Posted by Mark on November 8, 2004 at 03:07 AM CST
Questions for November 8, 2004
Q&A Archive


Well, it’s another birthday for me and new round of questions and answers for all of you. To be sure, I’ll be celebrating in good fashion with family and friends, but still hope to get a second round of questions covered before the end of the week. In the meantime enjoy the update and keep those cards and letters comin’!

On with the show:

1
There's a rumor going around that prices are going up on basic figures. Please tell us it isn't so. -Anthony


I’ve heard the rumors too, but I’m not exactly sure what to make of them right now. Most of the price adjusting I’ve seen so far has come from the on-line community and that could simply be in anticipation of higher demand. This is the last movie and most likely the last big Star Wars line; I find it hard to fault them for wanting to protect their margin in 2005. Though we haven’t heard anything official from Hasbro, the same thought comes to mind; this is their last big Star Wars line, it makes perfect sense for them to slant prices in their favor. I’m guessing the rumors will turn out to be true, it just makes too much sense from a business standpoint, but there’s been no official word yet. Time will tell…


2
A couple of questions: Which figures were not released on Tri-Logo cards during the vintage line? Is there any website with high definition scans of the cards? And an up-to-date price list for the vintage line? Nowadays a company named MBC LTD. (from Chorleywood Herts (UK)) is distributing some previously unreleased 2002 Saga Collection figures here in Europe. How is this happening now? Do you have any idea of how many figures can we expect to be distributed? -Carmelo Ortiz (Barcelona, Spain)


According to this feature, A Tri-Logo Tutorial by Steve York, the figures not found on Tri-Logo cards include: Walrusman, Power Droid, Star Destroyer Commander, and 4-LOM. Although, Steve also points out that both Bespin Guards, Snaggletooth, Hammerhead, Greedo, and the Twin Pod Cloud Car Pilot can only be found on a “hybrid” of the Tri-Logo cards, something many collectors refer to as “Tri-Logo back.” Unfortunately I don’t know of any site that is currently hosting Hi-Def images of all the card backs, but if you’re interested in learning more about Tri-Logos, I highly suggest reading the feature.

From what I understand MBC Ltd. is a clearing house for overstocked toys. The figures they’re distributing now are what were left over at the end of the Saga line. At this point there’s really no telling what they have or how long they will have it.

Thanks to Dave and Jeremy for the assist!


3
I have some questions about the Star Wars Kubricks from Japan. Where are the carded Parco(?) Sandtroopers? I saw a handful hit eBay, but judging from the volume this one seems harder to find than the original carded Boba Fett... What are the production runs on the carded figures? Medicom seems willing to advertise numbers (the run on the Droid's R2-D2 and the Speeder Bike set have been well publicized), but I've seen a wide variation in the numbers claimed for the others. -Steve


To be perfectly honest, I have no idea where these figures disappeared to. As much as I love this line, getting and retaining information on the various side offers, exclusives, and secret figures has been tough at times. It would probably help if Lucasfilm would allow them to be released in the States, but I’m not holding my breath. I do recall seeing the Sandtrooper a couple times, but I didn’t find any evidence of them on eBay lately. Considering Fett is more popular, there’s a chance more people that have the figure are willing to try and cash in, whereas that might not be as much a factor with the Sandtrooper. I dunno, if any one else has a take on this I’m all ears. As far as production numbers on the specials, we get information from time to time through other sites based in the orient; I don’t recall seeing anything on the Sandtrooper though other show pieces this year have been limited to 2004 figures… I wish I could be more help, as soon as more info comes my way I’ll pass it along.


4
I had read somewhere that there was going to be a 12" VOTC Chewbacca as a Kay-Bee exclusive. Since then I have heard nothing, and with the VOTC line apparently getting ready to wind down, is this figure going to be released? -Jonathan Hughes


As recently announced on the Hasbro site, the VOTC 15” Chewbacca is still on-track for KB Toys. According to the update, the figure will be out “this fall,” which should be anytime considering fall is just about over.


