Edition Size....Does it really matter???

[bearmodel]

You know,

I'm so amazed to see how many people are soooo worried about the edition size of a piece. Every time something comes out, people start to speculate what the ES will be and getting upset if it is a bigger one than they expect. Does it really matter that much? Really? I couldn't care less, to be honest. I like a piece and I'll get if I can, doesn't matter if it is 2000 0r 200.

Unless you intend to flip it, does it really matter?

[Voorhees27]

My answer is no, I don't even know what most of my stuff is ES'd out of anyway.

[Patient Zero]

It really doesn't matter to me. But with that said, it is always nice to have an option to sell something off if finances get tough. So when picking out items for a collection, I could see why people would gravitate towards lower ES pieces. Personally though, If I like it , I will buy it. :peace

[El Roranous]

Since these are luxury items it's nice when an item has a low ES because when you have to sell it, you won't lose too much.

If all these things had high edition sizes then a lot of the appeal of owning would be gone. People like to be elite and own rare trinkets.

[EVILFACE]

I'm not bothered by edition size. Could be 50 or 5000, as long as I get one I'm happy.

[Cocoboloboy]

Since these are luxury items it's nice when an item has a low ES because when you have to sell it, you won't lose too much.

If all these things had high edition sizes then a lot of the appeal of owning would be gone. People like to be elite and own rare trinkets.

:lecture :lecture :lecture

[KBA]

Usually no.

with the exception being if its part of the premium advertised which you're paying for ie: Limited Editions that have set edition sizes before pre-orders, sales, take place.

[El Roranous]

:lecture :lecture :lecture

I love to be quoted like that... it makes me blush. :love :lol

[Cocoboloboy]

I love to be quoted like that... it makes me blush. :love :lol

Oops! Sorry Rory! I meant to use these emoticons: :blah :blah :blah

:D

[the angry orc]

i personally could care less about edition size.
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as long as i get one.

[occulum]

I enjoy the added value a low ES can give to an already kick-*** piece ... :monkey1

[El Roranous]

Oops! Sorry Rory! I meant to use these emoticons: :blah :blah :blah

:D:lol:lol:rotfl:monkey2

[galactiboy]

It only matters to me in that it can help determine how hard it will be for me to find. If things are easily available I don't need to know the edition size.

[minivader]

It would only matter to me if I couldn't get one due to low ES. Like 50 or something. And the chance of getting it later at a decent price would be harder as well.

[Darth Madden]

Even stuff with low edition sizes don't sell... see the Star Wars Faux Bronze Dioramas.

Most of the time I don't really care but its nice to know I have something not EVERYONE else has. I have plenty of mass produced stuff.

[Batty]

Since I mainly collect 1:6 it doesn't really matter to me.

[lcummins]

Edition size is just part of being a "limited edition" collectible. I don't really worry about how large the edition size is, but it is nice when they are kept at a reasonable level... however, I dislike super-limited items and don't really see the need for them.

[Amir]

I voted Yes but then changed my mind to No :D...I voted Yes at first because I like my statue/bust/whatever to hold at the very least its retail value if not more after I buy it, I thought a low edition size would help keep the value but I just remembered there are quite a few Sideshow pieces with low edition sizes and they are pretty much worth less than there retail value, such as the Faux Bronze Star Wars dios, there are other pieces I just can't remeber right now. But I guess edition size matters not, I just want my sideshow pieces to hold there retail value at the very least.

[RabagaZt]

I guess that ES matter when you're going to sell some items, but so far I've kept all my items so ES do not matter for me at the moment :p

[dr_teng]

Don't care in the slightest. I can see why some people want to have a rare and unique item, but I enjoy the statues/toys/whatever I have because of what they are, not because of any perceived rarity.

[The Craw]

edition size doesnt matter to me. but it is nice to know that only a small number of people worldwide have the same collectible that you do, especially when you know that the fanbase for some licenses is in the millions.

[nash]

It matters because the premium prices we are paying for these things is only due to the fact and claim that they are "LIMITED" items. If they are just going to be unlimited or 10,000 made of something, then lower the price appropriately.

For me, edition size in relation to price point is what i'm looking at.

[Mesa]

If SS released a faux bronzed turd with a limited ES of only 10, I'd buy it just to flip it, so yes, it matters to me.

[SolidLiquidFox]

It matters because the premium prices we are paying for these things is only due to the fact and claim that they are "LIMITED" items. If they are just going to be unlimited or 10,000 made of something, then lower the price appropriately.

For me, edition size in relation to price point is what i'm looking at.

Exactly. I am sure the actual cost of these pieces is very small given that they are made in China. The price that we pay is mostly for the limited nature of the product, the licensing fees, etc.

I always felt that I was buying a complete package and not just the statue itself given the prices we are paying. Ignoring the ES would be acceptable for me if I was paying below $100 for most of this stuff (dioramas, PFs, comiquettes, 1:1 busts, etc). Sadly, that is not the case.

