Plo Koon Priority Preorder Thread

[Alice Adrenochrome]

For me it's simple. Should SSC continue to elevate the price on their SW 12" figures, i just have to cut back on some of their other stuff. Fortunately, this $5 price hike on Plo Koon seams to be founded. For more money, I'd expect more value.
Oh, and I'm really growing tired of these "if you don't like it, don't buy it" commentaries. That's not an argument, that's something you say, if you run out of arguments. I'm here to exchange ideas and opinions about our hobby, to have a good time with good people. Not to worship Sideshow Collectibles.

 

[The Josh]

Fair enough. I didn't know Dusty had said that.

It's all good. I'm just going with what Dusty said. She would know since she works for SS.

Oh, and I'm really growing tired of these "if you don't like it, don't buy it" commentaries. That's not an argument, that's something you say, if you run out of arguments. I'm here to exchange ideas and opinions about our hobby, to have a good time with good people. Not to worship Sideshow Collectibles.

Well, if it becomes apparant that the person is just going to pick a piece apart it's a valid comment to make. I mean if you don't like the thing don't waste your money on it. If it's the first comment made then yeah that would be a bit of a stretch. As far as worshiping SS that's just silly. I mean Even "I" mention stuff that doesn't sit ok with me but this is a site dedicated to SS.

 

[TheObsoleteMan]

Oh, and I'm really growing tired of these "if you don't like it, don't buy it" commentaries. That's not an argument, that's something you say, if you run out of arguments. I'm here to exchange ideas and opinions about our hobby, to have a good time with good people. Not to worship Sideshow Collectibles.

It's not about worshiping Sideshow. If people are willing to pay a premium price, SSC will charge it. We can all argue it back and forth until we're blue in the face, but if people don't like it and yet continue to buy it, the argument is moot.

 

[creature4000]

I think it's more of "Not quiet what we expected" or the hoping that it could be better for the price. The automatic comment of "you don't like it, don't buy it".. is really weak sometimes.. because most of the time it's not that they are complaining so much as it is just upset that it couldn't be everything they wanted in that character.

So for those of us that want to use the "Don't like it Don't buy it" comment.. then I guess thats all I'm going to say because some thats a cheap rebuttle to any rant/question/comment/poll/ect....

 

[DCFett]

Oh, and I'm really growing tired of these "if you don't like it, don't buy it" commentaries. That's not an argument, that's something you say, if you run out of arguments. I'm here to exchange ideas and opinions about our hobby, to have a good time with good people. Not to worship Sideshow Collectibles.

BRAVO! The "Git Ouuut" statments are not arguable and hold no water. I dont think anyone has said that they "dont like" the figure, Im sure just about everyone does (who doesnt like SW?!), but barely anyone wants to pay more for what looks like the same clothes, acces, etc. The only thing I could come up with in why the Plo is more than Kit is the tweaked pattern for the robe and maybe the hands. BUT, when you look at how much it took to do Kit's tentacles, it almost seems like a trade off to add hands and tweak the robe. In that, I think some folks are just wondering if the $5 hike is justified. Sure, we paid it, but that doesnt mean ya gotta like it and it's good to talk about these things. As I see it, the internet forums are the small business man/woman's market research. What we say here goes back and Im sure SS gleans some very valuable information from all of us.
Oh, and the "vote with your wallet" deal doesnt satisfy discussion as well...

 

[TheObsoleteMan]

Oh, and the "vote with your wallet" deal doesnt satisfy discussion as well...

In the end, that's the only thing that matters. Money talks, and you know what walks. If people want to moan about the price they have every right to, but if people still pay it, it's just so much hot air.

 

[DCFett]

In the end, that's the only thing that matters. Money talks, and you know what walks. If people want to moan about the price they have every right to, but if people still pay it, it's just so much hot air.

True, but that "hot air" is valuable information in the market place. If you take a poll from this thread alone you can come up with how many SS customers are:
1) weary about a price hike,
2) dont mind the price hike,
3) would not buy again with a price hike,
4) price does not matter.
Companies pay MILLIONS to learn this stuff! It's all here for SS for FREE! Instant Focus Group, all right here for the taking! This hot air is good! It lets EVERYONE get, not just their opinions out there, but their sensibilities too, and in the end, we NEED SS to understand it's customers just as we want to understand SS as a company.

 

[IrishJedi]

You know what I think? People sometimes get too emotionally invested in this stuff and that prevents logical and rational discussion from time to time.

I like Sideshow. I am a consistent customer. I know some of the SSC employees personally and I know they are good, genuine people and fans themselves. And, for the most part, I am happy with their product and the prices they offer them for. But I'll be damned if I am going to stay quiet about the things that bother me as well just because it makes Pollyannas uncomfortable.

In short, I gripe because I care. I want these products to be the best that they can be.

You can disagree with critical opinions all you want, but to simply dismiss them is silly.

Yes, Dusty told us that SSC spent a lot of R&D time on Plo Koon and she surmised that perhaps that is why he is $5 more than Kit Fisto. But still do not have an official confirmation or explanation... and I doubt we'll get one that can logically explain why Plo Koon costs 20% more per figure than Mace, Anakin, Luke, Obi-Wan, or Qui-Gon. I mean, isn't it more logical to just assume a bottom-line price increase?? Come on. This isn't rocket science.

 

[TheObsoleteMan]

Sorry if I've offended anyone, not my intention. I guess I just have a different viewpoint when it comes to luxury items like these figures. Complaining about being gouged on the price of necessities like food or gasoline I can understand, but when it comes to things like collectibles I don't see the point of going on about it, either pay the price or go on to something else you feel is a better deal. If enough people take a pass, SSC will get the hint and either lower the prices or make less time and labor intensive figures. If you think the price was a bit too high, say so and move on. There's no need to start throwing out accusations of Sideshow trying to stick it to people. Not saying anyone in particular has done that, but the undertones are certainly out there.

