As a FLGS employee, I can tell you that we have yet to have an opportunity to order any from a distributor for our stocks. For a product that is two weeks away this is unheard of.
This suggests it will be available only at big box stores.
September 4th
I feel confident that if I wait for normal business hours I can call my FLGS to see if they have any (assuming it doesn't end up on their Facebook page). If they don't have it I can order it from Amazon for less than it is on the shelf at Walmart.
If these were a limited edition or selling for crazy Black Friday prices I might be worried.
The only 'conspiracy' is that it seems only major retailers are launching this product on september 4, leaving LGS out.
Except we don't know for sure either way. Until Disney gets off their asses and lets the companies announce their products it's all conjecture.
You keep saying this, but Disney has been really clear about announcements. (See here, for example.) There's no getting off anything: the date when companies can announce this stuff is set, and has been public for months.
I also checked target when I first began playing as I half expected them to carry X-Wing. They have an entire aisle in many stores devoted to Star Wars toys, and yes they also have a board game-type section. Disney probably is adjusting their marketing and sales to make it more widely available commercially. Sucks for the FLGS's a bit, but Disney knows how to profit.
Target did in fact carry the X-Wing core/starter sets shortly after the launch of the game, hitting their shelves before Christmas that year. Target carried the core/starter only and you still needed to go to your FLGS for the expansions.
As X-Wing was a very new game then a lot of product sat on shelves for awhile until Target slashed their prices all the way down to $8 for a lucky few players. I never expected Target to carry the game again but with the Episode 7 product launch nearly upon us plus the confirmation of a new starter it makes too much sense.
With this game currently in the place it is and the impending mass release of a new starter likely in Target stores nationwide we are quite possibly looking at a significant influx of new players to this game. Cue grumbling and complaining from the usual suspects but this has major sales potential and very well could create supply issues if we see enough new blood in the game.
People would grumble and complain about more people getting into this? I would kill for some more local competition, as it's a little bit few and far between where I am. Stock would be less of an issue if some people wouldn't buy 19 copies of every new ship just because they're obsessed, so the rest of us can actually get 1 or 2 to play with 
I see that Walmart in the States is supporting this (Midnight release and such), but...I can't confirm for here in Canada, unfortunately. Link below...
The only 'conspiracy' is that it seems only major retailers are launching this product on september 4, leaving LGS out.
Except we don't know for sure either way. Until Disney gets off their asses and lets the companies announce their products it's all conjecture.
You keep saying this, but Disney has been really clear about announcements. (See here, for example.) There's no getting off anything: the date when companies can announce this stuff is set, and has been public for months.
No it is not.
It is clear that is and always has been the RELEASE date. Nothing there says it won't be ANNOUNCED before hand and I find it laughable that they wouldn't announce them at some point officially prior to release date.
Edited by ToqtamishOoo-kay...nevermind, I found this article stating that Walmart Canada is NOT supporting the September 4th launch night. That sucks...
http://www.miketarkin.com/moikemac/2015/7/25/walmart-canada-not-participating-in-force-friday
...Disney has been really clear about announcements. (See here, for example.) There's no getting off anything: the date when companies can announce this stuff is set, and has been public for months.
No it is not.
It is clear that is and always has been the RELEASE date. Nothing there says it won't be ANNOUNCED before hand and I find it laughable that they wouldn't announce them at some point officially prior to release date.
Okay, here's a different article, from IGN in April:
A spokesperson for ThinkGeek helped by adding a bit more context. "Right now, a lot of licenses are in development [for Star Wars: The Force Awakens]," he said. "We have a lot of ideas that are submitted to Lucasfilm, but Lucasfilm has most of its licenses, if not all of its licenses, under an embargo holding to a certain date before they start releasing products..."
But perhaps the most enlightening response came from a Gentle Giant spokesperson, who had an answer right from the source, saying, "Lucasfilm addressed this question during the Star Wars collector panel. Essentially Lucasfilm and it’s marketing team wanted to maintain what they referred to as 'The Secret Box' in which Lucasfilm will draw from and release images and information to the public in a meaningful and strategic manner, much like the buildup to the trailer that debuted at Star Wars Celebration."
Disney has embargoed announcements until the release date.
The only 'conspiracy' is that it seems only major retailers are launching this product on september 4, leaving LGS out.
My guess, and it is just a guess, is that the distributors will be able to let the LGSs order them on the 4th. Which means that the stores themselves won't have them on the 4th, but should get them within a week. Though I bet stock will be SEVERELY limited and there may be a feeding frenzy by stores that are ordering them.
But... in the subreddit which discusses the ... a poster (not the same who posted pics, I think) said that they were already in stock at a "big retailer" he worked for. He would not name the store, but said this:
"I don't want to say the specific store, but it is a big retailer. We used to carry the original core set but haven't for a while."
I read Target.
Thanks. That is the information I was looking for.
Until Disney gets off their asses and lets the companies announce their products it's all conjecture.
What part of this process is so hard to grasp or are you intentionally trolling people?
...Disney has been really clear about announcements. (See here, for example.) There's no getting off anything: the date when companies can announce this stuff is set, and has been public for months.
No it is not.
It is clear that is and always has been the RELEASE date. Nothing there says it won't be ANNOUNCED before hand and I find it laughable that they wouldn't announce them at some point officially prior to release date.
Okay, here's a different article, from IGN in April:
A spokesperson for ThinkGeek helped by adding a bit more context. "Right now, a lot of licenses are in development [for Star Wars: The Force Awakens]," he said. "We have a lot of ideas that are submitted to Lucasfilm, but Lucasfilm has most of its licenses, if not all of its licenses, under an embargo holding to a certain date before they start releasing products..."
