Hey all - There's been some confusion about this video. This is a general statement about the tenor of the toy collector landscape right now. Some people have come at me claiming this was a "hit piece" on Shartimus Prime. Truth is, I don't even know him and don't watch much of his stuff. We run in totally different circles and I'm not out here to disparage specific creators - otherwise I would have said so, as I've done in the past when necessary. I'm addressing broader issues within our overal social media community as toy collectors with things that have been happening with multiple examples the past few weeks. Just wanted to clear that up. - Michael
I love videos like this. Smart and insightful ! I remember you did one about corporate mentality behind Lucasfilm, and how quarter-end earnings (at the expense of company solvency) is commonplace due to the cut-throat environment. They're like little countries, these corporations. They even commit their own version of "false flags." I bet nowadays, if a company cared about their product and consistantly did the right thing, they would have such a happy customer-base and such a successful profit margin that the government would step in and entice all competitors to gang up on it.
Never heard of this guy and you gave me no impression you were talking about anyone in particular. Just people looking for anything to dissect out of you. It’s pathetic. 😆
a lot of people have been mad at hasbro over their collectables, i know i get transformers, all and all 3rd parties have better quality most of the time, i think of the combiner raiden, a 3rd party came out with one a yr before hasbro even said they were working on him, and now they are are releasing it and it looks like crap and its smaller than the 3rd party. and they have had qc issuses with things they are charging 400 bucks for. then less than a yr after release a newer version of the same character. i Know 3rd parties that would just not release figures if they had qc issues and offer refunds, then remake the character for less of a price to say they are sorry. heck hasbro just does repaint after repaint of the same like 15 transformers over and over half the time
I quit as well but it isn't because I couldn't collect the whole line (I had already missed the dumb ass convention exclusives). I quit because when I see obvious bullshit greed, I'm out. I want to punish these people. If you continue to pay when these empty suits raise prices, then you are telling that person that they were right and they can continue to do shitty stuff to you and your fellow consumers. I want no part of that at all.
I refuse to pay into a crowd fund of an $8 billion company. I am well to do and a fanatical Joe fan. Did it hurt to pass on the Skystriker and HISS, absolutely! But I have a code I have to live up to, I will not do it. Unfortunately most fans are loyal to a fault. The very thing Hasbro preys on. I wish all all just stuck together and held out, like the Rancor. I’d rather give my $ to independent toy makers now, even if it cost more. Totally agree with you.
I actually only started to collect origins because of the reasonable price. They bumped up the price and with the poor distribution I stopped. I did get castle gray skull, only because it was very reasonable. This Eternia is insane, maybe just maybe if it were in the $200 Dollar price range I would have jumped on it. No doubt in my mind it will sell, the secondary market sells these for 1000$ incomplete. I know a guy who pre-ordered 3 so... Your absolutely correct on this. Also I was trying to figure out what Eternia reminded me of and as soon as you said six flags I lost it!! Lol
@@gorillaestefan8227 yes but not because is hard to afford it. It's because is overpriced and if backed forget about to have decent prices on origins anymore.
Assuming you are referring to Origins Grayskull, then you must have got it on clearance/sale - when initially released Origins Grayskull was $80 (or more depending on the retailer). The fact that you presumably got it on clearance/sale is part of the reason why Eternia would never be sold at retail. Not enough people bought Grayskull at regular price to justify to Mattel or any other retailer that a retail Eternia would be profitable (let alone justify its footprint on a shelf in the toy aisle). The only reason Grayskull was $80 was because Walmart and others bought enough of them to keep the price "low". No retail support for Eternia means no "low" price for Eternia.
@@robertdickson9319 if you are a motu collector who has the original line, i dont understand for the life of me why people are buying these figures/playsets to begin with.
@@adamasch1859 To each their own, but I would suspect that some people who collect the original line are buying these figures/playsets because: 1. They have holes in their collection that Origins figures/playsets can fill in at a cheaper cost for, arguably, a better version of the figure/playset - Eternia itself would be a prime example. 2. You may have the original collection but Mattel is putting out versions of figures & characters that they never made in the 1980's and, therefore, you want to add them into your collection - Keldor & mini-comic Trap Jaw figures would be examples. 3. The new versions are better than the old - the Origins version of Roton, for example, is a far superior toy than the 1980's version - as is Stridor, Battle Cat & several others. 4. The quality is better - anyone who has the 1980's figures is or soon will be aware that they are not holding up well against Father Time. I can try to fix my bow-legged Skeletor who can't stand up anymore, or replace him on the shelf with the Origins version. Hopefully, the monorail tracks on the new Eternia will be more durable than the original version.
As a lifelong toy collector, I have no idea why anyone would think this wouldn’t/shouldn’t fund. Toys are not made for 50 year olds, they need to make sense. I find it embarrassing to be part of a community involved in such stupid economic debates. Get a better job, buy what you can afford, and with the money you save, pay for a haircut as to save the rest of us the embarrassment of being part of this.
@@starwarsroo2448 You said that you can't complain because they've been good this year as far as the vintage collection is concerned, which I agree. Just took your post literally I guess--supporting your right to complain as much or as little as you want! :)
Do you think $550 is too much? Would you rather them never make Eternia is that’s the price point and quantity needed to maintain investor confidence? Mattel is a business and their business is profit. Did you have Eternia as a kid? It seems kinda obvious that this dude didn’t. Like yeah - it’s corny. But it’s a playset for muscle dudes in furry underwear… it’s not that serious. My opinion of this playset was made in 86. - I was also wearing acid washed jeans so liiiike 🤷🏻♂️ Anyhoo. That was a rant. I come in peace. I’m just lost here. Peace and love, fellow toy collectors!
To those brave 5,000 minimum backers of Eternia that fund it and make it go into production, more power to you! To those who will not be buying it in protest, more power to you too! At the end of the day, it's your money and you can do whatever you want with it.
I miss Harlan Ellison every damned day, but when Michael is calling the schmucks in power on their bullshit, it lessens somewhat. Never lose that fire, Michael. Please don't.
The toy companies saw the collectors as bigger profits and said forget the kids.... I see the prices on the GIjoe, he-man, star wars, or even the new marvel retro figure lines and say no parent can afford this. Yay corporate greed and dissing the audience that started the company to begin with....kids.
Hell No I have been done with Hasbro I totally agree with you we as consumers need to stop buying the product and hurt them where it hurts the pockets!!!
I was expecting Eternia to go for $350-$400 give or take, but $600 is definitely ridiculously high. That said, for many MOTU hardcore fans, it’s the holy grail that many (if not most) never got the chance to own one back in day. So it’s certainly a dilemma for those of us who are still pondering on it because seeing this thing in regular retail is a pipe dream that likely will never happen... I’m a LEGO enthusiast for the most part, and this building hobby is also very very costly these days, so when I see this MOTU Eternia set at this price, I can see why that is… Toy fans drove that collectible market to where it’s at, and big companies are taking advantage of it everyday.
I think Eternia will sell for precisely that reason. For many MOTU fans, it's THE flagship item they wanted as kids but never had. People will pay a lot for something that's in that rarified tier.
@@anthonybernero9720 It really depends on who buys it. Not all regular MOTU toy lovers can afford one nor willing to shed that kinda money on one item, but there are a bunch who spend that much money everything month easily. And then you have those resellers and retailers who might buy multiples for future investments. The question remains, will it be funded with 5000 backers?
