Statue Iron Patriot Quarter Scale Maquette by Sideshow Collectibles

[izunadrop!]

Once a company is healthy and doesn't have to make a name for themselves (like Sideshow but also MANY others), the idea is quite simply to drive up profit. It's normal: The investors will expect better return on investment, employees will expect better salaries, etc, etc. All of that at BETTER rates than the market and inflation (otherwise, the company doesn't grow).

Now, there are two ways to do that (most will do both at the same time and some will push REALLY hard on just one):

1) Raise the prices as much as possible (but not to the point where your clients can't afford your products)
2) Lower the costs as much as possible (but not the the point where the quality of your product will suffer and your clients won't be interested anymore)

Of course, there is no way for them to be 100% sure what is the "maximum" price their clients will support (Modern Thor PF?) and the "minimum" quality they're willing to accept (Iron Patriot Maquette?). So, they will test the waters... If the client goes along, buy and keep their products, they learnt something and will repeat in the future (they will also try to go even farther to drive their profits even more). If the client doesn't, they also learnt something (maybe they went too far this time and will correct in the future). But each time they lower the quality and/or raise the prices, it's not because they absolutely NEED it to keep their heads out of the water and stay in business, it's because they want to know if the market can absorb it and give them a better return on investment.

Bottom line is a company certainly need (and have every rights) to make and raise profits. But don't expect them to limit themselves on the level of profit they will make if they're able to make even more.

There are many other ways to grow a company, raising prices is actually the worst one.


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[user 51786]

These pictures lead me to preorder the HT quarter scale, I won't even wait for Comic con hoping for the Mark III

 

[KingB]

These pictures lead me to preorder the HT quarter scale, I won't even wait for Comic con hoping for the Mark III

This is really the best option in the IM department. HT could profit big time making other armors in 1/4. I am even considering it as it would fit my last besta shelf quite well.

 

[izunadrop!]

I'll wait for sideshow to discount these at 50% then I'll get it


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[JAWS]

Great post Jaws.

I 'd at the 'Intern Day' comment.

 

[careyb]

The Iron Man LSB is a great Bust, disregarding the upside down AR, killed by an awful attempt at battle damage.

Yes I think that the in house concepts are great , it's the final production piece that has problems. I preordered the IP Maquette and not sure if I want it. I think most if us want Sideshow to succeed and make great products but lately..... It's really disappointing

 

[choopie]

I've been collecting Sideshow for over 10 years now. I've got $250 PFs in my collection that are executed perfectly and have flawless paint apps and tailoring. No excuse for a $400 item to have these kinds of issues.

 

[savageHULK]

You're right. There is no excuse. But I don't see anyone making excuses...

In my opinion, I'm sure sideshow takes these clearly factory-driven issues as seriously as us. My most anticipated statue is the hulk pf. I will be devistated if it shows up in poor condition like a lot of the IPs are. But, at the same time. I understand it is most likely not their fault. Factory being lazy and cutting corners. Guys, if the product is unsatisfactory, we can return them for 100% refund here in the states...

 

[Collectorcol]

Not their fault?
It's a Sideshow product we're paying for. It's their duty to make sure the factories are producing a satisfactory product.
That is the whole reason, or should be, of having Q.C in place.

 

[Y4NK33 PL4N3T]

If you're not willing to put the blame on Sideshow for this, then by the same token you can't give them any credit whatsoever on any statues that turn out well since it's all on the factory.

 

[HODLr]

Not their fault?
It's a Sideshow product we're paying for. It's their duty to make sure the factories are producing a satisfactory product.
That is the whole reason, or should be, of having Q.C in place.

 

[Spidey976]

Yeah, great idea. Lets pay extra for the quality they promised in the first place.

Meh... Inflation should not effect QC..

If they are making the same profit per piece as they were 10 years ago then QC should be the same... Since QC on older pieces seemed to be much better.
You might say "But they are making more" Ok but then that means more profits.. So use those profits towards QC.

You Don't raise the price and offer a lesser quality product. Makes no sense what so ever...

