178 Comments »

Wow…that’s just wrong! Glad I ordered my R case from CTC- that’s pretty close to what my TRU looks like too.
[Reply]
//carsmama
16 August 2008 at 11:54 am

Some stores already got case R and I missed it, but some haven’t got it yet, so that’s where I’ll be tomorrow!
[Reply]
//coolstuff4uusa
16 August 2008 at 1:03 pm

Went to Target this morning and saw a box (case P) below the pegs that barely survived the carnage of a rabid collector. Surveying the damage, I found a couple of petrols and tars but no sign of Kathy. The pegs were full of dirt tracks, PC Hudson, and one other………………….can you guess…………YES!!!!……………….Ramone…………
Maybe try again tomorrow AM. Going to throw in the towel for today.
[Reply]
//Mr. T
16 August 2008 at 1:11 pm

I can’t wait for tomorrow. Target hasn’t put out case R yet, and I plan to be there when they open to see if they will. If they don’t put it out, I will demand… wait, no, I’ll ask politely.
[Reply]
//coolstuff4uusa
16 August 2008 at 3:16 pm

I checked WM. I saw a new shipment but no Catus or Ham. So I guess it was not case R. No Tars, or any of the new ones either.
[Reply]
//CarsFan
16 August 2008 at 4:23 pm

Got Mine! Yay! Went down to Target (the one of Day Street in Moreno Valley, CA) at 8AM when it first opened and saw the whole entire case on pegs. The Hot Wheels guys just skipped them and went to their diecast. Grabbed my Stickers McQueen, Ham, Cactus x1, Stacy (Yay! Finally), Leroy Traffik x2, Roman Dunes x2 (Chief No Stall). Wow what a day! Pretty much grabbed half the case for about twenty eight dollars. If they bring another case R (won’t probably happen), I’ll keep an eye for another Stickers McQueen.
(MET: Target stores with CARS hanging on pegs - go figure …).
[Reply]
//Jinzo
16 August 2008 at 6:58 pm

I was in the Target in Exton PA yesterday and we are finally just now getting the two pack movie moments. So I finally got my Trunk Fresh. No sign of any recent cases, we seem to be weeks behind the West Coast. Bought Case R from CTC - it will save me many frustrating trips. Thanks!
[Reply]
//Jeff
16 August 2008 at 8:02 pm

i am guessin all these finds are on the west coast not the east coast?
[Reply]
//rpag
16 August 2008 at 8:04 pm

Jeff…you are like me (in ga)…just saw the first signes of Case P at WMT last week…finally scored this morning. Also to my delight I scored very well at Target…first sightings of Case P so if I were to have to guess…I am thinking that they will be here next week. Good luck to every one as I have already ordered my case R from CTC. d
[Reply]
//Matt B
16 August 2008 at 8:23 pm

My Target got two P cases before getting the R case (two days after P Case). We all know it differs from store to store but another Target store nearby got two P Cases first. Might be a pattern in my regional area but who knows really. There was like 4-5 Tar McQueens and two Cactus McQueen as Met said. Good luck to everybody finding it.
[Reply]
//Jinzo
16 August 2008 at 8:46 pm

I haven’t seen soo many Boosts since like a year ago. My TRU is usually pretty well stocked with a good even distribution of Cars. But you still have to work hard to get the newest Cars there.
[Reply]
//Monica
16 August 2008 at 10:11 pm

I am a cars-o-holic…
I am on the verge of purchasing EVERY SINGLE ONE of those Boost/Ramone/You-name-it-peg-warmer-piece-of-supercharged-leftover-metal, just so they can bring on the good stuff!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Maybe I’ll just have the biggest collection of Hamm this planet has ever known! Yeh, that’s it! I will be worth BILLIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
Glad I got that off my chest… I’m going to play with my unopened Rollin’ Bowlin’ Mater to calm down. See you in a few months when they announce the line has been discontinued!
[Reply]
//Buckland-Blowouts!
16 August 2008 at 11:06 pm

Going to check Target tomorrow - be there when the door opens - fingers crossed!!!
[Reply]
//Mr.T
16 August 2008 at 11:26 pm

Well, TRU in the UK have been having a “Buy Two, Get One Free” on CARS just recently. Looks like Mattel have got them by the **whistles** and basically told them that they need to shift their stock of Ramones, Dinoco LMs and Hamms before they get anything else.. because that’s all they have. Worlds’ Biggest Toy Store, my rear! They are really lame in the UK…….
I have more luck getting CARS from a UK Supermarket chain called Sainsburys (which isn’t Wal-Mart related!) than anywhere else, except EvilBay!
[Reply]
//Martin
17 August 2008 at 2:26 am

Thats so true!!!
here in the UK TRU are being really crap!!! in my local TRU i manged to get my hand on all the new movie momets out ie the one with no stall in etc……
BUT.. no joy on the single figure front!! TRU are still doing buy to get a third free but in my store all they have is yellow and green ramone to choose from so pointless really!!! grr!! it makes me angry!!!! sort it out !!!
best place i find cars is my local tesco they seem to get cases in all the time even though the price of them has gone up from £2.97 to £3.27!!!!!!!!!
the UK is such a rip off!!!!
BRING OUT NEW CARS IN THE UK SOON PLEASE!!!!!!!!!
X X
[Reply]
//james
17 August 2008 at 8:34 am

