taserface
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Post by taserface on Sept 17, 2018 9:50:48 GMT -5
SteveHulk series 1 and 2 werent walmart exclusives, i believe Roman Reigns and Kevin Owens were, but the rest were readily available, having bought Cena, Warrior and i believe Taker in stores over here, i also bought Steve Austin and the Rock from tesco Maybe they are hoping sales will pick up, we are only on series 6 is it? That shows they arent as big a sales flop as flexforce or double attack whatever they were called lol They were Wal Mart exclusives in the states. Until WM didn’t order much S2, then I guess RSC, Ollie’s, Amazon, whoever got the leftovers Overseas always has different distribution. Even Canada different stores sell different exclusives than here
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TheRockers
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Post by TheRockers on Sept 17, 2018 10:49:18 GMT -5
This is on Mattel. A friend of mine who works at Gamestop has been trying to get series 4 and 5 since July, no luck. He got series 3 in November 2017, we are closing in on one full year but somehow K-Mart has series 6. So bizarre. With series 7 being delayed like 3 times now, that has be a bit worried too. Hopefully they finally ship in January.
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taserface
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Post by taserface on Sept 17, 2018 11:42:06 GMT -5
I did go to a Super Target this morning that has 2 pegs slotted for these Retros (almost 2 cases worth of figures I think?). Of course they only had 3 of Series 3. Saw an employee right in area, so I did the usual, can you scan this and see if any of the newer ones are in back She did and said there wasn’t, they only show 3 on hand
Then she said hold on, let me tell you when we have more coming in. I said ok thanks. Then she said we show none coming and none on backorder (or something to that effect)
So it may just be a situation like S2 was with Wal Mart. Target distribution doesn’t have many. Due to S3 hanging around so long, they got scared to pull the trigger on large quantities of S4, S5 & S6
So, (mattelfreak this is for you!) it IS Target distribution problem, but it’s going to be Mattel’s problem in the end.
If that theory was correct, not sure why GameStop would be having issues getting them in. It’s a damn mess, all I know
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drnickriviera995
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Post by drnickriviera995 on Sept 17, 2018 12:01:57 GMT -5
Same thing around here taser,
My Target has been down to just 2 of Series 3 for a few weeks now. And they said the system doesn't show any on the way. The other 2 stores kinda nearby have maybe 8-12 left of S3. So not tons still on the shelves like they had been. AJ sure seemed to be the most popular of that wave btw, at least around here. None of him left, and just a few goldbergs. Mainly Rollins and Ambrose left.
But no signs of anything new.
I just think it may be that retail is really dead for figures in general at this point. I don't buy any of the other lines, but just glancing at the pegs a couple times a week, nothing else seems to really change out either.
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powerfred3k
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Post by powerfred3k on Sept 17, 2018 12:48:59 GMT -5
I said it a few times before but i will say it again. I think mattel is intentionally making retros, elites, etc hard to find on purpose.
They want us to spend hours driving around to stores looking for the 1-2 figures we want.
If not and we don't bother and go the ebay route, still works for them because someone else bought there product to try and flip.
If we order them online via rsc, amazon, etc its all the same to them.
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drnickriviera995
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Post by drnickriviera995 on Sept 17, 2018 13:04:50 GMT -5
Yeah, that might be possible Fred. I really don't waste my time anymore with retail. I have a Target across the street from me, so I'm in there to buy groceries and stuff 2-3 times a week anyway, so I just check out of curiosity while in there.
As soon as a new wave goes up for preorder on RSC, I'll order up what I want from that set. It helps having another local guy who wants them too that I happened to meet at Walmart last year when we were both looking for Series 2. So I order for us both and save on shipping.
Still can't be good for the future of the line if they're floundering at retail or not being distributed correctly.
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Post by hellojoeivers on Sept 17, 2018 13:25:57 GMT -5
The original post is very long, and there are three pages of replies, but for what it’s worth...
In the UK I just saw someone picked up most of Series 2 at £1 each on clearance at Smyths. They’re also not moving quickly at The Entertainer at £4 each
I would say people not buying them are killing the line
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Post by BCizzle on Sept 17, 2018 13:38:41 GMT -5
I think "a limited, but passionate, collector base" is the problem.
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RedDevil
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Post by RedDevil on Sept 17, 2018 14:24:08 GMT -5
I’d be interested to see a break-down of the sales figures for the third series for example in terms of how many they sold online with the two or three month head-start they had vs. retail store sales. Maybe Mattel are seeing this line as one that does most of its business online given the collector demographic rather than in physical stores? Series 4-6 sales up to this point have basically been carried by online sales alone almost.
Making the line essentially online only might be interesting, if the sale figures can support it - that is the situation here in the UK already, where you can’t find the newest figures on the high street, but you have at least three online retailers stocking them, plus a couple of eBay sellers. If the American market moves to a similar model then maybe that would allow the line to develop differently - e.g. if they don’t have to market the line to high street retail then maybe they don’t need to aim for kids as strongly, meaning they can drop the app and focus more on the legends that so many of us Retro collectors want to see?
