Zur En Arrh Batman (Target)

[Fawny]

I was lucky enough to be selected via the Twitter contest to get one. Very pumped for the win!

I saw that and was wondering if that was you! Congrats!

[JasonFunko13]

But both Target and Funko themselves have frustrated me with this release. Target with their horrendous distribution, and Funko for fanning the flipper frenzy with their multiple unnecessary "ultra-rare" statements about this batman.

Agree 100%. Sure, making something limited raises interest in the broader brand, but how they handled this Batman is extremely short-sighted in my opinion. This is exactly the kind of stuff that alienates collectors and pushes us closer to the bubble bursting. If you want to make it somewhat limited but still drive traffic into Target for this new partnership, you can still do it while ensuring that every store gets at least a couple of these and had Targets reasonably well stocked for a few weeks or so. It makes sense to have con exclusives ultra limited, but makes zero sense for a store exclusive because I don't think it accomplishes the goal. And someone please explain the purpose of their comments recently on the rarity? Now real collectors (who are your core customers, by the way) have to pony up $100+ to get one. Ride that hype machine, Funko!

It'll take more than this to push me away completely, but I'll be honest, this is a straw on the camels back. More nonsense like this and eventually it'll break and a fan/customer will be lost. Maybe you replace me with 10 casual fans, but I guarantee together they're not buying as much as I am at the moment.

Mini rant over. Carry on...

The thing about it is the money IS where the hype is. This is probably new to a lot of Funko Collectors but I have been a shoe "collector" for years. I know there were some other sneaker heads on here and I know they will understand what I am talking about. I collect Jordan Signature Retro shoes. Most of these shoes sell out in minutes and are released almost every other Saturday. And with these we aren't talking about $9, this is $200 plus per pair. And they sell out every week and flippers increase the price and make tons of money off the fact that these shoes sell out. And it has been this way for years. Sure, Nike could increase production and these shoes would never sell out. But that isn't where the money is. If shoes constantly sell out, people will buy them every week in fear of them selling out if they even are remotely interested. Same goes for this. If there is Hype, it will bring customers in huge waves. And it will encourage "buy now, decide later" mentality to those who collect. This is nothing new.

[dishsnthings]

Agree a waste of time and gas. Ive been in 5 Targets from W. MA - N. CT and only one had ANY SS pops, and only 3 at that. 4 said "dont know". One target actually checked other stores for me, after telling me he got one batman, and it was gone first day. So by his checking, there are none in the state of CT left. The plus is, I didnt search out these Targets. I travel alot and only pop in if Im coming across one. So Im not out any gas, but the darn time. All Targets Ive seen you have to walk to the middle, rear of the store. Its one thing to check a Walgreens, but Targets are frigging huge!

[jester00]

This is the tracker for my area. Not promising at all

[TurboBacon]

Zero across the board in my area, I assume they will eventually get a shipment in. Then I will strike!

Anyone catch how many of these Funko actually produced??? The ultra-rare thing is a little too vague for me but seems to be proving true with the frenzy over these.

[JBeard]

If your target hasn't gotten it yet chances are they will never get it. I know it sucks for some but that's the name of the game. If we could all get what we want pop collecting wouldn't be as fun.

[Hop]

If your target hasn't gotten it yet chances are they will never get it. I know it sucks for some but that's the name of the game. If we could all get what we want pop collecting wouldn't be as fun.

I disagree; I'm not in this for "the thrill of the hunt"
I want the pieces that complete the sets that I've devoted multiple paychecks to.
If I wanted frustration, I'd collect Jordans

[JBeard]

If you wanted that bad I guess you should of paid $30 on eBay as I did the same day funko made the announcement. Now it's double that. I can understand people's frustration but honestly if you want it bad enough you will pay what you have to if not then guess you didn't want it all that bad. And by set if you mean all the batmans you shouldn't mind paying more as you've probably gone to eBay for some of those batmans in your set. Sorry tou didn't have any luck at target but honestly it's not targets or funkos fault. Just the name of the collecting game.

[JBeard]

If you don't want to pay eBay prices for this batman then you should probably stay away from Jordan collecting they go for a whole hell of a lot more then $80-$100.