I totally agree with this guy. In Canada the masters of the universe origins line went from $15-$23. Hasbro is even crazier with their prices. I hate watching these guys like Geek Dad and that Ghostbusters guy in Guelph. These UA-camrs get their toys for free and then talk about how great it is. A good example is that Ghostbusters actor one car from the afterlife movie they only had two seats and was as narrow as a Honda fit. They all talked about how great it was. The big companies give them free stuff and they hype it up. This Eternia is more empty space than anything else. It should not be any more than Castle Grayskull.
@@niewojt It's a massive playset and even the vintage one cost several times more than the Grayskull of its era. Even Michael concedes that point in this video.
Hasbros new CEOs post is the most ridiculous speech’s I have ever heard this one of many reasons why I quit buying hasbro and Mattel products thank you Michael for the continued updates
There are 4 Boba Fetts out that are the same Black Series mold. The credit collection one is the 4th and it just sits at Walmart because they overpriced a figure people have 2-3 times now. There is a clear difference between even a few years ago and now with tooling. It's tiresome to see this type of stuff happening and Hasbro is making some bad decisions here and a lot of other places.
Fools and their money...the thing funded. Like I said elsewhere, get ready for the HasLab USS Flagg for $3000 and a 5 year wait. But the tiers are Keel-Haul and a sailor hat you can wear!
Actually if you are into toy collecting as long as you have the self restrain and control, toy manufacturers can never sway you into putting money into their coffers. This applies not just in toy collecting but also many other aspects of life. But I do agree that commercialism is the one that's to be blamed.
Speaking of price increases...back in the 70s, we used to buy Star Wars figures for a dollar. Sometimes less. And now Hasbro is selling "retro collection" Mando figures for $9-$10. These figures have no discernible increase in quality or function. They have the same articulation as the original Kenner toys. The packaging is the same. I understand inflation is a thing, but 9 times in 40-45 years? It's insane.
I agree with a lot of what you said Michael but I am backing the Eternia playset. The reason I want Eternia is because I wanted it when I was a kid and it represents some of Preternia as seen in MOTU Revelations and it will go well with my MOTUC Grayskull and Snake Mountain as I think they are better scale for vintage and origins figures and vehicles. I was hoping it would come in at $400-$450 but I also know that it is bigger than the original Eternia and has more play features.
For that price, it should be hyper-articulated and fit with Classics and it's just, you know, Origins. Imagine what the interior and playable, snap-in plates the Horsemen designed for the MOTUC Castle Grayskull would cost if they priced it like this thing? Even the Super 7 Snake Mountain was essentially a detailed exterior with some molded to pieces to put inside the undecorated interior shell. By the standard of what they're charging for this, that Castle Grayskull would have cost something like two grand.
@@jeffreyyoders6366 MOTUC Castle Grayskull was $349 when it came out and MOTUC Snake Mountain was $600 when it came out. And if we are being fair it's all around bigger than the original Eternia. And as far as the Vintage Eternia price $89-$100. In 1986, the median income for families was $29,460 4.2 per- cent higher than the 1985 median after adjusting for inflation. The average personal income in 2022 in the United States is $63,214, with the median income across the country being $44,000. Real wages averaged $67,521 in 2022, and average household incomes averaged to $87,864.
@@snellsworld2648 If you can´t win the factual argument then you want to win the rhetorical one? Well, here! Have your cheap win. I care. But not about the set or you, but only about the fact that you are spouting nonsense, to which I reply to oppose it.
The Mattel wrestling ring was not to bad. I got two of them. It came with a nice ring, entrance piece and 3 figures plus these nice fabric ring skirts you can swap out, but the 3rd figure was added because I think they needed to do that to make it worth more. I feel it was only a little over priced. I agree with some of the points you make but also stores are different these days no shelf space for large things that might not sell well so I guess thats my only point on that. Hard to put some things in store and have them sell. I def would love if they just took risks and made things and took the loss if they dnt do well.
I remember me and my dad making one when I was a kid using wood for the ring and skirts and steel for the posts with the ropes being metal wires and it’s still going strong after me smashing figures into it hundreds of time at full force
I've been collecting since I was child until now, 40 years later. One thing I've learned is that certain collectors and completists will buy anything...according to their passion for the brand name, i.e., TMNT, MOTU, etc, no matter how terrible or cheap the figures look/are produced.
RetroBlasting? welp, i think it's time you created a new channel...WallStreetBlasting. Great job telling it like it is!!! I've been giving Hasbro sh!t ever since the Rancor campaign and they STILL haven't listened or heard us fans but like you said - it's time to take their skin-suits off ; ) oh and just remember all you He-Man Eternia fans - if you're even thinking about backing it to perhaps sell one or two of them on Ebay or something - you won't be making the double profit u think you might get for it...the fees, taxes & shipping are absolutely outta control now too.
When we were young we couldn´t afford toys because we had not much money. Now we can´t buy them because their not worth the ammount of money or not avaiable....
I bailed on the HasLab Engine O’ Vengeance the day after I backed it. I immediately had a ton of buyer’s remorse the moment I hit the submit button. I did not experience that when I supported the HasLab Sentinel, Galactus, or the HeroQuest game. After watching your video, I canceled my order backing the HasLab HeroScape: Age Of Annihilation game. I just can’t get behind these big company crowdfunding projects anymore. The prices are getting insane. I have also cut waaaay back on my Marvel Legends purchases. The price is too damn high, and I can no longer justify paying that much for a mass-market action figure. I’ve been collecting figures since 1992. Thirty years is a pretty good run; maybe it’s time to hang up my cleats.
Like many big companies, their primary purpose is making money for their shareholders. The original business of providing goods and/or services to consumers becomes pretty divorced, and can even run counter to, maximizing shareholder profits.
They seem to cater more and more to the adult collector, but they fall a bit flat in that area. They keep using cheap rubbery plastic to make action figures!
I really wanted Eternia as a kid. A part of me wants to give in and fork over the money for a couple bad reasons. First because the spin that channels I follow are using is that its a fraction of the cost of a vintage one which is a weak argument to make. If they tried to sell this for 4k the execs would probably get drawn and quartered for it. The bigger second reason is if it doesn't get funded I don't believe the suits at Mattel will view its failure as "gosh we shouldn't have charged so much for something and priced collectors out". I'm pretty sure thats going to signal to them that the MOTU brand has run its course and its time to abandon it again for another 20 years. It really sucks for a brand to be held hostage like that but MOTU just isn't the juggernaut that it was in the 80s and as you pointed out nostalgia isn't going to sell forever.
I like how the eternia play set looks but I really don’t like that it’s online at that price. If it was at retail at a lower price like &280 I would buy it
A lot of corporations may be cutting staff for 4IR reasons. The dream (hellish nightmare reallly) that technocrats have that you can replace human beings with lousy AI that you dont have to pay.
The thing that makes me mad about motu origins is it was originally marketed as toys for children as well as adult collectors. And easy to find in stores. Looks like both those things are going to be a thing of the past.
This video is JUSTICE SERVED! I hope Hasbro takes a hit and Mattel as well. Thank you Michael for speaking the truth and defending us toy channels and collectors.
I just got back from a CAD conference. The CEO got up on the stage and said a bucket full of fancy words with catch phrases and corporate think. My first thought was, " Do people actually buy this corporate spin?" It all just sounds fake. It's speak to allow them to do whatever they want and sell it to investors as being GREAT! It's just sad.
