New statement from ToyGuru about availability of Figures

[MegaGearMax]

What do you mean by this? What rules were changed?

In the first post.

Instead of 2-3 weeks, figures have less time to sell out now. We weren't aware of this when Zodak and Goddess were on sale. The fans thought that the bonus figures, while slow to sell out, DID sell out and were successful. But in reality we were going off old information and 12 and 13 days were poor performance.

[He-Boy]

This is an opinion from a fan namely myself. I never in my right mind have seen a line handled this poorly before. To me all of these problems stem from greed by Mattel. First of all the low production numbers to try to force people to buy a subscription. I myself don't want a subscription because to throw that much money down at once for figures is to much and I am not a completeist. I get who I want and will not be forced to buy someone I don't. So Mattel basicly punishes us by saying if you had a subscription your problems are solved but it does not include everybody so you are still screwed.

Next we have the sell out times where once again Mattel will only allow small numbers of figures to be sold to the dreaded non-subscribers. We get the RSOD and can miss out but if your a subscriber its all good.

We don't want to pay for warehouse space for them. Heck put them in Toygurus garage for all I care but make it work.

The re-release for people like myself is great if you missed out but it is going to kill the market. Let's be honest *******s and hoarders are involved in this like they are with most figure lines and if they make no profit they are gone. Now that may sound good but they are a large part of the ones buying the figures in the first place.

I could rant for a long time on this but it comes down to this I don't want to be punished for being a non-subscriber and I fell that Mattel is pennypinching this line to death and that could be the ultimate death in the end. Just an opinion from a fan.

As a non-subscriber, wouldn't you rather get your figures directly from matty than ebay? I don't understand why you are supporting the reseller market. You mentioned the RSOD and how hard these figures are to buy but aren't the resellers contributing to this problem?

Many people are mentioning how mattel is ruining the collectability of the market. I could care less about collectability - I just want to be able to get the figures. The thing is, Mattel makes ZERO from the secondary market - it would be foolish of them to create a business model where they are banking on it. Even if resellers made up for 50% of mattys sales, I just can't see how it is a good idea to rely on that to keep the line going.

[adam03]

Does this mean Mattel consider the Ghostbusters line, for example, a complete disaster? Those figures are taking a lot longer than a week to sell out - even longer than Green Goddess did.

No bar has been set so to speak on Ghostbusters sell out times, they aren`t expected to sell out in hours since none of them have. GB sell times are probably based on an average

[Lay Ze-Man]

Ah, but you need those resellers as well to account for the future fans of the line who aren't there yet- the customers that the resellers are anticipating selling their inventory to and that Mattel can reap the benefits from on future figures. The ones that get into the line as the hype builds and then pick up the "hot" characters off the secondary market.

That's all well and good, as long as the resellers are only (or mostly) simply "holding stock" for these new fans.

But that's simply NOT the case.

Clearly, there are a disproportionate number of CURRENT fans that are missing out in such short sales windows.

Besides, I don't believe that the majority of resellers are willing to hold onto their stock for a year or more. I believe that most resellers are current MOTUC collectors who buy extras to fund their own collections, and therefore want to strike while the iron is hot.

This is why there is a flood of MOTUC figures going up on eBay soon after a sell-out occurs, to nab the impulse buyers afraid of a spike in aftermarket prices.

Most resellers want to turn the quick profit off of current fans, not take the longview and profit off of new fans coming onboard.

[Fisto's Left Hand]

It's like they got a pool going to see how mad they can make the fan before they give up in frustration.

[nato]

Yeah, I remember them saying it would be their widest distribution ever for MOTU. It has been anything but that.

Exactly! At first they were all about upping production if a figure sold out in a matter of minutes or hours. Now it's "If you didn't get to purchase the figure in time, it's your own fault". What happened to, "We want all MOTU fans to be able to get these figures?".

We also are basically told to get the subscription if you want ALL of the figures. When someone mentioned that's not possible because of the bonus figures......the reply came back that the bonus figures were on sale for a long time, so people had their chance. I can't wait until Battle Cat sells out before an hour, so Mattel can't use that excuse anymore.

