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

[Homer Simpson]

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.

Do we know what percentage of figure Sideshow sells through their site? Obviously it's 100% of the exclusives, but I think the regular editions are sold mainly through 3rd parties.

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.

In the UK a lot of wholesalers have been selling these figures cheap. Ebay prices suggest that they aren't selling. Look at the biggest e-tailer in the Uk and you will see they aren't selling these at almost cost price.

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.

Why does it need to find a place in the line? Did the Endor Soliders have a place? Does Ventress have a place? If they say they are retooling the figures, then I suppose we have to believe them, right?

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.

No one excpets or wants just stream line characters. But I would say they need a lot more than they are currently releasing. Endor Soliders are fine, but not 3 together this early in the line. Surely they should have waited for other Endor character to be availble first? Out of the next 9 releases, one is a core character.

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.

See above. It's also not much of a line if there are more non speaking chacaters released than Vader, Luke Han, Obi Wan & Leia.

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.

Only a few weeks ago everyone was saying, don't worry Toyfairs round the corner. Well that's come and gone, and all we've had is an announcemnt that an announcement will be made.

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

Not at all. But then you need most core characters released before moving onto obserce charaters. They are so many characters available, that releasing 3 non speaking endor soliders, a 'dog' that hardly anyone noticed in the films, expanded universe figures doesn't make sense this early in the line. Sure, they have a place in the line, but not this early.

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.

Business sense tells you not to increase price at the time they did. If 2007 is going to be so wonderful, than an increase would have been swollowed by most, on the announcemnt of Boba Fett/Vader/Palpatine. You don't increse prices when you announce, Larry, Barry and Sally the Endor soliders. It's just plain ridculous. No wonder they have had so many cancellations for these figures. People brought them on the creast of a wave, then thought, 'hang on' why do I want to pay more than usual for this ****!!

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.



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.

Maybe they do, but Hasbro has been going for far longer than any one thought possibe on the Star Wars line, so they can't be doing to much wrong. You quote no evidence, but what evidence do you produce to back up what you say. Short of giving you every wholesale contact that sells these figures, which I aint gonna do, you'll have to take my word for it. That's why I stated the part about other retail/wholesale sellers. If a company pays for a Star Wars license, you can pretty sure bet that becomes a main part of their business. If they start to struggle to sell a certain line, they will dump it. I believe Sideshow are starting to struggle with the 12 inch collection, and are 'reviewing' it. Hence the lack of announcements. They are hardly going to say, we are finsihing this line, while they have so many items announced and in production. But 7 months without a core character, does suggest they are cutting back a bit.

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.

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.

Don't kid yourself. SS are no different to other companies selling Star Wars lines. I can't believe you think they are. Sideshow are there to make money. Your money. They are a business, so please don't think they are there for your benefit. If a line starts to slow SS will dump it. If they didn't SS wouldn't be in business very long. I think that this line should have been Sideshow biggest seller for years to come. If they handled right I think it would have been. But I think they have totally messed it up. Only time will tell, but if I had told you in Sept/October when Ventress was announced, that they would be no new announcements for new figures by mid March, you'd have told me I was mad!!! I not saying we won't have any more announcements, I just saying I think this line (12 inch figures) will join many others at Sideshow and just gently slip away over the next year or so.

 

[SolidLiquidFox]

The SW 12" line is perhaps the one with the most rabid fanbase. Even that holochess table exclusive sold out in about 30 minutes. The line will be around for a while because there is clearly a huge market for these figures.

I think they should retool the way they release these pieces. Make it more like "waves" in the action figure department. Give everyone a chance to see more or less what is being in development and then release a few (3-4) at a time over a period of a few months. The erratic release and labeling of the lines within the SW 12" makes it just more frustrating because people have no sense of collecting structure or budgeting.

