Sideshow 1/6 Imperial Probe Droid

[Aliaz]

Even without the snow base I would buy this if I did't already own it. Does seem odd not to include it though.

 

[Asta]

Since they ditched the snow base they could have at least painted the lens' orange/red and released it as a "Return of the Jedi" variant.

A missed opportunity that would have made this a distinct edition.


Didn't get the 'Probot' first time round, and not sure if I'll go for it this time. It looks fine, and gets good reviews, but didn't grab my attention.

However, looking at that photo with the gunner and TIE Pilot reminded me of facing Probe Droids in the Jedi Knight PC game series!

The upcoming AT-AT Driver to add to Hoth Han and Luke makes this a bit more relevant. The loss of the snow base is no real biggie as I removed the snow bases from Han and Luke.

 

[FlyAndFight]

Ah yes... I have fond memories of the Jedi Knight PC games, playing as Kyle Katarn. Great game with the Force powers and cool levels. Would be cool to see that game updated with today's graphics.

I'll eventually pick up the Probe Droid. I definitely would have preferred to have it include the snow base, though.

 

[Aliaz]

Jedi Knight were great games. Especially with the mod that made lightsabers deadly and able to cut off limbs.

 

[galactiboy]

Are you serious or joking? Re releases are great for bringing in new collectors and possibly infusing new life into stagnating lines, and if it pisses of resellers and speculators that's a plus in my book. I'm definitely buying one from Sideshow that I would have never bought from ebay or a re seller for the current prices.

Not joking at all... when Sideshow began the license one of the things the clearly stated was that they would not simply make more of a figure once it was sold out to meet demand. Variants and alternate versions are one thing, but to straight re-release a product that is sold as limited is not right and goes against the point of them being collectible.

I'm not a speculator, but a collector and when you rerelease something you invariably hurt the value of the thing that was previously released. Sorry if people missed out, but that's how it goes... as far as I know this is the first time (along with Jango) that Sideshow has just straight reissued a figure that was sold out. Sure it's missing a base, but aside from that it's the same figure.

They've done some things in the past where they finished an edition size that was not met (like the Mythos Kenobi) but they still stuck to the original plan of 2,000.

Since they ditched the snow base they could have at least painted the lens' orange/red and released it as a "Return of the Jedi" variant.

Even that would have at least been an acceptable variation... make the piece different and include a Death Star Base. But just here's more Probe Droids so we can make more money... I don't think so.

 

[hokietwo]

I'm just not pleased with Sideshow now going back on their original promise to not re-release items. Clearly the are a different company than when they started the line.

This figure was sold out, it should remain sold out. I've lost a lot of confidence in Sideshow over the past few years and have gone from a strong supporter to a begruding customer. I find this and the re-release of Fett insulting.

I agree with this statement as well. This is a high end collectibles space and as fast as the pricing increases are accelerating, for me, when I collect things I want them to intrinsically hold some value.

If the model extends to just releasing every other figure with a "new hat" every couple years it is going to devalue all of the figures and make the higher prices that much more unjustifiable to me.

One thing I have loved about collecting these pieces is that the value has held so well that if I get something and get bored with it or doesn't fit in the collection I can sell and not lose money and sometimes make a few bucks. Re-issuing figures like this is never a good thing and the people that dont have the figures are sure to chime in about giving everyone a chance to own it but the fact is you want something then go pay the higher prices or wait for a deal. If everything people collected was reissued then why even collect things at all as it makes it quite pointless when the rarity is taken away with rehash.

 

[TonTon]

If the model extends to just releasing every other figure with a "new hat" every couple years it is going to devalue all of the figures and make the higher prices that much more unjustifiable to me.

Sounds like the TFA Stormies.

 

[hokietwo]

Exactly. I wouldnt by a TFA figure right now for anything. They are going to be on flash flood sale in a year 30-40% off will be pretty common. Not enough core design variation. Unless you are like a few of the crazies here that troop build (myself included) where is the value of 6 different troopers with a new gun, new belt or backpack? Hopefully HT makes a ****ton of them I i'll be plucking figs at $124-150 bucks this time next year. HT is saturating the market for these figures.

 

[Asta]

If everything people collected was reissued then why even collect things at all as it makes it quite pointless when the rarity is taken away with rehash.

Some of us collect because there are things we want to own and put on display. There are better things to put your money into if you want an investment.

Even if the things we buy lose money, they still retain a certain value. Putting money into figures is still a better bet than spending it on an alternative addiction such as smoking or drinking.

