NYCC 2009: Hasbro Day 1: TRU, Walmart Exclusive 2 & 3 Packs, More

[electro16]

OK folks, I'd like to re-state for the record: If Wal-Mart (especially), Target, and TRU don't want to support a mass-retail Marvel Legends line, then THERE ISN'T A DAMN THING HASBRO CAN DO ABOUT IT. They've already explained to us a dozen times or more that switching to a "internet only line" doesn't meet their production and sales goals. I know all of you think Hasbro should just throw their responsibility to their shareholders out the window and just be willing to lose money on the Marvel Legends line so you can have <Insert name of your favorite obscure Marvel character that most kids these days wouldn't give a crap about> delivered to your doorstep, but that isn't how business works. If Wal-Mart and company ain't buyin', then the toys ain't gettin' made. Does Hasbro share a portion of the blame for the decline? You betcha. So do the collectors who abandoned it in droves when Hasbro took over the license. (Ironically, many of whom are among those whining that Marvel Legends is going away).

 

Marvel Legends being "dropped" in favor of Marvel Universe is an illusion created by the retailers not wanting to support both lines. Because if they were, I guaran-freaking-tee you that Hasbro would be making both lines. Yeah, Hasbro's going to say "our focus is on the Marvel Universe line" because the retailers didn't give them much choice in the matter. They're also not going to say, "Well, Wal-Mart didn't want to buy Marvel Legends at mass-retail numbers, so we had to can Marvel Legends" because they're not going to piss off their retailers by making them look bad. So Hasbro just sucks it up and drives on with what they do have: The Marvel Universe line. Which is why they're one of the most successful toy companies in the world.

 

Second: MARVEL controls who makes their toys. Not Toy Biz, not Hasbro. It was MARVEL who took the license away from Toy Biz and awarded it to Hasbro. It's MARVEL who will decide whether Hasbro keeps it (and let's not fool ourselves...they almost certainly will). As far as the current status goes: TOY BIZ NO LONGER EXISTS (They have -one- license left that runs out starting in 2010). You can't give the license to a company that doesn't exist! Even then, Hasbro would have to choose to sub-license the 6" line to Toy Biz (and could only do it with Marvel's permission). Kind of unlikely they're going to sub-license to a competitor. They sub-contract/sub-license 12" figures to Sideshow Toys for G.I. Joe and Star Wars, but Sideshow is not a mass-retail manufacturer, and instead a maker of high-end collectible figures for adult collectors. Whole different animal. Sideshow isn't really competing with Hasbro in any meaningful way.

I don't believe hasbro or any company for that matter produces stuff based on retailer demands. Company's produce what they want and if certain retailers don't buy then its offered to the competitor.

 

The state the ML's are in was caused by 2 things,hasbro's below par product(yes they have gotten better with time,but the first waves were crap) that turned collectors off and hasbro's decision too make all later waves exclusive. The fact that the later waves were not available to mass market unquestinably brought down the sales numbers and that was directly the result of hasbro's dumb bussiness decisions period! How do they think they will sell products and have good sales numbers when they don't make there product available.

 

Are you serious? If certain retailers like Wal-Mart and Target don't buy the figures then they don't make any money. If those companies don't want those toys who's going to buy them?

 

This isn't about quality. People were buying those "crappy" figures and people were buying the exclusive figures also. It's about shelf space. The smaller your figures the more toys you can put in the aisle.

 

Are you serious?? If wal mart and target don't want them that's there problem,there are plenty of other retailers.

 

People IN THE U.S were buying the exclusives, no were else because they were not available.

 

Shelf space?????? Get real,that has nothing to do with it,if the product sells it will be on the shelf no matter the package size, but that's the problem,with the exclusives crap there is nothing on shelves so that means no sales .

[1robert333]

Cant wait to see these on sunday

[cjflan32]

OK folks, I'd like to re-state for the record: If Wal-Mart (especially), Target, and TRU don't want to support a mass-retail Marvel Legends line, then THERE ISN'T A DAMN THING HASBRO CAN DO ABOUT IT. They've already explained to us a dozen times or more that switching to a "internet only line" doesn't meet their production and sales goals. I know all of you think Hasbro should just throw their responsibility to their shareholders out the window and just be willing to lose money on the Marvel Legends line so you can have <Insert name of your favorite obscure Marvel character that most kids these days wouldn't give a crap about> delivered to your doorstep, but that isn't how business works. If Wal-Mart and company ain't buyin', then the toys ain't gettin' made. Does Hasbro share a portion of the blame for the decline? You betcha. So do the collectors who abandoned it in droves when Hasbro took over the license. (Ironically, many of whom are among those whining that Marvel Legends is going away).

 

Marvel Legends being "dropped" in favor of Marvel Universe is an illusion created by the retailers not wanting to support both lines. Because if they were, I guaran-freaking-tee you that Hasbro would be making both lines. Yeah, Hasbro's going to say "our focus is on the Marvel Universe line" because the retailers didn't give them much choice in the matter. They're also not going to say, "Well, Wal-Mart didn't want to buy Marvel Legends at mass-retail numbers, so we had to can Marvel Legends" because they're not going to piss off their retailers by making them look bad. So Hasbro just sucks it up and drives on with what they do have: The Marvel Universe line. Which is why they're one of the most successful toy companies in the world.

 

Second: MARVEL controls who makes their toys. Not Toy Biz, not Hasbro. It was MARVEL who took the license away from Toy Biz and awarded it to Hasbro. It's MARVEL who will decide whether Hasbro keeps it (and let's not fool ourselves...they almost certainly will). As far as the current status goes: TOY BIZ NO LONGER EXISTS (They have -one- license left that runs out starting in 2010). You can't give the license to a company that doesn't exist! Even then, Hasbro would have to choose to sub-license the 6" line to Toy Biz (and could only do it with Marvel's permission). Kind of unlikely they're going to sub-license to a competitor. They sub-contract/sub-license 12" figures to Sideshow Toys for G.I. Joe and Star Wars, but Sideshow is not a mass-retail manufacturer, and instead a maker of high-end collectible figures for adult collectors. Whole different animal. Sideshow isn't really competing with Hasbro in any meaningful way.