"Heroes of the Rebellion sounds nice. A Military Line sounds cool. Order of the Jedi sounds awesome. Now, let me go daydream and hope that out of the dozens of characters and creatures in the SW Universe the one I have in mind in the particular line gets picked...anticipation is FUN!!! Oh crap...$300 Jabba set? may be this is not for me"

You can't treat these releases the same as you would a statue, PF or diorama. People buy 12" because they expect more releases at a cheaper pricepoint along with articulation and playability.

 

[Homer Simpson]

The SW 12" line is perhaps the one with the most rabid fanbase. Even that holochess table exclusive sold out in about 30 minutes. The line will be around for a while because there is clearly a huge market for these figures.
.

One point to make on that, is althought most exclusives do sell out in 30 minutes,the trend seems to be order now think later. We will never know of course, but I would love to know the percentage of Endor Soliders exclusives that were cancelled. I am certain anyone on the wait list even now, are almost guaranteed to get these figures if they want them. I wouldn't think, because the figures sell out in 30 minutes, that that means they will still be sold out when it come time to ship them! I know that sounds crazy........

 

[The Josh]

Do we know what percentage of figure Sideshow sells through their site? Obviously it's 100% of the exclusives, but I think the regular editions are sold mainly through 3rd parties.

No, I dont think we know and I'm not sure we will but I'd have to say someplace cloes to 60-70% at least.

In the UK a lot of wholesalers have been selling these figures cheap. Ebay prices suggest that they aren't selling. Look at the biggest e-tailer in the Uk and you will see they aren't selling these at almost cost price.

Well, that's in the UK and they already pay out the nose I'm sure to get this stuff. Plus I wouldn't take what happens across the pond as a reflection of what's happening with the line. I'd say across the pond sales make up less than 10% of their overall sales period.

Why does it need to find a place in the line? Did the Endor Soliders have a place? Does Ventress have a place? If they say they are retooling the figures, then I suppose we have to believe them, right?

It's just like anything else. There are other figures in the production line and if this figure is giving any issues then it would get moved back for figures that are closer to being ready. I don't get what's so hard to understand about that.

No one excpets or wants just stream line characters. But I would say they need a lot more than they are currently releasing. Endor Soliders are fine, but not 3 together this early in the line. Surely they should have waited for other Endor character to be availble first? Out of the next 9 releases, one is a core character.

Well, that's how what you're saying sort of comes across that if they don't do almost all main stream characters then this line will fail. SW lines succeed because of the diversity in the lines mixed in with the main guys. Out of the 10 or whatever we got last year how many where not main stream? It all balances out basically.

Only a few weeks ago everyone was saying, don't worry Toyfairs round the corner. Well that's come and gone, and all we've had is an announcemnt that an announcement will be made.

TF was a little quieter than I expected but if anyone really thought TF was gonna be some big bash then they fooled themselves. That's an industry show and SS basically never shows all their guns there. C4 and SDCC are fan related shows and these are the type of events where the big boys come out to play.

Not at all. But then you need most core characters released before moving onto obserce charaters. They are so many characters available, that releasing 3 non speaking endor soliders, a 'dog' that hardly anyone noticed in the films, expanded universe figures doesn't make sense this early in the line. Sure, they have a place in the line, but not this early.

Why is it only main core guys make sense? I don't get that. It's very closed minded as far as what this line can do. Basically what you're saying is don't do anyone outside of Luke, Han, Leia, Vader, and Obi-Wan until those plus some othes get done. Again, SW is so about every little guy and that's what makes it so freaking great.

Business sense tells you not to increase price at the time they did. If 2007 is going to be so wonderful, than an increase would have been swollowed by most, on the announcemnt of Boba Fett/Vader/Palpatine. You don't increse prices when you announce, Larry, Barry and Sally the Endor soliders. It's just plain ridculous. No wonder they have had so many cancellations for these figures. People brought them on the creast of a wave, then thought, 'hang on' why do I want to pay more than usual for this ****!!

