Bad News Retro-Action Fans (Matty Q&A)

[ODBJBG]

I talked to some action figure vendors at a flea market today (one of which owns a comic book shop that sells a lot of new and vintage action figures). Both know about the Retro action line and the comic shop owner said he lost money trying to sell the ones he had. The consensus was Mattel made them too pricey at wholesale to justify what they have to sell them for at retail. Several mentioned how awkward they posed in the package and no customer wants to pay over $20.00 for a figure that looks " that cheap." They also added a perspective many have not considered - With the economy being so bad, vintage lines are taking a big hit on the market, so collectors who can still afford to buy are investing in the vintage lines while the prices are down, rather than blow money on a new line that has lots of production issues and can be bought considerably less later down the road. Food for thought.

Price is still such a big issue with this line. I think even if they looked better, the $20 price tag is going to be an issue. If they could just get them down a few bucks, I think it'd be a stronger seller.

[boynightwing]

Several mentioned how awkward they posed in the package and no customer wants to pay over $20.00 for a figure that looks " that cheap."

I think they look crappy in the package. They slouch and shift around inside the bubble and they don't really fit inside very well. If they made a bigger bubble then made a backer piece that held them in a nice pose, it would help sell them. I know its a pain to take them out with all the twist ties and rubber bands but the presentation makes it worth it. Especially if you want to display them in the package. Also there is a peace of mind that they are not broken from delivery. When I saw these in the comic store not long ago, I went through them all to find one that didn't look like it could be broken. The only reason I didn't buy Sinestro at the time was due to that. I just wasn't sure if I was getting a lemon.

[LovethoseMegos]

I talked to some action figure vendors at a flea market today (one of which owns a comic book shop that sells a lot of new and vintage action figures). Both know about the Retro action line and the comic shop owner said he lost money trying to sell the ones he had. The consensus was Mattel made them too pricey at wholesale to justify what they have to sell them for at retail. Several mentioned how awkward they posed in the package and no customer wants to pay over $20.00 for a figure that looks " that cheap." They also added a perspective many have not considered - With the economy being so bad, vintage lines are taking a big hit on the market, so collectors who can still afford to buy are investing in the vintage lines while the prices are down, rather than blow money on a new line that has lots of production issues and can be bought considerably less later down the road. Food for thought.

I don't understand why it seems that Mattel is not listening.

[MegoMark71]

Mattel never listens in my opinion. Just look at what happens every darn month with the Masters of the Universe classics line. And they have never done a thing to fix the problems.

[WannabeMego]

You always have this option:

BBB Business Review of Mattel, Inc.

Our complaint history for this company shows that the company responded to and gave proper consideration to most complaints. However, one or more complaints are unresolved meaning the company failed to properly address the complaint allegations or their response was inadequate.

File a Complaint: Complaint Details


Contacts:
Ronda L. Strauss - Manager, Risk Management
Bill Miller - Risk Management Liaison
Valerie Rodgers - Complaint Contact & Customer Service

Phone Numbers:
(310) 252-2000
(818) 407-4300
(818) 407-4347
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[huedell]

Does anybody else feel kinda "offended" by all THIS?

Recently, I felt pressured to "justify my existence" here at the MM...
and, this is just one more reason I feel a strong part of this MM toy
discussion niche.

The guys at MATTEL basically brush off the criticism by comparing the new
figures to the vintage MEGO WGSH...it's not only inaccurate...it's
not only one of the WORST 8 inch bodies ever mass released....

...it's also a blow to the MM people who have not only handled
REAL Mego bodies over the years but TONS of variations on the
classic Mego body.

Being that Doc Mego is "one of us" and has manufactured much better
bodies in the 1000s, I'd be surprised if Doc isn't going ubernuts
right now. In that he probably feels REALLY close to how WE do about
this, but is in NO way in ANY place to be too negative about any part of this
sick debacle due to his working relationship with MATTEL.

[The Bat]

Does anybody else feel kinda "offended" by all THIS?

