Hasbro Makes it Hard to be an adult MLP Collector

[gabumon]

So it is not the quantity of the fans at issue.   It must be something else.  Like the belief that pony collectors don't want an expensive product aimed at the adult collector.  Many collectors just say they want a re-release of G1s- but you can grab those on ebay for less than what it would cost Hasbro to make them for us again.   

I think that is probably the bottom line. Something about our perceived demographic says we don't want expensive collectables.

[lovesbabysquirmy]

So it is not the quantity of the fans at issue.   It must be something else.  Like the belief that pony collectors don't want an expensive product aimed at the adult collector.  Many collectors just say they want a re-release of G1s- but you can grab those on ebay for less than what it would cost Hasbro to make them for us again.   

I think that is probably the bottom line. Something about our perceived demographic says we don't want expensive collectables.

Yep, we are very comfortable with a toy in the $5-10 range.  It's always been that way - if you account for inflation, a pony in-store cost the same in the 80's.  Which works perfectly for most consumers - if they can't afford the Barbie, they get the single pony...  30 years of comfortable profits in this style have made Hasbro hesitant to try ANYTHING where they might suffer a loss.    It's probably also why they are licensing so much out...

[Roseprincess1]

OK.. this is probably going to tell everyone here.. how old i really am.. but...
I remember a time when both MLP and TF had died out almost completely.  Liking either was the mark or a recluse or freak.
they actually had an episode of CSI when it first come out and marked an adult collector as a pedo that used the toys to
attract the attention of kids so he could harm them.
THIS is the reputation that collectors of both MLP and TF  had less than a decade ago.
However now thanks to things like FIM and The TF : bayformers movies... its considered not only ok to be a collector of these things over the age
of nine, but something trendy and cool.
I think there could be some cool releases for adults only.. but i have to agree that i think the line is fine just the way it is now.

Rather than i think putting pressure on the company, I think we should just enjoy the stuff they offer now.
I collect both TF's and MLP's ( hasbro needs to give me stock!)
and I really dont know if i consider the re-release of predaking and new release of fort max coddling. Those things cost a small fortune! Preda king goes for 70.00+ and for max is almost 150.00+
 
Yah.. no...
its also like the fact giant talking twilight is almost 50.00+ too.
neither of these offers of Uber collectables get my attention.
And lately the tf l ine has been kinda lackluster for me. No good classics have come out and as much as i like the tf prime series ... the toys dont do anything for me.
So h onestly for someone who likes both... i think hasbro is doing just fine.
A lil more originality on both sides would be better.
but as an adult collector i think what they have so far is pretty awesome. 

[Tirac]

they actually had an episode of CSI when it first come out and marked an adult collector as a pedo that used the toys to
attract the attention of kids so he could harm them.

Didn't CSI do this to furries too?
They really need to stop slandering groups of people.

I could easily see though about how collecting toys is "frowned upon" in society. People will just get so judgemental sometimes. I'm sure if everyone was more open to collecting that there'd be more of a demand for collector items.

[elish2]

It is not like we are hoarders, or crazy. It is something that makes us smile and be happy. I think when most people are confronted with a childhood item, whether it be tv shows, toys etc., they all get hit with a smile of nostalgia.

People collect all sorts of things: Bugs, Stamps, Coins, porcelain dolls, spoons, plates, etc., but those are not looked down upon. Maybe people think it is childish to collect a type of toy, but don't most collections spring out from something from childhood?

[NoDivision]

So it is not the quantity of the fans at issue.   It must be something else.  Like the belief that pony collectors don't want an expensive product aimed at the adult collector.  Many collectors just say they want a re-release of G1s- but you can grab those on ebay for less than what it would cost Hasbro to make them for us again.   

I think that is probably the bottom line. Something about our perceived demographic says we don't want expensive collectables.

Yep, we are very comfortable with a toy in the $5-10 range.  It's always been that way - if you account for inflation, a pony in-store cost the same in the 80's.  Which works perfectly for most consumers - if they can't afford the Barbie, they get the single pony...  30 years of comfortable profits in this style have made Hasbro hesitant to try ANYTHING where they might suffer a loss.    It's probably also why they are licensing so much out...