People would have complained about a price increase no matter what. There is never a good timing for this and as hot as things where when it happened I don't see that as a bad time.

Maybe they do, but Hasbro has been going for far longer than any one thought possibe on the Star Wars line, so they can't be doing to much wrong.

Rehasbro is doing well because they are Rehasbro and that's really all they can do.

You quote no evidence, but what evidence do you produce to back up what you say. Short of giving you every wholesale contact that sells these figures, which I aint gonna do, you'll have to take my word for it.

I'm just going by what I see on most sellers here in the states and how common sense says this year will play out. I don't want every wholesaler in the UK. I don't see the UK being that big of an impact on how things are going as a whole.

If they start to struggle to sell a certain line, they will dump it. I believe Sideshow are starting to struggle with the 12 inch collection, and are 'reviewing' it. Hence the lack of announcements. They are hardly going to say, we are finsihing this line, while they have so many items announced and in production. But 7 months without a core character, does suggest they are cutting back a bit.

I totally disagree. Look at how many figures we got last year and the total cost of those said figures. It was a lot they're slowing things down IMO because they want to have biggies for C4 and SDCC. Then you have to figure they want to give their collectors pocket books a break. They would force cancelations left and right if they bombarded us with stuff right now. The pace has slowed but I don't think this means they're reviewing keeping it, shutting it down, cutting back, etc. I think it's a tad foolish to think this means things are sinking.

Don't kid yourself. SS are no different to other companies selling Star Wars lines. I can't believe you think they are.

I think you need to reread my comment. I was talking about the style of product they make and the fact they don't announce the whole years items at the start of the year. Plus they think outside the box so YES they ARE different than other companies with SW lines.

Sideshow are there to make money. Your money. They are a business, so please don't think they are there for your benefit.

Sure they're in it for the money. I didn't say they where but knowing them I also know they care about their customers.

Only time will tell, but if I had told you in Sept/October when Ventress was announced, that they would be no new announcements for new figures by mid March, you'd have told me I was mad!!! I not saying we won't have any more announcements, I just saying I think this line (12 inch figures) will join many others at Sideshow and just gently slip away over the next year or so.

I think the early pace got peoples expectations up and they wanted something like every month. However, we've had gaps in figure announcements though I think there has been at least 1 since Asajj outside of the Chess Table and Bubo. I'm telling you right now if you think this line is going away anytime soon then you are so wrong it's not even funny.

 

[DarthNeil]

I'm going to agree with Josh and say patience--- and then Josh will second my agreement with the word patience... and then El Roranous will come in and say "Great point Josh---patience!" And I'll go back to being invisible...

But seriously--- D'Oh. HS, I had the same knee jerk reaction to the Endor Troopers (ordered and quickly subsequently cancelled as they're not for me and--- in my humble 30+ year old opinion---they come from the lesser of the three OT) and the chess table (especially with the eyebrow raising price hike) but I am very optimistic for the next three months. Once the end of May rolls around let's revisit this thread... As for right now I'm happy that my pocket book has a break (as my wife is as well)--- well, I spoke too soon as I just started to collect the 12" LOTR line...

D'Oh.

 

[Wor-Gar]

Then you have to figure they want to give their collectors pocket books a break. They would force cancelations left and right if they bombarded us with stuff right now.

I agree with this point. I think the lesson learned from last year is that when you have a 6-8 month lag time between order and delivery and you offer a new figure every month, then you are creating a situation ripe for cancellations as people start to define their collections. We've all read the posts: the "I had to cancel my 'blank'".

At this new pace, its looking like SDCC will announce a major "bundle" of figures, much like Jabba, Bib, Leia last year. Perhaps that worked out much better for SS financially. For the last 3 months we've been hearing announcements for the announcement: something major, an environ and a figure... maybe more. They seem to be holding off revealing another figure for some reason. Perhaps timing the next offerings closer to the big reveal at SDCC or C4.

