Jdog's buys

I guess you can tell where I went? I had a visit to a Toys R Us far from me yesterday and in my type of shopping spree, I decided to get these store exclusives.

I don't have an Emily so I was pleased to find her. The trucks look nice as well but I don't like how the lettering has been printed on one side. The snow track was quite strange to look at in person but it makes a nice overpass. It would've been nice if there were more items so I could have an actual snow themed zone on a layout, as it will look a bit baron by itself.

I think these are the only Sodor Snow Storm items we got in Australia as I probably would've noticed the Snow Clearing Hiro or Henry amongst the large amount of the other two engines, and I never saw any of the sets. The Maron Station Starter Set was there as well but I was already getting some other things and I had a few different starter sets, but I might get it the next time I visit.

[Super]

Very nice finds and the better version too! I don't think I have seen these snow plow versions aroung here but then I haven't been to the toy stores since before Xmas. Strange how there is printing on only one side of the wagons.

nice buys. I like the "snow series" toys r us has going on. I hope it continues. although I didn't care for the remake of action canyon or the work vehicles. I hope target hasn't given up on its exclusives. this was the first year target didn't really do anything...maybe a transition phase between old line of trains versus new line?

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so toys r us doesn't offer the same toys in Australia as in the states? this is the second time I heard this. I thought when I read that target didn't offer the light up trains by you that it was just a fluke. I wonder why a multi-billion company would do that?

The US is always going to be in favour of Mattel's partnered store exclusives just because it's its where the headquarters are. The rest of the world does miss out on a lot of unique items. The US get all the special Thomas Wooden Railway exclusives like Logan and a direct online store for them. The US Target exclusives are nothing like what we get, although Australia has gotten a few Thomas toys that barely or no other country gets. We're even getting CostCo exclusives! Last year if I remember, Target got the Essential Engines Gift Pack though? Although it's more of a bundle with one special variant.

I guess there are exceptions however and the Toys R Us Exclusives must be a template that sometimes gets items spread to other countries, but I don't know how it all works. We still manage to get the Wooden Railway Green Salty and Mavis at the Quarry, and the UK has gotten the TrackMaster Revolution mud series as opposed to the continuation of Sodor Snow Storm in the US.

congrats, jdog! would love to see them instore. does your store have more of the engines? i wouldnt mind them for the christmas layout, but the ebay prices are crazy

how odd. we like the snow series because of Christmas, santa, north pole and snow etc etc. you would think that would be a common theme with families everywhere. and how about walmart? do they do the same as well?

would love to see them instore. does your store have more of the engines?

They had quite a few of these James' and Emily's around, and the rest were some TrackMaster Revolution engines but only a few characters like Diesel and Spencer lying about. I don't think I've ever seen a large amount of those engines stocked before.

and how about walmart? do they do the same as well?

I don't know what Walmart is like but I looked them up and I don't believe they do many exclusives. The only two TrackMaster items they've had exclusive were Thomas' Chocolate Delivery and 5-in-1 Flexi-Track Multi Configuration Set.

would love to see them instore. does your store have more of the engines?

They had quite a few of these James' and Emily's around, and the rest were some TrackMaster Revolution engines but only a few characters like Diesel and Spencer lying about. I don't think I've ever seen a large amount of those engines stocked before.

and how about walmart? do they do the same as well?

I don't know what Walmart is like but I looked them up and I don't believe they do many exclusives. The only two TrackMaster items they've had exclusive were Thomas' Chocolate Delivery and 5-in-1 Flexi-Track Multi Configuration Set.

I have had all 4 of the old style snow series engines in stock and also have the 2 new style ones in the snow series along with the new snow sets . Strange in the UK Toys changed the snow for mud and have released exactly the same sets .

yes those are walmart exclusives. I believe a Jeremy set as well. I'm sure I'm forgetting more. forgive me if this sounds stupid, but when you say "I don't know what walmart is like?" are you implying that there is none there?

furthermore, are you implying that the snow series has stopped in the u.k.?

Since we don't have Walmarts in Australia, I don't know what to expect from them. I just know that you see the odd Thomas exclusive here and there. I'd imagine CostCo will become settling in that same boat after they had the Deluxe Avalanche Escape Set as an exclusive.

To my knowledge, I don't even think the Sodor Snow Storm series, or any other series, was even sold in the UK.