Recession means core wants

[Mooncat]

Its a double edged sword this, Im guessing that the recession will make 2nd tier characters like Antilles, Piet etc less affordable and this will relate to SSC finances

Hopefully that will make them realise that in order to survive the recession they will need to produce highly desirable SW characters at a very high standard.

Id like em all, but my wallet cant afford them all, I have to be choosey and use my judgement better, dont get me wrong Id like all the 2nd tier charcters too, I just cant afford them at the price SSC put them out at and at the quality level.

Id sooner spend £300 on 3 versions of Ironman that are better quality and retain their value better

Than £150 on 3 x 2nd tier SW characters that arent worth half that in 6 months time.

If it was

c3po, R2 D2, Lando, Snowtrooper, scout etc

(Chewbacca with real hair which may take longer but I still count as a major want)

Then Id have to buy them (as I did with the sandtrooper)

I forsee that unless they address the quality for price issue and the choice of characters that they will suffer.

They suffer, we suffer, I dont want that and nor do you, but I cant afford the poorly produced Piets anymore not at their current price point.

I will now grab my asbestos duvet and duck for cover !

 

[Darthgothikus]

No need to grab that duvet!
Totally agree with you Mooncat.
We already wait between 6 months to a year between announcments shipping, then add on another couple of months to get to the UK....

I Think it's safe to say we're all in this for the long haul.

I for one would wait for the droids, Chewie, Vaders. I don't need all the filler.

I guess if I had more cash I'd buy the lot, but I feel those of us who where completists are getting thinner on the ground. Sideshow needs to focus on 1st tier Characters before their customer base dries up.

 

[Wanderer]

I think this ethic applies to all areas of our collecting, not just SS SW licence...The fact is, as much as i want stuff like HT Abe Sapien, SS Dart Vader, PF's etc etc, after buying everything under the sun the last 2 years, i've learnt to be very selective with my purchases now and stick to representations of key characters in my favourite franchises...
Sorry if i've gone off topic btw!

 

[toystales]

I have also become much more selective on my purchases nowadays. Given a choice, I would have love to buy everything that are being churned out but the realities of the day dictate that I only go for those items that I really like.

For example, I pass over the SS Darth Vader because I already have the Medicom 1/6 scale Vader and Kotobukiya 1/7 scale Vader statue. I also pass over the HT Hellboy and Abe Sapien because I already have the SS versions. In the past, these would all have been bought by me without a second thought but not now.

As for the 2nd tier figures like Antilles, Piet and Stormtrooper Commander, they all have to take a back seat. I'd probably go for these later on if I can find them cheaper some time later but they are not the priority in my collection needs at the moment. I pre-ordered the Sandtrooper but not from Sideshow. I pre-ordered it from my local retailer instead of Sideshow due to the high international shipping costs charged by FedEx.

So, with a bit of savings here and there, I will still go for the core characters that I like and I am now patiently waiting for a 1/6 scale Chewbacca from SS if there is ever going to be one.

 

[Dally]

I agree with you, man. I canceled my Piett order. I am keeping my Sandtrooper order though. I hope to be able to afford that one when he releases.

 

[Puay]

Sorry. I don't quite agree. Not sure if I belong to the minority though. I love everything that Sideshow produce for the SW 1/6 line. Yup including the background characters. The recession does have a small impact on me, I am giving up on some HT figures but not Sideshow SW stuff.

 

[joda76]

Id sooner spend £300 on 3 versions of Ironman that are better quality and retain their value better

Than £150 on 3 x 2nd tier SW characters that arent worth half that in 6 months time.

I hear you Mooncat. I wasnt collecting anything except Star Wars til recently.
I dropped all characters that werent that important to me so I can afford other movie icon collectibles. Some just collect SW so they have the money and space for all the characters. Some have lots of money and collect alot of different lines.
Like you say, Id rather have a few Iron Man and Dark Knight figs than RFT, Antilles, Piet and characters like this.

 

[IrishJedi]

Hopefully that will make them realise that in order to survive the recession they will need to produce highly desirable SW characters at a very high standard.

I forsee that unless they address the quality for price issue and the choice of characters that they will suffer.

100% Agreed

I have ordered maybe half of the SW figures they have offered over the past year or so. And not necessarily because of the prices, but mainly because many of the character choices are just "meh" to me. And other than Vader and the Stormtrooper, nothing really screams high-end quality, either. If SW is Sideshow's life-line to 1:6 (and I do believe it is) then they are walking on a very thin line right now.

Sorry. I don't quite agree. Not sure if I belong to the minority though. I love everything that Sideshow produce for the SW 1/6 line. Yup including the background characters. The recession does have a small impact on me, I am giving up on some HT figures but not Sideshow SW stuff.

