darkSpyro

What do you think?

I love him. He looks great

Dang! Its not special like the easter ones

He look so much better than I thought, me want!!

I love it!!!! great valentine present

Well i think he would have looked more appropriate for valentines day as a normal Pop Fiz holding a Magic Potion .

IT's a recolor of a figure I've bought at least 4 times prior. Not sure how I can say this positively.

Wow, I was really expecting them to use an old sculpt of Pop Fizz... one where Love Potion Pop Fizz is you know, actually holding a potion! lol.

pic to small cant really say yet....

It looks cool! Total buy.

They dropped the ball by making this so-called Valentines Day figure a pose as un-Valentines Days-ey as possible and not having him holding an actual love potion. I smell the stench of laziness on the part of Toys For Bob on this one. Personally, I think all the in-game variants in the future games should have a different pose...I doubt it'd cost Activision that much more money for a different mold...I think they'd make more money from buyers since it'd be a different pose and collectors/fans would welcome it with open arms rather than complaining about buying another figure with the exact same pose.

It is far more than just a mold. First you have to determine the best way to make it so you can split it up - Skylanders typically aren't a single piece of plastic. Then it has to be designed so that figures can be produced on a large scale and painted/assembled. Then there are package design considerations (those little plastic inserts we pull them out of, but are used so the figure stays secure). And even if it was a just a mold, those aren't cheap - they don't just make one. It's an array of molds all of which have to be precisely crafted at a rapid pace.

Do yourself a favor and watch one of those "How it's made" shows that demonstrates the manufacturing process of various items. These process favor mass production and aren't very flexible to be altered quickly. It's why it took months for Activision to respond and recover when Skylanders hit big in SSA. And why Nintendo cannot just shift gears and make more Marths and Villagers at the drop of a hat.

We get variants the way we do because it is just a paint/material color change. You can alter that without major changes to the manufacturing process.

Quote: defpally

It is far more than just a mold. First you have to determine the best way to make it so you can split it up - Skylanders typically aren't a single piece of plastic. Then it has to be designed so that figures can be produced on a large scale and painted/assembled. Then there are package design considerations (those little plastic inserts we pull them out of, but are used so the figure stays secure). And even if it was a just a mold, those aren't cheap - they don't just make one. It's an array of molds all of which have to be precisely crafted at a rapid pace.

Do yourself a favor and watch one of those "How it's made" shows that demonstrates the manufacturing process of various items. These process favor mass production and aren't very flexible to be altered quickly. It's why it took months for Activision to respond and recover when Skylanders hit big in SSA. And why Nintendo cannot just shift gears and make more Marths and Villagers at the drop of a hat.

We get variants the way we do because it is just a paint/material color change. You can alter that without major changes to the manufacturing process.

This.

Some people think Activision creates Skylanders with a swing of their magic wand...

Off-topic but necessary: I'm watching "How it's Made" right now.

Quote: defpally

It is far more than just a mold. First you have to determine the best way to make it so you can split it up - Skylanders typically aren't a single piece of plastic. Then it has to be designed so that figures can be produced on a large scale and painted/assembled. Then there are package design considerations (those little plastic inserts we pull them out of, but are used so the figure stays secure). And even if it was a just a mold, those aren't cheap - they don't just make one. It's an array of molds all of which have to be precisely crafted at a rapid pace.

Do yourself a favor and watch one of those "How it's made" shows that demonstrates the manufacturing process of various items. These process favor mass production and aren't very flexible to be altered quickly. It's why it took months for Activision to respond and recover when Skylanders hit big in SSA. And why Nintendo cannot just shift gears and make more Marths and Villagers at the drop of a hat.

We get variants the way we do because it is just a paint/material color change. You can alter that without major changes to the manufacturing process.

My bad...considering the billions of dollars in sales these toys have made them, I didn't think a new mold production which would probably benefit their sales numbers would be asking too much of them. I guess you're fans of the easy way out by throwing money at something which is a rehash of what you probably already have.

