AEW Launch Day Thread (most likely coming 8/6)

[Deleted]

I’ve seen at least one person so far has gotten their shipment from ringside. Hoping for the same after work lol

[Deleted]

So, before I even offer my 2¢ I'd just like to preface by saying that I am and continue to be a huge fan and cheerleader for AEW and its figure line. I have multiple figures (including entire sets) pre-ordered and have no regrets (so far)...

However, this is a pretty bad look coming out of the gate for a Jazwares and the Unrivaled series. Especially given how much sterling fanfare the Bubbly Jericho was met with by collectors after getting it in hand.

I'm hoping this can be a learning experience for them more than anything though as their biggest misstep here was simply (and very unnecessarily) dying on the "AUGUST 3rd!" hill when all they had to do was change the promotion release date to "August" or even "Early August" if you wanted a more concrete time frame. It's particularly bizarre because they very publicly committed to promoting their (niche) product arriving at every Walmart in the country all at once on a certain day during the most uncertain time for retail in the history of the country (world really).

No, I'm not going to angrily Tweet at a multi-billionaire over my toys arriving 48 hours later.
No, I'm not swearing off AEW and professional wrestling as a whole because my life was ruined by this.
No, I'm not setting up an autonomous protest zone outside of my local Walmart over action figures.

Yes, I'll jot down some notes on a wrestling figure forum that I have reasonable belief Jazwares representatives read in hopes that they make a tiny modification to their promotional strategy next time.

It is annoying when you've spent time throughout the last month debating trolls online calling these "cheap dollar store toys" and then the same company you've been defending does some silly stuff like giving a public countdown to a (failure to) launch for the entire series. It makes you as a fan look and feel foolish after going to bat.

So, anyone from Jazwares who might read this, once again, you're doing great. The figures look superb, the commercials on TNT are awesome, the hype you've created is very obviously real, people are ready to go All In on your line. But just try to communicate better and don't paint yourselves into corners with tight release dates, it makes fans feel like they're being lied too even if it’s out of your hands. A lot of people took vacation days from work and/or planned their entire day to hunt these down based on your promoted release date but now they're S.O.L. come the actual release date.

[Deleted]

Aug 3, 2020 10:21:55 GMT -5 @tepig said:

So, before I even offer my 2¢ I'd just like to preface by saying that I am and continue to be a huge fan and cheerleader for AEW and its figure line. I have multiple figures (including entire sets) pre-ordered and have no regrets (so far)...

However, this is a pretty bad look coming out of the gate for a Jazwares and the Unrivaled series. Especially given how much sterling fanfare the Bubbly Jericho was met with by collectors after getting it in hand.

I'm hoping this can be a learning experience for them more than anything though as their biggest misstep here was simply (and very unnecessarily) dying on the "AUGUST 3rd!" hill when all they had to do was change the promotion release date to "August" or even "Early August" if you wanted a more concrete time frame. It's particularly bizarre because they very publicly committed to promoting their (niche) product arriving at every Walmart in the country all at once a certain day during the most uncertain time for retail in the history of the country (world really).

No, I'm not going to angrily Tweet at a multi-billionaire over my toys arriving 48 hours later.
No, I'm not swearing off AEW and professional wrestling as a whole because my life was ruined by this.
No, I'm not setting up an autonomous protest zone outside of my local Walmart over action figures.

Yes, I'll jot down some notes on a wrestling figure forum that I have reasonable belief Jazwares representatives read in hopes that they make a tiny modification to their promotional strategy next time.

It is annoying when you've spent time throughout the last month debating trolls online calling these "cheap dollar store toys" and then the same company you've been defending does some silly stuff like giving a public countdown to a (failure to) launch for the entire series. It makes you as a fan look and feel foolish after going to bat.

So, anyone from Jazwares who might read this, once again, you're doing great. The figures look superb, the commercials on TNT are awesome, the hype you've created is very obviously real, people are ready to go All In on your line. But just try to communicate better and don't paint yourselves into corners with tight release dates, it makes fans feel like they're being lied too even if it’s out of your hands. A lot of people took vacation days from work and/or planned their entire day to hunt these down based on your promoted release date but now they're S.O.L. come the actual release date.

If it wasn’t for Covid we would have had them by now. I understand people wanting them but some are overreacting lol

[Deleted]

Aug 3, 2020 10:23:21 GMT -5 @whathefreak said:

Aug 3, 2020 10:21:55 GMT -5 @tepig said:

So, before I even offer my 2¢ I'd just like to preface by saying that I am and continue to be a huge fan and cheerleader for AEW and its figure line. I have multiple figures (including entire sets) pre-ordered and have no regrets (so far)...

However, this is a pretty bad look coming out of the gate for a Jazwares and the Unrivaled series. Especially given how much sterling fanfare the Bubbly Jericho was met with by collectors after getting it in hand.

