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Post by robertwayne on Jun 29, 2007 10:15:11 GMT -5
Okay here are the reasons. 1. They move onto the Batman series DCSH, yet there still weren't any Black Suit Supermans or Monguls or Darkseids evenly placed. So now I'm stuck with a half completed Superman series and Mattel wants me to move on to a new one?? 2. Shadow Tek has been out how long and still most stores haven't seen wave 2 or 3? 3. No new JLUs anywhere in my area for months. Mattel just can't keep my collections going. They have become stale. I have lost interest in every line they have out. Don't get me wrong, I still love Batman but, it looks like what I have is going to be the end of my collecting. At least at retail. Maybe if I see something on a website or something but Mattel products..nope! And I hate to say this but..I have no hope for the Dark Knight figures either..I just can't see a good figure coming from this movie. So..goodbye Mattel. Thanks for all the lines that won't be finished.
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Post by varekaiguy on Jun 29, 2007 11:15:00 GMT -5
I agree, agree, and agree a third time with you. I'm sure posts will follow mine claiming 'more for the rest of us' and uncountable amounts of various devil's advocates will appear to hammer down your complaint, but I for one feel your pain and want to share mine, oww. I still believe that both the JLU line and the DCSH line won't last the rest of the year, and toy dealers abound will be the ones to benefit as prices of Two-Faces, Cassies, and whatever other figure from either of these lines sees the light of day soar to new leaps and bounds. This one per case thing does no good for over all sales, it can't possibly. There have been superman, and kal-els hanging on the shelves of my local wal-marts for at least three months. The fact that any purple card JLU and DCSH figs found their way to the local stores amazes me. With recent repacks of Doomsday, Bizarro, and now Bane (all past peg warmers) doesn't help matters. Wouldn't you think that newer sculpt figures (Two-Face, Mongul, and upcoming Man-bat) would be choice to line the shelves? And how bout that 'The Batman' line, it will probably not last to see the '08 film. I still believe whole-heartedly that without a cartoon to parallel the toyline the end for the JLU line is all but certain. Other lines like Star Wars, Marvel Legends, and even the Pixar Cars line seem to keep the turn-over going (if slow at first, but they do happen). I want these new DC related figures, I really do, but helping scalpers on the internet is not my idea of fun, but with no other options as to how to complete a collection I don't think there's any other way. I don't think this will change as I understand all companies, Mattel included, are truly only worried about the bottom line and that's cold hard cash. Fans, and collector concerns are at best 4th on the list of Mattel's concerns. And them's the facts, Jack. Rant over.
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Post by /\/\att on Jun 29, 2007 11:18:40 GMT -5
You guys are certainly entitled to your opinions..they don't need to be in the Toy News board, however, so I'm gonna move this thread. I hear a lot of your complaints...and I'm not going to sit here and say that Mattel is a perfect company..but it is just that..a company. It has many divisions and various employees pushing and pulling for one thing or another. Its not some cohesive unit thats conspiring to not get fans what they want! lol. In fact, they've just appointed someone the official online fan liason..this will be his ONLY job. This is a brand new thing for Mattel, so we're excited about the direction. Of course he's already a member here at LOG and you'll be hearing from him very soon! I will stick by the toys because I really just like the toys. I wouldn't want to collect anything else. The company matters not to me..I love the characters and I'll just be patient and track down what I want. but, in all fairness, collecting is a hobby to me nowadays..not an obsession. In my area I've had NO trouble finding all the new product. Maybe your stores just suck.
