Say NO to the MOTUC 2013 Price Hike!!!!!!!!!

[yodafreakmaster]

I'm more than willing to pay a few extra dollars per figure to keep this amazing line afloat!!! Anything above $25 per figure would seem a bit much though IMO. I would still buy them (3 sub's worth to be exact), but I would be very annoyed if they hike the prices too much.

[Stratos*Major]

I didn't mind a $2.00 price increase for DOS. I won't mind a $25.00 figure either. I think compared to most retail toy lines (which I hardly buy at all) MOTUC kicks their ass! To me most retail toy lines just look cheap and well...I have found are cheap.

What I DO mind is the shipping & handling (or over handling I should say!) If I am paying you $10.00 to ship it to me it better leave you within in 2 day (3 days MAX) and get to me within another 3! I've waited 2 weeks to get a figure (not as bad as international and I have actually gotten all mine).

[Robzy]

Well, it's the GOLDEN RULE: Those with the Gold make the Rules!

Sorry, but Matt-El can do whatever they like and there's nothing we can do!

[ash]

I would be happy if they would switch to shipping 2 figs every other month or better yet, a wave of 4 each quarter. You'd save a ton on shipping. If you pool an order with other people, you'd be able to offset some pretty dramatic price increases that way.

[Darkspecter]

The Joe club stated on their Facebook page that their price would be 20-25 per figure.

Honestly, if it means more accessories and better paint, I'm up for a price hike, personally.

Oh, okay. Thanks for that. $25 for a G.I. Joe + shipping sounds completely outrageous though! $20 does too, because they're half that price at retail. Why not just sell them at retail?

[Ornclown]

It is a sad fact of economic life. In order to maintain production/quality/choice, prices will have to go up at some point. In my line of work I've already seen more price hikes than I'd care to, and another one on the way.

But, as stated before, if it helps to keep this line alive and kicking, then I am all for it. Hopefully most people can understand the economic constraints put on Mattel - they have to turn a profit too, and will not hold a price increase negatively against them...

[bskcase]

I do hope that people can comprehend that prices will rise. There is no avoiding that.

I just hope it will be worth it.

[Dragonblaster]

As a German, I've got good reason not to be happy about the 2013 price increase.

With the prices right now it's already a very close call to having to pay custom duty for a figure.
Having higher prices in 2013 GUARANTEES paying custom duty for EVERY figure!

So for Germans the figures get WAY more expensive in 2013!
So one thing is for sure: I'm not buying a sub again.

[Darkkosis]

I think I'll be okay if the price hike isn't more than 20% per figure ($24 for the sub figure, and about $25 for DoS), however, if it's gonna be more than that, I need to do a serious math before (and if) I buy the 2013 sub/s. However, I'm more likely gonna be a cherry picker (or buy everything without the sub) next year if all the promises we've heard from TG aren't fulfilled by August this year...

[MOONCHILD]

I've said this before and i'll say it again.
So far with all the problems we've seen the figures barelly match the current prices. Paying 30$ per figures i would expect them to be absolutely FLAWLESS. Making this like a success is up to Mattel and to us, and i think that rising the prices drastically will make many of us quit or become more cherry pickers. That's just my opinion though.

[Seril]

I'm fine with $22 figures. Sure I'd rather they be $20, but I understand the hike.

[Zodach]

Oh, okay. Thanks for that. $25 for a G.I. Joe + shipping sounds completely outrageous though! $20 does too, because they're half that price at retail. Why not just sell them at retail?

More and more I think it's because retail doesn't make much room for anything that isn't tied to a movie, tv, or video game property. The action figure aisles at Walmart stores locally have more shelf space for McFarlane (Walking Dead, Halo, Sports Picks) and Bandai (Thundercats, Power Rangers) than Mattel. I'm sure that will shift a bit once the TDKR push begins, but those Joe figures are not going to make the cut since Walmart is going to stock the new cartoon figures and the upcoming movie line.

The $20-25 price for the online Joe subscription has been referenced and the speculation is that the price could be even higher which is why the details are still TBD. I think that line is a more fair comparison to MOTUC since both are online only and do have a lot of similarities. If they were in a retail line, you would pay about 1/3 of that price (currently $7-8 for Joes). So we do pay a premium for MOTUC, but it's not really fair to compare it to what retail prices are. Even so, 6" scale figures are in the $15-18 range right now.

