Why Hasbro Star Wars Should Call it Quits!

[BlackKnight]

Prime316

The gentleman that started the thread, grayhank, has always been cool with debates
and discussion and I, in turn, have tried to be that way as well---
(and will take my lashings when its pointed out to me that I'm being disrespectful
and appropriately humble myself----and now MY pointing is at you Prime)


In addition, I believe that in this "heated" thread both grayhank and I have acted with
great decorum as has BK and everyone else -----except you Prime316

And you know what? If the translation of "butthurt" to you means that your
attitude has turned me off to addressing (or even CARING about) the actual
issue and points you're trying to make....well ----my butt be a' hurtin'.

Well Said Hue.
Words of Wisdom right there...

This all,.. for the MOST part, was an interesting conversation. When I was reading GrayHanks points, I thought that he had Valued issues about collecting, & thought I would offer perhaps a bit of the "other side of the spectrum of veiws" if you will. I NEVER diagreed with him,.. I just pointed out perhaps different peoples thoughts on the Matter..., that were overlooked in ways.

I really am in no Mood to apply any effort to Primes "ButtHurt" Comments, nore Argue about a Flipp'in Action figure that is Made, inwhich has been made & re-painted 100times & marketed half of those times as Exclusives.

I really don't give a Damn what people Buy, or What issues they have in buying whatever they Buy, or how it is marketed.. or whether or not they want to Quit buying the line. I have far better things to do. I buy what I like to Buy,.. & thats really all that Matters.

Everyone "Sues" for EVERYTHING now adays,.. if Anyone has a Case of this "Discrimination" .. why not Take it to court then.. & do something about it, rather than B-tch on a Mego Board about a Toy Line that has a Label of 4+ on it,.. & is NOT Mego.

Nuff said.

[ZICA]

Seems like I remember reading that Hasbro has the license until 2015 and it cost them a not so small fortune so I don't see them calling it quits on Star Wars toys anytime soon. I seriously doubt they'll ever give up that license.

[Seeker]

Now I've seen stores like Walmart carry the special multi pkgs. 2 single carded figures merged into one pkg. And yes that is usually a way to get rid of overstock. Usually its at a special lower price.

Most Battle packs i'd like to point out have at least 1 or 2 new sculpt figures or several different assessories. In addition to the few old figures.

Its not like they are totally screwing you reusing the same old figures over and over just to ring a buck out of you.

Hasbro makes out and Star Wars fans make out. If someone doesnt want to buy anymore then don't.

[raider5gt]

Hasbro is a business so if it has overstock they would put it into something else like all business's do.I have been collecting Star Wars 3 3/4 inch figures since 1995 and i am guilty of trying to get them all

Back to the thread,i dont think Hasbro should call it quits,they have done a good job on the 30th Anniversary figures,there are a few new figures in this range,such as Darth Malik,Darth Revan,Hermi Odle,Ellis Helrot and so on,the McQuarrie concept figures are a nice change too.

Yes they re-release the figures in different packs but at the end of the day its up to the individual to make the choice to purchase or not.Just my 2 pence worth

LET THE SHOUTING COMMENCE

[jds1911a1]

The battle pack pictured consists of five figures that have already been mass produced during a movie year, kids most likely already own all the figures in it. So what's the point in even making it? It's leftover mass produced carded figures that retailers could not sell and returned to Hasbro. Hasbro rehashes the figures into the battle pack in an attempt to still make money off of the excess product.

because kids age out every few years. actaully it isn't leftovers/returns at all they produce the stuff for battle packs new (often using existing molds to maximise profit). as far as hasbro is concerned once a retailer buys the stuff it's their problem to sell it or resell to a store like big lots and KB (hence why TRU walmarts and targets sometimes have figures from prior years still on the shelves 18 months later.

[huedell]

Thank you! You have reinforced my point entirely. Those larger playsets and vehicles are more expensive and are usually made as exclusives in limited numbers aimed at collectors because kids aren't likely to have $50.00 to spend. The battle pack pictured consists of five figures that have already been mass produced during a movie year, kids most likely already own all the figures in it. So what's the point in even making it? It's leftover mass produced carded figures that retailers could not sell and returned to Hasbro. Hasbro rehashes the figures into the battle pack in an attempt to still make money off of the excess product.

Excuse me, but "What?"

You're faulting HASBRO because they are trying to find the best way to
make a buck and squeeze as much profit as they can out of their overstock?

If you were in their shoes---and didn't makre the same decisions, people
would question your business acumen for sure.

Brian, near the start of the thread, said he "saw this coming" and "got out
of it" as a smoker quits smoking.

Who's the one making the smoker buy cigarettes? The companies don't have
a gun to smokers' heads.

And when a smoker finally decides to quit smoking...they do it by merely "quitting"--
-not by taking the whole industry (company) down with 'em.

