Is Mattel Dumbing Down Things With Revolution?

Yes exactly...just last week I came across the new Toby at Walmart. I have been looking for a regular non talking Edward. Other than the fact I have seen him on the back of the other packages, I would say he didn't exist! I've looked for the past 9 months for that train!!

It does seem that Fisher-Price after taking the licence off Tomy just don't seem to want to take the product seriously. Even the revolution engines are all but non-existant in the UK unless you get lucky in some stores. Not that I would buy them anyway, but the point is why take the licence then refuse to exploit it?

I suppose if you deliberately make things hard to get when you ship stock you know its all going to sell as people (especially collectors/speculators) will just grab everything they see on a shelf. But is it really a long term sensible/viable way to do business?!?

[Super]

I am not really looking for the Revolutions but when I look at Walmart there don't seem like there are any on the shelves. In fact the last time I was a one near me there was more of the original type Trackmaster trains than the new ones. I wonder if they have realized their mistake and somehow they are currently redesigning the redesign in time for the holiday season.

[HankAmericanEngine]

Well, it seems Fisher-Price has had more mountains than molehills with this redesign, including complaints, petitions, angered phone calls, etc., but I cannot really say I have made a decision in regards to enjoying the system or not.

There is a large lack of characters, old and new, a lack of genuine availability in some locations, and general unreliability in the operation of the engines, set features, and track.

I've finally got a hold of some track for the line, and have decided to do an in-depth review of the revolution line, but I can guarantee this video won't be up within the next two or three weeks.

I'm going to take as much time as I can to look at it from all standpoints, and figure out whether or not Fisher-Price is running themselves into the ground with the line or not.

What you guys say about there being barely any revolution trains is strange. Where I live, there are tons of revolution trains, but I have never seen Edward, Hiro, Spencer, or Charlie or Victor.

If sales continue to drop and complaints continue to increase, I am predicting Fisher Price will try to force these on us for another year or so, then release a Trackmaster "Retro" line...and the slowly phase of these revolutions...

muddy, i agree and hope y0u are right. everywhere i look, theres loads of the "engine and truck" 2 packs, smash and repairs, quite a number of the samson/flynn/??? 3 piece sets and the talking and now rc engines. and the usual number of track and add on sets. barely anything new.

this thinking, of the line being deleted, is also why i continue to buy what i can, when i can.

[Ucwepn]

There's new releases but we don't see any here in stores as the shelves are being warmed by dozens of unsold smash & repair locos and the stores wont order more until those move.

[ripley802]

I am currently on vacation in the states but while our stores (none of them) and we have several of each have had any of the Ryan, mike, treasure Thomas, etc.. I found them at a Walmart. I had already purchased from Amazon, but they were $13.97 each. I also found Connor and Catlin for $13.97 each. Seems like different stores still have various different stock. A few weeks back I found the older trackmaster talking Toby. I did see the Railway builder set out for TMR.

[Super]

Are you stuffing your suit cases with them Ripley802? No need to take your clothes back just drop them off at the Salvation Army