Honest question. Do you have ANY idea how credit cards work? Do you even have one? Let me try to explain how this works.........again......
1. I back the project on my Visa Card 2. Mattel pre-charges $400+ tax to my card 3. It sits in my "pending transactions" for 2-3 business days 4. It falls off my card, never impacts my balance, Mattel never actually gets any money 5. IF the project gets funded, they will charge my card "for real" and the charge will post and now I'm going to have to pay it off.
Until the project gets funded Mattel gets $0 (ZERO, ZILCH, NADDA, NOTHING). I kinda hope you're trolling....because if I'm honest, your lack of understanding of how this works is pretty embarrassing.
Listen big dog, I get that you are really upset the thing you backed probably isn't gonna get funded, however being intentionally obtuse about something so clearly obvious is not the way to take out those feelings of frustration. We have talked about it a lot in this thread, anger is a natural stage of grief. I know it's disappointing, I'm sorry for you champ I really am, but you see that stickied New Gen Crowdfund thread? Why don't you go back and read it since you weren't around then, see if you recognize any names. Then come back and try again with someone else who cares what you think is embarrassing.
Also how could I have a credit card? I'm too poor to have one.
That's one of the weakest comebacks/rebuttals that I've ever seen.
With respect, I don't think it has... whatever way you look at it, we're being overcharged - plus we have to pay the import fees now/up-front (and there's no payment plans to soften the blow).
The really obvious and easy solution is to just charge international/UK people the cost price ($400), plus the shipping to their country - no upfront import fees... no hidden costs... Simple (it's how they did it last time with the New Gen set too). For whatever reason though, Mattel seem reluctant to do this. 🤷♂️
there had to be some reason that they changed it this time around, it has to benefit them somehow
Yeah, it benefits them by charging a higher amount than it would cost for them to pay all the shipping/fees up front. Therefore we customers pay more, they pocket a small amount. That's how they're benefitting from it.
TNA (until Dixie sold it) was every bit as good as ECW.
Basically TNA gets mostly s*** on because of Russo and some bad storytelling/matches/decisions. But ECW gets a pass because of Heyman and nostalgia.
ECW was every bit as bad as TNA.
And looking back, TNA had a lot of great talent, matches and entertainment. In 2007-2010, it was easily better than WWE 2012-2014.
I loved TNA until Hogan/Bischoff showed but haven't kept up with it since around fall of 2017.
I'm similar. I was plugged into TNA until mid-2014 after so many of the originals left. Even Jeff Hardy (one of my absolute favourites) couldn't keep me watching.
I watched the Hogan-Bischoff era and enjoyed most of it at the time, but looking back I realise how bad that was and how good the 2009 going back to 2003 actually was. Bad angles and moments included. Far better than 2010-2014.
I once did a crowdfund for a Hawaiian Restaurant that was originally just a food truck. I petitioned $75 which would get me a tshirt, a beer glass, and a flip flop on their wall with my name on it. On the last day they were at $10k of their $100k goal. I was like oh well I’ll get my $75 bucks back. Next morning they mysteriously reached their goal! Restaurant lasted less than a year and I never got the shirt, glass, or flip flop.
There are bailout investors. Mattel most certainly will not want to loose any investor $. This will get backed. Look for retail sales after initial investor shipping.
While different companies, the Haslab Star Wars Black Series 6 inch scale Rancor failed, as did the replica lightsaber for Reva from Obi Wan Kenobi, as did the Marvel Legends Ghost Rider muscle car.
If mattel would ship it in bulk directly to the UK and use a wholesaler or 3PL to distribute domestically then the tax and duties would only be payable on the cost/manufacturer price rather than the retail price to the consumer. Theyd also avoid the need to pay dity twice (China to US then US to UK). This could reduce the tax burden plus the freight cost as it wouldn't be £69 per unit.nin likelihood it is likely to be more £20 insured on business rates. Give or take a few £ depending on weight. I reckon they could shave off £100 easily even considering the 3PL fees. Add that to the obvious £40 overcharge and you have something more around the £350 to £400 mark!
