[Joe Moore]

Toy Guru Updates On Masters of the Universe For 2014 and 2015

[roshan]

Win or lose in 2015, looking back at what we have available in the MOTUC line, he is right in that no other modern line has been so efficient at getting every vintage figure redone in modern form. I would throw Star Wars out of the convo since although they've done every vintage figure, their line has been a morphing evolving hulk over the past 18-19 years.

[CMIII]

I prey it loses and badly. Thought this new road map will likely ensure it goes through no matter what

[ToyAddict]

So, why didn't they do that for DCUC?

[roshan]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ToyAddict

So, why didn't they do that for DCUC?

Because the sub numbers weren't nearly as high for MOTUC as DCUC. If there was absolutely no DC product at retail, those numbers would most likely be much higher. It's harder to pay sub prices for a figure when you can get a similar style at retail for almost $10 less. He-Man collectors did not have that alternative outlet for their collecting budget.

[RKillian]

And now DC doesn't have a similar line at retail so how did that strategy work out?

[trebleshot]

He said similar style, not similar line. But I think the larger point is that for MOTU fans, this is their one and only way to get toys of that franchise. DC still has product at regular retail and other avenues. IMHO a lot of it is bad, but it's better than nothing at all. Something else to consider is that MOTU is an in-house brand, so Mattel has far more flexibility in how they handle the property versus the DC license.

I think this is a smart decision on Mattel's part. The MOTUC line is running out of steam and I honestly don't think there's enough high-profile characters left to get it to go another 3-5 years like they originally planned. Better to go out with a bang now while they're still doing well.

[roshan]

Quote:

Originally Posted by trebleshot

The MOTUC line is running out of steam and I honestly don't think there's enough high-profile characters left to get it to go another 3-5 years like they originally planned. Better to go out with a bang now while they're still doing well.

This is just a guess, but they might have assumed that at some point in the middle of the run, the movie would have come out by now instead of being in developmental hell and given them a big boost to the budget and a retail presence. That might still happen in a couple of years, but with the numbers they currently have, they can't wait it out any longer if that's what they were thinking.

[trebleshot]

That is also a distinct possibility. Although at this point, it would almost be better for Mattel to have them shelve it even if it would be ready in a few years just so they could do a anniversary celebration (MOTU's 35th is in 2017).

[Shin-Gouki]

They have the tooling done for a vast amount of figures. Sit on it it for a short time and then when the Movie hits or the 35th hits (which ever comes first) go retail or retail exclusive with a line using the existing tooling. As for the Sub I'm honestly glad it's done, I have never liked the idea.

[roshan]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shin-Gouki

As for the Sub I'm honestly glad it's done, I have never liked the idea.

Two years left is not it being done. That's a hell of a lot of product still left to come out. If sub numbers are still healthy in August of 2015 they'll have a 2016. So it's not done.

[CMIII]

There is no Retail Market for MOTU/He-Man its been almost 20 years since they have had anything, aside from a comic book and the DC vs. 2 packs, in a store. 30 years ago every kid watched He-Man on Fox (in my area) now kids wouldn't know He-Man or who he is (was).

[roshan]

Quote:

Originally Posted by CMIII

There is no Retail Market for MOTU/He-Man its been almost 20 years since they have had anything, aside from a comic book and the DC vs. 2 packs, in a store. 30 years ago every kid watched He-Man on Fox (in my area) now kids wouldn't know He-Man or who he is (was).

2002-2004 there was a well done cartoon and an overly repainted toyline that was in every major toy aisle. That was less than a decade ago. Not to say that most children today will know who He-Man is, I agree with you there, but their last major store presence wasn't 20 years ago.

