I get what they're saying, I guess. Ag is the equivalent of a standard HT, Pt is their version of a DX, and Rh is essentially Artisan... but yeah, the pricing makes absolutely no sense if that's how they conceptualize it.
InArt: The Lord of the Rings - Legolas 1:6
- Thread starter Giimli86
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Why do we always compare them back to Hot Toys lmao. Artisan literally means it will have wool hair. INART’s Ag sets have rooted hair.
Well yes, it's not a one-to-one comparison, but I hoped I didn't need to actually spell that out. Rather, I'm pointing out that they've adopted a similar structure to the competition. There's the basic line (MMS), the deluxe line (DX), and the premium line (AE).
It’s a silly marketing gimmick. Not as bad as what other companies do though imo.
Sassafras
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Based on Aragorn alone, the only thing I can think of is maybe spending a lot of time on the base sculpt (unlike HT which may release several versions of a character before they get it right - although IMO neither Gandalf or Aragorn are 100%, and Legolas to me looks more like a relation) and the detailing of the accessories and certain clothing items, like Legolas' boots.
Then there's stuff that doesn't even work properly, like the magnetic bases (mine is still in the box). The face paint isn't anything special.
I think it's like Gipetto said way back - we may be paying for a nice figure, and it's a choice, maybe, but for me it's not "ultimate" enough to think of InArt as THE figure - and that includes their IMO poor customer service as well. At least with Aragorn not only did I have to deal with the hair issue, but ended up kitbashing the fig and am still waiting on a Ranger cloak.
"Not as bad as" is still bad, whatever couching or apologizing you want to do. InArt is charging nearly $500 for Legolas (more for most of us who have to buy secondhand), and then turning around and calling it "standard" and implying it's their lowest grade. For that kind of money, why shouldn't they "go the extra mile" or provide the "definitive prestige" figure?
It's a stupid, unforced error on their part, and we're right to call it out. The company that prides itself on being better than the competition shouldn't be using marketing material that implies some figures get more love & attention than others.
I don’t really care, nor do I put a lot of stock into it. For me, it’s very simple - I expect every standalone rooted figure will be in the $450-$550 range – and if I want that character, that’s what it is.
Also, those who buy secondhand is irrelevant to INART. I say that as someone who goes through others and can’t order direct since I don’t live in their licensed regions.
Even in the Ag tier, it’s still the definitive figure for FOTR Legolas. Yes, they need to optimize and provide the missing essential accessories they omitted. This whole tier system is basically just saying that it brings more as in dios, sculpts, any extras beyond what a typical standalone set gets.
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lordnastrond
The Spirit of Darkness
Absolutely agree.
What a stupid and senseless gimmick - so the Nazgul with real armor + a steed is standard? A standard Legolas is more expensive than more premium figures? A sculpted Pattinson-Batman is more high end than Harry Potter with his huge diorama?
And more to the point, why on earth would you try to create the impression that some figures are receiving more attention and care than others.......
Inart:
It’s pretty easy to understand what they mean by these grades. Idk why people are taking it as they will try less quality-wise with their lower grades. It just means they’d go all out with the higher tiers in terms of dios, more head sculpts, and clothing sets, etc.
I wouldn’t put too much stock into it.
I wouldn’t put too much stock into it.
It’s not a question of quality lolAbsolutely agree.
What a stupid and senseless gimmick - so the Nazgul with real armor + a steed is standard? A standard Legolas is more expensive than more premium figures? A sculpted Pattinson-Batman is more high end than Harry Potter with his huge diorama?
And more to the point, why on earth would you try to create the impression that some figures are receiving more attention and care than others.......
Inart:
I
"It's pretty easy to understand what I mean, honey. I wasn't saying that you looked bad in those jeans. Just that the other girl looked better."
Some things are dumb to say. The relative importance (or lack thereof) doesn't make it any less dumb. It's a mistake to present your product as higher vs. lower grade, especially when there's little rhyme or reason to the pricing.
I promise: it's okay to criticize InArt a little.