I was so disappointed on my recent trip to PA and NY. I visited 5 WM’s, 2 Targets, 3 TRU’s and a Kmart. I found nothing new, and came home with only a Lightning Ramone (which I was missing). I also retrieved a package my relatives had to order for us from TRU for all 4 town sets.
Funny though, I noticed on the bottom of the car and town sets packaging that it read “Imported by: Mattel Canada Inc., Mississauga Ontario”. This might not seem important to you fellow collectors, but I live in Mississauga. I travelled to the US, found nothing new and I can’t find anything here - where the cars are imported from! I tried ordering the sets from TRU US site myself and was told I couldn’t because I have to use the Canadian site, which does not offer them. But they are shipped from my home town. That is maddening.
I think I’m going to start filling my cart with all of the old duplicates and burying them under some other merchandise in the opposite end of the store!
[Reply]
//heinz57baby ;)
17 August 2008 at 11:36 am

Finally! After waiting to go to Target on Sunday all week, Sunday is here, and now so is Stickers McQueen! Yes! Also, I talked to the stocker, and she said she expects more on Tuesday, so I will try again to get one for myself!
[Reply]
//coolstuff4uusa
17 August 2008 at 1:24 pm

My personal read of the ‘Chase” cars borders on disgust. Mattel has given into the Hot Wheels mentality. Your might as well call the “Chase” Cars Treasure Hunts. Soon, there will be mass pushing and shoving, back room antics, etc to get these ‘toys’ before anyone else. My daughter worked the opening shift at our local Toys R Us one summer, and, the mob scenes at opening were disgusting, including pushing little kids onto the floor. Be prepared to have your kids disappointed. You’ll have to pay scalper prices. This collector has never had to pay more than retail for any Cars casting (or other toy)because eventually it shows up. Maybe I’m fortunate to have two TRU’s, three Targets, four Wal*Marts, three K-Marts, four Fred Meyers and numerous drug stores with a ten miles drive (Maximum). Of course, that is the free market. Once the items is sold, the retailer does not care. Most store managers are happy to have the pushing and shoving out of the way before the ‘regular’ customers come in. One of the mini managers at the local TRU is a Cars collector, so with the anticipated limited distribution any other collector should avoid this TRU’s for this casting.
It is also interesting to see how many ‘collectors’ of Cars also run retail operations at eBay. I watch the bidding on eBay. Yes, not everyone is heading to Target or Wal*Mart in the early morning to get the latest casting for their kid- it’s for their business. I noticed the latest Chase McQueen went for $29.00+. Nice profit!
EXPECT MUCH DISAPPOINTMENT OVER THESE LIMITED EDITIONS! YOU WOULD BE WISE NOT EVEN TO TELL YOUR LITTLE ONES THEY EXIST UNTIL YOU CAN HOLD IT IN YOUR HANDS.
Of course, I predict as it becomes more difficult to casually obtain these toys, you’ll be abandoning Cars as a collectible.
[Reply]
//Steve AKA: Poppa
17 August 2008 at 2:17 pm

My take on the Chase Cars is a little different. I considered not even trying to get them at all. I do not feel they are critically necessary to my collection since they are mainly minor variants of cars already out there. I doubt my 4 year olds will even notice he difference between “Stickers” McQueen and Fred and the regular versions. That said, since it seemed a pretty good bet that Stickers McQ would be in the case and there was all kinds of other good stuff in there, I went for buying a case R and I do hope it’s in there. I would not buy the Chase Cars for a premium on ebay.
I also think it’s terrible that people run and snatch up all the good stuff to sell on ebay.
[Reply]
//Monica
17 August 2008 at 3:05 pm

Funny I have yet to see case P at the Targets here in NH, I think I missed out over the weekend as I was away so I am swinging by the usual places tomorrow before and after work. I will hopefully find something or I will be getting an entire case R.
[Reply]
//L8rM8r
17 August 2008 at 6:11 pm

Jeff i feel your pain as well as i have yet to se any of case P here in the pittsburgh area let alone case R i went to K-mart, Toy R Us, 2 Targets and a Walmart and nothing it is getting really frustrating around here i guess i’m going to have to start buying them by the case, no other choice.
[Reply]
//tuch
17 August 2008 at 6:22 pm

I have yet to see case R here in Phoenix. I went to Target first thing this morning and just a few remnants of case P and the usual pegwarmers were up. I asked the stocker and of course I got the usual response ‘all we have is out on the floor - check back tomorrow’ I hate to resort to the case purchase when all I need is a couple of them. I think I am going to try to hold out. All the ones I have bought on ebay have eventually showed up on the shelves one time or another - I definitely do not regret it - I am impatient and if I cannot have it now, then I don’t want it (Yeah right……..)
I’ll keep my fingers crossed and hope they show up. I read in another posting about ‘chase’ and the pseudo hot wheels mentality that seems to be materializing with this line.
Seriously…. how many different variations of LMcQ can we have………………..don’t answer that.
[Reply]
//Mr. T
17 August 2008 at 7:38 pm

finally… FINALLY… FFFIIIINNNNAAALLLYYYY.. the local WalMart got what I suspect may have been a Case R in stock. The only thing left was a single Stacy that I picked up for my nephew but nothing else or maybe a previous case that had Stacy in it?
I also went to my local Target and finally saw that they had the MM double packs and Launcher Double packs. All old stuff as I suspect other collectors in my area already snatched up any Trunk Freshes that were in stock. I don’t know the WalMart and Target Truck schedules so I don’t know how late to the game I really was. I’ll check my local TRU on thursday morning to see what comes in.
I may just order a Case R from CTC. I need almost half the case… Might be cheaper in the long run..
Mike
Dayton, Ohio.
[Reply]
//Mike
17 August 2008 at 7:40 pm

