DS Collector Plates by MPI

The quality is suspect on most of the collectibles.  I have a mouse pad with a picture of Collinwood.  Thankfully it doesn't have the 'MPI' logo plastered all over it!  The dark plastic Barnabas cup that I have is never used.  Another family member has the same cup and has used it several times and nothing detrimental happened to the cup. Even though the quality is not the best, just the idea of having my DS stuff around me is very fullfilling and makes me happy. 

Coming in a little late on this.....  Yes the MPI stuff is pretty awful.  I admit though, at my first Fest (03) I did pick up the music box, but I think the only other stuff I picked up that time was bookmarks and all the zines I could grab (course non of THOSE came from MPI).

The issues with the plates sound typical of most "official" merchandise since I've been in fandom, with the tchachkes from Paramount and Lucasfilm not being anything to write home about either.  That said, I did get a couple bobbleheads over the last few years, the ones that looked  GOOD  -- and also picked up the Majestic Quentin doll (Barn was already sold out when I got to their table in 06).

By and large, the official licensees seldom, if ever, GET IT as to what fans are about and what we want in the way of toys and collectables.  Its on a level with the management at SCIFI when they were trying to get off the ground and were making the rounds of local fan groups.  They were consistantly shocked that the large area fan clubs (the one I was an officer for at that time was Dr.Who/Blakes 7 and is now much smaller, but includes all SF media) were NOT run by the pimple faced 15 year olds with no girlfriends that SciFi Buzz showed they thought was the average SF fan. Unfortunately they seem to have trouble understanding that the adult fans who have the discretionary income to buy the pricier items DON'T want Junk.  They are smart enough and accustomed enough to purchasing decisions to want value for money.

Thats a large reason why, no matter how much heat licencees may or may not put on "unauthorized" fan produced merchandise to try and make it go away, those are the products most fans prefer to spend their money on.  Stuff produced by fans for fans is usually produced to a higher production standard, as well as being better targeted to what the fans of a specific show or movie might actually WANT.

Jeannie

Sorry I missed your post Jeannie. Thanks for the informative post.

FYI to all here: Those "collector" plates are on MPI's website now so if anybody wishes to purchase them here is your opportunity. At least the baseball cap looks cool. Some of the bobbles are there too.

http://www.mpihomevideo.com/?p=4353&pcid=139&sid=232

They also have the plates and a package of 5 bobbles set for $89 dollars which the latter does not seem to be a bad price at its EBAY store. (page 3 of DS search)

http://stores.ebay.com/DVD-Wholesaler-Harbor

Happy "collectible" hunting.

What's shocking is that neither site seems to have the DS boxers available!! 


 

What's shocking is that neither site seems to have the DS boxers available!! 
 

Shocking indeed. Finally.............................................and the 1998 red ornament is gone too?? ?? ? Unacceptable! lol

Sorry I missed your post Jeannie. Thanks for the informative post.

You're welcome, Jimbo, even if I am acknowledging you how many months too late.... .  It's been a bizarre few months what with insanity at work and sheer exhaustion when I get home.  Glad you found the info helpful.

Jeannie