I'm Bitter! Can't Believe no Pre-Order Announced!!

[Amir]

I much rather be patient and be surprised, it's more fun that way.

 

[customizerwannabe]

Yeah, it does worry me as well. Especially if people continue to do what happened when Boba came out.

People got pissed because they felt SS was less than forthright with the way the Boba's materials list was presented. They had and have every right. This board isn't owned by SS so they can come and go as they please. People are here to talk SS. Good, bad, pretty, and ugly. Not to kiss their

 

[MaulFan]

Would people shut the **** up about how other people post already; if people want to ***** let them *****, if people want to promote SSC as a great company with constant great offerings, let them, if others want to be in the middle ground let them, everyone needs to get off each other's case about what their positions is on matters, people have different opinions, instead of attacking each other for those opinions, open up a mature dialogue where you can each throw out your points for your opinion and possibly enlighten one another instead of throwing out useless name calling and igniting verbal war for nothing.

 

[DarthNeil]

All we are saying--- is give peace a chance. In a day and age when Cap A gets shot by a sniper let's all hug.

 

[customizerwannabe]

Poor Cap. Still bummed even though I know he'll be back. Hey DM. Here's a few periods for you to use in your next post........ j/k

 

[bluesparrow]

Would people shut the **** up about how other people post already; if people want to ***** let them *****, if people want to promote SSC as a great company with constant great offerings, let them, if others want to be in the middle ground let them, everyone needs to get off each other's case about what their positions is on matters, people have different opinions, instead of attacking each other for those opinions, open up a mature dialogue where you can each throw out your points for your opinion and possibly enlighten one another instead of throwing out useless name calling and igniting verbal war for nothing.

I am personally a little worried at the lack of announcements. It probably means nothing, but in combination with a lot of other stuff it's somewhat disturbing. Mainly what I mean is:

-PF rehashes(Connery Bond, Buffy)
-1:6 rehashes(Bond Collection)
-increasing number of dropped lines(buffy, x-files, military)
-increased focus on non-Sideshow manufactured items(hot toys, medicom, bobbleheads, etc)
-sub par materials on what should be the best selling PF, Boba Fett, despite a higher than normal price tag
-fewer new licenses(other than WOW)
-fewer core license announcements(star wars, lotr)

Any one of those things has a reasonable explanation, but I can't help but look at them as a pattern. Is Sideshow in financial trouble? Because they seem to be heavily cutting their overhead.

 

[carbo-fation]

I am not too worried about Sideshow announcements! We'll get some soon at the C4. The only thing I am worried about is LOTR is at the moment! We haven't had anything for months.
And everyone is entitled to an opinion, if you don't like it, ignore it! Don't mock others for disagreeing with you!!:emperor

 

[DarthNeil]

Poor Cap. Still bummed even though I know he'll be back. Hey DM. Here's a few periods for you to use in your next post........ j/k

I. Don't. Write. Like. Shatner. Talks.

Or for that. Matter. I don't write like Christopher. Walkens talks. But thanks for the

 

[customizerwannabe]

I wrote DM...Not DN. My screwup it was supposed to be MF...for maulfan.

 

[DarthNeil]

I wrote DM...Not DN. My screwup it was supposed to be MF...for maulfan.

I would hope so-- I never make grammatical or punctuation errours. Er--- erours?... Hmmmmm... mistakes.

 

[woodsy]

Up yours, I'm a LotR PF collector!

Yeah, if you're bitter, we're downright despondent

 

[Seretur]

I am personally a little worried at the lack of announcements. It probably means nothing, but in combination with a lot of other stuff it's somewhat disturbing. Mainly what I mean is:

-PF rehashes(Connery Bond, Buffy)
-1:6 rehashes(Bond Collection)
-increasing number of dropped lines(buffy, x-files, military)
-increased focus on non-Sideshow manufactured items(hot toys, medicom, bobbleheads, etc)
-sub par materials on what should be the best selling PF, Boba Fett, despite a higher than normal price tag
-fewer new licenses(other than WOW)
-fewer core license announcements(star wars, lotr)

Any one of those things has a reasonable explanation, but I can't help but look at them as a pattern. Is Sideshow in financial trouble? Because they seem to be heavily cutting their overhead.