I don't believe hasbro or any company for that matter produces stuff based on retailer demands. Company's produce what they want and if certain retailers don't buy then its offered to the competitor.

 

The state the ML's are in was caused by 2 things,hasbro's below par product(yes they have gotten better with time,but the first waves were crap) that turned collectors off and hasbro's decision too make all later waves exclusive. The fact that the later waves were not available to mass market unquestinably brought down the sales numbers and that was directly the result of hasbro's dumb bussiness decisions period! How do they think they will sell products and have good sales numbers when they don't make there product available.

 

Are you serious? If certain retailers like Wal-Mart and Target don't buy the figures then they don't make any money. If those companies don't want those toys who's going to buy them?

 

This isn't about quality. People were buying those "crappy" figures and people were buying the exclusive figures also. It's about shelf space. The smaller your figures the more toys you can put in the aisle.

 

Are you serious?? If wal mart and target don't want them that's there problem,there are plenty of other retailers.

 

People IN THE U.S were buying the exclusives, no were else because they were not available.

 

Shelf space?????? Get real,that has nothing to do with it,if the product sells it will be on the shelf no matter the package size, but that's the problem,with the exclusives crap there is nothing on shelves so that means no sales .

 

What retailers? K-Mart? There's five left in this country. KB Toys? Gone. Toys R Us? Not the juggernaut it used to be. Wholesale stores? Sure, just after I get that $40 membership. Why don't we see if Child World wants to come back from the grave to get some.

 

And you're absolutely right they did sell well in the U.S. What's your point. Can you guarantee they'll sell well all over the world? Or will they just clutter up like they do in America.

 

And as far as shelf space goes, dude, I collected Hasbro Star Wars for 11 years. The reason why playsets like the Death Star and Star Destroyer didn't get made were because of cost of production and shelf space. If you don't believe me talk to the guy at galactichunter.com. More toys on the shelf that sell mean more money. Unless you count all those Fin Fang Foom Hulks suffocating the pegs as selling.

 

And if you don't believe that retailers dictate what they want just wait until the Wolverine movie comes out on DVD and you see those crap "DVD commemorative edition" three packs full of reused figures that are coming out now.

[Daniel_Lioneye]

OK folks, I'd like to re-state for the record: If Wal-Mart (especially), Target, and TRU don't want to support a mass-retail Marvel Legends line, then THERE ISN'T A DAMN THING HASBRO CAN DO ABOUT IT. They've already explained to us a dozen times or more that switching to a "internet only line" doesn't meet their production and sales goals. I know all of you think Hasbro should just throw their responsibility to their shareholders out the window and just be willing to lose money on the Marvel Legends line so you can have <Insert name of your favorite obscure Marvel character that most kids these days wouldn't give a crap about> delivered to your doorstep, but that isn't how business works. If Wal-Mart and company ain't buyin', then the toys ain't gettin' made. Does Hasbro share a portion of the blame for the decline? You betcha. So do the collectors who abandoned it in droves when Hasbro took over the license. (Ironically, many of whom are among those whining that Marvel Legends is going away).

 

Marvel Legends being "dropped" in favor of Marvel Universe is an illusion created by the retailers not wanting to support both lines. Because if they were, I guaran-freaking-tee you that Hasbro would be making both lines. Yeah, Hasbro's going to say "our focus is on the Marvel Universe line" because the retailers didn't give them much choice in the matter. They're also not going to say, "Well, Wal-Mart didn't want to buy Marvel Legends at mass-retail numbers, so we had to can Marvel Legends" because they're not going to piss off their retailers by making them look bad. So Hasbro just sucks it up and drives on with what they do have: The Marvel Universe line. Which is why they're one of the most successful toy companies in the world.

 

Second: MARVEL controls who makes their toys. Not Toy Biz, not Hasbro. It was MARVEL who took the license away from Toy Biz and awarded it to Hasbro. It's MARVEL who will decide whether Hasbro keeps it (and let's not fool ourselves...they almost certainly will). As far as the current status goes: TOY BIZ NO LONGER EXISTS (They have -one- license left that runs out starting in 2010). You can't give the license to a company that doesn't exist! Even then, Hasbro would have to choose to sub-license the 6" line to Toy Biz (and could only do it with Marvel's permission). Kind of unlikely they're going to sub-license to a competitor. They sub-contract/sub-license 12" figures to Sideshow Toys for G.I. Joe and Star Wars, but Sideshow is not a mass-retail manufacturer, and instead a maker of high-end collectible figures for adult collectors. Whole different animal. Sideshow isn't really competing with Hasbro in any meaningful way.

I don't believe hasbro or any company for that matter produces stuff based on retailer demands. Company's produce what they want and if certain retailers don't buy then its offered to the competitor.

 

The state the ML's are in was caused by 2 things,hasbro's below par product(yes they have gotten better with time,but the first waves were crap) that turned collectors off and hasbro's decision too make all later waves exclusive. The fact that the later waves were not available to mass market unquestinably brought down the sales numbers and that was directly the result of hasbro's dumb bussiness decisions period! How do they think they will sell products and have good sales numbers when they don't make there product available.

 

Are you serious? If certain retailers like Wal-Mart and Target don't buy the figures then they don't make any money. If those companies don't want those toys who's going to buy them?

 

This isn't about quality. People were buying those "crappy" figures and people were buying the exclusive figures also. It's about shelf space. The smaller your figures the more toys you can put in the aisle.

 

Are you serious?? If wal mart and target don't want them that's there problem,there are plenty of other retailers.

 

People IN THE U.S were buying the exclusives, no were else because they were not available.

 

Shelf space?????? Get real,that has nothing to do with it,if the product sells it will be on the shelf no matter the package size, but that's the problem,with the exclusives crap there is nothing on shelves so that means no sales .

 

Umm, are YOU serious? Name one other retailer as big as those that supports toylines. Toys R Us? The same Toys R Us that almost went bankrupt a few years back? That makes perfect sense, I can imagine the meeting now:

 

Hasbro Exec: We have no major retail support for Marvel Legends, and the fans have been fickle since we took over despite the fact that the Toybiz designers made the first few series that everyone says were lesser in quality. Since we have NO definite support from retailers or customers, we feel it makes perfect sense to continue, full steam ahead!!

