So, these Disney-Marvel figures...

[TRAVELING MEGO HULK]

I don't think there's any conspiracy or fraud over dollies, just seems to be the typical marketing ploy so prevalent in the modem collectibles industry.

Considering that the online allocation was a pre-order that won't even be fulfilled for over a month, I don't see any reason that they wouldn't have considered an overrun contingency beyond what was contracted for initially if orders exceeded expectation, unless they wanted the first wave production limited in order to drive demand for the line as a whole.

Artificial scarcity manipulating collector perception to increase demand for subsequent waves isn't anything new in this industry.

I could be wrong: in which case I would expect to see another offering to at least satisfy the existing orders which were cancelled, plus whatever sell through based on a 3 minute sell out could be reasonably expected - since none of that is speculative at this point - they actually have unfulfilled orders.

Otherwise what else could be driving a decision not to simply increase production on a hot selling product? Supply chain issues? I'd doubt that.

Like I said, I could be wrong, but this seems like a ploy.

[shaunaconda]

My conspiracy view…
To me this is totally on Disney. They’re not stupid…worth billions! Definitely something fishy, but I’m not sure for what purpose? Some kind of fraud going on though. They know their inventory…how many units they had. Definitely not up front with the number of units to sell. And to keep talking orders after they supposedly ran out! And processing payments after they supposedly ran out! Without any valid explanation. Except opps!
There’s got to be some kind of consumer violation they committed….a U.S. Statute violated? I wonder if there is any legal action that can happen?
…or I’m crazy for thinking like this!!

[TRAVELING MEGO HULK]

Perhaps I'm just embittered & cynical, but it's hard not to view this as a marketing ploy at this point.

Generate pre-release hype & buzz, three minute sell out, better be Johnny on the spot for the next launch because just look what round one is going for on eBay!

Seems to me that if I'm wrong about that, then any manufacturer would likely press to just re-release and satisfy demand ASAP - and what - Disney will say: "No, we don't wanna sell more of those, onto the next"?

How would that make any sense?

[sprytel]

Yesterday, I had a bit of a crap day (not going to bore you with the details)... but the one bright spot was the fact that I was able to order the Marvel set that morning. Then I came home and saw the cancellation email. My order was completed and confirmed at 11:03 EST.

There are more important things in life than my doll collection... but still... kinda sucks.

I'm not going to reward the scalpers who likely gobbled these up. So I guess my Marvel journey ends here. I'll just try to be happy for those of you who were not cancelled.

[SpaceAgent]

So I got a request from DisneyStore dot com asking about my experience. I marked “unsatisfied,” and wrote this:

”My order - and those of many other people - were canceled without explanation or warning. DisneyStore should have anticipated the demand for this item and had enough in stock. Fans like me put in a lot of time and effort to support this product and came away frustrated and disgusted at the way we were treated. The statement issued by the company after the fact was unsatisfactory. The only thing that would resolve this matter is if DisneyStore got more supply and made sure fans were able to get what they order.”

[TRAVELING MEGO HULK]

If I'm reading Paul's response correctly, then it's basically: they sold out the first wave of what was allocated via Disney online, no more will be made available "at this time", check back back in 2025 for the next wave.

Come out to support Mego, get your orders in early to make us look good with Disney - but don't expect Mego to reciprocate support to the fans that did that and had their orders cancelled.

More or less what I figured. Mego got what it wanted, tough luck if you didn't.

OK - so my personal response (for what little it's worth) will be to lay back in future: just grab Mego's new offerings whenever they show up marked down, or if I find someone dumping them on eBay for reasonable (or rock bottom) prices as I'm able. If I miss out on "hot"/low production figures - oh well, I already don't have a complete set anyway because of this experience, so why should I sweat it and chase them at retail in future?

I get that artificial scarcity fuels future interest, so the future wave(s) get over-produced and wind up being marked down or sit (see WGSH50th), but I'm not gonna fall for the "come out and support us" shtick again- and will be cancelling those Walmart Atlas orders post haste.

[Ivaniski]

[Ivaniski]

20241223_205009.jpg 20241223_205027.jpg 20241223_205018.jpg 20241223_205018.jpg I happened to be at Disney Springs and went into the Marvel store and found these.....

[Xavion2004]

Hopefully future sets will be produced in higher quantities (although the second set is already in production per Marty and Paul).

I think what’s going to make this tricky is that the demand curve will likely trend downward the further out we get from the original eight WGSH characters/figures. In other words, all things being equal, this Spider-Man set would likely outsell the set containing Cap which would likely outsell the set(s) containing Iron Man, Hulk, and Falcon which would likely outsell the set(s) containing Thor and the Fantastic Four.

[TRDouble]

So far, no cancellation email for me either. I received my order email at 11:01 AM EST.

Even if I am one of the lucky ones this time a round, I don’t feel great about future sets.

[TitansLair]

I was lucky in that I got a set ordered, and as of yet, no cancellation. Fingers crossed.

I really feel bad for everyone who weren't able to get these. Seems like the demand was pretty obvious, especially after the delay for online sales, and if quantities were limited, the fanbase should have been told up front to prepare accordingly.

But we DID prepare! Many of us ordered as soon as it went live, got confirmation and then had our orders canceled 5 hours later.

it's ridiculous

[Earth 2 Chris]

I was lucky in that I got a set ordered, and as of yet, no cancellation. Fingers crossed.

I really feel bad for everyone who weren't able to get these. Seems like the demand was pretty obvious, especially after the delay for online sales, and if quantities were limited, the fanbase should have been told up front to prepare accordingly.

[Dark Shadow]

The lack of clarity from Mego is frustrating. Does "our next launch" mean that there will be more Spider-man sets released in 2025? Or does it mean mego fans who missed out are SOL on the Spidey launch and "better luck with the next release in the series"?

[Sonneveld]

Add me to the disgruntled chorus who completed an order early, 3 minutes after it went live, received a confirmation email, only to receive a cancellation notice hours later.

Not good business.

[TitansLair]

Paul Clarke posted this on the Mego Ambassador page this afternoon, 12/23. It includes a response from Disney, and his own thoughts.

- Response from Disney:
"The website had overwhelming demand during the launch which had caused some issues with the website, so all units have been secured that are available through Disney Store and no more will be released at this time. Fans are still able to shop the set in Downtown Disney and Disney Springs or will need to wait until our next launch in 2025."

Apparently some customers were able to order and will receive their sets. Personally, I was never able to get one - it always said "sold out" or the pre-order could not go into the shopping cart.
Hopefully they will be open to making more Spider-Man sets in 2025, but as we have said, the decision is ultimately Disney/Marvel. -

well that's just about the lamest response possible.

This is a niche collector's item to people of a certain age; There's NO WAY they were "sold out" within seconds unless 1. they were severely under-stocked or 2. the site was overwhelmed with scalper bots

This response is just a slap in the face to fans