G.I. Joe: Classified 6" figures

[KitbashOfficer]

Todd isn’t necessarily about making profits though. He’s gone on record saying he’d rather put out a new sculpt because it looks cool/better for the character then reuse a sculpt or have a ‘buck’ body like Mattel did and make a lesser profit because he ultimately only has to answer to himself. He might be more or less selling that close to a breaking even point. His figures are still $20 when Hasbro is $25+. Hasbro doesn’t have that same luxury he has.

But you’re right, size wise it’s totally doable. If they can put out something under $100 I think retail would carry it. This Haslab being a smash hit will also help sway retailers vehicles will sell.

I think they can absolutely sell this at retail for under $100. They must know that COLLECTORS...will pay more - therefore, do it in the HasLab instead of mass producing and take the risk of sitting on a shelf. I've never purchased a HasLab item, so I'm curious about quality in the end.

Smaller vehicles, I expect to absolutely see smaller vehicles at retail eventually. Already had the COIL and the RAM Cycle. Hopefully one day the SkyHawk and the FANG.

 

[screamingmetal]

I'd rank the Tactician colors as:
1. Red Helmet
2. Black with Red Chest Emblem
3. Blue
4. All Black with Black visor
5. Black with silver accent
6. Purple

 

[screamingmetal]

Well I backed this.
I think I might've been backer #14000.
Either way, tier 3 has been unlocked.

Now to start selling stuff.

I thought you had to be a premium member here to sell stuff, is that no longer the case?

 

[Buttmunch]

THE SUSSSSPENSE IS SO SSSSATISFYING!
Kudos to all you fanatical followers of the Cobra World Order. You've come sssslithering out of your caves to prove your loyalty to me, Cobra Commander! But I'm afraid it's jusssst not quite enough yet. While you've been ssssinging my praises and assiduoussssly backing my G.I. Joe Classified H.I.S.S. #HasLab, there are far too many sssslackers out there! They were wasting a long weekend with fesssstive celebrations and sssstuffing their faces with their barbecue and hot dogs INSTEAD OF BACKING MY H.I.S.S. CAMPAIGN! What's wrong with them?! Well, I've been using this time to plan a little celebration of my own - the COMPLETE and UTTER desssstruction of G.I. Joe!
There's just one Classified Upgrade left, and I've saved the besssst for lasssst! But I think I'll keep you in susssspense for just a little while longer. Soon enough, I'll reveal what reaching 16,000 backers will add to the campaign. But, until then, try convincing those other fools to join our crusade and KEEP FUNDING MY H.I.S.S. HASLAB!
Time is limited! This HasLab campaign will run until August 15, 2022. Back the G.I. Joe Cobra H.I.S.S. for $299.99/?299.99 UK/€349.99 DE on #HasbroPulse. See HasbroPulse.com for more details!

 

[mistermark]

I had to back this too. Thing of beauty and they better not drop the ball with the 4th unlock. The number 2 unlock shouldn't even count but the 3rd one was great. Happy collecting, all. The Classified line is gorgeous

 

[Flintty]

Trying to not get my hopes up for a hooded Commander, which that picture could be a tease of. It has to be the towed guns, right?

 

[screamingmetal]

I just got the Mark 2 Designs (Mark 2 Toys for this stuff) Weapon A & B sets from Hard 2 Find Toys the other day, thought I'd show how they look with Classified figures as well as 1/12 weapon sets from a couple of other manufacturers. Mark 2 usually does 3-D printed weapon sets on Etsy, these are abs plastic so much more durable but still harder than Classified weapons so they hold their shape. They're also not as hard as Valaverse weapons but you could still break them if you're not careful. None of the magazines or weapon accessories are removeable or have extending stocks, these are basically plastic slugs. The scale with the larger 1/12 Classified and Valaverse figures is really good, better than Gridiron Customs weapons which are a bit too large.

Top row is Classified
Middle row is Mark 2 Toys
Bottom row is Valaverse
The Uzis are almost identical in size except for the handle and trigger guard.

They're $20 a set and you can buy them here:
https://www.hard2findtoys.net/product-page/mark-2-design-weapon-set-alpha
https://www.hard2findtoys.net/product-page/mark-2-design-weapon-set-bravo
Mark 2 Toys website: Mark 2 Toys

I think that Mark said that these are going to be released with paint apps later. The M-4 in Weapon set Alpha is based on the rifle Mark was issued in the Navy while in Iraq. He's also got more weapon sets planed as well as a future crowd funding project for a 1/12 vehicle that will be made from plastic, it'll be inspired by a Technical. Also if you don't know, Mark designs the guns for Valaverse, but those are made to Valaverse's specifications so they have removeable mags that are smaller.

