Gandalf the Grey PF

[DaveMac]

IMO. I prefer the 1/4th PF.. it represents the character better. actual cloth and such.

I do own my own share of all sculpted maquettes..but I chose to not partake in the new and smaller version of that line.

If your looking for SS to release a complete fellowship line plus others we're all crazy to think they'll do it in any form in a short time considering their past. in the long run SS will end up making every one we want in all forms.[/QUOTE]

I hope your right and Sideshow do release all the characters at some point or other across all ranges (including revisiting the 1/6 line for those who want them ).A plus I suppose is that unlike SW, LOTR has a finite set of named characters, so here's hoping we do get the sets / characters we want

As for the GTG PF still being around or cancelled, I don't think it much of an issue as it will eventually go and I don't doubt that profit margins have been built in for a slow sell especially given the price on the 'maquette's' and other quick turnover ranges. People who want both will get both at some point and probably within a time margin allowed for by SS.
Both nice pieces, both will sell at some point......And it will soon be Christmas

GTG is going centre stage in my display and hoping to light up the rest of the 9

 

[woodsy]

Sure I can explain it, and you have partly provided some of the explanation already.
When the PF was first pre-ordered, it was in the environment of little new 1/6th polystone statue line news. I think we may have heard it was coming, but at that stage, nothing had really been seen, nothing at all had been seen in person, no prices were known and there had been no news from SS about getting the full fellowship being less likely in PF but more likely in the new statue line.
Fast forward to now, the statue line is looking like it's going to shape up nicely, two pretty good pre-orders so far, confirm that Legolas and Gimli are coming (preview sculpts), seen concept art for Boromir along with some hints that the full fellowship is more likely in the new line then the PF line.
So, the GtG PF gets a pre-shipping notice, plenty of people, as you say collect other lines, but they are now looking at two SS GtG statues, with various background info and other items to pay for as well. So short of really wanting the PF, it becomes a much easier cancel, especially if one is leaning much more towards the new 1/6 statue line and has that on pre-order.

So based on that, how can anyone think that if a GtG statue didn't exists at the moment and especially if the new 1/6 statue line was still a much more distant thought, that far fewer PF's would be getting cancelled at this stage.

Very easily, because the one thing you have still failed to do [and it's a biggie!] is provide one shred of evidence to back up your theory. Simply put, I don't want you to tell me how the one Ganadlf is affecting the sales of the other, I want you to show me. If what you're saying is true, then there should be a whack of posts stating as much....where are they?

Blu- So now we have to resort to name calling and not being able to be an adult and discuss things. I think you have a board you can go act like that on.

Actually, I found the names amusing and the video entertaining myself. What I didn't find was BF answering a single question or providing a single piece of evidence to support his theory. His response was not only typical of a guy with nothing to back his arguement, it was the response of someone who justed unconditionally surrendered ....

 

[cstojano]

I canceled my order for GTG PF when the maquette line was announced. I can afford both but prefer the maquette line due to size and display limits, some cost savings, and general good feel to the pieces. For me, a guy with a very small statue collection (mostly due to too many hobbies) the maquette line made the PF line an easy one to drop. As someone who came into this sort of in the middle of things, the PF line seems to be slow to release new characters. I also came into this thread late in the game, not knowing what all people were still discussing. Then all of this.

I don't see how releasing two statues of the same character can NOT affect sales of both. There seem to be very few completists left in the game.

EDIT: I just watched Vader Al's video and want both PFs again.

 

[The Josh]

Financially maybe, but it's not about current money, it's as much about long term money and display space. So if you stop to think that not all who had the PF on pre-order are going to get both, then now is a perfect time to consider ones long term plans and if one should keep the PF, keep the maquette, go for both, or cancel both.

How is it not about current money? I mean seriously. I'm not and most folks I assume aren't giving this the axe because of money down the road so to speak. They're doing it now cause money is tight now. Yes, those other things I'm sure factor in but I guarantee its more money right now than anything else.

