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Post by newgenandy on Apr 10, 2023 7:43:00 GMT -5
If you think this should go on the uk board please move but it pertains to mattel and we have a lot more traffic through here
Note: usa exclusives are often sold in Canada toys r us I believe so that’s why this is solely uk focused 👍
In the past 5 years or so it seems like we have had a lot less in stores than maybe the years before
Elites have been spotty with not full series, exclusives not coming over here, stopping ultimates bring in store etc whereas a few years back we seemed to get everything - even niche ‘gimmick’ or ‘novelty’ lines like the zombies, monsters etc.
Now Steve’s said usa exclusives are open to uk retailers but they won’t take on min order quantities etc. imo the amount of exclusives (usually aimed at collectors) we have not had have contributed to people falling out of the game. That then means they’re less likely to pick up elites and ultimates they have access to. Then when a new line comes because the stores are selling less they’re less likely to pick up new lines. This then becomes a vicious cycle of collectors stopping collecting because they don’t have access to a number of lines etc.
I go to around 4 or 5 different smyths and entertainers semi regular snd often the stock is the same as you don’t see a great deal of new stuff even though mattel are constantly putting stuff out.
Feels a little disheartening snd it’s not s dig at mattel because it feels like the retailers are almost their own worst enemies
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vandamin8or
Superstar
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Post by vandamin8or on Apr 10, 2023 7:55:17 GMT -5
I haven't bought anything since Macho King and Hogan from the Wrestlemania set. It's just become too expensive as you have to buy everything from online independent retailers who are always more expensive than Smyths.
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celflessness
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Post by celflessness on Apr 10, 2023 8:41:03 GMT -5
I don't think the vicious cycle works in the way you've described it. Toy sales aren't going substantially down because collectors are giving up. It's the general public. It's more likely a mixture of increased toy prices, the cost of living crisis, an maybe apathy towards the current TV product. There aren't 11 Stunning Steve Austin toys gathering dust in my local Smyths because collectors have given up. It's because kids don't know who that is (at least not looking like that) and parents don't want to spend £20 on yet another toy when they're struggling to afford food and utilities.
I don't think putting more wrestling toys on the shelves is a smart move for UK retailers right now. More variety, maybe, but maybe Mattel's minimum order quantities prevents that.
Personally I'd love it if they stocked everything. The Legends line in particular.
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peterjp2
Main Eventer
WF 10+ Year Member
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Post by peterjp2 on Apr 10, 2023 9:00:18 GMT -5
Note: usa exclusives are often sold in Canada toys r us I believe so that’s why this is solely uk focused 👍 Canadian TRU's sometimes carry Legends figures, not always full sets and skip over series often. Only USA exclusives we normally get in store. Sometimes random BAF sets show up but also not full sets. The UK stores carry Legends figures, correct? |
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danfdan
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Joined on: Feb 9, 2021 16:50:24 GMT -5
Posts: 324
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Post by danfdan on Apr 10, 2023 9:16:33 GMT -5
U.K. stores carry mainline elites and PPV elites and basics.
For the elites they generally get half a set each time and that's it.
We don't get Ultimates, Legends, Ruthless Agression, half of Elites, Superstars or anything else that may come out.
There is pretty much only Smyths that stock them now too. Entertainer get the PPV elites in and that's it. B&M used to stock them but haven't had anything since last years WM series.
It's pretty crap to be fair.
