I feel like Michael is telling someone they should breakup with a girlfriend who's bad news... seriously though, listen to Michael and stop dating Hasbro.
Not even SW like my local Walmart has like the same transformers from last year and nothing else from Hasbro most of the other figures are from Mattel or other companies.
Its more like kids dont play with action figures. Places like Walmart and Target sell what sells and lego and nerf outsell figures. Plus why carry toys that parents will not buy because why buy toys (clutter that does not get played with) when a FREE game ap does rhe job
This is because Hasbro wont put 4 Boba Fett's to a case (in this case not any at all). Instead they cram 4 Constable Zuvio's in a case and depending on the case assortment number, you may have to go through 2 or 3 boxes before you find the one carded figure that everyone is out searching for.
I think we need to differentiate between people who got Pulse specifically for the exclusives (burn, indeed!) and those who got it under the presumption of improved availability of *retail* product. I don't think there's anything stupid about assuming Hasbro's own site would have improved availability for regular releases. This is precisely why I got my (admittedly free) membership. I like being able to secure my acquisitions without paying the collectors' shop premiums and shipping. I've yet to be disappointed.
I love it when Michael goes unplugged because he tells it like it is. Solid video, Michael. That was awesome. And my week is going very well and I hope my weekend is the same. Thank you for the well wishes. Love you guys loads.
Appreciated your comments on this. I am (was?) a six-inch Black Series collector. Finding products in stores, online or even finding out about new releases became a full time job with diminishing returns. I'd hear about a figure, but never find it. I'd find figures I'd never heard about. Most of the ones I did buy, I purchased through third party sellers. And a lot of those I had to pass on because they were marked up so high. I've only bought one single figure this year. I've really given up on it.
Haters will always be hating. Truth is Hasbro is not in it for the collector, it is only about them. Cheers for tour honest opions Micheal. I am glad that someone has the nuts to call it as it is. 👍🍻
Your rant means a lot. I only just started to use Hasbro Pulse this past Christmas cuz I am collecting the MMPR Lightning Collection figures the pre order and has lab garbage really hurts....they throw something in your face you are foaming at the mouth for and its just that...a tease...Hasbro has no reason for doing this....they used to fill my toybox as a kid and my shelves as a yung adult and now they have all but abandoned the store shelf for there own soul grabbing greed.
I totally agree with you, Michael, and that's what I have been doing too: I am not buying into Disney+, Pulse, Haslabs or "proposals" of that kind. I happen to be a Hasbro Premium member because at some point I bought some figures that I could not find anywhere else, and they upgraded me at no cost. The moment they ask for a monthly or yearly payment, that's the end of it for me because I don't support this comercial practice (I don't support Amazon Prime either because I don't want to be a captive buyer to justify a yearly spending on shipping). On another note, I used to be what I call a "completist", which is my made up name for collectors who want to get everything that is released in a collection. It's not that I found my personal value linked to having it all: I just thought (and still do) that there is beauty in having the cool and the ugly in a collection as long as the ugly is not excessively unappealing. Now I just cherry pick, because with all of that crap of exclusives here and there, and that engineered scarcity you mention (great name, by the way), manufacturers made impossible to keep up. I believe that something is very, very wrong when you loose lots of money from a loyal customer (and I say loyal simply because completists buy it all, not because of their attachment to a brand) just to make some extra sales. Still, this is a complex subject because many collectors I know thrive precisely on having pieces that no one else has... They don't enjoy the feat of finding them half as much as being able to show off. This extreme individuality, which has lots to do with a selfish approach to collecting, is what in my opinion really makes of this bussiness models a success so far.
Very well said, a mark is a mark is a mark is a mark. It's been building for a long time now. They built the scalpers to have all the power and so many suckers are like "oh you bought it first just to keep me from having it, sure I'll give 6 times the price". It's just plastic people it really doesn't have that kind of value.
I've been a Star Wars and G.I. Joe collector since 1982. I gave up on Hasbro ages ago. Somehow, I'm still subscribed to the HasLabs emails. Every time I get an email promoting something that looks interesting, I click the link only to be told that it's sold out. It's become something of a game. I get a Hasbro email, and then I check to see how many of the products advertised are even available for purchase. The answer is almost always "zero". What are they even doing at this point? I couldn't give them my money if I wanted to. Now, I'm just sitting here collecting MotU Origins, and having a pretty good time. Mattel certainly has their problems with retailer exclusives and online releases that sell out immediately, but they're getting better, and they seem to be trying to make the things that people want, for the most part.
Michael you said it perfectly, I'm 501st member for crying out loud and even I have pretty much given up on Hasbro as far as Star Wars. It's had become practically a full time job to track down every con exclusive and Mexico only 4 pack. They are killing what we love and the only way to win is not play the game.
