This page contains affiliate links. We may earn commissions when readers interact with or purchase items through these links. For more information, see our affiliate disclosures here.

Some thoughts on Hasbro and pre-orders

Feel free to discuss anything about any of the thousands of Transformer toys here. Anything from Generation 1 all the way to the soon to be released, the never to be released or the hope to be released is fair game! Want to show off your stuff? Please post your's and see others in the Transformers Collections Forum.

Some thoughts on Hasbro and pre-orders

Postby datguy86 » Wed Aug 08, 2012 3:00 pm

Motto: "SHEEAGH!"
I’ve looked at Hasbro’s policies through a few angles and the thing that surprises me about the company is the confusing lack of desire for consumer data, feedback, and direct access to my wallet.

I would like to see Hasbro institute a pre-order program either directly or through a preferred retailer, such as the Hasbro Toy Shop or any number of toy retailers. The idea behind this is multifold:

1) Pre-orders would help determine the popularity of a specific toy. For instance, if the following deluxe figures are available for pre-order with the following number representing a pre-ordered amount:

Bumblebee 250
Airachnid 300
Ironhide 400
Vehicon 500
Rumble 450
Wheeljack 300

Okay, Vehicon is outselling Bumblebee 2 to 1. Maybe the next case assortment should look like this:

Bumblebee x0
Airachnid x1
Ironhide x2
Vehicon x2
Rumble x2
Wheeljack x1

“Hmmm... Bumblebee’s not selling as well as the others. Let’s drop him out of this case pack and move him back a month to see if orders increase. We can always fulfill the orders by recalling some of the immense amount of stock available in stores with a buyback program or making a small run of ‘Bee figures.”

Armed with the pre-order information, Hasbro can now extrapolate which characters consumers are looking forward to and whether or not certain figures should be discontinued. Making this data public would also help retailers decide what case packs are going to be popular during a given run.

Now if you’ve read this far and you’re thinking “But this only applies to collectors!” try this thought as well: Can you think of a parent who wouldn’t want to have the latest toys paid for or guaranteed for Christmas well ahead of Christmastime?

2) If Hasbro offered this pre-order program directly through its store, Hasbro would be the direct recipient of money. BBTS and other retailers would probably be sad, but as stated above the pre-order data would be useful for determining inventory. Additionally, places like BBTS could begin to offer more precise pre-orders as well, without being stuck with a bunch of figures a la three to four FoC Op and Jazzes for every one or two Shockwaves.

Additionally, this combats Hasbro’s poor distribution by letting Hasbro know exactly what will sell. With the added information from your store profile, perhaps this could also combat the glut of non-transforming merchandise on the shelves in certain areas.

3) Through the use of social media, Hasbro could ask consumers directly which toy did the consumer like best. If social media appears too limiting, then Hasbro could partner with sites like Seibertron.com to reach out to their consumers and find out answers to questions such as:

Did you like this mold?
What kinds of problems did this mold have?
If this mold were to be re-used for another character, who would you like to see it become?

And again, this information could be released to other retailers and help them decide on which exclusives to release if the option is available. It would help prevent a loss on the toys with figures such as BBTS’ Seacons and many of Wal-Mart’s Universe offerings. Or Target’s Exclusive Titaniums.

And again once more, this is the type of thing parents interested in their children’s toys and activities go for. “This toy broke too easily.” “The parts are too small.” “I don’t think the recommended age is correct.” “Can you release this again? My son and his cousin really like it but we could only find one.”

I’ll add more as time goes on, but this is the general gist of things I would be very happy to see implemented.
Image

Actively Searching: Universe 2.0 Ratchet, Universe 2.0 Inferno, Hasbro Masterpiece Starscream
datguy86
Combiner
Posts: 450
News Credits: 1
Joined: Tue Jun 14, 2011 12:18 pm
Location: Pennsyltucky
Strength: 5
Intelligence: 7
Speed: 4
Endurance: 5
Rank: 3
Courage: 8
Firepower: 5
Skill: 6

Re: Some thoughts on Hasbro and pre-orders

Postby Mykltron » Thu Aug 09, 2012 5:09 am

Motto: "If I win again I'm still the champion. If you win HAH! that's just impossible.

Weapon: tea cup."
You need to set up a business meeting with Hasbro. You'd probably need a more thorough business plan but this all seems like good stuff.

