More Gentle Giant Bust Edition Sizes Set

[Bannister]

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

 

[Darth Loki]

Douglas, no offense to your arguement, but I don't know one person here who hasn't paid over retail for an item. I came late to many lines, and had to pay to catch up. That's the name of the game. These busts were available for months at any retailers. Blame the person for not jumping on when they had the chance.

 

[The Josh]

I just want to say I'm glad to see so much multi-quoting in this thread. Brings a tear 2 my eye.

 

[LOTRFan]

I just want to say I'm glad to see so much multi-quoting in this thread. Brings a tear 2 my eye.

Funny, I was actually thinking "man, I am pulling a Josh here!"

 

[The Josh]

Funny, I was actually thinking "man, I am pulling a Josh here!"

I've taught you well.

 

[NASEDO]

The editions are way too high, I would like to see an edition of 1 just for me, then I'd be happy, 2000 is crazy.

 

[Radagaster]

Here's my take on this matter:

GG may go the stormtrooper route with these Ringwraiths. Given the appeal of the original, there's nothing stopping GG from coming up with another R/W pose. Heck, nothing stopping them from coming up with 9 R/W poses. Obviously this first one seems to be the Morgul Lord himself (I don't have one, but someone can confirm that the sword used is that of the Morgul Lord's). So, one can conjecture as to what will happen to the price of the original R/W should GG pursue the multiple R/W pose.

I don't understand how this R/W will sell out faster and be more in demand compared to the highly superior SS/W R/W bust. The comparisons are below:
1) GG has sword, SS/W does not.
2) GG is 1/6, SS/W is 1/4 scale
3) GG cloth has not texture, SS/W is textured
4) Can't speak for detail on GG, but SS/W has nice details.

The other thing too is that for GG's R/W, one can't use the "laser-scanned for accuracy" discussion, because there's no face to scan here.

 

[woodsy]

I don't understand how this R/W will sell out faster and be more in demand compared to the highly superior SS/W R/W bust. The comparisons are below:
1) GG has sword, SS/W does not.
2) GG is 1/6, SS/W is 1/4 scale
3) GG cloth has not texture, SS/W is textured
4) Can't speak for detail on GG, but SS/W has nice details.

Hmmm...."highly superior SS/W R/W bust" . Have you actually ever seen the GG bust? I've got both busts displayed beside each other and while they both have strengths and weaknesses, I prefer the GG version, ever so slightly. I think the metal sword [giving the GG bust a true PF look and feel], and the more dramatic pose slightly tip the scale in favor of GG, at least for me.

 

[Radagaster]

yep, saw the bust in person at SDCC. Didn't do anything for me, which is why I didn't order it. All they did was create the Morgul Lord stance into a Ringwraith bust.

Even when I received the Strider bust then placed him next to the 12" Strider, I was feeling a bit underwhelmed, only because the position his head made made it hard to display next to something like his 12" counterpart.

 

[DouglasMcc]

Douglas, no offense to your arguement, but I don't know one person here who hasn't paid over retail for an item. I came late to many lines, and had to pay to catch up. That's the name of the game. These busts were available for months at any retailers. Blame the person for not jumping on when they had the chance.

Loki, this was a multi-thread discussion concerning first edition sizes, then the nature of collecting, then a slight bit of scalper talk for seasoning. But, I feel some of you may have misinterpreted my scalper/price comments. I am fully aware that there are collectors out there who over-pay for items. I have no problem if that is your decision. This is a free country and its your money. I will also not fault you for doing so. However, I am noticing a trend to blame the consumer, rather than the company. And, I do not think that is fair. My original comments were, and I will paraphrase to avoid any multi-quotes - "while some of us feel the urge to pay massive amounts over retail for these items, no one should have to." LOTR keeps bringing up PF and other high end items. The only problem is this is in reference to mini-busts, the supposed common collector's (or poor man's if you like) statue. They were created to help collectors who did not have the money or space for full scale statues (and I mean in terms of the collectibles market, not originally). Well, when a company under-produces a product - and I am talking specifically about Ringwraiths for the moment - they are eliminating the advantage of the mini-bust. My personal opinion is that, if this bust gets up there in the 200 to 300 dollar range, don't waste your money. Save the scratch for an eventual statue or PF from SSC. It may take a while, but it will happen.