You're a very good storyteller. I didn't order this but interesting to listen to just the same. Hasbro reminds me of a couple of (just a couple or so thankfully!) folks I've worked with that, on any project they are assigned, just keep on kickin' the can down the road to buy as much time for themselves as they can. Folks like this tend to be selfish and look at it purely personally (I need more time) and often fail to see of their work fits into what the larger team is doing. They also can't take on more work because, well, this is also a hallmark of folks like this. The good people around them eventually see this but often extend the benefit of the doubt. When I see this kind of thing in the future, I might think, "Hey, I am being Hasbro'd right now."
Hasbro had better honor people asking for refunds on their subscription. If people can't get the things they are paying money for the 'maybe-possibility' of getting exclusive figures, then there is no point to the service other than to syphon money from fans who still believe in the products they used to make.
You're right about Hasbro not actually putting stuff in stores people actually really wanna buy, especially the Star Wars line, if I had a dollar for every time I saw a Rose Tico or Rey action figure peg warming, or those 12" figures and Forces Of Destiny things clogging up the shelves I would be rich. What is really unbelievable and stupidly unfortunate for Hasbro is they are about to do the same again with some awful Galaxy Of Adventure 5" figures no one wants. As for all those exclusives and all that stuff that people do actually want, why make them limited it's like they don't wanna make more money or something, I just do not understand their marketing strategy at all.
he is right do what I do go to sec hand store or cheap toy collection store they will give you a great price. Older stuff is better. Thank you to both of you for telling the truth never change.
This is the same thing that happens with Mattel. Hot wheels sells a yearly club membership. That membership entitles you to have first chance of exclusives throughout the year but the problem is most of the exclusives they create sell out within minutes or sometimes even seconds. Their website is so bad that multiple logins are sometimes necessary with many errors and by the time you’ve gotten The item in your shopping cart, it is sold out once again. They are pre-orders are often a year to a year and a half in advance were you even forgot About what you purchased.
I've said this many times, nostalgia in the mainstream, is companies re-selling you memories that you already own. A modern Boba Fett in vintage colours? That's not your childhood, that's a perceived facsimile of your childhood, one a company has manufactured knowing they can make you spend more money on a variant that appeals to a memory. This whole thing can't last, rule one of supply and demand, if there's a demand, supply. But I do foresee a collapse, no company is too big to fail, not Hasbro, not Disney.
There a couple of thing incorrect here. 1st most of us got our Hasbro Pulse premium membership free for a year. When placing an order within the first month of the Launch of Hasbro pulse. Secondly the Boba Fett figure is an SDCC exclusive. There was no promise that the exclusive would be available to everyone. I wasn’t able to get the Boba Fett either and I had it in the cart. But I’m not crying about it. It was an SDCC exclusive were Lucky Hasbro Pulse even offered it to the General public in the first place. If you really wanted this figure you should have gone to SDCC.
Hidden history NY supports and approves of this message .... I also collect Hot Wheels and this is the dog chasing its tail with Mattel and their redline shop exclusives.
Why wouldn't they do a pre-order system for collectors? It seems so simple and straightforward. Having worked retail for many years, I would have loved to know exactly how much product my customers were going to buy ahead of time. Its sad when the go to toy store is becoming the dollar store...
Hey loved the video. When I noticed the Boba Fett was going on sale I NEEDED to have it. Then I saw the Hasbro Pulse subscription for $50 bucks and thought there's no way I'm doing that. I was already mentally prepared not to get the figure. Then when it sold out in SECONDS, it didn't bother me. I've decided I'll just try to pick up a loose Kenner Boba Fett. The HasLab Unicron I'm still interested in, but I know it's ripping me off. IF it's made you pay $574 NOW (with no payment plans) and Hasbro sends you the Transformer a YEAR later. It's crazy. I still don't think it will get made and part of me hopes it doesn't so I can save the $574 (plus shipping I'm sure).
I wholeheartedly agree with this statement. I wish more and more people would wake up and stop feeding into the bullshit exclusives. If smaller companies like the four horsemen can do entire waves as preorders that have a smaller runs... then so can a larger company with exclusives.
Not sure where the info about a monthly Hasbro Pulse premium came from. The only offer I know of is the $50 a year for free shipping, early access to con booths and the early access (that resulted in most things selling out too fast and was pointless). Regardless of the program, they need a better system to sell their items, especially exclusives.
If you love the vintage Kenner Boba Fett look and don't want to get extorted for the Black Series fig on the secondary market, the Disney Toybox Boba Fett figure is amazing and far cheaper ($13). The cartoon style of the line might be a turnoff for some but I think it's gorgeous and a huge selling point.
