TRU raises price on "retro-action" figures

[Meule]

Actually, from what Doc has told us, Mattel has in fact committed for at least 24 figures
Don't ask me to find that specific post tho

[geoffdude]

Or should we say...contrary to what you may, or want to, believe.
Mattel did not put their resources in place for this line just to give up on it if it doesn't make them fast money.

What "resources" does Mattel have in place? Specifically?

Here, let's do this another way too. You can answer, if you choose, since you think my perspective is off.

- (1) Is wave 2 going to be seen in 2010? (yes or no)
- (2) Is wave 3 going to be produced? (yes or no)
- (3) Is wave 4 in actual production? (yes or no)
- (4) Could wave 4 ever be canceled, for any reason? (yes or no)
- (5) Could the whole line be killed before the 24 figures get produced? (yes or no)

The above is all I'm addressing. None of which is based on any belief I have, just logic, and info stated here and experience with other toy lines. Here's my answers, in absolutes.

(1) = yes
(2) = yes
(3) = no
(4) = yes
(5) = yes

Your answers would need to be absolutes too, as to validate your assertion that I'm off.. I would assume at least 3/5 of your answers would be "contrary" to mine.

regards,

g.

[trekman101]

* Note - I'm not saying future waves will not be developed, just that getting more beyond W3 is not written in stone.. contrary to what you may, or want to, believe.

regards,

g.

Or should we say...contrary to what you may, or want to, believe.
Mattel did not put their resources in place for this line just to give up on it if it doesn't make them fast money.

[geoffdude]

They are already in the 2011 schedule....by the end of the year they will probably be in the 2012 schedule....Mattel is very experienced.....they will not make any decisions for a while yet....they are planning and making other lines as well(ghost busters for one)....they are in it for all the ups and downs

No, they have Wave 2 developed for the most part only.. and product will be here soon. Wave 3 is in the production phase, with production either started or beginning to start.

The wave 3 line will be what's hitting into 2011. Nothing beyond that, unless it's actually ALREADY produced, is a given. Anything beyond that is merely words on paper, or one-off prototypes.

Bottom line.. until a product is actually produced.. development, and "agreements", can be killed at ANY time.

* Note - I'm not saying future waves will not be developed, just that getting more beyond W3 is not written in stone.. contrary to what you may, or want to, believe.

regards,

g.

[trekman101]

Believe me, I know I don't know everything, or really "anything".. or so my kids tell me. But I have a bottomless well full of opinions.

Marvel Select figures via Diamond is specific to a size range that Diamond must stay to (not talking mini-mates here either). This is common for most toy lic. agreements these days. There is no "exclusive" toy production per a lone brand by itself. It's a combination of brand, or specific characters, toy style, toy size, regional market, etc.. Diamond locked in that scale, style and their unique distribution channel for sales (direct market as opposed to mass retail outlets) from Marvel. Hasbro did the same for their size, style and distribution.

The possibility of a MEGO - EMCE Marvel style line is just too complex to reconcile.. IMO.

Disney no like Warner Bros
Marvel no like DC
Hasbro no like Mattel
EMCE likes $$
FANS like MEGOs
Wishes are like Fishes, etc., etc.

Mixing the above entities into a stew pot to try and create something good just isn't likely. Again.. IMO.

I know it's bursting a bubble.. but that's the reality of the situation.. IMO.

regards,

g.

You said it.....every player has to be careful not to **** the others off......if there is going to be a Marvel line I would think Hasbro would have to start the process

[geoffdude]

In the end, I really don't care if the price gets raised $3 bucks. I used to go to TRU and there would be a bunch of things I wanted to buy. Now there is literally NOTHING I'm interested in. Not Star Wars, not GIJoe, not Marvel or DC, Nothing...except Retro figures. Finally, I've got something to look forward to! So whether I spend $20 or $23, I'm fine with it.

That's what Mattel hopes for. Then, in 6 months they raise the wholesale price once again.. and by this time next year the retail price is $24.99 or $26.99.

The potential (rumored) $22.99 increase is a gateway, measurement as well, for future incremental price increases. SOP for Mattel.

regards,

g.

[trekman101]

This is not actually true.

Couple of things. Doc noted that Mattel was "committed" to the line. And also that there were "plans" for 3 years worth of figures.

Neither of these statements mean there's a 100% certainty that all 24 figures will make it to shelves. Business conditions change fast, and many toy lines have met a quick demise as a result. Mattel's position is that they are doing the line, if it does well, for 3 years, but they probably reserve the right to drop it like a hot potato (now) if sales are flat.

Not saying I don't want 'em all.. just that we may not get them all.

regards,

g.

They are already in the 2011 schedule....by the end of the year they will probably be in the 2012 schedule....Mattel is very experienced.....they will not make any decisions for a while yet....they are planning and making other lines as well(ghost busters for one)....they are in it for all the ups and downs

[trekman101]

There have been stores in the New York metropolitan area selling these for $22.99 since the day they first showed up. For whatever reason, its only been a few locations. The rest of the country has been 19.99. So really, quit the whining until you see them for $22.99 because this thread is just going to be a waste of space when they show up at $19.99. Because as it is, this whole thread is based on what? What a TRU employee at one store told one person?

