|
|
Post by poindizzle on Sept 6, 2015 21:35:25 GMT -5
I probably already know, but really, why did the Build a Figure concept get botched so bad by Mattel?
I'm currently two pieces away from completing the Hulkbuster Marvel Legend BAF, and two pieces shy of the Rhino BAF. And I want them bad. I'm excited to make them. Generally speaking, the most tantalizing concept of the past ten years has been the build-a-figure for me. I built my first BAF in 2005 with Toybiz's Galactus. I was already accustomed to buying complete or near-complete sets anyway. The coolest part was receiving the piece as a bonus.
That brings me to what irked me. The pieces weren't a bonus. I have seen the price on previous Mattel WWE BAFs fluctuate from $22.99 to $24.99 during a time when Mattel elites were $15.99 to $18.99 at most. So you were paying for the figure, firstly. Second, especially in the basic line, you were buying figures you didn't need. In Marvel Legends or DC Universe Classics, you were getting the meat of the series with your BAF dessert. You got new characters you would want for your collection and a FREE bonus piece (I mean Legends scrapped bases to make room for the piece but I never needed the bases to begin with).
Did anyone truly like the concept? Or would they like it if it was more like the Marvel Legends line and had a BAF every normal set? Imagine it: every commentator, every manager, and every era could be unlocked with that idea!
|
|
|
|
Post by PJ on Sept 6, 2015 21:48:05 GMT -5
Making it a TRU Exclusive. Any popular item they (TRU) carry since their new ceo they normally charge $4-$5 more than every other retailer.
|
|
gregrules420
POSSIBLE BAD TRADER
Joined on: Dec 29, 2014 9:17:09 GMT -5
Posts: 4,884 
|
Post by gregrules420 on Sept 6, 2015 21:47:48 GMT -5
Over distribution on terrible lines and under distribution on the lines that people wanted.. it didn't help to have Sheamus in Del Rio in Two of the terrible lines
|
|
Daniel F'n Bryan
Main Eventer
Joined on: Jun 16, 2014 14:37:32 GMT -5
Posts: 3,348
|
Post by Daniel F'n Bryan on Sept 6, 2015 21:48:09 GMT -5
2 Words...
Crappy Distribution
|
|
|
|
Post by qdogg on Sept 6, 2015 22:05:19 GMT -5
This last TRU Elite BOPPV wave really should of had Jimmy Hart or Heenan as the BAF and some of the BAF figures were pretty weak choices as well IMO
|
|
|
|
Post by Lita's Lover on Sept 6, 2015 22:06:53 GMT -5
The issue with comparing it to Marvel or DC lines is that those lines can include larger characters than you would find in the regular series. With WWE everyone is within a foot of eachother insize
|
|
Deleted
Joined on: May 1, 2024 22:51:06 GMT -5
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 6, 2015 22:08:42 GMT -5
It was fine over here in the UK
|
|
|
|
Post by poindizzle on Sept 6, 2015 22:09:12 GMT -5
This last TRU Elite BOPPV wave really should of had Jimmy Hart or Heenan as the BAF and some of the BAF figures were pretty weak choices as well IMO True. Not that Big Johnny or Teddy were bad, but less than exciting for the price, and Big Johnny was drastically out of date. The second he wasn't on TV was the second I stopped thinking about him, a thoroughly forgettable character. Hart, Heenan, Monsoon, classic Vince, Bischoff, Shiavone, these and more would all have had me clamoring. |
|
|
|
Post by Yambag Jones on Sept 6, 2015 22:09:27 GMT -5
I think offering mostly repaints at marked up prices was the death nail.
|
|
|
|
Post by LostHawk05 on Sept 6, 2015 22:13:19 GMT -5
Distribution and character choices is what went wrong. Sucks because, as you stated, it could have been so much better.
|
|
|
|
Post by Classic Collector: The Return on Sept 6, 2015 22:13:08 GMT -5
It being a TRU exclusive, shoddy distribution, bad line ups (always seemed to be a Punk, Orton, Del Rio & Sheamus in every set), and the figure price left the concept limp. Also releasing very similar Paul Heyman, Ricardo, & to an extent Kane in the main lines kind of left people feeling somewhat cheated.
|
|
|
|
Post by Mongo Bears on Sept 6, 2015 22:14:24 GMT -5
So when the hell are we getting Paul bearer? That's all I want to know. And is bobby heenan gonna be the next baf?
