If I may, I’d like to speak calmly about what transpired today regarding the colossal screw up with the launch of today’s Star Wars preorders on Pulse, especially the TVC INT-4. First off, mistakes happen. Typos, retail partner/exclusivity changes and pricing errors happen but rarely all at one time. But I can’t help but think that the recent increases in these types of errors are due largely in part to the “streamlining” of staff across the board at Hasbro. Proper (or at least previous) checks and balances are not being done to the level they once were. This is NOT an excuse for letting the misinformation for the TVC INT-4 to be posted and reposted, discussed and promoted by various sites and social channels for WEEKS WITHOUT CORRECTION/CLARIFICATION. Hasbro has worked very hard to establish and cultivate relationships with fans and fan sites via social media engagement but with incidents like this, the TBS Embo/Keibu Set and Retro/TVC X-wing mashup (not to mention continued price hikes) all that work unravels at the expense of the brand and those most dedicated to the line – YOU and ME – the collector.
In the past, nearly everything that Hasbro releases for TVC, TBS and Retro was a guaranteed purchase by me – no, I am not the typical collector. I’m part of a very small minority, but as Hasbro/Star Wars brand make it harder to justify these purchases, and harder to trust what they say, the overall collector base will continue to shrink.
As we head into the 50th anniversary of SW, I can honestly say I have zero expectations on being “wowed” by any announcements (except for a couple). Maybe that’s the best way going into this milestone year:
“Expect disappointment, and you’ll never be disappointed.” – MJ
-Jayson