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Post by newgenandy on Apr 10, 2023 9:33:16 GMT -5
Note: usa exclusives are often sold in Canada toys r us I believe so that’s why this is solely uk focused 👍 Canadian TRU's sometimes carry Legends figures, not always full sets and skip over series often. Only USA exclusives we normally get in store. Sometimes random BAF sets show up but also not full sets. The UK stores carry Legends figures, correct? Nah no legends currently, supposedly they’ll start mid year but I’ve only had one online supplier confirm they will definitely be carrying them and online main line legends no specials or limited / exclusives etc |
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Post by newgenandy on Apr 10, 2023 9:34:54 GMT -5
U.K. stores carry mainline elites and PPV elites and basics. For the elites they generally get half a set each time and that's it. We don't get Ultimates, Legends, Ruthless Agression, half of Elites, Superstars or anything else that may come out. There is pretty much only Smyths that stock them now too. Entertainer get the PPV elites in and that's it. B&M used to stock them but haven't had anything since last years WM series. It's pretty crap to be fair. B&M are still trying to flog yellow liz at £25 and the last set they had in was 88 with the blue one eye Rey |
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Warriah'
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Post by Warriah' on Apr 10, 2023 9:35:47 GMT -5
I only really buy ultimates now (aside from
a handful of favs) so it’s not a massive deal to me anymore.
I’m more bothered by RSC’s international shipping as they get a number of exclusives that interest me and it’s only economically viable when they run the Black Friday deals
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Post by newgenandy on Apr 10, 2023 9:41:05 GMT -5
I only really buy ultimates now (aside from a handful of favs) so it’s not a massive deal to me anymore. I’m more bothered by RSC’s international shipping as they get a number of exclusives that interest me and it’s only economically viable when they run the Black Friday deals Ultimates should be coming when the legends do mid year but only main line ultimates. Assume you know who posted about them end of last year |
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Post by alanpartridge on Apr 10, 2023 11:05:04 GMT -5
If I want a figure bad enough I will pay for it.
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Post by alanpartridge on Apr 10, 2023 11:18:50 GMT -5
U.K. stores carry mainline elites and PPV elites and basics. For the elites they generally get half a set each time and that's it. We don't get Ultimates, Legends, Ruthless Agression, half of Elites, Superstars or anything else that may come out. There is pretty much only Smyths that stock them now too. Entertainer get the PPV elites in and that's it. B&M used to stock them but haven't had anything since last years WM series. It's pretty crap to be fair. Smyth's not getting full elite series in is bull |
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Post by HandsomeHollywood on Apr 10, 2023 11:20:59 GMT -5
Note: usa exclusives are often sold in Canada toys r us I believe so that’s why this is solely uk focused 👍 Canadian TRU's sometimes carry Legends figures, not always full sets and skip over series often. Only USA exclusives we normally get in store. Sometimes random BAF sets show up but also not full sets. The UK stores carry Legends figures, correct? Getting tons of shipments of Royal Rumble Vader, Priest and Rey but no Brie was a mad tick off as there was no way to complete Hendrix without the secondary market. |
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Biff Slamkovich™
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Post by Biff Slamkovich™ on Apr 10, 2023 11:29:37 GMT -5
Just to clarify something, Canadian retailers do not carry UE figures at all. Toys R Us was the last one to carry them, but that stopped back after series 3 with Finn and Triple H. The only place that sells UE figures at all right now is Amazon Canada and they are often late in offering them or they miss waves altogether.
As for Elites and Basics, Toys R Us, Walmart, and Amazon are the only retailers here that carry these lines and are somewhat up to date. Generally, these three retailers are a few months behind the US as well. Collectors here often have to order from US-based retailers and pay extra due to dollar conversion, shipping, and in some cases customs/duties. But that would be the same case for UK-based buyers as well.
The US Amazon site can be a great source for figures once in a while if a sale pushes the price down on something so much that after conversion, duties, shipping, etc, the price matches Canadian MSRP or close to.
Based on feedback from various Facebook groups I'm in, RSC is almost a last resort because of how expensive their shipping rates are. I think many Canadians also don't like the fact that they ship via FedEx who are notorious for hidden "brokerage fees" that can often be 40% of your packages total value.
In other cases, small, independent Canadian figure stores exist that are run by one person who sell both locally and online and can ship across the country. They're often receiving the newest waves of figures before Canadian big box retailers do, but they also charge a bit of markup on their figures so they're not always the first choice for collectors, especially those who are on a budget. This hobby has become so expensive to take part in that people have to really pick and choose what they buy. I miss the days when an Elite figure here cost $21.99 (now $34.99). And to think Classic Superstars figures from Jakks used to be $14.99 CAD..........time flies.