Yeah, I'd say you're definitely in the minority on that one.

 

[BuddyGus]

I have picked up all the Sideshow StarWars and LOTR figures. I have also picked up the HT Joker and have The Mark 3 and Batman on order. The current money thing has stopped me from continuing with the HT Predators and I have dropped the HASBRO collecting scene with the exception of the very rare occasion. BMF!

This being said I am very lucky with my job and had a good year in 08. It came at the cost of me being away from home most of the year, but that is the way it is sometimes.

The current pricepoints have finally lead to looking at secondary vendors for non-exclusive pieces. The rewards points just arent worth it. (A bird in the hand, if you are familiar with the saing) I still think sideshows customer service will keep most of my business, but in the end saving a few bucks will drive business to cheaper vendors.

 

[Amanaman]

Being a completist didn't work out for me as well as I would have hoped for back in '06. Different sculptors, varying quality control, and diminishing returns in enjoyment have put an end to it.

It's not as fun as it was in the beginning. I don't want to pay more for less, and for characters that are obvious filler to space out the ones I actually want. Sideshow has avoided the complicated characters up until now, but that has to change, now that things are critical. Hot Toys raised the bar, and even though it's unfair to compare different properties, it's not hard to see that HT has passed SSC in talent and in product quality. This messes with my perception of value I used to get from the Sideshow line.

In any case, my interests have already shifted towards the PFs. They cost more, but they look better, and they hold their value(better than the ~50% depreciation of many of the 1/6 figs). With some exceptions, the QC issues don't plague their statues as much. It's as if Sideshow puts more effort into their statues than their figures... it wouldn't surprise me, they must have higher margins. With a tightening budget, it's better to focus on Sideshow's best, than to continue the long, agonizing motions of a completist.

My only 1/6 on preorder is the Vader Ex., and I'll pick up the Storm- and Sandtroopers later.

 

[Mad Old Lu]

I just started collecting this past June with Smuggler Han, and I've been fairly selective all along, only getting core characters and ones that I find visually interesting and with a lot of cool accessories. That said, I went a bit hog-wild this whole time picking up the back log of figures, trying to catch up. I tried to be careful and patient with finding the figures at a good price on ebay. I'm up to 12 now, and I'm pretty satisfied with what I have. I have a bunch on pre-order, but since I'm now only getting them as they're released, I should only be paying an average of 1 a month. At least that's the limit I've set on myself. I even cancelled out on the Joes line a month or so ago, in favor of the Indy figures in order to stay frugal.

I'll stick with Sideshow in order to get the exclusives and their customer service. I think the slightly higher price is worth it for my peace of mind and whatever extra I get. But if I miss out on an exclusive, I'll settle for another vendor with a better price.

 

[hairlesswookiee]

hmm...i started doing this quite a while ago. i couldn't afford to buy everything (as much as i wanted to) so i had to just pick specific characters and lines. however, as far as the Star Wars 12" line, i've pretty much abandoned it. it seems we get too little for too much $. case in point is the Ki Adi Mundi figure. i know, he's a background character, but they couldn't even supply 2 sets of hands????? WTH??? i might stay with them and get the Vader if i can afford him, but right now its not likely because i'm going to Hot Toys for my 12" collecting and they are bringing the awesome with almost every figure.

 

[galactiboy]

I imagine if Sideshow looses money on the 3rd tier characters we'll see less. But they do still seem to sell well enough and I'm happy for the variety. Sure, I pass on some, but SW I think having some background characters adds flavor to the collection.

 

[Darkseed]

hmm...i started doing this quite a while ago. i couldn't afford to buy everything (as much as i wanted to) so i had to just pick specific characters and lines. however, as far as the Star Wars 12" line, i've pretty much abandoned it. it seems we get too little for too much $. case in point is the Ki Adi Mundi figure. i know, he's a background character, but they couldn't even supply 2 sets of hands????? WTH??? i might stay with them and get the Vader if i can afford him, but right now its not likely because i'm going to Hot Toys for my 12" collecting and they are bringing the awesome with almost every figure.

H-Wookie said it all. I've pretty much abandoned the line. Too little for the $$$ and I haven't enjoyed character sculpts or the paint apps. I look with each release but until Sandtrooper, I haven't purchased or PO since The Emperor.

 

[IrishJedi]

I imagine if Sideshow looses money on the 3rd tier characters we'll see less. But they do still seem to sell well enough and I'm happy for the variety. Sure, I pass on some, but SW I think having some background characters adds flavor to the collection.

