I Found 2 Retro Action Figures in TJ Maxx

[megowgsh]

Went to no less than 8 TJM, Marshalls and AJ Wwight stores in the Chicago area yesterday and cam away empty-handed.

[palitoy]

It wasn't meant to be a "passive aggressive attack", it was meant to be a direct but mild jab. I get frustrated when the open discussions of other members get locked or deleted for reasons that seem to (sometimes, not all the time) fall a bit short of "good".

Well it's a crappy, entitled thing to say to the folks who take the time out make sure this place run smoothly.

We moderate leniently here and take a lot of things into consideration before doing so. There is absolutely no "iron fist" tactics in place as you are suggesting nor are we the drones of EMCE or any other company here as your "mild jab" also implied. We are in not in anyone's employ nor have EMCE or anyone else ever asked us to remove something.

I can't apologize if your perception sees it as something else because it's wrong and your criticism undeserved. We try to keep the peace here which is a lot less fun since the "dolly bashers" arrived.

[Sandman9580]

The Stepford Wives, awesome.

We deserve passive aggressive attacks for the work we do, that's fair.

It wasn't meant to be a "passive aggressive attack", it was meant to be a direct but mild jab. I get frustrated when the open discussions of other members get locked or deleted for reasons that seem to (sometimes, not all the time) fall a bit short of "good".

At this point? Speculate away.

The response to this wave, the recognition of the improvements to the base body, the quality of the sculpts and costumes, the enthusiasm over something as simple as Captain Cold's accessories...I feel that our mission is now accomplished.

What saddens me is that, no matter how hard we work, and no matter what wins we have like this, there are still a handful of deeply unhappy people out there who have the luxury of time to trash it all over the internet. And even sadder, those are the voices that are the loudest.

And these loud voices do indeed have an impact. One miscreant actually posted on Amazon the conspiracy theory that Paul deliberately manipulated Mattel to produce inferior bodies just so he could sell more of his own. So, clearly someone who is a Mego fan who knows all the players, with some kind of bizarre beef.

Yes, I can already hear you say, "Oh, they're nuts, just ignore them."

Well, right after that psycho's comment was another comment from someone clearly not from the community, to the effect of "Thanks for the warning...I was going to buy these because I remember them as a kid, but I'm glad I saved my money."

Sale lost.

I tracked the "stranger" down and offered him a couple samples of our stuff so he could see what we've been working on and judge for himself and he was elated. So, we may not have made a sale at that point, but we may have gained a new customer.

And that was just the one I caught.

So look. At this point, we have Toy Fair coming up and lots of stuff we're working on for it, and I've spent an inordinate amount of time on these boards the last week just to gauge reaction to the newest wave, only to be caught up in all the speculation about the future. We've told what we know, we've been more transparent than most, and Wave 3 has proven what can be done.

I can't speak for Paul, but I'm definitely gonna go quiet for a while, because I have dead people to sculpt. Speculate on that.

So, it's a pleasure to have beeen able to put Mego superheroes under people's trees this year (or, at least one for each day of Hanukkah), especially those as good as have come out in the last few weeks alone. I couldn't be prouder to have been able to help my friend Paul achieve his dream of bringing them all to you.

Happy Holidays and see you next year.

The fact that these are showing up at half-price at discount department stores had me worried. The speculation you speak of is coming from someone who loves the line and wants to see it continue.

Remember when FAO Shwartz had the Star Treks (up through Scotty/Keeper)
for $5.00 each? Everyone said that the line was dead.

I drove into Manhattan and looted the place before they realized their error.

The line was not dead - and it is still going.

I don't pretend to understand the wisdom of wave 2 selling for $10 at TJ Maxx, all I
know is that I will buy all I can find and look forward to the new releases of 2011.

Thank you for that -- that's all I wanted to hear! And when I go to TJ Maxx now, I won't feel so guilty!

[geoffdude]

This is an interesting onion in the ointment. TRU is selling these at their TRUExpress (i.e. holiday popup) stores. According to the staff at the TrUEx stores I visited; they only stock the "hot" selling toys (top 100 sellers in the stores or something like that) and they can't keep the RA super heroes around very long. That is, they are selling well at those outlets.

Sounds more like TrUs shelf-life/reorder policy coupled with Mattel's distribution numbers/policies are not lined up to me. But I am neither a buyer or seller for either of these entities so I will not make any suppositions.

At any rate, I am not concerned about the longevity of the line. I know that the folks responsible for making these are working hard and that the Feb. Toyfair is coming up. There have been x amount of comments concerning how many waves were 'committed to'; and there have been indications of QC improvement which I don't really believe would belong in a line that a company was ready to flush.

I do think anyone near a TJs should just get over there and nab what you can while you can. This is the price point I wanted to see these at and I am certainly not letting the opportunity pass.

