Sting
Main Eventer
The Wolfpac
Joined on: Mar 25, 2018 14:33:11 GMT -5
Posts: 2,550
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Post by Sting on Jun 6, 2018 14:28:17 GMT -5
Mattel’s basics and elites ... do you guys think they put enough thought into which figures to put in basic and elite form?
Let me give you an example. I’ve seen people on this forum argue that basics are for kids, they’re cheap, parents can buy more of them and they’re quite sturdy to play with. Elites, on the other hand, are bought more by adults and collectors, they are made to display and pose rather than play with.
That’s a very general set of assumptions, obviously you can play with elites too, but the crux is collectors buy elites (and not many basics).
Why then do Mattel insist on making some Flashback figures in basic form? Like a whole line of them. We got the Booker T/Sting/Lex Luger/Ric Flair build a JJ Dillon series ... in basic form.
Since they’re Flashbacks, the figures are targeted at us adult collectors more than the kids. But they’re in basic form. As adult collectors we prefer elites, especially for Flashbacks, right?
Lots of us adults here have said we will stop buying basics because of the new articulation.
So why on earth are we getting a whole series of Flashback basics? Mattel are making basic figures targeted for adults who say they don’t want to buy them anymore. Why not just make them as elites? I’m sure we would still buy them at a higher price and Mattel would make more money.
Are Mattel researching their market properly? Are they checking this forum? Are you guys going to buy the basic Flashbacks? Have Mattel just been really clever in milking us adult collectors by chucking the BAF pieces in the basic Flashback series? Do the little kiddies go and buy basic Flashbacks without really knowing who the wrestlers are?
How long has this been going on for? I only got back into the collecting game the last couple of months.
I ask because I like Flashbacks, but I want them as elites, as I’m sure most of you do too.
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Post by Crossfit Jesus on Jun 6, 2018 14:32:08 GMT -5
Basic line is garbage now. The basic heritage line is pretty good. I really like the summerslam basic line
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xtremebadass
Main Eventer
Joined on: Oct 2, 2006 19:27:32 GMT -5
Posts: 3,105
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Post by xtremebadass on Jun 6, 2018 14:47:01 GMT -5
Flashback characters are marketed towards collectors.
Kids don’t care about characters from 15-20 years ago.
Collectors for the most part don’t like basics (an opinion that is always on full display on this forum).
Making basic flashback characters boggles my mind.
Plus the basic figures since switch the articulation have just been hideous. They look so cheap and then there is more and more painted t-shirts which don’t exactly do these figures any more favors.
It is sad. Basics were a great cheaper alternative to elite and they carried some great quality despite the non-elite articulation. Now they’re a joke.
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Post by Mongo Bears on Jun 6, 2018 15:06:00 GMT -5
I only buy flashbacks and just elites mostly. I don’t like basics. But sometimes I do if we get a new headsculpt that is better than a previously released elite and a headswap can improve the figure (like Sid). The suited figures like dibiase and flair are fine as basics. I wish the rest were elite.
I have 8 nephews between ages 10-4 and if I’m buying them toy presents I rather buy 3-4 basics for them than 1-2 elites. And if I get to pick the wrestlers than I’d rather buy sting, Luger and booker t than any current guy I’m not familiar with.
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Post by TheLastDude on Jun 6, 2018 15:19:32 GMT -5
I would assume it's cheaper to make basics. Thus, I would think that it would be less costly for the company to take a loss on a four figure basic set if it doesn't sell, versus taking a loss on a four figure elite set that doesn't.
Also, this board is very much not the end-all-be-all of the wrestling figure collector world. I'm sure there are plenty of people in the real world who don't mind buying basic figures.
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Post by PJ on Jun 6, 2018 15:36:14 GMT -5
They probably put FB in Basics because they know FB collectors will buy them, but more importantly it keeps the basic, BP or Elite line they put them in more of a variety so it isn’t the same guys over and over. Thus keeping the lines fresh.
