[Jmacq1]

Quote:

Originally Posted by M3T4L V1KING

What they should do, is wait to see what happens. I'd say there's a very good chance they're not hitting their 100% mark. So instead of Mattel saying "Well no one wants it, let's give up then." They should ask the fans what they want. Such as better prices and/or more accessories, and a way to opt out a few figures if wanted. If they offered that, I for one would probably be for the club.

No, if the club fails to take off, the only conclusion Mattel is going to come to is that clearly collector support for DCUC is not strong. Their bark is worse than their bite and they don't put their money where their mouth is.

Whether true or not, I guarantee you that will be the "lesson learned" and you can enjoy your endless repetitions of the same core characters over and over again in the "new" DC line late next year.

The idea of the fans dictating virtually every detail of the subscription to Mattel ("Lower Prices! More Accessories! Let us Skip figures!") is laughable. They still have to make money on these figures, and the "locked in" nature of the subscription exists solely to make sure that they can afford to make the line at all. They're not a nonprofit organization designed to give you exactly what you want at a loss. They could've just said "Screw it, no more DCUC" but instead they at least gave it a chance. You REALLY think they're going to make characters "NO ONE" wants on the subscription? For all the bitching on their forums, most sane people seem to be pretty pleased with how they've handled DCUC and MotUC in terms of character selections. Are they going to hit a "home run" every time? No, but that's just as unrealistic an expectation as believing they're going to just crank out a bunch of figures that nobody wants or asked for.

If the majority speaks and the sub doesn't go through...oh well. Money saved. I just don't want to hear the people who are naysaying now bitching about Mattel's character selections late next year after the line is "rebranded" and "classic" is really not part of the equation anymore. When it becomes a FAR more "core character based" line.

Oh and PS: They're removing the build-a-figure from the retail line, too, but I'm willing to bet they don't lower prices.

[JonnyVu]

If this fails I don't think they will drop the line. I think it's a marketing thing. They will just go back to the drawing board and go hmm how can we make our sales better

[Prowl 2009]

Quote:

Originally Posted by JonnyVu

hmm how can we make our sales better

Increasing distribution to places like Canada and bettering the distribution in the US would be a nice place to start if you ask me.

[Jmacq1]

Quote:

Originally Posted by JonnyVu

If this fails I don't think they will drop the line. I think it's a marketing thing. They will just go back to the drawing board and go hmm how can we make our sales better

DCUC is done after wave 20. This was confirmed multiple times at SDCC. It's getting "rebranded" later next year, almost certainly to tie in more strongly with the massive DC Comics reboot that's happening late this year.

Time-Warner is pushing this DC Reboot thing extremely hard, and they want their licensors to fall in line and make sure they're pushing the "right" product on mass-retail shelves. That doesn't include the kind of product that DCUC represents anymore.

Now, they HAVE said that the new line will not be entirely "New DC Universe" product. However they have confirmed that they're no longer doing "themed waves" and that build-a-figures are no longer happening (another reason to support the subscription if you want any larger-than-average characters). Every sign points towards DCUC becoming a largely "New DC" and "core character" based line moving forward. If you want to complete any team besides maybe the JLA, you're probably out of luck, particularly if they're not part of the "new" DC Universe (such as the JSA and "classic" Teen Titans).

[KshatriyaNZ666]

Well, regardless, I'd be happy to pick up the new "no-more-underpants-on-the-outside" Supes & Bats, along with the Savage Hawkman (who, in my opinion, looks awesome!). May get Wonder Woman as well, but I really prefer her #600/#601-onwards costume to her "Relaunch" version.

Anyway, the thermometer seems to actually be at 20% instead of under, but things still don't look well. I'm subscribing, but actually can't until August 4th, 'cause that's when I receive my paycheck, and I've no money at this moment. So the "day before" it is - for me.

Oh, and why is it that it always seems that no matter what the industry, (be it toys, games, etc.) Canada constantly seems to get the very, very short end of the stick. I'm a US citizen myself, but what the heck! It's absolutely unfair seeing the things I see all the time regarding Canada.

