Third party shopping in San Fran?

Discussion in 'Transformers 3rd Party Discussion' started by Insectabot, Oct 25, 2016.

  1. Insectabot

    Insectabot Well-Known Member

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    I'm in San Francisco this week for work, any cool places to go for third party figures or transformers in general?
    Thanks!

    Edit to correct San Francisco to local standards
     
    Last edited: Oct 26, 2016
  2. OptionZero

    OptionZero Well-Known Member

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    japantown has a toy store with a very limited selection of various anime stuff

    Cards and comics central ditto

    Unlikely to find 3P stuff and it's overpriced

    Go across the bay to Dragonclaw or whatever his name is, he has a comic shop and I think he has 3P

    Edit: Comic Ink in Dublin
     
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  3. Dev1160

    Dev1160 A.K.A. DevastaTTor

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    Good to know. We'll head there the next time I'm in San Ramon!
     
  4. OptionZero

    OptionZero Well-Known Member

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    Comic ink might have closed, so nevermind
     
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  5. Slimaximus

    Slimaximus Headmaster

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    Yeah Comic Ink is no longer in Dublin. Also a side note, don't call it San Fran to a local they will either laugh at you or ignore you because it is a tourist way of saying it.
     
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  6. ultraman zoffy

    ultraman zoffy Out here making whatever whenever

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    Comic and Figure Addicts in Union City has a nice selection of everything including 3p stuff, and also sells loose used figures and bots. Definitely worth a trip if you have a way to get around the bay area.
     
  7. Dragonclaw

    Dragonclaw Briefly the owner of KB Toys

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    Yeah, sadly we closed Comic Ink about a year ago (rent got crazy) and plans to reopen elsewhere just haven't worked out...I still have the inventory so maybe someday...ice hears there are also a couple shops in San Jose that are pretty good for 3rd party. It I order most of my own stuff online.
     
  8. Insectabot

    Insectabot Well-Known Member

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    Great thanks everyone!
     
  9. hojo

    hojo Well-Known Member

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    Toy Safari in Alameda have a nice selection of loose G1 stuff.
     
  10. divinecomedy

    divinecomedy Board Certified Fans Trollar

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    Wow I live in the Bay Area and I don't even know these places with the exception of Japantown. There's also a comic store along Geary St and I believe I saw an MP figure once, but no 3rd parties.

    Also in Chinatown, I once walked by a place that carried a CW Devastator. But I wasn't able to locate the place again afterwards, so maybe just a figment of my imagination!!!
     
  11. jackisking

    jackisking Well-Known Member

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    Japantown is near a street called Geary? Its been a while since I been there but I do remember it being near the dialysis center I visited. I might go back this holiday if I don't scrape up enough money to leave the country, but San francisco is a pretty nice consolation prize anyway.
     
  12. divinecomedy

    divinecomedy Board Certified Fans Trollar

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    Yep if you go along Geary, you'll definitely pass by Japan Town. The comic store I was talking about though is further still, somewhere after the 19th Ave.
     
  13. ultraman zoffy

    ultraman zoffy Out here making whatever whenever

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    I enjoy going to Toy Safari, but it's gotta be the most insanely merchandised store I've ever seen. I'm pretty sure there's a ton of stuff I'd buy in a heartbeat in that store that I walk right by because it's all buried under a ton of crap.
     
  14. OptionZero

    OptionZero Well-Known Member

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    That's what locals call "C & C"
    Comics and cards central
    It's next to a large Chinese restaurant called Hong Kong flower lounge i believe

    They have a bunch of Japanese toys but none at prices I would pay. Online vendors beat them pretty easily, and that's before amiami or eBay or used forum
     
  15. OptionZero

    OptionZero Well-Known Member

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    Can I suggest Sacramento? Increasing amount of Bay Area transplants, lots of new development. New downtown arena to stimulate growth. Large university nearby (UC Davis) and muiltple smaller colleges and grad schools. Only 1.5 hrs to San Francisco. there is an international airport (SMF) and ups, fedex, and DHL have hubs in the area. Heck, the ups facility is like five min from my house.

    Also I live nearby and could always use a 3P source in my backyard
     
  16. divinecomedy

    divinecomedy Board Certified Fans Trollar

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    Yeah price wise, nothing can touch online retailers. The only time I've ever gone inside a shop and get a better price than online was in ... Hong Kong. ActionRobo. Best place on earth to buy 3rd party Transformers.
     
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  17. ultraman zoffy

    ultraman zoffy Out here making whatever whenever

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    As a fellow Sacramento resident/collector , I fully support this message. =)
     
  18. OptionZero

    OptionZero Well-Known Member

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    Man if I could afford it I'd go to Hong Kong a couple times a year. If ur taking a trip it beatsgoing to the Bay Area from out of state

    Vacation
    Get stuff before it comes out
    Prolly get to see prototypes in the case at Action robo

    If there's a convention in Japan or Singapore or china just hop over to that and get some exclusives and early releases in hand
    Hang out with actual 3P members