JediDefender.com Forums
Collectibles => Past Hasbro 3.75" Lines => The Black Series 3.75" => Topic started by: Darby on December 8, 2016, 03:12 PM
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Not sure where to put this but here goes: I received an email from Hasbro today for a survey on the Black Series. The survey seemed to want to determine my interest in SA Vintage backed figures for $10.99; 6 inch versions of Bespin Han, General Lando and Grievous, with the latter specifically at a price point of $34.99; my interest in about 20 or so other choices including Gamorrean Guards and Moroff (answer: YES) as well as other BS items like the role play stuff. You get a 20% off code for HTS for participating.
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(http://www.JediDefender.com/news/images/1-16/016Has_TBSSurvey01_Full.jpg)
Here is the ?
It's one of quite a few though and was largely focused on 6" scale figures. Among the figures it asked me about (6"):
-Saw Garerra
-Bodhi Rook
-Grievous
-Gammie Guard
-Dengar
-Bespin Han (Jeff's sad as the door opens)
-Chopper
-Ithano
-Cantina Band Bith
-"Ewok" (Wicket pictured)
-Rathtar
-Dewback
-Rancor
-TFA beast from Jakku (Name escaping me)
-Padme (White jumpsuit)
-Leia Hoth
-Luke Endor
And IIRC it asked me about a Royal Guard and some others I'm sure I am forgetting... It was a fairly long survey.
It also asked about packaging and if I'd pay a premium ($24.99) for it in 6"... Environmental bases vs. larger or more accessories...
They also asked if you'd want TBS to be only 3.75", only 6", or only 12"... it also mentioned vehicles in that, not just figures.
Lot of ?s on roleplay stuff including helmets, sabers, riot stormie baton, Rey staff, royal guard staff, melty vader helmet..
Again there was more. Not nearly enough asked about 3.75" SA for my liking but I tried to be honest and when I had the chance, I mentioned I buy select 6" and buy everything 3.75" and many in muliples.
Oh and it asked how you use your toys... play/pose, open, display, keep packaged, resell... Lotta stuff.
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I answered the same way - I collected the 6" TFA stuff (except for the TIE Fighter) so I wanted to be honest that I have selectively collected those - but I was over-joyed when I got to select the next price-range down from MSRP on how much I typically pay for them as there are very few I've paid $19.99 for - most of them time, they are on sale and the store is flooded with them and has marked them down to get rid of them - I just grabbed Resistance Base C-3PO and Helmet-less Kylo Ren for $16 from a local WalMart. Whereas, I was happy to pay full retail for the 8 3.75" Death Troopers I have been able to find so far.
You're right though, the 3.75" questions were few and far between, but I made it pretty clear that I am not interested in collecting the 6" line long-term, which is the truth. Probably means they'll throw out my answers, but I figure it was worth a shot.
Here's hoping they get an overwhelming number of 3.75" for that "which scale" question...
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http://click.email.hasbro.com/?qs=6b00cce3495aa834031722f678ff583ffc6ef02fca1f229cfa0ee990763e4d5ec9294fcf54ab06ef
Here's a link to take it btw, almost forgot...
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It's interesting to see them being this open about their market research. But given how vocal so many collectors are online about the state of the line, they do have a pretty willing audience when it comes to providing feedback.
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Unfortunately "I want everything, for nothing, and don't care if you take a bath on something if it's something that makes me happy" wasn't an option I recall on the survey. :P
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Very interesting survey. It seems like they are excited about Bespin Han. I think we have had 4 other 6" Solos already, but of course I'd buy it instantly.
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I have been told the numeric values vary in the surveys by a couple people now too... They asked me about 3.75" TVC at $10.99 which blew my mind, but I guess they've asked about it as high as $14.99 if your survey had some variation to it. Weird but I guess they want to see how far some are willing to go.
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Mine had $10.99 as well but I've seen $12.99 reported elsewhere. I'd say the survey is largely seeking an endorsement of places Hasbro already wants to go. The vintage line is effectively in the can already - I imagine we'll start seeing 40th anniversary stuff in March or so - and they've been experimenting with the environmental bases / two packs at different price points.
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I got $29.99 for 6 inch Bespin Han (no), $19.99 for 6 inch General Lando (yes), $24.99 for 6 inch General Lando with accessories (no), $29.99 for Grievous (yes), $14.99 for 3.75 inch Chewie (no)
What is Hasbro's obsession with Vintage style packaging? I don't care about the package, I just want the toys.
Also if 6 inch figures go up in price, I'm done entirely. I get more enjoyment out of paying $40-50 for a Japanese figure that includes multiple weapons, hands, heads, etc. while Hasbro continues to drop accessories from BS figures. Look at the first two waves. X-Wing Luke came with a removable helmet, tons of weapons, Han came with the Stormtrooper belt, extra hands, extra blaster. ANH Luke came with binoculars. Like Pete, I made it known I wait for deals for 6 inch figures while I'm more than happy to pay for 4 inch figures.
Seems like Hasbro is itching to raise prices to offset production costs and using this survey to see what specific accessories they should add to justify the price increase.
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I have been told the numeric values vary in the surveys by a couple people now too... They asked me about 3.75" TVC at $10.99 which blew my mind, but I guess they've asked about it as high as $14.99 if your survey had some variation to it. Weird but I guess they want to see how far some are willing to go.
It's actually a pretty standard practice in polling to give varying conditions to different participants, and it aids in getting more accurate data for the study.
