Cobra Sniper.....

[onethousandmasks]

Oxymoronic. Releasing recasts is more shameless than variants. And while the Sniper wasn't included in the original RAH line, it's a sensible addition.

Just like the Crimson Cobra Commander

 

[thenammagazine]

Fair enough, didn't know if this community was all that attuned to intellectual property and likeness rights.

My base point is most of these "stock" kind of figures will sell better under an "anchor" concept. If there are 3-4 very unique and interesting new pieces that will draw someone to a set.

Duke will sell because he's Duke. A generic soldier will sell better if he has components that are desirable but are in no other set and no other brand makes a parts equivalent.

The officer sold well enough and he's basically a rehash of the regular with a different rifle and different eye sculpts. As time goes on, I'm really curious as to just how Sideshow is going to meet the growing demand for a basic Cobra Trooper since they didn't change much over the years and being the initial release, is already becoming quite scarce.

Just like the Crimson Cobra Commander

CCC was a shameless, incomprehensible release to cash in on the franchise. A perfect example of what NOT to do.

 

[thenammagazine]

^ I think that's the thing, people will tend to fill their own demand.

All you need is blue bdus, a helmet that is somewhat passable to the shape from the cartoons, and emblems.

I think graphics software and printers now are advanced enough where making your own Cobra patches/emblems would be simple. Blue bdus are a bit more daunting, they aren't common outside of modern SWAT offerings. Using another color bdu not mesh well with the red contrast of the emblem. The helmet would seem the most complicated to acquire in bulk.

I think at some level, after some time, a carded set or squadbuilder pack might be viable for SST to release ( i.e four unis, four sets of bases, four sets of emblems, four sets of helmets) Eventually if the demand is there, someone will bootleg it if a brand doesn't produce it. SST might want to consider producing viable options if the demand is there.

Well, see, if that were the case, Sideshow's Joe line would be a complete failure. 99% of everything Sideshow's already produced for the Joes can be scrounged up for cheaper to bash your own figure (as we've seen from the remarkable customs here). However, as has proven to be the case, people appreciate high-end, quality, officially licensed figures and Sideshow's Joe line is a HUGE success as a result.

 

[Felix]

I think the sniper is the best cobra trooper yet. I wouldn't mind if I only had these guys in the Cobra army.

 

[corin7]

I agree the sniper is my favorite. I am cool with SS doing new things as long as they make sense.

I also think the CCC was perfect for what he was... a con exclusive. There was no way they were going to spend a lot making something new. That said he is the one figure in the line I don't own so far. I have come close a few times but always talk myself out of it.

 

[thenammagazine]

I agree the sniper is my favorite. I am cool with SS doing new things as long as they make sense.

I also think the CCC was perfect for what he was... a con exclusive. There was no way they were going to spend a lot making something new. That said he is the one figure in the line I don't own so far. I have come close a few times but always talk myself out of it.

Well, the Sniper could've just as easily been a con Ex as well, and he actually makes sense.

 

[samueljd]

I also think the CCC was perfect for what he was... a con exclusive. There was no way they were going to spend a lot making something new. That said he is the one figure in the line I don't own so far. I have come close a few times but always talk myself out of it.

He's the only figure in the line I don't own either. I had actually ordered it, but cancelled before they started shipping. I just couldn't justify having a red uniform variant that didn't fit in with my memory of G.I. Joe. CCC just seemed non-essential. I've questioned getting some of the Trooper variants too, but the different sculpts and variation of weapons and insignias has appealed to me.

 

[CaptainDinobot]

Just got my Sniper in the mail today. Now that I am home from work I can finally open him.

 

[JediFirefly]

If anybody wants this figure https://www.midtowncomics.com/ has him on sale for $69.99 plus shipping. I have ordered from them before with out any problems. So I just ordered one.

 

[thenammagazine]

Well, again, I see your point, but if demand exists to the point where SST can't/won't fill it and someone bootlegs their previous product and sells it, I personally don't consider that a success. To me, success is filling demand to the point where you sell out but not to the point where you overestimate and oversaturate the market with one particular set.

Something else to consider is people here, on site, are not necessarily a microcosm of every buyer/buyer tendencies for those who shop for SST stuff.

A good cross example is Lego, priced to a point where cheaper versions by competitors were able to foothold into Lego's market share. In this economy, bang for the buck is going to make a difference here.

In comparison to Sideshow's other lines, it's fair to say that the Joe line is a success. As they being to release more of the popular characters, so long as they keep the edition sizes relatively conservative, I don't think there'll be any issues with the line. As far as bootlegging goes, except for the occasional illegal recast, I don't really thing that's ever been an issue with Sideshow's 1:6 figures. Usually the bootlegging occurs when something has long sold out and is nearly unobtainable. A perfect example of this would be the Patient Zero X.

 

[thenammagazine]

Do you own any of Sideshow's Joes? They come packed to the gills with gear and accessories.

 

[The Josh]

They come packed to the gills with gear and accessories.

That they do. Far more stuff than you get with any other figure line.

 

[EVILFACE]

I'm not sure what you are wanting Meathook.

The Sideshow Joes are all top notch with quality uniforms and a overload of detailed accessories. They are selling out of the figures.

And besides, GIJoe A Real American Hero was always more about the characters than military.

 

[Buttmunch]

To your opinion.

To mine, they could have increased quality and increased loadout.

... and increase their price, thus pricing some people out of buying them. They really can't afford to make the Joes much more expensive without it being clearly justified.

 

[Skiman]

 

[thenammagazine]

To your opinion.

To mine, they could have increased quality and increased loadout.

Well, it's opinions that put laws into effect and create methods that govern our society. And since a majority of the people here would agree with me that these figures come loaded to the gills, what does that say? I'm not saying the bodies couldn't use improvement, but these figures, are by no means, junk. It seems that's what you're trying to imply. That they're junk and come barebones.

 

[thenammagazine]

I'm saying the figures could be better. I am saying there are other segments of this hobby that could be appealed to to help increase demand for these figures. I never used the words "junk" Feel free not to put words in my mouth for me.

Again, I am not a microcosm of every possible consumer of these products, but neither are you.

The boards and online hobby communities are, again, only a fraction of the total number of collectors and consumers out there.

So let's ask this. Suited on a TT with the added "value" increasing the standard price to $150 and as high as $180 (remember, now you've added a TT licensing fee to go along with the Hasbro fee they already pay), how many customers do you suppose Sideshow is going to lose, both directly and through retailers, by hiking up the price? I think they'd sell more staying on the pro and keeping prices between the $90-$125 they currently charge.

 

[Felix]

To your opinion.

To mine, they could have increased quality and increased loadout.

I feel the exact opposite, I've been amazed at the quality and very impressed with the loadout.

 

[samueljd]

... and increase their price, thus pricing some people out of buying them. They really can't afford to make the Joes much more expensive without it being clearly justified.

So true. It seems SS has hit the maximum price range with the Joes prices now. I'd be hard pressed to pay more than what their going for now, especially the original (non-army building) figures.

 

[Deak Starkiller]

Do you own any of Sideshow's Joes? They come packed to the gills with gear and accessories.

To your opinion.

To mine, they could have increased quality and increased loadout.

Yeah man, let's hear it. Do you actually own any of the Sideshow Joes? Or is it all "woulda, coulda, shoulda" from you? I still don't understand where you're coming from on the quality angle?