Toyguru MOTUC Post-SDCC: Figure Production Numbers Going Down in 2012

[Larry Waters]

I have to agree with you. I from day one thought they should have separate lines. There is no way this line is going to last as many years as they say. Look at all the problems and issues already. I don't want POP girl toys so I skip them but that makes it longer to get guys like Ram-man which frustrates a lot of people. There are enough characters in POP to have it's own line and last for years. But they want you to BUY IT ALL OR ELSE!!!

I think it's funny with all the Star Sisters bashing going on. I get singled out. Thanks.

I'm on your side, bro. I didn't like girl's toys when I was 10, and I don't like them now.

[RockinHard]

It has nothing to do (for me) with what the 4H do or don't do with the characters now.

I dislike NA intensely and detest Optikk and Icarius.
I never bought dolls as a kid, so PoP was never a toon I watched. I don't know the characters and don't care to buy something with which I have no connection.

No matter how they look, (and I wanted to be wrong) I now know (after the NA we have and seeing the Star Sisters) that those properties will simply never be something that garners my expendable income.

So do you hate the new mini-comics since She-Ra is obviously in them, and likely others from other factions (NA, 200x, PoP) will also be in them?

[Larry Waters]

Out of curiosity, who here is passing up the sub because of the Star Sisters?

They're a HUGE reason for me. I don't like the NA or Filmation, but it would be easier to swallow if I didn't have a $60 pack and another couple of PoP figures to be stuck with.

Because these things are NOT going to move on the secondary market.

[KnightDamien]

Buy a sub then...PROBLEM SOLVED.

Wow -- it's almost like you intentionally ignored what was actually being said and just dumped out an unreasoned, unthought response that doesn't actually relate to the issue being discussed at all. That's talent.

BE A RESELLER.

Even if others were as happily inclined towards scalping toys as you seem to be; you have to keep in mind that it's a LOT less lucrative outside the US due to higher shipping costs.

So even those that want to engage in that kind of behaviour might find it a LOT more difficult to do so. Not to mention that over the 2011 sub year, reseller prices have actually been pretty low, indicating that 'basically getting a free sub' isn't happening for everyone that tried it as is.

[Larry Waters]

http://www.poeghostal.com/wp-content...7/DSC_0108.jpg

The Star Sisters keep Vintage Purists™ up at night.

They wake up in a cold sweat, shivering nervously at the thought of the brightly colored ancient warriors and their glory bird.

My God in Heaven...those things are awful. A Primary-colored nightmare!

[Skeletortilla]

Wow -- it's almost like you intentionally ignored what was actually being said and just dumped out an unreasoned, unthought response that doesn't actually relate to the issue being discussed at all. That's talent.



Even if others were as happily inclined towards scalping toys as you seem to be; you have to keep in mind that it's a LOT less lucrative outside the US due to higher shipping costs.

So even those that want to engage in that kind of behaviour might find it a LOT more difficult to do so. Not to mention that over the 2011 sub year, reseller prices have actually been pretty low, indicating that 'basically getting a free sub' isn't happening for everyone that tried it as is.

Oh, there's an issue being discussed? Sorry, but it sounded like the same tired old complaining to me...

And make no mistake, I've got talent!

[Larry Waters]

You don't need to be psychic. If you've been reading the forums since 2008 like Toyguru has, you'd know which eras or characters are the most popular and which are the least popular.

Exactly. It's pretty simple.

Vintage Masters has almost everyone.
Filmation is what many remember from their childhood (even if I thought it was too dumbed-down for my 9-year-old liking!)
PoP and 200x are the next rung down.
NA is the red-headed stepchild.


Not exactly advanced calculus...

[KnightDamien]

Oh, there's an issue being discussed? Sorry, but it sounded like the same tired old complaining to me...

You mean the same tired old complaining that people who do not write Mattel a 500 dollar check for toys sight-unseen are somehow lesser fans?