ARRGGHHHH!!!!!
So my cross border CARS Hunt was different! We intended to go to one town with a Target, WM, TRU and KM, but the border was closed due to a gas leak….so we went to a Cdn Wm and TRU. At TRU I see 4, count them 4, unopened csaes up on the top shelf…I get tehm down, yeah Case G I think they said, 30 in a case and not one I need!!! 4 cases, nothing new!!!!
BUT, the border opens, 3 towns, 17 stores one hotel bill 6 meals and not a sighting of case R…one Octaine Gain Pitty and lots of older holes I needed to fill in BUT no case R sighting at all.
I did manage to snag 4 Race and Chase so that was cool!!! Maybe I’ll see what the shipping is to Sweden for our CARSoholic over there!!
[Reply]
//Shanon
17 August 2008 at 8:39 pm

I give up!!! I spent ALOT of money Racing and Chasing across 2 countries and came up empty…Oh sure, the kids have back to school clothes and the wife has new outfits for work, BUT what is important here is the lesson I learned… Children’s Toy Closet!!! Please be merciful and send my case R QUICKLY!!! BTW, really like Olive Garden, don’t have those here!!!
[Reply]
//Shanon
17 August 2008 at 8:42 pm

My heartbeat race when my wife said “there’s another two CARS just arrived”
Bought my Chase last week from evil Bay (where else but)and of course paid $20 + for it and just received them today..YEY! also I have Leroy The two items is something I very doubt I will ever see in Sydney.
[Reply]
//MCL Sydney
18 August 2008 at 4:11 am

as I said in the other Stickers MQ thread/post I got one! but the top corner has a crease… anyway
[Reply]
//CaseStalker
18 August 2008 at 4:58 pm

OK, I read a few posts about 10 listings prior about some frustration about the Stickers availability and have to admit I think I am in the same boat as those two who express some rage at Mattel and some of the Ebay entrepreneurs. I realize I have reached almost a sickness when I visited a Target and WalMart this morning, stopped by a TRU during my lunch hour, and swung by two Targets on my way home. I realized, with gas prices where they are and just my time in general, I might as well just go to Ebay and bite the $25 bullet (or whatever) and give myself some sanity. But then I thought about it: I have only been buying these cars for my toddler; I let him rip open the packages; he has promptly put many of them on the figure eight race track causing paint chips most collectors would consider a travesty; and others have fallen from certain heights onto our tile floor and worse. So why am I getting caught up in this madness? It was much more fun a few months ago when I was getting into it and just happy to find some of the older ones like a Dinaco helicopter or even a Bob Cutlass which I did not see every day. Don’t get me wrong, if I see a Stickers one on the rack, I’ll pick it up. And if there are two, I would probably pick up the second. But my child doesn’t even like having more than one of the same one. Having two different colored Ramones does not make sense to a toddler since there can only be one at any given time in Radiator Springs. I have only picked up one Lightning McQueen (the original) because there is no need for a dirt track or cactus one. So I am not going to give in to Ebay and not going to help drive up these prices. I have some mixed feelings about Ebay since I see some collectors are in other countries where there is no other option. But when I went to Target over the weekend, there were about 4 other customers there at opening and the cashiers told me they are there every morning. Who wants to compete with that? So, like what I sense from some other annoyed collectors, I guess I’ll let the Ebayers gobble up more than they need and hope that come around the holiday season Leroy Traffik and company will be commonplace. My secret hope is that the Stickers McQueen will eventually be a peg warmer. I think collectors would be happy that they got theirs first, Ebay vultures may lose their credibility, and everybody else will get their peace.
(MET: Nicely said).
[Reply]
//KH
18 August 2008 at 11:02 pm

almost every target and WM has early morning collectors, although Target has restocking times at 11, 2 5 7 which means you could score during the day but the morning is always the best. WM has no daily restocking times other than at the toy managers whim and at 24 hour WM’s it’s hard to be there when they stock which is why I go for the case off the pallet which is also hard since they have a cow if they catch you. Or go to a WM that actually closes and go there when they open.
So…I am off to my Target to be there when it opens….buh bye…
[Reply]
//CaseStalker
19 August 2008 at 7:08 am

Shanon,
You went to Olive Garden too? I went since it’s been 15 years since I went to one here in Canada… (You see, Cars aren’t the only things Canadian’s are deprived of, there’s Keebler cookies, Apple Jacks cereal, Flaming Hot Cheetos and banana flavoured gum.)
Not sure if I’ll make the cross border shop again any time soon. I’m also not seeing anything new since I came home. Where is Stickers McQueen? Getting very frustrated… I just keep telling myself at least we got the LSLM and the town sets. Why isn’t there any satisfaction in that, though?
[Reply]
//heinz57baby ;)
19 August 2008 at 2:54 pm

Well, made a stop with the granddaughter while grandma had a MD appointment next to Target. Not a new casting in sight! Plenty of green Ramone. However, there was an ample supply of the two packs. Since Target has been getting those, there appears to be a very nice choice of the harder two packs assortments. There was another Flic/Flea, which was teamed up with a Flo/Ramone. The store had other nice two packs teamed with the less desirable castings. I would recommend buying what you need and then either gifting or donating the unwanted car. It’s still cheaper than doing the eBay route. So right now, the Puget Sound area does not appear to be awash in P or R cases. Wal-Mart is really poor. Save that $3.69 gas!
(MET: If you want hope, Mattel is still shipping to the South & Midwest …)
[Reply]
//Steve AKA: Poppa
19 August 2008 at 3:29 pm

