Rainman Artwork 2013 NYC Cabbie "Driver"

[Bullet]

I'm in if you decide to do the slider Robbie

 

[PopCultKid]

Congrats to all who supported the Taxi Driver figure and the push for the gunslide.... regardless of cost or inside info claims.

In for a penny, in for a pound

I've got Rainman's original Bill hat, and Robbie's version. . .Robbie's version is a huge improvement in terms of sculpt and overall quality. I wouldn't be shocked if he one-upped Rainman's efforts here. If nothing else, because Rainman seemed to knock this out in about a day. If Robbie does one, and spends his time on it, it could be something really special.

I'm dying to see what Robbie brings us. I'm all in on that. I think that I even have another boardie willing to sell me their RM slider but I'll happily buy Robbie's too

Total Dominasian...YOU NEED TO GET IN CONTACT WITH ME ASAP!!!

TDA put down those damn med books and answer the man's PMs!!!!! Opportunity knocks!!!!!!!

 

[robbiethepainter]

Good to know you're discussing the plans for the slider and that RM is okay with it. I think my only concern with releasing a DX item is stepping on his and the customers toes.

Although I probably won't buy one for myself... as it's not that key to me. However I didn't really think a) I would buy a FS or b) I'd be able to get one last night. So who knows how I'll feel in a bit when the slider is offered

That has been mine also.

 

[Levit05]

i would be soooo down for a slider and the glasses......sell em as a packet...

 

[mystolle]

This sounds great, Robbie. I am a bit disappointed I could not snag a DX, but getting your PF suitcase recently, I am sure you will blow this out of the park, and having Rainman's blessing is a great plus. I hope all current DX customers are open to it as well. Very exciting times for our Rainman family.

 

[armysoldier74b]

This sounds great, Robbie. I am a bit disappointed I could not snag a DX, but getting your PF suitcase recently, I am sure you will blow this out of the park, and having Rainman's blessing is a great plus. I hope all current DX customers are open to it as well. Very exciting times for our Rainman family.

Speaking of which....

I received my suitcase from Robbie the other day and all I can say is

Amazing craftsmanship and I am sure he will knock the "slider" out the ballpark.

 

[karamazov80]

I can definitely imagine DX owners getting envious of whatever Robbie might put together. . .very cool of him to do, but then I'm not a big defender of "rare, special" items personally to begin with. If there are big fans of this character who want to give him this accessory, then my hope is that someone would step up like this and give them the chance to own one.

 

[Commtech]

I got a DX on order and I do NOT have a problem with Robbie making the slide gun and the sunglasses. I would actually order a set from Robbie as well.

 

[JeffTVR]

Like Commtech, I was very lucky and managed to secure a DX too and I also do NOT have a problem with Robbie making the slide gun and the sunglasses. Indeed, I would also order a set.

 

[Raymond F.]

... I'm not a big defender of "rare, special" items personally to begin with. If there are big fans of this character who want to give him this accessory, then my hope is that someone would step up like this and give them the chance to own one.

I totally align with this myself. Limited for limited sake is lame if you ask me.

As I pointed out and Robbie reiterated my defense of Rainman is that the items are all hand made by him and therefore I get the need to limit the sliders. As a DX owner I too fully support the efforts of Robbie, full well knowing it might outdo the man himself.

I want the collective community to be happy

 

[vareika]

The limiting numbers that you can order I see as a problem. I mean it should be used with discretion, like you can't order five and if Rainman see's some newcomer or shady person scoop up five it should be limited. But after five years he knows who get's what.

But in my case my brother chilipep and I have been in this since Col. Mortimer have have got almost all of the RM figures save maybe 1 or 2, always order together, one of us sometimes is not around or it's easier to just add two to the cart also it saves both rainman and us shipping because we just give the other the figure when we see eachother (we live in different countries).

In the case of driver, our VIP order was placed but neither secured a DX, yesterday I secured one DX. the other double FS went to a member here that has been on this ride for Taxi Driver since the beginning and has been a key player, and we all don't want to see him empty handed and simply struck out completely. I'm glad to have helped him out and if there were limits in place he and either chilipep or myself would have been left empty handed. Both this member and chilipep wanted the DX and struck out too so it's not always a perfect scenario even with no limits.

All is fair in love and war and we were all in the rate race, no question about that. But the difference is that all of us totally communicated to Rainman what we are doing and he was totally cool with it, in fact my brother had I have always done that since day one so Rainman knows we are simply fans that each want one and neither of us want to flip for profit. In my opinion if Rainman sees someone order two he has the right to question why, he might have even have done that with us in the beginning. I can not remember. He's on the ball not to worry.

I've actually never sold any of my rainman figures. I know many have, for loss of hype or financial reasons or whatever so they did so and that's their prerogative. I'm sure many have flipped too, there is always newcomers, most probably just wan the figure and they should have opportunity to own it like everyone else but you're not always sure the intentions of a newcomer. But there's also this tight community that have been on this ride for five years.

Rainman is really great about paying it all back to his loyal customers, that's what this release is all about.

