The past few days I’ve had a bit of a crisis of conscience.
Reading the latest round of Hasbro Q & A’s was a bit of a wakeup call as they repeatedly mentioned the overseas sellers, leaking photos early, selling potentially stolen product, and generally making life difficult for the folks in Pawtucket. I will say, right up front, that I somewhat disagree with Hasbro’s notion that these early leaked photos do some harm. Sure, in some cases there is misinformation, and of course, lots of things can change in the course of toy production. However, I think this constant stream of leaked images actually helps keep the Joe brand vibrant and in the minds of us collectors with short term memory loss and attention deficit disorder.
Look at it this way…the last official images Hasbro showed us was during Toy Fair, 2009. That was in February, now over three months ago. By all intents and purposes, we won’t see any other official images until San Diego ComicCon, which is in late July. That would mean from February – July there was NOTHING. No images, no press releases, no talk, nothing. How many short-minded Joe fans would have moved on to other things without the realization that there was actually some cool product coming down the pipeline? How many disillusioned Joe fans would have already gone on to Star Wars, Masters of the Universe, Marvel or whatever, without knowing that there were some great vintage-style figures and vehicles on the way? Not to mention the folks who like the movie stuff…we would have no idea about the awesome Headquarters for Heroes exclusives, the Wal-Mart 2-Packs, or the cool as hell upcoming Dragonhawkfly (or whichever it is). I think these leaks are critical to keeping the G.I. Joe line “fresh” in the collector mindset. Sure, some items may be labelled incorrectly…sure, some weapons might not actually be right, and some paint apps may change. Or hell, some figures or vehicles might not hit release as planned. But the important thing is, the fandom is talking about something. Spring is a notoriously slow time of year, and I think the fact that there are new leaked images to talk about and new things to discuss leading up to the big summer convention season is vitally important. Without those leaks, where would the fandom be by the time SDCC crawled along? Would a lot of fans have forgotten and moved on? I think that’s a big possibility.
But there is a critical line there…and it’s a line I’m afraid to say I have crossed repeatedly over the past couple of weeks. Thankfully a good friend of mine whose opinion I trust and value confronted me on it over the weekend, and you know what? He was right.
I think these leaked images are important, and I think they generate conversation and interest. However, I think I’ve gone a bit overboard in my “endorsement” of online auctions from overseas sellers. In reading some past posts I’ve made, it almost seems as if I’m recommending that people buy from these black-market eBay stores, and I really regret coming across that way. We are in a pretty critical economic climate, and for every $14.99 Alley-Viper that a Joe collector buys from Asia could potentially subtract COBRA Island 7-Packs that are bought legally, which could have disastrous ramifications for Hasbro sales. Not only could that hurt the Joe line in general, but it could tell Hasbro that we’re not interested in these vintage-themed 7-Packs, which is the exact opposite of what I’m seeing in the fandom.
So from here on, I’m drawing a line…it’s a thin line, but I’m drawing it. While I will continue to report on and show images from these overseas auctions in the interest of generating interest and conversation in the fandom, I will not endorse, nor report on black market items or auctions for items that we know will appear at mass retail in the coming months. This “stance” will probably not make a whole lot of difference, but simply from my own philosophical standpoint and to clear my own conscience that is the direction I’m going.
I know that everyone reading this shares my desire to see the G.I. Joe line succeed and move forward, so hopefully we can all keep that in mind as we search the latest overseas auction to see what we want to buy just to own it a couple of months ahead of time. I’m eager to hear everyone’s thoughts on this…am I going overboard? Should I do more? Leave me a comment and let’s talk it over.
I’ll respond to your email in more detail but this is basically what I was going to suggest. While I don’t like that these images are being leaked in the way they are and I think it is Hasbro’s perogative to show us what’s coming out when they want to (which is never soon enough for me by the way) I do agree with you that this kind of buzz is needed. Especially considering that the Anniversary theme is going away and movie figures won’t hit for at least another month. Leaked photos are probably the only thing keeping the fandom interested at this point. And I whole-heartedly support your decision to not promote the black market sellers. If other sites that have much looser morals and integrity want to do that let them. There is no need to stoop to their level for a little more web traffic. This hobby deserves more from us than that and I’m glad you “found your way” 😉
I agree and dont agree…..here is a question from KastorsKorner.com with the answer from Hasbro:
Bill: Recent photos have surfaced that have revealed many new Resolute figures, and some of which (Destro, Roadblock, etc…) are standing on the new “Rise of Cobra” stands. Does this mean these Resolute figures will be released under the movie umbrella in 2009? Possibly to coincide with a Resolute DVD release, perhaps?
Joe Team: It is possible that we will use Resolute figures in the movie line in the future, but there are no plans right now for Destro or Roadblock in 2009.
