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Community => Other Toy Lines => Well of the Souls => Topic started by: speedermike on May 20, 2008, 08:58 PM

Title: Is the line a Success?
Post by: speedermike on May 20, 2008, 08:58 PM
I know it's only been about two weeks, but I'm curious if people are seeing this line as "successful?"

On one hand I see some stores picked clean, which would make me think that they are moving fast, but I don't see the restocking happening, which makes me wonder if the retailers aren't into it.  I thought for sure the pegs would be loaded this week with the relase of the film.  Any thoughts?
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: Jesse James on May 20, 2008, 09:09 PM
I believe so far, yes it is.  You cannot find a $20 vehicle here, at all, and TRU sold out of the truck before the sale even started, and the staff car during the sale (TRU.com anyway).

Deluxe figures seemingly fly off the shelf here, especially at Target and WM's I've been to...  Basic figures I would say have sold through to only Mutt Williams figures at Wal-Mart no less than 5 times I've been to my nearby WM since the line was released, and they've gotten multiple heavy restock to where figures are falling off pegs.

Like Star Wars, I'm seeing lots of little kids looking stuff over, and walking away with a deluxe and a figure, or a couple basic figures...  Will it last though?  I dunno on that one, but so far I think it's done pretty well.  I didn't see people giving a care about SW in 2002 like they're paying attention to Indy stuff right now, so that's surprising to me.
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: efranks on May 20, 2008, 09:45 PM
I would put a cautious "yes" on this one...for now.  We'll know by Sunday, though.  If the movie hits big we should see a rush to the toy aisle Saturday afternoon after the kids see it.  If it sucks, well...

I was just talking about this with a friend.  I think the line, as a whole, would be a complete success if we got at least 2 waves of figures from each film plus a half dozen or so more Deluxe and I think there were at least 3 other vehicles that came to mind for the short list.

Run till about the end of 2009.  If this movie really tanks, it'll probably be over by Christmas. 

   E...
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: Darby on May 20, 2008, 10:45 PM
So far, yeah.  Stuff is kind of light - no trucks to be found - and the deluxe figs do move much faster than the basic figs, though that depends on where you go.  This weekend will be the big test though, for sure. 
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: CHEWIE on May 20, 2008, 11:41 PM
So far, absolutely! 
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: Diddly on May 21, 2008, 12:27 AM
Hard to tell here really, most stores have restocked but some either haven't or haven't ordered any new product. It's hard to say right now, but I should have a definate answer later in the week.

I do know that Raiders toys are selling better than Kingdom... at least for now.
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: Brian on May 21, 2008, 09:41 AM
Like others have said, I think its doing pretty well.  The deluxe and vehicles are the first to go around here as well, and are often completely gone (vehicles in particular).  The basic line and Adventure Heroes seem to be selling decently too.  It also seems like the Raiders stuff is going a bit quicker right now too, although its all selling.  It was already mentioned, but the next couple weeks should be more telling.  I saw a fair amount of Iron Man stuff out on the pegs until the weekend it was released, and I don't think I've seen a figure since, aside from maybe the Tony Stark/removable armor one here and there.  That's when you see if a line will take off, after the movie is out.  By comparison, the back endcap at Target is still packed full of Prince Caspian figures, so I don't know that those are selling much.

I also think that if the line makes it until the end of 2009, that will be a great success.  Unless there is another movie, series, cartoon or something in the pipline - they should be able to get the four movies pretty well covered in that time frame.  Heck, the lineup this year isn't too bad, and an additional wave for each movie should get us most of what we were hoping for.  I haven't seen kids looking too closely at the figures yet, although I've seen several look at the whip.  That role play stuff just seems really popular with the kids.
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: Darth Broem on May 21, 2008, 11:26 AM
They seem to be doing fine in my area.  Most of the figures seem to move pretty well.  Yeah, I don't see to many vehicles sitting around.  I finally found the Jungle Cutter yesterday.  Now, i don't go out every day or every other day looking for them.  Maybe once or twice in an 8 day period.  But they definately are not sitting there warming the pegs or shelves. 

Now some other stuff continues to sit there like Incredible Hulk and Speed Racer stuff. 
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: Phrubruh on May 21, 2008, 03:42 PM
That's true the Hulk and Speed Racer stuff is sitting. The Indy stuff as well as the Ironman stuff seems to move but not fast. I'd consider it a success after the movie has left the theaters. Speed Racer was huge dud of a movie and the toy sales are definately reflecting this.
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: ctonra on May 21, 2008, 03:57 PM
I will say as for the line to us Collector's it is a Yes,  Most figures and Deluxe go fast I have yet to see the Truck or cutter.  I have notice more often then not the Crystal skull stuff sits longer then the Raiders.   This weekend will be the test.   I hope it lasts long enough to get a melty toht.  and a few good waves of the older movies
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: efranks on May 21, 2008, 07:50 PM
A couple of you pointed out something that I'm seeing also; the RotLA figures are selling faster thant the Crystal Skull stuff with the exception of the Cemetary Warrior, which I haven't seen at retail, and the Ugha Warrior, which I've only seen a couple times.

But the RotLA figures have 25 years of history to go on.

But on positive news; 4 hours left till I head to the theater!

   E...
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: Reid on May 21, 2008, 08:44 PM
Although the line is young, I'd say yes.

Basic Figures
The ROTLA does indeed sell faster, with both Indys being very HTF. The only pegwarmers around here are Belloq, Cairo Swordsman, and occasionally Marion and the German Soldier. The KOTCS wave sells at about the same rate, but both Mutt figures really stink up the pegs. The HTF figures would be the Ruskies, I've only seen Irina and Dovchenko once, and I haven't seen the standard Russian Soldier at all. Kind of funny when compared to the easy-to-find Germans.

Deluxe Figures
The two-packs are the worst sellers, with the Temple Traps, Horse, and LC Motorcycle being virtually nonexistent, especially at Targets.

Vehicles
Very rare, I've only seen the Troop Truck once, and haven't seen the Troop Car or Jungle Cutter at all. I wonder whether these are selling out because they're popular, or Hasbro is producing limited quantities, as this is a new line.
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: Morgbug on May 21, 2008, 10:27 PM
Is it selling better or is it a more cautious approach that stores have taken?  Clearly this isn't a Phantom Menace release but it doesn't seem to be a Hulk, FF or Superman either.  I think the sales bode well, but I think the absence of stock is more a reflection of retailers and possibly Hasbro being much more pragmatic than sales being through the roof. 

Up here I can find most anything I want that's made it up here (a couple of KOTCS figs haven't been found in Canada yet) but otherwise there's nothing I can't get my hands on.  Part of that is our higher retail price, but not all of it because the retail prices are no worse for regular figures than Star Wars, virtually the same audience and the deluxe are all at $12.99 now, so a great price point for us.  The truck/jeep are a bit steep at $29, but the norm here. 

I'll cautiously say yes, a success but the movie results will really tell the tale.  Thankfully it's no speed racer. :-X
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: Jesse James on May 22, 2008, 12:00 AM
I can't speak for everyone, but around here Wal-Mart's got as much space devoted to it leading up to the movie release as Star Wars, which has been fairly significant, plus this week they've now put out island displays...  Yet to see if these will sell-through, but the movie-blitz is on for it now in full swing here. 

I'd say they've now got a full row of pegspace more than Star Wars at my nearest WM as of tonight, though the last big blitz of figures haven't sold through yet.  The deluxe are down, once again, to German 2-packs and Marion/Arab 2-packs.  They had tons of all the 2nd assortment of deluxe just 3 days ago, and man those are ALL gone now.  No traps, no horses/Indy sets, and no German cycles. 

I'm sort of shocked the German 2-packs aren't moving faster.  They're a great deal...

If you're having trouble finding Russians, there's a pretty solid reason.  The Russian figure's pretty decent for World War 2, and the military guys are gobbling that figure up.  I found one tonight in the island display, but otherwise I've seen only 3 Russian soldiers on the floor.  The officer sits more, but the soldier is in high demand by a whole other separate group.  They're also buying up German cycle deluxe, and both $20 vehicles...  So I think the added group that isn't even into IJ stuff buying that is helping move some things along.  I know I'm in that category as well in that I want more than 2 4wd German cars and 1 truck just for the desert chase...  And I just ordered 4 German cycles off TRU.com recently to get the discount.
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: Morgbug on May 22, 2008, 10:50 PM
If you're having trouble finding Russians, there's a pretty solid reason. 

Because AK-47s always come with bayonets and that makes them cool?
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: Jesse James on May 23, 2008, 01:14 AM
Well, yes, but that's not the reason... 

I'm tellin' ya's, the military guys are buying that figure up.  I don't think Hasbro realized there was a sub-market that was going to gobble those and all the German vehicles up like they have.  It's got to be a contributing factor considering they keep a couple toy lines from a couple manufacturers afloat to some degree on their own.
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: Daigo-Bah on May 24, 2008, 05:59 PM
I went to my local WM today and saw the pegs stuffed with everything finally, from deluxe to single figures to roleplay.  The only things missing were the vehicles.  But I finally got Indy w/horse there.
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: evenflow on May 24, 2008, 06:33 PM
Up until today the pegs were bare pretty much everywhere. My walmart restocked with an endcap filled with cubes.
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: Scott on June 11, 2008, 03:35 PM
I'd say no sitting at close to a month now...my local Wal-Mart is had the cube in the aisle for at least two weeks now...I think about 5 of the figures have left it...most of the stores I have gone to have pegs stuffed full of product and it doesn't seem to be moving...I don't think that is a good sign :-[
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: CHEWIE on June 11, 2008, 03:53 PM
Success or Failure?  At this point, I don't think we can measure it, or at least not in the terms that Hasbro will.  But we can try.   8)

I doubt they could have been expecting the line to compete with Star Wars sales, and knew it couldn't; otherwise we'd be seeing them ship that movie styled Clone Wars wave in the spring/early summer. 

The volume of product at retail in my area has a lot of room for more waves to hit the pegs at both Target and TRU... Walmart on the other hand, seems to have over-estimated this line as they have a ton more shelf space, and all three Walmarts that I visit have at least 100 or more figures on the pegs. 

There's just not enough variety in the line to justify Walmart getting that many cases in at one time - if we were talking 3-4 waves right off the bat - then yeah - but not when it's only about 15 different characters at this point... they needed another wave mixed in with the initial launch, at the very least.  Or for the price to be about a buck cheaper.

Still, these seem to be outselling Hulk, Iron Man and Speed Racer by a country mile.
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: Morgbug on June 11, 2008, 04:05 PM
I'm not sure you can really use Hulk or Speed Racer to compare to.  And I'd say Iron Man has sold better where I am considering you can't find any of it around.  Hulk is present in such small quantities and to be fair the movie hasn't opened yet (has it?).  Speed Racer appears to be a massive bust, something that brings me great joy. 

I'm still not confident about the success of this line though.  More than a month later I'm still seeing lots of crappy paint apps and the figures aren't selling very well overall.  The deluxe sold pretty well but there's little I can't find.  I can find all the vehicles and I really can't defend that on the basis of higher pricing, because we're only $5 above US retail.  I'm not optimistic of this line making it much beyond Christmas.  I hope it does survive well into the winter/spring season though, there are plenty of figures I still want to see. 
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: Brian on June 11, 2008, 05:18 PM
Yeah, I'm wondering how big of a success it is too.  Its difficult to judge, because like others, our Target and TRU have room for more figures it seems - but I'm not sure that they're really stocking them anymore (since the movie opening/sale period earlier).  I haven't been at Wal-Mart in a few weeks now, but like Scott mentioned, they had a ton of them last time I was there as well.  Target has just a few figures, and the same with TRU.  Like I said though, I don't know if it is a consistent sell through, or just the fact they haven't restocked in awhile at this point.  Like I've mentioned in other threads, the basic Indys seem tough to come by, so it does seem that maybe a lot of people are just buying "an Indy" and that is that.  I do seem to see Raiders figures more than Skull ones, which is surprising I guess.  Vehicles are pretty rare (although I've seem them all at least twice), and the deluxe sells pretty well too.  I can say, aside from Indy, I could probably find any of the basic figures if I looked hard enough throughout town.