[Amir]

It matters because the premium prices we are paying for these things is only due to the fact and claim that they are "LIMITED" items. If they are just going to be unlimited or 10,000 made of something, then lower the price appropriately.

For me, edition size in relation to price point is what i'm looking at.

Great point Nash, I agree if the edition size is large the price should reflect that and be lower.

[uscmhicks]

It matters if I have one I want to sell and its low because I get more !. :lol

I've never bought anything or not bought anything because of it though.

[samueljd]

I prefer to get a low ES, but as long as I get a flawless piece in the long run, I'm happy.

[Ancient Astronaut]

As long as the piece looks awesome it doesn't matter at all.

[bonedaddy77]

Edition size isn't a huge deal to me but does have a factor in whether I buy directly from Sideshow or from a vendor (since it would be discounted).

[LOTRFan]

Even "disposable" income is important, and I at least want my items to maintain their value -- ES is significant when I purchase something.

[BXCOLLECTOR]

YES IT MATTERS

[Buttmunch]

Nope. Collect to collect. I collect stuff because I want them, not because they are limited to so many. Sometimes it is cool to say I have a Patient Zero that is only limited to 300 and worth almost $400 but would him? No!

Maybe this is also why I can just as easily collect toy lines from Mattel or NECA.

[glyoung99]

Nope. Collect to collect. I collect stuff because I want them, not because they are limited to so many. Sometimes it is cool to say I have a Patient Zero that is only limited to 300 and worth almost $400 but would him? No!

Maybe this is also why I can just as easily collect toy lines from Mattel or NECA.


But what if you are a collector of "rare" items. Like a collector of rare historical documents or rare antiques. Then you would be collecting to collect but you would be collecting low ES items. Kinda scary if you think of it.

It also throws the whole "I'm the purer collector because I buy what I like", argument out the window because in this case what you like is low ES items.

So yeah, collect to collect.

[Reefer Shark]

I only buy stuff I intend to keep, so the only time it bugs me is if it's a piece I really want, and I miss out because the size is too low (IE: 50 or 100, in that range).

Once I have a piece in hand, I rarely even look at the number anyways.

[NASEDO]

Just go to the Patient Zero thread in the horror section.

[KBA]

I only buy stuff I intend to keep, so the only time it bugs me is if it's a piece I really want, and I miss out because the size is too low (IE: 50 or 100, in that range).

Once I have a piece in hand, I rarely even look at the number anyways.

yup, I don't even like to display the numbered plaques with any of my prop replicas.

[jkno]

It only matters to me in that it can help determine how hard it will be for me to find. If things are easily available I don't need to know the edition size.

Excellent point of view!!

[The Ween]

Most of the time, size doesn't matter. :D

[Morbo]

Most of the time, size doesn't matter. :D

:rotfl
when I saw Size.........Does it really matter? and then your name I put two and two together...............:naughty

[Alice Adrenochrome]

The edition size always matters.

[Reinhardt]

dont care about edition size - as a matter of fact, i sometimes wish they were higher - then the price wouldn't be so high.

[Malice]

My answer is no, I don't even know what most of my stuff is ES'd out of anyway.

I only buy stuff I intend to keep, so the only time it bugs me is if it's a piece I really want, and I miss out because the size is too low (IE: 50 or 100, in that range).

Once I have a piece in hand, I rarely even look at the number anyways.

:lecture..........

[The Drizzle]

I could care less about edition size. I don't see what's so wrong about making sure everyone that wants one gets one. Frankly, I think SS should ONLY carry exclusive editions on their website (in larger editions), regular editions are fine to go out to other retailers. I think the exclusives should be available longer so more people get the chance to get them. The only reason to want exclusives and for edition sizes to stay small are selfish, greedy reasons- people that want to scalp things, and people who want to be "haves" and somehow be part of a special group that got "the good version" and keep most people being "have nots".

[The Drizzle]

But what if you are a collector of "rare" items. Like a collector of rare historical documents or rare antiques. Then you would be collecting to collect but you would be collecting low ES items. Kinda scary if you think of it.

It also throws the whole "I'm the purer collector because I buy what I like", argument out the window because in this case what you like is low ES items.


It doesn't throw the argument out at all.
Antiquities are rare due to age- most of those things were probably in plentiful supply long, long ago when they were made- they were not produced to be rare. These things produced by SS are *artificially* scarce. It's a manufactured collectible, not collectible by high demand or accident. I think most collectors of antiquities would tell you they collect the items because they are old, not because they are rare.

[Darth Madden]

Why does wanting a low edition size always mean scalper? Why can't somebody just want something not everyone else has.

[The Mike]

It would only matter to me if I couldn't get one due to low ES. Like 50 or something. And the chance of getting it later at a decent price would be harder as well.

:lecture:lecture:lecture:lecture

[samueljd]

Why does wanting a low edition size always mean scalper? Why can't somebody just want something not everyone else has.