Now thats a damn shame…..that Resolute Destro was pure beauty and since hasbro doesnt want to give it to the fans I ordered it from one of those Ebay Sellers….Hasbros loss Ebays gain. Why wouldnt something as sweet as that fig be released in the movie line, but
a retooled Grand Slam and slightly repainted Eel will be. The way hasbro thinks is crazy sometimes. They produced the fig so have the mold and to be honest most and only just a few movie figs interest me, but Resolute had me hook, line and sinker.
They know Resolute did fantastic and to not deliver figs is dumb. That leaked SE is the cream of all SE and as much as they shove him down our throats they would be fools to not release him through the movie line. I dont want to wait till 2010, or 2011 for a movie I have no faith in and I move I think will bomb for figs Id rather have now over figs of Marlon Waynes…..If that SE comes up loose on Ebay for under $40 Im buying him!!!!!! With or without Hasbros seal of approval……
Bold move man, and i support it. Not a fan of the “black market” sellers for the same reasons you listed, but the information that has been leaked is what is keeping this line alive now. Im not sure what Hasbro is trying to do by keeping us in the dark? On a franchise that souly relies on people buying their product, they sure do leave us hanging. The Q&A’s are laughable, and the press releases are few and far between. I cant imagine having to wait for the 3 cons a year just to get my tidbits of info, i would lose interest QUICK. Hasbro needs to pay a little more attention to the fans, as we are the ones that have kept the name alive for 40+ years. Id like to refference Mattel and their involvement with fans on this issue. They frequent popular fan sites, speak 1 on 1 with fans on their facebook account, and bend over backwards to meet the demands of the audience. They also keep us informed of their product months ahead of time with prices and release dates. If Hasbro wants to ensure another strong 40 years of G.I. Joe i really feel they need to become more personable with the fans. If they feel that these “black market” sellers are harmful, the most obvious solution is to beet them to the punch. Its pretty obvious that if these figures are showing up Hasbro knows what the intentions are with them.So why, when asked, decline to tell us anything about them? That makes no sense to me. The world of toys is a lot different than it was 20 years ago, hell even 10 years ago. The target audience isnt kids anymore, its us 20-50 year olds that grew up with this stuff. Seriously how often do you see a child in the toy aisle anymore?
Anyways, i will spare everyone my rambling mind here….
Bravo on your stance!
I think the minimal official newsstream would be considerably less of an issue if it weren’t for the fact that at the same time as that newsdrought, they are releasing NO NEW PRODUCT.
Outside of the MARS Trooper 3 packs that likely broke street date in Canada, and the Hall of Heroes subline (which is largely repaints) there has been nothing new released since January. Even BEFORE Toyfair. Hasbro set up a 5 month drought after a year and a half of heavy, steady releases.
Simply put if it was not for the leaked images my interest in the Joe line would be at a near all time low. There is nothing in the stores that I currently see worth buying and any new product dried up months ago. I would simply be waiting for a few online only vehicles that I have already pre-ordered and we have pictures for and two 7-packs containing what I would believe to be the last of the classic figures for the foreseeable future. The movie figures while nice in their own right really don’t interest me all that much. BUT… with the constant flow of these leaked images that I check for on this site several times a day I instead have a number of figures and store exclusives that I A: am aware of only through these leaked images and B: am excited and saving for in the coming summer months. As far as the eBay auctions, while I am tempted I just can’t justify paying two to three times the retail price for a figure I’ll find in a few months. With figures like the Night Force Falcon, I would be very tempted, but I’ll leave in Hasbro’s hands to find a place to release the figure whether it be this year or 2010. I’m really past the “gotta have it now” stage of this hobby. I can wait. But hurry… and until then I’ll continue to check back several times a day.
I want to say that I wholeheartedly agree with you for the most part. But I do blame Hasbro for this. They are acting like they can still set the terms in this “information age” and I’m sorry Hasbro, but you can’t continue on like that. Times have changed and so must you.
As an example; Apple Computers, they used to only show new product at the MacWorld conventions/shows and those were held twice a year. The rest of the time, the rumor sites would leak stuff out left and right. Not much unlike this situation with Habro. But now Apple holds special events at various times of the year and debuts new product all year round. Now there is simply no reason that Hasbro can’t do this either.
Now I do agree, the number of online auctions popping up with this pre-released, pre-production and even prototype stuff; is truly getting out of hand. But as long as this stuff keeps showing up though, it will remain a source of information — and hope — for those patiently awaiting the arrival of new product.
I agree and have recommended this site to many, many new fans of GIJoe. Most sites wouldn’t be so conscientious.
To add to your point of there being such long stretches between conventions where Hasbro wants to release information, I think it can be looked at from another angle. Look at the items shown. A great deal of the figures released last year were never really revealed as a sneak peak in any official way.
