Bromine
Dec 3rd, 2000, 07:10:03 PM
Now that Hasbro has said there won't be any new figures in Canada (or something along those lines), a lot of us up here are understandably disappointed. Especially disappointed are those of us who don't routinely make trips down to the U.S.
I've heard a lot of people (mostly on-line) complain that Hasbro obviously doesn't understand the market up here but figure we're all poor and dismisses Canada out of ignorance. There's even a handful of online petitions out there to show Hasbro that interest in the line still exists, assuming that Hasbro believes there is no demand for new toys.
Well, although I'm being pessimistic, here's why I don't think it will work and why Hasbro isn't entirely to blame:
First of all, Hasbro has sold many toys, including Star Wars, in Canada for many years. Obviously, they know the market up here and realise we do buy things. They've seen the way stuff has sold in the past. It's not like they just never tried selling up here. Second, just because Hasbro decided not to sell up here doesn't mean they think no one in Canada wants action figures. The sad fact is that even if there are hundreds or thousands of die-hard collectors North of the border, it might not be enough to cover the costs of keeping the distribution network open (this includes warehouses and the like). Third, I'm not all that knowledgeable on Hasbro's exact reasons for shutting down, but for any toy to sell the retail support has to be there. If Wal-Mart and ToysRUs decided that they couldn't sell the figures at the current price, and they couldn't turn a profit if they lowered the costs, then that's that. Hasbro can't force retailers to carry something they don't want.
Am I disappointed that I can't get new action figures? Darned right I am. Am I blaming anyone? Not really. I'm not saying people can't be upset, but let's not think we know the international market better than a multi-million dollar company.
I've heard a lot of people (mostly on-line) complain that Hasbro obviously doesn't understand the market up here but figure we're all poor and dismisses Canada out of ignorance. There's even a handful of online petitions out there to show Hasbro that interest in the line still exists, assuming that Hasbro believes there is no demand for new toys.
Well, although I'm being pessimistic, here's why I don't think it will work and why Hasbro isn't entirely to blame:
First of all, Hasbro has sold many toys, including Star Wars, in Canada for many years. Obviously, they know the market up here and realise we do buy things. They've seen the way stuff has sold in the past. It's not like they just never tried selling up here. Second, just because Hasbro decided not to sell up here doesn't mean they think no one in Canada wants action figures. The sad fact is that even if there are hundreds or thousands of die-hard collectors North of the border, it might not be enough to cover the costs of keeping the distribution network open (this includes warehouses and the like). Third, I'm not all that knowledgeable on Hasbro's exact reasons for shutting down, but for any toy to sell the retail support has to be there. If Wal-Mart and ToysRUs decided that they couldn't sell the figures at the current price, and they couldn't turn a profit if they lowered the costs, then that's that. Hasbro can't force retailers to carry something they don't want.
Am I disappointed that I can't get new action figures? Darned right I am. Am I blaming anyone? Not really. I'm not saying people can't be upset, but let's not think we know the international market better than a multi-million dollar company.