 

Hasbro CEO: Damn it son, you're going places!! BRILLIANT!!

 

When you pay a lot of money for a license and you're not maintaining profit, you rework it until you do. The Iron Man figures are likely the most profitable Marvel line they've put out since they got the license.

 

I'm not saying you have to support the changes, but don't act like Hasbro is the Snidely Whiplash of toymakers, laughing as the fans lose a beloved license and forgoing their OWN profits.

 

[cjflan32]

OK folks, I'd like to re-state for the record: If Wal-Mart (especially), Target, and TRU don't want to support a mass-retail Marvel Legends line, then THERE ISN'T A DAMN THING HASBRO CAN DO ABOUT IT. They've already explained to us a dozen times or more that switching to a "internet only line" doesn't meet their production and sales goals. I know all of you think Hasbro should just throw their responsibility to their shareholders out the window and just be willing to lose money on the Marvel Legends line so you can have <Insert name of your favorite obscure Marvel character that most kids these days wouldn't give a crap about> delivered to your doorstep, but that isn't how business works. If Wal-Mart and company ain't buyin', then the toys ain't gettin' made. Does Hasbro share a portion of the blame for the decline? You betcha. So do the collectors who abandoned it in droves when Hasbro took over the license. (Ironically, many of whom are among those whining that Marvel Legends is going away).

 

Marvel Legends being "dropped" in favor of Marvel Universe is an illusion created by the retailers not wanting to support both lines. Because if they were, I guaran-freaking-tee you that Hasbro would be making both lines. Yeah, Hasbro's going to say "our focus is on the Marvel Universe line" because the retailers didn't give them much choice in the matter. They're also not going to say, "Well, Wal-Mart didn't want to buy Marvel Legends at mass-retail numbers, so we had to can Marvel Legends" because they're not going to piss off their retailers by making them look bad. So Hasbro just sucks it up and drives on with what they do have: The Marvel Universe line. Which is why they're one of the most successful toy companies in the world.

 

Second: MARVEL controls who makes their toys. Not Toy Biz, not Hasbro. It was MARVEL who took the license away from Toy Biz and awarded it to Hasbro. It's MARVEL who will decide whether Hasbro keeps it (and let's not fool ourselves...they almost certainly will). As far as the current status goes: TOY BIZ NO LONGER EXISTS (They have -one- license left that runs out starting in 2010). You can't give the license to a company that doesn't exist! Even then, Hasbro would have to choose to sub-license the 6" line to Toy Biz (and could only do it with Marvel's permission). Kind of unlikely they're going to sub-license to a competitor. They sub-contract/sub-license 12" figures to Sideshow Toys for G.I. Joe and Star Wars, but Sideshow is not a mass-retail manufacturer, and instead a maker of high-end collectible figures for adult collectors. Whole different animal. Sideshow isn't really competing with Hasbro in any meaningful way.

I don't believe hasbro or any company for that matter produces stuff based on retailer demands. Company's produce what they want and if certain retailers don't buy then its offered to the competitor.

 

The state the ML's are in was caused by 2 things,hasbro's below par product(yes they have gotten better with time,but the first waves were crap) that turned collectors off and hasbro's decision too make all later waves exclusive. The fact that the later waves were not available to mass market unquestinably brought down the sales numbers and that was directly the result of hasbro's dumb bussiness decisions period! How do they think they will sell products and have good sales numbers when they don't make there product available.

 

Are you serious? If certain retailers like Wal-Mart and Target don't buy the figures then they don't make any money. If those companies don't want those toys who's going to buy them?

 

This isn't about quality. People were buying those "crappy" figures and people were buying the exclusive figures also. It's about shelf space. The smaller your figures the more toys you can put in the aisle.

 

Are you serious?? If wal mart and target don't want them that's there problem,there are plenty of other retailers.

 

People IN THE U.S were buying the exclusives, no were else because they were not available.

 

Shelf space?????? Get real,that has nothing to do with it,if the product sells it will be on the shelf no matter the package size, but that's the problem,with the exclusives crap there is nothing on shelves so that means no sales .

 

Umm, are YOU serious? Name one other retailer as big as those that supports toylines. Toys R Us? The same Toys R Us that almost went bankrupt a few years back? That makes perfect sense, I can imagine the meeting now:

 

Hasbro Exec: We have no major retail support for Marvel Legends, and the fans have been fickle since we took over despite the fact that the Toybiz designers made the first few series that everyone says were lesser in quality. Since we have NO definite support from retailers or customers, we feel it makes perfect sense to continue, full steam ahead!!

 

Hasbro CEO: Damn it son, you're going places!! BRILLIANT!!

 

When you pay a lot of money for a license and you're not maintaining profit, you rework it until you do. The Iron Man figures are likely the most profitable Marvel line they've put out since they got the license.

 

I'm not saying you have to support the changes, but don't act like Hasbro is the Snidely Whiplash of toymakers, laughing as the fans lose a beloved license and forgoing their OWN profits.

 

Word.

 

[warpath21]

Newbie here (but collector since '05)... man I'm sure glad I learned to customize this year with no signs of any new 6" this year (aside formthe 2-packs and Nemisis)... I know they're "just toys" but it sucks when you develop a passion and an expectation from a company (Toybiz, Hasbro, etc...) to continue producing them... when Hasbro took over I accepted less articulation, colored plastic, etc.. because we were at least still getting figs produced... Now with TINY-rantula, Nemisis delay, etc... it's ridiculous... I'll still support ML until the day when Has-blows flat out says they're done producing them... but at least man-up and tell us they're not focusing on them and stop getting our hope up with BS...

[TomTom]

I don't believe hasbro or any company for that matter produces stuff based on retailer demands.

 

Then your retarded. Say you were going to sell a game to your friend, but he would pay more for a different one. Would you still sell him the first one? It's simple business practice.

 

will someonw tell me what 6 inch figures are coming next ??? thats all i want to knwo not interested in the 3 inch figures.

 

Your retarded too. Read the news, then discuss.

