JKLMD2002
Main Eventer
Joined on: Sept 15, 2004 11:36:55 GMT -5
Posts: 1,408
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Post by JKLMD2002 on Apr 21, 2011 23:52:33 GMT -5
Bill,
Hope you're still reading this and not writing us off as nut jobs who whine and complain then don't buy the figs once they're out. ;-)
Jakks had the benefit of getting to the Legends dance first and as crappy as their figures are, some collectors are leery of starting over and want to see how viable a line is before going all in. Some aren't as quick to jump in like myself who sold off my Jakks line after seeing Ricky Steamboat and may drag their feet until wave 9 or so just to make sure they're not gonna get sucked into a line that only gets about 10 waves. To get enough sales and to wait those stragglers out, I thought of another few suggestions that might help get the latecomers into the line:
-Push the Mattel quality compared to the Jakks figures specifically tackling demanded figures collectors wanted and then got lame versions. Some Jakks collectors never bothered getting a Big Bossman because the Jakks version was lacking. Bossman's pretty popular from the late 80s and his run during the Attitude era so he'd be a decent choice. Never got a great Diesel or Razor Ramon from Jakks either and a scrawny, 1-2-3 Kid/Syxx/X-Pac could be other great candidates. Having a Diesel that isn't the same size as 1-2-3 Kid might convert some Jakks folks if for nothing else the attention to scale.
- The mid-late 90s wouldn't be a bad focus area for right now with sales lacking for the 80s stars. For the first dedicated Legends line Undertaker, go with the Attitude era from 98 when he was fighting Austin and fully masked debut Kane would stand out on the shelf.
-Maybe toss in a "faction-builder" every assortment. Granted, most collectors aren't clamoring for a 4Horsemen or Dangerous Alliance member, but if each wave from 8 to 11 featured at least just for example one DX, Nation or nWo member - the shirts for the nWo alone would definitely add on to that faction building mentality.
-Make limited runs enough to sell through but not so much that there's more supply than demand of third-tier wrestlers to the mainstream [i.e. David Von Erich, Magnum T.A., Ivan Koloff] available on mattycollector.com. It's not retail but the more opportunity for figures/different characters, the better the odds are of getting more collectors into the line.
-Don't offer options too close together. As soon as the Wave 5 Macho Man was announced, people decided they weren't gonna get the Defining Moments version. I'd recommend staggering them just long enough so people feel like if they want character A, they need to get the one on the shelves. The Iron Sheik in Wave 2 and Legends tag-team is the best example of options cutting sales for both. The variant strategy for the Kerry Von Erich figures is a better way to do that.
-Maybe try insta-classic matchups in waves? I love Wave 6, but there's no heels for anyone to fight. On reason I think the Elite line does well is because kids can grab an Edge to fight Sheamus in Wave 8 or have DX HBK and Triple H in wave 7 fight Cena. Use the early DC Classics strategy of play patterns of giving the anchor character one of his classic rivals, i.e. Bret Hart in wave 8 could have Diesel or Yokozuna in the same wave or Razor Ramon and 1-2-3 Kid in Wave 9 so there's an instant match-up.