Most people who have Pulse got it for free back when Hasbro was doing promos. They just extended the "free" period about a month back. The Boba was only available a day early for a Pulse members. They had a certain amount of them early for members and the next day everyone could buy it. Honestly it should have been a Pulse only item since that would make the service feel like it was worth something. I just got my vintage Skiff that I ordered after watching people who bought it from amazon or other retailers get it months ago. I don't plan on renewing the sub after the promo period ends. As for other Hasbro items, I usually just wait until they are clearanced at Walmart. edit: I find it hilarious that people honestly believe that Unicron would have made the goal if Hasbro hadn't extended it.
I agree fully about what you said, i feel and think pretty much the same way. Some people needed to hear this, best part is that you can apply this to a lot of things today. I have been disappointed in Hasbro a very long time, they do a half assed job but want double pay for their effort :(
I have ordered several items from Hasbro pulse and haven't had any issues. I didn't sign up for for subscription service. The subscription service is for collector items and I believe for free shipping. So I didn't get the subscription service...but I know a buddy who did. So when he places an order I ask him to order a item for me and pay him. So I'm cautious with Hasbro Pulse.I did place the Unicron order. But I'm ready to walk away if it doesn't reach the goal and I'm cool with it. But if it does meet the goal then great for me and others who placed the order.
Thanks for the video!!! I actually considered buying in to this. The I thought, “wait, I’m not gonna spend $50 plus dollars for the privilege of buying something”...
You are absolutely right about hasbro and plus they over charge everything because its an exclusive i mean i don't have room to talk because i did back the haslab ghost and it cost me 582 with shipping and honesty that put a real dent in my wallet hasbro should be ashamed of themselves for doing this to their customers
As a Transformers fan, I couldn't be happier. I'm getting all the Transformers I want. Plus Marvel Legends. I guess it really comes down to what your fandom is. If your into Gijoe, Inhumanoids, your pretty much screwed.
Hasbro is a Fortune 500 company (actually #597) and answers to stockholders there is a reason behind this morass. On the surface it seems they would make more money just making more popular items available for preorder but they have made a decision here that is likely a better business model to build excitement and demand for future products by making them rarer. And they seem to purposely fuel scalpers on the secondary market. Sort of the engineered scarcity model which has made companies like Supreme so massively successful. Likely makes good business sense in this age where there are no longer retail toy stores. They don't care about Star Wars collectors. They are looking to make a profit selling their cheaply made goods. They have looked at the marketplace for Star Wars and other toys,. They see the market has dwindled massively since little children no longer play with Star Wars figures at all. They are mostly making youtube videos and playing video games and not playing with action figures. Hasbro has designed this business model with the single purpose to build an everlasting demand which they hope will continue to spill over to their next exclusive. It works. And only works because everyone falls for it.
I don't even attempt to buy any of Hasbro kickstarter or exclusive products, let alone new products in stores..I find myself buying vintage Star Wars products from re-sell shops.
100% accurate. Exclusives suck and I'm very tired of them. Just make the damn toys and sell them to everyone!! I'm trying to give Hasbro my money! I can't find 75% of the figures I want in stores. Amazon doesn't even have most of the figures I want. And I hate paying 3rd party markups. This company makes very little sense.
I appreciate your opinion and respect it. I was thinking of subscribing to Hasbro Pulse. But now I’m not. I miss the old days of real stores that had decent stock of the figures I wanted to buy.
If it's not on the shelf...I don't want it! All the exclusive toys are silly. If it's there when I look, awesome! Oh, BTW, still haven't seen any retro collection stuff.
The real issue is this: Toys are no longer made for children. They are made for adults who have jobs and make money. The old toys lines are targeted specifically towards adults in their 40's (who enjoyed them as kids). Hasbro will never again mass produce affordable toys that you can buy in the store because today's kids don't want them! Someone below commented that My Little Pony would be a great toy line to revitalize. I agree! MLP is a great line but when Basic toys revitalized it they charged an arm and a leg for it! It's almost cheaper to go on Etsy and buy vintage ponies that you have to clean up but you have the real thing! Not a re-issue! The other issue is that these companies know how to play the nostalgia card and they do it well. If I want nostalgia, I will go to my parents house and dig around in the front yard and try to find my buried Joes and Cobras.
Hasbro has an Anti-Hasbro agenda. If they wanted to sell products, first off find out what the market demands. Don't just produce crap and say, "OK. Here it is. Please buy it.". Secondly, don't produce stuff everyone wants and then make it impossible to acquire! Man, I miss the late 70's/early 80's when Kenner was cranking out all the good stuff.
I agree to add onto it also I have a theory that they keep some back to sell on ebay for big prices..they create an i want it now and race to get it first culture that will make people pay anything to get it
Smells like a page out of the Funpub/OTFCC playbook! Remember the Punch/Counterpunch and Seacon set fiascos? Not even a fraction of the units needed were made preorder or not.