Yet, there are plenty of outlets available to Hasbro that they can use to advertise and push these products to fans that would not cost them a dime. It seems that the club newsletters have gotten better across the last year or so for getting some sort of new images. But there is still a lot that goes unshown. I think they should make sure that items coming are all shown officially at some point and that there is a somewhat steady flow of information and products.
I wasn’t happy that it felt like 4 or 5 waves hit one week after another toward the end of last year. And that was after a few months of feeling like nothing new was ever available to buy. It seems that pictures of new products have been coming in the same flood/drought sort of way.
Anyway, it is great to hear that you will be showing us new items while not endorsing deals that may hurt the hobby in the end.
I have never bought one of these auction figures, simply because I am too cheap. But by the sound of Hasbro’s answers to many of the questions, we may never see some of the Resolute figures. Those are really the only ones I am interested in, not the movie stuff. So I just may pony up at this point…
Hey If Hasbro doesn’t want to sell their own product, I have no problem with some poor factory worker who makes 5 cents an hour and gets no lunch break while working 12 hour shifts gets to make a little money off my “rich” American ass by providing me what I want. Maybe this way she can buy something special for her little girl’s birthday, like strawberries, and I get a figure I may not be able to get elsewhere. Win/win. Believe me when I say NO ONE at Hasbro will be seriously hurt by these black market sales. NO ONE. In TOTAL, they account for .000000000000001 percent of Hasbro’s HOURLY income. If even that. So let’s keep things in perspective.
I like that you have been posting images of potential upcoming product. Those black market auctions usually always go higher than I’m willing to pay for an item that I can get much cheaper at retail with a little bit of waiting so even if you mention them or not it doesn’t effect my purchases. The images on the other hand do give me something to look forward to and build up my excitement for when these figures actually do hit the stores.
Well said sir. While I do agree with your new stance, it does appear that Hasbro has us by the proverbial “short and curlies”. Also, being a somewhat conspiracy theorist, is it possible that Hasbro is the one selling from overseas to generate hype for a new line? All the while making a bit of cash at the same time? Probably not.
Once, long ago, I sent a quiet e-mail to the operator of…Joesightings? Commending him on his no-stolen-toy stance, which was an incredibly refreshing change from my usual haunt, Transformers fandom, where a noteworthy site actually once offered a BOUNTY for the first stolen images or samples of the 20th Anniversary Optimus Prime. I still feel this way, and I’ve honestly been pretty disappointed by the attention lavished on such auctions here lately.
That being said, I found this to be a very thoughtful post on the subject, and respect your solution to it (as though my respect is something you seek or require).
Frank: the line workers are NOT making your money. They are being paid a tiny, tiny fraction of what you pay a middleman (or two) who snatches these things up for essentially nothing.
LV: Come to think of it, you are probably right about the middle man making way more than the poor factory drones. But, I like to think maybe even that tiny fraction they get helps. Yeah, I am probably a naive guy…
So many thoughts. First off, i am not buying any of the items at auction… maybe… more on that in a minute.
First off, these leaked images keep me interested. There has not been much from hasbro. In fact I am REALLY REALLY REALLY, (did i meantion really) interested in the 7 packs.
But Habro has released no information on these. NOTHING offical. Not even a release date.
That is there mistake.
Now back to the maybe…. That Destro in the Grey look great. I might actually consider buying that. Reality is i probably won’t. But I would consider it, now that Hasbro has said “not in 2009”.
That Red Resolute Destro looks nothing like the cartoon. What was hasbro thinking.
Bottom line, keep bringing on the photos. I come to your site every day to see what is new. I like your reviews, i like your news, i like your stories.
I also agreed with what you said about buying this stuff. But not showing sneak peaks, or unproduced product is silly. Those who will buy will buy, those who won’t get a place to come and look at some potential product.
The toy companies all have a love/hate with leaks and spoilers for exactly the points that have been articulated here. Lego wrestled with this for years. For a time when their Community Marketing Liason was a young guy with a lot of great ideas, he set up a dialogue with several fansites to agree to drip feed product prototypes, advanced images etc… basically fight spoilers with high quality, endorsed spoilers. It was quite successful. Unfortunately, that person is no longer with the company and they dissolved the position. Once they did that, the data miners started up again in earnest.
As for the items for sale on the black market, sure it’s annoying but the volumes are so low, I would doubt they even figure into the equation. It’s the kids and parents buying for kids that make or break the line, as we all know.
I have to agree with DistantFred. No product on the shelves is pretty frustrating. A news blackout doesn’t help.
I understand that they are trying to build up for the movie tie-ins, and that’s fine. But they could do a slow drip style of information campaign. And they should immediately correct errors/false rumors when they show up. They shouldn’t have waited until the Q&A to address the wave 14 leaks.
I like seeing the new product, but without context (release, numbers, dates)there are more questions than answers. And I like being able to plan what I’m getting.