uriah
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Apr 23, 2024 10:58:17 GMT -6
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Post by uriah on Jul 17, 2006 14:41:53 GMT -6
Yeah - they don't make 'em like this anymore. The original price tag is still on the box and it looks like these were going for between $34-38 bucks back in the 1984. That's very pricey by 80s standards - which I think ultimately hurt the line.
I speculate the fall of Sectaurs can be attributed to the combination of 4 factors:
1) HIGH PRODUCTION COSTS: Lines like MOTU were able to take advantage of molds more than once by mixing and matching parts and giving molds new life with re-deco - keeping costs down and figure output high. With Sectaurs it was the opposite.
Unlike other popular lines from this period, these figures were all made from distinct molds used only for one figure (NF Dargon is the exception).
Even their weapons and gear were made from unique molds so there was no duplication from figure to figure (and there are tons of accessories).
You also have to factor in the unique action feature that each insectoid had and the use of faux fur on the steeds and flyers. And don't forget the ornate packaging...
2) HUGE SHELF SPACE COMMITMENT: Stocking Sectaurs took a huge leap of faith from retailers because the packaging was elaborately large. From the individual figures to the steeds and flyers to the enormous Hyve - everything came in a beautiful but space eating large box.
So here we have a ton of shelf taken up by a relatively low number of toys - this means the store has to gamble on Sectaurs flying off the shelves. If not, it would be hard to justify all that shelf space space, that could be given to a bunch of smaller, less expensive items.
Did I mention price...
3) HIGH PRICE POINT: I don't recall exactly what the prices were for individual figs vs. fig and puppet two-packs but I do remember they were expensive. The toys were worth it - but try selling that to frugal parental types.
Stores paid a lot for these high quality toys and passed those costs along to consumers. Unfortunately, most folks just couldn't get passed the price barrier frequently enough to really keep the line afloat. Items taking up this much space need to move quickly or stores stop placing orders quickly.
4) KILLED BY THE HYPE MACHINE: Coleco had seen magical things happen with Cabbage Patch Kids and was probably looking for a boys toys equivalent. The concept behind Sectaurs looked like a sure fire hit - the toys were great and probably "focus grouped" very well, it had a multimedia ad and promo campaign and a comic and animated mini-series.
All this was music to retailer's ears and they probably had huge expectations, thinking the line would be the next big thing. Lines like MOTU, GI-Joe, and TFs and those lines were cooling down so the boys market was ripe for the taking, right?
Unfortunately, all the hype did was build expectations that factors 1-3 made impossible to meet. Retailers felt so burned by slow/low sales, that they didn't give Coleco a chance to move past the first wave of toys.
Kid interest also probably waned quickly since building a collection of these figs was costly - and you really need at least a couple of these figs to have a good play pattern. Plus, while every kid had MOTU or GI-Joe figs he could contribute to a neighborhood battle, you couldn't rely on friends on the block to have Sectaurs of their own. With Sectaurs, it was hard for kids to have the epic playground battles they were able to stage with the other lines.
In closing: (if you are still reading this rant) It's hard to say if Sectaurs were before their time or if they missed the hay-day of action figure lines by a year or so. The concept is still strong and I think that their packaging and price would be more acceptable today. Parents are conditioned to spending $60 for a new video game - so big figure lines like GI-Joe Sigma Six find it easier to get away with high price points and big boxes. I wonder who has the license these days?
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skeletoncrew
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Apr 23, 2024 10:58:17 GMT -6
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Post by skeletoncrew on Jul 18, 2006 9:25:40 GMT -6
i think you pretty much hit it on the head as to why Sectaurs failed uriah...
i'll add one more major and one more minor point that i think are significant(the high price point being the MAJOR point, but you already covered that)...
my major point is the primary hero was NOT available at a decent price point...Dargon was NOT available to the average kid, but stuck with DragonFlyer in an insanely expensive package...this is something they TRIED to fix with the European versions...there they did the smart thing and packaged the big Insectoids seperately, but obviously it was too little, too late...also by the second wave the plan was to ditch the smaller insectoids coming WITH the figures and sell them seperately at a smaller price point...if they had seperated the insectoids(big and small) in the first place they would have still had the larger price point and deluxe figure...but a kid with only $4 to spend or whatever, could have still added to his collection with a small insectoid...
