Joe F; Lafleur/Schutt 2 pack $34.95???

[oldskool]

I just bought a Lafleur/Schutt 2 pack at Wal-Mart today for $34.95 yet the Koivu/Kovalev 2-pack was only 24.95.

A $10 price increase? Isin't that a bit ridiculous?

[memoman9]

I know the price on singles went up from $12.92 to $13.92 at Canadian Wally's, as well as from $10.99 to $11.99 at U.S. TRU's, but a $10 jump for a 2 pack that will end up on clearance in a few weeks? If they didn't sell at $24.95 how can they expect to sell at $34.95?

[oldskool]

Yeah I just noticed the $1 price increase on singles today too, but that makes sense.

But the fact that a 2-pack is $8 more than 2 single SPs makes absoluetly no sense...at all!

[memoman9]

They'll be on clearance in three weeks, just stash a mint box away somewhere. ;)

[GOBOMBERSGO]

I am sure this increase has nothing to do with mcfarlane. It is just how Walmart priced in and could very well be a mistake. Keep your receipt.

[oldskool]

As much as I hate to admit it, I grabbed the second to last one so I doubt they're going on clearance anytime soon...not in Montral at least.

The Koivu/Kovalev 2 packs were also all gone in less than a week.

But still the 10$ price increase came out of nowhere and deserves an explanation...or something. I was planning on buying 2 but at $40 a piece...no thanks.

[Poochiesdead]

I remember seeing on Allstar figures site that TMP was raising it's prices on hockey figures. More than likely they increased the 2-packs by like two or three bucks, and Wal-Mart raised that to ten bucks to maintain their profit margin on it.

[oldskool]

I am sure this increase has nothing to do with mcfarlane. It is just how Walmart priced in and could very well be a mistake. Keep your receipt.

Yeah that's what I'm thinking, this dosen't really make sense.

But then again cereal boxes of Special K were 2.99 last month and now they're 4.77...so who knows.

Inflation is a biatch!

[mikey1]

I'm sure they're gone in Montreal but there's a ton of them in Ontario.Clearance items for sure.

As much as I hate to admit it, I grabbed the second to last one so I doubt they're going on clearance anytime soon...not in Montral at least.

The Koivu/Kovalev 2 packs were also all gone in less than a week.

But still the 10$ price increase came out of nowhere and deserves an explanation...or something. I was planning on buying 2 but at $40 a piece...no thanks.

[Joe F.]

I just bought a Lafleur/Schutt 2 pack at Wal-Mart today for $34.95 yet the Koivu/Kovalev 2-pack was only 24.95.

A $10 price increase? Isin't that a bit ridiculous?

We have no control over what Wal-Mart will charge.
If I had to take a guess, I would imagine that the Koivu 2 pack is marked down.

There was no increase like this on our production end.

[TRDouble]

Well, here is the dilemmia. Many people complained about recent quality of Sports Picks and many also stated that they would rather see a price increase with the returned quality (such as it was) than maintaining the price status quo and the crappy quality of unpainted plastic.

From what I am reading, the Lafleur/Shutt pack is a return to quality, but at an increased price. I understand that the two-pack price might be more money than expected for a return to painted figures, but here it is! Now we get to see which camp had more people in it:

Same price, unpainted SPs?

Higher price, painted SPs?

I think NHL 21's Luongo and Crosby, which is right next to my unpainted white uniform NHL 20 Iginla, came out great and I am happy to pay $11.99 USD for the better painted figures. $34.95 CDN is a bit high for a two pack, but if they came out as good as the NHL 21 figures I have seen, I will pay it for this set.

[ryan_G]

We have no control over what Wal-Mart will charge.
If I had to take a guess, I would imagine that the Koivu 2 pack is marked down.

There was no increase like this on our production end.
I WAS JUST ABOUT TO SAY WHAT IN THE WORLD DOES JOE F OR TMP HAVE TO DO WITH THE PRICE OF A 2 PACK AT WAL-MART?

[TRDouble]

We have no control over what Wal-Mart will charge.
If I had to take a guess, I would imagine that the Koivu 2 pack is marked down.

There was no increase like this on our production end.Are you saying there was No increase on McFarlane's end, or no increase that would justify the Walmart price on the two-pack? because on-line prices for NHL 21 and beyond seem to confirm that there was a price increase on Sports Picks.

[oldskool]

We have no control over what Wal-Mart will charge.
If I had to take a guess, I would imagine that the Koivu 2 pack is marked down.

There was no increase like this on our production end.

Thanks for the response Joe.

But I find it hard to believe that Canadian Wal-Marts make a 10$ price increase on these, the only place in North America where they're sold, and no one at TMP knows anything about this? I don't know about that one.

[masterjay]

Maybe Youppi knows.

[oldskool]

lol

[Joe F.]

Thanks for the response Joe.

But I find it hard to believe that Canadian Wal-Marts make a 10$ price increase on these, the only place in North America where they're sold, and no one at TMP knows anything about this? I don't know about that one.

It could also be a price decrease on the Koivu 2 pack.

Not sure.... I'll try to find out more info.