I’m a loose 3.75 modern collector and when I say it feels like hasbro is making it harder to get these things on purpose! It is getting very difficult to get things ! I mostly get everything on eBay! And just hope to pay no more the 25 when I should be able to find on shelves!
Hasbro is doing the same thing with Magic the Gathering. They have been offering special edition boxes that immediately sell out. I am not gonna be Charlie brown with Hasbro holding the football.
Pulse is just like amazon prime, you're paying for free shipping, it sucks boba sold out fast, but it is a limited exclusive, I can't even use pulse cause I'm not in the US, but I'd sub if I could, they have listed transformers for almost half the price few times.
"You're being so mean to them!" "Shut up." Exactly. When a company is mean to the people who keep it going, they deserve pushback. And sometimes it might be "mean." I grew up in the 80s. Standing up to bullies usually solved the problem. We didn't just sympathize with their "plight."
Agreed. They act like companies like Hasbro are your best friend and will do anything they ask you to. Well guess what, fanboys. They don't give a damn about you and only care about the $$$ that they make. Especially all of you honks who want to spend $575 on a toy that will NOT be released until 2022.
I miss the days of my youth when I would walk into a department store, head straight to the toy aisles and instantly be transported to a different world filled with multiple copies of every figure, vehicle and playset imaginable... everything I would see advertised on Saturday morning TV and then some. It was a wonderful time I wish today’s kids would have the chance of experiencing if even just once. I am so thankful everyday I grew up when I did. The world isn’t the same anymore and that’s not necessarily a good thing when it comes to everything. Keep up the great work, Michael and Melinda. You guys are the greatest. Thank you for this channel and for helping me to remember the good days.
All this Hasbro pulse stuff and haslab stuff came into being right when I became financially responsible for the first time in my life. The temptation, and the absolute want to get the Sail Barge was huge, but ultimately, and thankfully I made the mature decision to not to, and that’s when I divorced myself from that mentality you speak of. I’m quite happy with this decision. And my young bank account is too
I'm shocked that this sold out so fast, yet the Marvel Legends Collector/Grandmaster set stayed in stock for DAYS and those are two of the most *BEAUTIFUL* (reference intended) figures Hasbro has made. You're right though. They're taking the wrong models. They need to do what Super 7 is doing and produce them by preorder amount.
I feel like Michael is telling someone they should breakup with a girlfriend who's bad news... seriously though, listen to Michael and stop dating Hasbro.
WarParty! At the Outpost yea, that girlfriend (Hasbro) is bad news...
If into the Hasbro subrscription service you go... Only pain will you find.
And this is why stores like Target and Walmart have scaled down their SW toy aisle. They don't trust Hasbro anymore.
Not even SW like my local Walmart has like the same transformers from last year and nothing else from Hasbro most of the other figures are from Mattel or other companies.
Its more like kids dont play with action figures. Places like Walmart and Target sell what sells and lego and nerf outsell figures. Plus why carry toys that parents will not buy because why buy toys (clutter that does not get played with) when a FREE game ap does rhe job
This is because Hasbro wont put 4 Boba Fett's to a case (in this case not any at all). Instead they cram 4 Constable Zuvio's in a case and depending on the case assortment number, you may have to go through 2 or 3 boxes before you find the one carded figure that everyone is out searching for.
@@910dohead Arggg. ..Constable Zubio. What a useless character that didn't need to have his own figure. I still see this guy peg warming the aisles.
@@skabcat242 Yeah, he had exactly 1 second of screen time. Great figure...
I also find it funny that Hasbro took down the ability to write a review on Hasbro Pulse Premium.
Sometimes, you’ve gotta let the dummies burn themselves on the stove so that they fully understand that they shouldn’t touch it
"I will poop on your lawn!" I'm sorry, Lio, I just love that comeback.
Because people think everyone gets a trophy
😆😆😆👏👏👏
I think we need to differentiate between people who got Pulse specifically for the exclusives (burn, indeed!) and those who got it under the presumption of improved availability of *retail* product. I don't think there's anything stupid about assuming Hasbro's own site would have improved availability for regular releases. This is precisely why I got my (admittedly free) membership. I like being able to secure my acquisitions without paying the collectors' shop premiums and shipping. I've yet to be disappointed.
Ahem...unicron
Michael you are the "Legend of Billie Jean" of the toy world. Keep up the great work, live all the Retro Blasting Content!!!
Michael has the perfect look for an adult toy collector,he looks old and young at the same time.
I love it when Michael goes unplugged because he tells it like it is. Solid video, Michael. That was awesome. And my week is going very well and I hope my weekend is the same. Thank you for the well wishes. Love you guys loads.
