Hasbro wants our Questions:

[obidad]

I know I read the question on some otheR Site's summary and had no clue what it was in reference to.  I looked forward to making the jump to find out if either Hasbro knew what the question was in reference to or if they would answer similarly to what they replied.

[Darth Spice]

This wasn't the first time a question was wasted, as sometimes I take for granted the QnA team knows not just Star Wars but Hasbro in general. I asked a question once if Kota the Triceratops would be a candidate to be converted to a ANH Dewback but I think we TOTALLY lost them on that one. 

[CommanderNaruto]

i thought the question was in reference to the P.O.S. repainted ARC-170 that  no way in hell is going to sell, hell i can go to TRU and buy their ARC and repaint it myself if i wanted it that bad

[Major fett]

Even if we'd have included ARC-170 in the question Hasbro's answer would probably still been  who... what...why ...where??? because they've repainted 40 of damn things already and have lost track of witch one was jacked up $40 dollars!

[Darth Spice]

I'm going to try and put the fire out on question number one. Did I drop the ball? Sure if you want to call it that, go for it. They should be in touch with their product enough to know, OR since it takes 3 weeks to answer 3 questions, they could have asked for elaboration 3 weeks ago, not when they are returned.

Remember this is for fun, not live and death and unlike many of the other sites that offer the Q & A feature, we actually have OTHER content that in my mind is MORE important than 3 questions I could answer with a six pack and an ask Yoda. (Most of the time)

If you can't deal with a mistake happening here and there, don't bother coming here. No other member needs to reply with foul mouthed rants. And again SORRY you didn't find what you were searching for this time, I'm sure they'll follow the question up soon.

[jokabofe]

No other member needs to reply with foul mouthed rants.

OK, let me try again...

Whoever accepts/edits questions for submission totally dropped the ball on number 1. Why would you make them guess what you're asking about? We wasted a question there...too bad.

I know I read the question on some otheR Site's summary and had no clue what it was in reference to.  I looked forward to making the jump to find out if either Hasbro knew what the question was in reference to or if they would answer similarly to what they replied.

Those have to be two of the dumbest statements I think I've ever read. You know damn well that Hasbro knows what we are talking about. It's idiots like you two that made me not want to be a part of this site and give up my staff position. Idiots like you that can't appreciate what sites like this offer you, free of charge.

By all means JTKenobi, start your own site so you can send your own questions. I'm sure you have tons of pertinent, well worded questions that Hasbro would love to answer and would be of interest to millions and millions of fans.

AND BTW - what's with this "We wasted a question there" line JTKenobi?? How can you consider yourself a part of the "we" if this is the first time you've EVER posted to this forum? How can you justify that?

[dustrho]

Touché.

[Trooper31]

Remember this is for fun, not live and death and unlike many of the other sites that offer the Q & A feature, we actually have OTHER content that in my mind is MORE important than 3 questions I could answer with a six pack and an ask Yoda. (Most of the time)

I figure Hasbro knew exactly what was meant by that question, but they did not have a real answer.  From what I've heard, hasbro wants to create a $60 vehicle range for things like the TCW Y-Wing.  Of course, to insure/increase a profit in that line, they needed a repaint to be packed in with the Y-Wing (not like the Y-Wing won't sell well enough), so they decided on a ship that was about the same size, the ARC-170, and decided to throw that into the $60 line. They can say all they want about the price of oil, packaging, labor, etc, but a huge amount of money for any product goes into it's development.  They have the mold, it's just a matter of manufacturing more. 


Anyway, to get to the part that I quoted.  Since the Q&As are for fun, would it be possible to have Hasbro's answers follwoed by what the Ask Yoda said next time?

[jokabofe]

Are there any plans to release some of the older, hard-to-find figures in the Saga Legends line any time soon? I thought that was what this sub-line was for in the first place? Instead of re-releasing versions of C-3P0 and Luke that are still peg warming in their original packages, why not release figures like Episode 1 Sio Bibble and Ascension Gun Padme, Saga Ephont Mon or Lars' Homestead Padme, or the Expanded Universe Spacetrooper and Imperial Sentinel? And speaking of these re-releases that you love so much, have you ever given any thought to another sub-line of re-releases aimed strictly at the army builders? You could call it Armies of Star Wars or something like that, and just keep figures like Stormtroopers, Death Star Troopers, TIE Pilots, Clone Troopers, etc. in circulation continuously since those are the figures that sell the best most of the time. And I'm sure a lot of collectors would love to be able to walk into Target or WalMart and pick up a handful of Stormtroopers any day of the week instead of waiting for them to be re-inserted into the line.

