More Gentle Giant Bust Edition Sizes Set

[DouglasMcc]

I feel bad for my four Ringwraith busts, since they are currently owned by such an undeserving *******.

Actually, I have never took you for someone who buys items to flip them on the 'Bay. And when you do sell items, most of the time, you sell them for close to retail. So, no, I would never fault you for owning 4. I fault GG for not taking into account that there would be people out there who would want to own 4. Don't blame the player, blame the ga... um .. well that analogy doesn't work, does it? ... um, blame the jock strap maker.


Well, I tried.

 

[Bannister]

Actually, I have never took you for someone who buys items to flip them on the 'Bay. And when you do sell items, most of the time, you sell them for close to retail. So, no, I would never fault you for owning 4. I fault GG for not taking into account that there would be people out there who would want to own 4. Don't blame the player, blame the ga... um .. well that analogy doesn't work, does it? ... um, blame the jock strap maker.


Well, I tried.

How often do you actually read my posts man?

 

[The Josh]

How often do you actually read my posts man?

You post here?

 

[Bannister]

You post here?

Once in a while. I just wish newbs like you paid closer attention.

 

[The Josh]

Once in a while. I just wish newbs like you paid closer attention.

Really? I look forward to reading more of your posts. You seem quite interesting. Have you seen how great the likeness is on the Frodo PF? Man, that thing is spot on!!

Sorry, I'm trying to not be such a newb. They're as bad as those jerkoffs with 20k posts.

 

[Bannister]

Really? I look forward to reading more of your posts. You seem quite interesting. Have you seen how great the likeness is on the Frodo PF? Man, that thing is spot on!!

Sorry, I'm trying to not be such a newb. They're as bad as those jerkoffs with 20k posts.

The likeness is uncanny.

 

[The Josh]

The likeness is uncanny.

That's what I heard.

 

[LOTRFan]

Actually, the point seems rather obvious. However, you don't seem to understand. I would never expect a company to start a line with 10,000 busts. That's a little too many without proof the line has legs. HOWEVER, they could have very easily looked at Sideshow WETA's mini bust line and their E.S. 4,500 to 6,000 and manufactured them somewhere in that range. SSC and WETA have proven that there are at least that many customers out there. Plus, GG had to have known that people would buy multiple Wraiths. Its bad planning on their part and it will come back to haunt them.

But the fact that they didn't is the fault of whom exactly?! Of course that would be GG right, and how will it haunt them? The thrill of the hunt, the chase - that's what keeps many collectors collecting. If everyone had access to these items, then there wouldn't be that same excitement for many collectors. Their exclusives, black and white, etc, items have done wonders for their business - and for the collector as well - both sides win.

*(Yes, I know that there is a growing backlash against GG right now, but that is because EVERYTHING has been exclusive, they are growing out of balance)*

Well, at least your honest. Most edition-aholics come up with little excuses and what not. Good for you. Unfortunately, that's the very attitude that's killing collectibles for me. That's the nature of the beast that causes an male to knock down a child in a Wal-Mart to get that clone ... cause he's only 1 to case, after all. Only he will have it and if he decides to sale it, well, it will fetch a mint on eBay. Sure, you can claim some sort of superiority due to the cost of GG and SSC items. But its the same thing. Collecting is suppose to be about the art and the item ... not the limited nature of it. Sure, MSRP cost often limits us - i.e. not many fans can afford 2500 for a studio scale Falcon - but these items should still be available to all. If 10,000 people want to own a Strider/Wraith bust, you should be ecstatic. Means other people are into the source and it will remain in the forefront, bringing with it, future collectibles to add. If you collect to deny others ... i.e. enjoy something just because the majority of the world can't own something ... is that really collecting? Maybe ... but just consider this ... Are you getting your joy from the item or the greed of owning the item?

Of course you were the one who granted me the right to feel the way I do about the "expensive" stuff, but I guess that isn't the issue now.

It is funny how the collector is to blame for the short-packed action figure, or rare collectible. I am sure that Hasbro, Sideshow, Gentle Giant had absolutely no idea about what a frenzy that could cause . The present climate of collecting is no more the collector's fault than that of the manufacturer, in fact I would say the it is the opposite.

All you have to do Douglass, is look at the other side. When GG took their ES sky high, it discouraged most collectors. Vader and Yoda can be found for next to nothing now, and people just got fed up. Simply, not good for either side.

