Are prices getting out of control?

[ProgMatinee]

I had a truck load of POTF2 stuff as well and I gave it all away to Toys for Tots. It felt really good to do it. Cathargic cleansing as well as knowing kids would get them...well, I hope kids got it and not some jackass collector who wanted to ebay them for $1 each, but $50-$100 items, I'll keep them. I also kept all of my baseball cards, though I loathe myself for how much I wasted on them when I was younger. I just can't stand to look at them and figure out what is worth what. And I have a lot of good stuff like Gretzky rookie card, Jerry Rice rookie, Griffey, Bonds, Arod, etc etc.

 

[Atheris]

I collect many lines (star wars,gijoe,mcfarlane,SS, 1/6th, 3 3/4...the last year for sure has seen many of these prices skyrocketing, my question, how much higher can some of these prices go before you quit buying?
Im almost at that point with Star wars hasbro stuf (8 bucks a fig is a joke), and the SS 1/6th figs now seeming to START at 79.99 no matter who it is is making me question my purchases way more than i used to...

Its not the prices that are out of control its the quality.

Chris

 

[thenammagazine]

It doesn't seem to bother people I these boards, a great example of this is two collectors last week posted that they both bought Rambo M65 for $410 shipped and they both thought they they got a great deal, and others here said well done. How is paying $410 for a figure that only 3 years ago cost $85 a great deal I would like too get HT Godfather, but since I missed my chance when it came out for $150 am going too have to pass, am not going too pay $400 - $500 for it. I don't even see why I should pay $300, the most I woud go would be $200. Paying three times and more for a fig is just stupid. It always amazing me when new collectors purchase fig that originally cost only $80 - $100 and pay $300 + for them and think they are getting great deals. Sorry , I woud just pass and concentrate on new releases. Better quality figs and you're getting good value for your money.

I just saw what Ht Drago is going for on ebay, $550 BIN, when this fig came out know one wanted it, I think it originally cost $110, now the scalpers are asking $400+. If I was a new collector and a fan of Rocky, I would just pass, nice fig, but $200 - $225 is the most anyone should pay for it.

Well, I can't entirely blame newbies for paying such inflated prices. If it's for a figure they're passionate about (I mean REALLY passionate) it's really their only option, unfortunately. There's always a chance HT or whomever will revisit the figures, but that's a long shot.

Geez! I remember when the Godfather came out (what, a year ago?) at $150 and thought that THAT price was crazy for a human figure! Now that's pretty much the norm for HTs. That's even the low end of the price spectrum!

But see, then comes the moral issue. Do you have a right to tell people what they can and can't spend money on? If Buyer X had $1200 (say from a tax return or lottery, whatever) and all he ever wanted was the AnimeCon Scar, I'd wholly support him being livid if some broke-assed crybaby called him an idiot for paying that much for a grail.

MANY of these items were here back on second chance and hung around for a while before finally disappearing and reappearing with substantial markups. Godfather Ex was on Second Chance for several months and as Kara points out below, the MKI was available just about everywhere (I even remember poeple passing because Tony's head was sculpted in the helmet, the size of the piece, etc.) and the MKII was on the GC list for DAYS! In those cases sounds like the whining is coming from newbs who are coming on now and procrastinators with passer's remorse.

You're supporting my point, I think. Mark II was on Sideshow's gift card list and they were giving it away because it wouldn't sell. Mark I was available on Hastings for a song. Now, all of these figures are upwards of $300-400. Then folks get angry because sellers are selling them for those prices, but you're just seeing market forces at play.

Hot Toys figures tend to appreciate. Now, I don't know how long this can be sustained, and am beginning to think that there is too much speculative investment going on with these things--which can create a house of cards--but at this moment in time, you snooze and lose with Hot Toys figures.

If you intentionally stand on the corner and watch the bus drive by, don't blame anybody but yourself for missing it. If you see the bus in the distance (newb metaphor) and know you can't run and catch it, don't start a _____fest demanding the bus turn around, be content and just chill on the bench for the next one.

 

[Bullseye]

Oil is up to $100 a barrel. Transport costs are up as is resin/polystone which is oil based.

 

[karamazov80]

Labor also has more bargaining leverage in China now than it has in times past. There are lots of factors at play in Sideshow/Hot Toys progressively jacking prices up.

 

[kl241]

I am going to argue something that might seem ridiculous to most of you.
I am happy that sellers exist who buy mltiple copies to resell it a higher costs.

Here is why.
Hot toys will not change their prices. And people who want to buy the figures, buy it in any case, there is no lack of figures in the begining.

Say there are no people who buy multiple copies for reselling purposes, what will happen next?
Newcomers to the hobby will not be able to get it anywhere at any price beacuse all copies will be bought by people who actually want to have the figure. I honestly will not sell my T2 T800 for 1000$ right now.

So, this is why I am thankfull resellers exist. That simple.

