WTFWTK 2.19 - Ask your questions here!

[JVS3]

Rules for What The Fans Want To Know:

• Each user is limited to 1 question per Q&A.
• Posts with repeat questions & multiple questions will be deleted, and the offending user will no longer be permitted to participate in that particular Q&A. So check to see if your question has been asked and help everyone out!
  Be sure to check the posts in this thread before you, as well as previous Q&A sessions!
• This is for questions only; not discussion.
• We will start a new Q&A thread when it is time for more questions, approximately every 2 weeks. So please don't start new Q&A threads.

Please avoid questions about:

• Figure specific requests (eg: When will we see She-Ra?).

Figure specific requests will undoubtedly be met with a "anything is possible" answer.
The figures that can be produced are figures that were in the original MOTU, POP and NA lines, as well as in the mini-comics for these lines.
Characters that appeared in the 2002 MYP cartoon are also fair game.
Filmation characters are off limits!
Who will be produced will remain to be seen.

We will pick up to 10 questions we feel might get answers at that time. Please do not take offense to your question not being asked.
It's nothing personal.

Previous WTFWTK sessions (questions and Mattel answers):
2.1
2.2
2.3
2.4
2.5
2.6
2.7
2.8
2.9
2.10
2.11
2.12
2.13
2.14
2.15
2.16
2.17

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The questions that were asked in the previous Q&A & will be answered in a couple weeks as follows (please do not repeat them, or questions from previous Q&As):

1. Why did Matty process the unsubmitted orders fans made on 4/15 when those fans managed to place a new order during the 2nd Mer-Man batch offering on 4/29? This resulted in many fans getting charged for orders they didn't want and couldn't afford.

2. What will Mattel do to compensate for fans who cannot order these figures at work due to internet restrictions? The constant quick sell-outs make it an unfair impossibility for a number of fans to even order these figures from Mattel.

3. Will Mattel do what Sideshow toys does and offer a "second chance waiting list?" That way if extra figures show up by returns or are found in stock, those figures could be sold to people on the "second chance list" on a first-come-first-serve basis.

4. Why do International fans and other fans within the USA have to pay sales tax when their state and/or country is not listed in the Matty Collector FAQ as a taxable destination?

5. Why won't Mattel include convention exclusives in the subscription service?

6. One of the downsides of the original classic line is an open left hand that prevented the holding of weapons. Why are some MOTUC figures designed with this same flaw?

7. Why the long delay between the re-release of sold out figures?

8. Is there another raffle for a rare figure schedule for this year's SDCC?

9. Is He-ro designed in part to provide pieces for Bow for an upcoming release?

10. Since the number of MOTUC figures produced and sold is increasing, are there plans to lower the price of the figures?

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So ask those questions!

[Angel-T]

Are fans likely to see a cardbord fold out Crystal Castle & Snake Mountine with future exclusive figures, or as an extra item to buy on Mattycollector?

[MegaGearMax]

Will MOTUC be actively celebrating 200X's 10th anniversary in 2012? I think a few 200X versions of MOTUC characters which were already released would be a great way to celebrate this event AND is a good way to sell He-Man, Skeletor and others again, sorta like how Hasbro sells legit new movie versions of Optimus Prime, Bumblebee and Megatron two years later.

[The.Idea.of.Evil]

A popular thought, maybe created by He-Fans originally during the Staction days and then further fueled because of Hasbros GI Joe line, was to have outside franchise characters appear as special/exclusive releases (the character Matt Trakker from M.A.S.K. was created as a full fledged Gi Joe recently). A great idea was to maybe create a Lion-O (Thundercats) exclusive release or a Quicksilver (Silverhawks) in the vein of the current line of the time (again, Stactions). Without me knowing what trademarks/characters Mattel owns, I can't specify any one character from any one show that would be a possible candidate, but how feesable/possible would it be to implement this idea one day into the MOTUC? Is it out of the question or could we see something one day when theres a thin ammount of characters left to create as a MOTUC?

Thanks

[SnakeMenPriest]

Is Mattel still in the video game business? It would be nice to see what Mattel could do with the title "Tales of Eternia".


--Asp'r

[Sword-of-Grayskull]

(Please note that I felt this question was different enough from question #6 of the upcoming Q&A that it merited asking.)

Audience voting at convention panels have typically been used to decide critical decisions for MOTUC, such as multiple heads versus minicomics (at NYCC'09) and chase variants versus no variants (at SDCC'08). One hotly contested issue, however, has not been addressed at conventions: open hands that homage the original toy (e.g. Skeletor and Stratos) versus more-closed hands that can hold most accessories. Would MattyCollector do an online poll on its website to determine which fans prefer (preferably before Skeletor goes back into production)?

[Snake Hunter]

If the line continues to sell out so fast, will you consider to offer 2 figures in the same releasing date? This way we can get more characters in less time and saving shipping costs. Maybe a MOTUC figure and a POP figure each month?

[sunshine]

How many figures will debut at SDCC? Can we expect a sneak preview of She-Ra and Battle Cat?

[Tuukka]

When those figure stands are coming, any locked dates or at least wild guess ?

[Patreek]

Can you make a MOTUC facebook game application for us fans to play which would then also further advertise the line throughout facebook?

[Mern-Ra]

When those figure stands are coming, any locked dates or at least wild guess ?

I have the same question about the cases you also said were coming (hopefully this can be combined into one question).

[Spectror]

Speaking about sales...

Could you please tell us the average amount or percentage of figures sold to US residents, to international residents, and what are the best MOTUC-buying nations ?

[nato]

In regards to the subscription, for 2009, the subscription is for the last four figures of the year. For 2010, the subscription is for a whole year, (12 figures).
With a poor economy, and companies with continued layoffs, a whole year devoted to a subscription could cause unexpected financial problems for some customers. Is there any way to make the subscriptions in intervals, like four figures? That way, someone running into financial problems can be done after four months while others can sign up for the next four figures to come out.

[Uncle Montork]

Regarding subscriptions, if someone wanted an extra figure besides those they subscribed for, would that figure be shipped separately with an additional shipping cost?

[hhhelmsley]

Will Mattel offer any exclusive MOTUC figure at 2009 wizard World Chicago?

[joseephus]

I know you mentioned somewhere before that Mattel is looking into other merchandising for MOTU. When might we find out what other things you will be doing in the future?

[Adam_Portugal]

What about the Original He-Man & She-Ra Cartoon Soundtracks?
Is there any chance for us to see it released after all these years of waiting?

[preternia]

What about the project or idea to offer all mini comics as collector book?

[DamnSmooth]

Now that Matty has started the subscription service, is there a chance of a "pre-order” sellout before the figure actually goes on sale for the figures in Sep-December? I assume Matty for Jan-Dec 2010 will have an order of x + subscription orders or will you just say we’re ordering ~15,000 figures subscription or not?