Any Retro-Action Questions for Mattel?

[MIB41]

Soooooo...any time frame on when we'll get to read their responses?

[geoffdude]

No offense, but I would rather the questions be answered by Mattel since none of us really know anything, and those that do can't say. Speculation might be fun, and make us feel important, but means very little. Its kind of the point of asking Mattel, even if you don't get a straight answer, at least the point has been addressed.

No offense taken, great thing about forums is anyone can participate by replying to other posts. I understand your frustration though, you know you're able to block any post by a member (even me, that may help) thru your pref settings. However, back to point, the one thing I DO know for sure, (not speculating) is that Target and Walmart will never carry these, and as such that question seemed like wasted effort and a slot for a question(s) that might get an answer.

Though... getting a straight answer from Mattel is a roll of the dice, with 1 in 5 odds, at best. Each month I read a dozen or more of their mass-released Q&A's collected on one site, and their answers range from informative to stating the obvious to a complete waste of time. With Green Lantern, Cars 2 movies out and MOTU, Barbie and Hot Wheels their top-priority, I doubt any more than two retro questions (in total) would even be considered worthy of their time to answer. IMHO.

Regards,

Geoff

[Brown Bear]

Agreed.

[jayraytee]

No offense, but I would rather the questions be answered by Mattel since none of us really know anything, and those that do can't say. Speculation might be fun, and make us feel important, but means very little. Its kind of the point of asking Mattel, even if you don't get a straight answer, at least the point has been addressed.

[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.

[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

[Teemu]

Geoffdude, you definitely know your stuff!

[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-

[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

[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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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