[oldskool]

It could also be a price decrease on the Koivu 2 pack.

Not sure.... I'll try to find out more info.

Forget the info...just bring 'em back down 25$.... but seriously, the fact that a 2 pack is 8$ more than 2 singles makes absoluetly no sense.

And as far as I can remember, 2-packs were always 24.95 at Canadian Wal-Marts.

[Hockeyfan33]

For what it's worth, the hobby shop owner I buy my SP's from told me TMP has raised the price and therefore, he has too as well.

[Joe F.]

For what it's worth, the hobby shop owner I buy my SP's from told me TMP has raised the price and therefore, he has too as well.

We did have a price increase at the begining of 2009, but we are talking pennies not dollars.

[mikedanger]

joe...why does my panda bowl cost more? not only that, but they're putting less orange chicken in it too!

[pensfan71]

Joe clean your pm's out, it's full.

[Leafsfan1967]

The owner of a memorabilia store here in Toronto who is supplied by Grosner told me that the last batch of SP's were raised by 4%, and the next wave was going to be raised by 14%. That doesn't translate to a $10 increase from the first 2-pack, so maybe it's a Walmart call. It is possible that they should of been $29.95 and were lowered to $24.95 from the get go. (maybe they got a deal from TMP, or maybe they didn't think they'd sell at $30) A 14% increase to $30 gets you close to the current price tag $35 on box set 2. That's my guess.

[memoman9]

As big of a Habs' fan as I am, I don't see these moving anywhere outside of Montreal and parts of Quebec, especially for that price. Our local WM's received about 24 or so Koivu/Kovalevs per store. I don't know what the stores did with them, they weren't selling, but all have been pulled from the shelves. I'm wondering if they were sent back for re-distribution to Quebec stores.

[memoman9]

The owner of a memorabilia store here in Toronto who is supplied by Grosner told me that the last batch of SP's were raised by 4%, and the next wave was going to be raised by 14%. That doesn't translate to a $10 increase from the first 2-pack, so maybe it's a Walmart call. It is possible that they should of been $29.95 and were lowered to $24.95 from the get go. (maybe they got a deal from TMP, or maybe they didn't think they'd sell at $30) A 14% increase to $30 gets you close to the current price tag $35 on box set 2. That's my guess.

A local hobby store marked their SP's up from $13.99 for regs to $16.29 each. Not worth it for that cash.

[Scout1982]

NHL Wave 1 had it's regular price increase along with the other series to start '09. We also received an email a while back mentioning that all regular hockey figures from Series 22 on will have an additional price increase.

As long as walmart increased their prices, I will be able to as well, which might help keep me in business.

[Scout1982]

A local hobby store marked their SP's up from $13.99 for regs to $16.29 each. Not worth it for that cash.

That is insane, they must be getting them from a distributor and still marking them up by 40%

[Mats_44]

As big of a Habs' fan as I am, I don't see these moving anywhere outside of Montreal and parts of Quebec, especially for that price. Our local WM's received about 24 or so Koivu/Kovalevs per store. I don't know what the stores did with them, they weren't selling, but all have been pulled from the shelves. I'm wondering if they were sent back for re-distribution to Quebec stores.

Ummm didn't you give me hell a while back for saying the exact same thing???

[freezowave1978]

Funny just a few months ago people said they'd be willing to pay more for a better product. The last few series (NHL and NBA) have had marked improvements, but people now are saying they won't buy the product because it costs too much.

I agree a 30% markup is high, but if you've noticed while cruising the toy aisles all toys are becoming absurdly priced. Mini 4" Marvel toys are $10-11 with no accessories, GI Joes are $8-10, DC toys are over $11, and on and on. 1/6 scale dolls went form the $60 range to $150 and up. It's all absurd, and anyone who can't get used to it may be in the wrong hobby (as if buying things is a hobby... I digress).

[rupy017]

I just bought a Lafleur/Schutt 2 pack at Wal-Mart today for $34.95 yet the Koivu/Kovalev 2-pack was only 24.95.

A $10 price increase? Isin't that a bit ridiculous?

The reason they did it is because YOU BOUGHT IT ANYWAY:)

[rupy017]

Well, here is the dilemmia. Many people complained about recent quality of Sports Picks and many also stated that they would rather see a price increase with the returned quality (such as it was) than maintaining the price status quo and the crappy quality of unpainted plastic.

From what I am reading, the Lafleur/Shutt pack is a return to quality, but at an increased price. I understand that the two-pack price might be more money than expected for a return to painted figures, but here it is! Now we get to see which camp had more people in it:

Same price, unpainted SPs?

Higher price, painted SPs?

I think NHL 21's Luongo and Crosby, which is right next to my unpainted white uniform NHL 20 Iginla, came out great and I am happy to pay $11.99 USD for the better painted figures. $34.95 CDN is a bit high for a two pack, but if they came out as good as the NHL 21 figures I have seen, I will pay it for this set.

And there's the problem.
The quality shouldn't suffer based on price. The prices were pretty much the same when the quality was good and THEN the quality started sucking.
So, now we're expected to pay more to get back the quality that should have been there all along?
I say B.S.!!!!!!!!!!

