The Competition Btwn. HT/Medicom/SS

[freestylex06x]

Here are my thoughts on the current predicament of the 1/6 figure market. I think Medicom or SS needs to step up their game or someone needs to start another figure company to compete directly with Hot Toys. Hot Toys has become the clear cut #1 company in this field and I feel that soon they will start taking advantage of this and start overcharging. I think this industry needs more competition to improve the quality and price of figures for all of us collectors out there. It seems pretty clear the Medicom has practically stopped trying to improve quality (Old Snake) and I haven't really been overly excited about SS products or releases. I just feel a bit scared that HT's success will end up biting our figure quality and price in the butt. What do you guys think?

 

[uscmhicks]

I doubt they would raise the price at all and if they did surely not by much.
Its hard for most people buying these as it is.
Hot toys is definitely number 1 though at the minute and has been for a while.

 

[nash]

you should run for president while youre at it.

 

[customizerwannabe]

As long as the quality is there I'll pay whatever.

 

[DarthNeil]

Here are my thoughts on the current predicament of the 1/6 figure market. I think Medicom or SS needs to step up their game or someone needs to start another figure company to compete directly with Hot Toys. Hot Toys has become the clear cut #1 company in this field and I feel that soon they will start taking advantage of this and start overcharging. I think this industry needs more competition to improve the quality and price of figures for all of us collectors out there. It seems pretty clear the Medicom has practically stopped trying to improve quality (Old Snake) and I haven't really been overly excited about SS products or releases. I just feel a bit scared that HT's success will end up biting our figure quality and price in the butt. What do you guys think?

Which raises the question--- Why did you join a site called SIDESHOW FREAKS?

 

[Voorhees27]

I agree that the average Hot Toys price will or hell already has increased in price but you can't tell me that the other trend will be a decrease in quality? If anything HT's quality has improved by 100% and just in the last 6-8 months. Hence why they are #1.

 

[Moonloop]

I still believe that over time SS will strictly end up producing statues/busts/etc. and only import 12" figures such as Hot Toys.

I think Medicom makes mediocre products, they break easily they all look the same. I mean every figure has the same Asian influence in the headsculpt. They don't try and or improve anymore, I think they will eventually go out of business or still be in business but not talked about much anymore (this is already happening).

SS on the other hand is better than Medicom in the 1/6 market, but I don't see SS competing with HT. SS was smart to not really compete with HT in the first place and import their products to the US, smart move on SS part.

 

[freestylex06x]

Which raises the question--- Why did you join a site called SIDESHOW FREAKS?

I meant recently not in the long run

 

[The Craw]

Which raises the question--- Why did you join a site called SIDESHOW FREAKS?

just another noob joining for the HT Dark Knight buzz.

 

[OSCORP]

SS on the other hand is better than Medicom in the 1/6 market,

Uhhh that's up for debate BIGTIME.

Anyways, I don't really agree with much of the original post. I think HT knows they kick ass and if they overcharge they could lose potential customers.(they're makin all kinds of $ right now) I don't see it happening anytime soon

Bottom line..... SS and medicom need to be taking notes from HT.

#1

 

[Cryoguns]

I still believe that over time SS will strictly end up producing statues/busts/etc. and only import 12" figures such as Hot Toys.

I think Medicom makes mediocre products, they break easily they all look the same. I mean every figure has the same Asian influence in the headsculpt. They don't try and or improve anymore, I think they will eventually go out of business or still be in business but not talked about much anymore (this is already happening).

SS on the other hand is better than Medicom in the 1/6 market, but I don't see SS competing with HT. SS was smart to not really compete with HT in the first place and import their products to the US, smart move on SS part.

Yup...Medicom's a distant third rather than a potential contender against HT. Sadly, Takara's been playing the same game as Medicom with their Cy Girl line...upping the price without any apparent upping the quality of the figure.

But I will say that I think Sideshow has been stepping up their game, especially with some of their newer items they will be making. Snake Syes, Cobra Commander, General Obi-wan, etc.

 

[TheObsoleteMan]

Medicom has their own niche and seem perfectly happy to stay there. I don't see them changing their formula at all.

SSC is too hard to predict. They developed new bodies which is great, but they have a bad habbit of either dragging their feet on licenses or just dropping them altogether in mid-stream. I also don't see them deviating from this haphazard course.

