March 19, 2013 I guess, me being a girl. I don't have the same issues as some male bronies may have- but seriously, just go in there and get it. We're talking about Hot Topic here- not some girly store like Claire's. ;P A lot of the merchandise at Hot Topic is marketed towards men anyway- why should they care what you're buying if it's for men? If they do judge you or make fun of you- send in a report/talk to the manager. It's not their job to make fun of customers- it's their job to ring you up, take your money, and let you go on your way. Nothing more, nothing less. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
March 19, 2013 Everypony in this thread is right: usually the folks at Hot Topic don't really mind and remember that since they have the pony merchandise in there, they likely have other Bronies buying stuff as well. They're likely used to Bronies coming and buying pony stuff. Two tips from the times I've gone to Hot Topic to satisfy my pony needs: 1. My first time ever going to get pony merchandise, I went with a friend to a Hot Topic near where I live. It's a lot easier when you have company, lemme tell ya; even better if the friend you go with is a Brony as well, which was the case with me. 2. Act natural. I just make idle small talk with whoever is ringing me up, and it usually goes very well. I've actually gotten to know the people who work at the Hot Topic near where I live, since I go in there a lot. I even found out that most of the people who work there enjoy the show as well, and I got into a good conversation with a girl who was ringing up my pony merchandise once. I guess maybe these tips don't apply for everyone, but they definitely helped me get over the barrier to going out and picking up pony merchandise. Now, try going into Target and buying some pony merchandise from there... That was an interesting experience for me, to say the least. Didn't get any odd looks though and the guy at the register was very nice. I think you'll find that most people will be indifferent toward you. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
March 19, 2013 1.) Walk into the store 2.) Pick up pony merch 3.) Go up to cash register and pay for it 4.) Leave Or if the cashier makes a snide remark about it, complain to the manager about that cashier. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
March 19, 2013 I don't shop at Hot Topic on principle, and what little pony stuff I do buy, it's all online (much wider selection ). However, I do buy women's underwear from stores on a semi-regular basis. I'm used to it now, but when I first started, I was really nervous. I find that getting some good headphones and listening to loud music helps, since it drowns out other people, and you can focus on the music instead of any weird looks you may get. Also, go right after it opens or right before it closes. At those times, most stores are pretty empty, and any employees will be too busy setting up or cleaning (depending on if it's opening or closing) to pay you much attention. Do this enough, and you'll be able to walk into a JC Penny's, head straight for the lingerie department, grab a frilly skirted thong, buy it, and walk out without giving a single fuck Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
March 19, 2013 High spirits, smiling, proudly proclaiming myself as a devout fan of Rainbow Dash...pretty much. People and their opinions don't detract from my love of the show anymore. Anyone that tries to get to me gets Fallout: Equestria to the face. Generally. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
March 19, 2013 I just get all my stuff online Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
March 20, 2013 I haven't gotten anything yet, but I am seriously considering buying some sort of plushie, or maybe a shirt. I'm not sure yet. I'm a tad nervous, mostly because my sister would try to tag along and make a big deal out of it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
March 20, 2013 I don't really go to Hot Topic as much anymore for pony merch, but rather the Animezing that opened up at the local mall ("mom-and-pop" owned, plus they carry a lot of stuff HT doesn't have, like Cutie Corral brand). They have an even more laid-back atmosphere than HT, and the majority of the employees are pegasisters (one of whom is an avid cosplayer). So I feel at complete ease while shopping there. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
March 26, 2013 (edited) I used to be pretty embarrassed buying pony toys, cause I thought it was stupid that I wanted them in the first place and I was usually with my mom in the store. But she thinks its cute and my brother stopped mocking me for it. And I honestly don't care anymore I've bought so many that I have completely lost all paranoia or embarrassment now. And now I'm collecting Monster Highs as well, so yeah no shame Besides, I'm a very young-looking girl, so I don't really get much unwanted attention anyway. I've gotten some interesting responses from cashiers, though. One lady at TRU who must have recognized me asked me if the collection was complete yet. Another woman at Kmart went on about how cute the pony I was buying was, and told me all about how MLP has been around for more than 30 years, and her daughter collected it back then. And just this past weekend I finally bought Zecora, and the woman ringing me up talked about how cool that pony was, and that MLP was probably trying to compete against Monster High. I haven't had any actual bad experiences shopping for pony toys, actually I know this isn't really my buying experience, but I did ring up a brony once when I was very, very briefly working at Toys R Us. He was buying one of those mini three packs and just looked so gosh-darn proud, the way he slammed them down on the counter! :'D I asked him if he was a brony, and we had a short little convo about the show. He seemed surprised I was in the know, but very willing to talk about pony. I wish I had told him that the FYE nearby had the other set that we didn't have at the time, but I assume he's found it by now Edited March 26, 2013 by Powderpuff 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
March 26, 2013 (edited) RemovedRemovedRemoved Edited June 8 by Cerayeti Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