For instance, I was asked in my poll if I would pay $29.99 for a 6" Black Series Han Solo (Bespin). There were also the two price point choices for ROTJ Lando. But the 3.75" Black Series Chewbacca was at $10.99. I'm not surprised to see a range of different prices in this poll.
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They asked me about 3.75" SA for $15... I said no. In the comments, I added a bunch of insight as in bringing back a moderately-articulated line with about 9 POA. Asked about Han in Carbonite general release, told them I they should offer a Padme other than the Geonosis outfit version. They can take my opinions how they want. Just figured if the space was there...
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Nick is right, this is a very common approach to market research purchase intent. They'll be able to tell from the responses where a pricing cliff exists. For example:
100% of people said yes to $10.99,
90% of people said yes to $12.99,
30% of people said yes to $14.99
There were priority rankings for figure quality vs. articulation vs. accessories as well. I'd love to see the results. They will get a nice read on what matters most, then be able to sort that by collectors who are willing to pay different prices, heavier buyers vs. casual buyers, etc. I'm just glad they're soliciting collectors for their research, as I don't think I've ever been surveyed in my 20 years of collecting.
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Are you guys signed up for PULSE or something? I didn't get an e-mail, but I'm not signed up for PULSE. I have ordered dozens of times from HTS.com though.
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I signed up for Pulse and got one letter from them and that was it. I guess they forgot about me. But I just used the link Jesse provided to do the survey.
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That was literally the most fun I've ever had filling out any survey.
I voted for more accessories and then bases /environment pieces. I said NO to $30 Lando.
I actually think the price point for 6" Grievous they asked me about was $39.99. A little embarrassed to say I said "YES" to that one, but I really want a 6" Grievous figure that wont fall over if I fart in the next room. (Ahem, Disney Elite Series)
I also listed JD, Yakface and GH as my internet stops and NOT that dbag one that is always stirring up trouble. :D
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I voted for more accessories and then bases /environment pieces. I said NO to $30 Lando.
I think the bases and accessories is just Hasbro trying to justify a price jump.
I had Bespin Han at $30.
So the compromise will be $25.99
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Agreed that their "would you pay $30 for Lando" question is too simplistic. Do I want a Lando? Yes. Would I be willing to pay $30 across the board for Lando and other 6" figures? Not sure. The bar has been set at $20 and its going to be painful for that to jump significantly and me still buy every figure they make.
Woulda been nice to see some sort of mini-conjoint analysis where they could figure out price points, bases, accessories, soft goods, etc. and circle in on the price based on desired features.
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One question that I got regarding the 6" figure line was based on which value-added feature would I want, and rank those from 1 - 3 in terms of priority. I ranked them as follows:
1 - Environment / base
2 - Large prop / accessory
3 - Electronics
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I think any sort of 6 inch price increase is a dangerous tightrope for Hasbro to walk with collectors, no matter what they add to make up the difference. The 3.75 inch line has no competition, but the 6 inch line has three other companies (maybe more) producing stuff, and while it's more expensive, it's easier than ever to purchase. Hasbro would have to knock the accessories/stands out of the park.
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I got that one too. I wish there was a fourth option of "Great the way it is" because I see the three options as a "People want this added to the figures "
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There is a link on the main JD page to take the survey.
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I'm signed up for Pulse but also just about everything else Hasbro has you sign up for too, for the site, so not sure why some get and some don't on this. I have gotten past surveys from them but nothing this "collector focused" really. At least not directly towards basic figures.
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I got $29.99 for 6 inch Bespin Han (no), $19.99 for 6 inch General Lando (yes), $24.99 for 6 inch General Lando with accessories (no), $29.99 for Grievous (yes), $14.99 for 3.75 inch Chewie (no)
I got asked if I'd pay $39.99 for Grievous.
LOLOLOL.
I also wasn't happy about the question about which scale I'd prefer if they only did one. I answered 3.75, but I bet I'm in the minority on that.
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I also wasn't happy about the question about which scale I'd prefer if they only did one. I answered 3.75, but I bet I'm in the minority on that.
I thought that was kind of a dumb question the way they asked it, and answered it the same way as you. They should have structured it in a different way so you could allocate points to each product line as I really like both. However I don't think I could ever advocate for abandoning the 3.75" line, ever.
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I got asked if I'd pay $39.99 for Grievous.
Same here. I did say I'd go up to $25 for a higher quality version of Lando, but the $40 for Grievous was a hard, hard no.
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I got asked if I'd pay $39.99 for Grievous.
Same here. I did say I'd go up to $25 for a higher quality version of Lando, but the $40 for Grievous was a hard, hard no.
I don't buy 6" really, but I did say that more accessories would be worth the hike to me. If they're upping the value that's one thing, if they're just raising the price - no thanks.
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Accessories would be cool. Build a droid pieces would be cool. Not $5 more cool. These are already overpriced judging from the market. Unless it's the hot figure, secondary market prices on Amazon or eBay tend to collapse on Marvel Legends and Black Series very fast after their release. There's no incentive right now to overpay for them, and virtually none to pay retail. If you wait a little bit, you'll get them all on sale. There's definitely a snooze you lose factor with these, but with the 6 inch that hasn't been the case since the very first wave or so of these in 2013.
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I wish there was more on the 3.75 inch stuff and the Chewie question was just awful because I really don't want another Chewie. Although I do pick up some 6 inch figures, I made it a point to specify that I'm interested in 3.75 only.