5
I was wondering how to protect figures such as Ephant Mon and the Animated Clone wars figures that won't fit in Star Cases. Also since Hasbro made vintage style figures for the first original lines, what do you think about releasing figures for the original Power of the Force series? -Chris


Though the fit may not be exactly right, I’d look for some kind of oversized case for figures like Ephant Mon and the Clone Wars line. I believe Star makes a deluxe sized case that may work, though I’ve never tried it myself. It may be a trial and error process, but try checking with places like the Container Store too. Stores like that tend to have items for collectible storage; you may find something that works well with these figures.

Personally, I would love to see Hasbro produce a VOTC line for the original Power of the Force series, complete with coin and everything. Hopefully once we get beyond 2005, Hasbro will revisit this theme. While I can’t see them re-making the entire vintage line, there are a number of figures I’d really like to see updated in this fashion. If they could do another twelve figures in 2006, three for each card style, I know collectors would eat them up. Frankly, I can’t think of a better way to keep the line going after Episode III than to continue the VOTC in one form or another; Hasbro would be foolish not to.


6
I see on your site that there are 12 VOTC action figures and 8 Collectible Cups and Figures (5 under Saga and 3 under OTC). As far as you know, is that all there will be?


As it stands right now there’s nothing more for the VOTC line after the Return of the Jedi set. Hasbro planned for twelve figures, and that’s it. There’s a chance Hasbro might revisit this theme in 2006 or later, but at this point there are no guarantees. As for the Cup & Figure sets, the five Saga sets have been released as Target exclusives, but the three OTC sets are somewhere in limbo. Hasbro told us at Comic Con that while there were plans to follow up the first five sets, the line did not perform as hoped, and the next three (Yoda, Boba Fett, and Han Solo) would most likely be cancelled. One set of the OTC Cup & Figures did make it to eBay, but nothing has been seen of them since. My gut tells me these were samples and the sets never made it to production. I suppose someone could always pick up the last three Cup & Figure sets, but I’m not holding out much hope of that.


7
Is there any chance that someone can get word to Hasbro about using a higher quality plastic for weapons? I am tired of guns and spears that are bent when I get them, and won't regain their shape. Is it possible that someone at Hasbro may begin to read the requests in the Rebelscum forum titled "Dear Hasbro" and get a hint about what the fans would like to see and give rebirth to the action fleet line, do away with exclusives, and understand that there are not as many collectors as there once was, and quit loading up the stores with peg warmers when there are so many figures that have never hit my area? -james bowen


Fortunately or unfortunately, depending on how you look at it, I don’t see Hasbro making any compromises where it comes to child safety issues. There’s just far too much at stake for a large company these days for them to risk putting potentially dangerous toys in the market place. Trust me, if it weren’t for child safety issues, Hasbro would be more than happy to comply with collectors on this. The problem is our society has gotten to the point where money hungry lawyers and people that fail to accept any responsibility for themselves have put deep pocket companies like Hasbro on the immediate defensive. If Johnny pokes Timmy’s eyeball out with Amanaman’s staff, who do you think is to blame? Is it Johnny’s fault, Johnny’s parents fault, or is it Hasbro’s fault? An attorney looking at this will see that Johnny has no money, Johnny’s parents probably don’t have very much money, but Hasbro’s got all the money in the world – BAM, it must be Hasbro’s fault for profiting off of ‘dangerous’ toys.

Ya know, I must be the meanest father in the world. If a toy looks dangerous, I won’t buy it for my kids. If a toy comes into my house with small, ‘chokable’ parts, I put the parts in a zip-loc bag, put the bag in a shoebox, and put the shoebox up on a high shelf. If my kids are playing with a toy ‘incorrectly’, waiving it around in someone’s face, or putting it in their mouth, I’m in their face faster than you can say nine one one. If they want to play with one of my toys, or any other toy they’re not old enough, or mature enough to handle, they simply don’t get to play with it. Why so harsh? Bottom line, no amount of money is ever going to replace one of my children. I tell ya, sometimes my kids must hate me, but the thing that really ticks me off is that if more parents took the approach that what they gave their kids, what they brought into their home was ultimately their responsibility, we might actually be able to get a better rifle for Aurra Sing or sturdier staff for Amanaman. Anyway, enough soap box…

As for our Dear Hasbro forum; I have been told that people at Hasbro do in fact visit our forum, and do watch what’s posted there. Don’t ever expect a reply or post from them, that’s strictly discouraged, but they do see what’s posted. As far as addressing any of your points, there are issues that go far beyond what collectors would like to see happen. Honestly, Hasbro is doing their best in a very tough industry. As much as we might all like to see them act on some of these points, it might be more productive to look at their decisions and practices with a little more understanding of the industry’s problems.


