maske2g
Main Eventer
Joined on: Jan 31, 2011 7:00:54 GMT -5
Posts: 2,972
|
Post by maske2g on Jul 19, 2017 17:18:35 GMT -5
Unfortunately so did my new living room furniture and I had to repack it to return it, so no pics today.
Anyone else get it?
|
|
maske2g
Main Eventer
Joined on: Jan 31, 2011 7:00:54 GMT -5
Posts: 2,972
|
Post by maske2g on Jul 19, 2017 17:13:59 GMT -5
Finally a water bottle!!!
|
|
maske2g
Main Eventer
Joined on: Jan 31, 2011 7:00:54 GMT -5
Posts: 2,972
|
Post by maske2g on Jul 19, 2017 11:07:37 GMT -5
gawd6sic6™ @cdnmadness Mr Ezekiel Jackson If Ya Nasty Do you want me to bore you with the definition of the recession, and the difference in the economic cycle between recession and recovery? The recession ended in June 2009. i.e when GDP turn positive. Mattel didn't release their figures until Jan 1st 2010. Mattel have seen unemployment in the US fall from 10% in Jan 2010 to 4% in a completely straight trend line down. I worked on the Equity Trading floor at Merrill Lynch during this period, a big 4 American bank that basically folded, and had to be bailed out by Bank of America a much smaller house. I witnessed this all the hard way! Oh, WOOOOWWW, the GDP was positive. Well, guess what, money was still very tight for most people and unemployment was higher than RVD. Economists say it ended in 2009 but it did not because people were still suffering from it 2 years later If you think that recession had no effect on Mattel's WWE line at the start you are a fool Thats not what was said though was it. i said that it wasn't a recession. It wasn't a recession. It wasn't then, and it hasn't revised since, and it never will be. As a general point, If people are employed they spend money no matter how tight, and they get indebted up to their eyeballs while they are at it, never thinking about tomorrow. If they are just copping social security they blow it on their mobile contracts, drugs, and a diabolica diet.. What will be interesting os the next recession. It will be much worse than the last. Low interest rates and money printing have led people to believe they are off the hook. The debt has built up again and when rates rise, there will be much more to moan about than Walmarts figure selection.
|
|
maske2g
Main Eventer
Joined on: Jan 31, 2011 7:00:54 GMT -5
Posts: 2,972
|
Post by maske2g on Jul 19, 2017 8:43:45 GMT -5
gawd6sic6™ @cdnmadness Mr Ezekiel Jackson If Ya Nasty Do you want me to bore you with the definition of the recession, and the difference in the economic cycle between recession and recovery? The recession ended in June 2009. i.e when GDP turn positive. Mattel didn't release their figures until Jan 1st 2010. Mattel have seen unemployment in the US fall from 10% in Jan 2010 to 4% in a completely straight trend line down. I worked on the Equity Trading floor at Merrill Lynch during this period, a big 4 American bank that basically folded, and had to be bailed out by Bank of America a much smaller house. I witnessed this all the hard way! Just because they said the Recession ended the repercussions still lasted for years. The construction company I worked for 2005 to 2014 laid off over 90% of the workforce during 2009-2010. The company didnt recover until mid 2013. Other companies weren't so lucky and completely closed down. So while money numbers said everything was improving, reality showed otherwise. People were struggling in the US. Disposable income became smaller and less used. The thing about employment numbers don't tell is that higher nor mid range wage jobs weren't being created and filled but lower wage ones were. Which leads to lower overall incomes and disposable money. So that one industry is representative of the GDP of america? Its not. I agree about the low pay jobs and disposable income. Our employment numbers in the UK are fluffed by zero hour contracts. However none of this answer the original question, and by definition Mattel have never seen a recession in the WWE. Only moderate evonomic growth for 7 years straight
|
|
maske2g
Main Eventer
Joined on: Jan 31, 2011 7:00:54 GMT -5
Posts: 2,972
|
Post by maske2g on Jul 19, 2017 6:01:59 GMT -5
What you American guys do everytime there is a thread like this, is make you local shops the benchmark for the entire global sales of a toy line.
You live in a country with 5-6000 Walmarts, thousands of targets. Their demographics are completely different in almost every city, because you have 300m people. Their tastes change. Their disposable incomes differ from area to area. And even that can change drastically at any given time. (See Detroit). I don't know where you guys are from, but if from outsite the big cities of the US, I could bet that the economic recoveries were probably weaker and slower in your areas.
You have to adapt all the time to keep your collection going. If you are a completist, you are never, ever going to walk into store again, in this age of internet shopping and see shelves stocked to the brim with all the figures you need. No matter what the line is. Even the horseshyte new transformers.
