Best Time to Buy Hot Toys?

[AW177]

Hey all,

Sorry for the noob questions, but I was wondering, when is the best time to purchase a Hot Toy? For example, I just saw that Blade was released as a figure, but since I saw it too late, the only place I can get it now is on eBay and I have to pay more for it! So if there is a figure that's coming out that's on pre-order, would you guys suggest a pre-order is the way to go for most figures, or can I wait till it gets released and then order a little bit after that?

I came into the game a little late and favorites like Iron Man Mark I and Blade are more $$$ now! Do they ever come down in prices or do they always go up? Should I grab one now or will the price go down later?

Thanks all!!!

 

[Chouzi]

almost most of HT figures goes up in price..and worst on ebay... best time to buy is during Po..but do be warn that there were occasions when the actual item varies from the promotional photos... eg. MJ thrillers/battle damage ironman...

to get older HT figures...the only way is buy/trade loose or display figures from the sales forums here..

 

[AW177]

Hmmm strange; Blade doesn't seem to be that popular of a character, so why would the HT Blade go up in price? I can see that Iron Man now may be up in price due to the hype of the movie, but Blade? I would assume that the price would be lower/retail but it's not; I don't get it...?

 

[CelticPredator]

All the time.

 

[Tony Stark]

Buying on eBay is not such a heartbreak, just go with one of the reliable HK sellers. I tend to buy from 'goodshipped' (Leo), most of the time he ships for free and has top customer service.

As for the best time to buy, only pre-order from SS if you're willing to wait an extra 2-3 months for the same product.

 

[niennumb1]

With how the Thriller MJ turned out I was disappointed and wished they stuck to the proto photo everyone saw when it was first offered. It was stuff like that to what made me want to wait until after a HT is released to determine if I want to get it or not.

Personally I don't like when someone shows you pix that "This is what you'll get" and then change the sculpt and send you something a little different.

I think the prices vary depending on what you're looking for and how popular a property is at the time. I'm sure getting Joker in the beginning was expensive cuz many people wanted him, but I think now the prices have gone down considerably because a lot of the hype is down too.

I still remember the over $150+ the Movie Masters Joker was going for! I walk into Big Lots all the time and see him for $4-$5. Crazy! Of course there's a big difference between movie masters and HT, ha!

 

[AW177]

Buying on eBay is not such a heartbreak, just go with one of the reliable HK sellers. I tend to buy from 'goodshipped' (Leo), most of the time he ships for free and has top customer service.

As for the best time to buy, only pre-order from SS if you're willing to wait an extra 2-3 months for the same product.

Whoa, I have to wait an extra 2-3 months for the same product if preordering from Sideshow? Why??? Then which sites are best to preorder so I can get my stuff faster?

I see that the Iron Man Mark I figure is about $300 now on eBay, would you guys suggest I grab him now or wait till the Iron Man hype is over and then the price may drop a bit and I can get him for cheaper on eBay...?

Really great tips guys, I really appreciate it! Thanks!

 

[Deak Starkiller]

Pre-Order?

 

[KBA]

Then which sites are best to preorder so I can get my stuff faster?

I like Toys2. They get their shipments pretty fast

 

[Voorhees27]

They've done studies on Hot Toys you know .............. 60% of the time you should purchase them ........ everytime.

 

[Centrocal]

Hmmm strange; Blade doesn't seem to be that popular of a character, so why would the HT Blade go up in price? I can see that Iron Man now may be up in price due to the hype of the movie, but Blade? I would assume that the price would be lower/retail but it's not; I don't get it...?

Yeah thats exactly the reason, Blade is not hugely popular ,probably less so in Asia. Hot Toys didn't want to invest a lot of money on a product they cant sell so they made a 'Limited Edition' release (same as Wolverine ). Turns out the figure was freakin awesome and everyone wants it. Thats how it goes

Most of the Ironman 2 figures are limited edition except for War Machine. I think it cause they will make a second version of each of the characters. The Mark 1 figure is great but i wouldn't pay $300 for it. If you have whole Ironman set, they look really impressive together. It depends how bad you want it , but just Mark 1 by himself, its not worth that price.

