[miketime]

Ghostbusters Fans,

You know how much love the Matty team has for Ghostbusters, and although we were ready to support a subscription in 2012, sales were lower than we expected. We regret to announce that we have to cancel the 2012 Club Ecto-1 subscription. All 2012 orders will be promptly refunded. If you purchased a 2012 subscription, you should see the refund in your account within 5-7 business days of your refund being processed, depending on your bank. All 2011 subscriptions will continue to ship as scheduled.

Like you, we're disappointed that the subscription will be going away for 2012, but to show our appreciation for you fans who stepped up and bought a 2012 subscription, we're working on a "thank you" just for you. Stay tuned as we'll have something special coming for you in appreciation for your support.

Please know that the Ghostbusters line isn't over! To do right by all Ghostbusters fans, we're still moving forward with the previously announced figures for 2012 (Ready to Believe You Peter with Taxi Cab Ghost, The Rookie, Dana as Zuul) and a fourth figure in the fall, to be announced. These figures will be available at our regular monthly sales. Like our other lines, costs have risen since the brand was launched and the price of the 6" figures will increase to $22 each.

Now on to brighter news. In celebration of the boo bustin' boys' favorite time of the year, we're going to re-release some of your favorite figures during a special Ghostbusters Halloween sale. The sale will run from 10/17 through 10/31, and it's the perfect time to fill in any missing characters in your collection and stock up on favorites. But wait… yes, there's more! Not only will we have a great selection of characters, the October 17 sale will also bring the long-awaited Ghost Trap prop, plus the return of the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man!

Again, on behalf of the team, thanks for being a loyal fan. Long live the Ghostbusters!

P.S. Please know that all of the other subscriptions are 100% a done deal and there will no other cancellations. 2012 is locked and loaded with plenty more awesome surprises and reveals for Power-Con and NYCC!

--Matty

So no more sub, but we're still going to try and sell you what we have left in stock at an inflated price. I'm worried for Club Lion Force and He-Man. Signing a contract with Matty obviously means nothing to them.

I understand Matty's reasoning for the cancellation of the Ghost Busters sub, but I do wonder why they didnt mention that it wasnt selling well?

They pushed so hard to get the DCU sub launched, extending dates, communication with potential subbers, they made it clear that the DCU sub needed help. But nothing was said about the Ghost Busters sub being in trouble. Makes you think that the decision had already been made to get rid of it.

Why so much push for an untried Sub line, and no push or support for an established one? There is a definitely a double standard here. They spend the first year giving you the same 5 characters over and over. Now that it's time to do different characters the line fizzles out. IDK.

[Optimus Vader]

What?!

So they took our money for two months to do what exactly?! That's some bull shit right there. This "special gift" better be something good or I might bail on my Voltron sub.

[miketime]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Optimus Vader

What?!

So they took our money for two months to do what exactly?! That's some bull shit right there. This "special gift" better be something good or I might bail on my Voltron sub.

I'm afraid theat they are going to ask for more money or something for the Voltron Sub. It's rediculous. They are turning off collectors left and right. All I wanted was a Vigo.

[Joe Moore]

It sucks. But I never really could believe there were enough Ghostbusters toy fans to actually sustain a subscription service.

[trebleshot]

Sad to hear, but not totally unexpected.

[Optimus Vader]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe Moore

It sucks. But I never really could believe there were enough Ghostbusters toy fans to actually sustain a subscription service.

I completely agree, but you would think that they would've done something like they did with the DC sub where they were up front about it possibly not happening.

Quote:

Originally Posted by trebleshot

Sad to hear, but not totally unexpected.

It should be completely unexpected. They sold subs that locked people into a full one year contract, then cancel it out of the clear blue two full months later.

..it's because they decided to use those funds (production funds) to get that DC club going. Seems like one hell of a coincidence that they didn't fill their DC sub quota (after two rounds of sub sales), kept people at bay for a week or two before deciding that they were going forward with it after they said they wouldn't, then a week or so later post a message on their site (they didn't even email it to us) saying they decided to skip the Ecto-1 subs that they sold to us over two months ago.

I understand business very well, and understand why this line might not be a good move for them, but they should've eaten whatever the financial turn-off was in this case since they sold people on it already.. with no mention of it possibly not ever happening.

[oxidative]

That's pretty surprising. I wonder what numbers they were expecting. I'm especially surprised that Voltron received enough interest to make it worthwhile, but not Ghostbusters? I can't believe that. There's buzz over the movie coming to theaters in October. They could have easily leveraged that into subs.