True, I don't scalp at all. I just like to get a low edition because I feel like I've got a more limited collectible.

[preeny101]

Size doesn't matter. At least not in this context. Collect for love of it not for profit!

[samueljd]

Size doesn't matter. At least not in this context. Collect for love of it not for profit!

Who says they're collecting for profit? That statement doesn't make any sense. This is not the hobby to get into if your looking to make a profit.

[hairlesswookiee]

don't really care about the edition size. not important to me, especially if its something i really want. i'll get it regardless of edition size or price.

[NASEDO]

Edition size isn't a big deal, but I don't want to buy a statue which is later dirt cheap because of the edition size.

[The Ween]

:rotfl
when I saw Size.........Does it really matter? and then your name I put two and two together...............:naughty


I know, I'm so bad. :naughty

[preeny101]

Who says they're collecting for profit? That statement doesn't make any sense. This is not the hobby to get into if your looking to make a profit.

Makes sense to me because edition sizes up the percieved value for some people which they use as a selling point on the secondary market.

[The Drizzle]

Why does wanting a low edition size always mean scalper? Why can't somebody just want something not everyone else has.

I said it was one or the other... scalper or elitist.

[The Tuggernaut]

Most of the time, it doesn't IMO.

[Havok]

It doesn't really matter to me either. I mean it's always nice to know you have one of something that only 200 was made of, but honestly I just like the fact that they are limited editions period. Even if it's 5,000, or even 10,000 think about that, that's only 5,000 or 10,000 in the entire world. To me that's pretty limited.

[slynger]

A part of me cares about the ES for the simple fact that it is a chance for me to aquire that "hard to get" item. It is nice to be able to show off a collection and know that you had to hunt for several items that only a handful of people could get.

Another part of me doesn't care simply because I love the collectibles I have for what they represent not because there is only 500 of one of them. I know that sounds contradictory, but I think most on this board know what I mean.

[King Darkness]

Edition size means nothing to me.

[samueljd]

When it comes down to it ES doesn't really matter, but it is nice to be able to pick and choose.

[Adoptedscot]

Lets leave the name calling and insults out of the thread please, no need to make things personal. Having said that, we are a forum and a thicker skin is needed, do not take all comments too literally/personally.

As for the ES, I don't care, if im looking for an item, as long as I can secure one I don't care what number it is or how many there are.
x :peace

[GondorGirl]

As for the ES, I don't care, if im looking for an item, as long as I can secure one I don't care what number it is or how many there are.
x :peace

:lecture:lecture Perfectly summed up, thanks Shell, means I don't have to articulate it myself! :lol :duff

[Adoptedscot]

:lecture:lecture Perfectly summed up, thanks Shell, means I don't have to articulate it myself! :lol :duff
Great minds my friend :rock
x

[cr4cx3r]

It doesn't matter to me at all. I think the only purposes a low ES serves is "hype" for the manufacturer, an ego boost for elitists, and incentive for secondary market scalpers. If you collect what you like it shouldn't matter how many other people have one.

[Odowankenobi]

I collect for my own personal pleasure, not becuase I'm hoping to flip these for money. Because of that, edition size means nothing to me so long as I can secure the items that I want.

[creecher]

Edition size means everything.

If it wasn't for edition sizes and having them known, they'd be open edition and a damn lot cheaper. So all those who don't care about it, petition the 'collectible' companies and have these made open edition so we can all have and afford them. If edition size means so little you wont care if you missed out on an item either, but strangely the same people only 'care' that they get one. There's lots of items on the market these days, so forego the exclusives and go for regular. :rock That's the ticket. If you can't get the low edition item you want, there's bound to be plenty of other renditions of your favourite line in more abundant numbers.

It's the low edition size that makes an item more collectible.

[jkno]

For me It matters only when talking about props or statues, not when talking about figures. On props and statues usually you have an edition on the stand/base, on a figure you don't - so how do you know for sure they are making only that number of figures?

[samueljd]

Edition size means everything.

If it wasn't for edition sizes and having them known, they'd be open edition and a damn lot cheaper. So all those who don't care about it, petition the 'collectible' companies and have these made open edition so we can all have and afford them. If edition size means so little you wont care if you missed out on an item either, but strangely the same people only 'care' that they get one. There's lots of items on the market these days, so forego the exclusives and go for regular. :rock That's the ticket. If you can't get the low edition item you want, there's bound to be plenty of other renditions of your favourite line in more abundant numbers.

It's the low edition size that makes an item more collectible.

Very enlightening and an excellent point my friend. Do we not read so many posts about what the ES will be on a particular item when it is being released and so many scramble to get it. It's later that the buyers remorse kicks in and we start seeing many a cancel. I see the same members who mention that ES doesn't matter being the same ones who need to know what the ES is and that they need to get it.

