WGSH Versus DC Retro-Action: Rate of Inflation

[Astronut]

Your logic is flawed in that the product is not exactly the same. The plastic is completely different, the price for production is different, and I'm sure the price for the license is much higher than in the 70's.

I'm actually surprised they are only $20.

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.

[Werewolf]

Yeah, Mego likely produced 10 times the amount that Mattel is and Economies of Scale are everything.

Yeah, I think people are ignoring the points I made of Barbie's huge mass market production runs versus the tiny runs of limited niche market items.

[pmwasson]

How many other super-hero action figures were available in 1978? How many are available now?

Today's Mego-like figures are a boutique market with boutique prices. Back then they were mainstream toys.

I'm just happy I can buy anything!

[Astronut]

Yeah, Mego likely produced 10 times the amount that Mattel is and Economies of Scale are everything.

I think it's safe to assume that when Mego first manufactured and brought WGSH to market in the early 70's, its production run was not 10 times the amount of Mattel's.

When a company first manufactures an item, a new item, it obviously cannot make the big margins on the item until later runs. After a year or two and seven ba-jillion of the items have rolled off the line, the cogs go down. THAT'S when the company makes up for the initial slim or zero margin. That's how I understand it.

[Astronut]

I'm actually surprised they are only $20.

Wow. Not trying to be disrespectful but come on now. That is not grounded in reality. MORE THAN $20 for an 8-inch figure? I don't care WHAT the production run is... if a company can't sell an item at a realistic price that people can afford it is doomed for failure. Yeah it is my opinion but I form the opinion based on reality of the market. 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.

[palitoy]

Your logic is flawed in that the product is not exactly the same. The plastic is completely different, the price for production is different, and I'm sure the price for the license is much higher than in the 70's.

I'm actually surprised they are only $20.

Yeah, Mego likely produced 10 times the amount that Mattel is and Economies of Scale are everything.

[CrimsonGhost]

Your logic is flawed in that the product is not exactly the same. The plastic is completely different, the price for production is different, and I'm sure the price for the license is much higher than in the 70's.

I'm actually surprised they are only $20.

[the editor]

Yah - I picked up the Two-Face figure at a TRU last week - not knowing the price. Sadly, my wife was beside me at the cash register and it came up to something like $28 (in Ontario, it's $22.99 + all kinds of ridiculous sales taxes) - she almost made me return it to the shelf but like a diligent 5 yr old - I whined and moaned about it until she finally relented. I've heard it from her every day since about how I paid almost $30 for that crap. So I'm thinking $14.99-$15.99 is a fair MRSP amount.

That being said - If they were $9.99 - I'd buy all of them - twice.

(And yes - I am a bi_tch.)

[Astronut]

Many people here have mentioned that they believe $18-$20 is fair pricing for the DC Mattel line, based on the rate of inflation today versus the late 70's when Megos were the rage. I disagree with that. I see them at $9.99 each.

I don't know if anyone has actually went to calculate these for rate of inflation but I just did.

I estimated the average price of an 8-inch Mego WGSH figure at $2.99 because that is the amount I remember seeing them go for. Average.

According to The Inflation Calculator I found online:

What cost $2.99 in 1978 would cost $9.72 in 2009.

The DC Mattel figs are priced at $19.99.

I love these things and like I stated before, I am very grateful they have made a return from the dead, but $19.99 each? Really?

Or am I just crazy? Anyone?