Because he's not a public company. He can choose to take lower margins, eat costs or even take a loss. An officer at a public company literally can't choose to do those same things because they have a fiduciary responsibility to put profits first and the shareholders can go after them if they don't.
@@simonphoenix197That plays into things too. The less articulation/deco on figures the cheaper they are to produce. A lot of collectors want super detailed paint and 20+ points of articulation and then are surprised when the figures cost more.
Did you see the next Haslab? Heroscape $249 unpainted minis and very few alterations to the system for something that used to sell for $40?? That's a whole lot of NOPE. Thanks Michael for the clarity you provide.
I will defend crowdfunding just to add my 2 cents. Haslab and these types of projects should only be reserved for the "impossible" so to speak. Going back to the Razorcrest was it impossible to get into the main line of figures... no considering they could release At-At's for the rogue one toy line there is no way you can tell me they couldn't. Unicron now because of its size I get it, it is kind of impossible to consider a large-scale figure but then again giving us a transforming Ark in the titan class is a bit weird I would have been okay with a titan class size Unicron so maybe not so impossible. Now if they can't (remember what Mattel's version of this is but) if they offered a larger Greyskull with a ton of new features bigger everything loads of accessories or even if they offer a new rendition of the USS Flag things that you know cant exists without crowdfunding. My point is I suppose yes crowdfunding can be a good thing and can be used to produce some incredible things but so far I have yet to see anything that deserves this kind of treatment even though some are impressive.
@@cosmicenforcer2534 Agreed it doesn't validate the cost of this toy if it was a large-scale actual castle Eternia playset with a ton of features maybe, the only reason I can see anyone wanting this at all is because of the price of the original it being a bit of a holy grail which really is just picking on the collectors which is such a shame they started so well with origins they fell into the same trap of exclusives and now crowdfunding which has mostly got me out of collecting now I just end up buying stuff when it's on clearance, Got Black Zarak generation selects for £70 stuff like that makes me happy now lol.
I really wanted Eternia but I just can’t afford such a thing. If it were 300 or there abouts I could squeeze it into the budget. It just sucks never getting to complete any toy line.
Related to Hasbro, their subsidiary who publishes Magic: The Gathering (Wizards of the Coast) announced a $1000 collector's box of *non-tournament legal* reprints from the second-ever printing of the game. The box consists of randomized cards, so even for the whales who buy this product there's no guarantee of getting specific cards. Happy 30th anniversary, M:TG players.
its 1,070 CAD, which is 774 USD, which isnt even close to the announced 500 dollars they said it would be. I own the vintage one, and paid less for it than that.
Ok, here's my deal. I've been collecting MOTU origins here and there, I've got Castle Greyskull and most the core figures. They're set up on a shelf next to where I play Xbox and hang out, and I love them. But, I'm not a regular dude. I used to have a bank account and credit cards, but I dont live like that anymore. For the last nine or ten years I just cash my check and live like that , and it works for me. No one can take anything away from me unless they wanna come face me. I really wanted Eternia, but I can't suddenly come up with $550.00 bucks. No big deal, I just want to get 3 more what I consider "core" characters then I'm out, I'll be happy enough to look at my display and that's it.
Congrats on passing 100k Subs!!!!! I've been a fan for a few years now and have binged so many of your videos. You and Toy Galaxy are my goto for Toy and or 80's my childhood historians. Thank you! Man if I lived in your state I'd love to be part of the crew. If you are ever in New York I'd love to buy you a...(whatever drink you'd like) Cheers.
Hasbro and mattel huge massively corporate. It's not about the toy or fans it's about the $£ Eternia play to ship to UK nearly £800. Thank you Retroblasting I am not alone.
I'm with you as far as what HasLab is now but I think in the beginning with the sail barge (I wasn't interested in it) that a project like that wouldn't have been made or sold in stores. I did buy Unicron and with thr hundreds of parts and 19lbs I think it was a worthy Haslab at $575.00. But you still had to buy an upgrade kit to have light yo eyes...really? I also think the Sentinal and up coming figure is a good Haslab project but I'm not into many Marvel figures. But HasLab has been greatly watered-down. What really pisses me off is paying a $50.00 membership for the privilege of being able to buy their products early. F*CK THAT! But what I don't understand from a company that is all about the dollar is how pre-order items get sold out like Doctor Mindbender and Serpentor. Just make them available to order for about a week and take as many orders as comes in. Pre-orders selling out from the company making the toy makes no sense. From a toy shop that gets in limited stock...yes. But the people making the sh*t?!... They just want to create a fake sense of scarcity.
I agree with almost all you said. Where we differ is with the Anunnaki aka (lizard People) working at Hasbro. I know that since 1986 not one of them have held employment there due to the death of Optimus Prime. An act they whole heartily disagreed with.
I'm already at the point where I am priced out of modern vintage. Honestly, the toy industry is doing some of its best work regarding vintage properties, but most of it is either parallel with vintage prices or exceeds them. At this point it's ridiculous (Super 7 is the biggest culprit). Sure, if money were no object, I would love to own some of this stuff but I live in the real world where money is stretched thin. Also, I still have many vintage lines to collect that I have always desired and that's almost come to a halt. Anymore I go maybe 6 months in between a vintage purchase from the next. I used to not go 6 days inbetween and it's made me sad about it. Vintage is what I grew up with and its the juju I desire over this modern vehicle of corporate greed. What happens when the consumer can no longer afford the widget? I'm tired of being exploited through the playtimes of my past and through my nostalgic remembrances. At some point I have to turn my back. I also still believe that value will win more buyers over something that's out of reach. Forbidden fruit I suppose? Then again I guess I think like a fossil in these modern times. What about the shareholders? Won't someone please think of them? While an Eternia would be cool to have since I missed out on one during my childhood. I can live without it though. I've gone this long sans. I've made up my mind in that I am only buying vintage from this point forward. I also supported the Origins line but I had to cap out around the 9th wave. It just became too expensive with the rising cost of everything else!
I love these videos were if you something good to say, you say it, and likewise if you have something bad to say, you say it, either way wholeheartedly and without compromise or holding back. Thank you for your honesty and candor. 👍
I haven't bought a Hasbro product in years, few years ago the last thing I bought from them is Transformers. I lost the passion for buying toys. From time to time I only buy Hot Toys.
Mr Michael, what is your opinion on the process S7 used for MOTUC Snake Mountain? Was the process better or worse than Hasbro's? Do you feel that S7 kept their promises and delivered something worth all that scratch? I personally love the thing and am happy to have it (it really helped that they had a payment plan), but what's your take? Did they do things better or worse than Hasbro and Mattel or was it about the same?
IF you're paying multi-BILLION dollar corporations via crowdsourcing to make toys, we got a problem. Mom and pops, small companies, where its necessary, sure, but multi-BILLION dollar companies... ughhh.
If they made 5,000, and put it on sale. I would bite at 700.But they want to take my money for a year and half. Are all these companies insane. If every single product sold is a sure bet, I want to pay 350 including shipping. Mattel is taking zero risks. Zero risks means this item should be cheaper. These modern-retro toys are not an investment!!!! In 25 to 35 years when we all start dying off, no will care about this gigantic odd toy. I’m 43 and I barley care about is. Who had this thing as a kid? Who wanted this as a kid? I love MOTU, but I would have hated this toy as a child. No idea why this is everyone’s wet dream.
