Wow none of you understood my point at all. Maybe it's the way I explained myself?
Not about exclusivity, or maintaining a resale price). People have always been able to buy whatever figure they want - cost/value is personal. It's about enjoyment of the collection community.
No different than any other product. If everyone was driving the same car, it lessens the enjoyment of car enthusiasts. If someone goes shopping, and every store has the same inventory, there would be no enjoyment. If every museum or gallery had the same collection, again it would negatively impact the enjoyment of whatever form of art they showcase.
One of the things I've always enjoyed about this hobby, is seeing what other people have, and talking about them, learning about them, etc.. The more everyone's collection looks the same, the less interesting it is.
As an example, there are dozens of people doing 1/6 figure reviews now, and the majority do reviews of the same figures when they come out. Does anyone really watch ALL of those reviews? I'm guessing no, because it gets boring.
Again, maybe I'm not explaining the concept in a way that is understandable....
I fully understand your point. And while I'm sympathetic if you feel singled out, you are making a lot of generalized statements that don't necessarily mesh with reality.
I'm not sure why you firmly believe that
everyone will end up with the same collection. That is not the case. Reviewers are going to review what's new to stay relevant and make what revenue they can from videos. Doesn't mean everyone buys everything that comes out. That is far from the case.
I already have this figure. But even if I didn't and bought the reissue, does that suddenly make my collection of mostly Star Wars 1:1, 1:6, and 3.75" from Hot Toys, Sideshow, RS Prop Masters, EFX, and Master Replica exactly the same as yours? Or anyone else that posted in this thread?
No.
And on top of that, just because they reissued this figure doesn't mean suddenly everyone and their grandma and their best friend's cousin is going to run out and buy it. There are people who chose not to buy it the first time out. It doesn't mean someone that doesn't collect Marvel is suddenly going to buy it. It doesn't mean someone that couldn't buy it before for whatever reason is suddenly going to be able to get it.
I understand the exclusivity argument. I do. And there are cases where certain products are released that negatively affect how I feel about certain things. But at the end of the day, it doesn't change what I have collected or my enjoyment of them.
Nothing personal against you. Mostly trying to make you feel better about why this shouldn't be such a negative issue.
Since you brought it up, I will add that I've had a few cars that are enthusiast oriented with very limited production (not a fake limited edition as a marketing gimmick). But as a car enthusiast (not a speculator or collector), I find the real joy is from actually driving and spending time with people in the car.
Yes, you are right that it wouldn't feel quite as special if everyone could buy one, but I went in knowing full well that it would be that limited, so my expectations were set that way. I've been on a 5 year wait list before.
With something like that, it is understood that not everyone would be able to get one due to price and very limited allocations. In contrast, Hot Toys is not advertising these as super special limited editions. They'll take as many pre-orders as they can get.
The exclusivity comes more from that fact that only a relatively small number of people are willing and able to spend as much on these figures as we do. They have no obligation to make these limited. But as I find myself often repeating to people, they are not going to reissue every single figure they've ever made.