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Post by varekaiguy on Jun 29, 2007 11:53:25 GMT -5
It says something about three lines that create such passion in their collectors and obsess ors. These are TERRIFIC lines and each time a pic of a new fig appears on this website you can't help but want it on your shelf. Let's face it everyone one of us looks at their individual sets and says 'Hey, can't have Batman with just Joker, Bane, Scarecrow,......gonna have to get that Two-Face to make that rogues gallery a little bit more colourful'. Then another makes it appearance and the same happens again, and again. Sounds creepy, but that sneaks into everyones' collector spirit. Mattel has definitely done a great job making toy lines that deserve collecting, they've done it better than most. Now we just need to get em. Let me be honest, if all these lines were canceled tomorrow I would be one UNhappy camper, they are simply the best quality when it comes to DC related properties. I do hate to think that all the stores around the St. Louis and bi-state area suck, surely I'm not in the seventh level of hades pit of toy collecting. But, I wouldn't be shocked to find out it's true, sigh.
venting, not mean-spirited, S
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Post by robertwayne on Jun 29, 2007 13:42:49 GMT -5
Thats the thing, I like all 3 lines but..WHERE ARE THEY? I live in Michigan, most of the stores are always getting in new stuff from other companies...just not Mattel! Sure, I got lucky and found Shadow Batman and Two-Face..but I already know it's going to be hell to find the other ones. I will look for them but, if it(Batman DCSH)turns out to be like the Superman line..it's not worth it. Somebody is at fault for the poor shelving..Mattel or the stores don't know. But, in the end Mattel has to know that their product is not there for the buying.
I even wrote Mattel and told them I would pay for a plane ticket for a rep to come to my area and I would take them around to 10 or more stores just to see how NOTHING IS AVAILIBLE in the way of new characters. Needless to say..they never responded.
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bskcase
Legions of Gotham Police Officer
Bring it!
Posts: 204
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Post by bskcase on Jun 29, 2007 17:01:25 GMT -5
I'm in the same boat as most of you all. I have never seen an Orion or Vigilante. I've never seen a Steel or Supergirl. And I've never seen a Card Attack Joker. But we are drowning with Bizzarros, Riddlers, and Batman/Zatanna/Shinning Knight figures.
This is MOTU all over again. I'm glad that Mattel knows they have a market for DC and they really need to get themselves in gear. I am hopeful that things will turn around. Its just not happening fast enough.
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Post by thebatman63 on Jun 29, 2007 18:17:14 GMT -5
Ifeel bad for you not being able to complete your collections, but I always thought I lived in figure hell, just yesterday I picked up the new two-face and Knight Shadow Batman at TRU ( no sign of Batgirl and did not want Bane). There have been plenty of the Superman series you mention around here, especially Mongul and Darkseid. Shadow tek 2and 3 have sold rather well and JLU just sits on the pegs. I'm just pissed that I cannot find the new DC Superfriends yet!!
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Post by ayenlou on Jun 29, 2007 19:47:31 GMT -5
I haven't been to impressed with the Shadow Tek line. The toys are all out of proportion and not enough Villains.
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Post by robertwayne on Jun 29, 2007 20:34:33 GMT -5
When are the Superfriends supposed to be out?
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Post by varekaiguy on Jun 29, 2007 22:55:41 GMT -5
so many of you seem to be finding these Two-Faces, and such. I don't know what genie you all know to make these little guys magically appear at your local TRUS or Wally Worlds. Seriously, am I the only cheese who appears to be standing alone? I envy those of you who don't live in these dealer-hungry cities around the U.S. the search continues, but the fun of this hunt stales at times if you get what I'm saying.
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Post by Batlaw on Jun 30, 2007 0:16:31 GMT -5
I'm also far from impressed with The Batman figure line and dont find anything exciting or "worth while" about it personally. I just find the line lacking in so many ways... but it is completely / intentionally geared for kids. I essentially quit these after the first two waves when I realized they're not for me. Although the line is well enough distributed and available in my area... no major complaints in that regard.
The JLU / animated lines are my toy passion and what my serious collecting / hunting has narrowed down to. The latest case ratios are my only real complaint. Although it has become obvious fewer stores are carrying the line and those that do are carrying smaller amounts and within shorter "windows". Despite that, I cant complain and have had great luck getting what I want. For the most part a little patience is all it takes with JLU. Other than some quality issues I have no serious grievances with JLU other than saddened over all the wasted / lost potential! (attributed to it's "budget line" status).