I'm an alcoholic...and do stupid things while drinking....
---I guess its Budweiser's fault because they make available all that
tasty beer? Of course not.

But, really, forget the "smoking" and "drinking" metaphors
because I was once in Brian's (et al) shoes regarding this very action figure
we're talking about.
And I just quit---and I kept all my stuff because it wasn't threatening my
psyche in any way to keep the stuff. In fact, I consider myself
better for it because these are all cool toys----

BUT, cool as they are---- when the "economic reality" came crashing down--
-I didn't feel an intense, irrational need to COLLECT 'EM ALL

The problem that was stated originally by grayhank ---- it all
stems from obsessive behavior and demands on the buyers' part.
That's it.

Let's say you guys wishing for the end of the line have your way...

Then that's it.

No more additions to a great line---and all because a group of obsessive
collectors were angry that Hasbro was trying to do good business by
getting rid of overstock and making use of their molds etc.

Weird.

[huedell]

And if I've been at all over-the-top, well boys, Sorry 'Bout Yo Damn Luck!

Prime316

The gentleman that started the thread, grayhank, has always been cool with debates
and discussion and I, in turn, have tried to be that way as well---
(and will take my lashings when its pointed out to me that I'm being disrespectful
and appropriately humble myself----and now MY pointing is at you Prime)

This thread BASED off of grayhanks opinion turned out to be one of our more
"divergent" issues and/or debates---and its been an invigorating discussion getting
to the bottom of this split way of thinking....mostly because I was once a
very simillar collector to grayhank

In addition, I believe that in this "heated" thread both grayhank and I have acted with
great decorum as has BK and everyone else -----except you Prime316

And you know what? If the translation of "butthurt" to you means that your
attitude has turned me off to addressing (or even CARING about) the actual
issue and points you're trying to make....well ----my butt be a' hurtin'

Cheers----and good luck with your toy collecting.

[jwyblejr]

What I don't understand is why now with the backlash? Battle Packs have been around since Revenge of the Sith came out. How many of the same figure or vehicle has Hasbro done more than once? It's not like it's anything new.

[Prime316]

Not to continue this argument anymore but I must respond some,

BlackKnight so your saying because someone goes to Target at 8 in the morning (which is the only time a "COLLECTOR" has to goo to beat the "SCALPERS" at least in my area) but you're saying because we HAVE TO GO AT 8 just to simply get the new stuff, that we're automatically PREJUDICED into that "ebay scalper" category? Well it's good to know there's still prejudice people and bigots working out there to automatically judge me based on what time I go to the store. What ever happened to "Judge not, lest ye be judged?".
But it doesn't surprise me if they work at Target. Neither does anyone who has a wife working inside Target so they can get things right away to scalp. Not saying that anyone here does that. And I'm sorry if you RUN into the stores (which is truly childish) to get the new stuff, but neither I, nor GrayHank do. So please don't just ASSUME that just because we're there that early that we go running to the aisles.

Even IF we were scalpers what right is it of YOURS or ANYONE ELSE who works at a retail store to judge us and discriminate against!? Your JOB as a retail employee is too SELL product to the customers! To PLEASE the customers and make them SATISFIED so they want to come back to the store in the future! (And when I worked retail there were scalpers that came in that I didn't care much for, but I still DID MY JOB and sold product to them no different than a non-collector) LISTEN CLOSELY TARGET! NO store employee has the right to decide to sell or not to sell something to us because we are a collector, scalper, or a paraplegic midget circus FREAK! AND NO employee has the right to tell a customer not to ask again or they'll ban you from the store, DEREK!

AS AMERICANS with the RIGHT to Freedom Of Speech, we can say "STOP THE STAR WARS LINE!" ALL WE WANT! Who's gonna stop us? YOU!? HA! I hardly doubt that. That would require leaving your houses for something other than to find new product & food. Or for many of you, leaving your mothers houses/basements period.
Forums we're created so people could, as "misterdroid" so eloquently put it, "***** about this kind of stuff." To voice their opinions, be heard, and/or find other people to connect with who feel the same way.

As for kids, kids want EVERYTHING, so Not Sorry to say, but most don't really care what they get at the store as long as they get something. Now there are a very few that actually "know" what they want. But generally they want anything other kids think or will think is cool. No one was disputing Hasbro marketing to kids, we're simply saying they direct more towards the adult collector. How many kids out there even know about (let alone have the means of buying) most internet, convention & store exclusives? Those are all directed at the adult collector. Half of what SW Hasbro puts out are exclusives! And before someone gets all butthurt and feels the need to correct me, I know Hasbro's SW product is not literally half exclusives, I was being facetious.

And if I've been at all over-the-top, well boys, Sorry 'Bout Yo Damn Luck!