 

Are you serious?? If wal mart and target don't want them that's there problem,there are plenty of other retailers.

 

People IN THE U.S were buying the exclusives, no were else because they were not available.

 

Shelf space?????? Get real,that has nothing to do with it,if the product sells it will be on the shelf no matter the package size, but that's the problem,with the exclusives crap there is nothing on shelves so that means no sales .

 

Wal*Mart and Target are two of the three biggest stores that sell toys. If your line isn't carried by either of them, then you're in a bad place. And yes, shelf space does matter. The more figures you can fit on a shelf, the more figures you can sell before re-ordering. Again, it's simple business sense.

 

The fact is Marvel hasn't had a good 3 3/4" line, and there is a strong market for the figures in that scale. The 6" line, on the other hand, is running out of characters to make. That's why Toybiz switched from a 5" scale to a 6" scale ten years (or so) ago. They can re-sell the more popular characters that don't fit in with other scales. That way the parents will recignize the characters, and the collectors don't feel bad about buying another Spider-Man.

 

And switching over to an online only line would kill it even faster. There would be lower runs on the figures, which would drive the prices way up. Steel Molds aren't cheap. You have to sell a certain number of figures to get the money back, and make a profit to buy more molds. MOTUC can survive because it has a strong fanbase of collectors growing up watching the show, and if it were in stores, it wouldn't last.

 

The Nemesis and Two-Packs were delayed to give something to 6" fans while they were building up the MU line. It's near impossible to have multiple lines of the same property sell at the same time, especially when they are in two different scales.

[HighEvolutionary]

i do apoligise for what i said. like you i guess I'm a bit cross over the whole thing but took it out on every one. Sorry.

 

Wasn't that you who wanted an ML Firestar? You should at least take comfort in knowing that they've unviled a 3-3/4" Firestar! At long last, she's in plastic form, other than that crappy exclusive from the '90s.

 

So what if she's MU-scale instead of ML...you could always take a few steps back, squint and pretend she's just far off in the distance. ;)

[tarot]

i do apoligise for what i said. like you i guess I'm a bit cross over the whole thing but took it out on every one. Sorry.

 

Wasn't that you who wanted an ML Firestar? You should at least take comfort in knowing that they've unviled a 3-3/4" Firestar! At long last, she's in plastic form, other than that crappy exclusive from the '90s.

 

So what if she's MU-scale instead of ML...you could always take a few steps back, squint and pretend she's just far off in the distance. ;)

 

 

actually i said that already.

 

Also Im collecting both lines so it doesn't really matter to me.

[xmenstorm1]

I don't believe hasbro or any company for that matter produces stuff based on retailer demands.

 

Then your retarded. Say you were going to sell a game to your friend, but he would pay more for a different one. Would you still sell him the first one? It's simple business practice.

 

will someonw tell me what 6 inch figures are coming next ??? thats all i want to knwo not interested in the 3 inch figures.

 

Your retarded too. Read the news, then discuss.

 

Are you serious?? If wal mart and target don't want them that's there problem,there are plenty of other retailers.

 

People IN THE U.S were buying the exclusives, no were else because they were not available.

 

Shelf space?????? Get real,that has nothing to do with it,if the product sells it will be on the shelf no matter the package size, but that's the problem,with the exclusives crap there is nothing on shelves so that means no sales .

 

Wal*Mart and Target are two of the three biggest stores that sell toys. If your line isn't carried by either of them, then you're in a bad place. And yes, shelf space does matter. The more figures you can fit on a shelf, the more figures you can sell before re-ordering. Again, it's simple business sense.

 

The fact is Marvel hasn't had a good 3 3/4" line, and there is a strong market for the figures in that scale. The 6" line, on the other hand, is running out of characters to make. That's why Toybiz switched from a 5" scale to a 6" scale ten years (or so) ago. They can re-sell the more popular characters that don't fit in with other scales. That way the parents will recignize the characters, and the collectors don't feel bad about buying another Spider-Man.

 

And switching over to an online only line would kill it even faster. There would be lower runs on the figures, which would drive the prices way up. Steel Molds aren't cheap. You have to sell a certain number of figures to get the money back, and make a profit to buy more molds. MOTUC can survive because it has a strong fanbase of collectors growing up watching the show, and if it were in stores, it wouldn't last.

 

The Nemesis and Two-Packs were delayed to give something to 6" fans while they were building up the MU line. It's near impossible to have multiple lines of the same property sell at the same time, especially when they are in two different scales.

 

 

im not a retard im just slow and i have to medical report to prove it !!!

[shokker]

I don't believe hasbro or any company for that matter produces stuff based on retailer demands.

 

Then your retarded. Say you were going to sell a game to your friend, but he would pay more for a different one. Would you still sell him the first one? It's simple business practice.

 

will someonw tell me what 6 inch figures are coming next ??? thats all i want to knwo not interested in the 3 inch figures.

 

Your retarded too. Read the news, then discuss.

 

Are you serious?? If wal mart and target don't want them that's there problem,there are plenty of other retailers.

 

People IN THE U.S were buying the exclusives, no were else because they were not available.

 

Shelf space?????? Get real,that has nothing to do with it,if the product sells it will be on the shelf no matter the package size, but that's the problem,with the exclusives crap there is nothing on shelves so that means no sales .

 

Wal*Mart and Target are two of the three biggest stores that sell toys. If your line isn't carried by either of them, then you're in a bad place. And yes, shelf space does matter. The more figures you can fit on a shelf, the more figures you can sell before re-ordering. Again, it's simple business sense.

 

The fact is Marvel hasn't had a good 3 3/4" line, and there is a strong market for the figures in that scale. The 6" line, on the other hand, is running out of characters to make. That's why Toybiz switched from a 5" scale to a 6" scale ten years (or so) ago. They can re-sell the more popular characters that don't fit in with other scales. That way the parents will recignize the characters, and the collectors don't feel bad about buying another Spider-Man.

 

And switching over to an online only line would kill it even faster. There would be lower runs on the figures, which would drive the prices way up. Steel Molds aren't cheap. You have to sell a certain number of figures to get the money back, and make a profit to buy more molds. MOTUC can survive because it has a strong fanbase of collectors growing up watching the show, and if it were in stores, it wouldn't last.