The comparisons mentioned seem about the same here too.  Iron Man seems to be the clear best seller, with nothing left on the pegs usually (as far as the regular figures go anyways).  Hulk stuff doesn't look like its moved at all, but the movie isn't opening until Friday, so we'll see.  Speed Racer seems to be as big of a dud as the movie was, and I'm not sure about the Narnia stuff (don't pay close enough attention).  The Dark Knight stuff (Movie Masters in particular) seems to be moving a bit though, a month before the movie is released.
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: Jesse James on June 12, 2008, 01:11 AM
Around me, I see a good bit of restocking going on with all of it except the vehicles...  The Deluxe get restocked semi-routinely and generally sell-through if they're the temple traps and German bike, otherwise the others are beginning to slow down.

The basic figures, I see them restocked weekly...  A case here, a case there...  That to me implies a steady sell-through of figures, but they never get to even close bare-bones pegs.  They'll just dwindle, then the pegs are full, dwindle, full, etc.  I'm wondering if there may be stock working its way to the floor rather than new shipments, but either way I think it's actually doing fairly well at the couple WM's and Target store I visit frequently.

I didn't even see IJ stuff at the TRU I was at yesterday...  I have no clue where it even was.
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: efranks on June 12, 2008, 10:27 AM
The vehicles are still selling extremely well at both Wal-Mart and Target which surprises me.  The figures at Target have slowed down a little and right now the pegs are pretty full after the most recent stock.

Wal-Mart has full pegs of basic figures but the aisle pallet display they put out last week has really been picked over. 

On the Deluxe side, my Target still hasn't had the motorcycle, horse and trap sets yet and the others are starting to sit a little.  At least the Indy w/ Ark figure.  I think we're out of Germans but there may be a Thug/Marion set left.

WM has sold most of their trap sets but there are still some horse and motorcycle sets left.  They actually have more of those than the Indy w/ Ark/Marion/German 2-pack sets. 

As I mentioned in another thread the other day, even the 12" figures seemed to sell well at Target.  WM has a few but I don't go there enough to tell if they've sold and been stocked again or aren't selling quite as fast there.

From my local perspective, things look solid for the IJ line which is kind of nice seeing as my area is hit and miss on the Star Wars line. 

It will be really interesting to see what happens when the next wave of figures hit.  Do we have a schedule on that, by the way?  I think, right now, that things look good at least through Christmas.  I wouldn't be surprised if we see a bump in the next week or two as kids get out of school for the summer.  And we'll probably see a bump again when the DVD is released which, I'm assuming, should be November or so, just in time for Christmas.

   E...
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: Brian on June 12, 2008, 11:29 AM
Quote
I didn't even see IJ stuff at the TRU I was at yesterday...  I have no clue where it even was.

At our local TRU, they moved Indy to the way back of the store (or the back end of the action figure aisle).  Its actually in the area that Iron Man was in prior to the big "movie reset" at the front of the store.  Within the past few weeks, TRU got rid of the big Speed Racer aisle display (big surprise), and it is now filled with Iron Man, Hulk, and Spider-Man (movie style) stuff.  The other display (which used to be Narnia, Hulk, Iron Man, Dark Knight, and Indy), is now replaced with Narnia, Kung Fu Panda, and Dark Knight I believe.  Anyways, Indy seems to have gotten shoved to the back of our store.
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: Ben on June 13, 2008, 02:28 AM
The local WMs really overordered on everything. One of them has the four-sided display that barely has any figures taken from it. I suppose it will pick up more towards Christmas, when the DVD is out.
It's kind of hard to tell here, because every weekend, it's a new weather disaster and people have a lot on their minds.

I agree with what was said earlier- there isn't enough variety for stores to be ordering so much. Though it's damn near impossible to find the vehicles or an Indy w/ horse.
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: speedermike on June 14, 2008, 04:47 PM
there isn't enough variety for stores to be ordering so much.

I think there's tons of variety! 17 carded figures and 7 deluxes is waaaaaayyy more tha the 4 Iron Man figures that were offered for that film.
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: JediJman on June 14, 2008, 09:46 PM
there isn't enough variety for stores to be ordering so much.

I think there's tons of variety! 17 carded figures and 7 deluxes is waaaaaayyy more tha the 4 Iron Man figures that were offered for that film.

I think somewhere between 5 and 17 figures makes the most sense.  I see a lot of Indy pegwarmning at retailers right now, but the Iron Man stuff is completely sold out everywhere I go.
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: Diddly on June 15, 2008, 01:49 AM
Well the local Wal-Mart with the 4-sided display removed it and added the Jones figs to the Star Wars 4 sided display. One side is SW, one IJ, and the other two are other various Hasbro items. The main aisle has significantly less Jones figures as well. I think it's all because WM is marketing pool/outdoor toys due to the start of summer but we'll see.
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: David on June 15, 2008, 01:06 PM
I think the line's doing surprisingly well in my area. The Target a block from my house has had great distribution and product seems to sell fast enough to be called successful, yet slow enough for me to always find what I want (except for a ******* Russian Soldier!!!!). I almost always see parents/kids checking out the Indy stuff so I guess that's also a good sign. :)
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: Brian on June 16, 2008, 09:15 AM
I got a chance to visit WM for the first time in awhile this weekend, and as others have mentioned, they are just swimming in Indy product.  The regular aisle display is packed full, as well as an endcap overflowing with the stuff.  I also saw the Jungle Cutter several times at both WM and TRU.  I think the line is selling ok, but may be slowing the further we get away from the movie.  I also think, aside from an Indy figure here or there - or maybe the role playing stuff - that this line is even more collector driven than Star Wars.  I haven't really seen kids looking at the figures at all, just the whip.
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: Artoo on June 17, 2008, 12:13 AM
My Targets are bare (no Indys besides AH, also no IM stuff except the Hero line. I guess those aren't as popular as the SW one) but my favorite W*M is stuffed. Maybe they re-stock often.
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: JACKOFTRADZE on June 19, 2008, 03:12 PM
In my opinion and observation of the Chicago area Target and TRU moved through their inventory in a healthy manner. WM's seem to be overstocked. I went to 2 different locations and they were jammed packed with everything. anything other that the LC wave you can find. Do not be surprised if WM does not continue to carry the line. Target & TRU should be a safe bet that it will at least continue for awhile.
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: Paul on June 19, 2008, 04:08 PM
Before today I would have thought the line was a success, but after visiting 4 Wal Marts, I would have to agree that Wal Mart will kill this line in their stores pretty quick.

Endcaps PACKED with Wave 1 and 2, shelves PACKED under loaded pegs.  I even saw the Deluxe pegs full, Horse, Motorcycle and Ark Indy even.

Target is a bit more picked over and Tru seems to move product a bit too.
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: Brian on June 19, 2008, 04:17 PM
Yeah, the same thing has happened here.  WM is just loaded with Indy right now, with an endcap full of the first two waves, and the area in the "regular" aisle is packed to the gills as well.  Target seemed to put some new stuff out this week, as I saw some of the KOTCS figures again (including Indy w/jacket).  I grabbed an extra Indy w/Jacket that had real nice paint.  Actually, I think that might be the best overall Indy figure so far, aside from the overly large removable hat.  TRU has had the same stuff since their sale I think, although they have had a couple Jungle Cutters sitting there since then.
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: Brian on July 8, 2008, 03:45 PM
How does everyone think the line is doing at this point?  I haven't seen the newest TLC wave at retail yet here, but each time I look it seems like things are starting to hang a bit now.  WM in particular has gobs of figures, even the basic Indys (who seem to be a little tougher to find at Target/TRU).  I'm starting to see the vehicles a little more often too (the Jungle Cutter in particular), and starting to get tempted to pick up more of those.  Anyways, I'm sure Hasbro has plans for at least next year for this line - but overall how do you think it has done now that the movie is a couple of months behind us?
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: Morgbug on July 8, 2008, 04:48 PM
No room at my stores really for much.   :'(

There is nothing and I mean nothing from the initial release I cannot find locally.  We were out of Indy with horse for a while, but it is back again, though continues to sell through.  I can find every Indy figure, every other regular figure including the Russian soldier with ease.  We also just got the Temple Race things which eat up a ton of shelf space and I don't think will move well :-\

I do think the line is a success, but I do not think it will last long.  We have yet to see TLC stuff locally either.  I'm hoping I will see them locally but I'm thinking I need to go online to order the ToD stuff before it sells out everywhere because I don't think that will hit Canada at all because of the backlog.  The only caveat I'll put out there is it's not a good time at retail for sales of stuff like this.  When the back to school stuff goes out sales tend to go up as well, so I'm hoping for improvement in sales toward the end of the month.  If not, it's done up here. 
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: ruiner on July 8, 2008, 04:50 PM
I think the line is in trouble.  The movie is pretty much done and I can only assume most people have had their fill of the first two waves.  

Problem is (and this happens every time a new movie line is introduced) Hasbro ships too much of the first/second wave.  We're swimming in them - everywhere.

I don't have much hope on the TLC or ToD waves even hitting here.  

It's that bad.  And the rumored price increases certainly won't help move the stagnant product.

Great minds think alike Brent.

 ;)
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: efranks on July 8, 2008, 08:48 PM
Looking at the line now I'm not sure how much of a success it is.  It sold well at the beginning but by July 1st it seems to be stagnant as far as sales go.  WM had a huge cube put out about half way into June and the figures that sold the best were from the KotCS wave including the Russian Soldier and Cemetery Warrior.  Now they're both hanging around.

Target only ever had the first wave of Deluxe and sold through them.  A little over a week ago they finally stocked the second wave with the German Motorcycle, Horse and playsets.  They sold, surprisingly, since they've been sitting at WM for weeks now not moving.

Both stores have sold the Trucks and Jungle Cutters well but now the JC is sitting at WM.  Neither Target or WM has restocked the 4WD Car since the release. 

The 12" moved surprisingly well and didn't seem to be ordered heavily, a good thing, and now the Indy figures are scarce but Mutt and the German Soldier are around.  Maybe a swordsman but he sold well also.  Role play whip, I still see kids with that once in a while.

I'm afraid it'll be a while till TLC hits here and I'm worried about TOD making at all due to the backlog of figures.  Especially now that Cornell and IC are out, the buying market for items like these has all but dried up.  Won't be back till the end of August and by then the SW stuff will be popping again so who knows how that will cut into the Indy market.

I also think the first two waves were shipped too heavily and now 3 and 4 will suffer.  There was too much of a break between them and TLC and the buzz wore off.  I do believe we'll see a bump for the DVD release, especially if it's closer to Christmas.

The price change is a real pisser!  My Target was $7.49 for the launch and then, about mid June, dropped down to $6 something.  That was for a couple of weeks, and they saw some sales, but then they bumped the price to $7.99 last week.  Now, consumers aren't all stupid.  People are going to realize that that the same stock that's been on the shelves since May has dropped and now increased to above the release price.  This isn't milk or gas, they aren't a commodity...people know it didn't cost Target $7.99 a pop to put them on the shelf.

My WM did the same thing with the 2005 exclusive line of 3" Titaniums.  They were, what, $4.88?  Then they bumped the price on what was in stock to $5.88 and then again to $5.99.  It's now 3 years later and they STILL have 2005 stock on the pegs, with red clearance tags market, get this, $5.99!  My WM store has stocked new Titanium vehicles TWO TIMES in three years.  End cap of repaints earlier this year and the UGH Republic Gunship wave in 2006.  I don't believe they sold a single new Titanium in 2007.