Quote: mastermc54

Quote: defpally

It is far more than just a mold. First you have to determine the best way to make it so you can split it up - Skylanders typically aren't a single piece of plastic. Then it has to be designed so that figures can be produced on a large scale and painted/assembled. Then there are package design considerations (those little plastic inserts we pull them out of, but are used so the figure stays secure). And even if it was a just a mold, those aren't cheap - they don't just make one. It's an array of molds all of which have to be precisely crafted at a rapid pace.

Do yourself a favor and watch one of those "How it's made" shows that demonstrates the manufacturing process of various items. These process favor mass production and aren't very flexible to be altered quickly. It's why it took months for Activision to respond and recover when Skylanders hit big in SSA. And why Nintendo cannot just shift gears and make more Marths and Villagers at the drop of a hat.

We get variants the way we do because it is just a paint/material color change. You can alter that without major changes to the manufacturing process.

My bad...considering the billions of dollars in sales these toys have made them, I didn't think a new mold production which would probably benefit their sales numbers would be asking too much of them. I guess you're fans of the easy way out by throwing money at something which is a rehash of what you probably already have.

It's, as was said a moment ago and you would know it to if you had actually read the post, is far more than a mold, it is a matter of design, painting, artwork, 15+ stages of prototype before a mold can even be made. From there enough space has to be allowed to even produce these things. That's 150+ man hours right there. How do that for every variant, when there is like 15 of them you get 2250 man hours. Now take a the price of pay for the employees, which must be like $10 an hour at the least and you have $22,500 right there. Not to mention that it costs like $4.00 to make the figure. So that means you only get $6.00 per figure. To make the money back you need to sell 3,750 figures, which yes I know isn't a lot but this isn't even factoring in how much it would cost to get the resources for these things. Plus why spend so much time on a freakin variant when they could spend more time on the figure.

Quote: ninja9351

Quote: mastermc54

Quote: defpally

It is far more than just a mold. First you have to determine the best way to make it so you can split it up - Skylanders typically aren't a single piece of plastic. Then it has to be designed so that figures can be produced on a large scale and painted/assembled. Then there are package design considerations (those little plastic inserts we pull them out of, but are used so the figure stays secure). And even if it was a just a mold, those aren't cheap - they don't just make one. It's an array of molds all of which have to be precisely crafted at a rapid pace.

Do yourself a favor and watch one of those "How it's made" shows that demonstrates the manufacturing process of various items. These process favor mass production and aren't very flexible to be altered quickly. It's why it took months for Activision to respond and recover when Skylanders hit big in SSA. And why Nintendo cannot just shift gears and make more Marths and Villagers at the drop of a hat.

We get variants the way we do because it is just a paint/material color change. You can alter that without major changes to the manufacturing process.

My bad...considering the billions of dollars in sales these toys have made them, I didn't think a new mold production which would probably benefit their sales numbers would be asking too much of them. I guess you're fans of the easy way out by throwing money at something which is a rehash of what you probably already have.

It's, as was said a moment ago and you would know it to if you had actually read the post, is far more than a mold, it is a matter of design, painting, artwork, 15+ stages of prototype before a mold can even be made. From there enough space has to be allowed to even produce these things. That's 150+ man hours right there. How do that for every variant, when there is like 15 of them you get 2250 man hours. Now take a the price of pay for the employees, which must be like $10 an hour at the least and you have $22,500 right there. Not to mention that it costs like $4.00 to make the figure. So that means you only get $6.00 per figure. To make the money back you need to sell 3,750 figures, which yes I know isn't a lot but this isn't even factoring in how much it would cost to get the resources for these things. Plus why spend so much time on a freakin variant when they could spend more time on the figure.

This, so much this.

Never threw a single cent to reposes/palette swaps, because, in my personal opinion, they could invest the same time/money on the game itself, or the creation of brand new Skylanders.

Quote: Drek95

Quote: ninja9351

Quote: mastermc54

My bad...considering the billions of dollars in sales these toys have made them, I didn't think a new mold production which would probably benefit their sales numbers would be asking too much of them. I guess you're fans of the easy way out by throwing money at something which is a rehash of what you probably already have.

