Sideshow ESB/ROTJ Darth Vader

[Black Magic]

Exactly.

Vaders helmet blue or chest box on his back or one arm 2x longer than the other = Not Buy.

There is a 1/8" difference in distance between armor plates or paint isn't black enough or boots are wrong design or switch on chest box should be oposite direction = who cares

I do. These days, Sideshow is asking top dollar for their stuff, so I expect top quality. "Close enough" is only good enough when the price reflects the fact. Let's not forget what we're talking about here. This is not some obscure background character, this is Darth ****ing Vader. There is an enormous amount of reference material out there, and a number of people out there who are incredibly familiar with every aspect of Darth Vader's costume, so the final 1/6 product should reflect that. Do a 3D scan of original props, then there is no question the proportions are right. Hot Toy's exclusive item for Bespin Luke, the Vader head looks exponentially better than this, and it's half of a head. Why does this Vader look the way it does? Because people bought the ANH version, even with it's shortcomings, and because the Higher-ups at Sideshow know people will be satisfied with the same crap this time.

 

[Craig77]

I do. These days, Sideshow is asking top dollar for their stuff, so I expect top quality. "Close enough" is only good enough when the price reflects the fact. Let's not forget what we're talking about here. This is not some obscure background character, this is Darth ****ing Vader. There is an enormous amount of reference material out there, and a number of people out there who are incredibly familiar with every aspect of Darth Vader's costume, so the final 1/6 product should reflect that. Do a 3D scan of original props, then there is no question the proportions are right. Hot Toy's exclusive item for Bespin Luke, the Vader head looks exponentially better than this, and it's half of a head. Why does this Vader look the way it does? Because people bought the ANH version, even with it's shortcomings, and because the Higher-ups at Sideshow know people will be satisfied with the same crap this time.

this is exactly my frustration with SS, same thing I have been saying about Fett. These are Iconic figures that they need to deliver on. enough said.

 

[swsqueakquels]

Yeah, five years ago, SSC figures were $60 upgrades on $20 Hasbro figs.

That's not the story any more - you triple your prices, you have to triple your attention to detail and quality.

Five years ago, Boussh, with the exact same level of sculpt, complexity and accessories to Boba Fett, was 1/3 the price ($60 vs. $175.)

 

[gibby]

Welcome to the global economy.

Around a 48% combined increase in salaries since 2007, and this doesn't include the cost of materials or transportation.

 

[shocktrooper_au]

Will have to start getting these made in the US soon

 

[Yodacappy]

Yeah, five years ago, SSC figures were $60 upgrades on $20 Hasbro figs.

That's not the story any more - you triple your prices, you have to triple your attention to detail and quality.

Five years ago, Boussh, with the exact same level of sculpt, complexity and accessories to Boba Fett, was 1/3 the price ($60 vs. $175.)

5 years ago, the dollar actually was worth a little something. Now, well, it's poop...

 

[Khonsu70]

I don't hate this Vader. I'm just not impressed. There is a difference.

I have to agree. I wanted to be blown away by this figure, but so far feel kinda "meh' about it. It's HT Indy all over again.

Increase the helmet flare, make the shoulder armor slightly larger, and color correct the shoulder bells and then we'll be talking. But so far, this Vader is simply not enough enough of an improvement over my ANH Vader to get me excited.

 

[swsqueakquels]

Welcome to the global economy.

Around a 48% combined increase in salaries since 2007, and this doesn't include the cost of materials or transportation.

Am I not reading that graph correctly? It seems to be indicating salaries are the same level in 2007 and 2011 (when the graph ends) in China, and have dropped by a bit in the same period in the U.S.?

 

[swsqueakquels]

5 years ago, the dollar actually was worth a little something. Now, well, it's poop...

In 2007, it cost US 13 cents to buy 1 Chinese Yuan/Renminbi (currency unit.)

In 2012, it costs US 15.5 cents to buy 1 Chinese Yuan/Renminbi.

Dig deeper to legitimize these SSC price increases, guys.

 

[gibby]

It's salary increases, unfortunately.

Sad, isn't it?

 

[swsqueakquels]

It's salary increases, unfortunately.

Sad, isn't it?

Not based on your graph... or am I reading that incorrectly?


Honestly, I think this is simply SSC attempting to "test the waters" in terms of falling into line with what Hot Toys has been able to charge. SSC has raised their game quite a bit in the past two years, and the difference between a Hot Toys non-human/armored figure and say SSC's Hammerhead or IG-88 is less than what it was. So the price difference narrows.

 

[gibby]

Not based on your graph... or am I reading that incorrectly?


Honestly, I think this is simply SSC attempting to "test the waters" in terms of falling into line with what Hot Toys has been able to charge. SSC has raised their game quite a bit in the past two years, and the difference between a Hot Toys non-human/armored figure and say SSC's Hammerhead or IG-88 is less than what it was. So the price difference narrows.

You're reading incorrectly. It is solely increases, not actual salaries.

It's possible, but what I've read is that SSC is having difficulties finding production facilities to do the work correctly and to the standards everyone is expecting. Problem is, not only are these facilities not living up to their end, but they're charging more for it (as is all of China).

HT will have a leg up since they're in Asia, so I think most are hoping with this new "partnership", SSC can get similar access to the same facilities.

 

[shocktrooper_au]

I work for a large retail company and we set up our own sourcing dept in China for the same reasons, someone on the ground to get the right price & quality

 

[gibby]

From a forbes article in 2011, which paints a more dire scenario...

An average annual 14% rise in wages in the country during the past decade is likely to “maintain the same pace for the next 5-10 years,” Baizhu Chen said at a speech at the Shanghai Foreign Correspondents Club today. That means average labor costs paid by businesses in China could rise “three or four times” in the next decade, Chen said.

Forbes

 

[shocktrooper_au]

Then another country, say India will step in a take Chinas place when they out price themselves

 

[gibby]

It's coming at some point. China has slowly unloaded our debt over the past years.

Makes you wonder what country will be next. India is possible, but I'm thinking one of the countries in South America.

 

[Darth Madden]

I do. These days, Sideshow is asking top dollar for their stuff, so I expect top quality. "Close enough" is only good enough when the price reflects the fact. Let's not forget what we're talking about here. This is not some obscure background character, this is Darth ****ing Vader. There is an enormous amount of reference material out there, and a number of people out there who are incredibly familiar with every aspect of Darth Vader's costume, so the final 1/6 product should reflect that. Do a 3D scan of original props, then there is no question the proportions are right. Hot Toy's exclusive item for Bespin Luke, the Vader head looks exponentially better than this, and it's half of a head. Why does this Vader look the way it does? Because people bought the ANH version, even with it's shortcomings, and because the Higher-ups at Sideshow know people will be satisfied with the same crap this time.

And thats fine. I am just glad I'm not in those shoes thats all. I realized a long time ago that there will NEVER be a 100% perfect mass market figure made by anybody for any character. All you can do is hope the "errors" are small enough to overlook.

 

[abake]

So that's it?
No more pics? No insight from people who were at SDCC?
Oh well, hopefully we'll get to see official pics from Sideshow soon.

 

[Matt S]

So that's it?
No more pics? No insight from people who were at SDCC?
Oh well, hopefully we'll get to see official pics from Sideshow soon.

I am kinda wondering that myself; is no one at the con gathering Intel? LOL, either this year has sucked or its a conspiracy!

 

[Creighton]

"You will buy this Vader and like it!" There are kids in China that worked very hard on it. Eat your green beans while your at it.