
Let me get this out right off the bat. I don't like Mattel. I use to, in fact I've reviewed some of their 6" figures a while back and they get high, high marks. In fact they still do, the DC Universe line is one of the best out there....if you can find it. But let me tell you why I don't like Mattel. Here's a fine example where Points of Articulation has a
Q&A with Matty.Q: PrfktTear asks: How long will Wave 10 be shipping to Wal-Mart?
A: Until the entire order is shipped...... Well shucks, I thought it was until the clown dancing on the corner with the open house sign took his coffee break. Thanks for clearing that up Matty. Here's another gem.
2.) Tom-Tom asks: Regarding DCUC 10: Mattel has said that Wal-Mart ordered more figures than in wave 5. However, many collectors are still having troubles, claiming it to be worse than wave 5. What is Mattel’s view of the situation?
A: Sorry, I cannot discuss particulars on retail distribution! That is up to each retailer not Mattel.
Seriously? You can't say "Yes, WalMart ordered more of that series." or "No, you're screwed, no more shipping." ? I remember Hasbro being able to tell us if more of their exclusives were shipping and who ordered what. How else would we be able to know to stop looking for something. Apparently Walmart's distribution records are Top Secret. All the other 'interviews' with Mattel cough up the same canned, vague responses for just about anything asked. Phrases like "could be possible" and "wait and see" are apparently tattooed onto the arms of Matty's reps so they don't forget their lines.
And please don't get me started on MattyCollector.com. From botched orders to frozen servers, scalper loopholes, it was a mess. I like many others tried and tried to get our orders in for the initial figures and were denied, only to see buyers with 100+ of them in stock selling them on Ebay. I particularly love the way Matty sold CASES of this year's SDCC exclusive to one individual at the show, thus relieving fans of being able to purchase that figure. And let's not forget the fiasco where people who bought the Wonder Twins were missing their Gleek monkey, only for Matty to find the missing case and give it to the Fwoosh to 'pass out' to those who missed it. Let's just say there were plenty of happy mods and good ol' boys there with fat ebay accounts after the week was through.
Oh yeah, LEAD PAINT. LAWSUITS. Not that any of that bothers me but Mattel has just gone downhill in customer service and intelligent decision making in the last year. What can we do about it? Since they're obviously giving the middle finger to their fans it's only fair we take our finger and jam it in Mattel's weak spot, their wallet. Man I love how those Avatar mechs look...but they'll sit on the shelf. You know I could suggest all sorts of great customs from Captain Cold...but he's going to be warming the shelves for now. There's He Man figures still in stock in Matty Collector?? They can stay in stock, I like most of you don't have any of the first ones, why bother collecting now?
And that about sums up my feelings. A good ol' boycott is what Mattel needs, and definately deserves. I may even be in the minority here, I mean who could pass up a Super Powers themed Joker or Man Bat if they saw one? But at least I'll feel better at night knowing I didn't bend over and take it from a company that no longer cares about informing or pleasing its fans.