Toyguru Update on 2013 Subscriptions

[Bulkhide]

I'm wondering if he meant that a drop of 50% of the final sub numbers would get us through. The overall number may end up being less than that percentage.

Yeah. Probably. I can see this being the case.


Also - Tallstar, my bet on the TOP-POP characters being made would be: Castaspella, Angella, Glimmer, and Madame Razz, with maybe Mermista or Perfuma tossed in there.

[wolfsfang]

to any it may concern

all respect to you but...

I am not buying a sub and wasting my money on figs of characters that I do not want just so you can complete your collection.

[Darkspecter]

Wait... very confused. MOTUC was the best-selling sub last year, far outselling DC and all the subs combined. So DC is where it was last year and is fine... but MOTUC is at 50% and is in danger? Even if MOTUC was at 50% of last year, didn't Scott say if they sold 50% of the subs things would still be okay? I just find all of this genuinely confusing.

Me too.

Major POP characters probably doesn't include much of Wave 2.

By main PoP, he probably means: Glimmer, Angella, Kowl, Madame Razz. By NA he probably means Hydron and Flogg.

[DarrkKnight]

Nice idea but it will not happen because they have to make as much money now, not later. Shareholders demand it, thus subs- guaranteed sales- happier stock holders.

[Replikor]

Wait... very confused. MOTUC was the best-selling sub last year, far outselling DC and all the subs combined. So DC is where it was last year and is fine... but MOTUC is at 50% and is in danger? Even if MOTUC was at 50% of last year, didn't Scott say if they sold 50% of the subs things would still be okay? I just find all of this genuinely confusing.

the problem is that its currently 50% of the minimum to go into production! NOT a year with fully tooled figures.

BUT!!! Like MegaGearMax posted.... [IF] we can get 2013 to go into production 2014 is being reworked as the possible last year to go out with a bang.. so 2014 will ROCK!!!

..but again. [ONLY IF 2013 goes into production]

[Hordaiquiri]

It is too late to make any changes to 2013.

BUT: what I am doing is reworking 2014. If we can get enough subs to get 2013 done, I will make sure that the 2014 line is reworked to include all remaining vintage figs and all the major NA and POP figures (we might not get to Kayo if you will...).

First step is ensureing 2013 works. Then I will rework 2014 so that if that winds up being the last year, at least we will go out with a bang. It doesn't mean we couldn't still get to a 2015 (if support is there) but I am no longer going to follow the 2016 roadmap. I've always said what will kill the line is when the figures cost more to produce then fans are willing to pay.If the writing is on the wall, I will do all I can to ensure 2014 finishing things off.

Not.... get..... to..... KAYO.............



*picks up a building and throws it at Toyguru*

Don't make me get all Mommy Dearest on you.

Major POP characters probably doesn't include much of Wave 2.

*throws a moon at Mattel HQ*

I've always feared I'd have to customize half of the POP gals out of what little shared parts we received in MOTUC. I don't want that fear to come true.

[Draego-Man]

If the line ends in 2014, it is because TG and Mattel killed it. Point blank murder. The whole sub debacle, disrespect for cherry pickers, and lots of characters nobody wants. They did it to themselves, and now we are the ones who will get screwed, and just as everyone predicted... the will blame this all on us!!

[Wakko]

I'm wondering if he meant that a drop of 50% of the final sub numbers would get us through. The overall number may end up being less than that percentage.

MOTUC has a much bigger budget than DCUC. DCUC is primary new heads on repainted bodies (with maybe a new accessory or add-on). So they need fewer subscribers to continue with DCUC, because that line was already scaled-back budget wise. MOTUC, for all of its reuse, showed a LOT more figures, a lot more oversized/bonus figures, and a lot more new tooling. In order to budget that out, MOTUC needs a LOT more subscribers than DCUC does.

I'm sure more people have already subscribed to MOTUC 2013 than DCUC, but it's apples and oranges. DCUC can proceed with fewer subbers. If MOTUC doesn't meet its quota, it's either going to be canceled or they will have to revamp it to follow the DCUC pattern -- minimal new tooling on existing parts.

[Shadow-Ra]

This is my 'unanswered' post on Ask Matty

"Well Toy 'Guru',

This is a sad day for me.

Each year you make it increasingly difficult for international customers to give you custom.

With $62 per figure, which is what I'll end up paying, I really don't think it's worth it, do you?

I've always supported you when I've heard bad comments being made, always stuck up for you. But the way you've pushed us international fans out of the line with very much an attitude of "Don't let the door hit you on the way out" - makes me think "What#s the point?"