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Bramahummel
Superstar
Feel the BANG
Joined on: Jul 11, 2021 14:40:04 GMT -5
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Post by Bramahummel on Apr 10, 2023 12:05:31 GMT -5
Canadian TRU's sometimes carry Legends figures, not always full sets and skip over series often. Only USA exclusives we normally get in store. Sometimes random BAF sets show up but also not full sets. The UK stores carry Legends figures, correct? Nah no legends currently, supposedly they’ll start mid year but I’ve only had one online supplier confirm they will definitely be carrying them and online main line legends no specials or limited / exclusives etc Wrestling shop will have them, Trader and wrstlrs. Even here in germany we will get legends and ultimates from now on because they have the same wholesaler. |
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Post by newgenandy on Apr 10, 2023 12:17:06 GMT -5
Just to clarify something, Canadian retailers do not carry UE figures at all. Toys R Us was the last one to carry them, but that stopped back after series 3 with Finn and Triple H. The only place that sells UE figures at all right now is Amazon Canada and they are often late in offering them or they miss waves altogether. As for Elites and Basics, Toys R Us, Walmart, and Amazon are the only retailers here that carry these lines and are somewhat up to date. Generally, these three retailers are a few months behind the US as well. Collectors here often have to order from US-based retailers and pay extra due to dollar conversion, shipping, and in some cases customs/duties. But that would be the same case for UK-based buyers as well. The US Amazon site can be a great source for figures once in a while if a sale pushes the price down on something so much that after conversion, duties, shipping, etc, the price matches Canadian MSRP or close to. Based on feedback from various Facebook groups I'm in, RSC is almost a last resort because of how expensive their shipping rates are. I think many Canadians also don't like the fact that they ship via FedEx who are notorious for hidden "brokerage fees" that can often be 40% of your packages total value. In other cases, small, independent Canadian figure stores exist that are run by one person who sell both locally and online and can ship across the country. They're often receiving the newest waves of figures before Canadian big box retailers do, but they also charge a bit of markup on their figures so they're not always the first choice for collectors, especially those who are on a budget. This hobby has become so expensive to take part in that people have to really pick and choose what they buy. I miss the days when an Elite figure here cost $21.99 (now $34.99). And to think Classic Superstars figures from Jakks used to be $14.99 CAD..........time flies. Ah cool that’s interesting I just know from videos I’ve watched they get some. I’m sure there was a major pod video of a long Canada toy hunt where the toys r us employee said something about there no Walmart (or target) in Canada so some go to toys r us and the others go to another retailer. That’s a few years old so could’ve changed since? |
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Biff Slamkovich™
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Joined on: Nov 21, 2009 22:53:58 GMT -5
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Post by Biff Slamkovich™ on Apr 10, 2023 12:36:12 GMT -5
Just to clarify something, Canadian retailers do not carry UE figures at all. Toys R Us was the last one to carry them, but that stopped back after series 3 with Finn and Triple H. The only place that sells UE figures at all right now is Amazon Canada and they are often late in offering them or they miss waves altogether. As for Elites and Basics, Toys R Us, Walmart, and Amazon are the only retailers here that carry these lines and are somewhat up to date. Generally, these three retailers are a few months behind the US as well. Collectors here often have to order from US-based retailers and pay extra due to dollar conversion, shipping, and in some cases customs/duties. But that would be the same case for UK-based buyers as well. The US Amazon site can be a great source for figures once in a while if a sale pushes the price down on something so much that after conversion, duties, shipping, etc, the price matches Canadian MSRP or close to. Based on feedback from various Facebook groups I'm in, RSC is almost a last resort because of how expensive their shipping rates are. I think many Canadians also don't like the fact that they ship via FedEx who are notorious for hidden "brokerage fees" that can often be 40% of your packages total value. In other cases, small, independent Canadian figure stores exist that are run by one person who sell both locally and online and can ship across the country. They're often receiving the newest waves