I really think the 16th is going to be a bad day, because anyone that wanted a Battle Cat that was unable to get one due to a fast sell-out time, is going to let Mattel know about it!

[Calderon]

Weird ways of making bussiness...
Production numbers are always less than demanded, every customer can't get the product due to ridiculous short time windows that are targeted to be the shorter the better.

[Beeto Bot]

It's like they got a pool going to see how mad they can make the fan before they give up in frustration.

This made me laugh. I was thinking the same thing. Mattel seems perfectly fine with letting figures sell out in less than an hour or half-hour sometimes. I find this amazing.

[RocketPunch]

We also are basically told to get the subscription if you want ALL of the figures. When someone mentioned that's not possible because of the bonus figures......the reply came back that the bonus figures were on sale for a long time, so people had their chance. I can't wait until Battle Cat sells out before an hour, so Mattel can't use that excuse anymore.

Don't worry, i'm sure they'll be able to come up with another one.

[Darkspecter]

What's kind of tragically ironic about the 2-3 week timeframe no longer being acceptable to Mattel, is that most people get paid once every two weeks and need their money for bills, food, etc.

So it gives time for people to get their paycheque so they can actually buy the figures.

Mattel figures last longer than 2-3 weeks at a physical retail location, so I don't understand why this timeframe wouldn't be acceptable for a digital store.

[He Man]

Secondly, these things aren't what they used to be on the secondary market. Ebay is FLOODED with various MOTU Classics and for the most part are priced at cost when deducting Ebay and PayPal fees. So wheres the Re-sellers motivation to buy?

Re-sellers had a BIG influence on the quick sales of these in the "Past" but I see that taking a dramatic hit in the "future" in regard to anything that is re-released.

Needless to say....the new stuff will sell out in record times as usual, but I think Mattel is going to be sitting a little longer then expected on the re-released product.

This is why I think they have cut back to mostly making enough to support the Sub's. The retailers and others that buy these to re sell are going to cut back due to old product not moving.

[mick4metal]

Really why is every business standpoint with this line a mess? I think it all comes down to Mattel pennypinching everything and in return it ties a lot of hands to make it work.

[JakeofEternia]

I think what we should be asking at this point is why. Why did things change for this line? What made Mattel change their minds from trying to get the figures to last for a couple weeks online to them being judged a failure if they last a couple days. Every figure has been a sell out so far, the line is doing great and you can't tell me that it's failed to perform up to any expectations when we've heard production was increased several times only to continue to sell out. So why is it now a bad thing that people wouldn't have to race to their computers to get these figures in the tiny window their being offered.

I would think they'd know that new fans aren't going to be too interested in jumping on a line that's almost 20 figures in only to find out that if they aren't online at the exact right time each month then they'll have to miss out and just hope there's a re-release sometime in the future.

Isn't the point of a collectable line to actually get the figures into the fans hands and have as many people as possible actually collect the line. So why do they feel the need to limit it?

[Sallah]

That's all well and good, as long as the resellers are only (or mostly) simply "holding stock" for these new fans.

But that's simply NOT the case.

Clearly, there are a disproportionate number of CURRENT fans that are missing out in such short sales windows.

This is why I stated that there needs to be a longer window of opportunity for the figures to be available. That way the fans and the resellers have an equal chance at the figures.

Saying "we want them up for a few hours but we'll reissue them later if they do well" is the definition of fail. It caters only to subscribers and shows no vision of growth for the line. If you want to get in, you can't because they aren't producing enough for even the current fanbase. Saying they will reissue everything just loses the secondary market. The loss of the secondary market sellers may free up some stock for current fans, but it loses the "must-buy" collectible status that a line like this needs to keep it afloat.

