Wow! Whiplash Classics crazy price.....

[uaxuctum]

Just wish Matty had advertised better because I would have gotten them at cost, but I guess the only thing that really matters is I found the line.

It's difficult they could have advertised better, given they haven't advertised at all. Newcomers joining the line have basically stumbled upon it while looking for something else.

That's just sad, its a shame Matty can't do more to promote MOTUC

Oh, of course they can. The problem is they won't. Mattel is the biggest toy company in the world. They have more than enough resources to bring MotU back to its former glory, if they so truly wished. And even if Mattel were a small startup company (which they are anything but), where there is a will, there is a way.

But Matty has no such will. They're avaricious and cheap, and want others to do the hard work for them, while they simply wait to reap up the profits. During the sub crisis last summer, when TG's own job was possibly on the chopping block given that his "flagship" project MattyCollector will die the same day MotUC dies, it was the desperate fans who did all the leg work and went out of their way to promote and save the line, whereas Matty/TG sat back on their chairs all the while doing nothing except sending out threats. It wasn't Matty who contacted Anthony De Longis (Blade) to record a promotional video to save the line. It wasn't Matty who put together promotional fliers and distributed them among comic retailers. It wasn't Matty who spread the word on the social networks to try and reach out to new fans. Matty did nothing.

[Fisto's Fury]

I'm another newbie. I was shopping at Amazon for a He-Man Tee shirt and stumbled upon a classics figure on accident. Then checked EBay and was blown away by how many figures had been released already. After that I found Pixel Dan on YouTube and was addicted to his reviews till I watched every one about motuc. Now I'm hooked on Roast Gooble Dinner. All this just happened in Sep of 2012.

It was frustrating at first trying to figure out why I couldn't sub for 2013, I hadn't realized they closed it in the summer.

I'm like a nerd coming out of retirement. When I was younger I would have known about a line like this, but now I'm married with kids. I stopped collecting toys years ago, no time or money for it, it seemed.

The point is, how many others like me are out there? With some better advertising how could this line grow? I have subbed twice for Filmation and can't wait to sub for 2014, and can't wait for my CG. I'm all in. This thread shows that there may be more like me than people realize. Maybe reissues that didn't work earlier may do better now. Only way to find out is to do a pre-order.

It's a bummer that my favorite figure is Fisto, I didn't have him as a kid, and I don't have him in Classics yet either, I would love a re-issue, but only if its profitable and helps the line grow. Just hate to see a missed opportunity.

[EtherianChronicles]

Someone who sells on eBay would have to confirm but I've been told by more than one person now that eBay started a policy of charging sellers 10% of the shipping charge in an effort to curb sellers that would sell items at .99 and tack on a 40.00 shipping charge to circumvent fees.

If that is accurate then it would explain why US based sellers are avoiding overseas sells. Higher shipping charges are eating up any profit because eBay is forcing the seller to pay 10% of it.

That actually wasn't international specific. Basically, eBay now counts all shipping costs in the final value fee you have to pay eBay when something sells. Instead of fighting the rip-off shippers, they just gave up and figure they will "tax" it all instead, so they get their cut at least.

The reason you see a lot of people not shipping internationally is actually because of recent changes to PayPal. I've sold on eBay for ten years or so, but sporadically. I have a PayPal debit card, so when someone bought something I had instant access to the cash. I was quite shocked to see that eBay/PayPal (same thing these days) no longer does this until you pass their "test".

There are a lot of (sometimes conflicting and confusing) criteria, but basically in order to get instant access to your money again, you must sell 25 items domestically in a 90 day period, completely fill the transactions with delivery confirmation within the specified time. If you do that, the restriction may be lifted, but if you sneeze in the wrong direction (sell in a new category, etc, its all very vague) they can still choose to escrow your funds at any time.

If you are under this "escrow" restriction, you get your money a few days after delivery is confirmed, and the buyer doesn't give you negative feedback/dispute. So minimum is like a week, and in the mean time the product is gone out of your hands and you have no idea if you will actually get the money or not - it's at the whim of eBay and PayPal and the buyer.

I had a bunch of stuff to sell last fall and I had sold almost all of it by the time I actually earned the right to my own money. I didn't like it but I had stuff to get rid of and I needed the cash. That said, there were some items I refused to sell before I hit the magic numbers, because I was not risking them if someone along the line screwed it up. I haven't sold in months but have another batch of stuff to sell - and I'm just hoping I am still "approved" and don't have to go through that crap again (or I likely will just sell on Amazon exclusively).

