darkSpyro

So I'm sure you assume this is about the wave 3 swappers, and you are correct. I went Sunday in the morning, and the guy told me they don't put out there shipments until Tuesday so if they had the new swappers they wouldn't be out until Tuesday. I show up Tuesday morning, the woman there was very rude and said it's not out there we don't have it. I asked three people and nobody could be bothered to check the back, even spoke with a manager. I don't know if they put them out at some point and sold them all, if they have boxes in the back, who knows. Has an experience like this happened to anybody else?

There are multiple topics already in use regarding the Target debacle from Sunday's ad.

Yes, to varying degrees every time I go to any store for Skylanders. Okay, 90% of the time.

Yes I got lucky that one had stock of them on Sunday but I got up late and was only able to get 2. And then I got lucky on Monday and called another in my area and by some voodoo magic they had the last one I needed in stock.

yes a lot of us have had this the stores put them out early, check the other wave 3 threadsand the target threads you will see what everyone has already said

About 75% of the time, I get a bad response, the usual "We don't have anything" when they obviously do.

20% of the time, it's a positive response.

5% of the time, I get a very, very rude (and sometimes hurtful) response.

All of the Targets in my area are completely out of swappers. Nothing for their shelves. Which I am just going to wait until they come out at other stores to get them. Even if it means I have to pay an extra dollar or two at TRU.

My local Target has had Spy Rise hanging on pegs for days.

Did it say in the ad that they would have stock for all? I've never known any store that if they run an ad they guarantee that they will have for all or give a rain check. I wish they had more--I didn't get them all--im disappointed but the store didn't do anything "wrong." Now being rude is a different story but you can't blame all stores for the way ypu were treated at another. How exactly do you think this is false advertising?

Reminds me when i worked for kmart we would never have the items in the front of the ad in stock at all. Ppl would come in at store opening and it would be sold out. Prob one the reasons the store closed like 3yrs later.

The situation we're seeing is not in fact false advertising. False advertising would be deliberately misleading customers with an ad when it's not true. In this case, it's bad management of new items. Target did get an exclusive on the latest 3 swappers. They were supposed to release them on a certain day. Only some stores even had anything officially noted either on a box or in a memo to tell their employees how to deal with them. So it's not false advertising!

I went to my local Target. They hadn't heard anything about the exclusive, much less a date for it. They were as surprised as anyone else when they turned up. They dealt with them the way they would with any box of figs. Do I blame them for that? No. They had no information, no memo, nothing to warn them about it, so they did their best. Should they have waited for the 29th? Probably, but given that they had no idea that there was anything significant about it, no.

I'm a little irritated at the accusation of fraud here. We've seen stores break street dates before (and in some cases deliberately), but this certainly wasn't intended. If they had been given notice and ignored it, then I'd agree with you. But it's very very clear that this simply wasn't the case.

For my 2 cents, I haven't had a bad experience with their store. Sometimes their employees don't really know what I'm talking about when it comes to Skylanders, but they try to help. I've never had a case of them claiming they "didn't have it" if they knew the box was in back. They usually politely tell me that they can't check at that time, due to being swamped with customers. I'll be asked if I want to be put on hold, and I'm ok with that. Maybe it's just my area though. *shrugs* If you've had some bad customer service, you are in your rights to make a complaint.

You know, it's funny. Target honors a street date (Jolly Bumble Blast):

"Why can't you sell it? Street dates are dumb! Just ring something else up for it instead!"

Target doesn't worry about the street date:

"OMG false advertising! Go turn over every crate in the back for me!"

Do you guys even listen to yourself at all? We *just* got done with listening about how nobody liked street dates and why can't they sell them if they are in the back when everyone wanted Jolly Bumble Blast. Next time you guys find some figure that accidentally got put out and you cannot buy it because of a register street date lock, remember that THIS is why.

This is not about false advertising. As TheLurk said it is more of bad execution by Target management. From what I heard there was no "hard street-date" (Where you would see something like do not sell before X date.) It was more of a put it out when you can and hope that it lasts until the ad comes out. Which in all honesty they had more important things going on than skylanders.. See: Credit Card Breach.

