There are a myriad of reasons as to why the cost of Sideshow and Weta collectibles have risen in price so dramatically, but the most devastating of these is the devaluation of the US dollar against almost all other global currencies. Borrowing 10.5 trillion in the last 12 years is not only morally criminal, it is economic suicide and if you think prices are high now just wait another 2 or 3 years because today's pricing will look like "the good ole days" compared to what's coming. You simply cannot borrow money so recklessly, then print money [Quantitive Easing] you don't have the reserves for [gold or otherwise] and not expect there to be serious repercussions. And we are starting to see those repercussions with a sharp increase in inflation domestically and a US dollar that is significantly devalued internationally.
That said, of course I am bummed out by today's pricing of both Weta and Sideshow middle-earth related collectibles, but things are what they are. We have only to decide whether the prices these companies are asking are reasonable or not, and act accordingly. I will admit however, that while I believe every company has the right to ask whatever they want for their products I was shocked when Weta announced the price of Barad Dur. There is no doubt it was one of the more impressive looking LOTR collectibles I saw at SDCC, but in order for me to believe this environment is worth $700, I have to believe the amt. of time and effort that went into it's production is equal to that of both Rivendell and Orthanc combined, and that's just not happening. And that was before I even realized the tower itself is to be comprised of hardened plastic. So unfortunately, it will be the first Weta environment I will be passing on.
As for Weta's Hobbit line-up displayed at SDCC I have to say I was quite impressed with all of them outside of Thorin Oakenshield, but that said, if I were Sideshow CEO Greg Anzalone I would be sending a thank you card to Weta co-founder and Creative Director Richard Taylor because based on the pricing of these Hobbit collectibles he has managed to do that which I previously thought impossible. Namely, to silence those who have criticized the pricing of Sideshow's LOTR maquette line since it's inception [all the while remaining completely silent when Weta doubled the price of their environment line when they re-introduced it]. Again, I was thoroughly impressed by the quality of both Weta's Hobbit line and Sideshow's LOTR maquette's at SDCC, but if I had to determine which company/line [Weta /Hobbit or Sideshow/LOTR maquette] is providing better value for the money or a "bigger bang for the buck" it is without a doubt Sideshow. The limited, numbered nature of the Sideshow line [as opposed to Weta's "let's just flood the market" open editions], the ability to alternatively display the LOTR maquettes [ yes, I recognize the Weta Gandalf statue also features this ability, but to date it is the only one], and Sideshow's individually designed and sculpted bases specific to each character [as opposed to Weta's "one size fit's all", generic, assembly line bases] lead me to believe collector's are getting more value for their money with Sideshow. Not that I think Sideshow's pricing is anything to write home about, but I do think they are providing better value for the money at the moment.
