🏃♂️Hunting Hot Wheels in the Wild
Recap of HOW stores receive Cases. STORES and TIMES to hunt for Hot Wheels.
Recap
Mattel releases 15 editions of cases per year. Each case has 1 Super Treasure Hunt (STH) and 1 Treasure Hunt (TH) car in the case of 72 cars. Cases are named by letter (A-Z). Cases hit stores every 2-4 weeks. Super Treasure Hunts are always at the bottom of the case and Treasure Hunts are normally on the top, but have been found on the bottom as well. You should rip cases from the bottom and then go back through cases if you do not find it initially
Important Sites
You can find the Super Treasure Hunt and Treasure Hunt list for 2024 and previous years below
2024 Super Treasure Hunt List: https://www.hwtreasure.com/2024-super/ 2024 Treasure Hunt List: https://www.hwtreasure.com/2024-2/
Stores and Routines for Hunting
Your best bet at finding Super Treasure Hunt and Treasure Hunt cars will be raiding pallets before they are stocked. Remember, open cases from the bottom and then go back through them after ripping all cases from the bottom.
Knowing What Case Has Stocked
The J hook is the part of the card that hangs on the shelf. On the back of the card on the J-Hook there is a code. The US version of cars ends with the Case Letter that the car belongs to.
This is complicated as there are also international cases that do not feature this format. International cars J-Hook format ends with a number. However, international cars are just a little harder to hunt as a result.
Walmart
Walmart (Finding Stock): Take a Hot Wheel and have a worker scan it (DO NOT HAVE A TOY WORKER DO THIS) as they will likely only help themselves (look for a woman I food/clothing). The search will reveal when "Replenishment" is expected, how much stock, and the date it is arriving. Walmart (Stock Times): With Walmart each store seems to have their own designated restock time. My local Walmart restocks between 8-10 am depending when the truck arrives that morning, normally 8-8:30 is close. While other stores I have found restock mid day, or around 6pm. If you see a pallet out. Try and remember the time. It will generally always restock around that time for the most part. Again Covid has really made restock and inventory very inconsistent.
Target
Target (Finding Stock): You can try to replicate the stock check method above at Target but workers usually won't help, again, ask someone that doesn't work in the toy section to look for you. Their system does work the same way. Take a Hot Wheel and have a worker scan it (DO NOT HAVE A TOY WORKER DO THIS) as they will likely only help themselves (look for a woman I food/clothing). The search will reveal when "Replenishment" is expected, how much stock, and the date it is arriving. Target (Stock Times): Target is generally between 10am-2pm. Rarely will you see someone stocking past 3pm. Again, not that it won’t happen. But that’s not Target's routine. Some stores do restock early in the morning as well (8am). Again, check these stores at different time of you not having luck. But most part 10-2.
Hobby Lobby
Hobby lobby will be the absolute easiest to hit! They restock once a week same day same time. My local Hobby Lobby restocked Thursday. I know to go in around 1 or so and I’m able to raid the cases. Hobby Lobby should be a main focus if you have one local. These have huge potential for really high end finds.
With Hobby Lobby just ask any worker what day the truck comes and restocks. They will tell you. I have noticed some stores will get their truck Friday but the product won’t make it to floor till Monday. So be sure to ask if the restock that same day.
The big thing with Hobby Lobby is don’t make a mess of their cardboard cases used for inventory! I can’t stress this enough to leave how you arrived and be polite! These women that work there all stress to me they don’t when guys come in and make a mess. Also they have to price these cars. So if someone walks up and asks how they can help you. Explain that you’re just looking for the diecast cars, you won’t make a mess and will have them price it if you take something. I’ve learned if I tell them that. There seem to be okay with you going through the inventory. Hobby lobby will also throw the diecast in with other random items for inventory that are located around the diecast sections. So go through ALL the cases. You’ll see it’s all random.
Again, these older women who work these stores love when you’re polite! I’ve had them ask if they can order me certain cars just cause I’m polite to them! You’ll get way further.
Dollar Tree, Dollar General, and Grocery Stores
Dollar Tree: Dollar tree is another good spot to check! They get a mix of Hot Wheels and Match Box cars. Dollar tree always receives their shipping truck on Saturday. So the product starts going out Monday. I always ask a female worker if they have any cases of hot wheels in the back. Normally if they do. They bring them out.
Dollar General: Dollar general is very inconsistent. They will get cases, then won’t see Hot Wheels for 6 months. Just check once a week or every once in a while. Dont be afraid to ask workers if they have any cases in the back. I always offer to peg the cars too for them and break down the box. Remember you want these people to help you.
Grocery Store: Grocery stores put cases out whenever they get them. No real routine for them just make freinds with a worker and ask for help.
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