You should also throw in something about improving distribution to other companies instead of improving it for one country to the detriment of the others that use to be well supplied.

Unfortunately Hasbro seems hell-bent on proving how stupid they are so they wouldn't use your idea.
Image

Why not take a look at My TF Repaints? Updated 23rd January 2015
User avatar
Mykltron
Guardian Of Seibertron
Posts: 5979
News Credits: 9
Joined: Sat Feb 09, 2008 5:43 am
Location: Nearby. Watching.

Re: Some thoughts on Hasbro and pre-orders

Postby RhA » Thu Aug 09, 2012 7:08 am

Motto: "BRING ME DANGER!"
Not bad. I like how you use Bumblebee as an example.

'Bumblebee 0X' I laughed.

Serously, good idea.
Image
Love thy pretenders.
User avatar
RhA
Faction Commander
Posts: 4557
News Credits: 1
Joined: Tue Apr 29, 2003 8:37 am
Location: 1988

Re: Some thoughts on Hasbro and pre-orders

Postby gavinfuzzy » Thu Aug 09, 2012 8:13 am

Motto: "Secrets are the foundations of success"
Weapon: Sub-Machine Gun
Genius. Now the next problem is to get Hasbro to listen to your suggestion... :APPLAUSE:
Add me as a friend on facebook ---> http://www.facebook.com/gavinlimkj
User avatar
gavinfuzzy
Godmaster
Posts: 1871
News Credits: 10
Joined: Tue Jun 09, 2009 10:14 pm
Location: Singapore
Watch gavinfuzzy on YouTube
Strength: 8
Intelligence: 10
Speed: 6
Endurance: 6
Rank: 8
Courage: 8
Firepower: 7
Skill: 7

Re: Some thoughts on Hasbro and pre-orders

Postby Cobalt Prime » Thu Aug 09, 2012 8:58 am

Motto: ""Excessive force is not necessary.""
Ah, a logical, well thought out plan. These are like sunlight and crosses to the vampire that is the corporate mind.

They don't like things that make too much sense.
User avatar
Cobalt Prime
Transmetal Warrior
Posts: 878
Joined: Wed Jun 11, 2008 9:30 pm

Re: Some thoughts on Hasbro and pre-orders

Postby datguy86 » Thu Aug 09, 2012 1:56 pm

Motto: "SHEEAGH!"
I appreciate all the positive feedback so far.

Mykltron wrote:You need to set up a business meeting with Hasbro. You'd probably need a more thorough business plan but this all seems like good stuff.


I'd actually love to. I've written a few successful business plans before for small businesses, but for a larger company I'd definitely need more concrete data than what I have available.

Mykltron wrote:You should also throw in something about improving distribution to other companies instead of improving it for one country to the detriment of the others that use to be well supplied.


While I pull examples from NA stores, these actions could be readily implemented anywhere on Earth. I wanted to avoid saying the words 'North', 'America', or some combination of the two; if only because of the diversity of Seibertron.com's forum members. Canada, Australia, and the various consumers in the continents of Europe and Asia should have access to such a system. Maybe GDO Wheelie would have seen a wider release?

RhA wrote:Not bad. I like how you use Bumblebee as an example.


He's a quintessential example: Overpacked, shelfwarming, very bright and noticeable on the shelves, released multiple times (regular and Shadow), and released across multiple sizes (Legion, Revealer, and now Weaponizer). At some point in time a store representative has to say "There's too much of this character not selling anywhere".

I do think some lesson has been learned by Hasbro - the wave revisions involving later Revealer cases (woot two vehicons!) and the Bruticus + Op, Jazz and Shock wave revision is a huge step in the right direction.

Again, I appreciate the positive feedback so far. Thank you.
Image

Actively Searching: Universe 2.0 Ratchet, Universe 2.0 Inferno, Hasbro Masterpiece Starscream
datguy86
Combiner
Posts: 450
News Credits: 1
Joined: Tue Jun 14, 2011 12:18 pm
Location: Pennsyltucky
Strength: 5
Intelligence: 7
Speed: 4
Endurance: 5
Rank: 3
Courage: 8
Firepower: 5
Skill: 6

Re: Some thoughts on Hasbro and pre-orders

Postby JackStraw » Thu Aug 09, 2012 2:39 pm

Weapon: Acid Spray Gun
Very good stuff. Love it!
User avatar
JackStraw
Fuzor
Posts: 253
News Credits: 1
Joined: Thu Mar 31, 2011 4:58 pm