As for paying over retail, I don't think people should have to for lower tier collectibles. As I mentioned before, statues and PF go into the "hardcore" collectors range. If you are willing to spend 300 bucks on a Doom PF, you probably knew about it in advance, and planned ahead. However, mini-busts are suppose to be there so that you can go, well, I can't - won't spend 300 bucks on the Wraith on Steed statue ... but they are my favorite villains. Wait, I can buy a mini busts. By under-producing them, GG is at fault for not properly monitoring the collector market and trends. And my stance on scalpers is already well known, but I will paraphrase it as well, "flipper's ... even the ones among our collector ranks ... are killing this hobby. When someone artificially controls the supply by buying extras or items specifically to sell at inflated prices, they are doing a disservice to both the hobby and the collectors." I have never spent more than double retail (and that was in a few rare instance) and I never will for any "modern" collectible. That's the moral stance I have chosen and I will stick to it. If you do not agree then, more power to you.

 

[swabie2424]

Gotta weigh in here.

I disagree that mini-busts are for the mainstream collector. The everyday, casual fan. 3 3/4" action figures that are mass marketed are for those folks. Walk into a Target or TRU and wham-o... buy a toy.

People who are buying GG products are generally pre-ordering them or seeking them out from specialty stores (local comic shops etc). At $50+ per bust these aren't for everyone. They are for the dedicated fan. I know GG has sold some stuff via Suncoast.. but that's the exception that proves the rule.

I think GG has done a great job with the edition sizes on the LOTR line so far. The first few pieces of a line are always a bit slimmer... to guarantee a fast sell-out to show the license has strong demand. Then they can adjust from there. If they had overshot these... they would have killed some interest in the line.

And yes, GG makes limited edition collectibles. Those who come late to the party will have to pay up to catch up. If they really want it... then they gotta pay up to get it. It doesn't kill interest in the line... it stokes it! It gives people a small quest to get an item into their collection eventually. If it's too rich for you... pick another line. I'm missing a handful of Star Wars pieces. I could buy them right now if I desired... but instead I love to hunt for that deal... that bargain... and patience is my ally! It makes it all fun for me.

GG's products sell amazingly well for the most part. They've had some edition size gaffes, but they've been around the mark on most items. Some (like the Emperor bust) they've hit on the nose! Amazing!

Josh was right... the ringwraith is gonna be a secondary market standout. Supply and demand just dictates this sucker is gonna go wild. Does that hurt a newbie who has limited funds in a few years? Maybe. But if the newbie saves his pennies.... lol! Every line is gonna have some big hits and some misses. Some expensive items... and some cheaper ones. It's good for a line.

 

[Bannister]

Loki, this was a multi-thread discussion concerning first edition sizes, then the nature of collecting, then a slight bit of scalper talk for seasoning. But, I feel some of you may have misinterpreted my scalper/price comments. I am fully aware that there are collectors out there who over-pay for items. I have no problem if that is your decision. This is a free country and its your money. I will also not fault you for doing so. However, I am noticing a trend to blame the consumer, rather than the company. And, I do not think that is fair. My original comments were, and I will paraphrase to avoid any multi-quotes - "while some of us feel the urge to pay massive amounts over retail for these items, no one should have to." LOTR keeps bringing up PF and other high end items. The only problem is this is in reference to mini-busts, the supposed common collector's (or poor man's if you like) statue. They were created to help collectors who did not have the money or space for full scale statues (and I mean in terms of the collectibles market, not originally). Well, when a company under-produces a product - and I am talking specifically about Ringwraiths for the moment - they are eliminating the advantage of the mini-bust. My personal opinion is that, if this bust gets up there in the 200 to 300 dollar range, don't waste your money. Save the scratch for an eventual statue or PF from SSC. It may take a while, but it will happen.