Anyway, my big hopes for this line were doused about 2 weeks ago when I hadn't noticed anything missing from the pegs locally, the TLC wave started to hit in other parts of the country and, although the film is still in the top 10, the buzz has died off and I'm not seeing kids looking at the toys anymore.

Unfortunately, I'm not expecting to get much further than the TOD wave unless something drastically changes with the DVD release.  Christmas this year might be about it.  Especially with the price hike.  If there's another wave far enough along in production we might get it but I wouldn't be surprised to find them in Big Lots or Tuesday Morning.

   E..
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: speedermike on July 8, 2008, 08:57 PM
Actually, the stores I frequent (TRU and Target) both have very few wave 1 and 2 figures left, now I'm just waiting for them to restock with the TLC wave.

I find it funny that Wal-Mart is choking on these, as they seemed to be the only ones who didn't have much out on May 1.  People bought big that first day, and they missed out.
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: Morgbug on July 9, 2008, 12:25 AM
Well, this sufficiently panicked me enough to order wave 4 from BBTS.  I was kinda surprised by the pricing though: set of 6 new figures $74.50; case including those six figures $89.99.  Yeah, ok.  Obviously I bought the case.  Thankfully I haven't been really ripping into the Indy figures I've bought thus far so I can take rocket launcher Indy and Temple Indy back to the store.  I haven't bought any Mutt figures yet, but now I get the jacket version.  So I'm only stuck with an extra Temple and Rocket Launcher Indy in my case.  Not too bad.  And it's still a little below retail up here, even after shipping.  So in my case, not a bad deal.  If I can unload those two extras, I'm laughing. 

But this does preclude ordering the case of TLC figures.  Since they've hit retail though, I'm much less concerned overall about them and I do get the Indy anyway. 
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: Ben on July 9, 2008, 01:26 AM
The only place I've seen the Last Crusade wave is at WM, ironically. I knew they overdid it when I saw that four-sided display.

I guess I better get a preorder in at BBTS for the ToD wave. That doesn't have a prayer of showing up here. And I still have to get a few figures from the Last Crusade. :P

Edit- Nice. $75 for a set of 6 ToD figures. (http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/product.aspx?product=HAS15554&mode=retail)
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: ruiner on July 9, 2008, 08:21 AM
Man, I can remember when BBTS was close to retail in terms of pricing.  Now his prices border along the lines of scalping.
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: evenflow on July 9, 2008, 08:30 AM
I still order a good deal from BBTS, but didnt with wave 4 because of the ridiculous pricing. I tend to pick and choose much more with them.
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: Brian on July 9, 2008, 09:47 AM
I also order from BBTS a fair amount, but have noticed the prices creeping up a bit lately as well.  Actually, I'd say I do the majority of online shopping through there (or HTS, when they have stuff in stock).  Anyways, I did preorder the ToD wave as well (despite the high prices) as sort of a "just in case".  Like others, I'm not sure we'll see this wave much here either (still no TLC wave either), and for some reason HTS won't let me order anything anymore (I always get an error message now).  This way, I've got them preordered as a "backup" and can always cancel it if necessary.
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: Scott on August 6, 2008, 10:26 AM
Not sure how many people read the latest Q&A's concerning Dr Jones...I wouldn't hold my breath for anything past the last wave shown :-\
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: Brian on August 6, 2008, 10:42 AM
I don't think I've seen all of the Q and A's yet, but just looking over the answers at CoolToyReview, it doesn't sound overly optimistic.  No real "wait and see" type answers, its more "nope".  Kind of going off one of those answers there, I wonder how much kids really care about this line.  They talk about balancing it, but I have to say, aside from the week or two around the release of the movie, I don't know that I've ever seen kids looking at the Indy stuff at all.

If the ROTLA wave we saw at Comic Con is the last wave, it will be a little disappointing I guess because we're still missing some key supporting characters (Brody in particular), and there were other places they could have went with things - but I can't say I'm overly surprised.  There wasn't exactly a big Indy presentation at SDCC, it seemed more like an afterthought of the Star Wars one.  As much as I love Indy, it isn't Star Wars from a marketing/product standpoint - and I always said I was just hoping for a Star Wars VOTC-styled Indy figure (although we didn't necessarily get the "perfect" ROTLA Indy) - so the other characters were just gravy.  I don't know if the retail situation is this way everywhere, but around here its pretty bleak.  Does everyone feel like the new '09 wave is indeed the end of the line?  Will it even make it to retail?
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: ruiner on August 6, 2008, 11:25 AM
If that last wave makes it's way to EE.com or somewhere else online, it would be in your best interest to order a case.

Funny how figure selection / distribution can kill a line in less than six months. 

Things would have been different if they had shipped some of the killer figures from Tod or the newest Raiders 'reveal' in place of the stinkers that have been clogging the pegs for the past three months.
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: JACKOFTRADZE on August 6, 2008, 11:42 AM
I am think that this line is finished after the ROTLA wave. You can't even find wave 3 let alone the thought of TOD wave that's coming. Outside of the value aspect the new BP's make no sense considering they are all warming shelf space near you. WM are atrocious, they are packed to the brim with everything but wave 3.

I am looking forward to the Target clearance to pick up some custom fodder. It's a shame they shipped too much of it, while I knew it would never be a big hit I think it had enough to keep it going on a small scale. Once that DVD comes out that's the last breath. The last two waves may be HTS exclusives.....
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: Jeff on August 6, 2008, 11:54 AM
I wouldn't hold my breath for anything past the last wave shown :-\

The line may die in 2009, but I'm sure it'll be back when Indy V is released in 2011.  :-X
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: speedermike on August 6, 2008, 10:49 PM
Hmmm...what's really pissing me off is that many stores only have a few (8-12) figures from May 2 on the shelf, but won't get the new waves in!  The line would see more sales if the stuff was on the pegs!
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: Brian on August 7, 2008, 09:49 AM
I've seen that at a few stores (Target in particular) around here too.  Their basic pegs are nowhere near full, and have pretty much had the same stuff on them for awhile now.  WM, on the other hand, doesn't have room for anything new at all - as they seem to be drowning in pretty much each and every figure from the first two waves.  As a side note, has the TLC wave been found anywhere but Wal-Mart yet (aside from online purchases)?
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: Jeff on August 7, 2008, 10:39 AM
I've seen one Wave3 Rev1 case (with TLC Indy, Young Indy, and Henry Sr) show up at one of my local Target stores and I've seen one Wave3 Rev2 case (with TLC Indy, Young Indy, Grail Knight, Vogel) show up at a different Target.  Not overly abundant (and not the whole wave), but they are showing up slowly...
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: JACKOFTRADZE on August 7, 2008, 12:29 PM
Hmmm...what's really pissing me off is that many stores only have a few (8-12) figures from May 2 on the shelf, but won't get the new waves in!  The line would see more sales if the stuff was on the pegs!

Depends where you look, go to any WM and it's stuffed to the brim!

TRU and Target have lighter stocks, that is true. TRU has not seemed to get anything since 5/2.
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: Morgbug on August 8, 2008, 11:17 PM

Funny how figure selection / distribution can kill a line in less than six months. 


Mutt.  'Nuff said. 

Well, not really.  Who gambles on this sort of thing at the head office?  You had to know that this line was going to predominantly appeal to collectors.  Based on that one would think you'd speculate that the collectors wouldn't be so receptive to a "new Indy" in Mutt in the movie and the toys would tank because of that.  I don't see kids buying into liking Mutt for any particular reason, I never really saw a lot of kids at the Indy flicks anyway.  So overpacking the pegs with a risky character choice?  Duh. 

In a twisted way I was pleased on my recent tour of MN to see that the stores there suck as badly as they do up here.  You guys have the exact same problems and figures sitting as we do here.  Big oops on that one. 

I'm hoping the last wave does make it out and yeah, I'll preorder it as soon as I see it.  I'm a little nervous on the ToD wave from BBTS....I gotta wonder if they oversold that.  I'm less worried about the second wave to be honest.  I think TLC wave will make it out in time because the second wave is just too soon to slow down production that much.  It's sitting somewhere (I hope) but retailers aren't doing much because they're completely clogged with the first two waves. 
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: speedermike on August 8, 2008, 11:48 PM
I'm going to give this some time.  I bet we see the TLC wave and TOD wave in late fall.  Last year, there were about 2 30AC waves I didn't see when they first hit, but around x-mas I found everything.  We know the stuff is in the pipeline somewhere, it's gotta show up.  I've got 4 of the 6 TLC figs that I bought at Forbidden Planet in NYC, I'm going to wait until after the New Year to look for Heny and the Grail Knight in secndary markets.
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: Diddly on August 9, 2008, 04:02 PM
Well, in the last 13 years I've learned that Hasbro is incredibly stubborn and will do stuff we both like and dislike. Even if the backlash is extremely negative (Saga Legends, etc.) Hasbro will still go through with their plans, so I figured the IJ line was safe. But when they stated in the Q&A that Marcus Brody was very unlikely to be made, I knew it was over. I figured Hasbro would at least still be able to keep a small section of stock in the toy aisles but this line is pretty much dead now that Hasbro seems to be losing support. Oh well, it was fun while it lasted. I think I'm going to order a case of TOD and Raiders 09 figures online, hell maybe even TLC since I won't ever see any more of them.
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: ruiner on August 11, 2008, 03:06 PM
The only thing that can save this line now is one of two things - a clearance of all the intro figures and a reintroduction (new sku assignment) for the upcoming waves - SOMEHOW convincing the retailers that figure selection was the reason for disappointing sales.

OR

Hasbro could 'buy back' all of the figs sitting on the pegs near you to make room for the stellar waves they have planned.

Considering both are unlikely to happen based on what we know in the figure aisle, odds are we won't see Indy on the pegs for Spring 2009.  Clearances excluded.
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: CHEWIE on August 11, 2008, 04:05 PM
Ran into 8 cases of Wave 3 at Walmart recently... at a store PACKED with waves 1 and 2.  They put them on a sidepanel and shoved them onto an island display... grabbed a few figures, went back the next day, all was gone except for a few of Indy and Grail Knight... if they hadn't overshipped the first two waves, the line might not have been doomed like it seems to be now.

At least the vehicles and deluxes still seem to be selling... as is Wave 3, if you can find it.
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: Scott on August 11, 2008, 05:02 PM
Ran into 8 cases of Wave 3 at Walmart recently... at a store PACKED with waves 1 and 2.  They put them on a sidepanel and shoved them onto an island display... grabbed a few figures, went back the next day, all was gone except for a few of Indy and Grail Knight... if they hadn't overshipped the first two waves, the line might not have been doomed like it seems to be now.

At least the vehicles and deluxes still seem to be selling... as is Wave 3, if you can find it.
I think Wave 3 is a huge Scalper target right now though which is sort of not a good judge of sales
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: Morgbug on August 11, 2008, 05:18 PM
Agreed, but I mostly think it just hasn't hit much yet.  I can grasp that the line is suffering from the lack of sales due to clogging up early waves, but that shouldn't have any impact on wave 3's production numbers at all.  The relative scarcity means the scalpers are hoarding for ebay but it just hasn't had room to be put out yet.  Hasbro produced it out the ying-yang most likely since they expected/hoped the line would be a success.  I am not worried about getting these so long as I remain patient. 

Wave 4 I'm pretty comfortable with again because BBTS reopened the pre-orders for that case and set, or at least they were available last night.  The last waves will be like the last waves are for most lines dying an unfortunate death, relatively fewer overall. 