Recently, I felt pressured to "justify my existence" here at the MM...
and, this is just one more reason I feel a strong part of this MM toy
discussion niche.

The guys at MATTEL basically brush off the criticism by comparing the new
figures to the vintage MEGO WGSH...it's not only inaccurate...it's
not only one of the WORST 8 inch bodies ever mass released....

...it's also a blow to the MM people who have not only handled
REAL Mego bodies over the years but TONS of variations on the
classic Mego body.

Being that Doc Mego is "one of us" and has manufactured much better
bodies in the 1000s, I'd be surprised if Doc isn't going ubernuts
right now. In that he probably feels REALLY close to how WE do about
this, but is in NO way in ANY place to be too negative about any part of this
sick debacle due to his working relationship with MATTEL.

Well said Hue!

[UnderdogDJLSW]

I think people are getting offended if someone likes the Retro compared to someone who doesn't. I say it is OK to like them and it is OK not to like them. The same way some folks like DC and others like Marvel or some like both. I like them because I do not do too much custom stuff or displays, etc. I am buying these for my kids to play with and even though $20 is a high number, $50 for a Buzz Lightyear is even higher (or $9 in comparison for a Star Wars figure). So, from my point of view there could be improvements to the figure, but as long as my kids are happy I'll still get some. If my kids become disenchanted I may stop. From my picks of the litter, the figures I've bought have been OK. No cracking emblems, legs are floppy but not so they cannot stand up, and they have stood up to being played with, undressed with boots on and off, etc. My only worry had been the goo on the bubble with a Green Lantern and that was explained by Doc via Mattel.

For the person who likes to display or pose or customize, I can see how these could be a disappointment so I accept that a person does not like them at the same time as I do.
For those folks, I hope Mattel does fix the problems that those folks dislike.

[MIB41]

I for one WANT the line to succeed, which is why feedback IS important. I honestly don't think ANYONE who takes the time to come on this forum to contribute opinions, is somehow in cahoots with another toy company to see the line fail. That's nonsense. But its also nonsense to suggest that anything released is somehow immune to criticism. All collectors are passionate about their craft. And everyone has a different reason for pulling out their wallet to add product to their collection. We recently saw ONE carded Iron man figure go for over $14,000 on Ebay. But in the same breath we have also spent months debating the value of selling a brand new figure for $20.00. So who's wrong in that contradiction? No one. Its personal value. So, for myself, there are certain things I will spend 'bigger' money on that are vintage, whereas something new I am going to be more mindful of my wallet, because the long standing value is not yet established (look to Famous Covers and Hasbro's Signature series for that example).

The latter example is what I emphasize to people like Paul and any of the Mattel folks who might check in from time to time. Just because a toy might be 'inspired' by a vintage line, doesn't make it so. Its still a NEW toy with it's own issues. And like any 'GOOD' company, Mattel should be mindful of customer feedback. But right now Mattel is banking the pros of the line will outweigh the cons, so the public response to the customer is 'no changes will be made.' How that decision plays out, WILL be important for Mattel if sales decline. So that is where we stand. I for one am not actively looking for wave 2 when they come out. I spent over $80.00 to purchase four ill-made figures in wave one. The nostalgia of the first line got me to spend the money. But the issues with the bodies, poorly made emblems, and the flimsy card just screamed "cheap" (to ME). As a collector, I believe this appearance will only worsen with age, so there's no justification to spend that kind of money when I can buy them far cheaper after they've been out for about six weeks (or when TRU marks them down as we have already seen). The market (AND economy) dictates I can use that purchase strategy to get them far cheaper, rather than fold to Mattel's high-end price points.

We've watched other figure lines suffer the same fate with far less sticker shock. If Mattel feels they have a business model that will make them money, but shorten the life of the line, then more power to them. But it leaves the people interested in the line left out in the cold. Welcome to the business world. It's nothing personal.

