That we seem to always hit the Mattel thermometer on a "last minute rush?"

Or at least something along those lines?

I don't know that it's ever been said directly but it's been hinted at that the online stores wait to place their orders trying to gauge how many they think that they can move.

I have heard this as well (BBTS had it up for preorder this whole time, do it makes perfect sense), and it would account for the late, large orders which needed verification.

Ultimately I'm not saying it's a big deal either. If that's the way they motivate people to sign up and they get a few more "last minute panic buys" when they already know they are at their number, then whatever.

Just seemed odd to me.

I remember listening to a podcast where they were talking to some German MOTUC collectors. The German's are hard-core about their MOTUC, but listening to what those guys had to say the MattyCollector model doesn't really work for German collectors as a whole. From what they said most Germans don't have and don't want/need credit cards so ordering directly from Mattel is out. There are a few of them that have set up a fan-based "distribution" point that places mass orders and re-ships them to the German buyers who use bank transfers and the like as payment. Along those lines, places like BBTS provide that sort of service for people who would otherwise not be ordering from Mattel be it because of method of payment, combined shipping, Mattel's shipping options or whatever. These stores probably have a much better handle on what Mattel's production numbers are than any of us (if they don't outright know) so it really does make sense for them to want to have a feel for what is being ordered by individuals before they place their final orders.

What's up with the whole German He-man thing? It just seems so random that the property caught on so well in that one country.

Kinda like Max Steel and Mexico.

Well... He-Man does wear the Iron Cross...

The whole mythology does have a pretty Teutonic/Nordic vibe to it... Not all that surprising, really.

That's one of the reasons Digital River was first contracted - they're one of the only webstore solutions that offers international shipping, and He-Man has a huge European presence.

exactly. And it's worn by a blonde, blue-eyed, self-proclaimed 'master of the universe'...

Oh, Mattel.

Who fights all the lesser species of Eternia Oh God... I need to stop!

What if the Germans had a MOTUC movie staring David Hasselhoff? Minds would be blown.

Thanks... now I have scalding hot coffee dripping out of my nose and down the computer screen.

LOL!

Yeah the Hoff in a fur loin cloth riding Battle Kitt. It's too disturbing to think about!

ah! stop! My mind's eye! Its burning! Make it stop! Make! It! Stop!