I'm hoping this can be a learning experience for them more than anything though as their biggest misstep here was simply (and very unnecessarily) dying on the "AUGUST 3rd!" hill when all they had to do was change the promotion release date to "August" or even "Early August" if you wanted a more concrete time frame. It's particularly bizarre because they very publicly committed to promoting their (niche) product arriving at every Walmart in the country all at once a certain day during the most uncertain time for retail in the history of the country (world really).

No, I'm not going to angrily Tweet at a multi-billionaire over my toys arriving 48 hours later.
No, I'm not swearing off AEW and professional wrestling as a whole because my life was ruined by this.
No, I'm not setting up an autonomous protest zone outside of my local Walmart over action figures.

Yes, I'll jot down some notes on a wrestling figure forum that I have reasonable belief Jazwares representatives read in hopes that they make a tiny modification to their promotional strategy next time.

It is annoying when you've spent time throughout the last month debating trolls online calling these "cheap dollar store toys" and then the same company you've been defending does some silly stuff like giving a public countdown to a (failure to) launch for the entire series. It makes you as a fan look and feel foolish after going to bat.

So, anyone from Jazwares who might read this, once again, you're doing great. The figures look superb, the commercials on TNT are awesome, the hype you've created is very obviously real, people are ready to go All In on your line. But just try to communicate better and don't paint yourselves into corners with tight release dates, it makes fans feel like they're being lied too even if it’s out of your hands. A lot of people took vacation days from work and/or planned their entire day to hunt these down based on your promoted release date but now they're S.O.L. come the actual release date.

If it wasn’t for Covid we would have had them by now. I understand people wanting them but some are overreacting lol

Correct and I agree entirely about the overreacting. However the virus has been going strong for 6 months now, throttling the entire planet. It didn't just creep up last week suddenly which is why it's so odd to me they committed to such a specific date. 

"Coming to Walmart early August" would have been just fine and created just as much hype. 

[johnnyhanson21]

This whole situation is as disappointing as Vince being revealed as the Higher Power or Flair as the Black Scorpion.Big let down.

[Robz PippinRoad]

Aug 3, 2020 10:23:21 GMT -5 @whathefreak said:

Aug 3, 2020 10:21:55 GMT -5 @tepig said:

So, before I even offer my 2¢ I'd just like to preface by saying that I am and continue to be a huge fan and cheerleader for AEW and its figure line. I have multiple figures (including entire sets) pre-ordered and have no regrets (so far)...

However, this is a pretty bad look coming out of the gate for a Jazwares and the Unrivaled series. Especially given how much sterling fanfare the Bubbly Jericho was met with by collectors after getting it in hand.

I'm hoping this can be a learning experience for them more than anything though as their biggest misstep here was simply (and very unnecessarily) dying on the "AUGUST 3rd!" hill when all they had to do was change the promotion release date to "August" or even "Early August" if you wanted a more concrete time frame. It's particularly bizarre because they very publicly committed to promoting their (niche) product arriving at every Walmart in the country all at once a certain day during the most uncertain time for retail in the history of the country (world really).

No, I'm not going to angrily Tweet at a multi-billionaire over my toys arriving 48 hours later.
No, I'm not swearing off AEW and professional wrestling as a whole because my life was ruined by this.
No, I'm not setting up an autonomous protest zone outside of my local Walmart over action figures.

Yes, I'll jot down some notes on a wrestling figure forum that I have reasonable belief Jazwares representatives read in hopes that they make a tiny modification to their promotional strategy next time.

It is annoying when you've spent time throughout the last month debating trolls online calling these "cheap dollar store toys" and then the same company you've been defending does some silly stuff like giving a public countdown to a (failure to) launch for the entire series. It makes you as a fan look and feel foolish after going to bat.

So, anyone from Jazwares who might read this, once again, you're doing great. The figures look superb, the commercials on TNT are awesome, the hype you've created is very obviously real, people are ready to go All In on your line. But just try to communicate better and don't paint yourselves into corners with tight release dates, it makes fans feel like they're being lied too even if it’s out of your hands. A lot of people took vacation days from work and/or planned their entire day to hunt these down based on your promoted release date but now they're S.O.L. come the actual release date.

 I understand people wanting them heck I hit 5 Walmart’s this morning but some are overreacting lol there’s allot of pieces to the puzzle in something this big and Jazwares isn’t accountable for that solely and or even possibly at all when you consider current events and or Walmart’s part in the process not to mention shipping issues all over the World 
we will get there and I have faith Jeremy will be a strong advocate for us as collectors 

[jimfriend]

I mean, might there be a chance Walmart stocks them later today?

[Yambag Jones]

0-6 in Southern Illinois. The last one I went to there was a guy looking for E77 Fiend when I walked into aisle. He started yelling and throwing Elites down the aisle because "WHERE'S THE FIEND?!? THEY HAVE RHONDA AND STYLES BUT NO FIEND". Seemed like a REALLY cool guy. After he stormed off, I searched the isle and they didn't even have stickers out for AEW.

One of the Walmarts I went to had the ring and title belt out, but even those didn't have stickers on the shelves.

I asked a couple of people at my main stores if they could scan the barcode on BrickSeek. Both people said to call in first thing Thursday and ask them to hold them for me. Each person said they're only getting in 6 figures. This is going to get really salty. If each store is really only getting 1 case, it's gonna be a bloodbath.