I'm so glad Jimmy hart isn't a baf
|
|
|
|
Post by poindizzle on Sept 6, 2015 22:27:08 GMT -5
I'm milling it over and I don't even think that it could be done like Marvel Legends due to the sheer volume of releases per year. Many of which are still repaints, which are the bread and butter of wrestling toys. Marvel Legends have more characters to pick from at any given time, so there will always be guaranteed debuts. Also, the neccesity to make this debuts is there due to many characters behaving only one costume for as much as decades at a time. Doctor Strange has essentially had only three costumes in his whole career. Rey Mysterious wore a different one every night. Big difference. Apples to Pears, I suppose. Superficially similar but still different.
|
|
|
|
Post by Hound on Sept 6, 2015 22:34:26 GMT -5
i liked it untill the JR,Bearer,Corp Kane Happend hopefully they acually work better at walmart
|
|
|
|
Post by rkmo: 9 Month Warning on Sept 6, 2015 22:37:48 GMT -5
I was a bit late to the party, but it seems the overdistribution of the early sets caused not only the worst case of shelfwarming figs ever seen, but also caused the backlog of future sets in TRU warehouses. That led to the overall cancellation of the Bearer BAF basic set in US TRU's, and the spotty distribution of the Kane BAF Elite set (I don't know if those are even still trickling out). Choice of guys included is also a factor. I would also figure spending near $100 for a complete set is not so popular with parents, but I do not know the specifics of comparable lines in other brands.
Have my fingers crossed for the upcoming Wal-Mart BAF line, that they find the correct balance so the entire set is available for most who desire them without having figs collecting dust on the shelves.
|
|
|
|
Post by King Richius on Sept 6, 2015 22:41:56 GMT -5
I don't like the BAF concept. They know we want figures of JR, Paul Bearer, etc. and will buy them. Just release them in the basic line and be done with it.
|
|
|
|
Post by poindizzle on Sept 6, 2015 22:43:13 GMT -5
I was a bit late to the party, but it seems the overdistribution of the early sets caused not only the worst case of shelfwarming figs ever seen, but also caused the backlog of future sets in TRU warehouses. That led to the overall cancellation of the Bearer BAF basic set in US TRU's, and the spotty distribution of the Kane BAF Elite set (I don't know if those are even still trickling out). Choice of guys included is also a factor. I would also figure spending near $100 for a complete set is not so popular with parents, but I do not know the specifics of comparable lines in other brands. Have my fingers crossed for the upcoming Wal-Mart BAF line, that they find the correct balance so the entire set is available for most who desire them without having figs collecting dust on the shelves. To answer the question, I have to assume that Marvel Legends, unlike WWE probably have a smaller gulf between number of collectors to number of children. It seems to be a more collector dominated landscape. Unless kids are clamoring for Thundra, Machine Man, Klaw, Blizzard, and Thunderball. |
|
|
|
Post by rkmo: 9 Month Warning on Sept 6, 2015 22:43:54 GMT -5
So when the hell are we getting Paul bearer? That's all I want to know. And is bobby heenan gonna be the next baf? I'm so glad Jimmy hart isn't a baf Bearer will be part of an upcoming BAF basics line for Wal-Mart. Heard that it could be out in December, but a definitive timeframe should be given at RSF. No idea about Heenan, apologies. |
|
|
|
Post by rkmo: 9 Month Warning on Sept 6, 2015 22:45:42 GMT -5
I was a bit late to the party, but it seems the overdistribution of the early sets caused not only the worst case of shelfwarming figs ever seen, but also caused the backlog of future sets in TRU warehouses. That led to the overall cancellation of the Bearer BAF basic set in US TRU's, and the spotty distribution of the Kane BAF Elite set (I don't know if those are even still trickling out). Choice of guys included is also a factor. I would also figure spending near $100 for a complete set is not so popular with parents, but I do not know the specifics of comparable lines in other brands. Have my fingers crossed for the upcoming Wal-Mart BAF line, that they find the correct balance so the entire set is available for most who desire them without having figs collecting dust on the shelves. To answer the question, I have to assume that Marvel Legends, unlike WWE probably have a smaller gulf between number of collectors to number of children. It seems to be a more collector dominated landscape. Unless kids are clamoring for Thundra, Machine Man, Klaw, Blizzard, and Thunderball. That makes sense. |
|
|
|
Post by ZDB on Sept 6, 2015 22:46:14 GMT -5
Shi++y figures
|
|
