darkSpyro

There have been a slew of threads with questions/concerns on the topic...one close to my heart, so while doing the math myself, I figured I'd try and "bring it all in" for everyone else as well. First a quick overview of what "my" situation is. I'm in the US and that is where the sales will focus. Sticking to major retailers as the only non-major retailer around me (Play And Trade) is way too expensive in general to even be an option. Missing from the list is Walmart, they are key for some, bu lack sales in general.

Best Buy
GameStop
Target
Toys'R'Us

Each has different sales and exclusives. As of right now (I'll update as information makes itself available).

Best Buy ( BB ) - Opens @ normal hours - 11:00 AM - No formal sale, but Weekly Ad has possible misprint listing the vehicles @ $12.99 instead of $14.99. Exclusive - Steel Plated Smash It - Available for Pre-Order, but available at launch. Even with no sales, by spending $30, you get access to the Best Buy Gamers Club aka 20% off everything for Sunday. BB Credit Card gives you nothing off, but large purchases get no interest for 'x' amount of time, it will be easy to spend upwards of $300 on Sunday,m which is usually like 3-6 months of no interest financing.

GameStop ( GS ) - Opens @ normal hours - 11:00 AM - No sales that currently affect NEW Skylanders, however by joining the Skylander's club, every 6 Skylanders nets you one for free - essentially 14% off figurines. I'm unaware of this working with starter packs, and do not know the rules for accessories and the vehicles classification. Exclusive (available for Pre-Order) is Frightful Fiesta.

Target ( Red ) - Openings vary, my local ones are @ 8:00 AM, but essentially normal hours. Currently Weekly add shows no sale, but they change over on Sunday. No sales are currently known, but past experience makes me "THINK"/"Believe" there will be some sort of 2/22 type sale on figures/accessories. Exclusive is the Nitro Stealth Stinger. I've never pre-ordered from Target, don't even know if its an option. The Red credit card is essentially 5% off all purchases. If you've got the cash now, you can buy and pay off immediately for no interest.

Toys-R-Us ( TRU ) - Opening early, some areas are having Midnight openings, others - like mine, are opening at 8:00 AM. Have not received the official weekly add, but I did get an e-mail from TRU stating it will be BOGO 40% Off, all Skylander merch, so Starter, acessories, figures, everything. Last year it was BOGO 50% and I got Krankcase castle for $50 after buying the Dark Starter pack. This could greatly influence things like buying multiple copies or Racing/triple packs. Membership gets you essentially 4% back in rewards. Credit Card gets you 10% off on Thursday, but we are assuming you are purchasing Sunday. If you can't make it sunday though, plan for Thursday and TELL THEM you want 10% off, if you don't say it, they charge you full price. they have a couple exclusives, Legendary Hurricane Jet-Vac, and the Wii Dark Starter Pack. HOWEVER dot dot dot It appears as though there is a good chance they will be getting Wave 2 opening day. This includes Smash It, Nightfall, High volt, a triple pack, and another double pack. They also will beat the pants off everyone when it comes to stock (this is important for later on)

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I've been working out an excel spreadsheet to plan out my course of action. fortunately, most of these stores 'breed' each other, where there is a TRU, there is usually a BB nearby. Where there is a BB, there is a GS nearby. Where there is a BB, there is usually a Target nearby, and so forth. so find a TRU, and you'll find a BB, and you'll find a RED or a GS. Both TRU & Red open at the same time. With Red only having one exclusive and currently no sales that really compete with TRU, its a safe bet to go to TRU over RED, at least first. BB & GS are similar, with BB having a better overall deal with the BBGC - 20% off. If you want Frightful Fiesta, just pre-order it and take your time picking it up.

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Where things get interested are figuring out where to buy things. I'm working on a spreadsheet and if mods find it OK, I will upload to a Box account and link to it when done, you can try out different locations to get down to the price/location, to do your shopping. The sheet will be designed for assuming you have no membership cards or rewards or credit cards and have to get them on Sunday. for instance I have the $30 for BBCU factored into my current price even though my wife told me last night we already have it. I'll try and get it up within the next couple of hours.

https://app.box.com/s/kubbd13x8eahxo6jpx6ut3oxn2dus6tk

This is a bit over-comprehensive of launch day. Due to the possible finicky and YMMV on price matching the BB add at say GS or Red, I opted to not factor it in. On each tab you will need to adjust state tax, but then you can put the number of copies of each item you want and where you plan on buying it from and it will spit out a cost. There are tabs for the 4 majors, not including Walmart so you can compare where to buy things. Some general observations...