[CMIII]

so 10 - 12 years I opted closer to 20. I doubt kids were clammoring for a He-Man figure in 2002 as much as they were in 1985

[Pravus Prime]

Have they fixed Digital Rivers crappy ordering system? No.
Have they done something about the turtle slow shipping speed that costs more then 50% of the figure cost and is more expensive then any other website? No.
Have they integrated any sort of modern technology that makes them seem like they weren't a website created in 1997 that can't handle simple changes and effective categorization? No.
Are they sticking with the "Sub or die and you've gotta purchase it all or we're not making anything" threats? Yes.
Are they ensuring that they operate against every economic profit model that says you should make enough of a product to satisfy demand and continuing to keep from manufacturing more high demand figures, such as Horde Troopers, Two-Bad and Teela and make them more money? Yes.

Worst. Business. On. The. Internet.

[CMIII]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pravus Prime

Have they fixed Digital Rivers crappy ordering system? No.
Have they done something about the turtle slow shipping speed that costs more then 50% of the figure cost and is more expensive then any other website? No.
Have they integrated any sort of modern technology that makes them seem like they weren't a website created in 1997 that can't handle simple changes and effective categorization? No.
Are they sticking with the "Sub or die and you've gotta purchase it all or we're not making anything" threats? Yes.
Are they ensuring that they operate against every economic profit model that says you should make enough of a product to satisfy demand and continuing to keep from manufacturing more high demand figures, such as Horde Troopers, Two-Bad and Teela and make them more money? Yes.

Worst. Business. On. The. Internet.

it's sad when you can order something at Ebay or Amazon pay the same price, or better yet Less, with shipping and have it a week sooner.

[roshan]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pravus Prime

Worst. Business. On. The. Internet.

Have they fixed their ordering system? They've modified it extensively over the years, it still sucks. It just doesn't suck as hard as it first did.

The shipping cost? I thought you said they were flying in the face of every economic profit model. Why wouldn't you maximize your profit levels by pushing off money into shipping and handling when you're the only game in town. Finding the price point that is palatable to the consumer in the face of no competition to the point that they still stay with the product is very sound economic thinking. The fact that it sucks for us doesn't mean it's not stupid on their part.

I was creating websites in 1997. Take your hyperbole elsewhere on this one, it is not applicable.

We are the retailers on this line. If Mattel brought a product to Toyfair this year and tried to sell it to retailers and they couldn't get any advance orders, they wouldn't make the product. They structure their product based on a yearly budget when it comes to tooling and cost. The Ram Man is only $35 and 100% new tooling because of the other figures that use 50% new tooling the rest of the year. The same happens with Marvel Legends or Star Wars or GI Joe. So they can't commit to bringing a Two-Bad or a Modulok or a Ram Man each year without order commitments on the entire line. Without a retailer that falls on the collector base. It's not a threat, it's a reality.

Other the first King Grayskull, which MOTUC figures can't you purchase for near retail price or cheaper a year out from original production? Next to none, and why? Because they monitor demand after initial release and reproduce more of that figure and put it back up on their website. The Horde Troopers and Two-Bad's I can understand because those who are short sighted and can't find them currently like to bitch about such things. But Teela? Who's been re-released at least 10 times? When the line first started, they had figures that would sit for a couple of weeks without selling out. They modified their numbers to reflect demand and made sure they came as close to satisfying demand as they could before selling out to maintain the image of a hot product and not one that becomes a virtual peg warmer. So they've done pretty much the opposite of what you've accused them of.

They've maintained an action figure line at a profit for almost 7 years selling that product solely on the internet. I may dislike Toyguru and a lot of his decisions with the line, but I gotta respect the fact that he's kept this train rolling for so long. No other toy line has ever been successful doing it like this for this long.


TLDR If I was an economics professor I would flunk you on the spot.

[CMIII]

I think Mattels issues in general are that they have way to many people involved in their figure production. 4 Horsemen tool, Design, and Produce the figures. Mattel simply packages and offer them. And Digital River Sells and Ships them (through sadly DHL and USPS Combined shipping companies Suck).

To make matters worse this past week alone the Digital River site had an issue with the Shopping cart (1/14/14). Explain to me why some of the biggest Shipping companies in the world (E-Tailers) never have such issues. Mattel is one of the Larger companies in the world and still smaller companies have much better business dealings then Mattel and even have better customer service. Whats more is Mattel comes off as not giving a darn when things go wrong then blame the customer.