Diamond Declares Bankrupcy

[MisterPL]

Zach, I hope you end up in an industry far less volatile that allows you to continue having fun as a fan of whatever brings you joy. I'm also looking forward to seeing your new screen name as a hint of where you've landed. (CVSZach? AT&TZach? WWEZach? JPLZach? 🤓)

[Navaan]

Seeing some talk that open orders for Diamond Select Toys products have been canceled or will be.

 

Some industry folks are guessing that the intent was for the licenses and not the actual products or toy lines and they will just end.

 

If that's the case, don't expect my money, NECA.

 

I hate corporate colonialism.

Edited May 19 by Navaan

[buttheadsmate]

I have (literally) just tried ordering from the DST website & it is declining to accept my 'card' payment ...maybe just as well !  

[Padrino]

I just checked. My existing preorders are still listed as "Pending" 

When I went to preorder a new item, the "Continue" button remains gray and won't more on. 

I was able to place a new order for an existing product.

Edited May 19 by Padrino

[DSTZach]

I do not know if products will be made and ship. I am also not sure any of the licenses are transferable at this stage. But we'll see, I guess. 

[Navaan]

What an absolutely gross dumpster fire. What was the point of all this?

[Padrino]

5 minutes ago, DSTZach said:

I do not know if products will be made and ship. I am also not sure any of the licenses are transferable at this stage. But we'll see, I guess. 

Then what did they actually acquire?

I admit, I am woefully ignorant of large corporate practices but if they got neither the products nor the licenses, then they basically just made a donation to a bunch of creditors for clout. Makes no sense. 

[Padrino]

3 hours ago, Navaan said:

Seeing some talk that open orders for Diamond Select Toys products have been canceled or will be.

 

Some industry folks are guessing that the intent was for the licenses and not the actual products or toy lines and they will just end.

 

If that's the case, don't expect my money, NECA.

 

I hate corporate colonialism.

I can see minimates slotting in fairly well with Kidrobot. That is where I bought most of my Kubricks back in the day, at their store in Soho. Unless this was a "catch and stop" operation but that also makes zero sense. 

If they, by some act of divine intervention, decide Kidrobot is the place to continue minimates, then I'll have to deal with the blind packaging model they seem to go for (which I personally despise).

I can't see how these fit in with NECA at all. 

Edited May 19 by Padrino

[SCW]

I still think Minimates are one of the more unique elements that DST had. Everything else is basically a version of something that any company could make. Minimates were a unique form factor.

That said it may not matter if the new owners are basically just dismantling the whole thing for "reasons."

[Padrino]

35 minutes ago, DSTZach said:

I do not know if products will be made and ship. I am also not sure any of the licenses are transferable at this stage. But we'll see, I guess. 

I probably already know the answer to this but Wave 87 never actually started production, correct? 

[buttheadsmate]

The new owners will quickly expunge the 'Diamond' branding ,they have no need for it & being brutally honest that may be for the best because Diamond has gone .   

Let's see who is left standing once the dust has settled & maybe we'll see the future.

 

 

 

 

[Onyx_6]

Really gutted by this news. Seeing Chuck, even Meyers and the rest of the crew, but especially Zach was a highlight of and major factor for attending C2E2 and NYCC. These relationships are rare, and I will miss them. After all the years attending cons, this last NYCC, I finally had a little bonding with Chuck! 🙃 Maybe he saw the writing on the wall? Zach, you've been a fantastic friend and I really hope there is a new opportunity that arises for you.

I got my first Minimates from TRU after my first set of college finals back in 2003. This community has been fantastic over the years. I am so happy they got us the classic TMNT sets (all three!). 

I don't know what else to say right now, other than I appreciate everyone who is reading this. This community is a special place.

[Padrino]

9 hours ago, Padrino said:

I just checked. My existing preorders are still listed as "Pending" 

When I went to preorder a new item, the "Continue" button remains gray and won't more on. 

I was able to place a new order for an existing product.

I can report that I tried again and was able to place a pre-order for the upcoming D&D set. Even got the initial penny charge from the DST website. Not sure if that means anything at all but we shall see. I may be banging my head against a wall repeatedly and expecting a different result.

[cylonchaney]

12 hours ago, MisterPL said:

Zach, I hope you end up in an industry far less volatile that allows you to continue having fun as a fan of whatever brings you joy. I'm also looking forward to seeing your new screen name as a hint of where you've landed. (CVSZach? AT&TZach? WWEZach? JPLZach? 🤓)

I hope he ends up as personal assistant to actor Jack Black. (JackBlacksZach)  

[youbastards]

Zach, I was absolutely heartbroken to see your Instagram post.  Thank you for everything you have done for this community and the toy collecting hobby in general.  

