Seems like the Classic VAMP2 will debut at SDCC and then be available at TRU. I hope this is true!

http://generalsjoes.com/2014/02/18/clar ... the-docks/

If it ain't on pre-order via HTS, they're not serious about trying to get stuff to us.

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I'm hoping TRU took this exclusive serious and makes this line not only available in all stores in all regions, but online as well. I only have 1 TRU within a reasonable drive and I'm pretty sure it gets cleaned out by ebay guys regularly.

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I'm concerned about availability too. Especially if TRU is the only retailer carrying this line.

And I hope the urban Camo version is also widely available too. Its a cool version.

That's my problem. The nearest TRU is 90 miles away, so I can't just hop in the car and go check it out. If they're available online, then I can at least order them.

Honestly, I would be a lot more worried about availability if it was a Wal-Mart or Target exclusive considering how they have pretty much given up on GIJoe. I have some faith that TRU will deliver. They often carry a good quantity of their exclusives.

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There are many items TRU has put on site for preorder. There should be no reason they do not do it with these. And yes, if they don't do it, I would have to assume it's just a half hearted attempt. At least to look at it with rose colored glasses.

BUT on that same page, many people end up NOT buying when items are easy to get. It's a catch 22. People went nuts and back flipped for the Eaglehawk. Couldn't wait and people checked regularly. Finally it showed up. We saw people buy 2 and 3 at a time. Then within 2 weeks when it was everywhere, it clogs the shelf even today.

So that's the question. How should they sell this offering. I will be buying regardless as always. Many of you will too, but we can't buy it all. We alone can't make it a hit. Without Hasbro wanting to market the product with commercials and such, which option sells the most? Availability or scarcity? Is there a happy middle ground?

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If they took pre-orders, it would give them a gauge by which to determine how much to manufacture.

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Maybe. But that doesn't account for the impulse buyers or for the people that flake out on their pre-order commitment. Hasbro takes their guess and sometimes they are wrong. My only gripe is that if their guess was short and they need more product, go make some more product.

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Then you're getting close to the subscription model the Club is using.

And I think the unit cost on subscription-based adult collectible toys tends to be as high as it is in part because the demand is relatively small. You can't take advantage of the economies of scale that come with huge production runs and deliver product at a reasonable price point.

I'm frankly shocked that Hasbro is doing any brick-and-mortar tie in with Joe's 50th. And i have to imagine they'll produce enough to justify firing up the line at the factory. Distribution, on the other hand, could easily screw this pooch for many of us.

They only have to distribute their products to a single chain of stores, so it might help them figure things out.

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Then TRU has to stock it evenly. I don't have much faith in my TRU based on Retaliation experience.

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