[The Head]

The thing about it is the money IS where the hype is. This is probably new to a lot of Funko Collectors but I have been a shoe "collector" for years. I know there were some other sneaker heads on here and I know they will understand what I am talking about. I collect Jordan Signature Retro shoes. Most of these shoes sell out in minutes and are released almost every other Saturday. And with these we aren't talking about $9, this is $200 plus per pair. And they sell out every week and flippers increase the price and make tons of money off the fact that these shoes sell out. And it has been this way for years. Sure, Nike could increase production and these shoes would never sell out. But that isn't where the money is. If shoes constantly sell out, people will buy them every week in fear of them selling out if they even are remotely interested. Same goes for this. If there is Hype, it will bring customers in huge waves. And it will encourage "buy now, decide later" mentality to those who collect. This is nothing new.

Yeah, I totally get that. That concept is not lost in me (acknowledged it in my post). However, they do a perfectly good job of feeding the hype machine with their limited con exclusives. Why do it with a big box store exclusive? It just doesn't fit the presumed reason why they had this exclusive in the first place. I'll admit some of this is sour grapes, but they still could have handled this better on both sides.

[The Head]

If you wanted that bad I guess you should of paid $30 on eBay as I did the same day funko made the announcement. Now it's double that. I can understand people's frustration but honestly if you want it bad enough you will pay what you have to if not then guess you didn't want it all that bad. And by set if you mean all the batmans you shouldn't mind paying more as you've probably gone to eBay for some of those batmans in your set. Sorry tou didn't have any luck at target but honestly it's not targets or funkos fault. Just the name of the collecting game.

Shouldn't have to pony up 10x retail value a week after release to prove your mettle as a collector. Just my opinion.

[Chase Variant]

The thing about it is the money IS where the hype is. This is probably new to a lot of Funko Collectors but I have been a shoe "collector" for years.

Actually, it's pretty familiar to collectors who were collecting when the Beanie Babies bubble burst. Funko Pops are more similar to them than they are to limited edition sneakers.

[spinn4]

I didn't even care about this pop, but I have to agree with the salty people on here. Funko played their fans with this one.

[Kaljor]

Just be patient, and in 30 yrs, you can get Zur En Arrh Batman for much cheaper than current eBay prices.

[JasonFunko13]

The thing about it is the money IS where the hype is. This is probably new to a lot of Funko Collectors but I have been a shoe "collector" for years.

Actually, it's pretty familiar to collectors who were collecting when the Beanie Babies bubble burst. Funko Pops are more similar to them than they are to limited edition sneakers.

I would agree. I don't know that all Funko collectors would know the beanie baby bubble either. I was simply using a comparison to show that having limited editions and chase type products ultimately leads to more sales. Pokemon and sports cards are/were the same way. The simple fact is not as many people would collect if it was easy to get everything you wanted. (before someone says "I collect funko cause I like it, not because its cool or limited) I get that there are avid collectors who collect no matter what. But the majority of people collect things because they are limited or valuable.

[txcarr85]

Sorry, but im confused with all the Funko played fans talk. How is this situation any different from chase goblin, chase alien, gitd kurama? I mean it's a limited release and I actually think it was much needed. With all the mass produced exclusives coming out lately I like to see stuff like this.

[JasonFunko13]

Sorry, but im confused with all the Funko played fans talk. How is this situation any different from chase goblin, chase alien, gitd kurama? I mean it's a limited release and I actually think it was much needed. With all the mass produced exclusives coming out lately I like to see stuff like this.

I agree. People are upset about it right now because it was a piece they wanted and they didn't get. Which I understand. I have plenty of pieces that I wanted and missed out on. But its part of collecting. It will pass over in a month or so when the next "funko disaster" happens.

[Chase Variant]

I would agree. I don't know that all Funko collectors would know the beanie baby bubble either. I was simply using a comparison to show that having limited editions and chase type products ultimately leads to more sales. Pokemon and sports cards are/were the same way.

Two other bubbles that burst. Why encourage the same mistakes?

[JBeard]

Sorry, but im confused with all the Funko played fans talk. How is this situation any different from chase goblin, chase alien, gitd kurama? I mean it's a limited release and I actually think it was much needed. With all the mass produced exclusives coming out lately I like to see stuff like this.

