More Chap Mei we'll never get . . .

Longshot · **Posted:** Wed Feb 20, 2008 8:53 pm

I was in a big Lots in San Antonio last week, and while I didn't see the Viking line, I know I saw some of those sea creatures in some type of pirate line. On one of the boxes of the pirate line had a picture of a decent looking pirate ship, about the size of the viking ship, but they didn't have it in stock. There was also a kind of diving outfit, like an exoskeleton, that a 3.75" figure fit into. Somebody said they wanted the polar bear pictured there (I bought one from that big lots about a year ago just like the one pictured, only it doesn't have blue paint across its eyes; the one I have is solid white). The polar bear is fairly poseable (the head swivels, all legs articulate), and it will even stand up on it's hind legs. If I see another one I'll pick it up if somebody wants it, but like I said it was about a year ago that I got it.

James

AdrienVeidt · **Joined:** Tue Jun 26, 2007 10:19 am

Damn, I want every single thing there. That Viking stuff is pretty much *exactly* what I need to accessorize my Thor fig with. DamnDamnDamn. Who the hell ever thought ChapMei would be a more impressive toy company than Mattel?

joemichaels70 · **Posted:** Thu Feb 21, 2008 12:10 am

dang.

i really want that ornithopter looking thing in the bug set.

Keenan · **Posted:** Thu Feb 21, 2008 8:42 am

I sent a PM to SmallJoes asking about these. Figured it couldn't hurt. Maybe if enough people show interest they'll start carrying them.

If you care to send in a request too, here's the link . . .

https://smalljoes.com/contact2.shtml

Konigstiger · **Joined:** Sun Oct 21, 2007 9:24 am

I could be mistaken, but i *think* i heard that the problem smalljoes (or other small e-tailers) have is the sheer volume that Chap Mei requires they order.

Again, i could be mistaken.

zedhatch · **Joined:** Tue Jun 26, 2007 10:19 am **Location:** Neon KY

Dangit, first the cold war no this. Russians suck. :-D

toy-nutz · **Posted:** Thu Feb 21, 2008 1:13 pm

I love the Adventure Heroes stuff! It just screams for my custom Adventure Team! I am willing to pay for the "Cursed Pharohs Tomb" playset and Sphinx Tomb playset! Oh who am I kidding I want all of them! Even that mutant camel set! So what is up with that giant camel??

Michael
Bulletman Big B
All Hail DOB!!

gijoey · **Posted:** Thu Feb 21, 2008 1:56 pm

I just emailed Small Joes also.

Keenan · **Posted:** Fri Feb 22, 2008 10:27 am

Good news- heard from Cory (Small Joes) he says he's getting a lot of requests and will look into carrying the Cap Mei line.
So if you didn't email him, please do. And let him know you want Chap Mei products in the USA!

https://smalljoes.com/contact2.shtml

gijoey · **Posted:** Fri Feb 22, 2008 11:28 am

JFAK075 wrote:

Good news- heard from Cory (Small Joes) he says he's getting a lot of requests and will look into carrying the Cap Mei line.
So if you didn't email him, please do. And let him know you want Chap Mei products in the USA!

https://smalljoes.com/contact2.shtml

Ditto

roguetiger · **Posted:** Fri Feb 22, 2008 2:51 pm

gijoey wrote:

I just emailed Small Joes also.

ditto'd

Mysterious Stranger · **Posted:** Fri Feb 22, 2008 3:35 pm

That sound you hear? That's Corey's inbox exploding from all the requests

Honestly I can't say I'd get everything Chap Mei offers but damn if there isn't some great fun fodder in there. I know that polar bear w/ chariot would be high on my armybuilder list. All my Snow Joes riding against Cobra on those things?! Tell me that's not wicked awesome!

My only concern with someone bringing these in is keeping the price down to where its competitive with places that carry it already. Not saying they have to price match Big Lots but I can't see many people paying $20 or more for some of the medium sized sets... plus shipping. These things come in HUGE boxes for what you're getting. Yeah they are displayed nicely and the box art is pretty fun but how many of you are MIB Chap Mei collectors?

Not trying to be a downer, just being realistic. If someone like Smalljoes or another online etailer does get these and makes it work I'll be at the front of the line. I'd really like to see this get some N.A. distribution but its just not as easy as you might think. Here's hoping though

roguetiger · **Posted:** Fri Feb 22, 2008 3:58 pm

I really want a few of those V-22 Ospreys, and if he got the Cobra Transport choppers in those would rock as well.

Midgarn · **Posted:** Fri Feb 22, 2008 7:21 pm

With some of those (the Osprey, I'm guessing), the space in the box might be necessary for keeping the vehicle intact. However, I wonder if Corey would 'unbox' sets for us, to fit into smaller packaging?

Mysterious Stranger · **Posted:** Sat Feb 23, 2008 12:40 am

Here's the response I got from Corey at Smalljoes.com:

Quote:

I have been informed that Sheper Distribution (out of NY) carries
some Chap-Mei product. I'm not sure what as I haven't inquired with
them yet. I have dealt with them before in years past. If I am able
to get Chap-Mei product from them at wholesale I'll add some product
to the site. The quantity requirements shouldn't be too
high. However, collectors should be aware that the retail prices
will likely be higher due to the extra middle men involved in the
process (compared to someone like Rite Aid or Big Lots importing
directly from China themselves). I suspect that the price different
(10-15%?) will probably be enough to turn most people off.

I am also of the opinion, based upon my previous experiences
marketing similar Lanard products for some years, that there is a
fairly limited subset of collectors in this community (GI JOE/3 3/4"
military/adventure figure collectors) that are truly dedicated to
dropping the cash for this sort of product. They are vocal, but a
minority. With the (nice) glut of GI JOE and Indiana Jones figure
coming this year, I have to question how much cash people will really
have left over for Chap-Mei purchases.

Anyway, I will see what options are out there and if you see the
product pop up on the site in the future you'll know it worked out.

Its good news that he's willing to look into it but as I suspected the price would probably be more than what we're used to paying for these at Big Lots and the like. And the point about all the cool stuff coming out this year is very valid. I know I'm looking at just the Joe stuff coming out and wondering if I'll have room for it all let alone any other lines I'd like to collect (DC 3 3/4", Hellboy etc)

So there ya go. If we see new Chap Mei stuff show up try to do your part and buy what you can to show support for the line domestically. I know I will.

More Chap Mei we'll never get . . .

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