UncleBob Ripto Gems: 4565

#1 Posted: 01:15:56 17/02/2016 | Topic Creator



Previously, I stated that the Yawn Traps were still going to be released in the US. I based this information off of a couple of conversations I had with a few different people - but some further conversations have heavily implied we won't be seeing them on retail shelves - which is a shame. I don't believe I'm a special snowflake that deserves special attention from Activision or anyone else. I did purchase every single Trap Team item offered (including various variations of them, like single Light & Dark Trap Masters and the Expansion Packs, etc., but not including the super-rare chase variants because I'm too cheap for them), managing to collect all of the various traps except for these - the lack of these three traps getting a release was a pretty big deal for me. In fact, big enough that I had seriously considered not picking up Superchargers (decided to go for it for a couple of reasons, but it was a tough choice).



Anywhoo, some time ago, there was the big hoopla about the Youtube video where the guy managed to get Activision to trade him the three Yawn Traps in exchange for his defective Nightfall figure. Awesome, eh?



I contacted Activision though their general Skylanders contact number (844-HELP-EON) and asked about the Yawn Traps - was given the run around. I asked for the same deal the Youtuber was given - offer to exchange my defective Nightfall for the three Yawn Traps - no go.



I've called them a few times since then, each with no luck.



However, I called them about two weeks ago - and got a really nice rep who took my information and said she'd see what she could do - and the next day or so, I had an e-mail stating that they were going to send the Yawn Trap to me as a one-time exception. Yay!



So this is *great* for me. But what about all of you? I don't know.



I know there are a couple of reasons why Activision failed to deliver the Yawn Traps. The port strike really, really affected their planned shipping schedule - and that sucks. Even aside from the Yawn Traps, we still have folks looking for some Trap Team stuff that was just near impossible to get then and is impossible to find now (Light/Dark expansions, Spotlight/Blackout, any traps other than Water traps...)



On the other hand, I know there's not a *huge* demand for the traps now. The game is over a year old, the new game is out, and, frankly, Skylanders sales aren't doing what they once were (let's not start *that* debate here).



But there are folks who do want them - so, Activision, I beg of you, for everyone that isn't me and doesn't have these, I ask - please consider releasing these, some way, some how, even if it's at a loss. I'll even give you some ideas!



Obviously, the first way to consider releasing them would be just releasing them. The only traps you can find in stores now are, basically, water traps. There won't be a *huge* demand for the Life Yawn, since the starter pack comes with a Life trap, but the Fire Trap would be popular and the Light Trap would sell gangbusters (for those playing the home game, there were four different Light villains and one variant villain. We received two different Light traps and one Light trap pre-loaded with the variant villain. This means there are several folks who could use more Light traps!). Case shipments of 24 with something like 6-9-9 or such would probably work. I'm not suggesting that the market get flooded with them, but shipping some out would be nice.





Three packs! You could release a three pack with all three Yawn Traps. That's a little bland though... You could do a few different combinations - re-release the Hawk Trap and the Spider Trap from the expansions (that people are still looking for). Throw folks a bone and re-release the Tech Tiki trap that was previously only in the 8-pack. Ship out three packs that include everything but Water Traps. Bonus idea for the three packs - include a pre-loaded variant villain in each one. Rebel Lob Goblin, Steamed Broccoli Guy, and the ever in demand (and previously event exclusive) Riot Shield Shredder. Each three pack could include one Yawn Trap, one of the three previously mentioned traps, and a third trap with the pre-loaded villain. Absolutely everyone wins here.





A Trap 10-Pack. The three Yawn traps and seven more traps from the other seven elements.





OR team up with Toys R Us, GameStop, or any other retailer that is overflowing with leftover Water traps. Ship them the Yawn Traps and have them do some kind of BOGO promo where you buy a Water Trap, you get a Yawn Trap. Move those Water Traps. :D





OR team up with GameStop and ship them the Yawn Traps and let them bundle them with the overflowing amounts of Eon's Elite they're setting on. Ship out cardboard sleeves that the store employees could slip over an existing Eon's Elite and a Yawn Trap together.





OR a mail-in offer. Let folks send in UPCs or something to get them.





OR let everyone call 1-844-HELP-EON and complain that they want Yawn Traps too. I worked for me and it has worked for a couple of other folks. Why not you? And BE NICE when you call. Don't be a MEGAJERK to some random phone rep that you talk to. Be nice.

So, I received my three Yawn Traps in the mail today - finishing out my Trap Team collection and bumping my total Skylanders collection to 599 figures.Previously, I stated that the Yawn Traps were still going to be released in the US. I based this information off of a couple of conversations I had with a few different people - but some further conversations have heavily implied we won't be seeing them on retail shelves - which is a shame. I don't believe I'm a special snowflake that deserves special attention from Activision or anyone else. I did purchase every single Trap Team item offered (including various variations of them, like single Light & Dark Trap Masters and the Expansion Packs, etc., but not including the super-rare chase variants because I'm too cheap for them), managing to collect all of the various traps except for these - the lack of these three traps getting a release was a pretty big deal for me. In fact, big enough that I had seriously considered not picking up Superchargers (decided to go for it for a couple of reasons, but it was a tough choice).Anywhoo, some time ago, there was the big hoopla about the Youtube video where the guy managed to get Activision to trade him the three Yawn Traps in exchange for his defective Nightfall figure. Awesome, eh?I contacted Activision though their general Skylanders contact number (844-HELP-EON) and asked about the Yawn Traps - was given the run around. I asked for the same deal the Youtuber was given - offer to exchange my defective Nightfall for the three Yawn Traps - no go.I've called them a few times since then, each with no luck.However, I called them about two weeks ago - and got a really nice rep who took my information and said she'd see what she could do - and the next day or so, I had an e-mail stating that they were going to send the Yawn Trap to me as a one-time exception. Yay!So this is *great* for me. But what about all of you? I don't know.I know there are a couple of reasons why Activision failed to deliver the Yawn Traps. The port strike really, really affected their planned shipping schedule - and that sucks. Even aside from the Yawn Traps, we still have folks looking for some Trap Team stuff that was just near impossible to get then and is impossible to find now (Light/Dark expansions, Spotlight/Blackout, any traps other than Water traps...)On the other hand, I know there's not a *huge* demand for the traps now. The game is over a year old, the new game is out, and, frankly, Skylanders sales aren't doing what they once were (let's not start *that* debate here).But there are folks who do want them - so, Activision, I beg of you, for everyone that isn't me and doesn't have these, I ask - please consider releasing these, some way, some how, even if it's at a loss. I'll even give you some ideas!