 

The Nemesis and Two-Packs were delayed to give something to 6" fans while they were building up the MU line. It's near impossible to have multiple lines of the same property sell at the same time, especially when they are in two different scales.

 

there is one thing i dont get you are saying that online only would kill it even faster and that motuc will survive because of a huge fanbase? i believe that marvel has a way bigger fanbase then the masters.

 

i dont know how things work in the us (never worked there) but in my shop, we do the orders by checking the sales. back in the day, hasbro did so many star wars toys, unleashed, regular,tranformers star wars, 12 insh and we got everything. everything sold out. now if hasbro will bring the legends and the universe line together then they should do it. when i see that i dont sell the legends anymore then i stop ordering but not because they are bigger or smaller. there is always a way to put them on a shelf or hang them somewhere. this is a weird way to sell. there is not enough space on the shelf and thats why hasbro has to decide to do them smaller. hasbro produces toys and they are showing them at some showrooms and we order what we think we would sell. as i said, i sold 3 boxes of hulk legends, so why would i stop ordering legends if i sell them. well since they are exclusive, i cant get any.

[TomTom]

I don't believe hasbro or any company for that matter produces stuff based on retailer demands.

 

Then your retarded. Say you were going to sell a game to your friend, but he would pay more for a different one. Would you still sell him the first one? It's simple business practice.

 

will someonw tell me what 6 inch figures are coming next ??? thats all i want to knwo not interested in the 3 inch figures.

 

Your retarded too. Read the news, then discuss.

 

Are you serious?? If wal mart and target don't want them that's there problem,there are plenty of other retailers.

 

People IN THE U.S were buying the exclusives, no were else because they were not available.

 

Shelf space?????? Get real,that has nothing to do with it,if the product sells it will be on the shelf no matter the package size, but that's the problem,with the exclusives crap there is nothing on shelves so that means no sales .

 

Wal*Mart and Target are two of the three biggest stores that sell toys. If your line isn't carried by either of them, then you're in a bad place. And yes, shelf space does matter. The more figures you can fit on a shelf, the more figures you can sell before re-ordering. Again, it's simple business sense.

 

The fact is Marvel hasn't had a good 3 3/4" line, and there is a strong market for the figures in that scale. The 6" line, on the other hand, is running out of characters to make. That's why Toybiz switched from a 5" scale to a 6" scale ten years (or so) ago. They can re-sell the more popular characters that don't fit in with other scales. That way the parents will recignize the characters, and the collectors don't feel bad about buying another Spider-Man.

 

And switching over to an online only line would kill it even faster. There would be lower runs on the figures, which would drive the prices way up. Steel Molds aren't cheap. You have to sell a certain number of figures to get the money back, and make a profit to buy more molds. MOTUC can survive because it has a strong fanbase of collectors growing up watching the show, and if it were in stores, it wouldn't last.

 

The Nemesis and Two-Packs were delayed to give something to 6" fans while they were building up the MU line. It's near impossible to have multiple lines of the same property sell at the same time, especially when they are in two different scales.

 

 

im not a retard im just slow and i have to medical report to prove it !!!

 

It was more of an expression of anger than anything else. I am sorry.

 

there is one thing i dont get you are saying that online only would kill it even faster and that motuc will survive because of a huge fanbase? i believe that marvel has a way bigger fanbase then the masters.

 

i dont know how things work in the us (never worked there) but in my shop, we do the orders by checking the sales. back in the day, hasbro did so many star wars toys, unleashed, regular,tranformers star wars, 12 insh and we got everything. everything sold out. now if hasbro will bring the legends and the universe line together then they should do it. when i see that i dont sell the legends anymore then i stop ordering but not because they are bigger or smaller. there is always a way to put them on a shelf or hang them somewhere. this is a weird way to sell. there is not enough space on the shelf and thats why hasbro has to decide to do them smaller. hasbro produces toys and they are showing them at some showrooms and we order what we think we would sell. as i said, i sold 3 boxes of hulk legends, so why would i stop ordering legends if i sell them. well since they are exclusive, i cant get any.

 

How well do you think the line would do if you had to pay $20 + shipping for an Iron Man figure. He-Man doesn't have many figure lines. What I'm saying is I think that people would rather buy a He-Man figure than a Spider-Man or Cap. America, especially if they were that price.

 

I have no idea why Hasbro doesn't ship overseas. It could be cost issue, but that would be over weighed by the increased sales. It actually puzzles me, and I think it's the only thing they do that I don't at least somewhat understand.

[Jmacq1]

i dont know how things work in the us (never worked there) but in my shop, we do the orders by checking the sales. back in the day, hasbro did so many star wars toys, unleashed, regular,tranformers star wars, 12 insh and we got everything. everything sold out. now if hasbro will bring the legends and the universe line together then they should do it. when i see that i dont sell the legends anymore then i stop ordering but not because they are bigger or smaller. there is always a way to put them on a shelf or hang them somewhere. this is a weird way to sell. there is not enough space on the shelf and thats why hasbro has to decide to do them smaller. hasbro produces toys and they are showing them at some showrooms and we order what we think we would sell. as i said, i sold 3 boxes of hulk legends, so why would i stop ordering legends if i sell them. well since they are exclusive, i cant get any.

 

I don't think you quite get it. Sales to individual "mom and pop" shops are NOTHING to Hasbro. You could have all of them combine together and order 100 cases and it probably wouldn't even be a tenth of what Wal-Mart orders. Right now, Wal-Mart, and maybe Target and even Toys R Us doesn't think they can sell enough of the 6" Marvel Legends to make it worth a full mass retail production run. So Hasbro's reduced to offering them as exclusives.

 

Lemme break it down for you:

 

Hasbro: Hey guys, we've got this great 6" Marvel Legends stuff that we'd like to make, take a look!

 

Wal-Mart: Actually, your last couple lines of Marvel Legends weren't big sellers for us, and a bunch of those two-packs are collecting dust. I only recognize Spider-Man/Iron Man/Wolverine/Whoever out of that bunch. We like these little ones over here a lot more. Can fit more of them on the shelf and they have a higher profit margin. We'll pass on these big ones.