There’s no convincing international buyers to buy this who think that they’re being overcharged or that the cost of shipping added to price put it out of their range.
Mattel isn’t going to change it.
Can we put this discussion to rest? It is what it is. No hard feelings. Y’all can sit this one out if y’all wanna. The fact of the matter is that Americans don’t need foreign help on this. We can easily fund it on our own. So let’s also stop thinking “Welp, we ain’t got the support of the Brits on this so let’s call it a day.”
If that isn't one of the most arrogant posts I've seen in a long time....
Mate - you're failing on multiple fronts with that whole comment.
And no, we have a right as consumers to complain legitimately about something if there is warrant for it. You do realise that not all posts are just complaints for the sake of it? Like actually providing reasoning can result in positive changes. The point is we're being overcharged for something and if we just accept it, then it'll continue. But I'm glad you don't have to deal with this issue.
Oh and for good measure - if you don't like it, scroll on.
Last Edit: Apr 18, 2023 17:24:41 GMT -5 by TheXtremisT
Actually, it works all the time where toy company's make a calculated risk on purchasing the license without product. Creating a product hoping it sells. In likelihood they will be using pieces of this stage one way or another! In all likelihood they will make an Ultimate figure of Rey and Scott Steiner so to get guarantee money for the development of this is not impossible. This isn't even factoring in how many people will jump in because now this isn't speculation but a reality. The philosophy would be ... Do you really want to be one of those collectors who misses out on this? Again, a Hail Mary idea is not the 1st choice ... but if they have an investment on the Monday Night Wars with a ring and Bischoff coming out I wouldn't rule anything out for sure unless I heard it from Mattel.
I do want it out of being a big WCW fan and FOMO. But I am in the camp of:
1. International customer therefore it prices me out 2. The figures aren't anything particularly exciting for me and like you said, there will be others undoubtedly 3. Space issues
I could be fine with the figures, but it's mainly where could I put this massive thing? I don't have space unfortunately and can only envision a scenario where, one day, POSSIBLY, I have a man cave and set this thing up (I don't have a place of my own right now). But that's the same thing I tell myself constantly with Haslab purchases, Star Wars vehicles, DC Batmobiles/Batcycles and I am maxed out currently with space.
Had I not got all of those, I'd have been more able to justify this purchase. But if I said screw it and funded it, I'd be throwing down $630 just to have it in a box until I can set it up occasionally or never
What if, with a week to go till the campaign ends ... Mattel says, "we would like to thank the fans who have invested in the WCW Nitro Entrance Stage. Since we are going to reuse parts from this display for the future we have decided to honor and reward the 2,084.00 supporters who believed in us and make this for those and any other passionate collectors who jumps in within the next week. As of now this means, that only 2,084 exclusive Scott Steiner and Rey Mysterio figures will exists if the campaign ended today. (Mattel has $833,600.00 from us right now). How many more would jump in? Me thinks a lot. . A LOT! Again, it's psycology. Mattel has already proven that CAN'T doesn't exist which I like. They also in all liklihood will be doing ultimates for Steiner and Rey so this is already helping on that front ... plus the stage could be reused in multpiple ways - so those investors would be sharing the cost of development.
Now what happens if everyone learns with a week to go - Mattel is going to honor the 2,084 backers and anyone else who jumps in? People are NOT going to want to miss out! They don't want only 2,084 collectors owning somehting unique that they don't have. The value rises. The lemmings jump off the cliff! Let's do it!
That's massively idealistic wishful thinking but doesn't work in the real world business.
The Raw stage could ONLY be feasible if this gets past the 5,000 stage (no pun intended), IE the tooling stage. Because for it to be somewhat economically viable, some of the parts need to come from the same molds because of the incredibly expensive tooling.
