I commented on the price vs. value but I don't even know what you mean by this...how do you make that leap in logic?
IG-12 and Anzellan - VC#358
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I commented on the price vs. value but I don't even know what you mean by this...how do you make that leap in logic?
As much as it sucks, this is the first time a figure on my wishlist was revealed and I'm going to pass until a big clearance sale. Usually I don't like to wait but since almost every other Deluxe has dropped in price... I mean, it's really hard to justify this for the price. I'm gonna have to spend at least $10 on the right paints to fix it not to mention the time investment lmao.
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While this figure is lacking in weathering, I think it's unfair to say it's lacking in paint apps. The arms alone have five different colors.
There's the tinest bit of silver and brown paint on the upper arm but the rest looks molded in it's color, not painted. And the Torso and legs are completely devoid of any paint. It almost looks more like the Epic Heroes line than TVC...
I don't really think it's unreasonable to point out the cut backs or expect accuracy on a "Deluxe" product. There's even more I forgot to circle like the knobs Grogu holds onto should be silver. This thing will need a makeover.
I don't really think it's unreasonable to point out the cut backs or expect accuracy on a "Deluxe" product. There's even more I forgot to circle like the knobs Grogu holds onto should be silver. This thing will need a makeover.
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Honestly the paint doesn't bother me at all on this. In the show it was basically a brand new construction, so I don't think it should look too incredibly weathered.
It's not even so much a matter of cost for me as much as it just looks unimpressive because there's so little to the IG droid. And I get it - it is what it is. But still a figure that looks delicate that can't get into too many dynamic posing, with two tiny creatures (love them, but maybe should have added another), and a blaster just doesn't give me a sense of urgency that this is something that my shelf and I cannot wait for.
I'm not sure I'm on board with calling JoyToy and Hasbro competition just because Hasbro’s stuff is still half the price AND it has a much wider availability. At $40-50 a figure (JoyToy) vs $17-25 (Hasbro), it's still apples and Oranges in my mind. Plus, a good chunk of JoyToy has been original IP until they picked up Warhammer (then Infinity, then tmnt). Hasbro still make the lowest costing 3.75 super articulated figures. Even their deluxe ones still come in at or lower than the price of Boss Fight and Dime Store Novel and MGR.
It's not even so much a matter of cost for me as much as it just looks unimpressive because there's so little to the IG droid. And I get it - it is what it is. But still a figure that looks delicate that can't get into too many dynamic posing, with two tiny creatures (love them, but maybe should have added another), and a blaster just doesn't give me a sense of urgency that this is something that my shelf and I cannot wait for.
I'm not sure I'm on board with calling JoyToy and Hasbro competition just because Hasbro’s stuff is still half the price AND it has a much wider availability. At $40-50 a figure (JoyToy) vs $17-25 (Hasbro), it's still apples and Oranges in my mind. Plus, a good chunk of JoyToy has been original IP until they picked up Warhammer (then Infinity, then tmnt). Hasbro still make the lowest costing 3.75 super articulated figures. Even their deluxe ones still come in at or lower than the price of Boss Fight and Dime Store Novel and MGR.
I don't disagree that there *should* be a wake up call for Hasbro soon, but I'm wondering, for how many Mando/Blurrg and Sabine/Howler sets mean we get an upcharged figure like this? How many lukewarm Forge sets are going to come out alongside a surprise E Wing? Hasbro has certainly made some missteps, but lately, it feels like they're making more of an effort to feel out the line and who is buying it and what those people actually want. I think the babysteps in new directions might be enough to offset the missteps.
Holy sh**... Looking for the IG-12 at PulseEU and have to see a price mark of 29,99 EUR! Blurrg and the Howler sets are 47,99 EUR here. What is that for a proportion Hasbro? Especially as I'm now aware by this post that the just color molded parts looks simply cheap to me:
So definitely no pre-order at this price for me. That's really sad as I like this composition with the Anzellan + Grogu.
So definitely no pre-order at this price for me. That's really sad as I like this composition with the Anzellan + Grogu.
