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Hunt For Power Grabs 2016
Topic Started: Sep 5 2016, 08:28 AM (475 Views)
bunnrock
Subcompact
Is anybody finding these sets? I was only able to find the first set and apparently now three have been released.

Dave
:cb:
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b2young
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Sad firefighter
Yes. All three of the first 'batches' have made it to my area. Basically, the 2nd assortment was batch D-ish, and the most recent batch has most of the single-blister batch G (the Alfa in the Power Grabs boxes is the 2015 charcoal version re-released in a box, rather than the white version that was the 2016 re-color of the model, as I found out when I asked why Tilley's list said Batch G contained a white one.....which I finally found when batch G single-blisters reached Dollar Tree.)

In July at the Matchbox 'gathering' in Albuquerque I asked the Matchbox team lead Gerry Cody if the Power Grabs was supposed to replicate every batch of single-blisters....that is, for every case of a batch of blisters, will there be a duplicate Power Grabs release? His answer was no. No further elaboration, just "no".

My takeaway: go for the blisters when you can find them.....and use the Power Grabs for filling holes if you're lucky enough to find the right model (a reduced opportunity now) in the box.

Out here in eye-dee-ho, Power Grabs in boxes can be found at Fred Meyer (Kroger) stores. Toys R Us seems to be stuck with the old bagged ones....which may be left over from last year. I can't think of another national chain around here that carries the series/line (I'm not able to mentally confirm whether Target has any at its three local stores--but I know for certain the store that has NO singles from Matchbox, is not carrying the PG boxes either). That tells me you're gonna have a difficult time finding any more, sad to say.
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Douglas
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SUV
I've only had TRU in my area for them, but I'm in the same boat as you Bunnrock in only ever seeing the first batch around here. One of the TRUs had restocked at one time, but with the same batch, another store seemed to have run out, but hasn't put any new ones out.

It's kind of disappointing to me because I looked forward to the boxed models being most of what I collected this year of the 1-120 series, instead of the blister packs, but the idea seems to have failed without having enough retailers carry them.
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b2young
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Sad firefighter
I'll just reiterate what the Matchbox team said at the Albuquerque Gathering this summer:

Power Grabs will not be released for every batch.

There won't be a 1-to-1 ratio of Power Grabs (in boxes or otherwise) to mainline single blisters.

We can only guess at the reason, as with many decisions Mattel and Matchbox must make to compete around the world, but you may be on to something, Doug. Perhaps not enough retailers cared to carry both blisters AND boxed models....seemed sort of redundant, as much as we collectors like boxes.
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daydreamer_701
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daydreamer_701
Maybe Mattel pulled off another "Supreme Heroes" and cancelled the idea without notice, due to the costs of producing extra models and the boxes for them? :(

And from my experience Target does not carry them, though I doubt my word on this is accurate as the one Target closest to me never stocks anything other than Hot Wheels and scattered Jada.
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b2young
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Sad firefighter
I've been to several area Fred Meyer stores in the past few days and each of them has multiple Power Grabs cartons on the shelf. Visiting other chains over the same period showed that TRU is the only other local major chain carrying the line, and currently they only have the bagged original release.

I liked the idea/concept when it was changed to boxes versus blind bags; I was curious that early reports said the blind bags would continue alongside the boxed models; and now I'm thinking the whole concept is not getting the public support hoped for. Personally, I would prefer the entire line only come out in the Power Grabs boxes.....they take up far less room than blisters, are far easier to pack into storage tubs and display on shelves, and just overall would help many of us collectors free up physical storage and display space in our cramped homes.
Edited by b2young, Sep 14 2016, 09:41 AM.
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toyotageek
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Japanese Minicar Maniac
Although I'm not actively pursing these, I will grab one if it is a vehicle I collect.


MY OWN 2 CENTS WORTH...

I don't know if the boxes are simply a poorly planned endeavor, or a test destined to fail because it's not what the average shopper is used to... BUT, if hobby exclusives work for other brands, maybe Mattel should offer them up as Hobby Exclusives. In my opinion, little boxes with little cars simply invite more theft opportunities in our society. I've seen numerous empty boxes sitting on shelves (worse than empty blisters). Don't get me wrong, I love the boxes & would love to see them continue, but as it is now, they are just ripe for the picking for unscrupulous people.
Edited by toyotageek, Sep 14 2016, 10:08 AM.
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Brian49
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Station Wagon
I personally love the box idea, just not sure about the market ploy. TRU was the only chain to carry them around here, I thought they were prime for the mom and pop toy and hobby shops, but none of the local ones carry them, just the regular carded models. The other place I thought the box models might not be a bad play would be somewhere like a Hallmark Store or other gift type shop. Back in the 80's and 90's a few local Hallmark Shops used to carry Majorette, but had them in like plastic bubbles, not a blister card.


As already stated I had also heard somewhere Target would carry them around the time they clearance the 1-100 in the winter, this never panned out. After this summer's gathering, one of the reports I saw stated Kohl's and Walgreens would start carrying the Power Garb Heritage Boxes, but I have not seen that reported or in person yet. Maybe with the X-Mas reset they will appear.
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Douglas
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SUV
Guess they could have done like in the old days with a covered display case, then the store clerk had to get you the model(s) you wanted from behind the case/counter....that help curb theft of them anyways, but finding an employee to help you in big box stores now is not going to happen, not to mention the display would take up to much valuable shelf/peg space.

Ahh, remembering the good old days, and the comeback of boxes were quite a delight for us collectors, but maybe we just can't go back to those simpler times. :D
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