[Jmacq1]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Enigma2K2

Why is "improving distribution" continuously the only thing they don't bother to do?

Quote:

Originally Posted by sabretoothe

because that would require someone with a level of competence hitherto unknown to that department.

Or more likely because the manufacturer doesn't have squat to do with distribution. That would be the retailer's job.

You don't have DC figures you want at your local store? You call the local store, not Mattel. Mattel can't force Wal-Mart (or whoever) to do anything once the product has changed hands (or even really before then). If Wal-Mart (or Target, or whoever) isn't ordering enough product to get it out to every store, that's their fault, not Mattel's. Or it's a sign that the line wasn't selling enough to make it worth Wal-Mart carrying in every store.

Heck, Wal-Mart makes no secret whatsoever that their MO isn't to have "every line in every store." That shows you how much they care about toy distribution (read: they don't). The adult collector segment is such a small portion of the buying populace that only the barest minimum of catering is worth doing toward them. The rest of the time their toy sections just need to be "good enough" for the soccer moms to buy the occasional toy for junior when they're passing through buying other, more profitable items.

In any case, I think it's great Mattel has a new collector oriented line in mind for next year. My question is: Do the retailers give a crap? They're dropping Mattel's product left and right at the moment, so I'm highly skeptical that this "new collector-oriented line" is ever going to make it to store shelves. Or if it does, that it will last beyond the first wave or two.