Exactly well said txcarr85

[CaseyJones14]

Ugh not the dreaded beanie baby comparison

[JasonFunko13]

I would agree. I don't know that all Funko collectors would know the beanie baby bubble either. I was simply using a comparison to show that having limited editions and chase type products ultimately leads to more sales. Pokemon and sports cards are/were the same way.

Two other bubbles that burst. Why encourage the same mistakes?

If it's going to burst, making EVERYTHING available to EVERYONE will speed that burst up faster than anything

[treswright]

But the majority of people collect things because they are limited or valuable.

Man isn't that the truth, but I would even go a little further and say people collect things because they PERCEIVE them as valuable. Not trying to compare Pops to Beanies, but to use Beanies as an example of perceived value- my wife at the time was an avid Beanie collector. I remember we had one in particular- Kiwi, that we kept away from the kids and up on a high shelf because it was worth (selling on eBay for) over 100 bucks. There was a forum where people would share stories on what new ones had been announced, where people were finding them, how many had been made, which ones were limited runs, etc. etc. Anyway the bubble burst. Personally I think it was because people flat ran out of space. Collectors had hundreds or even thousands, and they were complaining on the forums about how they had no place to store them much less display them. They had them in their bedrooms, living rooms, dining rooms-wherever there was a level spot to fit one. And they just got burned out. Big collections started going up for sale. At first they sold pretty well, but as more and more collections flooded the market the bubble collapsed. Soon everyone was trying to sell to get some of their money back while there was still a chance. Us? We kept them, and years later gave away garbage bags full of them. I think I still have that Kiwi around here though, because it was cute. They were going for less than 10 bucks on eBay last time I checked. So my point is Kiwi was never a valuable high-end collectible, it was just a 5 dollar toy the whole time. People temporarily raised it to collectible status because they falsely believed it had some value that it really didn't.

And that's where my story crosses over into Pop collecting. Pops are 10 dollar toys. They are not high end collectibles. They don't have immaculate paint jobs and perfect detailing like you would expect of a hundred dollar collectible. Any value people assign to them is purely based on perception and the mentality of "needing" something you can't readily have. When this Batman was announced most reactions were "good grief, yet another Batman repaint." Personally I thought it was cool, but I like really wacky stuff like Surf's Up Batman and the Impopsters. But not many people were excited about its release. So why does everyone want one now? I think a lot of it is perception, it's rare so they think it has value. It will for a while, but I'm sure someday it will be about as valuable as Kiwi.

So as a 30+ year collector I leave you with this- collect what you love, not what you think is valuable.

[JasonFunko13]

I would agree. I don't know that all Funko collectors would know the beanie baby bubble either. I was simply using a comparison to show that having limited editions and chase type products ultimately leads to more sales. Pokemon and sports cards are/were the same way.

Two other bubbles that burst. Why encourage the same mistakes?

If it's going to burst, making EVERYTHING available to EVERYONE will speed that burst up faster than anything

[Chase Variant]

I would agree. I don't know that all Funko collectors would know the beanie baby bubble either. I was simply using a comparison to show that having limited editions and chase type products ultimately leads to more sales. Pokemon and sports cards are/were the same way.

Two other bubbles that burst. Why encourage the same mistakes?

If it's going to burst, making EVERYTHING available to EVERYONE will speed that burst up faster than anything

That not how speculation bubbles work.

[CaseyJones14]

So as a 30+ year collector I leave you with this- collect what you love, not what you think is valuable.

Loved everything you said, but especially this part. As a new collector this quote is a motto to live by and there have been several moments where I've been at the store and wanted to buy stuff because I knew it was worth more than the price, but I held back because I knew I didn't "need" it.

I enjoy collecting because of the interactions I have with other collectors. I love this forum because I can get excited about the announcement of a Space Ghost POP and there are dozens of other people who are just as giddy as I am . The POPs and Dorbz on my shelves are awesome, but the conversations I have on here are much more valuable.

[MasterSplyntr]

But the majority of people collect things because they are limited or valuable.