[SHB033196]

Are there any plans to release some of the older, hard-to-find figures in the Saga Legends line any time soon? I thought that was what this sub-line was for in the first place? Instead of re-releasing versions of C-3P0 and Luke that are still peg warming in their original packages, why not release figures like Episode 1 Sio Bibble and Ascension Gun Padme, Saga Ephont Mon or Lars' Homestead Padme, or the Expanded Universe Spacetrooper and Imperial Sentinel? And speaking of these re-releases that you love so much, have you ever given any thought to another sub-line of re-releases aimed strictly at the army builders? You could call it Armies of Star Wars or something like that, and just keep figures like Stormtroopers, Death Star Troopers, TIE Pilots, Clone Troopers, etc. in circulation continuously since those are the figures that sell the best most of the time. And I'm sure a lot of collectors would love to be able to walk into Target or WalMart and pick up a handful of Stormtroopers any day of the week instead of waiting for them to be re-inserted into the line.

That's a hell of an idea right there Dave. Beats the living heck out of the legends concept.

[Commander Ando]

I'm not vehemently opposed to a $60.00 price point on medium sized vehicles, but at least give us something that isn't really obscure like an Imperial ARC-170. It's a cool concept and would look pretty sweet with my Darth Vader Imperial Interceptor JSF, but if I get it, I'll probably only get 1-2 instead of 4 like my other ARC-170's.

I would easily pay $60.00 for a release of the AotC Republic Gunship (maroon+yellow/green paint job). I've only found 2 on the secondary market and missed out in 2002 when they were readily available at my TRU for $30.00(!). Or if they put out a variety of the individualized squad LAAT/i's like the Lucky Lekku.

I won't be able to army build at $60.00 like I can at $30.00, $40.00, or even $50.00, but I would buy what I could.

But for $60.00 I'd like something new and exciting like the CW Y Wing (I will buy a couple of these).

[Major fett]

Are there any plans to release some of the older, hard-to-find figures in the Saga Legends line any time soon? I thought that was what this sub-line was for in the first place? Instead of re-releasing versions of C-3P0 and Luke that are still peg warming in their original packages, why not release figures like Episode 1 Sio Bibble and Ascension Gun Padme, Saga Ephont Mon or Lars' Homestead Padme, or the Expanded Universe Spacetrooper and Imperial Sentinel? And speaking of these re-releases that you love so much, have you ever given any thought to another sub-line of re-releases aimed strictly at the army builders? You could call it Armies of Star Wars or something like that, and just keep figures like Stormtroopers, Death Star Troopers, TIE Pilots, Clone Troopers, etc. in circulation continuously since those are the figures that sell the best most of the time. And I'm sure a lot of collectors would love to be able to walk into Target or WalMart and pick up a handful of Stormtroopers any day of the week instead of waiting for them to be re-inserted into the line.

That's a hell of an idea right there Dave. Beats the living heck out of the legends concept.

I will third this question as well!
I have no idea why we need fifteen SL: Plo Koons clogging the pegs when we've seen this figure in the Walmart droid sets too nobody's army building this guy! I also have to add OTC Queen Amidala, and Oppo Rancisis to the list.

[Trooper31]

I agree with the armies of Star Wars concept.  I'd like to see either battle packs or 2 packs with snowtroopers, sotrmtroopers, DSTs, and rebel trooper army builder figures as well (only newer SA molds like the upcoming Hoth trooper).  I would love to be able to walk into a store and find handful of snowtroopers and leave feeling ok, because there are still a few handfuls of army builders left for the others.

Great question and idea.

[Darth Spice]

This is exactly the positive outcome that I had hoped would restore to this thread. Are we as a staff, group or community perfect? No. The great thing is sometimes a greater good can come out of something bad. Outstanding idea Dave!

[jokabofe]

Yeah I'm sure that 85% of collectors out there would prefer that idea to the current Legends... which is why it'll never happen. 

Here's another one...

