This was in yesterday’s Kmart Sunday ad circular … as some have reported already seeing the “exclusive” Mini’s on the store shelves – it seems they are available beforehand or it’s just the Mini’s getting shelved early – it’s hard to tell – as usual.

So now you have real proof to show Kmart employees and managers who deny such an event is happening (they either never got the actual flyer or used it as rolling papers …).

October 18, 2008

Here is the scenario for those unfamiliar with the process. After 10:30 to 10:50 AM (your local time), they will hand out numbers to anyone there waiting. The rules are only persons older than 18 are to be handed numbers but generally, anyone one who is a standing toddler is usually handed a number and in some cases, even infants are handed numbers but as usual, policy varies by store.

At 11:00 AM, if your number is drawn you will be handed a new case of CARS and be allowed to purchase 5 CARS in a 5-minute time allotment. After 5 minutes, new numbers will be drawn and the process is repeated until there are no more CARS or fewer people than cases.

If there are FEWER people than cases available, then no numbers are drawn, at 11:00 AM, people are simply handed boxes to go through.

Simply, huh?

The big question is how many CASES are sent to each store?

No one knows.

There are 2,300 Kmarts (or Sears Essentials – converted from Kmart’s). My guess is the minimal is 5 cases and some stores may get up to 10 cases but that is just my guess. We will find out on the 18th if I’m off base. Kmart does these days for Mattel’s Hot Wheel’s and some stores report getting dozens of boxes so if course, I hope that there are more boxes than people in every store but we shall see. 🙂

Also unknown if the CASES only contain the “new” 7 CARS but presumably not – based on HW boxes for such events.

Kmart is getting a special box M1054-9998 – presuming it’s the same box that holds 18 CARS, how many are in each box not of the new 7? (for instance, are there two of each plus 4 “other” CARS such as Bug Mouth McQueen or are some tripled up?) Don’t know – again, we’ll all find out on the 18th unless of course, you have access to the box beforehand, then drop us an email.  🙂

We do what the 7 new ones will be …

Edwin Kranks, Fred (re-scaled, no stickers), Shiny Wax, Sputter Stop, Transberry Juice, View Zeen & SpareMint.

As for picking which Kmart to go to? Again, that’s a tough call – do you pick a more sparse Kmart in hopes there are less collectors there but maybe they get fewer boxes? Or do you go to more accessible Kmart in hopes they get more boxes and of course, more collectors also? COMPLETELY UNKNOWN as this is the first and the Kmart’s closest to me normally have 10 shoppers in an entire giant store so will that mean only a few people will show up or it will be a riot by Kmart’s normal standards … We’ll all find out on the 18th.

The EDITGRID listing of every Kmart (and some Sears) are here. Technically, everyone is participating but I’m guessing it’s not a guarantee – call Thursday or Friday, I’m sure by then they can confirm something …

Or of course, if your Kmart actually has a poster up, you can guess the event is really happening … or if not, after waving it in front of the manager’s face, you can just run off with it so your day is not a total loss 🙂

Some people have asked – why Kmart – I’m sure you’ll get a bland PR answer but I’m guessing the reality is that only Kmart is willing to do this for “free” plus order 10-20,000 cases of CARS. This is small potatoes for Target & Walmart but more importantly, they would basically ask for Mattel to pay a giant chunk of money in rebates or merchandise for the “priviliedge” … and understandly so, otherwise, every vendor would want a table at a Target or WM store every weekend. TRU would probably be willing to do but they would also ask for money … Kmart is in a pretty weakened state where Mattel could actually dictate terms to them … plus it’s not like Kmart can’t find an empty 10 feet in the store not be used.

The original post is here.

I thought it might be fun if some of you want to TWITTER in on the 18th … we can add Twitter posts to our sidebar (scroll towards bottom). If you have a Twitter account or are interested … drop us a line beforehand and on the 18th, we’ll add you to our list and your Tweets/Twitter posts will show up on the sidebar … basically we’re hoping to find people from across the nation in each timezone to report in while they are standing in line at Kmart what the situation looks like and “report on the scene.” Drop us an email if you’re interested.

I’m not going to go too indepth on technical details since everyone’s phone or account is different so I’ll leave you to figure out if you can tweet on twitter from your phone … iPhone users can download Twitterific for free … thanks!