Or are you talking about the same tired old complaint that actual sub-holders are being screwed over with the "here's a ton of stuff this year that's not in the sub."

That's actually kind of a new complaint since 2012 is a BIG year for non-sub items.


Or was it the tired old complaint about how Mattel needs to 'adjust production numbers' because of all that overstock they apparently have even though they keep marking figures as 'sold out' and not letting us buy any more of them?

Yeah, jeez. Crazy stuff people let themselves get worked up over. Just crazy.

[baronterror]

while I decided I do infact have to get the sub this year, I really dont want to be locked into so many things.

Sub is great. Very great. We should all get it.

But I cannot say I am pleased that it really is the best way to get what you want, because the pick and choose method is very very valid. Best way really.

And to think as has been said, that secondary market is going to not only boom, but most likely go up again into too high to be fair pricing...well that sucks.

Not happy with this move. Will tell myself I accept it and support it if it keeps the line going. That's what I'm about in the end.

Already (finally decided) got the sub for 2012. Here's to things changing in case I dont or cant get the sub in 2013. Here's to there still being a line in 2013!

[Larry Waters]

Translation: "We're not going to just outright say it's not going to happen until we've already gotten you to sign up for the sub."



It's still idiotic. Mattel needs to announce whether or not they can do a 30th sub -before- the sale for the regular sub closes. Aaahhhh...durrrrrrrrrr..

Exactly...this is utter bullcrap.

"We need you to commit without knowing before you are allowed to know more..."


Crap, crap, crap...

[bcrduke]

This is just PR crap trying to get people to buy the sub. The same bs they are doing with that little "meter" for the DC sub. I am used to seeing these "buy the sub or you won't get your figures" lines every year around this time. We will see if they extend the sales cut-off date an extra week come Thursday or Friday. I am pretty sure they have done that the past couple of years also.

Agreed.

My God in Heaven...those things are awful. A Primary-colored nightmare!

You're starting to tread into territory that makes me angry... BUT I agree with this statement.

I HATE the Filmation designs for The Star Sisters. This is a great example of where the original toy designs, minus the glitter, would have been WAYYYY better.

Tallstar, for example, had a chrome torso. Starla wasn't ORANGE and YELLOW... she was gold and yellow with a little brick-red, and it just looked better.

These Filmation-style Star Sisters HURT MY EYES.

When I heard that they were the first "BEAST," I thought: MISTAKE.

I feel like Mattel is going to say, "Well, we tried with the females!"

The Star Sisters have to be part of the subscription because, like Photog, or Granamyr, or Wun-Dar, they are obscure and meant for a smaller section of the fandom.

I really feel like the 4H could have made them more Galadriel-esque, and therefore made them fit better into the MOTUC line.

They look like Fisher Price Space Aliens. I don't get it. Did they TRY to make them as garish as possible? They had to know that the majority who wanted them wanted the toy designs... we had at least two threads about that.

Weird.

[Skeletortilla]

You mean the same tired old complaining that people who do not write Mattel a 500 dollar check for toys sight-unseen are somehow lesser fans?

Or are you talking about the same tired old complaint that actual sub-holders are being screwed over with the "here's a ton of stuff this year that's not in the sub."

That's actually kind of a new complaint since 2012 is a BIG year for non-sub items.


Or was it the tired old complaint about how Mattel needs to 'adjust production numbers' because of all that overstock they apparently have even though they keep marking figures as 'sold out' and not letting us buy any more of them?

Yeah, jeez. Crazy stuff people let themselves get worked up over. Just crazy.

Okay...first of all...nobody has to shell out $500 in one lump sum. Figures are charged monthly.
Secondly, EVERY figure sells out. If you receive a sub figure you do not want, I can GUARANTEE there is someone who will buy it from you at cost plus shipping, so you are out NOTHING.
So, what exactly is the problem again? Because I don't see a problem...especially when the solution is so easy.
GET A SUB...SELL WHAT YOU DON'T WANT.
Can't get any simpler than that.

