I didn't even know there was a deal for the MOTU/DC packs. I thought they just stopped doing those.

I think it might be a case that Mattel is unwilling or unable to lower the MOQ for an etailer like BBTS or EE to pick up the packs as exclusives, but they can for Matty Collector, since its effectively themselves they'd be selling to.

As much as I'd like to finish off the line, there's no way I'd pay $50 bucks a pack. Rarely does a toy line outlive its cartoon, and rarely does it complete team rosters. JLU has had a long and extensive run. I'm content to let it ride off into the sunset, even though we may not get Mongul or Vandal ( which we should have gotten way earlier in the line).

It might make better business sense to produce them all at once. Turn the machines back on one last time and be done with it.

Of course, that would mean storing the figures somewhere, either in China or Los Angeles, until they are ready for release. Mattel might not be willing to do that.

The subscription idea seems to be a win-win for Mattel and collectors. Mattel would be guaranteed its money and collectors would get their figures, regardless of when they are released.

But that would cost Mattel more money on JLU so to them that's a lose. That's why it won't happen, even though some of us have been trying to get them to do that and/or pre orders for almost 3 years now.

Wait, are you saying a subscription for the final figures would be a loss for Mattel? Because it would just be a commitment to buy. Mattel could manufacture the figures whenever it wanted, and charge the buyer's credit card when the figures ship.

The DC Infinite Earths was the first Matty subscription I bought, and I'm beginning to understand the benefits of having them. Unlike, say, a newspaper or magazine subscription, a buyer in this case pays over time, rather than up front. It's more akin to a rental lease on an apartment. The renter commits for a year, but only pays once a month.

Sorry if I misunderstood your point.

What I meant is that setting up the sub, getting the work done, having people do the work, everything involved with creating it and implementing would cost them money and they don't want to spend any more money on JLU unless it's "turning on the machines".

Well, you could take that even further and say that simply having to list them on mattycollector.com would cost Mattel money.

I don't believe that, in Mattel's eyes, a JLU sub would be the same kind of cost as reworking the 3-packs.

I didn't say it would be the same, but SOMEONE would have to work on it and that someone would be paid for working on JLU. All Mattel wants to do is turn on the machines and sell them. If money spent isn't for those two things, then they aren't doing it.

Right, just like SOMEONE would have to work and be paid to put the offerings up on the website. My only point was that there is still "work" left to be done with JLU, but the work is necessary to sell the packs. (Maybe I should have said "listing the items" instead of "a JLU sub.")

To clarify, Mattel has said they can't do any more developmental work on the packs, as they are done and ready to be produced ("turn on the machines").

If they decide to sell them, whether its individually or in a sub, some work would still need to be done, pertaining to actually listing the packs on the site for sale, and all that goes with that process. Since this part is absolutely necessary to be able to sell the packs, I don't believe Mattel would consider this to be an additional cost.

Listing the packs is part of the whole "turning the machines on to sell them" cost they're willing to accept. Setting up the sub is extra work with extra money. If you don't agree then keep asking for a sub. Maybe we'll all get lucky.

I am willing to accept that listing the packs could be considered part of the whole "turning the machines on to sell them" cost, if you're willing to accept that setting up a sub could just as easily be a part of that same cost.

Either way, I want these figures, sub or not.

You guys make my head hurt, just wanted to share that

Then my work is done.

*dusts hands together*

I think it could be too but I don't believe Mattel sees it that way. I wish they would though.