I was checking the TFs yesterday at my Altoona, PA Wal-Mart, and there beside the Cybertron leaders was a 20th Anniversary Optimus Prime. His box was in pretty good shape, too. The last time they had him around, he was reduced to like 30-odd bucks, so I grabbbed him. However, I ran this guy under one of those in-store scanners, and he was $63, so I put him back. I just thought it was really odd to run into one. Maybe a return or a piece of forgoten stock?
I think it's most likely a piece of stock found in storage. When I worked retail, I've had that happen before. Something fall behind the shelf, or get buried in the storage room. I also know he has shown up at some Big Lots! stores. So if this becomes a repeat occurance, then we should start to take a closer look to see what's going on. But for right now, chalk it up to a found piece of stock.
Looking at ebay from time to time 63 bucks isn't bad for him anymore. I'm glad I was able to pick one up when he came out. What a sweet figure.
I thought about buying and flipping him, or just throwing one in storage to appreciate, but I'll let somebody who really wanted one find him as a nice surprise. I already have one anyway. I got him for 46 shipped on fleabay! Did I mention the beautiful trailer I made for him? http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/thread85296.html
I'm guessing he was an Xmas return. Some Granny or Aunt stocked up on gifts while they were cheap, then handed them out months later when needed.
I saw about a half dozen of them sitting on the After Christmas Clearance aisle in our local Walmart last week. 2 of them had really crummy boxes but the rest seemed to be in decent shape. I'm assuming that ole 20th Op didnt sell real well in this area.
I found an Optimal Optimus from BW new in package on the shelf around 2002. Sometimes stock gets misplaced, sits around, and gets rediscovered later. Maybe it was a case of that, who knows?
Damn, I'm so jealous... Can anybody help me get a $63 20th Prime? (I figure it can't hurt to ask) cheers, Rob
I found a Castle Greyskull at a Walmart that was previously on clearance and it was back up to full price, it therefor sat on the shelf for over a year. they finally manually reduced it and it sold. I think after a while the Walmart computer marks back up clearance items.
I have seen this too. I get to travel alot with my job and I have noticed that many small town stores can be a Goldmine when looking for older Transformers. I found my second 20th annivers. Optimus in a small town Wal-Mart in Arkansas not too long ago. I find Alts hidden all the time especially in Toys r Us. I think that many collectors that find a Transformer they want and don't have the cash at the time..... Hide it until they can come back later and buy it. Sometimes these TFs get forgotten about and then lost for some time. I have had a repeated vision of me finding a Diaclone Fair Lady Bluestreak with Autobot symbols on it mis packaged inside a Gen. One pre rub symbol TF box at a toy store! I need Professional help!)
Rob, I would be happy to run by Wal-Mart today and see if he's still there. I would grab it for you and send it your way for cost + shipping + a few bucks to cover the box and packaging materials and/or PayPal fees. Drop a line if interested, and if I hear from you by end of my work day 4:30 EST, I'll go see if he's still there!
