darkSpyro

i somehow read this posts on Skylanders FB page. It says that Gamestop will carry the new sidekicks for every $30 worth purchase of SKylanders Giants merchandise your entintle to redeem/buy the new side kicks from them. so in total is $120 worth of purchase to get the 4 new sidekicks????? Anybody confirmed this yet???? I wana hear your thoughts in to this if its true.... this is gona really suck for us updated collectors for Giants cheers all!!!!

Aw. How am I supposed to get a sidekick? Also $120 is bad, but just buy stuff like the Scorpion Striker, and some Skylanders you don't have at the same time, rather then buying them separately. A way to get them fast

*mumbles*lucky*mumbles*
I wish I had that.

What would really be nice is if they started selling the old sidekicks again. I've still got three missing.

THIS ^

btw its a limited time offer also startes from Jan 16-29 if the rumors are so true. lol my pockets' gona hurt again on this one.......................

I don't see it mentioned anywhere on the FB page about the Sidekicks. ; Only people posting about them saying Gamestop will have Sidekicks. I haven't heard any word actually come from Activision about it yet.

It's out there I don't remember where. GS employees, many of them, are confirming it

//forum.darkspyro.net/spyro/vi...ic=70875&page=1

So another redirect to Gamestop employee's, not trying to say it's not possible just, where is Activison in all of this?

Will this be available in canada eh?

this is the worst promo ever. i hate this promo. unless there is some other way at gamestop (besides $30 only on skylander merch, i could do $30 dollars on skylanders + other things but not just on skylanders i already have almost everything) im not getting the sidekicks.

also, if i go buy my scorpion striker pack friday, then that wont count towards the promo on the 16th right?

I'm picking up my battle packs friday but not opening them. I will return it on the 16th and just buy it again (unless they will hook me up)

So much better than Frito lay, other countries might have a chance to get them this time.

Des anyone have conformation which set of sidekicks this promo involves. My research suggests this may not be for the second set of sidekicks and just a rerelease of the Frito Lay promotion. No one seems to be 100% sure but the people I have had look in the system for me cannot find names of the sidekicks or anything to insinuate that they are the giants.

If no one has found out by tomorrow, I will find out when - rather IF due to if something stupid happens again - I go get my Strikers tomorrow. I will ask to see them myself and see if I can't vouch for them being the new ones.

Why do people think it's stupid to pay 30 dollars for a sidekick? I haven't really been a hardcore collector. I'm only getting Skylanders that I actually want. Correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't the other Sidekicks promotion where you had to buy a Frito-Lay box or something for 25$, then get a RANDOM one sent through the mail? How is that better? You're paying 5 extra dollars, but to get something that you actually want, and it looks like you get it at the store, not over the mail.

The Frito Lay promotion required an investment of the bag of chips plus $2 shipping and hand handling. At the time you could find these specific bags for between $5 and $9 each considering where you shopped and how attentive to coupons you were. Many (not all) did get exactly what they had asked for from this promotion. I personally invested less than $8 a sidekick into this including the price of a stamp and I also got a crap load of chips most of which me and my daughter consumed.

In this case I own everything for Giants I want already. Barring the release of additional figures and good availability from Gamestop I do not see them having $120 worth of merchandise I actually want to purchase that would apply to the sidekick sale. In my opinion the Frito Lay promotion was better for these reasons

No, Fire. Each 20 count bag of chips for Sidekicks, was $6.84. Everyone who got into it early enough, seems to have gotten 1 of each of the 4 available. So, it costed about 25 dollars, for the 20 count bags of chips, plus 8 dollars shipping, and you had a set of 4. So, about 32-33 bucks for a set is what it costed those who got them through Frito-Lay.

Quote: GameMaster78

No, Fire. Each 20 count bag of chips for Sidekicks, was $6.84. Everyone who got into it early enough, seems to have gotten 1 of each of the 4 available. So, it costed about 25 dollars, for the 20 count bags of chips, plus 8 dollars shipping, and you had a set of 4. So, about 32-33 bucks for a set is what it costed those who got them through Frito-Lay.

Oh, I thought just ONE was 25 dollars xD

I changed my mind then, Frito-Lay wins

hehe this is really gona suck for us updated collector for giants. I hope that this is applicable to SSA as im starting to collect them also. does anybody know if its applicable to SSA for the sidekick promo?

I went to my Gamestop and they read me the printed info. It says exclusive new sidekicks. They also confirm that they are suppose to arrive tomorrow with the SS packs.

My GameStop doesn't know anything abouth the sidekicks....just the Battlepack

Couldn't you just get $30 of merchandise and then return it about an hour later and then buy $30 worth of new stuff to get another sidekick?

