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04-04-2010, 01:11 PM | #1 |
Hisstank.Com General
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Ohio
Posts: 5,662
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Not one week ago I purchased my first Transformers movie figure. The Voyager class Optimus. It was on sale for 15 bucks and I couldn't find anything new so I said, "Hell, why not?". This is a line/lines I have avoided like the plague since their release in 2007. I just couldn't afford to get into another line and these didn't interest me that much.
What I've found is that in the past week I have made three subsequent trips to the store and now have seven ROTF toys gracing my shelves. All it took was that first figure to get me hooked. And so my question is, much like a crack dealer where the first one's always free, would it be in Hasbro's best interest to mail out vouchers when new product lines emerge entitling the bearer to one free "basic" figure from the line. I ask this knowing there will be skeptics of the whole idea, but my logic is that had I gotten one of these three years ago as opposed to a week ago, I may have a hundred by now. This would certainly have been profitable to Hasbro especially if multiplied by 100,000 or so. Plus from a good customer relations aspect, parents and collectors alike would be pleased. There are pros and cons, but I'd just like to see other perspectives on the whole concept. |
04-04-2010, 02:41 PM | #2 |
a state of peace
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Texas
Posts: 61,136
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Bad idea. Too many people would abuse it just like the fake coupons that already plague Target/TRU/Walmart. I was at Target a month ago and despite their policy of no printed/online coupons, the register person was accepting them from the woman ahead of me. She bought $120+ in stuff for $22.78 after all the "coupons". How does that not raise a red flag in your head as a cashier?
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04-04-2010, 07:59 PM | #3 |
I LIVE!
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Altus, OK
Posts: 6,087
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More importantly, in the case of Transformers, a free figure voucher isn't very necessary. "Free figure" type offers (be it a straight up freebie or mail away) are typically done to generate or maintain interest in the brand.
Transformers is pretty much the only brand out right now that is actively receiving new waves DESPITE being in the off season going against newer movie tie in features. A straight up free coupon is also, as said, ripe for abuse. Hasbro has been offering coupons though, coupons.com offers $5 a $20 purchase for Star Wars and Iron Man 2. Those are nice and TRU is almost always running some sort of "buy one, get one half off" to get those casual sales the OP describes. But in the end, if a consumer has no interest in the product, no amount of incentive short of free will get their interest. But "free" is very expensive to toy companies.
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04-04-2010, 08:03 PM | #4 |
lets talk about cats
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: EAST COAST
Posts: 4,342
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Oh man Ravage has been calling my name calling my name every time I am at the toy aisle.
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04-04-2010, 08:34 PM | #5 |
Cobra Scientist
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Michigan
Posts: 768
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I would be awake day and night trying to abuse free figure coupons. I think it's a great idea!
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04-04-2010, 08:50 PM | #6 |
The Viper is Not Coming
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Cobra-La
Posts: 1,532
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from a marketing and promotional standpoint, that idea would be way to expensive for the toy company. even if they put a sticker on it saying "free figure for buying this figure (coupon inside)", they would run into numerous problems, a mail away offer I guess for a figure I could understand. but in theory they more less do this when they offer sales where the figures become 2 for 10 or 2 for 20. plus this makes the people come out during the sale and buy up the stock thinking this is their only chance, plus it gives the shopper a rush. plus everyone would do like CobraVirus is doing then we'd have an overstock of those basic figs on ebay and they prolly wouldn't be fast sellers on their so people would be losing their money to ebay.
and on a side note...maybe you are appreciating the figure more because you find it so cool at such a good deal. plus now if you seek out the older figs you know what to expect in terms of coolness...so in a weird way...everybody wins here! |
04-04-2010, 09:19 PM | #7 |
Hisstank.Com General
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Ohio
Posts: 5,662
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One way around the abuse might be to offer a one coupon per name/address type deal. Something where the consumer fills out a paper and sends it in. Sure some people would get their friends and family on board to snag a few extras, but ultimately I don't think it would be super abusable, especially if the manufacturer stuck a very limited time frame on it. Again, I understand it's not going to happen and if it did there would be problems. Just thinking it would be a sweet deal to lure in those "maybe I'll get this one day" type folks such as myself.
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