Hasbro's Blatant Double-Dipping
10/5/2024 The Black Series Ahsoka
The Star Wars Black Series community has been buzzing lately with a situation that's causing quite a bit of frustration among collectors. If you're a fan of The Black Series 6" figures, you've likely heard about the recent release (or rather, re-release) of the Baylan Skoll figure, and it's left many of us scratching our heads.
So, here's what happened: Hasbro sold a Black Series Baylan Skoll action figure back in 2023. Unfortunately, despite Baylan Skoll being seen wearing a robe for most of the Ahsoka TV series, the figure didn't include one. Fast forward to this year, and now Hasbro is re-releasing the very same figure, but with one major addition: a soft goods robe. The kicker? This new figure costs the same $24.99 as the original—except this time, it feels complete.
But wait, there's more. Collectors who already bought the figure without the robe last year are left feeling a bit... well, annoyed. Many collectors who were excited about the original release spent their money only to find themselves needing to spend more to get a complete figure. It feels like a slap in the face, as if Hasbro could have easily released a complete figure the first time around, like they have done many times with other releases previously. Instead, it seems like they're double-dipping, taking advantage of the fan base by making us buy essentially the same figure twice. They could have improved last year's figure by giving it the correct height, but that's likely going to be a third release for Baylan Skoll ...
And it doesn't end there. They're doing the exact same thing with the Black Series Shin Hati figure. Last year, Shin Hati hit shelves without a robe. Now, Hasbro is re-releasing her, this time complete with that coveted soft goods robe. Once again, it's the same price as before, but this time with all the accessories that arguably should have been included initially.
Look, when Hasbro releases Jedi or Sith characters in The Black Series line (or even in The Vintage Collection), it should be a no-brainer that they come complete with all their signature accessories—especially the robes, which are such an iconic part of these characters' looks. Jedi and Sith without robes just feel... incomplete. And let's not forget that, in the past, Hasbro has done a great job including robes with similar figures. So, why not with Baylan Skoll and Shin Hati from the get-go?
It's worth noting that Hasbro did an excellent job with the Black Series figures based on The Acolyte TV series. Characters like Jedi Master Indara, Jedi Master Sol, Jeki Lon, Mae, and Yord Fandar all came with their robes right out of the box. So there's really no excuse for Baylan Skoll and Shin Hati to have missed out.
Hasbro, we understand the need to keep things interesting and provide collectors with new options, but re-releasing a figure just a year later with an accessory that should have been there from the start feels like a blatant attempt at double-dipping. Collectors are passionate about these figures and are willing to invest in them, but it's only fair that we get a complete and well-thought-out product the first time around. This kind of approach leaves fans feeling frustrated and undervalued. Collectors have always been enthusiastic about The Black Series, and we want to continue supporting this line. However, practices like this make it hard to feel like we're getting value for our money. Let's hope this trend of double-dipping ends soon, so we can all keep enjoying this fantastic series without feeling short-changed.
