Red Sonja She-Devil with a Sword PF

[El Mule]

It's not that they're upping their prices to match XM's... it's just that this kind of statue is more expensive to produce, period. The same way the average XM piece is more expensive to produce. Bigger bases, more accessories, they don't come free. Some bases end up costing as much if not more than the actual character.
I agree that their strategy seems randomic, if you consider pieces like Jason that are incredibly high priced for what they are, so they're probably just splitting costs and revenues on multiple characters. Too hard to tell without more datas.

 

[Takaboi]

It's not that they're upping their prices to match XM's... it's just that this kind of statue is more expensive to produce, period. The same way the average XM piece is more expensive to produce. Bigger bases, more accessories, they don't come free. Some bases end up costing as much if not more than the actual character.
I agree that their strategy seems randomic, if you consider pieces like Jason that are incredibly high priced for what they are, so they're probably just splitting costs and revenues on multiple characters. Too hard to tell without more datas.

This summarized what I wanted to say. If SS wants to make this as close as possible to prototype, I believe the increased price justifies that. Would you guys prefer a $399.99-$439.99 statue and have it coming out like the previous Sonja? I'm positive the increased price means better paint factory that we've seen over the last few statues produced--lobo, batgirl, etc.

 

[Transient]

Yeah, like I said in the other forum, it can be helpful to compare meaningful datapoints in historical pricing to bring some understanding to the question of why it costs so much.

Back in 2013 Sonja went up for order for $380 and Conan went up for order at $460. The price difference there for the complex base on Conan is a 21% extra cost over the price of 2013 Sonja.

Now we have 10+ PFs on preorder right at $470, and Sonja is $550. The price difference here is 17% increased cost for the complexity of the detailing and base.

I think any reasonable person could look at the snake and see that the detailing both in the sculpt and the paintwork is equal to some PFs just on its own even.

Thats what the extra is going towards. And the 'markup' for this complexity is totally in line with the example of 2013 Sonja vs. Conan prices.

 

[Transient]

I think it's a mixed bag. It hurts me a lot more because I'm international AND our dollar is terrible. Imagine seeing this with an $800 price tag and you're me. But that said, there's definitely a lot of fine paint work that will need to go into this, so if the extra money is there to make sure these come out as beautifully detailed as they possibly can, then it's more understandable.

Yeah I can see where you are coming from. I am a huge fan of Gail Simone's Red Sonja run, and she is honestly one of my current favorite reads, and I like the character a lot. I would still take a loooooooooong ponder at $800. $550 is okay by me, but I truly feel bad for the international Sideshow fans. International shipping, customs, and a currency weak vs. the dollar is a lot to swallow. :\

I guess I'm not the typical Sideshow customer either, to be fair, as I've only had positive experiences with them. The 2 times I had issues they were resolved and handled in the perfect way. Vader Mythos' sideways fist hand was redone correctly and shipped to me for free, and a Lara Croft I got had a broken part, so they shipped me a new one of those for free.

I also live about 20 miles from Sideshow's warehouse, so returning an item I get that I just can't live with isn't a hassle. It'd just cost me like $15-20 bucks return shipping.

 

[Collectorcol]

Everyone seems to be expecting this to stink when it's shipped

My Machiko is fantastic, as is my original RS, but both portraits had issues.
Just over a week later I have two brand new heads arrive at my door. Great service.

They do have Q.C problems but there are many more satisfied customers than unsatisfied.
If you collect Iron Man or A/P pieces I understand your frustration.

 

[Chronos1919]

I got sticker shock from the $550 at first, but you guys are right. That base is very detailed. I think that the only way one could really complain about this price would be if the final product doesn't match the level of detail in the proto. Guess we'll have to see, but I plan on getting that EX.

 

[geekjosh]

Not really the point. As collectors we all have disposable income or we wouldn't be collectors.
It's deciding whether the item you are receiving is worth the price tag attached. I honestly can't see $550 plus postage, and a lot more in taxes for international, worth in the product offered.

Having stated that's enough for me I honestly don't know what else I would spend my money on though
Maybe I'm too far in, and conditioned, to back out

Yeah I know, that's why I said that for myself the price isn't a big deal and that I'm not worried.

lol, can't speak for anyone else. But this statue is def worth it.

The total is still $550 if you flex.

It's not like you are saving anything.


