[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=85DMl1IZ6oI&h=284&w=500]
Taking a break from speculating about the motives of toy corporations, I love this video. Extremely quotable.
Thanks to Infinite Hollywood for the heads-up!
Mattel Offers Refunds for Yellowed Stay-Puft Marshmallow Men (Updated)
UPDATE: OK, I finally had time to think it through and figured out a legitimate reason for requesting all figures be sent back in, rather than simply refunding any orders made on Mattycollector upon request.
Let’s say a retailer ordered 100 Stay-Pufts off Mattycollector (by having their staff members each order 10 or whatever, I can’t remember if there was a limit). They could re-sell all 100 of those Stay-Pufts, then get 100 refunds for those orders. Then, each customer who bought a Stay-Puft also requests refunds, and so Mattel ends up refunding for 200 figures instead of 100.
So, I admit I missed something on this one. But I still wish they could make the process of returning the figures easier. (When I had to return my Wind Raider, they requested someone be there when they come to get the package. So you have to have someone home, or take it to work and have it picked up there, or risk leaving it out on your doorstep unattended.) /END UPDATE
Mattel is offering refunds for anyone who bought last year’s SDCC Stay-Puft, which has a QC problem in which the toys are turning yellow. (more…)
Odds ‘n Ends > Mystic Hammer, Build-a-Droid Factory, Warlords & Warriors, Robertcop
- Poe’s Power Pal and toymaker extraordinaire Joe Amaro will soon be taking orders for his Tytus-scale Mystic Hammer (they’ll cost around $15 apiece). Follow him on his blog and Twitter for more info.
- Cartoonist and Poester Bill White has a blog post up about his experience with the Build-a-Droid Factory at the Star Tours gift shop at Disney World. Seems pretty fun, so fingers crossed that it’s still around in 5-7 years when I take my as-yet-hypothetical kid there.
- I came across an interesting new toy line called Warlords and Warriors. It’s very similar to vintage Masters of the Universe, or rather, the Remco knockoff lines of MOTU, with one twist – the legs and arms will be completely interchangeable. For the record, while I generally have reservations regarding lines that are similar to copyrighted toy lines, in this case I have no concerns because Mattel lost that court case decades ago. You can follow the Warlords and Warriors project on Facebook.
- Here’s a funny list of knockoff toys. Robertcop is my favorite.
Pic of the Day > the big blue boy scout by Johnson Cameraface
Mattycollector Offers Sneak Peek at New MOTUC Figure for Subscribers
Mattel just sent subscribers their first look at the (other) October figure. Pics after the jump, because for some reason I feel compelled to keep the “secret.” (more…)
New S.H. MonsterArts Poll at Tamashii Nations
Godzilla (S.H.Monster Arts) by Jova Cheung, on Flickr
I try not to ask favors of you, my readers. I write this site for my own enjoyment as well as yours, not to advance my own agenda.
But once in a while I may make use of this megaphone I have, and this is one of those times. If you’re a Facebook user, please vote in this S.H. MonsterArts poll. While I voted for all the Godzilla monsters, I don’t care who you vote for – just please vote! And maybe consider voting for Showa Godzilla and Mechagodzilla. Y’know, if you were wondering whom I might recommend or something.
Toy Aisle Trolls > Barren-ess
Toy Aisle Trolls is a feature highlighting acts of vandalism to in-store toy items. If you find a ruined package, a stolen figure, a swapped-out figure, or any other such acts, take a photo (cell phone photos are fine if they’re not blurry) and email them to poe@poeghostal.com.
Baroness, Cobra Librarian
Submitted by: CT
CT writes: “This is an odd thing I found in a Tallahassee Walmart. The figure is a Baroness from the Valor v. Venom line (if I recall correctly) from several years back in the package of a Rise of Cobra Baroness. Makes no sense to me, but whatever.”
Pics of MasterEnglish’s MOTUC Batman Custom
I realized I never really gave you all some good pics of the custom MOTUC-style Dark Knight Returns Batman customizer MasterEnglish made for me.
As you can see, I also created a bio for him.
Pic of the Day > Poison Ivy by ElDave
Guest Review > Mumm-Ra (6″ Thundercats Classics, Bandai)
I previously reviewed the 6″ Thundercats Classic Lion-O figure, and today I’m here to continue in that fashion and review the 6″ Classic Mumm-Ra.
Bandai’s Thundercats toy lines seem to be very hit or miss with the fans, due to several design elements the fans take issue with (and rightfully so), but the general consensus seems to be that the Classic figures are a good attempt at collector-oriented figures.
There have been rumors floating around recently of the new Thundercats cartoon ending and if so, it’s likely that the toy lines would end as well. I, and many fans, certainly hope that isn’t the case, because it would be nice to at least have the main characters in action figure form.
Keep reading to find out if Mumm-Ra is a worthy addition to your Thundercats collection. (more…)