Also, Why would you pay $30 for 1 little figure that just follows you around? I know you collectors out there want them, but, 30$ for something that does NOTHING is kind of a dumb part on your end, but I suppose people are free to spend their money however they wish.

My logic is that if it lights up it's worth it.

Well my gamestop said it was $30 on "Giants merchandise" for 1 sidekick.
(so anything with the name Giants on it)


Said the promo was for 16th-31st.


I asked if he knew of any "new" skylander coming out in that time frame and he said he only knew of the battle pack with hot dog.


I asked what the "EXCHANGE" policy was and he said 30 days for even exchange if UNOPENED with reciept.
(He would have to be a moron not to know what I was getting at when I asked him that)

This is annoying.
We don't have Gamestop in New Zealand. I hope they do it at Gamestop's New Zealand counterpart, EB Games

Quote: Crescent Wing

Couldn't you just get $30 of merchandise and then return it about an hour later and then buy $30 worth of new stuff to get another sidekick?

Also, Why would you pay $30 for 1 little figure that just follows you around? I know you collectors out there want them, but, 30$ for something that does NOTHING is kind of a dumb part on your end, but I suppose people are free to spend their money however they wish.

Ok, I just left Gamestop, checked in to get the scoop. I'm an assistant manager there part time, so the Store Manager gave me all the info:

It will have a promo tagged on the receipt. If you return anything on the receipt without the Sidekick, you'll get docked a significant amount for not having the full return. Best Buy has been doing this sort of thing for about 4 years now when they offer items with a purchase. It gets around people just trying to rip off free product. And, regardless of any company, that's exactly what you're doing: ripping someone off. Stealing. Thieving. I agree, $30 is absolutely absurd for the sidekicks... but buying to return so they're free? Stop being a scumbag, offer to someone who is getting Giants stuff anyways to chip in and get the sidekick. You save them $, you get the sidekick, done. Someone paid for it to be made, so trying to rip off Gamestop is just a scummy way to be, they're showing you it's crappy to have to buy $30 worth of stuff for something, why sink to their level...?

You can make one purchase of Giants items for $119.96 and get all 4, each increment of $29.99 of Giants characters nets you a Sidekick.

The items that count towards this purchase are: Giants singles (Giant or regular, or S2), triple Pack, Scorpion Striker pack and starter packs. That's it. No S:SA items count towards it, and no accessories like backpacks, stylus, etc.

Most Gamestop stores are expected to have the Scorpion Striker as well as the new wave tomorrow (Friday, January 11th)... however some may get late shipments, none get shipments on the weekend, so some of the stores may not have the new ones until Monday.

The Sidekick deal doesn't start until the 16th, is over the 31st or as supplies last.

The issue with the above statement: You will not be able to return/rebuy for this deal, unless you want to do the footwork and try your luck with getting new Skylanders at another Gamestop 4 - 7 days after they are out.... so basically yeah... they're shafting you into buying outside of Wave 4 ( 3.5*) for the sidekicks. Welcome to corporate America.

They issued a statement today: NO customer is guaranteed the Scorpion Striker pack that didn't preorder by January 7th. So if you have a chance to get one the 11th or the 14th, just get it if you didn't preorder. Unfortunate though, it won't net you a Sidekick, and if you return/rebuy on the 16th, any unfulfilled preorders or requests for that battle pack will be filled immediately with your returned merchandise, before you have any option of rebuying it.... just a warning.

They expect the Sidekicks to last ~2, maybe 3 days at each store before running out, and THEY ARE ONLY SENDING THE ONE SHIPMENT, NO MORE. CORPORATE ISSUED AN OFFICIAL STATEMENT: ONLY ONE SHIPMENT OF SIDEKICKS TO EACH STORE, AND THEN THEY ARE NO LONGER AVAILABLE. And... employees caught selling them will be fired, obviously. EVEN IF the employee bought the $30 purchase, got one and sold it, it's considered exploitation since they have easier access to them, this is also behavior subject to termination.

In my opinion... I think there will be enough of the Scorpion Striker pack at some point. Maybe not at first, but they'll have plenty later on. The Sidekicks.... if you're a collector, do what you can to get them, they are going to be pretty limited. As mentioned earlier, I would offer people money who are looking to get Giants anyhow, mention you'll toss them $5 for the little "free toy" or however you'd like to word it.... if they are a parent just getting the game for a gift or something, they'll most likely go for it....


Edit: @hexisthebest - EB Games IS Gamestop. Gamestop bought them several years ago, just under different laws there they can't change the name for a certain amount of years. Not sure about Sidekicks there... but I know for a fact EB Games = Gamestop

^

which ones are they?

Quote: ZapNorris

^

which ones are they?

Most likely Mini-Jini, Thumpling, Eye-Small, and Barkley, unless there's other sidekicks I don't know of.

