eFX Darth Vader A NEW HOPE Helmet!

[GreatFire]

Irish, your last edit put a thought in my head...and I hope it's not the case...of going back for a few more squirts from this "surprise" cash cow. Is $114,000 > a handful of temporarily upset customers?

 

[IrishJedi]

Cancelling is something I'm considering. Though I always sleep on emotionally-charged decisions.

True... always best to sleep on things.

 

[Avenger]

Irish, your last edit put a thought in my head...and I hope it's not the case...of going back for a few more squirts from this "surprise" cash cow. Is $114,000 > a handful of temporarily upset customers?

That may have played into how they decided to deal with the situation. But, anyone that's been to their site can believe something like this was certainly possible if not probable.

Their site sucks.

 

[goldbuffalo]

The Print and Sig does help. They could have just increased the ES without any additions.

I hope the Print is ONLY for this helmet and ONLY 364 prints are made and can't be bought anyplace else, ever...

Maybe we should all lobby to get Jones' signature also. If enough ask, who knows....

 

[IrishJedi]

I hope the Print is ONLY for this helmet and ONLY 364 prints are made and can't be bought anyplace else, ever...

That's the impression I get.

 

[GreatFire]

GoldBuff, there is no way on Earth that they could've simply increased the edition size without further compensating their customers. Talk about a complete and total fanboy uprising...


Now an Olly Moss print...that's something that would certainly help put out the flames.

 

[demorathis]

The exclusive print and signature of the sculptor of this helmet not only add real monetary value to our collectible..but additionally shows how much efx cares about its customer base, and that makes the product more collectable and desirable ... Low run of 364 hand brushed details, exclusive commissioned vader anh helmetprint, and signature of the original sculptor...yes please!

 

[GreatFire]

The superstar is the helmet. Period. The print and sig add very, very little in terms of value. You put it to the test on the open market (helmet alone vs. helmet + print and sig) and the difference would be inconsequential in relation to the $1,000 price tag. It wouldn't even compare to the value of the original edition size. I just don't understand the happiness some people are feeling. When I buy a shirt and before I walk out of the store, the manager comes by and says, "excuse me, I've made mistake," and then proceeds to stain it with s---, I'm not happy when he then offers me a tissue to clean it up. What can I say, I'm still pretty upset about this.

 

[demorathis]

The superstar is the helmet. Period. The print and sig add very, very little in terms of value. You put it to the test on the open market (helmet alone vs. helmet + print and sig) and the difference would be inconsequential in relation to the $1,000 price tag. It wouldn't even compare to the value of the original edition size. I just don't understand the happiness some people are having. When I buy a shirt and before I walk out of the store, the manager comes by and says, "excuse me, I've made mistake," and then proceeds to stain it with s---, I'm not happy when he then offers me a tissue to clean it up. What can I say, I'm still pretty upset about this.

A lithograph alone limited to 364 pcs is of value, the signature on that plaque can be gotten nowhere else...

The signature edition of the ROTS MR helmet alone goes for much more than the regular edition and THAT has appreciated at 1,000 pcs...

so despite your opinion that it adds little value -- the fact is it adds monetary value and it is more desirable to a wider collector base due to the addition of those things -- the same reason the Vader/Obi wan diorama exclusive goes for more, or the exclusive Vader bust WITH stand etc, or exclusive Predator Hot toys with extra mask, or vader with force chike hand...it is even more different than the other issue because of those things...more reason to have greater value...

Honestly would you STILL have ordered it initially if they said 360 pcs?
And they said there'd be a plaque and Sig?
If you could care less if you got it initially or not at 250 pcs, then the facts have changed -- you can still relenquish your order.

If you keep it, then it's still highly desirable
-- I guarantee you there are folks out there or even here who'd snap it up if you cancel your order, because truth is it is still valuable and highly desirable -- 114 or so pcs makes very little difference in a world of millions of Star Wars fans ...

guaranteed the print and signature you could sell for $200 and get your discount...

(and as far as your analogy goes - I'd hardly call artwork of the Vader helmet by Tsuneo Sanda and the signature of the Brian Muir the sculptor of MANy movie props "sh...")

I mean, I understand that some folks are disappointed that it's no longer 250 pcs, but 364 doesn't make that big of a difference -- the price is the same -- it is only $200 more than the 1000 pcs helmet -- initially for the the still very low edition size Pplus the hand painted details-- PLUS the print PLUS the signature...