[Crazy Jetty]

Quote:

Originally Posted by SerenityInFire

I think a DCUC collector's club is a pretty cool idea in theory, but the thing is I think Mattel's really grilling us for money here it really pisses me off. From 2007 to 2009, the price of figures nearly doubled from $8 to $15 while Transformers on the other hand - a line that has very complicated designs with most figures having unique sculpts - only had a price increase of $2. I just hope Hasbro's new ML figures aren't going to cost me an arm and a leg like Mattel's figures.

The thing is, Transformers sells waaaaaaay more units than DCUC does, so it's really not that fair a comparison to make. Also, Hasbro (I believe specifically the TF team) has fought for years to keep the TF prices stable. The deluxes remained at $10 from when the pricepoint was introduced in 1995, all the way until just before Revenge of the Fallen. In that same time, the price of basics went from $5, to almost $10. Leaders have jumped from $35 to nearly $50 now. Modern Ultras have gone from $25 to nearly $35. Voyagers have gone from $20 to $25.
So your TF comparison really doesn't hold water at all.

Also, I've never seen a DCUC sold for $8, ever. Not unless it was on sale, clearance, or misspriced. The lowest I've ever seen them, from when the line began was $12. So $12 to $15 is not an unreasonable jump, honestly.

[M3T4L V1KING]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Prowl 2009

Increasing distribution to places like Canada and bettering the distribution in the US would be a nice place to start if you ask me.

Agreed. If I ever want to get any DCUC, it's usually for 20$ at Toys R Us or 14$ at Winners. I don't know about Ontario, but DCUC at Wal-Mart sure as hell doesn't exist.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jmacq1

No, if the club fails to take off, the only conclusion Mattel is going to come to is that clearly collector support for DCUC is not strong. Their bark is worse than their bite and they don't put their money where their mouth is.

Whether true or not, I guarantee you that will be the "lesson learned" and you can enjoy your endless repetitions of the same core characters over and over again in the "new" DC line late next year.

The idea of the fans dictating virtually every detail of the subscription to Mattel ("Lower Prices! More Accessories! Let us Skip figures!") is laughable. They still have to make money on these figures, and the "locked in" nature of the subscription exists solely to make sure that they can afford to make the line at all. They're not a nonprofit organization designed to give you exactly what you want at a loss. They could've just said "Screw it, no more DCUC" but instead they at least gave it a chance. You REALLY think they're going to make characters "NO ONE" wants on the subscription? For all the bitching on their forums, most sane people seem to be pretty pleased with how they've handled DCUC and MotUC in terms of character selections. Are they going to hit a "home run" every time? No, but that's just as unrealistic an expectation as believing they're going to just crank out a bunch of figures that nobody wants or asked for.

If the majority speaks and the sub doesn't go through...oh well. Money saved. I just don't want to hear the people who are naysaying now bitching about Mattel's character selections late next year after the line is "rebranded" and "classic" is really not part of the equation anymore. When it becomes a FAR more "core character based" line.

Oh and PS: They're removing the build-a-figure from the retail line, too, but I'm willing to bet they don't lower prices.

Well sorry for making suggestions that people may like and that Mattel could possibly do. I didn't realize I was SOOOO unrealistic. PARDON ME.

[KshatriyaNZ666]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crazy Jetty

The thing is, Transformers sells waaaaaaay more units than DCUC does, so it's really not that fair a comparison to make. Also, Hasbro (I believe specifically the TF team) has fought for years to keep the TF prices stable. The deluxes remained at $10 from when the pricepoint was introduced in 1995, all the way until just before Revenge of the Fallen. In that same time, the price of basics went from $5, to almost $10. Leaders have jumped from $35 to nearly $50 now. Modern Ultras have gone from $25 to nearly $35. Voyagers have gone from $20 to $25.
So your TF comparison really doesn't hold water at all.

Also, I've never seen a DCUC sold for $8, ever. Not unless it was on sale, clearance, or misspriced. The lowest I've ever seen them, from when the line began was $12. So $12 to $15 is not an unreasonable jump, honestly.

I found a Sinestro Corps Bats at a Marshalls for $7.99, but that obviously falls into the sale/clearance area, making that invalid evidence I guess. I didn't pick it up though, since I already got one for $15 - yay (the left hand came clean off though, glued it back but it's rendered immobile now)

[Jmacq1]

Quote:

Originally Posted by M3T4L V1KING

Well sorry for making suggestions that people may like and that Mattel could possibly do. I didn't realize I was SOOOO unrealistic. PARDON ME.

