[synapse17]

Hasbro only cares about maximizing profits. They know that the collectors (like me and you) are stupid enough to buy the same toy with a small change like: a new head, paint color, arm guard, and whatever else they can change on the fly (cheap) to milk their most loyal base of every penny they have. Instead of recognizing that the Marvel Universe line and their jobs would not exists if not for committed fans and collectors like us, that buy more than parents who buy for their children, who promote the line and buy for friends and family strengthening their customer base by introducing what most parents see as just another peg warmer to a new audience that would most likely be playing with some other line of toys had it not been for our efforts. I've been collecting since the 90's and since then I've spent more than I can imagine and hooked cousins, nephews, friends and more. My interest alone has brought These lines thousands and thousands of dollars over the years, and I'm sure it's the same for many of you. Most kids do not read comics, don't even know that these toys exists. A friend brings his son to my place and the kid is instantly a fan just after having seen my collection on display. And what's the thanks we get from Hasbro?

1: Still no stands for our first year figures and two packs.

2: Still the same female mold thats been used for every single female figure released and shown for future release. Somewhat sexist if you ask me.

3: The continued practice of short packing figures making it impossible in some cases to complete waves without turning to the inflated prices of ebay.

4: the generic variants that only change small things that should be offered with the original figure at release.

5: Where's the build a figure concept?

6: How about some basses, play-sets, and vehicles already! Isn't that the point of 3 1/2" figures line?

7: Making us buy a $50.00 subscription just to get one little figure. When the Fury Files came online I thought by entering the codes from each figure you would gain points towards promotions. Kind of like mailing off proof of purchases back in the 80's. Stupid me for ever thinking that would happen.

8: One of my biggest issues, SCALE! I don't care about the tricky manufacturing process or what ever else you want to blame this constant problem on. FIX IT! It's not a manufacturing issue when you decide to use the DD mold for Magneto! You know it's a small mold, and you should know that Magneto is not a small character. Simple solution, pay attention!

9: The Q & A from Hasbro. They tell you what you can and can't ask, they give you answers that never come to be. They are rude and disingenuous to the fans. Why not just put out a press-release telling us what you want us to know, instead of making us think that you really care about us by pretending to listen to us.

10: Poor quality control & customer service. I went through 4 Namors before getting one that had the right configuration of parts. This has happened time and time again. I bought the last wave off Hasbro.com and found my wrecker missing an arm! when i sent it back they took over a month to send me a figure I already had. That's just bull!

I continue to support Hasbro and have most every figure from the MU, XMO and IM lines. I am not just complaining for the sack of doing so, I only do so in the hopes that Hasbro will see that there's room for improvement. Throw us a bone Hasbro. We are worth your wooing...

The one thing I would do if I was hasbro would be to offer a collectors program, that would allow collectors to sign up for a pre paid plan that would allow us to get all our figures as soon as they are released. And offer promos and special offers from time to time.

What do you think? Am I being unreasonable, or do the points I made above resonate with also?

[sabretoothe]

ok here's my take
1. stands from hasbro? chances of that happening are very slim, better off hunting on ebay or forums for extras.
2. i agree about the generic female mold, a little variation wouldn't hurt. how about a less stacked one?
3. hasbro.com kinda takes care of most of it. then a gain scalpers and toys will continue to be best friends.
4. when you compare the new gi joes and star wars toys to the mu line, they are sorely lacking on accesories/alternate parts.
5. actually glad that died, such a pain in the ass to get the parts needed and if you want multiples then you are broke with extra toys no one wants.
6. i'd like to see a avenger playset or a shield base or a doom castle!
7. never did like how that went down.
8. in an ideal world...but that is a problem that almost all toy lines have.
9. it's a corporate q and a, what were you hoping for ?
10. i would also share your displeasure/rage

well i think so far hasbro is doing just fine with the mu line, it's it's first year so and it keeps improving so i guess patience is needed with this.

[sabretoothe]

oh i think a collector program would be a lifesaver. it would need a cap on how many you could order though (see mattel's online sales madness). i could only imagine what it would do to the scalper toy market

[Shin Densetsu]

As for scale, another figure that is too tall is Wolverine(except for the new Dark version!)! Agreed on Magneto too.