I work on Wall Street. I’ve worked on about a dozen business transformations that have been named “blueprint.” Despite how many times I’ve told my clients that the name “blueprint” is outdated and overused, they still opt to call it that. At least none of my clients are sad enough to cut salaries like Hasbro. That’s the move of a weak and out of touch company. All my clients experiencing record profits are promoting their employees to ensure they won’t go elsewhere, not lying them off and cutting their salaries. Also, I don’t quite agree with your assessment of Wall Street. You can do discounted cash flow analysis to assign intrinsic value of a company. I’ve don’t it before. Admittedly, the market has been much more emotionally impacted over the last few years. There are… decent… companies on Wall Street. Hasbro is not one of them
16:58 Yeah, like all those 1/12 scale (or are they technically 7"?) vehicles from their wrastlin' line, especially that awesome $50 rig w/wrecking ball that's in stores now. If hasbro, that thing would have to be haslab; and come with one reused figure with a new head for $350. But it would be premium detailed with real metal chains. And we all know how expensive those are in the craft section at stores.
I’m not a collector, I buy these toys to share with my children and enjoy the magic of play. You just can’t do that at these price points. $550 is just crazy for a re-issue of an obscure playset. What happened to snake mountain? And at a price point where Santa can deliver it under the tree?
Thank you Michael, you just talked me off the ledge. I want it yes, but at 550 no, and if it’s going to ruin the price points of the current line, I’m not going to contribute to the undoing of a line that I love almost as much as the original one.
Agree. I was thinking 400, 500 Max with shipping and taxes parents so I'm out. I'm starting to be out on a lot of things apparent canceling a lot of preorders just for the point of it despite the ridiculous economy On top of the choices of these toy companies have a no window boxing doesn't help at all. et cetera
Same thing happened when the optics shifted on the sequel trilogy. Every UA-cam film critic did a full 180 on their ''love'' of those films, Red Letter Media, Cinema for Cynics, Angry Joe, I hate everything, and so on. That's right a channel called, I Hate Everything, did a full video claiming you should love The Last Jedi and the hate for it was ridiculous. Then expected nobody to remember that video once it was no longer convenient.
I 100% agree with you large toy company should not do crowdfunding for big projects they either do it or don't with a reasonable price and the fans will come. If we can find it. There are several things that Hasbro released in the Transformers line that I never found because they didn't go retail I didn't know they'd released I didn't follow the news they went online only I missed them I will not do crowdfunding I don't do house lab and I'm definitely not doing Six Flags over Eternia.
Funny story, Hasbro had Atari games witch they renamed Hasbro interactive. Didn't take them long before they sold off that division to anybody that would pay for it. Their main reason for selling it off, they had no clue what to do with it. LOL
I have played Magic the Gathering for almost 18 years and steadily getting more disenchanted over the past 5 years, but I think that after Hasbro announced that the 30th anniversery was a $1000 box of booster packs of unplayable replica's of cards from Alpha I finally have decided the game isnt for me anymore. I hate what Hasbro has done to one of the greatest TCGs ever made.
NAILED IT . Billion dollar companies having to cut people and get fans to fund their projects. Greed at it's finest. If they just made them at retail and distributed them to shops as they did back in the day. They would be making more than enough to please the Wall Street Fuck Wits. And Michael keep these video's coming. Love how you just say it as it is.
In regards to Eternia, if you put the original 1986-1987 price tag of $89.99 into an inflation calculator, in 2022 a retail release of Eternia should cost $234.60. They're charging roughly 2 and a half times that price for the Origins Eternia set. The big difference from the Ghost Rider HasLab and this, is Eternia is at least physically LARGER then a car so there is a bit more percieved value. Supposedly there are going to be Tiers to unlock as they get more then 5,000 bakers, so maybe those extras will help justify the $550 price tag? I really don't know. If I also want a vintage complete Eternia, it's priced at anywhere from $2,500 to $3,999 dollars so by default this Mattel Creations set is cheaper LoL.
If the Eternia Playset had been $200 or so, I might have considered backing it. But it's not something that I care to add to my collection otherwise. As for HasLab, I am very pleased with the Victory Saber figure, and Deathsaurus looks pretty nice too.
Yeah stuff is really getting expensive! Even Mastersverse figures and you can't find anything in so many stores. I really want the Eternia. But man that price now! I'm on the fence. Not a good month with money!
On the last day of the human race , there will be one person left,. . The CEO of world Corp. He'll proclaim 'WE DID IT!' then look around & realize he destroyed the human race & earth w/it. " Oh shit"
Hey all - There's been some confusion about this video. This is a general statement about the tenor of the toy collector landscape right now. Some people have come at me claiming this was a "hit piece" on Shartimus Prime. Truth is, I don't even know him and don't watch much of his stuff. We run in totally different circles and I'm not out here to disparage specific creators - otherwise I would have said so, as I've done in the past when necessary. I'm addressing broader issues within our overal social media community as toy collectors with things that have been happening with multiple examples the past few weeks. Just wanted to clear that up. - Michael
I love videos like this. Smart and insightful ! I remember you did one about corporate mentality behind Lucasfilm,
and how quarter-end earnings (at the expense of company solvency) is commonplace due to the cut-throat environment.
They're like little countries, these corporations. They even commit their own version of "false flags."
I bet nowadays, if a company cared about their product and consistantly did the right thing,
they would have such a happy customer-base and such a successful profit margin that the government would step in and entice all competitors to gang up on it.
great vid!!!
I don't give him the time of day, either. He's an adult male who chooses to publicly call himself "Shartimus" in public. I ain't got no time for that.
Never heard of this guy and you gave me no impression you were talking about anyone in particular. Just people looking for anything to dissect out of you. It’s pathetic. 😆
a lot of people have been mad at hasbro over their collectables, i know i get transformers, all and all 3rd parties have better quality most of the time, i think of the combiner raiden, a 3rd party came out with one a yr before hasbro even said they were working on him, and now they are are releasing it and it looks like crap and its smaller than the 3rd party. and they have had qc issuses with things they are charging 400 bucks for. then less than a yr after release a newer version of the same character. i Know 3rd parties that would just not release figures if they had qc issues and offer refunds, then remake the character for less of a price to say they are sorry. heck hasbro just does repaint after repaint of the same like 15 transformers over and over half the time
Eternia is what stopped me collecting motu origins, if I cannot complete the set I don't want any, so I sold off my collection.
I quit as well but it isn't because I couldn't collect the whole line (I had already missed the dumb ass convention exclusives). I quit because when I see obvious bullshit greed, I'm out. I want to punish these people. If you continue to pay when these empty suits raise prices, then you are telling that person that they were right and they can continue to do shitty stuff to you and your fellow consumers. I want no part of that at all.
Glad someone has the guts to say this so boldly...
We had it so good in the 1980s!
depends...
Quality.....meh
Quantity...most definitely
best cold war ever, this recent one sucks borscht.
I refuse to pay into a crowd fund of an $8 billion company. I am well to do and a fanatical Joe fan. Did it hurt to pass on the Skystriker and HISS, absolutely! But I have a code I have to live up to, I will not do it. Unfortunately most fans are loyal to a fault. The very thing Hasbro preys on. I wish all all just stuck together and held out, like the Rancor. I’d rather give my $ to independent toy makers now, even if it cost more. Totally agree with you.