[Nemisythe]

As much as we all would not like it, I think we all can understand it. What I hope for is a subtle one, but I guess we'll have to wait and see. I mean the alternative is always going to the secondary market and paying nearly double/triple for them through a speculator and how does that make anyone feel? I mean if I'm gonna pay double or triple, I'd prefer it to be multiple figures and not just one. Now I know it's slightly different for our international friends, but with the .org it seems many try and help them with this so hopefully it doesn't do too much damage.

[Zodach]

I've said this before and i'll say it again.
Paying 30$ per figures i would expect them to be absolutely FLAWLESS.

It's time to manage your expectations then. Scott has already said the price increase is a direct result of increased costs for raw materials and labor. He did say the higher price will help them keep from cutting accessories and skipping paint apps as well, but quality control is not going to get a boost from this. Even collectibles such as $200+ Hot Toys figures and $250+ Sideshow statues are not free from quality control issues. Don't expect perfection from an action figure line, even at a premium. You will be disappointed.

[Prahvus]

A new price increase is a fail, IMO.

The alternative - i.e., figures with the same price but with less paint apps and accessories - is an epic fail too.

So no matter what's Mattel's choice, it's a lose-lose situation...

[Dr Kain]

I don't know much about the GI Joe subscription service (so I looked it up), but their site says this:



It's a 6 month subscription, 2 figures shipped per month (saves on shipping) and the last month will ship 3 (the extra figure is the free, bonus carded, mystery figure).

To even sign up for the sub, you have to pay to be an "Officer Level" member. I can't find out how much that is, but it compares to how we pay $20 for a sub, which pays for the sub exclusive figure.

So, it does sound very similar to MOTUC, but I can't find any info on prices. Each figure comes with at least 2 accessories + stand (we have to purchase MOTUC stands separately). Some figures have 6 or 8 weapons, but most have around 4-5 (MOTUC tends to stay with 2, but some only get 1 this year). Nearly all of them have removable helmets or masks for alternate display looks (like MOTUC's multiple heads, but a LOT of MOTUC figures don't have those).

Since I'm not really familiar with the newer G.I. Joe figures, I do not know how much tooling is new for these figures. I think I remember reading that 3/12 were nearly just repainted though.

Where did you hear about $20 or $25 per figure? I think that was floating around in the .org thread in the Other Discussion Forum, but the official site has no price.

Officer level is $45, and each figure will be $20-25 a piece, with the price most likely being $25. So you have twelve figures at $25 a piece, add on the club membership requirement, and of course shipping, and you are looking at $400 for thirteen GI Joe figures. That is why I decided that subscription is not for me, because you have to pay to get the sub and then pay for the figures in the sub. Worst part is, I honestly only want 4 figures in their sub, and Covergirl alone will probably be on ebay in the $100 price range. I just cannot justify it though, especially since Iron Klaw probably won't be that much more.

[Eterniandreams]

Honestly, if it means more accessories and better paint, I'm up for a price hike, personally.

I have the same opinion

[redsquadron]

On the one hand I'm against price rises for anything, but as they're a fact of life I accept them. I honestly don't believe the MC team are secretly plotting to hatch dastardly schemes to fleece us all. It's in their interest for the line to continue as long as possible too...
So no, I can't really throw myself behnd any campaign as A), they rarely work and B) I don't think the rise is gratuitous.

But, all power to you for trying.

Officer level is $45, and each figure will be $20-25 a piece, with the price most likely being $25. So you have twelve figures at $25 a piece, add on the club membership requirement, and of course shipping, and you are looking at $400 for thirteen GI Joe figures. That is why I decided that subscription is not for me, because you have to pay to get the sub and then pay for the figures in the sub. Worst part is, I honestly only want 4 figures in their sub, and Covergirl alone will probably be on ebay in the $100 price range. I just cannot justify it though, especially since Iron Klaw probably won't be that much more.

In fairness to them, the GI Joe sub will be run by Fun Publications, which aren't affiliated with Hasbro at all beyond the license. They don't have the chops for massive resculpts, which is why only new heads are being offered for the figures (in some cases) - I'm fine with that, as the 25th line onwards has been similarly structured and brought us some great figures as a result.

I'll definately be going for the Figure Sub Service, as characters like Cover Girl, Big Boa and Topside are 'essential' to me, while the likes of TNT and 'tan Grunt' will fill out my "Argentinian Joe" collection. In fact, pretty much all the characters are of interest, especially Quarrel (satisfying my UK Action Force lust!). Sure it'll be expensive (but at least spread over three payments) and this year I'm passing on the con set. Day-Glo Iron Grenadiers aren't my thing! It helps that my officer level membership is bought and paid for months ago as I wanted to secure the free Footloose (who technically brings the sub total up to 14 figures)

[Kowl]

I am against supporting any boycott due to the price hike.

