1/6 Hot Toys -- Guardians of the Galaxy - Groot & Rocket

[DiFabio]

Re: Hot Toys - MMS 253 - Guardians of the Galaxy - Groot & Rocket

I'm not sure what group is worse, the bratty group that cries, *****es, and moans about price increases and value (that's out of everyone's hands) -OR- the ADD group that jump on the hype train and order all their new toys like a bunch of zombies, then get angry and justify said price increases (and perceived value) when others question it.

I'd say both sides are "entitled" and equally annoying.

Other than newbs who are new to the game and experiencing the "fun" for the first time, I can't see how any "old timers" can still get excited about Hot Toys 1/6 collecting whether it be license choice, pricing or quality control. It takes it's toll on you after awhile. I know personally I've questioned whether or not this is actually A. fun, and B. a worth while hobby. I guess I sort of envy the folks that can plug their fingers in their ears and say "la, la, la, la, I'm not listening" while throwing down some dough on some Hot Toys dolls they're not going to care about for very long until 'the next one'. Sometimes I look at the crap I've amassed and thought, "hmm, is this **** really fun and worthwhile?" While those dead eyed, plastic corpses stare back at me lifeless.

 

[melkorjunior]

Re: Hot Toys - MMS 253 - Guardians of the Galaxy - Groot & Rocket

I think the key to not going insane over pricing with this hobby--at least for me--is not to be a completist. If I were one of those people who needs every Iron Man variant or buys every Bale Batman or Ledger Joker HT releases I'd be pretty miserable in this hobby...or at least penniless.

Here's an example of the way I think when it comes to money and completism: there's a DAM Toys figure I want--Spade 2--but the thing is going for insanely high prices on ebay and is essentially impossible to find (it's at more than a 300% markup!) But I can get any other DAM toys figure in that gangsters line for retail. So I bought one I have no interest in (Spade 3) at the very reasonable retail price, and I'm simply going to pick up a Spade 2 headsculpt and put it on Spade 3's body. Problem solved and instead of a 300+% markup I'm paying maybe a 50% markup, which I can deal with. Now a lot of people would find this unthinkable because Spade 2 and Spade 3 have completely different outfits. But since the outfits aren't really based on any specific source material I have no problem mixing and matching and I think Spade 2 will look perfectly awesome wearing a Spade 3 outfit (the bodies are all the same.) But that's just me. I also have an improvised Hit Girl figure using a Kumik Chloe Moretz sculpt on a Play Toy "Purple Girl" figure, and even though she doesn't have a purple wig, she looks awesome to me. (Oh yeah, and I gave her Alice boots too.) Does it bother me that she doesn't have a purple wig? No, because I just imagine that this is an older Hit Girl who decided to ditch the wig. Does it bother me that the "Purple Girl" outfit doesn't have quite the metallic sheen on the the purple? Or that she's wearing Alice boots? No, because my older Hit Girl decided to revamp her outfit. To me these don't have to be exact replicas of movie characters--they just have to look great as versions of those characters. My imagination takes care of the rest, and if I was buying Bank Robber Joker, I wouldn't care whether or not he has a watch.

At the end of the day, to me, Hot Toys are deluxe Megos. No more, no less, and they should be enjoyed as such.

 

[subzro]

Re: Hot Toys - MMS 253 - Guardians of the Galaxy - Groot & Rocket

The exclusive logo and writing on the listing for the set was originally there but it's gone now. I still think it's a Sideshow exclusive though because BBTS isn't getting the set and I'm betting that AE won't as well.

I agree, they would have had up for order by now.

 

[thecorsair]

Re: Hot Toys - MMS 253 - Guardians of the Galaxy - Groot & Rocket

Amen! I hate seeing people whine about Sideshow prices! I'm from the UK, they should try buying from over here and having something sent over. Lets take the price of Falcon from an undisclosed UK seller and convert it to USD without shipping, $256.28 by Google standards, so probably near on $260... with shipping... well probably nearing the $300 mark. These whiners would choke on their tongue.

As a fellow Brit who's been collecting for around 15 years I can safely say that the one issue I learned to get over early on was the price issues that we have to deal with.

I don't like paying high prices but whining endlessly on forums about it won't change anything and I'd sooner focus on the stuff I can get, not what I can't get due to budgetary restraints.

I think I'm going to wait until the 2-pack gets released in Asia and just buy it from one of the better dealers like timcent or Loontentoys as they always mark packages as gifts so they avoid customs charges.

For Rocket & Groot I also don't want to have the usual wait between the Asian release and the UK dealers getting their stock as in some cases the wait has been excessive and I've found that it can lead to me becoming less enthusiastic about the figure.

 

[Y4NK33 PL4N3T]

Re: Hot Toys - MMS 253 - Guardians of the Galaxy - Groot & Rocket

I wouldn't be excited either for a re-release of a near identical Ledger Joker, Bale Batman or Predator that's been done ad nauseum in the past.