I actually only started to collect origins because of the reasonable price. They bumped up the price and with the poor distribution I stopped. I did get castle gray skull, only because it was very reasonable. This Eternia is insane, maybe just maybe if it were in the $200 Dollar price range I would have jumped on it. No doubt in my mind it will sell, the secondary market sells these for 1000$ incomplete. I know a guy who pre-ordered 3 so... Your absolutely correct on this. Also I was trying to figure out what Eternia reminded me of and as soon as you said six flags I lost it!! Lol
Man, this channel is so freakin' valuable! Right with you on every point, Michael!
Bring the fire.
Is $550 too much for Eternia? Is that the point?
What I been saying for years. Lol
@@gorillaestefan8227 way too much, and it cost even more then that too
@@gorillaestefan8227 yes but not because is hard to afford it. It's because is overpriced and if backed forget about to have decent prices on origins anymore.
Eternia is LITERALLY 8x more expensive than the Castle Grayskull I got in the stores. 8 TIMES MORE.
Insane.
Assuming you are referring to Origins Grayskull, then you must have got it on clearance/sale - when initially released Origins Grayskull was $80 (or more depending on the retailer). The fact that you presumably got it on clearance/sale is part of the reason why Eternia would never be sold at retail. Not enough people bought Grayskull at regular price to justify to Mattel or any other retailer that a retail Eternia would be profitable (let alone justify its footprint on a shelf in the toy aisle). The only reason Grayskull was $80 was because Walmart and others bought enough of them to keep the price "low". No retail support for Eternia means no "low" price for Eternia.
@@robertdickson9319 if you are a motu collector who has the original line, i dont understand for the life of me why people are buying these figures/playsets to begin with.
@@adamasch1859 To each their own, but I would suspect that some people who collect the original line are buying these figures/playsets because:
1. They have holes in their collection that Origins figures/playsets can fill in at a cheaper cost for, arguably, a better version of the figure/playset - Eternia itself would be a prime example.
2. You may have the original collection but Mattel is putting out versions of figures & characters that they never made in the 1980's and, therefore, you want to add them into your collection - Keldor & mini-comic Trap Jaw figures would be examples.
3. The new versions are better than the old - the Origins version of Roton, for example, is a far superior toy than the 1980's version - as is Stridor, Battle Cat & several others.
4. The quality is better - anyone who has the 1980's figures is or soon will be aware that they are not holding up well against Father Time. I can try to fix my bow-legged Skeletor who can't stand up anymore, or replace him on the shelf with the Origins version. Hopefully, the monorail tracks on the new Eternia will be more durable than the original version.
Omg
Michael, you made a good point about Haslab. It's nothing more than a joke, and the new Hasbro C.E.O. is completely out of touch with cucumbers.
I warned people last year when Chris Cocks was named as CEO Hasbro was about to go further down the toilet 🚽
As a lifelong toy collector, I have no idea why anyone would think this wouldn’t/shouldn’t fund. Toys are not made for 50 year olds, they need to make sense. I find it embarrassing to be part of a community involved in such stupid economic debates. Get a better job, buy what you can afford, and with the money you save, pay for a haircut as to save the rest of us the embarrassment of being part of this.
Dealing with a mess of Corporatese at my own job, this is great. Especially the "shareholder profitability." Keep up the good fight, Retroblasting!
Man, every decision hasbro has made this year has been about putting the fan/consumer last
@@starwarsroo2448 Nah, you can complain, and should--often.
Again, well said!
@@starwarsroo2448 You said that you can't complain because they've been good this year as far as the vintage collection is concerned, which I agree. Just took your post literally I guess--supporting your right to complain as much or as little as you want! :)
very similar to WB
@@ethanmichaelcrane934 nah there vintage line is on fire there black series on the other hand.....
That MOTU Origins He-Man 4 pack is still up for sale on Mattle's site so maybe customers are sending Mattel a message.
Protect this man to no end!!!!!!! He is the voice of reason, logic, and understanding!!!!!!!
Remarkable, another video with no lies detected! I can always rely on Michael to give us the straight dope and hold these clowns accountable.
Do you think $550 is too much?
Would you rather them never make Eternia is that’s the price point and quantity needed to maintain investor confidence?
Mattel is a business and their business is profit.
Did you have Eternia as a kid? It seems kinda obvious that this dude didn’t.
Like yeah - it’s corny. But it’s a playset for muscle dudes in furry underwear… it’s not that serious. My opinion of this playset was made in 86. - I was also wearing acid washed jeans so liiiike 🤷🏻♂️
Anyhoo. That was a rant. I come in peace. I’m just lost here.
Peace and love, fellow toy collectors!
When passion meets your wallet. And both agree “no fucking way”
When it comes to publicly traded companies, CEO'S are just a mouthpiece, it's the investors that should also be blamed for the decisions they take.
To those brave 5,000 minimum backers of Eternia that fund it and make it go into production, more power to you! To those who will not be buying it in protest, more power to you too! At the end of the day, it's your money and you can do whatever you want with it.
I miss Harlan Ellison every damned day, but when Michael is calling the schmucks in power on their bullshit, it lessens somewhat. Never lose that fire, Michael. Please don't.
I know, right?
Just curious: Will you be doing another video on the topic now that it funded?
Congrats on 100k Michael
Is that press release you read along the lines of when you said “if I closed my eyes in a meeting I couldn’t tell you what job I was at.”
The toy companies saw the collectors as bigger profits and said forget the kids.... I see the prices on the GIjoe, he-man, star wars, or even the new marvel retro figure lines and say no parent can afford this. Yay corporate greed and dissing the audience that started the company to begin with....kids.
Hell No I have been done with Hasbro I totally agree with you we as consumers need to stop buying the product and hurt them where it hurts the pockets!!!
I was expecting Eternia to go for $350-$400 give or take, but $600 is definitely ridiculously high. That said, for many MOTU hardcore fans, it’s the holy grail that many (if not most) never got the chance to own one back in day. So it’s certainly a dilemma for those of us who are still pondering on it because seeing this thing in regular retail is a pipe dream that likely will never happen... I’m a LEGO enthusiast for the most part, and this building hobby is also very very costly these days, so when I see this MOTU Eternia set at this price, I can see why that is… Toy fans drove that collectible market to where it’s at, and big companies are taking advantage of it everyday.
I think Eternia will sell for precisely that reason. For many MOTU fans, it's THE flagship item they wanted as kids but never had. People will pay a lot for something that's in that rarified tier.
@@Tim85-y2q but it's so lame.
@@anthonybernero9720 It really depends on who buys it. Not all regular MOTU toy lovers can afford one nor willing to shed that kinda money on one item, but there are a bunch who spend that much money everything month easily.
And then you have those resellers and retailers who might buy multiples for future investments. The question remains, will it be funded with 5000 backers?
I totally agree with this guy. In Canada the masters of the universe origins line went from $15-$23. Hasbro is even crazier with their prices. I hate watching these guys like Geek Dad and that Ghostbusters guy in Guelph. These UA-camrs get their toys for free and then talk about how great it is. A good example is that Ghostbusters actor one car from the afterlife movie they only had two seats and was as narrow as a Honda fit. They all talked about how great it was. The big companies give them free stuff and they hype it up. This Eternia is more empty space than anything else. It should not be any more than Castle Grayskull.
@@niewojt It's a massive playset and even the vintage one cost several times more than the Grayskull of its era. Even Michael concedes that point in this video.
Hasbros new CEOs post is the most ridiculous speech’s I have ever heard this one of many reasons why I quit buying hasbro and Mattel products thank you Michael for the continued updates
I dumped those bastards over at HasBEEN 6 yrs ago when i first smelled shit. THEY are the BIGGEST reason i quit collecting after 40 yrs...