[Boywonder0]

I for one WANT the line to succeed, which is why feedback IS important. I honestly don't think ANYONE who takes the time to come on this forum to contribute opinions, is somehow in cahoots with another toy company to see the line fail. That's nonsense. But its also nonsense to suggest that anything released is somehow immune to criticism. All collectors are passionate about their craft. And everyone has a different reason for pulling out their wallet to add product to their collection. We recently saw ONE carded Iron man figure go for over $14,000 on Ebay. But in the same breath we have also spent months debating the value of selling a brand new figure for $20.00. So who's wrong in that contradiction? No one. Its personal value. So, for myself, there are certain things I will spend 'bigger' money on that are vintage, whereas something new I am going to be more mindful of my wallet, because the long standing value is not yet established (look to Famous Covers and Hasbro's Signature series for that example).

The latter example is what I emphasize to people like Paul and any of the Mattel folks who might check in from time to time. Just because a toy might be 'inspired' by a vintage line, doesn't make it so. Its still a NEW toy with it's own issues. And like any 'GOOD' company, Mattel should be mindful of customer feedback. But right now Mattel is banking the pros of the line will outweigh the cons, so the public response to the customer is 'no changes will be made.' How that decision plays out, WILL be important for Mattel if sales decline. So that is where we stand. I for one am not actively looking for wave 2 when they come out. I spent over $80.00 to purchase four ill-made figures in wave one. The nostalgia of the first line got me to spend the money. But the issues with the bodies, poorly made emblems, and the flimsy card just screamed "cheap" (to ME). As a collector, I believe this appearance will only worsen with age, so there's no justification to spend that kind of money when I can buy them far cheaper after they've been out for about six weeks (or when TRU marks them down as we have already seen). The market (AND economy) dictates I can use that purchase strategy to get them far cheaper, rather than fold to Mattel's high-end price points.

We've watched other figure lines suffer the same fate with far less sticker shock. If Mattel feels they have a business model that will make them money, but shorten the life of the line, then more power to them. But it leaves the people interested in the line left out in the cold. Welcome to the business world. It's nothing personal.

Sorry... Had to overlook your message... Message is way too big... Will you be offering a compendium version any time soon? Please don't tell me is more blah, blah, blah, moaning, and whining on the Retro Action figures... Just don't buy them bro! Leave the others do!

[MIB41]

Sorry... Had to overlook your message... Message is way too big... Will you be offering a compendium version any time soon? Please don't tell me is more blah, blah, blah, moaning, and whining on the Retro Action figures... Just don't buy them bro! Leave the others do!

Your obsession with me is quite odd...but amusing. Please, continue. Clearly you need to feed the monkey...

[BlackKnight]

Your obsession with me is quite odd...but amusing. Please, continue.

[Meule]

Sorry... Had to overlook your message... Message is way too big... Will you be offering a compendium version any time soon? Please don't tell me is more blah, blah, blah, moaning, and whining on the Retro Action figures... Just don't buy them bro! Leave the others do!

Just stay away from this thread if you can't be bothered to read other's opinions or don't respect them. Everyone here has the right to voice his or her opinion and I happen to agree with MIB41. I thought his response was well thought, clear and to the point, unlike your constant "stop complaining, don't buy them". Change the record, it's getting old fast.
And yes, I will be getting more retro action figures, even tho I think they could be improved.

[MIB41]

Just stay away from this thread if you can't be bothered to read other's opinions or don't respect them. Everyone here has the right to voice his or her opinion and I happen to agree with MIB41. I thought his response was well thought, clear and to the point, unlike your constant "stop complaining, don't buy them". Change the record, it's getting old fast.
And yes, I will be getting more retro action figures, even tho I think they could be improved.

Amen Meule. AMEN!

[The Bat]

Just stay away from this thread if you can't be bothered to read other's opinions or don't respect them. Everyone here has the right to voice his or her opinion and I happen to agree with MIB41. I thought his response was well thought, clear and to the point, unlike your constant "stop complaining, don't buy them". Change the record, it's getting old fast.
And yes, I will be getting more retro action figures, even tho I think they could be improved.

We said Thomas!