Have you ever considered re-tooling the vintage display stand and re-releasing it to fit with the modern size peg holes in figure's feet? Now I'm sure that the 12 figures that fit on the original wouldn't put a dent in most collector's collections at this point, but it would be a great nod to the original line. Perhaps when the vintage style figures are put back into the rotation for the line, we could get vintage versions of all 12 original figures - on Star Wars cardbacks - and then the mail away bonus item could be the stand? This way it could display the same figures as the original version did, just updated versions. Or, perhaps re-releasing the 12 actual vintage mold figures (similar to the vintage 4-pack that was released when POTF started back up in 1995?) on single cards with a mail in promo for the stand?

[lordabell]

Are there any plans to release some of the older, hard-to-find figures in the Saga Legends line any time soon? I thought that was what this sub-line was for in the first place? Instead of re-releasing versions of C-3P0 and Luke that are still peg warming in their original packages, why not release figures like Episode 1 Sio Bibble and Ascension Gun Padme, Saga Ephont Mon or Lars' Homestead Padme, or the Expanded Universe Spacetrooper and Imperial Sentinel? And speaking of these re-releases that you love so much, have you ever given any thought to another sub-line of re-releases aimed strictly at the army builders? You could call it Armies of Star Wars or something like that, and just keep figures like Stormtroopers, Death Star Troopers, TIE Pilots, Clone Troopers, etc. in circulation continuously since those are the figures that sell the best most of the time. And I'm sure a lot of collectors would love to be able to walk into Target or WalMart and pick up a handful of Stormtroopers any day of the week instead of waiting for them to be re-inserted into the line.

This a great idea because the only Legends figures I have bought since July when the lines changed has been the yellow and red ARCs and the yellow BARC trooper.  I look at everything else on the Legends card and then look 6 inches over and see it on it's original card.  I agree they need to do older, hard to find figures like they did at the end of the TACs Legends waves.  I really like when they card figures (like Zev) who were only availible as a pack-in figure before.  I want to see more of that (those are why I picked up what 3 new Legends figures I have).

[Commander Ando]

New Question(s):

"Dear Hasbro, when will we see a release on the Mace Windu and Luke Skywalker (RotJ) Force FX sabers?"

"Dear Hasbro, with the popularity of The Clone Wars, we will be seeing an Ahsoka Tano Force FX lightsaber any time soon?"

These questions can be rolled into one if need be. In fact, that would probably be best as to save room for other questions.

[westampton jedi]

Now that we have seen the new packaging can you tell us what waves or what figures will be re released in the new packaging?  Will we see Asajj or Medical Frigate Leia?

[Commander Ando]

Dear Hasbro,

Now that we are getting a new Republic Commando with articulated legs, and since we're already gotten Delta Squad and Omega Squad, what are the chances of Hasbro doing a series of four packs featuring the various Repbublic Commando squads? This could be a exclusive with Target or Toys R Us or an open retail item, but it would probably generate a lot of interest with collectors and army builders due to the popularity of the Republic Commando books, video game, current action figures, and just plain cool looking armor.

[Darth Spice]

THE latest:

From 2/27 Round:
1) How does a new paint job and box justify a $30 price increase on an "exclusive" that just came out in December (the ARC-170)?

Now we understand - thanks for clarifying. We're not sure where the $30 increase comes from, as the ARC-170 was marketed at $44.99 last Fall. But the answer to your question really lies in what our commitment and hope is long term for this vehicle SKU.  As we articulated at Toy Fair, we plan to run a limited number of ARC-170s to set the shelf while we work to get in the new exciting Clone Wars Y-Wing as quickly as possible. That is the reason this vehicle assortment exists at the price it does.  Without the ARC-170, this assortment would not exist as it may not make it out to retail until Sept. or Oct - later than retail would tolerate.  Thus, the Y-Wing exists because we were able to bring the ARC-170 out and the pricing for the assortment reflects the new tooling. Hopefully this assortment will be a success and we can look forward to continuing it in 2010 as well.


1) With all the remakes and upgrades you've done over the years on insignificant characters, is there any chance that we might ever see a new improved Admiral Ackbar figure anytime soon? He's only about the most important strategist that the rebellion has...

We do have our eye-stalks set on an update of the dear Admiral. Hopefully, he will debut before the end of 2010, if not, then he will be in the 2011 lineup.