As prices continue to rise most people will not afford to be able to buy at its initial cost, nevermind secondary market prices later. What will eventually happen is that nobody will be able to sell the on the secondary market for much more than cost because the initial price tag was so high and the value will either maintain or devalue itself. I've already seen many figures going for less than cost on because people just want to get rid of them for quick cash. The same thing happened to the comic book market and it's happening to this market right now.

 

[teemu]

Oil is up to $100 a barrel. Transport costs are up as is resin/polystone which is oil based.

its just a Conspiracy (sarcasm)

 

[ProgMatinee]

oil prices are rigged. bad weather and prices soar. a boat gets stuck in the atlantic and prices soar. riots in Egypt and prices soar.

Oil company dumps a bazillion gallons of oil into the gulf? PRICES STAY THE SAME.

Why, because the oil companies knew there would be severe backlash because they caused their own disaster. If a problem no matter how miniscule happens and its not the oil company's fault, they'll raise prices.

 

[ProgMatinee]

I say this tongue in cheek, but I blame the fan boys who couldn't be content with simply praising SSC or HT for the good work but would actually say, "I would have paid $200 for this." SERIOUSLY we had people on this board say that kind of stuff. Thanks guys!

 

[thenammagazine]

oil prices are rigged. bad weather and prices soar. a boat gets stuck in the atlantic and prices soar. riots in Egypt and prices soar.

Oil company dumps a bazillion gallons of oil into the gulf? PRICES STAY THE SAME.

Why, because the oil companies knew there would be severe backlash because they caused their own disaster. If a problem no matter how miniscule happens and its not the oil company's fault, they'll raise prices.

Shiek Moistbootcraca toots, oil prices soar! Or would that qualify as "causing their own disaster?"

I agree. They look for the smallest thing to jack up prices.

 

[ProgMatinee]

this is true, but I do think its funny because really a 10 cent increase per gallon means less than $3 more to fill up and everyone goes crazy. I work in transportation and most of our models show that driving habits will not significantly change unless prices hit $5+/gallon. So its mostly hollow outcry.

 

[thenammagazine]

this is true, but I do think its funny because really a 10 cent increase per gallon means less than $3 more to fill up and everyone goes crazy. I work in transportation and most of our models show that driving habits will not significantly change unless prices hit $5+/gallon. So its mostly hollow outcry.

True, but there's something to be said for the trickery. They raise prices to over $4 from $3.15 full knowing that when they drop to $3.60 most people will be grateful they don't have to pay $4, completely forgetting about the $0.45 increase.

 

[Kabukiman]

I say this tongue in cheek, but I blame the fan boys who couldn't be content with simply praising SSC or HT for the good work but would actually say, "I would have paid $200 for this." SERIOUSLY we had people on this board say that kind of stuff. Thanks guys!

C'mon, that's ridiculous. Who in their right mind would...

Yeah, a little more inline with what I was thinking. I would have paid $200 but prefer less obviously.

SUPERFANNNNNNNN!!!!!!!! You got some 'splainin to do!

 

[Boba Ben]

SUPERFANNNNNNNN!!!!!!!! You got some 'splainin to do!

lol...........

 

[DiFabio]

 

[teemu]

this is true, but I do think its funny because really a 10 cent increase per gallon means less than $3 more to fill up and everyone goes crazy. I work in transportation and most of our models show that driving habits will not significantly change unless prices hit $5+/gallon. So its mostly hollow outcry.

coming pretty soon!

 

[ProgMatinee]

C'mon, that's ridiculous. Who in their right mind would...



SUPERFANNNNNNNN!!!!!!!! You got some 'splainin to do!

I mean, I don't understand feeling that way to begin, coupled with knowing that the said increase in prices partially led to your own dramatic cut back in collecting.

BUT TO SAY IT OUTLOUD SO THAT SSC CAN READ IT!?!

Thats like a teen girl going into a men's bathroom knowing Ben Roethlisberger is waiting for her.

I don't mean to be mean though. Just saying, wouldn't mind keeping the offerings of first born children to the minimum less SSC start believing thats what everyone wants.

 

[The Josh]

Randomly checking this thread and I see I'm quoted. Had to go through it to see if I actually posted that in this thread. I don't even recall what item I was talking about. I think maybe the Thor figure from Hot Toys.

There are some pieces I have a preset idea of what I would be willing to pay. Thats all I was saying. As far as saying that to SS and them reading it. I've talked with them at Comic-Con about prices so its not that big of a deal if I say it here or there.

 

[ProgMatinee]

So are you telling them at Comic Con, "oh yeah, I think I'd pay X for that because its so good".

I guess I just don't understand how encouraging a company about price increases would even cross my mind ever. Its such a foreign concept to me to admit to someone that I'd pay more for something.

 

[Kabukiman]

Randomly checking this thread and I see I'm quoted. Had to go through it to see if I actually posted that in this thread. I don't even recall what item I was talking about. I think maybe the Thor figure from Hot Toys.

Yeah, it was Thor. If you click the little icon next to your name in the quote, it will take you to the original message.