If they offer all the core ANH characters in the months around SDCC and C4, then in the long run we'll all be happy.

 

[El Roranous]

I'm going to agree with Josh and say patience--- and then Josh will second my agreement with the word patience... and then El Roranous will come in and say "Great point Josh---patience!" And I'll go back to being invisible...

But seriously--- D'Oh. HS, I had the same knee jerk reaction to the Endor Troopers (ordered and quickly subsequently cancelled as they're not for me and--- in my humble 30+ year old opinion---they come from the lesser of the three OT) and the chess table (especially with the eyebrow raising price hike) but I am very optimistic for the next three months. Once the end of May rolls around let's revisit this thread... As for right now I'm happy that my pocket book has a break (as my wife is as well)--- well, I spoke too soon as I just started to collect the 12" LOTR line...

D'Oh.

Patience... it's all you need.

 

[DarthNeil]

I agree with this point. I think the lesson learned from last year is that when you have a 6-8 month lag time between order and delivery and you offer a new figure every month, then you are creating a situation ripe for cancellations as people start to define their collections. We've all read the posts: the "I had to cancel my 'blank'".

At this new pace, its looking like SDCC will announce a major "bundle" of figures, much like Jabba, Bib, Leia last year. Perhaps that worked out much better for SS financially. For the last 3 months we've been hearing announcements for the announcement: something major, an environ and a figure... maybe more. They seem to be holding off revealing another figure for some reason. Perhaps timing the next offerings closer to the big reveal at SDCC or C4.

If they offer all the core ANH characters in the months around SDCC and C4, then in the long run we'll all be happy.

I've said it before and I'll say it again--- a Millenium Falcon environment (either the c_o_c_k_pit or where Luke learns his lightsaber technique with Chewie playing chess versus the droids) announced at the same time as some core ANH 12" figs are shown to celebrate the 30th anniversary.

 

[DarthNeil]

Patience... it's all you need.

D'oh...:emperor

 

[Homer Simpson]

No, I dont think we know and I'm not sure we will but I'd have to say someplace cloes to 60-70% at least.



Well, that's in the UK and they already pay out the nose I'm sure to get this stuff. Plus I wouldn't take what happens across the pond as a reflection of what's happening with the line. I'd say across the pond sales make up less than 10% of their overall sales period.




It's just like anything else. There are other figures in the production line and if this figure is giving any issues then it would get moved back for figures that are closer to being ready. I don't get what's so hard to understand about that.



Well, that's how what you're saying sort of comes across that if they don't do almost all main stream characters then this line will fail. SW lines succeed because of the diversity in the lines mixed in with the main guys. Out of the 10 or whatever we got last year how many where not main stream? It all balances out basically.



TF was a little quieter than I expected but if anyone really thought TF was gonna be some big bash then they fooled themselves. That's an industry show and SS basically never shows all their guns there. C4 and SDCC are fan related shows and these are the type of events where the big boys come out to play.



Why is it only main core guys make sense? I don't get that. It's very closed minded as far as what this line can do. Basically what you're saying is don't do anyone outside of Luke, Han, Leia, Vader, and Obi-Wan until those plus some othes get done. Again, SW is so about every little guy and that's what makes it so freaking great.



People would have complained about a price increase no matter what. There is never a good timing for this and as hot as things where when it happened I don't see that as a bad time.



Rehasbro is doing well because they are Rehasbro and that's really all they can do.



I'm just going by what I see on most sellers here in the states and how common sense says this year will play out. I don't want every wholesaler in the UK. I don't see the UK being that big of an impact on how things are going as a whole.



I totally disagree. Look at how many figures we got last year and the total cost of those said figures. It was a lot they're slowing things down IMO because they want to have biggies for C4 and SDCC. Then you have to figure they want to give their collectors pocket books a break. They would force cancelations left and right if they bombarded us with stuff right now. The pace has slowed but I don't think this means they're reviewing keeping it, shutting it down, cutting back, etc. I think it's a tad foolish to think this means things are sinking.