These TRU Express stores are just stocking what TRU has ordered the "most" of (quantity).. and what they have tons of (setting on)... and newer stock (any kind) currently coming in. "Top 100" is just a marketing tag line.. I should know, as I create these types of "tags" all day long.

You're 100% right, in that the TRU ordering, re-stocking, system, and Mattel's distribution practices are at odds with each other. But, Mattel's distribution system is "infamous" for having major problems. It's the main reason the JLU toy line was booted from most retail stores (becoming Target exclusive, if you can even call them that).

I agree too that these TJ Maxx deals are great, and I'll be stopping at any stores I see, at least until Dec. 23 or so. Then I'm staying clear of almost all stores until the 26th.

Regards,

Geoff

[geoffdude]

TRU is pushing wave two in their Express stores. So I guess TRU has received shipment of this wave....whats that do to your theory. Stop trying to be a party pooper and take your Ba Humbug elswhere sir!

TRU Express stores are "new" locations, and will stock any and all new products TRU can funnel in. Wave 2 figures that TRU distribution centers have "already" received would naturally show up there, over TRU main stores, that are setting on Wave 1 figures. I never said TRU didn't receive wave 2, only that they "may" not be taking delivery of any more figures.

(BTW TRU is not "pushing" these, just selling them.)

Also, I have no Ba Humbag towards these (I just bought 4 from TJ Maxx, and I've bought all 9 figs so far), I'm attempting to give insight as to what's going on for the most part. Believe it or not, or believe something completely opposite, it's up to you... and I could care less which you choose.

Regards,

Geoff

[rche]

I do not have a direct connection to anyone at Mattel, or TRU, but that's "typically" the way these things work.

For TRU, if they took "delivery", or received, these items (Wave 2) from Mattel, then they would almost certainly put them up on the pegs in main stores.. or in their TRU-holiday stores. TRU wouldn't blow them out, or purge them, at this date and time (Christmas/new assortment).. they would try selling them for awhile. Also, if TRU was paring down their DC Retro stock, then you would see plenty of Wave 1 figures at these bargain stores too... which we are not.

So basically, to answer the question, it's an educated guess, but one that's 99.9% logical to postulate.

Regards,

Geoff

This is an interesting onion in the ointment. TRU is selling these at their TRUExpress (i.e. holiday popup) stores. According to the staff at the TrUEx stores I visited; they only stock the "hot" selling toys (top 100 sellers in the stores or something like that) and they can't keep the RA super heroes around very long. That is, they are selling well at those outlets.

Sounds more like TrUs shelf-life/reorder policy coupled with Mattel's distribution numbers/policies are not lined up to me. But I am neither a buyer or seller for either of these entities so I will not make any suppositions.

At any rate, I am not concerned about the longevity of the line. I know that the folks responsible for making these are working hard and that the Feb. Toyfair is coming up. There have been x amount of comments concerning how many waves were 'committed to'; and there have been indications of QC improvement which I don't really believe would belong in a line that a company was ready to flush.

I do think anyone near a TJs should just get over there and nab what you can while you can. This is the price point I wanted to see these at and I am certainly not letting the opportunity pass.

[geoffdude]

Geoff how can you say its not TRU's fault? Put the toys on the shelf...they sell. Refuse to put the toys on the shelf....they dont. THe product has improved each wave....its a mistake to not sell these toys. Kudos to mattel for finding someone to peddle their product. Next year we may find its walmart, and Target pushing the Retros out their door, and TRU is wishing they hadn't stalled the line.

TRU stores get stock automatically once a level of in-store stock reaches a certain point. If the stock of a store has too much Wave 1, they will NEVER have any wave 2 delivered to them for re-stocking.

Also, if TRU has cut their order for wave 2 because wave 1 is setting in many locations, then wave 2 stock will be MUCH lower in the TRU distribution centers. Basically, all stores will carry "less" wave 2 because TRU corporate has trimmed back their order on the line.

Target and Walmart will never carry this line, the price point, and demographics, don't fall in line to what they target for toy sales.

Regards,

Geoff

[Fuzzysnail]

TRU is pushing wave two in their Express stores. So I guess TRU has received shipment of this wave....whats that do to your theory. Stop trying to be a party pooper and take your Ba Humbug elswhere sir!

I do not have a direct connection to anyone at Mattel, or TRU, but that's "typically" the way these things work.

For TRU, if they took "delivery", or received, these items (Wave 2) from Mattel, then they would almost certainly put them up on the pegs in main stores.. or in their TRU-holiday stores. TRU wouldn't blow them out, or purge them, at this date and time (Christmas/new assortment).. they would try selling them for awhile. Also, if TRU was paring down their DC Retro stock, then you would see plenty of Wave 1 figures at these bargain stores too... which we are not.