But perhaps the most enlightening response came from a Gentle Giant spokesperson, who had an answer right from the source, saying, "Lucasfilm addressed this question during the Star Wars collector panel. Essentially Lucasfilm and it’s marketing team wanted to maintain what they referred to as 'The Secret Box' in which Lucasfilm will draw from and release images and information to the public in a meaningful and strategic manner, much like the buildup to the trailer that debuted at Star Wars Celebration."
Disney has embargoed announcements until the release date.
Again nothing there specifies the date of announcement as being or not being Force Friday. You're making an assumption.
We will agree to disagree as it is a complete waste of time arguing about it.
Until Disney gets off their asses and lets the companies announce their products it's all conjecture.
What part of this process is so hard to grasp or are you intentionally trolling people?
No need to be rude I don't agree with others who think that nothing will be announced before the midnight releases. Either answer could be correct. Only time will tell.
I just want to know where to look. I will be out of town, and it will not be easy for me to get to a store. I can't just go running around town looking.
We will agree to disagree as it is a complete waste of time arguing about it.
We weren't arguing: I was trying to point you toward consensus reality, and you were refusing to listen. That's your privilege, of course, and you're probably right that there's no progress to be made.
I just want to know where to look. I will be out of town, and it will not be easy for me to get to a store. I can't just go running around town looking.
I know what you mean. Operating on the assumption that since Target had the old core set, they may have the new one, I googled "manhattan ks target midnight star wars". It pointed me to an announcement that my local store will indeed have special extended hours overnight on Friday September 4.
So despite the uncertainty, it might be worth a google or a call to your local evil corporate retailer (meaning the one that's local to wherever you'll be) to see if they have similar plans in place.
Alternately, of course, you can wait until you get back and talk to your FLGS. If the X-wing release is indeed the rumored new core set, I doubt FFG is being miserly with the print run.
Edited by Vorpal Sword
We will agree to disagree as it is a complete waste of time arguing about it.
We weren't arguing: I was trying to point you toward consensus reality, and you were refusing to listen. That's your privilege, of course, and you're probably right that there's no progress to be made.
I just want to know where to look. I will be out of town, and it will not be easy for me to get to a store. I can't just go running around town looking.
I know what you mean. Operating on the assumption that since Target had the old core set, they may have the new one, I googled "manhattan ks target midnight star wars". It pointed me to an announcement that my local store will indeed have special extended hours overnight on Friday September 4.
So despite the uncertainty, it might be worth a google or a call to your local evil corporate retailer (meaning the one that's local to wherever you'll be) to see if they have similar plans in place.
Alternately, of course, you can wait until you get back and talk to your FLGS. If the X-wing release is indeed the rumored new core set, I doubt FFG is being miserly with the print run.
I called two of my local walmarts, they know nothing about specifics and all I got was "yes, we'll have some star wars toys". That doesnt mean FFG X-wing miniatures, but it could. I just wanna know where to get my core sets before they end up in the hands of filthy casuals.
You're unlikely to find core sets at Wal-Mart.
Target however, you can.
We will agree to disagree as it is a complete waste of time arguing about it.
We weren't arguing: I was trying to point you toward consensus reality, and you were refusing to listen. That's your privilege, of course, and you're probably right that there's no progress to be made.
In no way was I refusing to listen. I read all the articles you posted and had already read them months before. I simply don't agree that your interpretation of the available information is the only correct interpretation. I am not convinced you are right or wrong anymore than I am 100% convinced I am right or wrong. I agree there is no progress to be made as you seem to be convinced yours is the correct interpretation.
You're unlikely to find core sets at Wal-Mart.
Target however, you can.
Sadly, I live in Canada. we just lost all our Target stores. fack!
You're unlikely to find core sets at Wal-Mart.
Target however, you can.
Sadly, I live in Canada. we just lost all our Target stores. fack!
I've crossed the bridge to Canada before to buy a limited edition Molsen mini keg with a Don Cherry suit printed on it from the beer store. This seems like a worthy occasion for someone to make the pilgrimage to 'murica.
You're unlikely to find core sets at Wal-Mart.
Target however, you can.
Sadly, I live in Canada. we just lost all our Target stores. fack!
I've crossed the bridge to Canada before to buy a limited edition Molsen mini keg with a Don Cherry suit printed on it from the beer store. This seems like a worthy occasion for someone to make the pilgrimage to 'murica.
you're my kinda 'Murican.
interestingly Toys R Us has the Original starter listed for their sept 4 line up.
http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=67510826
NOT the rumored product not to be named
$47?!? holy mark up batman
I think the real question is if the other two missing SKUs will also be available on Sept. 4th. I feel pretty sure we can find one SKU, but honestly, I want the other two SKUs. I need to know these things FFG, so I can budget my Star Wars purchases!
You're unlikely to find core sets at Wal-Mart.
Target however, you can.
My assumption (I may be wrong) is that all participating retailers will be getting the same basket of toys from Disney, and that the only discretion retailers they will have is the number of baskets headed to each location. It would simply make a lot of sense to simplify the logistics that way.
It makes it a lot harder to leak things if only a very few people have to be held accountable for that leak.
I expect a ton of leaks on 3 September, as the stuff gets closer to shelves- hundreds of stores will be unboxing all at once, someone will post something. Indeed, with every fewer hour between now and 12:01am on 4 Sept 2015, the likelihood of a leak goes up some small percent.
But FFG probably won't be able to say anything until 12:01am.
I walked through my local (Canadian) Walmart the other night, and the toy department had a whole bunch of empty shelves, but with a lot of Star Wars E7 shelf tags on them. I'm going to pop back over later tonight and see what, if anything, has changed.