Re: Some thoughts on Hasbro and pre-orders

Postby Blurrz » Sat Aug 11, 2012 1:00 pm

Motto: "scream drive faster"
Weapon: Electro-Laser Cannon
This is well thought out! Good stuff.
Image
User avatar
Blurrz
God Of Transformers
Posts: 11085
News Credits: 1452
Joined: Wed May 09, 2007 12:31 am
Location: Canada
Strength: 7
Intelligence: 8
Speed: 10
Endurance: 6
Rank: 7
Courage: 8
Firepower: 7
Skill: 5

Re: Some thoughts on Hasbro and pre-orders

Postby skywarp55 » Sat Aug 11, 2012 4:11 pm

Fantastic, If you ever have this meeting with hasbro and you have concrete information to show them, let us know! we support you in this 100% Keep it up! Good information and long live the cons!

:CON: :D :APPLAUSE:
skywarp55
Mini-Con
Posts: 39
Joined: Sat Jul 28, 2012 1:18 am
Watch skywarp55 on YouTube

Re: Some thoughts on Hasbro and pre-orders

Postby gavinfuzzy » Sat Aug 11, 2012 8:22 pm

Motto: "Secrets are the foundations of success"
Weapon: Sub-Machine Gun
datguy86 wrote:
RhA wrote:Not bad. I like how you use Bumblebee as an example.


He's a quintessential example: Overpacked, shelfwarming, very bright and noticeable on the shelves, released multiple times (regular and Shadow), and released across multiple sizes (Legion, Revealer, and now Weaponizer). At some point in time a store representative has to say "There's too much of this character not selling anywhere".

I do think some lesson has been learned by Hasbro - the wave revisions involving later Revealer cases (woot two vehicons!) and the Bruticus + Op, Jazz and Shock wave revision is a huge step in the right direction.

Again, I appreciate the positive feedback so far. Thank you.


This overpacking and popularity of BB started in 2007, when BB was insanely rare due to find due to the movie. As for vehicons, Hasbro should have expected um to sell well. I guess kids really like earth looking vehicles. BB does get bough, but at the same rate as the other figures.

Oh, a warning for you people in US, whenever that case of GDO deluxes hit, grab wheelie 1st. He's impossible to find here in Asia. (Actually I saw one the other day, at a supermarket) But yeah, impossible to find in departmental stores/ TRU... He's not shortpacked... So maybe kids just really love bright coloured cars. :lol:
Add me as a friend on facebook ---> http://www.facebook.com/gavinlimkj
User avatar
gavinfuzzy
Godmaster
Posts: 1871
News Credits: 10
Joined: Tue Jun 09, 2009 10:14 pm
Location: Singapore
Watch gavinfuzzy on YouTube
Strength: 8
Intelligence: 10
Speed: 6
Endurance: 6
Rank: 8
Courage: 8
Firepower: 7
Skill: 7

Re: Some thoughts on Hasbro and pre-orders

Postby RAcast » Sat Aug 11, 2012 9:18 pm

Motto: "Can't stop, so what! That's how I like it!"
Weapon: Rocket Launcher
gavinfuzzy wrote:Oh, a warning for you people in US, whenever that case of GDO deluxes hit, grab wheelie 1st. He's impossible to find here in Asia. (Actually I saw one the other day, at a supermarket) But yeah, impossible to find in departmental stores/ TRU... He's not shortpacked... So maybe kids just really love bright coloured cars. :lol:

If that's true, it speaks well for the Energon-colored regular retail FoC Bruticus. xD
Old fasioned games!
And new fashioned friends!
Come on everybody this is Ta-ble Flip!
Image
User avatar
RAcast
City Commander
Posts: 3059
Joined: Thu Feb 16, 2012 4:26 pm
Location: USA
Strength: 5
Intelligence: 10
Speed: 6
Endurance: 6
Rank: 7
Courage: 10
Firepower: 10
Skill: 7