Hope some of these can be of some assistance! :-)
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Post by 3Lephant (Naptown Icon) on Apr 21, 2011 23:54:22 GMT -5
Doink the Clown
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Post by DZ: WF Legacy on Apr 21, 2011 23:59:00 GMT -5
Bill, Hope you're still reading this and not writing us off as nut jobs who whine and complain then don't buy the figs once they're out. ;-) Jakks had the benefit of getting to the Legends dance first and as crappy as their figures are, some collectors are leery of starting over and want to see how viable a line is before going all in. Some aren't as quick to jump in like myself who sold off my Jakks line after seeing Ricky Steamboat and may drag their feet until wave 9 or so just to make sure they're not gonna get sucked into a line that only gets about 10 waves. To get enough sales and to wait those stragglers out, I thought of another few suggestions that might help get the latecomers into the line: -Push the Mattel quality compared to the Jakks figures specifically tackling demanded figures collectors wanted and then got lame versions. Some Jakks collectors never bothered getting a Big Bossman because the Jakks version was lacking. Bossman's pretty popular from the late 80s and his run during the Attitude era so he'd be a decent choice. Never got a great Diesel or Razor Ramon from Jakks either and a scrawny, 1-2-3 Kid/Syxx/X-Pac could be other great candidates. Having a Diesel that isn't the same size as 1-2-3 Kid might convert some Jakks folks if for nothing else the attention to scale. - The mid-late 90s wouldn't be a bad focus area for right now with sales lacking for the 80s stars. For the first dedicated Legends line Undertaker, go with the Attitude era from 98 when he was fighting Austin and fully masked debut Kane would stand out on the shelf. -Maybe toss in a "faction-builder" every assortment. Granted, most collectors aren't clamoring for a 4Horsemen or Dangerous Alliance member, but if each wave from 8 to 11 featured at least just for example one DX, Nation or nWo member - the shirts for the nWo alone would definitely add on to that faction building mentality. -Make limited runs enough to sell through but not so much that there's more supply than demand of third-tier wrestlers to the mainstream [i.e. David Von Erich, Magnum T.A., Ivan Koloff] available on mattycollector.com. It's not retail but the more opportunity for figures/different characters, the better the odds are of getting more collectors into the line. -Don't offer options too close together. As soon as the Wave 5 Macho Man was announced, people decided they weren't gonna get the Defining Moments version. I'd recommend staggering them just long enough so people feel like if they want character A, they need to get the one on the shelves. The Iron Sheik in Wave 2 and Legends tag-team is the best example of options cutting sales for both. The variant strategy for the Kerry Von Erich figures is a better way to do that. -Maybe try insta-classic matchups in waves? I love Wave 6, but there's no heels for anyone to fight. On reason I think the Elite line does well is because kids can grab an Edge to fight Sheamus in Wave 8 or have DX HBK and Triple H in wave 7 fight Cena. Use the early DC Classics strategy of play patterns of giving the anchor character one of his classic rivals, i.e. Bret Hart in wave 8 could have Diesel or Yokozuna in the same wave or Razor Ramon and 1-2-3 Kid in Wave 9 so there's an instant match-up. Hope some of these can be of some assistance! :-) Excellent post. I hope the folks at Mattel check it out.  |
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Post by slappy on Apr 22, 2011 0:02:38 GMT -5
I've bought every Legends figure except for Perfect because I couldn't find him and if I do, I'll buy him. I'll buy L5 and L6 when they come out here.
They are doing fine.
I just want Arn Anderson and Barry Windham. I'd like Flair but I understand why they can't make him yet.
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Deleted
Joined on: May 5, 2024 12:59:27 GMT -5
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Post by Deleted on Apr 22, 2011 0:06:52 GMT -5
Heres another thing and i think i speak for a percentage (small or large , whatever) of people.
- I Started Collecting at Legends 5!!!
why? why did i wait so long? because there was NO star power until series 4 to me , and it wasnt enough till i seen Legends 5.... I thought ... Ok , warrior, Demolition, Macho man, bam bam, akeem and martel look awesome, and i can go back and get some cool figs like jake and kamala, vader etc.... I Thought...... Now with Series 5.... This Line has potential.... Looks like we'll have undertaker, earthquake, hogan, bret , hbk soon.... eventually...
Now i feel kinda intellectually- disabled for buying every legends figure within the last 2 months , lol, but whatev, im not gonna sell my collection now, ill just hope mattel figures this one out.
But we've all said it, Brian Pillman and Iron Sheik dont start collections, they fill them out...
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FFK
Main Eventer
FEED ME MORE!
Joined on: Sept 6, 2010 19:27:38 GMT -5
Posts: 3,156
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Post by FFK on Apr 22, 2011 0:09:42 GMT -5
BIGGER NAMES! The only Legends I've bought are the big name guys, Stone Cold, The Rock, Ultimate Warrior, Mr. Perfect, and Vader, and will get Macho Man, Eddie Guerrero and the second Ultimate Warrior when it hits stores. I've been through the lesser known guys through JAKKS Classic Superstars. I want HBK, Undertaker, Bret Hart, THE BIG NAMES! I don't care if we get different ones, aka repaints because they will still sell! And WHO CARES if JAKKS made a certain outfit that doesn't mean you guys can't do it, because you guys will do it better than JAKKS ever could! Like HBK you can have a bunch of repaints of him because of all his different attires. The HBK repaints will still sell! Why? Because he's a HUGE name. So please bring in the BIG NAMES!!!
