Almost Went into a State of Shock!!

[boynightwing]

^^I might head over before work tomorrow and pick up Aquaman if he's still there. The day I went which was a few weeks back they only had Batman. Two Face I got at the Fan Expo.

The last big Mego dream I had involved me at some "junk" store finding a whole box of loose Megos. Then my brother tells me to look up a little and right above the box is a whole bunch on actual pegs in unopened cards. At that point I go hog wild and start grabbing as many as I can. Sadly that is when I realize its just a dream and it shifts to something else far less exciting.

[haggis]

I love those dreams where you find a whole bunch of Mego's at a store or warehouse or garage sale.

I also loved the state of shock I went into when I saw Retro Batman at Toys R Us. In CANADA no less! We hardly ever get anything good.

I've had the same dream on many occasions too! Just picked up Batman and Aquaman today. I'll go back for Black Manta but there was nary a TwoFace to be found!

[Tothiro]

Yeah - it's economy of scale. Even just anecdotally, how lively is the Wave X Sighted thread? I mean, we're waiting to find these retail, as a TRU exclusive, and I've never seen a real shortage on Barbie product in the aisles of every major retailer. So right there you have to know the order quantities are much, much lower to absorb the cost of manufacture.

If these got into Wal-Mart and Target and that dropped the (still niche market) price down to $15, I'd be super happy. I think they'd be pretty on par with what original Mego cost back in the day then, if you're not thinking in 1970's dollars I mean.

[Werewolf]

Then again, Masters of the Universe is also a Mattel owned property, and those are going for outrageously inflated prices too.

MOTUC is also manufactured in very limited numbers.

In comparision Mattel sells 2 Barbies a second every single day. Mattel's top selling Barbie of all time, Totally Hair Barbie, sold 10 million units world wide. Yes, 10 million.

[bgiles73]

Yeah, I can't figure it out. First let me say I am grateful that these have even been made in the first place... and that the project seems to be in the experienced, capable hands of Doc Mego and co. You have fulfilled - literally - a dream I have had on and off for DECADES: "Megos" in stores once again. I never really thought it would happen. But you guys did it. For that I say THANK YOU SO MUCH!

I do understand these have a degree of complexity, with fabric costumes etc... they are expensive to manufacture, what with the amount of hand labor involved (that's what she said.) But. $20 retail?

I worked for a gift manufacturing company a few years ago as an artist and liason to overseas vendors... I was privy to cogs, markup, etc (all the boring s#!%)... and I can't see why this type of figure has a retail of $20 a pop, given the size, weight and packaging involved. As other people have mentioned before me, this is Mattel we're talking about here; the company does this in its sleep and should also be able to get rock-bottom cogs from its vendors based on a ba-jillion orders. Look at the Barbie aisle and what do we see? Considerably larger-size figures - with clothing and accessories and more elaborate packaging, mind you - selling for about the same price (not always but in some cases). A Mego style figure is considerably smaller. What does that tell me? I must be missing something because I can't understand why the price point for them is approx double what it should be... in my opinion and based on what I know. Has anyone been able to defend the pricepoint based on anything other than "sticking it to sucker collectors" like me?

At $9.99... Hell, even at $12.99 each... I would buy so many more of these. Maybe Mattel will get wise and reevaluate price value because as it stands now the perception seems to be "ouch."

On a more positive note, thanks again for making the dream real!

I'm sure the licensing fee is accountable in some part also for that high MSRP. Barbie is a Mattel owned brand. Then again, Masters of the Universe is also a Mattel owned property, and those are going for outrageously inflated prices too.

[Werewolf]

Look at the Barbie aisle and what do we see? Considerably larger-size figures - with clothing and accessories and more elaborate packaging, mind you - selling for about the same price.

As a Barbie collector I can help a bit with that. Barbie is still a huge seller and the production runs on Barbie dolls are enormous. The new Mego-like figures are still very much a limited niche market. Higher production runs on Barbies means lower costs. The Retro Action DC figures are also a licensed product which also adds to the cost.

[Astronut]

I agree about the second shock being the sticker shock. I was really hoping Mattel's hand in this would help lower costs, but alas, no dice from the company who charges $10 for a JLU figure.

Yeah, I can't figure it out. First let me say I am grateful that these have even been made in the first place... and that the project seems to be in the experienced, capable hands of Doc Mego and co. You have fulfilled - literally - a dream I have had on and off for DECADES: "Megos" in stores once again. I never really thought it would happen. But you guys did it. For that I say THANK YOU SO MUCH!

I do understand these have a degree of complexity, with fabric costumes etc... they are expensive to manufacture, what with the amount of hand labor involved (that's what she said.) But. $20 retail?

I worked for a gift manufacturing company a few years ago as an artist and liason to overseas vendors... I was privy to cogs, markup, etc (all the boring s#!%)... and I can't see why this type of figure has a retail of $20 a pop, given the size, weight and packaging involved. As other people have mentioned before me, this is Mattel we're talking about here; the company does this in its sleep and should also be able to get rock-bottom cogs from its vendors based on a ba-jillion orders. Look at the Barbie aisle and what do we see? Considerably larger-size figures - with clothing and accessories and more elaborate packaging, mind you - selling for about the same price (not always but in some cases). A Mego style figure is considerably smaller. What does that tell me? I must be missing something because I can't understand why the price point for them is approx double what it should be... in my opinion and based on what I know. Has anyone been able to defend the pricepoint based on anything other than "sticking it to sucker collectors" like me?

At $9.99... Hell, even at $12.99 each... I would buy so many more of these. Maybe Mattel will get wise and reevaluate price value because as it stands now the perception seems to be "ouch."

On a more positive note, thanks again for making the dream real!

[Monsterama2000]

Welcome to The Museum Astronut! Go Steelers!

Thanks, man. Not a MSB fan but I am, embarassingly enough, a die-hard Browns fan. [covers head to prepare for massive attack]

[Astronut]

Astronaut............from a fellow though EX-Ohioan...Welcome aboard!! Long Live Michael Stanley!! (it's a private thang museum ya wouldn't understand) LOL

Thanks, man. Not a MSB fan but I am, embarassingly enough, a die-hard Browns fan. [covers head to prepare for massive attack]

[renegade]

Astronaut............from a fellow though EX-Ohioan...Welcome aboard!! Long Live Michael Stanley!! (it's a private thang museum ya wouldn't understand) LOL

[ODBJBG]

I agree about the second shock being the sticker shock. I was really hoping Mattel's hand in this would help lower costs, but alas, no dice from the company who charges $10 for a JLU figure. This story would be better if Superman also was able to have a villain to fight, but at the price (considerably more than a Zhu-Zhu) I see why not.

That said, great story. Glad to hear new people are coming on board. That's what it's all about. Hopefully you'll be able to continue to pick up more and grow your dual collection.

[UnderdogDJLSW]

Great Story. It is pretty neat to see those figures on the pegs. Welcome!

[Meule]

Welcome aboard and thanks for the great story. Glad to hear your son is enjoying his own "Mego"

[drmego]

It's so great to know that people are still discovering that these figures
are being made - and that kids are digging them.

The kids in my neighborhood are starting to play with them - not my
daughter's friends - mostly boys. It's great to be able to say that I
was involved in makng them.

[boynightwing]

I love those dreams where you find a whole bunch of Mego's at a store or warehouse or garage sale.

I also loved the state of shock I went into when I saw Retro Batman at Toys R Us. In CANADA no less! We hardly ever get anything good.