Lol I just realized I pre-ordered this already sight unseen a couple months ago when it was listed for a few minutes on Amazon
I'll keep the order to see if the price drops between now and release date but if not I'm cancelling
I'll keep the order to see if the price drops between now and release date but if not I'm cancelling
People have been saying TVC is on the brink of destruction for years now. Today it's because of IG-12's paint apps. Tomorrow it'll be because of something else. But TVC is still here. I'm not saying I love paying $25 for figures, and I'm not saying Hasbro does everything right. And I'm certainly not saying TVC will be around forever. But it's a lot more resilient than people want to give it credit for.
True, that isn't a bad idea. I'll do the same when IG-12 is available here at Amazon. (It’s normal that an item needs some days more to become available for pre-order here at Amazon) But I think, according to personal experience, the chances for a price drop until release is here considerably lower than in the US.
This isn't 100% on Star Wars, but just look at all the reports of Hasbro stuff showing up at Ollie's and Ross and you see that Hasbro in general isn't on as solid ground as some like to think. They've also had several layoffs... I agree that Hasbro doesn't want Star Wars or Marvel to go elsewhere, but there are no guarantees of anything when an IP license is crazy high.
Class Action Lawsuit against Hasbro
To sum up the main claim see below:
According to the Complaint, the Company made false and misleading statements to the market. Hasbro misled investors about the quality of its inventory. The Company also falsely claimed that inventory levels were rising due to outstanding demand, instead of excess production outpacing weak demand. Based on these facts, the Company's public statements were false and materially misleading throughout the class period. When the market learned the truth about Hasbro, investors suffered damages.
I think TVC is in a much better position than it was when it first came back. Truthfully I think it gets better with time. Like I said above - one misstep (poor deluxe figure) won't doom the line. But people get paranoid the thing they love is going away, so they start looking for reasons to validate that fear.
If I'm not mistaken, the overstock stores getting loaded up was the result of Target and Walmart (in those areas) ordering too much/not stocking their shelves properly. Again, I could be wrong about that. But I do know people on Instagram LOVE to see figures on clearance and try to make some point about how they think they're overpriced or an entire property is a complete financial failure on every possible level.
I think Hasbro was managed very well under the CEO who passed away and the current CEO who wanted to double profits has been riding that wave while weighing it down under the weight of his own goals. I suspect the layoffs are also a direct result of that. Plus how much money have they absolutely wasted in IP acquisitions? How much did WOTC cost and how have Hasbro used it to get that money back? I've also seen a few things saying the licensing fee for SW is quite as astronomical as they've made it out to be. I believe that to be true because basically - if Hasbro can't afford it, who can? I'd love to hear what those negotiations are really like.
The class action suit sounds like more bad business. And actually less to do with the toys themselves. Whether the toys are selling fine, above, or below expectations (which they may or may not be), that's one thing. To straight up lie to the investors about WHY they're investing (which is my reading of this) is super sketchy. Investing isn't a guarantee, but they're at least expecting they're getting accurate information to base those investments on.
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TBH, I don't think it's a baseless fear, the signs are definitely out there that 3.75" SA is no longer the titan is once was and is fading by the year. It's only a matter of time before it is no longer sustainable within Hasbro at its current price point, what will determine whether it had the ability to last is all on how much the consumer feels it is worth paying for. I'm getting the strong sense that the basic line has to be $20, just look at every other equivalent line. With fewer consumers combined with rising costs it is the only recourse because it's clear that 3-4 $25 releases aren't helping much.
If the majority of collectors wait it out for those to be $20 or just under like with Cobb, then I feel that SKU likely won't last long enough to get proper $25 figures. And while some will balk at $20 for a basic figure, if that's what it takes to get people to buy a DLX version then what's the difference? I'd rather pay $3 extra versus $8, and though that's $3 for every figure not just a few, I also don't buy every single release anymore anyway.