The reason this affects international shipments is because no one wants to pay for tracked shipping, even if its available, because it costs more than the product is worth more times than not. So you do not get your money for up to THREE WEEKS if you ship internationally now. And with no confirmation number, etc., and considering international post being what it is, it's a total crapshoot if you are going to get paid at all or just be out the item, PLUS all the fees and shipping you still have to pay (basically, you get zero for the item and pay shipping out of pocket and then still pay eBay fees for the right to loose money and your product).

It's just not worth it for most people having to wait three weeks for the dough, let alone all the risk of not getting paid at all. I began to offer international again once I got my funds immediately released, but I will stop again if they think its ok to keep my money for three weeks and me it knowing if I am ever going to get it at all.

[wyldman11]

another problem with international shipping is the lack of tracking means a buyer could say didn't get item and get a refund. So you would have buyer scammers who would likely get the item but say they never did. Kind of like the whole buying from Hong Kong thing but in reverse and it did tend to center around certain countries.

[Lich Leech]

I'm another newbie. I was shopping at Amazon for a He-Man Tee shirt and stumbled upon a classics figure on accident. Then checked EBay and was blown away by how many figures had been released already. After that I found Pixel Dan on YouTube and was addicted to his reviews till I watched every one about motuc. Now I'm hooked on Roast Gooble Dinner. All this just happened in Sep of 2012.

It was frustrating at first trying to figure out why I couldn't sub for 2013, I hadn't realized they closed it in the summer.

I'm like a nerd coming out of retirement. When I was younger I would have known about a line like this, but now I'm married with kids. I stopped collecting toys years ago, no time or money for it, it seemed.

The point is, how many others like me are out there? With some better advertising how could this line grow? I have subbed twice for Filmation and can't wait to sub for 2014, and can't wait for my CG. I'm all in. This thread shows that there may be more like me than people realize. Maybe reissues that didn't work earlier may do better now. Only way to find out is to do a pre-order.

It's a bummer that my favorite figure is Fisto, I didn't have him as a kid, and I don't have him in Classics yet either, I would love a re-issue, but only if its profitable and helps the line grow. Just hate to see a missed opportunity.

My story is almost EXACTLY the same as yours!

[Fisto's Fury]

My story is almost EXACTLY the same as yours!

That's funny!

[Kollec-Tor]

That actually wasn't international specific. Basically, eBay now counts all shipping costs in the final value fee you have to pay eBay when something sells. Instead of fighting the rip-off shippers, they just gave up and figure they will "tax" it all instead, so they get their cut at least.

The reason you see a lot of people not shipping internationally is actually because of recent changes to PayPal. I've sold on eBay for ten years or so, but sporadically. I have a PayPal debit card, so when someone bought something I had instant access to the cash. I was quite shocked to see that eBay/PayPal (same thing these days) no longer does this until you pass their "test".

There are a lot of (sometimes conflicting and confusing) criteria, but basically in order to get instant access to your money again, you must sell 25 items domestically in a 90 day period, completely fill the transactions with delivery confirmation within the specified time. If you do that, the restriction may be lifted, but if you sneeze in the wrong direction (sell in a new category, etc, its all very vague) they can still choose to escrow your funds at any time.

If you are under this "escrow" restriction, you get your money a few days after delivery is confirmed, and the buyer doesn't give you negative feedback/dispute. So minimum is like a week, and in the mean time the product is gone out of your hands and you have no idea if you will actually get the money or not - it's at the whim of eBay and PayPal and the buyer.

I had a bunch of stuff to sell last fall and I had sold almost all of it by the time I actually earned the right to my own money. I didn't like it but I had stuff to get rid of and I needed the cash. That said, there were some items I refused to sell before I hit the magic numbers, because I was not risking them if someone along the line screwed it up. I haven't sold in months but have another batch of stuff to sell - and I'm just hoping I am still "approved" and don't have to go through that crap again (or I likely will just sell on Amazon exclusively).

The reason this affects international shipments is because no one wants to pay for tracked shipping, even if its available, because it costs more than the product is worth more times than not. So you do not get your money for up to THREE WEEKS if you ship internationally now. And with no confirmation number, etc., and considering international post being what it is, it's a total crapshoot if you are going to get paid at all or just be out the item, PLUS all the fees and shipping you still have to pay (basically, you get zero for the item and pay shipping out of pocket and then still pay eBay fees for the right to loose money and your product).

It's just not worth it for most people having to wait three weeks for the dough, let alone all the risk of not getting paid at all. I began to offer international again once I got my funds immediately released, but I will stop again if they think its ok to keep my money for three weeks and me it knowing if I am ever going to get it at all.

I was wondering EtherianChronicles if you could please answer some questions that I have about eBay sellers. You mentioned that you've been a seller on eBay for about 10 years so that makes you kind of an expert. Just to make it clear so the moderators don't flag me or give me demerits, I'm not criticizing you or attacking you. I just want to ask for clarification purposes.

I've noticed the trend on eBay now is to post listings with only the BIN (or BIN with Best Offer) selection. They no longer allow a bidding process and a majority of those BIN prices seem very excessive. I would say that the listings now are 70% with BIN and 30% with an "auction" process. I mean those are not exact numbers but that's what it seems like. A few years ago it was the other way around. What happened? A lot of those BIN listings go "untouched" and those same sellers keep re-listing those same items over and over again. I mean aren't they just losing money from those posting fees? This is happening a lot. Why not just post items with the bidding process? Those sellers would at least make some money. It just seems counterproductive and very unprofitable.

Would you be able to help shed some light on this matter? Again, I only ask to better understand current eBay trends and it has nothing to do about criticizing or offending anyone. Just to make it clear.

[cbomb23]

another problem with international shipping is the lack of tracking means a buyer could say didn't get item and get a refund. So you would have buyer scammers who would likely get the item but say they never did. Kind of like the whole buying from Hong Kong thing but in reverse and it did tend to center around certain countries.

I stopped offering international shipping that does not include tracking anymore, which means shipping is likely 3x + what it was to ship it First Class International. I got burned by a few buyers not receiving their items and eBay always tends to side with the buyer.

I was wondering EtherianChronicles if you could please answer some questions that I have about eBay sellers. You mentioned that you've been a seller on eBay for about 10 years so that makes you kind of an expert. Just to make it clear so the moderators don't flag me or give me demerits, I'm not criticizing you or attacking you. I just want to ask for clarification purposes.

I've noticed the trend on eBay now is to post listings with only the BIN (or BIN with Best Offer) selection. They no longer allow a bidding process and a majority of those BIN prices seem very excessive. I would say that the listings now are 70% with BIN and 30% with an "auction" process. I mean those are not exact numbers but that's what it seems like. A few years ago it was the other way around. What happened? A lot of those BIN listings go "untouched" and those same sellers keep re-listing those same items over and over again. I mean aren't they just losing money from those posting fees? This is happening a lot. Why not just post items with the bidding process? Those sellers would at least make some money. It just seems counterproductive and very unprofitable.

Would you be able to help shed some light on this matter? Again, I only ask to better understand current eBay trends and it has nothing to do about criticizing or offending anyone. Just to make it clear.

I think your statistics are way off, it may just be the particular item you are looking for that seems that way? If you look up a category most items will be auctions. As a seller eBay offers me 50 free auction style listings a month, they will also have special offers during different time periods either for auction style listings of fixed priced listings (BINs) which are free for a few days trying to promote more listings. But if you have an eBay store you pay a monthly fee and are alotted listings and a better return on your items (I think?). As far as what you are seeing buyers see what an item is selling for and want the best possible price so they will list it as a BIN, it is also cheaper to list it as a BIN if you are out of free listings.

[Bonehead]

The reason you see a lot of people not shipping internationally is actually because of recent changes to PayPal. I've sold on eBay for ten years or so, but sporadically. I have a PayPal debit card, so when someone bought something I had instant access to the cash. I was quite shocked to see that eBay/PayPal (same thing these days) no longer does this until you pass their "test".

There are a lot of (sometimes conflicting and confusing) criteria, but basically in order to get instant access to your money again, you must sell 25 items domestically in a 90 day period, completely fill the transactions with delivery confirmation within the specified time. If you do that, the restriction may be lifted, but if you sneeze in the wrong direction (sell in a new category, etc, its all very vague) they can still choose to escrow your funds at any time.

If you are under this "escrow" restriction, you get your money a few days after delivery is confirmed, and the buyer doesn't give you negative feedback/dispute. So minimum is like a week, and in the mean time the product is gone out of your hands and you have no idea if you will actually get the money or not - it's at the whim of eBay and PayPal and the buyer.

Paypal does this for "new" members or members who have become "inactive" for a long while. Also, if you have bad feedback, you could get "flagged." The reason they do this is due to the high amount of new Paypal users who open accounts, sell a bunch of stuff on ebay, then close shop without shipping any items. By the time the buyer finds out, the seller has already closed their bank account and Paypal has no way to refund the buyer under their Protection Policy. It's the shady sellers who ruined it for everyone just like the charge against shipping costs.

I have been an Ebay member, buyer/seller, since '98 and a Paypal member since it first started and have never had to wait for any money. If you are an active member on Ebay and Paypal they shouldn't hold any funds unless you meet the criteria, whatever it is.

another problem with international shipping is the lack of tracking means a buyer could say didn't get item and get a refund. So you would have buyer scammers who would likely get the item but say they never did. Kind of like the whole buying from Hong Kong thing but in reverse and it did tend to center around certain countries.

This more than anything is the reason no one wants to ship international. I refuse to ship international. It's extremely hard to prove that an international box arrived at it's destination. Then also there is the buyers who don't want to pay for international shipping and complain about the price. Then there's others who want you to lie on customs forms so they don't have to pay taxes.

I've noticed the trend on eBay now is to post listings with only the BIN (or BIN with Best Offer) selection. They no longer allow a bidding process and a majority of those BIN prices seem very excessive. I would say that the listings now are 70% with BIN and 30% with an "auction" process. I mean those are not exact numbers but that's what it seems like. A few years ago it was the other way around. What happened?

People list stuff with BIN instead of auctions so that they can guarantee a sale price. When you auction something off, you risk selling the item for less than you actually want for it. With BIN, you don't have that risk. It's like buying from a B&M store.

A lot of those BIN listings go "untouched" and those same sellers keep re-listing those same items over and over again. I mean aren't they just losing money from those posting fees? This is happening a lot. Why not just post items with the bidding process? Those sellers would at least make some money. It just seems counterproductive and very unprofitable.

They loose money but not as much as you'd think. To list an item in the "action figures" section it regularly cost about only 50 cents. If an item doesn't sell, for example a MOTUC figure, the seller is only out about the 50 cents. Ebay doesn't really make money off the seller listing the item, they make their money from the selling price of the item. Ebay charges the seller a certain percentage of the selling price. That fee is where the seller looses money. For the record, that fee changes depending on your selling account feedback score and whether you are a "Power Seller" and all of that other ebay junk. Then on top of all of that, the seller gets hit with Paypal charges. In the end, the seller has to pay to list the item on ebay, pay a final value fee, and a paypal fee.

[cbomb23]

And an even crazier auction that is going to sell 46 empty white mailers for $19.95 + shipping from Canada (for me it shows $18)! I can't believe people pay for those?

[goluphi]

No thats correct, me too. If the line is dying. Besides that, those were only my ideas to justify a new release of older figs.

A reissue sub with figures like this might actually be a good idea.

[EtherianChronicles]

I was wondering EtherianChronicles if you could please answer some questions that I have about eBay sellers. You mentioned that you've been a seller on eBay for about 10 years so that makes you kind of an expert. Just to make it clear so the moderators don't flag me or give me demerits, I'm not criticizing you or attacking you. I just want to ask for clarification purposes.

I've noticed the trend on eBay now is to post listings with only the BIN (or BIN with Best Offer) selection. They no longer allow a bidding process and a majority of those BIN prices seem very excessive. I would say that the listings now are 70% with BIN and 30% with an "auction" process. I mean those are not exact numbers but that's what it seems like. A few years ago it was the other way around. What happened? A lot of those BIN listings go "untouched" and those same sellers keep re-listing those same items over and over again. I mean aren't they just losing money from those posting fees? This is happening a lot. Why not just post items with the bidding process? Those sellers would at least make some money. It just seems counterproductive and very unprofitable.

Would you be able to help shed some light on this matter? Again, I only ask to better understand current eBay trends and it has nothing to do about criticizing or offending anyone. Just to make it clear.

Sure. Ebay is such a complex topic one can (and they have) written books about it, but I think I can give you a brief idea.

With some items, like MOTUC, you see a high percentage of "Buy It Now" because it is just more convenient and/or profitable for both sides.

Sellers like it because they know how much they are going to get. Setting a high starting bid means people won't start to bid early, but if you set a low starting bid you very well may get burned if there just doesn't happen to be any buyers at that moment in time bidding and your item goes for less than you wanted to part with it for. A neat current example is Procrustus - he seems to go about $40 BIN, but some of the auctions have ended at half that. Yet they still sell at the $40 price point.

That wouldn't work except for the fact that buyers like the convenience. Although we can bid on eBay from your phone or pretty much wherever you are, most people cannot be bothered. And anyone with an ounce of sense knows you don't bid until the end (all you do is drive the final price up that way - which is why eBay's "Bid Early and Often!" advice is only good for their (and sellers) pockets. It never works out for the buyers. There are services that "snipe" bid for you at the end (I'd post a link to my favorite one, but I believe that is against the rules), but most people won't go that far. It's really the "I'm shopping right now, if I use Buy It Now it will be on it's way to me tomorrow" and with Priority Mail you can have it in a few days. Many buyers find it just isn't worth the time to sit and watch an auction for a week and then possibly not win.

As a buyer, you can definitely get deals if you watch for the actual auctions. You just have to be willing to invest the time into watching them and/or being available at the ends of auctions to be able to actually win.

Paypal does this for "new" members or members who have become "inactive" for a long while. Also, if you have bad feedback, you could get "flagged." The reason they do this is due to the high amount of new Paypal users who open accounts, sell a bunch of stuff on ebay, then close shop without shipping any items. By the time the buyer finds out, the seller has already closed their bank account and Paypal has no way to refund the buyer under their Protection Policy. It's the shady sellers who ruined it for everyone just like the charge against shipping costs.

I have been an Ebay member, buyer/seller, since '98 and a Paypal member since it first started and have never had to wait for any money. If you are an active member on Ebay and Paypal they shouldn't hold any funds unless you meet the criteria, whatever it is.

I'm not sure why, but this comes off a bit argumentative, LOL.

First, it's not PayPal, it's eBay.

I have a fully-vetted PayPal business account which I use constantly and is unlimited, verified, and with no restrictions.

And I posted the criteria - you must, at some point, make 25 domestic sales within a 90 day period that are tracked and get positive feedback. Even though I had like 300+ positive feedback (100%) and a 5.0 rating as a seller, because I was not actively selling on eBay at whatever time they made this restriction policy, I was treated like a "newbie" and therefore the restrictions were in place.

This is why a lot of casual sellers do not ship internationally, as I stated.

You can also have restrictions placed if you do things like sell in a new category - I know someone who had never had any at all, then they tried to sell their old iPhone when they got a new one, and bam - funds held. Basically, under their new policies and procedures - sneeze wrong, and it could even happen to someone like you.

They loose money but not as much as you'd think. To list an item in the "action figures" section it regularly cost about only 50 cents. If an item doesn't sell, for example a MOTUC figure, the seller is only out about the 50 cents. Ebay doesn't really make money off the seller listing the item, they make their money from the selling price of the item. Ebay charges the seller a certain percentage of the selling price. That fee is where the seller looses money. For the record, that fee changes depending on your selling account feedback score and whether you are a "Power Seller" and all of that other ebay junk. Then on top of all of that, the seller gets hit with Paypal charges. In the end, the seller has to pay to list the item on ebay, pay a final value fee, and a paypal fee.

That's why I often prefer Amazon. They take a big chunk, but it's one chunk - and they tell you at the time of listing in no uncertain terms "You will get: $ if this sells". And that's the exact amount deposited into my checking account after I sell. eBay has become such a maze of fees at this point it's astounding. I sold a dozen items one month last year and my invoice had more line items than my 2013 Federal Tax forms. And I actually found a mistake - I was eligible for a free listing they didn't give me, and the only way to get it fixed is to sit on the phone with them and since it said the wait was 20 minutes I didn't even bother.

That's why when you see MOTUC auctions like Procrustus or Star Sisters going for barely retail, or below, you know that seller really took a dive on it. After listing fees, final value fees, PayPal fees, and "just because we feel like it" fees, especially when you figure the seller had to pay original shipping for the product as well - I can see why people have trepidation about unloading FFM.

And an even crazier auction that is going to sell 46 empty white mailers for $19.95 + shipping from Canada (for me it shows $18)! I can't believe people pay for those?

There surprisingly is an audience for this. They sell here in the marketplace for a buck or two a piece - I actually have been watching that auction for curiosity sake, but I bet it goes for a bit higher.

[Dynamike1977]

we "the international buyers" are not all that bad.

I see the trend, but have to say: I hope it does not continue or get worse. It was really hard to find an US Seller (finally from NY), to sell me the insanely expensive Whiplash
But I didn`t complain - I also know that shipping costs did rise, and thats not the sellers fault.

It`s a hard life as a motuC collector in Europe

[No-Ah]

Some stores do stock them some don't, but i wasn't talking about stocking i was talking about product knowledge but if they have a good range or action figures are a good part of their business i'd be shocked if the folks working there didn't know. Matty is a large part of Action figure news conversations, the main sites and trades cover them, SDCC exclusives are a massive yearly event in modern toy trading Hell even the current DC figures sold at retail have adds for Matty on them. DC animated movies had trailers for matty

I am not saying people can't know about MOTUC but if you claim to be knowledgeable about the modern figure market something is up if you haven't heard of this line

I have no idea what CS owners who don't stock MOTU know. But I know that I've never seen them for sale in any store and I regularly stop in more than a few in multiple states.

[Bonehead]

I have a fully-vetted PayPal business account which I use constantly and is unlimited, verified, and with no restrictions.

So do I.

And I posted the criteria - you must, at some point, make 25 domestic sales within a 90 day period that are tracked and get positive feedback. Even though I had like 300+ positive feedback (100%) and a 5.0 rating as a seller, because I was not actively selling on eBay at whatever time they made this restriction policy, I was treated like a "newbie" and therefore the restrictions were in place.

Eh...that's what I said.

Paypal does this for "new" members or members who have become "inactive" for a long while.

You can also have restrictions placed if you do things like sell in a new category

That's false. I've asked ebay directly about this before. It doesn't matter what you sell at all. You just have to be active and have good feedback. I've sold several "odd" things in many different sections.

[Kollec-Tor]

I would like to thank EtherianChronicles, Cbomb23, and Bonehead for their responses. They were able to give me more insight into the matter. Though I spend the majority of my time on eBay looking for action figures, I do also peruse for t-shirts, CD's, DVD's, and other collectibles. I still say that a lot more listings are now posted solely with the BIN selection.

On a similar note, what do you all think about the topic of shill bidding concerning eBay. I have my concerns that it has become more rampant. Though I don't have any real proof or statistics to back up my claim, it's just something I've noticed recently (just to state again that I'm not attacking anyone, just expressing a statement).

[eddie3429]

I have no idea what CS owners who don't stock MOTU know. But I know that I've never seen them for sale in any store and I regularly stop in more than a few in multiple states.

that could just be your region, here in melbourne we have four stores that stock them that i know of..

All Star comics
Lobos collectibles
Collectors Edge
Comics R Us (city store)

I am not knocking stores that don't stock them, not at all, but i think any one (store owner or others wise ) that claims to have fairly good current knowledge of action figures you'd have to have come across this brand, Know those outside of that i can understand...

[wyldman11]

we "the international buyers" are not all that bad.

I see the trend, but have to say: I hope it does not continue or get worse. It was really hard to find an US Seller (finally from NY), to sell me the insanely expensive Whiplash
But I didn`t complain - I also know that shipping costs did rise, and thats not the sellers fault.

It`s a hard life as a motuC collector in Europe

Most people know that, and I would say most international buyers are good. It's just when the risk becomes the seller looses out on a decent chunk of cash it's easy to see why they are just not going to deal with the hassle.

[stprime]

do you guys think that ramman will be the same way. i mean, will he be the same status as whiplash or will whiplash stay on top of most sought after?

[horseman1981]

Man this thread has so many topics,but all very interesting.

Just to add to the topic a page ago,about new collectors and advertising the line.

So we have new collectors that never new this line existed,meaning they are not active action figure collectors. How would you advertise to them? This means a new collector that had no idea of this line has never in 5 years,looked at toy magazines,been on toy sites,looked at coverage of Sdcc or NYTF,plus if in the US,they never stepped foot in a toysrus,where the two packs are still around in most toysrus stores. This means they never looked up motu on eBay,amazon or other sites,I look up heman pillow cases and a motuc figure still pops up.

So all that said,how and where would you advertise to these yet untapped fans? Honestly,say what you want about matty and DR,but lack of advertising for an online adult figure line is not a complaint I can lodge.

[wyldman11]

do you guys think that ramman will be the same way. i mean, will he be the same status as whiplash or will whiplash stay on top of most sought after?

don't forget Teela and Fisto

Shadow Weaver gets a mention but I am not sure what her secondary value would have been had she been a regular release.

- - - Updated - - -

Man this thread has so many topics,but all very interesting.

Just to add to the topic a page ago,about new collectors and advertising the line.

So we have new collectors that never new this line existed,meaning they are not active action figure collectors. How would you advertise to them? This means a new collector that had no idea of this line has never in 5 years,looked at toy magazines,been on toy sites,looked at coverage of Sdcc or NYTF,plus if in the US,they never stepped foot in a toysrus,where the two packs are still around in most toysrus stores. This means they never looked up motu on eBay,amazon or other sites,I look up heman pillow cases and a motuc figure still pops up.

So all that said,how and where would you advertise to these yet untapped fans? Honestly,say what you want about matty and DR,but lack of advertising for an online adult figure line is not a complaint I can lodge.

Advertising has changed in recent years. Facebook pages, youtube channels often do more to promote a product than televised advertisements. One of the best still is product placement, of little known products. It comes off hoaky in many cases especially with a line like this, made worse by it causes problems when releasing a show or movie on video or on certain broadcast stations.

This is made worse by it being an adult line, it's not like they can show spots during cartoon time. They did have spots in comics though, they could have had ones in front of DC animated features which are more aimed at adults and also possibly more geek based movies etc. I am sure they could have gotten some placement in Big Bang Theory for what it's worth.

[stprime]

an easy way to advertise would be what i've seen done for bands. the company sends you fliers and stuff, you (or a small group you get together) goes around and passes it out. so you'd have to take them to comic shops and other stores of the like.

[Lentzquest]

So we have new collectors that never new this line existed,meaning they are not active action figure collectors. How would you advertise to them? This means a new collector that had no idea of this line has never in 5 years,looked at toy magazines,been on toy sites,looked at coverage of Sdcc or NYTF,plus if in the US,they never stepped foot in a toysrus,where the two packs are still around in most toysrus stores. This means they never looked up motu on eBay,amazon or other sites,I look up heman pillow cases and a motuc figure still pops up.

So all that said,how and where would you advertise to these yet untapped fans? Honestly,say what you want about matty and DR,but lack of advertising for an online adult figure line is not a complaint I can lodge.

I indeed saw a few of the TRU 2-packs. The problem is they were Zodac, Stratos, and bathtime Mer-Man. I remember seeing them and thinking meh. I figured that was all there were, plus maybe He-Man. You turn the package over and there's no indication that these few figures represent a line of dozens and dozens of more interesting figures, including childhood favorites. The backs of these 2-packs should have shown a dozen each of MOTU classics and DCU figures already available, and maybe some coming soon in upcoming months. Then they should have also included a good plug for mattycollector.com and a little blurb explaining how many awesome figures were available via subscription. Instead we see this:

twopackzod002.jpg

The few vanilla MOTU characters that are keeping shelves warm at TRUs, tethered to unwanted DCU figures, providing almost no further information on the line, are an absolutely terrible way to spread the word about MOTU classics.

Edit: As far as good advertising goes, they should send posters, flyers, pamphlets, etc to various chains that cater to nerdy interests. Places like toy stores, game stores, specialty shops like Spencers, card shops, etc. No need to spend millions on advertising, just need to get the word out a little. Also a commercial or two aired on Adult Swim or something wouldn't hurt. Maybe youtube ads attached to videos of certain subject matter. If Daniel Benedict can make his own (awesome) commercials for CGM for practically nothing, so can Matty. All it'd have to be is a parody of the 80s commercials with grown-ass men playing with MOTUC toys.

[stprime]

tru in general is absolutely terrible, imho.

[eddie3429]

don't forget Teela and Fisto

they could have had ones in front of DC animated features which are more aimed at adults and also possibly more geek based movies etc.

actually they did do this on a some earlier ones (superman/batman red hood etc)