After some of the challenges of acquiring Masters of the Universe Classics figures from Mattycollector.com in 2009, not to mention the middle of the night get-ups for this timezone-challenged Antipodean, I decided that signing up for a MOTUC 2010 Subscription was a prudent move. Today’s Adora sale was the test case for how this process was going to go, so I was watching with anticipation to see how things worked out.
I didn’t get Beast-Man the first time around, but decide to skip getting up in the middle of the night and hope he’d last until the morning. I was pleased to see he did, but really surprised to see that Adora was already sold out – apparently in under 30 minutes. I was grateful for my subscription – assuming it would work. Happily – I received shipping confirmation for her tonight. Mattel gets an “A” for the first part of the process.
As for when she’ll arrive, that’s another question. Mattel really needs to get the international shipping happening in a timely fashion. I’m not about to pay the mega-bucks for UPS shipping, but Digital River’s version of “First Class International” is what you might call the Mega Extended Version. My order on 15 November (Colour of Fear, He-Man, Scareglow) arrived at the start of the New Year. This was a bit longer than normal, but not by much. My 15 December order (Justice in the Jungle, King Randor) is yet to arrive. By comparison, another e-tailer I use regularly uses FCI and it generally takes 5 business days. Dunno what the deal is with this, but from winding my way around the web, I am finding that other international customers, even my friends in Canada, are experiencing similar delays. I’d really love to see something done about speeding this process up.
As for Adora selling out so quickly – that was a surprise. One might have expected that Mattel would have produced a good amount of product beyond the subscription items – was there really that much demand for her? Makes me dread the upcoming Battle Cat sale!
Still, Step One of the subscription process worked, so Mattel has full marks for the moment. I’ll keep you posted!
Have a subscription story of your own to tell? Discuss it at the AFB Forum!
Until next time!
12 comments:
I too was glad to see the confirmation e-mail. The subscription is a great idea but I don't understand why they don't up the fee and send you every release for the year. None of this garbage about special figures here and there that we aren't eligible for. BOO! I dread the Battle Cat release as well.
I'm still waiting for the Goddess and Randor here in Canada as well. I think it's even longer than usual because of the holidays. Xmas, Boxing Day, New Years all fell on weekdays, so no mail was moving, even the Monday after all the holidays...no mail moved.I usually get my order almost a month to the day when I order them, although Scareglow only 2 weeks.
I decided to jump into MOTUC a little bit yesterday and ordered Beastman. I didn't make arrangements to be at the computer at noon, so I wasn't mad about not being able to get Adora.
Didn't expect such a quick sellout on Adora. I'm really worried about getting Trap Jaw and Battle Cat next month.
With all the grief you guys are going through for these figures, I'm hoping Hasbro don't decide to go down the same path. I think they probably could do it for Marvel Legends and reinvigorate the line... but they'd need a decent on line ordering system, which thus far they do not seem to have.
And those shipping delays sound like they would have been hampered by the New Year/Festive Season, and really a month is a bit long.
Still I could be dealing with ToyGlobe again...
Haven't got my Dec 15th order either. First Class normally takes at most 2 weeks for me. Quickest I've had is 4 days.
I've heard people are having less problems this month with the subscription than in October or last month. So all appears to be well, I think?
Didn't order a 2010 subscription as I'm moving and also ordered from my old address. Its so hard to change you're address through Digital River if you get a new credit card or move. There are dozens of horror stories on various forums.
Looks like I'll be using BBTS and E-Bay from now on to get figures. I'm only interested in heroic warriors I don't have (with exception of Sy-Klone) and POP figures anyway. Looks like there won't be too many offered up in 2010 from the rumors. Keldor, She-Ra are coming and I think we might get classic King Hsss. I'd rather have a new 200X King Hsss but there's no chance they'll do bonus figures since those have been reduced to one per quarter. Sorceress also isn't scheduled until year. A LONG WAIT for me but its good on the wallet. Still its depressing to have to wait for 6 months until San Diego Comic Con to see their 4th Quarter 2010 figures.
I really hope I can get that Adora, I missed the boat this time. I've heard that the same day, Adora's started to pop up in ebay at 40 bucks a piece. It might have been a lie... Anyone can confirm it?
Good thing I didn't want Adora that much, didn't remember it was sale day until about 1 o'clock. Going to have to make a sticky or something to get Battlecat.
its funy you know to actually see a praise for Mattel once in a while but I still believe they should research more in the collector ground to be able to some day do things right ahh! that and either increazing production run or putting an smaller limit on the amount you can get because common! what collector is gonna get 10 figures of the same type anyone who does that is to sell the other 9 in ebay!!!
I'm not a big enough fan of the line to subscribe. I pick and choose which figures I want, and my job lets me be available to order right when they go up.
Of course, I think I've ordered at least one every month since Teela.
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