A true solution and plan for growth is to produce enough to last for a 2-3 week timeframe like they originally stated, with no "reissue clause" attached. 2-3 weeks is enough for all the fans to get what they want, and the "not going to be reissued" status keeps the secondary market interested. If figures start selling out faster than that due to line growth, up production until you can meet that time frame (Moss-Man's ear flock has proven that adjustments CAN be made just a few months before a figure's release). The only 2 figures in my eyes that should ALWAYS be available are He-Man & Skeletor. Those 2 should ALWAYS be in stock for those newcomers who get in. That way they can get the current figure, plus He-Man and Skelly. If they choose to go back and get others, the secondary market would be their option (just like EVERY other toy line...nothing new there).

Sallah

[MossMan710179]

Hey guys, as ALWAYS, you are all more than welcome to post criticism, but lets stay away from insults.
So just another friendly reminder to tone it down. Remember, things get taken out of context alot on the net.

Thanks ...

[Bonehead]

IMO, I think the easiest way to fix this problem is for Mattel to start taking preorders.

Just announce the figures and let customers order the figures they want. Mattel can have a "preorder window" like they did for the subscriptions. Then Mattel could adjust the amount of figures that they need to produce for that particular character.


Another option is to allow online retailers to carry the line. I'm sure several stores would carry these AND offer preorders for their customers on the figures.

[River]

This was recently posted by Toyguru over on the Matty Forums as well:

We're looking into possibly adding the "Bonus figures" into the 2011 subscription, but there will be no second 6 month sub for 2010. The 2010 sub was on sale for several weeks, so fans had more then enough time to purchase one and there was no limit to the number you could buy.

And the bonus figures have thus far been on sale for enough time each that no one would need to scramble. I know fans want more info on sell outs and production numbers, but to try and put this one to rest, this is proprietary information Mattel does not share with the public. There really isn't more I can say!

TG

[VictoryLiger]

This was recently posted by Toyguru over on the Matty Forums as well:

We're looking into possibly adding the "Bonus figures" into the 2011 subscription, but there will be no second 6 month sub for 2010. The 2010 sub was on sale for several weeks, so fans had more then enough time to purchase one and there was no limit to the number you could buy.

And the bonus figures have thus far been on sale for enough time each that no one would need to scramble. I know fans want more info on sell outs and production numbers, but to try and put this one to rest, this is proprietary information Mattel does not share with the public. There really isn't more I can say!

TG

I figure the line will make it to 2011. Will it make it out of 2011? With the way Mattel is trying to destroy it, I highly doubt it.

[Swanmarsh]

While I'm fearful of what will happen on Feb 16th with Battle Cat, I don't feel we should be so hard on Mattel here. It may be totally reasonable for Mattel to change their expectations of sell-out times just as the fans themselves have changed buying patterns to reflect quick sell-outs.

Because of sell-outs fans now try to log in at exactly 12 noon sale day. It may be that figures not sold out in the first hour or two (such as the 3 bonus figures: Goddess, Zodak & BA He-Man) experience only very few sales over subsequent hours/days.

I do recall Mattel warning us that BA He-Man was about to sell-out after the first 2 hours or so but then he lasted another 2 1/2 days! Maybe there really are only a handful of sales for MOTUC product take place outside that initial release window. We don't know. If so, then maybe Mattel has production figures about right? If so, it is reasonable for Mattel's expectations of sell-out times to change to reflect our (admitedly panic-driven) buyer behaviour.

The DC/MOTU TRU 2-pack announcement gives me confidence Mattel are trying to expand demand for this line, generate new excitement and meet the needs of fans.

[nato]

While I'm fearful of what will happen on Feb 16th with Battle Cat, I don't feel we should be so hard on Mattel here. It may be totally reasonable for Mattel to change their expectations of sell-out times just as the fans themselves have changed buying patterns to reflect quick sell-outs.

Because of sell-outs fans now try to log in at exactly 12 noon sale day. It may be that figures not sold out in the first hour or two (such as the 3 bonus figures: Goddess, Zodak & BA He-Man) experience only very few sales over subsequent hours/days.