I'd really like to see the early warmers pulled too, but can't see big H doing it.  The end is nigh. 
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: Pete_Fett on August 11, 2008, 07:30 PM
Well, in the last 13 years I've learned that Hasbro is incredibly stubborn and will do stuff we both like and dislike. Even if the backlash is extremely negative (Saga Legends, etc.) Hasbro will still go through with their plans, so I figured the IJ line was safe. But when they stated in the Q&A that Marcus Brody was very unlikely to be made, I knew it was over. I figured Hasbro would at least still be able to keep a small section of stock in the toy aisles but this line is pretty much dead now that Hasbro seems to be losing support. Oh well, it was fun while it lasted. I think I'm going to order a case of TOD and Raiders 09 figures online, hell maybe even TLC since I won't ever see any more of them.

Yeah - their answers last week re: a Marcus Brody figure were VERY telling IMHO.

They don't seem to want to discuss anything beyond the second RotLA wave.

The lame battle packs aren't going to help matters either. If they had at least put some variants or re-paints in there, some of us might have been tempted to make a purchase, but as it stands now, there's no point to these things unless you have still YET to grab all of the figures in the set.

I think I too will look into buying the ToD and '09 RotLA wave online just to make sure I can get them. It's a shame, I really wanted to army build the Thugee soldiers too.  :(
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: speedermike on August 11, 2008, 10:05 PM
Yeah, I want about 4 Thuggees, and I wanted a black robed version  too.  I think all of the the guys inside, during the mine chase wore black robes...
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: evenflow on August 12, 2008, 09:23 AM
Its really too bad we won't get a Marcus figure. I am thinking th eline won't make it after the 2009 ROTLA wave.
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: Phrubruh on August 12, 2008, 09:56 AM
I still have not seen anything beyond wave 2 on the pegs. It's not that the pegs are empty but are currently overflowing with Mutt Williams w/ snake.

I talked to a TRU employee recently. He said the Indy stuff was selling really quickly for about a week and half. Now it just sits and sits. However, the star wars stuff still sells really well. 
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: David on August 12, 2008, 05:34 PM
I talked to a TRU employee recently. He said the Indy stuff was selling really quickly for about a week and half. Now it just sits and sits. However, the star wars stuff still sells really well. 

Yeah, that's how it went around here, too. As this line is starting to look more and more doomed, I'm probably gonna go the 'ordering online' route like many others.

I'm pretty bummed that we aren't getting Marcus. Donovan, too. They both seemed like such obvious choices. I do hope we get one last KotCS wave with Oxley, Marion, and Mac, to go with the duck that's shown up in Wal-Mart's computer system. Also, weren't they saying they had planned another ToD wave centered around Club Obi-Wan? It would be a shame if that one was finished but ends up getting cancelled. :-\

This is so sad, this really is my favorite 3.75" toy line, as short-lived as it's destined to be. :'(
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: Jeff on August 12, 2008, 06:43 PM
weren't they saying they had planned another ToD wave centered around Club Obi-Wan?

QUESTION:  Have you considered the opening scene in the Temple of Doom, for a possible 2009 wave? I think a Tux Indy, Lao Che and his sons and Willie in her performance outfit would fit in great with this fantastic line! Just curious if this is on your radar.

ANSWER:  Those are indeed great selections and very close to what we are planning for a 2009 Temple of Doom wave. More details will come later in the year!

If I remember what they said at Toy Fair correctly, they had pretty much mapped out (on paper) at least two waves of figures for each movie.  The goal was to get through those 10-16 "high profile" figures from each of the four movies (about 50-60 figures total) and then see where they were at after that as far as demand goes.

I guess we wait and see how much opportunity there is in 2009 to get to those other 16-26 figures...  :-\
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: Diddly on August 12, 2008, 09:07 PM
The lame battle packs aren't going to help matters either. If they had at least put some variants or re-paints in there, some of us might have been tempted to make a purchase, but as it stands now, there's no point to these things unless you have still YET to grab all of the figures in the set.

The Battle Packs are a HORRIBLE idea for many different reasons. First, what you mentioned, how the Battle packs (except for the Last Crusade Tank Battle one) are unwanted because kids aren't interested and collectors have all the figures already. Second, people like me who haven't bought any KOTCS figures (well, I bought Indy and some Russians) are going to hold off on the basic carded figures and wait for the BP's to come out. Because why pay $35 for 5 figures when you can get the exact same figures for $20? Same with the Wal-Mart packs, why pay $7 for a Mutt when you can get Mutt, Indy, and someone else for $12?

So all in all you'll have a few collectors pick up the Battle Packs but the majority will sit. And nobody is going to buy the single carded figures, so those will continue to sit as well. It's a lose-lose situation for everyone.
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: evenflow on August 16, 2008, 12:32 AM
Well ia m very upset over the news that we are no longer getting the Ark ghost (confirmed with this weeks Q&A's). I think its another bad sign for the line.
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: David on August 16, 2008, 07:30 PM
Well ia m very upset over the news that we are no longer getting the Ark ghost (confirmed with this weeks Q&A's). I think its another bad sign for the line.

Damn! Got a link? :'(
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: speedermike on August 16, 2008, 09:27 PM
Things don't look good.  Wow.  I thought we'd get at least 2 years out of this, but it looks like the Winter 2009 ROTLA figs might be the last.
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: Nicklab on August 16, 2008, 09:58 PM
Well ia m very upset over the news that we are no longer getting the Ark ghost (confirmed with this weeks Q&A's). I think its another bad sign for the line.

Damn! Got a link? :'(

LINKAGE (http://www.jeditemplewarroom.com/forum/index.php?topic=1640.msg35331#msg35331).

Well Of The Souls gets the credit for getting a straight answer on this one.  It's too bad though.  I thought that would've been a cool deluxe figure.
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: David on August 16, 2008, 10:21 PM
Thanks, Nicklab, thanks! Pretty much all of the answers in that link sucked! You just completely ruined my day, you filthy *******. >:(


 ;) Just kidding, thanks for the link. Still, those Q&A's were pretty depressing. :'(
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: Pete_Fett on August 16, 2008, 11:41 PM
So the news gets worse and worse when it comes to this line...

For me the biggest revelation this week is that Dietrich from RotLA won't be coming since he was planned, but not planned for the first wave of 2009.

So even though they said there would be a Ark Ghost, now there won't. They said there would be a Col. Dietrich, but now there won't.

I highly doubt there will be any more $20 vehicles beyond the second version of the Truck. I also think the Mutt w/Motorcycle and Cairo Thugs will be the last two "new" deluxe figures we see as well.

It's really a shame that this line did not sell as well as Hasbro had hoped.

Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: Morgbug on August 17, 2008, 12:00 AM
Quote
Hasbro: The Indiana Jones line is without question considered a success, given that Indiana Jones has never previously been a successfully merchandised toy line. However, for a line to be ongoing, we have to have an audience (both kids and collectors) who are interested in continuing to collect the line. We know that IJ does not have a collector base similar to some of the bigger brands  (like Star Wars), which places more of a burden relatively on kids to shoulder the load. So far, kids' interest has been somewhat 1-dimensional, showing an appreciation for relatively few figures (Indy and Mutt primarily). We expect that there will be a huge up swell in kid interest in IJ figures during the TV and holiday times, but exactly how long afterward, and how deeply they support the lines are still to be decided.

Uh, my impression is that the only collector base you have for this line is the collectors rather than the kids.  Am I wrong about this, or are they seemingly totally out to lunch? 

Again, overpacking Mutt like that was a monstrous mistake on their part.  They need to openly admit that to retailers and promise better assortments with possibly some guarantees of refunds for retailers on crap product.  I can always find other KOTCS figures, but it's a ratio of about 16:1 Mutt to everything else. 

Killing a line because of crappy distribution/case ratios on your part is a lack of kids/collectors interest?  Bah, ridiculous. 

So long as the Club Obi-Wan figs make it somewhere, the line can die.  Lots more I'd like to see, but I guess getting Mutt out in three versions is more important than finishing off the original figures in new versions. 
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: evenflow on August 17, 2008, 09:01 AM
It sucks that the "new figure" i wanted the most won't ever be made...Marcus Brody. I think at this point we will be lucky if the Toht wave comes out.
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: Darth_Anton on August 17, 2008, 10:07 AM

Uh, my impression is that the only collector base you have for this line is the collectors rather than the kids.  Am I wrong about this, or are they seemingly totally out to lunch? 


You might be on to something, and it's an interesting note to all the SW collectors out there who believe that collectors are the main driving force of a line.

It's a shame too. The figures are very nice. However, since I've only picked up one figure, I'm contributing to it's demise.
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: Pete_Fett on August 17, 2008, 10:41 AM
I think at this point, the only reason we've seen the second RotLA wave is 'cause even though it's slated for "early 2009" that really means "holiday season 2008" so that wave should be hitting in December which is why some retailers are picking it up as a last ditch effort to see if the line sells.

If Hasbro didn't have any sales for that second RotLA wave, then we wouldn't have seen them at SDCC.

If you take their answer re: the card back art for TLC Wave #2 back when those figures were supposed to be part of TAC and the fact that they don't want to show it simply because it will never be used (which just seems crazy to me, you already paid the artist, why not sell a set of cardbacks for these figures?) - so no purchases  from retailers for RotLA Wave #2 = that slide getting deleted from the SDCC PPT deck.

It's also the same thing with the coins for the Force Unleashed figures - you already made the tools for them. Take pre-orders for a set of Force Unleashed figure coins on HasbroToyShop.com for a couple of months, use it to gauge interest, if you get enough sales of them, produce them, if not cancel everyone's pre-orders. But I doubt that product costs more than tooling so why not just make as many sets as you presell. Same thing with the cardbacks for the TLC Wave #2 figures. But anyway, I digress...

The four different Indy figures and two different Mutt figures are what really hurt this line. They could have cut the numbers for both characters in half, slotted in some more characters up-front like Toht or the German Mechanic or Marcus Brody (for the RotLA) and Marion or Oxley or Mac (for the KotCS wave) and then collectors would have probably bought MORE figures. Let me explain....

As it stands now, if you get one of each you got:
Indy w/Fertility Idol
Indy (Streets of Cairo) w/Whip Action
Indy w/Bazooka
Indy w/Crystal Skull
Mutt w/Sword
Mutt w/Snake

That's a total of six figures.

If instead they had used those same six slots to release:
Indy w/Removeable Hat, Jacket, satchel, working holster, fertility Idol, whip clip, 2-whip versions & gun from RotLA
Toht
Indy w/Removeable Hat, (no jacket torso), satchel, working holster, Crystal Skull, whip clip on belt, 2-whip versions, bazooka & gun from KotCS
Oxley
Mutt w/Cloth "Leather Jacket", sword and switch-blade
Marion w/Snake ('cause she was in that scene too)

That's still six figures, but if they took the time and made the heads swapable between the two Indys, that would mean a total of EIGHT figures sold.

The Indy w/Bazooka figure would work JUST FINE if you wanted to make a streets of Cairo version of Indy if you could just pop the head from the RotLA Indy onto that body. But you can't 'cause the heads are not compatible. Same thing with making a Jacketed Indy figure from KotCS. Just take the spare body you have now and combine it with the older Indy head, now you have a KotCS version of Indy in full garb. They would have doubly sold each Indy figure.

Now before you start saying "but they saved on tooling by having four Indy figures" - sure they did, but not by much. The Streets of Cairo Indy figure has a mechanism that had to be tooled and does not share any parts from other Indy figures. It's head isn't even compatible with the Fertility Idol Indy figure. Sure the legs on the two KotCS Indy figures and the Fertility Idol Indy are the same and the two Jacketed versions share the same arms (although they did give us a second left hand for the KotCS Indy - I would have much rather had a handless version of the crystal skull) - the Jacket piece that goes over the torso is DIFFERENT between the two Jacketed figures only because the RotLA Indy has a working over-sized holster and the KotCS Indy has a smaller non-working holster. They should have just gone with a a holster that was somewhere in between - working but not oversized to accomodate the flap and "button".