Now if only they'd keep GIVING us single ponies! Ugh.

[gabumon]

^ "single non mane six ponies worth collecting".

[Navi]

Reading through this thread, I realized how surprised I am that Hasbro didn't do anything for the 30th anniversary! I remember there being special stuff for the 25th, and that was only a few years ago.

[hathorcat]

So it is not the quantity of the fans at issue.   It must be something else.  Like the belief that pony collectors don't want an expensive product aimed at the adult collector.  Many collectors just say they want a re-release of G1s- but you can grab those on ebay for less than what it would cost Hasbro to make them for us again.   

I think that is probably the bottom line. Something about our perceived demographic says we don't want expensive collectables.

Yep, we are very comfortable with a toy in the $5-10 range.  It's always been that way - if you account for inflation, a pony in-store cost the same in the 80's.  Which works perfectly for most consumers - if they can't afford the Barbie, they get the single pony...  30 years of comfortable profits in this style have made Hasbro hesitant to try ANYTHING where they might suffer a loss.    It's probably also why they are licensing so much out...

Now if only they'd keep GIVING us single ponies! Ugh.

this so much I dont even have enough nodding smilies to agree

[CoonhoundBetty]

^ "single non mane six ponies worth collecting".

yes!

[MidnightVelvet]

^ "single non mane six ponies worth collecting".

Yes!!!

Reading through this thread, I realized how surprised I am that Hasbro didn't do anything for the 30th anniversary! I remember there being special stuff for the 25th, and that was only a few years ago.

I can't believe they did nothing! The 30th anniversary is *little* more important then the 25th.

[Galactica]

My guess is that the 25th Anniversary ponies just didn't sell very well.

[Bubble_Trouble]

And I will admit I am in a royal huff over the lack of 30th Anniversary anything.

I agree. I got so excited when I realised it was the 30th anniversary.... Then nothing. Big let down! 

[MoonStars]

Interesting thread.

I, too, am one who is happy to purchase the "non collector aimed" $5-$10 toys, but would prefer to see more single-pack variety (like that little spurt that included Feathermay, Snowcatcher, and several other non-mane six). I do not expect any toy company  to cater to adult collectors... In fact, to me, being a collector means finding what's out there, deciding what you like, and going after those (unless you're a completionist of course heh), not dictating what needs to be out there (mind you, I won't complain if they listen to our wish lists, though!!).

I appreciate the attempt they made with the new ponies coming out that have a TAF-y look to them, although I find them a little garish (compared to the beautiful G1 TAFs);  they're still a nice change from the norm.

And I dearly, dearly miss the art ponies and the MLP fair having its own exclusive. 

[Star Spark]

As with a couple of others here, THIS adult collector would be satisfied with a wider variety of single pack brushables- I feel like they had the right idea early on with rotating the mane 6 among waves of new characters, then they just sort of... stopped. Pretty much the only way now to get non-Mane 6 brushables is by buying sets that almost inevitably include at least one of them, anyway, and frankly I just don't have the money anymore to be dropping $15-35 just for a few new characters and a bunch I already have, so I've essentially stopped collecting. I'm not looking for high end stuff, just NEW stuff.

In regards to MLP vs. other lines like Transformers and G.I. Joe, though, I think an important factor is the continuity of the characters and mythos- TF and Joe have, for better or for worse, become largely tied to the same characters and scenarios they had in the '80s, which helps attract adult collectors who want a "modern" version of Wheeljack or Lifeline or some other classic character, but can still make a compelling toy for kids, too (well, maybe not Lifeline, but I like to think as a kid I'd at least have appreciated his array of miniature medical accessories.) MLP seems to almost willfully ignore everything pre-G3 in its main line, which prevents that sort of integration of a secondary "adult" market into the main toyline. At the risk of sounding like a broken record, I'd love to see G4 versions of classic characters like Moondancer (who already has a G4 equivalent in the comics to go with her name drop in the show), Wind Whistler and Mimic- might even be willing to buy one of those expensive sets to get them.