BadMoon
Demi G0D Overseer
Lots of talk about this topic lately. I am finding just about every thread concerning a new figure is being bombarded with these back and forths on the price. So here is the thread to discuss this very topic. Enjoy!
Rising Cost of Collectibles
- Thread starter BadMoon
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creature4000
Super Freak
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Rising Prices!!!!!
OK SITHLORD
Super Freak
What is your take on the matter BM?
Unless everyone under the sun is willing to stop buying these things at the prices they're at this is the price levels. Would I like these to be cheaper? Yes, I would. Are they going to go down? I doubt it. So I buy the ones I want and can afford.
BadMoon
Demi G0D Overseer
I really was making this thread so every figure thread wouldn't end up into this debate. I want to read about the figures.
But since you asked I will give my 2 cents. This is and alway has been an expensive hobby. Second you do not NEED these items. They are luxury items. That being said, I buy what I like and what I can afford. I believe if you don't like the price then you don't have to buy it. The best way people show they don't like the price of something is to not buy it. Vote with your wallet so to speak. However, given the Ebay prices for some of these items I don't think it will matter. There is always someone who will most likely buy what you don't. That is if they see value in the product. So I don't care if they charge $200 for a 12 inch figure. I just wouldn't buy it unless it was something I really wanted. Would I have to change my spending habits at that price? Hell yes! So anyways after my rant I see both sides of it. However, I lean on the side that says if you don't like the price then don't pay for it.
Didn't we already have a thread/discussion on this before? 
EVILFACE
Insufferable S.O.B.
Like everything in life, we have to pick and choose what we want.
BadMoon
Demi G0D Overseer
Didn't we already have a thread/discussion on this before?
I tried to find it but couldn't. I wanted to give her a bump.
ProgMatinee
circlesendwheretheybegin
I agree about not buying what you can't afford or don't want to pay the charge for.
I also believe in following that up with a big fat "because" for SSC to read here.
I also believe in following that up with a big fat "because" for SSC to read here.
BadMoon
Demi G0D Overseer
Warning: Long post ahead:
Well, in my case, and I'm sure most of us are in the same boat, as a kid played with Star Wars, He-Man, and Transformers toys. But after the Hasbro Star Wars relaunch, along with McFarlane Toys in the early-mid 90's the action figure collectibles took a whole new meaning.
Chase figures and variants started to really be the big thing, and McToys with all it's faults really shaped up the collectible market as we know it today. But still, those were mass maket products, then there was a huge boom with Neca, Palisades, Sideshow (with the original 8" Universal Monsters line that I still have) and for years those were great figures at affordable prices.
The first high end collectibles I got were Mazinger's Soul of Chogokin line, the quality in them is amazing, that's when I first realized how different the U.S. and Japanese products are, design and quality-wise.
The 12" market has always existed, but for the longest time it was for a very specific niche, I personally never liked the figures because they looked to me cheap and with weird proportions, big heads and all that. Until I saw Medicom's Darth Vader!! And the rest is history, Predators, Marines, Superheroes and all that coming from Asia that has the BEST collectible action figures, I was hooked! But, the price tag was quite above the prices I was used to with McToys, Neca and Palisades.
When Sideshow announced the Star Wars line, I thought it was going to be the same quality as Medicom's or Hot Toys, I've never owned a SS 12" figure before Jedi Luke, and for the price it was very reasonable. Good quality at a fair price, but since the prices are going up with every other release, and as much as I'd like to get everything Hot Toys, SS or Medicom produces, I've reached the point where I will pick up only main characters and very specific lines.
Right now, all I want to collect is SS and some Medi Star Wars, SS LOTR, Hot Toys Preds and Aliens, and that's about it...Maybe HT Joker, and Iron Man, but I'll try to stay with these lines only.
I'd love to get the Robocop, Rambo, Rocky, Pirates but I simply cannot afford them all, space and money-wise (I don't like to keep figures in their boxes and stored in a closet).
I'm not a completist (fortunately!) so I don't need Praji or Rebel Soldier #27, and even though it sucks that the prices keep going up, collecting is a CHOICE, nobody forces us to do so, it's like buying expensive clothes, if you WANT/NEED a specific item, you decide if you want to pay the price.
Sideshow's ultimate goal is to provide a great product to collectors, but to make money as every company out there wants. They need to keep up with Medicom and Hot Toys, and the only way they can do this is by using better materials, extensive R&D and improving their design and marketing. That, costs money, and since they know fans WILL pay, they're not afraid of charging what they charge. I mean, if people already pay crazy prices on Ebay, then it kind of makes sense, doesn't it?
Wow...long post indeed
Anyway, it sucks that prices go up, and for a few people with very high income it's not a problem, but for the average collector, it is, and Hot Toys, Medicom and Sideshow know this, so they are taking advantage of the current collector's hype. It might not last forever you know?...
