Matty Update - 1/17/12 Sale / Core Characters Available Year Round

[oICEMANo]

I really feel the lineup is just too much now. With the prices and the economic climate most folks just can't justify locking into that many items. It really should be back to one figure a month with perhaps 2 bonus figs and one large scale item. (even thats pushing it)

I really cant see myself getting a 2013 sub if its anything like it is now. I just cant afford it. In hindsight Im even thinking it was a bad idea that I got a 2012 and 30th sub...

[bcrduke]

Great press release. I'm glad they are doing the core-characters thing. That is very important!!

Star Sisters at $66? Good luck with that, Mattel!

That makes the lack of second accessories for them even more ridiculous. Evil-Lyn came with a bird, stand, armor, and her two accessories. She was $20. This set is at best $60, and at worst $66. Where is the innovation we saw with the Palace Guards, and will likely see with Horde Troopers. Oh right, They didn't bother.

I'm VERY impressed that Mattel is FINALLY going to ensure that the CORE characters of He-Man and Skeletor are available ALL the time.

We've been shouting for a long time that they should have characters like He-Man, She-Ra, Skeletor, Hordak, and their steeds on sale all the time. The thing about She-Ra is that, long term, the lack of a second Filmation head on the Bubble Power Figure means that they can't really put her on sale as "She-Ra."

Bad planning long-term.

The price increase is fair, IMHO.

Respectfully disagree. These figures cost Mattel next to nothing. They are slightly less overpriced than they were in 2008 (due to rising production costs), but I just don't believe a price increase is necessary.

I agree to both of these things, unfortunately. If Mattel keeps shaking the money tree, it's going to snap in half.

This is a big problem. The cash grab should translate to keeping the standard we were used to for the first 3 years (a standard which had its problems). Lately the quality of the plastic has been less, and the paint apps have been as well. Mattel cannot raise prices and expect us to tolerate quality control problems like the ones that have plagued the line, especially in the last year. I hope they aggressively address quality control.

Mattel raised prices on DCUC three times in a 14 month time-span. I'd argue that that, along with terrible distribution, helped drive casual collectors away.

LIke I said if Mattel keeps the figure pattern from 2012, 2013 will cost $560+....plus whatever is outside the sub, because in 2013 sub buyers will no longer be immune to the price hike, within the sub, and the extra $50 is just from the price increases of sub figures. Now think of those who buy multiple subs, an extra $50 per sub for what? It won't fix the quality issues, it won't fix DR's incompetence...and it won't make Mattel listen any more than they claim to now. I think they need to reduce the figure count in the sub to compensate for the higher figure prices, not as many multi packs, or beasts or something.

I feel like Mattel isn't factoring in the cost of shipping and tax. That makes this line even more ridiculously priced. I love the line, and I will always but it, but I think I'm in the minority.

I stopped buying DCUC because the character selection was bizarrely esoteric (rainbow lanterns) and the prices were absurd.

It might have been a good idea to make the 30th Anniversary Sub more if a fan-favorite type thing now. (Photog, Shadow Weaver, Oo-Larr, Shokoti, Scorpia, Ram Man, etc.).

[Agostinho]

Are we gonna get Teela with a softer dress now ?

[Jukka]

Possibilities
Feb is Fisto $22
March is Shadow Weaver...$60 (for $82 if I get Kahn & SW)

If you are a subscriber, Shadow Weaver is not a possibility. It's a fact. (she's the exclusive)

If you don't have subs, then you'll have to get Shadow Weaver from another member or ebay, and I'm not sure if at that point it'll be sixty bucks.

[JimPansen]

Great news… we heard your requests and will have a selection of fan-favorites available in the shop all year so you can buy them anytime!
Yeah we have to told Mattel that this is the way to get more collectors into the line I hope its not to late.
Finally a good decision

[Pravus Prime]

My days of even Cherry Picking this line is rapidly coming to a close I think. It had been a while since I last ordered, so when I saw the final bill for Demo-man and BG Evil Lyn, I was shocked. Right now I'm only planning on Draego-Man (If I can get it), TOD Sorceress, and Horde Prime from next years announced offerings.

Add to it that I picked up the Thundercats 6 inch Classics this week, $14.99 for a 6 inch figure that has lots of articulation, accessories, interchangable ball jointed hands, tight joints, and sharp paint aps that's easily available at retail and online stores whenever I feel like buying them certainly changes things as well.

[GozzoMan]

Very good! I really like that they're finally having at least some figures available whenever the customer feels like to buy!

More of them, please!

[Killian]

A couple more important characters like Hordak and She-Ra would have been nice.

I won't complain though, it's good they're doing the main 2 guys, besides I already have 4 She-Ra figures, 2 Hordak figures and I'll finally get my Panthor so I'm a happy He-bunny!

[mac&cheesier]

Well sorceress is a core character, let's see what happens down the road. Who knows right?

