2012 DC Universe Club Subscription... Really?
 

Now I know this isn't official yet, so I'm here to prevent it from making it official, because this is stupid. What makes them think this is a good idea? I for one, would never subscribe to this abomination. I don't have the income to even subscribe and constantly pay shipping for figures I may or may not want, even if I did I wouldn't subscribe.

"With the all-new 2012 Club Infinite Earths, the DC Universe becomes part of the Mattel subscription family for the first time. While you'll still find 6" figures at retail, MattyCollector.com will be the only place to get the most fan-demanded and true collector characters!!" I'm quoting Mattel about their 2012 DC Universe Club Infinite Earths Subscription. It sounds like figures will still hit retail, even then, it may be only the first 20 waves. They don't really specify. But it sounds like any fan favourite figures in the future will be online only. And since it's monthly, there must be a new figure every month. So, in other words, every month, we the fans get a fan favourite character that's restricted to there website/subscription. I HATE that. I want to be able to walk down to Toys R us or something and be able to pick up this "fan favourite" figure. I don't want to pay a subscription, and shipping fees for a figure. Especially if it's a character I'm not fond of as I mentioned earlier.

In conclusion, they shouldn't change what they have going on. Keep it the way it is, keep everything on retail and have the odd online exclusive every once in a while. So people, I implore you to not subscribe for the 2012 DC Universe Club Infinite Earths Subscription, I think it'll hurt all DCUC collectors in the future.

Also, if there's any facts I've misinterpreted, or anything you have to add, please leave a comment in the thread. I'm all ears.

What you have misinterpreted is that this is already a done deal. Not in the sense that the subscription/club will definitely happen, but in the sense that DCUC is being retooled for retail (probably to reflect the DC "Reboot") later next year no matter what happens with the subscription.

This subscription is the only way these figures are going to be made. If it falls through, it just means those figures don't get produced. It does NOT mean Mattel is going to change their mind and offer them at retail. In fact, a failure to get enough subscriptions to launch the "club" would be more likely taken as an indicator that collector demand for DCUC is poor, giving them even more incentive to scrap the line altogether.

PS: The figures will be available for non-club members too, you just have to brave Mattycollector.com on the sale days to get them.

Why not just post this in the DCUC Collectors Club thread?

MOTUC is aces!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Quoted from DCUC Collectors Club Thread:

Personally, I like the idea of the club. In fact, I've already signed up.

I'm tempted to sign up just to spite the haters. The only reason I haven't yet is I've no income. And so far it's an aweful lot of money for only one "can't miss" figure (So far.)

But it seems damned dickish to me to try to find a way to force people *not* to join, by trying to find a way to collapse this before it even begins.

I personally think this is a GREAT idea! Unfortunately, I don't follow DC so I'll have no idea who the majority of the characters being released are. But I think it's a great compromise to give the fans what they want and still continue to deliver more popular/common characters at retail. Sounds like everybody wins, to me. Of course, the cost is an issue (add shipping on top and even more so) I hear you on that. But this is meant more as a service to the hardcore fans who are more likely to invest in it. Sucks though if you are a fan who can't afford it. So I guess everybody doesn't win. Thems the breaks when you're a fan and collector though.

If Hasbro offered something like this for the more obscure Marvel characters I wouldn't hesitate to sign up.

The fact that future figures may resemble the DC Reboot is also stupid, they should just have a sub-line like Batman Legacy for for these rebooted figures. "DC Universe Reborn" or something corny like that. And these are DC Universe CLASSICS. There's plenty of characters they haven't made yet, and plenty of versions of previously released characters they haven't released yet.

Also, what people don't seem to understand that after you pay for the subscription you still have to pay for the figure, and still pay the shipping. "Should the club go forward, the total commitment for 2012 will be $255, plus applicable fees/taxes and shipping (varies depending on your location and the shipping method you choose). You will be shipped 9 Club Figures (9 @ $15 = $135), 3 "oversized" figures (3 @ $30 = $90) and the Club-exclusive figure (included in $30 sign-up fee = $30) for a total of $255 plus shipping/taxes/fees." Once again, quoting Mattel. Now I for one don't care for the oversized figures all that much. So I don't want to pay 30$ and shipping for something I don't even want. If there's a way for me to go "I don't like this character, I'll politely ask them to not send me this figure because I do not want it." Then I'll cut the whole subscription thing a little slack. But that still leaves me paying a 30$ subscription for characters I may not be interested in.

It's bad enough that Mattel already has Masters of the Universe Classics exclusive to their site, but doing that to DC Universe Classics also is stupid. Now I've seen plenty of comments of people saying "It's smart, I'm going to sign up!", now that's fine. What you do is no real concern of mine, but not EVERYONE is going to subscribe because people can't afford all of this. Mattel may be appealing to a certain market, but they're also killing the rest of the market. Let's face it, the people who do the online shopping isn't the majority of the toy community, it's the minority. If Mattel wants to make the minority happier, that's great. I'm all for that. But if it means killing the majority or converting the majority to be online buyers, I'm not for that.

