SSC Flint

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is that the customers fault for not seeing value in a $90 german Indy or $70 3/4 figure like the Hobbits? Sometimes to sustain a line for longevity which could well mean 100,000 more units over the next 5 years you have to take your lumps and not take such high profit margins. Theres something to be said for making profits in mass rather than strict % per unit. Taking a stand for $10,000 on German Indy probably cost SSC $200,000 on continued sales of future Indy products.

That's nice and dandy and all, even a bit wordy bud, but again, it doesn't change the fact that waiting on clearance = no sales and no sales = cancellation. I haven't really seen any examples of the "vote with your wallet" mentality work either. Looking at the economy, I don't see other stores lowering their prices to compete with Wal*Mart and Target. I see them going out of business and filing bankruptcy. It's a failed tactic that backfires more than anything else. I think it's odd that many of the "wait until it's clearanced" collectors whine when a company cancels a line when they're part to blame for it's cancellation. Again, a company's mentality isn't, "If it doesn't sell, we'll just lower prices until it does." The commonality is, "If it doesn't sell, discontinue it. We'll find something else that will." And when you're in the business of making money, the latter is the best choice. It keeps your business profitable and your employees employed.
 
is that the customers fault for not seeing value in a $90 german Indy or $70 3/4 figure like the Hobbits? Sometimes to sustain a line for longevity which could well mean 100,000 more units over the next 5 years you have to take your lumps and not take such high profit margins. Theres something to be said for making profits in mass rather than strict % per unit. Taking a stand for $10,000 on German Indy probably cost SSC $200,000 on continued sales of future Indy products.

Hey Prog, for reals do you think anything SSC makes is affordable or a good value? I'm not trying to bust your balls (I even think Flint is about 5-10 bucks too high) but really if you can't afford them then it's time to get out. I mean everyone has there limits. Here is where I am coming from as a SW collector:

entry level-HASBRO
4th tier-LEGO (seriously)
3rd tier-SSC SW 12"
2nd tier-SSC (dios, LSB, etc.)/GentleGiant (jerkoffs)
1st tier-SSC PF/MR/ICONS/e/FX-Prop Replicas

My point being I know what I personally perceive as a good value/affordable and know that the (SSC dios & MR stuff) is nice but ultimately it's out of the realm of what I consider "worth it". I guess I am trying to figure out where you are coming from. :dunno
 
True. Just because I didn't bite on German Indy, defintely doesn't mean I wouldn't have bought Mola Ram, Sallah, Marion, hell even the Grail Knight.

Indy's really a poor comparison to the Joes though. Price wasn't really the issue with that line, it was poor QC and WTF?! product decisions/character selections.
 
That's nice and dandy and all, even a bit wordy bud, but again, it doesn't change the fact that waiting on clearance = no sales and no sales = cancellation. I haven't really seen any examples of the "vote with your wallet" mentality work either. Looking at the economy, I don't see other stores lowering their prices to compete with Wal*Mart and Target. I see them going out of business and filing bankruptcy. It's a failed tactic that backfires more than anything else. I think it's odd that many of the "wait until it's clearanced" collectors whine when a company cancels a line when they're part to blame for it's cancellation. Again, a company's mentality isn't, "If it doesn't sell, we'll just lower prices until it does." The commonality is, "If it doesn't sell, discontinue it. We'll find something else that will." And when you're in the business of making money, the latter is the best choice. It keeps your business profitable and your employees employed.

I actually agree with you 100% Nam, but it wasn't really what I was saying. I'm not saying that we can bring any license back by voting with our wallet. its 100% up to SSC to make the choice...let a license go to the dodo or not. But is it up to people like me that feel ripped off to bring the license back? Will paying $125 for something I think should be $100 make figures go back to $100 or will it just encourage price increases.

Deak, from 2006-2008 I bought 100% of LOTR, SW and Indy 1/6th product.
 
is that the customers fault for not seeing value in a $90 german Indy or $70 3/4 figure like the Hobbits? Sometimes to sustain a line for longevity which could well mean 100,000 more units over the next 5 years you have to take your lumps and not take such high profit margins. Theres something to be said for making profits in mass rather than strict % per unit. Taking a stand for $10,000 on German Indy probably cost SSC $200,000 on continued sales of future Indy products.

Two Perfect examples. People didn't buy them and the lines were canceled...
 
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Canada doesn't have the same discount system as the US. Sure things do get cleared out, but for the most part Canadians put a higher value on the things we want, so paying retail for something you want makes perfect sense. You'll notice that Canadians (and other International collectors) tend not to bring up costs until a bunch of US collectors start complaining about having to pay tax or $5 extra dollars. For two countries that share the world's longest open border, it amazes me sometimes how differently the people for each country think about things. :)

I'm not sure that has anything to do with any fundamental difference between Americans and Canadians/Europeans.

As collectors, we've just come to terms with the fact that we have to pay higher prices for shipping, duty, etc. So those of us who choose to stay in the hobby despite that are used to higher prices. We've chosen to put a higher value on things (for example, Flint will end up costing me about $50 more because of shipping being about $20-25, then double that so the government can take their cut - the bastards - and maybe a few bucks in the exchange rate too) because we have to, but I don't think that holds true for Canadians in general. When it comes to anything available at retail, we look for the same deals as anyone else.

Anyway, just my .02 on the subject.

Flint may not appear to have as many accessories as Snake Eyes but I bet all those shotgun shells - which would seem to be removable according to the accessory list - added to the cost considerably.

Looking at the loadout pics side by side, Snake Eyes doesn't come with considerably more stuff. Flint's shotgun shells and headsculpt (let's face it, how much work did SE's take?) justify them being about the same cost, I think.
 
don't forget that heads take money to sculpt wheter it's got an actor likeness or not. plus they need painters to paint the sculpts. that's 2 more things SE didn't have.
 
I will still buy directly from Sideshow whenever possible. Their customer service and the return policy not to mention the reward points are worth the little I could save on secondary market.

I can feel some of the pain for people trying to save on shipping though. The only way SS ships to Hawaii is UPS 2 day air. That like tripled the shipping compared to where I lived a year ago.
 
I will still buy directly from Sideshow whenever possible. Their customer service and the return policy not to mention the reward points are worth the little I could save on secondary market.

I can feel some of the pain for people trying to save on shipping though. The only way SS ships to Hawaii is UPS 2 day air. That like tripled the shipping compared to where I lived a year ago.

:lecture

And for me at least, the shipping is cheaper and faster than most other places. So that and the reward points tend to equal said savings from a dealer. And with big poly pieces, sideshow customer service is a life saver.
 
don't forget that heads take money to sculpt wheter it's got an actor likeness or not. plus they need painters to paint the sculpts. that's 2 more things SE didn't have.

Actually, Tim Miller sculpted that head and from what I understand, it was the second one done for the figure.
 
That is because Flint is a punk. He is going to be the one under my "Snooper" (see the Sniper thread) after I get him.
 
Two Perfect examples. People didn't buy them and the lines were canceled...

So again the solution is to pay $90 for something worth $70? Sorry. The cancellation of a line means nothing to me if I can't afford it anyways....:rolleyes: am I supposed to overpay based on my standards so you can be happy? you don't seem all that supportive of my plight. And my plight would end up serving us both...because we would both save money. you are asking me to pay extra for something to serve your desires...:lol
 
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