Since the Russian invasion Mattel has raised the masters of the universe origins figures from $15-$23 Canadian.
There are 4 Boba Fetts out that are the same Black Series mold. The credit collection one is the 4th and it just sits at Walmart because they overpriced a figure people have 2-3 times now. There is a clear difference between even a few years ago and now with tooling. It's tiresome to see this type of stuff happening and Hasbro is making some bad decisions here and a lot of other places.
Fools and their money...the thing funded. Like I said elsewhere, get ready for the HasLab USS Flagg for $3000 and a 5 year wait. But the tiers are Keel-Haul and a sailor hat you can wear!
Have you got a link to the flagg?
I'm gonna get 5
Actually if you are into toy collecting as long as you have the self restrain and control, toy manufacturers can never sway you into putting money into their coffers. This applies not just in toy collecting but also many other aspects of life. But I do agree that commercialism is the one that's to be blamed.
I absolutely agree!!! Thanks you saying exactly how I feel too!
Speaking of price increases...back in the 70s, we used to buy Star Wars figures for a dollar. Sometimes less. And now Hasbro is selling "retro collection" Mando figures for $9-$10. These figures have no discernible increase in quality or function. They have the same articulation as the original Kenner toys. The packaging is the same. I understand inflation is a thing, but 9 times in 40-45 years? It's insane.
I agree with a lot of what you said Michael but I am backing the Eternia playset. The reason I want Eternia is because I wanted it when I was a kid and it represents some of Preternia as seen in MOTU Revelations and it will go well with my MOTUC Grayskull and Snake Mountain as I think they are better scale for vintage and origins figures and vehicles. I was hoping it would come in at $400-$450 but I also know that it is bigger than the original Eternia and has more play features.
For that price, it should be hyper-articulated and fit with Classics and it's just, you know, Origins. Imagine what the interior and playable, snap-in plates the Horsemen designed for the MOTUC Castle Grayskull would cost if they priced it like this thing? Even the Super 7 Snake Mountain was essentially a detailed exterior with some molded to pieces to put inside the undecorated interior shell. By the standard of what they're charging for this, that Castle Grayskull would have cost something like two grand.
@@jeffreyyoders6366 MOTUC Castle Grayskull was $349 when it came out and MOTUC Snake Mountain was $600 when it came out. And if we are being fair it's all around bigger than the original Eternia. And as far as the Vintage Eternia price $89-$100. In 1986, the median income for families was $29,460 4.2 per- cent higher than the 1985 median after adjusting for inflation. The average personal income in 2022 in the United States is $63,214, with the median income across the country being $44,000. Real wages averaged $67,521 in 2022, and average household incomes averaged to $87,864.
@@snellsworld2648 Nobody cares!
It´s overpriced and the minimal posible product.
It´s delusional.
@@Thysamithan If nobody cares why are you replying to my comment then?
@@snellsworld2648 If you can´t win the factual argument then you want to win the rhetorical one?
Well, here! Have your cheap win.
I care.
But not about the set or you, but only about the fact that you are spouting nonsense, to which I reply to oppose it.
Always appreciate your view, and your videos. Thank ya Sir! 🙏
The Mattel wrestling ring was not to bad. I got two of them. It came with a nice ring, entrance piece and 3 figures plus these nice fabric ring skirts you can swap out, but the 3rd figure was added because I think they needed to do that to make it worth more. I feel it was only a little over priced. I agree with some of the points you make but also stores are different these days no shelf space for large things that might not sell well so I guess thats my only point on that. Hard to put some things in store and have them sell. I def would love if they just took risks and made things and took the loss if they dnt do well.
I remember me and my dad making one when I was a kid using wood for the ring and skirts and steel for the posts with the ropes being metal wires and it’s still going strong after me smashing figures into it hundreds of time at full force
I've been collecting since I was child until now, 40 years later. One thing I've learned is that certain collectors and completists will buy anything...according to their passion for the brand name, i.e., TMNT, MOTU, etc, no matter how terrible or cheap the figures look/are produced.
Congrats on the 100k+ subs... you guys deserve it! Wonderful, thoughtful content as per usual.
RetroBlasting? welp, i think it's time you created a new channel...WallStreetBlasting. Great job telling it like it is!!! I've been giving Hasbro sh!t ever since the Rancor campaign and they STILL haven't listened or heard us fans but like you said - it's time to take their skin-suits off ; ) oh and just remember all you He-Man Eternia fans - if you're even thinking about backing it to perhaps sell one or two of them on Ebay or something - you won't be making the double profit u think you might get for it...the fees, taxes & shipping are absolutely outta control now too.
That stupid Eternia playset is already at 60 percent backing as of day one. Can't believe it. Hope see see a video from you on this lunacy.
When we were young we couldn´t afford toys because we had not much money. Now we can´t buy them because their not worth the ammount of money or not avaiable....
I bailed on the HasLab Engine O’ Vengeance the day after I backed it. I immediately had a ton of buyer’s remorse the moment I hit the submit button. I did not experience that when I supported the HasLab Sentinel, Galactus, or the HeroQuest game. After watching your video, I canceled my order backing the HasLab HeroScape: Age Of Annihilation game. I just can’t get behind these big company crowdfunding projects anymore. The prices are getting insane. I have also cut waaaay back on my Marvel Legends purchases. The price is too damn high, and I can no longer justify paying that much for a mass-market action figure. I’ve been collecting figures since 1992. Thirty years is a pretty good run; maybe it’s time to hang up my cleats.
You know the saddest thing about the Hasbro CEO speech is at some point, I had to ask, "Are they an actual toy company anymore?"
Like many big companies, their primary purpose is making money for their shareholders. The original business of providing goods and/or services to consumers becomes pretty divorced, and can even run counter to, maximizing shareholder profits.
They seem to cater more and more to the adult collector, but they fall a bit flat in that area. They keep using cheap rubbery plastic to make action figures!
No, the answer is no. They make overpriced plastic pandering to nostalgia.
@@TimHayes Maybe in terms of action figures, but that's a small, and shrinking, part of their overall business.
@@Tim85-y2q LOL, okay. Right. So what is the toy company's primary focus then, if not toys?
That Haslab is losing about 70 backers everyday. 😂 or at least with each new announcement
I really wanted Eternia as a kid. A part of me wants to give in and fork over the money for a couple bad reasons. First because the spin that channels I follow are using is that its a fraction of the cost of a vintage one which is a weak argument to make. If they tried to sell this for 4k the execs would probably get drawn and quartered for it. The bigger second reason is if it doesn't get funded I don't believe the suits at Mattel will view its failure as "gosh we shouldn't have charged so much for something and priced collectors out". I'm pretty sure thats going to signal to them that the MOTU brand has run its course and its time to abandon it again for another 20 years. It really sucks for a brand to be held hostage like that but MOTU just isn't the juggernaut that it was in the 80s and as you pointed out nostalgia isn't going to sell forever.
Data's smalltalk subroutine was better than the wording of that corporate announcement.
When it’s a RB video, 20 minutes or more, you get the popcorn ready folks😅
I like how the eternia play set looks but I really don’t like that it’s online at that price. If it was at retail at a lower price like &280 I would buy it
A lot of corporations may be cutting staff for 4IR reasons. The dream (hellish nightmare reallly) that technocrats have that you can replace human beings with lousy AI that you dont have to pay.