@Bazinga True. They've been talking about that every night. What's odd is that everyone's afraid to use their Redcard when the ones they should worry about are their regular credit and debit cards! Redcard can only be used at Target or the online store. Those other two can be used anywhere.

It seems the "hard street date" info was passed onto only some stores. I don't really understand why this wasn't properly dealt with, unless as you said, the card breach has everyone occupied.

Dang it Bazinga, you beat me.

Quote: TheLurk

The situation we're seeing is not in fact false advertising. False advertising would be deliberately misleading customers with an ad when it's not true. In this case, it's bad management of new items. Target did get an exclusive on the latest 3 swappers. They were supposed to release them on a certain day. Only some stores even had anything officially noted either on a box or in a memo to tell their employees how to deal with them. So it's not false advertising!

I went to my local Target. They hadn't heard anything about the exclusive, much less a date for it. They were as surprised as anyone else when they turned up. They dealt with them the way they would with any box of figs. Do I blame them for that? No. They had no information, no memo, nothing to warn them about it, so they did their best. Should they have waited for the 29th? Probably, but given that they had no idea that there was anything significant about it, no.

I'm a little irritated at the accusation of fraud here. We've seen stores break street dates before (and in some cases deliberately), but this certainly wasn't intended. If they had been given notice and ignored it, then I'd agree with you. But it's very very clear that this simply wasn't the case.

For my 2 cents, I haven't had a bad experience with their store. Sometimes their employees don't really know what I'm talking about when it comes to Skylanders, but they try to help. I've never had a case of them claiming they "didn't have it" if they knew the box was in back. They usually politely tell me that they can't check at that time, due to being swamped with customers. I'll be asked if I want to be put on hold, and I'm ok with that. Maybe it's just my area though. *shrugs* If you've had some bad customer service, you are in your rights to make a complaint.

I disagree. Some stores did not manage their products well...others like mine...I have visited every day since before Christmas and from my conversations with employees and just the feeling I get when I look at what is left on the pegs each day I visited, it did not look or seem like they ever got them in or any other skylanders for that matter. The add clearly shows 2 of the 3 new swap force skylanders to get you to the store, and they have never had them available for the sale they are having. They still have the rest of the week to come through with the new figures I guess, but it doesn't look like they are going to get them this week according to the manager. The other Target in my area did receive them and put them out early and had helpful employees.

Do we complain that TRU falsely advertised when they continue to put Boomer in their ad?

Quote: hillcrest6

Yes, to varying degrees every time I go to any store for Skylanders. Okay, 90% of the time.

You sound like me. Every time I go to a store, my wife and I have to make a swipe through the Skylanders section. This happens even if I have no intent on buying... I just love SKYLANDEEEES.

Quote:

Do we complain that TRU falsely advertised when they continue to put Boomer in their ad?

No words for this.... except TRUTH.

@7Habits I would also disagree with you. Mismanaging a sale can involve not getting the product to a store in a timely manner. If say, you have bad weather at your warehouse's location or their box's destinations, you can have some stores simply bare of that product. This is not a deceit. I don't think the stores you're referring to are actively trying to mislead by not getting product. They don't have any control over what Skylanders are sent to them. Indeed, they can't even tell what comes in until they crack open the box! It's in their best interest to stock the shelves with them. Bare shelves waste space. But Target (at least my local ones) tries to respect street dates and have products available for sales as well. An unhappy customer is a customer who won't return. This is not a conspiracy to make you unhappy. It's bad management of a sale, and there's no way it'll be good for anyone, customer or employee. When it comes down to it, the bad handling of this will be noted (especially if customers complain about it) and there will be words exchanged.

@obidawsn Didn't they also advertise Thumpback when he wasn't out yet too? >.>

I actually sent a note to Target customer service. This note was not so much because they didn't have the stock or may have put it out too early it was more because of the service I got from most of the stores. I did put in it that I was disappointed that it was in their ad and that all stores in the Des Moines area had none to speak of. (Not any... Nothing from Wave 1 or Wave 2.) I worked in retail for years and know that sometimes as TheLurk has said that things happen. Target deserves some blame in this but, also Activision too. They should have planned a bit better with Target to make sure that they had enough stock and put an actual street date on these. They knew that Stink Bomb and Rubble Rouser where going to be popular and should have planned better.

