It can vary. I've seen some people at the Target return counter scrutinize packaging to see if it's been opened, or ask a bunch of questions about whether or not there was anything wrong with the item. I think even one time, they opened a windowless package I tried to return when the item was damaged and looked at the contents. That was very unusual and only happened once, but around my stores, they're starting to get more vigilant. Some people are circumventing that all together. Last week I found a Garfield Spider-Man package just ripped open with the contents taken. Hackensack NJ keepin' it classy!

Don't know if it's an eBay or a Target thing, but you can get 25% off at checkout in Target's eBay store right now.  Just picked up Savanti Romero, who I wasn't even planning to really get, for $25 shipped.

@cmoney it's a Target thing, as far as I know. It must be a loophole they have with their vendor items that they can sell them at discounted rates on eBay because it happens often. If you're ever looking for something they carry from NECA, it doesn't hurt to give their eBay page a peek first. I know I often forget to do so.

I had to keep putting off getting the new Mirage four pack because of funds. I finally have some extra cash for it and I see that NECA has cut off the preorder. Does this mean they won't offer these ever again or that they'll be available at other retailers in the future? 

Posted by: @valor

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I had to keep putting off getting the new Mirage four pack because of funds. I finally have some extra cash for it and I see that NECA has cut off the preorder. Does this mean they won't offer these ever again or that they'll be available at other retailers in the future? 

Never say never but 99% you're going to have to overpay now

I would be pretty surprised if NECA itself did another direct order for the four-pack. Other retailers may still get a shot. It wouldn't surprise me if more retail sets are available around the same time when this preorder delivers. Definitely keep your eye on costumes.com to see if they add any, or Target's ebay store.

Best Buy seems to be the place I see the most Mirage and Last Ronin figures. I've seen some there that I haven't even seen at Target. Might be an option for the 4pk one day.

Foot Enforcer getting a "classic colors" treatment:

That’s cool, as long as it’s not sold as some NFT bullshit.

Thanks for the replies. Why is NECA discontinuing the four-pack? Seems like they're missing out on a lot of money. 

@valor I wouldn't say they're discontinuing it. They just had it out at retail not too long ago and then followed that up with an open preorder. You asked if they'd be doing that again and my guess is "No." They usually don't do open preorders for the same product more than once. I think movie Tokka and Rahzar might be the only set to get that treatment, but it's a set that has never gone to retail as well. Since it was a preorder, there's a non zero chance they'll order more from the factory than what they sold so when they start shipping these orders out they're also simultaneously sending some to retail so you may not have missed out yet. The reality of the situation though is we know they're prepping a turtles four-pack for both the Archie and Toon line for next year (plus single releases in the toon line) so I would assume this Mirage set will be put on ice for the time being. It might come back in a couple of years, or a different set of Mirage turtles could always show up. Maybe they'll even do single-carded for specialty retail?

I don't think they're gone forever, but if you were hoping to have a set in the next six months you may be out of luck. NECA does seem protective of the turtles themselves to not oversaturate the market which is partly why they're not always available, which has certainly annoyed many collectors of the various lines. The comic stuff historically doesn't sell as well as the cartoon so there may also be less incentive to keep these in circulation for the long haul.

Excited about the Enforcer, especially since, on that checklist at least, his maroon matches the Clones. The NYCC set does not (again, on that checklist - I don't have the NYCC set, as I have often bemoaned, so I can't verify in person).

So, hopefully that teased Shredder & Foot and Elite that had a Best Buy listing all match the Clones & Enforcer.

A little worried Leatherhead isn't on there, though...

@misfit  thank you for this detailed response. I hadn't considered a lot of what you suggest but it all makes sense. I'll have to count myself among those collectors who don't like this approach, especially given how NECA refused to re-release their original Mirage TMNT figures. It's their prerogative, of course, but it's frustrating nonetheless. That said, I'm still more than satisfied with how they treat the brand and have no other complaints. I hope they continue to hold the license(s) for many years to come.

@tenime I think they just kind of half-assed the checklists this year. The Gargoyles one is missing a few announced figures as well. I'm guessing Leatherhead is not in any danger.

@valor I think there were mitigating factors with the old Mirage figures. There have been rumors the molds were stolen or it's possible NECA got rid of them thinking their chance at TMNT had come and gone.

Maybe Leatherhead's planned release date has slipped back to 2025 so they decided to leave him off the checklist for this year?

Also I notice that the Loot Crate figures have been changed to ''LC Exclusive'' now, perhaps in an attempt to distance those figures from the association with that nightmare second series of loot crates. 😉