Sting
Main Eventer
The Wolfpac
Joined on: Mar 25, 2018 14:33:11 GMT -5
Posts: 2,288
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Post by Sting on Sept 9, 2018 6:56:40 GMT -5
Figures will always be around. Been around for hundreds of years and will continue to for hundreds yet to come.
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Post by madness86 on Sept 9, 2018 7:24:38 GMT -5
Do you think action figures will become a thing of the past? Obviously older figures will have the appeal still, but how long can companies keep producing on the scale they do? The WWE Retro line has been somewhat of a flop with shops refusing them. Have fans seen all what they want to see? Or is it just beginning, am I missing the point? I look at it this way.. why pay $19.99 or more for a figure when they always end up being $9.99-$14.99 on sale or clearance. My problem is I wait then see them cheaper then I think yeah I don’t really want it anyway
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drnickriviera995
Main Eventer
Joined on: Jul 25, 2010 23:58:50 GMT -5
Posts: 2,032
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Post by drnickriviera995 on Sept 9, 2018 8:03:33 GMT -5
I'm really new to the modern figure collecting world. Jumped in for the retro line since I grew up with the Hasbros. But, maybe if anything, the figures will become mostly or altogether online exclusive?
Seems like the hobby is no niche anymore, plus kids just don't want toys that much these days.
Only thing I've been looking for is retros, but just glancing over the WWE section at Target at least twice a week, it doesn't seem to change much at all with any of the stock. I don't know how releases work with the main lines as far as online availability vs. when they show up at retail, but the recent waves of retros have been out for about 6 months and are just starting to trickle into retail. At that point don't most people that really want them, have them already way before they even hit stores?
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Post by Glorydaysofwrestling on Sept 9, 2018 8:04:36 GMT -5
Do you think action figures will become a thing of the past? Obviously older figures will have the appeal still, but how long can companies keep producing on the scale they do? The WWE Retro line has been somewhat of a flop with shops refusing them. Have fans seen all what they want to see? Or is it just beginning, am I missing the point? I have 2 kids and many nieces and nephews and I’ll agree figures will become a thing of the past. Just like magazines and sports cards etc etc. The kids aren’t allowed to play with phones and tablets and we limit their tv time here but toys/figures in general seem less desired and when they do play it’s not for too long. In 80s early 90s action figures and toys in general were everything.
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kev85hasbro
Main Eventer
Joined on: Dec 10, 2011 14:08:47 GMT -5
Posts: 1,102
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Post by kev85hasbro on Sept 9, 2018 8:15:42 GMT -5
Thanks for your input guys. Looking through there’s apart who say toys will last forever and your right, but I don’t to the scale we have. I can see toys dying down to a low scale exclusive online scenario. People are scared of plastic today which plays an important part. Then cost is a factor. It will continue but not Ferber imo.
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Deleted
Joined on: Apr 25, 2024 19:55:04 GMT -5
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Sept 9, 2018 8:31:00 GMT -5
Thanks for your input guys. Looking through there’s apart who say toys will last forever and your right, but I don’t to the scale we have. I can see toys dying down to a low scale exclusive online scenario. People are scared of plastic today which plays an important part. Then cost is a factor. It will continue but not Ferber imo. Yeah the whole hippy issue against plastic is a concern, and as companies become increasingly politically correct, maybe theyll be forced into shrinking production, not by lack of sales, by politics.
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Post by stc13 on Sept 9, 2018 9:20:14 GMT -5
I think it's all relative. In terms of sheer quantity, I think we are seeing more unique action figures produced than ever before. Compare the number of WWE figures released to the peak of the Hasbro line (probably series 1/2) or the Jakks Attitude era. There were a couple dozen unique figures per year at best. If you include Elites and Basics there are easily a few hundred now. The same could probably be said for super hero figures. There was a point where figures were basically only produced around a tv show or film release. Both DC and Marvel have had long running lines that have pulled in some of the most obscure characters from comics. And while they're probably in a slightly different category than action figures, LEGO seems to be doing better than ever today.