I think you need to reread my comment. I was talking about the style of product they make and the fact they don't announce the whole years items at the start of the year. Plus they think outside the box so YES they ARE different than other companies with SW lines.



Sure they're in it for the money. I didn't say they where but knowing them I also know they care about their customers.



I think the early pace got peoples expectations up and they wanted something like every month. However, we've had gaps in figure announcements though I think there has been at least 1 since Asajj outside of the Chess Table and Bubo. I'm telling you right now if you think this line is going away anytime soon then you are so wrong it's not even funny.

I can't play the quoting game again. Makes my brain hurt!

But just a couple of points. I think you will find Ventress was the last figure to be announced back at the end of September I think.

With regards to releasing core characters first, without going the Hasbro way, there are probably 3 Lukes, 3 Obi Wans, 3 Anakins (4 if you count the sith rehash), 3 Leia's and maybe 2 Palpatines, and a couple of 3PO's they could make before they become re-hashes. Most of these character saged over the triolgy's the make these acceptable varients. Han Solo is probably the one main character that any varients would be a rehash, becuse he character/ and HArrision Ford never really aged much on film.

I would have thought the best why to introduce this line would have been, a Luke, Obi Wan, Han, Leia and even the likes of Mace, Qui-Gonn in the first 10 figures, along with maybe a Kit Fisto type character. I think SS got the first mix of figures nearly spot on IMO. But then to go totally the other way with the next set of figures, IMO is a mistake, and a mistake capable of destroying the line. Had they released the next years figures at a rate of 50/50 core and z-list I think they would have kept people more interested. But after Leia the next 5 figures we know about, as well as two 'expansion packs' never uttered a word in any of the films, and this is why i think people are and will lose interest in the line. Even with the main charcters I mentioned released, they would still be way more than enough to keep the mix at 50/50. Lando, two droids, Chewie, variours Imperial troopers, Yoda, Vader, Fett's all would have kept peoples interest, not to mention varients of the main characters at a pace of one or two a year. Even with all the characters I mentioned above, there are still enough b-list characters that would sell well, but the final five figures announced, none of which speaks in the movies, should in my opinion be spaced out over at least a range of 20 figures, not sold in a solid clump, certainly not this early in the line.

Only time will tell if I am right or not, but as far as the information I have at my disposal today, I think this line is in a serious slow down stage. Sideshow needs to release a few core characters to get this line back on track, and this is why I don't think Snowbunny Padme is on the horizon. In future a mix of 1 core, 1 b-list, 1 z-list, or even 2 b-list, will see this line flourish, But to release one a list Leia, maybe one b-list Plo Koon, and 3/4 nobodies (sorry expanded universe fans), on the back of an expansive Jabba set will damage the line.

I know you can say Maul would be a-list, Bib maybe b-list, so it levels out, but my point is 4 or 5 z listers in one go is bad for the line.

 

[pixletwin]

I dunno. I learned as a kid that when I ate dinner, I would eat the yuckiest stuff first, resulting in a completely enjoyable meal.

 

[DarthNeil]

What if all of those nobodies were to balance out a sudden influx of core ANH 12" figs to coincide with the 30th anniversary? I think we'll all be in a better position to judge this line (and be prophetic about its longterm survival) after May... Until then I'll stay rosy and see rainbows in every rain cloud--- what? Too Care Bearish?

 

[stickman]

I think it would be years before SS had to rehash any figures. I wish they started with the OT line. But that's just me. I think there are plenty of cantina aliens, Death Star Gunner, DS trooper, rebel blockade troopers, Tuskins, Jawas, Droids, Tarkin, Officers and more, all with no armor concerns that SS could have addressed first. These characters alone would require a year and maybe two years to make. These are the type of background characters I'd like to see, and these are only from ANH. Can't wait to see ESP and ROTJ.