You make a very good point here! Put together, all of these things do point to internal difficulties within Sideshow. Something isn't generating as big a revenue as it ought to, quite probably. This might hurt their ability to produce as many pieces as they (and we) would like -- but, of course, the fewer pieces there are in a particular line, the more reluctant collectors will be to commit to it.

(The only thing I would take issue with would be the ABS plastic as a medium of choice for Fett, as Sideshow has managed to convince me that every other material would, in fact, be sub par -- including polystone. But, anyway, the truth of the matter will be soon known to everyone.)

 

[darthviper107]

I doubt that Sideshow is in any kind of trouble. I mean look at how successful the Star Wars line is. They sell out really quickly, I mean each figures generates lots of profit.

 

[Seretur]

Do you think? I'm actually rather surprised at the number of those that don't sell out quickly, at these edition sizes. And none of them has made significant gains in eBay values, according to Toytracker -- Jedi Luke leads the pack, but even that figure can be had for under $100 these days. And most of the exclusives can be readily had very near the SRP even today.

It could be that the lack of announcements are making people wary of comitting to the line, or whatever, but the line just doesn't seem to be the golden goose it ought to be.

Here's to that changing very soon!

 

[Matt S]

When the line started it was non stop it seems - I hope for some cool choices this year.

I want ANH Luke, Han, Leia, Chewie (yeah right), C-3p0 and R2!!!

THis is the 30th Ann year - I hope its not just a bunch of new trilogy humans

 

[Seretur]

As long as it's a bunch of old trilogy humans, the line will pick up steam, yes.

 

[LOTRFan]

I am truly afraid that all of these '***** and Moan' threads are going to lead to Sideshow distancing themselves from the fanbase, ie all of us on these very boards.

It HAS happened before (though quite some time ago) on another board - and that board currently moves at a snail's pace.

 

[Serpentor]

I would think the reason were not getting any new accouncments is beacuse Sideshow still has Plo Kloon, Endor Soilders, Leia, and Asaj that still have to start shipping. Maul just made it at the end of December but even still for the most part was only shipping in January. The line hit a massive wave in August where the figures were flying out of the facoty then after Qui Gon things just stopped. Then pretty much everything else announced was pushed back. So I guess they dont want to start announcing stuff now that we wont see until October or November or maybe next year if any more delays happen.

 

[Homer Simpson]

I doubt that Sideshow is in any kind of trouble. I mean look at how successful the Star Wars line is. They sell out really quickly, I mean each figures generates lots of profit.

But that is because Sideshow only sells a percentage of the figures through their site. The sold out sign goes up pretty quickly, but although this gives the view that the products are selling really well, believe me they aren't.

If there is anyone else here in the industry, they will tell you most of the 12 inchers after Kit Fisto are still quite easy to find wholesale. You look at most web sites other than Sideshow, and you will see they have stock of most items. In fact a lot of on line stores are starting to sell the stuff of cheap, and it won't be long before they are selling it at below cost to clear it.

So what does this mean, it means stores are no longer pre-ordering the line in quanities, which means importers and wholesalers are also cutting back. I said a while ago that the Endor Soliders could kill this line, and as much as I hate to say it, because I still collect most of it, it seems Sideshow are struggling with the 12 inch line, and they've only got themseleves to blame.

12 inch figures have always been a hard sell, most stores don't touch them. They take up to much space, and generate little profit, which is exactly the situation sideshow find themseleves in. Why do you think Snowbunny Padme hasn't been announced. It been nearly a year since we knew it was coming, but still nothing. So it makes it even more of a poor business discussion by Sideshow to start releasing 12 inch figures that main stream Star Wars fans couldn't care less about. How many here ordered the Endor Soliders, only to later cancel them. How many here are waiting for a core character announcement? Sure there are those who will buy anything Sideshow produces, but at the end of the day, these collectors do not generate the income Sideshow needs to survive. After all don't forget this is a business, run to make money, not run for collectors.

Sideshow need to keep the wider collectors base happy, and by releasing Endor Soliders, Jabba's creatures and expanded universe characters, into a historically difficult market, I think hey have shot themseleves in the foot, and are now struggling with this line. They would have put a huge percentage of there resources into the Star Wars line and if this line fails, they will be in serious trouble.