I'm sure the volume of sales was stronger 20-30 years ago. It felt like every single obscure movie, tv show, and animated show had an action figure line, while today that isn't the case. The market has definitely contracted when it comes to kids. But pulling adult collectors into the mix has opened up a significant revenue stream. We are probably on the downward curve of that wave, but I don't think the train is ending any time soon. And even if sales slow, there will still be some market for action figures. Heck, there are still companies that produce tin toys, and those haven't been popular in 70 years.
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Post by SteveHulk on Sept 9, 2018 10:52:49 GMT -5
The WWE Retro line has been somewhat of a flop with shops refusing them. The distribution has been all over the place, but I don't think the line has been a flop: we've had 6 series so far and seen figures for the next 2 series too... if the line wasn't proving popular or doing well, I don't think all these figures would still be coming out. Bill himself also said that they have "long term plans for the Retro line".
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powerfred3k
Main Eventer
Joined on: Aug 12, 2012 22:12:11 GMT -5
Posts: 3,757
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Post by powerfred3k on Sept 9, 2018 11:38:00 GMT -5
You know what would help mattel sell more figures overall... better distribution. I have seen with my own eyes even with empty shelves it takes 2-3 weeks to get restocked on elites/basics/2-packs/exclusives.
If you really want to get as many people as possible to get interested in your product it has to actually be on the shelves of stores and constantly changing.
So you would also have to mark old stuff down like those smyths stores in the uk do. So give the retailer a discount on future product to discount old stuff.
Mattel if it really wants to survive also really needs to worry about 3d printing. If i can make my own figures of anyone i want, then i don't need them anymore.
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Deleted
Joined on: Apr 25, 2024 19:55:04 GMT -5
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Sept 9, 2018 11:56:31 GMT -5
Ffs, distribution!?!? They can only distribute to the stores who order product. Its not random, why cant some people see that? They will not ship stuff to a store that doesnt order it!!!
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Post by Da Handsome 1 on Sept 9, 2018 12:10:00 GMT -5
As long as there is adult collectors like myself it’s no stopping in sight.
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Post by LA Times on Sept 9, 2018 12:21:52 GMT -5
I don't think so, because even if kids were to stop watching wrestling, or if WWE ever decided to raise their TV rating back to TV-14, adult wrestling fans would still be interested in buying figures. And I would say more adults today want them more than kids because kids may just buy their one or 2 favorites, not an entire series, not an entire set. Whereas adults buy a lot more because they have the money to do so. So I don't think figures are going away any time soon. That is only possible if Tough Talkers, Superstar Dolls, Retros, Basics, Battle Packs, etc all got cancelled and replaced with an Elite Legends line. I dont know a single adult collector who wants Basics.
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Post by Decky on Sept 9, 2018 12:28:24 GMT -5
My nearest Tesco and Asda have had full rows of Star Wars Last Jedi figures since December that remained untouched until they were reduced to £3 last month. I thought Episode 7 Luke Skywalker would FLY off shelves but he is sitting everywhere. Even Infinity War figures had to be reduced to £5 before they budged.
Toy Town near me has had the same WWE selection for years. You can still buy Naomi and Cameron and Elite bald Mark Henry. You can still find dust covered Defining Moments Flair and Taker. Even desirable 'first time in the line' figures are just sitting there.
They also have an entire wall of TMNT Classic Collection figures that have been untouched for at least 5 years to the point where the plastic on the figures is fading.
Pablo Hidalgo, who works for Lucasfilm, recently said on Twitter he was in a Hasbro meeting and a high up executive said action figures are viewed by children as punishment toys for when their electronics has been taken away from them.
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Post by 666erickana on Sept 9, 2018 16:42:30 GMT -5
The same problem with the star wars line, collector want obscure characters that we see in a cameo in the movie, instead they release the big stars of the movies but in differents outfits, so the shelves are full...
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Post by Thought Collector on Sept 9, 2018 20:19:23 GMT -5
My nearest Tesco and Asda have had full rows of Star Wars Last Jedi figures since December that remained untouched until they were reduced to £3 last month. I thought Episode 7 Luke Skywalker would FLY off shelves but he is sitting everywhere. Even Infinity War figures had to be reduced to £5 before they budged. Toy Town near me has had the same WWE selection for years. You can still buy Naomi and Cameron and Elite bald Mark Henry. You can still find dust covered Defining Moments Flair and Taker. Even desirable 'first time in the line' figures are just sitting there. They also have an entire wall of TMNT Classic Collection figures that have been untouched for at least 5 years to the point where the plastic on the figures is fading. Pablo Hidalgo, who works for Lucasfilm, recently said on Twitter he was in a Hasbro meeting and a high up executive said action figures are viewed by children as punishment toys for when their electronics has been taken away from them.
