Statue Gandalf the Grey Maquette - Order NOW, Link in 1st post!.

[woodsy]

O' Please, there has been people which went for the PF over the statue, just as there are those that don't overally like the pose. You want numbers, how about the fact that after beeing 'Officially Sold Out' (using your defination there from the Aragorn thread of what a waitlist item is, which of course isn't actually sold out). The Gandalf Ex came back for 30+ on pre-order (after one assumes SS filled any waitlist orders for it) and of course the Reg has yet to reach YOUR 'Offical Sold Out' ie, waitlist status. At the time of writting this, the Ex is still up for pre-order.

So even tho the shipping Aragorn has turned out pretty well (and yes I have posted that else where, didn't see the point in posting it here, you and Josh are more then enough praise), it's not generated a massive order rush for the others. No doubt they will hit waitlist (sorry, I mean 'Officially Sold Out" at some point soonish, but you would have thought Aragorn shipping would have really made that happen fast, especially since the edition size of Gandlaf and Legolas is much smaller.

So, lets recap.

I said the Gandalf PF would impact the Gandalf statue, especailly since the PF shipped first and turned out so well - which you now agree with me.

I said that most are happy with the SSW Gandalfs that they have and thus less likely to spend $250 on another Gandalf - again, you now agree with me.

.

It amazes me how you missed this post as it was made only three before your "I told you so post".

No doubt. Economically speaking, times are really tough right now and that seems to be affecting the sales of all lines and licences, but as the Aragorn reviews keep flooding in, I think it will be a real encouragement to those on the fence in regard to the maquette line.

You can talk about the 3 people who posted here that said they were opting out of the Gandalf maquette in favour of the PF until you're blue in the face, but I think I was pretty clear when I posted this, the economy is the biggest problem facing both Gandalf and Legolas. Firstly, because the economy sucks and alot of people simply don't have the disposable income they had a few years ago. Secondly, SSW completely oversaturated the market with those two. Unlike Aragorn, which SSW stopped production on after one year [and they did so well before LOTR mania took place] resulting in a very limited run of Aragorn statues ever available. Both GTG and Legolas enjoyed a 5 year run, the entire stretch of the SS Weta collaboration from start to finish...including the entire 2-3 year stretch where anything and everything with LOTR on it sold like hotcakes. Now unlike the SSW Aragorn statue which still holds a decent secondary value, Gandalf and Legolas do not. I watched a SSW Gandalf sell for under $28 a few days ago so you tell me......even if the majority of SSW owners would prefer to own the one that actually looks like Ian McKellan, just how many do you think can or will scrap the SSW version when the SS version sells for 8 times the money they can sell their SSW version for? And the same holds true for Legolas. Sure the SSW version sucks, but just how many do you think can afford to scrap it for a superior version when there is such a significant difference in price? When an economy is booming people will bite the bullet, spend the money, and upgrade...in this climate....not a chance.

And you can't possibly be serious about your remarks concerning the previously sold out Gandalf maquette...can you? Seriously, the fact that 30 excl. Gandalf's are now available...that's your 'proof'?...those are your 'numbers'? Here's a better question for you... when don't sold out items become available after selling out? If I follow your ridiculous reasoning to it's logical conclusion I guess we can say the 'sold out" GTG PF that became available for a good three month's after it started shipping had it's numbers affected by the Gandalf maquette....right?

So let's recap:

The economy sucks. As a result people who might be tempted to purchase both the Gandalf PF and maquette cannot do so...and 3 people opted for the PF.

The economy sucks. People considering to add a Gandalf statue to their collection have the option of spending $30 for an OK version or $250 for a better one....you do the math.

The economy sucks. Owners of the SSW Gandalf may well want to upgrade to a version that looks like Gandalf, but can't afford to spend the $250 on the SS version and take a bath on the SSW version they paid full price for years early.

Is all this finally starting to register with you? You can talk about how the PF has affected the maquette all day if you want to, but the fact remains, if the economy was thriving today we wouldn't even be having this conversation.

 

[The Josh]

O' Please, there has been people which went for the PF over the statue, just as there are those that don't overally like the pose. You want numbers, how about the fact that after beeing 'Officially Sold Out' (using your defination there from the Aragorn thread of what a waitlist item is, which of course isn't actually sold out). The Gandalf Ex came back for 30+ on pre-order (after one assumes SS filled any waitlist orders for it) and of course the Reg has yet to reach YOUR 'Offical Sold Out' ie, waitlist status. At the time of writting this, the Ex is still up for pre-order.

So even tho the shipping Aragorn has turned out pretty well (and yes I have posted that else where, didn't see the point in posting it here, you and Josh are more then enough praise), it's not generated a massive order rush for the others. No doubt they will hit waitlist (sorry, I mean 'Officially Sold Out" at some point soonish, but you would have thought Aragorn shipping would have really made that happen fast, especially since the edition size of Gandlaf and Legolas is much smaller.