Michael came into this like he was there to chew bubble gum and kick ass.. and he was all outta bubble gum.
The thing that makes me mad about motu origins is it was originally marketed as toys for children as well as adult collectors. And easy to find in stores. Looks like both those things are going to be a thing of the past.
This video is JUSTICE SERVED! I hope Hasbro takes a hit and Mattel as well. Thank you Michael for speaking the truth and defending us toy channels and collectors.
I just got back from a CAD conference. The CEO got up on the stage and said a bucket full of fancy words with catch phrases and corporate think. My first thought was, " Do people actually buy this corporate spin?" It all just sounds fake. It's speak to allow them to do whatever they want and sell it to investors as being GREAT! It's just sad.
I had fun at AU, too!
@@jeffreyyoders6366 Yes, it was fun. I really liked the 3D printing and the Leica 3D scanners.
Like him or not McFarlane has managed to keep his prices steady. How can he do that and Hasbro has to jack up prices.
Because he's not a public company. He can choose to take lower margins, eat costs or even take a loss. An officer at a public company literally can't choose to do those same things because they have a fiduciary responsibility to put profits first and the shareholders can go after them if they don't.
I wonder if some of the limited articulation could have something to do with it
@@simonphoenix197That plays into things too. The less articulation/deco on figures the cheaper they are to produce. A lot of collectors want super detailed paint and 20+ points of articulation and then are surprised when the figures cost more.
$550? that is the price of a FUCKING game console for a hunk of plastic monorail set.
Damn! You are killing it in this segment… Preach brother, PREACH!
Did you see the next Haslab? Heroscape $249 unpainted minis and very few alterations to the system for something that used to sell for $40?? That's a whole lot of NOPE. Thanks Michael for the clarity you provide.
I think the Heroscape might do well, considering how well Heroquest did for them. It proved tabletop gamers will buy into this model.
I will defend crowdfunding just to add my 2 cents. Haslab and these types of projects should only be reserved for the "impossible" so to speak. Going back to the Razorcrest was it impossible to get into the main line of figures... no considering they could release At-At's for the rogue one toy line there is no way you can tell me they couldn't. Unicron now because of its size I get it, it is kind of impossible to consider a large-scale figure but then again giving us a transforming Ark in the titan class is a bit weird I would have been okay with a titan class size Unicron so maybe not so impossible. Now if they can't (remember what Mattel's version of this is but) if they offered a larger Greyskull with a ton of new features bigger everything loads of accessories or even if they offer a new rendition of the USS Flag things that you know cant exists without crowdfunding. My point is I suppose yes crowdfunding can be a good thing and can be used to produce some incredible things but so far I have yet to see anything that deserves this kind of treatment even though some are impressive.
@@cosmicenforcer2534 Aside from sheer size, the electronic tram gimmick probably adds a lot (maybe not $600 worth, but still a lot)
@@cosmicenforcer2534 From what I can find online, it seems like those kinds of toys go for around $100 now.
@@cosmicenforcer2534 Agreed it doesn't validate the cost of this toy if it was a large-scale actual castle Eternia playset with a ton of features maybe, the only reason I can see anyone wanting this at all is because of the price of the original it being a bit of a holy grail which really is just picking on the collectors which is such a shame they started so well with origins they fell into the same trap of exclusives and now crowdfunding which has mostly got me out of collecting now I just end up buying stuff when it's on clearance, Got Black Zarak generation selects for £70 stuff like that makes me happy now lol.
I really wanted Eternia but I just can’t afford such a thing. If it were 300 or there abouts I could squeeze it into the budget. It just sucks never getting to complete any toy line.
Related to Hasbro, their subsidiary who publishes Magic: The Gathering (Wizards of the Coast) announced a $1000 collector's box of *non-tournament legal* reprints from the second-ever printing of the game. The box consists of randomized cards, so even for the whales who buy this product there's no guarantee of getting specific cards.
Happy 30th anniversary, M:TG players.
M:TG has long attracted a lot of whales though, so they'll probably do fine on it.
at this point you would think everyone would realize it's not crowdfunding, it's reaching a minimum order quantity.
Further, it's exactly how they make all of their toys, only consumers have replaced the retailers who normally place orders.
Haslab Pulse is The Frosk of the toy industry
its 1,070 CAD, which is 774 USD, which isnt even close to the announced 500 dollars they said it would be. I own the vintage one, and paid less for it than that.
Congratulations Retro Blasting on 101,000 subscribers!
Ok, here's my deal. I've been collecting MOTU origins here and there, I've got Castle Greyskull and most the core figures. They're set up on a shelf next to where I play Xbox and hang out, and I love them. But, I'm not a regular dude. I used to have a bank account and credit cards, but I dont live like that anymore. For the last nine or ten years I just cash my check and live like that , and it works for me. No one can take anything away from me unless they wanna come face me. I really wanted Eternia, but I can't suddenly come up with $550.00 bucks. No big deal, I just want to get 3 more what I consider "core" characters then I'm out, I'll be happy enough to look at my display and that's it.
Congrats on passing 100k Subs!!!!! I've been a fan for a few years now and have binged so many of your videos. You and Toy Galaxy are my goto for Toy and or 80's my childhood historians. Thank you! Man if I lived in your state I'd love to be part of the crew. If you are ever in New York I'd love to buy you a...(whatever drink you'd like) Cheers.
Hasbro and mattel huge massively corporate. It's not about the toy or fans it's about the $£ Eternia play to ship to UK nearly £800. Thank you Retroblasting I am not alone.
I'm with you as far as what HasLab is now but I think in the beginning with the sail barge (I wasn't interested in it) that a project like that wouldn't have been made or sold in stores. I did buy Unicron and with thr hundreds of parts and 19lbs I think it was a worthy Haslab at $575.00. But you still had to buy an upgrade kit to have light yo eyes...really? I also think the Sentinal and up coming figure is a good Haslab project but I'm not into many Marvel figures. But HasLab has been greatly watered-down.
What really pisses me off is paying a $50.00 membership for the privilege of being able to buy their products early. F*CK THAT! But what I don't understand from a company that is all about the dollar is how pre-order items get sold out like Doctor Mindbender and Serpentor. Just make them available to order for about a week and take as many orders as comes in. Pre-orders selling out from the company making the toy makes no sense. From a toy shop that gets in limited stock...yes. But the people making the sh*t?!... They just want to create a fake sense of scarcity.
I agree with almost all you said.
Where we differ is with the Anunnaki aka (lizard People) working at Hasbro.
I know that since 1986 not one of them have held employment there due to the death of Optimus Prime. An act they whole heartily disagreed with.
I personally love the two haslab products I bought. And the figure included with the new Eternia is SICK
I'm already at the point where I am priced out of modern vintage. Honestly, the toy industry is doing some of its best work regarding vintage properties, but most of it is either parallel with vintage prices or exceeds them. At this point it's ridiculous (Super 7 is the biggest culprit). Sure, if money were no object, I would love to own some of this stuff but I live in the real world where money is stretched thin. Also, I still have many vintage lines to collect that I have always desired and that's almost come to a halt. Anymore I go maybe 6 months in between a vintage purchase from the next. I used to not go 6 days inbetween and it's made me sad about it. Vintage is what I grew up with and its the juju I desire over this modern vehicle of corporate greed. What happens when the consumer can no longer afford the widget?