Sure it does. Or, rather... it WOULD. The problem is that (so far) Sideshow's choices of 3rd Tier characters have been lazy and safe (i.e., all they amount to are simple headsculpts and clothing) and have lead to some VERY boring figures.

Tell me people wouldn't much rather have Greedo, Hammerhead, Tusken Raiders, Jawas, other creatures, or even some heroes in Hoth gear over yawners like Endor Rebels, Praji, Antilles, Piett, and on and on...

If Sideshow has to ditch background characters due to lack of sales or enthusiasm it's their own damn fault. Because they've either been mis-firing on their choices... or they're just not up to the challenge of producing 1:6 figures that are outside of their comfort zone.

The line has been around for how many YEARS now? And not a single damn droid, wookiee, or anything else iconic that screams "Star Wars" but can't be done by simply sticking a new headsculpt on a Buck. Ridiculous.

 

[theghostinside]

its really weird. since hot toys stepped up their game i am buying figures that cost more money and even are from properties i like less than star wars because they look so freakin cool. it really makes me think what hot toys would do with a license like star wars. they said in a recent interview it is the property they would like the most. i guess its for the better. i would be a seriously broke individual if they got the license and churned out as much stuff as sideshow does a year.

 

[Mooncat]

Sure it does. Or, rather... it WOULD. The problem is that (so far) Sideshow's choices of 3rd Tier characters have been lazy and safe (i.e., all they amount to are simple headsculpts and clothing) and have lead to some VERY boring figures.

Tell me people wouldn't much rather have Greedo, Tusken Raiders, Jawas, other creatures, or even some heroes in Hoth gear over yawners like Endor Rebels, Praji, Antiless, Piett, and on and on...

Greedo wouldnt be a production stretch, Neither would the tuskens. Hell Hurcs Hasbro makeovers of Tuskens are on a par with HT offerings and he is 1 man, with wife and extra seamstress.

If they hit Tuskens out of the ball park like that theyd fly of the shelves, its when we get Aayla Secura's with no body development for what is clearly needed as a semi naked figure !

Why go for her when she clearly cant be done to the level needed to be "high end"

Theres oodles of clothed figures that can easily be done, core ones, aliens, that are easier to nail in likeness than a Piett, Secura etc

Rehash's of Praji / piett, clone obi / ep2 obi

They do a Sandtrooper and nail it, what was that formula ?

Cause the choices of production in SW 1/6 and the final releases of some are imho just not to the standard needed,

I dont see the market leader banging out rehashes, or less than adequate final pieces. Its not the line as the line has oodles of potential even as old as it is, hell its got a dedicated fan base like no other !

Or is that ? is it the dedicated fanbase ? are they an easy target for the more than occasional rehash or less than adequate final piece ???

I started with SSC and I want to see them make the SW line superb, take their time, get really, really picky, hell light some fires under some butts. Turn things around !

 

[IrishJedi]

I dont see the market leader banging out rehashes, or less than adequate final pieces. Its not the line as the line has oodles of potential even as old as it is, hell its got a dedicated fan base like no other !

Or is that ? is it the dedicated fanbase ? are they an easy target for the more than occasional rehash or less than adequate final piece ???

Yes. The diehards and completists will buy ANYTHING and pay almost whatever for it. That is a huge part of the problem and has been for a while. When it comes to "Star Wars" this thing called discretion was thrown out the window a long time.

 

[Mad Old Lu]

Sure it does. Or, rather... it WOULD. The problem is that (so far) Sideshow's choices of 3rd Tier characters have been lazy and safe (i.e., all they amount to are simple headsculpts and clothing) and have lead to some VERY boring figures.

Tell me people wouldn't much rather have Greedo, Hammerhead, Tusken Raiders, Jawas, other creatures, or even some heroes in Hoth gear over yawners like Endor Rebels, Praji, Antilles, Piett, and on and on...

If Sideshow has to ditch background characters due to lack of sales or enthusiasm it's their own damn fault. Because they've either been mis-firing on their choices... or they're just not up to the challenge of producing 1:6 figures that are outside of their comfort zone.

The line has been around for how many YEARS now? And not a single damn droid, wookiee, or anything else iconic that screams "Star Wars" but can't be done by simply sticking a new headsculpt on a Buck. Ridiculous.

I think they just need to create a better balance between first tier and third tier figures. It seems like for every first tier character, we get 2-4 third tier characters. Either that or they clump all the good ones in one shot, and the rest of the year it seems like they're just padding the line with filler.

 

[IrishJedi]

Or it could just be that it's a hell of a lot easier/cheaper for them to make a Praji and an Antilles instead of Chewie, Droids or some detailed creature... and lots of diehards will buy them anyway.