Action Figure FAQ

• I have seen the (new figure, new toys, etc.) at my local store or elsewhere online. Why don't you have them yet?

  There's no simple answer to this question. Some items we receive first; while some take a little longer. The timing of product distribution is entirely up to the manufacturer. We have no control over the process of allocation and delivery times. We believe, however, that a simple factor is quanti...

• What is a "chase" figure? Can I order one?

  "Chase" figures are released by some manufacturers in the same way "chase cards" were released in trading card packs. These items may have special parts or packaging and are generally produced in much lower numbers. Entertainment Earth does not cherry-pick assortments for variants or chase figure...

• Can you send me a factory-sealed case of action figures?

  Sometimes yes, sometimes no. Factory-sealed cases of products (also known as "master cartons") are often visually looked at and/or opened for quality inspection prior to shipment to you. That's how we're able to offer our Mint Condition Guarantee™.

• How does Entertainment Earth determine when action figures will be sold individually?

  When a manufacturer releases a single figure in a solid-case pack (all figures in the case are the same figure), we sell the figure individually in mint condition.When we receive not-mint cases from the manufacturer, we open them and sell these figures individually in not-mint condition. These no...

• How does Entertainment Earth determine if figures will be sold as a set versus a case?

  Sometimes, manufacturers evenly pack figures in cases (this means there's the same number of each figure in the case). When a new item is released and arrives at our warehouse, we verify the case breakdown (the number of each character in a case). If it's an evenly packed case, we'll often split ...

• Am I going to get all the figures listed in a specific assortment?

  If that assortment is in stock, the listed figures will be sent to you. If it's not in stock, we cannot guarantee that exact assortment. Manufacturers have the right to change an assortment at any time and often will, depending on what the market demands.

• Can you announce action figure case breakdowns any sooner?

  Unfortunately, most manufacturers don't officially release case breakdowns to anyone prior to the assortment being shipped. Exact case breakdowns are confirmed on our website as soon as the first shipment of a new assortment actually arrives in our warehouse and we inspect it. According to Rick R...

• What is a "wave?"

  "Wave" - also known as "assortment" or "series" - is the term used to describe how manufacturers release figures to retailers. Each time a new set of figures is shipped, the wave number increases. For example: "Wave 1," "Wave 2," "Wave 3," etc. Not all manufacturers release wave number informatio...

• Some items you sell don't have a height but say things like "1:6 scale" or "1:10 scale." What does that mean?

  A lot of toy manufacturers prefer to give their product dimensions relative to a real-world measurement and not in the actual inches (or centimeters) that the toy may measure. As some figures are sitting, lying down, or bending over, the "height" might be misleading. It could be a very substantia...

• Some action figures are really popular and always sell out. Why don't they just keep making more?

  One of the mysteries of the toy business is how manufacturers determine whether a product is a permanent offering ("evergreen" product) or is part of a short run. It's not uncommon for an item to be offered only as a seasonal item or a tie-in to a movie or video release.Currently, no major action...

• In the past, you've had a lot of items that sold out and then came back. There's an item I'm looking for and was wondering when it might come back in stock.

  Unless a vendor tells us, it's difficult to predict what will show up. Although we do have a very close relationship with all our vendors, it's often impossible to determine exactly when products will arrive and if more are going to be available down the road. Sometimes, a product may be promised...

• There's a Star Wars figure (and a lot of other figures, too) that I really want. Who should I tell so they can make them for me?

  The first and most important thing to do is make sure somebody knows you want it. You can always contact us, but your best bet is to reach out via social media or email to the folks at Hasbro (or another appropriate company) with your request. You can also let toy companies know what you'd like t...

• There were some figures I remember seeing and it looks like they never came out. What happened?

  With licenses to make toys, production schedules, retailer interest, and consumer demand all factoring into the toy business, a lot of products simply never get produced. For example, the public was given glimpses into products from such properties as Galaxy Quest and an entire range based on Th...

• What is a "variation?" And is it any different from a "running change?"

  "Variations," sometimes also known as "running changes," are changes made to a toy through its production cycle. Some changes are intentional (so a company can offer you a different product) and are often referred to as a "variation." An example would be a toy that employs one mold that's painted...