Totally agree with you. I’m glad you made this video.
a pretty straight shooting dose of common sense and reality. that's why you are trusted by geeks all over. don't go changing
2021: the Hasbro riots
I love the opening!! Awesome!! Thanks for the laugh. Keep up the great work!!
Have a great weekend too Michael!
Appreciated your comments on this. I am (was?) a six-inch Black Series collector. Finding products in stores, online or even finding out about new releases became a full time job with diminishing returns. I'd hear about a figure, but never find it. I'd find figures I'd never heard about. Most of the ones I did buy, I purchased through third party sellers. And a lot of those I had to pass on because they were marked up so high. I've only bought one single figure this year. I've really given up on it.
Haters will always be hating. Truth is Hasbro is not in it for the collector, it is only about them. Cheers for tour honest opions Micheal. I am glad that someone has the nuts to call it as it is. 👍🍻
Hallelujah, I have seen the light!
Michael spitting out truths left, right and centre.
Your rant means a lot. I only just started to use Hasbro Pulse this past Christmas cuz I am collecting the MMPR Lightning Collection figures the pre order and has lab garbage really hurts....they throw something in your face you are foaming at the mouth for and its just that...a tease...Hasbro has no reason for doing this....they used to fill my toybox as a kid and my shelves as a yung adult and now they have all but abandoned the store shelf for there own soul grabbing greed.
I totally agree with you, Michael, and that's what I have been doing too: I am not buying into Disney+, Pulse, Haslabs or "proposals" of that kind.
I happen to be a Hasbro Premium member because at some point I bought some figures that I could not find anywhere else, and they upgraded me at no cost.
The moment they ask for a monthly or yearly payment, that's the end of it for me because I don't support this comercial practice (I don't support Amazon Prime either because I don't want to be a captive buyer to justify a yearly spending on shipping).
On another note, I used to be what I call a "completist", which is my made up name for collectors who want to get everything that is released in a collection.
It's not that I found my personal value linked to having it all: I just thought (and still do) that there is beauty in having the cool and the ugly in a collection as long as the ugly is not excessively unappealing.
Now I just cherry pick, because with all of that crap of exclusives here and there, and that engineered scarcity you mention (great name, by the way), manufacturers made impossible to keep up.
I believe that something is very, very wrong when you loose lots of money from a loyal customer (and I say loyal simply because completists buy it all, not because of their attachment to a brand) just to make some extra sales.
Still, this is a complex subject because many collectors I know thrive precisely on having pieces that no one else has... They don't enjoy the feat of finding them half as much as being able to show off.
This extreme individuality, which has lots to do with a selfish approach to collecting, is what in my opinion really makes of this bussiness models a success so far.
Brilliant! I couldn't agree with you more.
The lack of seeing figures on the shelf at retail blew a hole in my collecting modern for a while
Now I stick to vintage
5:02 he called SHENANIGANS alright everybody get your broom
That was a great video!
All absolutely true, Michael
It's not just Hasbro too many companies want to be in the subscription business.
As someone who has had about as long a relationship with hasbro and toys in general as you have I think you're spot on, keep up the good work!!!
Right there with you - 100% agree.
Keep it up Mike!!! Loving everything RB does!!
Very well said, a mark is a mark is a mark is a mark. It's been building for a long time now. They built the scalpers to have all the power and so many suckers are like "oh you bought it first just to keep me from having it, sure I'll give 6 times the price". It's just plastic people it really doesn't have that kind of value.
You know there's something refreshing about just telling someone to shut up. That was good.
With that kind of intro, you know its going to be good
I've been a Star Wars and G.I. Joe collector since 1982. I gave up on Hasbro ages ago. Somehow, I'm still subscribed to the HasLabs emails. Every time I get an email promoting something that looks interesting, I click the link only to be told that it's sold out. It's become something of a game. I get a Hasbro email, and then I check to see how many of the products advertised are even available for purchase. The answer is almost always "zero". What are they even doing at this point? I couldn't give them my money if I wanted to.
Now, I'm just sitting here collecting MotU Origins, and having a pretty good time. Mattel certainly has their problems with retailer exclusives and online releases that sell out immediately, but they're getting better, and they seem to be trying to make the things that people want, for the most part.
Preach it, Michael!
Michael you said it perfectly, I'm 501st member for crying out loud and even I have pretty much given up on Hasbro as far as Star Wars. It's had become practically a full time job to track down every con exclusive and Mexico only 4 pack. They are killing what we love and the only way to win is not play the game.
100% agree. Well said.
This is perfect, thank you!
You're a very good storyteller. I didn't order this but interesting to listen to just the same.
Hasbro reminds me of a couple of (just a couple or so thankfully!) folks I've worked with that, on any project they are assigned, just keep on kickin' the can down the road to buy as much time for themselves as they can. Folks like this tend to be selfish and look at it purely personally (I need more time) and often fail to see of their work fits into what the larger team is doing. They also can't take on more work because, well, this is also a hallmark of folks like this. The good people around them eventually see this but often extend the benefit of the doubt. When I see this kind of thing in the future, I might think, "Hey, I am being Hasbro'd right now."
