Introducing Ponytoyguy!

Hi there! I'm Ponytoyguy (ponychan: tinkertoys, Everywhere else: Beastman309)! I'm going to be reviewing a number of Mlp:Fim and Dr. Who merchandise for this blog.
First, since this is likely a lot of people's first time collecting or first time in a long time desiring toys, I thought I'd give a few tips to thouse starting out.

1. Join forums! Most forums for shows with tie in merchandise often have a section of the forum reserved for the Merch/Toys. These are amazing
resources! You can often find out about a new product weeks in advance as well as being able to track the distribution of a new wave (more about the terminology later.)
2. Get Moving! Often, the only way your going to know if a product is available is to go on what I like to call "The Hunt". Know your local stores, and keep track of their stock. Check often, and check THOROUGHLY! Stock people, especially in toy isles, tend to rush the job, so check the entire area.
3. Know the companies! Different companies are exactly like two different people. Each has there own quirks and habits. Hasbro does Mlp:fim, and Character Options does the Doctor Who stuff. (I would go into more detail on Hasbro, but that would take a blog post in itself! Go out into the world and learn this stuff yourself!)
4. Know the Terms! When I first started collecting, forums about the subject were quite hard to understand! Note that most companies release between 2-4 "Waves", small groups of toys, a year. Be on the look out for "Store Exclusives". They can turn bad distribution situations into absolute nightmares.
5. When all else fails, use the internet! You're not going to be able to find everything in stores. Its just a sad fact of life. In these instances, often the only solution is to look online. Most major retailers have online stores with most, if not all, products available in stores.

Welp, now that that rambling is out of the way, I just wanted to say how proud and excited I am to do some reviews! First on the list is ether the Playful Ponies set (basic single packed figures), or an undecided Dr. Who product. Here's to the start of an amazing blog!