No Nitro stage = no Raw stage. Basically because the Raw stage would be significantly more expensive due to the additional size. It'd probably mean more than $500 easily, and that would probably equate to about £700 for us international consumers :/
So was moving Scott Steiner from the tier. Many said it was impossible! I think what would be great about doing it - it rewards the believers and would be an alert that NOBODY would have a right to be angry! Those who wanted it helped the investment process. Those that are saying it will never happen or I will only get it if it gets there or if they do this or that - Mattel would call their bluff and say we are doing it for these people who believe. I think there would be a lot of believers. In all likelihood the end game works. If it didn't work - they still have had a significant amount of investors help build something that in all likelihood Mattel will reuse items in multiple ways over the many years.
That's significantly easier and doesn't result them in losing any money whatsoever.
Post by TheXtremisT on Apr 17, 2023 4:50:41 GMT -5
I've seen customisers use balloons to make Mr Perfect singlets and I just smh when I see that. It'll perish in a few years and go sticky and ruin the plastic and paintwork.
These singlets from Mattel don't look far off that imo.
I wonder if they embedded the bottom of the removable singlet into the torso (like that Toybiz Kurt Angle) instead of it being just a belly shirt like RSC Taker. I’m guessing the latter & they left the title to hide the ugliness.
They give OG Taker a ridiculous tan but Mr. Perfect.. HE was white 😩
What Toybiz Kurt Angle? The only one that got released was TNA Toybiz series 8 and it was molded like a normal figure.
Post by TheXtremisT on Apr 15, 2023 15:39:13 GMT -5
Since 2016 I began watching Raws from 1997 onwards for the first time and was very surprised at the pops Sid got.
I thought he was disliked by the crowd because I assumed he was a heel in 1996, and also because I hated him as a kid in 1999 in WCW.
So it was a surprise as to why he left in 1997 when he was still over.
I'm watching Nitros in 1999 and I feel Sid is a little too shoved in your face. Rambling promos, mediocre matches, okay storyline with Goldberg but overall nothing impressive. I can see why I disliked him as a kid.
Last Edit: Apr 15, 2023 15:39:42 GMT -5 by TheXtremisT
What are you not getting about the international pricing thing?
The markup for "currency conversion, import tax, VAT and int'nl shipping" is far in excess of what it should be if everything was priced accordingly. I've even heard people say shipping isn't included in that price. I'm not sure that's the case but it's much higher than most are willing to spend on this set.
Case in point - £500 in the UK equates to $610. Why are we having to pay that much? There's been no breakdown so we can't understand why there's a big markup.
The fact it was initially £470 then increased a day later is very telling....
My take on it is that the fees are not in excess when you use real-world pricing. The only reason they seem so excessive is because mattel are saying that the shipping cost is £9. Much lower than it actually would be.
I've looked at two different "freight forwarder" companies I've used in the past, and I was trying to see would it be more worthwhile (or would there be a saving to be had) if you went through one of those (as you'd then be buying in USD) and it wasn't happening. I think I could make a £30 saving if I used the slowest shipping option available (with tracking). But you're also introducing many middle-men and it seems like it's not worth the hassle.
Are Mattel over-charging? Possibly so, but I think people are dramatising how much they're over-charging by. My theory is that any extra hidden fee is because this doesn't ship for a year and they are expecting shipping costs to go up in that time frame and are cushioning against it.
That said, there are some silly things, like I'm in Ireland, and i can buy it in USD, for less than someone in France can. Which makes no sense.
£9 for shipping? I know the Raw is War ring cost us £9 but Steve recently said that this would cost significantly more to ship, hence the factored price at £500?
We got this, there are easily another 2980 people out there that want this and the Steiner figure. If international issues could be resolved or communicated better (state on the page that international shoppers are paying the duties, etc. all up front that would help) and once Steiner is officially announced this thing will fly!
When you change country /currency (bottom right of the page) you get a message saying that all the duties are included in the price.
The international price isn't as big an issue as people are making out, though. I think there are some incorrect maths floating around here (unless I am the one getting it wrong).
What are you not getting about the international pricing thing?
The markup for "currency conversion, import tax, VAT and int'nl shipping" is far in excess of what it should be if everything was priced accordingly. I've even heard people say shipping isn't included in that price. I'm not sure that's the case but it's much higher than most are willing to spend on this set.