It's, as was said a moment ago and you would know it to if you had actually read the post, is far more than a mold, it is a matter of design, painting, artwork, 15+ stages of prototype before a mold can even be made. From there enough space has to be allowed to even produce these things. That's 150+ man hours right there. How do that for every variant, when there is like 15 of them you get 2250 man hours. Now take a the price of pay for the employees, which must be like $10 an hour at the least and you have $22,500 right there. Not to mention that it costs like $4.00 to make the figure. So that means you only get $6.00 per figure. To make the money back you need to sell 3,750 figures, which yes I know isn't a lot but this isn't even factoring in how much it would cost to get the resources for these things. Plus why spend so much time on a freakin variant when they could spend more time on the figure.

This, so much this.

Never threw a single cent to reposes/palette swaps, because, in my personal opinion, they could invest the same time/money on the game itself, or the creation of brand new Skylanders.

Why do that when you can short cut 90% of the toy development costs with just a palette swap and a few hours of coding time for a developer and get a much bigger ROI? (btw I agree with you, but the company is thinking along these lines).

As we talk about it, don't you think there's a problem with neon elite's prices?
They used the same old mold (only for nostalgy i guess, not rentability).
The figs were sold 10 bucks at their release, so the 150% increase comes from the amazing packaging.

Guess they take hundred of hours to design such a piece of art

Quote: FaboulousFab

As we talk about it, don't you think there's a problem with neon elite's prices?
They used the same old mold (only for nostalgy i guess, not rentability).
The figs were sold 10 bucks at their release, so the 150% increase comes from the amazing packaging.

Guess they take hundred of hours to design such a piece of art

I do not think they are selling well, and I am waiting for at least a 40% discount. I think they've finally hit the limits of their cash grab from a consumer perspective.

Quote: GhostRoaster

Quote: FaboulousFab

As we talk about it, don't you think there's a problem with neon elite's prices?
They used the same old mold (only for nostalgy i guess, not rentability).
The figs were sold 10 bucks at their release, so the 150% increase comes from the amazing packaging.

Guess they take hundred of hours to design such a piece of art

I do not think they are selling well, and I am waiting for at least a 40% discount. I think they've finally hit the limits of their cash grab from a consumer perspective.

Oh, but not only are they OP S1 characters in a brand new big packaging... They are also sooooo shiiiiiny!

Sexy packaging for sure...but not at 2.5x prices.

Quote: GhostRoaster

Sexy packaging for sure...but not at 2.5x prices.

I don't even buy characters whose figures have different poses, have a new Wow Pow ability and have different arts, at roughly the same price of a Core.

Why would I want to but a glorified OP S1 for 30€...?

Quote: GhostRoaster

Sexy packaging for sure...but not at 2.5x prices.

Yes, they are very nice - however, they are far too high for people to collect them all, especially since most collectors already have those figures (they aren't rare ones). In fact three of the elite are included in the SSA starter. I personally waited for a sale, then bought the ONE I wanted. The rest have just been sitting on the shelves for a while - the plastic bags around them were pretty dusty.

Activision will be using the Elite's to test how many 'superfans' the franchise has, so they can adjust development/production for the next one or two Skylanders games (and probably as an indicator of how much life this cash cow still has in it).

Quote: Alexanddan

Activision will be using the Elite's to test how many 'superfans' the franchise has, so they can adjust development/production for the next one or two Skylanders games (and probably as an indicator of how much life this cash cow still has in it).

Activision can test/gauge all they want, but GameStop won't partner with them to sell elites for future games if the product doesn't move off the shelves and isn't profitable for all parties involved. There won't be a fire sale for the elites until all of them are released. They want to milk the $25 off the dedicated base of must have them all super fans before offering them at a deep discount to the smarter and more cost conscious fans who won't overpay for a glorified series 1 figure on steroids. If it's one thing this last Skylanders Day has proved, it's that your average Joe Skylanders fan and kid won't bite at a $20 Eon's Elite figure either. The stores in my area have plenty of these figures left and they aren't moving until a $10 fire sale comes along. Even then, if your average kid has a choice between a new Cobra Cadabra or Flip Wreck figure at $10 or a $10 elite figure, I'm pretty sure the kid won't bite for the elite figure.

Quote: Alexanddan

Activision will be using the Elite's to test how many 'superfans' the franchise has, so they can adjust development/production for the next one or two Skylanders games (and probably as an indicator of how much life this cash cow still has in it).

