Monday, April 21, 2014
Monday, April 7, 2014
Package Deal
I recently got a new set of Marvel Infinite Series 4-inch action figures. They replaced the Marvel Universe toy line. I haven't seen these toys sold as a set except during special distribution sale.
Special distribution sales are held on a predetermined time and place. Avid collectors arrive early at the venue to be the first in line. One has to fall in line for a chance to buy the toys. There is a limited number available so those who arrive late have less chance. I tried attending a distribution once. I was at the mall waiting for the opening and when it finally did, I saw that there was already a long queue at the toy store. I didn't know how these people got in before the official mall hours. I wasn't able to buy any toy that day.
The individual toys are packed together to be sold as a set. This prevents the less popular toy characters from being peg warmers. There is usually just one or 2 toys a collector wants in the set but he is forced to buy a set of six (usually). This is an understandable marketing technique. The problem in this technique is that the scalpers just has to be early in one place and they can buy the number of toys they want. They usually come in groups since there is a limit to the number of set one can buy.
I don't know if this kind of sale is still being practiced. One needs to be in contact with a closed circle of collectors to know the details of the sale. I'm no longer in the loop so I can't say.
I'm just glad that I was able to come across this set on an ordinary day. I think that the distributor should do away with the special distribution sale altogether and just distribute the set in different toy stores. This way, the scalpers will have a harder time hoarding all the toys. They just might entice someone who chance upon the toys to be a new collector. Who knows?
Special distribution sales are held on a predetermined time and place. Avid collectors arrive early at the venue to be the first in line. One has to fall in line for a chance to buy the toys. There is a limited number available so those who arrive late have less chance. I tried attending a distribution once. I was at the mall waiting for the opening and when it finally did, I saw that there was already a long queue at the toy store. I didn't know how these people got in before the official mall hours. I wasn't able to buy any toy that day.
The individual toys are packed together to be sold as a set. This prevents the less popular toy characters from being peg warmers. There is usually just one or 2 toys a collector wants in the set but he is forced to buy a set of six (usually). This is an understandable marketing technique. The problem in this technique is that the scalpers just has to be early in one place and they can buy the number of toys they want. They usually come in groups since there is a limit to the number of set one can buy.
I don't know if this kind of sale is still being practiced. One needs to be in contact with a closed circle of collectors to know the details of the sale. I'm no longer in the loop so I can't say.
I'm just glad that I was able to come across this set on an ordinary day. I think that the distributor should do away with the special distribution sale altogether and just distribute the set in different toy stores. This way, the scalpers will have a harder time hoarding all the toys. They just might entice someone who chance upon the toys to be a new collector. Who knows?
Tuesday, April 1, 2014
A Little Grim
Toy brands like Mattel and Hasbro increased their prices locally without a noticeable increase in quality. I wonder if this is happening elsewhere. I usually would write a long rant about it but I'll just sit, relax and wait for the sale!
4-inch Marvel Infinite Series Grim Reaper
Thursday, March 20, 2014
Wednesday, March 19, 2014
Fan-ny Face
She looks more like the anime version of the actual person. I guess this Barbie is targeted to the market who prefers that kind of eye screening. The shape of the doll's face is more oval compared to the rounder face of the actress. The doll is beautiful nonetheless.
The hair is also the simplified version of the original. They also scrimped by eliminating the earrings and the clutch. I wonder if the real Fan Bingbing will grace the red carpet under-dressed like that.
Whether or not it looks like Fan, it doesn't matter. I'm not her fan anyways. I'm a Barbie fan.
image source: RCFA
I'm thankful to Fan Bingbing for agreeing with Mattel to undertake this doll project. I wish her more success.
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