91 replies to this topic

[DSTZach]

...You want us to advertise more? I'll be honest, we don't take out a ton of print or even web ads, just because we don't have a huge PR budget. But for us, getting them in the stores and on the websites is half the battle. Eaglemoss sells subscriptions, and does a lot of mail order, so presumably they need to advertise a lot more.

If you mean we don't tell you far enough in advance what we're making, we tell people months and months in advance. And when we get actual product samples, we show you those, too. Telling you earlier would not lessen the wait, or even come with any sort of release date, and the wait for the next one would just be longer. We also can't tell you more than one item at a time in each category, but that's because we usually work on them one at a time.

Even though we're apples and oranges, I'm honestly fine being seen as second to Eaglemoss (here, anyway). They make great stuff, and we're really the only two companies putting out regular Trek stuff, besides Funko, Titan, Hallmark and QMx, and they have fairly specialized offerings. We're the only ones putting out traditional toys.

[Qcjoe]

...You want us to advertise more? I'll be honest, we don't take out a ton of print or even web ads, just because we don't have a huge PR budget. But for us, getting them in the stores and on the websites is half the battle. Eaglemoss sells subscriptions, and does a lot of mail order, so presumably they need to advertise a lot more.

If you mean we don't tell you far enough in advance what we're making, we tell people months and months in advance. And when we get actual product samples, we show you those, too. Telling you earlier would not lessen the wait, or even come with any sort of release date, and the wait for the next one would just be longer. We also can't tell you more than one item at a time in each category, but that's because we usually work on them one at a time.

Even though we're apples and oranges, I'm honestly fine being seen as second to Eaglemoss (here, anyway). They make great stuff, and we're really the only two companies putting out regular Trek stuff, besides Funko, Titan, Hallmark and QMx, and they have fairly specialized offerings. We're the only ones putting out traditional toys.

Communication is the key word not advertising.   I typed out a lot of stuff here but in the end I just deleted it.  I kept rereading this post and its the same things you have said before.  Nothing is going to change.  It is what it is.  

[Dilithium1]

I want to know what the next ship is as much as anyone else.  That being said, as far as communication, I have always been surprised at DST's willingness in particular to have a PR person talking directly to their customer base.  The fact that Zack is here on this forum willing putting up with all our yammering is appreciated.  Remember Rule of Aquisition #208. 

[Jay K]

Zach, a phrase I wouldn't normally use out of respect (****-teasing...), that's what this feels like, and that's because you told us so long ago, the next two ships are locked-in. I can't speak for everyone else, but with me, I took that as meaning, "fantastic, we'll see the ships at the next trade show" - which at the time, would've been Toy Fair in February. Three to four months went by, and nothing. Then you mention you hope they're ready for the next show (SDCC? I might be forgetting one), nothing. Then the next show (NYCC), and still nothing. I'm just talking about the new ships here by the way, not your other Trek products, or re-issued ships (BoP, A and E).

When you said so long ago, the next two ships are locked-in, I really didn't think that come a whole year and a bit later, we'd still be in the dark as to what they are. Together with us trying to piece together what they are from the Q&A's, but then a few months after reading one thing,  it seems we were incorrect (I'm thinking the Defiant here, with the strong DS9-themed hints, then months later, reading the Defiant isn't up next), I just wish you hadn't have told us at that time now to be honest. Don't get me wrong, as BadBunnyMike said earlier, you don't owe us anything (other than the fact that you know, in general, there are a lot of people here who buy a lot of the stuff you guys make - even the less-than-civil ones on facebook), but this whole year has felt a bit like having a carrot dangling in front of me...which leads me into the Eaglemoss comparisons:

I never compared the product output to that of Eaglemoss (check my posts, even made that clear in one of them). I simply stated that them telling us all the ships that are coming out between now, and the end of next year, was amazing, left me feeling excited, and reflected very well on them in my mind. Having heard your reasoning as to why you can't do that, I'd still question as to whether we really need to see the product with the announcement, or is that for the retailers? Either way, it's water under the bridge for me now, but I'd really appreciate it in future if you could hold off saying things like 'the next products are locked in', until such a time that you know it won't be more than 3-4 months until they're shown off.