I can see why they are indicative of the super fans, and completist collectors, but honestly, I don't see how they could also be a way too see how much the franchise will last.

If they base on Eon's Elite, they can as well kill the whole series tomorrow.

Games, regular figures and gimmick characters/figures are what matters.

Palette swaps, reposes, and special figures are just extras, or experiments, to see if they can continue that specific line of characters.

no go for a 01/15/15 Love Potion Pop Fizz, none in, not in computers at our local TRUs.

Quote: mastermc54

Quote: Alexanddan

Activision will be using the Elite's to test how many 'superfans' the franchise has, so they can adjust development/production for the next one or two Skylanders games (and probably as an indicator of how much life this cash cow still has in it).

Activision can test/gauge all they want, but GameStop won't partner with them to sell elites for future games if the product doesn't move off the shelves and isn't profitable for all parties involved. There won't be a fire sale for the elites until all of them are released. They want to milk the $25 off the dedicated base of must have them all super fans before offering them at a deep discount to the smarter and more cost conscious fans who won't overpay for a glorified series 1 figure on steroids. If it's one thing this last Skylanders Day has proved, it's that your average Joe Skylanders fan and kid won't bite at a $20 Eon's Elite figure either. The stores in my area have plenty of these figures left and they aren't moving until a $10 fire sale comes along. Even then, if your average kid has a choice between a new Cobra Cadabra or Flip Wreck figure at $10 or a $10 elite figure, I'm pretty sure the kid won't bite for the elite figure.

This is sort of like admitting the franchise has reached it's peak. lol

I do like it but his like, Light Pink face is kinda strange. Like it's not his full face.

Quote: WickedRogue

Quote: mastermc54

Quote: Alexanddan

Activision will be using the Elite's to test how many 'superfans' the franchise has, so they can adjust development/production for the next one or two Skylanders games (and probably as an indicator of how much life this cash cow still has in it).

Activision can test/gauge all they want, but GameStop won't partner with them to sell elites for future games if the product doesn't move off the shelves and isn't profitable for all parties involved. There won't be a fire sale for the elites until all of them are released. They want to milk the $25 off the dedicated base of must have them all super fans before offering them at a deep discount to the smarter and more cost conscious fans who won't overpay for a glorified series 1 figure on steroids. If it's one thing this last Skylanders Day has proved, it's that your average Joe Skylanders fan and kid won't bite at a $20 Eon's Elite figure either. The stores in my area have plenty of these figures left and they aren't moving until a $10 fire sale comes along. Even then, if your average kid has a choice between a new Cobra Cadabra or Flip Wreck figure at $10 or a $10 elite figure, I'm pretty sure the kid won't bite for the elite figure.

This is sort of like admitting the franchise has reached it's peak. lol

I wouldn't say that, rather that buyers are not as gullible as they might think. I think they're cutting close with these $30 expansion packs. That's a dangerous new price precedent too.

Quote: GhostRoaster

Quote: WickedRogue

Quote: mastermc54

Activision can test/gauge all they want, but GameStop won't partner with them to sell elites for future games if the product doesn't move off the shelves and isn't profitable for all parties involved. There won't be a fire sale for the elites until all of them are released. They want to milk the $25 off the dedicated base of must have them all super fans before offering them at a deep discount to the smarter and more cost conscious fans who won't overpay for a glorified series 1 figure on steroids. If it's one thing this last Skylanders Day has proved, it's that your average Joe Skylanders fan and kid won't bite at a $20 Eon's Elite figure either. The stores in my area have plenty of these figures left and they aren't moving until a $10 fire sale comes along. Even then, if your average kid has a choice between a new Cobra Cadabra or Flip Wreck figure at $10 or a $10 elite figure, I'm pretty sure the kid won't bite for the elite figure.

This is sort of like admitting the franchise has reached it's peak. lol

I wouldn't say that, rather that buyers are not as gullible as they might think. I think they're cutting close with these $30 expansion packs. That's a dangerous new price precedent too.

Yes, Ghost, I agree with you.

As I said before, Eon's Elite are not indicative of the franchise's sales in any possible way.

I also have the feeling they will drop it, with the next game, and it also makes sense, since more elite would only make older elite less... Elite.