[synapse17]

I agree that in many ways Hasbro is doing an excellent job with the Marvel Universe line and it really is getting better as time goes by. That being said, I still see little reason why the men and women making the choices as far as what character gets what mold couldn't do a much better job.

Didn't they say that they would release the stands for previous figures in one of the Q&A sessions? I mean I agree with you that it probable wont happen. But why say it if they wont do it?

As for the Q&A I said why not just give us a press release, instead of pretending to listen to us.

And on to my fav idea, the pre order plan. Each member would only be able to get one of each figure. Exclusive could work out how ever Hasbro would like. They could offer a build an army special where they offer you a discount on one figure (ex Aim Solider) as long as you buy like five or more. So instead of paying $8.00 each (if you can find that many at retail) You get like 5 for $30.00. Thats a $10.00 dollar savings to the customer and a direct sale for Hasbro with no retail middle man.

This would be fair leaving it open to more collectors without the risk of scalping. It would also give collectors the chance to keep up with their collection. It would also insure Hasbro a certain % of sales. Note; you would most likely have to buy one of each figure released, even the ones you don't really want, but then you're not spending $15.00 - $50.00 on ebay for each hard to find figure. This should not apply to store exclusives or deluxe figures. Only the single carded. But special offers for these should be made if negotiable with the retailer.

I think that the MU line is freaking awesome! I thought the same thing about Legends. But I watched that line go from great to not great at all. I just want better for MU. In my opinion the MU has the potential to be the coolest Marvel toy line of all time. I just want to see some small tweaks here and there.

[trebleshot]

Okay, here we go (again)....

Quote:

Originally Posted by synapse17

Hasbro only cares about maximizing profits.

Of course they care about making money. What FOR-PROFIT company doesn't? But it's utter BS to say that they care nothing for the fans, or that their only goal is profit. There were so many good things announced in the coming months for Transformers, GI Joe and Marvel that anyone who says Hasbro doesn't care about fans needs to take a step back and rethink that position.

Quote:

They know that the collectors (like me and you) are stupid enough to buy the same toy with a small change like: a new head, paint color, arm guard, and whatever else they can change on the fly (cheap) to milk their most loyal base of every penny they have.

No, they don't. Hasbro has been quoted several times stating that they never (repeat:NEVER) expect anyone to buy every single version/variant of a character or toy they produce.

Most variants/color swaps of toys are done so Hasbro can make back some of the money they spent on R&D and manufacturing the original release. Any sales on the recolors/remolds are almost all profit, part of which funds future toy releases (i.e. new molds).

On some occasions minor variants/running changes are done to fix aesthetic issues, QC/design issues, or mistakes.

Did Hasbro expect everyone to buy the 1st release of MU Punisher? No, they even said a remold was coming, and that it would have a superior head sculpt. Without actually saying it, they wanted us to wait for the better mold. Hell, most of us could have taken that first release, used an X-Acto knife and called him Jigsaw.

Quote:

Instead of recognizing that the Marvel Universe line and their jobs would not exists if not for committed fans and collectors like us, that buy more than parents who buy for their children, who promote the line and buy for friends and family strengthening their customer base by introducing what most parents see as just another peg warmer to a new audience that would most likely be playing with some other line of toys had it not been for our efforts.

Again, not true. Collectors barely make up 10% of the buying demographic. We aren't even Hasbro's target audience (for any toy line). If we collectors all stopped buying toys from Hasbro, they'd still be making a profit and putting out product.

Granted, for specific lines the percentages are somewhat different (such as Star Wars), but by-and-large it's all for kids.

Why else would toy sales be highest during the Christmas season? If collectors were the bulk of the buyers, wouldn't there be several smaller spikes throughout the year as collectors bought the latest and greatest?

Quote:

I've been collecting since the 90's and since then I've spent more than I can imagine and hooked cousins, nephews, friends and more. My interest alone has brought These lines thousands and thousands of dollars over the years, and I'm sure it's the same for many of you. Most kids do not read comics, don't even know that these toys exists. A friend brings his son to my place and the kid is instantly a fan just after having seen my collection on display. And what's the thanks we get from Hasbro?

Can you say free advertising? Besides, it's not as if you collected toys just to get something from Hasbro, Mattel or any other toy company. Hasbro doesn't owe you anything for being a fan, or for getting others interested in the hobby.