DCSH is the painful beast. Attempting to actually "collect" this line is an exercise in futility and frustration. I basically quit the line before it really even got started. If Im lucky enough to find a piece that I flat out love, I'll buy it, otherwise I dont waste my time.
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Post by batmaster on Jun 30, 2007 6:02:59 GMT -5
and wy is nothing in the netherlands?
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Post by varekaiguy on Jun 30, 2007 13:07:39 GMT -5
Are the DC Superheroes line not being sold at Wal-Mart anymore? It seems like the bulk of people are finding them at TRU. Target just seems to be useless on all fronts (JLU, DCSH, and The Btmn).
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Jun 30, 2007 14:55:10 GMT -5
It's the same story in Minnesota. I look over the north and south of the state and can't find anything new. The same Banes and Supermans hanging everywhere. I guess we should all just buy all the peg warmers so the stores HAVE TO order new ones. Please send out new stuff Mattel?
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Post by BruceBatman on Jun 30, 2007 15:56:38 GMT -5
Well Mattel may be a little slow, but thats no reason to quit on them! I still think there figures are great! So Mattel, you still have me!
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Post by Eric on Jun 30, 2007 20:24:50 GMT -5
Im not gonna argue with you guys because I go thru the same thing. Im in NE Ohio, the armpit of toy collecting. Its damn near impossible to locate new releases anymore, which is why Ive pretty much given up on these lines as well. I cant tell you the last time Ive seen any new TB figs on the shelves. As a matter of fact, Target has their remaining The Batman toys reduced on an end cap, they arent even on the regular aisle anymore. TRUs has about a 2 foot wide section for their Batman toys, and that includes JLU and DCSH. Speaking of the DCSH, the last Superman wave is just now becoming abundant in my area. Black suit Supes, Mongul, Supergirl, so who klnows how long it will be when the new Batman wave will see the light of day in my area.
However, I will say again, a big problem is the retailers themselves.
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Post by Batlaw on Jun 30, 2007 22:56:20 GMT -5
Are the DC Superheroes line not being sold at Wal-Mart anymore? It seems like the bulk of people are finding them at TRU. Target just seems to be useless on all fronts (JLU, DCSH, and The Btmn). not sure where you live but it seems to be the opposite for most everyone else including myself. Target is the only game in town for DC related toys. TRU and Walmarts have been virtually worthless for as long as I can remember. Few and far between finds ever at either. Target not only carries what I'm after as well as a broad selection, but restocks on a pretty regular basis. The selection is pretty uniformed too between their stores. Walmart is clueless and sporadic and they dont have the best of relationships with Mattel.
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Post by HUSH on Jul 1, 2007 6:03:28 GMT -5
I've completely stopped going to any stores around here looking for DCSH figures, that's for sure. They'll probably get Two-Face in 2020. Needless to say, I'll be getting the new Bats figures online. So put me in the "toys are great, distribution's lacking" category as well.
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Post by varekaiguy on Jul 1, 2007 13:27:10 GMT -5
Look, I appreciate the fact that apparently the Man-bat con exclusive will be coming out in the DCSH line in the traditional brown colouring. I just don't want it to turn around where the con exclusive is the more available one, and the store version winds up being the "chase". As it stands now most villians, and secondary characters are starting to feel like that. By the way, the 3 Kal-Els, and 3 Bizarros at my local Wal-mart are still sitting there, it's been that way for at least the past three to four weeks.
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Post by /\/\att on Jul 2, 2007 5:49:39 GMT -5
Look, I appreciate the fact that apparently the Man-bat con exclusive will be coming out in the DCSH line in the traditional brown colouring. I just don't want it to turn around where the con exclusive is the more available one, and the store version winds up being the "chase". As it stands now most villians, and secondary characters are starting to feel like that. By the way, the 3 Kal-Els, and 3 Bizarros at my local Wal-mart are still sitting there, it's been that way for at least the past three to four weeks. Yeah and thats why this should be a "i'm done with my local wal-mart" thread instead. The toy companies cannot and do not control the frequency of stocking at the retail outlets. The retail outlets have the control in that relationship, not Mattel or Hasbro. Hell if they show something at toy fair and walmart and target aren't interested in it..they don't make it.