[grayhank]

Thank you! You have reinforced my point entirely. Those larger playsets and vehicles are more expensive and are usually made as exclusives in limited numbers aimed at collectors because kids aren't likely to have $50.00 to spend. The battle pack pictured consists of five figures that have already been mass produced during a movie year, kids most likely already own all the figures in it. So what's the point in even making it? It's leftover mass produced carded figures that retailers could not sell and returned to Hasbro. Hasbro rehashes the figures into the battle pack in an attempt to still make money off of the excess product.

[jds1911a1]

Star wars. they know they get alot of sales from collectors and nostalgia buyers but they get bumps of kid sales for mass market driven by movies, tv and video games. The 2 items pictured illustrate both fronts - The jedi fighters is based on a comic book apearance - aimed at collectors, the battle back is based on the soon to be released video game which kids will play. Yes they poll the collectors for product but they also shoot down alot of collector only requests (like ice cream guy or a large playsets and vehicles) because they have learned you can't make enough profit only gearing to adult collectors. The same complaint greyhank made is one I saw here about EMCE's stuff too until the KHAN announcement.

I would say that hasbro is aiming the new Gijoe line at their collectors more than kids (except kids of nostalgia buyers maybe) because they are not very playable and they are mostly repaints of the same figs

[huedell]

I think I misused the term "variant"---I guess I meant "redux" or something to that effect.

And yeah---I thought saying that the line "should call it quits" was over-the-top
because of your reasoning why----but that's just my opinion----and I could be offbase

I certainly would never say you were "wrong" with feeling the frustration you
are feeling--or with you saying Hasbro might as well wrap it up---but, yeah, I do
think its a "more wrong than right" stance----again---only opinion

Hey, I can relate to your frustration---I've been in the same spot you are
with the same line---altho' that was back in the simpler time of 1999---

If it wasn't for me spending the bulk of my money on other things other than
HASBRO SW stuff nowadays----I'd be right there with ya feeling virtually
the same frustration----just handling it a bit differently

[grayhank]

I don't think when you see a Kid with their parent in a toy store you can make the assumption that the Child doesn't care what he gets,.. as long as he gets something. Try taking an 8 yr old boy to a Toystore sometime. There is just TOO Damn "Much" there,.. the child gets over whelmed with Excitement,.. & can't decide what he wants,.. Kinda like what to open 1st on X-mas. Everyones a bit indeciesive when they are that age,.. it's hard to "just pick one".

No I can't make the assumption, but I can make the observation. When you work in that kind of environment you see kids of all different ages come in and out and I'm just relating my personal experience within the environment itself. Do I know the child...nope. But it was part of my job to talk to the customers whether they were 5 or 50 or whatever, so I could sell them what they were looking for and that has always been my impression when it comes to the majority of children. Not saying that every child fits that mold as everybody is different but the VAST majority do.

Target will always Make whatever re-paint version or re-boxed Exclusive. They always sell outta it,.. So why not make a Repainted Jedi Star Fighter.

Target doesn't make them. Hasbro does. That mold has been used at least five times each for Anakin and Obi-wan, plus Plo Koon, Saesee Tinn, Mace Windu, Darth Vader, Kit Fisto and perhaps someone else that I'm forgetting. So, sure I guess why not make it again considering that most of those are still easily found in my neighborhood. Why make something new when you can just rehash the same thing.

If you are going to Targets at 9:00 in the morning with your buddy's, on a Tuesday,.. Every week,.. or twice a week.. & the 1st thing you do is look at the Toys, with no children present, & then ask where something is,.. or a #ed Hotwheel... why wouldn't they think your a Toy Scalper ? .. I've worked in retail before,.. & my OldLady works at Target now..., & Generally, thats Who it is. It's been that way since Ebay. Most parents don't buy a toy for thier kids at that time. & Most grown men don't collect action figures. They stock the shelves,.. they know what has 1 per case,.. they know what is an Exclusive, they know what dissapears in the 1st 5 minutes when a bunch of guys run into Target when they 1st open at 9am.

So why is it any of their business if I were in fact a toy scalper? They are a retail store whose primary function is to sell product to buyers so the company they work for can make money and turn around and pay their salary. I do not ask for their assistance as I know where the stuff is that I am looking for. When a sales associate comes up to me and asks me if they can help me find anything then why wouldn't I say...do you have this? It's the polite thing to do. You check the DPC code on their stockroom checker and it says the item is in the stockroom. Only to be told after they've radioed to the stockroom that "it's a collectible item and collectible items are only stocked overnight". Right there they are acknowledging that IT IS in fact collectible. The question then becomes "collectible to who"? How many children do you know that are buying stuff up on Ebay at over-inflated prices?

Well you're there at 8:00 am because you were told things only get stocked overnight and still there's nothing. Six other guys have been told the same thing. Do you see where this is going? You go back a couple of hours later because maybe you have forgotten something you need and see them stocking the toy aisle. Um, didn't you just tell me a few hours ago that you only stock things overnight? I'm not making this stuff up. That's why there are guys waiting around for Target to open at 8:00 am.