So basically, to answer the question, it's an educated guess, but one that's 99.9% logical to postulate.

Regards,

Geoff

[Fuzzysnail]

Geoff how can you say its not TRU's fault? Put the toys on the shelf...they sell. Refuse to put the toys on the shelf....they dont. THe product has improved each wave....its a mistake to not sell these toys. Kudos to mattel for finding someone to peddle their product. Next year we may find its walmart, and Target pushing the Retros out their door, and TRU is wishing they hadn't stalled the line.

[geoffdude]

Geoff:

You seem to know everything about this. Is it a fact that the discount figures came directly from Mattel, or is this just a speculatorial based on your past experience?

I do not have a direct connection to anyone at Mattel, or TRU, but that's "typically" the way these things work.

For TRU, if they took "delivery", or received, these items (Wave 2) from Mattel, then they would almost certainly put them up on the pegs in main stores.. or in their TRU-holiday stores. TRU wouldn't blow them out, or purge them, at this date and time (Christmas/new assortment).. they would try selling them for awhile. Also, if TRU was paring down their DC Retro stock, then you would see plenty of Wave 1 figures at these bargain stores too... which we are not.

So basically, to answer the question, it's an educated guess, but one that's 99.9% logical to postulate.

Regards,

Geoff

[rche]

I'll trade a Bats for a Manta

Hiya folks. I found some of these at the TJ in north Austin. I picked up a Two Face for my boy, but they did not have any Black Manta figures.
Anyone got a Black Manta out of one of these deals that you would like to swap for a Batman. I know where I can get a couple of 'em.

[EMCE Hammer]

The Wave 2 "overstock" at TJ Maxx was bought from Mattel, not TRU.

This is typically the way bulk rate lots are bought by bargain stores, from the toy manufacture, not the retail stores. (Though not always.)

Regards,

Geoff

Geoff:

You seem to know everything about this. Is it a fact that the discount figures came directly from Mattel, or is this just a speculatorial based on your past experience?

[geoffdude]

I wouldnt worry about it. I think that since they are exclusives, TRU had to order a minimum quantity from Mattel. They probably had to order quite a bit for the commission. Now only a certain amount sell but enough to make a profit. And they dump the overstock through the discounters probably for cost so they make their money back or take a small loss.Im sure the mark up is pretty high. Gotta clear out waves 1&2 to make room for 3&4!

The Wave 2 "overstock" at TJ Maxx was bought from Mattel, not TRU.

This is typically the way bulk rate lots are bought by bargain stores, from the toy manufacture, not the retail stores. (Though not always.)

Regards,

Geoff

[geoffdude]

It's even funnier when you look at what else is in the toy section at TJ Maxx: GI Joe, Transformers, Barbie, Thomas the Tank Engine, etc. I guess all those guys are dead too....

Overstock on those specific assortments. But for those brands you also see Infinite Heroes, Avatar, Mighty Muggs, Indiana Jones, etc., all ex-lines.

That being said, I don't think the DC Retro line is there because of it's demise. It's more than likely there because TRU can not get rid of Assortment 1.. and will not take delivery of additional (to be clear updated to "additional") assortment 2.. which is a snafu that "could" be a problem in the future for the line if not resolved, and FAST.

Regards,

Geoff

[geoffdude]

I alluded to this in another thread, but my brother and I run a couple of websites for a couple bands. One band took preorders in order to pay for the recording of an album. We updated people as to how close they were to the budget goal, when it started getting close we updated the fans on how the song writing and recording was going. (We are also the moderators of the bands boards.)

Then we were accused of making up the updates, by a vocal few, who also started posting that the band never intended to fulfill the preorders and that the album would never come out. When we are still trying to raise enough money to continue, discouraging the other fans from buying on the bands website where they are trying to raise the funds becomes a self fulfilled prophecy. Luckily, we raised more cash in spite of them and the album came out.

We also were the targets of passive aggressive little darts of hatred. Its crazy when the very fans of your product undermine the system that is trying to bring it to them.

Who the heck knows why these things ended up at TJ Max, maybe it was a mistake and they were not even supposed to get them, but since they did... they will sell em off.. who the heck knows. There could be 50 different reasons and not all of them have to be bad.

It's only 1 of 2 reasons, not 50, .. and it's no "mistake". Either they are overstock (which amounts to too many made, and not enough orders placed, and some orders canceled), or it's the demise of the line (which is currently too pre-mature to know for sure). Purchasing of product in bulk lots is the base operation sales model for TJ Maxx/Marshalls.. and Big Lots and Tuesday Morning. Merchandise purchased at cut-rate whole sale prices, and typically being cleared out, is the only product they buy and stock.

Regards,

Geoff