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Post by DrGreenEvil on Jul 2, 2007 14:47:46 GMT -5
I completely empathize with you guys. I only collect the unique characters, and that in a way makes it harder. I live in central TX. I have 2 walmarts and a target.
Finding THE BATMAN stuff in my area is actually pretty easy. The only figure Ive never seen in person was Gearhead. But I found him at a decent price off amazon. Temblor took a little patience and Killer Moth was really easy to find.
This is where it gets funny. I don't collect DCSH, just not into 6in collector lines. Yet in my area, its been really easy to find DCSH, at my walmarts of all places. Theirs Monguls and Darkseids sitting at one of my walmarts now. The only figures Ive never seen were Steel and Azrael, and I kinda think I might have seen a Steel.
JLU is the main problem for me. My newest walmart only carries DCSH in the DC toys. The other walmart carries everything, but JLU wize its hit or miss. They might get a new shipment every 6 months. Most of the time they either get older stuff that I already have, like they once got a new case of the Dr Fate/Vixen 3packs even though the Demon 3pack wave had been out forever. Or I miss getting their in time they get a shipment of the new wave. Last time this happened I was probably less than a day from a Stargirl/Parasite or Volcana. Target was in the beginning the best bet for me. But now, they only get new singles in. With the singles Ive realized that if I just have a little patience I will get it. I got a Shade, and had a few other times to get one and a Huntress. The 3packs are the problem. They have had 4 Injustice Gang packs on the pegs since they came out, that was the last new 3packs they got. It makes me so mad. Then Ive went out of town to Dallas/Ft Worth and Austin a few times. Got lucky and found a Lightray and Demon pack I needed, but I have still never seen a Stargirl or Volcana pack in person. And now I have to worry about the newest 3packs that are out.
I'd be allot better if their was a better place to buy these off the internet. I'm probably gonna end up at bbts, but I cant stand paying double the store price for something. Also amazon has gotten bad about charging double store price for their stuff. The problem is Mattel just needs to focus on packouts and distribution. They have a real problem if whole areas of the country aren't getting anything. Also really wish they would open an online store like what Hasbro did. Or get into an agreement with amazon.
I'm with the few people that wish Mattel would just cancel the JLU line so I wouldn't have to worry about it anymore.
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Post by DrGreenEvil on Jul 2, 2007 15:55:52 GMT -5
I also can empathize with the people that say theirs an abundance of everything else but DC related figures. My stores seem to get an abundance of everything else but. To bad Mattel can't go to one of these companies and ask how they do that.
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Post by ayenlou on Jul 3, 2007 0:32:27 GMT -5
Reading that just makes me really really sad...
But I'm willing to give them a second chance depending on how there new stuff is during Comic-Con!
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Post by /\/\att on Jul 3, 2007 6:26:35 GMT -5
Reading that just makes me really really sad... But I'm willing to give them a second chance depending on how there new stuff is during Comic-Con! Ok...lets be honest guys..we all know that as soon as they reveal the new lineups at comic con we'll all be on cloud 9 for months! lol. You cannot resist the beautiful sculpts!
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Post by varekaiguy on Jul 3, 2007 10:24:08 GMT -5
yeah, it'll be great. Mattel will show off more villains and secondary characters in full maquette glory, and then ten to twelve months later the bulk of us (fans) will get to see various digital photos of packaged versions seeping their way on to Ebay. can't wait, the frustration will the stuff of legend. And now with further DC characters to be carried by Mattel it will be all that much more of a hobby. Cmon, if Mattel plans to tease us with these various on line pics and updates in Toyfare just make them available to buy.