[Ealo]

If they don't allow EU residents to pre-pay their customs and sales tax (like a lot of other american companies do), then 2012 is looking like my last year. Though I can handle the 10% price increase, it'll increase how often the postage company slaps on the customs/sales tax charges as it is often only just under the value to get through without charges. The postage company 'processing fees' are more than triple the sales tax; I'm paying around $21 to get a $30 figure and that's not even counting shipping.

[Ravenskarr]

Does anyone out there still want Castle grayskull in a movie year?$$$$$$!

[Mern-Ra]

VERY cool about the core characters being available all the time! BEST way to grow the line! I'm sure they'll add more core characters if these do well.

[Metron]

At $66 I'm probably going to skip the star sisters. We'll see how I feel that week, but I suspect that I can get the Star Sisters much cheaper somewhere down the line. I'm paying on average $40 a box to ship from Matty, and so I just don't know if this is worth it for me.

I'm very glad Faker's coming back, he's the only evil warrior I don't have, and I'd been planning on buying him next month off ebay anyway. This'll save me a little bit of cash.

[Prahvus]

Personally, I'd like to know WHEN the Demo-Man figures will ship...

Did you notice that there was NO news about this ?


Star Sisters at $66 ? Hmmm... I have to see Pixel Dan's preview first, but I think there are few chances for me to get the Star Sisters. That multipack is already marked at €100 when you buy it from European resellers. I don't even want to begin to think about Granamyr...

"Core characters available all year long" : it seems to be a good idea, PROVIDED Mattycollector's website and "services" are improved !

[fball13z]

Personally, I'd like to know WHEN the Demo-Man figures will ship...

Did you notice that there was NO news about this ?

Ger over it all ready, the press release about demo was just a week ago, stating he would be shipping end of Dec or at the latest early Jan. If this press release came out min Jan and made no mention of Demo then I could understand your comment.

I swear some people have to be negative about everything that is ever said about this line.

I for one find it a good press release, and not to be ugly but if $2 more a figure is going to break the bank then toy collecting is the wrong hobby to be in.

[Uncle Montork]

WHAT DID I TELL YOOOUU!?! $88 DOLLARS PER GRANAMYR!!!

[crashdiary27]

http://www.collider.com/wp-content/u...e-Future-3.jpg

WHAT DID I TELL YOOOUU!?! $88 DOLLARS PER GRANAMYR!!!

the news that he-man will be available again is fantastic news for myself. Good thing I didnt shell out the ebay prices.

[Uki]

Cool news but I'd concur that She-Ra, Hordak, and even Duncan and Teela would be good to keep available.

[shadowfall1976]

If you are a subscriber, Shadow Weaver is not a possibility. It's a fact. (she's the exclusive)

If you don't have subs, then you'll have to get Shadow Weaver from another member or ebay, and I'm not sure if at that point it'll be sixty bucks.

No sub, I have had her pre-ordered already for months at $60, just deciding if I'm actually going to get her. I have all my 2012 figure PO'd so far, but I am going to pay Matty a visit every sale day to try to get them cheaper, and especially if a re-issue pops up that I have to have as well (but only one I really need is Panthor..Stratos & Zodac are maybes)....if not, other than TP He-Man & Horde Prime...because they haven't shown up yet...all my 2012 wants so far unveiled are already secured.

[Xavion]

Great news… we heard your requests and will have a selection of fan-favorites available in the shop all year so you can buy them anytime!
Yeah we have to told Mattel that this is the way to get more collectors into the line I hope its not to late.

I don't think it is. I'm proof that even after all these years, people are still discovering the MOTU franchise and getting into MOTUC for the first time. This was great news for me. I'm starting off with POP, but since He-Man is She-Ra's brother and a frequent guest star on the show, I was already stalking Amazon and eBay. I may pick up Battlecat as well although I'm tempted to wait for another Cyber Monday sale since I know they still have plenty of them in stock.

[Bulkhide]

Glad to hear about the available all year thing. I might have to snag a couple for some friends' birthdays next year now. I hope they add MAA, Mer-Man, Trap Jaw, She-Ra, and Hordak to the list eventually.

Sucks about the price increases...but...**** happens I guess.

[Uncle Montork]

did you not read it? it's $60 in the sub; $66 if purchased outside the sub.

Yes, for 2012. However, he means if the $60 "slot" remains for future subscriptions 2013 and beyond, it WILL be $66, sub or no sub, so in his opinion, it should be eliminated.

[Morningstar]

Yes, for 2012. However, he means if the $60 "slot" remains for future subscriptions 2013 and beyond, it WILL be $66, sub or no sub, so in his opinion,it should be eliminated.

I second that.

[convoy]

2 questions:

1: How many people here are earning the exact same pay they were in 2008? Is 6 extra dollars a month really going to hurt that much?

2: For those who hate the Star Sisters that much, is it really worth complaining about how much they cost if you had no plans in buying them anyway?

[Arkangel]

This may be the best matty policy update yet. Hopefully this change will allow newcomers to enter the MOTU world and help expand the line