Hiya's Joe and Star Trek figures are $25, but seriously lack detail and eco quality IMO, especially the face sculpt. But people are buying them, or so I've heard. Boss Fight figures have been $25 for a long time now, since they started I believe. A few other places also hover around the $20, Fortnite can run from $13-20 depending on the figure, though I've not seen anything new from that line in a while. JoyToy and the other online only being $40+ I won't get into and really shouldn't compare to Hasbro distribution wise, though it's looking like it may get that way in a few years as few and fewer people buy 3.75" scale. Hasbro may be forced to cut production so much that it does affect MSRP like never before, that's the day I've been trepidatiously waiting for because I know it is only a matter of time. The realities cannot be ignored, and I've been saying it the last several years that there will come day when they have to charge $20 per figure, like it or not, me included. But if we want quality, superb detail/deco and great articulation at this scale you will have to pay for it. And I also feel that the day is coming where only Pulse will carry TVC, possibly Amazon and the few online retailers. But once physical retail totally drops TVC it due to whatever reasons that's going to cause a jump in price alone because there will be no reason to continue making as much product.
Maybe the trick is to cut back on all the reissues if we get to that price? As well as reduce the repaints? IDK, those also are designed to offset new molds, so I feel no matter the price is those aspects part of the whole package. If anything, I see a reduction in all new molds being made. I also still feel a HasLab style figure packs should be looked into as it's pretty obvious we're not going to get select characters going forward. So, a Collector curated set of 5 or 6 figures that Hasbro probably wouldn't do main line would be nice. Initially I was resistant to this due to several factors but as time goes on it's becoming increasingly clear they cannot address everything everyone is after.
If the majority of collectors wait it out for those to be $20 or just under like with Cobb, then I feel that SKU likely won't last long enough to get proper $25 figures. And while some will balk at $20 for a basic figure, if that's what it takes to get people to buy a DLX version then what's the difference? I'd rather pay $3 extra versus $8, and though that's $3 for every figure not just a few, I also don't buy every single release anymore anyway.
Hiya's Joe and Star Trek figures are $25, but seriously lack detail and eco quality IMO, especially the face sculpt. But people are buying them, or so I've heard. Boss Fight figures have been $25 for a long time now, since they started I believe. A few other places also hover around the $20, Fortnite can run from $13-20 depending on the figure, though I've not seen anything new from that line in a while. JoyToy and the other online only being $40+ I won't get into and really shouldn't compare to Hasbro distribution wise, though it's looking like it may get that way in a few years as few and fewer people buy 3.75" scale. Hasbro may be forced to cut production so much that it does affect MSRP like never before, that's the day I've been trepidatiously waiting for because I know it is only a matter of time. The realities cannot be ignored, and I've been saying it the last several years that there will come day when they have to charge $20 per figure, like it or not, me included. But if we want quality, superb detail/deco and great articulation at this scale you will have to pay for it. And I also feel that the day is coming where only Pulse will carry TVC, possibly Amazon and the few online retailers. But once physical retail totally drops TVC it due to whatever reasons that's going to cause a jump in price alone because there will be no reason to continue making as much product.
Maybe the trick is to cut back on all the reissues if we get to that price? As well as reduce the repaints? IDK, those also are designed to offset new molds, so I feel no matter the price is those aspects part of the whole package. If anything, I see a reduction in all new molds being made. I also still feel a HasLab style figure packs should be looked into as it's pretty obvious we're not going to get select characters going forward. So, a Collector curated set of 5 or 6 figures that Hasbro probably wouldn't do main line would be nice. Initially I was resistant to this due to several factors but as time goes on it's becoming increasingly clear they cannot address everything everyone is after.
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What's wrong with Hiya's face sculpts?
I don't like them. That said, Hasbro has spoiled me with head sculpts so..
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Ok. So, they are cheap?
My friend doesn’t like them either!
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TVC can’t go forever but right now it’s great. But doomsayers doomsay. People are complaining about the Ghost and they haven’t even seen it in person yet. I can’t wait to see mine. I’m proud of a company that was able to make such a thing in 2024.
I agree with everything @Tulgah said. And while I think @Masterfett is pretty much right on the money that a $20 pricepoint seems inevitable, as long as the figures are as good as they have been (Kanan, Osha), then I'm fine with it. Almost every other line I collect is priced between $20-35. Considering that, a $3 price hike isnt that much of a deal breaker for me for figures I want. But also, I'm not a completist, army builder or carded collector that buys multiples, so it wouldn't effect my purchasing habits.