Last point: As I left my 6th store this morning empty handed, I was a little frustrated but it's not the worst thing ever. It's important for us to not throw a fit or harass employees. We're all likely adults here, let's act like it. We're in the middle of a global pandemic and a lot of these workers are afraid of exposure and getting sick. There are higher priorities than us getting our toys. Let's be chill.

[Yambag Jones]

Aug 3, 2020 10:42:18 GMT -5 jimfriend said:

I mean, might there be a chance Walmart stocks them later today?

Maybe. I'm going to check my main store again tonight before close just in case, but gathering stories from all over the country it seems like Wednesday night/Thursday morning is going to be the time.

[johnnyhanson21]

Aug 3, 2020 10:42:18 GMT -5 jimfriend said:

I mean, might there be a chance Walmart stocks them later today?

I would say 0% you find anything today or tomorrow,don't waste your time and gas.If most are saying 8/5 that's when their arriving on trucks so could be on the shelves at somepoint that day but should be for sure on Thursday.So might check a store or two on Wednesday but probably safest bet would be Thursday if you don't want to waste your time,just gotta hope you get their or theirs something left after the scalpers.

[unc311]

Aug 3, 2020 10:19:10 GMT -5 The Solution said:

It’s been almost 20 minutes Jeremy, UPDATE US!!!!!

Jeremy said pacific time it will be a little bit.

[The Solution]

For some reason, I read 8 AM Pacific, which has happened already

[SodaGuy]

It's never a good first impression when you launch a product by stumbling out of the gate. It might not be their entire fault but you're going to be held "responsible" when you advertise a launch date that comes and goes without sight of your product.

[thekev12]

The one thing the WWE Legends line demonstrates is that getting the figures to the store is only half the battle. Getting them to the shelves is on the retailer and out of the manufacturer’s hands. Even if they come in on the 5th I have little hope that they will be on the pegs in any kind of predictable timeframe.

The Target closest to me has gone through three cases of Legends without ever putting them out on the floor.

[The King Of Crisps]

Idk once Jeremy tweeted out:

Here's why initial waves of #AEW might be short at retail...

IF u overship a 1st or 2nd wave, retail can lose faith & shut you out - 1st impressions can be permanent.

IF u undership & assess the scale of the market, you get to keep playing.

Once u have sales data ur golden!"

My Hope's of finding these in a store deflated.

[penguin]

I also had a store say they were only getting 6. Surely they mean 6 cases, right? They have 3 pegs out and I can’t imagine they’re just getting half cases.

[Deep Figure Value]

I don't know how anyone actually thought these would be on the pegs waiting to be bought when stores opened up this morning.

[BaLoR RoLLiNS]

I'll hit the hillbilly Walmart today. Maybe they screwed up and put things out early.

[xtremebadass]

The blame here falls on multiple people.

First and foremost, you have to blame Jazwares for partnering with WALMART. That is the absolutely worst and inconsistent retailer across America.

Then you need to blame Jazwares again for advertising a specific date for launch. The only brand that can get away with big super hype launch dates is Star Wars and when they do it, they put out a TON of merchandise and not a case of 6 individual action figures. I remember Transformers had a big one too for their movie back in 2009. Ah, the good old days.

To a much, much lesser extent, you also have to blame the consumer for their unrealistic expectations. Yes, I know they advertised them being at WALMART on a SPECIFIC DATE, but collectors should have seen this one coming. If you regularly buy toys from WALMART and have experienced their tragic distribution problems, did you seriously think you were going to find these things?

If I didn't have these on preorder (still haven't gotten my shipment notification from RSC btw), would I be frantically hitting WALMARTS or waiting outside until they open? No, because WALMART is just awful.

[Deleted]

Aug 3, 2020 10:46:25 GMT -5 Yambag Jones said:

0-6 in Southern Illinois. The last one I went to there was a guy looking for E77 Fiend when I walked into aisle. He started yelling and throwing Elites down the aisle because "WHERE'S THE FIEND?!? THEY HAVE RHONDA AND STYLES BUT NO FIEND". Seemed like a REALLY cool guy. After he stormed off, I searched the isle and they didn't even have stickers out for AEW.

One of the Walmarts I went to had the ring and title belt out, but even those didn't have stickers on the shelves.

I asked a couple of people at my main stores if they could scan the barcode on BrickSeek. Both people said to call in first thing Thursday and ask them to hold them for me. Each person said they're only getting in 6 figures. This is going to get really salty. If each store is really only getting 1 case, it's gonna be a bloodbath.

Last point: As I left my 6th store this morning empty handed, I was a little frustrated but it's not the worst thing ever. It's important for us to not throw a fit or harass employees. We're all likely adults here, let's act like it. We're in the middle of a global pandemic and a lot of these workers are afraid of exposure and getting sick. There are higher priorities than us getting our toys. Let's be chill.

I guarantee that guy is on these boards and dms mods to delete threads and comments