Say what you want about street dates but... They usually make it so if you get to a place when they open that you will have a good shot a getting them. I went to TRU when Dune Bug was released at 2:30 in the afternoon and they still had plenty. One thing you can say about TRU is that they may charge more but if you can get to the store when they open or shortly after you have a good shot at getting one.

"Quantities limited; no rain checks"

Quote: DutRank

"Quantities limited; no rain checks"

I get that... Still does not mean they couldn't have planned better.

Quote: DutRank

"Quantities limited; no rain checks"

Should have said "Quantities VERY limited" and "No Rain checks - Because we put them out early"

Quote: Bazinga

I actually sent a note to Target customer service. This note was not so much because they didn't have the stock or may have put it out too early it was more because of the service I got from most of the stores. I did put in it that I was disappointed that it was in their ad and that all stores in the Des Moines area had none to speak of. (Not any... Nothing from Wave 1 or Wave 2.) I worked in retail for years and know that sometimes as TheLurk has said that things happen. Target deserves some blame in this but, also Activision too. They should have planned a bit better with Target to make sure that they had enough stock and put an actual street date on these. They knew that Stink Bomb and Rubble Rouser where going to be popular and should have planned better.

Say what you want about street dates but... They usually make it so if you get to a place when they open that you will have a good shot a getting them. I went to TRU when Dune Bug was released at 2:30 in the afternoon and they still had plenty. One thing you can say about TRU is that they may charge more but if you can get to the store when they open or shortly after you have a good shot at getting one.

Agree 110%

This would not have been this big of a problem if the following took place at Target.
The Management team would have been sent a directive.
1. You will be getting 3 new skylanders swap force figures that are to be sold on this date for our ad.
2. If the figures came straight to the Manager office with stickers attached to the box that the following items are to be placed on the sales floor on this date and time.
3. If district managers were to follow up with stores on the directive to hold the items and make sure that they were put out for sale on the correct day and time
4. If the system had a lock out date that would not allow the figures to be sold before the said date and time
5. If Target wanted to care about the way the consumer reacted to the fact that they did not insure the above steps were taken to make the people crying about the problem
NO way was this false advertising it was a break down in store directives to match up to the fact the ad states Limited Stock available. Its the each store fault for putting out the figures before the ad and lack of following orders that were or were not sent correctly. They will be out soon and everyone will start to find them. Beside you don't have to shop at Target anyway. This is why no retailer should have exclusive figures for certain days all Acti has to do is say on this date you all can start selling the following figures but that would be to easy. I would rather buy my figures from Amazon.De or Amazon.It pay a little extra and not have to go and try to find them. Oh wait I all ready did and they are in my hands and I am playing with them and not out hunting and spending gas and getting upset when the store don't have what I am looking for.

Went to 3 stores in my area in Wisconsin on Sunday. One said they had 1 of each and that sold at 8:01 or whatever. Other two stores, nada. Monday, nada for all 3. Tuesday, nada, for all 3. Whether it's just false advertising, bait and switch, bad logistics or plain stupidity, it doesn't matter. The point is, as a small business owner (which I am), if I advertised something and didn't deliver on it you bet my a$$ I would do everything in my power to rectify the situation-vouchers to honor the deal and contacting us, holding them would be a nice start.

Trixster how much was it for each figure after shipping?

For the 2 lightcores wham shell and countdown $34.90 that was for both and shipping had them in 7 to 8 days
For the 2 swappers Stink bomb and Rubble Rouser $34.99 had them in 7 to 8 days Airmail right to my house. So its not to bad and they were ordered from Amazon.de with google chrome. It depends on currency exchange and they were sent in boxes so no bubble mailers so order 2 figures. When I ordered one it was bubble mailed and didn't make the trip so well. Good luck all

I got both LC's and the adventure pack and the battle pack and it was like $90 with expedited shipping thru prime account so not to bad I guess.

