Poe’s Point > An Unscientific Analysis of Average MOTUC Aftermarket Prices

May 5, 2009 | Poe

There’s been a some talk amongst the toy community about a greedy aftermarket of speculators (a.k.a. scalpers) snatching up MOTUC figures from Mattycollector.com and re-selling them on eBay for high prices. Often the existence of this aftermarket is simply assumed in forum conversations, without the presentation of any sort of evidence. It is often used to justify asking Mattel to lower the 10-per-household limit on MOTUC orders to five figures or less.

Mattel has repeatedly stated their research shows “the vast majority (close to 90%) of orders are for 3 or less units.” Of course, it would be naive to take them at their word, but  it’s just as close-minded to dismiss it out of hand as corporate bullshit. The real question is: what is the aftermarket for these figures really like, and is there evidence that collectors are paying scalpers huge prices for them? (more…)

Odds ‘n Ends > Star Wars Day Edition

May 4, 2009 | Poe

odds_n_ends_09

  • Before anyone asks, no, I didn’t see Wolverine this weekend. And I probably won’t, because I see maybe three movies at the theater a year, and I’ve already seen Watchmen and intend to see Star Trek. Terminator Salvation is a toss-up for #3.
  • As many of you know, Big Bad Toy Store got an early shipment of DC Universe Classics Wave 8, as did a few other retailers who imported directly from China. The rest of us–including those who ordered from Enchanted Toy Chest and CornerStoreComics–must wait for the domestic orders to arrive, which will probably be around the end of this month. While I’m typical of most toy collectors in that I’m quite impatient and have a penchant for instant gratification, I’ve managed to hold off buying or trading for any of the figures from this wave ahead of time. Nonetheless, it’s a bit off-putting that no matter how pessimistically far ahead I  predict I’ll receive my figures (I guessed May 20 this time), it manages to be a good deal later than that. (Of course, I’ll eat my words if they show up on or before the 20th, but that’s not a bet I’d take.)
  • Out of what could be construed as sheer despair for something to do this weekend, I finally tossed in the copy of Bioshock I borrowed from a friend six months ago. Of course I was immediately drawn in (despite how sick I am of first-person shooters). I’m not finished yet, but I’m already interested in the game’s upcoming sequel.
  • On a related note, it was with no little annoyance I saw that Batman: Arkham Asylum has been pushed back to fall. That game had better not suck. On the other hand, it sounds like the Wolverine movie game might actually be kinda awesome.
  • Today is apparently “Star Wars Day,” based entirely off the pun, “May the 4th Be With You.” According to Wikipedia this idea has been around for years, but it took today’s Twitter chatter to make me aware of it.  Anyway, Happy Star Wars Day, I guess. Celebrate in your own fashion. I recommend burning incense and singing snatches of “Good Night, But Not Goodbye,” in honor of the late Bea Arthur.
  • So what’s up with you?

NECA April O’Neil – confirmed?

May 1, 2009 | Poe

neca-april-with-mousers

Props to Ninja Pizza for pointing me to this important nugget of information I completely missed:

I got an email from Steve Murphy yesterday, with some information which was sent to him from Randy Falk at NECA. Here are the pertinent quotes from Randy, along with an image:

“I just wanted to send over an image of our SDCC exclusive for this summer.

It will be a brand new April O’ Neil figure that comes with a Battle Damaged Mouser and a Regular Mouser with a new head featuring an articulated jaw.

This is the first non Turtle figure in the NECA TMNT collection.

This version of April will be available at San Diego Comic Con this July.

We are going to try to make arrangements to offer a small amount of figures online for those who can not attend SDCC.”

So maybe it’s not all “just wind in sails,” eh, Steve?

DCUC Poll Results

May 1, 2009 | Poe

Well, I managed to overshoot my goal of 300 voters by about 130, which is pretty damned awesome.

In any event, here’s how the poll results broke down. (more…)