**Vancouver area merchandise thread**

**Vancouver** · 08-22-2008,11:51 AM

Hi guys,

Our country and more specifically, our city, sucks big time for Halloween stuff...I usually have to make a couple trips down Washington state to get the good stuff at their Party City, Spirit Halloween, Target, Kmart etc..

Please list updated news for stores that stock stuff in the Vancouver/BC area here...

As of August 22, there really is not much (no surprise)...

1) Home Sense: some kiddie stuff and big gargoyles (mostly thrashed)

2) 2 Spencer stores in Coquitlam & Langley: still not in the game...best places to get stuff in our area!...last year they stocked the same as our American brothers/sisters down in Washington

3) Walmart: still nothing

4) Canadian Tire: none that I know

5) Bazarr Novelty/Party Bazarr: they have some stupid Hawaii theme thing going on with their front display...note: our only true party store but also the biggest rip off store in the Vancouver area!

6) Costco: some kiddie costumes, no real props other than some animated tombstones

7) Thomas FX: a movie effects store in North Vancouver...good stuff but some of their stuff way overpriced (kinda like Bazarr Novelty)

Please add more if I missed any

**scarychery** · 08-22-2008,03:15 PM

You think it's hard to find Halloween items in Vancouver? Try Kitimat! Mind you, we do have a Shoppers Drug Mart, and they do carry some cool stuff - haven't been there in the last couple of days, but it shouldn't be long before they get the goodies out. Our local dollar store has a few things out on the shelves, they were still unpacking yesterday. (I noticed that the Walmart in Terrace had some pallets of Halloween boxes ready to be unloaded - I hope - soon. )

We usually have to wait til all of the school supplies are out of the way before the Halloween stuff is put out - I'm glad it seems to be happening earlier this year!

Good luck with your shopping! (And please keep those of us who don't have a Costco, a Walmart, a Spencers, a Micheals etc etc in our home towns updated with your finds- I love to hear what's out there!)

**Vancouver** · 08-23-2008,04:50 AM

wow, glad i'm down here!...i'll try and keep it posted

**Mr Grimsley** · 08-23-2008,07:15 AM

Hey there... I hear ya completely. Check out your local Michael's if you haven't already, they have some stuff out (although a little over priced as usual).

Check other Home Sense stores cuz the one I went to had a more than you seemed to find:
Gargoyles, cool tombstones, hanging reapers of all sorts (a whole rack of them), A huge barred doorway of sorts that would make a great jail cell to hang or suspend a bucky/blucky! Oh and neat gothic fountains with the pump included.

Incedentally, have you found anyone locally that stocks that Special F?X Lightning box??? (as seen here):

Spilsbury -- Specialty Toys: Jigsaw Puzzles, Gag Gifts, Unusual Gift Ideas & More
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**scarychery** · 08-23-2008,08:20 AM

Hi Shadow Man, I picked up a couple of those special f/x lightning at our Overwaitea store(smaller version of Save-On-Foods) a couple of years ago at less than $10. I know that the Save-On-Foods store (in Terrace) had them last year, can't remember the price. They often have really neat stuff at cheap(er) prices. I always pick up a couple of things at 1/2 price on November 1st - the tall butler for example. Last year they were practically giving away Dr. Shivers, but I just don't have the space to store any more Halloween props!

**Vancouver** · 08-23-2008,01:50 PM

i don't remember seeing them around here...i know Spirit sells em in Washington...you should consider a trip one day...

Aside from the places in Vancouver the I already mentioned, you can continue your drive to the states where you have to check out;

1) Bellingham (about a half hour across): Spookshop, Target, Kmart & Wallgreens

2) Burlington (45min further across): PartyCity, Spencers

3) Everett: SpiritHalloween (half hour further)

If you make such a trip, do it first week of Oct so all the places are fully stocked...you don't have the luxury to get the prelim stuff because of your long drive

**Mr Grimsley** · 08-23-2008,02:51 PM

Hey scarychery,

Thanks for that tip... I will be hitting every Save-On / Overwaitea I can find! LOL

I realize they're pretty decently priced at spilsbury.com but then you add international shipping and duty at the border and I'd be better off buying them up here if I can find one.

In fact I remember seeing them at Walmart 3 years ago but that was before my leap into the yardhaunt before I really knew what they were! Oh well... keeping my eyes open here.

**scarychery** · 09-08-2009,04:13 PM

Hey, did you ever find one of those lighting fx? If not, check out "halloween only" . That'll redirect you to their new site "things you never knew existed" but gives you a coupon code for 10% off. Even though it is an American site, you can shop in Canadian dollars and they use "borderfree" so all of the shipping, duties, taxes etc. are calculated at the checkout.

The lighting fx boxes are in their xmas stuff - at $14.32 Canadian. (I know the ones I bought from Overwaitea were cheaper, but I haven't seen them around at all since I bought mine.)

Hope this info helps. BTW, I haven't ordered from that site, but found it by doing a search on borderfree. Maybe someone else can let you know if it is a good company to order from.

**prestonjjrtr** · 09-08-2009,04:22 PM

Our Spencers stores will not be carrying any of the new props this year. They will have some leftover props from last year, but mostly just costumes and masks.

I'm soooooooooooooo disappointed.

**Mr Grimsley** · 09-09-2009,10:29 AM

Hello all... just in case you hadn't seen this craigslist ad:

~ MOVIE PROPS & DISPLAYS ~

I've been to the wharehouse and seen the stuff... pretty amazing quality but you end up paying for it too. You can download PDF file showing images of a bunch of the items... I wanted to buy some of the tombstones cuz they were amazingly realistic, but a little on the pricey side (would rahter make my own).