 

Target: Yeah, we've still got Hydra Soldiers and "Dangers" collecting dust on our pegs. And we like these little ones, too. Forget these big ones.

 

Toys R Us: Sure, we'll take 'em! Give us 5000 cases!

 

Hasbro: Er...really, we need to sell about 50000 cases to meet our normal mass-retail goals. Uhm...we'd really like to make these figures. How about if we offer on series apiece to each of you as exclusive runs? That way we can justify the lower production volume and still get the product out -somehow-.

 

Wal-Mart: No, but if you give us two of those series, we'll deal. We'll take that one with Iron Man and the one with Uh..who is that, the Punisher? Yeah, whatever, we'll take it, I guess. (Ares and Nemesis)

 

Target: We're good with one series. We'll take the one with that black Spider-Man and Wolverine in it. (Red Hulk)

 

Toys R Us: Well crap, that doesn't leave anything for us.

 

Hasbro: Well, sorry Toys R Us....maybe we can come up with something a little further down the road to help out (2nd wave of 2-packs).

 

It's NEVER a one-sided affair, and even if you combined Toys R Us, Kmart, and every local comic shop in the United States, it wouldn't even equal half (maybe not even a quarter) of Wal-Mart's buying power. It's generally accepted as a "given" in the toy industry that if Wal-Mart doesn't pick up your mass retail toy line, you may as well pack it in, because it's not going to succeed in the long term. Such is the power of the evil empire.

 

It's also a rather dire sign that Toys R Us ended up with the wave 2/3 2-packs. That implies that Target and Wal-Mart passed completely on them.

[shokker]

in a way i understand what you say tomtom. he-man is bigger and and higher and since spidey is a more skinny there could be a price issue. i would understand this. still i would get spidey funny because in a way this one marvel figure allready excists with marvel select. well it is not internet exclusive. so guys i am going to bed, calm my senses. maybe tomorow there is one surprise for the legends. cross my fingers. hasbro show me one new legend please. last year peaple wanted to see some 3 insh figs and you showed them so if you read this, dont let the legends fans hanging in the air. and if not there is still mattel who will show some great dc and motuc stuff.

[shokker]

i dont know how things work in the us (never worked there) but in my shop, we do the orders by checking the sales. back in the day, hasbro did so many star wars toys, unleashed, regular,tranformers star wars, 12 insh and we got everything. everything sold out. now if hasbro will bring the legends and the universe line together then they should do it. when i see that i dont sell the legends anymore then i stop ordering but not because they are bigger or smaller. there is always a way to put them on a shelf or hang them somewhere. this is a weird way to sell. there is not enough space on the shelf and thats why hasbro has to decide to do them smaller. hasbro produces toys and they are showing them at some showrooms and we order what we think we would sell. as i said, i sold 3 boxes of hulk legends, so why would i stop ordering legends if i sell them. well since they are exclusive, i cant get any.

 

I don't think you quite get it. Sales to individual "mom and pop" shops are NOTHING to Hasbro. You could have all of them combine together and order 100 cases and it probably wouldn't even be a tenth of what Wal-Mart orders. Right now, Wal-Mart, and maybe Target and even Toys R Us doesn't think they can sell enough of the 6" Marvel Legends to make it worth a full mass retail production run. So Hasbro's reduced to offering them as exclusives.

 

Lemme break it down for you:

 

Hasbro: Hey guys, we've got this great 6" Marvel Legends stuff that we'd like to make, take a look!

 

Wal-Mart: Actually, your last couple lines of Marvel Legends weren't big sellers for us, and a bunch of those two-packs are collecting dust. I only recognize Spider-Man/Iron Man/Wolverine/Whoever out of that bunch. We like these little ones over here a lot more. Can fit more of them on the shelf and they have a higher profit margin. We'll pass on these big ones.

 

Target: Yeah, we've still got Hydra Soldiers and "Dangers" collecting dust on our pegs. And we like these little ones, too. Forget these big ones.

 

Toys R Us: Sure, we'll take 'em! Give us 5000 cases!

 

Hasbro: Er...really, we need to sell about 50000 cases to meet our normal mass-retail goals. Uhm...we'd really like to make these figures. How about if we offer on series apiece to each of you as exclusive runs? That way we can justify the lower production volume and still get the product out -somehow-.

 

Wal-Mart: No, but if you give us two of those series, we'll deal. We'll take that one with Iron Man and the one with Uh..who is that, the Punisher? Yeah, whatever, we'll take it, I guess. (Ares and Nemesis)

 

Target: We're good with one series. We'll take the one with that black Spider-Man and Wolverine in it. (Red Hulk)

 

Toys R Us: Well crap, that doesn't leave anything for us.

 

Hasbro: Well, sorry Toys R Us....maybe we can come up with something a little further down the road to help out (2nd wave of 2-packs).

 

It's NEVER a one-sided affair, and even if you combined Toys R Us, Kmart, and every local comic shop in the United States, it wouldn't even equal half (maybe not even a quarter) of Wal-Mart's buying power. It's generally accepted as a "given" in the toy industry that if Wal-Mart doesn't pick up your mass retail toy line, you may as well pack it in, because it's not going to succeed in the long term. Such is the power of the evil empire.

 

It's also a rather dire sign that Toys R Us ended up with the wave 2/3 2-packs. That implies that Target and Wal-Mart passed completely on them.

 

then i dont get why so much smaller companys doesnt have problems with there figs like neca and so but hell it is a weird system if you ask me but what ever works i guess. it is all about the money as always. as my buddy blade would say: some motherf..... is always trying to iceskate uphill. nice way of explaining do

 

good night gentlemens

[clonekiller72]

I don't believe hasbro or any company for that matter produces stuff based on retailer demands.

 

Then your retarded. Say you were going to sell a game to your friend, but he would pay more for a different one. Would you still sell him the first one? It's simple business practice.

 

will someonw tell me what 6 inch figures are coming next ??? thats all i want to knwo not interested in the 3 inch figures.

 

Your retarded too. Read the news, then discuss.

 

Are you serious?? If wal mart and target don't want them that's there problem,there are plenty of other retailers.