Yes, collectibles should be worth collecting - I am no communist.


Josh, you are a newb!

 

[The Josh]

Josh, you are a newb!

I know. I try not to be.

 

[LOTRFan]

 

[DannieDarKo]

 

[Bannister]

 

[woodsy]

The thrill of the hunt, the chase - that's what keeps many collectors collecting. If everyone had access to these items, then there wouldn't be that same excitement for many collectors. Their exclusives, black and white, etc, items have done wonders for their business - and for the collector as well - both sides win.



Of course you were the one who granted me the right to feel the way I do about the "expensive" stuff, but I guess that isn't the issue now.

It is funny how the collector is to blame for the short-packed action figure, or rare collectible. I am sure that Hasbro, Sideshow, Gentle Giant had absolutely no idea about what a frenzy that could cause . The present climate of collecting is no more the collector's fault than that of the manufacturer, in fact I would say the it is the opposite.

All you have to do Douglass, is look at the other side. When GG took their ES sky high, it discouraged most collectors. Vader and Yoda can be found for next to nothing now, and people just got fed up. Simply, not good for either side.

Yes, collectibles should be worth collecting - I am no communist.

I have to agree. I'm not really sure how low edition sizes can kill the collectibility of a product line? Seems to me, the thing that devastated the SS/Weta LOTR line was the over-saturation with high edition sizes we saw during the last two years of production.
Look no further than the Marvel line at the present moment. An excellent quality line of products, with low edition sizes, and a tremendous amount of interest by collectors. As soon as SS starts significantly raising the edition sizes [and you just know it will happen sooner or later] you will see the interest drop "like a rock". IMO collectibles should be worth collecting. I for one wouldn't want to spend several hundred dollars on a statue only to see it worth 60% of the retail cost a few month's down the road,there's another name for that....it's called a bad investment.

 

[DouglasMcc]

I have to agree. I'm not really sure how low edition sizes can kill the collectibility of a product line? Seems to me, the thing that devastated the SS/Weta LOTR line was the over-saturation with high edition sizes we saw during the last two years of production.
Look no further than the Marvel line at the present moment. An excellent quality line of products, with low edition sizes, and a tremendous amount of interest by collectors. As soon as SS starts significantly raising the edition sizes [and you just know it will happen sooner or later] you will see the interest drop "like a rock". IMO collectibles should be worth collecting. I for one wouldn't want to spend several hundred dollars on a statue only to see it worth 60% of the retail cost a few month's down the road,there's another name for that....it's called a bad investment.

I mean no offense, but I do not see how this is hard to understand.

2,000 Ringwraiths

Unfortunately, unlike Strider, many people seem to be buying 2 to 4 of these (even read about someone who bought 9). So, lets simply assume everyone buys 2.

New "edition size"= 1,000

Now, unlike collectors who buy extras to flip, these collectors will more than likely hold on to their wraiths, lack of cash/ force of nature withstanding. So, the few that do make it to eBay are going to be in th 200 to 300 range in no time.

A new collector sees Saruman or Gandalf and thinks, "wow, those are nice. I am going to collect this line." He goes back and is either A.) unable to find one or B.) is not willing to spend 300 bucks on a wraith. Well, the completist is going to say, "never mind, there are plenty of other lines out there." Interest dries up and boom the line dies. It may not happen over night, but it will happen.

While I would have preferred 3,500, I can accept the 2,000 Aragorns. He's a unique character and most people do not want multiples. However, 2,000 Wraiths is not cutting it. 4,000 should have been a minimum - i.e. based on the assumption everyone who buys Strider would buy 2 - I know not everyone would, but it helps even out for the people who buy 3-9.

Gentle Giant is approaching this matter like the property is Star Wars. They inch their way into it, then expect to bust out later. Well, Star Wars is a whole other league. That's not a judgement of LOTR's merit or importance, just an acknowledgement of Star Wars pull. There are many Star Wars fans who would spend 450 bucks on a Vader or 350 on a clone repaint. I just don't see the same thing with Harry Potter and LOTR. That means people will shy away, when they probably would have taken the plunge at retail price.