the minor point is that the large insectoids don't display well...even as a kid i knew other kids that liked to put there toys on a shelf and display them...for ALL the PLAY coolness of the large insectoid puppets, as SOON as you pull your hand out they become limp and lifeless...they should have either came with a display armature, or the glove should have "snapped" off and there should have been "snap on" display legs...
as far as who has the rights, they are back with 7 Towns Ltd, the company that Coleco licensed them from in the first place...i know of at least 3 companies that have tried/begun to acquire the rights in the last couple of years(especially a couple of years ago when the 80s revival looked like the next big thing)...however, what from what i gather 7 Towns doesn't appear to be very interested in Sectaurs or in green lighting a comeback...
people ARE working on it, but i WOULDN'T hold my breath for it happening ANYTIME soon...
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stevetor
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Apr 23, 2024 10:58:17 GMT -6
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Post by stevetor on Sept 6, 2006 13:03:41 GMT -6
I know it's a little late, but I just saw the Series 2 line. OMG that's freakin' sweet. Now I'm really depressed those never came out. So is sectaurs.org up and running yet? I have one of those Kidstuff records and a hardback book if you need scans of some harder to find stuff for the site.
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uriah
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Apr 23, 2024 10:58:17 GMT -6
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Post by uriah on Dec 7, 2006 15:25:26 GMT -6
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uriah
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Apr 23, 2024 10:58:17 GMT -6
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Post by uriah on Dec 11, 2006 9:43:31 GMT -6
Ohh, so it isn't Grabbus and Seezling, it's Grabbus THE Seezling - one figure.
Looks like an insectoid companion but the name and lack of a Sectaur counterpart sort of suggest this was going to be one of those larger "sold-alone" insectoids (like we see in the series 2 pics).
Nice design.
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Post by Megatron on Dec 12, 2006 17:35:23 GMT -6
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aeutlutian
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Apr 23, 2024 10:58:17 GMT -6
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Post by aeutlutian on Dec 17, 2006 8:30:52 GMT -6
i'm not sure i'm supposed to announce it officially, BUT a buddy and mine are purchasing the domain name from the original operator and i am gonna be the new webmaster...it has been a long time in coming to get the deal finalized and completed, but it looks like it is happening finally... I've been wondering what was going on with that. Please tell me your buddy is TG...he's the biggest Sectaurs fan out there so there's no better person to have it. Also who were you on the boards? My sn is basically the same, just lacking the Toy Bay part. Lastly make sure to post when it's up and running so I don't have to keep checking on a currently dead domain That and I'll need to scan the style guide for you guys, I promised it to Martin about 1000 times but just never got a chance to do it. I wasn't single back then though, now I've kicked her out and I'm back to having all kinds of free time Cool,News! anyway I was General Spydrax on there , Someplace on my other comp I have the Unproduced toys scans, if for some reason nobody else does
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skeletoncrew
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Apr 23, 2024 10:58:17 GMT -6
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Post by skeletoncrew on Dec 17, 2006 11:58:24 GMT -6
Cool,News! anyway I was General Spydrax on there , Someplace on my other comp I have the Unproduced toys scans, if for some reason nobody else does a little update on the the return of sectaurs.org...i finally talked to ToyGiant aka Tony and he is planning to put the forums back up shortly and then add content from there...because of time and distance constraints i am probably out as webmaster(i'll still be a mod i would suppose)...he is going to have a professional handle both sectaurs.org and the website for his production company...he is supposed to be having a meeting with said pro i think actually this weekend(if not very shortly) to hash out designs and stuff and hopefully here shortly we should have some sectaurs forums to play around with... i'll keep ya'll posted...
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figurasdeaccion
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Apr 23, 2024 10:58:17 GMT -6
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Post by figurasdeaccion on Jan 12, 2007 10:20:35 GMT -6
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uriah
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Apr 23, 2024 10:58:17 GMT -6
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Post by uriah on Jan 12, 2007 16:30:16 GMT -6
I saw that review a few weeks back - quite good. In fact I think it's an update on a review he's had up for a while.
I keep meaning to ask him to sign up over here to get into the Sectaurs discussion. I'll probably wait until Sectaurs.org gets up and running again. Any new nes on that front anyone? Got some cool collection picks to contribute.
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Post by daltron on Apr 15, 2007 20:01:42 GMT -6
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uriah
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Apr 23, 2024 10:58:17 GMT -6
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Post by uriah on May 15, 2007 15:21:06 GMT -6
Speaking of the return of Sectaurs.org...