If I still had time to work things out money wise as I'm sure others this wouldn't be getting the axe. Especially, if I still had time to save and get the other.

I just don't see how hard it is to understand that when clear choices, for the same character are so present at the same time, that they won't have an impact on each other. I have collecting plans thought out for the next few years, based on what's up for pre-order now, what's been previewed, even if it's just a drawing and what I expect and/or want to buy. Now of course that changes over time, as some surprises show up or expected items turn out not to be that good.

They're not shipping at the same time so the impact on each other is minimal at best. Its current money along with items shipping around it that are going to hurt it more than anything else. That I'm sorry is plain and simple.

So before the maquette line, the GtG PF was pretty much it as far as SS is concerned. Sure it may be cancelled or put on flex due to other items showing up and/or about to ship. But now, one has all that, plus, does one want the maquette too or maybe just the maquette, it adds a whole extra level of consideration for anyone without unlimited funds and display space.

Yeah, at the time it was the only GTG piece coming from SS. However, as I've said most of us want both and will try to get both. Thats just how collectors are really. Now, when you get several things coming at once you have to pick and choose because money is tight not now not later.

 

[FrodoEyes]

Blu- So now we have to resort to name calling and not being able to be an adult and discuss things. I think you have a board you can go act like that on.

I know you're probably joking, but this is the ONLY board i've ever experienced this happening on!

 

[theguru1]

I just cancelled the Gandalf Maquette for this bigger one. Any pics of the light up version yet?

I don't know which Gandalf should I collect~

I'm torn between this and the maquette--I thought the PF would completely blow the maquette out of the water when I saw them both at SDCC, but in fact the PF slightly underwhelmed me (just a tiny bit) while the maquette surprisingly looked much better than I expected. (It doesn't help that the PF is about two inches taller than my display space and I have no place to put it.) Combine that with the fact that the maquette line seems to be the one that will ultimately give us the complete Fellowship, and I'm actually leaning towards dropping this one. Still undecided, for the time being...

No contest for me. PF all the way. No desire to jump into an entire line with the maquettes, so PF suits fine as a stand alone piece. Plus I think it looks great.

I'm all in, can;t wait for this one. No way I'm starting the new "Maquette" line.

I got my 23 days notice for the EX a couple of days ago. Still on the fence about this one. When I ordered this, I didn't know about or hadn't considered the maquette line. There's only so much space in my apartment; a PF takes up a lot of room. Therefore I might switch to the maquettes AND hopefully get a complete Fellowship.

I canceled my order for GTG PF when the maquette line was announced. I can afford both but prefer the maquette line due to size and display limits, some cost savings, and general good feel to the pieces.

Very easily, because the one thing you have still failed to do [and it's a biggie!] is provide one shred of evidence to back up your theory. Simply put, I don't want you to tell me how the one Ganadlf is affecting the sales of the other, I want you to show me. If what you're saying is true, then there should be a whack of posts stating as much....where are they?

So there's a few examples of choices going one way or another, mostly due to there being two Gandalf choices. There was of course a number of other cancel posts, but no reason given. Combine that with the fact that forum members still only make up a smallish part of all the buyers and I see no reason to think that the impact isn't even bigger.
So, woodsy, were's your evidence that having both up for pre-order at the same time isn't have an impact on which one gets purchased or cancelled?

 

[Blu Falcon]

Hey, Josh! I sent you a PM, good buddy. If you need me I'll be on the board you told me I should go back to. You know, the one you and Woodsy no longer contribute to. Probably because your feelings get hurt too much over there. lol

Woodsy, I heard you had three teeth. One in your mouth and two in your pocket.

 

[Enigma]

I liked this at SDCC more than the maquette due to the nice larger size. Sideshow will push out the whole fellowshiip in maquette line to make customers buy that, then slowly push roll out the same characters in premium format.

