ANH Luke

[Anzik]

This is the best ANH Luke sculpt I've seen in any format. I can't imagine what it would look like with a Les paintjob.

 

[MaulFan]

This is the best ANH Luke sculpt I've seen in any format. I can't imagine what it would look like with a Les paintjob.

I shall call him, Mini-Hammil.

 

[Darklord Dave]

Dave, I love your site. But, you are justifying the pricing, not explaining it.

-The dollar is rock bottom now.

Sure, this just happened a few months ago. Because the dollar was worth a mint back when we got Maul with a ton of accessories for, a more complex sculpt, a black body, a more complex outfit, more complex paint job, et. al. for 25 dollars less.

God, I hate multiquoting, but here goes - $55 - 70 = $15 difference. I'm no math whiz, am I missing something?

Explain to me how Subject 805, which is more complex, more detailed and has more accessories than it's "father" figure PZ, but the price has only gone up 5 dollars in 3 years. Yet, the Farmboy Luke, which is not more complex than Jedi Luke in terms of outfit and facial sculpt has jumped 30 dollars in that same period?.

The collectible business isn't like gas stations and they don't adjust their prices and ways of doing business with the ebb and flow of the economy. They make deliberate moves, and decisions like raising prices to offset rising expenses isn't done on the fly every six months. It takes a while to make those kinds of decisions. And when you finally decide to do it the new pricing will need to offset what you've lost by not doing it earlier.

I hate that this is turning into stereotypes - I really doubt 8 year olds could make these complex items. But, I will go with this. China's economy boon is enriching middle class business owners, NOT factory workers. There is still a huge population of workers who will do factory line work for the same salary as a year ago. This is a generalization about China's economy that doesn't hold up to even minor scrutiny.

This was kind of a joke - glad to see you took it so seriously. I should demand a refund for the stand-up lessions. I have no empirical evidence that the huge economic boom in China is trickling down to the average factory worker (who I'm sure is over 12 and makes AT LEAST $1.50 a day). Do you have evidence that it isn't?

This is the one area of your argument that holds water upon initial evaluation - LucasFilm is a cash whore when it comes to licensing. However, you overlook the most obvious flaw in your argument. SSC signed a multi-year contract with LucasFilm. True, I have no idea what the terms of the deal were, but every licensing agreement I have ever seen tends to follow a standard fee for every year of the contract with minor increases factored in to cover inflation. SSC still has over a year left on that original contract.

I'm not saying the license fee has increased. I'm saying it's HUGE. (And remember there is no license fee for the DEAD examples that you used above.) I really have no insight into SSC's business practices, but I could definitely see them taking far less profit on items from this license early on and as it matures they're struggling to get a little more back. With the license winding down (although sure to be renewed) they could just be hedging their bets.

I can understand if you are fine with the price increase. That's your right, Hell, it's how a free market economy works. But, don't try to convince me that I should be happy about it. Even someone with minor knowledge of business and world economics can see this is an attempt to increase profits. That's how business works, and I will speak with my wallet. But, don't try to make me feel sorry for them.

Obviously people have a price threshold that they're resistant against. I can't see paying over $30K for a car that just needs to get me from point A to point B. Others put a far greater value on that.

But I'm paying $150 for the MediMaul even though I have a truly excellent Maul that I only paid $55 for. So perhaps I have a higher tolerance for collectible prices.

My main point is to try and swing around those that think SSC is somehow being dishonest or gouging because the prices are going up. There are other factors that must be taken under consideration.

 

[pixletwin]

The Dead line also is there to recycle old parts from old figures. There isn't a whole lot of new sculpting going on for new accessories. The new Luke has accessories which are unique to him and very well crafted. I just don't get why people are so quick to believe the conspiracy theories or the screwing us over theories but are so slow to be believe the logical and obvious.

 

[HigHurtenflurst]

Such a small mind... You think this is the only universe? Thats a lot of baby sitting. Keep your soullessness to yourself.

Ahhh, sorry, it was toungue-in-cheek stab at humor, directed more toward the much lamented price increase. Not sure what the point of your Universe comment is though; as a matter of fact physicists think there could be limitless universes, which actually kinda proves my point. Anyway, if you want to start calling names, I'll compare my reading list to yours any day. Usually the small-minded people are the ones who just accept what they're told without thinking about it (sunday school brainwashing, for example) and start calling names (or burning people at the stake) when their fragile belief systems are threatened in any way. You believe your fairy tales, and I'll believe.... in reality, I guess.