👏
On a side note living in NYC before the Hasbro .
I could never find and of their toys on the shelves at any of the major retailers.
Hasbro had better honor people asking for refunds on their subscription. If people can't get the things they are paying money for the 'maybe-possibility' of getting exclusive figures, then there is no point to the service other than to syphon money from fans who still believe in the products they used to make.
Legendary.
You're right about Hasbro not actually putting stuff in stores people actually really wanna buy, especially the Star Wars line, if I had a dollar for every time I saw a Rose Tico or Rey action figure peg warming, or those 12" figures and Forces Of Destiny things clogging up the shelves I would be rich.
What is really unbelievable and stupidly unfortunate for Hasbro is they are about to do the same again with some awful Galaxy Of Adventure 5" figures no one wants.
As for all those exclusives and all that stuff that people do actually want, why make them limited it's like they don't wanna make more money or something, I just do not understand their marketing strategy at all.
You called it. Shenanigans!
he is right do what I do go to sec hand store or cheap toy collection store they will give you a great price. Older stuff is better. Thank you to both of you for telling the truth never change.
You are the man.
Wish I found your channel earlier. 100% agreed!
Well said fella. Couldn't agree more mate.
Well stated good sir.
This is the same thing that happens with Mattel. Hot wheels sells a yearly club membership. That membership entitles you to have first chance of exclusives throughout the year but the problem is most of the exclusives they create sell out within minutes or sometimes even seconds. Their website is so bad that multiple logins are sometimes necessary with many errors and by the time you’ve gotten The item in your shopping cart, it is sold out once again. They are pre-orders are often a year to a year and a half in advance were you even forgot About what you purchased.
I've said this many times, nostalgia in the mainstream, is companies re-selling you memories that you already own.
A modern Boba Fett in vintage colours? That's not your childhood, that's a perceived facsimile of your childhood, one a company has manufactured knowing they can make you spend more money on a variant that appeals to a memory.
This whole thing can't last, rule one of supply and demand, if there's a demand, supply. But I do foresee a collapse, no company is too big to fail, not Hasbro, not Disney.
well said Michael.
Thank you for your comments, you have given me a lot to think about
I did love your Captain America figure video....its a great collection
There a couple of thing incorrect here. 1st most of us got our Hasbro Pulse premium membership free for a year. When placing an order within the first month of the Launch of Hasbro pulse. Secondly the Boba Fett figure is an SDCC exclusive. There was no promise that the exclusive would be available to everyone. I wasn’t able to get the Boba Fett either and I had it in the cart. But I’m not crying about it. It was an SDCC exclusive were Lucky Hasbro Pulse even offered it to the General public in the first place. If you really wanted this figure you should have gone to SDCC.
lol Unicron backers have dropped by 15 since they extended the deadline.
I just read tgat as "Unicorn" & thought, what the crap-toaster? Unicorn?
You'd think the number would be way bigger since Zeta revealed their Unicron (third party), so only dropping 15 is good news for hasbro.
I hate what Hasbro is doing but if Disney made them I’d have to go to there parks to get them.
But you do... Galaxy's Edge has exclusive Hasbro Black Series figures.
Hidden history NY supports and approves of this message .... I also collect Hot Wheels and this is the dog chasing its tail with Mattel and their redline shop exclusives.
Why wouldn't they do a pre-order system for collectors? It seems so simple and straightforward. Having worked retail for many years, I would have loved to know exactly how much product my customers were going to buy ahead of time. Its sad when the go to toy store is becoming the dollar store...
Hey loved the video. When I noticed the Boba Fett was going on sale I NEEDED to have it. Then I saw the Hasbro Pulse subscription for $50 bucks and thought there's no way I'm doing that. I was already mentally prepared not to get the figure.
Then when it sold out in SECONDS, it didn't bother me. I've decided I'll just try to pick up a loose Kenner Boba Fett.
The HasLab Unicron I'm still interested in, but I know it's ripping me off. IF it's made you pay $574 NOW (with no payment plans) and Hasbro sends you the Transformer a YEAR later. It's crazy. I still don't think it will get made and part of me hopes it doesn't so I can save the $574 (plus shipping I'm sure).
I wholeheartedly agree with this statement. I wish more and more people would wake up and stop feeding into the bullshit exclusives. If smaller companies like the four horsemen can do entire waves as preorders that have a smaller runs... then so can a larger company with exclusives.
Not sure where the info about a monthly Hasbro Pulse premium came from. The only offer I know of is the $50 a year for free shipping, early access to con booths and the early access (that resulted in most things selling out too fast and was pointless). Regardless of the program, they need a better system to sell their items, especially exclusives.