Collectors also have the ability to "pass" on certain versions of the same character so even if you aren't like me and would have been compelled to buy two of each Indy figure so you could perform a head-swap. If you're collecting purely based on one of each character, you loose the liability of the jacket-less Mutt and then gain the extra sales of the Toht, Oxley and Marion figures.

Some other things that they could have done? Skip the Marion & Cairo Thug 2-pack - just released two versions of the Cairo Thug 2-pack, right off the bat.

They appear to have no problem shipping the Toht figure with a second head INSIDE THE PACKAGE (which is something they say they'll never do with a Star Wars figure) - so why not package variant heads of Dovchenko, Irina, the German Soldier and Russian Solider in their packages? How many people are going to buy TWO Toht figures (if he comes out) anyway? I know I am, one to display with one head and one to display with the second head. If they had packaged a Irina w/Glasses second head in the package with her, I would have happily bought two of that figure. Same thing with Dovchenko - he has his hat on like once in the movie - each time he's fighting with Indy he's got no hat on, so why not make a version of his head w/o the hat. The variant Russian and German solider heads would have helped that sell even MORE than they did as well.

I really hope that the lack of retailer interest in the line for these last two waves ToD and RotLA #2 just means that they will easily be picked up from HTS. Which brings me to my next point. Start taking PRE-ORDERS for six-packs of the RotLA #2 wave - one of each figure except two of Toht. I know if it meant I was guaranteed all of the figures I need from that wave, I would happily place a pre-order for that six-pack of figures. Heck start offering a pre-order for a six-pack of the ToD figures too. Then also offer a pre-order for say a three-pack of Thugee soldiers too.

The tools are made for these figures, why not just try as many avenues as possible to get them sold?

One more thing - why are they saying "no" to stuff to readily? HTS seems to have no problem selling Cobra Commander in a Suit as a SDCC exclusive so why not give me a Professor Indiana Jones in a suit figure? Or a Donovan in Suit figure? Or a Colonel Dietrich figure? If they feel that collectors are the only driving force for the line, just keep offering one-off figures each year as SDCC exclusives. How hard could that be?
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: David on August 17, 2008, 01:03 PM
Uh, my impression is that the only collector base you have for this line is the collectors rather than the kids.  Am I wrong about this, or are they seemingly totally out to lunch? 

**snip**

Killing a line because of crappy distribution/case ratios on your part is a lack of kids/collectors interest?  Bah, ridiculous.

That confused me too. ???
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: Ben on August 17, 2008, 07:15 PM
This (http://toynewsi.com/news.php?catid=242&itemid=13358) fits in with the discussion here.

Mutt Williams kind of reminds me of Jar Jar Binks. Hasbro produced too many of his first action figures too, expecting his character to be a hit.

I would think Hasbro would offer credit to retailers for all the stuff that isn't selling in an attempt to give the line another chance, but it seems like they'd rather pull the plug. That just seems insane.
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: Reid on August 17, 2008, 08:12 PM
Stinks to hear that this line is likely toast after 2009. Hopefully the Toht wave will see retail, now if only the damn TLC wave could hit retail in my area! Sucks about Dietrich, I was looking forward to him.
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: speedermike on August 17, 2008, 11:46 PM
Guys, as much as we love them we've gotta be realsitic.  Look at how few of us are actually on these boards...there's very little interest here, and in a way, I'm surprised by the product we did get! The only characters I'll really miss are

Ox
Mac
Marion (KS)
Altar Priest
Indy in Tux
Shanghia Gangster
Marion Nepal
and Nepal Goon

oh...and the friggin sidecar!!  That one kills me because I suspect that it was designed with the German Bike.

And a Minecar!

And a Tank!

Man...
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: Pete_Fett on August 18, 2008, 01:33 AM
Since there is a socket hole in the side of the German Motorcycle, I can guarantee that tools were produced for mass production of a side car at some point in the future.

This is another excellent candidate for release via HTS shipped in a plain white mailer box.

There are plenty of German Solider on Motorcycle sets out there right now. It would entice folks to buy a second Indy w/Horse too (granted the Indy is wrong, but it's the best Indy to put on the motorcycle).

Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: Morgbug on August 18, 2008, 11:47 AM
I would happily order from HTS.com if this were the only retailer making these things available.  I'd have no problem having to order complete waves, like at BBTS, either, to get some of these figures made.  If they all ended up being HTS exclusives as Pete suggests, I'd be fully supportive.  White mailers, regular packaging, whatever for me as an an opener.  The only thing I wouldn't want to see is continued screwups in case counts and then sell them singly.  It's been a long time since Henry Sr. was in stock at HTS. 

And I agree that interest is lower overall.  But how much of that was fostered by poor case packs?  Pete's post about the way things could have been done is much better.  I think for collectors it would have really helped but even with the kids it would have worked better too.  I still think this line should have been geared to collectors all along - I just don't know that many kids that were into the original IJ movies anyway. 
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: Brian on August 18, 2008, 02:37 PM
Yeah, this latest batch of Q and A's seems to continue the thoughts that this line is on its last legs.  Heck, at this point it almost sounds like we'll be lucky to see that 2nd Raiders wave.  Like it was mentioned earlier in this thread, I could see that wave hitting around Christmas - and then maybe Indy not being on the "post-holiday reset" at the retail outlets.  I really like this line too, and like others, I'd continue to support it via HTS or wherever.  They can just stick them in white mailer boxes as far as I'm concerned too, but it would be nice to at least get another wave or two to finish out some of the most requested figures.  I never figured this would be a real long lasting line, but I thought longer than 2008.  Like others have said though, I really think the kid interest in this line - especially at this point - is very low.  Even collectors has to be a fraction of a line like Star Wars.  I don't think stores around here have moved much of anything lately (or gotten anything new in, naturally), and I don't know that the DVD release will do a whole lot to push anything else (especially if its still the same old stuff on the pegs).  I'll definitely be preordering the rest that comes online, just to be safe.
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: evenflow on August 21, 2008, 10:25 AM
I was thinking about the line today and got annoyed for the little things that we won't be getting. We are not getting any Sankara stones for this scale because they had something planned for next year, no more ark ghost which may have meant a much better ark with poles and everything, no side car, no marcus, and possibly not a completion of the vintage figures being redone. Its too bad.  :-\
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: Brian on August 21, 2008, 10:46 AM
I was thinking about the line today and got annoyed for the little things that we won't be getting. We are not getting any Sankara stones for this scale because they had something planned for next year, no more ark ghost which may have meant a much better ark with poles and everything, no side car, no marcus, and possibly not a completion of the vintage figures being redone. Its too bad.  :-\

Yeah, if the end is near (and it appears that it might be), there is a lot of nice stuff that we're still missing.  I think many of us were anticipating the "Club Obi-Wan" wave of figures, not to mention characters like Marcus Brody (who I was really hoping for).  I was also realizing, even though the reviews were mixed, we really (counting the mail away) only got 10 or so figures from the new Indy movie.  Kind of surprising, and there's really a lot more characters (particularly "name" characters) that could have been done there as well.
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: CHEWIE on August 21, 2008, 01:50 PM
Hasbro has nobody to blame but themselves for the way the line has been handled. 
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: Morgbug on August 21, 2008, 04:54 PM
Hasbro has nobody to blame but themselves for the way the line has been handled. 

I agree and that's part of what is so baffling.  Look, they screwed up and hurt retailer interest.  Be pragmatic about your subsequent orders and pay attention to the collectors who for the most part supported the line as expected.  The line was a dud with the kids.  Ok, fair enough.  "How do we proceed" should be what they're asking.  They've done exclusive releases through HTS.  They've had exclusive figure sets with Entertainment Earth.  Why not follow one of those options for the line?  Yeah, there are some toolings that would have to be entirely new, but I gotta think through restricted distribution there'd be enough sales to justify those costs, wouldn't there?  Bundle them as sets if you need to, by wave, in single packages (boxes) be they glossy or manila, window or not.  Wouldn't they get the sales anyway? 

Sad to see them essentially give up due to their own error. 
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: Scott on August 21, 2008, 05:27 PM
Weigh that though with how much they would have to charge to offset tooling, oil, plastic making, painting and the licensing fee though...yeah they could do it but at such small production numbers, we could be talking $20-30 figures (a piece) sort of like the new He-man figures (which don't have the licensing fees) and are $20
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: Morgbug on August 21, 2008, 09:18 PM
You figure it's that much?  They can't get some of those out of kit-bashed parts?  I'm thinking that's what the EE star wars things were.  Ah well, I can dream.  I still blame Hasbro directly for screwing this one up; between bad paint and bad case assortments, they're getting what they deserve.  Unfortunately that means we don't get all we want.   :-\
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: evenflow on August 21, 2008, 09:37 PM
I would think it would be closer to 15.00 a figure. I woul dstill be down with that as long as we had a real say in what figures were made.
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: CHEWIE on August 21, 2008, 10:42 PM
Yep, bad paint, assortments and character selection - they couldn't have managed this much more poorly.
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: Reid on August 21, 2008, 11:58 PM
Yep, bad paint,

I really don't think "bad paint" was what killed this line. Having two waves out at once? That probably did it in. It would've been smarter to release the ROTLA wave in, oh, say February, then release the KOTCS wave around the time of the movie, spread things out a bit.

Having two less Mutts would've helped too.  ;)
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: Jesse James on August 22, 2008, 12:54 AM
I agree, Hasbro's done this line in themselves with the oversaturation...  Plus an Indy in every friggin' deluxe set didn't help either.  You've got Indy's competing against Indy's on the peg all at the same time.  It's reminiscent of Vader's of a wide variety on the pegs at the same time.  You never see those Vaders moving fast so why can't you just do one, maybe two, and leave it at that?
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: Diddly on August 22, 2008, 01:01 AM
Yeah the basic Indy's too, they're reshipping the wrong ones. I never see Raiders Idol Indy or KOTCS Jacketed Indy at retail but tons and tons of the jacketless Indy's. Yeah Raiders Indy is in Wave 3 but it's gone as fast as the TLC figs, leaving behind the 2 RPG Indy's. And we already have a million of those on the pegs.

I'd also say they should have devoted smaller shelfspace to Indy, at least at Wal-Mart. My Wal-Marts still have probably 12 pegs of basic figures, 3 pegs of deluxe, then vehicles, FX whips, etc. AND endcaps filled with the exact same items. They should have had maybe 6 basic pegs, keep the deluxe and everything else the same, and maybe a smaller endcap. Keeps things minimal like Target and TRU. Those stores gave Indy the right amount of space but they never restock so screw them.
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: Ben on August 23, 2008, 12:12 AM
Does anyone know how long Hasbro holds the license for this property, or how much they paid for it?
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: DoctorPadawan on August 23, 2008, 03:48 PM
I really don't think "bad paint" was what killed this line.

Well, the most consistent complaint I've heard when I've seen someone looking at the Indy figures (always an adult, mind you) is, "God, the paint jobs on these suck!"  I have one friend who has been looking for an Indy and Horse deluxe set that has passably normal eyes, and needless to say, almost four months after the line's launch, she's still Indy/Horseless.  Hasbro's initial claims of "we were caught by surprise blah blah new factory blah blah future waves will be better we swear" have been disproven now, as when I've actually seen new figures (and then only the Mutt/Cycle and Cairo Thugs two pack deluxes), the paint jobs are still just as bad as the initial waves. 

