Edition Size....Does it really matter???

[samueljd]

I honestly think that's a little unfair to say we have to do our part as collector's and make time for PPO's and Newsletters. We all have lives and sometimes things just don't work out the way you want them to and you can't make time for things like that. There are more important things in life than collecting statues, so I don't hold it against anyone who isn't able to make time for those things, and I don't consider them less of a collector, or think they aren't doing their part. Again just my humble opinion. And out of curiosity what do you consider a high ES?

This type of thinking is what would cause Sideshow to go out of business. As a company that produces collectible that we desire, especially of such high quality, they have to gauge interest and produce enough to meet the demand of collectors. We need to make an effort to procure these items or there will not be companies like Sideshow that can sell these to us, because they will be sitting back wondering when someone will purchase the items that are collecting dust in the warehouse.

 

[Havok]

This type of thinking is what would cause Sideshow to go out of business. As a company that produces collectible that we desire, especially of such high quality, they have to gauge interest and produce enough to meet the demand of collectors. We need to make an effort to procure these items or there will not be companies like Sideshow that can sell these to us, because they will be sitting back wondering when someone will purchase the items that are collecting dust in the warehouse.

I never said we shouldn't make an effort, simply that there are more important things besides collecting. If your able to procure an item great, but sometimes things happen where you aren't able to make that extra effort to get something, and that doesn't make you any less of a collector. Sometime you simply may not have the money, and there's just nothing you can do about it no matter how much you want something. So how could my type of thinking make Sideshow go out of business exactly? I could go on and on and debate about this with everyone, but I just simply don't want to get into it with anyone, cause in the end these are all just opinions.

 

[SolidLiquidFox]

I honestly think that's a little unfair to say we have to do our part as collector's and make time for PPO's and Newsletters. We all have lives and sometimes things just don't work out the way you want them to and you can't make time for things like that. There are more important things in life than collecting statues, so I don't hold it against anyone who isn't able to make time for those things, and I don't consider them less of a collector, or think they aren't doing their part. Again just my humble opinion. And out of curiosity what do you consider a high ES?

My comments were aimed more at giving the ability to take orders for a large window of time (days) before deciding to close the ES. The ES should be predetermined and carefully thought out. Sideshow has mostly allowed a good 12 hours to pass before putting up a low quantity alert for most preorders lately.

On a side note, I found it interesting how you reacted to my comments. I am well aware that there are other things worth doing with our time (friends, family, etc.) but for the purpose of this community the one thing we all have in common is this hobby. I know life happens and you are not always able to be on top of the hobby but that's why I mentioned taking responsibility for making arrangements if it's something you really want to order. You usually get a full week's heads up. I don't think it is so unreasonable to ask people to take a little ownership of their hobby instead of blaming Sideshow for making something limited and consequentially missing out. Missing out on something will happen. It has happened to most of us at some point or another. Those grown up enough about this stuff can accept it and move on to whatever they offer next. You will read the long threads about people high-fiving each other for getting something limited and you feel like crap for missing out. You just gotta be mature enough to deal with it and congratulate the lucky ones and be there for the next one. All part of the hobby.

Regarding your question, it's hard to say what is a definitive high ES is. It depends on the license, the nature of the exclusive vs the regular, market trends and other factors. It varies, but there is blatant errors such as the Abomination Ex PF. Check that thread out on the Marvel section. It can't be a mistake that a lot of us who have been here for a while agree they screwed that one up.

 

[Havok]

Fair enough man, I understand everything your saying. I agree with you that the ES should be predetermined before the piece even goes up for pre-order. I completely understand about taking responsibility for getting something that you really want also, by getting a friend to order it for you if you can't. And I do congratulate the ones who were able to get their orders in for something even if I couldn't, things like that just happen, and like you said it's part of the hobby.

I was purposely trying not to come across as hostile or anything like that, and if I did I apologize. Like I said we're all entitled to our opinions, and just going back to what I said before.....Just the fact that something is indeed limited edition is enough for me. The ES is nice, especially when it's low, but it's less important as long as the item has limited edition status. I think it's nice to be able to debate stuff like this with people, as long as it doesn't get hostile, which I hope doesn't happen here. I'm glad I joined this community cause it's nice to have people to talk with who share the same passion you do.

 

[Badvermin]

Low edition sizes and chase/variants, particularly for figures in a series, really turn me off.

If I get into buying a series, I want to be sure that I will be able to get them all. If there is a chance that I might not be able to get one of the pieces at retail price, I won't bother with the line.