I'm tired of being exploited through the playtimes of my past and through my nostalgic remembrances. At some point I have to turn my back. I also still believe that value will win more buyers over something that's out of reach. Forbidden fruit I suppose? Then again I guess I think like a fossil in these modern times. What about the shareholders? Won't someone please think of them? While an Eternia would be cool to have since I missed out on one during my childhood. I can live without it though. I've gone this long sans. I've made up my mind in that I am only buying vintage from this point forward. I also supported the Origins line but I had to cap out around the 9th wave. It just became too expensive with the rising cost of everything else!
I love these videos were if you something good to say, you say it, and likewise if you have something bad to say, you say it, either way wholeheartedly and without compromise or holding back. Thank you for your honesty and candor. 👍
I haven't bought a Hasbro product in years, few years ago the last thing I bought from them is Transformers. I lost the passion for buying toys. From time to time I only buy Hot Toys.
Mr Michael, what is your opinion on the process S7 used for MOTUC Snake Mountain? Was the process better or worse than Hasbro's? Do you feel that S7 kept their promises and delivered something worth all that scratch? I personally love the thing and am happy to have it (it really helped that they had a payment plan), but what's your take? Did they do things better or worse than Hasbro and Mattel or was it about the same?
That's a p.o.s playset mate .no one cares about garbage s7 trash products
I think these are the same "people" that helped destroy the music, movie, comic,video game industry, books now the toys.
Seems like the campaign is going pretty good so far. It's already over halfway there in less than a day.
IF you're paying multi-BILLION dollar corporations via crowdsourcing to make toys, we got a problem. Mom and pops, small companies, where its necessary, sure, but multi-BILLION dollar companies... ughhh.
Blewprint two point blow indeed.
If they made 5,000, and put it on sale. I would bite at 700.But they want to take my money for a year and half. Are all these companies insane. If every single product sold is a sure bet, I want to pay 350 including shipping. Mattel is taking zero risks. Zero risks means this item should be cheaper.
These modern-retro toys are not an investment!!!! In 25 to 35 years when we all start dying off, no will care about this gigantic odd toy. I’m 43 and I barley care about is. Who had this thing as a kid? Who wanted this as a kid? I love MOTU, but I would have hated this toy as a child. No idea why this is everyone’s wet dream.
Mattel is trying to con us into buying a monorail!
I work on Wall Street. I’ve worked on about a dozen business transformations that have been named “blueprint.” Despite how many times I’ve told my clients that the name “blueprint” is outdated and overused, they still opt to call it that. At least none of my clients are sad enough to cut salaries like Hasbro. That’s the move of a weak and out of touch company. All my clients experiencing record profits are promoting their employees to ensure they won’t go elsewhere, not lying them off and cutting their salaries.
Also, I don’t quite agree with your assessment of Wall Street. You can do discounted cash flow analysis to assign intrinsic value of a company. I’ve don’t it before. Admittedly, the market has been much more emotionally impacted over the last few years. There are… decent… companies on Wall Street. Hasbro is not one of them
16:58 Yeah, like all those 1/12 scale (or are they technically 7"?) vehicles from their wrastlin' line, especially that awesome $50 rig w/wrecking ball that's in stores now. If hasbro, that thing would have to be haslab; and come with one reused figure with a new head for $350. But it would be premium detailed with real metal chains. And we all know how expensive those are in the craft section at stores.
I’m not a collector, I buy these toys to share with my children and enjoy the magic of play. You just can’t do that at these price points. $550 is just crazy for a re-issue of an obscure playset. What happened to snake mountain? And at a price point where Santa can deliver it under the tree?
Thank you Michael, you just talked me off the ledge. I want it yes, but at 550 no, and if it’s going to ruin the price points of the current line, I’m not going to contribute to the undoing of a line that I love almost as much as the original one.
Agree. I was thinking 400, 500 Max with shipping and taxes parents so I'm out. I'm starting to be out on a lot of things apparent canceling a lot of preorders just for the point of it despite the ridiculous economy On top of the choices of these toy companies have a no window boxing doesn't help at all. et cetera
My biggest Piccadillo is the underoroduction of motu origins,destroying molds after a few thousand are made
It feels like Hasbro is being milked dry and left for dead the way Toys R Us was
Yes. He is right.. please don’t buy into the Eternia playset. We need to discourage these companies from this horrible market strategy.
Do you have the vintage one? The new Eternia killed the vintage Eternia 😂
Same thing happened when the optics shifted on the sequel trilogy. Every UA-cam film critic did a full 180 on their ''love'' of those films, Red Letter Media, Cinema for Cynics, Angry Joe, I hate everything, and so on.
That's right a channel called, I Hate Everything, did a full video claiming you should love The Last Jedi and the hate for it was ridiculous. Then expected nobody to remember that video once it was no longer convenient.
As always, Michael, I appreciate your being candid when it’s needed most. I’m sure I’m not the only one. What Hasbro is doing here is disgusting.
I 100% agree with you large toy company should not do crowdfunding for big projects they either do it or don't with a reasonable price and the fans will come. If we can find it. There are several things that Hasbro released in the Transformers line that I never found because they didn't go retail I didn't know they'd released I didn't follow the news they went online only I missed them I will not do crowdfunding I don't do house lab and I'm definitely not doing Six Flags over Eternia.
Funny story, Hasbro had Atari games witch they renamed Hasbro interactive. Didn't take them long before they sold off that division to anybody that would pay for it. Their main reason for selling it off, they had no clue what to do with it. LOL
I have played Magic the Gathering for almost 18 years and steadily getting more disenchanted over the past 5 years, but I think that after Hasbro announced that the 30th anniversery was a $1000 box of booster packs of unplayable replica's of cards from Alpha I finally have decided the game isnt for me anymore.
I hate what Hasbro has done to one of the greatest TCGs ever made.
Michael is doing the best work to coin a phrase. 👍😎
NAILED IT . Billion dollar companies having to cut people and get fans to fund their projects. Greed at it's finest. If they just made them at retail and distributed them to shops as they did back in the day. They would be making more than enough to please the Wall Street Fuck Wits. And Michael keep these video's coming. Love how you just say it as it is.
In regards to Eternia, if you put the original 1986-1987 price tag of $89.99 into an inflation calculator, in 2022 a retail release of Eternia should cost $234.60. They're charging roughly 2 and a half times that price for the Origins Eternia set. The big difference from the Ghost Rider HasLab and this, is Eternia is at least physically LARGER then a car so there is a bit more percieved value.
Supposedly there are going to be Tiers to unlock as they get more then 5,000 bakers, so maybe those extras will help justify the $550 price tag? I really don't know.
If I also want a vintage complete Eternia, it's priced at anywhere from $2,500 to $3,999 dollars so by default this Mattel Creations set is cheaper LoL.
If the Eternia Playset had been $200 or so, I might have considered backing it. But it's not something that I care to add to my collection otherwise. As for HasLab, I am very pleased with the Victory Saber figure, and Deathsaurus looks pretty nice too.
Yeah stuff is really getting expensive! Even Mastersverse figures and you can't find anything in so many stores. I really want the Eternia. But man that price now! I'm on the fence. Not a good month with money!
This guy knows these are toys right, so damn serious
Not a MOTU fan but man Six Flags Over Eternia is hilarious and on point with this thing.
On the last day of the human race , there will be one person left,. . The CEO of world Corp. He'll proclaim 'WE DID IT!' then look around & realize he destroyed the human race & earth w/it. " Oh shit"