2) Hasbro's newly revealed pilot/gunship turret pod battlepack comes with 2 pilots and one turret and looks AMAZING! To completely outfit 1 gunship, kids and collectors will need to purchase 2 battlepacks. Will we need to buy ahead and purchase extra battlepacks in anticipation of future gunship releases? Or will Hasbro release this battlepack in conjunction with any and all future gunship repaint/repack releases?

Excellent question.  This pack is designed to have a limited run - likely less than 12 months, as the Battle Pack format will change in Fall 2010 back to the original thin depth we used from 2006-2008.  This means that any of the sets developed for the deeper design will remain out of circulation, unless demand is so hot that get them back out as exclusives. Even then, it will likely take some time and there is never a guarantee they will come back out.  So best buy 'em when you see them...


3) Over the recent years we are finding at retail that figures packs are being returned to stores tampered with. In this case the actual figure and accessories have been swapped out but will keep a retailer from restocking because they believe they have actual product. Is it possible to use tamper resistant tape instead of the clear tape Hasbro uses?

We have looked at tamper resistant tape, but it is unusable for our needs. Luckily, the vast majority of collectors are upstanding citizens and the cases of tampering are rare.  Any collectors who see tampered product can return it to the customer service desk and notify store personnel, who can then report that tampered toy as damaged goods and effectively remove it from circulation and inventory.

[jokabofe]

WOW, where do I start? Just when I thought Hasbro couldn't get any stupider...

From 2/27 Round:
1) How does a new paint job and box justify a $30 price increase on an "exclusive" that just came out in December (the ARC-170)?

Now we understand - thanks for clarifying. We're not sure where the $30 increase comes from, as the ARC-170 was marketed at $44.99 last Fall. But the answer to your question really lies in what our commitment and hope is long term for this vehicle SKU.  As we articulated at Toy Fair, we plan to run a limited number of ARC-170s to set the shelf while we work to get in the new exciting Clone Wars Y-Wing as quickly as possible. That is the reason this vehicle assortment exists at the price it does.  Without the ARC-170, this assortment would not exist as it may not make it out to retail until Sept. or Oct - later than retail would tolerate.  Thus, the Y-Wing exists because we were able to bring the ARC-170 out and the pricing for the assortment reflects the new tooling. Hopefully this assortment will be a success and we can look forward to continuing it in 2010 as well.

OK. Stop. Back up a minute.

We're not sure where the $30 increase comes from, as the ARC-170 was marketed at $44.99 last Fall.

But, don't you guys make these items? And therefore, indirectly at some point, have a hand in setting the MSRP based on your cost/selling price? But wait...

But the answer to your question really lies in what our commitment and hope is long term for this vehicle SKU.

OK... what that means to me - and I could just be interpreting this wrong, so don't take this as 'gospel' - that says to me "The new Y-Wing is going to retail for $75, but since this is going to use the same SKU it has to have the same price point". That's what I'm reading into that statement. Am I just reading too much into it, or is that single most stupid f*****g thing I've ever heard? You've got to be f*****g kidding me with that one.

2) Hasbro's newly revealed pilot/gunship turret pod battlepack comes with 2 pilots and one turret and looks AMAZING! To completely outfit 1 gunship, kids and collectors will need to purchase 2 battlepacks. Will we need to buy ahead and purchase extra battlepacks in anticipation of future gunship releases? Or will Hasbro release this battlepack in conjunction with any and all future gunship repaint/repack releases?

Excellent question.  This pack is designed to have a limited run - likely less than 12 months, as the Battle Pack format will change in Fall 2010 back to the original thin depth we used from 2006-2008.  This means that any of the sets developed for the deeper design will remain out of circulation, unless demand is so hot that get them back out as exclusives. Even then, it will likely take some time and there is never a guarantee they will come back out.  So best buy 'em when you see them...

Translation: We know how to rip collectors off by taking full advantage of the fact that most collectors already own several gunships. So we decided that including 1 pod in each $24.95 battlepack would be the best way to piss people off. So yes, you will now have to spend an additional $50 to outfit each of your existing gunships with the pods that should have been included originally. And no, we don't think that making these pods available on a consistent basis going forward would be a good idea. We'd rather spend our resources on repacked figures like Saesee Tiin and Plo Koon that are already clogging the pegs like the arteries of a 400 pound man stuffing Whoppers down his gullet.

