WGSH Versus DC Retro-Action: Rate of Inflation

[Werewolf]

If Retro Action was also at Wal-Mart and Target, it would be a different story.

When I was a kid Megos were everywhere. Kmart, Sears, JC Penny, Kaybee Toys, Ben Franklin, Woolworths, grocery stores, drugstores, hardware stores, etc. Mego's production runs were also so high I was still finding the 8 inch Dukes of Hazard figures at Kaybee up to the early 90s.

[Astronut]

No it's not safe to assume that, it's incorrect. It may be more like 20 times, Mego sold more than one million Action Jacksons in 1972, one could conjecture that Superman would fair even better.

Okay I'll grant you that. I was not taking AJ into consideration. Obviously the body was already produced in large quantities.

[CrimsonGhost]

Also, with a straight face, can you honestly say that a typical consumer is going to look at these figures (the size, the cheap-retro look etc) and then look at that $19.99 pricepoint and not say to themselves, "Wow, that seems kinda high..." Of COURSE these are priced too high. You don't have to have a degree in economics to see that.

Or perhaps the typical customer thinks "I'd rather pay $20 for a retro figure than $20 on two little Star Wars figures or GIJoe figures"

I don't know or care what the typical consumer thinks. The price is what it is. It's your choice to buy it or not.

Back in the 70's, the license was probably cheap for DC and Marvel. However, times have vastly changed in the way licenses are handled and the value of these properties in particular. I defer to Palitoys superior knowledge in the area of licensing.

[Astronut]

Let me ask you this. Just a hypothetical.

A lot of people - us hardcore Mego geek types - have stated they would be willing to buy *double* the amount of these if they were priced in the neighborhood of $10. I was thinking the exact same thing even before reading those sentiments here in the forum; I would happily buy two of each at $9.99 a pop. That's not to say *everyone* would buy two, but I imagine a *lot* of us would. At the very least we would be more inclined to buy MORE of them it would seem.

So. If that were the case, Mattel would be raking in *approximately* -- *roughly* -- the same amount of revenue for these. On top of that, it would be raking in more cash from the non geeks, the little Johnny's... more money overall... the line has legs and avoids being cancelled prematurely... the line eventually expands into other retailers... ka-ching!

Like I said, I know this is all hypothetical but wouldn't that be a better scenario for everyone overall? Just a thought.

[JDeRouen]

It is what it is. Heck, I'd like Mattel to send me figures for free, but they're probably not going to do that.

If we don't buy them at $19.99, they'll either a) lower the price, or b) cancel the line. I'm betting on the latter option, but you never know.

The bottom line is, if you don't feel it's a good value for you, don't buy them.

[Meule]

Mego sold them everywhere, not four pegs at one chain. If Retro Action was also at Wal-Mart and Target, it would be a different story.

So what's stopping Mattel from doing that? And selling these worldwide?

[PNGwynne]

^ I was wondering about that, too.

Is it a purposeful niche market? I've also wondered why the nicely-made MOTU Classics line is online-only...

[Werewolf]

I've also wondered why the nicely-made MOTU Classics line is online-only...

After the retail disaster that was the 2002 MOTU reboot, retailers wouldn't touch MOTU. Toy makers can't sell what stores refuse to order.

[megomania]

People are not going to buy NEARLY as many of these when they are (seemingly) priced at around double what they should be.

Again, LOVE 'EM, but I am being realistic here.

Meh. Let's see - I bought (4) GA's, (2) ea of the rest of Wave 1, and (1) ea so far of Wave 2...only because my local TRU's don't have them yet. Once they arrive I'm buying (1) more of each. And so on, and so on, and so on of the upcoming waves.

So count me out of your poll

[LovethoseMegos]

I won't buy them not due to the price, but because of the quality. If these things came on castaway bodies I'd buy triples. I'm not going to be a lemming like those who support these poorly made figures.

[jwyblejr]

So what's stopping Mattel from doing that? And selling these worldwide?

Wal-Mart would be my answer. They're very picky about what they carry. Look at the G.I. Joe:Pursuit of Cobra stuff. TRU and Target carry them but does Wal-Mart? No.

[tllgn]

i think that 19.99 is a fair price for retro mego ,well emce figures of course,at the time the prices were from 2.99 to 5.99,depending on where you went,the most average price that i recall through 1973-1980,it also depended on what line you went for ,and what store,was 3.99,and given inflation for the last thirty years ,it certainly still a good deal today,remember the comic price of just .25,and today they can go for 2.99 or more.its a fair deal.

[Zemo]

There is no way these were made for mass market to kids. Kids today don't even know who half these characters are. It's niche market that they will make a few bucks on, good for them for doing it. I personally think the price should be about 15.00, but what do I know. Like some else said, kids are paying 9.99 for a lump of metal or plastic.

I do believe niche or not, at 20 bucks they should work out the basic problems, lighting fast. That's just poor business and leaves a bad taste in peoples mouths.

[Astronut]

Meh. Let's see - I bought (4) GA's, (2) ea of the rest of Wave 1, and (1) ea so far of Wave 2...only because my local TRU's don't have them yet. Once they arrive I'm buying (1) more of each. And so on, and so on, and so on of the upcoming waves.

So count me out of your poll

I wasn't taking a poll but thanks for your awesome commentary.

[rlkrefft]

Kids may not know all the foes (besides Batman ones and Lex Luthor) but they all know the heroes. Between The Batman cartoon,Justice League and that new Super Friends show I'm certain the major DC heroes are pretty well known to most kids. O.k. maybe not guys like Spectre or Red Tornado or Zatanna but the original silver age JLA members are all pretty famous and all the Supes/Bats sidekicks. Unless the kids are living in an over protective home where parents shelter them from most tv. I can see kids wanting these figures but I can't see parents paying $20.00 a pop for them. I have 2 of each wave 1 and 2 and 2 Green Arrows. Keep one of each on display and one of each carded. I don't mind the price point but I do wish for the price the bodies were a bit better (so they could at least stand straight) for $20.00 I expect a little better. Megos could stand straight at $2.99.lol