If you are going to make more of something, cut corners, and offer less QC... Well then Prices should go down not up.

Why can GG offer perfect paint apps but SS can't... Now I do think that GG IP seems to have less detail in the sculpt and a lesser base.. So there is the 100.00 difference... I guess... But SSC should be able to get those paint apps... Or at least try and find out how its done..

These IP paint apps are by far the worst I have ever seen by any company... It looks like it may have been Intern day at the factory.

In all honesty SSC should offer a full refund including shipping (Both ways) because this is nothing like what they advertised... Now I know they put the whole (Product may vary) but this goes beyond that description.



Ultimately... Would I be willing to pay 50.00 extra bucks for a perfect statue... Yeah... I guess so.. But I look at the Joker Arkham PF and feel that people are already paying the 50.00 extra.


Due to the higher prices and higher ES sizes.. I am guessing SSC is making a larger profit then ever before... GOOD for them... That is what business is all about... But you should stand by your product and try and keep your customers happy... Not cut corners and then tell them... Oh well.. and not change a thing,

Honestly, I was just spit baling an idea guys. Again I simply pont out that guys are willing to pay $800 for your averag PF from XM, and the major difference is the last minute touch ups by a master painter. That is $350 more than the new Joker PF. The fact is that would also put someone on US soil directly responsible for the final quality assurance. Their ass would be on the line so to speak. nd it might get them to lean on the factories more so they weren't correcting a million mistakes. Which could help overall QC... Again just looking for a possible constructive idea, rather than the usual bitching and moaning.

[

 

[Spidey976]

This collection hobby becomes something more! No one wants to miss a piece even if it comes with defects from the factory! It turns to a wild race! No one cares QC cause everyone wants to be famous in terms of making their videos on youtube! I know people who are doing reviews of a piece which doesn't belong to them! For what? Also some very rich collectors affects that quality thing cause they repaint every piece from sideshow anyway! They don't care the prices or quality control! When things are going like this why does Sideshow care? It isn't ethic and I said it maybe millions of time but nobody listens! 500$ is a very serious price tag for some of us so it is our right to expect high quality but still there are thousand of cheerleaders of Sideshow! I know people who accepts those defects and still defending Sideshow as saying nothing is perfect!!! Ohh GOD, how does he earn money? I really wonder it!

You are right $500 is a chunk of change and people are paying double that to get their hands on the better quality paint apps by XM. What I suggested was $50. Maybe like I said above I am just looking for a constructive solution.

 

[Collectorcol]

Aren't XM products expensive because of shipping?
Some of us are already paying higher shipping costs plus an extra 20% tax on Sideshow Statues

 

[Y4NK33 PL4N3T]

Honestly, I was just spit baling an idea guys. Again I simply pont out that guys are willing to pay $800 for your averag PF from XM, and the major difference is the last minute touch ups by a master painter. That is $350 more than the new Joker PF. The fact is that would also put someone on US soil directly responsible for the final quality assurance. Their ass would be on the line so to speak. nd it might get them to lean on the factories more so they weren't correcting a million mistakes. Which could help overall QC... Again just looking for a possible constructive idea, rather than the usual bitching and moaning.

The difference between XM end product and this SS end product is not a 'last minute touch'. That's like saying the difference between a Maserati gran Turismo and a Hyundai Tiburon is the 'last minute touch'.

People are willing to pay for top notch quality that ain't news, and excuses aren't constructive at all. In fact, they're destructive.

 

[MagnumOpus]

I know there are so many collectors find XM's price tags ridiculous when Sideshow's pf's were at the range of 390$! In 1 year Sideshow raised their prices higher but their quality isn't changed! On the other hand XM doesn't higher their prices but with every new project they continue to make awesome concepts for their consumers! Also they share every stage of production from their facebook page! Jean Grey is a good example cause most collectors afraid of a possible leaning issue but they show to us no need to! And what Sideshow is doing for it's consumers? With every new release, we are doubting like paranoid maniacs! And the interesting part is we are paying for it)) With every new release, problems are getting bigger! Last month I bought Sideshow's Bela Lugosi as Dracula pf and it looks incredibly awesome! Just perfect! Every detail is insane! There's no doubt Sideshow was the BEST once! But what has happened? Sideshow wants more! They become greedy! Sadly it is the fact if you like it or not! So the question is if Sideshow could wake-up from their sleep or not!

