M2 Machines is making a move that could signal a bigger change in the world of toys that can be considered collectibles.
Following years of adding “chase” stickers to the packaging of its limited edition offerings, the company has revealed plans to discontinue the practice heading into 2023. Over the next few months, M2 Machines, a division of Castline, will phase out chase decals across its entire range of products.
While M2 Machines are sold across a wide range of hobby shops, independent specialty retailers, and mass retailers, the chase stickers have become an easy signal to resellers — aka flippers and scalpers — that raid store stock.
“M2 Machines is confirming that we are making the hunt that much harder out in the wild,” the company said in a statement. “Collectors will need to do their homework and know what to hunt for.”
In recent years, companies including Funko, Jazwares, Spin Master, Mattel, and others have used reflective, holo-foil stickers to signal chase editions, first editions, and other premium items. It will be interesting to see if the other companies follow M2’s lead in nixing the stickers on retail packaging.