Please folks, pick up an economics book.

[iron_pride]

A price hike stinks. It's already so expensive. I figure they will raise prices to 25 per regular figure. It may impact whether or not I renew my sub for 2013.

[Saved]

I am against supporting any boycott due to the price hike.

Please folks, pick up an economics book.

Im not asking for a boycott. I am just encouraging people to call Mattel regarding the prices (cost+s/h). Contrary to popular belief I do understand macro & micro economics. What ticks me off is reasoning & timing (Why such a high price hike in such a short time). No other comparable line goes up so high in such a short amount of time. The whole reason to sell online and in small quantities was to save on costs. What has happened this year and next year that has not happened in the last 2-3 years? I would have understood if the line went up $1 a year. I would understand perfectly.

[fball13z]

Im not asking for a boycott. I am just encouraging people to call Mattel regarding the prices (cost+s/h). Contrary to popular belief I do understand macro & micro economics. What ticks me off is reasoning & timing (Why such a high price hike in such a short time). No other comparable line goes up so high in such a short amount of time. The whole reason to sell online and in small quantities was to save on costs. What has happened this year and next year that has not happened in the last 2-3 years? I would have understood if the line went up $1 a year. I would understand perfectly.

line as been going since 2008/09 and there has only been a $2 price increase for day of sales in 2012, which is not that many sales. If they would have done a $1 a year, we would have been at going into 2013 at $25. so whats the issue then?

and honestly they are selling these on line b/c no one wants it at retail, Mattel doesnt want to risk it failing again and the retailers do not want it

also you ask why such a high price increase, we do not even know what it is yet

[Brian-Man]

As a toy maker, an independent one at that, price hikes are necessary more often nowadays than you'd think. The almighty American dollar does not hold as much sway in the global economy as it used to. We know of one group of indie toy makers that went to their factory in China just a few months after running a slew of figures with them to set up the next wave and the quote for the same quantity and materials had doubled. Not a 10-50% increase, doubled. IF they move forward their choice is either raise the retail or eat the cost and barely make a justifiable profit. It's a tough game, the larger corporate toy entities are facing the same dilemma. We've yet to experience such a thing but it will happen eventually.

I'm all for a price increase of $2-3 per figure in my sub or even day of purchases if that means the line can continue. And hey if it also means more attention gets paid to quality and better distribution and shipping practices then even better.

Maybe a better course of action would be to contact your state representatives to encourage change in the way our country does business with the global market. The prices go up because our dollar just isn't worth anything anymore. The company I work for outside of Spy Monkey has had to increase all of our prices to our clients and customers several times in the past 5 years. I'm making the same wage I was 5 years ago when I used to get a 20% raise annually. The profits in these increases are non-existant, the increases are really only covering the cost of production.

[Baena]

What Brian-Man said. Well put man.

I myself will go up $5 a figure and stay with the sub... If it goes up more than that? I have to become a cherry picker.
And frankly... There aren't a lot of figures I MUST have anymore.
I love the line, I love the work the 4HM are putting into them, it's an amazing line, but if I'm honest, for my personal MotU Collection? I really only need one or two more vehicles, THE Castle, Ramman, Jitsu, and I could walk away.

[Dr Kain]

I'll definately be going for the Figure Sub Service, as characters like Cover Girl, Big Boa and Topside are 'essential' to me, while the likes of TNT and 'tan Grunt' will fill out my "Argentinian Joe" collection. In fact, pretty much all the characters are of interest, especially Quarrel (satisfying my UK Action Force lust!). Sure it'll be expensive (but at least spread over three payments) and this year I'm passing on the con set. Day-Glo Iron Grenadiers aren't my thing! It helps that my officer level membership is bought and paid for months ago as I wanted to secure the free Footloose (who technically brings the sub total up to 14 figures)

See, I was initially planning on it, but then months went by when I was ready to drop the doe on those figures, and finally, without a job, my mindset started to change. I was even going to get a membership to get the Footloose figure, but then they stopped accepting payments through cards and you cannot do Paypal, and I am no longer will to send a money order to pay for items. As such, I lose out, but that is just how it goes. Of course, at this rate, who knows, maybe I'll be working full time again by the time they actually get the sub off the ground and I can afford to get it.