Well, in Southern California, the Cars hunt remains exciting because there are still plenty of new ones on the shelves! Found another Stickers McQueen (once again, at Target) and 2 more Leroy’s, but I still have only seen one Roman Dunes. Hey Met, do you know the exact release date for case T yet?
(MET: Nope, just in the next two-three weeks as of now for T … but you’re the first to call ‘Stickers’ McQueen a pegwarmer ).
[Reply]
//coolstuff4uusa
19 August 2008 at 6:47 pm

hey coolstuff are you selling a stickers by chance?
[Reply]
//jmor
19 August 2008 at 7:01 pm

Does anyone have an extra Stickers Mcqueen?
[Reply]
//CarsFan
19 August 2008 at 7:27 pm

Met-
Do you know when they would hit the South?? I would love to be on the look out for them but I am hitting up TRU on Thursday as they are supposdely getting a shipment in…I am hoping that they have the new ones so I can buy those 5 for the promo. Just curious!
(MET: Reports are that there are shipments going out so for some parts of the country, don’t give up hope just yet as it might be a few more days from warehouse to distribution to store).
[Reply]
//Matt B
19 August 2008 at 7:40 pm

Thanks, CaseStalker and “coolstuff”, you guys are giving me hope. I think I was just a little bent out of shape. I’ll still be looking too. I’ve conceded Stickers but would settle for a Leroy or Roman at this point. I’d even be happy with a Flea. The frequent stocking of shelves at Target is encouraging too. And now that you mention it, it seems to make sense based on some of the availability at certain times throughout the day. I’m glad they do it that way. It gives everyone a chance.
[Reply]
//KH
19 August 2008 at 7:50 pm

Heinz57baby,
My daughter loves Cracker Barrel and my son loves Friendly’s…both love Cars so we try to go south every Xmas…no white Christmas for us…last year we saw the REAL Lighning and Tow Mater on Christmas Day at Disney…now that was a gift!!!
[Reply]
//Shanon
19 August 2008 at 7:50 pm

Saw the remains of 2 cases of “R” at Orem (UT) Target this evening, obviously no stickers to be found… Sigh… working gets in the way of hunting for cars!
[Reply]
//Brown Fury
19 August 2008 at 8:31 pm

Casestalker- I thought a woman at WM was going to have me forcibly removed just for looking at the palate last week ! CAN I HELP YOU ? She scared me!
[Reply]
//Mary
19 August 2008 at 8:42 pm

Mary, my 9 year old is my eyes and ears, watching for WM employees and signalling me with a psst..Daddy when one approaches…she actually snuck into the back room the other night and came running back out eyes bulging, mouth wide open..”You should SEE the boxes back there” she says, completely dumbfounded! It was hilarious! I take the unopened box to the Cars section and crack it open there…then I put them out for them…little they can say really! Not like we are stealing, although the way teh heart is racing it FEELS like we are, doesn’t it!
My 4 year old just wants me to open EVERY box, regardless of what is in it…just in case!! LOL
(MET: Sounds like a pirate to me … Do you play the Mission Impossible Theme while this is all going on? )
[Reply]
//Shanon
19 August 2008 at 8:51 pm

Man I need more kids, my 5 year old just whines “They don’t have anything new mommy, can we just go” and “I’m not going into another Target”.I hope I’m not scaring him. I know the minute I’m dead he’ll poobably sell the entire collection on e-bay. LOL.
[Reply]
//Mary
19 August 2008 at 9:16 pm

Hey jmor, I sold one already, and the others are for me and my son. Sorry.
[Reply]
//coolstuff4uusa
19 August 2008 at 9:33 pm

no problem if you get any more please lmk email is jmorx3@gmail.com thanks
[Reply]
//jmor
19 August 2008 at 9:34 pm

Got my R-Case from Childrens Toy Closet; Lightning McQueen with Stickers was in the case. whooohooo!
[Reply]
//DJT
20 August 2008 at 5:28 pm

I have always wanted my own theme song…but it wood probably be closer to Sanford and Son…muhmp muhmp wa wumhp….
[Reply]
//Shanon
20 August 2008 at 6:21 pm

Case T does not seem to hold the same lure to me…am I mistaken or is Chase Fred not the only New one in it?
(MET: There’s also Axel Accelerator … but unlike R which lets a lot of people catch up, if you buy R, T is a lot more duplicates).
[Reply]
//Shanon
20 August 2008 at 6:28 pm

Oh RIGHT, Axle Accelerator does look pretttttyyyyy cool…not cool enough to justify a whole Case T though!!! Might have to live without Chase Fred though…since I did buy Case R from Children’s Toy Closet, who are torturing me with the length of time it is taking (only bought it 2 days ago, but still)LOL
[Reply]
//Shanon
20 August 2008 at 7:24 pm

Received my Case R from CTC today with Chase McQ in it waaaaaahoooooo!
Terrific case! Leroy is too cute.
[Reply]
//Monica
20 August 2008 at 8:02 pm

Hi All -
Just letting you know that I received my case R from Children’s Toy Closet today and Stickers McQueen was there along with everything else that was expected. Absolutely no complaints here - just glad to have one of ‘em in hand!! Keep up the great website Met.
[Reply]
//Samuel R
20 August 2008 at 8:21 pm