Well, in my case, and I'm sure most of us are in the same boat, as a kid played with Star Wars, He-Man, and Transformers toys. But after the Hasbro Star Wars relaunch, along with McFarlane Toys in the early-mid 90's the action figure collectibles took a whole new meaning.
Chase figures and variants started to really be the big thing, and McToys with all it's faults really shaped up the collectible market as we know it today. But still, those were mass maket products, then there was a huge boom with Neca, Palisades, Sideshow (with the original 8" Universal Monsters line that I still have) and for years those were great figures at affordable prices.
The first high end collectibles I got were Mazinger's Soul of Chogokin line, the quality in them is amazing, that's when I first realized how different the U.S. and Japanese products are, design and quality-wise.
The 12" market has always existed, but for the longest time it was for a very specific niche, I personally never liked the figures because they looked to me cheap and with weird proportions, big heads and all that. Until I saw Medicom's Darth Vader!! And the rest is history, Predators, Marines, Superheroes and all that coming from Asia that has the BEST collectible action figures, I was hooked! But, the price tag was quite above the prices I was used to with McToys, Neca and Palisades.
When Sideshow announced the Star Wars line, I thought it was going to be the same quality as Medicom's or Hot Toys, I've never owned a SS 12" figure before Jedi Luke, and for the price it was very reasonable. Good quality at a fair price, but since the prices are going up with every other release, and as much as I'd like to get everything Hot Toys, SS or Medicom produces, I've reached the point where I will pick up only main characters and very specific lines.
Right now, all I want to collect is SS and some Medi Star Wars, SS LOTR, Hot Toys Preds and Aliens, and that's about it...Maybe HT Joker, and Iron Man, but I'll try to stay with these lines only.
I'd love to get the Robocop, Rambo, Rocky, Pirates but I simply cannot afford them all, space and money-wise (I don't like to keep figures in their boxes and stored in a closet).
I'm not a completist (fortunately!) so I don't need Praji or Rebel Soldier #27, and even though it sucks that the prices keep going up, collecting is a CHOICE, nobody forces us to do so, it's like buying expensive clothes, if you WANT/NEED a specific item, you decide if you want to pay the price.
Sideshow's ultimate goal is to provide a great product to collectors, but to make money as every company out there wants. They need to keep up with Medicom and Hot Toys, and the only way they can do this is by using better materials, extensive R&D and improving their design and marketing. That, costs money, and since they know fans WILL pay, they're not afraid of charging what they charge. I mean, if people already pay crazy prices on Ebay, then it kind of makes sense, doesn't it?
Wow...long post indeed
Anyway, it sucks that prices go up, and for a few people with very high income it's not a problem, but for the average collector, it is, and Hot Toys, Medicom and Sideshow know this, so they are taking advantage of the current collector's hype. It might not last forever you know?...
I still spend about the same amount on these as I ever did. With rising costs I find that I just get less stuff for the same amount. It sucks, but there it is.
OK SITHLORD
Super Freak
less stuff=
ProgMatinee
circlesendwheretheybegin
less stuff=
I agree. The quality is going up to, but for me there is not a need for uberquality. I prefer more stuff.
I see it as some collectors think they are owed something or have a sense of entitlement that companies need to keep prices "affordable" to everyone while continuing to want more for less i.e. improved quality (better paint jobs, new bodies, amount of accessories, etc.). Costs are rising across the board for both individuals and companies. Sideshow is a business and needs to make money as well as cover their increasing costs (Employees insurance rates/raises, company growth, R&D, materials and shipping costs, etc.). The truth is that not everyone can afford the rising rates (and some are large price jumps which are hard for some to justify) and are bitter about it. It sucks that some collectors are feeling priced out and can't buy everything they would like but it is what it is. It is time to pick and choose then. These are luxury items not every day items that are needed to live.
ProgMatinee
circlesendwheretheybegin
So....serious question:
When is quality/price mix (ie value) perfect?
Is it perfect NOW at Snake Eyes and Indiana? Or should it go higher (and thus more expensive)?
Should the next Frodo come with a diamond crusted Mithril shirt for $1,000?
Where should we go in the future?
And as a test, give me the 2 or 3 figures you felt the most "value" when considering quality and price.
When is quality/price mix (ie value) perfect?
Is it perfect NOW at Snake Eyes and Indiana? Or should it go higher (and thus more expensive)?
Should the next Frodo come with a diamond crusted Mithril shirt for $1,000?
Where should we go in the future?
And as a test, give me the 2 or 3 figures you felt the most "value" when considering quality and price.
OK SITHLORD
Super Freak
tough? in my book.
BadMoon
Demi G0D Overseer
I think perfect is a matter of opinion. Look at the Cinemaquette Predator at $2000. I bulk at the price but the fact of the matter is they will sell out. So if they made a Frodo with a diamond crusted Mithril Shirt so to speak I guarantee you people would buy that.
I think its still to early to tell... The first figures of the new generation from Sideshow have yet to come into our hands (except for Frodo and Sam).
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