Integration

Th0r4z1n3 · 01-25-2013, 06:19 PM

I think the "MU is dead" thing comes from some retailers removing them from their toy aisles. Walmart is the biggest example of this. From what I understand, it has been left up to individual stores an rather or not they want to stock MU stuff, based on the individual store's sales of the MU line. Rather we like the Big Blue Giant or not, WM has always been a good indicator of a toy lines future; usually WM is the first store to clearance out toy lines once they are done, with others like Target, TRU to follow later down the line. I've noticed that the only WMs that still stock new MU are the ones that consistantly sold out of them; peg warmers and all.

The fact that WM has moved MU from the "must carry" list to the "meh, carry it if you want to" list is not a ringing endorsement for the line and has understandably shaken some people.

As far as the 5 point articulation thing goes... I'm under the impression that this is Hasbro's way of getting cost down. I think once 3 3/4" figures hit the $10 retail price point, it really effected sales. As collectors we complained about the price hikes, but we still bought them; maybe not as many as we did when they were $5-7 each, but we bought the figures we really wanted and waited for clearance for the others. I don't think the average parent was as willing to drop $10 on a 4" figure, and that's why many of the newer lines have peg warmed and not seen much more than 1 maybe 2 waves of releases. At current prices, I really think 5 poa was inevitable (I don't like it at all either, but it is what it is). I don't think given the rate of inflation that we've seen on these figures over the past couple of years that even collectors would be buying the inevitable $15-20 3.75" figures either.

I think 5 poa is here to stay, and as far as MU goes...I'm not sure.

I should add that these are my own personal opinions, based on the patterns that I've seen with other toy lines since I started collecting in 06. I haven't given it any serious thought or research to find out if it is "definite" but the writing is on the walls IMHO.

01-25-2013, 06:19 PM	#16
Th0r4z1n3 I seek teh Seekers Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: NW Ohio Posts: 360	I think the "MU is dead" thing comes from some retailers removing them from their toy aisles. Walmart is the biggest example of this. From what I understand, it has been left up to individual stores an rather or not they want to stock MU stuff, based on the individual store's sales of the MU line. Rather we like the Big Blue Giant or not, WM has always been a good indicator of a toy lines future; usually WM is the first store to clearance out toy lines once they are done, with others like Target, TRU to follow later down the line. I've noticed that the only WMs that still stock new MU are the ones that consistantly sold out of them; peg warmers and all. The fact that WM has moved MU from the "must carry" list to the "meh, carry it if you want to" list is not a ringing endorsement for the line and has understandably shaken some people. As far as the 5 point articulation thing goes... I'm under the impression that this is Hasbro's way of getting cost down. I think once 3 3/4" figures hit the $10 retail price point, it really effected sales. As collectors we complained about the price hikes, but we still bought them; maybe not as many as we did when they were $5-7 each, but we bought the figures we really wanted and waited for clearance for the others. I don't think the average parent was as willing to drop $10 on a 4" figure, and that's why many of the newer lines have peg warmed and not seen much more than 1 maybe 2 waves of releases. At current prices, I really think 5 poa was inevitable (I don't like it at all either, but it is what it is). I don't think given the rate of inflation that we've seen on these figures over the past couple of years that even collectors would be buying the inevitable $15-20 3.75" figures either. I think 5 poa is here to stay, and as far as MU goes...I'm not sure. I should add that these are my own personal opinions, based on the patterns that I've seen with other toy lines since I started collecting in 06. I haven't given it any serious thought or research to find out if it is "definite" but the writing is on the walls IMHO. __________________