The Shining Twins

[The Head]

Wait, the twins are showing up in stores already!?!? Gah!

[HeyJude]

Congratulations Funko and Target. Your excellent marketing synergy and distribution prowess has now led to the next step in collecting: Now the *regular* Target exclusive version of this is essentially a "Chase."

I get it when Funko makes numbered and/or "Limited" edition items to essentially goose interest and hype and all of that. I don't agree with it, but I get it.

But the whole point in hooking up with *huge* retailers like Target and offering them exclusives is that the product gets WIDE distribution and serves as a means to get more people through the doors and then buying *other* stuff at the store. Funko and Target both win in this scenario.

What makes no sense is how so many of these "retailer exclusives", made available at large retailers with thousands of store locations, remain so elusive. I remember when Funko finally stuck their deal with Target stores. I figured the idea was that Funko would actually be able to sell more product. Instead, stores go *months* with no new Funko stock, and then when something new and with a lot of buzz (e.g. the twins) comes through, it's short-run and short-packed and they end up achieving the unthinkable: The Nintendo SNES Classic is easier to find at this stage.

Clearly something is up with Funko and Target's distribution chain. They do huge "Stranger Things" displays and then advertise their exclusive ST Pop (Joyce) in the weekly ad, only to result in the thing not being available much of anywhere including the website.

[[llO_oll]7]

Wait, the twins are showing up in stores already!?!? Gah!

yup, my area is officially cleaned out now.

[aschuler0603]

I got mine yesterday - only 3 per Target in our area. Didn't come across a chase though

Ashley

[aschuler0603]

Anyone get lucky enough to find a Chase?? I did not, sadly.

[Gonzo206]

Barley scored the twins this morning after a collector friend told me there was 1 left. Rushed to the store and got there around 9 just as they were putting out the stranger things shipper....and also scored the rare "wild chase" Hopper! My friend wanted me to check for hazmat Joyce. I replied "no hazmat but they brought a whole shipper out." She was like "look for a chase, people have been finding them in the shipper!" I was trying to be slick but these guys are on their pop game...so I sent her a pic of the chase I scored for them and replied "you mean this?" Worked out great for both of us!

Congrats! I'm glad you were able to get the twins as well as an unexpected chase!

[Mister Piggy Wiggy]

There are less Funko goodies at target out here than teeth in a meth house

Great example!

[ryanc_]

Brickseek showed my local target had one left, and when I visited in the morning they acknowledged their system showed they had one, but they didn't know where it was. Then around closing time brickseek changed to out of stock.

[mikechickenhead]

AZ is still a ghost town. No twins anywhere.....oh wait, i guess that would make it NOT a ghost town... HA!

[mikechickenhead]

Brickseek showed my local target had one left, and when I visited in the morning they acknowledged their system showed they had one, but they didn't know where it was. Then around closing time brickseek changed to out of stock.

Yeah... but doesnt target gave a "policy" stopping employees from doing this? HA!

[keyese]

Managed to score them today at Target! I woke up at 5am to check Brickseek since yesterday when the woman looked it up she said it should arrive this morning. It showed Limited Stock at one, and In Stock at another. I went to the Limited Stock one first since it opened at 7am, and was second in line at around 6:45am. We chatted it up a bit, then when they opened we both walked over together and waited until they found the box. We decided since we had hit the line around the same time, we would do a draw method by each taking a turn grabbing one from the box to get the chase. This box did not have a chase, so we went along our merry way. We then went to the store that opened at 8am, and got there early. Same thing happened - they brought out the box and we found there were no chases. I did score some Stranger Things chases and mystery minis though!

Overall it was a pretty good morning I am so relieved that I got these, even though it required waking up extremely early for this night owl.

[ntranger]

our store got 1 case of 3, couldn't find them, then sold out last night right before close.

[ntranger]

Brickseek showed my local target had one left, and when I visited in the morning they acknowledged their system showed they had one, but they didn't know where it was. Then around closing time brickseek changed to out of stock.