While I agree that bad paint alone didn't kill this line, I think that poor quality control (regarding not only paint, but also assembly) has played a large part in its imminent demise.  In the 28 years I've been buying toys prior to this year, I had gotten two or three toys that were defective right out of the package; in the four months the Indy line has been going so far, I've gotten three defective figures (a Cemetary Warrior with two left feet, an Elsa whose ass was literally backwards, and an Irina Spalko with no eyes).  Between this, the glut of wave 1 product at retail, and the "What Me Worry?" attitude of Hasbro toward the line and its retail presence, I think it's better that the line die sooner than later, and maybe someone else can be given the license and actually, you know, do something with it worthwhile.
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: Phrubruh on August 23, 2008, 04:29 PM
It's funny at the beginning on this thread we all though this line was such as success. Now everone sees it dieing next year. I don't think its because of bad paint jobs or poor construction but rather it never caught on with kids. The line did really well for the first two-three weeks when collectors grabbed tons of it but since then all I see are old man Indy and Mutt. I've never seen a kid at TRU excited to get an Indiana Jones figure but they still talk about Star Wars. TRU has moved Indy to the isle where they keep such treasures as POTC, Narnia and Wall*E. All of these lines never sold and are just waiting to be clearanced out. To this date, I've never see anything beyond wave 2 at any Target, Walmart or TRU and this is Orange County California. Not exactly a tiny market.

Personally, I've never bought them and am waiting for the closeout to happen so I can use them for Star Wars custom fodder. $8 for an Indy figure is not too exciting when all you need is the head.
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: Pete_Fett on August 24, 2008, 09:46 PM
Does anyone know how long Hasbro holds the license for this property, or how much they paid for it?

If I were to hazard a guess, I would say that they signed a deal that locked them in for the KotCS toys and toys for a possible fifth Indy movie.

My basis for this guess is based on their answers that referenced a possible Indiana Jones 5 in order for them to deliver on a Marcus Brody figure.

So, for a quick line that promoted a summer blockbuster (which it was). I think the line was a small-time success. It is NOT a long-term success since the line will barely see five waves of figures.

If there is a fifth Indy movie, they will probably do the same thing they did for this movie - one wave for the new movie and another wave dedicated to figures from the previous four movies. I think that this additional wave will be their clearing ground for figures of characters that fans/collectors will have voiced demand for: Belloqq in White Shirt & Panama Hat, Indy in Tuxedo, Donovan, Oxley, Mac, KotCS Marion, etc...


Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: Brian on August 25, 2008, 10:13 AM
I'm starting to wonder if we'll see the ToD wave hit retail around here (and elsewhere), let alone that 2009 wave.  It really seems like retail is starting to care less about this line.  Our TRU has moved Indy to the very back corner of the store (like mentioned earlier, where Narnia and Prince Caspian figures often reside), and I don't think any store here (WM, Target, TRU) has gotten new stuff in for quite some time.  WM is still packed to the gills with Wave 1 and 2, and I'm wondering if they sell anything at this point.  You know collectors (unless waiting for clearance) already have these figures, and I'm guessing what few kids were interested in these have moved on to something else by now.  Like said, as a "movie year" line, I think it sold ok - but its just not going to have the staying power as a line overall most likely.  I think its sometimes hard to seperate this from "Star Wars", and the collecting fan bases for these respective lines is obviously quite different.  Heck, even here on a Star Wars forum, look how few of us overall were buying/posting/discussing this line compared to the total number of members.
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: Pete_Fett on August 25, 2008, 09:16 PM
Heck, even here on a Star Wars forum, look how few of us overall were buying/posting/discussing this line compared to the total number of members.

Yeah - I really expected more Star Wars collectors to get behind this line. I think Hasbro expected more Star Wars fans to get behind the line as well. I think in 1982 Kenner hoped that more kids who were into Star Wars would be into Indiana Jones too.

While those of us here on this sub-board may find common ground between a Star Wars line and an Indiana Jones line, apparently those sentiments aren't very widespread. They weren't in 1982 and they aren't in 2008.

Like everyone is saying, this line would have done MUCH BETTER if they had started much earlier in the year and tried to get as much product into circulation BEFORE the fourth movie came out. Anticipation over the fourth film would have driven more collector interest in the line for a longer sustained period. They could have released waves for RotLA, ToD and TLC all before releasing a KotCS wave in May. Let the four waves ride out the summer and then hit us with a second RotLA wave around the holidays.
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: Ben on August 30, 2008, 01:41 AM
Indiana Jones and the Impending Epic Failure (http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/product.aspx?product=HAS15555&mode=retail)

Wow. They're actually shipping Mutt and RPG Indy in the ToD case. I'm astonished. I doubt this is the only assortment for this wave that Hasbro has planned, but I bet it's the only one they'll get around to making since this will kill this line deader than Karen Allen's career.
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: Sprry75 on August 30, 2008, 09:27 AM
Yes!

Finally maybe I can find a Mutt figure!
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: David on August 30, 2008, 12:18 PM
No ****in' way. I can't believe it. :o  >:(
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: Reid on August 30, 2008, 12:24 PM
Worst. Case assortment. Ever.

Two each of Idol Indy and RPG Indy, but only one bridge Indy? WTF?
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: efranks on August 30, 2008, 03:19 PM
Does Hasbro really hate us that badly? 

   E...
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: Reid on August 30, 2008, 07:58 PM
Does Hasbro really hate us that badly? 

   E...

Judging by that case assortment, I'd venture to say yes. Here's what it should've been...

2x Indiana Jones (Torn Shirt)
2x Short Round
2x Mola Ram
2x Temple Guard
1x Chief Temple Guard
1x Willie Scott
1x Colonel Vogel
1x Henry Jones Sr.
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: Pete_Fett on August 31, 2008, 02:01 AM
You know - when I don't like some of the things they do with the Star Wars line, I usually refer to the line manager Darryl DePriest as Darryl DeRetard.

There is not a word in the English language that I can come up (and not use profanity) that trumps that and still accurately reflects the magnitude of ineptitude that this case assortment represents.

I mean, do they even both to step foot into WalMarts, Targets or TRUs to observe FIRST HAND how their case packs are working?

I'm sorry, but THIS is how this case assortment should have been:

2x ToD Indy
2x Mola Ram
2x Chief Temple Guard
2x Thugee Temple Guard
2x Short Round
2x Willie Scott

And then future cases could have been:

4x Thugee Temple Guard
1x Mola Ram
1x Short Round
1x Willie Scott
1x Chief Temple Guard
1x ToD Indy
1x Colonel Vogel
1x Henry Jones, Sr.
1x Elsa Schneider

There is not a SINGLE rare RotLA or KotCS figure at this point. There just isn't and for a Wave 1 or Wave 2 figure to STILL be shipping in Wave 4 is an absolute disgrace.
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: Sprry75 on August 31, 2008, 11:25 AM
You bitchers are just all out of touch.

Kids want their Mutts!  They love him!
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: David on August 31, 2008, 12:10 PM
This just sucks. It's like they don't even want the 2009 Raiders wave to have a chance of making it to retail, which I thought it did until this happened. Now I doubt I'll ever see a single ToD figure on the pegs. :'(

Retards. >:(
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: Diddly on August 31, 2008, 01:44 PM
I honestly can't believe this. 1x every new ToD figure, and MORE RPG Indys, Idol Indys, and Mutts? I can't think of any G-rated language to describe Hasbro's stupidity so I won't say anything.
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: Muftak on August 31, 2008, 02:10 PM
The silver linging of the continued presence of Idol Indy is that perhaps he is being painted better now?

I haven't picked up any Indy figures yet, and my collection is likely to only contain an Idol Indy, Henry, and Short Round. I have passed on every Idol Indy I've seen (and yet dutifully look every time I happen to see one in the wild) because of those hideous eye paint jobs.

This should be a revision case, though, not the launch case of a new wave. I feel bad for the die-hard Indy collectors.
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: Morgbug on August 31, 2008, 03:37 PM
Don't feel bad for the die hard collectors, they're already pretty much resolved to the death of this line.  I ordered that hideous case simply because I don't think I'll ever see the ToD wave on the pegs in my area.  That simple.  Yeah, I get a bunch of figures I don't want, but I haven't bought a Mutt and haven't opened my Indy's yet, so I can still take them back, at least for a store credit.  I'm just waiting to see what has better eye paint apps.  But at least in my case I've been leery enough about this line to wait and see what's happening.  I still haven't opened enough figures to send away for a Skeleton yet. 
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: Morgbug on September 4, 2008, 10:28 AM
Talk about frustration.  At Walmart this morning, unopened box of IJ figures.  Asked if I could open it and put them out, no problem. 

Case 40070092G:
1 Ugha Warrior
1 German Soldier
1 Sallah
1 Indy RPG
1 Indy with skull
1 Indy with open shirt/whip
2 Indy with Idol
1 Mutt with snake
1 Indy with machine gun
1 Young Indiana Jones
1 Henry Jones

So it looks like the TLC wave will make it to Canada on trilogo cards, but Vogel/Elsa/Grail Knight will be sold three years down the road in a different case assortment sold to Giant Tiger.   ::)  Honestly, could you screw this up more?  Only three of those figures weren't on the pegs already.  Stupid, stupid, stupid.   >:(

edit, had to fix the case assortment, I had it wrong by one type of Indy.
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: Brian on September 9, 2008, 09:37 AM
Judging by more of the Indy Q and A responses from this last round, it still doesn't sound real great for the line's future.  Hasbro stated several times that it depends on if kids come back for the DVD release, which I see as fairly unlikely.  They were asked point blank about the future too by a few sites, and didn't come off as overly positive in their responses.  It even sounds like the 2nd Raiders wave may be up in the air a bit, depending on retail after the holidays.  There still hasn't been anything new on the pegs here almost since movie time, and although its pricey, I'm glad I have the ToD wave preordered online because I doubt it would make it here at this point.
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: Morgbug on September 9, 2008, 09:30 PM
Whatta buncha jerks.  I mean come on.  At one store yesterday there were 15 Mutt figures and a Russian Soldier.  That's it.  The kids might be there after all and they probably already bought their Mutt figures.  Both of them. 

The only significant problem with this line right now is ****** case pack ratios.  Period. 
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: Reid on September 16, 2008, 08:38 PM
Damn you Mutt Williams! (http://www.toymania.com/toybuzz/messages/61850.shtml)

Of course, take it with a grain of salt...
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: Sprry75 on September 16, 2008, 09:05 PM
You ****** collectors who didn't get behind the line with enthusiasm.  It's your fault.  You should have built armies of Israelite Garb Belloq and T-shirt Mutt with the gigantic snake.

Shame.
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: Morgbug on September 16, 2008, 10:29 PM
Yep, I should have purchased 12 Mutts.  That would have been the right  thing to do. 
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: Ben on September 16, 2008, 10:32 PM
I knew it'd be a short-lived line, but May-December? That's got to be some kind of record. Not even Mattel screws up their lines so quickly.
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: Jesse James on September 17, 2008, 12:22 AM
I'm pumped for clearances actually.  Great custom pieces here so I'm at least taking some solice that I'll get a lot of crap for cheap.  I just hope the really good stuff is left.  Irina Spalko's arms and lower body are good pieces to make the grey imperial chick in the comic packs have the proper "Jagdpur" pants Imperial Officers wear.  Her head fits the SW chick's body too.  So does Marion's...  Makes for a couple more chick Imperials if you can find Juno Eclipse bodies cheap.
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: Darth Broem on September 17, 2008, 12:24 AM
Could they please release Toht with the TOD figures.  That would be the nice thing to do Hasbro.  Kids would love melty head figure. 
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: evenflow on September 17, 2008, 06:56 AM
Doesnt surprise me...too bad we couldnt get that last wave.
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: Brian on September 17, 2008, 09:17 AM
This is disappointing, but expected, news if it turns out to be true.  I also didn't think this line would go on for a real long time, but like it was mentioned - May to December?  That's quick.  Its really disappointing that we might not see that next Raiders wave.  Heck, at this point I really don't expect to see the ToD wave (or TLC) at retail here locally.  WM is still packed with the first figures, TRU doesn't seem to care about Indy at this point (hidden in the back of the store), and its been quite some time since Target has had anything new on the pegs.  Like I said before, I'm glad that I ordered the ToD wave online, even if it is pricier.  Hopefully all those preorders will be able to go through.  I'm happy with what we got from this line, but its too bad there are so many great characters (Toht, Brody, Mac, Crystal Skull Marion, Tux Indy, etc.) that we'll be missing out on.  Heck, you could argue that we really didn't get a "definitive" Raiders Indy, due to the wonky heads/paint on those.  I will say though, I continue to check the Indy pegs for anything new (wishful thinking), and I don't think anything moves around here anymore.  It seems to always be the same stuff on the pegs, in the same places - at least for the most part.
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: efranks on September 17, 2008, 10:06 AM
Crap.  It's not like we didn't see this coming two months ago when the stores were already backed up with the first 2 waves of figures.  The terrible case assortments available now don't make sense and now finding out that we won't get to the second Raiders wave, which is arguably better than the ToD wave, just sucks.

