Does McF have any say over the retailers' set prices?

[Dajistano]

Just an example of many: http://www.monstersinmotion.com/tv/061ma98.html
And what has happened with the steep increase in prices for the 12" figures?
I remember last year the 12" Arnold was $25-27. Now I see the 12" Alien and Predator going for over $30-35 and in some places $40+.

[chaserfan]

I'd guess they can only suggest a retail price. cant imagine they can make someone set a price at something.

[Peter Peeker]

Goff has said that McF has NO manufacturer's suggested retail price.
so, no. they don't.

[mr. stinkhead]

When Playmobil first set-up shop in the US (they're a german based company)
They started yelling at retailers that were dropping prices on their toys.
(Most places that carried playmo back then were mom&pop places)

They all banded together and sued Playmobil USA, (or at least a class-action suit type things with the Federal Trade Commission) well Playmobil got spanked, because in AMERICA (Dammit!) no one can tell you how much to sell something for.

Mr. Stinkhead
Playmobil lova!

[Michael Crawford]

And the entire 'no SRP' thing is such a crock a shit. I have old data sheets around somewhere for early McToys product that I can almost swear has SRP's on them. Giving them the benefit of the doubt and assuming that if they did once give SRP's, but no longer do, it still doesn't matter - they know how much the retailer is likely to sell them for based on what THEY charge.

Mcfarlane charges the retailer $5 for something, they know it will end up around $10 at the retailer. Maybe they didn't specifically say "you should sell this for around ten bucks", but they shouldn't try to play stupid either.

If you think the retailers raised their prices on their own, I'd say that's unlikely. They usually try to keep similar margins on similar product - if McToys raises their costs to the retailer, you'll see the retailer raise it most of the time.

Michael
MWC

[thatchetguy]

As far as I know, there's NEVER been a SRP on McF Toys. We would publish in EndCap what we thought the "average" retailer would charge (which really is what the DISCONUT places like TRU would mark up). In fact, there is just one price for EVERYONE, TRU, WalMart, and Diamond. Of course, Diamond (and other middlemen) have to mark up each case for their profit, and then each retailer decides if he wants to do a 50% mark-up like TRU, or 100% to help pay for non-selling toys (TRU typicllay just charges McF Toys back on all un-sold merch).

And the price is for a case, but of course some guys will charge more for individual figures they think will sell better. TRU (and other biggies) don't care, but small shops want to get more on the "hot" or "chase" toys to cover the crap that sits on the shelves forever.

And places like Spencers ALWAYS marked things up much more than they needed to. The first time we saw how much they were charging for a KISS exclusive we were floored. But they didn't sell as many, so you'd think they would have learned...

So no, no control. There is some idea based on wholesale costs, but McF's "wholesale" is not always what the shop's cost is either. Remember the middlemen.

<font color="#cd6600" size="1">[ June 17, 2004 11:06 AM: Message edited by: ThatChetGuy ]</font>

[Michael Crawford]

Well, Chet is da man, so I'll believe him. Hey, I see your little info at the bottom says 'from Michigan'. Are you back in the state?

Michael
MWC

[Andyman]

Chet never left our winter wonderland.

[Dion Bozman]

Regardless of Michael's beliefs, we've never had an MSRP ... at least not in the five years I've been here. First, how do you enforce it?

Our wholesale costs are pretty consistent across the board and have changed very little over the years. The only items that do tend to fluctuate -- for reasons I don't fully understand -- are large-scale stuff and boxed sets.

Fact is, our wholesale prices to retailers for Spawn, sports and all licensed stuff are the same as they were when I started here.
dion

[Michael Crawford]

Like I said Dion, if Chet says it's true, I believe him. Not that you're lying - but what people say when they work for a company vs. what they say when the no longer work for the company can at times be two different things, often for very good reasons.

And I thought Chet moved down to one of those boring states for awhile - Indiana? Illinois? Something like that? I may have just gotten that impression in my head without actually confirming it.

Michael
MWC