Monica…very jealous!! I am hoping that mine shows up tomorrow! But I think everyone else is right..I really cannot justify buying a case T…but you know I will be buying those Axels as soon as I see them!!!
[Reply]
//Matt B
20 August 2008 at 8:21 pm

Well I’m happy for everyone getting their cases already; mine is still on its way. It was supposed to be delivered tomorrow but I think it was forgotten because now it won’t be delivered until the 25th. Like I can wait that long!
[Reply]
//collectormom
20 August 2008 at 8:52 pm

Hang in there collectormom, just a couple more days.
[Reply]
//Monica
20 August 2008 at 10:21 pm

Well my local WM and Target have not restocked, now I am in the zone where I feel if I don’t go everyday i will miss it. I need a another stickers MQ for my unopener and a few others.
Those other “case stalking” stories are funny, By the way Shanon if you’re not carfeful you’ll have your kids working the jewelry store like that mom who got busted on camera…HA!
Here’s a good story: Last C-Mas I was at WM shoulder deep into a pallet trying to get another MM Case with Rusty/Dusty and Mia/Tia when I was asked by a stocker, “can I help you find something?” “Uhhh I thought there were some new toys in here..” I say stupified. “No man there all out on the shelves” he says quizotically. After he leaves I reach in again tumbling about 5 boxes. So another employee comes over and sees I’m right next to the bikes. Thinking I am trying to look at the bikes shes says “I don’t why they put all these boxes right here, I can get someone to move them?” “NO NO It’s ok I’m just looking” I say, narrowly excaping suspect. Next I start carefully removing all the boxes occaisionally turning to the shelves as if I’m intested in biking helmets when the stockers come by. I even help move the boxes to make more room for his next pallet. At last I unveil the final MM case to comlete my 3-of-each fill. My debit card breaks as I frantically cut the tape on the box, but who cares I’ve got my fix!!! Upon returning the the car my wife says” Nice, just real quick huh?”
**Hint: I was wearing a suit and tie, you can get away with alot at WM’s in a suit and tie, I have been mistaken for upper management several times, I feel like saying “Get these pegs filled up right now!!!”
Next time tune in for the WM Exclusives Case Escape!
Perhaps we should start a Tales of Collecting post to share our adventures?
[Reply]
//CaseStalker
21 August 2008 at 3:35 am

I noticed on Ebay there was a Stickers McQueen acution that had stickers on a Lightning Ramone card. Is this a factory mistake? I am not selling or promoting this item I just though everyone here might want to take a look at it.
Maybe I will score Stickers today.
[Reply]
//CarsFan
21 August 2008 at 5:02 am

“They” are a lot more understanding of you opening the boxes if you take the extra 2 minutes to hang what you don’t want.
Sometimes the Target workers will go into the back and bring out a box for you if you do stuff like that … Target is the best place for midday special requests because their price checker tells you if more stuff is in the back.
[Reply]
//Patrick
21 August 2008 at 5:37 am

yes I have experienced that a few times, I generally stock the left overs or put it back on the pallet. This one gal, I call the Pallet Nazi, wont let you even touch one! or hardly look it one. The other day she actually went to the back and got a 3-pak case, she opened it and showed it to me and asked “is this what you’re looking for? I started thumbing through the paks (I was hoping for a leakless set)and she took the box away and said “you can’t touch them in the box, I have to put them on the shelf first!” HA!
no leakless set though…Another time this gal was about to call security on me and I even told her I would stock them for her.
Leaving in T-Minus 10 for Target on the Stickers hunt!!
[Reply]
//CaseStalker
21 August 2008 at 7:43 am

SCORE! Just when I thought it was a waste of time today I heard the ringing of the “inventory scanner” just then a Target employee working the toys section came around the corner. I asked her to scan and she obliged, it showed she had cases in back! She agreed to bring one out (after I pointed out there was plenty of room on the pegs) and BINGO! Stickers MQ on a clean card and my last Kathy! (for my daughter). I left Roman and Leroy aswingin’…. Now just one more Luke Peddlework and I’m good til Case T. (other than Leakless 3 pak) And now on to hound TRU although which 5 cars shall I buy, 5 Ramones?
[Reply]
//CaseStalker
21 August 2008 at 9:49 am

Casestalker, you are my hero!!!! oh, and I hate you!!!
[Reply]
//Shanon
21 August 2008 at 9:59 am

Casestalker are you in CO? I must be following you into every Target in the entire Denver Metro and south surburban area!! Yesterday I found Roman and Leroy (SCORE), but no (NO) stickers. You must have a gift. Some kind of Pixar esp or something. If you find an extra keep me in mind. Love the hunting stories.
[Reply]
//Mary
21 August 2008 at 1:03 pm

Casestalker,
Nice score and its good of you to leave Roman and Leroy for others to get excited and say “Score!” I’ve read alot about the Targets getting the new stock but I went to 6 Targets in Northwest Wash between yesterday and the day before and none of them had any stock. A couple of stores had reline their sections and now only have 2 pegs for Cars (they can’t even get a whole case out!) I wish that I had your luck. Oh well, I’ll find them one day….:)
[Reply]
//Pete K
21 August 2008 at 1:36 pm

My trip to the “big city” has not been fruitful at all. The two WM’s, 4 Targets and 3 Shopko’s (plus a couple Walgreens) have had no, I repeat, NO new cars. My only score, if you like Mini’s, was the dirt track with Luigi & Guido bonus pack.
Thanks, Casestalker, for the laughs. I wonder if a suit and tie would help me?
[Reply]
//Nancy
21 August 2008 at 3:41 pm