Now is the perfect time to plug Zach's book: https://a.co/d/dNXPkJL

(Please let me know if there a better place to order other than Amazon where you get more revenue per copy)

 

 

[hellpop]

The unfortunate truth is that they bought Diamond Comics Distributors, which is a big company of which Diamond Select Toys is a small part (and Minimates is a small part of that). I doubt that DST itself was much of a thought in the acquisition . Which is TERRIBLE, and devastating to both our friends and our little community. But that's the way it is with corporations.

[NerdyTrev]

My convention experiences have been laking an Oat-shaped element for a long time. Years ago I was welcomed into this collector's corner––motivated by fantastic interactions with Zach at the DST booth. Eventually, "c'mon Zach!" joined the lexicon of unique expletives used by my father (a fellow and long-standing toy collector) whenever I would express dissatisfaction with anything minimate related.

From his ToyFair magazine days to frequent, legendary appearances in PixelDan's con breakdowns, Zach Oat is an icon amongst toy collectors.

I wish you the very very best, Zach and sincerely hope this doesn't discourage you from continuing your toy photography hobby.

Thank you, Zach.

[Lurch77]

Zach, your generosity to this forum (and toys/toy collecting in general) has been tremendous. From all your help with contest prizes, giveaways, insider knowledge and keeping us all updated & excited for all things minimate; we all owe you a debt of gratitude! I hope you find a less stressful job and an employer that appreciates what a good person you are!

[Shanester]

I am genuinely heartbroken.  The threat to my favorite modern toy line is bad, but my DST friends are hurting too. I wish only the best for Zach, Chuck and the gang. Your kindness, openness and shared love of a toy line has meant a lot to me and this community.  Huge thanks to you.

[luke314pi]

A huge part of our journey at LTS has been working with the amazing people at DST. And in particular, Zach has gone above and beyond more times than I can count, not just for our store but for the entire Minimate community, and his contributions will always be part of the legacy and history of Minimates.

My heart goes out to Zach and to all the Diamond employees who lost their jobs through no fault of their own. These are people who poured their time, creativity, and energy into something that brought joy to collectors around the world. 

As for the future of Minimates, I don't have any new information to share. But regardless of what happens next, I want to say this:

If this really is the end for Minimates, then I truly believe we were witness to the greatest toy line of all time. For me, nothing else compares. It’s been an incredible ride, and I’m proud to have been a part of it with all of you.

But I am an eternal optimist, and I am holding on to a spark of hope that this isn't the end. At the very least, our store and my custom releases will continue for the foreseeable future. 

Thank you, Zach. Thank you, Diamond. And thank you to every Minimate fan who has kept the fire burning.

[Lobsterman]

27 minutes ago, luke314pi said:

A huge part of our journey at LTS has been working with the amazing people at DST. And in particular, Zach has gone above and beyond more times than I can count, not just for our store but for the entire Minimate community, and his contributions will always be part of the legacy and history of Minimates.

My heart goes out to Zach and to all the Diamond employees who lost their jobs through no fault of their own. These are people who poured their time, creativity, and energy into something that brought joy to collectors around the world. 

As for the future of Minimates, I don't have any new information to share. But regardless of what happens next, I want to say this:

If this really is the end for Minimates, then I truly believe we were witness to the greatest toy line of all time. For me, nothing else compares. It’s been an incredible ride, and I’m proud to have been a part of it with all of you.

But I am an eternal optimist, and I am holding on to a spark of hope that this isn't the end. At the very least, our store and my custom releases will continue for the foreseeable future. 

Thank you, Zach. Thank you, Diamond. And thank you to every Minimate fan who has kept the fire burning.

Hear, hear!

[nandoninny]

thanks to @luke314pi for putting a tear in my eye.

 

 

[DSTZach]

Thanks for the kind words all. I know I don't have much to say about Minimates any more, but I still find myself typing "unread" into my browser address bar every time I log on. (It autofills "Unread content" and the MMMV web address, and has become a habit.) I still love coming here, so hopefully I can continue to hang out and maybe share some formerly top-secret things, like unmade designs and even unmade prototypes. (I have some!) 

[Padrino]

10 minutes ago, DSTZach said:

Thanks for the kind words all. I know I don't have much to say about Minimates any more, but I still find myself typing "unread" into my browser address bar every time I log on. (It autofills "Unread content" and the MMMV web address, and has become a habit.) I still love coming here, so hopefully I can continue to hang out and maybe share some formerly top-secret things, like unmade designs and even unmade prototypes. (I have some!) 

You (and your secrets) are always welcome!

[Chooch]

Yes, spill all the secrets!!  Unless they'll make us sad?  I'm conflicted.