also dont be afraid to ask. grimlock's box is pretty big so they can only stock 2 or 3 at a time on the shelf. they should at least have 2 or 3 in the back.
It sounds like when you consider all the time, effort, gas that is being put into locating TRU grimlock, everyone would be better off buying the Takara Version. This is exactly why I brought mine because I didn't want the hassle of driving back and forth, wasting my time searching for something the employees don't know about because they are all 17 years old . Takara Grimlock deals are out there, I got mine for 115 shipped from Japan so you just have to look.