Wow I didn't mean to hijack this thread over the ES debate. But I have to agree with every word Batman29 wrote. Well said sir.
Thanks, and no, you did not hijack the thread at all ... I think you did the opposite as it effects a persons choice in buying this piece and where to buy it! It belongs exactly in this thread as this Endo 1:2 is the piece in question in regards to the ES debate. This, then effects the purchasing power of the piece, which is also part of this thread when, as collectors have in this thread, ask about whether they should purchase this piece or not. Bottom line, this Endo is an exceptional sculpt, and for a person who wants to buy it, they should know about the quality of the piece, the workings of it, etc and of course it's ES, lack of ES, SS pricing, the secondary market price, and it potential future value.
Oh bono totally agree when it comes to integrity but it is still a business. If its all about money what would you do? Supply and demand. And honestly what are we gonna do about it? Not gonna stop buying it if its an item you want right?
SS was not all about money ... it was a company that brought quality collectables to the consumer, supported with outstanding customer service (a service you could rely and depend on) integrated with making money as a company. With this particular sculpt, the SS HCG 1:2 Full Size Endo, Sideshow began showing a different side to it's collecting philosophy. It began to change the rules after pricing and negotiations were well in place with it's customers.
While SS does NOT do this with most of its pieces, and in fact did this with only a few of them, it did indeed have many of us collectors become wary that SS was looking more to making the money then sticking with their original philosophy which gained them so many hard core collectors.
As a collector, and this is my viewpoint, it still means a lot to me that Bowen Bronzes have been signed by Stan Lee and Randy Bowen with pics, or that my SS Exc Hulk, MJ, and Spidey have been signed by Stan Lee with pics, or my Hard Hero Chrome #48 Silver Surfer has been signed by Stan Lee and the sculptor Seth Vandable, with pics. The owners of Hard Hero and Bowen Design took the time to sign, make edition numbers, which, when I look at these pieces gives a great sense of pride and respect for these people. The philosophy of SS at the time the Hulk was produced and a couple of years later, was of a company who had a great combination of production, ES, understanding the collector, the value of the collection, and making money for SS. When I look at the Hulk, Spidey, MJ, and other pieces from SS, I see that also.
When I look at the SS 1:2 Endo, it reminds me of a new direction that SS is taking in the collectables, one I am not in agreement with, and so it made this piece a lot easier to decide to sell, along with some others.
So, in the long run, if they keep up this philosophy, I think their supply will be higher then their demand, integrity may suffer, and profits may decline, effecting their business.
