[Crazy Jetty]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Optimus Vader

I don't really collect anything DC (Batman and Superman, but that's it) so I'm not in tune with Mattel's distribution, but I think a lot of distribution issues have to do with store managers (or who ever is ordering that store's stock) not knowing anything about toys. I don't work in retail, but I'm pretty sure what stores get is not quite the guessing game most store guys will claim it is,.. "i'm not sure when we'll get more MU in,.. the computer knows when we're low and auto-orders for us" is what TRU guy told me recently. I have two degrees; I'm no fool (just very immature), if they wanted to do whatever work was needed to get certain stock in, I'm sure they could.

You're very close.
Most box retailers like Walmart, K-Mart, Target have a computer blindely ordering their stock. Can't speak for Target or K-Mart, but Walmart takes this to the extreme in that POS even orders perishable things, like Grapes.
All items are entered into the computer system, and as they pass through the register and are scanned, that item is taken out of inventory.
And as such, the computer sees that they're sitting on 50 Deluxe Transformers, and will not order a new shipment from the warehouse. It doesn't care that those 50 deluxe transformers are 32 Mudflaps, and 18 Wheelies, and absolutely nothing else.
It also doesn't matter that a figure may ring up by it's specific name "Hal Jordan." The computer still only registers it as GL Movie Masters" and sees there are 10 other GL Movie Masters in stock, but will only reorder when the stock deplenishes down to say, four (Pulling that number out of my ass).

That's the biggest problem.
Mattel/Hasbro distribution plays a part. But that only matters when it's getting newer waves out to the retailer warehouses. But it's the POS that kills us.