You harp about the glory days of jakks, well if stores were knee deep in figures, that means they WERE NOT SELLING!! We saw the CS line deteriorate rapidly during the recession, and then there was no more jakks WWE.... (Tragically I know that had now been reversed)
|
|
maske2g
Main Eventer
Joined on: Jan 31, 2011 7:00:54 GMT -5
Posts: 2,972
|
Post by maske2g on Jul 19, 2017 5:53:10 GMT -5
I totally agree with the gadgets, but not the economics.
We had two large recessions during the Jakks Era. 2001 and 2007-09 (Which is now known as the GREAT RECESSION!)
Mattel hasn't seen a recession.
Also, in inflationary terms toys were more expensive in the 80' when adjusted for inflation.
I believe a Star Wars figure cost $4, which would be 12.59 in todays money, but 3.75 Rogue one figures were not that expensive.
My only comparison from the 90's is Video Games, A Playstation one for instance would cost $472 in todays money, whereas a regular PS4 was released at $399. A SNES was over $350 bucks, whereas a Switch is $299.
It's not so relevant what I can remember about prices in pounds, because the pound is on its a45e!!
Mattel started in a recession. It didn't just magically end in 2009 gawd6sic6™ @cdnmadness Mr Ezekiel Jackson If Ya Nasty Do you want me to bore you with the definition of the recession, and the difference in the economic cycle between recession and recovery? The recession ended in June 2009. i.e when GDP turn positive. Mattel didn't release their figures until Jan 1st 2010. Mattel have seen unemployment in the US fall from 10% in Jan 2010 to 4% in a completely straight trend line down. I worked on the Equity Trading floor at Merrill Lynch during this period, a big 4 American bank that basically folded, and had to be bailed out by Bank of America a much smaller house. I witnessed this all the hard way!
|
|
maske2g
Main Eventer
Joined on: Jan 31, 2011 7:00:54 GMT -5
Posts: 2,972
|
Post by maske2g on Jul 18, 2017 10:22:35 GMT -5
Also during the heyday of the WWF/Jakks deal, the toy industry was robust with the overall global economy being strong and kids still playing with toys in high droves. Nowadays, the economy is all over the place from the geopolitical changes/fallout and kids rather play with new technical gadgets than get a toy from the stores. Apples and oranges situation. I totally agree with the gadgets, but not the economics.
We had two large recessions during the Jakks Era. 2001 and 2007-09 (Which is now known as the GREAT RECESSION!)
Mattel hasn't seen a recession.
Also, in inflationary terms toys were more expensive in the 80' when adjusted for inflation.
I believe a Star Wars figure cost $4, which would be 12.59 in todays money, but 3.75 Rogue one figures were not that expensive.
My only comparison from the 90's is Video Games, A Playstation one for instance would cost $472 in todays money, whereas a regular PS4 was released at $399. A SNES was over $350 bucks, whereas a Switch is $299.
It's not so relevant what I can remember about prices in pounds, because the pound is on its a45e!!
|
|
maske2g
Main Eventer
Joined on: Jan 31, 2011 7:00:54 GMT -5
Posts: 2,972
|
Post by maske2g on Jul 18, 2017 9:22:10 GMT -5
Can you back any of them sweeping statements up with facts please? Im not trying to be arsey I would just like to know how you draw these conclusions. Bare in mind Jakks did WWE for 13 years and started when the company were on the brink of collapse. WWE's share price has doubled since the launch of the network. The network is a success. WWE figures are the biggest selling toy in the world. High price figures like Hot Toys continue to thrive. Star wars black series 40th anniversary figs are like gold dust. You cant base a global view of action figures, based off of one shop. That goes for anywhere in the world. Dude. You have sand in your fanny and we're getting way off topic - relax. First off look at Smyths website for my 'sweeping claim' on WWE prices. Companies like Mattel and NECA have clearly and publicly expressed that the toy industry is difficult. Mattels own Bill has said cutting articulation in basics was considered to beat price rises. NECA have said cult and/or lesser known licenses are not an option any more due to increase in costs and lower sales figures as per Randy Falk. Star Wars 40th Anniversary figures were under-produced and limited. They are already officially out of production as per Hasbro. The Vader currently rots on shelves at reduced price whereas Han and R2 were shortpacked leaving unbalanced case assortments as per B B T S and JTA I cant back this up but will edit my post when I can, look at Hot Toys output. Star Wars troop builders, Iron Man variants and cutbacks on accessories. Gone are the days of Expendables, Inglourious Basterds, Edward Scissorhands and others. I'll repeat though, you need to chill man, ok? I'm chilled, as I said, didn't mean to be arsey. I was intrigued. This is a conversation not a war.
