TRU raises price on "retro-action" figures

[geoffdude]

It's not really outta context ..., for people who still want them, they are still cheaper at 22 ..., than a Comicbook Shop. Not sure where you have become the leading authority on Thread Context and where discussions on topic directions go ?.

Calm down, take a breath.. just stating the obvious about your post. I replied with my opinion basically, to your thought on the initial thread post.

Your comment related to retail price increases in what context again?

Sorry.. it's late and I'm three coke and vodkas into the night.

regards,

g.

[geoffdude]

I've heard how Chinese labor is increasing (or will increase), could this be why? Of course then prices on everything will go up.

Review Outlook: The Rise of Chinese Labor - WSJ.com

Companies warned of increasing labor costs in China

This has more impact, currently, than oil prices. China's factories (and workers) fees/cost have been rising for some time. Getting a spot for production of a product in a China factory these days is very tough. Many factories have shut down completely due to lead problems, or other infractions, issues. Thus making the remaining factories, and work-force, more valuable and pricey to hire. Getting time in these factories is also tough.. thus the longer time between "waves".

regards,

g

[BlackKnight]

Understand. Guess I wasn't sure why you stated it then within the context of this thread though. (Discussing "retail" price changes).

regards,

geoff

It's not really outta context ..., for people who still want them, they are still cheaper at 22 ..., than a Comicbook Shop. Not sure where you have become the leading authority on Thread Context and where discussions on topic directions go ?.

[geoffdude]

That's BS... The response to Wave One had everything to do with the novelty of getting a Mego-like figure again. Novelty over...I will sit on these if their truly $22.00 a piece. I guess they think fan boys will be fighting over the RC, helmet head, Batman so their taking advantage. Whatever! I have five of the original Mego RC Batmans. Mattel can't touch them. I went into a TRU tonight and they had 18 of these warming the pegs. The people involved in this gig are getting greedy and coming on this forum playing coy about it. "Oh they were very successful!" Spare me the mind screw. And I thought Hasbro was a bunch of money grubbing w*ores.

You're right on.. on every level.

"IF" there is a true price increase forthcoming, then it will have started from, or with, Mattel. It's a "greed" move, and one they have done many times ("as a business" towards their customers).

Mattel knows exactly what the lay of the land is, or what the score can bring them. They know what the fans of MOTU will pay, and go through, to get the next figure. They know exactly what the JLU fans will pay and do, to get the next JLU figures. They spend HOURS going over spread sheets on ROI and profit margins for each and every single toy figure/line they produce and sell. The fans, or customers, are just one column, of many, on that spread sheet. . we are nothing more.

regards,

g.

[JimCem99]

I've heard how Chinese labor is increasing (or will increase), could this be why? Of course then prices on everything will go up.

Review Outlook: The Rise of Chinese Labor - WSJ.com

Companies warned of increasing labor costs in China

[geoffdude]

Not Sure where you think I stated that.
I was just offering the price of Comic Shops up, threw Diamond.

Understand. Guess I wasn't sure why you stated it then within the context of this thread though. (Discussing "retail" price changes).

regards,

geoff

[geoffdude]

Crazy. This has to be a TRU price increase or Matty is nuts to jump the MSRP. It's as if no one studied Mego during 70's stagflation.

If GA sold out, twice, and TRU is beginning to see peg warmers, than doesn't that mean Retro Action could be less if they were sold exclusively through Matty?

TRU is only passing price points on to customers. Trust me. TRU does not micro manage the sales of lines on this level. Prices ARE set automatically by wholesale prices across the board on all products.

regards,

g.

[BlackKnight]

Comic shops have NOTHING to do with retail pricing.

Regards,

g.

Not Sure where you think I stated that.
I was just offering the price of Comic Shops up, threw Diamond.

[CrimsonGhost]

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.

[geoffdude]

Not sure if this is related but maybe the cost of the petroleum supply to make the plastics went up?
Then again all Mattel products should be going up.

All Mattel "DC" toy lines are indeed going up in price.

However, oil prices are actually down these days.. while GOLD prices are going up, up, up.

Regards,

g.

[geoffdude]

In reference to what? "High-end collectibles"? Certainly not to what Megos originally retailed for (adjusted for inflation). I'm glad sales have exceeded expectations, but I don't understand the reasoning. Good sales=> higher production numbers=> lower cost. (Or at least the same cost.) Isn't that how it's supposed to work?

In days past.. yes. But with the new world order according to Mattel, and Mattel's ideals towards ROI, not anymore.

Mattel is a truly "funky" company. Long as I try I can't quite figure them out within normal business aspects. I just know what their "base" actions are by what they do on other similar toy lines. But what they do as a whole, as a company, is murky and most times senseless.

regards,

g.

[geoffdude]

It'll probably kill any chances of Marvel figures being done by Hasbro if the sales go down because of the increased price.

What is it about this issue people just don't get? Or won't accept? Truly. Marvel and DC HATE, HATE, HATE, HATE, each other. Marvel via Hasbro will never do anything that comes close to aligning themselves to DC and Mattel.

Just for the record, and for future reference, there will NEVER be any MARVEL EMCE Mego-ish figures. There never was any "chance" of it.

regards,

g.

[geoffdude]

not unless tru wanted to get greedy and make an extra $3 per figure.

Keep it real. That's not the case.

g.

[geoffdude]

This all makes good business sense. As a customer, I don't like seeing prices go up, but I recognize that raising prices is probably the right move for TRU. Why not make a little more $?

It's hard to argue that raising prices is a terrible idea if the product is doing better than expected. Ideally, they'll now have enough margin to put this line on sale, and work it into some of their ad circulars.

Hi Duncan,

Partner.. you're a bit out of touch with the reality of the situation.. sorry, but it's the truth. This toy line will not be in any TRU ad circular... ever. It's not an item/product worthy of that space.

Raising prices on any product is not GOOD business (basic business 101). Adding MORE value to a product for current price IS good business.

However, I don't fault TRU, as I see them as passing on price increases from Mattel.

And for the record.. I really don't think this line IS doing better than expected. Just my knee-jerk feeling.. but I'm tripping all over these figures each and every time I visit Toys R Us, or visit their web site, or AMAZON, or other online toy sites selling them.

Regards,

g.

[starsky]

not unless tru wanted to get greedy and make an extra $3 per figure.