I understand clearly the necessity for a company to grow. It is capitalism one on one. The problem with Sideshow is that it has grown so rapidly while sacrificing key elements for a sustainable future.
For starters, they are not using freelancing artists anymore. Many "Grails" came out of talented people like these. They are constantly recicling ideas with endless cash-ins. They have increase edition sizes but they have been priced as limited edition. They justify it by saying that the cost of manucfactiring in China has increased nowadays, but the truth is that the higher the production, the lower the cost. We are paying full price for hollow pieces. The Classic Hulk PF was half the price of the Movie Maquette but it weight 3 times more (at least)! The truth is that they are charging us for more while giving us less just to maintain the licenses, PR agents and a list of endless worldwide shows. All of these add up at the cash register.
We might be critical against Bowen, but this company has hardly changed its modus operandi for the last 20 years. They do not attend Comicon or any other show but have a great following. Don't get me wrong, I love Sideshow at its best, I just don't agree with the direction that the company is taking. New collectors drool for premium formats (something that I see clearly here and in other forums) while despising other scales. They believe what "seasoned" collectors say and end up being sheep on the Ebay slaughter. I really have a problem with Flippers and those ready to take advantage of the ill informed.
Monopolies kill competition. We haven't seen new companies rising in recent years (I still remember 15 years ago when there was an infusion of new blood everywhere). Nowadays, It is a tough market and artists are struggling to survive. How long can the hobby be sustainable? We have to wait and see. Competing with a giant is always a hard pill to swallow.