Man isn't that the truth, but I would even go a little further and say people collect things because they PERCEIVE them as valuable. Not trying to compare Pops to Beanies, but to use Beanies as an example of perceived value- my wife at the time was an avid Beanie collector. I remember we had one in particular- Kiwi, that we kept away from the kids and up on a high shelf because it was worth (selling on eBay for) over 100 bucks. There was a forum where people would share stories on what new ones had been announced, where people were finding them, how many had been made, which ones were limited runs, etc. etc. Anyway the bubble burst. Personally I think it was because people flat ran out of space. Collectors had hundreds or even thousands, and they were complaining on the forums about how they had no place to store them much less display them. They had them in their bedrooms, living rooms, dining rooms-wherever there was a level spot to fit one. And they just got burned out. Big collections started going up for sale. At first they sold pretty well, but as more and more collections flooded the market the bubble collapsed. Soon everyone was trying to sell to get some of their money back while there was still a chance. Us? We kept them, and years later gave away garbage bags full of them. I think I still have that Kiwi around here though, because it was cute. They were going for less than 10 bucks on eBay last time I checked. So my point is Kiwi was never a valuable high-end collectible, it was just a 5 dollar toy the whole time. People temporarily raised it to collectible status because they falsely believed it had some value that it really didn't.

And that's where my story crosses over into Pop collecting. Pops are 10 dollar toys. They are not high end collectibles. They don't have immaculate paint jobs and perfect detailing like you would expect of a hundred dollar collectible. Any value people assign to them is purely based on perception and the mentality of "needing" something you can't readily have. When this Batman was announced most reactions were "good grief, yet another Batman repaint." Personally I thought it was cool, but I like really wacky stuff like Surf's Up Batman and the Impopsters. But not many people were excited about its release. So why does everyone want one now? I think a lot of it is perception, it's rare so they think it has value. It will for a while, but I'm sure someday it will be about as valuable as Kiwi.

So as a 30+ year collector I leave you with this- collect what you love, not what you think is valuable.

VERY well said Tres!

[Rex Mason]

Sorry, but im confused with all the Funko played fans talk. How is this situation any different from chase goblin, chase alien, gitd kurama? I mean it's a limited release and I actually think it was much needed. With all the mass produced exclusives coming out lately I like to see stuff like this.

Exactly well said txcarr85

To me the difference is that this is a comic accurate variant, not a special metallic or glow in the dark chase. As such, it's much more important to my collection, then, say a silver Hot Topic employee-only Batman. This was one of my most wanted bat-variants, but I certainly don't want to shell out $100 for it. Can't afford that much for a single pop.

Still holding out hope I can find it, though. C'mon local Targets!

[txcarr85]

Sorry, but im confused with all the Funko played fans talk. How is this situation any different from chase goblin, chase alien, gitd kurama? I mean it's a limited release and I actually think it was much needed. With all the mass produced exclusives coming out lately I like to see stuff like this.

Exactly well said txcarr85

To me the difference is that this is a comic accurate variant, not a special metallic or glow in the dark chase. As such, it's much more important to my collection, then, say a silver Hot Topic employee-only Batman. This was one of my most wanted bat-variants, but I certainly don't want to shell out $100 for it. Can't afford that much for a single pop.

Still holding out hope I can find it, though. C'mon local Targets!

Yea I can understand that part. It's not just one random paint job. Well I hope you find one locally to add to your collection.

[bonnjer]

This is the tracker for my area. Not promising at all

Jester, save yourself time and trouble. Both Alexandria and Lafayette had nothing left, other than commons, if they even had any to begin with.

[jester00]

This is the tracker for my area. Not promising at all

Jester, save yourself time and trouble. Both Alexandria and Lafayette had nothing left, other than commons, if they even had any to begin with.

I went yesterday to Alexandria. Not for the pops, but for our usual "get out of the house trip". Target had nothing, and Hastings had their usual. Where was the huge selection of pops at Hastings when I was starting out

[dishsnthings]

I dont agree with the pony up, buy on ebay, this is collecting theory. This thread is different than most Ive read. This thread is basically saying there are no more in the wild, and no more coming nation wide. There are precious few here that claim having found one. THATS the difference. Look at other threads, they are a full mixture of "I scored" or "I didnt score. Recent one are Terror, either Madcap and either green goblin.

[RoboFist]

If you guys think all of THESE reactions are bad, just wait until the week of SDCC.

