PantherCult
Make Mine M'Baku
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Also in my description it would be repaints so as not to impact HasLab uniqueness.
Snow C.A.T. Live!
- Thread starter Chooch555
- Start date
altcunningham
Laura Rings Enthusiast
Even as a HasLabs backer, at least the Dragonfly seemed to go out of the way to offer a variant vs the Mainstream Collective version. I could see Glenda being exclusive simply because she was already a rework and inside baseball anyway.
And why not repurpose all the Cobra bodies?
I'm still wondering why the Crimson Baroness never got her black repaint release minus the extra heads. Seemed clear cut to me.
I tend to forget that the sequel to the HAVOC is the SnowCAT. Makes little sense, since the CAT is an older vehicle than the HAVOC. That’s like upgrading from CDs to cassettes. I’d still be into a SnowCAT in HAVOC colors though…
The recent preorder for the 84 Proton Pack would lend a lot of credence to the idea that Hasbro will eventually get around to releasing, at the least, a HISS. Probably using the Haslab mold to some degree.
The 84 Proton is $300 vs $400 for the Haslab. So a 25% price decrease. If the same holds for a possible HISS it would be $225 for a stripped down HISS compared to the $300 Haslab. Now that is pretty pricey for what would be, I assume, a stripped down HISS with 1 figure. I would tend to believe it won't be that high. Based on the fact that the highest priced vehicle to date is $100 (retail release). However a HISS still wouldn't come in under $150 most likely.
And as with most fandoms there will be the usual cadre of complainers who say it isn't worth the price, but will people be willing to pay $150+ for a HISS that they may think of as inferior to the Haslab? Also what version would they release? Classic black? Blue? Crimson? Arctic? Lots of choices but which will bring the most bang for the buck?
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altcunningham
Laura Rings Enthusiast
They could include a $50 bill in every Classified figure and some cadre would complain about the way it was folded inside the package.
Fletch
Pensive
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I paid no attention to that one at all. Is it different than the COIL version? Better?
For me, at least, the original HAVOC is on the wrong side of ludicrous. It's really just the dumbest thing for a guy like me who wants military(ish) figures in military(ish) vehicles.
But, I really like the design of a good half-track, so the HAVOC II repaint of the snowcat was a step in the right direction for me. And as a bonus, the way this HasLab is designed, it solves the problem of wanting a troop transport, but not one that will hide all the figures it's transporting.
altcunningham
Laura Rings Enthusiast
The legs and torso are from the Coil/Retro.
Arms are new double jointed and different gauntlets that are less obtrusive. Neck piece is different with a V cut and throat showing. Doesn't have the pauldrons.
Heads were all new and different facial proportions with a normal face, sexy lip bite, and a masked look. Circle glasses. They don't require slots like the Retro, just fit the face.
Alternate new hair options to swap on the heads.
The back to black or even blue seemed inevitable.
Is it better? To me it runs rings solely off of the portraits and double elbows.
altcunningham
Laura Rings Enthusiast
Only shot I have access to at the moment.
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That's what I was thinking - I don't know if they can get the price down to where it would make retailers happy, and I'd bet a lot of retailers would scoff at the box size. But a Pulse exclusive pre-order type deal? Why not?
Are we talking about the same collectors that will go on eBay and buy the newest Marvel Legends figure that hasn't hit stores yet for a 120% mark-up just because they've gotta have it 3 weeks earlier than everyone else? I think most of them will buy the fancy exclusive HasLab version of a vehicle rather than wait several more years and -hope- it gets released some other way, and -hope- that the other release doesn't remove features they liked in the HasLab, and -hope- the new release is in a color scheme they want.
Obviously, we can't know the actual impact. It's guesswork on our end. I'd just be surprised if it has a dramatic impact on sales that people think, maybe, that a very similar item, in a different color, will be released again at some point in the future for cheaper. Could definitely be wrong, though.
Fletch
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Those collectors will buy it regardless. I'm more vibing off the collectors who think electronics are an unwanted markup or who will skip a figure because they're waiting for it to go on sale.
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Totally valid.
I think my gut reaction to that is largely that those people aren't buying HasLabs anyway, but you may entice them with a cheaper option down the line, so it becomes a win-win. But as I said, I could be completely off-base here. I don't know anyone that's willing to give me the kind of information to be informed enough to feel good about saying 'I really think I'm right.' It's just gut instinct I'm working off of.
PantherCult
Make Mine M'Baku
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So... HasLabs have traditionally (with the exception of Giant Man) come with eexclusive figures - that is a draw all on its own - especially if some never see a single package release later. Additionally as has been outlined, the retail/made for preorder version can be a repaint so it doesn't entirely duplicate the HasLab version and finally the less expensive repaint doesn't have to have sounds and lights. I think all of that should be enough to keepbthe HasLab safe. Especially since you won't know for sure if a non HasLab version is a certainty. Say HasLabs do a take a hit and sell 9,000 units instead of 12,000.
But that means the cost of the designs and molds is all paid for up front. So those secondary releases only cost materials and packaging, so the profit margin is bigger even if the price is significantly lower. So if they sell 10,000 of the cheaper release they've more than made up for the dip in HasLab sales.
I think Hasbro is leaving money on the table if they don't at least try to repurpose their Classified HasLabs into lower cost options.
But that means the cost of the designs and molds is all paid for up front. So those secondary releases only cost materials and packaging, so the profit margin is bigger even if the price is significantly lower. So if they sell 10,000 of the cheaper release they've more than made up for the dip in HasLab sales.
I think Hasbro is leaving money on the table if they don't at least try to repurpose their Classified HasLabs into lower cost options.
A Crimson HISS at $150 is being strongly hinted at in Joe circles. Several people with inside knowledge hinted at a red $150 vehicle a while back. The Thunder Machine was not it. And there have been suggestions to not bet against a stripped down red HISS being the vehicle. Frankly, I'm fine with them offering a stripped down Haslab HISS. However, I have zero interest in a red one. I'd be tempted by a blue HISS. And now that the Snow Cat is in the pipeline, a white HISS would be tempting as well.
Baroness on her new body seems like an obvious release at some point. Hopefully a blue version as well, with her blue matching the retro Cobra Troopers/Vipers.
Baroness on her new body seems like an obvious release at some point. Hopefully a blue version as well, with her blue matching the retro Cobra Troopers/Vipers.