EMCE: Don't let the exclusives ruin this.

[fumetti]

Right now everything's hunky-dory about the new Star Trek line. But then comes news of the Khan figure that will (as far as we know) only be available at two retailers. I am worried that this will create a negative atmosphere that could put off buyers.

We've all seen this stuff before. Our hobbies are hardcore enough, but to intentionally create a situation where much sought after items are not available could turn the party into a sour grapes gripe fest. And the winners are the lucky, the well-connected, and by far the SCALPERS. I would rather pay a slightly inflated price to EMCE than dump a load of cash on opportunistic middle-men.

Is there anyone who's buying this new line NOT hoping to buy the NEW figures? Seems to me those will be the hottest of all items. I expect a heavy demand for Sulu and Chekov, and almost as much for legendary characters like Khan.

Once we see fans turned away because they can't buy from the exclusive stores, and are forced to pay scalper's prices, the goodwill on this project will suffer.

I'd hate to see that happen.

[Hotfoot]

I agree! Exclusives and chase figures ruin it for me.

[apes3978]

I agree with fumetti... Even though I'm not collecting the ST line, I do agree with what was said... I'd hate to see it happen to a line I will be buying, so I gotta throw support behind rational thinking like that...

[megonaught]

same here.
exclusives have burned me and want to be able to collect these.
please if you r gonna have exclusives make enough that everyone can get them.

[livnxxxl]

Perhaps maybe EMCE should have waited just a tad bit longer on producing any chase figures if that is really their intention in the first place. Atleast give the newer collectors a chance to get to know EMCE company and line a bit better before marketing exclusive and or rare pieces again if this were their intentions in the first place. There is a possibility that some of us could be wrong about EMCE's intentions. I am not sure yet myself so I will have to wait and let this scenario play out to see what the future actually holds before casting any judgement on my end. I personally do not like a bunch of limiteds and rarities for the above for mentioned reasons regarding scalpers who will no doubt be the one reaping the harvest if this truly does becomes the case. I had and still do from time to time although not as much collect Hot Wheels. Mattel has limiteds, treasure hunts, mystery cars and the list goes on and on with something new "supposedly rare" coming out all of the time. From a collectors perspective it just became too much to keep up with not so much financially (for me atleast), but mind numbing with everything being so called rare and limited. It is a coin name that has proven to work in the past and the company's like Mattel continue to profit from the term. For me personally it was just too much junk to collect or enough space to hold it all in without getting a warehouse sized building to hold it all. Then at that the so called rare items are everywhere or so it seems to me hence forth the term junk in my opinion. eBay is chocked full of it. People are letting the stuff go in lots for a loss most of the time becasue so many collectors already have a ton of it and or no longer desire it as they have to make room for the newer stuff. At any rate I did not want to get too far off topic here I just wanted to use the Mattel saga as an example of what has actually happened in one collectibles field that kind of ruined it for me. I do wish EMCE all the luck in the world and I hope that they continue to create new and exciting figures and lines in the near and not so distant future for all of us collector's to enjoy just like it was originally meant to be in the first place. Nuff said for now.

Happy Megoing and EMCEing!

[drmego]

EMCE Toys does not get to call the tune - Diamond Select Toys holds the Star Trek
license, so they tell us who to make, how many, and when to deliver.

We can refuse to make a figure - but that's a bad way to handle a relationship -
so we explain our reasoning and hope that DST understands. We have had a
very good relationship with them, and they have been very open to our input,
but they wanted an exclusive figure and we agreed upon Khan.

My advice to everyone here is to find out who to speak to at Planet X and
Hastings. To the best of my knowledge, nothing has been ordered yet, so
if you can guarantee them X number of units will be sold through them for
this exclusive, they should be happy to work with you.

[toys2cool]

I don't see a problem with this,I love rare exclusives.It gives you something to hunt down and something a little rare.. other then what everyone else has...but that's just me

[livnxxxl]

Doc, Thank you for the explanation (which does make perfect sense) to me anyway. Also thank you for the advice. I did see someone here at the Museum post something about taking some orders if there was enough interest so that is another good idea as well. I am positive that there would be enough interest here at the Museum. Perhaps we as Mego Museum members can get this idea off of the ground and running and do a bulk Member pre order. I have seen this work on other non Mego forums before and it seemed to work well when orchestrated efficiently. I for one am interested in obtaining atleast one Khan prefer two or more (I don't want to be greedy here) as I would like atleast one to open.

Happy Megoing and EMCEing!

[TCM Hitchhiker]

I hate exclusives, always have. I will do what it takes to get Khan, but that is only because I am a big fan of the character. I can't say I will go out of my way for other exclusives though. If they aren't easy to find, and affordable, I would rather spend the cash on vintage. It is real easy for me to pass on modern toys. Vintage style or not.

[livnxxxl]

A simple solution - How about making screen accurate figures for the "chase figures" and or exclusives? One chase figure per 10 regular/new issued figures or something like that anyway. This would be a simple solution if there just has to be "chase figures" made. Now if we could only get Diamond to buy into our idea. I now know that this is pretty much out of Doc's hands and it is pretty much up to Diamond at this point since they hold the license to Star Trek anyway. "Some day" when EMCE becomes a fortune 500 company and buys up the licenses maybe we can have it our way.