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Post by slappy on Apr 22, 2011 0:12:42 GMT -5
Heres another thing and i think i speak for a percentage (small or large , whatever) of people. - I Started Collecting at Legends 5!!! why? why did i wait so long? because there was NO star power until series 4 to me , and it wasnt enough till i seen Legends 5.... I thought ... Ok , warrior, Demolition, Macho man, bam bam, akeem and martel look awesome, and i can go back and get some cool figs like jake and kamala, vader etc.... I Thought...... Now with Series 5.... This Line has potential.... Looks like we'll have undertaker, earthquake, hogan, bret , hbk soon.... eventually... Now i feel kinda intellectually- disabled for buying every legends figure within the last 2 months , lol, but whatev, im not gonna sell my collection now, ill just hope mattel figures this one out. But we've all said it, Brian Pillman and Iron Sheik dont start collections, they fill them out... No star power? None? Slaughter, LOD, Steamboat, Austin, Dusty, Rude, Funk, Snuka, Perfect, Rock, Duggan, Vader, Bulldog, Jake Roberts, Iron Sheik, Pillman and Kamala don't have star power? Really? |
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Post by Searching for a Former Clarity on Apr 22, 2011 0:13:15 GMT -5
I think the line is going great. Some more belts and faster releases would be nice of course. I really hope the line does not die, if Mattel has to get rid of anything please let it be Flexforce or Defining Moments, hell even basic 2-packs if that's what it takes.
I'd personally love to see these.
Debut Kane, and reverse long sleeve Kane, Paul Bearer, ABA Undertaker, and Phantom mask Undertaker, Yokozuna, Bret Hart (Hart Foundation, and Summerslam 97), Jerry Lawler (blue and white attire would be amazing!), Doink (evil), Crush (Kona and heel), Diamond Dallas Page, Goldberg, Ultimate Warrior (Halloween Havoc ghost attire, USA attire, lime green attire and brick singlet attire), Rockers, and DX (Trips, Michaels, Road Dogg, Billy Gunn and X-Pac)
Also, I know it got scraped but I'd still love to see a classic ring, if not then some accessories (skirt, turnbuckles, ropes, ect...) for the ESR.
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dizcoduck
Main Eventer
WF 10 Year Member
Joined on: Jan 3, 2010 23:42:47 GMT -5
Posts: 1,866
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Post by dizcoduck on Apr 22, 2011 0:14:54 GMT -5
Each series needs to be anchored by "WWE" Main Event Superstars in the attires they are most famous for. It doesn't matter if they've been made before that's what people want. Then the rest of the series should be sprinkled in with a midcarder and an obscure figure that will cater to the die-hard collector. In previous series it seems they have done the opposite. I think they hit the nail on the head with their Basics line, Cena, Taker, Rey, etc. are in almost everyone one of them and they sell. The same should be done with the Legends line. The problem I have around here is that hardly any store even carreis the Legends line to begin with.
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Post by BoJack Hogan on Apr 22, 2011 0:14:56 GMT -5
If Jakks can sell Johny Rodz, Mattel can sell someone similarly obscure. I agree with a lot of people, you need high profile stars in recognizable outfits. Also, to keep costs down and profits up, toss in a few repaints to make up for some earlier mistakes. A normal Snuka and Slaughter, I would have bought. I did not buy those reject figs. Whule I am happy that I got my heel Jake, the first Jake should have likely been the All-Stars figure, and iconic look with Damien. So...
Keep the smaller line-ups for now
Include higher profile superstars (3/4)
Use more recognizable, iconic attires for the first figure, add obscure outfits later or as a second figure in a 2-pack. One new release, one re-release with obscure outfit (1st Andre, Black strap; 2nd Andre, Blue strap 2 pack with Haku or Heenan's first figure)
Lower the price a hair. 12-13.99, not nearly as scary as 15-16.99. Try to keep the tag under 15. Over 15 for one figure is scary.