Quote: trixster68

For the 2 lightcores wham shell and countdown $34.90 that was for both and shipping had them in 7 to 8 days
For the 2 swappers Stink bomb and Rubble Rouser $34.99 had them in 7 to 8 days Airmail right to my house. So its not to bad and they were ordered from Amazon.de with google chrome. It depends on currency exchange and they were sent in boxes so no bubble mailers so order 2 figures. When I ordered one it was bubble mailed and didn't make the trip so well. Good luck all

I was about to say that's a little more than I'd pay for them, which is still true, but considering TRU sells the swappers for $16.99 and you paid $17.50 a piece, it's really not that much more. I don't want to pay the $16.99 price, either

Quote: obidawsn

Quote: trixster68

For the 2 lightcores wham shell and countdown $34.90 that was for both and shipping had them in 7 to 8 days
For the 2 swappers Stink bomb and Rubble Rouser $34.99 had them in 7 to 8 days Airmail right to my house. So its not to bad and they were ordered from Amazon.de with google chrome. It depends on currency exchange and they were sent in boxes so no bubble mailers so order 2 figures. When I ordered one it was bubble mailed and didn't make the trip so well. Good luck all

I was about to say that's a little more than I'd pay for them, which is still true, but considering TRU sells the swappers for $16.99 and you paid $17.50 a piece, it's really not that much more. I don't want to pay the $16.99 price, either

People tend to hate on TRU for the price that they charge for skylanders. However, they seem to do it best when it comes to releases. They generally have them out or if they don't you just ask and they will get them out. They generally have plenty of stock that more than 1 or two people will get them.

Quote: DutRank

"Quantities limited; no rain checks"

This excuse might only hold water for a couple more days...My understanding is that Target will only get one more shipment in this week-towards the end of the week...My local got one Mon/Tues and it was all wave 2 guys. So their shelves are stocked with some skylanders, but neither of the advertised figures (stink and spy) have been anywhere near a Target with very very few exceptions at maybe a less frequently visited Target somewhere in the boondocks between Sunday and now (what we've learned here thanks to the magic of technology and this wonderful forum)...

So if nothing is doing for wave 3 in these next few days ...That means the entire circular's period would have literally zero stock of what has been advertised. "Quantities limited" very clearly implies that there will be...quantities...to limit. The fail will be with them...and if somebody pulled the "false advertising" card out...I would say that Target had it coming.

Quote: trixster68

This would not have been this big of a problem if the following took place at Target.
The Management team would have been sent a directive.
1. You will be getting 3 new skylanders swap force figures that are to be sold on this date for our ad.
2. If the figures came straight to the Manager office with stickers attached to the box that the following items are to be placed on the sales floor on this date and time.
3. If district managers were to follow up with stores on the directive to hold the items and make sure that they were put out for sale on the correct day and time
4. If the system had a lock out date that would not allow the figures to be sold before the said date and time
5. If Target wanted to care about the way the consumer reacted to the fact that they did not insure the above steps were taken to make the people crying about the problem
NO way was this false advertising it was a break down in store directives to match up to the fact the ad states Limited Stock available. Its the each store fault for putting out the figures before the ad and lack of following orders that were or were not sent correctly. They will be out soon and everyone will start to find them. Beside you don't have to shop at Target anyway. This is why no retailer should have exclusive figures for certain days all Acti has to do is say on this date you all can start selling the following figures but that would be to easy. I would rather buy my figures from Amazon.De or Amazon.It pay a little extra and not have to go and try to find them. Oh wait I all ready did and they are in my hands and I am playing with them and not out hunting and spending gas and getting upset when the store don't have what I am looking for.

Well, for starters, the three new Swap Force figures share the same UPC code, there was no way to register lock these, that one is on Activision.

Secondly, just how much of the manager's office should be taken up with stock so a bunch of grown adults won't get their underwear in a bunch over toys? I get that people were upset they weren't able to get them on Sunday morning, but come on now this isn't a Space Shuttle launch. You want the managers to check, then recheck, then confirm that a toy was put out at the right time? You do know they have, you know, actual work to do, don't you? Special, locked down shipments? Please guys, if it really bothers you that much, take a step back and think about it. I like Skylanders a lot too, I've spent a lot of money on them too and have done my share of standing in line at store for them. But the volume of whining and demanding going on about this is way out of hand. They messed up the release due to some very understandable issues, and even them most people were able to get them anyways. And on top of that, many of them actually got them a day or two early to boot. It has nothing to do with how much they "care" about the customer (which, by the way, is about as much as the amount of money they can extract from them).

