Where the Black Series "Prototype" Fett is Showing Up Way Ahead of Schedule

[UPDATE 9/12/2014: You can now use the Walgreens web page for this product to search by zip code to see which stores nearby may or may not have the figure in stock. This is a big improvement from the method we first outlined below. Online sales are not available, so this is for in-store pick up only, and limited to the United States. Helmet nod to The Collectors Cantina and Yakface.com for the tip.]

When the Walgreens exclusive was first announced in July, their online pre-sale sold out faster than you could turn on your jet pack. The lack of international sales, plus some U.S. state exclusions, didn't go over well with a lot of fans, too.

Buried in the fine print, and unbeknownst to many fans who bought the pending merch from eBay scalpers, the brick-and-mortar Walgreens stores are also carrying the figure -- but officially not until November 1. (An earlier update on their website said October.)Regardless of their release date, in the last week, we've seen pictures from fans who have in hand this new figure -- a full two months ahead of schedule. (Helmet nod to Jedi Temple Archives for the first sighting that caught our eye.) The figure seems to be alongside Black Series Wave 5 figures like Darth Vader, Chewbacca, and another Sandtrooper.

We consulted some collectible experts, like the fine folks at Yakface.com. To them, this is no anomaly: action figures make it on shelves before official release dates all the time.

<h3>Where Has Fett Been Spotted</h3>

Where might you find some of these Walgreens with early shipments, opened ahead of schedule? Here's our exclusive list with attribution from people who shared where they bought theirs.

• Alaska

  • Anchorage, Alaska (Source)

• Arizona

  • 375 W. Continental Road, Green Valley, Arizona (Source)

• California

  • Fresno, California (Source)

• Florida (Source)

  • Coral Springs, Florida (Source)

• Georgia

  • Albany, Georgia Source)

• Illinois

  • Aurora, Illinois (Source)

  • Bolingbrook, Illinois (Source)

  • Downers Grove, Illinois (Source)

  • Lisle, Illinois (Source)

  • Naperville, Illinois (Source), including three on the shelf

  • Westmont, Illinois (Source)

  • Woodridge, Illinois (Source)

• Michigan (Source)
  

  • Detroit, Michigan (Source)

• North Carolina

  • 5053 Highway 70 West, Morehead City, North Carolina (Source)

• Texas

  • Houston, Texas (Source)

  • San Antonio, Texas (Source)

• Wisconsin (Source)

If you find one (or more), let us know where in the comments to help out other Fett fans.

<h3>How To Track Down The Exclusive Fett Figure</h3>

To save some time, call ahead or ask a manager to either 1) look up the wave on an "Inventory On Hand" report (which will also show nearby stores) or 2) just check inventory of the exclusive Boba Fett figure using the figure's "WIC" code, which gets printed on everyone's receipt for this Boba Fett figure:

<code>63050925254</code>

If the manager decides to approve an "Inventory on Hand" report, you could see available inventory across multiple, local stores -- complete with full addresses to those Walgreens. While other fans may be picking up the figures right then, you at least can have a roadmap to possibly find something.

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Curious what the back of the packaging says? We transcribed it: