The Future of Mego is it in jeopardy ?

[vietnambob]

I want to introduce myself my name is Robert Macchia, and I am NEW to this board,but spend some time reading all the posts, and the one with HULK presenting the "NEW" Mego Star Trek line (IN MY OPINION) at the New York Toy Fair does not sit well with me, NOT the fact that he did it, but more of the fact that someone is REPRODUCING Mego's.

Now I'm no expert on MEGO, but I do have a nice collection and just acquired my first Kid Flash from ebay (benbarb), and I have spent so much time and monies trying to complete my collection with original parts, but now what happens to that collection once I can purchase the same thing at the local toy store for $9.99

Please don't get me wrong I love Mego, and I believe that the next generation of Kids should grow and respect certain toys. I never destroyed or hurt or shot holes in my toys, and as anyone that has bought anything from me on Ebay (vietnambob Cheap plug) know that I take care of my property.

I am looking past the vast knowledge that people have here,BUT what if I don't know that the mego logo was 1/1000000 of an inch from the corner of the Blister, or the color of sunset magenta was the actual prototype used in mixing Ironmans's gloves on the 5th Sunday of December 1975?

I believe that its good for the NEW, but Not for the old...Whats your OPINION?

[toys2cool]

I think yeah it will make the originals lose value,but I think it's a great thing for those folks who can't afford the originals,not everyone could afford to spend $700+ on an Andorian moc,so this will help a lot of people.I do understand where you're coming from.I felt the same way when Hasbro started to reissue the vintage Joes,but hey that's the name of the game.If there's a market for something,there's always going to be reissues

[vietnambob]

Okay good you feel my pain , but let me clarify if I can. WHY is the andorian worth $700? Because of its Rarity? Because of its age? There are a number of things BUT if I NEVER EVER saw a Real one and put it next to NEWBIE can I tell the difference? If I can't what does that make your $700 figure worth? $9.99

Now I'm not saying they are not going to have dates, and marks etc, but what would stop someone in China reproducing even those after a time? If there money in it which there is someone will do it.

Most things have sentimental value. What sentiment do the new ones bring?
Star Trek is OVER. Paramount has stated publicly that there will never be another Star Trek Series of any shape and or movie, So why the Fake Mego's now? and not just Star Trek how about the Fake Fonzie? Where does it end?

I believe that its all money motivated not nostalgia related. Do I spend $1000 of dollars on mego's because they are pretty? There is a conspiracy brewing, and its being played out by the same guy that tells you his Romulan is 100% Original.

[dumbldor]

Bob, can you please tell us why you chose this particular forum in which to post this old argument?

[EMCE Hammer]

Bob, can you please tell us why you chose this particular forum in which to post this old argument?

Bob - perhaps you didn't catch "The new book." in the forum header. This area is for discussion of the forthcoming book by Benjamin Holcomb.

To answer your post, some of us love the idea, some of us hate the idea, and some of us just don't give a _____. On the front page of the site, there is a link to the old forum posts. Read all about it there. You'll probably be dismayed to discover that a different company, CTVT, has already reproed other Mego lines.

I go back and forth on the issue. There would definitely be something cool about taking my kids to KayBee and watching them grab some new megoish figures from the pegs. In another 20-30 years most of this debate will be moot, as those of us who care now will mostly have moved on, become senile, or begun our eternal dirt naps.

[vietnambob]

Bob, can you please tell us why you chose this particular forum in which to post this old argument?

I'm sorry did I not introduce myself properly? I am NEW TO THIS BOARD was the first sentence, and though I stated I read all the posts that in itself would be almost impossible. So to me this is a NEW SUBJECT. I will redirect and thank you for making me feel welcome I came here because someone sent me an email directing me to the site and the topic was Hulk putting over the New Mego's.

Again I apologize I am NEW.

[dumbldor]

The sarcasm is not necessary, Bob. I thought your thread was odd in the book forum, but I thought it possible you were making some sort of connection. It was a legit question, not ball busting.

[mego73]

Most things have sentimental value. What sentiment do the new ones bring?
Star Trek is OVER. Paramount has stated publicly that there will never be another Star Trek Series of any shape and or movie, So why the Fake Mego's now? and not just Star Trek how about the Fake Fonzie? Where does it end?



First of all, welcome, welcome, welcome :grin:

But haven't you heard about the upcoming Star Trek movie, which will focus on the original Trek characters (with new actors playing, of course) before the events of the original show? This is the teaser poster:

http://www.impawards.com/2008/posters/star_trek_xi.jpg

About the repro figures, it is a trade off.

They might (temporarily, in my opinion, look at how many Aurora Monster model reissues there have been, but the originals still command high prices) interfere with the value of the original pieces and they might also fool the novice collector who might pay more then he/she should.

But the reissues allow for a broader base of fans to develop and allows present Mego collectors who for whatever reason believe paying $800+ bucks for a Romulan is out of the question a way to have something similar that can make them happy.

Some people collect for the nostalga, others for the value, still others for a combination of both.

I believe repros (or reissues), in the end help all types of collectors. Those that are in it for the nostalga can get something like the old, only it's crisp, brand new and affordable. Those that are in it for the value will have to look long term but unless any of these reissues is of a much larger scale then they have been, those supplies will eventually dry up. Both the repros and the originals will only be on the secondary market with the more valueble version being, of course, be the originals.

Any reissues also have the potential of pulling more into the hobby. Maybe younger people who like the particular Mego look, or people of our age who happen to spot a reissue Kirk and it becomes a springboard to looking at more Megos.

Anyway, it's a balance but when it comes right down to it, I'm happy that Megos are generating enough interest for reissues.

[Meule]

Is the future of Mego in jeopardy? It was 25 years ago ;)
But seriously, quite the contrary I would say. If there was zero intrest in repros or "new Megos" (like CTVT's second monster line, the mad clowns, I love Lucy, ...) these simply wouldn't be made. It's the love for these figures that created all these repros. Megos are very much alive. New discoveries are still being made, more and more customizers are showing off their work, MegoMeet is a succes every year, the MegoMuseum has undergone a complete transformation, EMCE Toys is releasing Trek figures and has Night of the Living Dead figures in the works. We might even see never before released Trek characters like Sulu and Chekov and maybe even others.

You're worried about the value of your collection? Maybe you should question your motives for collecting then. Megos as an investment is about the dumbest thing you can do. No one can predict the market or the value of a certain figure. Personally, I couldn't give a damn if all my Megos were only worth a buck suddenly, I'd still love 'em as much as I do now.

Hail Doc Mego, hail EMCE Toys and hail CTVT... I want more...

[jwyblejr]

No kidding. I got into this line of collecting for the joy they brought me as a child. I wanted to recapture that joy as an adult. That's it. Nothing more nothing less. And that's what these lines do. They help bring that joy back as well.

[Hulk]

And for clarification, I am just selling them, not making them.

Paul "Hulk" Clare (of Megoville.com) = just a lowly dealer

Paul "Doc Mego" Clarke (of megodoctor.com & EMCE toys) = maker

That being said, and you clearly know that this is a sensitive subject since you mentioned a particularly heated thread, these are licensed figures. if Mego were still around (so much for the future of Mego), they might have done the exact same thing, much as every other major toy company has done (Kenner, Mattel, Hasbro). It is a risk of toy collecting.


If you mean the future of the Mego-like format, ie 8 inch clothed action figures, then the fact that there are companies trying to revive the format, even in a limited fashion, is a good thing.


I do not begrudge anyone who resents these figures being made. But I personally am happy they are, and that has nothing to do with my selling them. I do that because I would like to see them succeed.

[Lynn TXP 0369]

I like the repros and reissues, because # 1... affordabilty... With two kids under 5 and a house two help support it is tough to get big $$$ items.

It is not too hard a decision to make when given the choice of spending $700 on one figure or spending the same amount of $$$ and getting 5,10, 20 figures..... It is not rocket science to me...

The new Evel Knievel toys is a perfact example of reissues, sure you can get a reissue stunt cycle set or vehical set for $15-$99 depending on what sets you get, but I still went out and hunted down and bought the origonal sets for a fair amount of $$$ so that I could have them and I got the reissues too.

There is and always will be room for both.

Also, If anyone buys this stuff for it's value or preceived value, your a fool, the bottom could drop out of this stuff yesterday. Do I gotta bring up baseball cards????

Lynn
__________________________________________



You're worried about the value of your collection? Maybe you should question your motives for collecting then. Megos as an investment is about the dumbest thing you can do. No one can predict the market or the value of a certain figure. Personally, I couldn't give a damn if all my Megos were only worth a buck suddenly, I'd still love 'em as much as I do now.



No truer words of wisdom have been spoken then that right there folks. Let those words soak in and collect with your heart...

Lynn

[ctc]

>WHY is the andorian worth $700?

Simple; 'cos that's what someone is willing to pay for it.

>now what happens to that collection once I can purchase the same thing at the local toy store for $9.99

It drops rapidly in value. For a while; anyhoo. Lots of circumstance affects what a collector is willing to pay. That's the main reason a collectible is a really, REALLY bad investment. Nostalgia fuels high prices, but it also fuels reissues. And support for a collectible can disappear overnight for other reasons. Prices will inflate when a film remake is announced, but once the hype is gone, the prices drop. Collectibles are excruciatingly cyclic.

AND the price of most collectibles is extremely inflated. There's no "real" reason an andorian has a value of $700; it's sort of a consensus amongst high end collectors. But the bottom can fall out in a hurry.

>I believe that its good for the NEW, but Not for the old...

Depends on your definition of "good." Repros and reissues are good for the hobby as a whole, 'cos they increase exposure, allow more folks to amass stuff, and increase interest. They're really bad for investors; since yeah, nobody'll pay $700 bucks for something they can get the equivalent of at $15.

Well.... not NOBODY; but few people. Some will jealously seek out originals; but there may not be enough of them to support a high price. (Not for very long, at any rate.) You'll get more buyers for the figure, but mostly 'cos of the affordability of a reissue. More interest overall, lower value overall.

Don C.

[thunderbolt]

there is no future for mego, they've been out of business for years.

[dumbldor]

Repro stuff is what is keeping mego alive.

What do you think todays kids will be shelling out big $$ for if they start collecting as adults? Mego? Not a chance.
It will be stuff the played with as kids, just like us.

I have to disagree with you on a couple of points above.

Whether people spend big bucks for legit vintage Megos has nothing to do with repro stuff. I guess it depends how you define 'alive'. Repros fuel the customizing sub-culture in this hobby, but I do not see how they keep Mego alive. Many customs do not even resemble Megos. Your customs are top notch, but I would hesitate from saying that they resemble Megos or have anything to do with Megos.

I firmly believe that future generations will be interested in Megos as long as franchises like Star Trek, Marvel, and DC remain a part of pop culture. If they die, then Megos will die with them.

[palitoy]

You know I really hate this debate but I saw something interesting and had to pipe in. Last month a MIB Captain Action Green Hornet costume went for $4,000 at a small auction house, not even ebay.

On any given day, a very nice reproduction of that item can be bought for like $20. Captain Action collecting has dwindled in recent years but that might be more of a demographic thing.

I also don't think any one thing is keeping mego "alive", it all plays a part, people upgrading packaged pieces creates turn over and gateway pieces for starter collections, repros attract newbies, customs attract people, media exposure helps, it's all playing a part.

[Mikey]

..............

I also don't think any one thing is keeping mego "alive",............

Gotta disagree with you there, Brain

This is no joke ------ YOU are keeping Mego alive.

I don't think there's any real Megoman out there that doesn't think of THAT GUY "Palitoy" ..... when he thinks of Mego's.

Never underestimate your place in the NEW-Mego world, B

Mego Top Dog :grin:

[Hulk]

it all plays a part, people upgrading packaged pieces creates turn over and gateway pieces for starter collections, repros attract newbies, customs attract people, media exposure helps, it's all playing a part.

Can I hear an Amen brothers and sisters! That is why these threads suck, its all part of the big picture. Sometimes those parts clash a bit, the community is better as a whole versus being broken apart (or seperating) into subgroups. I know packaged collectors who admire customs in the same way that I admire cards and boxes. Might not be the focus of my collection, but I appreciate their collections, knowledge and passion.

[JDeRouen]

If everyone's interest in Megos evaporated tomorrow, I'd still love my collection.

[kingdom warrior]

It's not enough to have them in a store it's promo promo promo Mego was very good at it in the 70's...Kids Today love their toys attached to a show or movie. It was the formula in the 80's and it still works today.

CTVT toys never got into major toystores God knows they may have done better if they did.
Instead of reproing old Mego lines How about doing new stuff in the Mego style...I would have loved to have Pirates of the Caribbean Megolike figures

[vietnambob]

I am glad that so many of you have responded to what I consider a threat to mego, and my value is not of monetary, but of all the memories and the fight to get what is needed in my collection.

I am a single parent my wife died giving birth to my Daughter, and I have tendencies of holding onto memories, and mego always had a place in my home,and the few I couldn't afford I can actually now, and that to me is a sign of achievement.

I am a die hard Star Trek Fan (Trekker) and I went crazy buying up the complete set of Star Trek upon its release, and I just dont get that same feeling about the "NEW" ones maybe thats what bothers me the most, but again Thank you all for taking the time to type, and to answer questions, and the great welcomes, so now can someone sell me a Damn Set of Original Kid Flash Gloves Sheeeesh ;)...God Bless

Just a quick note: If the figures got the nod from the Original owner of Mego why doesn't someone if not all of us help mego get back on its feet? Because we'd be our own best customers thats why. Have a great one guys.

[VintageMike]

I am glad that so many of you have responded to what I consider a threat to mego, and my value is not of monetary, but of all the memories and the fight to get what is needed in my collection.

I am a single parent my wife died giving birth to my Daughter, and I have tendencies of holding onto memories, and mego always had a place in my home,and the few I couldn't afford I can actually now, and that to me is a sign of achievement.