Let's say we replace toys and comics with movies. Say you really like the Harry Potter series and took a friend to see the first film in theaters. That friend liked it and invited another to go see the sequel along with you. By the sixth installment you have a whole group of people going to see it.

Should you expect to get a cut of the ticket sales from all those movies or have a say in the script for the next film because those people may not have gone without your influence? Of course not. It's ridiculous to even think that way. And it's the same with toys, comics or any other product.

On to the list:
1. Hasbro doesn't have to do that. But it would be a good question for the next Q&A.

2. Do you realize that most toys have a two year turnaround from design to retail? Marvel Universe hasn't even been at retail for two years! The first figures were released in 2009 and it was only this year that Hasbro said they were working on a new female buck. Have some patience!

3. The idea of shortpacking figures is not to screw collectors over, it's to make sure that there are plenty of the "popular" toy available for kids. Most kids want Spider-Man, not AIM Agent #46.

Not to mention that the size of the shipping box usually means they can't have an even ratio anyway.

4. This goes back to my earlier point about variants, remolds and recolors. Some of these are done months apart and can't be packed together. Sometimes there isn't enough room in the mold to accommodate the extra accessory. And before you say "Drop the flaming Cheeto stuff", keep in mind that kids like that crap. And who does Hasbro want to sell their stuff to the most? That's right, boys and girls.

5. Would you honestly want a BAF for Marvel Universe? Because it would basically be the same as what they're doing for Star Wars. Which would mean the finished figure would be the same size as the rest of the line (unlike Marvel Legends) and that it would most likely be a generic thug or soldier. Imagine trying to army build those. *shudder*

6. Last I heard, they were looking into it. Again, this would be fodder for the Q&A.

7. No one's making you do jack, dude. Hasbro isn't out to screw you over personally, but that's how most of your rant has come across. You don't have to buy a subscription to get that figure, but it would be the cheapest method if you want it. Also, it's not like you don't get anything for that $50, either.

It would be a real crime if you paid $50 and all you got was that toy. Oh, wait, those are called Convention Exclusives. But those are ok, right?

8. If it's so simple, why don't you do it? Look at it this way, Hasbro now has an opportunity to redo Magneto with new parts or a new mold for you to buy and you can throw the SW version in the garbage.

Seriously, read up more on the manufacturing process and what a mold actually looks like, what kind of space constraints it has and the costs of making one.

Now I have my issues with Hasbro's sense of scale, but I'm not naive enough to think that it's an easy fix. Or that it's a priority for Hasbro. Just look at the last 25 years of Transformers. It has issues with scale, even within its own fiction.

9. You can ask Hasbro anything you want, just don't always expect an answer you want to hear (or any answer). A large part of the restrictions have to do with marketing and licensing. Also, if there are any problems with the product, they would rather the public not know about it at all or at least not until after it was resolved.

For example, they tell you that they started the design process for Toy X (your favorite) and it will be coming out in 2 years. A year later they find out that they can't make Toy X for some reason, or that no retailer is willing to carry it. They tell you and now you're pissed. If they had waited a year before announcing it, you'd have never known.

10. They can only know about poor QC if you tell them. So by all means, keep telling them. Don't just sift through the pegs for the "one good one" and bitch about it online.

But be polite. I've worked in the service industry long enough to know that it's not the CSA's fault and you shouldn't take it out on them.

Quote:

I continue to support Hasbro and have most every figure from the MU, XMO and IM lines. I am not just complaining for the sack of doing so, I only do so in the hopes that Hasbro will see that there's room for improvement. Throw us a bone Hasbro. We are worth your wooing...

The one thing I would do if I was hasbro would be to offer a collectors program, that would allow collectors to sign up for a pre paid plan that would allow us to get all our figures as soon as they are released. And offer promos and special offers from time to time.

What do you think? Am I being unreasonable, or do the points I made above resonate with also?

I think a collector's club like that would be a great idea. As for everything else, I've given my $0.02 above.

[gpmartin414]

It's not true to say we're only 10% of MU's base. Not true at all. Marvel and DC comic figures are bought by mainly older adult males. Mattel has finally admitted that by putting "adult collectible" on DCUC packaging. Kids buy Ben 10 figures and maybe a Spider-Man here or there; collectors buy every MU figure, variant and exclusive -- and sometimes buy two sets!