So, lets recap.

I said the Gandalf PF would impact the Gandalf statue, especailly since the PF shipped first and turned out so well - which you now agree with me.

I said that most are happy with the SSW Gandalfs that they have and thus less likely to spend $250 on another Gandalf - again, you now agree with me.

I said that the Arwen statue would be a real interesting test for the line, given the SSW one has some issues and so far, there's only be a single Arwen statue, at any scale - again, you now agree with me.

I also said that, based on the initial full promo group shot which included Arwen, that the likeness looked a little off, as did a couple of others say, tho happy to wait and see full/better photo's. You of course accused me once again of being a 'SS hater', saying how can you judge on a single, small preview image. Only then you turned around to report (based on some source), that the sculpt is being 'tweaked' to improve the likeness, all but confirming that my initial thought was correct. - so again, you agreed with me.

I've said that for those looking to mix'n'match between new SS and old SSW, especially within set groups, like say the fellowship, that the new statues may look a little out of place, due to the larger/higher base. Now since I don't own one, and you don't listen to anyone who isn't an owner, you just dimissed my concern. I guess it's now a shame that some recent owners of the Aragorn statue (which while great), doesn't fit in all that well with the older SSW items. - so maybe you will now agree.

Now, time for your jaw to drop..... I've put a waitlist order in for the Aragorn Ex..... yes, it seems to have turned out that well, at least the unhooded head, something still irks me about all the photo's of the hodded one, so that rules out the Reg, but if I can get the Ex, then good, if not, nevermind. This will just give me a Strider, that takes up less room and is cheaper then the PF. I however won't be replacing my Aragorn at the Black Gates statue, I'll just keep that as a complete fellowship member SSW set. I also won't be getting Gandalf or Legolas or Gimli, etc, more then happy with the ones I have.
If the Arwen likeness has been improved as you say, then that's still a real goer and as such, her and Aragorn would go well together.

Jeez

Sorry woodsy and I liking Aragorn kept you from posting. Then again we like everything no matter what.

 

[theguru1]

Here's a better question for you... when don't sold out items become available after selling out?

I'm sorry, but WHAT... when does a sold out item on the SS website not get relisted as pre-order or in-stock? Is that what your asking????

Well, that's simple, when SS list an item as SOLD OUT, it never get's listed again. When it's listed as 'waitlist' (or in your terms, sold out), it can often get listed again. I wonder if we can think of a recent example... someone in Grey maybe

Maybe you should revist Sideshows concept of waitlist and sold out, it seems you lack some understanding on what the terms mean.

Ahh, so the economy sucks, of course, it's got nothing to do with having choices, nothing to do with display space, nothing to do with existing collections, nothing to do with focus on other licenses... the only reason that Gandalf isn't also "Sold Out" is that no one has any money.

I guess that means Bill Gates purchased all 1550 of the Aragorn statue, otherwise that wouldn't be "Sold Out" either.

 

[willocrew]

Oooh its getting heated this thread.

Anyway on a more light hearted note... I just received the winners notification email for the gandalf maquette contest!

Thank you sideshow!!!

 

[The Josh]

Oooh its getting heated this thread.

Anyway on a more light hearted note... I just received the winners notification email for the gandalf maquette contest!

Thank you sideshow!!!

Congrats

 

[willocrew]

Congrats

Cheers mate. I would have bought this even if i hadn't won... But i would have had to get the regular version from a local seller in OZ since its pretty expensive to ship the exclusive direct from USA.

Now the exclusive is coming home and for the cost of shipping only!!!

 

[The Josh]

The Ex is sweet! They had that one at Comic-Con last year and I thought it was pretty bad ass.

 

[bill59]

Congrats willocrew...it looks a very nice piece and getting it for the cost of shipping makes it all the sweeter . Enjoy!



Bill

 

[woodsy]

Jeez

Sorry woodsy and I liking Aragorn kept you from posting. Then again we like everything no matter what.

No kidding. This coming from the same guy who responded with this gem after Weta replaced the solid wood base on the Smaug statue with a faux wood piece of garbage, never told anyone about the changes, pocketed the significant prod. cost savings, and then lied to their customers when in damage control mode as to why they changed the base:

Really, Weta's biggest mistake was showing and using a solid wood base for the prototype in the first place, as basically, it was never going to happen for production.

To imply that we somehow love everything SS does is of course complete nonsense, but even if it were true....I think he's pretty well the last guy on the face of the earth to point fingers at other's when he himself has been doing that very same thing for years.

I'm sorry, but WHAT... when does a sold out item on the SS website not get relisted as pre-order or in-stock? Is that what your asking????