The entire store's business should revolve around the release of a couple of plastic toys, doncha know?

Quote: UncleBob

The entire store's business should revolve around the release of a couple of plastic toys, doncha know?

Finally!! Someone who understands my point of view.

The last few posts are unfair, to say the least.

Yes, they're just toys.

But there's a bunch of factors that can be considered that add to why a reasonable person would be upset on how this went down.

#1: Electronics has its own management. These people, as well as associates, are typically required to be knowledgeable about the products their dealing with. The former much moreso than the latter but even the latter. This kind of situation isn't some issue that is handled by the store manager that is looking at the overall picture. It's handled by the department manager that is supposed to know the deal.

#2: Every one of you commenting knows exactly how ridiculous the Skylanders frontage/shelf space is in these stores. Skylanders and Infinity share and ENTIRE AISLE in my local Target's electronics section....and usually a couple endcaps ON TOP of that...one of the endcaps is actually in the main aisle as you walk between electronics and toys. That's a TON of frontage/shelf space....meaning it has a lot of eyes on it when it comes to management and setup. Hell, I hear constantly horror stories about managers having to come in to set up retail endcaps in the late hours of the night before some sort of big event. I'm being honest. I don't think there is anything in Target electronics that has a bigger display setup. Nothing. So yeah, "it's just plastic toys" only goes so far when it comes to this situation.

#3: We're YEARS into this thing now. Any reasonably informed manager of the electronics department taking 30 seconds to look at the upcoming ad could see this coming (and yes, they DO do this, a lot more than 30 seconds and are usually well aware of what products are coming in circulars well in advance). This isn't even a question. It's like a shoe manager in the 90's not knowing that the Jordans were gonna be a hot item. It's the newest product for the biggest freaking display item you have in your department...You know, the one that you spent hours making sure it was just right that one Saturday night a few months ago...Do I even have to mention the God knows how many hours that were probably put in between purchasing agents and vendor reps for that type of shelf space/frontage on top of an exclusive deal for these specific figures advertised? (Ok, that's probably 30 seconds of details and about 5 hours of getting lunch between purchase agents and vendors...but hey...conceptually work with me here...LOL)

#4: Communication to follow what should have been informed delegation. Honestly, what would it take to communicate this? A couple minutes of chat between the department manager and the associates working the weekend? Tops?

*shrugs*

I'm giving this issue way too much care. LOL But it is aggravating that folks on here can't just be annoyed and vent about an obviously annoying situation without other folks ragging on them for it. The degree of importance for each individual is pretty much irrelevant. And ragging on peeps already aggravated is essentially just busting chops...but when you're not a homey and just some random internetter...chop busting doesn't go over that well. Besides, just as somebody could say "It's just a toy" with a shake of the head...one can easily respond: "Nobody's gonna bring pitchforks and torches to Target because of this" with a similar shake.

People keep whining about these retail stores, saying its bad management or whatever. You need to stop. Stores like Target get such a tiny percent of their profits from Skylanders, THEY SIMPLY DON'T CARE ABOUT SKYLANDERS AS MUCH AS YOU DO. Once you all realize this, you will sleep better at night. You'll get them eventually. If you don't get them on day one, it's not the end of the world.

well i haven't got in on this but to my knowledge all the ones that was put out before the ad was sold at the regular retail price i assume then on Sunday when the ad was relesed showing there was a buy 2 get 1 50% there wasnt many around so to me that is $7 more per figure the store got by selling them early, and maybe some went back to get there pre bought ad sale price matched but i bet others did not. Now ad that up nationwide that is alot of money the store brought in pre ad, that is all i can see, didnt see anywhere in the thread anyone bring this point up and if it was i missed it. ex. 18000 stores avg 3 cases per store that is 12 figures per case but only 10 new swappers per case so that is 18000 stores x 30 figures= 540,000 figures now times that by the $7 and you get $3,780,000 give or take a few dollars.hmmm that sounds more to me like a business opportunity to bring in more revenue.

