barnes and nobles exclusive vs hot topic

[gamepopofmatter]

Barnes and nobles has only got 4 exclusive pops ( Daenerys with viserion, gold master chief, metallic optimus, and the black and white captain america) compare that to the endless amount of exclusives hot topic releases it seems so little. I wish that barnes and nobles would get more exclusives, it's not a bad thing that hot topic has exclusive pop (alot to be in fact) but I wish b&n would get more especially game of thrones exclusive pops since they do carry the books( a song of fire and ice series) in store and sell other GOT merchandise, and that they usually take a while to restock their pop

[TulaBug]

Why?

[kevintree]

Do you live closer to a B&N than a Hot Topic store?
If not, then I don't see what the point is of having an exclusive at one location rather than another. In the end you're buying the figure that you like and not the sticker on the box, right?

[unoudid]

you can get them for $10 instead of $12.50. That's enough to make me wish that B&N had more

[Jango_Fresh]

Not sure that the price comes out to after BOGO or hot cash, but it's tough to best Barnes price especially if your a member.

[ShoMeNodder]

But you have to pay every year to be a member.

[yellowrice]

I say be glad you have a stores with exclusives like B&N and Hot Topic, the rest of us outside of the U.S. have to deal with higher costs to obtain such items.

[gamepopofmatter]

I live close to both, just wish that b&n got more exclusives because they hardly get any and if they do they aren't that great, saving couple of dollars from barnes ain't a big deal just wish they had more variety of pops and restock more often and could get some game of thrones exclusives that's all

[TulaBug]

I say be glad you have a stores with exclusives like B&N and Hot Topic, the rest of us outside of the U.S. have to deal with higher costs to obtain such items.

I'll pick up whatever you need from anyplace anytime!!!

[yellowrice]

I say be glad you have a stores with exclusives like B&N and Hot Topic, the rest of us outside of the U.S. have to deal with higher costs to obtain such items.

I'll pick up whatever you need from anyplace anytime!!!

I know you would Stacey. Thanks as always!

[FunkoH]

I would rather B&N have exclusives because I feel like an idiot walking into HT! . I am way too old and the music is way too loud! HA!

[edorice]

I live close to both, just wish that b&n more exclusives because they hardly get any and if they do they aren't that great, saving couple of dollars from barnes ain't a big deal just wish they had more variety of pops and restock more often and could get some game of thrones exclusives that's all

But again, why? Do you dislike the music in Hot Topic versus the obscure coffee house music in B&N? Do you abhor eye liner on guys at HT versus the sweater sets at B&N?

[DocRamon]

he's not saying he's AGAINST the hot topic exclusives, he just wants more at b&n too. if we're talking in addition, then who can blame him? I want more too, just for the sake of additional variety.

[lovetheangels]

I prefer the hot topic exclusives. One less stop to make. I do agree though about the old guy feeling. Sometimes you walk into hot topic and there are 10 to 15 customers all under the age of 21 and I (44 year old man) am scrounging through the pops. Oh wellin the end it is worth it. My money spends like the young ones.

[HawkeyeX10]

Heck, I wish Books-A-Million had more exclusives. They're the only location near our house that sells Pop figures since Blockbuster flopped and their inventory is pretty dismal.

(Also B&N totally had the Blue Master Chief Exclusive, Blockbuster had the Gold Master Chief... )

[Mad4toys1963]

I don't mind Hot Topic so much as I hate going to malls. Too much walking. I'm lazy. B&N's around here are usually free standing which means I can pull up real close to the door and just run in to check out the pop section. And no one approaches me to offer assistance and tell me about the bogo deals. I prefer to keep chit chat to a minimum when pop hunting... especially at Hot Topic...because I'm usually out of breath from walking so much to get there.

[TulaBug]

I must say that the employees are much more helpful at Hot Topic than they are at B&N. Maybe because I am always in there looking for the ponies. In B&N I find the employees very snippety and rude when you ask for them to help. I also think most B&Ns don't stock well so I hate when they get in an exclusive.

[Jango_Fresh]

If the exclusives were reversed and Barnes got them all, that would be awesome, cheaper, easier to get in and out of, easier to go through the pops, and no loud music.

Overall I don't mind HT it's just a pain to park at the mall, at least around here.