8
My wife and I recently purchased a home and I am in the process of displaying my large collection. I was curious as to two situations regarding displaying a collection: Can dust hurt the figures? I have noticed in some situations that the figure feels a bit ‘gummy.’ Any recommendations on dusting the figures with certain types of cloth or cleaner? -Timponobi


Dust is one part of a combination of things that can end up hurting your figures. Alone dust is fairly harmless, but combine dust with oil from your fingertips, airborne grease from the kitchen, cigarette smoke, etc. and you have unfriendly conditions for you collection. Whatever you can do to limit your figures exposure to these things, the better off your collection will be. As far as the gummy surface on some of your action figures, this is a sign of plastic corrosion and there’s not a whole lot that can be done about it. You could try using a mild form of soap, warm water, and a lint free cloth to clean up the surface, but that sticky feel will probably persist. Whatever you do, don’t get crazy with the harsh cleaners. Once you start throwing chemicals into the mix, you could really mess things up. It may sound sad, but nothing – not even Star Wars figures – last forever.


9
Have a question about the new Sandcrawler. I just received mine today and I was disappointed about a few things. One thing was that there are no stickers like I saw on the original in what I would call the driver area. Another thing is that the door that swoops up r2d2 is very loose and will fall out if your hold up the Sandcrawler. I just figured it would be a bit more firm rather then falling completely out. There are a few more like the cheapness of plastic, the ladder doesn't stay on and finally, there are no wheels for playing purposes. I'm 29 but if I were a kid I would want to play with it like you would with Luke's speeder. I’m just disappointed due to the long wait, the cost, and how cheap it feels. Don’t get me wrong, I'm thankful to have it but, after all the drama that came with it, I would think Hasbro could have taken care of this stuff I noticed. Please let me know if you have heard any other complaints and thank you for your time. I love the site!!!! -troy-


It’s a shame, but as exclusive items go this is just par for course. For years now, Hasbro has taken advantage of every cut-corner they can come up with on exclusives in order to maximize their margin or fit within a certain price point. I don’t know why any of us expected anything to change with the Sandcrawler; clearly it’s another case of business as usual. Based on what I’ve heard your experience is pretty standard for this toy; it looks nice enough on the outside, but once you really examine it there’s little to get excited about. One would think since Hasbro is taking advantage of existing tools (molds) they could do more with some of these second generation toys; add sound, add light, add new features, better decals, any kind of upgrade… Instead we get stripped down toys with very little real collectible value, and in this case very little play value. I suppose we’re all partly to blame; collectors as a whole are always complaining about price, and when asked will almost always opt for the least expensive option. The sad truth is there’s very little about these toys that will make them ‘special’ in the years to come. The roots of toy collecting are founded on neat toys that did something. Be it mechanical features, an uncommon attention to detail, or working/moving parts, fine collectible toys were in some way special. For their time, the original Star Wars toys were special, but today those special toys are just too few and far between. Until collectors start demanding more I don’t expect anything to change; I suppose we should all just keep our expectations low.

10
I gotta couple questions I hope you could quickly answer before I buy these two items:
1: Is their any difference between the OTC X-wing and the 1995 one besides electronics (paint?)? 2: Is the OTC tie fighter the same tie fighter offered in the Saga line as the Imperial Dogfight TIE Fighter? Does it have any differences? 3: I've heard there is an exclusive Costco 2-pack that comes with figures. Are they still doing this? 4: What figure rehashes are included with the 2-pack and is there any differences there as well? -Bryan Day


The OTC X-Wing is exactly the same as the ’95 version, minus the electronics. There are some very slight differences in deco and decals, but they are essentially the same toy, pulled from the same mold. Same goes for the OTC TIE Fighter, no difference between that and the Saga/KB exclusive from last year. Yes, the Costco 2-pack has in fact been released, the vehicles are the same as the individual OTC versions, and the figures included are the OTC/Power of the Jedi Luke Pilot, and the Power of the Force 2 TIE Pilot. I’m afraid, unless you put value on the package, there’s absolutely nothing new about this set. Hope that helps.


Until next time...


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