I'm ok if they do something "special" like Elites...just not every game. It's really no harm no foul. If you don't like it, don't buy it.

Quote: GhostRoaster

I'm ok if they do something "special" like Elites...just not every game. It's really no harm no foul. If you don't like it, don't buy it.

Sure, I have that philosophy since the apparition of reposes, but, I don't think they sell well, so it was just a personal supposition.

One thing I think a lot of people dismiss is that activision and TfB really don't care as much as people think with the exclusives. Yes they care and gauge many sales pitches by how well these sold in the past, for instance they likely had sales figures from the legendary figures from SSA for Giants when they went to target/walmart/gamestop and tried to sell them on having an exclusive figure of their own.

The point is that when an exclusive leaves the activision sales dock they have already sold 100% of the stock of that figure, but when they make 200,000 pop fizz normal figures if they only end up with orders for only 100,000 of them they end up eating the cost for the second 100,000.

And if it wasn't apparent from the bulk of this post I am mainly talking about exclusives and not seasonal variants.

Now for the "I wish they made them have different poses" things, I agree it would be awesome if they gave us a different pose for each figure but the problem is we as consumers have already proven in the past that we will buy whatever pallet swap they throw at us and the only way we can change that is not to buy them. However that said I figure we will see them stop doing variants opposed to giving them fresh poses.

I don't think that's the problem.

The problem is it would require too much money and time, for them, to make a completely new figure of an old character, with a new pose, each time they create a palette swap.

They would have to sketch concept arts, have small meetings where they decide the best pose that would work better in figure form, create a prototype with the 3D printer, create new metal molds for the factory, decide the colors, decide the name and finally change the plastic bubble inside the packaging.

That would be too much, compared to the people that would buy them.
I, personally, still wouldn't buy a palette swap, even if reposed.
Sure, I am just one person, but I know I'm not the only one to think like this.

And, as I already said, while this would be actually cool, they could spend the same time and economic resources to create a brand new Skylander, with new powers and new in-game animations.

S2-3-4 are different because the character wouldn't absolutely look different, in-game,sometimes, when the Wow-Pow is bought, so, they have to make the figures unique.

Quote: gta1134

One thing I think a lot of people dismiss is that activision and TfB really don't care as much as people think with the exclusives. Yes they care and gauge many sales pitches by how well these sold in the past, for instance they likely had sales figures from the legendary figures from SSA for Giants when they went to target/walmart/gamestop and tried to sell them on having an exclusive figure of their own.

The point is that when an exclusive leaves the activision sales dock they have already sold 100% of the stock of that figure, but when they make 200,000 pop fizz normal figures if they only end up with orders for only 100,000 of them they end up eating the cost for the second 100,000.

And if it wasn't apparent from the bulk of this post I am mainly talking about exclusives and not seasonal variants.

Now for the "I wish they made them have different poses" things, I agree it would be awesome if they gave us a different pose for each figure but the problem is we as consumers have already proven in the past that we will buy whatever pallet swap they throw at us and the only way we can change that is not to buy them. However that said I figure we will see them stop doing variants opposed to giving them fresh poses.

I get your point about how they sell the stock up front, so they may not worry about it, but I think you're wrong. Of course, it all depends on how many they produce. TRU still seems to get Legendaries in stock from past games (especially Giants), so are they still using stock from 2-3 years ago? Or are they getting new stock in? I would think that Activision isn't making new SSA, Giants, etc. figures, but it may be possible. But the factor that really comes in with these exclusives is relations with the stores. Say they convince a store to take an exclusive (like they did with Walmart and the Enchanted line) and that store buys all the stock up front. Activision may have made their money already on that product, but if that product doesn't sell well, it can hurt the relations with that store, and they definitely couldn't try to sell that store another exclusive in the next game. So I would say that the sales of a certain exclusive does matter to them.

Quote: obidawsn

Quote: gta1134

One thing I think a lot of people dismiss is that activision and TfB really don't care as much as people think with the exclusives. Yes they care and gauge many sales pitches by how well these sold in the past, for instance they likely had sales figures from the legendary figures from SSA for Giants when they went to target/walmart/gamestop and tried to sell them on having an exclusive figure of their own.