[G_O_Rilla]

I must say that the employees are much more helpful at Hot Topic than they are at B&N. Maybe because I am always in there looking for the ponies. In B&N I find the employees very snippety and rude when you ask for them to help. I also think most B&Ns don't stock well so I hate when they get in an exclusive.

I 100% agree b&n have no clue what I'm talking about when I ask about anything. Hot topic knows what I'm speaking of and if they don't they are usually excited saying I didn't know we were getting that.

[XXDCXBATMAN]

I must say that the employees are much more helpful at Hot Topic than they are at B&N. Maybe because I am always in there looking for the ponies. In B&N I find the employees very snippety and rude when you ask for them to help. I also think most B&Ns don't stock well so I hate when they get in an exclusive.

I 100% agree b&n have no clue what I'm talking about when I ask about anything. Hot topic knows what I'm speaking of and if they don't they are usually excited saying I didn't know we were getting that.

My Barnes and Noble is great, everyone there is nice, and they know a good amount about pops.

[TulaBug]

I must say that the employees are much more helpful at Hot Topic than they are at B&N. Maybe because I am always in there looking for the ponies. In B&N I find the employees very snippety and rude when you ask for them to help. I also think most B&Ns don't stock well so I hate when they get in an exclusive.

I 100% agree b&n have no clue what I'm talking about when I ask about anything. Hot topic knows what I'm speaking of and if they don't they are usually excited saying I didn't know we were getting that.

^^^THIS!!!

[Pumpkin King]

I prefer BN cause I like books and coffee. HT is alright, but usually a bit cramped for space.

[Mad4toys1963]

I prefer BN cause I like books and coffee. HT is alright, but usually a bit cramped for space.

Ahhh yes, I forgot about the coffee smell. Another reason I like B&N more. I'm quite bookish, as well.

[indigoINKS]

I like HT because I can easily have them run through pops or look up inventory on the computer and hold whatever I need so that its not necessary to spend much time in the store.

[glowfunkofreak]

Damn ..

I thought this thread was gonna be like a Celebrity Death Match thing ..

POP! Store Exclusive DEATH Match : Barnes & Noble vs Hot Topic

I'm highly disappointed ..

[315Retro]

Last time I was in hot topic some angsty teenage girl told me her life story. It was post 4:30 so I was trying my best to keep a straight face and be friendly but it was so hard. It was so stereotypical, her dad not liking "that goth store" etc. She was harmless but hilarious.

I'm glad ky parents appreciated the store for what it was when I was a teen. I never had to tell a stranger about how rough it was listening to Loud country music and being in 9th grade rofl.

[sclarke03]

I would rather B&N have exclusives because I feel like an idiot walking into HT! . I am way too old and the music is way too loud! HA!

I feel exactly the same way!

Although, I'm not sure which place I get more stares at... rifling through the toy section of a bookstore, or wondering around a clothing store I clearly do not look like I belong in.

[edorice]

I would rather B&N have exclusives because I feel like an idiot walking into HT! . I am way too old and the music is way too loud! HA!

I've been known to drag my teenagers with me on a HT run. But they always freakin' want something too. I really don't feel too bad though, the HT employees now know me.

[ntnon]

I must say that the employees are much more helpful at Hot Topic than they are at B&N. Maybe because I am always in there looking for the ponies. In B&N I find the employees very snippety and rude when you ask for them to help. I also think most B&Ns don't stock well so I hate when they get in an exclusive.

I've found it to be exactly the reverse at my local shops.

Aside from personal reasons (our B&N is closer; price is cheaper automatically; I'm more likely to be going to the bookstore anyway, etc.), I can think of two general reasons:

• B&N have regular coupons - in addition to the member discount/free shipping - which bring the already-lower price of everything down even more.
• More competition is a good thing for business (keeping prices low, keeping variety alive), and I would also like to see B&N survive for many years - BAM, too - so anything that 'forces' those who might not otherwise shop there to shop there is a very good thing.

[RogueSolo]

I've been a shopper at both for years, so it doesn't bother me any. Although, I have found that HT usually is better stocked and/or has a better selection. I was going to nerd out and post all the math price comparisons detailing the breakdown between the two store, but ain't nobody got time for that! It's a few bucks difference here-and-there, so it really comes down to who has what in stock, where you like to shop, and whose life story you have to listen to when trying to make a beeline toward the register!