The only thing that will save this line is the announcement of main characters. Because this is the only way Sideshow will tempt importers, wholesales and retailers to start pre-ordering the lines again. Even now though, I think it may be to late to convince many to start buying this line again. What really annoys me, as I think it was the worst thing Sideshow could have done, was the price increase being announced at the same time they introduced these z-list characters. I don't know if this was very poor business decision, or just arrogance on Sideshows part, believing collectors will buy anything.

I think its 9 months since a main character was announced, 5 or 6 months since a 12 inch figure was announced. Some people on here will be singing Sideshow praises and pretending alls rosey, and calling me all sorts of crap, because I dare say something against their beloved Sideshow. But look at the facts and make your own mind up? How many other compaines have gone quite and slowed down their announcements and products in the 30th anniversary year. It should be all systems go, and it's clearly not the case with Sideshow. But the bottom line is Sideshow makes the figures to make profits, and if the figures aren't selling, and the warehouses are not shifting the stuff, they aren't going to order more of it. Had Boba Fett, Vader and other a-list characters been announced for pre-order then the line may have hope, but who's going to buy boxes of Endor Soliders, expended Universe characters for a higher cost, when even some of the core characters are collecting dust in the wholesalers, and aren't moving at lower prices? It just doesn't make business sense.

While Sideshow are annoucing new products in other areas of the Star Wars universe, the 12 inch line, a line which started of at a mad pace, and with many different collections (Jedi, Scum, Heroes, Sith, Milarity) has now slowed down to a dribble. And unless Sideshow changes it's attidue to the line, the 12 inch collection will slow down to a rate of 2 or 3 a years before stopping altogether.

Flame me if you want, but you know deep down I have a point. If products stays at wholesale for more than a few months, wholesale don't buy more of the product. And if wholesalers don't but products, compaines don't make products. Period.

 

[The Josh]

But that is because Sideshow only sells a percentage of the figures through their site. The sold out sign goes up pretty quickly, but although this gives the view that the products are selling really well, believe me they aren't.

They're selling well enough through SS site sure and from what I can gather are doing good on other sites. They have some instock sure or other items that are PO items but it doesn't appear to be bad.

If there is anyone else here in the industry, they will tell you most of the 12 inchers after Kit Fisto are still quite easy to find wholesale. You look at most web sites other than Sideshow, and you will see they have stock of most items. In fact a lot of on line stores are starting to sell the stuff of cheap, and it won't be long before they are selling it at below cost to clear it.

I've seen a few of the ones past Kit on sites like Bob's and Adam's sure. They're still there for there normal cost from what I can tell. Maybe the smaller sellers are having to do that because they don't get as much traffic as Bob and Adam seem to get.

So what does this mean, it means stores are no longer pre-ordering the line in quanities, which means importers and wholesalers are also cutting back. I said a while ago that the Endor Soliders could kill this line, and as much as I hate to say it, because I still collect most of it, it seems Sideshow are struggling with the 12 inch line, and they've only got themseleves to blame.

I'm curious as to how you know this is widespread. Maybe the store you own (if you do) or other smaller sellers but I would be curious if some of the ones I see mentioned most places are doing this. This is information I'd be interested in honestly. Its not character choices that are killing the lines that's doesn't make sense with so many cool ones in the SW line. If all they ever did was the big names then none of these lines by anyone would last very long. Maybe they need to cut back on the ES back to the level of what Luke or Kit Fisto was.

However, I could see the backlash from that really being a pain. We all know that people want to make sure they get theirs, but that means the ES of these guys has to be higher.

12 inch figures have always been a hard sell, most stores don't touch them. They take up to much space, and generate little profit, which is exactly the situation sideshow find themseleves in.

I'm sure 12" figures are a tough sell because of the whole "DOLL" tag that seems to come with them. Though these seem to really overall be doing well enough. I see a lot of items from a lot of companies listed on these sites. So does that mean these other companies are in trouble? I don't think this is the case.

Why do you think Snowbunny Padme hasn't been announced. It been nearly a year since we knew it was coming, but still nothing.

I do not believe that the reason SBP has taken a while is due to the other figures. First off she has to find a place in line so to speak and that could have been way back due to other figures being in production. Then you toss in the time to sculpt her and get the ball rolling on that end. Plus they came out the other day and said they where retooling the design to fit the outfit better.