You won't even listen to anyone's suggestion about any way which can be used to help support the line further, it's just very much an attitude of "My way, or the high way"

Some of the suggestions people have made on here have been absolute genius, but it's come to the be that you don't need to read your replies to know what the answer is.

Add all this to fact of Fairness in the Factions is a very big deal to many of us. Just because YOU don't have a connection with POP or NA, doesn't mean the rest of us don't.

Why bring out the Fighting Foe Men? Seriously, I'd like to know what the logic behind this was. Did you not learn your lesson from the Star Sisters? And now you want to charge $15 more??

Why not release a 3-pack of characters who are established?

Mermista, Octavia, Sea-Hawk 3-pack?

Hydron, Karatti, Spinwitt 3-pack?

It marks a checklist, gets the characters out quicker and gives people what they want.

This is meant to be an all encompassing line, it really isn't. It's MOTU vintage, with the odd POP and NA. Looking at my shelf there is more Concept characters than POP and NA, how does that work?

And no, I don't count the Star Sisters, they are concept characters, not POP.

I also don't count the Horde, Mosquitor is the Horde, not POP, don't try to make out like they are, you know they aren't.

Saying all this, I do like the product that comes out, i just wish you were doing this for us, the fans, who pay for it, rather than your own childhood fantasies. This isn't about what YOU want, it's about what WE want, after-all, we're the one's paying for it.

I'd really like to know how sub sales are going? You said that Mattel could lose over 50% of subscribers and be fine, I think you'll get to test that theory.

I would change my mind about buying a sub if you could come up with an ACTUAL low-cost shipping option that would guarantee my figures, I can wait longer than the 4-6 weeks that we wait now if it means we get our PAID for product.

When you say "If your product gets lost, we will NOT refund or replace it", did you come up with that on your own or did you have help? Here in the UK, that is illegal and with the product coming onto the UK soil, I'm sure we could find a way to get our money back.

would it be the same for you if i said "How about you send us the product and we pay for it IF we receive it?" ... NO?, thought not.

I really am disappointed in you Scott, I really am.

I hope you change the shipping option to help out the international customers.

But if not, good luck with rest of the line, I just can't take that chance"

[mekaneckpain]

Mattel is basically playing it this way... If you don't buy the figures under our terms, we just won't make them anymore. Isn't that a great marketing strategy?

[Grouchor]

Frosta, Mer-Man and the Blue Roton driver walk into an Eternian Bar.

Frosta asks the bartender, The Mighty Spector, for a white wine spritzer, to which he replies

"That will be $40 plus international shipping"

[Sword2Blanket]

Major POP characters probably doesn't include much of Wave 2.

Well, at least we got The Mighty Spector before the line ended, and that's what's important.

[Skeletortilla]

Just like when you quit the line?

... No you won't.

Wanna bet? I just got off the phone with DR. I'm returning the two Windraiders and ten boxes of Snake Mountain stands I just bought. I'm so happy I just saved $250.

[Grayskull's Heir]

I do not understand some of your posts considering that we are talking about the potential end of the line in this thread.

All I need is Ram Man, Jitsu, and Two Bad... man I hope they make him soon. Mantenna would be cool also to finish off the original Horde members.

None of these will get made if they don't sell enough subs. If you "need" these characters you have to buy a sub.

I agree with this. 2012 had alot of wasted plastic. I just hope 2013 is different.

Again, there will be no "2013" for this line if they don't sell enough subs.

This is not the time for a "let's wait and see" attitude. This is the time to buy the sub if you want this line to continue and get the figures you want.

[mekaneckpain]

Well, at least we got The Mighty Spector before the line ended, and that's what's important.

BBBWWWAAAHHHHH!!!!

[Skeletortilla]

to any it may concern

all respect to you but...

I am not buying a sub and wasting my money on figs of characters that I do not want just so you can complete your collection.

Even though it's the SUB BUYERS who ensure YOU get to complete YOURS. Nice.

[GozzoMan]

Even though it's the SUB BUYERS who ensure YOU get to complete YOURS. Nice.

How appropriate, you fight like a battered wife.

