Playmates Toys Future Looks Bright! Now w/ Release Date!

[Discogod]

I've got a feeling overseas sales of these figures, especially the Classics, might be a little lower than Playmates is happy with, especially with a 6+ month gap between a US release and a Worldwide release. As much as I want to be able to buy these figures in a store, I'll probably be buying them online as soon as possible, as will most TMNT fans I know.

It just seems counter-productive to have such a large gap between releases, considering 99% of all other retail toys tend to launch worldwide at the same time as the US...

[Powder]

Well it comes as no surprise that Playmates is still a company with poor practices.

[Ravenxl7]

I'm confident that the gap is something out of Playmates's hands. Bandai had the same gap in time for their Thundercats line. If I'm not mistaken, it's a weird contractual thing. Not to start an argument with those outside the US, but If I were you, I would wait till they showed up locally (assuming you're in a country that they'll be showing up in). It would be annoying, but I can only imagine buying them from those of us in the US, and not locally, would do more harm than good. It'll increase US sales, but decrease sales outside the US. Making it seem like there's less interest in the franchise in non-US areas. Potentially affecting the release of future waves in your area.

[Head Spinnin' Bebop]

Does this "not ship outside the USA" include Canada too? As many times it does not as they both get classified under North America. Its going to be airing on tv the same time as it will in the US, here too.

[TheCanadiandrome]

i'd think that Canada will get the toys in retail when they're released in August

[Ravenxl7]

Originally Posted by Head Spinnin' Bebop

Does this "not ship outside the USA" include Canada too? As many times it does not as they both get classified under North America. Its going to be airing on tv the same time as it will in the US, here too.

Since the BBTS listings specifically state "Ships to USA Only", I would imagine that excludes Canada too. Though I would be surprised if Canadian retailers didn't get the toys in at the same time as US one's.

Not really anything big, but I emailed Playmates asking them about when we should expect wave two of the new show's line, and it's expected that the next wave should be out around next April. Should give me plenty of time to get all nine of the new show's wave one figures and all four of the classic turtles. I was also told that the toys will be up for pre-order on Playmates's website sometime in July.

[Drose18]

What happened to the battle shell figures are they still going to be released or are they cancelled.

[Discogod]

Originally Posted by Ravenxl7

I'm confident that the gap is something out of Playmates's hands. Bandai had the same gap in time for their Thundercats line. If I'm not mistaken, it's a weird contractual thing. Not to start an argument with those outside the US, but If I were you, I would wait till they showed up locally (assuming you're in a country that they'll be showing up in). It would be annoying, but I can only imagine buying them from those of us in the US, and not locally, would do more harm than good. It'll increase US sales, but decrease sales outside the US. Making it seem like there's less interest in the franchise in non-US areas. Potentially affecting the release of future waves in your area.

You sure about Thundercats? We got the toys in the UK around the same time as the US (I first saw the Classics about 2 weeks after the first US sighting), and we actually started (and finished) the first season of the cartoon before the US.

Doesn't surprise me about Playmates, though. Back when they were making Simpsons figures there was about a 2 year gap between a series being released in the US and the UK - of course, everyone either imported them, or bought them from speciality stores (which were much closer behind the US), meaning when the figures were officially released here they just didn't sell, even on clearance (and that's the Simpsons, one of the few franchises bigger than TMNT).

[Ravenxl7]

Originally Posted by Discogod

You sure about Thundercats? We got the toys in the UK around the same time as the US (I first saw the Classics about 2 weeks after the first US sighting), and we actually started (and finished) the first season of the cartoon before the US.

Hmmm...might not have been the UK then, but I know the show and toyline releases were delayed for some outside the US.

Originally Posted by Discogod

Doesn't surprise me about Playmates, though. Back when they were making Simpsons figures there was about a 2 year gap between a series being released in the US and the UK - of course, everyone either imported them, or bought them from speciality stores (which were much closer behind the US), meaning when the figures were officially released here they just didn't sell, even on clearance (and that's the Simpsons, one of the few franchises bigger than TMNT).

While I'm not sure what the reasoning behind a two-year gap would be (I'm sure they had one though), I still don't think the five month gap for the new TMNT line is something they purposefully did.