 

[The Josh]

So there's a few examples of choices going one way or another, mostly due to there being two Gandalf choices. There was of course a number of other cancel posts, but no reason given. Combine that with the fact that forum members still only make up a smallish part of all the buyers and I see no reason to think that the impact isn't even bigger.
So, woodsy, were's your evidence that having both up for pre-order at the same time isn't have an impact on which one gets purchased or cancelled?

Some probably are but I don't think its any kind of a big issue. At somepoint anyways there would be a GTG PF and maquette. You could say the same thing then that you're saying now. I guarantee for most folks its about things shipping now around that piece and LOTR not being as high up on the scale for them.

 

[theguru1]

Some probably are but I don't think its any kind of a big issue. At somepoint anyways there would be a GTG PF and maquette. You could say the same thing then that you're saying now. I guarantee for most folks its about things shipping now around that piece and LOTR not being as high up on the scale for them.

No idea exactly how many are cancelling, delaying, getting one over the other, etc, etc. That's just not numbers I have, but then neither does anyone else. I've just said all along that having two, of the same character, both in statue form, on pre-order at the same time will have an effect on each others sales and the evidence above proves it.

Is there really anything more that can be said?

 

[The Josh]

Yes there is some effect. However I think it's pretty evident that it's also equally effected by other items coming in. You see it in every thread on the board. It's like one giant circle of life.

Edit: No, I won't go and search evey post in this thread.

 

[woodsy]

Hey, Josh! I sent you a PM, good buddy. If you need me I'll be on the board you told me I should go back to. You know, the one you and Woodsy no longer contribute to. Probably because your feelings get hurt too much over there. lol

Woodsy, I heard you had three teeth. One in your mouth and two in your pocket.

BF, what's with all the stupid, childish posts lately? I have never personally attacked you in spite of the fact we don't agree on much. Yet you don't seem to have a problem making stupid comments like these and others.....gimme a break, and grow up while you're at it.

You know, I decided a long time ago I don't want to be one of those losers who spend most of their day on the computer, in particular those who spend their day bouncing from one forum to the next. I like to check my emails in the morning, come over here for a few minutes to see if there's anything happening, all the while sipping on my coffee. Then I get on with my life. Because I'm only on the computer briefly I don't need or want to spend time on multiple forums.....and I chose this one.

Not because I'm afraid, and not because I had my feelings hurt. I simply couldn't stomach the blatant two-faced hypocrisy of guys like you who dissect everthing SS does, while giving Weta a free pass no matter what they do. The cult-like status some of you guys have elevated Weta to isn't just disturbing, it's downright scary. Why would I want to spend my time on a forum where 65% of the time the devotee's are kissing Weta's a**, and the other 35% they're slamming SS? A place where honest objectivity was "tossed out the window" a long time ago.

And after learning that a certain SSF member was banned over there for nothing more than accurately stating that Weta was also guilty of significantly raising the prices of their environments [in response to Weta worshippers like you slamming SS for the pricing of the maquette line], I don't have the slightest doubt I made the right choice. So much for freedom of speech...... Funny how every single one of you hypocrites remained silent when Weta did exactly what SS did. In textbook cult-like fashion the guy was mobbed, ganged up on, and then banned....in that order. Ya, that's the kind of place I want to spend my time......

Now I know the immediate response of you and other Weta worshippers will be to brand me a SS lover, but you'll be lying if you do so...and you know it. You know full well what I had to say about SS concerning the death of the LSB line, sentiments I personally shared with SS, and for which, I somehow doubt I'm ever going to show up on SS's Christmas card list. And everyone around here knows full well I don't have the slightest problem slamming SS when they mess up like they did with GTW, Galadriel, and the Moria Orc just to name a few. The same MO where I not only slammed SS for changing the colour and quality of one of the statue components [this sounds eerily familair to what another LOTR collectible company just did ], I questioned both their honesty and integrity for shipping them before posting final prod. pic's. Comments that got me branded as a SS hater, no less . So please, don't bother with the labels. I don't love/hate Weta and I don't love/hate SS, they are simply both companies whose products I purchase. Unlike you guys, I don't use two different measuring sticks to judge Weta and SS, I use the same one. And unlike you guys, I have no desire to befriend the employee's of one company or the other, I've seen what happens to objectivity and honestly when you do so....and it's not pretty. I prefer a professional relationship where they remain the company and I remain the consumer. Tell you what, the day you ever see me telling others around here to make sure they write positive reviews about a SS statue on SS's website in order to help SS sell more of them [the way you told other worshippers to do so concerning Weta's Smaug statue ], you can label me an unhinged, overtly-biased SS lover all you want.