[trebleshot]

Quote:

Originally Posted by gpmartin414

It's not true to say we're only 10% of MU's base. Not true at all. Marvel and DC comic figures are bought by mainly older adult males. Mattel has finally admitted that by putting "adult collectible" on DCUC packaging. Kids buy Ben 10 figures and maybe a Spider-Man here or there; collectors buy every MU figure, variant and exclusive -- and sometimes buy two sets!

Just because Mattel decides to advertise a line as an Adult Collectible does not mean that Marvel Universe is a Collector-only line too. It doesn't even mean that only adults buy DCUC figures, nor does it even address the fact that you're comparing apples and oranges.

And you have no idea what the majority of kids (or their parents) buy any more than I do. My earlier statements are based on interviews given by actual Hasbro staff regarding their business/marketing strategies and estimates of their sales demographics.

Not to mention that when I said we as collectors make up about 10%, I was referring to TOY sales. I also said that for certain lines the percentages might be different. Who knows, I will freely admit that MU could be as high as 15%, and in another 10-15 years it could go even higher.

By the way, not all collectors buy every single figure, variant, boxed set and exclusive released in MU (let alone two of each), so please don't use exaggerated phrasing like that. I would even venture to say that there are more kids, parents and casual collectors buying Marvel and DC toys than the "hardcore" collectors who buy Marvel and DC.

I've seen several posts in multiple threads about how Arkers will only buy a couple from one wave and some of another wave, but specifically pass on others. For every two or three posts of that, I see maybe one or two from a completist. And I'm not saying Toyark is the Litmus test for collector trends, but I have seen the same kind of trends on other sites regardless of the IP or toy line.

I'm an adult collector, but far from a completist. But I do know a lot of kids who attend my daughter's daycare and they own several MU toys.....

[TheSymbiote]

we read the title of this thread and knew it had to be you synapse

We agree with everything you said

[Snowflakian]

I don't really agree with much of it. As treble points out, a lot of factors go into their decisions. Part of that is enticing retailers to order cases, which they probably wouldn't do with only fan favorites in them. You have to keep in mind retailers control a lot more of any given line, than some of the creators of the line. Look at transformers for example, ample amounts of bumblebee is because of retailer request for him. The same could be said about spidey, and other heroes for MU. We're lucky in the regard that hasbro still tries to appease the fans as well as maintain strong retailer relations so the line can make it to shelves.

As for a new female body, hasbro's already said a new one is coming. X-23 will be the first with it.

[scarecrow]

Quote:

Originally Posted by trebleshot

Okay, here we go (again)....



Of course they care about making money. What FOR-PROFIT company doesn't? But it's utter BS to say that they care nothing for the fans, or that their only goal is profit. There were so many good things announced in the coming months for Transformers, GI Joe and Marvel that anyone who says Hasbro doesn't care about fans needs to take a step back and rethink that position.

No, they don't. Hasbro has been quoted several times stating that they never (repeat:NEVER) expect anyone to buy every single version/variant of a character or toy they produce.

Most variants/color swaps of toys are done so Hasbro can make back some of the money they spent on R&D and manufacturing the original release. Any sales on the recolors/remolds are almost all profit, part of which funds future toy releases (i.e. new molds).

On some occasions minor variants/running changes are done to fix aesthetic issues, QC/design issues, or mistakes.

Did Hasbro expect everyone to buy the 1st release of MU Punisher? No, they even said a remold was coming, and that it would have a superior head sculpt. Without actually saying it, they wanted us to wait for the better mold. Hell, most of us could have taken that first release, used an X-Acto knife and called him Jigsaw.



Again, not true. Collectors barely make up 10% of the buying demographic. We aren't even Hasbro's target audience (for any toy line). If we collectors all stopped buying toys from Hasbro, they'd still be making a profit and putting out product.

Granted, for specific lines the percentages are somewhat different (such as Star Wars), but by-and-large it's all for kids.

Why else would toy sales be highest during the Christmas season? If collectors were the bulk of the buyers, wouldn't there be several smaller spikes throughout the year as collectors bought the latest and greatest?