I can't speak to their faces since every Hiya Figure I have all all masked or mutated (Batman Robocop, Judge Dredd Predator, etc), but their hip articulation isn't too great at all. And if a hip joint is bad enough, it'll negate knees and ankles.
I can't speak to their faces since every Hiya Figure I have all all masked or mutated (Batman Robocop, Judge Dredd Predator, etc), but their hip articulation isn't too great at all. And if a hip joint is bad enough, it'll negate knees and ankles.
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Good to know. I probably will get one of the Kelvin Trek figures to try out.
$20 dollar price point is going to price a chunk of collectors out imo. It's already been pricing out people the last few years and regardless of what whichever news site says the economy isn't in a great place with the price of groceries and needs over toys. If anything they should have decided find ways to bring the price down and/or start considering resting the TVC line for a new SA line that doesnt require all the shelf space/photography the TVC line needs. Boxes and baggies in these tighter times if needed lol.
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Why would they do that?? They know many people buy two - one specifically to display on the card. They're not going to cut off their own legs. There's no logic there, sorry. Cardbacks don't cost anything to make.
The TVC aesthetic is a big reason of why the line continues to sell. And why some people buy multiples. Ditching TVC branding would be incredibly foolish and they know that. TVC is their bread and butter.
Now, when the movies come back into cinema, there might be a need for a cheaper bricks and mortar friendly line that can put out more characters in larger volumes. Will probably be a 5 POA line like they did with TFA, but they might just used Epic Heroes for that. But I'm fairly sure it will be in addition to TVC and not replace it.
I know you are right about the unloading at the discount stores, but that doesn't change the fact that there is a lot of unsold inventory... and while it may not be Hasbro's inventory, it is Hasbro product. You don't think that Walmart and Target sending all this stuff to discounts makes them think twice about buying more Hasbro stuff?
Show me that please. There's never been definitive proof of how much the license costs, but Star Wars/Disney seems to continue to be able to hold Hasbro hostage mainly because there are other companies that would sell their soul to get their hands on the property... yes even still.
3.75" will make it to 2027. I wouldn't be surprised to see 2026 rest the packaging and come back with the ANH 50th. ESPECIALLY if a movie does actually come out in 2026.
I can't say I'm 'proud' Hasbro was able to crowdfund anything, but I am happy to see the Ghost come out. If Hasbro just annouced Haslabs for every other year, I might be ok with that. Do figure packs Hasbro I dare you.
$17 has already priced many out of buying 3 like they used to. I was never a packaging guy, but I used to buy one of everything... not so much now. In my opinion, there's no question that they've severely hurt their sales numbers (if not their sales amounts $$). And money is what it is about. I wish a business major could outline how selling less at a higher price is a good thing.
According to Hasbro, Black Series is their ' bread and butter'. AND I think TVC is holding the 3.75" scale back at this point. A more generic cardback would cut costs and maybe allow for some accessories.
While I like the very last point about different packaging to allow for more accessories, it's simply not going to happen no matter the size of the package. Not unless we're fine with paying $25 for each figure. lol
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Always reminded me of Krang in his android wrestler body, lol. There should not of been any sort of resurrection, and specially how the droid blew up and how they found most of the parts intact to the make the stupid statue. Whole season was awful, but I will eventually get this set for my toyverse.
I don't mind paying $18.12 for a single figure (Amazon price plus tax) if they keep the quality up to the standards we have become accustomed to over the past couple years. I still buy multiples and frankly I'd have no problem paying $20. I haven't passed on pre-ordering any of the deluxe figures are the higher price point until now. This half painted Epic Hero-esque set just isn't it.
Some people say that Walmart exclusives never show up at their walmarts, then 4 or 5 months later, Ross or Ollie's get multiple pallets worth of those exclusives. Granted - that IS all anecdotal, but if that's true, then it's likely mismanagement on walmart's part for not stocking what they bought and that wouldn't be unheard of. Target flirts with getting solid cases of individual Marvel Legends figures because they ordered them that way from Hasbro. When it works it works and when it doesn't, you've got 6 of the same character warming the peg, but again that's a target choice.