 

[Bjjer]

I agree with this statement as well. This is a high end collectibles space and as fast as the pricing increases are accelerating, for me, when I collect things I want them to intrinsically hold some value.

If the model extends to just releasing every other figure with a "new hat" every couple years it is going to devalue all of the figures and make the higher prices that much more unjustifiable to me.

One thing I have loved about collecting these pieces is that the value has held so well that if I get something and get bored with it or doesn't fit in the collection I can sell and not lose money and sometimes make a few bucks. Re-issuing figures like this is never a good thing and the people that dont have the figures are sure to chime in about giving everyone a chance to own it but the fact is you want something then go pay the higher prices or wait for a deal. If everything people collected was reissued then why even collect things at all as it makes it quite pointless when the rarity is taken away with rehash.

Difference of opinion I guess. I don't care if my collectibles hold value, are limited edition, can be resold for more than paid or to incite envy from those who don't have it...it's just too elitist for me. If more people can have access to awesome collectibles without navigating "limited edition" labels and scalpers I'm all for it.

 

[hokietwo]

Well I have over 150 Sideshow/Hot toys and I display them but it is called a collection. Most people have collections because they have a material or emotional value.

That quip about investment/better than smoking and drinking always comes up and that is not the angle I am going at. I have investment accounts for such interest bearing vehicles and this a hobby.

The fact i can decern between the two is why i am able to enjoy such a large collection.

Difference of opinion I guess. I don't care if my collectibles hold value, are limited edition, can be resold for more than paid or to incite envy from those who don't have it...it's just too elitist for me. If more people can have access to awesome collectibles without navigating "limited edition" labels and scalpers I'm all for it.

and there is nothing wrong with that. I just do not have a socialist/utiliarian view on my toys that's all.

 

[K07]

Since they ditched the snow base they could have at least painted the lens' orange/red and released it as a "Return of the Jedi" variant.

When and where is this seen in the movie? Very cool image! And my only Hasbro stuff on display are Kyle Katarns blasting at the Dark Forces (probots included!).

 

[galactiboy]

Some of us collect because there are things we want to own and put on display. There are better things to put your money into if you want an investment.

Even if the things we buy lose money, they still retain a certain value. Putting money into figures is still a better bet than spending it on an alternative addiction such as smoking or drinking.

Yep, certainly not something to see as an investment... but when an item is sold out that should mean it remains so. To continue to make more undermines the original deal that was made between the buyer and seller. Doesn't matter whether one values something being limited or not, once a figure is sold out (unless it's an open ended edition) then it should remain that way.

Difference of opinion I guess. I don't care if my collectibles hold value, are limited edition, can be resold for more than paid or to incite envy from those who don't have it...it's just too elitist for me. If more people can have access to awesome collectibles without navigating "limited edition" labels and scalpers I'm all for it.

If they were initially sold that way then I'd totally agree with you... but Sideshow sells these as limited editions and with many will even have a set ES. It may not matter to you, but to many people it does and that is a selling feature of the items.

If Sideshow decides to move to open-ended editions on their figures that would be fine with me... but they should be allowed to do it after the fact.

 

[ZE_501]

Having re-sale value plummet is a difficult prospect, since it's nice to be able to recoup or break-even (profit is irrelevant to me, I don't expect to make money on this hobby) in the event of off-loading for upgrade or collection editing, whatever. But personally, I could accept that. The idea of whether or not something is truly "limited" has no significance to my collecting habits. YMMV.

 

[TonTon]

Yep, certainly not something to see as an investment... but when an item is sold out that should mean it remains so. To continue to make more undermines the original deal that was made between the buyer and seller. Doesn't matter whether one values something being limited or not, once a figure is sold out (unless it's an open ended edition) then it should remain that way.

Are you referring to the "original deal" that Sideshow promised a decade ago, or just to limited items in general? I really don't see how this is all that different from when they put the Probe Droid back up for pre-order as soon as the last batch sold out (there was a short period where it was sold out, then it went back up for pre-order shortly after). With Vader Deluxe they've put him back up for pre-order two more times after the original batch shipped if I recall correctly (don't think they ever listed him as sold out though).

Aren't these all open ended to some degree these days? With this particular droid, I have to say that I think it happens to be one of their best pieces as JKNO said, and just am happy that other folks have another chance to grab him (snow-base or not) at retail, though I find it strange to so nakedly choose to show a cost-cutting move rather than just raise the price by whatever they would have needed to raise it by to keep the snow base--$5?