Totally agreed. Boba and Luke shouldn't have been exclusives in the first place.
If you love the vintage Kenner Boba Fett look and don't want to get extorted for the Black Series fig on the secondary market, the Disney Toybox Boba Fett figure is amazing and far cheaper ($13). The cartoon style of the line might be a turnoff for some but I think it's gorgeous and a huge selling point.
Most people who have Pulse got it for free back when Hasbro was doing promos. They just extended the "free" period about a month back.
The Boba was only available a day early for a Pulse members. They had a certain amount of them early for members and the next day everyone could buy it. Honestly it should have been a Pulse only item since that would make the service feel like it was worth something.
I just got my vintage Skiff that I ordered after watching people who bought it from amazon or other retailers get it months ago. I don't plan on renewing the sub after the promo period ends. As for other Hasbro items, I usually just wait until they are clearanced at Walmart.
edit: I find it hilarious that people honestly believe that Unicron would have made the goal if Hasbro hadn't extended it.
I agree fully about what you said, i feel and think pretty much the same way. Some people needed to hear this, best part is that you can apply this to a lot of things today. I have been disappointed in Hasbro a very long time, they do a half assed job but want double pay for their effort :(
I have ordered several items from Hasbro pulse and haven't had any issues. I didn't sign up for for subscription service. The subscription service is for collector items and I believe for free shipping. So I didn't get the subscription service...but I know a buddy who did. So when he places an order I ask him to order a item for me and pay him. So I'm cautious with Hasbro Pulse.I did place the Unicron order. But I'm ready to walk away if it doesn't reach the goal and I'm cool with it. But if it does meet the goal then great for me and others who placed the order.
Thanks for the video!!! I actually considered buying in to this. The I thought, “wait, I’m not gonna spend $50 plus dollars for the privilege of buying something”...
And as we speak, that Boba Fett figure is currently on ebays, selling more then original price. Thanks,Scalpers.
You are absolutely right about hasbro and plus they over charge everything because its an exclusive i mean i don't have room to talk because i did back the haslab ghost and it cost me 582 with shipping and honesty that put a real dent in my wallet hasbro should be ashamed of themselves for doing this to their customers
As a Transformers fan, I couldn't be happier. I'm getting all the Transformers I want. Plus Marvel Legends. I guess it really comes down to what your fandom is. If your into Gijoe, Inhumanoids, your pretty much screwed.
Hasbro is a Fortune 500 company (actually #597) and answers to stockholders there is a reason behind this morass. On the surface it seems they would make more money just making more popular items available for preorder but they have made a decision here that is likely a better business model to build excitement and demand for future products by making them rarer. And they seem to purposely fuel scalpers on the secondary market. Sort of the engineered scarcity model which has made companies like Supreme so massively successful. Likely makes good business sense in this age where there are no longer retail toy stores. They don't care about Star Wars collectors. They are looking to make a profit selling their cheaply made goods. They have looked at the marketplace for Star Wars and other toys,. They see the market has dwindled massively since little children no longer play with Star Wars figures at all. They are mostly making youtube videos and playing video games and not playing with action figures. Hasbro has designed this business model with the single purpose to build an everlasting demand which they hope will continue to spill over to their next exclusive. It works. And only works because everyone falls for it.
I just can't wait, now that Hasbro have the license of Ghostbusters, they'll made a scam based on a Ecto-1... just like Mattel did,
My fear as well with them having Ghostbusters now. Us fans will get screwed as well!
As the old saying goes if you put your hand out to be slapped it’s going to be slapped
I don't even attempt to buy any of Hasbro kickstarter or exclusive products, let alone new products in stores..I find myself buying vintage Star Wars products from re-sell shops.
100% accurate. Exclusives suck and I'm very tired of them. Just make the damn toys and sell them to everyone!! I'm trying to give Hasbro my money! I can't find 75% of the figures I want in stores. Amazon doesn't even have most of the figures I want. And I hate paying 3rd party markups. This company makes very little sense.
I appreciate your opinion and respect it. I was thinking of subscribing to Hasbro Pulse. But now I’m not. I miss the old days of real stores that had decent stock of the figures I wanted to buy.
Hasbro has become a monopoly and it shows. Lack of competition leads to this
If it's not on the shelf...I don't want it! All the exclusive toys are silly. If it's there when I look, awesome! Oh, BTW, still haven't seen any retro collection stuff.
Wait, wait, wait, what's this about Sears profiting directly from Toys R US's death?
