When I don't like the figure I say it's too much, but look at Gandalf. He looks good. Good enough for me. I don't like price rises either, but they never go down. Why do prices go up? Why have Sideshow always charged so little for their wonderful figures? It's questions like these that never get answered.
Times change. Sideshow used to have one price for all figures. Somewhere along the way they decided that each line would carry it's own weight. This policy now dictates that if you want the line to continue, this is the price you will pay. No guarantees though. That's business. People are loving it that Sideshow have developed their new body in consultation with Hot Toys. Everyone says Hot Toys are too expensive, which they are. Maybe Hot Toys have given Sideshow some consultation as to pricing. Yay to collaboration.
If I want a figure, any figure, I make a judgment on whether I want that character, if it looks like that character, if the costume looks good, if the paint is well done and lastly what the price is. If I want it bad enough I will pay the price. With Gandalf I looked at Toy Biz Gandalf and thought to myself, seeing as Toy Biz has the license this will be the only Gandalf we'll likely see, so I bought it. I was happy with the price because I compared it to the DiD one, which I thought was overpriced and only made it because they didn't have to pay likeness rights, and what the hell, I thought, I like magicians, wizards and the like, even if it doesn't look spot on. Now we have one that's spot on and still cheaper than what I remember DiD's being. The price has been stated. Put your money down or shop elsewhere.
I guess it all comes down to what your used to, what your perspective is, and how much you can afford. The only way prices go down is when competition is fierce, but when your main competitor is in cahoots with you.......whacko the chooks.