So, Ebbi, what time should those of us who preordered get there?

Quote: Hexin_Wishes

So, Ebbi, what time should those of us who preordered get there?

If you preordered, you're all set. They cut off the preorders when they knew they wouldn't be getting any more for a bit past the preorders. Go in at your leisure, however, call first,. some Gamestops get their shipments at 9 AM, some not until like 2 PM.

Thanks for the info Ebbi. One question: does the mobile Battlegrounds starter pack count for the promo? It's not explicitly labeled Giants, but it came as part of the Giants release and contains Giants figures. I consider it part of Giants, but I could easily see it being excluded.

Awesome, thanks Ebbi!

Quote: Teratron

Thanks for the info Ebbi. One question: does the mobile Battlegrounds starter pack count for the promo? It's not explicitly labeled Giants, but it came as part of the Giants release and contains Giants figures. I consider it part of Giants, but I could easily see it being excluded.

Yes, it counts, I asked the same exact question as it's not listed in the memo either, but our Store Manager confirmed with the Regional, yes it does count towards the amount spent to get Sidekicks.

It's okay for me because I only want one and I don't have many figures yet so this is not that bad for me.

So, Ebbi, can I assume you would be docked $10 to return without the Sidekicks? Effectively making the price $10 each?

Quote: Skylandscaper

So, Ebbi, can I assume you would be docked $10 to return without the Sidekicks? Effectively making the price $10 each?

I don't know the exact amount, I'm sure it will be something to that effect.

I'll gladly pay the 120+ on skylander giants stuff I already have just to return it and keep the sidekicks at 10 bucks a piece.

We all would have paid about that from frito lays anyway :/

Frito Lays Promotion - 4 Sidekicks cost $32-$35 - Now selling on Ebay for $100+

Gamestop Promotion - 4 Sidekicks cost maybe $0 - But if limited how much will they sell for on Ebay???

I've said $0, now stick with me on this ...

- You buy $120 worth of Skylander Giants which you possibly don't need if you've already brought all the ones you want.

- You then sell these brand new extra Giants characters on Ebay.

- If you get what you paid for them, then effectively the Sidekicks cost you nothing.

- If you lose a bit of money then each sidekick has cost you the difference divided by 4. So let's say you paid $120 and got all 4 and then you sell all the Giants stuff you had to buy for $80 on Ebay. You've then lost $40 but got 4 Sidekicks so $40/4 sidekicks means each sidekick has cost you $10.

Seems fair to me providing you've got the $120 to spend in the first place.

oh my this will suck pretty bad if they dont include SSA and other mechandise. also no return/rebuy, if they dont acknoledge the 30 days purchase policy I wud be raging out of this.

So if the promotion is from the 16th until the 31st, does this mean the remaining Giants and other S2 characters will be released then too?

Gamemaster buys 5 of each thing, I think. So he can just buy 5 Scorpion Strikers for 124.95$ and then he gets all 4 Sidekicks

I know this is a little off-subject, but I have to ask, does anyone have the Scorpion Striker yet? I know it releases today, it is just that, no one has been talking about the gameplay of the new figures.

Just an FYI, it is the old Sidekicks, not the new ones. I went by my Gamestop this morning looking for the Scorpion Striker (their shipment comes later, wasn't sure when it came in and it was on the way to work anyways) and spoke to a really nice employee that looked it up for me. He was aware of the promotion, and looked at the contents of the shipment coming in - 6 Battle Packs and the sidekicks. Now mind you, this guy was nice, but he wasn't into Skylanders, so he wouldn't know their names normally - and he read off Whisper Elf, Terrabite, Trigger Snappy and Gil Runt.

So there it is, good news and bad. Those that have everything won't have to find some way to spend $120, but bad in that we will still be waiting for Eye Small and the gang.

Oh, and Thumpback and Eye Brawl still show up as "D" in their system. It would be "A" (or Active) if they were on the way today.

Quote: zookinator

I know this is a little off-subject, but I have to ask, does anyone have the Scorpion Striker yet? I know it releases today, it is just that, no one has been talking about the gameplay of the new figures.

Most GameStops don't really get the stock trucks until the afternoon from my experience, so wait a bit longer to hear news on that.

I'm waiting on the call from my store for em. Gonna pick mine up today while I'm out and about. Can't wait to give Hot Dog a shot tonight!

They were supposed to arrive on Thursday (yesterday) but didn't--there were a lot of angry people at my GameStop! There must have been some sort of manufacturing or shipping delay, but they're supposed to be out today, in limited quantities. My store is only getting one case of six, which I doubt will cover all the preorders, though they will be getting more in later of course.

Oh yeah, so excited! I really wanted to get the last three sidekicks!