eFX Darth Vader A NEW HOPE Helmet!

[IrishJedi]

A new company just offered me a job with a life-changing raise yess

That's awesome, bro! Congrats!

BTW, what part of the Tampa area are you in? My girlfriend is from Tarpon Springs/Clearwater, and we're down there a lot.

 

[Khev]

That's awesome, bro! Congrats!

Thanks man!

BTW, what part of the Tampa area are you in? My girlfriend is from Tarpon Springs/Clearwater, and we're down there a lot.

My wife and I got married on the Howard Park beach in Tarpon Springs! We live in Lutz about 40 minutes east of Tarpon. Shoot me a PM the next time you come down.

 

[demorathis]

A new company just offered me a job with a life-changing raise yess and after studying the quality of this piece for some time I decided to head over to eFX to jump on the wait list today. Gah, even the wait list is closed.

Old news for you guys I'm sure. I wonder how much coin us later comers will need to drop to get one on the secondary market.

Always great to hear when someone does well =)
Congratulations!

As far as the ANH LGD goes, someone's bound to sell, so just keep your eyes peeled and your ear to the ground...

 

[GreatFire]

I wonder how much coin us later comers will need to drop to get one on the secondary market.

The only thing you can really use as a litmus test, although not a very solid one, is the McVader. And those have sold anywhere from $1,100 to $1,800.00 on ebay. It's all speculation, but I would venture a guess the ANH piece will come out of the gate at the high end of what the McQuarrie helmet has sold for.

 

[icruise]

It's impossible to really make a comparison, though, since there was only one version of the McQuarrie Vader helmet itself, and it's even more of a niche item than this is.

 

[GreatFire]

It's impossible to really make a comparison, though, since there was only one version of the McQuarrie Vader, and it's even more of a niche item than this is.

Understood, although I can't think of another relevant or better jumping-off point than the McV. Hmm, what have screen-used ANH helmets sold for?

Anyone else care to speculate for Khev?

 

[demorathis]

Understood, although I can't think of another relevant or better jumping-off point than the McV. Hmm, what have screen-used ANH helmets sold for?

Anyone else care to speculate for Khev?

as far as we know there was only one screen-used and it could've been turned into the ESB for all we know...

there've been unofficial replicas that've sold anywhere from 400-1,200...just like any DP ESB

the ROTS sells for over $1,100 or 1,500 or more depending on the version (w or w/out the signatures) and there were 1,000 made - some sold through retailers.

 

[CHARLES VADER]

Hi¡¡¡..new guy in forum. I dont know, but someone cancel his LEGEND. I used to be number 1 on wait list. Yesterday i recibed a mail from Bryan to tell me about that ( just ONE cancelation¡¡¡). So i just waiting the c.c. process to get mine...first in line.... who is that one who let go this legendary piece????....

 

[icruise]

Congrats. So they said there's only been one cancellation so far?

 

[CHARLES VADER]

Congrats. So they said there's only been one cancellation so far?

According to Bryan only one. I was very lucky to be first on wait list. I wonder how many more Legends will be cancel???

 

[CHARLES VADER]

...by the way icruise---you have an incredible Jabba collection¡¡¡¡.....is amazing...

 

[Avenger]

What I want to know is what steps they're taking to upgrade their site so this won't happen again.

Yep. And how soon till they announce James Earl Jones will also be signing the plaque for a double signature.

 

[CHARLES VADER]

i hope efx will increase the LEGEND...imagine.... 346 (with a Brian Muir plaque)...400 (with James Earl Jones signature)...MORE????...500 with George Lucas signature.... Who knows??? maybe at 1000 they give you a Harrison Ford personal sig and a Carrie Fisher naked photo...¡¡¡¡ i love merchandising...now i start to understand efx company¡¡¡¡¡

 

[swo77]

Soooo...I'm just happy I have one of the 364.

I firmly believe that a cancellation of 114 confirmed orders would have been disastrous for efx as far as their integrity goes with consumers. These aren't seats on a full flight, they are collectibles and unlike seats on an oversold flight, they can take care of the people that thought they had snagged one of the helmets that were available.

They made a tough call from a PR perspective, but it was the right one as far as I am concerned. I am far (FAR) less concerned about an increased ES than I am about the potential to have been told I would not be getting something that was "confirmed" and paid for.

 

[Broccoli Shrapnel]

1. I'm not sure I understand the "grail" concept. If, in fifty years, advancing technology allows Hasbro to make this same product for $75 and they distribute it to mass retail, would the resulting helmet still be a grail? It's really in the eye of the beholder, isn't it? If YOU like something, what's it matter if everyone else has one or no one else has one?

2. Also, were people planning on retiring in 50 years by selling off this helmet? It seems EFX did a solid for the fans that got screwed by the computer glitches. Even if the resulting increase in edition size means the helmet is worth $900 in five years instead of $1200, are you really that worried about it? Anyone who collects this stuff ought to know by now that in 5-10 years another company will be putting out the same "limited edition" with the same original molds. That's just the name of the game.