As long as I get a Dana as Zuul and Vigo, I'll be happy. But I'm reminded why I never feel comfortable ordering anything from mattycollector. Just an odd bunch. Their mascot has got to go too, he looks like such a prick

[miketime]

Quote:

Originally Posted by oxidative

That's pretty surprising. I wonder what numbers they were expecting. I'm especially surprised that Voltron received enough interest to make it worthwhile, but not Ghostbusters? I can't believe that. There's buzz over the movie coming to theaters in October. They could have easily leveraged that into subs.

As long as I get a Dana as Zuul and Vigo, I'll be happy. But I'm reminded why I never feel comfortable ordering anything from mattycollector. Just an odd bunch. Their mascot has got to go too, he looks like such a prick

Ah so true. Especially this pic. Thanks for the good laugh. If I had liquid in my mouth it would have been all over the computer. lol

[ludovicotek]

Man, this sucks!!!!! I was wondering why they didn't re-open GB subs when they re-opened all the others, again. Super lame. And for that matter, if they're going through with all the already announced figures then why not just keep the sub and just offer those figures? It's because they want everybody to pay the inflated prices on the day of sale, that's why. Total bs.

This most likely means that after those four figures come out the line is good and dead. And we never got Terror Dogs or female Gozer

[MegaPrime33]

That does suck. At least they're still going to release the ghost trap.

[CLASSIFIED]

I feel bad for all the Ghostbusters fans out there that have been supporting the line.

I think that they gave the DC sub a push instead of the GB sub because they have sold more DCUC figs and DCUC figs have done better historically than GB figs.

Also, GB subs and sales have probably done worse and worse as the line progressed, and it just wasn't worth it anymore.

[ludovicotek]

^ The Ghostbusters figures were the ones that lasted the longest on the Matty site, sometimes they never even sold out. But honestly, what do they expect when they keep re-issuing the same characters over and over again. They messed up bad by not incorporating Real Ghostbusters into the line. That would have given them the variety needed to keep people's interest in the line.

[Optimus Vader]

I think not having a GB sub is ok,.. it's just how they went about this particular situation that is pretty shitty if you ask me. They changed their minds after they made their 2012 plans and sold "non-refundable" (you can't change your mind after you make those sub purchases even though it's six months in advance) plans to their customers.

The funny thing is, even with the $2 per fig price hike for cherry pickers, they'll get less of my 2012 money than they would've had they gone ahead with the sub. As of right now (not all 2012 figs have been named yet) I'm only going to buy Dana and Viggo.. I don't need Venkman wearing jeans, or Egon holding his glasses in his hand.

[ludovicotek]

^ Vigo is actually a 2011 figure. I think he's October's figure. And I don't think they're announcing any other figures for 2012. Only four are coming out (the Rookie, Dana, Labcoat Peter and another unannounced figure) and I think that's it. They said that the fourth figure will be released in the Fall. That doesn't leave any room for any other figures. Maybe, at best, one last surprise for December.

I think this is the end of the Ghostbusters line unless that third movie finally gets made.

[trebleshot]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Optimus Vader

It should be completely unexpected. They sold subs that locked people into a full one year contract, then cancel it out of the clear blue two full months later.

Not for me, it isn't. I'm honestly not surprised that it was cancelled, or the way in which Mattel chose to do it. Do I think it sucks? Yes. Do I think it's a crappy way to treat customers and fans? Yes.

But don't expect me to flip out over anything Matty does these days. I would honestly hate working for Mattel's PR and/or customer service departments.

[Optimus Vader]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ludovicotek

^ Vigo is actually a 2011 figure. I think he's October's figure. And I don't think they're announcing any other figures for 2012. Only four are coming out (the Rookie, Dana, Labcoat Peter and another unannounced figure) and I think that's it. They said that the fourth figure will be released in the Fall. That doesn't leave any room for any other figures. Maybe, at best, one last surprise for December.

I think this is the end of the Ghostbusters line unless that third movie finally gets made.

Damn, I thought he was 2012.. if I had done my homework prior to buying my now canceled sub, I might have passed to begin with. Probably not though because I got a promotion at work the week the subs went on sale so I was spending money like it's nobody's business.

Quote:

Originally Posted by trebleshot

Not for me, it isn't. I'm honestly not surprised that it was cancelled, or the way in which Mattel chose to do it. Do I think it sucks? Yes. Do I think it's a crappy way to treat customers and fans? Yes.

Fair enough. Perhaps I've given Matty Mattel too much credit as being a real company.

[Evantainment]

I hope this doesn't mean the end of the line after the 2012 figures. I didn't commit to the subscription, but I still wanted to pick up the majority of the figures.