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Post by stc13 on Jun 6, 2018 16:01:07 GMT -5
I would assume it's cheaper to make basics. Thus, I would think that it would be less costly for the company to take a loss on a four figure basic set if it doesn't sell, versus taking a loss on a four figure elite set that doesn't. Also, this board is very much not the end-all-be-all of the wrestling figure collector world. I'm sure there are plenty of people in the real world who don't mind buying basic figures.Yep, this. There are what, maybe 100 or 200 active posters on the Mattel forum? Production numbers on most figures are in the tens of thousands. While probably many of the most passionate collectors post here, we're a drop in the bucket of Mattel's overall customer base. Personally I have a mix of basics and Elites. If it's a wrestler and attire I like, I buy the figure. I don't pose or play with my figures, so articulation is a nice bonus but ultimately isn't a deal maker/breaker for me. Though there are some figures where not having the added accessories would be a deal breaker, such as Road Warriors without their shoulder pads. And obviously the more complex attires would be next to impossible as Elites. The TNF X-Pac is one of my favorite Mattel figures. Would I buy it as an Elite? Sure, but I was happy to pay $12 for the figure vs spending an extra $8 for some added articulation and a plastic tshirt. |
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SweetPrinceBH
Mid-Carder
The Pretty Reckless
Joined on: Apr 21, 2016 10:15:28 GMT -5
Posts: 475
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Post by SweetPrinceBH on Jun 6, 2018 16:11:24 GMT -5
Would you rather have the basic JJ Dillion set or no JJ Dillion at all? Sets are probably made based on how much budget they have for the lines.
I'm not gonna pretend to know, but I imagine that they had enough in the basic budget to make that extra set. Main line Elites are getting better, so they probably didn't have the money to make that an Elite BAF set.
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Post by Fighter Hayabusa on Jun 6, 2018 16:35:33 GMT -5
I don’t mind the BAF FB line being basics. It keeps the cost down to around $40 to build an elite figure you’d likely never get any other way. I wanted fink but didn’t really need another Orton, Slaughter, or Rude and would’ve bought that suited DiBiase regardless if it had BAF parts or not. I would’ve hated to have to spend $80 to build Fink. Especially after spending $60 at the exact same time buying Warrior, Syxx, and Gene. We’re getting a mixture of both elite and basics in the same series and a BAF line finally done right. I’m not complaining.
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Post by TheChamp420 on Jun 6, 2018 16:43:42 GMT -5
I use to constantly go back and forth on basics, especially if it was an updated attire, or debut guy. Then when we got an elite of that guy I’d either give them to my kids or just save them up and sell on eBay....but since they changed up the articulation, it has becone a non issue, Mattel saves me so much $$$, I don’t even consider buying basics unless it’s a head swap or a fig my kid Really wants
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Post by Cassa Nova Kid on Jun 6, 2018 16:46:12 GMT -5
I used to only buy Basic and BP , then around elite 26 I started collecting elite and wish I started earlier. Now I just buy basics of people who I don’t think is getting elite any time soone.