If a figure can sell out in less than a a few hours, as happens with some Sideshow figures, to me that means the company has failed itself (in terms of profits) and their customers (only a fraction of the customers can enjoy the figure).

 

[Nitro]

Don't care about edition size...frankly, I think it's split on the boards either way. You'll have some complain to Sideshow that the edition size is too high on the Indy PF or beg for an edition size be put on the Iron Man 1:1 bust. On the other hand, if you really like a product....what would it really matter. If you want it, it's your money...you can do what you please.

 

[LOTRFan]

On a side note, I found it interesting how you reacted to my comments. I am well aware that there are other things worth doing with our time (friends, family, etc.) but for the purpose of this community the one thing we all have in common is this hobby. I know life happens and you are not always able to be on top of the hobby but that's why I mentioned taking responsibility for making arrangements if it's something you really want to order. You usually get a full week's heads up. I don't think it is so unreasonable to ask people to take a little ownership of their hobby instead of blaming Sideshow for making something limited and consequentially missing out. Missing out on something will happen. It has happened to most of us at some point or another. Those grown up enough about this stuff can accept it and move on to whatever they offer next. You will read the long threads about people high-fiving each other for getting something limited and you feel like crap for missing out. You just gotta be mature enough to deal with it and congratulate the lucky ones and be there for the next one. All part of the hobby.

Basic economics == opportunity cost.

 

[samueljd]

I never said we shouldn't make an effort, simply that there are more important things besides collecting. If your able to procure an item great, but sometimes things happen where you aren't able to make that extra effort to get something, and that doesn't make you any less of a collector. Sometime you simply may not have the money, and there's just nothing you can do about it no matter how much you want something. So how could my type of thinking make Sideshow go out of business exactly? I could go on and on and debate about this with everyone, but I just simply don't want to get into it with anyone, cause in the end these are all just opinions.

To put it simply, Sideshow is a business and they have to invest capital to supply the collectibles that we would like to purchase. For them to make collectibles without an ES wouldn't help them gauge a demand for the products and if we think it will still be available to us in the future would cause us as collectors to not commit to buy within the window of time that Sideshow gives us. Sideshow has there system worked out. They preview a new release about 6mos before it is actually shipped and gauge the demand within the first few weeks of pre-order. This allows them to produce the amount they have predetermined will be sold. If they didn't adhere to this system, which is strongly based on setting an ES, we would not be getting the collectible we desire to have. Sideshow would not know how many to produce and we as collectors wouldn't be clambering to get them. This is a process that involves both Sideshow as the producer and ourselves as the consumers. Without the input on both parts the system falls apart.

 

[The Drizzle]

I honestly think that's a little unfair to say we have to do our part as collector's and make time for PPO's and Newsletters. We all have lives and sometimes things just don't work out the way you want them to and you can't make time for things like that. There are more important things in life than collecting statues, so I don't hold it against anyone who isn't able to make time for those things, and I don't consider them less of a collector, or think they aren't doing their part. Again just my humble opinion. And out of curiosity what do you consider a high ES?

Agreed.
I think part of my deal here, at least personally, too, is that I don't consider myself a "collector". I don't think all of us here are collectors. Some of us are just enthusiasts. That's what I would consider myself. I don't look at investment or resale value with this kind of thing at all, because when I buy it, it is my hope that I will be impressed with it enough to keep it. If it's all about money to you, you pretty much better leave it in the box rather than compromise it's value. I got over the notion of "recently manufactured items=monetary value" years ago when I learned that "collecting" is a black hole that sucks you in eventually, and has a habit of making you buy things you don't really want due to what I call the "Pokemon Effect" (gotta catch 'em all) No, I never bought Pokemon, I'm way too old, just a good example. It gets to the point where you're not just buying to enjoy, you "collect collecting". One line leads to another, next thing you know you have a house full of crap- and when you have too much stuff, it really (at least for me) starts to feel like crap; it loses focus and starts to feel like hoarding. I can't tell you how many things I bought two of, just to have one to open, one to save. That mentality drove me nuts eventually. It was all a waste, because determining what is going to hold value is so hit-and-miss. "Collectibles" just aren't a great investment. Edition Size doesn't guarantee value. I'm just not interested in value, and I'm surprised so many people don't seem to believe it. I just buy to enjoy, and I despise the creation of unnecessary artificial rarity to create a collectible that can leave some collectors and enthusiasts out in the cold.

 

[The Drizzle]

Low edition sizes and chase/variants, particularly for figures in a series, really turn me off.