 

[darthviper107]

This would be a horribly biased place to do a poll on how Sideshow should produce their figures---You have to realize, we've got like what, 1,000 people here? And not all of them are into the Star Wars line, so that would be a rather bad idea to use us as a focus group.



Anyways, I do like this figure. It's pretty.

 

[KitFisto]

This would be a horribly biased place to do a poll on how Sideshow should produce their figures---You have to realize, we've got like what, 1,000 people here? And not all of them are into the Star Wars line, so that would be a rather bad idea to use us as a focus group.



Anyways, I do like this figure. It's pretty.

I don't think it's a bad idea to use people on this board as a focus group. A focus group is always a pretty small percentage of your target audience. I have presonally been involved in focus groups for an NHL hockey team with the owner and these groups have been 20 fans or less and the team obviously has way more fans than that be they hardcore or passive fans.

People who post here are your hard core customers for the most part so I think it's a good place to start. Just my opinion.

 

[Darth Rage]

You know what I think? People sometimes get too emotionally invested in this stuff and that prevents logical and rational discussion from time to time.

I like Sideshow. I am a consistent customer. I know some of the SSC employees personally and I know they are good, genuine people and fans themselves. And, for the most part, I am happy with their product and the prices they offer them for. But I'll be damned if I am going to stay quiet about the things that bother me as well just because it makes Pollyannas uncomfortable.

In short, I gripe because I care. I want these products to be the best that they can be.

You can disagree with critical opinions all you want, but to simply dismiss them is silly.

 

[Khev]

In short, I gripe because I care. I want these products to be the best that they can be

I hear ya IJ. It would be incredibly hard to resist collecting all the 1/6 figures if I knew they'd be the definitive versions of these characters in that format. But if SS cuts too many corners (Chinese paint apps, clothing accuracy, etc.) you just know in a few years Gentle Giant or some other company will get the rights to do 1/6 scale SW action figures and will one-up SS by nailing the likenesses and just going the extra mile (*especially* for the most important characters in the saga).

 

[DCFett]

..I don't see the point of going on about it, either pay the price or go on to something else you feel is a better deal. .

No offense here, bro. But to be frank, there isnt a comparable product in the market place???? So the only place people have to go is...er..SS! I think it's good for everyone to be heard. Not everyone wants to pay more, cares to pay more, or can pay more. So if this is how SS gets that information about their customers, then I think that's a good thing and we need to continue the discussion, bad or good. No one wants to STOP collecting SS 12" stuff, but it's very plausable that the hike was to test the waters of what CAN be charged, just as it's plausable that it was from an R&D investment issue, or oil, or shipping, etc., etc... It's a company and anything could be the answer. I am certainly not implying any impropriety from SS, I hope you didnt infer that. It's a company, and that's what companies do in a free market, they test the waters of what the market will bear. Not saying this is the case, but it's certainly possible. It's up to all of us to give that feedback. Some will discuss it and buy, some will discuss and not buy, others will just not buy. All together SS gets a clear picture of market dynamic.
Sorry for the egghead rant....

 

[DCFett]

I don't think it's a bad idea to use people on this board as a focus group. A focus group is always a pretty small percentage of your target audience. I have presonally been involved in focus groups for an NHL hockey team with the owner and these groups have been 20 fans or less and the team obviously has way more fans than that be they hardcore or passive fans.

People who post here are your hard core customers for the most part so I think it's a good place to start. Just my opinion.

Agreed. Focus groups are just that, very focalized segment samples of the target market. Almost always 20 folks or less. How do you think we get our cars, coffee makers, and all sorts of everyday things? Twenty people in a room sit around and talk about it!

 

[Amanaman]

Well said DCFett. The "don't like it, don't buy it" argument isn't going to cut it around here. Anyone posting here is already knee-deep into this line. There's no need to divide people into camps. As consumers, we're all in this together. Sideshow, being the company, will always be at odds with us, as their bottom line is to drain our wallets. No matter how nice Andy or Dusty are, their primary obligation is to serve the company's goals. However, everyone wins when there's a focus group in place. We're getting more of what we want, and SS profits more from fine tuning their products.

 

[EVILFACE]

Holy fried wookie on a stick.

I don't know who the biggest whiners are: Star Wars fans or Oklahoma Sooner fans.

SS just needs to give Star Wars back to Hasblo. Big hands and stupid smiles for everyone!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[IrishJedi]

I don't know who the biggest whiners are: Star Wars fans or Oklahoma Sooner fans.

Oohhh!

SS just needs to give Star Wars back to Hasblo. Big hands and stupid smiles for everyone!!!!!!!!!!!!

NO THANKS!

 

[The Josh]

Ya know I have no problems and never have had with people who wanna voice concerns. I'm glad they do because if they do and something I didn't think about gets corrected great! However, there are a lot of folks who have a hard time wording their complaints like an adult. They either accuse SS of something underhanded or call the product a piece of **** without giving an adult explanation why. No they aren't required to give a reason why but it doesn't say much for someone who complains and can't say more than it sucks. That's what irks me.

As far as why Plo is more I'm sure there are more reasons as to why than what Dusty said or more than what she may be told. Even if it is just a bottom line # fine with me because I'm buying them come hell or high water.

 

[Khev]

I don't think Plo Koon is an accurate measure of an all around price hike. If TPM Obi-Wan is announced and he's more than $49.99, then yeah, there's a hike, but we won't know until they announce another human figure in a basic outfit.