The real issue is this: Toys are no longer made for children. They are made for adults who have jobs and make money. The old toys lines are targeted specifically towards adults in their 40's (who enjoyed them as kids). Hasbro will never again mass produce affordable toys that you can buy in the store because today's kids don't want them! Someone below commented that My Little Pony would be a great toy line to revitalize. I agree! MLP is a great line but when Basic toys revitalized it they charged an arm and a leg for it! It's almost cheaper to go on Etsy and buy vintage ponies that you have to clean up but you have the real thing! Not a re-issue! The other issue is that these companies know how to play the nostalgia card and they do it well. If I want nostalgia, I will go to my parents house and dig around in the front yard and try to find my buried Joes and Cobras.
Hasbro has an Anti-Hasbro agenda. If they wanted to sell products, first off find out what the market demands. Don't just produce crap and say, "OK. Here it is. Please buy it.". Secondly, don't produce stuff everyone wants and then make it impossible to acquire! Man, I miss the late 70's/early 80's when Kenner was cranking out all the good stuff.
I agree to add onto it also I have a theory that they keep some back to sell on ebay for big prices..they create an i want it now and race to get it first culture that will make people pay anything to get it
Smells like a page out of the Funpub/OTFCC playbook! Remember the Punch/Counterpunch and Seacon set fiascos? Not even a fraction of the units needed were made preorder or not.
Nailed it
I’m a loose 3.75 modern collector and when I say it feels like hasbro is making it harder to get these things on purpose! It is getting very difficult to get things ! I mostly get everything on eBay! And just hope to pay no more the 25 when I should be able to find on shelves!
Agree
Michael is only one word for this Illuminati LOL keep up the good work Buddy
Hasbro is doing the same thing with Magic the Gathering. They have been offering special edition boxes that immediately sell out. I am not gonna be Charlie brown with Hasbro holding the football.
Fans shouldn't be contributing to the Kickstarter of a publicly traded company. That's what the stock market is for.
Pulse is just like amazon prime, you're paying for free shipping, it sucks boba sold out fast, but it is a limited exclusive, I can't even use pulse cause I'm not in the US, but I'd sub if I could, they have listed transformers for almost half the price few times.
This is what happens when a company (Hasbro) buys out companies left right and center and has all it's fingers in the pie
Hasbro is the one losing money. They are only making money for scalpers.
All thoughts and arguments aside....to Hasbro a scalper is not a scalper they are a customer plain and simple.
Sad thing is they are vital to Hasbro.
Yep Don't Renew. Stop the abuse.
Well said Sir
Hasbro is getting more sketchy by the minute.
"You're being so mean to them!"
"Shut up."
Exactly. When a company is mean to the people who keep it going, they deserve pushback. And sometimes it might be "mean." I grew up in the 80s. Standing up to bullies usually solved the problem. We didn't just sympathize with their "plight."
Agreed. They act like companies like Hasbro are your best friend and will do anything they ask you to. Well guess what, fanboys. They don't give a damn about you and only care about the $$$ that they make. Especially all of you honks who want to spend $575 on a toy that will NOT be released until 2022.
Well chosen words
I miss the days of my youth when I would walk into a department store, head straight to the toy aisles and instantly be transported to a different world filled with multiple copies of every figure, vehicle and playset imaginable... everything I would see advertised on Saturday morning TV and then some. It was a wonderful time I wish today’s kids would have the chance of experiencing if even just once. I am so thankful everyday I grew up when I did. The world isn’t the same anymore and that’s not necessarily a good thing when it comes to everything. Keep up the great work, Michael and Melinda. You guys are the greatest. Thank you for this channel and for helping me to remember the good days.
Damn right!!!
One huge reason I have pivoted to Lego...they seem to genuinely give fair price and fair warning of availability across the world
Preach Micheal Preach. I have no love for haslab/pulse either.
Lordy Lordy Lordy! Praise the Lord! Hallelujah! :)
We at The Fans Strike Back approve this message.
That was truly brilliant, Michael.
Jeffrey Piatt pretty sure he gets all that, champ. Also none of it is relevant to the larger point.
Hey Michael, this is the other 80% and I want to say thank you and please enjoy your weekend too!
All this Hasbro pulse stuff and haslab stuff came into being right when I became financially responsible for the first time in my life. The temptation, and the absolute want to get the Sail Barge was huge, but ultimately, and thankfully I made the mature decision to not to, and that’s when I divorced myself from that mentality you speak of. I’m quite happy with this decision. And my young bank account is too
Congratulations on reaching that level of understanding!
I'm shocked that this sold out so fast, yet the Marvel Legends Collector/Grandmaster set stayed in stock for DAYS and those are two of the most *BEAUTIFUL* (reference intended) figures Hasbro has made.
You're right though. They're taking the wrong models. They need to do what Super 7 is doing and produce them by preorder amount.
"When someone shows you who they really are, believe them."
That's going in my quote book.
It’s a quote by Dr. Maya Angelou. 👍🏼