So it makes it even more of a poor business discussion by Sideshow to start releasing 12 inch figures that main stream Star Wars fans couldn't care less about.

Well, if every company only made main stream characters then no line would last long. Also it would depend on your definition of main stream. There are some characters that had not a lot of screen time or words that are very popular. People could stay if they didnt talk a lot or aren't on the screen a lot they're not main stream. SW is about all the characters. Ranging from the one that has a lot of time on screen or words to the guys that didn't get a lot like the Endor Soldiers.

A SW line is not much of a line if they don't go beyond the "normal" 50 Vaders, Lukes, Obi-Wans, Han's, and Leia's.

Sideshow need to keep the wider collectors base happy, and by releasing Endor Soliders, Jabba's creatures and expanded universe characters, into a historically difficult market, I think hey have shot themseleves in the foot, and are now struggling with this line. They would have put a huge percentage of there resources into the Star Wars line and if this line fails, they will be in serious trouble.

In other words only release the said 50 Vaders, Lukes, etc., etc. etc. and everything will be ok. I think SS thinking outside the box is what will make this line. Doing the Endor figures, Asajj, Jabba's stuff, etc. Just because they're not tossing out figure after figure right now doesn't mean they're in trouble. There's nothing to say they are either.

We have no idea how many announcements may be coming at C4 and then in the months till SDCC. Plus the amount made at SDCC. If they announce 2-3 figures not including the exclusve at C4 and then another 4 like they did at SDCC last year. That makes 6-7 figures announced before the end of the year.

The only thing that will save this line is the announcement of main characters. Because this is the only way Sideshow will tempt importers, wholesales and retailers to start pre-ordering the lines again.

In other words be Hasbro and rehash everyone over and over again. Folks will keep ordering from SS and I hope SS keeps thinking outside the box while giving us the main folks. That blend will set this line apart.

Even now though, I think it may be to late to convince many to start buying this line again.

Who has quit ordering this line? I've seen a few collectors say they have because SS isn't catering to them but I see no shops that have done so.

What really annoys me, as I think it was the worst thing Sideshow could have done, was the price increase being announced at the same time they introduced these z-list characters.

Well, I think the price increase was due to the lower price they sold for at the start to get the line going and I think maybe LFL raising the price to SS. As far as the character choices I'm glad people that feel the way you do aren't in charge. If they where then this line would sucks cause every other announcement would be rehasbro time.

Some people on here will be singing Sideshow praises and pretending alls rosey, and calling me all sorts of crap, because I dare say something against their beloved Sideshow.

I don't see the doom and gloom you see either. I just don't. I see a few figures here and a few figures there (of the instock kind) on sites but not many. I see virtually none of the PO ones. Maybe they're not selling "SUPER" but they seem to be doing fairly well. I'm not gonna call you anything. You made your point in a calm and worded manner. I think it's a lot of speculation with no evidence to support it but decently said.

But look at the facts and make your own mind up? How many other compaines have gone quite and slowed down their announcements and products in the 30th anniversary year.

I'd like to see the facts. Honestly, I would love to see them. GG really hasn't announced much this outside of their exclusive Clones or other convention exclusives. We know some of what they have planned but only because they shot it all at once. I don't recall seeing much from MR either for that matter. Hasbro has a lot coming but freaking hasbro will rehash han's poop from Ep4 if they could.

If SS announces the 6-7 figures I think we could see between C4 and the end of SDCC plus 2-3 more before the year ends is that a slow year?

It should be all systems go, and it's clearly not the case with Sideshow.

SS is different than most of the companies out there with SW lines. Plus they never announce everything they're gonna do at the start of the year. I'm glad they don't makes the year fun IMO.

Had Boba Fett, Vader and other a-list characters been announced for pre-order then the line may have hope, but who's going to buy boxes of Endor Soliders, expended Universe characters for a higher cost, when even some of the core characters are collecting dust in the wholesalers, and aren't moving at lower prices? It just doesn't make business sense.

Sure it would be nice if we could have those guys but I'd rather wait till they're just right. The other figures will sell off as newer ones are announced and all will be right.