Should I wait for the Platinum InArt Legolas from TTT?
Why do you take this so personal lol?
I said it’s a gimmick. I’m sorry you’re overthinking it.
And to insinuate I don’t criticize INART is false. I just don’t take this hobby too seriously as some of y’all.
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If you didn't take it seriously, you wouldn't be in Hot Toys threads saying, "Actually, they got the size of the buttons wrong. InArt is still better." I don't think it's a mis-characterization at all to say that you're one of InArt's staunchest defenders here. That's neither a good thing or a bad thing, mind you; it's just the reality of things.
But I digress because I've got no desire to make this a personal thing. I just fundamentally disagree that people are taking things "too seriously" when $500+ is on the line. At that price point, it's all fair game to me. If InArt wants to promise the premier experience, they've got growing to do.
I don’t even defend them exclusively. I defend general logic, if anything lol.
And why do you make it seem like they’re able to provide rooted figures at a lower price point? Standalone premium sets are $500 because they have rooted hair. Their sculpted offerings are $335-$350, so it’s an extra $150 for rooted hair – that’s a great add-on price for rooted hair for mass production.
I just think you’re reading too much into their dumb elemental grades system and getting worked up over nothing, imo. All it means is that they’d include more stuff with the higher grades. Do you want them all to be “Rhodium” style? I mean, that’d be cool (does every character warrant that?), but that would mean more SKUS. Perhaps (most likely) it’s not cost effective for them.
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cmiller99
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Hold out for the Rhodium version from ROTK. It'll come with an Oliphaunt.
Timothy Oliphaunt?
cmiller99
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This element scale is nothing new and has been a thing since the start. That being said, it doesn't make much sense and should really have more than 3 levels. They are marking the entire figure release based off its most expensive sku. The basic TDK Joker should not be considered Platinum like the rooted 2 pack with diorama.
Also, if you look at it they are actually priced according to the scales properly. The 4 pack Joker in Rhodium is priced around $1500+, the rooted 2 pack TDK Joker and All in Batman in Platinum are priced around $1000+, and the others in Silver like Legolas, Aragorn, Gandalf, 3 Potter figures, Pennywise, Superman, Michael Jackson, and Nazgul deluxe are priced around $600 or less.
A 5 tier level would have allowed for more of a breakdown that would have made more sense like Copper, Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Rhodium.
Copper with standard sculpted hair releases, Silver have the figures with 2 sculpted hair headsculpts like Superman, Gold have the rooted single packs that are around the $450-$600 range even if they include a diorama (Potter figures) or two rooted sculpts (Pennywise), Platinum have the two bodies and sculpts with diorama (TDK Joker 2 pack + dio, Joker/Arthur 2 pack + dio, Batman/Bruce + Signal), and Rhodium has the Joker 4 pack.
Also, if you look at it they are actually priced according to the scales properly. The 4 pack Joker in Rhodium is priced around $1500+, the rooted 2 pack TDK Joker and All in Batman in Platinum are priced around $1000+, and the others in Silver like Legolas, Aragorn, Gandalf, 3 Potter figures, Pennywise, Superman, Michael Jackson, and Nazgul deluxe are priced around $600 or less.
A 5 tier level would have allowed for more of a breakdown that would have made more sense like Copper, Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Rhodium.
Copper with standard sculpted hair releases, Silver have the figures with 2 sculpted hair headsculpts like Superman, Gold have the rooted single packs that are around the $450-$600 range even if they include a diorama (Potter figures) or two rooted sculpts (Pennywise), Platinum have the two bodies and sculpts with diorama (TDK Joker 2 pack + dio, Joker/Arthur 2 pack + dio, Batman/Bruce + Signal), and Rhodium has the Joker 4 pack.
Sassafras
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IMO they are as premiere as those 600$ Italian sneakers. Not a wholly bad product, but way overhyped at this point, with other companies leveling up. And you are not doing anyone favors by having good customer service; but InArt acts like you are bothering them if you have an issue - an issue they caused, since they are the ones who are supposed to QC.
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