People have also been saying that online is 15$ a figure, so that's retail price. Which it is in some places, for me it's 20$ so you'd think I'd be jumping all over this subscription. But it's the shipping that brings it over that 20$ mark. It's the shipping that brings that price over the usual retail price.

And if you think I'm forcing anyone to not join, you're wrong. Not like I can find you and kidney punch you until you say "Ok M3T4L V1KING! I won't sign up!". I'm just stating facts from my point of view. Does everyone think this way? Clearly not. But do people think this way? Yeah they do. So I'm going to try my best to show people that this subscription is wrong. If you show me that I'm wrong, I applaud you. Because if you can convince me this subscription is a good idea then you are one charismatic person.

^QFT.

Best action figure line on the market.

Uh... Hey bud? I direct you to your VERY FIRST SENTANCE in this thread. You state from the get go that's EXACTLY what you're trying to do. Collapse the whole thing to force people from joining.

Like... overreact much?

Your opinion. It's not like the line is being cancelled. It's just being rebranded. It's getting a different name. And the whole deal to make new figures based on the new costumes? That was probably a directive from DC. Anyway, what does it matter if we get a Wonderwoman who wears pants? We already got her in her traditional costume, and we just got a nearly naked Star Sapphire version. Big woop.

Seems to me that everyone understands it just fine. I'm really impressed with exactly how transparent Mattel is being with the costs. Even spelling out how much money we'd be spending, total.

You mean, as opposed to letting MOTUC die completely and depriving every MOTUC fan period? Yeah, that's a really demonic thing to do.

Now you're just looking for things to tear up and bitch about.

Factor in gas in your searches for new releases, and that brings the retail price up to being on par with shipping.

I understand people being leery of being "locked in" to buy figures that they haven't seen/don't know who they'll be. That's what kept me from doing a MotUC subscription for two years in a row.

However, I also understand that this subscription plan is an "all or nothing" deal in the sense that if it doesn't get enough interest to get off the ground, there will be NO outlet whatsoever for the DC Universe Classics line...only the retail version that will probably no longer be DC Universe Classics as we know it. Given a choice between subscribing and not having ANY DCUC product I'm particularly interested in, I'll take the subscription every time.

As for unwanted figures? From what I've seen/heard from those with MotUC subscriptions, it's NEVER hard to unload them if you're willing to sell them for Cost + Shipping.

Yeah I'm trying to prevent the subscription, I'm not forcing anyone to not subscribe though. Not once have I said "You better not subscribe, or else." or anything on those lines. And I don't think I'm overreacting or anything, I think I'm being very sophisticated about the whole situation. I'm not raging at anyone. I'm not threatening anyone. So I'm hardly forcing anyone to do anything. So... like... relax?


Big woop indeed. I'm just saying don't kill the classics line. If you want to make rebooted versions of characters, go for it. I may even buy them. Just don't get rid of the characters we all know and love.



Even if they spell out the total, it's still a lot of money.



I personally would have preferred if they were at retail too. I'm not saying "If there only online, get rid of them all together." I'm saying keep things standard, offer online services, and keep everything in retail.




I think everyone, including myself, have the rights to bitch about prices. Who wouldn't bitch about a figure that's over 20$? Just because you can throw money everywhere doesn't mean everyone else can.

My family also has to buy groceries, doesn't mean we're going to factor gas into it. Gas is something you have to buy on a constant basis anyways.

Valid

The whole "All or nothing" thing is a VERY good point. Honestly if I wasn't so against this subscription I would sign right up. I just think they shouldn't take these figures out of retail. If enough people put up a fight about this Mattel might figure "Wow, everyone wants our products but no one wants this subscription idea. Let's just keep things on retail then." So instead of 1000 people subscribing, 1000 people could e-mail them saying how much they want these figures to stay on retail. So Mattel see's there is a demand for there products, but the people demand it on retail. Not online.

Mattel needs to learn from the almighty Hasbro. Collect UPCs from the wave, mail them the UPS as proof of purchase, pay for the shipping, wait for figure. This isn't rocket science! How in gods name is a child suppose to read a comic, fall in love with a character only to have their parents go "Wtf is this subscription shit, is this the only way to get the figure?". I know for one when I was a kid, online was a big no no, so retail it was. I am sure a lot of parents don't want to fork out 30 dollars for their kid to join a club for ONE figure they love in the comic!

Mattel is taking this to the extreme, I got nothing against mail away figures [like Marvels Xforce Archangel and Nick Fury] but this is taking it over board.

Trying to get the subcription service cancelled, which is your stated goal in your opening post is exactly that. Denying everyone because you don't like it.



From my understanding, they're NOT. They're rebranding the line. Just like DCUC was rebranded from DCSH, which was an evolution of the Batman and Superman lines.
They said there will be a toyline that stands shoulder to shoulder with the existing DCUC figures. So they are not doing away with it altogether.