And what I'd really like to know is why you guys feel the need to come over here and take shots at SS in the first place, some subtle, some not so subtle? You guys have a home where you've turned SS bashing into an artform, so why the need to come here and do the same? You don't see SS supporters going over to your forum and saying anything negative towards Weta so why don't you show the members over here the same courtesy that has been extended to you. The honest truth here is you guys couldn't care less whether the numbers of SS's two Gandalf's effect each other or not. Whether some people cancel the PF in favour of the maquette, or vice versa has absolutely no bearing or effect on you....and you know it. This is nothing more than a subtle shot at SS for something that is so insignificant it's not even worth talking about. Even if sales of one were to effect the other....so what? Do you think SS really cares which version of Gandalf someone buys? You buy the PF....SS wins. You buy the maquette instead....SS wins. You buy them both.....SS really wins. So where's the downside for SS in all this? What exactly is their crime? They've given PF supporters the opportunity to purchase the PF [after a wait of almost 5 years!] and they've given supporters of the new line the opportunity to purchase a pure statue version.....so what exactly is the problem here? Seems to me, instead of criticing SS for the horrible crime of giving collectors multiple choices you should be more concerned about a Weta line [the 1/12 scale "Toybiz without the articulation" line] that was announced more than a year ago and has absolutely nothing to show for it. If you can remove your lips from Weta's a** for long enough maybe you can ask them about that instead. Personally, I'll take multiple choices from SS, over no choices from Weta every day of the week.

 

[pixletwin]

woodsy =

 

[The Ringer]

woodsy =

The man knows his stuff I think the length of one of his posts though probably are equal to all of mine.

 

[joogle]

not sure if i want to keep it - only incentive i would think or would have to be honest is if this has a resale value (exclusive version)

 

[LOTRFan]

Sooooo excited to finally get this one ...

 

[The Josh]

Yeah, I'm gonna have to live through photos for a while but I will get this at somepoint.

 

[LOTRFan]

Yeah, I'm gonna have to live through photos for a while but I will get this at somepoint.

Along with Jack Sparrow, this is easily my most anticipated piece from Sideshow.

The last few PFs I have gotten from them have been serious homeruns - Rocketeer, Vlad, Mola Ram; add to that the new casting method seen in the WWII soldier and I have HUGE expectations for the PF line (which remains my favorite that Sideshow produces). Actually, that is why I sometimes get passionate about the LOTR PFs; simply because I want a LOT more of them - much more than any of the new maquettes. I still remain optimistic that Sideshow can maintain both lines without being at the expense of each other (even though the past doesn't really demonstrate that).

 

[The Josh]

Jack got the axe the other day as well. Its a cool piece and another I will try to go back and grab someday.

PF's are cool and Sideshow does them very well. I like the way the WWII solider came out that thing was great. Just for me this is not hitting at the best time.

 

[cstojano]

Woodsy as a newbie to both sites I can say you come across as overly negative. Not a jab just a gut reaction.

As for the choice aspect, one you don't consider is not choosing at all. Having too many options has this psychological effect. I agree that wetacollectors is perhaps too rosy and optimistic just as I think this site is too harsh and critical of SS. This may be a David and Goliath thing. We should all remember how excited we would have been to have had 1% of these opportunities as a kid. Its all good in that sense.