 

[screamingmetal]

I also took the opportunity to show a couple of Marauder's Task Force 1/12 weapons.
I have their first batch 1/12 weapons which I can't find at the moment, but I can show the later size corrected weapons they issued. Here are the Tavor Tar-21 & H&K UMP. I also have their Kel-Tek KSG Shotgun which I can't find at the moment. The magazines are removeable. These also come with accessory options like scopes and grips you purchase separately and plug into holes on the weapons. The Tar-21 has a EO-Tech Optic Site, the UMP has Steiner DBAL-A3 laser sight (listed on Marauder's as a Peq-A4) that I have placed backwards on the gun in the photos for some reason. One major issue is that the triggers are sculpted forward in the trigger guards and will break off when you put the weapons in the figure's hands. You can try and prevent this by heating, stretching, and cooling the fingers on your figures prior to placing the weapons in their hands.
Scale wise these two are very close to accurate, possibly a bit small, but the KSG Shotgun is definitely a little smaller than it should be.
The Tar-21s from Gridiron studios looks too large in photos, I don't have one for comparison so I'm not 100% on the GI scale, but can tell you that the AK weapons from Gridiron are way too large.

Top row is Marauder's Task Force 1/12 weapons
Middle row are Classified
Bottom row are Mark 2 Toys Weapons

You can buy them here:
https://www.marauderinc.com/category-s/2088.htmPersonally I really like the scale and price on these two weapons, $2.69 for a Tar-21 vs $10-$13 for a similar Tar-21 from Gridiron. I really wish Marauder's continued with their 1/12 weapon offerings but seemed to have stopped at the last series a couple of years ago.

 

[K1LLJOY]

 

[screamingmetal]

A fourth figure!
Nicssssssssssssssse.
That takes this to $80 in figures with $220 for the Hiss, a much better value.
Now I hope they see just how well this funded and add some more to this, I wouldn't mind blast effects after that fourth figure was added.

 

[Buttmunch]

A fourth figure!
Nicssssssssssssssse.
That takes this to $80 in figures with $220 for the Hiss, a much better value.
Now I hope they see just how well this funded and add some more to this, I wouldn't mind blast effects after that fourth figure was added.

Figures are $25 now so it’s at least a $100 in figure value by their mathing.

 

[Getter Dragon]

Figures are $25 now so it’s at least a $100 in figure value by their mathing.

You could scalp all these figures for way more than $25 on eBay. I bet some will fetch over a $100 each after the crowdfund is over.

I am wondering if a seperate retro cardback will be released at Wal-Mart for this classic Cobra Commander?

 

[screamingmetal]

Figures are $25 now so it’s at least a $100 in figure value by their mathing.

Well, you may accept that these are worth $25 but I won't, I value them at $20 a figure. If you can find a Classified figure at a Target or Walmart you may be lucky to find they're still listed at $19.99, that's what happened for me with the Bats & Alley Vipers that were listed online at $24.99.
My two last figures, the Cobra Officers were $22.99 from Amazon.

 

[Venzhe]

Well, you may accept that these are worth $25 but I won't, I value them at $20 a figure. If you can find a Classified figure at a Target or Walmart you may be lucky to find they're still listed at $19.99, that's what happened for me with the Bats & Alley Vipers that were listed online at $24.99.
My two last figures, the Cobra Officers were $22.99 from Amazon.

Are you in a fairly rural area? Count yourself lucky that a lower cost of living region has slowed the price uptick for you. But the fact of the matter is that Hasbro has really jacked up the underlying wholesale cost which is forcing the 24.99 price point.

For example, Hasbro may have been charging wholesale $13 USD per standard six inch figure 3 years ago, and today it may be 18$ USD per standard six inch figure today. Since Walmart and Target don’t primarily make their money on the toy department, they can decide to sell in some lower cost areas at a break even point or slight loss to get you in the store. And even then, that doesn’t hold true nationally. Most Targets and Walmarts in the major metro areas of the US should be selling at that 24.99 price point.

