I've been rooting for Asmus since the beginning. I'm a huge LOTR fan and 1/6th scale figure collector. I've been involved in several custom LOTR figure projects (Thanks again, Pix!) and it was a dream come true to have a company pick up the LOTR license and offer 1/6 scale figures after Sideshow flew the coop. I knew that they were fairly new to the 1/6th market and honestly did not expect to see perfection from the beginning. Each release showed promise but was hampered with some type of issue(s) that kept me from ordering. I was patient. I figured that with time, they would learn from their mistakes and bump up the level of their products. In many ways, that has happened. In some ways, not so.
Since the first Asmus LOTR release, I have voted with my wallet. If they had been priced lower, I would have taken the plunge, knowing that there was work (and funds) required in order to get them to "my" expected levels of presentation. Unfortunately, the pricing has been at Hot Toys levels but the quality has fallen well short, in particular with the head sculpts, which to me are the most important aspect of any figure. So as of today, I have yet to purchase a complete figure, opting to instead pick up loose parts, here and there, to update my current collection.
What I find funny in a sad way (if true) is that apparently Asmus / King-George? is supposedly bothered by the "negativity" on the board directed at his products and has insinuated(?) that he may no longer participate in the forum. If that be the case, then so be it. I haven't seen any company or product "bashing" but rather, honest opinions from collectors disappointed in different aspects of different figures. Are honest negative critiques now frowned upon because it might alienate participation of a company spokesperson in the forums?!
The products' quality and pricing sell themselves, not a spokesperson sharing photos in a forum. Perhaps if the figures were offered at a lower price point, the collectors would show some understanding with some of the issues. If the figures were better designed, the collectors would definitely be praising them up. Paying over $200 a figure in order to then have to work on them to correct issues (with no guarantees that it will work) is personally not my idea of a fun and satisfying hobby. It appears that many others feel the same way.
I was REALLY looking forward to the Saruman figure. It was going to be my first figure purchase from Asmus. Now, I'm not sure. It does have potential (outfit design and detailing looks amazing) but the head sculpt doesn't immediately "wow" me. Certainly not the way the prototype pics did. Perhaps better in-hand photos will win me over and I'll end up ordering it. I wish Asmus all the best, but if they are going to charge Hot Toys prices, they better be providing Hot Toys quality, throughout. And for the record, I wouldn't blink an eye in paying more for a Hot Toys "Saruman" figure if the quality was there throughout. I've done it with my Star Wars collection. And we've seen the backlash that Sideshow has received for charging HT prices and not providing HT quality... (X-wing Luke, Tie Fighter, C3PO, etc...)
That's my take. I'm off the soapbox now. Have a pleasant day, everyone.