3. I guess what I'm getting at is this: If you're an investor, why are you investing in Star Wars toys to begin with? And if you're a collector, what do you care what the value of something is, as long as you're happy with it? I think it's fairly ridiculous to string together this long list of hypotheticals in order to feel like you've been the victim of injustice: IF the helmet comes out well, IF the edition size really decreases the value, IF anyone really cares about Star Wars in 5-10 years, IF you have to sell the helmet. I understand that people don't want to pay $1000 now for $500 later, but don't any of you own cars? How's the appreciation in value working out? I also realize that people don't like when people change the rules of the game mid-game (the edition size increase), but really, aren't you used to this concept just by living everyday? It's a give and take. Worse stuff than the Darth Vader helmet futures dropping by $50 happens. Isn't there a book somewhere called "Don't sweat the small stuff"? I think they made that book into a movie, and the main character was called "The Dude."

 

[icruise]

1. I'm not sure I understand the "grail" concept.

A grail by definition is something that is hard to find and usually expensive. If anyone can easily get something, it's not a grail. It might still be cool, but it's not a grail. Just to clarify.

Anyone who collects this stuff ought to know by now that in 5-10 years another company will be putting out the same "limited edition" with the same original molds. That's just the name of the game.

True to some extent. I know that many of the things that collectors were going crazy about a few years ago look like crap today and aren't worth much either. That said, there's never been a helmet with this kind of pedigree sold before, and who knows when another one will come along? I don't mean to be a downer, but I frankly think Star Wars is probably on the downswing from this point forward. Oh, it'll last a LONG time as a phenomenon and products will likely be available for decades to come, but the kind of fanbase that's willing to buy this kind of product is only going to shrink in the future.

3. I guess what I'm getting at is this: If you're an investor, why are you investing in Star Wars toys to begin with? And if you're a collector, what do you care what the value of something is, as long as you're happy with it? I think it's fairly ridiculous to string together this long list of hypotheticals in order to feel like you've been the victim of injustice: IF the helmet comes out well, IF the edition size really decreases the value, IF anyone really cares about Star Wars in 5-10 years, IF you have to sell the helmet. I understand that people don't want to pay $1000 now for $500 later, but don't any of you own cars? How's the appreciation in value working out? I also realize that people don't like when people change the rules of the game mid-game (the edition size increase), but really, aren't you used to this concept just by living everyday? It's a give and take. Worse stuff than the Darth Vader helmet futures dropping by $50 happens. Isn't there a book somewhere called "Don't sweat the small stuff"? I think they made that book into a movie, and the main character was called "The Dude."

I don't think that many people are buying to "invest" but that doesn't mean that you like to see something you bought go down in value. Emergencies happen, priorities change, and sometimes you have to sell things you never expected to. And after all, isn't the point of making them limited editions to keep them somewhat exclusive and maintain their value? You're right that it's not that huge of a deal in the long run, but that doesn't mean it's meaningless either.

 

[Broccoli Shrapnel]

I don't think that many people are buying to "invest" but that doesn't mean that you like to see something you bought go down in value. Emergencies happen, priorities change, and sometimes you have to sell things you never expected to. And after all, isn't the point of making them limited editions to keep them somewhat exclusive and maintain their value? You're right that it's not that huge of a deal in the long run, but that doesn't mean it's meaningless either.

Understood. Even a de minimis effect in the value is still an effect in the value. And maybe I'm imagining this. But, I read through the last couple pages, and it seemed like there was genuine unrest because the edition size had increased by 114. Yeah, it's not what everyone signed up for, but it doesn't seem like an act of bad faith on the part of EFX. That EFX is almost expected to atone for this by sweetening the deal with signatures and lithos seems a little silly. Fine if they want to, but really, there are soooooo many variables that will affect the value of this thing more than an edition size increase of 114 that I don't really think the deal needed sweetened at all. I think it just shows that EFX is generally trying to keep everyone happy. I guess I just don't agree with the complaints when EFX has been fairly forthright about how everything went down, it doesn't seem like the increase in edition size was a pretext for some plan to increase the bottom line at fans' expense, and the resulting change in value to the helmet is so speculative that it's laughable to try to quantify financial harm as a result of what is more or less an act of good faith by the company. And right about emergencies, priorities, etc. But, I don't think the difference in whether one weathers a foreclosure, a job loss, a heart attack, etc. is going to come down to what, in my opinion, is going to be a minimal change in value. Keeping in mind also that everything SW gets done and redone so many times that almost nothing in our hobby ends up being worth its original asking price. This, to me, isn't incredibly surprising in a world where TVs, computers, etc. are all outdated the minute you open the box. It's all just a game, no?