At least Marvel fans are getting an entire array of new characters in GOTG, some new ones in Winter Soldier, and even Iron man fans are getting completely different looking armors almost every release.

 

[DarkAngel]

Re: Hot Toys - MMS 253 - Guardians of the Galaxy - Groot & Rocket

I agree, they would have had up for order by now.

I'm positive this is a SS exclusive

 

[DarkAngel]

Re: Hot Toys - MMS 253 - Guardians of the Galaxy - Groot & Rocket

I wouldn't be excited either for a re-release of a near identical Ledger Joker, Bale Batman or Predator that's been done ad nauseum in the past.

At least Marvel fans are getting an entire array of new characters in GOTG, some new ones in Winter Soldier, and even Iron man fans are getting completely different looking armors almost every release.

Truth

 

[Mudblood]

Re: Hot Toys - MMS 253 - Guardians of the Galaxy - Groot & Rocket

Sometimes I look at the crap I've amassed and thought, "hmm, is this **** really fun and worthwhile?" While those dead eyed, plastic corpses stare back at me lifeless.

I've only been collecting for about 5 years (discovered SSF late) and I already feel like this. Some days I admire my figures and some days I'm ready to throw them on eBay starting at 99¢.

 

[DiFabio]

Re: Hot Toys - MMS 253 - Guardians of the Galaxy - Groot & Rocket

I wouldn't be excited either for a re-release of a near identical Ledger Joker, Bale Batman or Predator that's been done ad nauseum in the past.

At least Marvel fans are getting an entire array of new characters in GOTG, some new ones in Winter Soldier, and even Iron man fans are getting completely different looking armors almost every release.

Yup. While Guardians of the Galaxy might not be everyone's cup of tea, atleast the characters Hot Toys are developing are unique and have never been done before (whether people agree on the prices or not).

 

[Taibhse]

Re: Hot Toys - MMS 253 - Guardians of the Galaxy - Groot & Rocket

I think the key to not going insane over pricing with this hobby--at least for me--is not to be a completist. If I were one of those people who needs every Iron Man variant or buys every Bale Batman or Ledger Joker HT releases I'd be pretty miserable in this hobby...or at least penniless....

For Rocket & Groot I also don't want to have the usual wait between the Asian release and the UK dealers getting their stock as in some cases the wait has been excessive and I've found that it can lead to me becoming less enthusiastic about the figure.

I take your point, although I find that extra time, means if my interest starts to wane before the figure starts to ship in the UK, I probably need to reconsider if really want the figure in my collection.. or was being slightly impulsive.

 

[melkorjunior]

Re: Hot Toys - MMS 253 - Guardians of the Galaxy - Groot & Rocket

I've only been collecting for about 5 years (discovered SSF late) and I already feel like this. Some days I admire my figures and some days I'm ready to throw them on eBay starting at 99¢.

My nickel's worth of advice: Repose. Kitbash. Create insane battle scenes. Put characters together based on imaginative scenarios rather than what figure line they're a part of. (Evil Superman beating up Thor? Awesome. Evil Superman beating up Thor while clutching a 1/6 bottle of Jack Daniels? Even awesomer.) Weed out a few alternate versions that are boring you (I think the quickest way to get sick of, for example, Red Skull, is to convince yourself that you must have both the Hugo Weaving sculpt and the Red Skull sculpt displayed together on separate bodies at all times. Ditto for Batman/Bruce, Iron Man/Tony, etc.) And only buy stuff you think looks awesome in the first place. Never, ever "settle" for a figure you have some aesthetic problem with; just let it go.

Maybe worth less than a nickel in fact, but that's all I've got.

 

[Bardoon]

Re: Hot Toys - MMS 253 - Guardians of the Galaxy - Groot & Rocket

Put me in the "These are awesome Hot Toys figures and I'm excited for the movie, but I don't love the characters enough to get the figures" category. While not everything Hot Toys makes can appeal to all, I am happy for those people who are excited and genuinely WANT these figures.

And as an old-timer. I seem to go through "waves". I did suck it up once and sold my entire collection but that helped me "refocus" as I was spreading myself across too many lines when I got back in. Now I've learned to just focus on those specific "definitive" characters from the lines I love. I like Batman, but I'm happy enough with a TDK DX Bats and DX Joker 2.0 representing the whole Nolan line (sort of like how Hot Toys has only made one or two figures from some of their licenses). As a Marvel-leaning fanboy, I get what I want and if I ever change my mind about something, it's easier to sell it off later on.

 

[melkorjunior]

Re: Hot Toys - MMS 253 - Guardians of the Galaxy - Groot & Rocket

I take your point, although I find that extra time, means if my interest starts to wane before the figure starts to ship in the UK, I probably need to reconsider if really want the figure in my collection.. or was being slightly impulsive.

I love having the extra time that ordering from sites like BBTS gives me. It helps the wallet, but it also gives me plenty of time to change my mind on figures I thought I loved but later decided I didn't (Falcon for example. He's cool and all but I just don't need him.)