The only semi-realistic suggestion you had was "more accessories." You're excused though. You're hardly the only collector that has an unrealistic view of how these sorts of things work.

[thechris]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Prowl 2009

Increasing distribution to places like Canada and bettering the distribution in the US would be a nice place to start if you ask me.

No doubt. I was a hardcore collector of DC Infinite Heroes and still collect Mattel's WWE Legends but by the time Martian Manhunter, Speedy and Ted Kord finally hit our shelves, I stopped caring. I would've loved to buy the Doomsday boxset at retail but it was never there so I bought it online for some ripoff price and then I saw it at Winners for $8.99. Their Canadian distro is weak. We still only have wave 2 of the WWE Legends here and they're already up to wave 6. WAVE 6, PEOPLE! And they wonder why they aren't moving product? And it doesn't seem to help that someone's idea of replenishing inventory when a miracle occurs and they actually sell all of the WWE Legends Wave 2 figures is to get MORE Wave 2 figures.

[M3T4L V1KING]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jmacq1

The only semi-realistic suggestion you had was "more accessories." You're excused though. You're hardly the only collector that has an unrealistic view of how these sorts of things work.

I hardly believe any of the suggestions I, and others, have made are unrealistic. The way to opt out a few figures is realistic, if anything, it's also smart. People will be more appealed to the fact they won't be forced to get a figure they don't want. Making figures cheaper is fair, especially with the fact that with the 3 figures they have announced so far only ONE comes with ONE accessory. OR, if they don't want to make figures cheaper, offer more accessories. It's quite simple, get your moneys worth. So either pay cheaper for accessory-less figures or pay what they're asking now for plentiful accessory figures. That's hardly unrealistic, that's fair. If Mattel doesn't want to do anything about this, they're greedy and don't deserve as much business and attention they're getting right now.

[Soundout]

The current list of confirmed figures for the sub is:

Red Lantern Atrocitus
Jay Garrick Flash
Starman from LOSH
Poison Ivy()

[Jmacq1]

Quote:

Originally Posted by M3T4L V1KING

I hardly believe any of the suggestions I, and others, have made are unrealistic. The way to opt out a few figures is realistic, if anything, it's also smart. People will be more appealed to the fact they won't be forced to get a figure they don't want. Making figures cheaper is fair, especially with the fact that with the 3 figures they have announced so far only ONE comes with ONE accessory. OR, if they don't want to make figures cheaper, offer more accessories. It's quite simple, get your moneys worth. So either pay cheaper for accessory-less figures or pay what they're asking now for plentiful accessory figures. That's hardly unrealistic, that's fair. If Mattel doesn't want to do anything about this, they're greedy and don't deserve as much business and attention they're getting right now.

Reality Check: Smaller production runs = higher prices.

[siekone]

shit there toys are complete shit!

[M3T4L V1KING]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jmacq1

Reality Check: Smaller production runs = higher prices.

Then give more accessories. Did I not say that if they can't lower the prices just give us more accessories?

[Crazy Jetty]

Technically, more accessories means more plastic, developement, and materials. They have to make molds, they have to sculpt accessories, just like they have to sculpt the figures. Plus, the prices keep going up because of the cost of plastic.
ADDING more plastic, by way of accessories is not going to do anything more than raise the price further.
It'll be more obvious with these, than with the line at retail. Because at retail, they can balance out a heavy figure (Heavy by being larger, or by having more accessories such as Deathstroke) by including a smaller figure like Carol Farris into the same wave.
Though, Mattel seems to use this more with the C&C figures (Including the biggest pieces with the smallest figure... Gorilla Grodd's torso with Harley Quinn) for example.

But point being, including more accessories is not going to be free. If anything, the additional plastic (Even if they reuse existing accessory molds, as opposed to making new ones) will make the figure *more* expensive.

[Prowl 2009]

In any case, I don't think Mattel is going to reach their quotta before this Friday. They're only at like 25%.

