Any Retro-Action Questions for Mattel?

[tllgn]

cancle the toys r us exclusive idea, and get them to the many other outlets like target and wal-mart,the kids need to see how cool,colorful,and and eye catching these really are,moms would hate to see their kids whining for that batman they saw in the toy section,but we collectors would love it .as a kid thats the way i saw them megos back in 1974.

[ODBJBG]

Thanks for all the questions guys. I got some really good ones here. I didn't get to ask everyone's, obviously, but I tried to combine a couple questions where it made sense so that we can get maximum potential for answers. If something good comes out of this I may use some of the unused questions at a later date, so long as they aren't time sensitive. I'll have the answers later this month, so I'll pass it along then.

Thanks again for helping out and letting your voice be heard. Clearly Mattel has some interest in doing stuff with this line and speaking up in the Q&As is a great way to gauge interest for them. I ended up dedicating the whole Q&A to Retro-Action, so we'll see.

[mego maniac mark]

Thanks again for helping out and letting your voice be heard. Clearly Mattel has some interest in doing stuff with this line and speaking up in the Q&As is a great way to gauge interest for them. I ended up dedicating the whole Q&A to Retro-Action, so we'll see.[/QUOTE]

Thank you for focusing it on the retro action figures. We all hope this line continues to grow and improve.

[Cosmicman]

Toys 'R Us sucks. It's all over in my area. Dead with a few Luthors and Sinestros. Thanks a lot whoever dropped the ball on that (referring to Toys 'R Us staff).
If they hit other stores (as said above) they would sell.

[geoffdude]

If Toys R Us has an exclusive right to sell them, why on earth are they not stocking them in large areas of the country? This seems like a huge issue.

Mattel. Low production numbers and distribution problems.

Regards,

Geoff

[geoffdude]

What is the possibility of "build - a - figure" parts and accessories being offered for customizing or alter egos such as Clark Kent or Bruce Wayne?

None.

Regards,

Geoff

[geoffdude]

Why is their such poor distribution, that people cant find them in stores and have to purchase them online?

Will their be any new figures for "Ghostbusters" or has the line been canceled?

Mattel bases their production on projected number of units sold. So, if a toy line sells a certain amount of a figure from an "assortment", say Batman, GL or Supes... but the other figures do not sell as well, say Sinestro, Luther, etc., wel then those figures cause a clog in the re-ordering of new assortments. This is a problem with Mattel and at the retail level of automatic stock management. With current systems in place this will never improve. It's affected DCUC, JLU and the fueled the demise of the Infinite heroes line.

Regards,

Geoff

[geoffdude]

It is and from what I've found from going to the Manager's of the store, It's TRU deciding not to carry them. I wonder why would Mattel continue to keep them exclusive to TRU when it seems most stores are not carrying them anymore.

Does TRU even have them available online at their site?

It's not Mattel's choice. Other stores do not want them. Price point is too high. TRU was the only store to come on board to "help" sell these. Mattel has screwed that up with poor case pack-outs, and really poor distribution.

*No other store will EVER carry these @ this price point.

Regards,

Geoff

[geoffdude]

Distribution, distribution, distribution, get these things in the stores, what's it gonna take????

For Mattel to lose the DC license. No joke.


Regards,

Geoff

[geoffdude]

That's my biggest question as well. If TRU isn't going to stock them...then why not go to other chains like Target & Walmart?

And 2nd...the slump may be fixed, but the Legs are just as loose as they ever were...are they planning to fix this?

Target and Walmart do NOT want these.

Regards,

Geoff

[geoffdude]

There seems to be many questions based on the same issue... why stay with TRU only for a brick & mortar sales retailer?

The answer is... these were offered up to any store who wanted them at Toy Fair '09, or '10... or, whenever. The toy "buyers" for those stores did NOT want them. Pure and simple. That's the basic reason they will not be in Target/Walmart. TRU's buyers however did come to some agreement with Mattel to sell these, and since no other stores wanted them, they made 'em an "exclusive" item.

Bottom line, these figures are a risky toy line for any store to stock. They are not tied into a movie, tv show or cartoon. That's what most toy buyers of the main stores want for the most part these days. They also want low price points "mostly" for peg toys, though the will include bigger items of the same toy "line". Albeit, toy prices are way high these days, these MEGO-style figures are even higher, and not current "typical" action figures. These are considered "collector" specialty items... not a mainstream toy line to most stores.

We lose perspective here because WE love MEGO type figures... the rest of the world not so much.

Regards,

geoff

[Gremlin517]

Will we see any of the Golden Age characters anytime soon?

Will vehicles and playsets be forthcoming?

Are there any plans on upgrading the processes used to create the costumes--I.e. any advances in the making of boots or new clove designs or especially any plans in making stronger, more durable insignias?

How about some new body types--it would be great to see a Bat-mite, Bat-hound or Teen Titans set.

Xavier-

[Teemu]

Geoffdude, you definitely know your stuff!

[geoffdude]

Geoffdude, you definitely know your stuff!

Well, it's mostly from getting smacked around in the trenches and finding this stuff out by experiencing it.

I've been collecting all sort of pop-culture stuff for over 30 years, and follow Toy Fair's offerings and news each year pretty close.

After chasing the plastic totems for decades I have gained some insight into how the industry works. I also listen very closely when "official" announcements are made by toy-line managers, and from those with close ties to those same people. After awhile a pattern starts to develop and it becomes clear how many of these companies operate. Couple that with some close friendships with various store team-leaders, and a few TRU Managers and a fairly complete picture is painted.

I will note that much of what WAS, has changed drastically over the last few years. Stores stock much less in the way of toys, inventory management is different, and always in flux, and production numbers for most items are way lower. It's even harder now to guesstimate what's going on behind the scenes at most stores or toy companies. Sure... profits are THE driving force, but some of the things toy companies do towards production, price and distribution are confounding, or murky.. and seem to be getting even more perplexing each year. One thing is for sure though, prices are higher than ever, stock is lower than ever and toy lines are fewer overall.

Regards,

Geoff

[callistofreak]

Can you do more matty exclusieves?
Like a Bruce Wayne & Clark Kent secret identity.
If new clothes on a already cast figure (Senestro)could help the line contiue.
I'm all in.
And if the build a figure might cost to much?
How about we build the figure, and you sell the clothes and new character head?
On a card like the Action Jackson and Captain Action outfits were sold?
I would buy another Lex so I could make Dr. Fate.
There go the peg warmers.
Keep up the great work.