I tracked down the guy who is trying to get the site back online. Turns out he is also the lucky man who is due to recieve the prototype of a certain Sectaurs female character from a certain board member. Anyway, here is his memo with updates on the site and his future plans...
I'm glad to hear that there is still a strong buzz on the internet about Sectaurs and Sectaurs.com. Right now I have a tentative go live date for a portion of the new site of June 1st (along with my business site WorkingClassVillains.com). If all goes well I may have a crissening for the site by a major player in the development of the original line. Fingers crossed. As far as the DVD goes I have 3 different copies I've aquired over the years but unfortunatly they all seem to have been copied from that same Chicago broadcast. Which, as fans, we're lucky to have. Cartoon Network owns the rights and has had plans a few times to run it in the past. Once back in 2002 during a saturday/midnite show that would showcase an episode of an 80's cartoon like GIJoe, Thundercats, Thundarr, etc. they were slated to run the first episode then yanked that whole show (replaced it with the anime stuff they still show now). Then in 2003 they were supposed to run the whole series in the middle of the night on a sunday night/monday morning on Boomerang, I had DVD recorder ready, but again it got yanked. I'm afraid that what we have is all we'll have for a while. There is one disk that plays really nice (not chopy or pixelated, sound does fade a little in spots) and actually has a decent menu and some stolen content from the old site. I plan on making copies of that one and selling them through the site. My dream is to revive the line. Make it better in a marketability aspect, but keep the heart, spirit, and core design in tact. I'm including a pic of the head sculpt I did for a Dargon concept. Not my final design but I like it. I've looked into a revival extensively by talking to the original creators (all very supportive), ex-employees of Coleco, current designers & atrists who love the line, and the current copyright holders. But until I have more clout (professionaly and financialy) I'm probably 5-10 years out, unless a rich uncle I don't know about dies and leaves me everything or I win the lottery (I guess I'd have to play for that to happen). But I will bring it back. I've written a Lord of the Rings sized story over the last 4 years that spans 2 generations of characters and includes appearances by a few characters from other lesser toy lines that I love (toy lines that are cousins of Sectaurs in one way or another). I think it has the potential to be something great, but the original line needs to garner more respect before anyone would take it seriously. I'm worknig on that. As for content for the site, let me know what you have. I should warn you though I have so much obscure Sectaurs stuff it's baffling even to me. I have prototypes & design/concept art to cerial bowls & napkins and everything in between. But I know there is plenty more out there I don't own yet. My holy grail(s) though, are to find either the Dargon & Spidrax costumes used for in-store appearances or any props (or at least photos or a script) of the preproduction work done on the Sectaurs live action movie. (Yes, there was a movie that got shut down 5 weeks before shooting). Anyway, keep in touch, I love talking Sectaurs (or toys, comics, cartoons, movies, etc. for that matter). I'll be making some announcements soon for the site on boards and forums to let the world know it's coming back better than ever. Take it easy.
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squirrellips
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Apr 23, 2024 10:58:17 GMT -6
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Post by squirrellips on Jun 14, 2007 19:23:16 GMT -6
I loved Sectaurs as a kid.....still do! I always come across loose figures at yard sales and flea markets. I just bought 3 for a quarter each last Sunday. They are in nice condition, but have zero weapons.
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Post by drbo on Jun 28, 2007 8:14:00 GMT -6
I just got the lot of Sectaurs figs from the ebay auction I won. They are in pretty good shape overall - just need some dusting. I am missing more accessories than the seller originally stated so I'll be following up with him on that. But on the flip side there are many duplicate weapons as well. Anybody interested in trading - the one piece I know I need for sure is Dargon's sword. Anyone have an extra? I only missing Zak's pistol, but I will have a look around, i have duplicate weapon as well and I think I do have an extra Dargon sword.
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Post by toyboxraider on Jul 25, 2007 16:21:07 GMT -6
Got my first Sectaur figure today, I am no longer a Sectaur Virgin!!! It is a loose Dargon figure w/ no accessories from a huge box of MOTU, Power Lords, Voltron and broken MOTU vehicles I bought on ebay for 10 dollars about 3 weeks ago. It is the Dargon with Dark antenae, kinda grayish or silver antenae vs the one with glowing white ones. One figure down and a bizillion accessories and other figures in this series to go.
