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I doubt the "release date" of action figure toys is quite as reliable as say, the release date of a new MOVIE? Too many OTHER factors involved in getting toys from point A to point B. Sorta like a MSRP.....it's only SUGGESTED.

You may have a point viper, but the thing is, those dates were by the companies that did the shipping to individual stores - so therefore, they should be able to follow their own company deadlines.

I've never understood why it is claimed by U.S. companies that it takes over a month to ship something to canada. Most major cities are within 2-3 hours driving of the border (bar Edmonton), and customs should only take 2-3 days.

@can@

I like knowing that something is imminent for arrival and that I can get it when it comes out. For waves 4 through 8, I relyed on release dates to get me to the stores on the days when cases were supposed to arrive, so I always had something to look forward to with anticipation. Similarly, I always anticipated the dates new Star Wars (my other hobby) books, comics etc. were to come into stores, and would be there on the day for my 'mini-christmas' of product arrival.

However, lately this anticipation has turned to agony. Wave 9 was released over a month ago, and most stores even up here in Canada had release dates set for 2 to 3 weeks ago. When shipments came in, two stores respectively got 1 of 8 cases, and 4 of 60 cases. What hasbro shipped came no where close to meeting store orders or fan demand. Similarly, the new Clone Wars novel was suppsed to hit book stores on July 26, and while Chapters (Canadian counterpart of B&N) says the book is in the warehouse as of July 12, it won't be shipping to stores until August 19.

If producers of a product set a release date, its great to anticipate that it is getting close, and you will be able to find the product you are looking for soon. But when the so called release date is long past and the product still hasen't arrived, the anticipation of a new product turns to irritation with the company for screwing around the customer.

OK, rant over.....

I doubt the "release date" of action figure toys is quite as reliable as say, the release date of a new MOVIE? Too many OTHER factors involved in getting toys from point A to point B. Sorta like a MSRP.....it's only SUGGESTED.

wow. i never thought i'd read someone complaining about figures not coming out fast enough! lol . i for one would like it if they slowed down the time between waves so i could actually find and get all the ones i wanted instead of having to pick and choose at the rare moments i see them.

Same here. They're SLAMMING this stuff out so fast, that it seems some waves don't even see shelf life before another comes right in behind it, and usually in massive numbers, which makes me wonder if the prior wave EVER hit that local chain at all, or if it just sold out incredibly fast? I'd feel safe in assuming it isn't the later.

A slower pace would be fine by me.

I actually have to agree with both of you. The problem is, when they do release a wave, they release far too few figures for them to be found by all collectors in the short period of time they are available (I've yet to see Wave 9) and then they stop producing the wave, so more time would be better to find the figures.

But by the same token, if they released the quantity of product that they should, on the dates when they were supposed to, fans would know when the stuff was arriving, and would be able to keep and eye out at that time, and find the figures they wanted from the waves at that time. Instead, they release product haphazardly across the US and Canada (sometimes) and fans don't know if or when the product is going to come in.

In order for fans to find everything they want, Hasbro either: has to start adhering to release dates for products - so fans can find the stuff when it's supposed to be available; or, if they continue this disorganized distribution, give each wave more shelf life in order to allow fans to find the wave later when their local stores finally get the product.

What I don't understand with Hasbro is why they only release the wave for one, or possibly two mintings of the figures and then discontinue it. Back in the 80s and 90s they would keep one 'wave' out for almost two years to ensure that it sells. Now with all their products, including mass release lines like Star Wars, they put out the wave, and as soon as the next wave is ready to ship, discontinue the previous one. Would it really be so difficult for Hasbro to keep 2 or maybe even 3 waves shipping at any given time?

I think what you're really expressing here, is a legitimate EXCITEMENT for a new toy, much like a kid who has spent months gazing at images in a catalog of a toy he has requested for Christmas, and then agonizing in his bed, Christmas Eve, knowing that he's just hours away from it, at those last hours (if we all can remember) are the MOST agonizing to get through. @lol@

Seems like an innocent enough emotion and just showing your enthusiasm in the hobby.

@lol@ Who doesn't love that feeling!

I like knowing that something is imminent for arrival and that I can get it when it comes out. For waves 4 through 8, I relyed on release dates to get me to the stores on the days when cases were supposed to arrive, so I always had something to look forward to with anticipation. Similarly, I always anticipated the dates new Star Wars (my other hobby) books, comics etc. were to come into stores, and would be there on the day for my 'mini-christmas' of product arrival.

However, lately this anticipation has turned to agony. Wave 9 was released over a month ago, and most stores even up here in Canada had release dates set for 2 to 3 weeks ago. When shipments came in, two stores respectively got 1 of 8 cases, and 4 of 60 cases. What hasbro shipped came no where close to meeting store orders or fan demand. Similarly, the new Clone Wars novel was suppsed to hit book stores on July 26, and while Chapters (Canadian counterpart of B&N) says the book is in the warehouse as of July 12, it won't be shipping to stores until August 19.

If producers of a product set a release date, its great to anticipate that it is getting close, and you will be able to find the product you are looking for soon. But when the so called release date is long past and the product still hasen't arrived, the anticipation of a new product turns to irritation with the company for screwing around the customer.

OK, rant over.....

@can@

wow. i never thought i'd read someone complaining about figures not coming out fast enough! lol . i for one would like it if they slowed down the time between waves so i could actually find and get all the ones i wanted instead of having to pick and choose at the rare moments i see them.

