Con Set Quantity Reduced

[cmderinchief]

Could have seen this one coming. Just got an email from the GIJCC. Qty is now 600 down from 750. That is the lowest since the Crimson set in '02.

[spiderpumpkin]

I was surprised. I thought just the opposite and figured they might increase the size due to the cool army builders. They must have seen a lot fewer registrations early on compared to previous years and adjusted accordingly. Not a good sign for the popularity of vintage style con figures compared to if they were 25th sets.

[cmderinchief]

Then again, they are sitting on sets going back to Disney, so maybe their numbers show a new sweet spot with qtys.

[Roadblock Recall]

don't the Joe sets always sell out though? perhaps not at the convention, but in the following months via their website.

[nacho]

I think the low numbers are due to this being en extremely weak set. While HHSTs and BATs are expensive on ebay, the whole HH / Gristle / DEF stuff is from a much later, less popular era, near the death of the original line. Lots of hardcore collectors are tied to the 80's classic era stuff. The 90's Joes are a neon abomination to many collectors, so there is no way they'd shell out that kind of money in a recession.

I just bought an original MOC Gristle on ebay for $9, so why would I want to pay nearly $20 for a turquoise version? Yeah, the BATs look ok, but not for that kind of money, especially with a classic-look 25th BAT hitting streets this summer for $6.84.

Last year's set was so chock-full of early Joe 80's goodness, and I just think they picked the wrong time to choose a set from a vastly less popular era.

90's figures + recession = much lower orders.

[RolandofGilead]

It seems like a smart business decision that has nothing to do with the quality of this particular set. You can still buy last year's incredible "Tanks for the Memories" set if you want along with the one from 2006 and 2004. I think they're trying to get a better return on investment and not get stuck with extra product again.

We all know that this reduction by only 50 sets will cause a panic in the collecting community and send prices for this (IMO) sub-par set through the roof.

[cmderinchief]

Originally Posted by Roadblock Recall

don't the Joe sets always sell out though? perhaps not at the convention, but in the following months via their website.

The con exclusives normally do a good job at selling out, but you can go back and get complete convention boxed (and bagged) sets dating all the way back to '03. Ya can't find the Crimson and Black Dragon sets anymore other than on eBay

Originally Posted by RolandofGilead

It seems like a smart business decision that has nothing to do with the quality of this particular set. You can still buy last year's incredible "Tanks for the Memories" set if you want along with the one from 2006 and 2004. I think they're trying to get a better return on investment and not get stuck with extra product again.

We all know that this reduction by only 50 sets will cause a panic in the collecting community and send prices for this (IMO) sub-par set through the roof.

Roland gets it I think. ;)

[coola784]

i pre ordered a bats off ebay. i want a stormtrooper too but i paid like 24.00 with shipping just for 1 bats. so the stormtrooper might have to wait seeing as im trying to collect so much right now.

ive never been to a convention and was just wondering if the sets are still like 250-370 like on ebay? or are they alot cheaper?

[cmderinchief]

This year's set is $275. Is the $250 sets you've seen this year's loose or previous years'?

Ultimately, it is cheaper at the con. Quick story....I was an at-home attendee in '02 with the Crimson set. No one knew about the HISS until reg night. On-site attendees could only get this. I found one on eBay, got into a bidding war and when it was all said and done with, I had a tank that cost me the better part of an airline tix. Right then and there, I decided to go to San Fran in '03. The real irony to this story....KB came out with their own Crimson set a few years later, which included the tank for $20. D'oh!!!

I can't really put into words how much fun they are just to hang with your fellow Joe Bros. This will be my 6th. Begin planning and budgeting now for '08!! ;)

[cmderinchief]

Want to read another kicker? Con Vets will be disappointed to know that the Sky BAT para figure is not included with this year's set as para figs have been in years past. You will have to catch or buy 'em.