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Post by Rated [R] NinJa on Sept 9, 2018 20:55:27 GMT -5
Ffs, distribution!?!? They can only distribute to the stores who order product. Its not random, why cant some people see that? They will not ship stuff to a store that doesnt order it!!! Stop talking common sense, it is not allowed on here!!!
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Deleted
Joined on: Apr 25, 2024 19:55:04 GMT -5
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Sept 9, 2018 21:45:12 GMT -5
I think the Mattel line will be the last major wrestling figure line, especially one that is so expansive and covers all eras. Like others have mentioned, the younger generations are now enthralled with technology and all these mind numbing electronic gadgets. Action figures will slowly move into the niche category and the only ones I see buying/playing with action figures in the future are adult collectors or children of wrestling fans who have been exposed to the product thanks to their parents. Aside from kids losing interest, you also have the cost factor, these figures are getting more and more expensive. I have read posts from several on here about how Jakks figures were more affordable compared to Mattel figs and how you are not really getting a bang for your buck anymore.
I hope Mattel pushes WWE to sign more new guys so they can release as many new faces as they can to make this the best wrestling figure line ever.
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airbud
Superstar
"Attack me if you dare, I will crush you."
Joined on: Oct 6, 2005 2:41:33 GMT -5
Posts: 969
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Post by airbud on Sept 9, 2018 23:21:48 GMT -5
Back in the day, I collected TMNT, WWF and WCW figures and starting lineups.
They’re now making more toys than ever, and they’re much more detailed and cooler than what I grew up with.
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airbud
Superstar
"Attack me if you dare, I will crush you."
Joined on: Oct 6, 2005 2:41:33 GMT -5
Posts: 969
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Post by airbud on Sept 9, 2018 23:32:49 GMT -5
I think the Mattel line will be the last major wrestling figure line, especially one that is so expansive and covers all eras. Like others have mentioned, the younger generations are now enthralled with technology and all these mind numbing electronic gadgets. Action figures will slowly move into the niche category and the only ones I see buying/playing with action figures in the future are adult collectors or children of wrestling fans who have been exposed to the product thanks to their parents. Aside from kids losing interest, you also have the cost factor, these figures are getting more and more expensive. I have read posts from several on here about how Jakks figures were more affordable compared to Mattel figs and how you are not really getting a bang for your buck anymore. I hope Mattel pushes WWE to sign more new guys so they can release as many new faces as they can to make this the best wrestling figure line ever. I don’t believe cost is a factor for the modern wwe figures. Ringside collectibles, amazon, and eBay have all the current wrestlers and legends for great prices. Unless you want to be the first person to own a brand new set, but that’s up to you. There’s a lot of characters I shouldn’t bother getting but they’re so cheap it’s hard to say no.
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Post by Old School Collector on Sept 10, 2018 10:22:43 GMT -5
We’re never gojng to see a Mattel :
Koko B. Ware Adam Bomb Killer Bees Giant Gonzalez Luna Vachon Johnny Rodz Repo Man Gorilla Monsoon Bastion Booger Zeus Brooklyn Brawler Crush (Kona or Heel) One Man Gang Brother Love
Some may never be made at all, like :
The Mountie Hercules Skinner Steiner Brothers .... many many others that Jakks produced, so that’s why I kepy mt Jakks Classic Superstars collection.
It looks amazing displayed and most of those guys on the list above are a huge part of wrestling history, especially 80’s-90’s.
I’d much rather have a one off of each of these, than yet another John Cena or Roman Reigns, but they’re a business to make money ... it’s hard to find spots for guys like that AND still make a profit.
I get their point when it comes to sales ect, but also WWE has to approve the talent. Jakks was so great that they were able to sign their own contracts, otherwise we would’ve never gotten what we got in the first place.
Mattel could have the rights to some of those names above and STILL never bother to produce a figure, that’s just the way it has become now.
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