Exchange rate wise I'm probably in the same situation you're in. When I first started buying statues 3 to 4 years ago, a standard PF was about $550 AUD (buying locally), but now PFs are encroaching on $900 AUD (buying locally). So when a US resident complains about $25 to $100 USD price increases and fearing getting priced out, I'm thinking where does that leave me. Am I insane or something.
But I've more or less become numb to all price increases. As to get the pieces I want, like MCU quality pieces I've 'had' to get Iron Studio pieces, and now to get quality DC pieces I'm getting Prime 1 pieces.
I rarely get pieces direct from Sideshow as it could cost me anywhere from $250 to $400 AUD more just to get a 1/3 Exclusive edition. Now that's rarely worth it.
Oh any for that Alien Dog piece, imo there's no way it's going to be the price of a standard 1/3. I'm thinking in the 1/2 scale price range.
Yeah, I tend to go with the EX versions since they're usually worth picking up for the RP and since I order less and less, it's just easier for me to go with the ones that will likely sell easier IF I ever had to go that route. As for the Dog, we'll wait and see there. Again, if I get this, that's likely it for statues...I mean, MAYBE a Wolf if it compares to the Sideshow one I missed, but yeah, it'd suck if they start really pricing out this early.
For a long awaited piece, does an 'unexpected' $50-$100 or so price increase really affect the purchasing on a piece which is already almost a $1000?
Of course some people would never spend anything more than $500 for a statue, but for this particular line it's within the range imo.
I think it does. I think it may make some people go, "Eh...okay, I'll get this, but I'll have to think about future pieces." Sure it's just $50-$100, but at the same time it's that knowing that prices are going up. Odds are it won't change the minds of those who have had targets set on this piece from the start; however, for those on the fence, even that bump can make you think about it, or keep it around a bit longer.
It's impossible to predict as far as which stick around a bit longer or which go to Wait List not long after going up, but jumping up to $1000 with no real reasoning (I mean, I really can't see why this is more than Harley, or the same price as Bane other than they went, "Well, it's been a year, so lets up it!") And while it may not affect the purchasing of this piece, the price jump will likely affect future pieces people decide to go with. Especially with SO much still coming on the Arkham line, and a lot of the pieces only getting bigger in size.
I mean, out of all of the characters, Catwoman really has one of the more basic outfits, so that's kind of irksome as well.
