Sweetums

[WiGgY]

that came from Ken. No store would take it. Now they have to figure out what to do. They will try anything they can to get the figure released.

 

[Cap Backfire]

Sorry no pics yet...

Sorry no pics yet, because I am still working on the clothing, it's not quite right... And the feet as well. I'm running into a few snags, but the head and hands look AWESOME if I have to say so myself. I used a 12 inch GIJoe body (generic) for the articulation and the size.

Anyway, I figured Ken would try his dang-edest to get this thing out no matter what. This would be worth me joiniing the collectors club for sure!! I still don't see why some retailers wouldn't want this thing. You're looking at a ton of $25 sales with this fig!!! Dummies.

 

[WiGgY]

I don't know about tons of sales. I think we are the only ones that really know about it (we as in the action figure collector's and web site visitors). The only product they have to show sales of a 25 dollar item is the Mega line which isn't so hot on sales.

 

[Cap Backfire]

Well...

It's all relative. If the last series is any indication, store sales are not what was expected. I still think that any Muppet fan would love to get their hands on a Sweetums, and an exclusive screams out that there will not be that many of them.

The major dissapointment of the Megas is that they are simply larger versions of the regular figures. The paint is a little better, but I wanted more bang for my buck. This is the reason I only bought Mega Beaker adn then stopped. He was billed as having a ton of surprises, but all he had was better paint and a hip joint. On the one hand it was cool. but on the other hand I had to really justify spending that dough which I would normally have used on other figs.

So this fig was to take the Mega slot??? How odd. With shipping prices up I would hate to see this as an internet exclusive, but if I had to pay it I certainly would.

 

[jediX]

Although I do have to say that Mega Animal is a great upgrade from the small one. Not only is the head sculpt better, but his eyes actually work (is the small one supposed to blink? I've heard he can but I've yet to see that.).

 

[WiGgY]

Regular Animal blinks. mine actually works better than the Mega. Yours must be stuck or something.

I was dissappointed by Mega Beaker too. It said something about hidden features, but there was nothing there. Not even bicep swivels. Too bad the factory screwed up the "real" hair. That would have been worth it. Mega Animal, however, is a much better Mega. The coloring alone is a great visual bunch, and then you have the new head which is just fantastic. Mega Gonzo is looking to be good, and that repaint is what people have been asking for (modern Gonzo). Can't wait for the repaint.

 

[Luke]

The problem with doing Sweetums as a net exclusive (let alone club exclusive) is that its going to work out way too expensive considering the smaller amount that will be made and the lack of any mainstream distribution outlet for people to even see it. I would guess the best option for them is to do it as a Toyfare magazine exclusive or 2005's Tour figure so they still get some wide exposure but it'd still probably be a bit more expensive than $25. They've also got the Jim Henson figure to put out at some point and all the other exclusives that were planned. It seems to me (IMO) that as soon as the line started picking up some recognition and momentum they moved ahead just a tad bit too fast planning to put out as much as they can but the market for Muppet merchandise has never been as dependable or had any continuity like other brands and the industry/economy isn't reliable either at the moment so once they hit a snag or two and retailers start hesitating and want to slow down a bit they'll get this backlog of already sculpted exclusives that need to find homes and it'll probably start bumping some of the others back.

Honestly speaking I think maybe Palisades have been starting to run a little too fast over the last year - bringing figure waves out in very fast succesion, releasing some products that are more to make money from existing sculpts than really adding anything to the line, and also increasing the volume of exclusives quite a bit. It's all business, i understand that, but at the same time their self promotion anywhere but at their own site has gone WAY down and it really shows. I haven't had time to get to the Palisades site much over the last month or two because of work and i've realised just how much things have changed, the news isn't getting out that well and there are no sneak peaks or exclusive news for the sites that the casual collectors frequent - and from what i remember the plan at the Palisades website was to go even more restricted and make all the stuff they are showing there just for the club members.

It's just a really poorly thought out way to go about this after such a great start because aside from people in their own community/club the word is getting out to very few other people - what worked for them in the early days was relentless publicity and daily bits of news across many sites at the same time as releasing the products with enough gap between them to make people anticipated and excited about what was coming. I think it is a big reason why the figures became very popular and talked about in the first place. Now it seems like there is new stuff coming out every five minutes and without enough active PR to sell it to people so not enough anticipation is building up - what was the 'holy grail' of Muppet products is now just another one of those action figure releases we have come to love from Palisades. I guess people get used to everything after a while and get complacent but they need to do something to work against this.

The product is still great and continues to improve, the speciality coverage in Toyfare excellent and the increased recognition fantastic - I just think they need to make things a little more exciting and dynamic again amongst the more casual fans so people appreciate and anticipate every little thing a bit more.

 

[Cap Backfire]

Hear Hear!!!

There we go... Some constructive criticism and praise all at once. Luke, I don't see your posts that often, but WHEN I DO!!! Man, that all made sense in a great way and was worded perfectly. Thanks for helping my eyes open a little bit more. THank you for your well placed words.

 

[Whatever]

At the Palisades board they are having a poll to determine how many peopple would buy Sweetums if he was $40 with accessories or $35 without them. Uncle Duke is considering taking Sweetums as an exclusive for Boxing Cow, and that's how much it would cost. I really want Sweetums, but I can't afford that much.