Benjamin E.
Yelp
Let me state that I am not complaining about the experience I had, I'm simply stating facts for those who want to plan a trip to Mattel. This is my experience as a teenager btw, for adults it may be different. I had a terrible experience, but I walked away with some cool finds :)
MANAGER IS AWFUL
Get to the store early, 9:30 on weekdays or earlier, 6:30 on weekends or earlier.
Apparently a line forms "across" the parking lot because they don't count you as in line when you're on the property. If you've never been there before, the every day scalpers will do everything they can to prevent you from being first in line.
The employees get mad at you and expect you to know all this info beforehand btw, the manager is extremely unhelpful, and gets mad at people who ask questions. She yelled at me multiple times for not knowing what was happening even after I asked her to explain. The daily shoppers there appear to have a relationship with the manager which allows them first dibs when scanning to get in line, they all go in the same order every morning regardless of who gets there first.
At 10:00 they bring a sign with a QR code on it outside, you'll scan it depending on your place in line, and pick either "premium" or "mainline" and you'll be given a place in line. Then you wait till the store opens for your number to be called.
People literally push and trip each other to get inside, it's nuts. The matchbox section is open, so you can go through there while you wait your turn to go to the hotwheels. Once your number is called, you have exactly 60 seconds to go through the aisle before the Mattel bodyguards yank you out. I witnessed them putting hands on people to remove them from the aisle. These are all adults btw. Good stuff. You can buy one of each type of premium item, more isn't allowed.
The selection is super bad. Premium wise I witnessed fully grown men and women fight over cars I'd seen on the shelves months ago at the stores in my area. They don't stock well on premiums, two packs or team transports. Specialized series are easy to find there though, pearl and chrome, forza stuff, zamac sets, etc.
Mainline stock for hotwheels and matchbox is really good, they're up to date on cases and they stock plenty. No chance for supers though, the employees go through the boxes before they go out on the floor. Prices are the same as Target or Walmart, they don't overcharge which is the only redeeming quality.
Overall, the employees are terrible, especially the manager, and the daily collectors will treat you terribly. Hopefully this is helpful, go in prepared to defend yourself as you'll definitely have to