 

People IN THE U.S were buying the exclusives, no were else because they were not available.

 

Shelf space?????? Get real,that has nothing to do with it,if the product sells it will be on the shelf no matter the package size, but that's the problem,with the exclusives crap there is nothing on shelves so that means no sales .

 

Wal*Mart and Target are two of the three biggest stores that sell toys. If your line isn't carried by either of them, then you're in a bad place. And yes, shelf space does matter. The more figures you can fit on a shelf, the more figures you can sell before re-ordering. Again, it's simple business sense.

 

The fact is Marvel hasn't had a good 3 3/4" line, and there is a strong market for the figures in that scale. The 6" line, on the other hand, is running out of characters to make. That's why Toybiz switched from a 5" scale to a 6" scale ten years (or so) ago. They can re-sell the more popular characters that don't fit in with other scales. That way the parents will recignize the characters, and the collectors don't feel bad about buying another Spider-Man.

 

And switching over to an online only line would kill it even faster. There would be lower runs on the figures, which would drive the prices way up. Steel Molds aren't cheap. You have to sell a certain number of figures to get the money back, and make a profit to buy more molds. MOTUC can survive because it has a strong fanbase of collectors growing up watching the show, and if it were in stores, it wouldn't last.

 

The Nemesis and Two-Packs were delayed to give something to 6" fans while they were building up the MU line. It's near impossible to have multiple lines of the same property sell at the same time, especially when they are in two different scales.

 

Uhh, Mods should not be attacking posters. Calling people retarded just isn't cool, and you're supposed to be better than that!!!!

Look, alot of us are pissed, and even with our "sense of entitlement issues", we'e allowed. But the mods have no right to be attacking people you're suppossed to be better than that.

 

And your points aren't very valid either. Given the support & customer respect that Mattel employs Hasbro's ML could survive online. But that would require them to answer the questions in the Q&A's, Respect thier fandom, endorse thier lines and actually have confidence in thier product. Many ML collectors would support online sales, but Hasbro fears that because of the GI Joe online debackle a few years back. Yes in would mean higher prices but face it, that would happen regardless.

 

Yes molds aren't cheap buy there are plenty to kit bash from if done right, and plenty of A listers that have changed in the comics since thier last incarnation. (i.e. Cap, Thor, Goblin, Extremis Iron Man) heck, following the DCUC format that's enough anchors for 4 lines. These done well could still sell through Diamond or HTS.

 

Multiple lines seems to be working just fine for DCUC & DCIH. Why not Marvel?

 

Marvel has multiple films coming that could support multiple lines.

 

That said, respect your fellow fans and stop cutting them down.

[Jmacq1]

NECA isn't really a mass-retail producer (heck, they're virtually a Toys R Us Exclusive producer because most of the mall chains they sold heavily to have gone out of business). They market higher-priced figures mostly to adult collectors, and don't have the same concerns Hasbro does about things like share prices, shareholder concerns, etc... etc... Hasbro is a multi-billion dollar toymaker. NECA can afford to produce small potatoes because they're a small potatoes company. Hasbro only makes big potatoes outside of exclusives.

[robbie]

CAN SOMEONE PLEASE ASK ABOUT NEMESIS WAVE AND WHEN WE ARE GOING TO SEE THEM,PLEASE?????????

 

And is that Firestar 3.75" or 6"?

[Geek]

CAN SOMEONE PLEASE ASK ABOUT NEMESIS WAVE AND WHEN WE ARE GOING TO SEE THEM,PLEASE?????????

 

And is that Firestar 3.75" or 6"?

 

Nemesis figs are hitting in Canada, so it's not long. Doubt they will have any better answer at the show.

 

Firestar is ever so sadly, 3.75

 

 

 

[EldestSon]

Sorry, if this was posted already, just asking for clarification (between the info marvelousnews.com gave and the actual pics of the 2 packs). Are the 2 packs exclusive to both TRU AND Diamond? Or is the Kree/Skrull 2 pack exclusive to Diamond (meaning you have to ask your comic book store to order it) and the 2 packs with FF or Stealth IM/Shield exclusive to TRU? What about the Hand/Shield 2 packs and the non-stealth IM/Shield 2 pack?

 

Thanks in advance.

[HighEvolutionary]

I'm not sure if I can say this, but I would like to take this opportunity to point out that Nick Fury is about to insert a dildo into his mouth.

 

http://i.marvelousnews.com/g/index.php?mod...00&start=20

 

[Jmacq1]

And your points aren't very valid either. Given the support & customer respect that Mattel employs Hasbro's ML could survive online. But that would require them to answer the questions in the Q&A's, Respect thier fandom, endorse thier lines and actually have confidence in thier product. Many ML collectors would support online sales, but Hasbro fears that because of the GI Joe online debackle a few years back. Yes in would mean higher prices but face it, that would happen regardless.

 

Yes molds aren't cheap buy there are plenty to kit bash from if done right, and plenty of A listers that have changed in the comics since thier last incarnation. (i.e. Cap, Thor, Goblin, Extremis Iron Man) heck, following the DCUC format that's enough anchors for 4 lines. These done well could still sell through Diamond or HTS.

 

First off: One of the main reasons the DTC G.I. Joe figures sold exclusively through HasbroToyShop failed was because they were "kitbashes" of existing parts with very little new material (particularly outside the first series). You really think all the Marvel Legends fans are going to pay more than double what they were paying in stores just to get kitbashes and repaints? Pardon my language, but that's bulls**t.

 

People were already down on Hasbro's product prior to this "hiatus" and they'd just piss on it even more if they weren't getting all-new molds with awesome paintjobs and all-new-improved articulation. Which Hasbro sure as hell is not going to shell out the money to do for an "internet exclusive" line. Even this much-ballyhooed MotU Classics Line is basically a rehash of the same parts over and over again, except for head molds and accessories (Skeletor, Zodac, and Mer-Man share bodies. Beast Man and Stratos share bodies. He-Man and Man-At-Arms share bodies. Teela and Evil-Lyn share bodies. Just like the original MotU figures shared bodies. Yet another reason Mattel can pull off that line. You really think collectors are going to shell out $30 (once you include shipping) for three different body molds and some new heads? Marvel characters aren't as "cookie cutter" as DCs are. Which oh, by the way is yet another reason Mattel is being so "successful" with the DCUC figures. Heavy reuse of parts, and it only took them until wave 2 to get to that point.