Case in point - £500 in the UK equates to $610. Why are we having to pay that much? There's been no breakdown so we can't understand why there's a big markup.
The fact it was initially £470 then increased a day later is very telling....
Maybe im wrong but i feel like the breakdown was and always had been $175 for the 5 exclusive ultimates and $225 for the stage. I was more than willing to support this product breakdown. But the less figures included the less value i see. Rey and the stage is not a $400 buy/deal. And with 3000 more purchases to go i dont think im wrong so far. Time will tell…
The fact that the 5 figures are only unlockables upon reaching certain milestones proves that the stage is not "$225". They are not guarantees and Mattel knows this.
They've done their homework and they know what their absolute minimum requirement to make a meaningful profit is (5000 backers), otherwise it's not worth it to produce.
Most crowdfunds are looking for at around 50% total profit. Therefore with everything factored in, the cost to them for tooling, labour, parts, paint, overheads, transport.... would mean that each stage is probably about $150-200ea to make to them.
Last Edit: Apr 13, 2023 5:28:59 GMT -5 by TheXtremisT
Couldn’t agree more. But where Mattel kinda messed up at is having too much of a high goal in this. Warrior/Steiner should’ve been between 5-7k, they knew we had to atleast get to 5k, they knew 11k wasn’t going to happen , and I think when ppl seen that they backed out or just didn’t back it at all. Move Warrior/Steiner to 5k and push Mysterio back to 9k we would be alright .
I think part of the reason Steiner and Warrior are further up the tier marks is because of the cost to produce them vs DDP, Hogan, and Rey. Hogan and Rey are just new headscans and a few accessories (I’d assume less money to make). DDP is new headscans only. Steiner has the headscans, and unique body mold. Warriors has the new lower mold, heads, and the duster. That’s the only Logical reasoning I can fathom the tiers were arranged in the manner they were
Rey's a new body though.
The torso I don't think is the same we're getting on the WM22 UE because he was larger then and Mattel give us larger torsos for his WWE run.
No, just like the guy said in his original comment, they are subject to massive markups by 3rd party sellers over here because they have to be ordered through US 2ndary suppliers and then shipped over here to the UK.
So they're not offered up directly by Mattel.
Steve from Mattel said US exclusives are available to international retailers if they want them
He said they are available to international brick and mortar retailers, IF they want them. That does not include online retailers because (and I have spoken to many of them), they have to get them through other means. Which means they are subject to increased costs.
This includes Target, Walmart and other retail exclusives.
No, just like the guy said in his original comment, they are subject to massive markups by 3rd party sellers over here because they have to be ordered through US 2ndary suppliers and then shipped over here to the UK.
Steve has said a number of times in the Q&A thread that US exclusives can be ordered by international retailers directly from Mattel. If they dont carry them, that just means they passed on it and didnt want to order them.
That's not the same thing as was being discussed.
The original discussion was talking about online retailers (which is where we collectors get these exclusives), not physical, so when I quoted that discussion, it wasn't referring to physical retail.
No physical retail in the UK stocks any of the US exclusives, so being offered means jack s*** because we can't get them through those means.
Last Edit: Apr 12, 2023 4:50:47 GMT -5 by TheXtremisT
I guess you're speaking on behalf of US collectors? I guess you haven't read the posts earlier in this thread discussing why collectors outside of the US are paying almost double what you are.
I don't want to put a number on it, but there are likely many collectors worldwide who would absolutely love to support this but can't/won't because of the added costs we're being forced to pay that US collectors aren't on the hook for.
As I mentioned a few pages back, I'm almost certain that I never had to pay duties, customs fees or any import taxes for the New Gen arena. I only had to pay dollar conversion from USD to CAD, and then the flat rate shipping cost.
Now, all of these duties, customs and import fees have been tacked into the sticker price, driving up the cost an additional $150~ for Canadians. UK collectors and people from other places in the world have it just as bad, although I don't know the numbers for them off the top of my head.
In the UK we are being charged $626 USD plus postage
I thought Steve said the reason for the £500 was currency conversion, VAT, customs fees AND shipping?