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Post by TheLastDude on Sept 17, 2018 15:14:29 GMT -5
As mentioned, the distribution has been AWFUL. I picked up the first four as soon as I saw them at Walmart. I couldn’t wait to get them. Then waiting for series 2 and it took forever for them to show up. I managed to get Austin/Rock and then NOTHING. Eventually I grabbed series 3 in stores and I completed that set. I grabbed the last two in the first series as they would show at Walmart in my area. I was about to quit with the line but I managed to complete the rest of my second series at Ollie’s for $4 each. Now I’ve been waiting for series four to show at retail and again, NOTHING. It’s beyond frustrating but I’m just not willing to spend the online prices for these. I like the line but it just can’t be a priority for me as I’m mainly an elite collector as well as the original Hasbro/LJNs. I also have to get enough other stuff online and I’m just not willing to do that with these. Also, please please PLEASE make more flashbacks. Especially as the main audience for these are collecting for nostalgic reasons anyways. I don’t think many kids are buying them at all. One of the most frustrating things I’ve seen since collecting these were the 2nd repainted Owens. With all of the wrestlers fans and collectors want in that line, it’s sheer laziness to do another modern guy twice. At least at this point in the line. Couldn't agree more lol. I'd buy T.L. Hopper and the Brooklyn Brawler before Owens, Cena, etc. At the rate they are going we'll maybe get 10 actual Hasbro era guys if the line goes on for at least 5 years. Damn it. Now I want Brooklyn Brawler and TL Hopper Retros.
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Post by Cammi Oh on Sept 17, 2018 17:33:05 GMT -5
It is a niche product and I am glad we got some while we did. My guess is the Retro line will die in 2019. . .
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Post by showbizpizzabear81 on Sept 17, 2018 18:16:30 GMT -5
Its not distribution, its stores not ordering. Mattel will only distribute to stores that order product. Stores wont order if people dont buy it, people arent buying it which is why its being sold in discount stores and at clearance prices Now wheres a decent wall i can bang my head against... YES. Sadly, yes. Why were Lesnars rotting on pegs and kicked around aisle floors in most Walmarts for months? Series 2 are $4 each in TJ Maxx's everywhere. Series 3 continues to rot. Why would these stores want Series 4 THROUGH 6? That's suicide lol. They need more flashbacks as stated before...and screw the stands. Make em regular price again.
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wormnation
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Post by wormnation on Sept 17, 2018 19:06:34 GMT -5
I think "a limited, but passionate, collector base" is the problem. exactly why GI Joe toys died. It's why this line is not gonna make it. Appeal is limited to the older Hasbro fans
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ClassicFan2
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Post by ClassicFan2 on Sept 17, 2018 19:07:25 GMT -5
mattel makes great figs, but im also just kinda fed up with how they do flashbacks. the line didnt work ages ago when Jakks just got done and we had a second depression in the world. but its been years, and flashbacks sell, yet we still get only a few here and there with both elite/basic and retro lines. its like pulling fingers to get mattel to release legends. I REALLY wish a new company could take over the legends part. and really give us lines to collect and get excited about.
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Post by Chicago on Sept 17, 2018 23:51:16 GMT -5
- A repaint Kevin Owens? For what? There are only so many spots in the line, that repaint was not needed. One of the most frustrating things I’ve seen since collecting these were the 2nd repainted Owens. With all of the wrestlers fans and collectors want in that line, it’s sheer laziness to do another modern guy twice. At least at this point in the line. Owens was likely a last minute replacement for someone else. Probably Enzo. I would imagine they were able to keep costs low with that repaint. I really wanted The New Day but only saw them on Amazon for $21 ea. I’m not going to roll like that. If I saw them at a Target or Walmart for $10 I would grab them. But for now I have just given up on the line. No Retro figure should ever run you $20+ on Amazon. Must've been a third-party seller.
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drnickriviera995
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Post by drnickriviera995 on Sept 18, 2018 8:20:16 GMT -5
Just curious, anyone try a head swap on Flair to make him more of a WCW mid 90's version?
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Post by punksnotdead on Sept 18, 2018 10:02:15 GMT -5
I think "a limited, but passionate, collector base" is the problem. exactly why GI Joe toys died. It's why this line is not gonna make it. Appeal is limited to the older Hasbro fansThen they should aim the line at that audience instead of giving us so many current roster wrestlers.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 18, 2018 10:30:44 GMT -5
I think "a limited, but passionate, collector base" is the problem. Appeal is limited to the older Hasbro fans Not true at all, these are great for little kids, cartoon style figures are great for little WWE fans to get their hands on, 4 or 5 year olds who love wrestling are probably not quite mature enough for play with an Elite, these wouldnt have seen the light of day if they were aimed at mainly Hasbro fans, they wouldnt sell anywhere near enough
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Post by punksnotdead on Sept 18, 2018 11:49:28 GMT -5
New Day is all up on Amazon for $14 each right now. Shipping on October 1st.
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Post by SteveHulk on Sept 18, 2018 11:53:39 GMT -5
Appeal is limited to the older Hasbro fans Not true at all, these are great for little kids, cartoon style figures are great for little WWE fans to get their hands on, 4 or 5 year olds who love wrestling are probably not quite mature enough for play with an Elite, these wouldnt have seen the light of day if they were aimed at mainly Hasbro fans, they wouldnt sell anywhere near enough That may be true - but the figures are for age 12+ (as it says on the front of the cards)... which suggests they're being marketed towards older kids and fans.
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