 

[GreatFire]

I don't really think the deal needed sweetened at all.

The deal HAD to be sweetened because it was an eFx mistake, and a big one and they know it. The reason there are only 2 or 3 of us who aren't thrilled with the mishap is because most are happy getting the auto and print in return for the botched edition size.

don't any of you own cars? How's the appreciation in value working out? TVs, computers, etc. are all outdated the minute you open the box

And you simply cannot compare the future appreciation of a collectible helmet to a Toyota Corolla or a Philips HD. Apples and oranges. The motives for buying and the products functions are far too different.

If you're an investor, why are you investing in Star Wars toys to begin with?

Just an example, but...$125 original retail 1/6th Sideshow Darth Vader Excl's. are getting north of $400 on the secondary market. There's risk in any endeavor, sure, but nice returns can certainly materialize if you're savvy and demonstrate good timing.

I don't think that many people are buying to "invest" but that doesn't mean that you like to see something you bought go down in value.

Exactly!

 

[Alice Adrenochrome]

1. I'm not sure I understand the "grail" concept. If, in fifty years, advancing technology allows Hasbro to make this same product for $75 and they distribute it to mass retail, would the resulting helmet still be a grail? It's really in the eye of the beholder, isn't it? If YOU like something, what's it matter if everyone else has one or no one else has one?

2. Also, were people planning on retiring in 50 years by selling off this helmet? It seems EFX did a solid for the fans that got screwed by the computer glitches. Even if the resulting increase in edition size means the helmet is worth $900 in five years instead of $1200, are you really that worried about it? Anyone who collects this stuff ought to know by now that in 5-10 years another company will be putting out the same "limited edition" with the same original molds. That's just the name of the game.

3. I guess what I'm getting at is this: If you're an investor, why are you investing in Star Wars toys to begin with? And if you're a collector, what do you care what the value of something is, as long as you're happy with it? I think it's fairly ridiculous to string together this long list of hypotheticals in order to feel like you've been the victim of injustice: IF the helmet comes out well, IF the edition size really decreases the value, IF anyone really cares about Star Wars in 5-10 years, IF you have to sell the helmet. I understand that people don't want to pay $1000 now for $500 later, but don't any of you own cars? How's the appreciation in value working out? I also realize that people don't like when people change the rules of the game mid-game (the edition size increase), but really, aren't you used to this concept just by living everyday? It's a give and take. Worse stuff than the Darth Vader helmet futures dropping by $50 happens. Isn't there a book somewhere called "Don't sweat the small stuff"? I think they made that book into a movie, and the main character was called "The Dude."

 

[jkno]

1. I'm not sure I understand the "grail" concept. If, in fifty years, advancing technology allows Hasbro to make this same product for $75 and they distribute it to mass retail, would the resulting helmet still be a grail? It's really in the eye of the beholder, isn't it? If YOU like something, what's it matter if everyone else has one or no one else has one?

2. Also, were people planning on retiring in 50 years by selling off this helmet? It seems EFX did a solid for the fans that got screwed by the computer glitches. Even if the resulting increase in edition size means the helmet is worth $900 in five years instead of $1200, are you really that worried about it? Anyone who collects this stuff ought to know by now that in 5-10 years another company will be putting out the same "limited edition" with the same original molds. That's just the name of the game.

3. I guess what I'm getting at is this: If you're an investor, why are you investing in Star Wars toys to begin with? And if you're a collector, what do you care what the value of something is, as long as you're happy with it? I think it's fairly ridiculous to string together this long list of hypotheticals in order to feel like you've been the victim of injustice: IF the helmet comes out well, IF the edition size really decreases the value, IF anyone really cares about Star Wars in 5-10 years, IF you have to sell the helmet. I understand that people don't want to pay $1000 now for $500 later, but don't any of you own cars? How's the appreciation in value working out? I also realize that people don't like when people change the rules of the game mid-game (the edition size increase), but really, aren't you used to this concept just by living everyday? It's a give and take. Worse stuff than the Darth Vader helmet futures dropping by $50 happens. Isn't there a book somewhere called "Don't sweat the small stuff"? I think they made that book into a movie, and the main character was called "The Dude."

Excellent post.

One man's grail might be other mans garbage. If tomorrow someone will give me the Master Replicas Millennium Falcon or the Grey Hulk Premium Format I would not see them as grails, since I really don't care about them. But for other people these would be the items they dreamed about a long time.

I've seen guys who don't collect Star Wars at all, and still went for this helmet calling it a "grail". LOL. I've never had a single "grail" in my life. I had items I wanted more and that is it.

Regarding the investment thing: if you want investment go real estate, gold and diamonds, and not even then you can be 100% they will hold or go up in value. We need to collect more for ourselves than to collect for "times to come". Life is short, we should enjoy this NOW not the idea that something will worth thousands more next decade. My 2 cents