Phanatic of the Month Bobbles Are Plentiful

Photo via Philly Chit Chat

The third series of the over-sized, "Phanatic of the Month" bobble heads is in full swing. Maybe you're aware, maybe you're not...

This third edition has successfully evolved the series from the themes of the past few years, finding fresh poses that have kept it interesting for collectors. So far we have seen Phoebe caring for an infant Phanatic, a weight-lifting Phanatic and tomorrow (10/1/16) the latest bobble will be released with a design celebrating the Phillies 1980 World Series championship.

Although the bobbles have been well received by the hard-core collectors, their hefty $75 price tag (a $25 increase over the 2nd Series) has kept them from crossing over as a must-buy for the casual fans. On a recent visit to the Citizens Bank Park Majestic Store I saw the evidence of this failure: a large inventory of previous month's bobbles stacked against the wall.  I was surprised Merchandising Director Scott Brandreth put himself in this position again.  After all, he cited the increased production run from 100 to 1,000 each month as the key contributor to buyer apathy - the scarcity could no longer command the premium price tag...eventually leading the team to sell remaining inventory for as low as $10 apiece.  Yet, here it is - 150 bobbles each month at an even higher retail price.

I really appreciate the series, and am pulling for it to be successful.  I know it has to be profitable to continue in the coming years.  But, $75 is too much for me to handle, so I'll sit on the sidelines until they start getting serious about moving inventory...

Update: The third series has a production run of 150, not the previously stated 1,000.  Also, I received some additional information related to pricing. The $25 increase was to bring the Phillies into alignment with other team's mascot series bobble heads.  Evidently they were "grandfathered" in at $50 for Series 2.

February Phanatic of the Month

Forget the snow, sleet and rain, LOVE is in the air!  

The Phanatic takes the form of Cupid for this month's Phanatic of the Month release.  Since we've had silhouette of the complete run for months, the design is not a surprise - but, it's nice to finally see the fully realized figurine.  There have been a few stinkers in the series, but months with major holidays continue to be "on target"...

Photos via @DrBobblesWorld - give him a follow on Twitter for more bobble fun!

January Phanatic of the Month

I busied myself by reading the tweets from Citizens Bank Park this morning as a line, estimated by one buyer at around 60 people, formed early.  Was it another memorabilia sale? Opening Day tickets (wink, wink)?  No, they were waiting for the January Phanatic of the Month Bobble Head to go on sale.  Soon after 10 a.m., my go-to bobble expert, @DrBobblesWorld posted a picture of the prized figurine (at left) to let us bystanders in on the fun.

This month's theme was "New Year's Phanatic" - which on January 2nd, makes sense.  Phanatic is dressed a lot classier than I was on New Year's Eve, complete with top hat.  Interesting features in this month's release is the "New Year's Ball" which has the ability to move up and down a pole and the Phanatic's hands which also move.

Overall, the design is pretty nice again this month, though I have to agree with fellow Phillies collector, Pat Adair (@DroppedStrike3) that "Baby New Year Phanatic" would have been entertaining, too.  There's always next year...

2014 Phanatic MVP Club Figurine Preview

2014 Phanatic MVP Club Bobble Head

While the Phillies have been somewhat quiet in terms of improving their on-field product, their Marketing and Sales departments have been working overtime to salvage Citizens Bank Park's reputation as a summertime destination.  For the first time in years, Opening Day six-pack plans were made available in October!  Several promotional dates have been announced, and recently the 2014 Phanatic MVP bobble head design was released on Phillies.com.

These mini-figurines are available for free to members of the Phanatic MVP Club (open to children 14 years and under).  I actually bought a membership for my 5-year old as a way to get him interested in the team.  I'm sure he will be thrilled with this season's design placing the Phanatic in a familiar scene - dancing on top of the Phillies dugout.  It may not be "much" different than just having him stand on a standard base - but, I give the team credit for putting a theme around it.

I recommend this as a gift for young Phillies fans in your life.  Details on how to enroll are available on Phillies.com.

Photo credit to Phillies SGA, shared earlier this week via Twitter.

December Phanatic of the Month Wuz Here

I've written with increased urgency each successive month since the Phanatic of the Month releases began last Spring.  Each month it has gotten tougher and tougher to secure the prize as the figurine's popularity (and eBay prices) have swelled.  

Well, December is here and I am left without this month's bobble head.  I have to admit: most of this problem is my own doing.  I punted the store stakeout on Sunday morning in favor of the annual family trip to the Christmas tree farm - choosing to grab on on the secondary market later.  Considering the bobble's sold out within minutes of the door opening, it was likely the best decision I could have made.  Tales from survivors set the scene as a "Black Friday-like" scramble... not my idea of fun.

With figurines tough to come by, it took a full 24-hours before I even saw what one looked like.  Call me a grinch, but the December design didn't really impress me much.  Unlike previous month's creations, this design puts us in familiar territory: the Phanatic in a Santa suit.  Even the inclusion of a Christmas tree has been done before.  Maybe it's more an inditement of the tired "Phanta Claus" theme, and not this particular bobble head - but, I am very indifferent on it.

If time doesn't tame prices on the secondary market, I'll just buy this ornament and call it "December"...

Thanks to fellow collector, Pat Adair for use of the December Phanatic of the Month photo.  Make sure to check out his blog  and give him a follow on Twitter (@DroppedStrike3)...

November Phanatic of the Month Bobble Head

November Phanatic of the Month Bobble Head (via @DrBobblesWorld) 

In what is becoming a monthly phenomenon, the November Phanatic of the Month was released to a frenzied crowd last Friday morning.  And once again, the oversized bobble heads were sold out on the first day! It is getting harder and harder to remember those early Spring months when they were available for a week (or more)...

The "William Bradford" Phanatic, shows the mascot dressed in traditional Pilgrim wear, complete with a Phillies-logo traveler's hat.  While it is not surprising that the Phanatic is shown eating a turkey - it did make me laugh that "a live" Tom is watching him from behind (better watch out little buddy, you may be next!).  Move over cornucopia, a new Thanksgiving Day centerpiece is here!