[lcummins]

I'll just follow up on what Creech said... I've seen many a thread talking about items that people don't/won't collect because they are mass produced without an edition size, so they aren't considered "collectible". If it wasn't for the limited nature of most of these products, I would be willing to bet that a large majority of purchasers would not collect them or get them...

[Wetanut]

For me, personally, it doesn't matter since I collect to keep so I get only things I like, regardless of ES. What the piece winds up in value on the secondary market is of no concern to me, unless I'm trying to get it. Then the inflated cost keeps me from buying it. But I move on rather than rant and rave about it since I refuse to pander to it. I remember during the heydays of LOTR that folks would get 5-6 pieces (or more) of the same thing and causing sell outs -- obviously planning to turn them for a profit from those of us who were shut out from getting it originally through SS. That was despicable.

ES is important only because there are collectors who put such emphasis on it. And as long as the secondary/tertiary market dictates, I guess we'll never get away from that.

[The Ween]

I can remember when the Leonidas PF edition size went up that alot of people wouldn't get it or canceled because the edition size wasn't 300 but 600.

Most of the time when I'm ordering the edition size hasn't been put up. I'm sure not going to cancel something I love simply because the edition size is higher than what some want.

[KitFisto]

I like pieces being numbered and to know what number I have, but I am not one of those who DEMANDS low ES for "value". As long as I get what I am after I am happy. I don't care about getting a low # in the run either.

[SolidLiquidFox]

Edition size means everything.

If it wasn't for edition sizes and having them known, they'd be open edition and a damn lot cheaper. So all those who don't care about it, petition the 'collectible' companies and have these made open edition so we can all have and afford them. If edition size means so little you wont care if you missed out on an item either, but strangely the same people only 'care' that they get one. There's lots of items on the market these days, so forego the exclusives and go for regular. :rock That's the ticket. If you can't get the low edition item you want, there's bound to be plenty of other renditions of your favourite line in more abundant numbers.

It's the low edition size that makes an item more collectible.

Well said. The results of this poll so far are either hypocritical or extremely naive. At the price they are charging for these items I don't know how people can afford "not to care" and be so cavalier about high edition sizes in this economy.

[Bannister]

ES always matters to me. It determines if I buy it direct or wait for a bargain on ebay if it is something I want.

[amarcord]

This discussion will ge a lot more lively when sideshow announce a re-release of patient zero and PF Hulk.

[The Josh]

Great point Nash, I agree if the edition size is large the price should reflect that and be lower.

I agree that if something has a high ES the price we're charged should be lower.

I like pieces being numbered and to know what number I have, but I am not one of those who DEMANDS low ES for "value". As long as I get what I am after I am happy. I don't care about getting a low # in the run either.

I'm always curious as to what number I get since its random but thats it really. Otherwise I don't get too wrapped up in it.

[occulum]

This discussion will ge a lot more lively when sideshow announce a re-release of patient zero and PF Hulk.
:lol ...... :lecture


... I dont see why anybody would get mad if they dont care about ES ... I mean lets go ahead and rerelease another 1000 Doom PF Exclusives, or Big Daddy Rogs....

[The Drizzle]

For me It matters only when talking about props or statues, not when talking about figures. On props and statues usually you have an edition on the stand/base, on a figure you don't - so how do you know for sure they are making only that number of figures?

To some of us, "collectible" does not matter- we just buy things we like.

[The Drizzle]

Well said. The results of this poll so far are either hypocritical or extremely naive. At the price they are charging for these items I don't know how people can afford "not to care" and be so cavalier about high edition sizes in this economy.

Because a lot of us buy to keep, we're not worried about resale value. That does not help me to appreciate the artistry in any way, which is what it's all about to me. Sorry, your's and Creecher's answers don't cover the mindset of all of us.

[The Drizzle]

:lol ...... :lecture


... I dont see why anybody would get mad if they dont care about ES ... I mean lets go ahead and rerelease another 1000 Doom PF Exclusives, or Big Daddy Rogs....

I think it would be awesome if more people could have the nicely sculpted items they like and want.

[SolidLiquidFox]

Because a lot of us buy to keep, we're not worried about resale value. That does not help me to appreciate the artistry in any way, which is what it's all about to me. Sorry, your's and Creecher's answers don't cover the mindset of all of us.

Alright, let's take resale value out of the equation. Let's talk about just being a smart shopper since these are just cool luxury items. If it's just to appreciate stuff from pictures online, discussions in the forums and a casual trip to the LCS to look at it in person, then yeah, sure! make 50,000 of them and charge $500-$900 for it! Oh wait, you want me to buy it? then yeah, I have to care about how many are made because it influences when I buy it and if I buy it for the best possible price.

I can't see feeling good about buying something now that will be 50% cheaper a few months later. That's pretty much what this poll tells me: we'll buy it NOW no matter how many you make because our fandom is greater than being an educated consumer.