[Crazy Jetty]

I think *all* the subs were/are in trouble. And they used the floundering DCU club as an excuse to extend the others along with it. Keeping quiet about the others floundering, to keep fans from losing confidence in them.
Think about it... one of the main excuses I remember seeing to not join the DCU club was people didn't think it'd get off the ground, and choosing to allow others to support the club instead.
If it got out that the other subs were floundering, I see no reason why that mindset wouldn't fall into place with them. People bailing out on GB instead of rallying to get more support.
I mean, all the rallying the hardcore DCUC fans did didn't seem to make a bit of difference for getting our club off the ground.

Could they have done something different for GB? Yes. Should they have? Yes. But hindsight is always perfect 20/20.

It was still extremely shady of them, though. But I can understand some of their reasons.

[thechris]

Damn it! Oh well, I guess my money will be going elsewhere instead. Not a total loss considering I missed out on all the other GB figures anyway.

[miketime]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Evantainment

I hope this doesn't mean the end of the line after the 2012 figures. I didn't commit to the subscription, but I still wanted to pick up the majority of the figures.

But that's exactly what it means. The only 2012 figs comming out are the ones already announced and made. It's the end of the line. Without mattel I don't think the Horsemen can make ghost busters figures even on there own legally.

There either was not enough profit to out way the costs or they wanted to make more money. They are a business, I have no Idea how much they make on 1 fig but I don't see them charging a price that will have them loose money or not make as much if not more than last year.

[Whovian Zorker]

Quote:

Originally Posted by oxidative

That's pretty surprising. I wonder what numbers they were expecting. I'm especially surprised that Voltron received enough interest to make it worthwhile, but not Ghostbusters? I can't believe that. There's buzz over the movie coming to theaters in October. They could have easily leveraged that into subs.

As long as I get a Dana as Zuul and Vigo, I'll be happy. But I'm reminded why I never feel comfortable ordering anything from mattycollector. Just an odd bunch. Their mascot has got to go too, he looks like such a prick

I didn't even look at what the GB sub was supposed to include (I signed up for the DCUC sub), but the Voltron sub is a complete set of lions and a complete set of pilots, so anyone in for a year gets a pretty nice, complete set.

Here's what I'm wondering: What can Matty can come up with for Year 2 that will be anywhere near as appealing? The three major baddies plus Robeasts? Nah. A modular castle? Nah.

Will they switch to Vehicle Voltron for year two? If they do, will it take three years to complete?

Some other "good" news: The other subscriptions have been reopened thru 10/3. (Or is this old news? I just saw an email from Matty this morning.) So if you can't get the GB sub you want, why not use those newly available funds to buy a different sub that you don't want? [/sarcasm]

The curious part of the email was that it had instructions for canceling the DCUC subscription if I wanted to. Maybe because since they are opening it up to more subscribers, they are technically in violation of the time-limited subscription availability originally advertised and have to allow us out if we want out?

[miketime]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Whovian Zorker

I didn't even look at what the GB sub was supposed to include (I signed up for the DCUC sub), but the Voltron sub is a complete set of lions and a complete set of pilots, so anyone in for a year gets a pretty nice, complete set.

Here's what I'm wondering: What can Matty can come up with for Year 2 that will be anywhere near as appealing? The three major baddies plus Robeasts? Nah. A modular castle? Nah.

Will they switch to Vehicle Voltron for year two? If they do, will it take three years to complete?

Some other "good" news: The other subscriptions have been reopened thru 10/3. (Or is this old news? I just saw an email from Matty this morning.) So if you can't get the GB sub you want, why not use those newly available funds to buy a different sub that you don't want? [/sarcasm]

The curious part of the email was that it had instructions for canceling the DCUC subscription if I wanted to. Maybe because since they are opening it up to more subscribers, they are technically in violation of the time-limited subscription availability originally advertised and have to allow us out if we want out?

I never noticed that they offered DC fans an "out". I bet it was to off set them breaking their own contract. Why not offer that for all the subs. After opening this months sub par MOTU Classics I'm weary of the quality for next years subs.

[Optimus Vader]

If you wanted to get out of any of your 2012 subs, you can. The second they started selling subs again (second round) that made everything you originally agreed to void.

[Deefuzz]

Somewhat amusing. I was surprised to hear they were even trying a sub for Ghostbusters toys. I didn't really think there was enough there to sustain the line. They are really swinging and missing here, the DCU subscription didn't pan out either did it?

Seems like they can only make that work with MOTUC, hopefully that wont follow the same fate.

[miketime]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deefuzz

Somewhat amusing. I was surprised to hear they were even trying a sub for Ghostbusters toys. I didn't really think there was enough there to sustain the line. They are really swinging and missing here, the DCU subscription didn't pan out either did it?

Seems like they can only make that work with MOTUC, hopefully that wont follow the same fate.

They are moving forward with the DC sub even though they did not meet the quota. They are just going to raise the price on the day of sale figs to offset the lack of subs. LAME!