Firstly Mattel. As I said. Its still the biggest selling figure out there. Mattel have being crippled by Barbie (for some years now), which we don't care about at all. Them giving you one liners like the above to justify what they have done for years, and will continue to do for years to come. Hasbro are even worse for it. With every Transformer film the quality of the line has deteriorated DRASTICALLY. Just as transformers have in general for 30 years. For Mattel that is a more difficult proposition with WWE, the figures still have to maintain a look that goes in line with the 7 years of figures, so their changes have to be almost unnoticeable. Despite rising costs, they have managed to broadly keep prices rises below inflation the US for 7 years.
I will raise you one more on Smyths. Look deeper into those Smyths prices at the quantities available. We know that Smyths absolutely went balls deep in the mid 40's (Elite series) Elite 44 especially was abundant in every store. Totally over ordered for xmas. But since then the quantities have been far less. And we know this because you can see the total quantity in all stores in 2 mins of research. S yes, it's great if you want the sole IRS figure out their for £3. But you will have to spend a day travelling to Newcastle to get it....... those price are not real. It's not madness for figures to be reduced 3 months after release.
I actually think them showing the quantities makes awful business sense. I managed to trade the price on Nakamura and got 2 for 32 quid simply because I knew Smyths had 80 in stock.
Cases of Han and R2 are coming later in the year, you can pre order them again on Star action figs and Forbidden planet. They do seem to have been under produced, but I saw a fricking Tuscan Raider go for 70 quid yesterday!!
I'm not going to comment on Neca, because a) their toys mostly suck, and b) they are bootlegged to hell, and c) the bootlegs have QC on par with Neca.
The hot Toys comments are just confirmation bias at it's worst. They secured DC, Marvel, and Star Wars. How Expensive do you think those licences are? They are selling them hand over fist, and we know this because people in the UK are hovering them up for 200 quid a pop with the week pound, which is much pricier than in Hong Kong.
The lesser licences are still being made, but elsewhere. One of their best sculpters started Blitzway, where they have made excellent figures like Fight Club and GHostbusters. Three Zero are making excellent 1/6th figures Storm are making and selling out of excellent 1/6th figures.
Repaints???!??!? Variants???!?!?
Stormtrooper Han, New Sculpt. Jedi Luke. New Sculpt. Hoth Leih. New Sculpt. Iron Pain "Variants" (Completely different figures everytime) sell like hot cakes.
Why do you think they are sticking to 2 billion dollar per film, movie franchises instead of Edward bleeding Scissorhands? Come on dude. They are a business, not a charity.
Hot Toys output in the last 18 months
Rogue One Force Awakens Various Star Wars original trilogy Dr Strange GOTG2 Suicide Squad Wonder WOman Batman Vs Superman Civil War Spiderman Homecoming Pirates of the Caribbean
In Other words the biggest film franchises of the last decade other than the crapone about fast cars....
We can go off topic it's fine, conversations can and will evolve...
|
|
maske2g
Main Eventer
Joined on: Jan 31, 2011 7:00:54 GMT -5
Posts: 2,972
|
Post by maske2g on Jul 18, 2017 7:45:59 GMT -5
That means they werent selling no? Smyths toys have been smashing it, stock wise for the last 3 years. I think hink the fact that Ireland use to get figures before the Uk, and Smyths changing that, suggests that they just dont sell well in Ireland. It wasnt the exact same wall of figures each time, man lol With Smyths selling the most recent Elites and Defining Moments for between £3 and £5 I'd say demand isnt quite what it was. Wrestling was bigger when Jakks had the license, and nobody can deny the action figure market is suffering. Can you back any of them sweeping statements up with facts please? Im not trying to be arsey I would just like to know how you draw these conclusions. Bare in mind Jakks did WWE for 13 years and started when the company were on the brink of collapse. WWE's share price has doubled since the launch of the network. The network is a success. WWE figures are the biggest selling toy in the world. High price figures like Hot Toys continue to thrive. Star wars black series 40th anniversary figs are like gold dust. You cant base a global view of action figures, based off of one shop. That goes for anywhere in the world.
|
|
maske2g
Main Eventer
Joined on: Jan 31, 2011 7:00:54 GMT -5
Posts: 2,972
|
Post by maske2g on Jul 18, 2017 7:27:09 GMT -5
The toy business in general was healthier when Jakks were making WWE figures. I live in a small town in ireland and I could walk into a shop and there was literally a WALL of Jakks figures. Now I might find an overpriced Cena or Reigns basic. That means they werent selling no? Smyths toys have been smashing it, stock wise for the last 3 years. I think hink the fact that Ireland use to get figures before the Uk, and Smyths changing that, suggests that they just dont sell well in Ireland.
