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Wanted By Mattel – DC Comics Fans That Will Just Buy "Any" Figure

As in previous past years Mattel's Matty Collector line is offering various advance order subscriptions for both Masters of the Universe (MOTU) and the DC Comics Infinite Earths (DCIE) 6 inch action figures lines. Also similar to past years they have posted subscription 'thermometers' to "track" the numbers of minimum orders they need to make the subscriptions go through.

Like so.

MOTUMeter_fullsizeimage_v8 DCUMeter_fullsizeimage_v8

In addition to the subscriptions they have are offering a pre-order complete with thermometer for a Ghostbusters Ecto-1 vehicle at $215.

Ecto_fullsizeimage_v8

There is a lot of skepticism from collectors this year who have had previous bad experiences with Mattel.

This includes:

  • Lack of character reveals, with the risk of committing to buy a year's worth of unknown mystery product.
  • Mattel has only so far revealed 3-4 characters for each subscription.
  • Questions about the accuracy and legitimacy of the thermometer including it is just pure marketing and scare tactics.
  • Poor customer service
  • Expensive international shipping costs (previously covered by Bleeding Cool)
  • Seeing figures that later show up at deep discounts in retailer liquidation stores such as Big Lots.

Scott Neitlich aka "Toy Guru" the Mattel's Mattycollector's brand manager/marketing manager/ spokesperson has posted several Facebook, forum and youtube messages promoting the subs including comparing the sub thermometer to "Kickstarter":

There has been a lot of both negative reaction and apologists in Mattycollector's Facebook posts, forms, other toy fan sites and YouTube, leading Toy Guru to respond;

If the meter is not hit, what will likely happen is the 4 figures that are already tool'd (the ones revealed at SDCC) will be released quarterly and perhapes an item at SDCC. After that, that will be it. End of story. It is not a scare tactic, it is a truthful statement. MOTUC and in fact everything we do on Matty is a tiny tiny spec for Mattel. We continue to make these great toys because we love our fans, we love these brands and we want to keep them going. But the raw facts are in today's market we simply can't keep these high end low run collector lines going with out guaranteed customers. That is why we have the presale sub and the meter to communicate how far along we are.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2FzamdUYCJ4[/youtube]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gWW8Nf79lV0[/youtube]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oXAkCRCiY6Q[/youtube]

The DCIE subscription in particular is trending significantly lower than the MOTU, if it does not go through it may be one of the last opportunity to purchase pre-52 6 inch action figures.

In of the latest statements when asked about providing more hints about upcoming figures in the subscription for DCIE, Toy Guru provided the following response:

"I wish we could give more specifics, but really the type of fan we need to support the clubs is the type that will buy any DC fig, and for that type or fan/customer these details shouldn't be needed."


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Rich JohnstonAbout Rich Johnston

Founder of Bleeding Cool. The longest-serving digital news reporter in the world, since 1992. Author of The Flying Friar, Holed Up, The Avengefuls, Doctor Who: Room With A Deja Vu, The Many Murders Of Miss Cranbourne, Chase Variant. Lives in South-West London, works from Blacks on Dean Street, shops at Piranha Comics. Father of two. Political cartoonist.
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