 

[HotBallsJohnson]

Re: Hot Toys - MMS 253 - Guardians of the Galaxy - Groot & Rocket

Having stuff like midas or stealth cap or the 3a halo spartans IMO is just a more unique form of artwork if you're into display but have zero sense of interior design or modern art. Or if you want to commemorate your favorite pastimes (Halo, streetfighter, comic books, michael jackson, etc). Or if you see them as short term investments (don't start that argument before going to ebay) If I had a dollar for everytime I've seen a crappy looking paper print starry night or assorted beerpong poster or assorted hot chick poster I'd be rich. Murder your first wife rich. I promise if HT made led zep figures or rolling stones figures I'd want them too. For some people these are their grail figures so take your hate to the covenant or something jees

 

[Taibhse]

Re: Hot Toys - MMS 253 - Guardians of the Galaxy - Groot & Rocket

I love having the extra time that ordering from sites like BBTS gives me. It helps the wallet, but it also gives me plenty of time to change my mind on figures I thought I loved but later decided I didn't (Falcon for example. He's cool and all but I just don't need him.)

Agreed, I also considered getting TWS figures and think Falcon is great, but in the end decided it was a license too far.. loved the movie and the figures, but decided to resist temptation.. Star Wars and Iron Man remain the focus and I'm still very picky about those.

 

[subzro]

Re: Hot Toys - MMS 253 - Guardians of the Galaxy - Groot & Rocket

I promise if HT made led zep figures or rolling stones figures I'd want them too. For some people these are their grail figures so take your hate to the covenant or something jees

I was thinking a few days ago how i would love to have my favorite band in 1/6 scale. My shelf would be a stage with a 1/6 drum set, working lights and speakers that you could play songs thru. If i had the skills i would make my own.

 

[Jbeltram4]

Re: Hot Toys - MMS 253 - Guardians of the Galaxy - Groot & Rocket

I feel dirty for ordering these. I was able to cancel my Batman Armory and get the deposit moves over to this set which is really the only reason I went for it. So my set will basically be $300 if I consider that NRD was already spent. Downside, that was my one get out of NRD free card. I so love the Guardians and even thinking of maybe putting together comic accurate costumes from the DnA run when my skills get better. But I love the characters too much not to have them in the collection. Falcon may be next to bite the dust.

 

[DarkAngel]

Re: Hot Toys - MMS 253 - Guardians of the Galaxy - Groot & Rocket

Having stuff like midas or stealth cap or the 3a halo spartans IMO is just a more unique form of artwork if you're into display but have zero sense of interior design or modern art. Or if you want to commemorate your favorite pastimes (Halo, streetfighter, comic books, michael jackson, etc). Or if you see them as short term investments (don't start that argument before going to ebay) If I had a dollar for everytime I've seen a crappy looking paper print starry night or assorted beerpong poster or assorted hot chick poster I'd be rich. Murder your first wife rich. I promise if HT made led zep figures or rolling stones figures I'd want them too. For some people these are their grail figures so take your hate to the covenant or something jees

I agree. Btw, your location is it a quote from anchorman? Diversity being the old old wooden ship?

 

[Taibhse]

Re: Hot Toys - MMS 253 - Guardians of the Galaxy - Groot & Rocket

Honestly I would prefer the fantastic four or dare devil and Electra. Now I think of it a king pin or bullseye would be leaps and bounds better than another iron man or anything from the mainstream marvel cinematic universe

Except the movies were not very succesful and the figures would be remaindered.. Hot Toys know that.. so despite your passion for those licenses, you are not getting the figures.. unless you set up a company to rival Hot Toys and prove them wrong.. or pay approx $1000 for each custom figure.. There is a reason certain licenses get a lot more attention than others and its simple economics, not a conspiracy.

That is why the phrase 'exaggerated sense of entitlement' gets bandied around when referring to posts demanding all the figures for all the licenses a particular fan likes, with several head sculpts they approve of and a range of screen accurate accessories, for $150.. because it is completely unrealistic.. and when those fans turn up on every thread they regard as responsible for delaying Hot Toys Bubba Ho-Tep figures.. they are going to take some flak.. its not attempted censorship, its just peeps pointing out the cold hard economic facts.

I like the Groot figure, I think RR's feet are too small (practicality rather than screen accuracy, I think Neca are going to have a similar problem with the Alien Queen figure), and the price for the twin pack is probably about right.. however, like with the TWS license I'm probably not going to go in for this line but i'm delighted GotG fans are getting figures and I hope the film rocks.

 

[HotBallsJohnson]

Re: Hot Toys - MMS 253 - Guardians of the Galaxy - Groot & Rocket

Hah yes. You liked scale buster so you'll like my term for your core group of friends: your news-team.....BUT I FORGOT THE SECOND OLD SON OF A

I agree. Btw, your location is it a quote from anchorman? Diversity being the old old wooden ship?