Lando Calrissian (Sandstorm Outfit) (VC89) - Hasbro - The Vintage Collection (2012)
Star Wars Collectible News, Photos, and Reviews

Thinking Outside Of The [Big] Box: A Few Ideas To Save Our Hobby

Posted by Paul | June 29, 2014 at 08:42 PM ET

The disappointment with Hasbro is palpable in the Star Wars collecting community. We have all aired our grievances loudly, but it seems that is all we've been doing since the demise of The Vintage Collection and it all seems to fall upon deaf ears. Between the dreadful paint operations on both kids' and collectors' figures (despite a confirmed instance of Hasbro rep stating that there are no differences between the two), the reduced articulation in the "collector" line and barely any changes in bottle-necked distribution, many of us our scratching our heads on how we arrived at this awful state of affairs after so many wonderful years of a fun and happy hobby. But what if there are solutions out there that we just haven't thought about yet? (more....)

1. Cost is the number one enemy to the Star Wars brand.

We don't deny that cost is bringing the line to a deadlock. We have never ignored that. The contrarians are quick to always bring that argument to the table first. The contrarians also refuse to hear that many would pay more for quality if that was an option. So let us ask you. Is an increase in all-new sculpts acceptable for you? What if Hasbro promised a true COLLECTOR-FOCUSED line that contained 100% all-new sculpt. No repacks, repaints, re-hashes or reuse of anything? Now the hard part. What if the MSRP to this line was $14.99 or $15.99? Let's be really dramatic and say $19.99. In this market, would that just be unreasonable and completely unaffordable to most collectors? Think about this before you answer. These would be all-new sculpts with not a single part reused, perhaps with hyper-articulation and a boat load of accessories. Don't rip me a new one before you think about it. I don't like higher prices, but what if it could guarantee the health of the 3.75" line? This idea is based on what I have already heard from readers; that they would pay more for all-new figures.

2. There should be two "budget lines" not just one.

The incessant dissertation from contrarians goes on and on and on about how there needs to be a budget line at retail for parents and casual shoppers to buy birthday and Christmas gifts (whatever). But the el cheapo Saga Legends and Mission Series figures are all that we got and I don't see too many people (of the later class) buying either. And what about some great sculpts that Hasbro has made in the past that SHOULD get reused, reissued or retooled in one way or another to bring us "all-new" characters? So fine, let's keep the $5.99 SL/MS lines alive if Hasbro thinks that's what they need to save the Star Wars brand. We will hush up about disliking them. But imagine a complementary "Classic Collection" of much-needed reissued figures, simple repaints and the like in a $9.99 price point. This line would bring us the Clone Commander or the Sandtrooper Squad Leader, as well as some key hot figures that should always be in the line, like Boba Fett and Darth Vader, but with excellent articulation and cool accessories. It would also keep the higher-end main line pure without any annoying "I have this already" figures. Hasbro would of course have to be "honest" with us here.

3. Limit who gets to sell Star Wars figures.

Walmart and TARGET have essentially forfeited their rights to sell Star Wars figures if you ask me. Sure, you might get lucky and find a new case here and there, but the wonder days of going on Saturday morning and finding four cases of new Star Wars figures is gone and never coming back. I know that a store like Toys R Us is not in everyone's immediate area, and some collectors have more locations than they need, but maybe a retailer like Toys R Us (under an exclusive contract with Hasbro ensuring distribution and pricing) should have exclusive rights to sell, well, um, toys. (They're a friggin' toy store aren't they? Is this not common sense?) Let me also be clear: I am not excluding online stores. They are a much-needed alternative and they should continue to receive them. But Big Box is a big part of the responsibility for killing the Star Wars line almost as much as Hasbro has. Hasbro reps once told me how Big Box MUST order Star Wars figures. But I have to ask "why?" Between all six TARGET locations in my area since 2012, I have seen maybe four new cases total. So why do you/me need them again, Hasbro?

4. The Black Series 6" line is proving that this could work already....

The Black Series 6" line is performing excellently (thank goodness). Sure, it isn't perfect and case assortments were a bit wonky, but things are improving and there is a fever for the line with more people jumping on board and time moves forward. Most of these have to be all-new since they don't have an entire catalogue of parts yet. But imagine if they could apply the same logic to a revitalized 3.75" line? Maybe even include a few more points of articulation and more accessories as well. Again, just thinking out loud here. But because I think we're are out of options, we may need a revolution in the Star Wars Hasbro brand. And Hasbro appears to be out of options too. I just know I want my Star Wars toy line back.... and in good health. Let us know what you think in our comments.

       Digg!    

Related Links

Jedi Temple Archives comments powered by Disqus

-Click HERE to return to the home page-

Channels

 

Follow Us

JTA Info

Affiliates

Hasbro

Gentle Giant

Sideshow Collectibles

Hot Toys

LEGO

Mattel

Disney

Disney Store

Acme Archives

Hallmark

Trading Cards

Store Reports

Research Droids Reviews

Visual Guides

Books & Novels

Convention News

Movie & TV News

Rants & Raves

Special Reports

       Facebook

       Instagram

       Pinterest

       Youtube

       RSS

Home

Contact

News Archives

Site Search

Image Use Policy

Disclosure Policy

Privacy Policy

RDR Index

Visual Guide Index

Bantha Skull

Collector's Cantina

Jedi News

Star Wars Figuren

Star Wars New Zealand

Star Wars is a Copyright and Trademark of LucasFilm LTD. This site is intended for informational purposes only, and is not in anyway associated with LFL. All Visual Guides, images, and content are the property of JediTempleArchives.com, © 2004-2019 and may not be reused without permission. Please do not direct link to any of the content on this web site.