I am a big fan of the line, but as many said, they debuted with a bit of a whimper, with Austin as the only singles main-eventer in series one, and terrible first figures for Slaughter and Snuka. Also, Tag Teams one is honestly one of the worst wrestling figure series in history. As horrible as it was, at least the last series of classics was all main-eventers. The first series of tag teams was the Bushwhackers, one of the least popular tag teams in history; A second Iron Sheik figure (when the first one sold so well that they are regularly given to dogs in Kennels today) with the equally terribly-selling Nickolai Volkoff; and a terrible Hockey puck mouth Piper with a very good, but also terribly selling Bob Orton. I honestly think that if the initial line-ups were awesome, we would be looking at Tag teams 3,which is the earliest series for which the Bushwhackers should have been considered.
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hbkrules
Main Eventer
WF 10 Year Member
Joined on: Jun 18, 2002 11:49:32 GMT -5
Posts: 2,115
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Post by hbkrules on Apr 22, 2011 0:16:03 GMT -5
I've bought every Legends figure except for Perfect because I couldn't find him and if I do, I'll buy him. I'll buy L5 and L6 when they come out here. They are doing fine. I just want Arn Anderson and Barry Windham. I'd like Flair but I understand why they can't make him yet. They obviously aren't doing fine. Bill said sales were "terrible" and that they were evaluating the future of the line. |
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Deleted
Joined on: May 5, 2024 12:59:27 GMT -5
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Post by Deleted on Apr 22, 2011 0:16:57 GMT -5
Heres another thing and i think i speak for a percentage (small or large , whatever) of people. - I Started Collecting at Legends 5!!! why? why did i wait so long? because there was NO star power until series 4 to me , and it wasnt enough till i seen Legends 5.... I thought ... Ok , warrior, Demolition, Macho man, bam bam, akeem and martel look awesome, and i can go back and get some cool figs like jake and kamala, vader etc.... I Thought...... Now with Series 5.... This Line has potential.... Looks like we'll have undertaker, earthquake, hogan, bret , hbk soon.... eventually... Now i feel kinda intellectually- disabled for buying every legends figure within the last 2 months , lol, but whatev, im not gonna sell my collection now, ill just hope mattel figures this one out. But we've all said it, Brian Pillman and Iron Sheik dont start collections, they fill them out... No star power? None? Slaughter, LOD, Steamboat, Austin, Dusty, Rude, Funk, Snuka, Perfect, Rock, Duggan, Vader, Bulldog, Jake Roberts, Iron Sheik, Pillman and Kamala don't have star power? Really? Well Bill Said Earlier Tonight they Sold Terribly so ya i guess so... and Pillman doesnt have star power... no... lol.... no... Yes the rock, austin , vader, etc..... i bought them all.... but the casual consumer would start collecting because of the undertaker and hbk with the rock and austin , vader macho man, hogan etc etc If Mattel Actually Reads this Thread they may be able to Fix the Legends line and keep it going strong But they probably wont and we'll see the last line being ; Iron Sheik v3 , More NWA guys most people never seen wrestle, and bastion booger w the gobbedly gooker as a DM |
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Post by BoJack Hogan on Apr 22, 2011 0:23:23 GMT -5
No star power? None? Slaughter, LOD, Steamboat, Austin, Dusty, Rude, Funk, Snuka, Perfect, Rock, Duggan, Vader, Bulldog, Jake Roberts, Iron Sheik, Pillman and Kamala don't have star power? Really?[/quote] Of all of those names you mentioned, the only certified headliners are Austin and Rock. Randy Savage makes 3, Warrior makes 4 total long-term WWF champions. Warrior is in the plainest attire possible. If you want to include Slaughter, he wasn't even in his World Championship attire let alone his most recognizable. So no, there isn't the right type of star power, and those who would qualify are often in oddball or pre stardom - twilight of career outfits. |
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Post by slappy on Apr 22, 2011 0:24:09 GMT -5
No star power? None? Slaughter, LOD, Steamboat, Austin, Dusty, Rude, Funk, Snuka, Perfect, Rock, Duggan, Vader, Bulldog, Jake Roberts, Iron Sheik, Pillman and Kamala don't have star power? Really? Well Bill Said Earlier Tonight they Sold Terribly so ya i guess so... and Pillman doesnt have star power... no... lol.... no... Yes the rock, austin , vader, etc..... i bought them all.... but the casual consumer would start collecting because of the undertaker and hbk with the rock and austin , vader macho man, hogan etc etc Ric Flair has star power but one of his figures warmed shelves forever. So out of 18 guys you said no to 1, that's odd. Maybe it's the price and not the wrestler. Maybe it's they are Elite figures and not Basic. They have had great line ups. |
