TRU raises price on "retro-action" figures

[Meule]

There would be 3 waves of 4 figures each in 2010 and 2011, that's 24 figures + the mattycollector GA is 25. After that, we'll have to wait and see

[Meule]

I just hope retools don't count.

Batman has a way of hogging up lines with 20 different versions

I doubt it. We might eventually see a different version Batman, but I doubt we'll see that one before wave 10 (if the line lasts that long of course). There's still so many other popular characters to be done

[trekman101]

Geoffdude....we can go back and forth all day....so bottom line,you think Mattel will drop the line at the first sign of a problem...I feel that when Mattel commits to a three year run they have nothing to loose by letting it run its coarse ...good or bad .....they came up with the "retro action" name because they want to use the 8 inch format for other properties.....they see other companies having success with it and feel they can too.....and if Hasbro sees that the 8 inch line is viable...they may chime in too........so maybe its just possible that Mattel wants to be a leader in the "retro" action figure market.....maybe that's why they have put some of their resources into these kind of figures...they can always just put them on Matty collector and call all the shots.

[kadatasa]

Here it is

Hope this helps...

drmego
EMCE Toys Join Date: Jun 15, 2001
Location:
New York
Posts: 1,337


He who pays the piper calls the tune

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

no - that is DC Comics' and Mattel's privledge. Joe and I give our
suggestions - at the start of this project, we presented a five
year plan of 12 figures a year - and I make it a point to cross
out from our list each figure we make, but if we say "Zantanna"
and they say "Deadman", then Deadman it is - hypothecially
speaking of course.

[Hotfoot]

The ones I have seen are gathering dust on the pegs!

[geoffdude]

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

I understand this, I read the post as well. But, that does not mean Mattel MUST do the 24 figures. That's the point.

It really simple, if the figures don't do as well as they should Mattel could stop producing them. Their position will be "sure, we were committed for up to 24 figures.. but sales just didn't pan out."

Does anyone here actually think Mattel will make wave 4, 5, or 6 if sales start to tank? Anyone can feel free to answer this.

I feel like I'm telling some of you that Santa doesn't exist. Sorry.. that's not my intention, I'm just giving some perspective on what COULD happen.

regards,

g.

[geoffdude]

I just hope retools don't count.

Batman has a way of hogging up lines with 20 different versions

I seem to recall that Doc noted that there were no variants being done. So hopefully only the one Batman for a bit.

regards,

g.

[starsky]

the price increase doesnt blanket all trus. i 've seen different pricing for the same stuff at different tru stores. so the high pricing is not from the toy manufacture ie mattel or hasbro. it's tru that makes the price. they might charge more at one store because their rent is higher there or they might be experiencing a lot of shop lifting going on. so they charge more to cover their losses.

[geoffdude]

Geoffdude....we can go back and forth all day....so bottom line,you think Mattel will drop the line at the first sign of a problem...I feel that when Mattel commits to a three year run they have nothing to loose by letting it run its coarse ...good or bad .....they came up with the "retro action" name because they want to use the 8 inch format for other properties.....they see other companies having success with it and feel they can too.....and if Hasbro sees that the 8 inch line is viable...they may chime in too........so maybe its just possible that Mattel wants to be a leader in the "retro" action figure market.....maybe that's why they have put some of their resources into these kind of figures...they can always just put them on Matty collector and call all the shots.

I don't know WHAT Mattel is going to do.. that's the point. "IF" sales decline, they could keep making the figures (but why would they?), or cease production.

Just because there was an initial plan, or commitment, for up to 24 figures doesn't make it a in-the-bank realization. That's it.. that's my whole point.

I never said "I" think Mattel will drop the line. Please do not put words in my mouth. I said they "could".. which they can, and it seems that FACT doesn't sit well with some of you, as it's not what you want to hear.



regards,

g.

[geoffdude]

the price increase doesnt blanket all trus. i 've seen different pricing for the same stuff at different tru stores. so the high pricing is not from the toy manufacture ie mattel or hasbro. it's tru that makes the price. they might charge more at one store because their rent is higher there or they might be experiencing a lot of shop lifting going on. so they charge more to cover their losses.

We don't know for sure at this point.. however, I would think it's more Mattel. Especially since Mattel has recent history of raising all their wholesale prices on their DC products.

My TRU still has them for $19.99.. so all of this may be a moot issue in the long run.

regards,

g.

[MIB41]

If we want to use a business model to exemplify 'success' in a toy line, the singular best way to suggest this, is to expand production beyond the original target point. That doesn't appear to be happening. What we currently have is a rumor that shelf price might go up. The front line response to this rumor thus far as been a vague "sales exceeded expectation." Wow. That tells me nothing. What was Mattel's expectation? A lukewarm response? Split even? Modest profit? What was it?

If demand for a product is inelastic (meaning unresponsive), the more you charge, the more revenue you take in, since the amount you sell doesn't change. Therefore, if profit is your goal, then a price increase is what you should do when demand is NOT there.

By contrast if a product is elastic (meaning responsive) then that means the demand is there, meaning more vendors to buy from. This translates into higher production and competitive pricing which LOWERS the cost to the consumer.

Bottom line: If no other vendors pick up this line and costs continue to rise, then the line has grown stale and profit margin has become the only tool left to manipulate from Mattel. And no one, including Paul, can argue that with specifics without getting the hammer lowered from Mattel in the effort. All he can do is be the poster boy for the product in hopes of keeping the line alive. And if you read what he is saying, well... that's really all he IS saying. And if I were in his shoes that's ALL I would say too.

So, right now, lets all just hope this is a local perspective that doesn't become a national trend for TRU. And let's hope in the coming year other vendors pick this line up, then we'll KNOW it is successful.

[nvmbrsdoom5]

I will keep buying the Retro-Action Heroes as long as I feel they're worth the price being asked for them at the time. If the price continues to go up and it hurts sales and causes the eventual cancellation of the line, that's would be a real shame. It may or may not happen, who knows? I think it's a bit early for everyone to get all fired up in an uproar just yet. I'm just thankful to have them, and to see Mego-like heroes on the TRU pegs again, and grateful that Doc helped make this happen for us.

[drmego]

I stand corrected (or toe corrected)

Thanks Scott - I am always glad to know the origin of common phrases.
I will use "toe" henceforth.

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

[drmego]

My posts don't have to say anything - in fact, it seems better if they
don't.

No one wants to see a price increase - I think too many people are
thinking worst case. When I worked at Time Warner in the magazine
division, the cover price was varied in different areas for different
reasons - lower price testing, high costs from that wholesaler, etc.

Corporations move in mysterious ways.

I understand your situation here Doc., but your post was about what really? Were you saying price increases are "justified".. or were you saying something else?

I guess my main point was that you really didn't say, or add, anything to the threads main point one way or the other.

Speculation can be contained if facts are provided.

BTW - I'm enjoying the retro-line too; packaging goo, production quality, and price-point issues aside.

regards,

g

[EMCE Hammer]

They were still $19.99 in my travels this weekend. Supes was nowhere to be found, but there were plenty of the other characters. All the Lex Luthors I saw had the stitched belts.