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So, hopefully this is the right spot for this, if not, mods, move at your leisure.The subject says it all. I know folks talk about lines, and lessening time waiting and all that, and I'm good w/waiting in line. I mean, it's SDCC, lines are just as much a part of the con as the goal at the end of the line. But the thing that really grinds my gears is when I wait in the same line for an exclusive and then it's released to the general public by the same company, or, them calling it a 'Convention Exclusive' so that it's available at other conventions. Nothing bugs me more than waiting in line for a long time for something, only to see that I could have ordered it online at a later time.Now, I don't remember fully, but on the SDCC Exclusives page, I don't believe that they specifically call out if an exclusive is SDCC or 'Convention' exclusives. If they provided that info, then I'd definitely be able to plan what I want to buy and not. Do folks know if the distinction was provided for exclusives last year?</rant>
It's a new trend. Rarely are "exclusives" from the big companies actual SDCC-only exclusives anymore. Most will be honest and say, "convention exclusive" in their wording and when they say that, you know it's not for real. Hallmark exclusives have been the same ones at NYCC for a couple of years now and Hasbro will also do all of theirs online and also at other cons too. Has been the same with Mattel too. Funko shares a lot of theirs with other stores, the only difference being the stickers. The sticker at SDCC says SDCC and the sticker elsewhere says, "Convention Exclusive"Neca also always makes theirs available at their store as well in limited quantities. You just need to do your research. I always assume these days when I'm buying an exclusive that it will be available later elsewhere, but if I want it really bad and those other places aren't for sure, I will try my best to get it at SDCC.So far, Lego has been legit in their SDCC exclusives. That's the only place you can get them.
I always see some people buying things on ebay at a markup that are also available to order directly from the vendor.
I was reading that some companies can't and don't want to use the "SDCC Exclusive" sticker because they actually have to pay SDCC for the rights. So some toy companies just use "Convention Exclusive" sticker and sell them only during the convention circuit. But others say "Convention Exclusive" and sell them online or at some retail shops like Funko does. At NYCC they had some exclusives they sold at the con and at Hot Topic during the con. But like Mel said, you just got to do your research.