Quote: Skylanders Dad

#1: Electronics has its own management. These people, as well as associates, are typically required to be knowledgeable about the products their dealing with.

I think you grossly overestimate the requirements for working in these areas. I can't speak for Target (aside from some of the employees I've dealt with), but even Electronics is staffed with with barely-above-minimum-wage employees who have likely received little-to-no specialized training.

Quote:

#2: Every one of you commenting knows exactly how ridiculous the Skylanders frontage/shelf space is in these stores.

Yup. Which is why when managers see empty pegs (which they were right before/after Christmas), they see their sales going down, down, down. Oh, what's this? We have these cases of merchandise to fill this entire aisle of pegs in the backroom? We're holding them for what? To sell them? Oh. How about we do that then...

Quote:

#3: We're YEARS into this thing now. Any reasonably informed manager of the electronics department taking 30 seconds to look at the upcoming ad could see this coming

Here's the thing though... I'd be willing to bet that 98% of the people at store level involved in the decisions that lead to the figures being put out early care less about Skylanders than I care about Miley Cyrus' next CD. Likely, they look at the ad, they see they're on sale, and don't really understand that they actually had such a deal going on... they just think "Oh, Skylanders are in the ad... again..." I wouldn't even be surprised if some of them thought something along the lines of "I don't know why they even put these in the ad - they're gonna sale no matter what... why waste the space?" Heck, think how many Target and Walmart employees have no idea about their own exclusive figures...

Quote:

#4: Communication to follow what should have been informed delegation. Honestly, what would it take to communicate this? A couple minutes of chat between the department manager and the associates working the weekend? Tops?

Communication. The number one challenge faced by every business - no matter how big or small.

In 2006, the world's largest retailer found themselves with an interesting problem on their hands... It seems they were selling a t-shirt with some pretty henious imagery on it. This story made national news headlines and was a pretty big deal. Way bigger than little plastic toys.

And yet, in spite of their best efforts, it seemed the company just couldn't get it communicated to the stores to get these horrible shirts off the sales floor. It was bad enough that the United States Congress got involved, asking the company to report to the US Government what steps they were taking to remove the product from stores. Yet, 62 weeks after the initial recall, the shirts will *still* spotted for sale inside of a store.

Communication - it's what sank the Titanic.

Quote:

But it is aggravating that folks on here can't just be annoyed and vent about an obviously annoying situation without other folks ragging on them for it.

I think there's some of us who just got tired of all the overly dramatic venting... and have often tried to explain why this isn't that big of a deal and isn't something to get worked up over. And we just like to hear ourselves type.

This is nuts. ...the stores didn't have them when you and I wanted them. Its a store---sometimes they have things and sometimes they don't. It's really not as complicated as it's being made. Unclebob and ghostroaster get it. It isn't a conspiracy against skylanders collectors. Is it disappointing. ...yes....is it frustrating. ..yes. But that's it.

Quote: GhostRoaster

Quote: UncleBob

The entire store's business should revolve around the release of a couple of plastic toys, doncha know?

Finally!! Someone who understands my point of view.

I am gonna have to side with Ghost Roaster here! Hahaha..

Quote: Skylanders Dad

The last few posts are unfair, to say the least.

Yes, they're just toys.

But there's a bunch of factors that can be considered that add to why a reasonable person would be upset on how this went down.

#1: Electronics has its own management. These people, as well as associates, are typically required to be knowledgeable about the products their dealing with. The former much moreso than the latter but even the latter. This kind of situation isn't some issue that is handled by the store manager that is looking at the overall picture. It's handled by the department manager that is supposed to know the deal.

#2: Every one of you commenting knows exactly how ridiculous the Skylanders frontage/shelf space is in these stores. Skylanders and Infinity share and ENTIRE AISLE in my local Target's electronics section....and usually a couple endcaps ON TOP of that...one of the endcaps is actually in the main aisle as you walk between electronics and toys. That's a TON of frontage/shelf space....meaning it has a lot of eyes on it when it comes to management and setup. Hell, I hear constantly horror stories about managers having to come in to set up retail endcaps in the late hours of the night before some sort of big event. I'm being honest. I don't think there is anything in Target electronics that has a bigger display setup. Nothing. So yeah, "it's just plastic toys" only goes so far when it comes to this situation.