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Post by slappy on Apr 22, 2011 0:25:31 GMT -5
I've bought every Legends figure except for Perfect because I couldn't find him and if I do, I'll buy him. I'll buy L5 and L6 when they come out here. They are doing fine. I just want Arn Anderson and Barry Windham. I'd like Flair but I understand why they can't make him yet. They obviously aren't doing fine. Bill said sales were "terrible" and that they were evaluating the future of the line. Dear Lord why was my statement taken as being applied to every aspect of the line for everyone buying figures or their whole sales? They are doing fine by me. Sorry that I wasn't extremely specific. |
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Post by slappy on Apr 22, 2011 0:26:27 GMT -5
No star power? None? Slaughter, LOD, Steamboat, Austin, Dusty, Rude, Funk, Snuka, Perfect, Rock, Duggan, Vader, Bulldog, Jake Roberts, Iron Sheik, Pillman and Kamala don't have star power? Really? Of all of those names you mentioned, the only certified headliners are Austin and Rock. Randy Savage makes 3, Warrior makes 4 total long-term WWF champions. Warrior is in the plainest attire possible. If you want to include Slaughter, he wasn't even in his World Championship attire let alone his most recognizable. So no, there isn't the right type of star power, and those who would qualify are often in oddball or pre stardom - twilight of career outfits. All of you make me sad. |
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Post by BoJack Hogan on Apr 22, 2011 0:31:03 GMT -5
Well get over it. There is a very real possibility that the line is going to die. I want guys like Gary Hart and Kabuki as bad as I want guys like Earthquake (in his famous attire, not the short lived "doo doo suit") and a proper Big Bossman (Prison guard, not the  ing Guardian Angel). Regardless of what you think of the lineups, they won't sell like Hogan, Andre, Classic Undertaker, and Bret Hart. This all could have been averted if they, and I hate to draw comparisons, started the line like Jakks, with a BANG! I don't mean DDP, who I would also like to see someday, I mean with honest-to-goodness star power. |
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Post by slappy on Apr 22, 2011 0:32:46 GMT -5
Well get over it. There is a very real possibility that the line is going to die. I want guys like Gary Hart and Kabuki as bad as I want guys like Earthquake and a proper Big Bossman. Regardless of what you think of the lineups, they won't sell like Hogan, Andre, Classic Undertaker, and Bret Hart. This all could have been averted if they, and I hate to draw comparisons, started the line like Jakks, with a BANG! I don't mean DDP, who I would also like to see someday, I mean with Honest-to-goodness star power. There is star power just it seems people don't care about them because all they want is "OMG ATTITUDE ERA!!!" |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 22, 2011 0:34:29 GMT -5
Dude i Bought almost all of them..... This is about how mattel can keep the line going. Bill said Sales were terrible and they were considering the future of the line. So i know you enjoyed all of the released figs, i do too.... but they arnt selling so take it for what it is...
Bottom line is , Like many others said , every line needs an anchor or two. or 3 even. And a heel or face they feuded with. then an obscure wrestler to keep the collectors going.
Drop the price by eliminating unnessesary Accessories and DM's dont need the big ass boxes...
i agree with bill.... The Line needs Star power, Yes L1 and L2 had stars but would most people start a collection with dusty rhodes, ricky steamboat, road warriors , austin and pre-fame slaughter.
or wait till they see Bret Hart, Undertaker, Shawn Micheals, Ultimate Warrior, Hulk Hogan, Andre The Giant and Ric Flair?
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Post by BoJack Hogan on Apr 22, 2011 0:36:43 GMT -5
That's just a fraction, I personally couldn't care less about the Attitude Era. If this line is going to survive, it needs a transfusion. Unfortunately, that means fewer Von Erichs and more HBK and Bret Hart repaints (of course we need 1 first), more big stars. If All-Stars Jake were released in a Legends series, I think it would have sold. Hell, the other Jake appeared to be one of the better-selling figures. Oh, and they should really kill off DM. All of those figs could have easily fit into a Legends package with slightly cheaper accessories.
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