As more Target Stores open in Canada, there were high hopes they would get a full and sparking new CARS in the toy section … well, the toy section is sparkling new …
As I stood in line at 7:30 am with about 100 other people this morning outside the Southdale Square Target in Winnipeg, Manitoba, waiting for the ceremonial swoosh-opening-of-the-doors, I dared to mentally pack and unpack my yet-unheld shopping basket. Would I sacrifice space for multiple cases of the Exclusive to Target four-pack containing Mama Bernoulli that I was sure to find for all the 2013 card Rip Clutchgoneskis that MUST be waiting for me? Or the other way around?
Doors open, we enter in a polite, orderly fashion because we are Canadians, after all. Once inside though, all bets are off, and I dash to the Cars section. Behold, its beauty! Untouched by the hands of mere mortals until this very moment!! I am the first person to arrive in this most hallowed section of the toy department!!!
But wait…. there’s nothing here.
Okay, that’s an exaggeration. I found: 2013 Oversize Case C which our Walmarts had six weeks ago; 2013 Case B Two-packs (I took the Tubbs/Trunkovs and one each of the Holley plus Mater, and Sally with Table and McQueen packs because I don’t have already them); Micro Drifters released last summer; Stunt Racers, boo, and…. Cars 2 cards with no one past Max Schnell. MAX SCHNELL. Although not the side-cut Porto Corsa cards so there must be some glimmer of hope. Plus a few Micro Drifter tracks below. But no mainline 2013 Cars, none. This is a brand-new store; should it not be filled with brand-new stuff? Nothing Exclusive to Target at all.
So, instead of emptying my wallet on Cars, I took my frustration out on the Retro series Hot Wheels. Well-played, Mattel.
There’s a second Target store that opened today just a few more kilometers away that I plan to investigate tonight. We’ve such a Cars drought in Canada, I hold no hope anything will remain by 8 pm. I’ll keep you posted.
![playets]](https://www.takefiveaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/playets.jpg)
I did go to the other new Target tonight and, just as I suspected, there were NO oversize Cars or two-packs. They had the same lame Cars 2 characters.
In fairness to Target, our Walmarts and Real Canadian Superstores (a big box grocery chain) have not gotten anything that might resemble new stock for at least the past month. They are still picked clean from the last time I was in each one (and bought everything good). Toys R Us FINALLY got a case of Radiator Springs about 10 days ago but all that remains now is about a dozen Bug Mouth McQueens and two Yellow Ramones. I left those behind. The majority of Cars at our TRU are Cars 2 and side-cut Porto Corsa cards at that. Yeah.
If the 8 am Target pic comes through on this one, you’ll also see the 8 pm shots of the other Target. It’s like BEFORE and AFTER except the weight loss is all the good Cars.
Thanks for the report and nice photos, Maureen (MoMcQueen) – at least you got a few CARS but sad to hear it’s not like Christmas … guess there are a few more cases to get rid of in the warehouse … she says she’ll try North Dakota next – good luck!
metroxing
11 May 2013
Disney Pixar, Disney Pixar CARS 3, Mattel Disney Pixar Diecast CARS 3
9 Comments
I’m not surprised. Target Canada has to deal with Mattel Canada, not Mattel(USA). They are the culprits who are mismanaging the Canadian content of Cars.
Ha, you guys made me laugh out loud. (For real.)
I’ve returned from my retail raid of the American urban center nearest to me. Sorry, good residents of Grand Forks, North Dakota: I took all your Cars.
Kmart was a dead zone for 99 cent deluxes but I was excited to find Cars 2 Leland Turbo two-packs. (All of their singles were side-cut Porto Corsa Cars 2 characters.) Target was under siege by Sub Finns but I did score some 2013 Micro Drifters PLUS the Exclusive to Target Piston Cup Race Seven-Pack that I’d been salivating over since seeing it featured here at Take Five. Walmart was a bust for the Exclusive to Walmart Toons I’d hoped to find but I was happy to discover a pile of dusty Take Flights so I brought home most of those. This was also the first place I’ve seen 2013 single Cars on the pegs with my own eyes. They had a pile-up of Francesco’s. Plus a few characters from Oversize Case C and the usual left-behind Case B two-packs. Nothing more.
All told, it was a satisfying trip. Although I didn’t find everything I hoped for, I found more than I expected.
(MET: Nice! I heard North Dakota is booming now – was there a traffic jam?).
Traffic? No. There was no one on the highway except for me and some guy I passed on the shoulder of the road that looked like Steve Buscemi; he was digging along the fence line. Looking desperate.
(MET: haha 🙂 ).
When you scan something, it gives you the DCP-eh.
$6.74 a Single an $10.99 for a deluxe or a 2 pack plus tax which is much higher than any state tax in US that makes ebay the best option for canadians still…. Sad story but unfortunately very true !
*sings*
Oh Canada your home and native land.
No Cars for you, this is our master plan.
With empty carts & broken hearts you
suffer through and through.
Oh Canada, Mattel has it in for you!
*end singing*
Sorry (sore-E) couldn’t help myself.
I really do feel for you folks up North.
Having been kept apprised by a stalwart
and very vocal Quebecois. Of the sad
state of Cars in Canada for the past
four or more years now. One has to wonder
what is the deal with Mattel not wanting/
trying to sell things there…
Great and tragic tale by the way MoMcQueen!
Good stuff, GotFrank. I mean it is a sad affair, but your commentary is a hoot.
Ouch…
Sounds just like the issues I face in the UK. Regardless of the stores I visit, I am always greeted by nothing but pegwarmers. So frustrating!