I do recall Mattel warning us that BA He-Man was about to sell-out after the first 2 hours or so but then he lasted another 2 1/2 days! Maybe there really are only a handful of sales for MOTUC product take place outside that initial release window. We don't know. If so, then maybe Mattel has production figures about right? If so, it is reasonable for Mattel's expectations of sell-out times to change to reflect our (admitedly panic-driven) buyer behaviour.

The DC/MOTU TRU 2-pack announcement gives me confidence Mattel are trying to expand demand for this line, generate new excitement and meet the needs of fans.

My personal opinion is that if there are still MOTU fans on this forum complaining that they didn't have enough time to order a figure and were unable to purchase due to a fast sellout..........then the production is not right. This line was supposed to be so the fans could get all of the figures. It's just not happening, and it's not at the fault of the fans.

I've been fortunate that I have been able to get every figure........but if I wouldn't have had my wife order for me on her lunch break 1/2 hour before mine, I wouldn't have my Mer-Man, Hordak, or Man-At-Arms.

[River]

The DC/MOTU TRU 2-pack announcement gives me confidence Mattel are trying to expand demand for this line, generate new excitement and meet the needs of fans.

I think the two packs are a good idea as well, but all the promotion in the world isn't going to do any good when a new customer comes to the Matty Collector website only to discover that the product isn't in stock.

[Darkspecter]

I think the two packs are a good idea as well, but all the promotion in the world isn't going to do any good when a new customer comes to the Matty Collector website only to discover that the product isn't in stock.

It's true. The only way to get toys now is to sign up for the subscription.

This is why everyone talking about a pre-order system is smart. Mattel should do this for re-issues too and take a $5 downpayment or something that's non-refundable if you change your mind later.

There could also be a disclaimer that says "If we don't have enough pre-sales, the re-release will be cancelled and money refunded."

[River]

The only way to get toys now is to sign up for the subscription.

If that is the case then that would almost lead me to think that the line is in trouble, and/or isn't doing as well as Mattel reports. ???

[sKareGlo]

Anyone who is a fan of MOTUC will either be online at noon the day these go on sale or at the very least will be online within a few hours. Why make enough supply to last three weeks? Figures sitting around on a warehouse shelf doesn't make the line any better. I'm guessing the original 2-3 week time frame was merely an estimate. Mattel obviously underestimated the interest in this line from the very beginning. They underestimated fan interest as well as interest from the secondary market. TG's statement is just a reflection of a change in Mattel's expectations.

If we want to continue getting figures and want this line to last several years then we need the figures to sell out quickly. Saturating the market (or in this case the warehouse) with figures is not to anyone's benefit. It's fair of me to deduce that if the first couple of figures took weeks to sell out, nobody would even be talking about a 2011 subscription because MOTUC would have ended a long time ago.

Someone stated previously that a sell-out was a sell-out. That's not true. Something that sells out in hours (or minutes) is HOT. A three week sellout implies there's interest but just enough interest to clear the shelves and doesn't look good on paper. This is after all business.

I love the MOTUC line and I want it to last. If I have to resort to eBay to get future figures I won't be happy, but I'll still get them.

[Darkspecter]

If that is the case then that would almost lead me to think that the line is in trouble, and/or isn't doing as well as Mattel reports. ???

Well, I mean guarantee the figures because of the 27 minute sell-outs. Mattel is still selling some on Matty...but the subscription is BASICALLY the only way to get the line now, is what I mean.

Because no one is going to be online at 12:00 p.m. every 15th to get an action figure besides the HARDCORE MOTU fans. So, Mattel's really losing out on a lot of sales. Again, I think this is because they plan to take this line to retail when the movie hits. So, they aren't really interested in the general public right now. They just want to keep the interest there for MOTU to build up anticipation for the movie. Then when the movie hits, they make movie toys and bring this line to retail (while still having figures on Matty too, like the Movie Masters).

I really believe that is their goal now.

These crazy fast sales look amazing on paper which makes places like ToysRUs and Wal-Mart go "Sign us up!"