With the BOGO40 sale from TRU, anything beyond the starter sets essentially trends to 20% off - the EXACT same value as Best Buy's Gamer's Club. This can make a decent impact with the larger purchases like the starter sets and racing packs, but the difference is VERY small. Due to TRU possibly having Wave 2, its a hot spot - and will absorb (depending on interest of course) a large portion of cost no MATTER where else you go.

After looking through the numbers myself, I'd highly recommend going to TRU if you don't already have pre-orders. Their quantities are a very 'safe' bet compared to Best Buy which is shaky for some of us, their prices are almost identical, there is a good chance you'll go there anyways, they open earlier than anyone else, and my number doesn't include the money back from points (about 4%) (yes this is matched and exceeded by BB, but it puts both Target and GS to sleep).

If you have any questions about the link, just let me know. And yes I have time on my hands.
- Unreall

I don't think a spreadsheet is warranted. You and other threads have broken out the best deals quite well, but go ahead if you have a lot of free time on your hands.

A friendly reminder, you can price match at Target and Best Buy. So if you get a no on the cheaper vehicles at BB, Target may do it. Just bring the paper ad to be safe as the website may not reflect the lower prices. They just may let you have that Target only Stealth Elf Nitro helicopter for $12.99. It's worth a shot!

Also, if you are out for the game guide, what I've done for the last two years is use the RedLaser app to see which place as it for the cheapest that morning. Usually it's Amazon. You tell Target or BB which store has it for the cheapest for a price matching. It may work for figures too, but generally those prices are set in stone everywhere.

Your assumption of the BOGO40 being exactly the same as the BBGCU is incorrect if making a single purchase.

With the BBGCU when buying every Wave 1 single pack item, every figure is 10.39 and every vehicle is 11.99

BBGCU 1 fig and 1 vehicle combo price is 22.38
BBGCU 2 fig combo price is 20.78
BBGCU 2 vehicle combo price is 23.98

With the BOGO40 when buying every Wave 1 single pack, only the lowest priced items in your cart get discount. So you will be paying 16.99 for each vehicle (4 total) and 8.39 for each figure (4 total).

BOGO40 1 fig and 1 vehicle combo price is 25.38
BOGO40 2 fig combo price is 22.38
BOGO40 2 vehicle combo price is 27.18

To maximize your discount at TRU you would have to purchase all the vehicle in one purchase them come back and purchase all the characters in one purchase. With The BBGCU everything is 20% off, not just the lowest priced item (that is already marked up in the first place).

No, we are talking this in the other thread, I thought it was the same way as you are wording it last year but its not, they don't take the lowest things in your cart anymore. They changed that sometime last year due to people saying 'fine' and doing a separate transaction for each item. The wording is to not dis-illusion people with using cheaper items at full price to make more expensive items cheaper.

And don't get me twisted, I'm not riding for anyone (worked for BB twice), turns out I already have a BBGC, and BB is literally a block away - same shopping center as TRU, both credit cards for both are virtually empty or empty, etc. But I've got no reason to lie or exaggerate...I had the same conversation with the people who work there, and reviewed the receipt line item by line item to make sure they weren't just paying me lip-service. I had two transactions, one for the two big ticket items because - again I thought like you said "oh they are going to give me the lowest", after that rang up they told me they changed it in the system due to complaints and time lost from it, rang up the rest of my order (I had everything but reposes) and it was right - one triple/level pack was full price, the next one was half price, up and down the receipt.