[Bills83]

More 7-11 exclusives!!!

Just kidding!

[lexiyrock]

I personally like BN better because you are overlooked unlike HT which the workers are constantly checking what you're doing, what figures you're checking etc.
Also, BN tends to have "as it is" a lower price than HT. for example, the Mystery minis at just $5.95.
I heard HT employees (since they're young and know the collectibles market of toys and pop culture stuff) tend to grab for themselves rare pieces such as their exclusives. BN usually doesn't do that. I heard that HT employees even opened Mystery GOT boxes and sealed them back up.
I went to my local HT and I saw a glitter clear Applejack X3 that the freaking worker had bought for himself.... I mean that shouldn't be allowed to be done, leaving just the standards on the shelves. SMH. So, BN all the way.

[Queen of Marvel]

you can get them for $10 instead of $12.50. That's enough to make me wish that B&N had more

You're a high roller Ross. What's a few quarters here and there?

[Queen of Marvel]

I'm not sure I care where the exclusives are from as long as it's Marvel.

[lexiyrock]

you can get them for $10 instead of $12.50. That's enough to make me wish that B&N had more

You're a high roller Ross. What's a few quarters here and there?

A LOT!
$2.50 difference might not seem to be much, until you buy in bulk.
If you get 10 POP!'s at $12.50, you would have saved $25 buying them at $10 @ BN :P
And Marvel got an amazing POP! line up! But I just detest bobble heads... shoot I wish Funko would have made Marvel POP! like the rest..ooh and SW too. Two of my favorite franchises ruined for me

[Jango_Fresh]

They aren't ruined, spring takes getting used to, but I hardly think about it now.

[jguerin117]

i hate all exclusives, but thats just me

[d3monicwolv3s]

Barnes and nobels - Gotten some older pop vinyls I'd been looking for, cheaper price, cheaper plus frequent 15% off coupons. Easy to look through (although the ones I've been to lately don't have many out to look at). The pick me up thing online is useful. Especially when they're not on the floor and somewhere in the back... wish there was a way to check if they have multiples though/get them to pull multiples. A comment box would be amazing.

Hot topic - Really friendly staff... sometimes hard to look through the pop vinyls though. The one closest to me has a few rows just barley in my reach where I have to stand on my toes to reach. Another hot topic I've gone to they got a ladder to search for me... because they go up to the ceiling. I felt so guilty having someone on a ladder looking for something specific. She didn't seem to mind... but I'd hate to have to do that myself.

It would be nice if B&N had some more exclusives.

[ahaubert80]

I must say that the employees are much more helpful at Hot Topic than they are at B&N. Maybe because I am always in there looking for the ponies. In B&N I find the employees very snippety and rude when you ask for them to help. I also think most B&Ns don't stock well so I hate when they get in an exclusive.

I 100% agree b&n have no clue what I'm talking about when I ask about anything. Hot topic knows what I'm speaking of and if they don't they are usually excited saying I didn't know we were getting that.

The other day I had the girls at Hot Topic freaking out because I told them how I was excited for the new Breaking Bad Pops, and well they didn't know they were making them. All the employees that were working at the time were geeking out for about a minute and they gave me quite the big laugh.

In my limited experience with B&N I've found their employees were friendly enough, but they didn't know anything about Pops. They were happy to ring me up and help carry my purchases up to the register, but they didn't know anything about their Funko products.

On the other hand, the girls at my local Hot Topic are very friendly and eager to help me find items and call me when new stuff comes in. Best yet, they don't feel the need to have the music blasting all the way up. I'm not sure if it's a mall rule that keeps them from blasting the music or if they just realize how obnoxious it is when you enter most HT stores. The only downside to HT is the awkward look I get from all the pierced teenagers that look at the "weird 30 year old guy" looking at the Pops.

[ntnon]

i hate all exclusives, but thats just me

Yes, that. First and foremost, exclusives foster scalping and higher prices on the secondary market. What was once a nice perk (finding something somewhere that you'd never seen elsewhere) has become an industry. Particularly when, as noted above, it's staff and scalpers who wind up taking first pick and leaving the 'normal' folk out in the cold.