Yeah... but doesnt target gave a "policy" stopping employees from doing this? HA!

managers have to enforce it. they never do.

[HeyJude]

I would guess even some of the folks that would actually dig keeping the Chase 2-pack would be tempted to sell it if it continues to go for $400-$450 as it has been on eBay.

Given a choice between that one two-pack or roughly *45* Pops that I'd like to add to my collection, I guess the choice would be easy!

Note to Target: This would all be exponentially less problematic if you'd also just put this set up on your website. Why is that so hard?

[HeyJude]

Brickseek showed my local target had one left, and when I visited in the morning they acknowledged their system showed they had one, but they didn't know where it was. Then around closing time brickseek changed to out of stock.

Yeah... but doesnt target gave a "policy" stopping employees from doing this? HA!

managers have to enforce it. they never do.

Target rarely enforces such things even when they are selling a huge, well-known, in-demand product where people are lining up around the block (NES/SNES Classic, etc.), so I highly doubt a Funko Pop figure (which most Target employees just think of as just like any other toy in the store) will see much scrutiny as far as enforcing employee purchasing rules, etc.

[keyese]

I'm hoping they do a restock, because even though I got one I was obviously hoping for a chase, and I know that other Funko fans were not as lucky as me to be able to go that early in the morning and wait for it. The display had a slot for it, so you'd think they would want to have more than just 3 per store if they are planning space for it!

[sromo006]

Targets will even hold these when you call in. They have no policies around Funko items. Also, these hit my area today and it was mostly 3 per store and I was not able to snag one. Target by me had a line that started at 4 in the morning.

[The Head]

No stock anywhere near me (IL). I suppose we need to wait a week or so.

[Jjulsky]

The twins have started showing up around Kentucky and in sets of three. I hope to find one at least but I’m always working

[dork_knight]

Started showing up in the Bay. Stores that got them in this morning show Out of Stock on StockByMe meow. The first one I tried to go to on the way to work displayed 2 in stock, but when I got there, there were 2 people already waiting for it. The last one I tried going to said they're getting theirs on the 30th even though it says they have 3. :P

[Tynett]

friend grabbed one in Colorado, I don't even bother with my local targets as they never have anything .

[caliwolv]

I went to Target today about an hour after opening and they had 2 left at Electronics with a limit of 1 per person. I'm so glad I finally got my hands on this, chase or not (not in this case), this is a must-have!!!!

[jambes]

No stock anywhere near me (IL). I suppose we need to wait a week or so.

Gurnee, Elgin, and Schaumburg received them today. I normally wake up around 5-6am every day to check. Other stores should be getting them the next few days. They normally sell out within 30mins of opening so it will show OOS around 10ish. At least for this part of the country.

[CaseyJones14]

I hate Target so much.

2 regular Pennywise sitting behind electronics desk. Ask employee about Shining Twins and he says everything is out on the floor.

I don't know why I still try to look for stuff at Target

[riceand1]

Went to Target this morning, about 15 minutes after they open, asked for the Twins, and they said its either sold or they never received it. That was weird because if it was sold, the electronic sales person would of known that it was sold.

[Eman185]

Definitely need the Chase version. No luck at my local Target today. All commons.

[Njtree_82]

500 dollars on eBay!!! That's is just crazy!

[Indy Viper]

No stock anywhere near me (IL). I suppose we need to wait a week or so.

Gurnee, Elgin, and Schaumburg received them today. I normally wake up around 5-6am every day to check. Other stores should be getting them the next few days. They normally sell out within 30mins of opening so it will show OOS around 10ish. At least for this part of the country.

Yeah, that's pretty much the same situation over here in Indianapolis.

[SanDiegoSammy]

went to target at 5am for a 8 opening after i checked brickseek and talked to a employee about when the trucks come in. stock went from three to none right before opening.