Pre order is safest bet.

 

[Centrocal]

Here are online retailers:

Toys2.net If want to get new products as fast as possible order with them or Ebay

Sideshow No cancelation fee on pre orders, good return policy. But they have high taxes (for California at least) and the ship later then other places

AlterEgoComics.com They usually have cheapest price online but they ship around same time or later than Sideshow

RazorsEdge They have cheap prices but you have to put a down payment when you pre order (Which counts toward the overall price) usually $ 5-10

 

[Darklord Dave]

Always pre-order through Sideshow - no deposit, no cancellation fee, great customer service and if you use the banners here - it helps out the forum.

 

[dominishin]

I'd say BBTS is great to pre-order from also. No pre-order fees, great customer service, and great combined shipping prices.

 

[Legion]

Don't pre-order as soon as you see the fig as changes are often made and/ or there might be something wrong with the fig. I usually wait for the first in hand pics to show up then hit Ebay because you can usually find some still at PO prices. Most importantly though, when you see what you want DO NOT HESITATE!! I just paid a terrifying price for Wolverine because I waited too long! Still worth it though...

 

[EVILFACE]

Preorder problem solved.

 

[Darkseed]

Here are online retailers:

Toys2.net If want to get new products as fast as possible order with them or Ebay

Sideshow No cancelation fee on pre orders, good return policy. But they have high taxes (for California at least) and the ship later then other places

AlterEgoComics.com They usually have cheapest price online but they ship around same time or later than Sideshow

RazorsEdge They have cheap prices but you have to put a down payment when you pre order (Which counts toward the overall price) usually $ 5-10

I agree that you should always pre-order items. Were to pre-order from depends on how much money you want to spend, cancellation fees and how long you want to wait for product after release.

HK retailers (Ebay) will get the product first. Many make you pay upfront when you pre-order and shipping along with the price of the figure inflates the out of pocket cost. Otherwise, follow Centrocal's description of who gets product next, their cancellation policy and overall cost.

I also recommend a fellow boardie (qstoysandcollectables) who can get most products in rather quickly after release with a higher mark up due to shipping cost. I don't know his pre-order or cancellation policy but he has been a fair in all our dealings. Check out the dealers section.

 

[Deak Starkiller]

Don't pre-order as soon as you see the fig as changes are often made and/ or there might be something wrong with the fig. I usually wait for the first in hand pics to show up then hit Ebay because you can usually find some still at PO prices. Most importantly though, when you see what you want DO NOT HESITATE!! I just paid a terrifying price for Wolverine because I waited too long! Still worth it though...

Eeeeh, wrong answer.

Always pre-order through Sideshow - no deposit, no cancellation fee, great customer service and if you use the banners here - it helps out the forum.

Ding, ding, ding! Right answer.

 

[AW177]

Thanks for all the helpful tips guys, I really appreciate that. Thanks for the list of places to order from, that really comes in handy Centrocal! I preordered Iron Man Mark 4 from SS, didn't realize it'll take an extra 2-3 months for me to get it once it's released, probably since they have to wait for the items to come from HK. So if they release in July, I'd have to wait till Sept to get them??

One problem w/ SS is that although they have no cancellation fee, they are problematic w/ their points and coupons. You apply a coupon, change your mind and cancel and boom, there goes your coupon/points. Horrible really, but I'll see how it goes.

All the Iron Man 2 figures are limited edition except War Machine? What does it mean when they're limited edition? I don't see it say that on SS....?

Also, when do you suggest I get the Mark 1 figure and/or Blade? Should I wait or just go for it on eBay?

 

[DeadLeaves]

2-3 months is a bit of an exaggeration, really.

Of course HK sellers are gonna get it earlier, but most of the HT stuff I've got from SS is about 3-5 weeks after they start turning up in hand in Asia. It's a bit hit & miss, I do remember having to wait for what seemed like ages for P1 from SS... As far as rewards go - only use them if you are 100% sure you will keep the order. Simple.