The first time I saw Star Wars figures on the shelf was a big deal. At that point, you could only get them with the Early Bird kit to send away for the first four. Back in 1978, and being 8 years old and no such thing as interent to let you know when and what was going to be released made going to the toy aisle a chance for discovery.
I remember walking through the toy section of Venture (like a Target back then). I walked down one aisle and went to go up the next when I was hit with an end cap full of Star Wars figure and ships. It was a huge deal because I never thought I would get my hands on a Star Wars figure and i especially wanted an R2 figure. Unitl then, I was making due with a R2 I made from Legos, Micronauts, and the Space 1999 ship as a way to play out my Star Wars fantasies.
I was not aware that these were at some point going to come to the stores. I don't think I even looked at them, I took off at full speed through the store to find and drag my parents back. I left there that night with R2-D2 and C-3PO. I felt lucky to get to choose two. What were they? Like $1.49 each?