darkSpyro

Just wondering if anyone has some tips for a new-bie portal master

Get there early and often.

Check on here for info on release dates/sightings
Check as many stores as possible
Do not be afraid to ask an employee for release dates or future shipments, also to check in back for more stock
Personally I go out once a week aside from release dates just to look around, you never know when you'll find a treasure
Pawn shops are a great place to pick up cheap and even more rare skylanders

If you don't want to drive around alot. You can always just call the stores. If they have what you want, have them hold it for you. That's how my got my Light and Dark expansion packs.

Another great thing is be a member of their rewards program. You often get emails for new items & great deals.
That's how I found out on 12/21/2014 was the day the dark & light expansion packs came out, as well as the wave 3 figures (except Bat Spin & High Five) at TRU.
Got Blastermind & the two packs. Any regrets paying higher prices? Nope....look how hard it is to find them. Only things that are the hardest to find are the Kaos trap & DE TT starter pack. Got both on launch day....one planned, one by luck (Kaos trap was the latter).

This might be a dumb suggestion - but KNOW WHAT YOU NEED. On new releases and even when just browsing, I have to help so many parents try to figure out which ones they need. I don't know what they do when I'm not around. ;)

Quote: GhostRoaster

Get there early and often.

And basically, if you don't have time/patience...just wait for it on Amazon/Gamestop whatever. Order it quickly, have it shipped. I kinda like mixing and matching my approaches (going to store, ordering online).

Don't have any concerns for buying used. Unless you want to keep it in the box, I don't think you'll be any less pleased with used.

For some skylanders adventure figures, you can get new at TRU for $5. You can also find them and some Giants at Five Below for $5. Hard to do better then that.

Gamestop has the best prices on used that I've seen. As other says, you might do better at pawn shops and such, but there is going to be less selection.

Wait for sales on the new stuff if at all possible. TRU almost always has a sale when a figure is released, but there are exceptions. You are gambling a bit though as some figures will come off the shelves quick and become hard to find. The light and dark packs may be in that category, but I suspect they will be readily available shortly. The kaos trap however is still difficult to find, so you never know for sure.

Have patience. Just because a just released item isn't in the stores doesn't mean it will always stay that way. The initial release usually sells out because it comes to few stores or has limited quantity. Give it a few weeks and you will see it everywhere in abundance. The light and dark expansion packs are a great example of this. Released on the 21st in TRU and people bought them up. By this Tuesday, they will be everywhere, including online. No reason to pay scalper prices when patience can have you paying retail.

Get to know managers at your local stores on a first name basis! Lol, treat them with a little respect and let them know what you know about what your looking for.. Like UPC numbers or item numbers if you have them!! Hope this helps