So back to what I said, they ARE virtually identical in the scheme of things, the delta is Best Buy is at a lower starting price by a dollar or two depending on item, so a 'set' will go for $25.38 @ TRU to 22.38 - about 3 dollars (which is the difference at full price). This gets spun a bit though when factoring in Starter packs and what else you maybe getting....that's a war of odds and evens. This also gets spun a bit by what you get (vehicles) vs (characters as you mention), which makes it closer.
- Unreall

The price differences are very noticable if you already have Gamers Club Unlocked, and purchasing Gamers Club Unlocked pays for itself by the second wave.
Ignoring Starter packs, all of the Wave 1 figures and vehicles, BB GCU vs TRU BOGO40 vs TRU BOGO50:
TRU at BOGO 40 = $137.20
TRU at BOGO 50 = $131
Best Buy with GCU = $117.60

Those prices account for four character singles and four vehicle singles, as well as the Sea Racing Pack, $35 at Best Buy, and since it isn't up on TRU, I calculated it at $38, though it could be higher or lower. The $20 you save at Best Buy is 2/3 of the price of GCU, so if you buy one Dark Edition at the same time, you are immediately saving $10 over an identical purchase at TRU, and further savings accrue from there.

I have the day 1 TRU coupons. I am wondering how much the sea racing action pack will be at TRU.

I'm hoping for sea racing pack, 40% off triple pack and $5 vehicle with coupon. Then also grab the legendary figure and another vehicle for $22 with the other coupon. I'll buy whatever wave 2 they have and everything else with be from Best Buy with gcu 20% off. I'm not sure if I will grab target and gamestop's exclusives.

Quote: LordElohim

The price differences are very noticable if you already have Gamers Club Unlocked, and purchasing Gamers Club Unlocked pays for itself by the second wave.
Ignoring Starter packs, all of the Wave 1 figures and vehicles, BB GCU vs TRU BOGO40 vs TRU BOGO50:
TRU at BOGO 40 = $137.20
TRU at BOGO 50 = $131
Best Buy with GCU = $117.60

Those prices account for four character singles and four vehicle singles, as well as the Sea Racing Pack, $35 at Best Buy, and since it isn't up on TRU, I calculated it at $38, though it could be higher or lower. The $20 you save at Best Buy is 2/3 of the price of GCU, so if you buy one Dark Edition at the same time, you are immediately saving $10 over an identical purchase at TRU, and further savings accrue from there.

I'm done after.

It isn't that simple when trying ot hunt down the best deal.

1. Starters are part of the equation, you can't just arbitrarily throw them out as they are were a large chunk of savings can come from (even if only getting one, it then marks the Racing pack down 40%)
2. Exclusives and most likely Wave 2 are part of the equation also. If you plan to go to the store and buy "the starter, 4 characters and 4 vehicles" from Best Buy - go for it. If you want any of the Wave 2 characters besides Smash Hit or the Dark Wii Edition, you'll find yourself at TRU no matter what on Sunday, you can't get them anywhere else, no Burn cycle, no legendary, no Nightfall, no High Volt. If you want them you wil lhave to go to TRU, because of the structure of the sales between both places however, you'll find that you are better off 'squaring' your purchase at TRU and then buying what's left at Best Buy. \

I'm hoping to get Wave 2 stuff - period. You save more money, if you are buying a burn cycle, you'll save money buying another vehicle from TRU as opposed to buying it from BB. Buying an odd number of characters from TRU? Even it up, otherwise you are paying full price. Now for everything else? Yeah go to BB to finish it up by all means. I have some adjustments to make after my family talked it over last night, but we are looking at a solid $100 @ BB w/ already owning a BBGC, but I'll stil lbe spending more at TRU due to exclusivity.

And the price delta straight up between BOGO40 and BBGC is only the price delta of the initial cost of the purchase. So the figures are a dollar more, vehicales I think were two dollars more. It's basic math. You aren't "saving a ton more!" with BBGC, you aren't saving ANYTHING with BBGC, you just aren't paying the "TRU dollar Tax" on top of the cost - but the sale is the same - admittedly - so long as the number of purchases are even.
- Unreall

Should the $5 back for every 250 points at Best Buy also figure into the equation?
Also, if you use Ibotta you can get $5 rebate if you spend $100 or more on one receipt.

Quote: Cicada17

Should the $5 back for every 250 points at Best Buy also figure into the equation?
Also, if you use Ibotta you can get $5 rebate if you spend $100 or more on one receipt.

Depends from person to person. If you spend over $399 you can choose between money back or no interest. Since I didn't factor TRU's money back into my equation, I left the BB one alone as well.