No case R in the southern New Jersey WM’s, TGT’s or TRU’s so far. I just got the full case R (from CTC) with my Stickers McQueen. It seems that my Stickers McQueen uses the Tar McQueen body (it has the tar mark over the front lightning sticker). Has anyone else noticed this?
[Reply]
//TowMater69
22 August 2008 at 5:48 am

Got my “R” case today from CTC. Stickers McQueen was there with all the others on the list. Tomorrow I’m going to my 4th TRU in the area to see if they have any cars other than the usual peg warmers. I’ve decided to buy whatever they have just to get it done so I can send in for the promo car. I think that’s the idea of this promo anyway, to get rid of the all the peg warmers. Doesn’t look like they are going to put up any new cars until the old stock is sold.
[Reply]
//Micky
22 August 2008 at 4:24 pm

Can’t decide if it is worth a trip to Michigan to go to TRU to get my 5…any from Michigan? Is there any sign of case R? Hate to drive an hour plus border just for Bling Bling McQueen!!!
[Reply]
//PirateDad(Shanon)
22 August 2008 at 7:58 pm

I bet Mattel is doing this to help Toys R us get rid of all their old cars…..probably part of some deal with them. So I doubt anyone is likely to get new ones that count towards the promotion!!!!!
It also seems like the individual stores for whatever reason are not aware of/actively promoting this. My experience at my local TRU was that most of the employees were totally unaware of the promotion, and none of the promotion flyers/ads were even visible, on the floor or otherwise. Sounds like others across the US had similar experiences. Odd! Do you think maybe TRUs will not be carrying the Cars anymore? So different at Target.
(MET: Interesting question, I added my answer to the post … the TRU post ).
[Reply]
//Lorri
22 August 2008 at 8:38 pm

oops this posted to wrong area sorry! should have been in the TRU promotion section!!!!!!!!!
[Reply]
//Lorri
22 August 2008 at 8:40 pm

290254572807 ebay right now Stickers mcqueen no bids yet good price
only a few mins left
(not mine) just looked like a good deal
[Reply]
//Lorri
22 August 2008 at 9:17 pm

I love all these Cars Stalking stories — once every so often I’m in Target, I’ll have on a red golf shirt and khaki slacks, and my fellow customers ask me where they can find something, as if I work there. Maybe if saunter into the back store room…
[Reply]
//John in Missouri
22 August 2008 at 11:56 pm

John in Missouri,
I am going to Target, buying a red golf shirt going to the bathroom and changing right away…what a great idea…now where can I get one of those price checkers????
[Reply]
//PirateDad(Shanon)
23 August 2008 at 7:38 am

Shanon, I’m not sure if impersonating a Target employee to access a store room is a crime, I think we would all take up a collection just to support your courage and perseversance.
(MET: Well, I think most stores would consider it trespassing but more of a safety issue than anything else … as long as you’re not shoplifting or altering prices, they won’t arrest you but you might be forever banned … then it’s RITE AID for you! … for CARS shopping ).
[Reply]
//Mary
23 August 2008 at 11:06 am

I FOUND IT!
I was on a 100 Mile trip going north… It took 5 targets but since they were all on the way that worked out quite nicely! 2 of the targets were very heavy on Green Ramones and were clogging up the PIPELINE.
YAHOOO STICKERS!
[Reply]
//Dean
24 August 2008 at 12:09 pm

Well, another stop at Wal*Mart and others on the way home from the ‘Y’ Not a decent car in sight, although Target did stock a “new” old case. I emailed Wal*Mart a complaint concerning the total lack of inventory of Cars since June. We have had three birthdays in July with one child’s father deploying to Iraq. I received a response that my email was being forwarded to the appropriate person, which usually ends up being the local store manager. I’m sure I’ll get a lame response from him with the generic answer. Being retired and going to the ‘Y’ 3x-4x per week, passing Wal*Mart, there is no wasted gas, but, the world’s largest retailer does not really care with satisfying their customers. Now, if you wanted some Speed Racer die cast cars or Indiana Jones action figures, Wal*Mart is the place for you! Yep, entire end cap displays full of peg warmers. Heck, Wal*Mart doesn’t even keep the pegs full of Hot Wheels.
[Reply]
//Steve AKA: Poppa
24 August 2008 at 2:51 pm

I haven’t seen any sign of the r case in J’ville but I have been watching several eBay auction for the Chase McQueen. I have noticed several are bid only to about $15.00 +/- and some with a buy it now option at $20.00 +/- are sitting unsold.
Do you think people don’t know what this is or that they don’t care? Is it becuase it is McQueen and not another character?
Will chase Fred be treated the same?
(MET: Pricing is hard to tell when the object is still obtainable through other means … in theory, you could find it in a store for $3.49, win an auction for $10? Or buy an entire case of 18 CARS for @70 so while there are options, pricing will be in flux as everyone has their own supply & demand point but in two-three weeks or a few months from now? Based on previous patterns, every CARS exclusive has increased several fold from its original price but like Sarge - will it hover in the $20-$35 range? Or about 6 to 10 times its retail price? More? Less? Only time will tell. My feeling on Fred is that he won’t be popular as ‘Stickers” LM and will be ultimately priced at a little to much less … but whether that’s 5% less or 50% less is hard to say …).
[Reply]
//BrianD
25 August 2008 at 2:37 pm