[M3T4L V1KING]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crazy Jetty

Technically, more accessories means more plastic, developement, and materials. They have to make molds, they have to sculpt accessories, just like they have to sculpt the figures. Plus, the prices keep going up because of the cost of plastic.
ADDING more plastic, by way of accessories is not going to do anything more than raise the price further.
It'll be more obvious with these, than with the line at retail. Because at retail, they can balance out a heavy figure (Heavy by being larger, or by having more accessories such as Deathstroke) by including a smaller figure like Carol Farris into the same wave.
Though, Mattel seems to use this more with the C&C figures (Including the biggest pieces with the smallest figure... Gorilla Grodd's torso with Harley Quinn) for example.

But point being, including more accessories is not going to be free. If anything, the additional plastic (Even if they reuse existing accessory molds, as opposed to making new ones) will make the figure *more* expensive.

Well they're already sacrificing the C&C piece, and it's usually a pretty big piece (Such as a Kilowog leg or arm) and that, of course, costs money because of the additional plastic. So since they gave up the piece, it could easily go into accessories instead. Of course you can argue "But they're giving us larger figures too" which is of course true. But if you look at it that way, technically you're paying for the figure and then the C&C (If that makes any sense, I'm having trouble wording this) instead of paying for the figure and getting a "free" C&C piece. In other words, instead of paying 20$ plus for a single figure with a C&C piece, we're paying 20$ plus for a single figure without a C&C piece and then paying 35$ plus for an oversized figure. The point is, the money for the C&C piece could go into accessories instead. I'd say that's fair considering we're still paying for the oversized figure, know what I mean? (I had trouble wording this entire paragraph lol)

[Crazy Jetty]

I understand the point you're trying to get across, so we're all good there.
And I'd say that makes sense if it's a retail line (I've felt it was the C&C pieces that kept the accessories few and far between). However, these figures as evedent by their price are not being produced in the same quantities as a retail wave, which has a pretty big effect in driving up the price as well.

So it's not quite the same thing as dropping a Kiloleg, and adding a few guns.

This part here is just opinion, and has nothing to do much. I'm certainly not against accessories, and I don't mind them (Although most end up in a ziplock baggy to keep from getting lost), but the DCUC to date has never been like the JLU, or IH lines.
Those were completely lacking in any and all accessories. Characters not getting accessories that are critical to their gimmick (Like JLU Green Arrow not even getting his bow).
DCUC however has never been stingy with accessories when they fit the character (Save for the Lanterns rarily getting constructs, and even those have gotten a little better since the Kilowog wave). When a character is released that has key accessories, they get them. GA got his bow, and a few arrows. Indigo Atom and Stargirl get their staffs. Wonder Woman got a shield and axe, even though she's not really known for them. Batman almost always gets some accessory ot three. Deathstroke was armed to the ever-lovin' teeth.
However.. what do you put in with Jay Garrick? Or Superman? Or Hawk and Dove? Plenty of DC characters really aren't known for much, and I'm honestly at a loss for ideas of accessories to include with them, that make sense.
Looking at the Young Justice figures at Target today, and Kid Flash? He came with a bag of fast food. That was his only accessory that I noted (Aside from the C&C piece, which I feel is the reason those are so expensive, which no one takes into account when bitching about the price for them).
So, I ask you in all honesty. If they did include a lot of new accessories, since they're $20, and no longer have a C&C piece... what exactly would you suggest putting with Starman?

[M3T4L V1KING]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crazy Jetty

I understand the point you're trying to get across, so we're all good there.
And I'd say that makes sense if it's a retail line (I've felt it was the C&C pieces that kept the accessories few and far between). However, these figures as evedent by their price are not being produced in the same quantities as a retail wave, which has a pretty big effect in driving up the price as well.

So it's not quite the same thing as dropping a Kiloleg, and adding a few guns.

