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Originally Posted by Jason Abbadon

It generates hype and if people are looking for a rare figure, they're looking at all those other figures while they hunt.
All of us have gone hunting for some particular figure only to find somethng we sorta wanted and bought just so the trip was not for nothing.

While that may be true, it's not like Hasbro (or any toy company) is doing that on purpose. If that's all it took for everyone to look at and/or buy the other figures in the stores, then why would they waste all that money on standard advertising? What would be the point of toy commercials or newspaper/Internet ads? Why even bother creating fiction and other media about their properties?

When we buy other things while hunting for a specific toy, that is more of a side-effect of our lack of self-control than the Evil Machinizations of Hasbro Corporate. We really can't blame Hasbro because we can't say no. That's like an obese person blaming McDonald's for being fat.

Seriously, collectors are not the main market for toys. We make up a small percentage at most, while children (and parents) constitute the bulk of the purchasing power. We are just not that important to the bottom line. Sure, Hasbro does appreciate the fans and when they can, they do add things for us. Also, there are certain lines that are specifically tailored to collectors. But Marvel Universe is not one of them. It is still a mass-market product, and as such is still aimed at kids.

The stuff Hasbro does for collectors? SDCC exclusives. MDC Nick Fury and Archangel. The Fans' Choice poll and figures.

Iron Man armor #316, on the other hand? For the kids.

....well and the odd Iron Man Hall of Armors completist.

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Hasbro does not really care about a figure or ten going awol via ebay- it's very very minor..

In the overall scheme of things, you're right. The amount of money they lose on those figures isn't that much compared to how much they make on all the ones that are produced and sold at retail. But that may be changing, especially since Ebay auctions like that have been in decline in recent years. It was a lot more widespread back then.

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Originally Posted by Saint Phe

There's NO WAY you really think Hasbro doesn't care anything about the secondary market. You be trollin'.

When it comes to the bottom line, that is exactly what I think. Hasbro's already made their money on products that hit the secondary market. From a marketing standpoint, however, I'm sure Hasbro does keep an eye on the market trends. I'm also certain that their legal department keeps an eye on the market too - especially when it involves their as-yet-unreleased products or KO of their products. Even the R&D department might even look at the secondary market for possible ideas.

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Originally Posted by behindthemask

Hasbro Cares about making money plain and simple, I would assume a billion dollary company would have advanced security measures for it's employees and workers to avoid major press leaks before work is actually complete, the same way FORD,GMC,CHEVY etc do with all their new toys, they test them and make sure everything is perfect before showings pics to the general public.

True, but many auto makers own their own assembly plants. Toy companies like Hasbro and Mattel do not.

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With toys it's different, for all we know Hasbro has in their contract with the factory workers your allowed to take x # of figures /week/month/year or at the very least major discount if they wanted to buy any, from there go to ebay see what's selling for the most and aim to take thoose.

Wait...how do we all know this again? Have you seen a contract between Hasbro and an Asian toy factory where it states this provision?

If it was legal and authorized by Hasbro, per the contract item you mentioned, then why would auctions like these get taken down all the time by Ebay at the request of Hasbro and others?

Don't get me wrong, I never said I had a problem with what the factory workers do, or what my fellow collectors spend their money on. Moral ambiguities aside, I'm just pointing out the situation.