skies" or "Shadows of the Dark Side" packaged Saga Legends and Clone Wars figures.

Aside from the aforementioned Sarlacc Pit and some infamous logs, there really wasn't a lot of newness to these LTO's. The figures were all repacks, and often very cheaply made versions of them. The Vibro-axes in the Sarlacc UBP had the rigidity of an elastic band. Basically, you didn't need to go out and hunt these items for the most part, which would be a relief to those of you who might not be too keen to head out into the retail madness that this weekend promises. You only needed to engage in the hunt if you wanted to partake in the event of these offerings. I thought they were an exciting aspect of the hobby, and for the most part, they were stocked exactly when they were supposed to be usually on a feature end cap. Well, it was an end cap for Target. My Walmart just stacked the 6-figure bundles on the floor in the middle of the aisle. I'm not making that up.

Black Friday through Cyber Monday shopping is increasingly moving to the domain of on-line shopping. If brick and mortar wants to bring in some deep pocketed foot traffic with discretionary spending money, reviving the Thanksgiving weekend LTO's could do it. Heck, I know it would be expensive as all get out, but I'd even take a redo of that Target Imperial Shuttle, but in TVC packaging this time around.

---

comments powered by Disqus