This part here is just opinion, and has nothing to do much. I'm certainly not against accessories, and I don't mind them (Although most end up in a ziplock baggy to keep from getting lost), but the DCUC to date has never been like the JLU, or IH lines.
Those were completely lacking in any and all accessories. Characters not getting accessories that are critical to their gimmick (Like JLU Green Arrow not even getting his bow).
DCUC however has never been stingy with accessories when they fit the character (Save for the Lanterns rarily getting constructs, and even those have gotten a little better since the Kilowog wave). When a character is released that has key accessories, they get them. GA got his bow, and a few arrows. Indigo Atom and Stargirl get their staffs. Wonder Woman got a shield and axe, even though she's not really known for them. Batman almost always gets some accessory ot three. Deathstroke was armed to the ever-lovin' teeth.
However.. what do you put in with Jay Garrick? Or Superman? Or Hawk and Dove? Plenty of DC characters really aren't known for much, and I'm honestly at a loss for ideas of accessories to include with them, that make sense.
Looking at the Young Justice figures at Target today, and Kid Flash? He came with a bag of fast food. That was his only accessory that I noted (Aside from the C&C piece, which I feel is the reason those are so expensive, which no one takes into account when bitching about the price for them).
So, I ask you in all honesty. If they did include a lot of new accessories, since they're $20, and no longer have a C&C piece... what exactly would you suggest putting with Starman?

Right off the bat I'm going to say the first paragraph is a very good point. And to answer your question, I'd say for Starman they could have a maskless interchangeable head. Like the Dc Direct version here.

[Crazy Jetty]

Quote:

Originally Posted by M3T4L V1KING

Right off the bat I'm going to say the first paragraph is a very good point. And to answer your question, I'd say for Starman they could have a maskless interchangeable head. Like the Dc Direct version here.

Okay, that's a decent suggestion, and not without precidence anylonger, since we've now gotten three additional lanterns than we normally would have, that way.
But I still don't think many figures offer a lot of accessory options, additional heads aside.
What I would like, and I think they *SHOULD* do is start including figure stands. Especially since they no longer sell them anymore.

[M3T4L V1KING]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crazy Jetty

Okay, that's a decent suggestion, and not without precidence anylonger, since we've now gotten three additional lanterns than we normally would have, that way.
But I still don't think many figures offer a lot of accessory options, additional heads aside.
What I would like, and I think they *SHOULD* do is start including figure stands. Especially since they no longer sell them anymore.

That is a VERY good idea. I do think they should be a bit more exciting looking though, rather than the translucent blue, but that's just me being picky. I might even get ballsy and suggest flight stands lol.

[Jmacq1]

The regular-sized figures are $15, not $20. Shipping is a separate cost that cannot be included in the price of the product itself if you're going to have an intellectually honest debate on the subject.

So basically what's happened is: The figures stayed the same price despite what would presumably be a smaller production run, at the expense of coming with a build-a-figure piece.

[M3T4L V1KING]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jmacq1

The regular-sized figures are $15, not $20. Shipping is a separate cost that cannot be included in the price of the product itself if you're going to have an intellectually honest debate on the subject.

So basically what's happened is: The figures stayed the same price despite what would presumably be a smaller production run, at the expense of coming with a build-a-figure piece.

Why would you not include shipping? If it was for just one figure, then hey, don't include shipping in the debate. There would be no point. But we would be paying shipping for every figure, every time. You're still paying it for the figure. You can't suddenly pretend "it's not there".

I understand you're referring to the product itself. True, on the site it is 15$. I understand that. But you're still paying over 20$ for the figure because of shipping. You're still paying a high amount of money for an accessoryless figure.

[brittap]

This was posted today on Matty's Facebook page on the MOTU Q&A
''Additionally, in 2012 we will be reducing our production of all figures above and beyond the subs. We will still have product on sale day for those who do not have a sub, but in general there will be a bit less. Your first, best and most reliable way of getting the figures you want is to sign up for the sub'"

This is a line that sales out in 15 min.s or less each sales day on 80% of the figures they put up. It's not like they make so many that they last days or are left with stock. And yet they refuse to UP production. This is just a scare tatic to sell subs and many refused to be bullied out of our money just for the HOPE of what MAY be made. As I said my friend is a big MOTU fan and refuses to get a sub. Why? He enjoys the original MOTU, yet they throw in Princess of Power, The New Adv., or some "never in figure forbefore".

That is what scares me, they get our money and the make anyone that had ever been on Superfriends/Super Powers. There is two so far I really want BUT that's not enough to gamble over $200 on.