 

[Bjjer]

Yep, certainly not something to see as an investment... but when an item is sold out that should mean it remains so. To continue to make more undermines the original deal that was made between the buyer and seller. Doesn't matter whether one values something being limited or not, once a figure is sold out (unless it's an open ended edition) then it should remain that way.



If they were initially sold that way then I'd totally agree with you... but Sideshow sells these as limited editions and with many will even have a set ES. It may not matter to you, but to many people it does and that is a selling feature of the items.

If Sideshow decides to move to open-ended editions on their figures that would be fine with me... but they should be allowed to do it after the fact.

SS did retain the previous Droid and Boba Fetts "exclusiveness" by changing the bases and altering Fett a little so it's not really a re release of the exact same product, it has some changes so your first editions are still "limited editions" technically. These are more of a 2.0 version so I'd say SS did hold up their end of the bargain by not re releasing them exactly the same way.

 

[JediJones]

SS did retain the previous Droid and Boba Fetts "exclusiveness" by changing the bases and altering Fett a little so it's not really a re release of the exact same product, it has some changes so your first editions are still "limited editions" technically.

Technically releasing a brand new and improved version of the figure will devalue it more than a straight rerelease, and that doesn't violate any edition sizes. So counting on long-term value is always a dicey area.

However, this does create a potential negative impact on Sideshow's business, especially if it continues. If people start thinking they don't need to buy the figures right away because Sideshow will always rerelease them if they get too expensive on eBay, it could lead to slower and lower sales of new product. MattyCollector moved AWAY from the constant rerelease model years ago and vowed that no MOTUC figure would ever be rereleased in a bid to increase sales.

 

[JediJones]

When and where is this seen in the movie? Very cool image! And my only Hasbro stuff on display are Kyle Katarns blasting at the Dark Forces (probots included!).

When does this happen in the movie?

NOW. Everything you're seeing is happening NOW.

Bring on the Hot Toys Spaceballs figures!

 

[loki2371]

Never had too much interest in this because of the price, but after seeing many photos and how much people praise it, I'm kinda tempted. Not having a snow base is fine with me since I never wanted any previous Hoth releases and it would look odd with my other stuff as being the only figure with snow... But I do agree they should've changed the pole to a clear one...

 

[galactiboy]

Are you referring to the "original deal" that Sideshow promised a decade ago, or just to limited items in general? I really don't see how this is all that different from when they put the Probe Droid back up for pre-order as soon as the last batch sold out (there was a short period where it was sold out, then it went back up for pre-order shortly after). With Vader Deluxe they've put him back up for pre-order two more times after the original batch shipped if I recall correctly (don't think they ever listed him as sold out though).

Aren't these all open ended to some degree these days? With this particular droid, I have to say that I think it happens to be one of their best pieces as JKNO said, and just am happy that other folks have another chance to grab him (snow-base or not) at retail, though I find it strange to so nakedly choose to show a cost-cutting move rather than just raise the price by whatever they would have needed to raise it by to keep the snow base--$5?

I'm referring to both... this was never listed as an open edition and therefore shouldn't be sold as one. I don't recall it being back up for pre-order after selling, out... but I do remember it going to waitlist, out of stock and back in stock. And if there was some delay between shipments that might also explain a pre-order status. But maybe not, maybe this is just the 2nd time they decided to make more... either way it feels disingenuous to me.

SS did retain the previous Droid and Boba Fetts "exclusiveness" by changing the bases and altering Fett a little so it's not really a re release of the exact same product, it has some changes so your first editions are still "limited editions" technically. These are more of a 2.0 version so I'd say SS did hold up their end of the bargain by not re releasing them exactly the same way.

I assume that will be the excuse... but that seems like a pretty shady work around. This is not a 2.0; a 2.0 would generally add value or in 1/6 usually means a completely new or mostly new version. This is neither; they added one thing to Fett and packed him with less stuff. It's basically the same figure, but charging more and making more money on a previously sold out item.

Never had too much interest in this because of the price, but after seeing many photos and how much people praise it, I'm kinda tempted. Not having a snow base is fine with me since I never wanted any previous Hoth releases and it would look odd with my other stuff as being the only figure with snow... But I do agree they should've changed the pole to a clear one...

It really is a great piece, I think it being re-released is shady... but it's still an awesome item and one I've always enjoyed. I think it's a bit overpriced; but that's the life