Hasbro went crazy collecting IPs for a few years and I said at the time it was smart business as it basically bought up toy aisle real estate. As a result though, that also means Hasbro unsold inventory goes beyond just Star Wars being sent to discount stores, it's also Marvel, Indiana Jones, Transformers, Power Rangers, DnD and that list keeps growing. But also, it sort of demands Target and Walmart kind of NEED to have a relationship with Hasbro if they plan to keep toy aisles at all. And since they are Hasbro’s biggest customers, it's possible that hasbro throws them deals too (for example: buy X amount of Star Wars product and get X amount of Power Rangers/Magic the Gathering product/Ghostbusters exclusive figure/Marvel exclusive figure). I'm not saying they are, but I think it's possible Hasbro uses brands as leverage for other brands. They absolutely have the library for it.
You're absolutely right that there's never been proof of the actual dollar amount. I'm sure every company would like to have Star Wars in their catalogue, but at the same time, I believe that would be a massive jumping off point for a large chunk of collectors and I think most companies realize that. And what's more enticing for someone like a Spinmaster or Playmates: to gamble on a rights fee (presumably the largest - regardless of actual price) AND risk current collectors of that property not making the jump over, or looking at how a company like Jada Toys has made a name for themselves over the last two years with smaller lines? Or Mattel resurrecting properties they've owned for years and giving a new life to?
I think Hasbro and LFL are essentially two entities that can't afford to be without each other.
That 2026 date was just given to a new Ice Age movie earlier this week. Certainly it could change, but it doesn't sound like it. Also a report came out claiming that half the upcoming SW projects hinge on Rey as a character, so that movie probably has double the amount of people overthinking what should have been a pretty straightforward thing. Same reason Marvel pulled Blade's release date :/
I've been getting more and more curious (especially after watching the Cantine campaign unfold), how much of their sales have been from people buying multiples and how much that's baked into their actual projections and expectations.
TVC sells for nostalgic reasons now - but as the demographics continue to change, perhaps it'll be better to switch to a packaging more reminiscent of early 2000s Saga/Legacy Collection or ROTS? Of course, not until 2027 or beyond IF TVC gets swapped out for something new. Especially once the 96 is done - there's not much of a point in keeping the TVC packaging. Just my two cents.
Like others here, I typically buy new releases, skipping on many redos. Skipping this one for the perceived value.
Literally anything would be better than vintage right now and that is my era
Even I, someone who throws it all out accepts that the package is part of the product, or we'd see figures in baggies like at the goodwill. Or loose with a price tag and string wrapped around its leg like those cheap toys in the "junk aisle". lol
According to SWTVC, Bossk's Bounty followers there seems to be a pretty decent sized MOC group of fans. But I feel they're simply the vocal minority, and in some case cause more issues for the rest of us. Like these, that I feel are somewhat useless/unneeded.
Now one can argue it harms no one because it was a simple repack slot, but what if this repack slot could have been something actually "different" and useful to the whole community? I mean there's no shortage of more interesting repacks, or even repaints since this could have been any Clone Legion. That said, it was a correction before we got the new one so chances are it still wouldn't have been a good choice to slot in an update to any previous Clones. But when we keep mentioning "smart" repacks, somehow this doesn't come to mind. And I do realize my selections will differ from others, since I tend to lean towards some HTF Legacy figures.
We are also long gone from the days when we'd get cool accessories with figures so even if the packaging changed, I don't see them ushering in anything new and interesting with basic releases, that's still going to be a DLX avenue due to costs. Which I am fine with as long as the accessories warrant it, such as the charging alcove with the Dark Trooper. That's the only one that truly felt was "Deluxe". TBH, I don't even get the appeal of TVC for stuff that's not OT, but some want a consistent packaging them perhaps.