Can you say free advertising? Besides, it's not as if you collected toys just to get something from Hasbro, Mattel or any other toy company. Hasbro doesn't owe you anything for being a fan, or for getting others interested in the hobby.

Let's say we replace toys and comics with movies. Say you really like the Harry Potter series and took a friend to see the first film in theaters. That friend liked it and invited another to go see the sequel along with you. By the sixth installment you have a whole group of people going to see it.

Should you expect to get a cut of the ticket sales from all those movies or have a say in the script for the next film because those people may not have gone without your influence? Of course not. It's ridiculous to even think that way. And it's the same with toys, comics or any other product.

On to the list:
1. Hasbro doesn't have to do that. But it would be a good question for the next Q&A.

2. Do you realize that most toys have a two year turnaround from design to retail? Marvel Universe hasn't even been at retail for two years! The first figures were released in 2009 and it was only this year that Hasbro said they were working on a new female buck. Have some patience!

3. The idea of shortpacking figures is not to screw collectors over, it's to make sure that there are plenty of the "popular" toy available for kids. Most kids want Spider-Man, not AIM Agent #46.

Not to mention that the size of the shipping box usually means they can't have an even ratio anyway.

4. This goes back to my earlier point about variants, remolds and recolors. Some of these are done months apart and can't be packed together. Sometimes there isn't enough room in the mold to accommodate the extra accessory. And before you say "Drop the flaming Cheeto stuff", keep in mind that kids like that crap. And who does Hasbro want to sell their stuff to the most? That's right, boys and girls.

5. Would you honestly want a BAF for Marvel Universe? Because it would basically be the same as what they're doing for Star Wars. Which would mean the finished figure would be the same size as the rest of the line (unlike Marvel Legends) and that it would most likely be a generic thug or soldier. Imagine trying to army build those. *shudder*

6. Last I heard, they were looking into it. Again, this would be fodder for the Q&A.

7. No one's making you do jack, dude. Hasbro isn't out to screw you over personally, but that's how most of your rant has come across. You don't have to buy a subscription to get that figure, but it would be the cheapest method if you want it. Also, it's not like you don't get anything for that $50, either.

It would be a real crime if you paid $50 and all you got was that toy. Oh, wait, those are called Convention Exclusives. But those are ok, right?

8. If it's so simple, why don't you do it? Look at it this way, Hasbro now has an opportunity to redo Magneto with new parts or a new mold for you to buy and you can throw the SW version in the garbage.

Seriously, read up more on the manufacturing process and what a mold actually looks like, what kind of space constraints it has and the costs of making one.

Now I have my issues with Hasbro's sense of scale, but I'm not naive enough to think that it's an easy fix. Or that it's a priority for Hasbro. Just look at the last 25 years of Transformers. It has issues with scale, even within its own fiction.

9. You can ask Hasbro anything you want, just don't always expect an answer you want to hear (or any answer). A large part of the restrictions have to do with marketing and licensing. Also, if there are any problems with the product, they would rather the public not know about it at all or at least not until after it was resolved.

For example, they tell you that they started the design process for Toy X (your favorite) and it will be coming out in 2 years. A year later they find out that they can't make Toy X for some reason, or that no retailer is willing to carry it. They tell you and now you're pissed. If they had waited a year before announcing it, you'd have never known.

10. They can only know about poor QC if you tell them. So by all means, keep telling them. Don't just sift through the pegs for the "one good one" and bitch about it online.

But be polite. I've worked in the service industry long enough to know that it's not the CSA's fault and you shouldn't take it out on them.

I think a collector's club like that would be a great idea. As for everything else, I've given my $0.02 above.

I couldn't have said it better myself, Treble.

[synapse17]

Quote:

Originally Posted by gpmartin414

It's not true to say we're only 10% of MU's base. Not true at all. Marvel and DC comic figures are bought by mainly older adult males. Mattel has finally admitted that by putting "adult collectible" on DCUC packaging. Kids buy Ben 10 figures and maybe a Spider-Man here or there; collectors buy every MU figure, variant and exclusive -- and sometimes buy two sets!

Thank you! With the exception of the Christmas season I really believe that collectors make up a significant part of the MU consumer base. Much more than 10%.