Extremely limited = urgency to buy now.
High ES = wait for the secondary market and get plenty of the other cool stuff coming out that may not be available later for retail.

[nash]

Well said. The results of this poll so far are either hypocritical or extremely naive. At the price they are charging for these items I don't know how people can afford "not to care" and be so cavalier about high edition sizes in this economy.

I also think a lot of folks like to try and seem high and mighty like they can do no wrong. As if actually caring about the ES somehow makes you less of a "true collector" than those who do.

Anyone who says the ES doesnt matter fails to realize the discussion on two key points. First being price-point, and second the fact that these are LIMITED EDITION Collectibles. The whole reason why companies even make an edition size and limit these items is to "try" to protect the buyers' investment and to give the buyers incentive to buy these expensive products.

Another point to make, caring about the ES has nothing to do with flipping or scalping or resale value. It has everything to do with knowing that the $300 retail you spent wasn't wasted down the road when people are buying it for $150.

If you are a SMART shopper, you SHOULD care about the ES. If you just like to throw away unneccessary money then not caring about the ES is for you. You might as well just ask sideshow to auto-charge your card for every new product that is released.

[Lord Aykroyd]

Extremely limited = urgency to buy now.
High ES = wait for the secondary market and get plenty of the other cool stuff coming out that may not be available later for retail.

Exactly. Moreover, a low edition size suggests that I may not be able to find/afford the piece later - which drives the urgency even more.

I like to know what I buy is relatively rare as well - so a low edition size makes a piece more valuable for me on a personal level.

[samueljd]

I also think a lot of folks like to try and seem high and mighty like they can do no wrong. As if actually caring about the ES somehow makes you less of a "true collector" than those who do.

Anyone who says the ES doesnt matter fails to realize the discussion on two key points. First being price-point, and second the fact that these are LIMITED EDITION Collectibles. The whole reason why companies even make an edition size and limit these items is to "try" to protect the buyers' investment and to give the buyers incentive to buy these expensive products.

Another point to make, caring about the ES has nothing to do with flipping or scalping or resale value. It has everything to do with knowing that the $300 retail you spent wasn't wasted down the road when people are buying it for $150.

If you are a SMART shopper, you SHOULD care about the ES. If you just like to throw away unneccessary money then not caring about the ES is for you. You might as well just ask sideshow to auto-charge your card for every new product that is released.

Thank you. Some of the angry folks posting here somehow equate that wanting or collecting a low ES makes you a scalper who is out to make a profit on the secondary market. That is a false presumption, because many of us have different reasons why we may collect the varying pieces we collect and tastes and preferences of the pieces. I like to collect low ES' when I get a chance to get a low one, not to sell it later, but because I like to keep it and it is my own personal preference. When I buy these pieces I have full intention to keep them.

[Mesa]

Also, those that say "I buy to keep" probably haven't been collecting for very long or have very large houses or just don't buy that much. Because I wish I could keep everything I buy, but eventually you run out of room and need to let some stuff go to get new stuff. A lower ES helps fund the ability to keep collecting.

[SolidLiquidFox]

I also think a lot of folks like to try and seem high and mighty like they can do no wrong. As if actually caring about the ES somehow makes you less of a "true collector" than those who do.


Yeah, that seems to be the case sometimes. Some people use it as a badge of honor. I guess they feel more hardcore or whatever the equivalent of it. :rolleyes:

I don't really mind as long as they post pictures when they get something first to better educate myself if an item is worth a purchase.

[Darth Madden]

Also, those that say "I buy to keep" probably haven't been collecting for very long or have very large houses or just don't buy that much. Because I wish I could keep everything I buy, but eventually you run out of room and need to let some stuff go to get new stuff. A lower ES helps fund the ability to keep collecting.

But in that case you are not buying it for the sole intention of selling it again soon which is what most people seem to think anyone who wants a low ES wants to do. Everyone has to sell stuff eventualy to make room for new stuff.

[The Drizzle]

I can't see feeling good about buying something now that will be 50% cheaper a few months later. That's pretty much what this poll tells me: we'll buy it NOW no matter how many you make because our fandom is greater than being an educated consumer.

This just doesn't bother me. I do try to only choose things I won't want to get rid of, but sometimes I dislike things, and I have taken losses to resell them. Doesn't really bother me. Just a fact of life. Most things in life don't have high resale value and depreciate. The things that do get more valuable are mostly things whose rarity is due to time or accident, not things that have a manufactured value due to artificial scarcity. I'm just not keen on manufactured collectibles.


Extremely limited = urgency to buy now.
High ES = wait for the secondary market and get plenty of the other cool stuff coming out that may not be available later for retail.

I just buy what I want, period. I still think it would be just fine to manufacture based on orders taken. This would make the company more sales, and there would still be demand later for the well-made product for those of you that decide you need to sell. People will come along later wanting it after production is over. That is real collectible demand, not forced value.