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Post by Centurn on Sept 12, 2007 2:05:06 GMT -6
I need some clearing up here. I know Dragon was released with Parafly, but was he also released with Dragonflyer? And what's the deal with Night Fighting Dragon? I thought that was the unreleased 2nd series, but still I see him carded with Parafly as NF Dragon. And did he come in both silver and blue paint opps?
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Post by drbo on Sept 12, 2007 7:17:01 GMT -6
I need some clearing up here. I know Dragon was released with Parafly, but was he also released with Dragonflyer? And what's the deal with Night Fighting Dragon? I thought that was the unreleased 2nd series, but still I see him carded with Parafly as NF Dragon. And did he come in both silver and blue paint opps? They're was indeed two Dargon figure produced. The first was dressed in blue and black with red line on his pants and came with the large Dragonflyer steed. he came in a large box. The second was dressed in silver with black gloves and boots and was called Night Fighting Dargon as you mentionned. He came with Parafly, a smaller orange flying insect that attached to his back. He was indeed produced, and came along the smaller boxes of the regular figure of the line.
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Post by Centurn on Sept 12, 2007 9:30:13 GMT -6
thanks Dr Bo. That did clear things up
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skeletoncrew
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Apr 23, 2024 10:58:17 GMT -6
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Post by skeletoncrew on Sept 18, 2007 16:41:46 GMT -6
hey, if anybody has a spare/bare Spydrax in decent shape(don't need the accessories, but the base figure needs to be pretty clean and ding free)i need one for a top secret project... PM if ya can help me out...
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Post by Grizzlor Adams on Oct 11, 2007 1:12:55 GMT -6
I'm fairly sure that came with the Spidrax & Spiderflyer boxed set. I seem to remember seeing it in the sealed accessory bag, but I'm not 100%.
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Post by drbo on Oct 11, 2007 7:07:49 GMT -6
I'm fairly sure that came with the Spidrax & Spiderflyer boxed set. I seem to remember seeing it in the sealed accessory bag, but I'm not 100%. Indeed, it's one of the mount saddle, either Dragonfly or Spiderflyer as it has the part to hold the rifle (the 2 other mount didn't have one). I'm at the office so I can compare with mine right now, but the top flap is a pouch that close, on top of it they're a logo of either the good guys (a sun) or the bad guys (a trident). That should pin it.
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Post by toyboxraider on Oct 16, 2007 19:00:04 GMT -6
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gorgeousgalvin
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Apr 23, 2024 10:58:17 GMT -6
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Post by gorgeousgalvin on Oct 16, 2007 19:18:42 GMT -6
the hyve is great fun!!! i have one as well, but i am missing a few pieces. giant playset, wife made me put it in storage
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Post by toyboxraider on Oct 16, 2007 19:57:18 GMT -6
My wife actually gave me a kitchen table to put the Hyve on, helped build it for me and gave me another room in our addition to use for my figures!!! But she will probably put me in storage soon, lol.
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Post by Grizzlor Adams on Oct 16, 2007 20:01:17 GMT -6
Nice looking Hyve, man. No Sectaurs collection can do without that behemoth. Some good 'ol spousal support never hurts! Nice pickup!
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Post by Captainamerica on Oct 17, 2007 21:37:17 GMT -6
Great score, TBR!!!
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Post by toyboxraider on Oct 18, 2007 7:28:19 GMT -6
Thanks Griz and Cap, my girls love it and they will not leave it alone lol.
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Post by Ghouldrool on Oct 19, 2007 3:09:09 GMT -6
I love the Hyve, it's absolutely awesome. Which playset made for a licenced (non-12 inch) property is officially the biggest, though? Is it the Hyve, Fort Kerium, or Ghost Command? Or am I forgetting something?
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Post by Centurn on Oct 20, 2007 4:14:26 GMT -6
Didn't someone post another thread with scans of sectaurs inserts and accessory sheets? I can't find it. Was it deleted? Anyone?!
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devastator001
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Apr 23, 2024 10:58:17 GMT -6
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Post by devastator001 on Oct 29, 2007 21:01:34 GMT -6
I am very close to finishing the line with the exception of the Hyve playset. I haven't decided if I wanted one yet. But, in the meantime; I am looking to complete the mini comics. There are three I haven't found yet.
Spidrax and Spiderflyer Dargon and Parafly Skulk and Trancula
How common are these mini comics? Other than ebay, are there on-line places that sell these mini comics?
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