Indy 12'' line on ''pause.'' OR The Future of the Sideshow 12" INDY Line

[DarthNeil]

Re: Indy 12'' line on ''pause.''

It makes perfect sense. It's their attempt to bribe (or as Irish would say, "blackmail" ) customers into purchasing the products under the false pretense that there'll be more Indy figures if they do. Again, they did the same thing with LOTR. Despite the fact that they're all sold out, Gandalf and Bilbo for almost a year now and Sam for over six months, they continually reiterate that the line is dead. A stand they'll also take with the Indy line, regardless of whether or not the stock they have now liquidates or continues to rot in the warehouse.

I never even got a chance to buy Bilbo. Damn elusive hobbit.

 

[Khev]

Re: Indy 12'' line on ''pause.''

Don't worry DarthNeil, I've got an extra "Bilbo wearing the Ring" SSC figure that I could let you have for a hundred bucks shipped if you want it....

 

[thenammagazine]

Re: Indy 12'' line on ''pause.''

Don't worry DarthNeil, I've got an extra "Bilbo wearing the Ring" SSC figure that I could let you have for a hundred bucks shipped if you want it....

I meant to type Frodo. Neil's just being an ....

Though, he has no excuse not to have a Bilbo. The custom was a straight-up, easy as pie kitbash between Sideshow's Frodo and ToyBiz's Bilbo.

 

[DarthNeil]

Re: Indy 12'' line on ''pause.''

I would never assume that you meant to type "Frodo"... You know what that would make me and you...

(and that picture is just so wrong in a Levi Johnston type of way)

But back on track... I'm hopeful that a swelling of support (oops, back to Levi) will bring SSC to their senses and give us the characters that we want... Mola Ram, Short Round (using one of those unused Bilbo bodies ), Sallah (longshot), Marion (longer possibly with the current female body), some Thuggee thugs, Nazis... Oh well, as someone who became a fan of SSC through their 1/6 Bond line oh so long ago-- I can dream.

 

[thenammagazine]

Re: Indy 12'' line on ''pause.''

I would never assume that you meant to type "Frodo"... You know what that would make me and you...

(and that picture is just so wrong in a Levi Johnston type of way)

But back on track... I'm hopeful that a swelling of support (oops, back to Levi) will bring SSC to their senses and give us the characters that we want... Mola Ram, Short Round (using one of those unused Bilbo bodies ), Sallah (longshot), Marion (longer possibly with the current female body), some Thuggee thugs, Nazis... Oh well, as someone who became a fan of SSC through their 1/6 Bond line oh so long ago-- I can dream.

His kibbles and bits are covered.

But TBH, I think we have a better chance of seeing a Craig style Bond and the missing Fellowship members from Sideshow than we do of seeing another Indy figure.

 

[FLOSI]

Re: Indy 12'' line on ''pause.''

I hate this thread....

 

[turtlepower73]

Re: Indy 12'' line on ''pause.''

now i wonder why i canceled my sideshow membership...i told them that they killed another line that i liked to add crap from other dying companies..i don't have to name these...any one looking at there preorders or some other things will see..

 

[SwedishHeat]

Re: Indy 12'' line on ''pause.''

Just to heap more gasoline on this fire here, I sent in a question last week asking them to provide more details or elaborate on this "pause" they mentioned, and they haven't answered it. I'm sure I'm not the only one who's asked them if the 1:6 line is done. They're just ignoring questions about it at this point.

I just want to know why they always have to be so secretive about it.

 

[thenammagazine]

Re: Indy 12'' line on ''pause.''

Just to heap more gasoline on this fire here, I sent in a question last week asking them to provide more details or elaborate on this "pause" they mentioned, and they haven't answered it. I'm sure I'm not the only one who's asked them if the 1:6 line is done. They're just ignoring questions about it at this point.

I just want to know why they always have to be so secretive about it.

To keep interest kindled in the PFs and dioramas. Hence the whole, "in the meantime, please check out our..."

 

[Star Puffs]

Re: Indy 12'' line on ''pause.''

Just to heap more gasoline on this fire here, I sent in a question last week asking them to provide more details or elaborate on this "pause" they mentioned, and they haven't answered it. I'm sure I'm not the only one who's asked them if the 1:6 line is done. They're just ignoring questions about it at this point.

I just want to know why they always have to be so secretive about it.

I keep asking SS why the same company that rolled out numerous female figures in their Buffy and Bond lines is suddenly so fearful about releasing Marion Ravenwood, when clearly there is a lot of demand for her.

I foresaw this though and have refused to buy any Indiana Jones or G.I. Joe items without a 1:6 Marion Ravenwood and Scarlett respectively. You have to vote with your money.

As for them being secretive, I hate that too. Diamond Select/Art Asylum may be putzes in terms of production schedule but they are a good example of being relatively open and straight-forward about their decisions (which keeps me more loyal to them as a company).

 

[jamesoncooper]

Re: Indy 12'' line on ''pause.''

I really can't see how being secretive is a good policy. It just makes most of us mad and frustrated. It makes you hesitant to commit to anything they do. Whatever happened to customer care-not just replacing broken or defective items, but actually caring for the passions and wishes of your fan base?
I know Indy isn't as big as Star Wars, but done right they could clean up every time, I'm convinced. Here's a thought-Reign in the edition sizes a bit, put out great products of most wanted characters at fair prices, listen to fan suggestions and requests. I highly doubt they'll have problems selling out all their Henrys. He's a popular character, and they did a great job on him. I'm sure Mola Ram 1/6 would be the same. A maproom with Indy in Arab disguise and Staff of Ra if executed well would be a big seller I think.
I don't see how upsetting and ignoring your customers is ever a good idea, in any business. In this case it's just dumb-it's not like these are life essentials, they are purchases made built on feelings of warm nostalgia. Frustration and disappointment don't marry to that very well. I'm not buying another thing from them until they address this Indy 1/6 scale issue. I'm mad!