[brew]

The reason they did it is because YOU BOUGHT IT ANYWAY:)
lmao, so true

[trojansc]

Never mind the price, how were the paint jobs? Review please.. :o

[Voodoo Chylde]

Thanks for the response Joe.

But I find it hard to believe that Canadian Wal-Marts make a 10$ price increase on these, the only place in North America where they're sold, and no one at TMP knows anything about this? I don't know about that one.

You answered your own question. Wal-Mart saw an opportunity to maximize profits on a limited item. From your own post that you bought the next to last one, I'd say they made a pretty smart bet. Hell man, YOU bought it at the inflated price!

[TRDouble]

And there's the problem.
The quality shouldn't suffer based on price. The prices were pretty much the same when the quality was good and THEN the quality started sucking.
So, now we're expected to pay more to get back the quality that should have been there all along?
I say B.S.!!!!!!!!!!Prices have increased on toys across the board. TMP said, in different language, that they cut some corners in order to maintain the price status quo. They did not want to raise the price on Sports Picks, but because costs had gone up, they decided to try different things to keep the price the same. This included making figures sans paint. Perhaps if they would have kept the quality up, such as the quality was before the non-painted plastic era, prices would have increased at that time?

I agree that quality should not suffer based on the price. I think TMP would have been better off keeping the figures painted, keeping accurate facemasks on the NFL line, etc. and raising the price of the figures -- as Hasbro, as Mattel, and virtually every other company did.

We are not expected to pay more just to get the quality of painted figures back. We are expected to pay more because to get the quality of painted figures costs TMP more money than it did before.

[freezowave1978]

I agree that quality should not suffer based on the price. I think TMP would have been better off keeping the figures painted, keeping accurate facemasks on the NFL line, etc. and raising the price of the figures -- as Hasbro, as Mattel, and virtually every other company did..

Not totally true. Even in lines where Hasbro and others have raised prices there have been QC cutbacks. In the Transformers line the plastics being used are of much lesser quality than 18 months ago, and accessories and paint apps have been reduced. Other series have had "waxy" plastic used instead of a higher quality. The Marvel line is 4", $10, and come stripped of accessories. The new Terminator and Star Trek lines from Playmates look like they could have come out in '92.

This is in no way limited to McF.

On every other point you were right on the money.

[TRDouble]

Not totally true. Even in lines where Hasbro and others have raised prices there have been QC cutbacks. In the Transformers line the plastics being used are of much lesser quality than 18 months ago, and accessories and paint apps have been reduced. Other series have had "waxy" plastic used instead of a higher quality. The Marvel line is 4", $10, and come stripped of accessories. The new Terminator and Star Trek lines from Playmates look like they could have come out in '92.

This is in no way limited to McF.

On every other point you were right on the money.I think you mis-read that, or my writing was not clear. My point was that the price increases was indeed not limited to McFarlane; TMP is just one in the crowd. And I do agree that even with the price increases, there have still been QC cutbacks. That's the hard part to swallow in all this.

[freezowave1978]

I think you mis-read that, or my writing was not clear. My point was that the price increases was indeed not limited to McFarlane; TMP is just one in the crowd. And I do agree that even with the price increases, there have still been QC cutbacks. That's the hard part to swallow in all this.

I must have misread. Everything else you said was spot on. Sorry

[oldskool]

The reason they did it is because YOU BOUGHT IT ANYWAY:)

You answered your own question. Wal-Mart saw an opportunity to maximize profits on a limited item. From your own post that you bought the next to last one, I'd say they made a pretty smart bet. Hell man, YOU bought it at the inflated price!

Yeah that's true but I was planning on buying two of each of ALL the Habs 2-packs but only bought one, and if they stay at that price I will only buy one of each if that, so....

[sparker]

Bought 2X Shutt/Lafleur 2 packs at $24.92 each. Told the lady at cash register, the 2 packs were sitting on a shelf advertising at $24.92. No problem she says and she changed the price to $24.92 instead of $34.92 :)

[BAILY]

Bought 2X Shutt/Lafleur 2 packs at $24.92 each. Told the lady at cash register, the 2 packs were sitting on a shelf advertising at $24.92. No problem she says and she changed the price to $24.92 instead of $34.92 :)

Same deal with me too.. but I had to argue with three different employees about it.. they told me the $24.92 price for the Koivu/Kovelev set was a 'clearance price' :rolleyes:

[Mats_44]

The paint jobs on the Shutt Lafleur 2 Packs are EXCELLENT. Nice to see TMP going back to their old ways.........

[Voodoo Chylde]

The paint jobs on the Shutt Lafleur 2 Packs are EXCELLENT. Nice to see TMP going back to their old ways.........


You get what you pay for. That's why I personally will not be *****ing about them going up a little if the quality and scale go back to what I fell in love with.

[604Vanguy]

Hopefully the price will come down for the next wave of two packs. Beliveau/Couroyer (sp) & Richard/Plante. I'm only looking forward to these twopacks.