IMO Hasbro should solicit that RotLA wave as an online exclusive and only in case assortments of 2X each new figure, no repacks.  It would make it more appealing for people to buy by the case from EE or BBTS and those, and other e-tailers, could also split cases and sell sets of the wave. 


   E...
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: Morgbug on September 17, 2008, 04:19 PM
Yeah, but that would make sense and you know the kids couldn't access the online stuff as easily and they drive this line.  ;)
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: Sprry75 on September 17, 2008, 07:32 PM
Only a matter of time till kids can get their hands on a Mutt version of one of these sweet deals. (http://www.hasbrotoyshop.com/ProductsByBrand.htm?BR=495&ST=PR&ID=21995&PG=15)
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: efranks on September 17, 2008, 07:51 PM
I'm guessing this will also mean we won't get that other wave of 12" figures which was supposed to have a Mutt w/ jacket and the Crystal Skull accessory.  I was actually planning on picking that one up.

I don't even want to think about it...it's just depressing.

   E...
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: David on September 18, 2008, 04:20 PM
Just saw all this today. Hasbro, YOU SUCK. I'll say more once it's official, but I'm pretty disappointed. :'(
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: Pete_Fett on September 22, 2008, 09:53 AM
I guess I should just go ahead and purchase the Mutt w/Motorcycle and Cloth Top Truck from HTS now before those disappear from the site and I can't even get them there. I should probably also pick up a Akator playset at TRU before those disappear too.

I've said this before, but I'll say it again, perhaps this could be passed on to Hasbro...

Put two items up on HTS:
1) a complete set of ROTLA Wave 2 figures
2) a complete set of ROTLA Wave 2 figures w/an extra Toht figure (so people can have a "Melty" Toht to display as well)

Make it well known that this will be the only way to get the figures. Let people pre-order from now until the end of October. When the pre-order period ends, start production on the wave making only a small percentage more figures than the amount you took pre-orders for to account for damaged product/returns/etc...

When you get them from China in the HTS warehouse, charge people's credit cards and ship them their figures.

At this point, the expensive part of this wave is done: sculpting & tooling. Why purposefully NOT release them?

Heck, if packaging is an issue, surely you can package all five figures in a battle-pack-like box and for everyone that orders a set with an extra Toht, just put the second Toht figure in a clear plastic bag.

Even better - to make sure that you sell as many of these as possible, let all of your accounts have the ability to buy these ROTLA "battle packs" by the case and sell them at bulk purchase prices if the account buys 500 sets or more.

*ugh*
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: Sprry75 on September 22, 2008, 01:07 PM
Wow.  This weekend I've seen well over a dozen Henry Srs. in various Wal-Mart stores, and even more Young Indys.
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: efranks on September 22, 2008, 06:53 PM
I was in a WM today in a small town that I don't get too very often.  They were PACKED with that crappy wave of TLC figures, the one with Indy, Young Indy and Henry along with all the earlier figures.  And I gotta tell you, Hasbro ****** their retail partners on that one.

I actually feel bad for the WM stores that got stuck with what appears to be 4 to 6 cases of that ****** case pack.  This makes it three of the closest WM stores to me that got that case.  All three stores have put up and end cap or one side of a 4-way aisle display and all three are going to be stuck with **** that wasn't moving before they got this stuff in.

There are a lot of times when I feel that Hasbro gets blamed for things beyond their control like store distribution (or lack of it) and web site availability of store exclusives, among other things, but the debacle that the IJ line has become is completely a Hasbro problem, was completely avoidable and, even this late in the game, somewhat fixable. 

I won't accept the argument that kids and collectors didn't come to this line like Hasbro expected.  We're here, Hasbro let us down.

   E...

PS - The bright spot today was that I picked up the deluxe RotLA Cairo Thug 2-pack.
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: speedermike on September 22, 2008, 10:04 PM
Yeah-We're here and we want to buy.  But there's nothing to pick up.  I still have not seen a Grail Knight or Mutt on bike...

I was very lucky to get Elsa and Vogel at Forbidden Planet in NYC.  But they only had one of each.
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: Jesse James on September 22, 2008, 10:45 PM
I've yet to get Henry Sr., Elsa, or Vogel myself...  Mutt on Bike, I'd live without.
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: Jayson on September 27, 2008, 12:52 AM
From CTR (http://www.cooltoyreview.com/story/front/Hasbros_INDIANA_JONES_QA_The_Answers_117835.asp):

Quote
Hasbro: Right now, it's highly unlikely that the line will continue significantly beyond the holidays this year
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: Morgbug on September 27, 2008, 11:46 AM
OK, but couldn't they squeeze the Toht wave in before then?  It is only the end of September and BBTS shipped out the ToD wave, so 2.5 months of turnover between now and then (duly noting nothing from the first two waves will "turn over", which is of course the kids and collectors fault).
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: evenflow on September 29, 2008, 09:45 AM
I don't buy their thinking that collector's don't shop online. Mattel is taking a chance with MOTU, why can't they?
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: efranks on September 29, 2008, 11:18 AM
Every time a new wave of SW figures hits HTS.com they sell out almost immediately with some waves and most hot characters selling through quickly multiple times.  You can't tell me that kids and mothers are sitting at home hitting F5 just waiting to buy all those action figures they can't find at Wal-Mart.  So who the **** does Hasbro think is buying them?

Collectors are the people that are driving the on-line shopping in the hobby lines like GG, Sideshow and Master Replicas/eFx.  Why would Hasbro think there's a big discrepancy between collectors buying those lines and buying their line?  Retail presence?  No.  EE, BBTS and others make a living out of selling directly to collectors for all types of toys both singly and by the case, including toys that are sold at normal brick and mortar stores like GI Joe, Star Wars, Marvel and DC superheroes and others.

Even though the Q&A sessions and convention appearances put Hasbro in front of more collectors, statements like those in the Q&A from Friday just seem to indicate that they don't truly understand the collector market.  Specifically for the Indy line, that terrible refresh case with only three Last Crusade figures and wave 1 & 2 repacks is tangible proof that Hasbro has their head up their ass.

   E...
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: CHEWIE on September 29, 2008, 11:57 AM
It's not just the Indy line that they struggle with in understanding the component of adult collectors in the market.  It's the Star Wars line too.  But thankfully there's so much interest in Star Wars, that the SW brand has been able to absorb Hasbro's monumental **** ups over the years. 
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: efranks on September 29, 2008, 01:36 PM
The thing that makes it more frustrating about Hasbro and understanding collectors is that Derryl DePriest IS an adult collector...it's just that he's mainly a 12" GI Joe guy, or at least that's how he started out.   I mean, the guy wrote a damn collector's book! 

His roots in Joe collecting go way back to USENET days and he still posts there from time to time.  He knows those guys use the internet to buy a lot of stuff and they're older collectors, mid 40's and up in many cases.  You have to be a moron not to know that and yet not think that Star Wars collectors, who are younger and have higher rates if online usage, aren't using the 'net to shop for their toys.

   E...
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: Jeff on September 29, 2008, 04:21 PM
Even though it's pretty obvious now, I thought I'd point this out...  I noticed the Indy pegs at my local Target now start with "NCF" (= Not Carried Forward), which means clearance is coming before the end of the next quarter (Dec). 

In other words, the current Indy line might not even make it to Christmas at this point...  I've even heard from a few sources that the clearances could start as soon as a few weeks after the DVD is released (mid-November) to make room in the aisle for stuff that sells better (TFers, SW, etc).   

RIP 3.75" Indy, we hardly knew ye.  :'(
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: Brian on September 29, 2008, 04:36 PM
I noticed that our local WM now has the Indy figs priced at $5.74 (and they still have the endcap and a full aisle display up).  All the older stuff though, as everyone else is seeing.  Target and TRU don't seem to have gotten any new Indy stuff in for quite some time.

It is kind of surprising how short lived the Indy line is/will be.  I didn't think it would be anything on the level of Star Wars, or even lasting 4 to 5 years without more movies, but I thought it would maybe make it into or through 2009.  Really disappointing we didn't at least get that 2nd Raiders wave.
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: JACKOFTRADZE on September 29, 2008, 05:06 PM
Hasbro pulled a Mattel MOTU type move by shipping too much of the first waves of figures "main" characters coupled with too many boring robed secondary characters. Wave 3 is nearly impossible to find, All you find are all 5 Indies, Mutts, Cario Swordsman and MonkeyMan with a dash of Belloq sprinkled in.

I am not surprised of the lines fate. Given the fact that the bulk of the line looks like "action packed" robed sandal wearing bible characters from B.C. can anyone be that shocked?

I may try to order a case of wave 4 from EE as that wave seems to be the cream of the crop......I think I will try right now......
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: JACKOFTRADZE on September 29, 2008, 05:20 PM
Update: I just ordered a case of Wave 4 from EE in hope of actually getting the TOD figures. The case ratio is appalling:

2x Raiders of the Lost Ark Indiana Jones - WTF?????
1x Mutt Williams (jacket) with sword - WTF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
2x Indiana Jones with coiled whip, pistol, RPG, in shirt - WTF?????
1x Indiana Jones with sub-machine gun - WTF?????
1x Indiana Jones
1x Temple Thug
1x Short Round
1x Willie Scott
1x Temple Guard
1x Mola Ram

6 figures that can be found everywhere infest this case, the case ration planner should be fired. This would have worked:

2x Indiana Jones
2x Temple Thug
2x Short Round
2x Willie Scott
2x Temple Guard
2x Mola Ram
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: Brian on October 18, 2008, 10:36 AM
It looks like this round of Indy Q and A's is really, officially, putting the nail in the coffin.  I see the Q and A over at TNI.com has a question asking specifically if the 2nd Raiders wave has been cancelled, and Hasbro confirms that it is.  Its too bad really, but maybe we'll see these figures resurrected if there is an Indy V.
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: Scott on October 18, 2008, 12:49 PM
Over at CoolToyReview they confirm that if there is an Indy V we will see the 2nd Raiders Wave released
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: Matt on October 18, 2008, 10:53 PM
Over at CoolToyReview they confirm that if there is an Indy V we will see the 2nd Raiders Wave released

If sitting through another new Indy movie is the price we have to pay to get Toht. . .  well, I'm not sure it's worth it.   :-\
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: Nicklab on October 18, 2008, 10:59 PM
I sat through KOTCS trying to rationalize "yeah, I guess it's an okay movie".

I can't imagine doing that again just so that we can get more Indy figures.
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: Morgbug on October 18, 2008, 11:18 PM
I'm certainly not keen on seeing another movie.  Unless they dump Shia from it.  Didn't like the character. 

But if they do make another movie, I guess I'll be pleased with the figures coming out.  Hopefully they approach it differently than they did on this round.  They should realize it is a collector's market and that's about it.  Plan accordingly.
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: Rob on October 18, 2008, 11:21 PM
Screw all you guys.  I liked it, and I hope they make another one.
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: Matt on October 18, 2008, 11:25 PM
After this week's Q & A session, can we finally admit that the answer to the question this thread asks is a resounding "no"?
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: JangoTat on October 18, 2008, 11:38 PM
Screw all you guys.  I liked it, and I hope they make another one.