If they pop up at 22.99, commence your whining. Though even then you can still order them from Amazon for 19.99 with free shipping.

Just to clarify ...it wasn't a TRU employee that told me this...it was a district manager in charge of many stores...."many stores are raising prices store wide on many items that sell well.....some stores will not"......I have checked with many stores in all of NYC ($22.99 now $19.99 before)....long island ($19.99 - $22.99).....New Jersey ($19.99).....so this may be a TRU trend not Mattel(for now).....this may also be a ploy from TRU to "put them on sale for $19.99 at a latter date" (I have seen this in the past)....so lets wait and see

[geoffdude]

Me too. Now, it's a different story when Target marks stuff down to 75% off.

Good stuff doesn't stick around long though at that markdown.

That's why I try and hit my TARGET @ opening on day 1 of the 75% off days. Have gotten some great deals for sure.

g.

[Mikey]

I miss Kay Bee

Kay Bee would mark up a 12" Star Trek figure to $29.99 and a few weeks later it would be marked down to $5.00

Kee Bee was great from going from one extreme to the other

[Duncan]

This is so true. I remember going into TRU in the past and having to choose what I wanted to spend my money on. These days I just seem to walk out with my money still in my pocket anyway, JOHN

Me too. Now, it's a different story when Target marks stuff down to 75% off.

[Tyme2tyme]

I used to go to TRU and there would be a bunch of things I wanted to buy. Now there is literally NOTHING I'm interested in. Not Star Wars, not GIJoe, not Marvel or DC, Nothing...except Retro figures.

This is so true. I remember going into TRU in the past and having to choose what I wanted to spend my money on. These days I just seem to walk out with my money still in my pocket anyway, JOHN

[geoffdude]

Despite Hasbro's Marvel toys, Diamond is still producing it's Marvel Select line of figures, and Diamond already has an established relationship with EMCE, so it most definitely IS possible to get an EMCE/Diamond Marvel toyline.

Sorry Geoffdude, you don't know everything.

Believe me, I know I don't know everything, or really "anything".. or so my kids tell me. But I have a bottomless well full of opinions.

Marvel Select figures via Diamond is specific to a size range that Diamond must stay to (not talking mini-mates here either). This is common for most toy lic. agreements these days. There is no "exclusive" toy production per a lone brand by itself. It's a combination of brand, or specific characters, toy style, toy size, regional market, etc.. Diamond locked in that scale, style and their unique distribution channel for sales (direct market as opposed to mass retail outlets) from Marvel. Hasbro did the same for their size, style and distribution.

The possibility of a MEGO - EMCE Marvel style line is just too complex to reconcile.. IMO.

Disney no like Warner Bros
Marvel no like DC
Hasbro no like Mattel
EMCE likes $$
FANS like MEGOs
Wishes are like Fishes, etc., etc.

Mixing the above entities into a stew pot to try and create something good just isn't likely. Again.. IMO.

I know it's bursting a bubble.. but that's the reality of the situation.. IMO.

regards,

g.

[samurainoir]

There's a common misconception that most action figure collectors have endless amounts of money to invest in their hobby.

It would be interesting to see what the real breakdown between collectors and kids has been for this retro line. While Collectors are demonstrating that they are an economic force within the mainstream retail world of Toys, isn't TRU's bread and butter still the kids? As Collectors ourselves, I think it's difficult for us at times to see the forest for the trees.

Have you seen how much parents are willing to drop at TRU for other toylines for their children?

The truth is some people have money and don't mind spending the extra scratch and some people don't - and a few extra bucks can decide whether someone buys a figure or not.

The second catagory (people that can't afford spending the extra money) far outweighs the people who don't mind.

I really don't think the manufacturers and retails are under any illusion that most collector's have endless deep pockets, but let's put this into perspective. $22 isn't really that big an issue for most folks in the middle class to scrounge up for one figure. For four figures, it's $88 for this past year. If two dollars makes that much difference, then the sad, harsh reality is that Mattel probably doesn't really care about whether you can afford it or not. They are generally shooting for those that can drop five bucks for their morning cup of coffee, continue to fill up their gas tanks to get to work no matter how the price fluctuates, who are upgrading to HD and Bluray, own ipods, and outfit their kids at the Gap y'know? If there are less and less of those folks, then I guess that is probably why prices are increasing. It's kind of like a snake eating it's own tail, but this is the state of our world today. (can you tell I'm living in the city that is smack dab in the G20 controversy this week?)

Given how successful MattyCollector has been, I'm pretty sure Mattel isn't sweating it when it comes to the collectors. I think we've all observed that hardcore collectors are willing to beg, borrow or steel to fund their habit. Anyone who works in a comic book store will tell you this.

[geoffdude]

Not a big deal, but it's Toe the Line, not Tow.

After coke & vodka, and coke and vodka, and coke and vodka, etc., .. it's toq, toe, tow, tie or tue...