#3: We're YEARS into this thing now. Any reasonably informed manager of the electronics department taking 30 seconds to look at the upcoming ad could see this coming (and yes, they DO do this, a lot more than 30 seconds and are usually well aware of what products are coming in circulars well in advance). This isn't even a question. It's like a shoe manager in the 90's not knowing that the Jordans were gonna be a hot item. It's the newest product for the biggest freaking display item you have in your department...You know, the one that you spent hours making sure it was just right that one Saturday night a few months ago...Do I even have to mention the God knows how many hours that were probably put in between purchasing agents and vendor reps for that type of shelf space/frontage on top of an exclusive deal for these specific figures advertised? (Ok, that's probably 30 seconds of details and about 5 hours of getting lunch between purchase agents and vendors...but hey...conceptually work with me here...LOL)

#4: Communication to follow what should have been informed delegation. Honestly, what would it take to communicate this? A couple minutes of chat between the department manager and the associates working the weekend? Tops?

*shrugs*

I'm giving this issue way too much care. LOL But it is aggravating that folks on here can't just be annoyed and vent about an obviously annoying situation without other folks ragging on them for it. The degree of importance for each individual is pretty much irrelevant. And ragging on peeps already aggravated is essentially just busting chops...but when you're not a homey and just some random internetter...chop busting doesn't go over that well. Besides, just as somebody could say "It's just a toy" with a shake of the head...one can easily respond: "Nobody's gonna bring pitchforks and torches to Target because of this" with a similar shake.

Well said.

Quote: Himewad

People keep whining about these retail stores, saying its bad management or whatever. You need to stop. Stores like Target get such a tiny percent of their profits from Skylanders, THEY SIMPLY DON'T CARE ABOUT SKYLANDERS AS MUCH AS YOU DO. Once you all realize this, you will sleep better at night. You'll get them eventually. If you don't get them on day one, it's not the end of the world.

This post just gives more proof of "Bait and Switch". They "Don't care" so lets take advantage of the situation.
You are right, It is not the end of the world but that also doesn't mean that it is right to advertise something and not have it during the week of the sale. Releasing them early so that they are not available for the sale is, lets just say Poor Management, on the boarder of False Advertising and as close to Bait and Switch as you can get.

Quote: artican

well i haven't got in on this but to my knowledge all the ones that was put out before the ad was sold at the regular retail price i assume then on Sunday when the ad was relesed showing there was a buy 2 get 1 50% there wasnt many around so to me that is $7 more per figure the store got by selling them early, and maybe some went back to get there pre bought ad sale price matched but i bet others did not. Now ad that up nationwide that is alot of money the store brought in pre ad, that is all i can see, didnt see anywhere in the thread anyone bring this point up and if it was i missed it. ex. 18000 stores avg 3 cases per store that is 12 figures per case but only 10 new swappers per case so that is 18000 stores x 30 figures= 540,000 figures now times that by the $7 and you get $3,780,000 give or take a few dollars.hmmm that sounds more to me like a business opportunity to bring in more revenue.

I agree 110% and yes it has been brought up before, maybe not as much detail as you but thanks for make some great points. BAIT and SWITCH - ALL THE WAY.
Knowing they would get these in early for the ad but not managing the situation so that they are there for the sale is a Total: Bait and Switch.

What's also sad? They don't know what's in the boxes sent from the warehouse. All they get on the outside is that they're skylanders. And when your boss is telling you fill the shelves, unless there's a clear statement on there telling you to wait for a date, you put them out. Because otherwise it could be your job. I agree that Electronics aren't getting a high-paid job. The ones in my area deal not only with their section, but anything close by too. That means toys, and anything else. Oh, you want to know where the disney princess stuff is? Here I'll show you....you looking at a certain stroller? Let me help. That's what they do. That's what they're trained to do. There's no fancy board over by the register to tell them ____ thing is coming on ____ date. It would be nice if there was. Or even a special laminated guide to show them just what a "Dune Bug" or a "Mega Ram Spyro" even is. Sometimes, when you're lucky, they might just have a Skylanders "expert". This is not to say they know everything about Skylanders. They know how it plays, they know which game is which, and they know about some of the figs. But they don't always know about street dates or exclusives. This goes for all stores that carry them. Even ones that are supposed to "specialize" in gaming.