Originally Posted by Donnie DBERG

What happened to the battle shell figures are they still going to be released or are they cancelled.

I believe they're still set to be released. At least, I haven't seen or heard anything to suggest they won't be released. I don't imagine we'll get any news on them, or any major toy news for that reason, till SDCC. Makes me wonder what other store exclusives we might see in the future of this toy-line.

Has there been any word of possible restaurant/fast food promotions? I imagine either McDonalds or Burger King will do toys, but I'm hoping for a Pizza Hut or Dominoes promotion of some kind too.

[Marksenad]

Australia still hasn't got thundercats at retail. I had to bite the bullet and get mine off ebay. Looks like ill have to do the same for the new TMNT

[Chris]

Originally Posted by Discogod

You sure about Thundercats? We got the toys in the UK around the same time as the US (I first saw the Classics about 2 weeks after the first US sighting), and we actually started (and finished) the first season of the cartoon before the US.

You sure? I know I bought some of the figures when I went to Florida last year long before I saw them over here. And I know for a fact the UK were (and still are) behind on the cartoon.

[Chris]

Originally Posted by Ravenxl7

While I'm not sure what the reasoning behind a two-year gap would be (I'm sure they had one though), I still don't think the five month gap for the new TMNT line is something they purposefully did.

Yeah, no way they want to miss the Christmas market when the show starts here in October. If they could have had them out for Christmas they would have.


Has there been any word about the SDCC exclusive yet? Getting close now!

[Ravenxl7]

Originally Posted by Chris

Yeah, no way they want to miss the Christmas market when the show starts here in October. If they could have had them out for Christmas they would have.

Exactly. There's no way Playmates would have wanted there to be a five month gap there. For the sake of fans in the UK, I'm hoping the line sells well enough for it to continue on as long as it does here in the US. I also hope that if it does get taken off the UK market, that those UK fans that bought their figures from the US don't complain about the line no longer being available locally, when they chose not to support it to begin with.

Originally Posted by Chris

Has there been any word about the SDCC exclusive yet? Getting close now!

I haven't seen or heard anything yet. There's still over four weeks to go before SDCC starts, but you would think there would have been some sign of the exclusive by now. Maybe they've decided to save it for next year maybe?

[Candy Kappa]

Apparently I am getting the Sewer playset.

My local comic book shop have to order 2 sets to even get them. So besides the store owner who's getting one, the next in line is... me.

[Drose18]

Originally Posted by Candy Kappa

Apparently I am getting the Sewer playset.

My local comic book shop have to order 2 sets to even get them. So besides the store owner who's getting one, the next in line is... me.

Cool congrats did you find out when youre getting them?

[Candy Kappa]

He didn't mention, most likely arrive when I'm out of cash. Like the LOTR LEGO did this week

Grr

[Drose18]

Found a cool gallery of the new toys: Its by Asmmagazine.

[pannoni1]

Thanks for the link. I especially like the design of the Foot Soldier, combining the style used in the 1990 Movie with the robotics/foot symbol of the OT. I also see that the Kraangs have six arms as well. And with that close-up of Shredder, i'm definitely looking forward to the new series!

[Vegita-San]

Originally Posted by tiger

this is what playmates sent me when i emailed about a preorder date

Preorders should be around July 16th and I orders are only for USA only.


Thank you for contacting Playmates Toys Inc. The turtles will be out in the Fall of 2012, all new designs are being made for the re-booting of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle line.
Playmates Toys is proud to announce its new Global Master Toy Agreement for the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles with Nickelodeon & Viacom Consumer Products (NVCP). The long-term partnership allows Playmates Toys to continue its phenomenally successful, 20-year tradition with the Turtles brand. This new alliance also lets Playmates Toys execute on its strategy to maximize global toy rights in partnership with renowned brands that leverage entertainment across multiple-media platforms worldwide. The upcoming product line of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles will be all new and extraordinary.



Regards, Paula Billingsley
Consumer Services
Playmates Toys Inc.
877-612-7136

Paula! You live! You still aren't really useful, but you survived the buyout! good for you )

[zkarlette]

Great! Can't wait for all this figures!