Mattel's Monster High

[katiedoodle29]

I was at our Kmart tonight and was shocked to see the Coffin Bean with Clawdeen. They had 2. I'm avoiding collecting any of the specials (except the SDCC exclusives and the Dead Tired dolls), but if anyone wants this particular playset with the doll, Anarchy or I will go get it and send it. Also saw 2 Rochelle Goyles, an Operetta and a Nefera. This is the first time we've seen any of the newer dolls since, well, end of November. Btw, did anyone notice the reissue of Cupid has the diary? Almost bought her just for that...guess I'll be searching to find her diary online without giving Mattel any more money...

[BlackKnight]

Thats good to read that Holt is being re-issued...

[Harbingerboy]

Even though we missed out on the convention Scarah there's bound to be several different versions of her for retail. Mattel always releases multiple versions of the MH characters. Obviously not the same has having the convention figure but at least people's collection won't be missing a character.

To echo that, Mattel has at least shown attention to reissuing HTF characters in revision cases this year (Abbey, Spectra, Holt, Sweet 1600 Cupid, Werecat Twins, Howleen 2-pack, 2011 School's Out basics...I've heard Gil is supposed to be shipping again soon, and a new version of Howleen will be included in an upcoming 2013 Dance Class assortment). They even reissued a previous assortment and retailer exclusive (Cupid) in the basic line after notorious distribution issues and customer complaints when Wal-Mart didn't have enough stock to honor their ads, which I never saw coming but I'm sure was welcome to everyone who didn't pay a ridiculous price for that doll on the secondary market 4 or 5 months ago. It wouldn't surprise me if Scarah showed up again in some way, especially given her sell-out popularity and all the reports of Digital River receiving angry phone calls from parents with crying kids. If you MUST have the con exclusive, well...convention exclusives for the most part have and always will be a pain, and are rarely cheap or easy to obtain. I was able to get Scarah from Matty, but missed all of Hasbro's exclusives. Heck it usually takes me til SDCC the next year or longer to track down all the exclusives from the previous year's con.

[actionplus]

I have never understood the "feed the scalpers" mentality. The line is hot already. Why alienate the fanbase?

Chris

EXACTLY. Well put; that is exactly what they have done.

[Werewolf]

What The **** is Hoodoo ? ...
Why even make him like that ?
Is he like that on the toon ?
Is he Scarah's pet ?
.... I just don't understand the look of him ..., a more so Traditional Boy Doll with his looks, woulda been better imo.

He looks like that in the webtoon. He is a large voodoo doll stitched together and brought to life by Frankie.

[BlackKnight]

What The **** is Hoodoo ? ...
Why even make him like that ?
Is he like that on the toon ?
Is he Scarah's pet ?
.... I just don't understand the look of him ..., a more so Traditional Boy Doll with his looks, woulda been better imo.

[Werewolf]

I have never understood the "feed the scalpers" mentality. The line is hot already. Why alienate the fanbase?

Chris

That's Matty Collector for you. Matty Collector and Mattel's mass market dolls are two different divisions. Shop Mattel carries Barbies, MH and other Mattel toys year round. Matty Collector sells the limited exclusives and convention stuff.

[Earth 2 Chris]

I have never understood the "feed the scalpers" mentality. The line is hot already. Why alienate the fanbase?

Chris

[rche]

werewolf - that works from a kid's or loose display point of view (well, sort of). But for the adult collector, that is sort of like missing out on the 1st ed. hardback.
Of course, with that analogy - Mattel is limiting the printing and distribution of their books so that only the secondhand dealers are getting them. Crazy policy.

[Werewolf]

Now she'll never own Scarah Screams, so why bother? She's thinking of selling the dolls she doesn't care much for.

Even though we missed out on the convention Scarah there's bound to be several different versions of her for retail. Mattel always releases multiple versions of the MH characters. Obviously not the same has having the convention figure but at least people's collection won't be missing a character.

[Earth 2 Chris]

^Exactly. Cindy had been buying the first appearance of every new character. Now she'll never own Scarah Screams, so why bother? She's thinking of selling the dolls she doesn't care much for.

Chris

[nobody]

If Mattel doesn't watch it they'll have another Playmates Star Trek debacle on their hands. Anyone remember the 1701 figures? Totally torpedoed that whole line.

Chris

I had all the star trek figures till they pulled that stunt. Left a bad taste in my mouth and I just stopped.

[Earth 2 Chris]

If Mattel doesn't watch it they'll have another Playmates Star Trek debacle on their hands. Anyone remember the 1701 figures? Totally torpedoed that whole line.

Chris

[rche]

I think Matty tries to ride the line between small batch production figures and big box retail with varying levels of success.
But you are correct that they are robbing themselves of great sales potential and not just with this line.
My gut assumption would be that Babs carries a lot of weight and has also developed certain distribution, sales, and marketing practices in the company. And they aren't able to adapt those to other products that might work a tad differently. RA is a good example of this. Someone in the company was happy with them and they were available (oddly available, but still...) and then someone high up decided they didn't care for the line and they were gone. I am sure that is an over-simplification, but pretty much the way the layperson sees it.

The MH line is off the charts in terms of popularity. I am wondering if Mattel is trying to not let it get the best of Babs, or if they just don't really know how to market and handle the beast they have created. I don't spend time on Barbie boards or follow what goes on in the Silver and Gold label collecting world with Babs, but I can't believe that it is as difficult to get that product as it is to get these MH figures. Maybe it is just the price point and tiered selling platform that they have for their main fashion line. I dunno. But it does seem like you can just walk into a store and pick up just about any member of the Babs family without tearing your hair out. Matty marketers are not much help with the boutique angle, either.

Again, oh well for the Sarah and Hoodude. Sarah herself was not much to scream about and the other figure is pretty much a ragdoll. We are good at making that sort of stuff ourselves. I just wish we could find some of the product without having to jump through hoops and hit stores on a weekly basis. I am looking forward to more of their build 'em yourself options and pretty much walking away from the blink and they are gone exclusives.

[BlackKnight]

yea me and katie were talking about that today, 6 is definetely to much to allow, dont have anything right now man but I run into them all the time, who do you need?? A couple weeks back I walked into a walmart that had just stocked a case of cupids.

I just got Cupid for cost ...
Right now ..., the 2 New 1's.
Abbey, as far as what might be instores...

missing Holt, Jackson & 1st Appearances of Frankie, and Cleo with the Pet.
The Mystical and Nocturnal sets too.