I for one have no plans of canceling any of my orders. For those that can't keep up, it's time to take budgeting class, hey that's life. No-one should have to cancel unless they've order too much, that in itself should be a lesson learned ONCE, for those that continue to do it - Life can be cruel. I am however a little concerned about the price hike especially for the chess set. $50? OUCH... This does signal warning signs, but I'm still in good shape.

I'm not big with the expanded universe except for Timothy Zahn's three book saga. Bring on grand admiral Thrawn

 

[The Josh]

What if all of those nobodies were to balance out a sudden influx of core ANH 12" figs to coincide with the 30th anniversary? I think we'll all be in a better position to judge this line (and be prophetic about its longterm survival) after May... Until then I'll stay rosy and see rainbows in every rain cloud--- what? Too Care Bearish?

Right! Things will balance out and to say this line is in trouble is more than foolish to say the least. I also think it's a tad premature to say this line is in a slow down stage. It might be slowing down right now for another gear up but that will happen with every line.

I'll say it again I'm glad SS isn't rehasbroing every major character that is NO WAY to run a line like this. If REHASHBRO wants to do that with its little figure then fine by me but please keep that out of my bigger figure lines. I don't need a new vader to buy every other announcement.

 

[stickman]

I think it would be years before SS had to rehash any figures. I wish they started with the OT line. But that's just me. I think there are plenty of cantina aliens, Death Star Gunner, DS trooper, rebel blockade troopers, Tuskins, Jawas, Droids, Tarkin, Officers and more, all with no armor concerns that SS could have addressed first. These characters alone would require a year and maybe two years to make. These are the type of background characters I'd like to see, and these are only from ANH. Can't wait to see ESP and ROTJ.

I for one have no plans of canceling any of my orders. For those that can't keep up, it's time to take budgeting class, hey that's life. No-one should have to cancel unless they've order too much, that in itself should be a lesson learned ONCE, for those that continue to do it - Life can be cruel. I am however a little concerned about the price hike especially for the chess set. $50? OUCH... This does signal warning signs, but I'm still in good shape.

I'm not big with the expanded universe except for Timothy Zahn's three book saga. Bring on grand admiral Thrawn

Sorry I forgot the pilots. No armor there.

 

[pixletwin]

Sorry I forgot the pilots. No armor there.

Helmets? Knee pads? Those chest thingees could count as armoured, can't they?

 

[stickman]

I thought the chest thingees on x-wing pilots were padding? I wouldn't think SS would have problems with helmets. Stormies I can understand because they're full body.

 

[Homer Simpson]

Right! Things will balance out and to say this line is in trouble is more than foolish to say the least. I also think it's a tad premature to say this line is in a slow down stage. It might be slowing down right now for another gear up but that will happen with every line.

I'll say it again I'm glad SS isn't rehasbroing every major character that is NO WAY to run a line like this. If REHASHBRO wants to do that with its little figure then fine by me but please keep that out of my bigger figure lines. I don't need a new vader to buy every other announcement.

I fail to see why you keep going on about Rehasbro and re-doing characters. I think enough people have explained they don't want to see this, as much as they don't want to see all these no-bodies.

 

[Cocoboloboy]

I dunno. I learned as a kid that when I ate dinner, I would eat the yuckiest stuff first, resulting in a completely enjoyable meal.

Really? I would stick the yucky stuff behind the nearest piece of furniture.

As far as cancelling preorders goes, hasn't there been only a couple SW releases that late orderers haven't snagged because somebody changed thier mind. Seems to me cancelations really haven't been a problem for SS and have made alot of latecomers VERY happy.(me included)

 

[Smudger9]

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.

The fact that nearly all of the figures released so far have had second chance offers shows that there is some difficulty in selling them through the SS site. As for other retailers – the biggest retailer in the UK, Forbidden Planet, still has all of the figures in stock apart from Luke and Anakin, showing they are having trouble selling the earlier, more popular figures. I’m sure they will struggle no end to shift Endor troops, Bubo and the chess table.