%&#@$* Target employees

[The Head]

No stock anywhere near me (IL). I suppose we need to wait a week or so.

Gurnee, Elgin, and Schaumburg received them today. I normally wake up around 5-6am every day to check. Other stores should be getting them the next few days. They normally sell out within 30mins of opening so it will show OOS around 10ish. At least for this part of the country.

Hmmm...hope the ones on my routes have them tomorrow because oddly enough, Target runs are more difficult for me on the weekends than during the week so I'm sure I'll miss them if they drop here Saturday or Sunday.

[The Head]

No stock anywhere near me (IL). I suppose we need to wait a week or so.

Gurnee, Elgin, and Schaumburg received them today. I normally wake up around 5-6am every day to check. Other stores should be getting them the next few days. They normally sell out within 30mins of opening so it will show OOS around 10ish. At least for this part of the country.

By the way, what DCPI are you using to check stock? Just want to make sure I'm using the right one.

[jambes]

No stock anywhere near me (IL). I suppose we need to wait a week or so.

Gurnee, Elgin, and Schaumburg received them today. I normally wake up around 5-6am every day to check. Other stores should be getting them the next few days. They normally sell out within 30mins of opening so it will show OOS around 10ish. At least for this part of the country.

Hmmm...hope the ones on my routes have them tomorrow because oddly enough, Target runs are more difficult for me on the weekends than during the week so I'm sure I'll miss them if they drop here Saturday or Sunday.

323-01-0714 is the dcpi
Hope you check before they open, lots of other stores got them today!

[The Head]

Gurnee, Elgin, and Schaumburg received them today. I normally wake up around 5-6am every day to check. Other stores should be getting them the next few days. They normally sell out within 30mins of opening so it will show OOS around 10ish. At least for this part of the country.

Hmmm...hope the ones on my routes have them tomorrow because oddly enough, Target runs are more difficult for me on the weekends than during the week so I'm sure I'll miss them if they drop here Saturday or Sunday.

323-01-0714 is the dcpi
Hope you check before they open, lots of other stores got them today!

Yep, that's what I was using too and just checked. A few stores say they have them.,..looks like I'll be going in work a little later today. Wish me luck!

Thanks!

[jambes]

Hmmm...hope the ones on my routes have them tomorrow because oddly enough, Target runs are more difficult for me on the weekends than during the week so I'm sure I'll miss them if they drop here Saturday or Sunday.

323-01-0714 is the dcpi
Hope you check before they open, lots of other stores got them today!

Yep, that's what I was using too and just checked. A few stores say they have them.,..looks like I'll be going in work a little later today. Wish me luck!

Thanks!

Good luck!! Just got to my local one, we are number 2 and 3 in line

[The Head]

323-01-0714 is the dcpi
Hope you check before they open, lots of other stores got them today!

Yep, that's what I was using too and just checked. A few stores say they have them.,..looks like I'll be going in work a little later today. Wish me luck!

Thanks!

Good luck!! Just got to my local one, we are number 2 and 3 in line

Ugh! I hope there isn't a line. I don't feel like fighting people for this...

Good luck to you as well!

[Riniculous]

Only one in line at the moment. The manager let me stand in the breezeway because it's cold (so nice). She even took the dcpi so she could have it ready for me at opening. They open in 30...crossing my fingers. Good luck all!

[lrienaeds]

I stopped by my Target on the way to work this morning and I was there about 5 minutes before opening. They got 3 in (no chase) and I got the last one. They were at the electronics counter and they were limiting to one per customer.

[treswright]

I got my Twins today.

Quick story:

Awesome story!! I've always had trouble finding Funko exclusives at Dallas-area Targets, but I will say the employees have always been super helpful and friendly.

[jambes]

Yay got one!

[newhousebailey]

Tried to snag another one to help someone out, but there was already a line after I took my kids to school at the Target that showed it in stock. Good luck everyone!