[The Drizzle]

If you are a SMART shopper, you SHOULD care about the ES. If you just like to throw away unneccessary money then not caring about the ES is for you. You might as well just ask sideshow to auto-charge your card for every new product that is released.

Now who sounds high and mighty? I don't buy with the intention to resell ever, so I don't worry about ES. If it is a good item, it's going to resell reasonably enough no matter what the ES because it is a good product. *THAT* is what should determine value- quality, not limited nature.
And that last line about auto-charging is absurd...why would I do that? I don't want all of their stuff, in fact, I don't want *most* of it, I carefully choose items I think are nice. I never even look at edition size. I collect, not invest. If you really feel the need to invest, try gold, not toys and statuettes.

[creecher]

You're the one being condescending now. You're taking what someone is saying in general terms and turning it around to be all about you and how you collect. Making it personal. Justifying your position, when it isn't about or directed personally toward you. These peoples comments are taken out of context when you take the position that they are directed as personal attacks, for want of a better word.

Sure, what one person experiences isn't going to apply to everyone, but it doesn't mean anyone is wrong. An opinion can't be wrong. Anyone is going to buy, what they like. That goes without saying. As collectors, that needn't necessarily be the case. There are a great many collectors that pick and choose, just as valid as wanting to collect an entire line, as a focus or as a completist, for whatever reason. As is the interest and knowledge one can collect about their prize pieces, such as edition size, year of manufacture, history of the said piece, whatever.

Being superficial about the edition size doesn't make a bad collector, just a, perhaps, disinterested collector. One who buys what he likes for keeps, being one example. If you don't take an interest in some aspects of collecting, such as edition size, then you also can't join in on topics of conversation pertinent to having that knowledge. A knowledge I suspect many have, without necessarily considering it when making a purchasing decision.

[Havok]

I think it's a little harsh to say just cause someone says ES doesn't matter too much to them, that they think they are high and mighty, and don't care about throwing their money away on any kind of collectible. I personally said ES doesn't matter to me cause in all honestly it doesn't that much. I get a piece solely based on the fact that I like it and I would love to have it in my collection, ES really is just the icing on the cake. I don't take my purchases lightly, as my money and where it goes is very important to me.

Now I'm not trying to make this personal by saying how I like to collect or how I think, I'm just giving my opinion in that I think just cause someone says ES doesn't matter, doesn't mean I/we take our purchases lightly. I personally don't intend to sell anything I purchase, and I fully intend to actually stop purchasing when I do run out of room. The only way I can see myself selling anything is if something comes out that I absolutely have to have, which I know can be alot of things. :lol But that's why I'm trying to be very choosy right now while I still have room, that way if I do stop, I know I'll have a great collection of quality pieces.

So I guess ultimately I do care about ES, but like I said already, I don't take my purchases lightly....even if a piece wasn't limited edition and I absolutely loved it, I would still get it. I understand that being a limited edition piece makes it more desirable and fulfilling once you actually have it, and I wholeheartedly agree on that point. So I think that actually matters more to me, the fact that it's just limited edition is enough for me I think. Even if it had an ES of 10,000, the fact that it's only 10,000 in the whole world still makes it very limited to me. So I guess I'll change my opinion and say ultimately the fact that something is limited edition is more important than a particular ES. Of course this is all just my humble opinion, and I would still absolutely buy something that wasn't limited edition if I truly wanted it in my collection. :duff

[The Drizzle]

Also, those that say "I buy to keep" probably haven't been collecting for very long or have very large houses or just don't buy that much. Because I wish I could keep everything I buy, but eventually you run out of room and need to let some stuff go to get new stuff. A lower ES helps fund the ability to keep collecting.

