Hasbro Pulse Exclusive Need More Stock And Could Be Improved
My first G.I. Joe was the second version of Snake Eyes which is considered by many as the best action figure in the 3 3/4″ original line; I really like the Hasbro Pulse exclusive Snake Eyes, it’s a nice diorama but a few tiny accessories didn’t justify the price or warrant a purchase from me; now if Timber, Snake Eyes’ faithful wolf, was included; it would have been a must-have.
Fix The Supply Chain Issues or Sell Directly to Customers
Between the Covid-19 pandemic and the demise of Toys R Us in America, it must not have been easy for Hasbro to launch its G.I. Joe Classified line. From big retailers not carrying any stock to fans complaining about not being to get any of their favorite action figures, they must be struggling to find solutions.
The supply chain is a major issue here and as a customer, until this is fixed, I do not have faith, the line will survive or find the success both Hasbro and G.I. Joe fans wished it has.
It’s very difficult to find action figures already released and for the few available, there’s no way of knowing knowing if a figure is part of the original line or the re-painted refresh, finding exclusive on the retail market is impossible while eBay and influencers are taunting fans; and when it comes to pre-orders release dates not being respected and orders being cancelled by retailers are way too common.
Stores Exclusives Should Not Be Fostering A Market Of Scalpers
Back in the 80/90s, the store exclusives used to be variants of action figures that were widely available. Every one could have that one character they wanted and store exclusives were something you would look forward to find.
Nowadays, there is nothing fun about store exclusives; they’re easier to find from scalpers at outrageous prices than they are to find in the very few retail locations or on the retailer’s website where often any stock becoming available is rapidly scalped by bots.
I personally pre-ordered the Amazon exclusive Storm Shadow 3 months before its release only to have my order cancelled the day before the release date; I’ve yet to see any Cobra Island in-stock online or in a local store.
Exclusives Shouldn’t Be Army Builders or Better Versions of Army Builders
For a lot of fans, the basic Cobra foot soldier is important and having a few of them is often on the wish list of most G.I. Joe enthusiasts; having them as store exclusives like the Cobra Viper or Trooper, especially considering the supply chain issues and the scalping issues, is really putting off a lot of genuine fan who would love to get these figures.
Also when releasing a figure like the Cobra Infantry which is pretty much an inferior version of the previously exclusive Cobra Trooper; this doesn’t make anyone really want to buy it.
Make Variants Store Exclusives
The Roadblock Cobra Island variant is a great store exclusive the Profit Director Destro should have been one too instead of characters never released previously and only available as Target (in the USA) or Toy R Us (in Canada) exclusives.