I second this.
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: David on October 19, 2008, 02:29 PM
Screw all you guys.  I liked it, and I hope they make another one.

I second this.

Yep, I agree. I loved the movie, and I'd be thrilled if they make another one (unless it sucks), ESPECIALLY if it means more figures...and ESPECIALLY if that means Toht and Oxley. :)
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: Nicklab on October 19, 2008, 03:41 PM
I would like to see the toy line continue.  But as far as the movies? 

I thought that The Last Crusade ended on such a perfect note.  Reconciliation between Indy and his father.  That's a major plot point for the central character in the series, and it resonates with the audience.  Plus the significance of the quest for the Holy Grail is one of the greatest in history.  And then for the film to end with Indy and company riding off into the sunset was fantastic.  Cliche, but a great ending.  I think that one of the few people to have a really good grasp on how a series should end was Sean Connery.  He was reportedly approached for the project but declined.  Knowing when to end a good thing is important.
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: Daigo-Bah on October 19, 2008, 11:53 PM
I really thought they'd get that ROTLA wave out no matter what.  Damn, I was really looking forward to the German mechanic and Toht...
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: Morgbug on October 28, 2008, 10:45 AM
Maybe it's just the 'beating a dead horse issue' for me, but is no one going to take issue with this response from Hasbro in the last QnA?

Quote

Question: With the "death" of the Indiana Jones Line coming at the end of the year, are there things you wished you did differently (besides not  doing it at all maybe)? I know a lot of collectors who were on the fence with the line and had decided not to pursue it after hearing  rumors about it's impending demise over the summer.

Do you think if it was advertised more or if you planned a shorter  run and issued more key characters and vehicles up front it would have  lived on? I realize it was a movie year but maybe if there was less  emphasis on KOTCS and stores were not jammed with the same figures, there would have been better success? (IJC, 10/17/08)

Response:     We are *thrilled* to have been able to bring a very ambitious Indiana Jones line to reality after all these years. For many of us, the IJ series remains one of our favorite film franchises, up there with Star Wars, and it was our passion that was instrumental in bringing the franchise to Hasbro. IJ was labor of love for us, and the passion and commitment that we brought to the line are evidenced in the quality and depth of the line, not just the 3-3/4" line up but across the board targeting both kids and collectors.

     As for the lineup we had to work with, the reason for doing the line in the first place was the new movie that brought a new excitement and potential audience to the IJ franchise, so that would always form the core of the line. We reacted as quickly as we could to the news of the movie, so getting out more figures from the original films was not the answer when we had all hands on deck trying to bring new movie figures to light as quickly as possible. In hindsight, we would not have done anything differently than we did.

     Regarding the fans who "waited"...well, we can't really build lines around those who wait on the fence and if they weren't enjoying the offering after close to 30 3-3/4" figures, deluxe sets, and vehicles, we're not sure what could get them into the line. To repurpose a phrase from the upcoming election, people have to be "in" and voting, otherwise their votes aren't heard.

Seriously? 

Great you're thrilled to have brought it to the fans.  I'm thrilled you did so too and after the glaring paint errors of the first few figures, it was actually a really nice line. 

So the idea was to get the initial figures out based on the new movie?  Ok, that's logical, given it will drive the "in the aisle" sales.  But doncha think maybe, just maybe ya oughta take a little more care with the paint apps?  Really, the response of a significant proportion of the people were that these looked like ****.  First impression is worth what?  Apparently a lot based on sales. 
Or how about your ratios?  Any thought given to that?  I'm going to go out on a limb and say "no". 

You wouldn't have done anything differently?  I understand the keep the company line strong BS, but that's what this is.  It was a collector driven line from the start.  The movie was enjoyable, but not particularly targeted to the kiddies regardless of what you think.  You, like the movie itself, gambled on Shia being a success.  Hint: this wasn't transformers.  Your ratios sucked.  Badly. 

Bad paint.
Bad ratios.
Poor understanding of who will buy this line. 
Wouldn't do anything differently?

I get that Hasbro is a huge company with diverse interests in a competetive marketplace.  I also understand that they are a hugely successful company that knows toys and marketing far, far better than I did.  Apparently they are also incapable of telling the truth.  I wonder how many of them worked in government at a previous point in their careers. 

Killed Indiana Jones.
Killed Marvel Legends.

Keep it up boys ::)
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: Jeff on October 28, 2008, 10:59 AM
"Blah blah blah, Hasbro ruined this line, blah blah blah". 

"Blah blah blah, case ratios suck, blah blah blah". 

"Blah blah blah, this was a collector line, blah blah blah". 

(http://www.jedidefender.com/jsmentek/deadhorse.gif)
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: ruiner on October 28, 2008, 11:12 AM
I would like to see the toy line continue.  But as far as the movies? 

I thought that The Last Crusade ended on such a perfect note.  Reconciliation between Indy and his father.  That's a major plot point for the central character in the series, and it resonates with the audience.  Plus the significance of the quest for the Holy Grail is one of the greatest in history.  And then for the film to end with Indy and company riding off into the sunset was fantastic.  Cliche, but a great ending.  I think that one of the few people to have a really good grasp on how a series should end was Sean Connery.  He was reportedly approached for the project but declined.  Knowing when to end a good thing is important.

It's a money maker to Spielberg and Lucas - nothing more, nothing less.

The movie was ****.
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: Morgbug on October 28, 2008, 12:02 PM
"Blah blah blah, Hasbro ruined this line, blah blah blah". 

"Blah blah blah, case ratios suck, blah blah blah". 

"Blah blah blah, this was a collector line, blah blah blah". 

(http://www.jedidefender.com/jsmentek/deadhorse.gif)

You'll kindly note that I added they killed the Marvel Legends stuff too.  That was a new twist.  Sheesh, at least try to follow along.   ::)
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: DSJ™ on October 28, 2008, 12:52 PM
OMG, they killed Indy! You Bastards!

(http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i306/DSJcdn/Random/ripIndy.png)
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: CHEWIE on October 29, 2008, 11:34 AM
That gravestone should read 2008-2008...

Anyways, I'm all for another flick.  I enjoyed KOTC immensly.  It's much better than TOD in my opinion, and close to the other two.

For more figures, I want to see more just like a lot of collectors.  I just wish they'd take a more sensible approach if they give them another shot.
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: JACKOFTRADZE on October 29, 2008, 05:45 PM
What I do not get is they waste a **** load of tooling dollars on the friggin Cloverfield Monster that nobody gives a **** about anymore but not Indy? The tooling is done for Toht (See SDCC CC) and I believe the German mechanic as well. I inspected the head Thugee and it appears the Torso and arms are the same. They can release some of these and make money.

After buying the TOD wave I really appreciate this line much more and now I am sad to see it go. As SDCC 09 exclusives these would blow out quickly. Alas.....
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: Rob on October 30, 2008, 01:19 AM
Whatever happened, it's a shame.  Because the Crusade wave and the TOD wave are really pretty excellent IMO.  I got in late, but now I'm just about caught up, and I wish there was going to be more.  Hopefully there will be another movie and they can bring this back and pick up where they left off.
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: Phrubruh on November 5, 2008, 12:09 PM
Too bad I never saw the Crusade wave and the TOD wave. We never got past the flood of Mutts. Stupid Hasbro.
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: Paul on November 5, 2008, 03:27 PM
Not to add fuel to the fire, but on Halloween I saw more Indiana Jones' than Iron Mans (men?) and Hulks combined...

I think the marketing and kids were there, I think the execution was botched...
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: Phrubruh on January 3, 2009, 06:52 PM
Well after new years and christmas my targets and walmarts are still full of mutt williams figures. People seem to have avoided Indy like th pleague.
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: iFett on January 3, 2009, 08:49 PM
Not that I collect this line, but my WM's are LOADED with clearanced 3 3/4 figs, but Target seems to have been selling out very well.
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: Phrubruh on January 8, 2009, 09:18 PM
My Targets still have tons of indy figures and vehicles at full price. They do have the indy volcano playset and whip in clearance. Walmart still hasn't moved any of their indy figures and they arn't on clearance.
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: Captain Piet on January 18, 2009, 11:58 AM
The fact that they apparently ran out of Crystal Skeletons and needed to order more to meet the demand might indicate this line had a modicum of success.
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: efranks on January 18, 2009, 03:30 PM
I think everyone jumped on the $3 and less clearance figures and some may have even decided to try for all 13 Skeleton figures.  Unfortunately, I don't think the success of the mail-in necessarily correlates to the success of the line in general.

   E...
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: DoctorPadawan on January 18, 2009, 07:14 PM
The fact that they apparently ran out of Crystal Skeletons and needed to order more to meet the demand might indicate this line had a modicum of success.

This is obviously due to the increased sales of Mutt figures over the holiday season.  The kids love Mutt, and parents bought Mutt figures for gifts in droves.  The kids are what drive the Indiana Jones line, and the kids' love for clones in Star Wars has spilled over, with some children buying as many as 20 Mutts at once so they can have their own Clone Mutt army!  This is why Hasbro continued to ship Mutt in every single action figure case from the start of the line to the end, you see; because MUTT = SALES.

[/Hasbro delusional thinking]

Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: Brian on January 20, 2009, 08:48 AM
Unless they just relocated the figures to somewhere else, our local WMs and Targets seem to be all but sold out of the Indy stuff shortly after it hit clearance.  Its always tough to tell with WM, as they seem to stick clearance toys about anywhere in the store, but I saw all their figures marked down to $3 and a week and a half later - they were gone.  At Target all I've seen is a couple of the common Adventure Heroes packs, and some of the 12" Mutt Williams figures.
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: Darth_Anton on January 20, 2009, 09:22 AM
There's a large group of about 30 Mutt figures that being transplanted from Target to Target around here. I know that these are the same figures due to certain packages being wrecked in a particular way.
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: David on January 20, 2009, 09:51 PM
There's a large group of about 30 Mutt figures that being transplanted from Target to Target around here. I know that these are the same figures due to certain packages being wrecked in a particular way.

Hilarious, in a sad sad way. ;D   :-\
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: Matt on January 20, 2009, 10:15 PM
It's like a game of hot potato.  Nobody wants to be stuck with that ****.
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: Greg on January 20, 2009, 10:34 PM
It will be even funnier when it's the Goodwill stores start shuffling the Mutts. If the financially not-well-off don't want them, that's even worse. Hell, I half expect the garbage man to "forget" those bags of Mutts on trash collection day.
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: Jesse James on January 20, 2009, 10:55 PM
We've still got random figures on the pegs, but selection is definitely dwindling.  I really had hoped to see some old stock roll out, Russians and Cemetary Warriors, but saw neither.  I'm shocked.  I'm not angry to not get the stuff at this point, and needed to save something anyway since I've spent way too much in the last month on just basically "junk", but yeah I really expected to see more than I saw.  Go figure.

Again though I'm thankful I got a softtop truck cheap, and a couple staff cars cheap.  I feel blessed at that, and that I had a lot of help from various parts of the continent to get my collection 100% complete.  I don't own whipping action Indy, and that's it, nor do I plan to buy one till it's cheaper than $3.  I'll make a Cairo Indy that's 10x better in every way than that figure.
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: Diddly on January 24, 2009, 04:17 PM
Is there anyone who can pick me up a cheap German with Motorcycle? I kept holding off on getting one for whatever reason and now Indy has vanished from ever store near me. If anyone could pick one up for me (for retail or under) it would be appreciated. :)
Title: Re: Is the line a Success?
Post by: Darth_Anton on February 2, 2009, 09:29 AM
I've been slowly opening stuff up over the past few days, German soldiers, TLC Target pack, Cloth top cargo truck, Salla, Belloq, Grail Knight with more to go. All very decent stuff. I'm a little disappointed that the line wasn't better received.