Me personally, I'm stuck. I'm looking at around $400 to spend on Sunday, but its about 45/45 TRU/BB, so I won't be able to get no interest if I use my credit card...and I hate interest so I avoid it at all cost, so do I pay out of pocket, deal with interest for a month or two, buy more stuff at BB (too bad iPad Pro isn't out), or just buy everything from one place. The cost difference buying everything at TRU vs piecemeal between TRU and BB isn't substantial, I'd pay an extra like $20, but that's more than the interest I would pay.

Maybe I can convince my wife to throw a PS4 on there...but I don't have any games I want for it until 2016 hahaha.
- Unreall

"And the price delta straight up between BOGO40 and BBGC is only the price delta of the initial cost of the purchase. So the figures are a dollar more, vehicales I think were two dollars more. It's basic math. You aren't "saving a ton more!" with BBGC, you aren't saving ANYTHING with BBGC, you just aren't paying the "TRU dollar Tax" on top of the cost - but the sale is the same - admittedly - so long as the number of purchases are even."

Okay, two things. First thing, what is a "price delta?" And second, WHAT?!? You aren't saving anything? Are you crazy? A figure at TRU is $14, that is their price for one. With BOGO40, the second one is $8.40, making two $22.40. With Best Buy GCU, EACH figure is $10.40, no first purchase required, it isn't BOGO, it is just 20 percent, flat. With Best Buy, you save 20 percent off the MSRP of the figure, with TRU, you don't save anything until after the markup is deducted. So, you buy a vehicle at $17, and the first $4 that comes off the second vehicle is the initial TRU markup of each of those vehicles.

Now let's tackle your game argument. If you are buying, specifically, the Wii Dark Edition, you MUST pay $100 for it, as it is TRU exclusive, and you have no choice. Let's look at someone buying a different Dark Edition, and, using your example, the racing pack. At TRU, you spend the initial $100 on the game, and then get 40 percent off the racing pack, probably marked up. So, let's say $38 minus 40 percent. $22.80. $122.80 for a NON Wii Dark Edition and the racing pack, at BOGO40. At Best Buy, with GCU, the 20 percent comes off the Game, making it $80, and then 20 percent comes off the racing pack, making it $28. The total, $108, for two identical items you just said one would not be saving money on. If you don't have GCU, you would be getting $14 of it's price just for doing this. You are probably buying other figures, which means more savings accrued toward the cost of GCU.

There are five new figures and vehicles in Wave 2, and POSSIBLY the two 2-packs, that is unconfirmed. The ONLY things you should be buying at TRU are Wave 2, and Legendary Hurricane Jet Vac to make it an even 6 items, and the Wii Dark Edition IF that is the one you want. Also, this presupposes that TRU has Wave 2, which last year, some did and some did not. I know from personal experience, because I was at one that did, and one that did not. Now, I am buying all 6 starter packs, which means at BOGO40, each one is roughly 20 percent off, eliminating a difference between TRU and Best Buy. Otherwise, the ONLY items you should be buying from TRU are as follows:

Wii Dark Edition
Shark Shooter Terrafin 2-pack (if available)
Hurricane Jet Vac 2-pack (if available)
High Volt
Nightfall
Smash Hit
Burn Cycle
Stealth Stinger
Legendary Hurricane Jet Vac

Anything beyond those, and you are probably wasting money.

I just saw on Slick Deals that you can get a $10 promo code when you buy $100 e gift card for Best Buy. Offer expires Sunday. I just bought the gift card. It came right away to my email and they show that you can use them online or in store.

Crypt crusher was $2 less at best buy. It was the only vehicle on sale.

I used the gift card offer above so I saved an extra $10 with promo code coupon. I am going to try to see if I can get $5 back with Ibotta app too. Plus I used gcu and shop kick.

At toys r us I just bought legendary jet vac and a vehicle with $22 day one coupon. It was less than $22 but I am not sure if that was because the cashier was having trouble with the coupon. I'm thinking the racing sea pack was $25.99. I figured that coupon was still $1 more than going to best buy with gcu.

Quote: sissylyne

At toys r us I just bought legendary jet vac and a vehicle with $22 day one coupon. It was less than $22 but I am not sure if that was because the cashier was having trouble with the coupon.

Had the same issue, I'm thinking it was the Legendary Jet Vac that was causing it.

ShaneG.