[Larry Waters]

Buy a sub then...PROBLEM SOLVED. And, for those complaining about the jacked up reseller prices...BE A RESELLER. You can EASILY sell your UNWANTED sub figures for a PROFIT, and offset not only your shipping cost, but maybe end up getting some of your sub figures FREE.

Like the Optikk I'm going to have to give away to get rid of?

[KnightDamien]

Exactly...this is utter bullcrap.

"We need you to commit without knowing before you are allowed to know more..."


Crap, crap, crap...

Yep. Honestly, and maybe I'm just too negative on this but; I really don't think Mattel has any, ANY, ANY intention of doing a sub for the 30th stuff.

I think they're going to wait. Let people buy the sub thinking it's at least a possibility. And then they'll come out with the tired old "the logistics just weren't there" excuse and not do it.

And they'll pat themselves on the back and some people here will hoist TG on their shoulders and shout "hey, thanks for trying, you really care about us!" When, in reality, they didn't do anything.

Believe me, I'd love to be wrong here. But that's my gut feeling.

[Larry Waters]

So do you hate the new mini-comics since She-Ra is obviously in them, and likely others from other factions (NA, 200x, PoP) will also be in them?

I hate the NA story and the NA and PoP designs.

Again, NA was a pox and She-Ra were dolls. I don't like to pay for disease or girl's toys!

I'll decide what I think about the mini-comic when I see it.

[Skeletortilla]

Like the Optikk I'm going to have to give away to get rid of?

If you'd sold him shortly after he sold out on Matty, you'd have gotten more than cost for him.

[RockinHard]

I hate the NA story and the NA and PoP designs.

Again, NA was a pox and She-Ra were dolls. I don't like to pay for disease or girl's toys!

I'll decide what I think about the mini-comic when I see it.

Well, She-Ra is in them. And I'm willing to bet that means that other PoP, 200x, and possibly NA characters will show up.

[Larry Waters]

If you'd sold him shortly after he sold out on Matty, you'd have gotten more than cost for him.

If a bullfrog had wings, he wouldn't bust his ass when he lands.

I put him up for sale about 2 weeks after I got him for my cost plus shipping (was out of town on business) and he sat there without a single bid through 3 attempted auctions.

Well, She-Ra is in them. And I'm willing to bet that means that other PoP, 200x, and possibly NA characters will show up.

Well, I'll see when we get it, won't I?

Stick to the things we KNOW, not what we think we know.

[KnightDamien]

Okay...first of all...nobody has to shell out $500 in one lump sum. Figures are charged monthly.
Secondly, EVERY figure sells out. If you receive a sub figure you do not want, I can GUARANTEE there is someone who will buy it from you at cost plus shipping, so you are out NOTHING.
So, what exactly is the problem again? Because I don't see a problem...especially when the solution is so easy.
GET A SUB...SELL WHAT YOU DON'T WANT.
Can't get any simpler than that.

I'm going to say it as simply as I can, because some people do seem to have a problem understanding this, although I'm not sure why:

Not everyone who loves this brand CAN commit to give Mattel X amount of money every month. Especially those expensive months with three-packs or giants or what-have-you.

And, apparently I need to say this again because you glossed over it the first time; getting people to buy figures from you at cost plus shipping, plus shipping to THEM, when you're not in the US can be much trickier.

So no, it really isn't as simple as you make it out to be. I can't just give Mattel permission to automatically take my money every month. Sometimes people do need to check their finances before making toy purchase decisions every month. If my kid needs to go to the dentist - guess what- I might not have the money available for a 60 dollar three pack that I don't even want. Plus the 20 bucks it'll cost to ship it to me.

I'm not going to overdraw my credit just for the PRIVILEGE of having a sub so I can pay extra shipping 7 months out of 12 anyway.


In any event, selling your extras is easy, right? Would everyone in this thread who has an Optikk they can't get rid of please raise your hand?