And Star Wars!!

As much as I love discussing this stuff, (can philosofize all night long on this one!) last post from me on this subject. Apologies for the annoying off-topic-ness.

 

[Anzik]

IT'S XENU!!! SIDESHOW IS CONTROLLED BY XENU!!!
GO AHEAD, KEEP BUYING!! XENU OWNS YOU ALLLL!!!!

SSC NEEDS ETHICS RUTHLESSLY PUT IN THEM!!!

 

[LOTRFan]

They price them to sell, and it appears to be working almost without fail.

Voicing frustration while cleansing and all, isn't really the way to do anything about it; and really, when has a company ever dropped their prices (on items that are new and selling out)?

The only hope for SW 12" collectors is that they don't go up too much more.

 

[Great Ape]

Ahhh, sorry, it was toungue-in-cheek stab at humor, directed more toward the much lamented price increase. Not sure what the point of your Universe comment is though; as a matter of fact physicists think there could be limitless universes, which actually kinda proves my point. Anyway, if you want to start calling names, I'll compare my reading list to yours any day. Usually the small-minded people are the ones who just accept what they're told without thinking about it (sunday school brainwashing, for example) and start calling names (or burning people at the stake) when their fragile belief systems are threatened in any way. You believe your fairy tales, and I'll believe.... in reality, I guess.

And Star Wars!!

As much as I love discussing this stuff, (can philosofize all night long on this one!) last post from me on this subject. Apologies for the annoying off-topic-ness.

I'm glad that the magnificent and majestic universe compels your investigation but for you to regurgitate mortal mans fallible scientific data as scientific law demonstrates malevolent misunderstanding of creation.

 

[MaulFan]

The only hope for SW 12" collectors is that they don't go up too much more.

That's one reason where I argue about how far to go for the quality of the figures.

I haven't felt like the quality has lacked in this line at all, but sure some things could be better and I'm sure I'd like them if I saw those changes. However, what I love most about this line is the fact that it's very collection friendly. I haven't had to sacrifice pieces I'd enjoy because I couldn't accept the investment. If the average figure in this line goes beyond $80, I'll have to start being selective with it like the other properties I collect, but I hope it doesn't come to that. I'll pay high for Vaders and such because I expect them to be more anyway, I just can't afford every figure once it passes a certain cost. They gotta do what they gotta do, but as a collector and fan of the line, I hope I can continue to pick all of the figures up, I've enjoyed them all.

 

[Anzik]

Dr. Francis Collins discovered the human genome.

 

[pixletwin]

I'm glad that the magnificent and majestic universe compels your investigation but for you to regurgitate mortal mans fallible scientific data as scientific law demonstrates malevolent misunderstanding of creation.

This thread is now in downtown lameville. Not only are we talking about the GREAT TRAGEDY of a price increase on a 3 lb piece o' plastic, but we are now gathering moss with the Christian fundamentalists.

 

[Anzik]

Shouldn't you be watching Big Love or something?

JK pal.

 

[Great Ape]

This thread is now in downtown lameville. Not only are we talking about the GREAT TRAGEDY of a price increase on a 3 lb piece o' plastic, but we are now gathering moss with the Christian fundamentalists.

Burn Sinner Burn!


I left it long ago but someone had to come back with hog wash!

 

[pixletwin]

Shouldn't you be watching Big Love or something?

JK pal.

Watch it? I LIVE it. How do you think I get money for my toys? I certainly don't work for it.

Bath-sheba, Francis, Naomi, Margeret, Emma, Sarah, and Opal all work for me.

 

[Cocoboloboy]

...Oh, wait a minute. Am I in the right thread?

 

[Great Ape]

Yes the Luke sculpt rocks!

 

[pixletwin]

Burn Sinner Burn!


I left it long ago but someone had to come back with hog wash!

"hog wash".... I really love that word.

 

[pixletwin]

...Oh, wait a minute. Am I in the right thread?

Way to derail dude.

 

[Great Ape]

"hog wash".... I really love that word.

Its fun isn't it?

I like Hog Worts too.

 

[Anzik]

Hog tying makes for interesting porn.