Enterbay is the only company out there right now that I can see competing with HT, but they just don't produce on a big enough scale.

HT rules the 1/6 world right now, and I don't see that changing any time soon.

 

[minivader]

Here are my thoughts on the current predicament of the 1/6 figure market. I think Medicom or SS needs to step up their game or someone needs to start another figure company to compete directly with Hot Toys. Hot Toys has become the clear cut #1 company in this field and I feel that soon they will start taking advantage of this and start overcharging. I think this industry needs more competition to improve the quality and price of figures for all of us collectors out there. It seems pretty clear the Medicom has practically stopped trying to improve quality (Old Snake) and I haven't really been overly excited about SS products or releases. I just feel a bit scared that HT's success will end up biting our figure quality and price in the butt. What do you guys think?

soon start overcharging? I think that's already happening. Though I do think you need to take in consideration on what licenses HT carries. Personally I am not very interested in that many, just ironman. SSC probably has the most license that I actually care about, but their quality up to this point is very hit and miss, hopefully the new pro body would change that. (doubtful) medicom has some very interesting stuff coming out, and from most of the images seen so far I do see improvements over their older stuff. The latest pix of river phoenix/young jones is looking really really good. And their version of TDK is actually looking very good even compared to HT's version. HT makes some really good 1/6 figures, but I dont think the lead will last.

 

[Dutch]

Hot Toys are the king at the moment, no doubt about it.though medicom have some nice stuff coming out, and I think they have lifted their game a bit. Their upcoming alien looks nice, so do their Dragonball figures, RAH Darth Maul looked awesome, I hated the prequel trilogy and even I want a Maul.

I think it largely depends on which movie licences you like, and who has them.

I don't own any sideshow figures so I can't really comment about them.

 

[Rugby1970]

I love Hot Toys but I cannot say that they trump Sideshow all the time. Hot Toys puts out great figures but you pay a price. If every figure cost $150 or so I couldn't keep up with the Hobby.

Sideshow has traditionally gone for a variety of Licenses and has tried to keep the prices reasonable.

I think there's room in the Market for both and I will always love Sideshow for giving us such great Universal Horror figures, POTA, Twilight Zone, you name it.

I really don't think of them as being in competition. (They are collaborating on a few figures, after all).

Long live both companies!

(Can't really speak for Medicom... I have quite a few of their figures but have never been a huge fan.)

 

[The Tuggernaut]

Hot Toys are the king at the moment, no doubt about it.though medicom have some nice stuff coming out, and I think they have lifted their game a bit. Their upcoming alien looks nice, so do their Dragonball figures, RAH Darth Maul looked awesome, I hated the prequel trilogy and even I want a Maul.

I think it largely depends on which movie licences you like, and who has them.

I agree with you on that

 

[creecher]

What I don't get is why Sideshow seem to have stopped dead in the water. I mean they finally go to the trouble of rejuvenating their base body and barely any figures to use it on.

 

[Rock83]

As long as the quality is there I'll pay whatever.

Careful now,we dont wanna see a price jump

 

[Josette]

What I love about Hot Toys? The consistency. They're final products always look exactly like the prototype, so when you first see a shot of a figure - you know that's what you're going to get.

I'm at the point with Hot Toys that I wouldn't even need to see a pic, even though I would certainly want to. If I know HT is the maker, I know it will be awesome and I've already planned to get it in my head.

That's the kind of quality that makes them number one.

 

[galactiboy]

I definitely agree that HT is at the top of the heap right now, and honestly aside from liscensing issues they are by far the most consistent. Not to mention a great breadth of products from genre to type.

I think Medicom is actually starting to take notice and improve... it took a bit, but with the Kaiyodo partnership they have done some really unique and awesome looking anime figures. So I see some positive growth from them, although I think the Medicom style is popular enough that they will most likely stay away from hyper realistic.

Sideshow is definitely taking notes from HT, even working with them. I'm hoping the investment in 3 new bodies will translate into an increase across the boards. The General Kenobi looks to be badass, and if he delivers I think it will usher in a new era for them in the 1/6 market.

Enterbay is an interesting one... but I think the average price is too high and the product is very sporadic and narrowly focused at this time.

Then you also have other companies like DiD and Takara that are making great stuff, but again fairly narrow in focus and not as well known to collectors. But I think either one of them could really become a major player if they moved more into commercial properties.