Once again, and I can't believe I have to reiterate this, but I'll do so for others (BunnyMike) as I'm positive Zach knows this, but man, it's nothing personal in the slightest. This is just toys we're talking about, and it doesn't affect the world. But sometimes, I for one like to distract myself from the downer parts of real life, by getting excited over stupid stuff like this. I love the ships, I don't mind waiting years for them to come out, but basically, let me get excited over them!

Lastly, I'm sorry if I've driven anyone away with my postings in this thread. Please, do not take anything I say negatively, as that's not my style. Critique on some things? Certainly, but if I have a problem/detect someone has a problem with me, then PM's are the way to do it. I won't reach out after (ironically) negative posts about me, though. We're all adults here, and I respect everyone here enough to not stoop so low.

 

EDIT: Just was about to post this, and saw Dilithium's post - if that answer contains 'Reliant' or 'Defiant', I don't think there'll be ANY problems!

[Stormfury_Echo]

The news will come. We will find out the next ship, and probably sooner rather than later. I'm sure Zach's feeling a little cornered here, so can we all just cool it?

[Gothneo]

Zach... I may be wrong, so feel free to correct me, but I always thought that solicitation dates were published by your parent company, DCD in the previews, so that comic stores would have an expectation date. I'm pretty sure that the phaser was first solicited last may... but I don't have an actual copy to be able to confirm the date (if any) that they would have published. To be fair, previews does say that dates are subject to change, but the fans aren't making these dates up... and honestly, DST does a great job with the release dates of Marvel Select (I and fully understand why its a bigger market).

 

I guess if your saying that merchandisers are making up the dates then they seem pretty good at guessing your Marvel Select Releases! ... Just say'in.

 

We've had a few folks that have been pretty critical of DST, and not in a constructive way. It sounds like whom ever it is has lost their perspective on the enjoyment of the hobby... and for that matter what Star Trek is supposed to be about, and that's unfortunate.

 

I've personally never had a problem with DST telling us what they are making far enough in advance, but I get that some feel like its a tease to say you've got product in the works, but then not to say what it is.  Of course... I felt pretty "Teased" when DST showed and Solicited Nurse Chapel, and I never got one... or the 10 I pre-ordered... but alas, somethings just don't seem ment to be

 

Sometimes I felt like Chuck was being a bit cryptic or non-responsive on the with the ask DST... but then I just decided to quit reading it and I felt better!

 

I really appreciate you interfacing with us though, and I find it much more enjoyable and I hope you continue to do so for a long time!

[Qcjoe]

Dont get me wrong Zach.  You seem like a nice guy and we all love you coming in here, but with the good must come the bad.  A lot of us just dont like the way your company runs in regards to Trek.  I dont follow the rest of your product so I cant say yay or nay.  I do know the Marvel Select is really nice and if money wasnt  a issue I would be going crazy trying to buy all the past figures.  In my opinion those figures are the best Marvel figures on the market.  

I agree Gothneo in the fact that people have forgot what Trek is really about.  Any one being a jack ass about something as insignificant like a toy line needs to check them selves. I was in a few Facebook groups about Trek and left them because if you had a view not liked by the majority you were attacked.  I had to leave.  Thats not what Trek is supposed to be about.  

I also do not read Chucks ask DST any more for the reasons listed above.

[Gothneo]

So say we all!!

 

Errr... ooops! wrong forum!

 

Qcjoe, you are so right about DST's Marvel Select line. I didn't start collecting it because early on I preferred Marvel Legends to MS. But Honestly, DST really stepped up the line, while at the same time pretty much holding the price in check, and I think thats a testament to both the fans for supporting the line and DST for recognizing that support with better and better product.

 

Actually I'm going to take a stand for DST for a sec on their Star Trek products.

 

We seem to focus mostly on toys on this forum (it is trektoy.com) but in the last few years DST has quietly, and I say quietly because we don't really talk about them much here,  expanded Star Trek Merchandising past toys, with Bottle Openers, Ice cube trays, Banks, Art Plaques etc. Which is also very welcome by me!

 

So Zach... can you comment at all on how this general Trek Merchandise is been received? Should we expect to see more? Does it do better then the toys, like ships, figures and role play? 