March 30, 2013 (edited) I have no problem with buying the toys, I don't give a crap about what the other people think of me. But my non-brony friends do, so it's much more fun to buy pony-merch if they are around Edited March 30, 2013 by itshawk Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
March 31, 2013 I go in and buy what I want. Have yet to run into any problems and odd looks. I don't bother to hide what I'm buying either, no need to. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
March 31, 2013 (edited) Very poor and very worried my daughter will loose interest and move on to something else. I think the Easter Bunny is bringing pony plushies. Oh joy. More to store. Edited March 31, 2013 by Nature Spell Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
April 14, 2013 First time i bought a My Little Pony item i just lied that it was for my little sister (that i don't have) but then 2nd time i walked in there just grabbed it put it on the register and bought it Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
April 14, 2013 To be quite honest, I felt quite awkward when I bought the PVCs with the cards when I went to Walmart. Of course this was about four months ago. But oddly enough, I didn't feel awkward at all when I bought the first comic. And I've never felt awkward buying the comics. But I think I'm past the point where I feel awkward. But those are my only experiences so far. I wouldn't mind getting one of the t-shirts for men, but I have no idea where you'd get them locally. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
April 14, 2013 To be quite honest, I felt quite awkward when I bought the PVCs with the cards when I went to Walmart. Of course this was about four months ago. But oddly enough, I didn't feel awkward at all when I bought the first comic. And I've never felt awkward buying the comics. But I think I'm past the point where I feel awkward. But those are my only experiences so far. I wouldn't mind getting one of the t-shirts for men, but I have no idea where you'd get them locally. Eh, if you have any Hot Topics around where you live I'd try them. They don't have the best shirts or the widest selection, but if you're looking for a way to obtain shirts and hoodies and such without having to order them, they're the way to go. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
April 14, 2013 I feel pretty good when I do it, the first time I got something that I couldn't self checkout was a T-shirt at hot topic. They had the shirts right next to the door so the minute I grabbed one the alarm went off and everyone turned and looked at me. I just sat there and said "What? Guys can like ponies!" Then proceeded to walk up to the register, pay and feel like a boss. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
April 14, 2013 Eh, if you have any Hot Topics around where you live I'd try them. They don't have the best shirts or the widest selection, but if you're looking for a way to obtain shirts and hoodies and such without having to order them, they're the way to go. I figured they'd be the one to have them. But thanks for letting me know. I appreciate it. I'll have to check it out some time. I'll get it when I go to get another CM Punk T shirt. This should be a fun trip lol. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
April 14, 2013 I feel...slightly awkward. But I think the cashier just assumes I'm buying toys for my little sister or something. Plus, I'm a girl, so I don't get as many weird looks as a guy might. Though if I saw a guy buying MLP stuff I'd be really happy - there don't seem to be many fans of the show in my area (or maybe they're just keeping their bronydom hidden) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
April 23, 2013 I would love to buy some pony merch somewhere ,but I can't ask my parents for something online and I don't know where I can buy those things in a store Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
April 23, 2013 I would love to buy some pony merch somewhere ,but I can't ask my parents for something online and I don't know where I can buy those things in a store Well, you can always go to Target or Walmart, they have the pony toys in the toy section, or, if you live close to a Hot Topic, I know they have pony merchandise in those. But uh... that's only if you really want to. I understand if you don't want to go out in public and buy them, it was hard for me at first, although I got over that quickly and now buy pony stuff on a relatively regular basis. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
April 23, 2013 Well, you can always go to Target or Walmart, they have the pony toys in the toy section, or, if you live close to a Hot Topic, I know they have pony merchandise in those. But uh... that's only if you really want to. I understand if you don't want to go out in public and buy them, it was hard for me at first, although I got over that quickly and now buy pony stuff on a relatively regular basis. I wouldn't have a problem with buying them in public, but I don't live in america and I don't know were to buy them else ... In my country aren't many bronies... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
April 23, 2013 I wouldn't have a problem with buying them in public, but I don't live in america and I don't know were to buy them else ... In my country aren't many bronies... Oh crap, I didn't know you were from another country, had to check your profile to actually find that out! Well, I'm not sure where you can go in Austria to get pony merchandise, so I'm afraid I'll be no help there. Sorry about that! Sucks that you can't get stuff online... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
May 4, 2013 I am sure pretty much all of us have experienced that awkward moment when they are out buying pony merch.and you get asked "how old is your daughter? " I was out today and was at a yard sale where I bought a fashion style rarity, pinkie pie, and a pink celestia for 5 buck! Then the woman running it is like "so how old is your little girl.?" And I was like um. I don't have one. Then she gave me a weird look and my change. AWKWARD! And Not the first time either! I am 26 so everyone thinks I have a daughter. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
May 4, 2013 That awkward moment when you're in a crowd, and you say "Come on everypony we gotta go!" And none of your friends know where that comes from, or that you're a brony. I've done that before, and trust me it's way more awkward. 2 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