 

[Asdf]

If you're not willing to put the blame on Sideshow for this, then by the same token you can't give them any credit whatsoever on any statues that turn out well since it's all on the factory.

Very good point. I buy statues and I see SS logo on them. So yes, somethin is off. I blame SS. I don't buy Iphone product and blame the Chinese factories for the error of the phone.

 

[JAWS]

You're right. There is no excuse. But I don't see anyone making excuses...

In my opinion, I'm sure sideshow takes these clearly factory-driven issues as seriously as us. My most anticipated statue is the hulk pf. I will be devistated if it shows up in poor condition like a lot of the IPs are. But, at the same time. I understand it is most likely not their fault. Factory being lazy and cutting corners. Guys, if the product is unsatisfactory, we can return them for 100% refund here in the states...

Don't agree

Not their fault?
It's a Sideshow product we're paying for. It's their duty to make sure the factories are producing a satisfactory product.
That is the whole reason, or should be, of having Q.C in place.

Agree

If you're not willing to put the blame on Sideshow for this, then by the same token you can't give them any credit whatsoever on any statues that turn out well since it's all on the factory.

Yep...

Honestly, I was just spit baling an idea guys. Again I simply pont out that guys are willing to pay $800 for your averag PF from XM, and the major difference is the last minute touch ups by a master painter. That is $350 more than the new Joker PF. The fact is that would also put someone on US soil directly responsible for the final quality assurance. Their ass would be on the line so to speak. nd it might get them to lean on the factories more so they weren't correcting a million mistakes. Which could help overall QC... Again just looking for a possible constructive idea, rather than the usual bitching and moaning.

[

I knew where you were coming from spidey.... I just think SSC should keep the same standards they had 10 years ago... Granted their sculpts and tailoring have become more complex but their inconsistency has become frustrating...

I would not mind the 50.00 increase but the prices keep increasing it seems like every quarter.. Add 50.00 to the Arkham Joker and it's at 500.00 (plus 50.00 shipping) and the fans get no input nor all the switch outs XM gives.. plus the resale value gets hurt due to higher ES...

That is not to say that I love how XM does business... Magneto is great and by far the best XM has done so far.. But even if he could be sold and shipped here in the states.. 900.00 plus 50.00 shipping is too much IMO... Add to the fact that low edition size make these hard to get a hold of... XM creates it's own kind of stress for collectors... Will I be able to afford and will I be able to get one... But they do deliver what they advertise, they let the fans have some say, and they offer lots of display options... So that is nice and easy to understand why people like XM...

Having said that... If SSC started to deliver perfect paints and items were boxed up like XM and then they charged 900.00 for the new Spider man PF that is coming out... Well everyone would ***** up a storm about greedy SSC.. Even though they would be doing everything XM was doing except offering more of the item and having IMO better sculpts ( I am just not into the face sculpts of XM sorry XM fans )

You are right $500 is a chunk of change and people are paying double that to get their hands on the better quality paint apps by XM. What I suggested was $50. Maybe like I said above I am just looking for a constructive solution.

I get what you were trying to do Mr. Peacemaker Problem is.. their prices are already rising... They should be talking care of that guarantee already.

I know there are so many collectors find XM's price tags ridiculous when Sideshow's pf's were at the range of 390$! In 1 year Sideshow raised their prices higher but their quality isn't changed! On the other hand XM doesn't higher their prices but with every new project they continue to make awesome concepts for their consumers! Also they share every stage of production from their facebook page! Jean Grey is a good example cause most collectors afraid of a possible leaning issue but they show to us no need to! And what Sideshow is doing for it's consumers? With every new release, we are doubting like paranoid maniacs! And the interesting part is we are paying for it)) With every new release, problems are getting bigger! Last month I bought Sideshow's Bela Lugosi as Dracula pf and it looks incredibly awesome! Just perfect! Every detail is insane! There's no doubt Sideshow was the BEST once! But what has happened? Sideshow wants more! They become greedy! Sadly it is the fact if you like it or not! So the question is if Sideshow could wake-up from their sleep or not!