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Post by LA Times on Jun 6, 2018 17:16:21 GMT -5
Basics are the base of the WWE line, even though the new articulation is hideous. I prefer Elite of course, but if Mattel isnt making a wrestler or a certain attire in Elite form, Ill buy the Basic. I just wont buy Flex Force, Super Strikers, Slammers, Zombies, Mutants, Monsters, Retros, Trash Talkers, etc
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bigm25
Superstar
Joined on: Mar 10, 2016 11:58:52 GMT -5
Posts: 695 
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Post by bigm25 on Jun 6, 2018 17:23:10 GMT -5
I figured I might as well voice my opinion on this topic too, since I don’t seem to read too many posts from collectors like myself, so here it goes: I am in NO way bragging here I’m just saying I collect every single elite they put out same faces same person just different attires I don’t care I truly buy every elite Mattel puts out during the year in the US. I also spend a small fortune on basics throughout the year, definitely for the new guys, some for new attire, definitely for the legends and select few to get as many attires as I like or can for that one wrestler. A huge reason why I buy all the elites is because at this point in my life I can afford them and to the kid in me who could barely get his hands on half of the waves put out growing up I’m thoughroughly happy (yes I live off nostalgia) like most of us on here. I DO agree the quality on basics has hit a steep slope but I will still take what I can get because I think about all the basics and elites I can’t buy now due to inflation, also all the talent that is no longer signed with wwe I wish I had a chance to get them to recreate some angles story lines etc. and I really don’t want the cycle to repeat itself but yes I ABSOLUTELY wish the quality of basics would improve so I can get a little bit more out of the purchase for sure but I will take what I can get and will continue to buy all elites and I personally think these boards have a much bigger impact than we think! We all kind of forget about the years of asking for specific wrestlers in specific attires and more often than not Mattel has delivered because now we are asking for DIFFERENT people in different attires because we did get what we asked for it’s all just a matter of time
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JimRiga
Superstar
Joined on: Feb 15, 2017 16:46:49 GMT -5
Posts: 938
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Post by JimRiga on Jun 6, 2018 17:48:35 GMT -5
I wish they never made basics. How can you play realistically with such limited articulation? All figures should have elite style articulation, it’s better for play and for posing on display, the two main reasons that people buy figures
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Deleted
Joined on: Nov 15, 2024 18:54:50 GMT -5
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Jun 6, 2018 17:51:20 GMT -5
Basics look much better than elites. There are too many pieces on an elite making them look weird. Too much articulation. I like the figures to have realism and my arm isn't visibly in 4 pieces so neither should the figures
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Post by finnbalor1 on Jun 6, 2018 18:23:41 GMT -5
I would assume it's cheaper to make basics. Thus, I would think that it would be less costly for the company to take a loss on a four figure basic set if it doesn't sell, versus taking a loss on a four figure elite set that doesn't. Also, this board is very much not the end-all-be-all of the wrestling figure collector world. I'm sure there are plenty of people in the real world who don't mind buying basic figures. I agree Mattel sells a lot more figures then what the people on this board buys. |
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Post by Controversial Maverick PUNK on Jun 6, 2018 18:26:44 GMT -5
Basics look much better than elites. There are too many pieces on an elite making them look weird. Too much articulation. I like the figures to have realism and my arm isn't visibly in 4 pieces so neither should the figures Exactly this. An earlier post said that basics now look hideous - but a joint in the middle of the stomach, isn't ugly at all is it?  . Basics look much better now, since they dumped the worthless ankle joint and needless bicep cut. If anything looks hideous, it's elites. I'm getting tired of mostly grown men, whining about articulation, tbh. I'm beginning to detest the word "articulation". Aesthetic over articulation, every day of the week, as far as I'm concerned. IMO, it should be solely extra paint deco, attire and accessories, that distinguish the elite line from the basic - not POA, for "playability". Playability means nothing to me, as I grew out of playing with figures when I was a kid... that, and the fact I collect mostly on card/in box, anyway. If it were up to me - aside from the basic arm, leg, knee, wrist and neck joints, I'd scrap articulation on elites. I wish they never made basics. How can you play realistically with such limited articulation? All figures should have elite style articulation, it’s better for play and for posing on display, the two main reasons that people buy figures Ugh... and the very suggestion of basics having elite articulation, makes me want to punch a wall. |
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Post by rastlinfigures on Jun 6, 2018 21:35:38 GMT -5
At this point I mostly only buy basics if it is a first in the line figure or a legends figure that has a look/attire not available in elite form.
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Post by TKO Propagandist on Jun 7, 2018 0:47:24 GMT -5
I started to buy elites again recently since the basic line now sucks monkeys
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rybuck
Mid-Carder
Joined on: Jul 13, 2017 23:13:51 GMT -5
Posts: 289
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Post by rybuck on Jun 7, 2018 1:10:17 GMT -5
I don't mind the articulation of the women because they left the hips alone. That being said - I refuse to purchase a male basic based ONLY on the hips. Those things are hideous. I dont need ankle articulation in a basic, and i am in the minority on preferring the new arms/elbows.
That being said - with the flashback series... they've got so many opportunities to release characters we have never had. Take pretty much anyone from HOF who has never had a figure made. I feel like if it was truly aimed at collectors they would release new characters.
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