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Well yeah...obviously. But it is saving me from spending a large amount all at once. I can afford small monthly payments no problem. $550 upfront all at once would be harder for me to do. I probably wouldn't be able to get her without flex payments. Again, I was just speaking for me, I can't speak for anyone else on this board.

 

[Tbolt]

Dang, I did not know that. Yeah, lets just hope she comes out nicely done.

Also, this forum seems to be taking the price point of her better than the other forum. Its downright,..... pleasant in here.

That's because CBG is over there fanning the flames every other post.

I am kind of shocked about that price, but it just reinforced my decision to be happy with the first. I do think it will come out fantastic, as SS has seemed to really improve this year. I do think they straightened out the factories they go through, and we've been seeing the results of that over the past several releases.

Anyway you slice it, this is still an expensive hobby.

 

[Collectorcol]

I'm happy as long as he stays over there

 

[gyro]

Simple solution to the price is a really great promo code for Xmas
So SS top brass we Canadians need a 30% promo code for the holidays please
OR
https://www.toys2.net/Bust-Premium-Format-Maquette/

 

[nemenforcer]

My recent Emma Frost had google eyes, Hulk has an ugly neck seam and needs a dentist, also different face complexion, my catwoman's suit is starting to speckle as the material gives. Batgirl was good and so was Lobo but I wouldn't count that as a positive trend. Theyre still swinging 50% imo. As someone who received the last RS as well as Conan, I can say those paint apps were pretty lackluster and lifeless. Not trying to bash SS because I clearly buy a lot of their stuff but without a doubt, skin tone and eyes are consistently their biggest problems and this piece relies heavily on skin tone and eye detail. Oh, and I know everyone loves Machiko but make no mistake, those lifeless eyes came back. SS has one good data point for female eyes, Batgirl. So because she is now 550 I'm supposed to assume, her sweat skin tone will look good, her eyes will be excellent, blood splatters on key and that the little hip ring isn't going to bleed all over that skin tone or vice versa.

 

[nemenforcer]

Theyre also trying that porous skin tone effect again. Last time I saw that was on the Dutch Schaefer PF and most didn't like it

 

[Collectorcol]

I hope she doesn't turn out like Dutch. As much as I love that piece the arms look bad close up.
Doesn't look like she will, from the pictures it's a very subtle effect.

 

[Golden_Boy]

Yeah I can see where you are coming from. I am a huge fan of Gail Simone's Red Sonja run, and she is honestly one of my current favorite reads, and I like the character a lot. I would still take a loooooooooong ponder at $800. $550 is okay by me, but I truly feel bad for the international Sideshow fans. International shipping, customs, and a currency weak vs. the dollar is a lot to swallow. :\

Yeah, it can get pretty rough! Especially with Prime 1 just telling me, "Hey, you know your future? We own it, right? Just direct deposit your life to us," as of late. That said, I've got faith that Sideshow will deliver on this one, and it's a must own piece to me -- even knowing very little about the character -- just because of its presence. This is going to be a stunner!

Part of me is thinking about waiting to use a coupon code on it, and the other part of me thinks that just doing a day 1 flex would be better, since it'll give me those 2-3 months to start paying it off in smaller installments (incredibly helpful with our dollar now) instead of taking off $20 and starting the payments in January or February.

I'm happy as long as he stays over there

 

[Sweet Rabbit]

I'm gonna laugh really hard when this sells out sooner than expected

 

[Takaboi]

Lol I'm betting when the EX gets sold out there's gonna be people flaming here that they didn't purchase it and regret having to pay aftermarket price

 

[KingB]

This thing is gonna go like hotcakes. Price or no. One of the best Female sculpts I've encountered.

 

[SAB]

I predicted $500 based on it being a similarly complicated piece as Conan: Rage of the Undying.
$550 is an interesting jump, but I guess no different to the jump in price Conan: Rage did in comparison to other statues at the time.

But I'm out .... have no love for the Sonja character but the statue did look cool so had my interest. Too much to pay for a license I don't care about.

 

[Collectorcol]

I'm gonna laugh really hard when this sells out sooner than expected

Depends how many they make.

The Ex will be mine but i'm still gonna moan about the price

 

[Xenoburger_]

I wish they would just sell this unpainted, so I wouldn't have to pay their garbage price for their garbage paint apps.