Hasbro, do you ever go outside your little cubicles and see what's going on in the real world? Do you not realized that something like this should have included 2 pods and 1 pilot instead? How the f**k am I supposed to outfit my gunship with 1 pod? I can't WAIT to see what the casepack ratio is going to be on these. I would be willing to put any amount of money on the ratio of this being an odd number like 1 or 3 packed into a case with a bunch of other s**t that's going to be sitting on shelves already, thus forcing retailers to purchase these cases in smaller amounts and making it next to f*****g impossible to get these at retail. Unless you want to order them from Brian's Toys for $64.99 because I'm sure he'll have a shitload of stock on hand.

3) Over the recent years we are finding at retail that figures packs are being returned to stores tampered with. In this case the actual figure and accessories have been swapped out but will keep a retailer from restocking because they believe they have actual product. Is it possible to use tamper resistant tape instead of the clear tape Hasbro uses?

We have looked at tamper resistant tape, but it is unusable for our needs. Luckily, the vast majority of collectors are upstanding citizens and the cases of tampering are rare.  Any collectors who see tampered product can return it to the customer service desk and notify store personnel, who can then report that tampered toy as damaged goods and effectively remove it from circulation and inventory.

WOW again. Tamper resistant tape is "unusable for our needs." How so? Because then you won't be able to rip the tape off when it comes time to repack the figures yourself?? How in the world would using tamper resistant tape similar to what's used on CD's where a logo gets left behind when the tape is removed be "unusable for our needs"??

Translation: Tamper resistant tape costs too much. Besides, once a retailer has those packs on their pegs, and have paid their bill with us, why the f**k should we care that people are ripping them off?

[jacensolo66]

so where do u get $75 for the y-wing and imperial arc-170 when the toyfair report says the msrp is $60?

[Napseeker]

I also really don't like that I have to buy 2 BPs just to properly outfit one gunship. That said, I only own one gunship and don't plan on getting any more (knowing that it would cost an extra $50 to outfit any new gunships that I buy is actually a huge disincentive for me to buy any more gunships that Hasbro releases anyway!)

[cuyvaldar]

Can someone ask hasbro how they like our governments new action, known as the CPSIA LAW on toys?

[VadersFist]

I totally agree, that question should be asked IMHO. I mean I'd like to know what they really think.

Can someone ask hasbro how they like our governments new action, known as the CPSIA LAW on toys?

[CommanderNaruto]

loved your translations jokabofe!

[Lt. Starfox]

good points Dave, I think 2 pods and 2 pilots per battlepack.....heck, we have 2 speeders and 2 scouttroopers out now in the $20 battlepacks....there is no way these bubble pods cost more than speeder bikes

[VadersFist]

Yeah but knowing hasbro in that they would see that collectors would really want more then 1. They would charge alot more because seeing is how collectors would like more then 1 they know they could get it.

good points Dave, I think 2 pods and 2 pilots per battlepack.....heck, we have 2 speeders and 2 scouttroopers out now in the $20 battlepacks....there is no way these bubble pods cost more than speeder bikes

[Jaing Skirata]

The pods don't on the surface seem like they would cost more but, the speeder bike is a mold Hasbro has had since the Kenner days with minor mods and repaints at best. Still operating on the original molds. The pods are a whole new mold and assembly. Anyone who's ever molded figure pieces or armor parts knows the making of the mold is the expensive part. I'm sure that's what cause the cost variance.

[Commander Ando]

While I am not happy with the reality of the Gunship turrets ($50.00 to buy 4 pilots and two gunpods), I am happy for the heads up that this is a limited deal and may not see the light of day after its initial release.

I have 6 Republic Gunships right now so I am in for a $300.00 hit just to outfit the existing gunships that I have (1 CW Rancor Mouth, 1 Lucky Lekku, 2 AotC, and 2 RotS).

I will probably get enough to cover 6 more gunships as I'm holding out hope they release/repack the AotC version again somewhere down the line.

Since the gunpods and the Turbo Tank are the only new things that I am budgeting for this entire year, then I don't mind the hit so much.

Thanks to Spice for adding my question. Made my day to get a compliment and a straightforward answer to my question.