As for paying over retail, I don't think people should have to for lower tier collectibles. As I mentioned before, statues and PF go into the "hardcore" collectors range. If you are willing to spend 300 bucks on a Doom PF, you probably knew about it in advance, and planned ahead. However, mini-busts are suppose to be there so that you can go, well, I can't - won't spend 300 bucks on the Wraith on Steed statue ... but they are my favorite villains. Wait, I can buy a mini busts. By under-producing them, GG is at fault for not properly monitoring the collector market and trends. And my stance on scalpers is already well known, but I will paraphrase it as well, "flipper's ... even the ones among our collector ranks ... are killing this hobby. When someone artificially controls the supply by buying extras or items specifically to sell at inflated prices, they are doing a disservice to both the hobby and the collectors." I have never spent more than double retail (and that was in a few rare instance) and I never will for any "modern" collectible. That's the moral stance I have chosen and I will stick to it. If you do not agree then, more power to you.

I actually think in this case it is the consumer's fault, not Gentle Giant's. Gentle Giant didn't presell this bust with a preset edition size. They waited a few months and then announced it based on presells. I would argue that part of the interest in the line in the first place is due to the 2000 edition size.

 

[NASEDO]

If its more then 3 sentences I can't read it. This has to be the most words in one thread ever.

But I do remember the ringwraith being available for a few months, it wasn't an instant sellout, I got mine late since it took me awhile to decide if I wanted in on the line.

 

[LOTRFan]

And yes, GG makes limited edition collectibles. Those who come late to the party will have to pay up to catch up. If they really want it... then they gotta pay up to get it. It doesn't kill interest in the line... it stokes it! It gives people a small quest to get an item into their collection eventually. If it's too rich for you... pick another line. I'm missing a handful of Star Wars pieces. I could buy them right now if I desired... but instead I love to hunt for that deal... that bargain... and patience is my ally! It makes it all fun for me.

 

[jason2885]

Just wait until GG makes a post Lothlorien Aragorn with with an edition size of 15000 and a Fellowship Frodo with an edition size of 10000.


Then they will make a Fellowship Sam with an edition size of 1000 exclusive to SDCC.

Why do I even say such things now that I said it they cant do it right.

 

[Fritz]

That's why I'm staying away from Gentle Giant! Fortunately they haven't released something yet that I have to have.

 

[jason2885]

I have heard they were doing a Glorfindel bust that will be the SDCC exclusive.

 

[LOTRFan]

I have heard they were doing a Glorfindel bust that will be the SDCC exclusive.

We have heard and seen it, it was revealed at Toy Fair.

 

[jason2885]

Is there already a thread on that one I might have missed it with all the Star Wars stuff coming out of TF.

 

[nash]

As I have stated on numerous occasions, if you don't like "flippers" then get out of the hobby now, run as fast as you can and dont look back.

These are limited edition collectibles that are MEANT to not be owned by everyone in this world. Their niche, their marketablility, their allure is the fact that not everyone will have it. With the nature of this niche, there's going to be people who want something so badly that they're willing to pay insane amounts of money. Why fault the seller or buyer for that? A collectible will only ever be worth as much as the next Joe Schmoe is willing to pay for it.

Killing this hobby? Nay, whether you like to admit it or not, flippers and or high secondary market value is what makes this hobby fun and exciting. To know that your PF Doom Exclusive is bringing in over a grand and you paid retail for it. Without this why would anyone ever pay these high retail prices for static collectibles?

If you can't handle it get out. This goes for any collectibles not just this stuff. Cards, comics, silverware, stamps, coins, sex toys, etc.

Dougy youve been hanging around The Kiddy Board wayyyy too much bud.