I can understand being angry about the situation. I get it. It's not fair that things worked out this way. But accusing people of sneaky and underhanded actions because you didn't get what you wanted? No. I'm sorry. Just no. If you want to complain about how this was handled, go ahead. Tell them. There's nothing wrong with stating how unfair this was, or saying "Hey! Don't you think you should've organised this better?". That information will be heard. If you feel there are employees you don't trust to pass it on, send it off personally to a higher-up. But it will be heard! You have every right to get mad at what was done wrong. Getting mad at speculations of what might be however, isn't fair.

Turn this around and look at it from the employee's view for a moment. Imagine if you had seen boxes, unmarked boxes simply designated Skylanders in your store. The pegs in your store are emptier from the mad rush before xmas, and your manager tells you to get some stock up there. You check the boxes and there's no particular instructions on them. What do you do? Do you place them up there, whatever they are? Do you take time to try and find something anything that might hint at a special? Even though there's no cue to prompt you? It's not like there's a flyer in Electronics. You've been asked about them and they really aren't placed there. So...you've got a deadline to get them up there. Your manager is counting on you to do it. If you don't, they'll have to either bring someone else over to do it (when they're busy, possibly even understaffed in their area), or just do it themselves. Well, guess you got no choice. You break it open. Gee they look odd. Are these new? Old? You may not know. They're what they are. You put em up. Now you've got more work to do, so you don't have time to focus on it. Lots of After Xmas sales. But wait! Now people are mad at you! Where is ____ figure?? What figure? ____ figure! You know! No, you don't. You check the pegs. Nothing there. They want you to check in back, but you know for a fact they're all out. You're swamped with customers, but you gotta try to help this person. You do your best, but it's not enough! They're hopping mad and you don't know what else to do. You even ask your manager, who's swamped, and you check the computer for other stores. Crud! They're out too! Well, you tried. And you have dozens more people looking angry or tired behind them, wanting to finish their shopping.

Does that sound like a conspiracy to you?

You know, I didn't comment when a few people were grumbling right when it happened. But, we have had thread after thread of people whining about everything from "false advertising" to outright "fraud". I'm cool if someone is disappointed and a little upset - this has passed that point. Now we are having people practically suggest they reinvent corporate communication and have armed security guard the new Skylanders when they come in to assure they go out at exactly the right time.

And it is even worse when you see many of the same whiners that were complaining when Target wouldn't just go ahead and sell Jolly Bumble Blast early since they already had them in stock and accidentally put them on some pegs. People will NEVER be happy. It was a mistake, get the heck over it. Within a couple weeks you will have them anyways and when Target does their next exclusive, you will be right back in their store to buy Skylanders.

Quote: Himewad

People keep whining about these retail stores, saying its bad management or whatever. You need to stop. Stores like Target get such a tiny percent of their profits from Skylanders, THEY SIMPLY DON'T CARE ABOUT SKYLANDERS AS MUCH AS YOU DO. Once you all realize this, you will sleep better at night. You'll get them eventually. If you don't get them on day one, it's not the end of the world.

Exactly, they are trying to sell iPads, TVs, cameras, etc. not $15 toys.....

Then why invest the money for time related exclusives or Target-only variants on the toys?

Well, time-related exclusives are things they care about. As we've seen, when they actually get notice of it like with Jolly Bumble, they can do it right. But if they don't get that info....chaos! Jolly Bumble couldn't be sold until the date set for release. There was no such date placed on the wave 3 swappers. There should have been, but I don't know if it's Activision or Target Corporate who would be able to make that happen. Anyone know?

Jolly Bumble Blast was a timed released in general though. The street date was for EVERYONE. I dont believe it had anything to do with Target. I'm talking about Target spending money for getting to release certain figures earlier than other retailers (The 3 Swappers we've all be screaming about), or specific characters like say, Granite Crusher.