The point is that when an exclusive leaves the activision sales dock they have already sold 100% of the stock of that figure, but when they make 200,000 pop fizz normal figures if they only end up with orders for only 100,000 of them they end up eating the cost for the second 100,000.

And if it wasn't apparent from the bulk of this post I am mainly talking about exclusives and not seasonal variants.

Now for the "I wish they made them have different poses" things, I agree it would be awesome if they gave us a different pose for each figure but the problem is we as consumers have already proven in the past that we will buy whatever pallet swap they throw at us and the only way we can change that is not to buy them. However that said I figure we will see them stop doing variants opposed to giving them fresh poses.

I get your point about how they sell the stock up front, so they may not worry about it, but I think you're wrong. Of course, it all depends on how many they produce. TRU still seems to get Legendaries in stock from past games (especially Giants), so are they still using stock from 2-3 years ago? Or are they getting new stock in? I would think that Activision isn't making new SSA, Giants, etc. figures, but it may be possible. But the factor that really comes in with these exclusives is relations with the stores. Say they convince a store to take an exclusive (like they did with Walmart and the Enchanted line) and that store buys all the stock up front. Activision may have made their money already on that product, but if that product doesn't sell well, it can hurt the relations with that store, and they definitely couldn't try to sell that store another exclusive in the next game. So I would say that the sales of a certain exclusive does matter to them.

I think you hit the nail on the head with Walmart...Walmart screwed up their exclusives pretty badly. They bought too few of the Molten Hot Dogs during the insane peak of the franchise. Then they overbought the Enchanted line and still are selling those off on Walmart.com. Now they have the exclusive buddy packs which are of absolutely no use to the completionists since collectors need Weeruptor for fire element and probably already have Gill Runt. Not to mention series 2 Fryno and series 4 Gill Grunt are also available in single and triple packs. The poor sales and mis-management of inventory in stores has caused some Walmart store to drop Skylanders altogether and leaving many others with very few of Skylanders. One store near me has no Skylanders and another I checked out the other day which had no Trapmasters left. I feel Walmart is leaving the Skylanders game with Trap Team and very limited, if any, stores will carry figures for the next game.

Quote: dark52

Here's a close look at the figure:

I'm throwing money at it and nothing is happening.

hahaha! funny avatar

pink popfizz looks awesome, gotta get him for sure

Quote: mastermc54

I feel Walmart is leaving the Skylanders game with Trap Team and very limited, if any, stores will carry figures for the next game.

I agree, but the space they've allocated is small, messy and unorganized, and really not fun to shop in. I'd say they did themselves in with Skylanders...as the organization is very cheap and feel that all vendors should bow before them to let their product grace the shelves. I'm guessing Activision is tired of playing their game as well.

Quote: GhostRoaster

Quote: WickedRogue

Quote: mastermc54

Activision can test/gauge all they want, but GameStop won't partner with them to sell elites for future games if the product doesn't move off the shelves and isn't profitable for all parties involved. There won't be a fire sale for the elites until all of them are released. They want to milk the $25 off the dedicated base of must have them all super fans before offering them at a deep discount to the smarter and more cost conscious fans who won't overpay for a glorified series 1 figure on steroids. If it's one thing this last Skylanders Day has proved, it's that your average Joe Skylanders fan and kid won't bite at a $20 Eon's Elite figure either. The stores in my area have plenty of these figures left and they aren't moving until a $10 fire sale comes along. Even then, if your average kid has a choice between a new Cobra Cadabra or Flip Wreck figure at $10 or a $10 elite figure, I'm pretty sure the kid won't bite for the elite figure.

This is sort of like admitting the franchise has reached it's peak. lol

I wouldn't say that, rather that buyers are not as gullible as they might think. I think they're cutting close with these $30 expansion packs. That's a dangerous new price precedent too.

What does "gullible" have to do with any of this.

Maybe wrong words, but every new price point (usually upward) is a test to see where we will or will not purchase, and that's a line that being frequently crossed. Not that your post about my post was any more relevant.

Although I agree somewhat that $25 per elite figure is going to keep many customers out of the market, but I also think that Gamestop isn't the best store for these and has done a horrible job of product placement.