[synapse17]

I appreciate all the opinions in response to my comments, and think that everyone here has made valid points. But responding to me as if I expect a cookie from Hasbro (as some did) is just rude. I think that everything I've said has some legitimate basses. Now some points I made may have been a bit nit-picky; nevertheless, they are common concerns amongst collectors and what are these forums for if not a chance for collectors to vent a bit to like minded folks who understand their frustrations. Now if anything, we've learned that we all like the collectors club idea. Maybe we should start a thread on that and see how others respond. Maybe we can push for that to be a question at one of the next Q&A's.

[Snowflakian]

Quote:

Originally Posted by synapse17

7: Making us buy a $50.00 subscription just to get one little figure. When the Fury Files came online I thought by entering the codes from each figure you would gain points towards promotions. Kind of like mailing off proof of purchases back in the 80's. Stupid me for ever thinking that would happen.

50$????

The 3 month subscription is below 30. That's all you need to get the figure from MARVEL. Yes it's a hasbro made figure, but it's a figure that's made for Marvel to use as a promotion for the digital subscription. So why blame hasbro for that? When it's MARVEL themselves that want something to help bolster their sales of the digital subscription? With your logic, you may as well blame fans for voting on X-force Archangel so he's out of your reach.

Quote:

Originally Posted by synapse17

Thank you! With the exception of the Christmas season I really believe that collectors make up a significant part of the MU consumer base. Much more than 10%.

It is a low number though. This is why the collector favorites tend to shelf warm. In my hunting the other day, I ran into 6 juggernauts, and 8 aim soldiers... At the same store. No kitty pryde, but female figures tend to disappear fast whether it's collectors or kids. They also had ample colossus on shelves. You have to keep in mind, what you see on shelves doesn't always factor in how often that store has restocked, nor does it reflect the rest of the country on figure sales or who's popular. If collectors were the only ones buying these figures, I shouldn't have found as many of those figures as I did.

[synapse17]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snowflakian

50$????

The 3 month subscription is below 30. That's all you need to get the figure from MARVEL. Yes it's a hasbro made figure, but it's a figure that's made for Marvel to use as a promotion for the digital subscription. So why blame hasbro for that? When it's MARVEL themselves that want something to help bolster their sales of the digital subscription? With your logic, you may as well blame fans for voting on X-force Archangel so he's out of your reach.



It is a low number though. This is why the collector favorites tend to shelf warm. In my hunting the other day, I ran into 6 juggernauts, and 8 aim soldiers... At the same store. No kitty pryde, but female figures tend to disappear fast whether it's collectors or kids. They also had ample colossus on shelves. You have to keep in mind, what you see on shelves doesn't always factor in how often that store has restocked, nor does it reflect the rest of the country on figure sales or who's popular. If collectors were the only ones buying these figures, I shouldn't have found as many of those figures as I did.

The Marvel digital subscription is $59.88. And no I don't mind that hasbro would do a commission piece for Marvel, but it's still annoying from a collectors standpoint that you would have to pay $59.88 if you wanted that figure.

As for your other point about shelf warmers, I think it's subject to the location. I've never seen that many villains just chilling on the shelf. What I see when i go to stores is dozens of the same IM figures next to 4 or five MU figures and those figures are always random ones but almost never the hard to find ones that collectors would be trolling for.

And yes I do blame the fans who voted for the ArchAngel repaint because we all know that it could have been a good opportunity to get a figure that most likely would never have been made. But instead we're getting a repaint Hasbro would have done anyways at some point in the line.

[gpmartin414]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snowflakian

50$????

The 3 month subscription is below 30. That's all you need to get the figure from MARVEL. Yes it's a hasbro made figure, but it's a figure that's made for Marvel to use as a promotion for the digital subscription. So why blame hasbro for that? When it's MARVEL themselves that want something to help bolster their sales of the digital subscription? With your logic, you may as well blame fans for voting on X-force Archangel so he's out of your reach.



It is a low number though. This is why the collector favorites tend to shelf warm. In my hunting the other day, I ran into 6 juggernauts, and 8 aim soldiers... At the same store. No kitty pryde, but female figures tend to disappear fast whether it's collectors or kids. They also had ample colossus on shelves. You have to keep in mind, what you see on shelves doesn't always factor in how often that store has restocked, nor does it reflect the rest of the country on figure sales or who's popular. If collectors were the only ones buying these figures, I shouldn't have found as many of those figures as I did.

