EMCE: Don't let the exclusives ruin this.

[hobub]

As long as the figure is available on the internet from at least one of the exclusive sellers, then I'm cool with it. I can make my choice to buy it based on their selling price. They were willing to pony up the money to make this figure when Diamond was not. That is the situation in a nutshell. Diamond passed on taking the risk, these two sellers stepped up and made it happen, and there will be less of them available at what will likely be a higher cost. At least we have the option.

The likely run of these figures will probably be more than the entire Museum membership, and probably 10 times what the active Mego collecting community will support. Most of these will go to Trek collectors. We just have to make sure we are in at the beginning so we don't get priced out of the market by scalpers.

Then what we should do is try to get together before they come out and put the money up front, like we did with the Ralph figure. I will depend upon someone to help me out because neither of these two outlets exist in the state of Ohio. Nor what I could find within the Tri-state are of OH, PA, WV.

[hobub]

If the supply is flooded with Romulans, Andorians and Mugatos, as well, for that mater, as SI's, RCB's, and RMR's, the same should be likewise done with any original that is produced.

Otherwise the demand of the some of Mego's rarest antique grail figures has been taken to make way for new grail figures that will command top dollar. Creating such a demand for a figure banked soley on the estimated popularity of such a figure, then releasing it in limited supply will just cause bidding wars that were otherwise reserved for rare antique Mego figures which no longer exist because the purists do not have to compete with those who will settle for high quality exact reproductions (And I can't really blame them if the quality is there).

This hasn't happened in the numismatic community because the rare coins that were reproduced were not done so (exactly) plus they do not have the historical significance of the originals that actually existed while history was being written. Plus repro'd coins aren't made of the quality material that the original ones had. But with toys, it has a great deal to do with the aesthetic value of the figure and popularity of who is represented.

I, for one, will be on the bandwagon with the community to try to get these original figures but I can't help but feel sorry for the unfortunate ones who may be having to pay through the nose to get something that retails for $17.99 just months prior. I guess we will just have to wait to see.

But to me, that is the true meaning of the word "Chase", right or wrong.

[txteach]

I just hope they learn from history (playmates trek line) and don't screw their core base to please a few. Like paul said it's supply and demand. I sure hope their supply keeps up with the demand.

[Bo8a_Fett]

Say NO to chase and exclusive figures....

[Hulk]

As long as the figure is available on the internet from at least one of the exclusive sellers, then I'm cool with it. I can make my choice to buy it based on their selling price. They were willing to pony up the money to make this figure when Diamond was not. That is the situation in a nutshell. Diamond passed on taking the risk, these two sellers stepped up and made it happen, and there will be less of them available at what will likely be a higher cost. At least we have the option.

The likely run of these figures will probably be more than the entire Museum membership, and probably 10 times what the active Mego collecting community will support. Most of these will go to Trek collectors. We just have to make sure we are in at the beginning so we don't get priced out of the market by scalpers.

[Sideshow Spock]

I'm not the least bit worried about it. It's possible that the figure will be available on the Hastings website. It's possible that it'll be on ebgames and gamestop's websites, since Planet X is under their umbrella. It's possible that internet toy dealers like New Force and EE will have it, as they've bought basically EVERY various DST Trek exclusive wholesale from the exclusive holders and then offered them up on their sites for either cost or a marginal price increase.

It's just too early to be worrying about doom and gloom.

[megocrazy]

I have to agree with Steve. EMCE is only the producer of the figures. Diamond is the company that holds the license. If they choose to offer company exclusives it's their call. EMCE would be stupid to not make them and they don't control the price they're sold at either. I wouldn't think Diamond has any call on what the retail is either. That should be at the discretion of Planet X or whoever is paying the final bill for the run. I agree once the tooling is done Kahn may show up at a later date in a different assortment. Either way there is no doubt that we are at least seeing newly made figures in the style of Mego once again. They may be high priced exclusives for the start, but it is definately showing a resurge in the population of collectors. More new members are popping up on a regular basis, and as much as I hate to see it people are paying an incredible price for MM cards on ebay. The prices on all figures are up but mostly on the ones that most long time collectors consider common. I constantly see nice Spideys selling in the $20.00 range where as soon as 18-24 months ago they could be had for $10-$12. Starsky and Hutch, Dukes, Waltons. I watch lots of suits that I don't think even Derek could make usable sell for good money. Even loose body assortments are averaging $7-$9 a body where I would never pay above $5 when buying before. In the long run I still believe as I did before the EMCE offerings as well as the new Cap. Action will increase the amount of collectors in the hobby. I believe we will see even bigger and better than Trek and Apes. The Phantom may only be the start of super heroes being produced. We may never see DC or Marvel but I do believe we'll see more.

[EMCE Hammer]

The only way this will be a big deal is if demand outweighs supply. And that could happen with any of these assortments, and is really hard to predict. If supply is OK, you go to a website and make an order. If not, prepare to be scalped. I'm not worried. Once Kahn is tooled, I bet he'll come around again in a different outfit if the Exclusive version sells through. Just like if Kirk sells out from the regular assortment, sooner or later he'll be back in a reorder or a sweet olive belly shirt. I have faith.

[Flynne]

I have every confidence I'll be able to get one of these for retail. I just think with all the networking here we'll take care of each other.

Hear, hear! It is kind of a drag that Diamond made it exclusive, but the important things to note are that this was out of EMCE hands and, most importantly, the Mego Star Trek line lives again!!! It will take a little bit of work to get one, but most things in life that are worth having are. I plan on being in one of the networks, or having one shipped from the Hastings store about 40 miles from here.

[palitoy]

I have every confidence I'll be able to get one of these for retail. I just think with all the networking here we'll take care of each other.

[livnxxxl]

Star Wars is another prime example of exactly what I was typing about earlier with the Mattel/Hot Wheels saga. As a Star Wars fan growing up with and retaining most all of the original figures I just could not bring myself to go after ALL of the too many produced exclusives that Star Wars newly released. Not so much the $$ in my case it was more the principal for me. If one specific category is all that one collects then that is great. However, I collect or did collect many different collectibles at once. Now I have set my sights primarily on Mego and hopefully EMCE.

[noelani72]

I see what you are saying Paul...but customers shouldn't have to "work" at buying something. I'm not trying to be sarcastic...I'm sure I'll get lucky enough to get a Khan when he comes out...if not, I will always have mine from James..but it was the exclusives that ended it for me when I collected the new Star Wars figs. Once it got to Death Star Commander and Ree-Yees....I gave up. I think it is a little early in the game for Diamond to take this path, but it is their choice and it sounds like there is nothing you or this fine group of people can do except voice that opinion.

Can we get a website for these two stores? I'm up here in Atlantic Canada and don't want to get screwed by the "middle-man".

I really love everything about this ST line and will support it 100%.

[livnxxxl]

A simple solution - How about making screen accurate figures for the "chase figures" and or exclusives? One chase figure per 10 regular/new issued figures or something like that anyway. This would be a simple solution if there just has to be "chase figures" made. Now if we could only get Diamond to buy into our idea. I now know that this is pretty much out of Doc's hands and it is pretty much up to Diamond at this point since they hold the license to Star Trek anyway. "Some day" when EMCE becomes a fortune 500 company and buys up the licenses maybe we can have it our way.

[Remco Monster]

I hate exclusives, always have. I will do what it takes to get Khan, but that is only because I am a big fan of the character. I can't say I will go out of my way for other exclusives though. If they aren't easy to find, and affordable, I would rather spend the cash on vintage. It is real easy for me to pass on modern toys. Vintage style or not.