I am a die hard Star Trek Fan (Trekker) and I went crazy buying up the complete set of Star Trek upon its release, and I just dont get that same feeling about the "NEW" ones maybe thats what bothers me the most, but again Thank you all for taking the time to type, and to answer questions, and the great welcomes, so now can someone sell me a Damn Set of Original Kid Flash Gloves Sheeeesh ;)...God Bless

Just a quick note: If the figures got the nod from the Original owner of Mego why doesn't someone if not all of us help mego get back on its feet? Because we'd be our own best customers thats why. Have a great one guys.


Read few of the and rather than rehash anything will add this.

Unless I am mistaken these are not going to be sold at major chains, just specialty shops and online. While they look similar overall, if put to side by side the differences are easy to spot.
This is as close to Mego will get to re-starting. It has been tried and Lego has succesfully blocked it in court stating there would be confusion in the marketplace. The fact that is pronounced differently was brought up but it was succesfully argued that the general public would not know that.
Now, here's something that believe it or not has never been brought up before! If Mego was still around they would have evolved like every other toy company. Just the like Star Wars figures you see today differ from the original ones, so would a modern Mego product. If they overcame the legal thing, came back tomorrow and re-issued their old figures they's still be seen as repros as and the 70's versions would still be "original".
The only other thing I will repeat is that whether someone should buy repros or not is a personal choice. If someone is uncomfortable with them, that's their business and vice versa. Remember, anyone who puts out the money to put out Mego style product on even a semi-large scale is putting up a great deal of money based on the faith thaty have in the Mego style figure. That at least is commendable in my book, even if you hate everything elase about reproducrion items.

[vietnambob]

WOW !!!!!!!! I am still very much on the fence. I dont want unscrupulous people trying to take advantage of NEW Mego fans, and I also did not know that they are NOT going to be available in Toys R Us etc...This has been a very useful thread and I want to thank everyone again for there input...

[Merlyn1976]

I dont want unscrupulous people trying to take advantage of NEW Mego fans

Thats the reason the accessory check was started....

[vietnambob]

I actually stumbled on that thats how I found out the boots on my Kid Flash were original. This Site is a GOD Send

[MIB41]

Re-releases like Star Trek demonstrate the lasting success of Mego. I believe the new Trek figures will only increase the value of the originals. I love it and I'm very glad it's happening. I also LOVE the reproduction cards and boxes out there. My collection of vintage figures look so much better in those packages and I tip hat to all of those who are in that business. They do all collectors a great service!

[grayhank]

I once again have to put in my thoughts on this subject. This time I'm going to try a different approach.

Suppose you greatly admired the works of Picasso would you shell out the millions to buy an original? More than likely you would buy a litho printing or reproduction. It doesn't make Picasso's work any less valuable by buying a reproduction. If you appreciate or admire something it really depends on what you are willing to pay for that item because of how it makes you feel. Do what makes you happy but not at the expense of someone else's happiness.

There are basically two types of people when it comes to toys. There are Toy Collectors and there are Toy Sellers. They are Ying and Yang. Neither is good or bad because they both have a role to play to keep the hobby alive. Once you have spent money on something there is no use griping about it and then worrying that somebody else might not pay as much as you did. I don't think Toys were ever meant to be investments, it's just something that happened along the way as we grew older.

When somebody comes over to my house and sees my "toy room" I don't point out that I paid so much for this or that. I want them to see my collection as fun or interesting or nostalgic or whatever. My collection isn't technically worth anything to anyone else but to me it's priceless and isn't that what really matters?

[jemboy2004]

Well I disagree with the idea that once the people who grew up with megos are all gone mego t will no longer be collectiable.

Think about this antique toys still have good value, even the ones from 200 years ago! The people who loved them are all gone but still people collect those items.

Mego has alot of things going for it. One they have characters that IMO will last as long as man is around. Icons, like superman, wonder woman, spiderman. These characters will bring in collectors and they then may find interest in the other megos. At least I think so.

As far as repros go. I think that they can bring the value down at first but that is sometimes in part due to those who sell their stuff when they think, Oh I better get what I can now they are doing repros but once those are all gone it calms down some.

Captain Action is one that some will point too but I also think that ebay became big at about the time the repros were made so I think that ebay had more to do with CA going down. They were just easier for collectors to get due to ebay. I could be wrong but the repros don't sell for much on ebay with the exception of a repro of action boy which is worth a little.

[Bat Hero]

I really don't see anything wrong with faithful reproductions. Some of us collectors really don't care about originals as much as we do owning the figure. Just my two cents...

I also hope that it does poke a hole in the Mego values... Some of the prices are just insane!