 

[GreatFire]

Lithographs do very little to get me excited, especially when some Celebration ones fail to sell out at a run of 100. 364? Not very limited. And the autograph is only as desirable as the man/woman signing. Hayden means much more to a broader specturm of fans than B Muir, who is a ghost in the general Star Wars fan universe. And that is not to disrespect him. Moreso, this type of item isn't desired by "millions" of fans. The price puts it out of reach for many. While a true grail, it does have a niche market. And no one should be put in the position of, "...well, if you don't like it, cancel your order." The cards have changed and this is no longer an even field. That is BS. I seem to be in the minority with my position, but IMO an email should have been sent out to the 114 with an apology and a gift card and/or first dips on their next Vader helmet.

 

[IrishJedi]

I get the sense you were just intending to flip yours.

 

[GreatFire]

I wasn't necessarily calling the litho and auto s---, but the situation in general. Specifically the new edition size of 364.

 

[GreatFire]

Flipping always crosses my mind, sure. But I want to keep this one. Who doesn't want to see their pieces climb in price though?

 

[demorathis]

Lithographs do very little to get me excited, especially when some Celebration ones fail to sell out at a run of 100. 364? Not very limited. And the autograph is only as desirable as the man/woman signing. Hayden means much more to a broader specturm of fans than B Muir, who is a ghost in the general Star Wars fan universe. And that is not to disrespect him. Moreso, this type of item isn't desired by "millions" of fans. The price puts it out of reach for many. While a true grail, it does have a niche market. And no one should be put in the position of, "...well, if you don't like it, cancel your order." The cards have changed and this is no longer an even field. That is BS. I seem to be in the minority with my position, but IMO an email should have been sent out to the 114 with an apology and a gift card and/or first dips on their next Vader helmet.

You mean first "diBs" ...
What I mean is there are millions of folks who would LOVE to OWN one...not everyone sees the value in paying for these kinds of items, but people pay loads of cash for Vader helmets all the time...
remember $1200 for the Don Post Deluxe? --certificate of authenticity on SOME, limited to 1,000 pcs, (I think), and reversed paint job, not to mention it probably wasn't even from the ESB screen used helmet, but a touring one...

My point is it hasn't really lost value...if it has, tell us How much value has it lost in real dollars?

It's perceived value which is why these items have been added to compensate for perceived value lost to some -- personally it doesn't change a thing for me - - I'd still buy it today...But I realize some folks only like to buy things b/c they are rare or thay want something of greater value to the outside market...guaranteed this will depreciate due to lack or slow disappearance of Star Wars fans before it is due to the increase in number made...

plus if they get first dibs on the next helmet, that sucks for the rest of us who want an ESB or ROTS -- whatever they make next if we are left out in the cold as a result...so we'd deserve an apology too? eFX did the best things they could possibly do.

Just accept the fact that theres 114 more of these to go around...no one's taking anything away from us by their existence...would you rather have gotten that email yourself? Any of us could've been the 114 randomly as there's no way to tell...would you rather be one of the 114 that got an apology? I'd rather get the news that their adding stuff than tell me I'm not getting one after all...

 

[GreatFire]

Obviously we can't talk specific numbers, but it has lost value. There are now more available in the market with less demand.

 

[GreatFire]

Look, eFx can't please everyone. But I don't agree with how they handled this. Upgrading their website would be a good place to start.

 

[demorathis]

for every person who doesn't want it because there's 114 more, there is another who wants it because it comes with a litho, and another b/c there's a signature...I think the addition makes for more demanding item -- think of it -- the ones that are complete sets (litho , sig, etc) in the future will be of greater value than the incomplete ones...

 

[demorathis]

Look, eFx can't please everyone. But I don't agree with how they handled this. Upgrading their website would be a good place to start.

I understand the disappointment, (I was kinda bummed at first, but I weighed the pros and cons)

but would you rather receive the email that we got
or one that says "sorry it looks like we'll have to refund your $200 b/c you're not getting one after all"

because that would've been the only alternative.

Honestly I'd stick with the helmet...but I understand the disappintment

 

[GreatFire]

Well, we can go back and forth all day, but I disagree. I would love to be proved wrong, and only time will tell. Yet I hesitate to think someone would be willing to up their bid by anymore than $25-$50 because the litho is included. I do plan on keeping my order, simply because of what it is: the ultimate Vader collectible. Anything less and I might cancel.

 

[demorathis]

Well, we can go back and forth all day, but I disagree. I would love to be proved wrong, and only time will tell. Yet I hesitate to think someone would be willing to up their bid by anymore than $25-$50 because the litho is included.

Let me pose the question again:
which email would you rather have gotten, the one we actually rec'd
or the one that says too bad you're not getting a helmet (b/c that's what you were proposing)?

If your answer is the 2nd, then guaranteed there'd be people clamoring for your spot...even at an inflated rate (secondary market of course - not now when everyone is paying the same price)

I personally do not prefer extras and greeblies, but like it or not, I'd STILL purchase it precisely b/c of the helmet alone...