 

[Entropy]

Re: Indy 12'' line on ''pause.''

No line can go on indefinitely, well maybe SW, but what do you all think the proper way to announce a line's demise should be while additional product is still in the pipeline? Announce after the last product ships? Announce that 'x' will be the last figure even if it hasn't shipped yet?

 

[kl241]

Re: Indy 12'' line on ''pause.''

No line can go on indefinitely, well maybe SW, but what do you all think the proper way to announce a line's demise should be while additional product is still in the pipeline? Announce after the last product ships? Announce that 'x' will be the last figure even if it hasn't shipped yet?

Actually, yes. It is being straightforward and honest with the customers and their expectations and brings a sense of closure that they will no longer be producing after X character instead of keeping us hanging with false hopes of what the future may or may not bring. Don't commit to producing a line if you are only going to drop it after 6 or 7 figures like Indy and LOTR and leave everybody thinking they are still going to get their Gimli or Mola Ram or whomever.

 

[jamesoncooper]

Re: Indy 12'' line on ''pause.''

Well we're all guessing that it's the end-no official word right? that's what bothers me. If it's the end, then just say so. If not sure, then be open about the concerns for it, solicit input from the customers, be open and see what can be done to keep it going. Get enthusiasm and support back (hey, send out new improved glasses for Toht owners!) I dunno I'm making this up as I go along...

 

[TheObsoleteMan]

Re: Indy 12'' line on ''pause.''

I don't know of any company that admits a line is dead until well after the fact, if they say anything at all. It's not just a Sideshow thing. No company just comes out and releases official statements about the end of a line.

 

[thenammagazine]

Re: Indy 12'' line on ''pause.''

No line can go on indefinitely, well maybe SW, but what do you all think the proper way to announce a line's demise should be while additional product is still in the pipeline? Announce after the last product ships? Announce that 'x' will be the last figure even if it hasn't shipped yet?

Well, the remainder of the LOTR 12" figures didn't have much of a problem selling after they announced that it was done.

 

[Star Puffs]

Re: Indy 12'' line on ''pause.''

Don't commit to producing a line if you are only going to drop it after 6 or 7 figures like Indy and LOTR and leave everybody thinking they are still going to get their Gimli or Mola Ram or whomever.

I think the reason Sideshow can't commit is that it has gotten too involved in other collectibles and selling other companies' 1:6 figures. They show no real pride or passion for doing 1:6 anymore. I mean look at the endless string of Stormtrooper variants all packed into one year in a down economic cycle rather than spread out over time.

The Ark from the Indy line pretty much exemplifies their limited thinking and poor execution. If the decision makers at Sideshow had real artistic commitment to 1:6 figures they would have asked a) why is the Ark not shiny gold as in the film? and then b) well, if you can't plate polystone why the hell are we using such an expensive material to deliever a subpar product? They don't ask those questions alas.

 

[thenammagazine]

Re: Indy 12'' line on ''pause.''

I think the reason Sideshow can't commit is that it has gotten too involved in other collectibles and selling other companies' 1:6 figures. They show no real pride or passion for doing 1:6 anymore. I mean look at the endless string of Stormtrooper variants all packed into one year in a down economic cycle rather than spread out over time.

The Ark from the Indy line pretty much exemplifies their limited thinking and poor execution. If the decision makers at Sideshow had real artistic commitment to 1:6 figures they would have asked a) why is the Ark not shiny gold as in the film? and then b) well, if you can't plate polystone why the hell are we using such an expensive material to deliever a subpar product? They don't ask those questions alas.

I don't agree. Indy's "unpopularity" was due to QC issues and poor production choices, but if you look at other aspects of their 1:6 collectible genre, we're getting some really beautiful pieces. The new Star Wars stuff is really a huge improvement over past releases and they have yet to release a turd in the Joe line (some of the character costume choices are questionable but nevertheless, they're gorgeous figures).

 

[SwedishHeat]

Re: Indy 12'' line on ''pause.''

No line can go on indefinitely, well maybe SW, but what do you all think the proper way to announce a line's demise should be while additional product is still in the pipeline? Announce after the last product ships? Announce that 'x' will be the last figure even if it hasn't shipped yet?

If they were to say right now "KOTCS Indy will complete our Indiana Jones 1:6 line. Unfortunately, the market for Indiana Jones collectibles was not what we had anticipated. . . " they can rationalize it however they want. That would be fine.

 

[fronkenstein]

Re: Indy 12'' line on ''pause.''

I don't see how upsetting and ignoring your customers is ever a good idea, in any business. In this case it's just dumb-it's not like these are life essentials, they are purchases made built on feelings of warm nostalgia. Frustration and disappointment don't marry to that very well. I'm not buying another thing from them until they address this Indy 1/6 scale issue. I'm mad!

I hear you. All companies play the game, but the more honest they are, the more I want to buy from them.

If you read their vague responses to questions, you see that Sideshow generally deflects the questions and gives a political, kiss the baby kind of answer. Just plain inconsiderate. I will still buy from them but I'm definitely scaling back.