It is very much a form of discrimination. I could never imagine working in a grocery store and having a customer come up with a cart full of groceries and me saying to them "well that's a lot of food, you must be an eater". That's just plain rude. And yet it happens time and time again at Target where you go up to the register with a handful of figures and they say "Oh you must be a collector". I say nope...I'm a customer. It's nobody's business but you're own. There is no excuse for rudeness...to anyone... anywhere!

While working at KB, if any of the employees there ever said to a customer, sorry that's in the stockroom so I can't sell it. They would have found themselves looking for a new job at Target.

I guess its "frustration" that has led you to say something so unnecessarily "over the top"----however, I can't relate to someone feeling forced to buy every variant of every thing in a given line---even when they are convinced it is a "sham" for "older collectors" type deal----so my apologies if my criticsm seems too pointed.

Oh geez, never said I collected every VARIANT.

Not sure if what I said was over the top either. It just seems to me that there is no longer any imagination left in what they put out. You guys have to admit that those two pictures I posted are in fact very very lame.

[huedell]

I can say without a doubt that yes I am a completist. I believe since the relaunch in 1995 there are probably two pieces from the line that I don't actually own. On top of that I typically buy TWO of everything. Because yes I enjoy the toys and want to open them, but at the same time there is that ever nagging voice in the back of my mind...what if this piece becomes the "holy grail" of the line (I know that it's probably never going to happen but what if?). There are pieces that I have bought that I have been criticized by other collectors for buying only to have them turn around and say "Man, how did you get that Carded Weequay with Freeze Frame?" I dunno, I guess it was when all you guys passed on it when it came out.

I used to collect the line like that. It became too unweildy for my budget... and I just stopped.

I agree the simple answer to all of this is for me (like many others) is to just
stop collecting.

Okay...so we agree.

And at this point its still within your "rights" to complain about what they should or
shouldn't be doing with the line---but I, personally, wouldn't bother complaining---and
I especially wouldn't say "Oh just stop the line" when its still successful enough to stay
in the black---and there's so much more that could be done with it.

I guess its "frustration" that has led you to say something so unnecessarily
"over the top"----however, I can't relate to someone feeling forced to buy every
variant of every thing in a given line---even when they are convinced it is a "sham"
for "older collectors" type deal----so my apologies if my criticsm seems too pointed.

May the force "still" be with you!

You too----and you can BET that in spite of all the more "useless" (in your estimation)
stuff HASBRO is going to put out ----that Hasbro is ALSO going to release at least a few
more "WISH LIST" type items right up your alley by the time it closes---so enjoy those!

[BlackKnight]

I think you may be right in saying that Hasbro does know about & Markets thier Star Wars line for collectors,.. However I also think they do Market it for Kids too. No toyline imo, has success without some sorta "Kid" Fan base,.. & don't last over 10 yrs in a re-launch, regaurdless of the 3 movies, past movies or the Cartoons. Granted,.. The "into" idea, might very well be .. because parents, who like the toys, & Movies buy for thier kids.. as some sorta self influence on subjects. Hell,.. I do it all the time, with my Son & Nephew for Xmas & Bday Presents, as well as other gifts. The Clone Trooper or Stormtrooper has been made so many times , so Kids & collectors alike can build thier armies,.. & obviously they sell,.. because they keep making them. & Hasbro learned along time ago,.. that DarthVader sells. That was the 1st figure my son Asked me for.

I don't think when you see a Kid with their parent in a toy store you can make the assumption that the Child doesn't care what he gets,.. as long as he gets something. Try taking an 8 yr old boy to a Toystore sometime. There is just TOO Damn "Much" there,.. the child gets over whelmed with Excitement,.. & can't decide what he wants,.. Kinda like what to open 1st on X-mas. Everyones a bit indeciesive when they are that age,.. it's hard to "just pick one".

Target will always Make whatever re-paint version or re-boxed Exclusive. They always sell outta it,.. So why not make a Repainted Jedi Star Fighter.

.. & If you are going to Targets at 9:00 in the morning with your buddy's, on a Tuesday,.. Every week,.. or twice a week.. & the 1st thing you do is look at the Toys, with no children present, & then ask where something is,.. or a #ed Hotwheel... why wouldn't they think your a Toy Scalper ? .. I've worked in retail before,.. & my OldLady works at Target now..., & Generally, thats Who it is. It's been that way since Ebay. Most parents don't buy a toy for thier kids at that time. & Most grown men don't collect action figures. They stock the shelves,.. they know what has 1 per case,.. they know what is an Exclusive, they know what dissapears in the 1st 5 minutes when a bunch of guys run into Target when they 1st open at 9am.

Sorry for the Rant,.. Just my Take on the Subject.