[jester00]

wall of text about beanie babies. Specifically one named Kiwi

Funny story related to beanie babies. My mother was a huge collector of them when I was younger. Now that my daughter is 3, she loves to go get a toy when she goes to Nana's house. It's totes and totes full of beanie babies. One in particular she brought home was.... Kiwi

[TheNeck]

If you guys think all of THESE reactions are bad, just wait until the week of SDCC.

i can't wait!

[JsinLegacy]

Once the target in the town over told me that an employee bought the 5 they had I gave up. I don't see me getting this one. And sad thing is it's one of the few batmans that I actually wanted. Oh well. Just another to the will never own list.

[Swfanmlp]

No luck near me yet, although I am not the only pop hunter in my area

[alu198944]

Once the target in the town over told me that an employee bought the 5 they had I gave up. I don't see me getting this one. And sad thing is it's one of the few batmans that I actually wanted. Oh well. Just another to the will never own list.

I agree 100%, I love both of the main colors.

[Rex Mason]

Exactly well said txcarr85

To me the difference is that this is a comic accurate variant, not a special metallic or glow in the dark chase. As such, it's much more important to my collection, then, say a silver Hot Topic employee-only Batman. This was one of my most wanted bat-variants, but I certainly don't want to shell out $100 for it. Can't afford that much for a single pop.

Still holding out hope I can find it, though. C'mon local Targets!

Yea I can understand that part. It's not just one random paint job. Well I hope you find one locally to add to your collection.

Thanks! Me, too!

[Kaljor]

Once the target in the town over told me that an employee bought the 5 they had I gave up. I don't see me getting this one. And sad thing is it's one of the few batmans that I actually wanted. Oh well. Just another to the will never own list.

Or just wait 20, 30 yrs, etc. and get it then, think long game.

[JetLifer]

But both Target and Funko themselves have frustrated me with this release. Target with their horrendous distribution, and Funko for fanning the flipper frenzy with their multiple unnecessary "ultra-rare" statements about this batman.

Agree 100%. Sure, making something limited raises interest in the broader brand, but how they handled this Batman is extremely short-sighted in my opinion. This is exactly the kind of stuff that alienates collectors and pushes us closer to the bubble bursting. If you want to make it somewhat limited but still drive traffic into Target for this new partnership, you can still do it while ensuring that every store gets at least a couple of these and had Targets reasonably well stocked for a few weeks or so. It makes sense to have con exclusives ultra limited, but makes zero sense for a store exclusive because I don't think it accomplishes the goal. And someone please explain the purpose of their comments recently on the rarity? Now real collectors (who are your core customers, by the way) have to pony up $100+ to get one. Ride that hype machine, Funko!

It'll take more than this to push me away completely, but I'll be honest, this is a straw on the camels back. More nonsense like this and eventually it'll break and a fan/customer will be lost. Maybe you replace me with 10 casual fans, but I guarantee together they're not buying as much as I am at the moment.

Mini rant over. Carry on...

The thing about it is the money IS where the hype is. This is probably new to a lot of Funko Collectors but I have been a shoe "collector" for years. I know there were some other sneaker heads on here and I know they will understand what I am talking about. I collect Jordan Signature Retro shoes. Most of these shoes sell out in minutes and are released almost every other Saturday. And with these we aren't talking about $9, this is $200 plus per pair. And they sell out every week and flippers increase the price and make tons of money off the fact that these shoes sell out. And it has been this way for years. Sure, Nike could increase production and these shoes would never sell out. But that isn't where the money is. If shoes constantly sell out, people will buy them every week in fear of them selling out if they even are remotely interested. Same goes for this. If there is Hype, it will bring customers in huge waves. And it will encourage "buy now, decide later" mentality to those who collect. This is nothing new.

I was a Jordan collector long time ago im talking back when '01 blk/cement 3s(still got the same pair till this day) were sitting on shelves on sale for 79.99 and finding black/royal 1s at nike outlets for 50 bucks i stopped collecting Js cuz it got way outta hand cuz of new collectors and resellers just started making it harder to get throughout the years, it just got played out to me. Im starting to feel the same way with pops. I was able to get my Zur Bats on release day I just called around 7:45 am to put one on hold was surprised they answered but there was like 5 or 6 other people there hounding the workers and eachother when i got there and they broke out into an intense argument thats when I realized this hobbys getting ridiculous and not fun anymore after SDCC i made a promise to myself im quitting on buying pops.