It's definitely a slippery slope and has two sides to the equation. Bottom line I think the solution is if you are buying more than one you have to tell Rainman why and exactly who it's for and he has right of refusal.

Good post. I think its a hard issue to tackle, and as a result, it will not be addressed. Personally (IMO), I think all of you guys who got DX, FS, Double FS, should stay away from the H+C, so rest of us who didn't have enough luck can at least get something.

But at the same time, who am I to say I deserve the H+C more than someone who has already obtained a DX. Even if said person deep down in their hearts knew they were likely going to flip the figure a few months later because quite frankly, they cared less about the character. Who am I to say as a consumer they can't buy something purely based on hype and "indirect" intent to flip. I keep using the world flip, as if it negative, but I know a lot of you buy RM because of the quality, the hype, and the "investment" (you all know how easy it is to at least break even on a RM figure - with the exception of PF over the last few months because simply put, too many ppl are trying to sell too soon).

Bottom line is I wish RM would limit multiple purchases unless we are talking about a situation like Ray, where RM knows Ray and its completely legit. Unfortunately RM doesn't have the time to deal with something like this on a case by case basis. So, people will still get multiple sets, whether they believe what they are doing is right or wrong, and whether they admit they are buying extra more as an investment, no one can really say anything about it.

 

[karamazov80]

Yeah, and I know there are some legitimate situations where folks buy for others who can't. I'm actually most sympathetic when we're talking guys who are in the military who might be away from the computer for extended periods. So you guys have a point. But if you're asking Rainman to judge what's legit or not, then you're just opening the door for someone to deceive and take advantage. I mean, how many collectors does he really really know? So. . .maybe the best, most realistic expectation is just that some are going to be bad eggs and hose others, while others won't, but that there won't be any real restrictions at all.

 

[Raymond F.]

. . .maybe the best, most realistic expectation is just that some are going to be bad eggs and hose others, while others won't, but that there won't be any real restrictions at all.

I agree and I think even Rainman knows that. The problems that have come up with it I'm sure are equal or lesser to the benefits of not doing it. I'm sure if it was an issue Rainman would change the system and I'm equally sure if there were special circumstances he'd also accommodate that as well despite any restrictions (such as long time members or guys in the military etc).

I know he was pretty bummed, and rightfully so about the unauthorized recasts of his work which was really really uncool. Headplay committed suicide with the community on that move and they deserved what they got, but he also understands it's part of the game. I know he's really grateful to us all and I think he's happy to see how much we collectively give the nod off approval to this figure, despite the obvious imperfections or weaknesses which of course is also always part of the game.

 

[siquisiri]

There is a lot of validity in all of your statements, but in the end RM has to keep a balance in between exclusivity and making a buck. If he makes too many, hell make many of us happy, but he impacts the value of his figures.

 

[armysoldier74b]

I don't understand this constant attempt to adjust Rainman's business model from beginning to end.

From what I can tell the VIPs who got the set they wanted had no problem doing so, because they

A. Stayed up late Saturday and Sunday knowing very well Rainman would open up the VIP slots at any moments notice. They were rewarded.

B. Had a good buddy that woke their *** up until they got their order in.

If I had everybody's number in here I would have called each and every last one of you (After my order was placed of course)

I had multiple alarms for Saturday and Sunday and still almost missed it. If it wasn't for my support system I would have missed out.

For non-Vips it sucks to miss out and it happens, but by the time you become a VIP you should know all the ins and outs. No excuses

 

[uscmhicks]

I've gotta be up at 7am at the latest the day after the clothing sets go up on the Friday.
The crap we do for these figures is unbelievable.

Oh and I'd definitely be in for some shades if they could be made.

 

[karamazov80]

A. Stayed up late Saturday and Sunday knowing very well Rainman would open up the VIP slots at any moments notice. They were rewarded.

Everyone's got to sleep sometime You couldn't expect folks to stay awake 24/7 on the off chance the VIP pre-orders went up. If they stayed up all night they would sleep all day Sunday and possibly miss out! But yeah, I don't fault Rainman for when these went up, or his process for doing so. It's his conventional method, so it is what it is.

 

[armysoldier74b]

Everyone's got to sleep sometime You couldn't expect folks to stay awake 24/7 on the off chance the VIP pre-orders went up. If they stayed up all night they would sleep all day Sunday and possibly miss out! But yeah, I don't fault Rainman for when these went up, or his process for doing so. It's his conventional method, so it is what it is.

You're right, but those that did were rewarded. Thats all I'm saying. You can't have it both ways.

 

[Raymond F.]

I disagree. It was luck, tactic and persistence had nothing to do with it really. Karamazov is right in the fact you can't stay up 24/7 waiting on a whim might may or may not go up. There was a like a 4 or 5 hour window between when I checked and when I secured the double FS. By that time the DX was gone. During that time was when I was sleeping.

 

[karamazov80]

Some screen grabs I took that highlight the display looks I'll probably go for (still most excited about the haired, "driver" sculpt and outfit):