Return to Transformers Toys Discussion

Transformers and More @ The Seibertron Store

Visit our store on eBay
These are affiliate links. We may earn commissions when you purchase items or services through these links.
Visit shop.seibertron.com to buy "IRON MAN #1 Facsimile Marvel Comics 2023 MAR230609 (W) Goodwin (A/CA) Colan"
IRON MAN #1 Facsim ...
Visit shop.seibertron.com to buy "ROM SPACEKNIGHT #1 Facsimile Marvel Comics 2023 JUL230684 (W) Mantlo (CA) Miller"
ROM SPACEKNIGHT #1 ...
Visit shop.seibertron.com to buy "DETECTIVE COMICS #38 Facsimile DC Comics 2022 ptg 0922DC131 Robin (CA) Kane+More"
DETECTIVE COMICS # ...
Visit shop.seibertron.com to buy "ALL-STAR COMICS #3 Facsimile Cvr C blank sketch DC Comics 2023 0923DC267"
ALL-STAR COMICS #3 ...
Visit shop.seibertron.com to buy "SAVAGE SHE-HULK #1 facsimile Marvel Comics 2022 ptg OCT220944 (W)Lee (CA)Buscema"
SAVAGE SHE-HULK #1 ...
Visit shop.seibertron.com to buy "BATMAN #357 Facsimile Edition Cvr A DC Comics 2023 ptg 0123DC123 357A"
BATMAN #357 Facsim ...
Visit shop.seibertron.com to buy "X-MEN #4 Facsimile Marvel Comics 2024 ptg OCT230976 (A/CA) Kirby (W) Lee"
X-MEN #4 Facsimile ...
Visit shop.seibertron.com to buy "BATMAN #181 Facsimile Edition Cvr B foil DC Comics 2023 ptg 0323DC161 181B"
BATMAN #181 Facsim ...
Visit shop.seibertron.com to buy "GIANT-SIZE SUPER-STARS #1 Facsimile Marvel Comics 2023 ptg OCT230665 Buckler"
GIANT-SIZE SUPER-S ...
Visit shop.seibertron.com to buy "Marvel Super Heroes SECRET WARS #1 Facsimile var 1:50 Marvel Comics 2024 MSH"
Marvel Super Heroe ...
Visit shop.seibertron.com to buy "AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #121 Facsimile Edition Marvel Comics 2023 ptg APR230703"
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN ...
Visit shop.seibertron.com to buy "DOOM PATROL #99 Facsimile DC Comics 2023 0923DC271 (W) Drake (A/CA) Brown"
DOOM PATROL #99 Fa ...
Visit shop.seibertron.com to buy "YOUNG ROMANCE #125 Facsimile DC Comics 2024 ptg 1223DC214 (CA) Romita"
NEW!
YOUNG ROMANCE #125 ...
Visit shop.seibertron.com to buy "WONDER WOMAN #1 facsimile Cvr C foil DC Comics 2023 0723DC814 1C (CA) Perez"
WONDER WOMAN #1 fa ...
* Price and quantities subject to change. Shipping costs, taxes and other fees not included in cost shown. Refer to listing for current price and availability.
Find the items above and thousands more at the Seibertron Store on eBay
Transformers Podcast: Twincast / Podcast #346 - Gas Station Jamboree
Twincast / Podcast #346:
"Gas Station Jamboree"
MP3 · iTunes · RSS · View · Discuss · Ask
Posted: Saturday, March 23rd, 2024

Featured Products on Amazon.com

These are affiliate links. We may earn commissions when you purchase items or services through these links.
Buy "Transformers MPM04 Optimus Prime" on AMAZON
Buy "Transformers: Generations Power of The Primes Legends Class Cindersaur" on AMAZON
Buy "Transformers Titans Return Repugnus, Dastard, and Solus Prime Prime Master" on AMAZON
Buy "Transformers Deluxe Ratchet Action Figure" on AMAZON
Buy "Transformers Generations Power of The Primes Deluxe Class Dinobot Snarl" on AMAZON
Buy "Transformers Generations Power of The Primes Deluxe Class Terrorcon Blot" on AMAZON
Buy "Transformers: Generations Power of The Primes Voyager Terrorcon Hun-Gurrr" on AMAZON
Buy "Transformers Deluxe Stryker 1 Action Figure" on AMAZON
Buy "Transformers Generations Combiner Wars Voyager Class Battle Core Optimus Prime Figure" on AMAZON
Buy "Transformers Generations Legends Class Skrapnel and Reflector Figures" on AMAZON
Buy "Transformers Generations Combiner Wars Menasor Collection Pack" on AMAZON
Buy "Transformers: The Last Knight Mega 1-Step Turbo Changer Dragonstorm" on AMAZON