(Sorry, Skeletortilla, I couldn't resist! )
(Context: http://he-man.org/forums/boards/show...=1#post3073695)

[Wulf-Gar]

i find the attitude of "Sub or Die" to be troublesome. Many folks are looking down on what they call "cherry pickers" as some kind of subhuman fan that they are subsidizing as Subscribers. This is the wrong attitude, as we are all fans. We are all here because we love the IP. However, folks have to balance that love with other factors in their life, so some of us can only afford to get the figures we really want (and some have to pick a fav and lose out on another they want due to financial factors) and can't afford to eat the figures we don't care about. But complaining about cherry pickers would be just like Loose collectors complaining about subsidizing MOC collectors because the cost of all the pretty packaging is spread over all purchasers. I mean, really, i would be just as happy with my MOTUC coming in a plastic baggie inside of a minimalist cardboard box, but i'm not out there railing against MOC collectors...

I guess I just don't get the grief...

[Prince Adam's Dad]

Can we-pretty please with cherries on top (no pun intended) be rational about the situation?

1. Mattel is in business to generate profit, not to indulge our nostalgia. Whether we like it or not, that's how commerce works. They do not turn a profit by intentionally running a line into the ground. Suggestions that this is the case are absurd, and remove any credibility from an argument. I strongly oppose a sub-only structure. However, if that's what it takes to maximize the profitability of the line (and thereby keep it going another few years), then so be it.

2. Be mad about Digital River. I agree wholeheartedly. If you want to pin an element of the line's "premature end" on anything, this is your target. And yes, this was all ultimately Mattel's doing. This is totally fair.

3. Please stop ignoring the elephant in the room-this is no longer 2008/2009. The economy is in the toilet. Luxury items are the first things to go. A monthly MOTUC payment could part of a rent payment. Or books for a college class. Or money put away for christmas presents for your kids. Times are hard for a lot of people. This can't be ignored.

4. Like I said earlier, variants/obscure characters/prototypes/oversized figures were great (and requested). Were great. When the line was thriving. MOTUC overextended itself. TG has accepted the fact that the line needed to change, and is making changes to the 2014 lineup. I don't like a lot of what he has done, but the guy is trying.

5. Can we all please stop acting like petulant children? If the line is winding down, there are certainly causes. Sure, 20/20 hindsight states that things could have been done differently. But needing to assign blame and lash out over it is very unbecoming. Jesus, go punch a pillow or eat a pint of ice cream or something.

[NastyNate]

dang TG, show some patience. The price went UP, and everyone just got back from comic con. Just because people havent subbed up "yet" dosent mean they WONT. I get paid again at the end of July, thats when IM PLANNING to buy my sub. Gotta give people a lil bit of time here brotha. Man what a difference a week makes huh? Last Friday we were all happy and excited. This Friday we are worried and wondering if we will even see new figs in 2013!
Gotta love toy collecting!

[Draego-Man]

Wanna bet? I just got off the phone with DR. I'm returning the two Windraiders and ten boxes of Snake Mountain stands I just bought. I'm so happy I just saved $250.

But if you send them a big lump of plastic, I think the Feds might be a little suspicious. Just a heads up!

[Detective Lubic]

Why is the Guru Pushing the Panic button so quickly!! I mean it is so early I havent ordered my Sub yet but I plan on it, We had until Aug 5th right. Now we have to have Fast Sell outs of the Sub too? I can see telling people the "Truth" or using Scare Tactics if there was only a couple of days left? I just dont see how all his doom and gloom is helping at this point.

[Draego-Man]

Jesus, go punch a pillow or eat a pint of ice cream or something.

I just put a pair of bright yellow suspenders on a big purple pillow and kicked the living snot out of it!! I feel better now.

[mekaneckpain]

I do not understand some of your posts considering that we are talking about the potential end of the line in this thread.



None of these will get made if they don't sell enough subs. If you "need" these characters you have to buy a sub.



Again, there will be no "2013" for this line if they don't sell enough subs.

This is not the time for a "let's wait and see" attitude. This is the time to buy the sub if you want this line to continue and get the figures you want.

I'm pretty sure those posts are dated before this whole whirlwind of fear regarding the end of the line started. Besides, you guys complain that I'm too negative. Now your complaining that I'm too positive... you guys need to make up your mind.

[NorthCoast]

Look, if you are a fan of the line it is unfortunately turning into all or nothing. I wish it was different, but it's not. That's the way things go sometimes. You can't walk into a house for sale and say "I only like these rooms, I'll pay for those and you keep the rest!"

If you sub, you can still sell what you don't want. I imagine the secondary market will be good.

Sometimes we have to sacrifice for things we love, and we all love MOTU. I hope people subscribe not for Mattel's benefit, or Scott's sake, but for the fan base as a whole. We really have something special with MOTUC, something a lot of us dreamed of most our lives. It would be a shame to waste this opportunity, because we may never have it again.