 

Remember, people where whining about the cost of the Fin Fang Foom wave. Bump that up another 5 bucks and plenty of people are going to say "this isn't worth it." You're shrinking an already-small audience from the start.

 

Multiple lines seems to be working just fine for DCUC & DCIH. Why not Marvel?

 

Well let's see...Marvel Legends has about 30 waves of figures (all told, not even including other Toy Biz 6" scale lines, in which case it'd bounce up to about 40 or 50) and what...about 8+ years of figures? DCUC has...one year, going on 7 waves, after a long drought of decent DC toys. Get back to us in another 7 years and/or 20 waves and we can talk about how successful DCUC is in comparison to Marvel Legends. Until then, people are just grasping at straws for a comparison. Aside from Superman and Batman, the DCUC figures haven't had vast numbers of their "core characters" unleashed upon the public for several years...yet.

 

Marvel has multiple films coming that could support multiple lines.

 

Which is exactly what they're doing. They're just multiple lines of 3 3/4" figures.

 

That said, respect your fellow fans and stop cutting them down.

 

You have to earn respect in this world. Acting like a bunch of crybabies with no rational perspective whatsoever on the situation certainly isn't getting folks very far on that score.

[cjflan32]

There's probably a market for online figures, but it's not much. You wouldn't see many figures and they'd be relatively expensive. Then you'd all say "F ML's, I'm not paying for that! Thanks for ruining the line Hasbro!"

[RedHulk]

They might make a bit more on them if they sold them properly in canada the way they do in the US...I had my credit card out and ready to pay for 2 of the sunfires AOA only to find I have to get it off ebay cause they didn't ship to canada...They do fine with the joes, transformers, and starwars but can't seem to get it right with the ML...I'm just happy my local comic book guy is so good at getting me what he can.

 

The Golliath looks dope!!!

[electro16]

i dont know how things work in the us (never worked there) but in my shop, we do the orders by checking the sales. back in the day, hasbro did so many star wars toys, unleashed, regular,tranformers star wars, 12 insh and we got everything. everything sold out. now if hasbro will bring the legends and the universe line together then they should do it. when i see that i dont sell the legends anymore then i stop ordering but not because they are bigger or smaller. there is always a way to put them on a shelf or hang them somewhere. this is a weird way to sell. there is not enough space on the shelf and thats why hasbro has to decide to do them smaller. hasbro produces toys and they are showing them at some showrooms and we order what we think we would sell. as i said, i sold 3 boxes of hulk legends, so why would i stop ordering legends if i sell them. well since they are exclusive, i cant get any.

 

I don't think you quite get it. Sales to individual "mom and pop" shops are NOTHING to Hasbro. You could have all of them combine together and order 100 cases and it probably wouldn't even be a tenth of what Wal-Mart orders. Right now, Wal-Mart, and maybe Target and even Toys R Us doesn't think they can sell enough of the 6" Marvel Legends to make it worth a full mass retail production run. So Hasbro's reduced to offering them as exclusives.

 

Lemme break it down for you:

 

Hasbro: Hey guys, we've got this great 6" Marvel Legends stuff that we'd like to make, take a look!

 

Wal-Mart: Actually, your last couple lines of Marvel Legends weren't big sellers for us, and a bunch of those two-packs are collecting dust. I only recognize Spider-Man/Iron Man/Wolverine/Whoever out of that bunch. We like these little ones over here a lot more. Can fit more of them on the shelf and they have a higher profit margin. We'll pass on these big ones.

 

Target: Yeah, we've still got Hydra Soldiers and "Dangers" collecting dust on our pegs. And we like these little ones, too. Forget these big ones.

 

Toys R Us: Sure, we'll take 'em! Give us 5000 cases!

 

Hasbro: Er...really, we need to sell about 50000 cases to meet our normal mass-retail goals. Uhm...we'd really like to make these figures. How about if we offer on series apiece to each of you as exclusive runs? That way we can justify the lower production volume and still get the product out -somehow-.

 

Wal-Mart: No, but if you give us two of those series, we'll deal. We'll take that one with Iron Man and the one with Uh..who is that, the Punisher? Yeah, whatever, we'll take it, I guess. (Ares and Nemesis)

 

Target: We're good with one series. We'll take the one with that black Spider-Man and Wolverine in it. (Red Hulk)

 

Toys R Us: Well crap, that doesn't leave anything for us.

 

Hasbro: Well, sorry Toys R Us....maybe we can come up with something a little further down the road to help out (2nd wave of 2-packs).

 

It's NEVER a one-sided affair, and even if you combined Toys R Us, Kmart, and every local comic shop in the United States, it wouldn't even equal half (maybe not even a quarter) of Wal-Mart's buying power. It's generally accepted as a "given" in the toy industry that if Wal-Mart doesn't pick up your mass retail toy line, you may as well pack it in, because it's not going to succeed in the long term. Such is the power of the evil empire.

 

It's also a rather dire sign that Toys R Us ended up with the wave 2/3 2-packs. That implies that Target and Wal-Mart passed completely on them.

By your logic,if wal mart were to go out of bussiness so would hasbro. Come on man, your'e not making any sence. Hasbro couldn't care less about these stores shelf space,no matter the size of the pakaging ,if it sells it will be on the shelf.

 

These retailers never complained about space shelf when toybiz was doing there thing.why? Because it sold. Hasbro themselves hurt the line with there crapy first waves, low quality figures,characters that nobody cares about that ended up cloging the pegs. That is why the retailers backed off the line,not because of shelf space.

 

Take the 33/4 indiana jones figs as an example, small figs,small pakages and they still got canned.why? Because they DIDN'T SELL and the retailers said NO THANKS to the last 2 waves. It wasn't a question of shelf space in that case and it's not in this case,its a question of product not selling.

 

In the ML case, the bad start by hasbro is why we are where we are now! If the first wave's had been decent they would have sold and the retailers would have ordered more and the line would still be going strong.