of figures before Canadian big box retailers do, but they also charge a bit of markup on their figures so they're not always the first choice for collectors, especially those who are on a budget. This hobby has become so expensive to take part in that people have to really pick and choose what they buy. I miss the days when an Elite figure here cost $21.99 (now $34.99). And to think Classic Superstars figures from Jakks used to be $14.99 CAD..........time flies. Ah cool that’s interesting I just know from videos I’ve watched they get some. I’m sure there was a major pod video of a long Canada toy hunt where the toys r us employee said something about there no Walmart (or target) in Canada so some go to toys r us and the others go to another retailer. That’s a few years old so could’ve changed since? Yeah Cardona and Myers hit up TRU almost every time they come to Canada and have videos on their channel about their hunts. We had Target here a few years ago but I think it lasted under a year, it was a mess. All of the stores nation-wide closed down and put stuff on clearance. That's when I was able to snag multiple DM Hogan's 50% off at $15 CAD a piece, good times. Walmart is hit or miss. For a long time they weren't getting the US Walmart exclusives, but recently pre-orders went live on Walmart's Canadian website for the Ruthless Aggression Elites which was a shock to many. TRU is the best retail source for WWE figures in Canada hands down, but they don't get every Elite wave and they are almost 1-3 months behind US retail. |
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Post by charabro on Apr 10, 2023 15:09:46 GMT -5
Just about gave up collecting Mattel figures, the distribution is terrible, I’m sick of seeing just released waves of legends hitting shops in America being immediately reduced in price when we’re still paying £30-40+ from secondary retailers
Crazy thinking how stocked shops like forbidden planet and tesco etc used to be back in the jakks days compared to now
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Post by SteveHulk on Apr 10, 2023 17:07:45 GMT -5
Canadian TRU's sometimes carry Legends figures, not always full sets and skip over series often. Only USA exclusives we normally get in store. Sometimes random BAF sets show up but also not full sets. The UK stores carry Legends figures, correct? Getting tons of shipments of Royal Rumble Vader, Priest and Rey but no Brie was a mad tick off as there was no way to complete Hendrix without the secondary market. I know, it's ridiculous... they did the same thing with the Wrestlemania/Mean Gene BAF too (no Dusty) 🤷♂️ And why are these PPV figures so expensive!? (£26.99, compared to normal Elites at £19.99). It really does suck being an international collector most of the time... |
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Post by HandsomeHollywood on Apr 10, 2023 17:09:42 GMT -5
Getting tons of shipments of Royal Rumble Vader, Priest and Rey but no Brie was a mad tick off as there was no way to complete Hendrix without the secondary market. I know, it's ridiculous... they did the same thing with the Wrestlemania/Mean Gene BAF too (no Dusty) 🤷♂️ And why are these PPV figures so expensive!? (£26.99, compared to normal Elites at £19.99). It really does suck being an international collector most of the time... I'm not making accusations or saying it's deliberate, but it sure feels like it when every time it's the figure with the head. I never saw SS Warrior with the Rude heads either. PPV figures are more expensive because....they come with parts to build a figure we can't get because they don't send the head. Ridiculous. How are BaFs a bonus when it adds so much extra to the base cost of Elites. It's literally just price gouging. People tell me to just order online, but when I do it always always always screws up. Gets lost or I get figures with factory errors I could have avoided in store, left with no options. Who's to blame? You guessed it. Frank Stallone. |
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peterjp2
Main Eventer
WF 10+ Year Member
24 ref's and counting, 944 on eBay
Joined on: Feb 8, 2006 10:18:07 GMT -5
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Post by peterjp2 on Apr 10, 2023 17:15:59 GMT -5
Canadian TRU's sometimes carry Legends figures, not always full sets and skip over series often. Only USA exclusives we normally get in store. Sometimes random BAF sets show up but also not full sets. The UK stores carry Legends figures, correct? Nah no legends currently, supposedly they’ll start mid year but I’ve only had one online supplier confirm they will definitely be carrying them and online main line legends no specials or limited / exclusives etc Really? Must depend on location and independant shops. Must friend in the UK is able to get some Legends figures from a local shop he said recently. |
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