If you do not understand what rebranding is, it means they change the name of a toyline, and change the packaging. Often it's an evolution of an existing line, done up in a way that'll trick, or force retailers into thinking that it's an all new toyline. Thus giving the line that's being rebranded a kickstart.
Hasbro does this all the time, transformers *and* GI Joe.

No one's denying that at all.


(putting the following in context, speaking of the MOTUC: )
Yes, retail is the preferred outlet for everyone. But you completely fail to understand anything here. THEY WOULD NOT EXIST if Mattycollector did not do them in their subscription and as online exclusives. Retailers do not want them. At all. TRU cancelled the MOTU/DCU crossover line, even when it had the much more popular DC characetrs to help support it. They do not sell. If Mattel did not make a subscription service for them, they would not do them at all.

And this relates back into the DCUC subscription, as it sounds like Warner Bros. wants Mattel to focus on their A-list characters. And it sounds like this DCUC subscription is their way to continue producing the c and d list characters.


I can't quite deny that, but depending on how one goes about it can make them sound butthurt and petty. And that's all this thread reeks of.

Good for you. If you don't worry about gas, then you're in a better place than I'm in.

This thread is full of ignorance and stupidity.



I love it.

I'm still not forcing ANYONE to do anything they don't want to do. I don't see why you can't understand that.

I'm quite aware what rebranding is, but with the reboot this close they aren't going to keep the classics. They're going to be the rebooted versions of characters and keep the classics for this subscription. Even then, who knows how long until the classics get converted to rebooted versions for this subscription.

I understand the whole "All or Nothing" game Mattel is playing. And have you ever wondered why stores don't want them? It's because they're too expensive. Mattel makes figures that are have "pretty good" articulation and usually come with no accessories. If I'm paying 15$ - 20$ for a figure, it's usually a character I really like. And I don't blame TRU for canceling the DCUC vc MOTUC line. It's clear that no one wanted them. No one wanted them because you got mediocre versions of previously released figures. For example, Mer-Man from the Aqua-Man vs Mer-Man pack came with his sword and chest piece. While the single carded one came with both of those accessories plus an interchangeable head and trident. Hawkman from the Hawkman vs Stratos pack comes with a mace. While the single carded version of this figure came with the mace, a sword, a shield, and a C&C piece (one of the few figures that came with a good amount of accessories). No wonder those packs weren't selling, they were mediocre compared to the previously released single carded versions. In other words, if you want these things to sell better on retail, either give more accessories or make them cheaper. I personally prefer the latter.

Costs too much. Simple?

In Canada gas prices cost about twice as much as American gas prices do. So the fact that I'm not complaining means Americans should take their complaining at least down a notch.

I definitely see the pros and cons to the club. For me, I'm okay with the idea of the club. Sure there will be figures I may not want, but I don't think it'd be too hard to sell off the ones you didn't want.

Another big selling point on this for me - the figures! The closest place to me that retails DCUC stuff is around 45 minutes away. So it saves me loads of time, and definitely money, if they move forward with the club.

First, I mean financially, not location wise. That you don't have to factor in the cost of fuel when you go out is a good thing for you. I'm unfortunate enough that I have to conserve and make every ounce count.

second, this is the single most hilarious line I've read all day, when in context with absolutely everything else you've written through this thread. I mean, smashingly hilarious.
I needed that laugh.

Very valid point. For people who don't have a local retail store that carries DCUC the club seems like a very good thing. And I will admit, the first three characters they've announced I've absolutely love.

But I do think that selling off figures you don't want may be a hassle actually. If this club thing happens then most DCUC collectors will be signed up. So all of those buyers won't want to buy the figure you want to sell because they already have it too, hell, they might be trying to sell theirs too. And if it's a character that no one really cares for, it might be a real pain to sell to people who aren't subscribe to the club.

But if there's an option to not get the figure of that particular month, and wait until next month for the next figure, I think that would work.

I still stand behind what I say though, I think these figures should still hit retail.

http://www.comicbookmovie.com/images...e_facepalm.gif

That comment makes me laugh probably a lot harder than you probably laughed at the other. Fact is, Canadian gas prices are 30% higher than America. Now, I am curious, how many miles [or kilometers] do you drive to your closest retail store, that usually carries the items you are looking for? I know for me, it is 120-140 kilometers [there and back, works out roughly 74-86 miles]. If you travel anything around those numbers, you STILL spend less on gas.

Plus, you get to deal with the wonder that is "American retail". There is a MUCH higher chance for you to find these items over me finding these items. You would think our opinions would be opposite about this "club". But in my opinion good sir, I think you are wrong.

Really? The only thing you quote and point out is the little chuckle about gas prices? I guess you couldn't debate every other point I made. I guess I win. But seriously, let's back to the business at hand.

I agree and another reason why I said that this thread was unneccessary because of the pre-existing DCUC Collectors Club thread. This site has too many threads for the same topics. I think i've said this a few times already.