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.

There are certainly plenty out there

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.

I agree that its not simply the characters choices that are the problem. Its more the trend of character choices. The Endor Troops, Plo Koon, Bubo and the chess table alone are fine, but when they are all announced one after the other with no big names in between it is just giving the line a bad feel and its now in danger of losing its momentum. As for your argument about sticking to the core characters being a bad thing, I really don’t agree. This is a 12 figure per year line, so even sticking solely to the core characters gives several years of figures. Out of the box announcements are a good thing and give the line variety, but too many causes the line to lose direction.

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.

I agree, I think 12” Star Wars collecting has a really good feel about it at the moment SS and Medicom have done a great job and are attracting many new collectors that wouldn’t have even considered 12” figures a couple of years ago. I for one sold all of my 3 ¾” inch collection to get into 12” last year.

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.

Again, I agree. I’m sure that if they weren’t having problems producing this figure she would have been announced by now. However, the fact that they are struggling so badly with what should be a relatively simple figure is a cause for concern. If they are not ready to release Snow Bunny Padme, how long are we actually going to wait for the much more difficult armoured characters???

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.

I don’t care what your definition of mainstream is, but it definitely doesn’t include Bubo, Plo Koon or Asajj Ventress. As I said before, SS is roughly a 12 figures per year line for Star Wars. If they stuck to mainstream figures then there are many, many years of figures to be made. I really don’t see your point about a line not surviving by sticking only to mainstream characters. Are you saying that releasing Dooku instead of Ventress, Ki-Adi Mundi instead of Plo Koon and Greedo instead of Bubo would lead to the death of the line??

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.

Maistream characters sell much better, its simple, so yes SS would be in a better position if they had announced more mainstream characters. Just compare the edition sizes of Maul and Obi-Wan to the Endor troops. The lack of announcements recently doesn’t suggest the company is in trouble, but does suggest to me that they are way behind on their research & development. The recent release of Bubo and the chess table just screams “plan B” to me. They have rushed out two very easy to produce items simply so they can announce something and stall until they are ready to release what they initially wanted to. Now that is not a bad thing as it shows they really want to do things properly but I’m sure they could have come up with something better as a plan B item.

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.

Why would they need to rehash anything??? There are so many mainstream characters that haven’t been done. Hasbro only re-hashes because they release about 60 figures a year.

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.

People aren’t necessarily quitting the line, but they are being more selective. I’m sure if you did a poll of who is completist now, compared to before the Endor troops were announced the number is now significantly less. A company relies heavily on its core completist collectors and these numbers are dwindling for SS due to the recent announcements.

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.

A small price increase would have been acceptable but there has been a significant rise. $60 for a generic Endor soldier and $50 for a chess table is very expensive for what they are.

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.

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?

I agree, its by no means doom and gloom, but its not as rosy as it was in August. With each of the last few poor announcements I’ve always been disappointed but didn’t worry as I knew the next one would be fantastic. Well four announcements later and I’m still waiting.
Even you cant argue that so far 2007 hasn’t been the year we thought it would be given the 30th anniversary. I really want it to pick up with CIV and I’m keeping my fingers crossed.

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.

Yes, it’s the anticipation about the announcements that I like the best, almost as good as getting the figures in hand. If we knew the order of release for the whole year in January, there would be nothing to talk about from February onwards.

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.

The wait is so painful though, especially when you see Medicom nailing those iconic characters that SS probably wont give us in hand until 2008.


Sorry Josh, I'm not trying to get at you, just wondered how long it would take to reply to loads of quotes like you often do. Man it took ages. You must be feeling a lot of love for SS to do this on a regular basis. I think I need to go and lie down now!!! I hope your faith proves justified and we will all be here singing SS's praises when its comes to CIV.