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Post by varekaiguy on Jul 3, 2007 23:08:30 GMT -5
Look folks, here's the reason I really won't let this rant, and raving die. And no it's not because of some sort of parallel to the 4th of July and the whole let freedom ring in the name of action figures and all their plastic glory. It comes down to this. I was an avid, and a I mean AVID FAN of the Masters of the Universe line sculpted by the 4 Four Horsemen. And with a whim, poof, the line was dead with all the excellence of it and its perfect sculpts to boot. So then, months late the Horseman rebounded with the DC line, first with Batman, then onto Superman, and I thought "Fine, I'll take this as a consolation". And now, Mattel is ready to do the same thing all over again, kill an excellent and desired line and short pack the more desired characters, thus skunking the collectors and fans alike. A sure fire way to kill any toy line (off with the Supes and Bats, and on with the secondaries I say). I seriously would melt ALL and I mean ALL my DC Superheroes, JLU, and The Batman line figures for more of the Masters figs that are sadly only carried on into resin sculpt figurines through NECA, or some other crap company (not worth collecting due to their brittleness and unaction figure design), but until then I will with all the extra money, and cheapness in dating I can afford to wards collecting the DC Superhero, and JLU line (The Batman seems to be dry at this moment). So, PLEASE Mattel, let the line thrive, and make its way into the stores. I hate complaining, and whining over the scareness of these figures on store shelves. But, I resolve to continue my gripes and moans on this site until I'm either heard or cut from my membership. Just let me give you my money in any orderly way, and not to the on line, and toy show dealers that constantly feed off of the hard work and excellence in creativity that Mattel has come to be known for. I mean really, Hasbro gets Marvel and runs the quality of their sculpts and designs straight into the ground, and yet Mattel continues to prove that any mainstream toy company can create a beautiful (and sturdy) product that rivals any fan based toy company like DC Direct or such. So I'll let go of the Masters line with hope the the DCSH's don't follow in the same form. if this seems rushed and unthought out, blame it purely on passion, and a long work week finally at an end.
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Batcompu
Legions of Gotham Police Officer
Posts: 232
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Post by Batcompu on Jul 12, 2007 3:24:30 GMT -5
In the Netherlands are never stores with Batman lines. Only sometimes one figure in a collecters store but then you must pay the highest price + a little more. I mostly import the figures from USA to get them but then the shipping cost are about 70$ I would I had the stores you had. But I think that will never happen.
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Post by thehermit on May 26, 2008 14:12:14 GMT -5
mattel are money grabbing scumbags and im sorry to say it, its fools like you who keep them their company running, wake up guys and stop throwing your money away, they give lots of diff variats of batman and yet theres so many other characters in the batman universe that could of been released and werent.
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Post by Batlaw on May 26, 2008 21:03:15 GMT -5
mattel are money grabbing scumbags and im sorry to say it, its fools like you who keep them their company running, wake up guys and stop throwing your money away, they give lots of diff variats of batman and yet theres so many other characters in the batman universe that could of been released and werent. thehermit: You're entitled to your opinions regarding Mattel, fellow forum members, and their buying practices. However; LoG will not tolerate any further such ignorant name calling like this. Please offer intelligent criticism and form your opinions with more tact and respect from now on. Thank you.
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Post by batprofessor on May 26, 2008 22:55:38 GMT -5
mattel are money grabbing scumbags and im sorry to say it, its fools like you who keep them their company running, wake up guys and stop throwing your money away, they give lots of diff variats of batman and yet theres so many other characters in the batman universe that could of been released and werent. Since Mattel got the Batman license, DC Direct has been able to produce a steady stream of Batman-related figures also. Hasbro would not allow this, and that's one reason they lost the license. DC Direct caters exclusively to collectors, while Mattel is more general in it's consumer marketing. As a Batman collector of over 40 years (that's right, FORTY,) I think Mattel has done an excellent job overall with the license. With THE BATMAN cartoon line, which originated with Mattel, we have seen an almost complete rogues gallery produced. It took some time and patience, but I found every one of them on the peg at one store or another.
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