Okay, perspective:
Personally, I've been collecting genre items for a good 29 years. (since I was 12 or so, I won't count stuff I owned as a small kid) I live in an average size apartment. I have seen the ins and outs of collecting- the super-rare items, and the pure crap that you end up reselling for pennies on the dollar. I have owned such diverse stuff as Hot Wheels, Pez, Most of the Star Wars figures ever released, including 12-Back figures (even a telescoping sabre Kenobi and Blue Snaggletooth- I ordered him from the Sears Catalog, and my letter to the 1st person that made the Star Wars price guide back before the internet learned about it from me- my name is in the credits of the first edition that Blue Snag is listed), Super Powers Figures (Even Cyborg) at least 2 of each Playmates Star Trek figure (even Tapestry Picard, etc) I have owned pretty much every important Marvel Comic of the Silver Age (yes, even Amazing Fantasy #15), and quite a few of DC's. (lots of 1st appearances) I'm pretty much a knowledge bank of all of it. It's been fun. I have forgotten more things than some of you have bought. Not bragging, (in fact in some ways it makes me feel foolish) I have just spent a lot of money on toys and comics, and I've been doing it for a long time. (I don't buy comics any more though, haven't since about 1994, and all I saved were the original Valiants, and the "Giant Turtle Man" issue of Jimmy Olsen because it makes me laugh). Got a comfortable percentage of my money back out of all of it. My point is none of this stuff had an artificial "Edition Size" Companies made what they thought they could sell based on pre-orders. That's how I feel companies like Sideshow should operate. Enough items went up in value to make up for those that went down. It evens out. I despise the idea of "exclusive" items and "regular editions"- I think it should all be the same. That behavior reminds me of Variant Covers on comics, and it's a cheesy practice. That practice hurt comics in the 90's, and it still makes the comics industry a bit hard to take seriously now. Make them all with the cool cover.
These days, I do sell some of my things when I am not happy with them, or I feel like I have too many things, but I still don't care about edition size.
I will admit I rarely buy items that cost over $200 these days, because above that, I feel like it's foolish. I don't want to tie too much money up in such a frivolity as toys, nice though they may be.
All the stuff I collected and what I sell has created the opinion on this topic that I have today, which I believe is an informed opinion.
I try very hard to be conservative in my purchases, to only order items I feel I have a strong chance of enjoying, and planning to keep. Scarcity means nothing to me; I have been down that road, and it takes my enjoyment, at the very least, away from the actual item, and makes monetary value too important to me. I see dollar signs rather than the item. When I use terms like "scalper", I speak from experience- takes one to know one. I have been one a time or two. I love the new term "flipper" which is supposed to make "scalper" seem less ominous. I bet those guys outside of sporting events would like to be known as "flippers"...sounds like a friendly Dolphin. I stopped buying to "flip" as it's called now after I read about Dennis Barger (anyone remember him?) conning kids out of $50 for "Monkeyface Leia" figures. It just stunk. I will admit to still being tempted sometimes, but I don't give in to it now. Either you buy it to keep and enjoy, or you buy it to sell later. Sometimes people do buy to keep, and then later decide to sell. That's all good, you're not married to it. However, I'm not crazy about the concept of scalping, and I'm not crazy about the concept of manufacturing something in small editions to create artificial rarity. Also, if you buy it because you think it's cool you have it, and most people won't be able to, that *is* a sort of elitism. I suppose having had all those SA comics made me feel that way, I'll admit it. Sorry. Hey, I've been guilty of it, but there is one difference- the rarity of those comics was not artificial, it was caused due to time and demand.
Various things have colored my opinion of artificial rarity- Seeing my friends not being able to have a complete collection of Trek figures unless they paid a scalper $500 for Tapestry Picard, also seeing it as I warned friends' wives not to pay scalper prices to finish the Beanie Baby collections they swore would finance their kids college. I believe in most cases, Sideshow's items are pretty much reasonably priced, rare or not. (except maybe their 1:6 figure prices, quality has not kept up with increases)
Look at Hot Toys- these days they aren't setting edition sizes. I just read they were going back and making another run of Joker v1 figures since the demand is there. I think that's great, and I am glad more people will be able to enjoy that figure. The more they sell, the more demand HT sees, the more likely it is we get more figures. I wish Sideshow thought that way. The limited nature of SS Star Wars is what kept me from collecting that line from the start. I just gave up early. Sure, I could still get a figure for a bit after release, but unless I remembered to get on the phone one particular morning, I didn't get all the accessories, and I'm not paying the same amount for less stuff. They made it too hard, too limiting. Too late to start now. I'm also a proponent of being very careful about what and how much stuff you buy- if you own too much, you really can't enjoy it all, so don't buy every item that catches your eye. Hoarding dilutes the experience. As my Mom says, "Buy what you like, because you might get stuck with it", and I think that applies even to ES stuff.
Well, nuff said, savage me if you feel you need to, but I do think after my years of buying, collecting, selling, etc, my experience is an informed one that helped me decide how to buy today. :D

(Oh, and BTW, I own pretty much none of that stuff I talked about any more, so I really don't have anything to be elite about...in fact, I was probably a fool buying most of it, but it shaped my opinion on all of this today)

[Havok]

I think that was all very well said Drizzle. I haven't been collecting long, but since I have a small place right now, space is a premium for me. So like I said in my previous post, If I have to end up stopping the collecting game, then that's just how it would have to be, cause I really don;t want to sell anything I have or get in the future. I could always keep things stored and rotate, but I really wouldn't want to do that honestly. So again like I said earlier I get what I really want regardless if it's limited edition or not, even though it is nice to have something that is limited.

[SolidLiquidFox]

This just doesn't bother me. I do try to only choose things I won't want to get rid of, but sometimes I dislike things, and I have taken losses to resell them. Doesn't really bother me. Just a fact of life. Most things in life don't have high resale value and depreciate. The things that do get more valuable are mostly things whose rarity is due to time or accident, not things that have a manufactured value due to artificial scarcity. I'm just not keen on manufactured collectibles.

Not necessarily. I have seen plenty of stuff that has been given a low ES increase in value instantly: Grey Hulk diorama, Negative Zone Spidey PF, Classic/Retro Spidey PF, some faux stuff, etc.