Piratedad, argh!
You can use the pricechecking machines at the stations they have throughout the store with the phones and trashcans.
If you scan a single, it’ll tell you if there are more in the stockroom, wink wink.
[Reply]
//Monica
25 August 2008 at 2:47 pm

Monica….now if WMT only had those darn things! Those are brilliant by TGT and I know bug the crap out of the lazy people that work in those sections for the most part (I do not want to throw all people in this category!!!). It is great to say there is more in the back, can you go and take a look, there is plenty of room for more out there!
[Reply]
//Matt B
25 August 2008 at 2:53 pm

STICKERS McQUEENS:
I bought some from CTC and the people that wanted them didnt pay me so I am looking to get 25.00 and that will be PLUS ship.
thanks, extra covers bubblewrap and tape and PP fee.
save yourself some time and gas?
nascarnbroncosfans@msn.com
[Reply]
//Nascarnbroncosfans
25 August 2008 at 4:47 pm

Monica, very usefull information…THANK YOU!!
[Reply]
//PirateDad(Shanon)
25 August 2008 at 4:59 pm

The only problem with the UPC’s is that MOST encoders will scan ONE item and enter in 17 others of the SAME ITEM. Or how many other pieces they are to lazy to enter in one buy one.
[Reply]
//Nascarnbroncosfans
25 August 2008 at 5:05 pm

The wife begged me to go to Walmart to pick up her contacts …
That Wal*Mart hasn’t had jack in 3 months (of anything - except the new SW movie toys) until today:
At 7:00 PM, a full case of R was still hanging on the pegs (Chase McQueen included).
As for the Target scanner - Today I asked the guy to bring out some 2-packs from the back. When he did, the box was 1/2 empty and the combinations were: 6 2-packs of Snot Rod/Boost & Snot Rod/Boost. Were Flea & Flik coming alongside them? The wall scanner said they had singles, there were 3 empty pegs but he inisisted that there wasn’t anything back there.
[Reply]
//Patrick
25 August 2008 at 6:31 pm

Patrick….I was told that the Target inventory count is on a 40 hour delay. Evidently it is not real time so keep that in mind. I was thinking hte same thing before.
Good find on the Case R. Where are you located??
[Reply]
//Matt B
25 August 2008 at 6:35 pm

Haha - LMAO!
I have been away due to stuff, and haven’t been reading much, but the replies to this post are hilarious!
Imagine being a Target employee and meeting a random person dressed as your colleague trying to infiltrate your job, how weird would that be!
I think I will inevitably buy stickers on ebay.
[Reply]
//jackdaddy2008
25 August 2008 at 6:37 pm

I am located in the Chicagoland, the eBay seller that has all of the new stuff (even the super special Chase McQueen with no stickers and whitewall tires!) is based in the next town over.
[Reply]
//Patrick
25 August 2008 at 7:08 pm

Monica, I had no idea about the scanner at Target. I was able to use it today, showed no stock in store room, but at least I knew the stocker wasn’t fibbing :). I think paranoia might be another symptom of being a cars a holic.
[Reply]
//Mary
26 August 2008 at 9:21 pm

Patrick,
where in Chicago do you live. Which walmart did you find Case R?
[Reply]
//Brad
28 August 2008 at 11:30 am

I have found the Target price/stockchecker machine to be pretty accurate. Nascarnbroncosfan, the cool thing about the singles at Target is that the scan is for any single, so the stock shceck is for singles generally (same with the MM’s and launchers, haven’t tried it with the minis yet). Glad to spread the hunting wisdom :).
I had given up on WM for a while, but may start hunting there again since I am looking for other stuff too.
[Reply]
//Monica
28 August 2008 at 12:52 pm

Today was bizarre. I stopped by two Targets I don’t normally frequent on my way to work and the first one had two Leroys and two Romans. Since I needed both I picked one up of each. But no Stickers. Then I drove 4 more miles to the other Target and found four or five Leroys on pegs and about the same amount of Romans. This is after about 2 weeks of visiting TRU and/or Target (3 others around my commute of 25 miles) and not finding anything. Is this normal? Is this what everyone else is seeing? I am in SoCal and obviously in a densely populated area. No Stickers still.
[Reply]
//KH
28 August 2008 at 9:37 pm

I have a strange question about something that I have not seen anyone talk about. I just received my case R from childrenstoycloset.com and of course I did get the Chase stickers Mcqueen. The only problem was when I went to look at the stickers they were not there, it only said “medicated bumper ointment” Is that something anyone has seen, or am i just crazy?
(MET: Did you open it? If you did not, people might pay you big bucks as it sounds like it’s the Whitewall McQueen CAR coming soon - it has whitewall tires, NO Tar spot and no bumper stickers … it is not ‘Stickers McQueen’).
[Reply]
//Josh
29 August 2008 at 10:16 am

Monica,
You are correct that the Target scanners will tell you if there is more inventory in the back. However, Target floor staff is usually instructed that collectible items (defined at the discretion of the store manager, but generally includes Hot Wheels, Cars cars, etc) are only to be brought to the floor during normal stocking procedures and not by request. Now, sometimes you may find a store that does not follow that or a sales floor person that does not care, but that is generally the policy. What I don’t know is whether it is an actual written Target policy or a verbal policy.
[Reply]
//EM
29 August 2008 at 10:42 am