 

[LOTRFan]

A new collector sees Saruman or Gandalf and thinks, "wow, those are nice. I am going to collect this line." He goes back and is either A.) unable to find one or B.) is not willing to spend 300 bucks on a wraith. Well, the completist is going to say, "never mind, there are plenty of other lines out there." Interest dries up and boom the line dies. It may not happen over night, but it will happen.

Much more likely is that a "new" collector won't be a completist, and if they are, then they will be serious enough to do what it takes to get an item.

Just read the latest Dr. Doom threads - or better yet PM customizerwannabe.

 

[The Josh]

How did you find a pic of my Dad?

 

[Bannister]

A new collector sees Saruman or Gandalf and thinks, "wow, those are nice. I am going to collect this line." He goes back and is either A.) unable to find one or B.) is not willing to spend 300 bucks on a wraith. Well, the completist is going to say, "never mind, there are plenty of other lines out there." Interest dries up and boom the line dies. It may not happen over night, but it will happen.

No the completist will say, man I got to score me a Ringwraith to complete this line.

 

[DouglasMcc]

Much more likely is that a "new" collector won't be a completist, and if they are, then they will be serious enough to do what it takes to get an item.

Just read the latest Dr. Doom threads - or better yet PM customizerwannabe.

Once again, you consider the extreme collector. We here, we are the hardcore collectors. Spending our time talking about "toys" on a website during the middle of the day. Sorry, but extreme collectors are not suppose to be the market for mini bust. These are suppose to be aimed at all collectors. Why should a collector be punished for wanting to pay retail? How does it make him "not serious enough" to not want to pay some @$$ scalper 250 extra dollars?
If Gentle Giant were making the money, I could accept that. At least I could rationalize that it was going to product development. However, that money is going to a scalper who bought that item to turn a buck ... not for the love of the property. If you think its okay to award that person ... if that's what it takes to be "serious enough" then I guess we will just have to agree to disagree. I am willing to pay slightly over retail - since the person may have had to go to some trouble to get the item. However, anything over double is plain crooked and I will do without before rewarding that person. Maybe its just me ... but I doubt it.

P.S. The Doom PF is a bad example. You are using a slight variant of a readily available product: Yes, the chalice version is going for crazy money. However, the regular version is still moderately priced. And I think that 1500 of an item (regular 1000 plus 500 exclusive) is plenty for a 300 dollar non-Star Wars item. Once again, at that price, it is clearly marketed at the hardcore collector. And, in all reality, the chalice is unneccessary. In fact, ... oh I can feel the wave of malice headed this way now , I do not think the chalice works with the PF. If they had modified Doom's hand to be holding it non-chalantly ... maybe. However, as just an extraneous item, it doesn't hold any power for the display. I put it up there with Jabba's ceremonial cup. But, right now, if someone wanted a Doom regular edition, they could find it for close to retail. And, in my opinion, it should be that way with the Wraith mini-busts as well.

 

[DouglasMcc]

No the completist will say, man I got to score me a Ringwraith to complete this line.

Fine, I will accept that assumption. So, what happens when all of these are in a few collectors hands ... i.e. 4 per household What happens when they are gone because no one is willing to part with one?

But I will argue that many completist WON'T break the bank. Some cannot afford to. Others, like myself, refuse to reward a scalper. It comes down to principles -whether it be sacrificing collectibles money for real world concerns or refusal to pay scalper prices. And, as collectors, I do not see why we should blame fellow collectors for standing by their principles. And, once again, if GG had simply made 2,000 more, it probably wouldn't even have been an issue.

I mean, its not like we can all defraud our peers of Jango Fett blasters to finance our "grail" search.

 

[LOTRFan]

Sorry, but extreme collectors are not suppose to be the market for mini bust. These are suppose to be aimed at all collectors. Why should a collector be punished for wanting to pay retail? How does it make him "not serious enough" to not want to pay some @$$ scalper 250 extra dollars?

Why not? I have seen plenty of "extreme" collections of mini busts.

P.S. The Doom PF is a bad example. You are using a slight variant of a readily available product: Yes, the chalice version is going for crazy money. However, the regular version is still moderately priced. And I think that 1500 of an item (regular 1000 plus 500 exclusive) is plenty for a 300 dollar non-Star Wars item.

But, right now, if someone wanted a Doom regular edition, they could find it for close to retail. And, in my opinion, it should be that way with the Wraith mini-busts as well.

Good luck with that, the regular edition is up to $1k now. Not bad for what was a $300 statue.