|
|
maske2g
Main Eventer
Joined on: Jan 31, 2011 7:00:54 GMT -5
Posts: 2,972
|
Post by maske2g on Jul 18, 2017 4:40:44 GMT -5
Jakks was able to go out and sign their own legends to just a figure deal and make them where Mattel only makes guys who are under some kind of wwe contract if it's legends deal or agent or performer. This makes sense. I always thought it was because Jakks sold more figures and money talks. I say Jakks sold more because the Classic line made it to wave 28 and only stopped because they lost the license. Where as Mattels Legends line only made it to 5 waves and stopped due to low demand. :D
Quite funny..
One is worth 7 billion dollars.
The other is worth 104 million dollars.
When a company is 70 times bigger than a rival, you can draw your own conclusions about the sales required for a line to be considered successful.
|
|
maske2g
Main Eventer
Joined on: Jan 31, 2011 7:00:54 GMT -5
Posts: 2,972
|
Post by maske2g on Jul 17, 2017 11:10:28 GMT -5
|
|
maske2g
Main Eventer
Joined on: Jan 31, 2011 7:00:54 GMT -5
Posts: 2,972
|
Post by maske2g on Jul 16, 2017 16:40:07 GMT -5
Forger the retail stuff,
I had low ball offers from them for expensive figures, claiming "Please, it's for my son's birthday."
They use to have hundreds of SECOND HAND figures for sale 50% higher than everyone else until that market fell on its arse.
Making a profit is one thing, just don't be a f-king Snake.
|
|
maske2g
Main Eventer
Joined on: Jan 31, 2011 7:00:54 GMT -5
Posts: 2,972
|
Post by maske2g on Jul 15, 2017 13:41:18 GMT -5
Its ok, but come on, we have defining events like Summerslam 88, WM 5, WM 7. And even a WCw fig
|
|
maske2g
Main Eventer
Joined on: Jan 31, 2011 7:00:54 GMT -5
Posts: 2,972
|
Post by maske2g on Jul 14, 2017 9:49:43 GMT -5
A lot of those Smyths discounts are limited to a handful of stores.
|
|
maske2g
Main Eventer
Joined on: Jan 31, 2011 7:00:54 GMT -5
Posts: 2,972
|
Post by maske2g on Jul 14, 2017 9:46:46 GMT -5
Went to argos to find out about the nxt figures. The guy said the new catalogue is out next Friday. So if they are getting them they should be in that. Why do you put such faith in these idiots?
Any catalogue would take months to produce. They are highly unlikely to be in it.
|
|
maske2g
Main Eventer
Joined on: Jan 31, 2011 7:00:54 GMT -5
Posts: 2,972
|
Post by maske2g on Jul 14, 2017 9:11:10 GMT -5
Whilst my displays aren't perfectly chronological (Pure laziness),
I have an Attitude era Shelf.
A golden roster shelf where it represents when I first started watching wrestling.
For 80's up to 97, I work to event timelines. It is very easy to name events for all unique outfits. And where the events aren't that important, or an attire was worn for a long time, I try to put the attire in near it's biggest match.
More recently in the RA and Mattel era, I have tried to build around the biggest feuds and most memorable matches, Taker vs HBK and HHH, at 4 WM's, Cena v Punk Feud, Rock v Cena Feud. along with some of my favourite Mattel figures from the era, and one and done like Mike Knox and Hurricane.
RA is particularly under represented by Mattel, and I guess that's because it a lot of wrestlers are not that memorable (they sucked), and Jakks made them all recently anyway.
And then a current Roster shelf
|
|
maske2g
Main Eventer
Joined on: Jan 31, 2011 7:00:54 GMT -5
Posts: 2,972
|
Post by maske2g on Jul 14, 2017 8:22:15 GMT -5
...zero Queen Sherri unfortunately The jakks figure in black is literally perfect for the RSC figure.
|
|
maske2g
Main Eventer
Joined on: Jan 31, 2011 7:00:54 GMT -5
Posts: 2,972
|
Post by maske2g on Jul 14, 2017 8:17:44 GMT -5
WOW!!
Impressive you two guys.
Yes, He was Macho King at WM7, I just realised the DM box is indeed WRONG!!
|
|
maske2g
Main Eventer
Joined on: Jan 31, 2011 7:00:54 GMT -5
Posts: 2,972
|
Post by maske2g on Jul 14, 2017 8:14:25 GMT -5
Simple Question....
Bonus points available....
|
|