As has been many times TRU has the best stock by far, and often the best price per sales. Thus collectors and heavy spenders tend to head there for their purchases. I personally only go to elsewhere for exclusives I can't get at TRU. Gamestop isn't going to have the foot traffic that TRU does.

Second, whenever I've been by a gamestop, the elites are usually not out on the floor at all, are behind the counter , or up on a top shelf. Kids can't even see them and hold them to get an idea whether they want to hold them. Heck, I'm 6'3" and I can't even get to them without asking an employee to bring out a ladder or stick. Last time I was at a store (for the light trap) it looks like they had brought them down some, but they completely missed the Christmas rush.

So yes, it seems like sales have been poor. However, it's not hard to imagine sales being much better if the exclusive was at TRU.

Quote: melvimbe

Although I agree somewhat that $25 per elite figure is going to keep many customers out of the market, but I also think that Gamestop isn't the best store for these and has done a horrible job of product placement.

As has been many times TRU has the best stock by far, and often the best price per sales. Thus collectors and heavy spenders tend to head there for their purchases. I personally only go to elsewhere for exclusives I can't get at TRU. Gamestop isn't going to have the foot traffic that TRU does.

Second, whenever I've been by a gamestop, the elites are usually not out on the floor at all, are behind the counter , or up on a top shelf. Kids can't even see them and hold them to get an idea whether they want to hold them. Heck, I'm 6'3" and I can't even get to them without asking an employee to bring out a ladder or stick. Last time I was at a store (for the light trap) it looks like they had brought them down some, but they completely missed the Christmas rush.

So yes, it seems like sales have been poor. However, it's not hard to imagine sales being much better if the exclusive was at TRU.

I agree with this 100%.
For me I like to pick up figures and look at their paint to pick out the cleanest looking one, or serious oddities. I'm 5'2 and there is no way I can even get close to them, I hate that so much.
Having them at TRU would really have made sales great, more people would buy them because of the regular BOGO sales and the rest of the great selection of skylanders to get with them.
I go out of my way to avoid buying skylanders from gamestop just due to my general distaste for them. The poor customer service I often receive there is sickening. I only get decent customer service from 1/4 of my local stores, and this is by the manager and 1 employee, whom know me on a first name basis due to it being the only store I will set foot in.

Quote: dark52

Here's a close look at the figure:

Now it doesn't look like that in the packaging! It looks like his Light Pink face is a separate part!

Quote: melvimbe

Although I agree somewhat that $25 per elite figure is going to keep many customers out of the market, but I also think that Gamestop isn't the best store for these and has done a horrible job of product placement.

As has been many times TRU has the best stock by far, and often the best price per sales. Thus collectors and heavy spenders tend to head there for their purchases. I personally only go to elsewhere for exclusives I can't get at TRU. Gamestop isn't going to have the foot traffic that TRU does.

Second, whenever I've been by a gamestop, the elites are usually not out on the floor at all, are behind the counter , or up on a top shelf. Kids can't even see them and hold them to get an idea whether they want to hold them. Heck, I'm 6'3" and I can't even get to them without asking an employee to bring out a ladder or stick. Last time I was at a store (for the light trap) it looks like they had brought them down some, but they completely missed the Christmas rush.

So yes, it seems like sales have been poor. However, it's not hard to imagine sales being much better if the exclusive was at TRU.

This product setup isn't at all stores. On the two or three I've visited they have been out on the floor but placed high...YMMV but yes a place where there's a bunch of plastic empty game cases doesn't make the best location for skylanders.

My tru showed release dat of 1/15 like everyone confirmed but no dice
They have not gotten stock yet in NY and none in warehouse either
Have the tru item number now so I can call easier

Awesome!

Quote: GhostRoaster

Quote: FaboulousFab

As we talk about it, don't you think there's a problem with neon elite's prices?
They used the same old mold (only for nostalgy i guess, not rentability).
The figs were sold 10 bucks at their release, so the 150% increase comes from the amazing packaging.

Guess they take hundred of hours to design such a piece of art

I do not think they are selling well, and I am waiting for at least a 40% discount. I think they've finally hit the limits of their cash grab from a consumer perspective.

What figs?