I commend you on your positive outlook for this assortment despite the repacks. You make a great point about there are people just getting into the line.

I am a small retailer and it is getting increasingly difficult to buy and sell these figures. 5 Repacks in each of the last two cases. You have to sell the 3 new figures for way over regular retail just to break even on the other 5 that you’ll clearance out for a 40% loss.

Unfortunately, Hasbro is not as good at maximizing profits as they might think, with specific regards to case ratios. I could give a million example of how they could flush out the cases of upcoming waves with better repacks and plenty of seasoned collectors can do the same.

This of course would benefit the brick and mortar toy collectors who hunt (doesn’t effect me because I order my figures/waves through EE) as well as the retailers who would see more sell-through. To be honest, the most glaringly bad problem with the waves isn’t the ratios/repacks they choose to bring forward (which is terrible mind you) but rather with the wave size in general. If they made each wave around 7 figures like Legends does and only double up on the most collector-focused fig of that wave (think Revan for example), you would see MUCH less peg warming.

Now we all know Hasblow won’t release nothing but 7 fig waves and to be honest, I think going to the 8 fig casepack was a mistake. I would’ve preferred to see them keep the 6 figure casepack and only make 5 fig waves with a desirable double, or, just 6 figure waves like they did with Wave 9.

As far as retailers go, Hasbro has their money once the retailer orders the respective assortment on the distribution side and Hasbro doesn’t really “need” to care how well retailers sell through stuff because it’s a very subjective based on the chain itself as well as the demographical/geographical location of said stores as well. There are stores who don’t move product and stores who move a ton of it, based on where that chain/store is located.

Also, as long as big box stores that stock action figures are around and continue to exist, they will always carry SW figures/merch. That’s not really changed in almost 40 years. However, what has changed, is the ever-pervasive culture of online shopping (of which I fall into) and the effect that has leading to slower sales on the B&M level. I could walk into a store and see EVERY single figure from every toy line I collect…even if I don’t have some of those figures in question…and just keep on walking by as I already have said figures on order to be delivered to my doorstep.

There’s also the price points to take into effect. Back in the mid 2000s, a case of 12 3.75 SW figs cost less than $100 and then $120 when they went from $7-8 to $10 each in the late 2000s. Now, a case of only 8 6in figs cost $160.

Lastly, The above aforementied pricing really comes into play when you factor in the “I’ll wait for a sale” culture that’s permeated the collecting community because of where price points are at. Recent polls on toy websites show that even when speaking about said collectors #1 favorite toy line, that a minimum, 40% of the collectors don’t pay full price for their figs and do so by waiting, shopping holiday ads when everything is marked down to increase customer foot traffic/sales and just overall, by enacting the mentality of “it will go sale eventually, so I can wait”

I pay full price for all my figs (that doesn’t mean I don’t wait for the occasional sale here and there of course on bigger-ticketed items) and I’m not making an argument against those who never try to pay full price (that’s completely fine with me and its not like I can control it anyways) for their figs either-I’m just citing some data as well as what I see on the toy forums these days. This also has exponentially increased the shady practice of returning figs and replacing them with something else. I mean that’s not really shady as much as it is straight stealing and while there is ZERO excuses for that behavior, it does help paint the picture that less collectors are willing to pay full price for a fig. Of course this practice is nothing new and has been done for a LONG time but I have NEVER seen it as bad as it is nowadays. Honestly, I see an example of it being done in around every 4/5 store I walk the toy aisles of…

Problem is, Hasbro do this to try and maximise profits, but are too short sighted to understand retailers at all levels will end up once again having to sell this stuff at clearance and not make a profit

In the last year, Star Wars Hasbro products have been seen as “toxic” at distributor level, and its not long before some of the big chains finally drop it due to losing money.

This wave is due in February, well after the feel good factor has passed. Well, that’s if it makes it into stores, already jammed full of peg warming Kylo’s, Rey, Maz’s, and Poes. It’s piss poor once again from Hasbro.

It all depends on what the individual wants to pay. Popular characters demand more money. A Rebel soldier, not so much (although there are indeed fans). However, the figure looks like it in pretty nice shape. It could make this $10-15 figure maybe $40, or possibly more, in an open auction.

Probably in the next wave with Tarkin & fleet trooper. If I had to guess, that will be the OT themed lead in wave to Solo…but honesty who knows at this point because Hasbro clearly doesn’t.

Exactly. Hasbro is allergic to our common sense thinking unfortunately.