Haslab Projects General Discussion

[Zeroflamez]

Originally Posted by canprime

Why would Hasbro change now?


Think about it. They get to charge a higher price per unit, cut out the middle man (retailers) and not have left over stock that needs to be clearanced out at below cost, or have to store stock in a warehouse for years. Or deal with a retail partner screwing them last minute (Amazon and the TF Coneheads). Plus they get the money up front and can sit on it while manufacturing the items over the course of a year. Sure they may not sell as many units as they do at retail, but the higher price offsets some of that loss.


The reality is we aren't going back to the old retail ways for these types of releases if Hasbro has any say in the matter. Even their Titans (Transformers) are going up and closing in on $200US with the next one. And that is a wide retail release.



I agree that they are cannibalizing their Haslabs by doing so many at once. I know if they had done them back to back like Galactus and Victory Saber I would have gone in on the Rancor and Skystriker. (The Proton Pack does nothing for me)

However with them all being done at the same time I have to choose, so I am going with the Skystriker.


As for the Skystriker, remember that the most recent release was being clearanced for $20 at Walmart. So, again, why bother if you are Hasbro or Walmart? This way Hasbro can produce it for a bigger profit while limiting risk. It also works to ensure if fans want it, they have to pony up the full amount. If you don't see the value, which is understandable, then you don't have to get it. Also note that the most recent release of the TVC Slave One (oops sorry Boba Fett's ship) was $150US (at retail) and it came with just a stand and Han Solo in Carbonite. That is a, roughly, equivalent item to the Skystriker. So at least Hasbro is putting on the show of this being a bigger value with all the extras.


In the end the reality is that prices keep going up, and Hasbro is going for as much as they can. Comparing to previous prices is great to help with perceived value, but constantly saying something only cost $XX before isn't going to change the price of the current items. The only thing that would change Hasbro's behaviour is a hit to their bottom line that would be directly attributable to their prices/practices. Right now with each successive Haslab getting 20,000+ backers I don't see that happening.

I'm not even saying that Hasbro needs to go the retail route for Has Labs. They can literally just use Hasbro Pulse and sell on there. Open preorders for like a a month or 2, do a non refundable deposit if must. Then just make to order. The remaining figures left over from cancelled preorders can just be thrown up on Pulse as in stock items to be sold as normal. With how these has labs are getting thousands and thousands of backers I can't see any left over stock sitting around too long if they were to do this.

[ghostlurk29]

"The Skystriker soars into action with over 200 deco ops!"

I wonder if the "200 deco ops" is counting the whole set, or just the plane? If the promo renders are showing the stock look(no addition decals), that is a big upgrade over the Anniversary SkySkriker.

Originally Posted by chaingunsofdoom

For the Rancor, I will need to see stretch goals of multiple BS6 figures (and not just a redo of Jedi Luke from the WM exclusive with a bone) or it's a no-go for me.

Mara Jade or Starkiller would spark my interest. Still, Luke w/bone (and black glove!) will probably move Rancors, like Surfer moved Galacati.

[Darth Cosmos]

I have a Sentinel for sale if anyone is looking.

[canprime]

Next update:


Skystriker - 4529
Rancor - 3870
Proton Pack - 4793


So the Skystiker is slowly adding to it's lead over the Rancor.


AND THE PROTON PACK COMES UP FROM BEHIND TO TAKE THE LEAD!!!!!


Of course the Proton Pack is being boosted by the Premium Member exclusive that ends today at 7pm (EST). I can see it getting fully funded by today because of that exclusive. However it will be interesting to see what happens afterwards, and what the final number will be once the funding period is over. I still believe that the Skystriker and Rancor will end with higher totals than the Proton Pack.


I guess we will see in about 45 days.

[canprime]

Forgot to mention that I read the fine print of the Premium Member exclusive and you have to be a member before ordering the Proton Pack, AND a member at the time of fulfillment.


So you are looking at having to maintain membership for up to 3 cycles/years to get the exclusive goo/slime.

[philtastic]

Originally Posted by canprime

Forgot to mention that I read the fine print of the Premium Member exclusive and you have to be a member before ordering the Proton Pack, AND a member at the time of fulfillment.


So you are looking at having to maintain membership for up to 3 cycles/years to get the exclusive goo/slime.

What a fucking scam. That's $150 USD for a few extra pieces green translucent plastic. Hasbro sticks in the knife and just keeps twisting.

[philtastic]

Meanwhile, the local TRU that had tons of Neutrona Wands are now sold out.

[canprime]

Update time:


Skystriker - 4,611
Rancor - 3,924
Proton Pack - 5,525


So the Skystriker is still slowly extending it's lead over the Rancor.


The Proton Pack is now past the early bird exclusive window so we will see what happens to the numbers going forward. I imagine it will be like all the other Haslab projects and it will be the slow crawl until the last few days. I really thought they would reach the funding goal with just the early bird exclusive, but I guess not.


As of 10:30pm last night, a couple hours after the early bird window closed, the number was 5,439. So in less than 12 hours they added almost another 100. A good pace, but we'll see if they can keep it up.

[Zeroflamez]

Originally Posted by philtastic

What a fucking scam. That's $150 USD for a few extra pieces green translucent plastic. Hasbro sticks in the knife and just keeps twisting.

Not to mention they make sure the knife is nice and hot before sticking it in and twisting too.

[canprime]

Originally Posted by Zeroflamez

Not to mention they make sure the knife is nice and hot before sticking it in and twisting too.

Don't forget rusty too.