In all honesty people need to stop comparing SSC and XM to each other... XM is an "Exclusive" club... The average collector can not afford the items and they sell out in no time... Then you are really out of luck unless you want pay BIG BUCKS! At the Price XM is charging then you had better get absolute perfection. There can be no excuse when paying 900.00 or more for a out of the factory statue.

SSC is more of a middle ground... More expensive then the average collector wants but not going to bankrupt you if you want to get one or two pieces... In all honesty with what they charge they probably should not reach XM standards... But they should figure out why quality on many of their items are taking a drastic hit... When I get a SSC item I am not expecting a Magneto paint aps.. But I am expecting more then a Hasbro paint job.


As for SSC being greedy.. Are they more greedy then XM studios... Does XM really need to charge that much more then SSC ( I am not talking about shipping cost either)?? Sure the edition size is lower and the paint apps are great.. But SSC has released some great pieces with great paint apps for a much less cost...

I know the argument will be that XM has low ES... Well SSC use to have a some pieces with a very low ES and great paint apps. So even accounting for inflation they were never at the price range XM is... Would the Original Doom PF go for almost 1000.00 if SSC made it now... I don't think so.

So why is XM not being greedy??

SSC just needs to step up QC and get good paint apps out there.. Once they do that they can be King again... At least for now, since they have, IMO, the most talented sculptors working for them.

That is not to say XM wont catch up... their sculpts keep getting better and better.

 

[JAWS]

I 'd at the 'Intern Day' comment.

I missed this reply...

The paint apps on IP remind me of when Marvel Comics put a warning on one of their covers (as a joke) that it was Intern month. I remember the art in that issue being an obvious step down from other issues.

Anyone else remember that.. I don't know if it was all the titles... for me it was either Conan, Punisher, or Hulk since those are the ones I read the most.

 

[traylorc]

Let's assume that all the QC issues are systemic in nature...in other words the QC issues are rampant problem for SS. It has been suggested that we put the blame on Sideshow...after all they are company manufacturing products will all of these QC problems.

How much blame we should we assume as consumers? After all, it's not like we are not aware of these supposed systemic QC problems. It seems like we talk about the QC issues non-stop, 24/7. We constantly question "Why doesn't SS fix these problems" and "How can they continue to raise their prices"...yet we all continue to buy Sideshow products. Assuming there is truly is an epidemic QC problem at Sideshow, and we know about these problems, why do we continue to buy their products? At what point do we as consumers take some of the responsibility...some of the blame for the apparent lack of apathy on the part of Sideshow regarding these rampant QC problems? At the end of the day we are so pissed off at Sideshow for not fixing these issues while continuing to raise prices....but evidently not pissed off enough to completely take our business elsewhere.

Even if you tell yourself "I am not buying as many Sideshow products as before...the point is...you are still buying. By continuing to purchase from Sideshow...are we not "enabling" them? I hear forum members complain that buying Sideshow products is hit or miss...you never know what you are going to get. Well, by continuing to purchase Sideshow product it would seem that we are subsidizing those problematic product lines.

If you honestly believe the QC issues are significant problem, and if you believe Sideshow has no business raising prices given these rampant QC issues...how do you justify giving this company any more of your money??? And if you do continue to do business with Sideshow...then are you not part of the problem...should you take some of the blame for the apparent reluctance on Sideshow's part to address these issues? Should we really be surprised that nothing has changed if we are providing financial incentive for Sideshow to continue their current business practices?

I am not trying to attack anyone...and I am not trying to trivialize anyone who has endured QC issues. But I can't help but think the QC problems can't be as bad as we make them out to be in the forums if smart collectors continue to spend their hard earned money buying Sideshow products.