I never really know when something is going to be discontinued. There are clear signs like few/no/bad reviews or that a product is older.
However, there are simply so many products that I prioritize buying by interest level. Thus some ones I'm luke warm on sit in my wish list then end up discontinued before I ever get around to them (and my account isn't even that old yet).
That really isn't a major concern, there are endless good ones to browse and get. However a type of "last call" event would be good, like "Hey, we won't ever carry this item in your wish list again. Order now or never."
It'd give me one last chance to debate if I want something or not and companies love FOMO driven sales (besides if I'm getting one, why not 2 or 3?). I think it'd be a win win. Maybe there'd be some side effects I haven't thought of, but I think the final choice is better than a wish list slowly filling up with zombies.
However, there are simply so many products that I prioritize buying by interest level. Thus some ones I'm luke warm on sit in my wish list then end up discontinued before I ever get around to them (and my account isn't even that old yet).
That really isn't a major concern, there are endless good ones to browse and get. However a type of "last call" event would be good, like "Hey, we won't ever carry this item in your wish list again. Order now or never."
It'd give me one last chance to debate if I want something or not and companies love FOMO driven sales (besides if I'm getting one, why not 2 or 3?). I think it'd be a win win. Maybe there'd be some side effects I haven't thought of, but I think the final choice is better than a wish list slowly filling up with zombies.
**ToyDemon** ( 9046 )
@TheBigNasty we understand your frustration. It's the same for us as well. There are different types of discontinues. The most common one you'll see is the production stop from the manufacturer. Only the most popular items continues to be made by the different brands. Onaholes that aren't very popular are discontinued to free up the product queue for popular or new items. Manufacturers don't give advance notice on these so it's hard to have a last call since it's usually too late by the time they make the announcement.
This type of discontinuation has also accelerated since the global pandemic. Most of the new products you see coming out are now manufactured in small batches. If a product doesn't sell well at launch, the manufacturer discontinues it and moves on to their next idea.
I know that I have mentioned and kept pushing our pre-order bonus and perks quite a bit, and this is the main reason.
We have some products that didn't pre-order well, which we then obviously order in smaller quantities. When good reviews start coming in for it after launch and sale picks up on the onahole, we try to order more from the manufacturer and often are told it's no longer available due to them discontinuing it.
The easy solution would be to order a ton of the item to begin with. However this is easier said than done. Manufacturers aren't making every new item in massive batches anymore so they sometime ration the initial batch to everyone. It is also difficult for us to have massive amounts of every new item launched. Space is finite and too many items not moving takes up possible space for the next new item. (again this is why pre-ordering is important to ensure you get it)
The other type of discontinuation is rare but has been happening more in recent years. The manufacturer decides without warning an item is either no longer available to shops outside of Japan or only available through their own retail shop. These items are ones you see marked discontinued by manufacturer on our website but might still see them being offered in Japan. There are a number of reason why this happens from international rights issue on package art/image, or exporting issues, to a shift in manufacturer plans.
The last type of discontinuation is by us due to a lack of interest here in USA. For this type where we do have control on it, you do get a bit of heads up for this. In most cases if something goes on "Clearance" on the site, it's basically your "LAST CALL" from us as we are putting the item below cost to clear out its space.
This type of discontinuation has also accelerated since the global pandemic. Most of the new products you see coming out are now manufactured in small batches. If a product doesn't sell well at launch, the manufacturer discontinues it and moves on to their next idea.
I know that I have mentioned and kept pushing our pre-order bonus and perks quite a bit, and this is the main reason.
We have some products that didn't pre-order well, which we then obviously order in smaller quantities. When good reviews start coming in for it after launch and sale picks up on the onahole, we try to order more from the manufacturer and often are told it's no longer available due to them discontinuing it.
The easy solution would be to order a ton of the item to begin with. However this is easier said than done. Manufacturers aren't making every new item in massive batches anymore so they sometime ration the initial batch to everyone. It is also difficult for us to have massive amounts of every new item launched. Space is finite and too many items not moving takes up possible space for the next new item. (again this is why pre-ordering is important to ensure you get it)
The other type of discontinuation is rare but has been happening more in recent years. The manufacturer decides without warning an item is either no longer available to shops outside of Japan or only available through their own retail shop. These items are ones you see marked discontinued by manufacturer on our website but might still see them being offered in Japan. There are a number of reason why this happens from international rights issue on package art/image, or exporting issues, to a shift in manufacturer plans.
The last type of discontinuation is by us due to a lack of interest here in USA. For this type where we do have control on it, you do get a bit of heads up for this. In most cases if something goes on "Clearance" on the site, it's basically your "LAST CALL" from us as we are putting the item below cost to clear out its space.
TheBigNasty ( 180 )
@**ToyDemon** So even you guys get semi blind sided by the manufacturers sometimes.
I guess the safest bet is to just order something you want when you see it. Of course one can only order so many for a variety of reasons.
Well. If manufacturers have set up a system that lives off of preorders and little else, then that is also tricky. Unless I know the brand really well and/or really want the design (or box art I guess, which I collect) I have little reason to risk a mildly enthusiastic preorder as it won't have a lot of reviews elsewhere (certainly none here).
Thanks for explaining your perspective, it is certainly more nuanced than I assumed.
Flash sales and clearance sales are still pretty cool ways to draw attention to luke warm wish list entries, at least.
I guess the safest bet is to just order something you want when you see it. Of course one can only order so many for a variety of reasons.
Well. If manufacturers have set up a system that lives off of preorders and little else, then that is also tricky. Unless I know the brand really well and/or really want the design (or box art I guess, which I collect) I have little reason to risk a mildly enthusiastic preorder as it won't have a lot of reviews elsewhere (certainly none here).
Thanks for explaining your perspective, it is certainly more nuanced than I assumed.
Flash sales and clearance sales are still pretty cool ways to draw attention to luke warm wish list entries, at least.