Your area is unlike mine then. The only figures that pegwarm are Iron Man and Spider-Man, because there are so many per case and they have their own solo lines!

[synapse17]

Word...

[scarecrow]

Nevermind.

[trebleshot]

Quote:

Originally Posted by synapse17

Thank you! With the exception of the Christmas season I really believe that collectors make up a significant part of the MU consumer base. Much more than 10%.

I've said it could be a little more, but we're still nowhere near the majority yet.

Quote:

Originally Posted by synapse17

I appreciate all the opinions in response to my comments, and think that everyone here has made valid points. But responding to me as if I expect a cookie from Hasbro (as some did) is just rude. I think that everything I've said has some legitimate basses. Now some points I made may have been a bit nit-picky; nevertheless, they are common concerns amongst collectors and what are these forums for if not a chance for collectors to vent a bit to like minded folks who understand their frustrations. Now if anything, we've learned that we all like the collectors club idea. Maybe we should start a thread on that and see how others respond. Maybe we can push for that to be a question at one of the next Q&A's.

Sorry if that wasn't your intent, but that's the way you came off in your post. I was merely responding to what you said. You spoke of all the things you and fellow collectors have done for Hasbro (buying their merch, getting others to buy it too, etc). Then you asked "What's the thanks [you] get for [your] efforts?", which was followed by a list of expectations of things Hasbro should do in return.

Quote:

Originally Posted by synapse17

The Marvel digital subscription is $59.88. And no I don't mind that hasbro would do a commission piece for Marvel, but it's still annoying from a collectors standpoint that you would have to pay $59.88 if you wanted that figure.

$59.98 is for a full year. They have a second option for $9.98/month. As I understand the offer, you need to have a subscription for 3 months to qualify for it. So that would be $29.94, if all you want is the figure.

Quote:

As for your other point about shelf warmers, I think it's subject to the location. I've never seen that many villains just chilling on the shelf. What I see when i go to stores is dozens of the same IM figures next to 4 or five MU figures and those figures are always random ones but almost never the hard to find ones that collectors would be trolling for.

I agree. Every area has different sales demographics and the sales will reflect that. No one should ever think that his or he area is proof of the overall popularity of any given product.

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And yes I do blame the fans who voted for the Archangel repaint because we all know that it could have been a good opportunity to get a figure that most likely would never have been made. But instead we're getting a repaint Hasbro would have done anyways at some point in the line.

You can't really blame Hasbro for any of it, though. It was Marvel's idea to do a digital subscription-based offer and it was Marvel's idea to have a fan poll decide what the free figure would be. Hasbro just made the toy.

And I definitely think Hasbro would have made the figure anyway, since it's an easy redeco and matches other redecos that they've already done or announced. Whether it would have been a retail release or not, we'll never know.

[Snowflakian]

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Originally Posted by synapse17

The Marvel digital subscription is $59.88. And no I don't mind that hasbro would do a commission piece for Marvel, but it's still annoying from a collectors standpoint that you would have to pay $59.88 if you wanted that figure.

And yes I do blame the fans who voted for the ArchAngel repaint because we all know that it could have been a good opportunity to get a figure that most likely would never have been made. But instead we're getting a repaint Hasbro would have done anyways at some point in the line.

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Originally Posted by trebleshot

$59.98 is for a full year. They have a second option for $9.98/month. As I understand the offer, you need to have a subscription for 3 months to qualify for it. So that would be $29.94, if all you want is the figure.

Yeah, the 3 month option is what I plan on doing for x-force archangel. So nope it's nowhere near 50 to get that figure.

[synapse17]

My bad on the subscription price. I was mistaken.

[trebleshot]

No worries. We're saving you money

[synapse17]

I guess I'll try the subscription this time around. It would give me a chance to catch up on what's going on in the Marvel Universe. Anyone know when marvels going to offer the new AA subscription?

Thanks for setting me straight on the price.

[boombatty]

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Originally Posted by synapse17

It would give me a chance to catch up on what's going on in the Marvel Universe. Anyone know when marvels going to offer the new AA subscription?

Right after they finish that bottle of Jack and a case of Heineken.