Frankly I don't even know if changing it will help draw in kids, or anyone new, flashy packaging only goes so far in attracting attention. If when you get to the actual contents and don't like what you see you're not going to buy it. Well, unless packaging is all that matters to you. But for the general consumer it does go into the trash, and when most people come across something like Morgan with no play value it gets passed up for something next to it with half a dozen accessories that will get lost upon opening it!
Additionally, and why Epic Hero Series has some appeal is because of budge friendly vehicles to use with your figures. When TVC actually does have a vehicle, it generally runs $80-100, and even the small speeder craft is $45. But with the other line it's only $20ish. At some point TVC has lost some of its "play value" at an actual value. Not to dismiss some cool sets or anything but it is clear that TVC is a collectible now more than the line has ever been, which has possibly helped run off some consumers.
My only criticism of TVC is the limited bubble space for sizable accessories, and the one shot we had at possibly getting true DLX releases have been squashed by the introduction of a wider card and bubble. All due in thanks to Hasbro's "not actually listening" to fans and doing their own thing. If they had paid attention to what the gripes were they could have found a reasonable solution but no, they wanted to keep up the ruse of "bigger package" equals better value for the higher price". What they fail to understand is that it's not 2004 with kids being 75% of the consumer market, it's now made up of adult collectors who can distinguish between the BS.
According to SWTVC, Bossk's Bounty followers there seems to be a pretty decent sized MOC group of fans. But I feel they're simply the vocal minority, and in some case cause more issues for the rest of us. Like these, that I feel are somewhat useless/unneeded.
Now one can argue it harms no one because it was a simple repack slot, but what if this repack slot could have been something actually "different" and useful to the whole community? I mean there's no shortage of more interesting repacks, or even repaints since this could have been any Clone Legion. That said, it was a correction before we got the new one so chances are it still wouldn't have been a good choice to slot in an update to any previous Clones. But when we keep mentioning "smart" repacks, somehow this doesn't come to mind. And I do realize my selections will differ from others, since I tend to lean towards some HTF Legacy figures.
We are also long gone from the days when we'd get cool accessories with figures so even if the packaging changed, I don't see them ushering in anything new and interesting with basic releases, that's still going to be a DLX avenue due to costs. Which I am fine with as long as the accessories warrant it, such as the charging alcove with the Dark Trooper. That's the only one that truly felt was "Deluxe". TBH, I don't even get the appeal of TVC for stuff that's not OT, but some want a consistent packaging them perhaps.
Frankly I don't even know if changing it will help draw in kids, or anyone new, flashy packaging only goes so far in attracting attention. If when you get to the actual contents and don't like what you see you're not going to buy it. Well, unless packaging is all that matters to you. But for the general consumer it does go into the trash, and when most people come across something like Morgan with no play value it gets passed up for something next to it with half a dozen accessories that will get lost upon opening it!
Additionally, and why Epic Hero Series has some appeal is because of budge friendly vehicles to use with your figures. When TVC actually does have a vehicle, it generally runs $80-100, and even the small speeder craft is $45. But with the other line it's only $20ish. At some point TVC has lost some of its "play value" at an actual value. Not to dismiss some cool sets or anything but it is clear that TVC is a collectible now more than the line has ever been, which has possibly helped run off some consumers.
My only criticism of TVC is the limited bubble space for sizable accessories, and the one shot we had at possibly getting true DLX releases have been squashed by the introduction of a wider card and bubble. All due in thanks to Hasbro's "not actually listening" to fans and doing their own thing. If they had paid attention to what the gripes were they could have found a reasonable solution but no, they wanted to keep up the ruse of "bigger package" equals better value for the higher price". What they fail to understand is that it's not 2004 with kids being 75% of the consumer market, it's now made up of adult collectors who can distinguish between the BS.
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I personally love small boxed items in retro Kenner packaging. Just look at the old mini-rigs. Why can't Hasbro do this? Not enough of a market for it?
What I didn't love was putting figures in those boxes as their "regular" packaging instead of on a card. No one liked that.
What I didn't love was putting figures in those boxes as their "regular" packaging instead of on a card. No one liked that.
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That's my view. If a character interests me and budget allows for it then I buy it.
