On 4/24/2022 at 6:37 PM, McHogan said:"....here are a few more concerns:Hasbro loves the repaint. Look no further than the Fantastic Four figures. So far weve gotten 3 version of the team (Walgreens, the modern suits and the retro versions.). At announced prices, it seems folly to expect fans to pay for another version. Especially one as niche as the modern suits...."
I hear you but at the same time, I there are cases where a repaint makes sense. The F4 are still the same people and have the same form whether its the classic blue/black suits or the blackish-blue/white "negative zone" outfits, right? My biggest complaint about the F4 is that the figures were all too basic, and the wrong heights. They finally got the flamed on Human Torch right but still, he and the Invisible Woman aren't tall as or taller than Mr. Fantastic. The Thing really could have had biceps swivel. But otherwise, I don't see an issue with their suits being repaints.
"Paint app / lack of detail: wasnt a fan of the Classic Dr Strange with his demon symbol being so close to the rest of his tunic. Even though he costed more I justified a potential repurchase with a better paint app by thinking a re-release may also include more accessories...." agree, and I really thought it was underhanded. They never glued his cloak on before so why now? And why the painted over emblem that they managed to get right on every other classic outfit?? No, they knew what they were doing because they probably are gonna have the corrected version down the line- orange gloves/belt , removable cape, accessories, etc. Correct cloak....In fact they'll probably make it a "deluxe" two pack with classic Dormammu, this time with his corrected eyes and mouth instead of a just a flame head. Increased price of course.
"niche / oddball inclusions: I see these dropping off entirely and Hasbro sticking to what they know will sell. Get ready for lots more Spidey, Wolverine, Cap, and Iron Man to anchor EVERY wave...." my biggest worry. None of the teams we wanted that haven't been made yet, chances are the incomplete teams will stay that way. Red Wolf, El Aguila, classic Shang-Chi, Iron Fist, M-11...nope. Maybe, maybe, we'll get first appearance Cap, but none of the rest of the Golden Age figures. That would be a real shame.
On 4/24/2022 at 9:47 PM, McHogan said:Well for me I will be cutting down to just MCU and comic Avengers. In recent years I began to broaden my scope and started getting into other teams like XMen and Alpha Flight plus for every figure I did get I was getting two, one to open and one to keep in box. but its just not financially responsible for me to continue either practice.
Storage is becoming an issue anyway but Hasbro is pricing me out of impulse buying and any unrelated to the Avengers figures that look too cool to passup ( so long future Ghost Riders, Kingpins and Punishers)
ive got to say the future is as bleak as it has ever been for this beloved hobby. Just a year ago the Sheer amount of product was immense but I was able to snag favorites plus bonus characters or awesome BAFS like Ursa Major. But at these prices if I dont want every character, I just cant justify building a BAF I think is cool. And forget about box sets like the Children of a Thanos ( for example) going forward. That set was pricey at reasonable prices... I honestly cant image Hasbro soliciting a similar set with the announced prices. That would put a 5 figure set over $200.. I just cant believe things like this will be offered any longer. And will Hasbro continue to push out the amount of product weve seen in recent years? It stands to reason that if they cant keep prices down they surely cant keep producing the same amount of product. Especially if collectors are being more choosy.
So yeah, Hasbro raising prices means Im buying less. I fear if the majority of collectors do the same we can mark this announcement of prices rising as the beginning of the end.
To add to my previous post here are a few more concerns:
Hasbro loves the repaint. Look no further than the Fantastic Four figures. So far weve gotten 3 version of the team (Walgreens, the modern suits and the retro versions.). At announced prices, it seems folly to expect fans to pay for another version. Especially one as niche as the modern suits.
Apology figures / re-issues with more accurate details. I own 4 Infinity War / End Game Thanos figures ( among others. Looking at you IW/ EG Iron Man) It took Hasbro 4 trys and a number of years to give us their it best shot. Again, at the prices we are heading for, this is unacceptable.
another under this topic is the D+ US Agent figure. Recent years made us expect ( maybe unfairly but hey, Hasbro was on the ball with apology figures an updated accurate figure within a relatively short span of the first inaccurate version. Im speaking in generalities but Hasbro had been quick to fix these with better figures. Got to think we are heading back to the days of when we got what they gave us and there wont be another shot.
Paint app / lack of detail: wasnt a fan of the Classic Dr Strange with his demon symbol being so close to the rest of his tunic. Even though he costed more I justified a potential repurchase with a better paint app by thinking a re-release may also include more accessories. If standard figures cost as much as Deluxe/ exclusives they damn better be the definitive version on the first try
Box sets/ Deluxe figures. With prices so high if fans wait until these go on clearance to buy, will Hasbro take the chance to give us a MCU Vulture or a Toxin if they cant sell them for asking price.
niche / oddball inclusions: I see these dropping off entirely and Hasbro sticking to what they know will sell. Get ready for lots more Spidey, Wolverine, Cap, and Iron Man to anchor EVERY wave
for me it breaks down like this:
at old prices my purchases were:
75% of nearly every wave. If I wanted the BAF it was 100%
Awesome figures unrelated to the Avengers that were too cool to pass on
Exclusives ala Alpha Flight, Excalibur, Children of Thanos
Deluxe sets ( Venom, Toxin)
Pulse exclusives
ALL MCU product
If you were an Avenger you got bought
Avenger villains.
Updated ( more accurate ) figures
impulse buys. Figures Im on
Thats it.
Math doesnt work out in a Hasbros favor. Plus I have other toy interests and you know, a mortgage...
this is why Im calling it as the beginning of the end of the greatest toyline in history. Believe me, I hope it isnt true but if Hasbro continues to pump out the immense amount of product that people arent unwilling to buy for MSRP ( or at least until stores clearance them out) as we have in the past the only result is less product or the end of the line.
Ok so there were my cons. Here are the pros I can see:
figures that would have been harder to track down may be more readily available as the general fan / parents / impulse buyers may not like the asking price
lm actually forecasting spending less money
Well for me I will be cutting down to just MCU and comic Avengers. In recent years I began to broaden my scope and started getting into other teams like XMen and Alpha Flight plus for every figure I did get I was getting two, one to open and one to keep in box. but its just not financially responsible for me to continue either practice.
Storage is becoming an issue anyway but Hasbro is pricing me out of impulse buying and any unrelated to the Avengers figures that look too cool to passup ( so long future Ghost Riders, Kingpins and Punishers)
ive got to say the future is as bleak as it has ever been for this beloved hobby. Just a year ago the Sheer amount of product was immense but I was able to snag favorites plus bonus characters or awesome BAFS like Ursa Major. But at these prices if I dont want every character, I just cant justify building a BAF I think is cool. And forget about box sets like the Children of a Thanos ( for example) going forward. That set was pricey at reasonable prices... I honestly cant image Hasbro soliciting a similar set with the announced prices. That would put a 5 figure set over $200.. I just cant believe things like this will be offered any longer. And will Hasbro continue to push out the amount of product weve seen in recent years? It stands to reason that if they cant keep prices down they surely cant keep producing the same amount of product. Especially if collectors are being more choosy.
So yeah, Hasbro raising prices means Im buying less. I fear if the majority of collectors do the same we can mark this announcement of prices rising as the beginning of the end.