Well, that's simple, when SS list an item as SOLD OUT, it never get's listed again. When it's listed as 'waitlist' (or in your terms, sold out), it can often get listed again. I wonder if we can think of a recent example... someone in Grey maybe

Maybe you should revist Sideshows concept of waitlist and sold out, it seems you lack some understanding on what the terms mean.

Ahh, so the economy sucks, of course, it's got nothing to do with having choices, nothing to do with display space, nothing to do with existing collections, nothing to do with focus on other licenses... the only reason that Gandalf isn't also "Sold Out" is that no one has any money.
I guess that means Bill Gates purchased all 1550 of the Aragorn statue, otherwise that wouldn't be "Sold Out" either.

Do you actually ever read something other's post, or are you so obsessed with having to be right you simply have no ability to understand even the simplist of concepts? Here's one more fact for you....I'd have more luck explaining these things to a brick wall.

 

[The Josh]

I guess what irks me (if anything truly irks me) and I know he's on the WL now for Aragorn and getting other pieces is the feel that it comes across as being pissed SS is making 1:6th statues. If Weta was doing them I'd be happy and get several.

 

[woodsy]

I guess what irks me (if anything truly irks me) and I know he's on the WL now for Aragorn and getting other pieces is the feel that it comes across as being pissed SS is making 1:6th statues. If Weta was doing them I'd be happy and get several.

You hit the nail right on the head. I still don't think he's gotten over the fact that SS beat out Weta for the licencing rights, and lets be honest, that decision was a real slap in the face to Weta who really were responsible for putting the LOTR licence on the map in the first place. But I'm with you, I'd be more than happy to buy these collectibles if Weta was making them, and they looked this good.

 

[The Josh]

Yeah, I love Weta and what they do. They have as nice a folks as you can meet working for them (those that I've met at Comic-Con). I look forward to this character line and will probably get a couple pieces from it.

Ah well. I'm gonna enjoy what both companies do for as long as they do them.

 

[woodsy]

Yeah, I love Weta and what they do. They have as nice a folks as you can meet working for them (those that I've met at Comic-Con). I look forward to this character line and will probably get a couple pieces from it.

It doesn't help I know he doesn't use names but has referred to us at S&F. He feels the same about us so I'm pretty sure nobody is gonna be able to come to common ground. Which sucks cause I thought LOTR fans tended to be above that.

Yeah, I have no doubt the folks from Weta fantastic, and I too will consider the character line with an open mind....thought I do have serious reservations as to whether Weta can pull this line off due to the very small scale, something that will make likenesses extremely difficult, if not impossible to capture. But there are the environments and I have purchased every one Weta has made since they re-launched the line.

And yeah, I'm well aware we've been referred to, as well as outright 'named' on the 'friendlist forum out there' quite often and by numerous people, but I don't put much stock in that. Anyone too cowardly to say something to me directly isn't worth me getting upset over.

I think true LOTR fans are above that nonsense. Anyone can call themselves a LOTR fan, but someome whose more interested in the company logo on the bottom of the base than they are the actual product in question is hardly what I would call a LOTR fan. That's just my opinion.

 

[The Josh]

We need another announcement so we can concentrate on that huh?

 

[woodsy]

We need another announcement so we can concentrate on that huh?

Exactly! Too much time between announcements and we get grumpy. Gimli ............

 

[The Josh]

Exactly! Too much time between announcements and we get grumpy. Gimli ............

Agreed

 

[FrodoEyes]

I've had my run-ins with you in the past Woodsy, so i'm certainly not afraid to speak to you directly!
I do think alot of this arguing is pointless and i always think 'sheesh, we're all LOTR fans, what are we becoming, Star Wars fans?'
I think, in these cases, there's a bit of some of what one person says is true and false, and the same's true for the other person, but both parties are too stubborn to admit it!

But, i will say, my choice to stick with the SSW GTG has nothing to do with money. If i wanted the maquette, i could get it. I just prefer the SSW version. But, i'm only one man!
I still think also that the maquette line doesn't really sit in well with the SSW stuff, so maybe i'll just keep them seperate. I like Legolas and Gimli in the new line, so i could have them, and the hobbits and Boromir, displayed infront of the PF! That wouldn't look so ridiculous, i don't think the PF is MUCH bigger than the statues, plus GTG is allowed to stand out as the leader of the Fellowship!

 

[Fritz]

...even if the majority of SSW owners would prefer to own the one that actually looks like Ian McKellan... ...And the same holds true for Legolas. Sure the SSW version sucks...

Totally disagree about Gandalf, that's one of the few likenesses I think Weta actually did pretty well.

In regards to Legolas, I think you owe Orlando Bloom's stand in an apology, the likeness is uncanny.

 

[Valarauko]

I just checked out the GTG MQ Ex page and it's moved from 20 available (as of last night) to approx. 12. It appears that the Gimli reveal has knocked a few off of the fence!

 

[The Josh]

Nice! It will move to WL as I'm sure Aragorn will. Things are moving along quite nicely.