[Redshirt#7]

Off topic I know, but just to mention that I received my first two DST ships (the third one fell through at the moment, due to my cash going else where (damn you Amazon for your good deals!) ), and I must say I was very, very impressed.

 

I'll admit, I haven't bought any DST Trek stuff for a while, because I had some bad experiences with a Riker, Worf, and Soldiers Of The Empire Worf, but I caved in and bought some discounted ships. I had the money, and thought, what the hell! Might as well try them. So I opened them up, and I couldn't believe how good they where. I got the First Contact E, and an original, non cloaked, non semi cloaked, and non landing legged BOP. The E's got one or two things that bug me, the plastic around the nacelles and shuttle bay where a bit loose, and all the legal stuff on the bottom of the nacelles, but other than that, it's pretty damn good. The other, the BOP, is beautiful and perfect in every aspect. The lights, Chang's Shakespearean quotations (the "Cry Havoc! And let slip the dogs of war!" was worth the price itself, just to see how it startled my cat with all the flashing lights. It's now earned the name "Chang's disco ship" with all the flashing lights), and the wings, just fantastic.

 

I apologise if I caused any offence, that was never my intention, ever, to anyone reading my posts. I can just get really impatient, and it can get damn frustrating as a fan sometimes, somewhat even more now I've seen what you can make.

 

One more thing, I'm also a pretty big Marvel fan (I've been reading comics since I was about 5, maybe 6) and collected the original Marvel Legends from wave one till about two waves into Hasbo's run, and though I've bought only one thus far, I must say, DST have done some superb stuff with Marvel select. Every time I see my friends collection, or pass Forbidden Planet's selection, I become a little bit more tempted to buy the classic Ultron you've just made, or the classic Colossus. And, though I know a figure of neither of these guys will be made, if ever a Hyperion, Korvac, or a Count Nefaria where ever made, I'd be the first in line to buy them, no matter the price.

[DSTZach]

Those three seem unlikely, but never say never! I personally want a Graviton.

I don't feel cornered, especially when I get busy and don't come back for weeks, but I do think people are expecting a level of output we are not going to return to in the current climate, and they want information about products that are not guaranteed to come out.

Even when we have finished (or close to it) prototypes, things happen. Chapel and Rand's cancellations were unfortunate, but those were due to low orders. Retro Vina and Chapel were also unfortunate, but those got stuck in development heck. The ships that took two years to come out were delayed due to factory issues. Three different reasons, but when you are making a variety of different products, the number of ways things can go wrong multiplies.

I don't know when I said the next two ships were locked, but I did not know that our artist's medical issues would worsen, and that we would have to transition them elsewhere. I didn't say what they were in case one got dropped or had to go back for more revisions, and now I'm glad I didn't tell you, although between my hints and Chuck's denials I think you all pretty much know what they will be.

I honestly want to see the reactions to them. I think there will be shock and surprise, maybe even anger, to one of them. The other I think everybody will expect and love.

[Qcjoe]

Those three seem unlikely, but never say never! I personally want a Graviton.

I don't feel cornered, especially when I get busy and don't come back for weeks, but I do think people are expecting a level of output we are not going to return to in the current climate, and they want information about products that are not guaranteed to come out.

Even when we have finished (or close to it) prototypes, things happen. Chapel and Rand's cancellations were unfortunate, but those were due to low orders. Retro Vina and Chapel were also unfortunate, but those got stuck in development heck. The ships that took two years to come out were delayed due to factory issues. Three different reasons, but when you are making a variety of different products, the number of ways things can go wrong multiplies.

I don't know when I said the next two ships were locked, but I did not know that our artist's medical issues would worsen, and that we would have to transition them elsewhere. I didn't say what they were in case one got dropped or had to go back for more revisions, and now I'm glad I didn't tell you, although between my hints and Chuck's denials I think you all pretty much know what they will be.

I honestly want to see the reactions to them. I think there will be shock and surprise, maybe even anger, to one of them. The other I think everybody will expect and love.

Is there anything new to report on the guys health?  We all hate to know that hes not well.

[DSTZach]

I have not asked, but I will.