Re: Event news!!!!
I had totally planned to make Tiny Duffy a 1920s-type costume even before I read this thread. I'd imagined a newsboy hat, but not necessarily a newsie per say...I think I know what he is going to be now! )
Regarding the quality, I did some calculations a few months back, I think it was. IF you ignore the 3 for $30 and other sales, the $20-$22 US costumes (that mostly tend to come with a top and a hat) are about the price of 2 pieces of a TDS costume (which also come with shoes, accessories, etc.). Now, there are economics of scale, which TDS may have over DL, given Duffy's popularity in Japan, though when you're making thousands upon thousands of outfits, I'm not certain it's much or any cheaper to make more at that point.
Anyway, IF Disney would keep Duffy's outfits at full price, they could probably do fine making quality costumes. And once word got out to the marketplace, he'd probably become very popular. (Almost every time I bring 12" or even Tiny Duffy somewhere for a few hours, someone stops me to say what a cute face that bear has.)
Of course, Disney has raised their price on Duffy himself (though he had been at a substantial discount to the TDS one and is still cheaper)...yet lowered the quality with poorer-quality fur, reportedly lesser manufacturing, etc. So it's clear where Disney's priorities are...which is just foolish because judging by how many strangers have admired my Duffies, there are a LOT of bear fans that would have interest in a well-manufactured bear.
But Disney likes to ignore the adult market in favor of making "children's" toys...even if that's their strategy, I think they're forgetting that parents buy the toys. Plenty of moms and dads buy toys that are well-made and detailed, "for the kid," either because they want their child to have the best, or because they think it's so cool they want it in their own home and use the child as an excuse. )
I had totally planned to make Tiny Duffy a 1920s-type costume even before I read this thread. I'd imagined a newsboy hat, but not necessarily a newsie per say...I think I know what he is going to be now! )
Regarding the quality, I did some calculations a few months back, I think it was. IF you ignore the 3 for $30 and other sales, the $20-$22 US costumes (that mostly tend to come with a top and a hat) are about the price of 2 pieces of a TDS costume (which also come with shoes, accessories, etc.). Now, there are economics of scale, which TDS may have over DL, given Duffy's popularity in Japan, though when you're making thousands upon thousands of outfits, I'm not certain it's much or any cheaper to make more at that point.
Anyway, IF Disney would keep Duffy's outfits at full price, they could probably do fine making quality costumes. And once word got out to the marketplace, he'd probably become very popular. (Almost every time I bring 12" or even Tiny Duffy somewhere for a few hours, someone stops me to say what a cute face that bear has.)
Of course, Disney has raised their price on Duffy himself (though he had been at a substantial discount to the TDS one and is still cheaper)...yet lowered the quality with poorer-quality fur, reportedly lesser manufacturing, etc. So it's clear where Disney's priorities are...which is just foolish because judging by how many strangers have admired my Duffies, there are a LOT of bear fans that would have interest in a well-manufactured bear.
But Disney likes to ignore the adult market in favor of making "children's" toys...even if that's their strategy, I think they're forgetting that parents buy the toys. Plenty of moms and dads buy toys that are well-made and detailed, "for the kid," either because they want their child to have the best, or because they think it's so cool they want it in their own home and use the child as an excuse. )
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