WhooooooHoooooo! Showing up at TRU right when they open has finally paid off for me. They had just put out one case R and one case of the gift packs so I was able to get Stickers LMQ and the No Stall & Leak Less gift packs. EM I just sent you an email about the gift packs.
I also found the Mega Blocks set with Frank; I know it’s not appealing to some collectors but my kids are playing with it right now having a blast. The tractor tips over! Too cute. BTW on the box for this set they show more characters and one of them is……TJ? I guess we’ll see about that one.
The Targets in my area don’t yet have the cool scanner dealy that tells you about stock. An employee told me they’re coming soon though to a store near me
So a good outing for me; case R is finally in El Paso, TX. Happy hunting everyone!
[Reply]
//collectormom
29 August 2008 at 3:42 pm

i just went to target and found the moive doubles, they had a bunch, go check em out
[Reply]
//kevin
29 August 2008 at 3:54 pm

EM, only one of my Targets considers Cars a collectors’ item. All the others are pretty cool about it.
Niiiice score collectormom! Woohoo!
My TRU was a bust today, all they got in the shipment was some Ramone’s playsets. I broke down and bought a tongue mcq, a bug mouth mcQ, a dirt track mcQ, a green Ramone and a Lightning Ramone, just so I could get my Sidewall Shine, ugh.
[Reply]
//Monica
29 August 2008 at 3:58 pm

First time posting , here I have become a Cars Addict!!!
Went to several stores today and really nothing new (or so i thought) Nashua NH : Target & TRU - nothing new, then drove to Salem and nothing new at TRU, Went to Salem Target and still nothing or so I thought, tucked away 5 deep on an upper peg was >>>>Stickers LMQ… I was in shock!! my kids looked at me and laughed, While i was there i picked up a Stacy & Hamm also tucked away. Selction at all was the same as others besides that …Green /Yellow/Red Ramones Tongue/Bling Bling/ LMQ
(MET: Woohoo for Tall Dad! He shoots, he scores big! )
[Reply]
//ScottinNH
29 August 2008 at 6:00 pm

I bought stickers on ebay, but got a surprise today!
In Edinburgh we have the International Festival, which is one of the reasons I have been so busy recently. At rhe end of it, one of the banks pay for the mother of all fireworks displays. They spend like $80m on fireworks, and the whole city is alight for 45 minutes.
Its breathtaking.
I go every year, as it is one of the best things about my city.
This year we are having a do at my place before it, so I went to Asda (Walmart) tonight at 11pm to get a quiet but productive shop done.
I always walk dozen the toy aisle, even though they stopped stocking cars about a month ago.
I couldn’t believe what I found!
The shelf was packed, it had just been stocked, so I got my kid a Chuki to play with and also a lightning Ramone.
So it looks like we just got case H?
When did you guys get it?
(MET: Now, now, isn’t that enjoying a great dinner and asking , “When did you butcher this cow again?” ).
[Reply]
//jackdaddy2008
29 August 2008 at 6:20 pm

Way to go collectormom…guess the early mornings and peace treaties finally paid off!!! Congrats!!!
[Reply]
//PirateDad(Shanon)
29 August 2008 at 7:15 pm

About that McQueen with white walls and no tar, I bought one on ebay loose for $6.99. I have stickers McQueen in package and figured I’d probably never find another one to take out so I bought this one for display. Met, when is it coming out and in what package form? Why would it be worth more than the stickers version?

(MET: He was scheduled in a two-pack with Fillmore … that might be one of the first Target Movie Moments we see …).
[Reply]
//Micky
29 August 2008 at 7:47 pm

Well, I struck out at my early morning TRU opening. Nothing new. I do have a question: Being relatively new to this, what is the etiquette when there are multiple collectors seeking the same thing when the store opens? Are you supposed to ask the others what they are there for? Or does the first person to arrive in the morning get first dibs?
I have gone to a Target opening and was freaked out when there were three others there already who bee-lined it straight to the toy section. Two went to the Hot Wheels and one to Cars. Luckily there was nothing new for anyone. I was too intimidated to even let them know I was looking for Cars too.
At TRU today there were two guys ahead of me at the opening but all they cared about were Hot Wheels.
So getting back to my question, is there some unspoken rule? What if there is only a single Sticker car on the pegs? First come, first served? I can’t imagine a fist fight breaking out over a $3.59 metal car but stranger things have happened. Thanks in advance.
[Reply]
//KH
29 August 2008 at 7:50 pm

KH, were their kids with them? If so BIG Gulps so the kids have to go pee and then you get to be first in line…otherwise a good Pirate would wear roller blades so you can get there first!
There is always the example we have from another Cars Movie, Days of Thunder when they rent to Cars to go to their meeting and beat the crap out of them on the way…of course your version would be with shopping carts! Have you seen Death Race yet…go, it will inspire you!!
Sorry KH, couldn’t resist…love the image of you Roller Derbying it in the Diecast Ailse!
[Reply]
//PirateDad(Shanon)
29 August 2008 at 8:01 pm


KH,

Back in the day, we moved and I started going to different stores in the morning; here is the etiquette that they enforced:

1) Everyone walks together, even if you don’t see them waiting when you walk in … a guy chased me down and hit me with his cane because I was walking too fast and not following their path.

2) Once you have been around the group for a while and they have established your motives, they will start sharing with you. Until then, just take it on the chin and hope they leave something behind.

3) Be patient, many of them like to hit a WalMart (or 2) at 7:00, then some Targets at 8:00 and TRU at 9:00 … sometimes KB in the mall a