If I get into buying a series, I want to be sure that I will be able to get them all. If there is a chance that I might not be able to get one of the pieces at retail price, I won't bother with the line.

If a figure can sell out in less than a a few hours, as happens with some Sideshow figures, to me that means the company has failed itself (in terms of profits) and their customers (only a fraction of the customers can enjoy the figure).

Amen, brother.

 

[The Drizzle]

To put it simply, Sideshow is a business and they have to invest capital to supply the collectibles that we would like to purchase. For them to make collectibles without an ES wouldn't help them gauge a demand for the products and if we think it will still be available to us in the future...

Setting the ES based on orders taken during a reasonable order period (no, not just 12 hours, at least a week, not everyone lives on the internet) would not leave extras sitting around to make people think they can put the purchase off for a while.

 

[samueljd]

Setting the ES based on orders taken during a reasonable order period (no, not just 12 hours, at least a week, not everyone lives on the internet) would not leave extras sitting around to make people think they can put the purchase off for a while.

Why are you quoting me? I said nothing about the amount of time, you did. I was responding to another member about the production process. And don't assume you know a person or their lifestyle because you're angry when they don't agree with you. I work overtime everyday and invest a small amount of my time that I have in the forums dedicated to the collectibles I love. Thank you very much.

 

[SolidLiquidFox]

Setting the ES based on orders taken during a reasonable order period (no, not just 12 hours, at least a week, not everyone lives on the internet) would not leave extras sitting around to make people think they can put the purchase off for a while.

I would agree that this should be the case with the regular editions but not the exclusives.

 

[The Ween]

If you're collecting strictly for value or hoping to sell it later for a higher price, then it matters alot. If you're just getting what you like, then it probably won't. When I order something, I'm not thinking about the edition size. If it's small and I get one, then it's just a bonus. I only order things that I have no intentions of selling. In the past I have at times bought things strictly because I thought I might make a buck later on it only to fall flat on my face, so I strictly buy what I really want now and intend on keeping. If I have to sell and it went up in value because it's a limited, in demand item, then yay for me.

 

[The Drizzle]

Why are you quoting me? I said nothing about the amount of time, you did. I was responding to another member about the production process. And don't assume you know a person or their lifestyle because you're angry when they don't agree with you. I work overtime everyday and invest a small amount of my time that I have in the forums dedicated to the collectibles I love. Thank you very much.

Wow. I'm not angry about anything, but you sure sound like you are. My reply was actually based on two or three posts. You were just the last person in the chain of ideas, so I quoted you. It specifically pertained to your talking about us thinking our believing an item would be available in the future. My supposition was that if done my way, people would still not think that.
Lighten up, Francis.

 

[Mesa]

Lighten up, Francis.

I want a "Stripes" 1/6 line of figures. Well, just Bill Murray, Ramis, and John Candy.

 

[samueljd]

Wow. I'm not angry about anything, but you sure sound like you are. My reply was actually based on two or three posts. You were just the last person in the chain of ideas, so I quoted you. It specifically pertained to your talking about us thinking our believing an item would be available in the future. My supposition was that if done my way, people would still not think that.
Lighten up, Francis.

Then say that and make your point clear. When you quote someone, especially by just nitpicking on specific phrase you are using that as your reference. I'm not angry at all, I thought the remark was directed at me (that is why you quote someone) and I gave a direct response. You have been quoting people and making several assumptions about those people. In my case, you quoted one line I said and then made a preconceived judgment about certain members. If you plan on following a chain of thought just quick reply or quote a statement you directly answer, otherwise it comes off as a direct personal argument or remark toward that person (that is why it's called quoting).

 

[The Drizzle]

If you plan on following a chain of thought just quick reply or quote a statement you directly answer, otherwise it comes off as a direct personal argument or remark toward that person (that is why it's called quoting).

...and a big "Thank You" goes to the Dept. of Redundancy Dept.
...Still making assumptions about me.
I really am sorry my post bothered you, my reply was in no way an attack, but a clarification. I told you a moment ago, part of your post (the part I replied to) was the reason I quoted you. I'm sorry you can't understand that, but you're totally overdoing it in the "mountains out of molehills" action here.

-edit: Seriously, don't get bent out of shape about it- I did quote you for a reason, it pertained to my reply...and I meant you no harm or disdain. It's just toys and decorations, it's not that important.

 

[zoid2323]

I dont really care about the number IMO they're probably grabbed randomly and tagged with whatever # they get.

 

[Warrior Alien]

i personally could care less about edition size.
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as long as i get one.

I couldn't have said it any better!