[markatisu]

If you consider garnering large amounts of ill-will from your customers as 'genius' - then sure. But it's actually not. If every time I went to my favourite Italian restaurant the head waiter kicked me in the jewels, guess what -I'd stop going. Doesn't matter how good the food is.

Rule Number 0 of Business: Customer. Happy. Always.

They have been breaking that rule since 2008

And there is not large amounts of ill will, if the sub numbers remain constant than its all talk no action.

If we still pay for the figures monthly and still sign up for the sub we are not hurting them. Like I said before the people who will drop the line are very miniscule, if there was any threat as is being big talked they would not be doing what they are doing.

Unlike retail where they don't know the line is in trouble until retailers stop ordering they will know pretty loud and clear on a monthly basis.

imho people just need to chill and realize this is in large part to drive subs, nothing anyone says here is going to change the basic structure with 1 week left.

[KnightDamien]

They have been breaking that rule since 2008

And there is not large amounts of ill will, if the sub numbers remain constant than its all talk no action.

That's a big 'if' that neither of us can actually speak intelligently about, though. My personal belief is that they wouldn't be strong-arming us into the sub if they were getting the buy numbers they wanted. It's a few days before the sub window closes. Suddenly we get the "don't forget - no releases and also, we're cutting production numbers." note.

It doesn't take much reading between the lines to see that was a desperate grab for subs.

It's the general manner that Mattel treats its customers all the time that I'm actually talking about, though. I'm not saying people are suddenly going to just dumb Mattel products because they're jerks. But they seem to do a LOT of things to really tick people off. That adds up. People remember. Eventually there will be a breaking point. Mattel having terrible PR once in a while? No biggie.

But with Mattel, bad PR and bad decisions combined with a very cavalier attitude toward its customers is going to continue to garner a bad taste in people's mouths toward the company. And no matter how you slice it, that is a BAD thing and can come back to them in a hard way one day.

[Larry Waters]

Would everyone in this thread who has an Optikk they can't get rid of please raise your hand?

[bcrduke]

Like the Optikk I'm going to have to give away to get rid of?

You know what would help?

Announcing a Castle Grayskull playset!

Maybe they will soon.

Then everyone will have something else to think about!!

I do think that the bulk of people who subscribe want everything.

I think those that are to the extreme on either side of any of the component brands (vintage MOTU, POP, NA, 200X) are usually more vocal.

I also think that calling POP characters "Girls' toys" when they are made for the MOTUC line is odd... this line is for adults... Mattel isn't making POP characters with long flowing hair, perfume-scented horses, or beds with pillows and a canopy.

They're making nymph, driad, witch, sorceress, amazon - type female characters... that's cool to me. I'm sorry it isn't to some of you

[Larry Waters]

You know what would help?

Announcing a Castle Grayskull playset!

Maybe they will soon.

Then everyone will have something else to think about!!

I do think that the bulk of people who subscribe want everything.

I think those that are to the extreme on either side of any of the component brands (vintage MOTU, POP, NA, 200X) are usually more vocal.

I also think that calling POP characters "Girls' toys" when they are made for the MOTUC line is odd... this line is for adults... Mattel isn't making POP characters with long flowing hair, perfume-scented horses, or beds with pillows and a canopy.

They're making nymph, driad, witch, sorceress, amazon - type female characters... that's cool to me. I'm sorry it isn't to some of you

I'll re-phrase, then.

PoP was a girl's line when I was a kid. I had no interest in girl's toys or cartoons as a kid.

As an adult, I have no nostalgia for them. Nostalgia is, after all, what keeps this line alive.

They are characters from a girl's toy line that never held any interest for me, therefore the characters mean nothing to me, therefore the figures are of less than no interest to me. They'll always be denizens of a planet that means nothing to me or my memories.

Same with NA.

Same with Filmation.

[KnightDamien]

You know, in hindsight, I wish I hadn't bought Optikk when he was on Matty. It appears I probably could have bargained someone down to less than cost just so they could recoup SOME of what they paid for him.

And I actually LIKE Optikk.