But for a retailer that lives on selling you toys, to pocket that same 6.99 today as they did 3 years ago, they need to sell at 24.99. You can definitely argue that Hasbro is in danger of pricing themselves out of many consumers’ price range. But to argue that the cost is at 19.99 still because you can find some big box stores selling them as loss leaders to bring you into the store is just incorrect. The retailer in 2022, after figuring logistics costs for sending to the store and stocking, has made no money on that sale at 19.99 and would go out of business if that was the only thing they sold.

24.99 is the correct price valuation. Count yourself lucky to buy anything under and understand that the retailer has taken it on the chin to provide you that lower price.

 

[screamingmetal]

Are you in a fairly rural area? Count yourself lucky that a lower cost of living region has slowed the price uptick for you. But the fact of the matter is that Hasbro has really jacked up the underlying wholesale cost which is forcing the 24.99 price point.

For example, Hasbro may have been charging wholesale $13 USD per standard six inch figure 3 years ago, and today it may be 18$ USD per standard six inch figure today. Since Walmart and Target don’t primarily make their money on the toy department, they can decide to sell in some lower cost areas at a break even point or slight loss to get you in the store. And even then, that doesn’t hold true nationally. Most Targets and Walmarts in the major metro areas of the US should be selling at that 24.99 price point.

But for a retailer that lives on selling you toys, to pocket that same 6.99 today as they did 3 years ago, they need to sell at 24.99. You can definitely argue that Hasbro is in danger of pricing themselves out of many consumers’ price range. But to argue that the cost is at 19.99 still because you can find some big box stores selling them as loss leaders to bring you into the store is just incorrect. The retailer in 2022, after figuring logistics costs for sending to the store and stocking, has made no money on that sale at 19.99 and would go out of business if that was the only thing they sold.

24.99 is the correct price valuation. Count yourself lucky to buy anything under and understand that the retailer has taken it on the chin to provide you that lower price.

Kansas City, in the suburbs, not rural. It's possible the prices may be raising for all stores on Classified just that I have yet to see it.
But I was talking about my perceived value of these figures, these are at most $20 figures with the price hikes. Compare their Marvel Legends & Star Wars Black Series lines, they're the same price as Classified but they have licensing fees, to the Mouse which is notorious for high licensing fees. Hasbro owns GI Joe. So obviously they're pricing Classified the same so that all their products have the same perceived value, but they make more off of the Classified line. Additionally Classified has a lot of reuse and they skip on the accessories (where are all the hand options?). I'm not sold on the idea that these should be priced at $25. I'm going to be limiting my purchases on Classified with the higher costs to just the essentials. I haven't ordered Kamakura, the Viper 3 pack, the Ninja two pack or the new Tiger Force Duke with bike specifically because of the higher prices.

 

[Deeznutz6]

Backed…

 

[KitbashOfficer]

Figures are $25 now so it’s at least a $100 in figure value by their mathing.

Agreed - the value of this is now much more justifiable.

 

[mikedanger]

I will likely sell the figures as I am pairing down my collection to my favorite bad dudes and want the tank as the centerpiece

 

[Venzhe]

Kansas City, in the suburbs, not rural. It's possible the prices may be raising for all stores on Classified just that I have yet to see it.
But I was talking about my perceived value of these figures, these are at most $20 figures with the price hikes. Compare their Marvel Legends & Star Wars Black Series lines, they're the same price as Classified but they have licensing fees, to the Mouse which is notorious for high licensing fees. Hasbro owns GI Joe. So obviously they're pricing Classified the same so that all their products have the same perceived value, but they make more off of the Classified line. Additionally Classified has a lot of reuse and they skip on the accessories (where are all the hand options?). I'm not sold on the idea that these should be priced at $25. I'm going to be limiting my purchases on Classified with the higher costs to just the essentials. I haven't ordered Kamakura, the Viper 3 pack, the Ninja two pack or the new Tiger Force Duke with bike specifically because of the higher prices.

I agree that the pricing especially on Kamakura and the 3 pack Vipers is ridiculous. And I don’t disagree with your perceived value on figures. Also I didn’t mean to come across as too strong if I did. But even if your perceived value differs from MSRP, Buttmunch’s original correction of using $25 is the proper way to approach the analytics. Sorry to be pedantic about this point.

But moving on… I’ve backed twice and am hoping to scrounge up something for a third by August. This is a very cool project.

 

[BuddyGus]

Great news on the Cobra Commander. Kinda bummed that he is on a retro card back though. Would have been nice to open it, but of course I will have to resist.....or back a second HISS......