Same here. They're SLAMMING this stuff out so fast, that it seems some waves don't even see shelf life before another comes right in behind it, and usually in massive numbers, which makes me wonder if the prior wave EVER hit that local chain at all, or if it just sold out incredibly fast? I'd feel safe in assuming it isn't the later.

A slower pace would be fine by me.

I actually have to agree with both of you. The problem is, when they do release a wave, they release far too few figures for them to be found by all collectors in the short period of time they are available (I've yet to see Wave 9) and then they stop producing the wave, so more time would be better to find the figures.

But by the same token, if they released the quantity of product that they should, on the dates when they were supposed to, fans would know when the stuff was arriving, and would be able to keep and eye out at that time, and find the figures they wanted from the waves at that time. Instead, they release product haphazardly across the US and Canada (sometimes) and fans don't know if or when the product is going to come in.

In order for fans to find everything they want, Hasbro either: has to start adhering to release dates for products - so fans can find the stuff when it's supposed to be available; or, if they continue this disorganized distribution, give each wave more shelf life in order to allow fans to find the wave later when their local stores finally get the product.

What I don't understand with Hasbro is why they only release the wave for one, or possibly two mintings of the figures and then discontinue it. Back in the 80s and 90s they would keep one 'wave' out for almost two years to ensure that it sells. Now with all their products, including mass release lines like Star Wars, they put out the wave, and as soon as the next wave is ready to ship, discontinue the previous one. Would it really be so difficult for Hasbro to keep 2 or maybe even 3 waves shipping at any given time?

I think what you're really expressing here, is a legitimate EXCITEMENT for a new toy, much like a kid who has spent months gazing at images in a catalog of a toy he has requested for Christmas, and then agonizing in his bed, Christmas Eve, knowing that he's just hours away from it, at those last hours (if we all can remember) are the MOST agonizing to get through. @lol@

Seems like an innocent enough emotion and just showing your enthusiasm in the hobby.

@lol@ Who doesn't love that feeling!

I like knowing that something is imminent for arrival and that I can get it when it comes out. For waves 4 through 8, I relyed on release dates to get me to the stores on the days when cases were supposed to arrive, so I always had something to look forward to with anticipation. Similarly, I always anticipated the dates new Star Wars (my other hobby) books, comics etc. were to come into stores, and would be there on the day for my 'mini-christmas' of product arrival.

However, lately this anticipation has turned to agony. Wave 9 was released over a month ago, and most stores even up here in Canada had release dates set for 2 to 3 weeks ago. When shipments came in, two stores respectively got 1 of 8 cases, and 4 of 60 cases. What hasbro shipped came no where close to meeting store orders or fan demand. Similarly, the new Clone Wars novel was suppsed to hit book stores on July 26, and while Chapters (Canadian counterpart of B&N) says the book is in the warehouse as of July 12, it won't be shipping to stores until August 19.

If producers of a product set a release date, its great to anticipate that it is getting close, and you will be able to find the product you are looking for soon. But when the so called release date is long past and the product still hasen't arrived, the anticipation of a new product turns to irritation with the company for screwing around the customer.

OK, rant over.....

@can@

wow. i never thought i'd read someone complaining about figures not coming out fast enough! lol . i for one would like it if they slowed down the time between waves so i could actually find and get all the ones i wanted instead of having to pick and choose at the rare moments i see them.

Same here. They're SLAMMING this stuff out so fast, that it seems some waves don't even see shelf life before another comes right in behind it, and usually in massive numbers, which makes me wonder if the prior wave EVER hit that local chain at all, or if it just sold out incredibly fast? I'd feel safe in assuming it isn't the later.

A slower pace would be fine by me.

I couldn't agree more.

All I keep seeing in my area are 1 single pack of a figure I already have here and there and a bunch of the 2-packs I already own.

I think what you're really expressing here, is a legitimate EXCITEMENT for a new toy, much like a kid who has spent months gazing at images in a catalog of a toy he has requested for Christmas, and then agonizing in his bed, Christmas Eve, knowing that he's just hours away from it, at those last hours (if we all can remember) are the MOST agonizing to get through. @lol@

Seems like an innocent enough emotion and just showing your enthusiasm in the hobby.

@lol@ Who doesn't love that feeling!

No, I'll tell ya what I wish; I wish Hasbro would absolutely flood the market with oodles of figures so that they're more readily available to everybody...including me in case I decide to dive back in. (lol)

I am excited! lol

I think what you're really expressing here, is a legitimate EXCITEMENT for a new toy, much like a kid who has spent months gazing at images in a catalog of a toy he has requested for Christmas, and then agonizing in his bed, Christmas Eve, knowing that he's just hours away from it, at those last hours (if we all can remember) are the MOST agonizing to get through. @lol@

Seems like an innocent enough emotion and just showing your enthusiasm in the hobby.

I agree with both of you in a way, seems like local areas dont get them when they are scheduled to be released, then the next wave hits and local stores still have stuff from early 08 or nothing at all, so in my area i never, or very rarely see anything new, if i see anything at all. i end up resorting to higher online prices just to make sure i definatley get them...and IF i do see them at retail ill have extras. im right outside NYC so youd think we would get more out here

wow. i never thought i'd read someone complaining about figures not coming out fast enough! lol . i for one would like it if they slowed down the time between waves so i could actually find and get all the ones i wanted instead of having to pick and choose at the rare moments i see them.

Same here. They're SLAMMING this stuff out so fast, that it seems some waves don't even see shelf life before another comes right in behind it, and usually in massive numbers, which makes me wonder if the prior wave EVER hit that local chain at all, or if it just sold out incredibly fast? I'd feel safe in assuming it isn't the later.

A slower pace would be fine by me.