I just buy what I want, period. I still think it would be just fine to manufacture based on orders taken. This would make the company more sales, and there would still be demand later for the well-made product for those of you that decide you need to sell. People will come along later wanting it after production is over. That is real collectible demand, not forced value.

The ES must be controlled by Sideshow and not by the amount of orders received because of artificial demand. Sideshow has to take control and have an ES in mind that is realistic and appealing to collectors. It's their job to find the balance point given economic conditions and by taking a good look at the market, their cancellation ratios, collector trends, feedback in forums like these, their current inventory, etc.. Overproducing items under the assumption that people will come along later to purchase it is great if you have plenty of space in your warehouse and you don't account for people passing now to get a good deal later hurting your short term profits. Whatever discount they are getting at the factory in China for making a large amount of any given product better be worth it.

[nash]

Ok, you guys that are saying you dont care about the ES because you'll get something regardless if you really like it....I can see what you are saying.

However answer me this. If say Sideshow made a PF with an edition size of 3,000 and a retail price of $500. You really really liked it so as you said, you bought it regardless...you spent $500 on this thing.

6 months down the road these are sitting in Sideshow's warehouse and collectors/retailers alike. We can now buy them on the secondary market for $300. You really wouldnt care that you lost out on $200 of your hard earned money? It wouldn't prompt you to maybe be a smarter shopper in the future and to analyze the ES of a certain item to sort of feel out how it may sell so that you can perhaps get it cheaper later on?

Second question:...You don't care about the ES so you would buy these items at these prices even if they were "unlimited" runs?

[The Drizzle]

Overproducing items under the assumption that people will come along later to purchase it is great if you have plenty of space in your warehouse and you don't account for people passing now to get a good deal later hurting your short term profits. Whatever discount they are getting at the factory in China for making a large amount of any given product better be worth it.

But that really doesn't address what I said. I still think they should keep an ordering period open for a reasonable amount of time, and produce based on those orders received, not a set number of items made to create scarcity. If they can sell more than their internally projected edition size, it makes the particular sculpt more profitable.
It can also be proven by the inverse: take an item like the "Shaun of the Dead" 1:6 figures. They have a very low ES but are still available. If they had produced only on what was ordered, they wouldn't be sitting on that extra stock (and hey! for collectors of genuinely rare items, they would be a dream!)
I never said make tons more so that they have stock sitting around, that was not the thrust of my take on this, and I don't consider that wise. My beef is with edition sizes set low just to make an item rare for no really logical reason, when there were more people who would have wanted the item, and just didn't make it to the website in the 1st 2 or 3 days the item was offered and sold out. I don't think they should keep selling the item indefinitely. I just think they would do better to base edition sizes on actual orders taken (during a reasonable time period) so as not to shut out other potential customers who don't sit right on top of their computers checking for new offerings every day. SS has plenty of things that sell out in the 1st few days of being offered...it just seems like it would be smarter to make ES less important, and sell as many as they can in the offering period.

[The Drizzle]

Ok, you guys that are saying you dont care about the ES because you'll get something regardless if you really like it....I can see what you are saying.

However answer me this. If say Sideshow made a PF with an edition size of 3,000 and a retail price of $500. You really really liked it so as you said, you bought it regardless...you spent $500 on this thing.

You're coming at it from a "set edition size" mindset. I'm anti set edition size.
If Sideshow had not announced an ES, and just taken orders over a reasonable time period (let's say 2 weeks to a month) they could produce basically just what was ordered, give or take a few pieces, so items would *not* be sitting around the warehouse for ages and ages. After the ordering period has closed, they would take "wait list" orders, and that would probably take care of selling the edition out/covering cancellations. The ES could be announced later after ordering has closed, or never announce it. (Wouldn't bother me either way) Oh, and I'd never order a $500 piece even if it had an ES of 10... I don't spend that kind of money on decorative items, especially ones that are delicate enough that they could break just from being accidentally knocked off a shelf, like a PF.

I think the misunderstanding here is that the pro ES crowd is not understanding that the "buy it if you like it, I'm uninterested in ES" crowd is not saying SS should make lots of them just to make lots of them, or offer them indefinitely.
I at least, am saying that they shouldn't just announce an edition size only to stupidly find out later they missed out on lots more sales because they set the ES too low in the effort to "create" a valuable item rather than let the market dictate value.

[Havok]

Ok, you guys that are saying you dont care about the ES because you'll get something regardless if you really like it....I can see what you are saying.

However answer me this. If say Sideshow made a PF with an edition size of 3,000 and a retail price of $500. You really really liked it so as you said, you bought it regardless...you spent $500 on this thing.

6 months down the road these are sitting in Sideshow's warehouse and collectors/retailers alike. We can now buy them on the secondary market for $300. You really wouldnt care that you lost out on $200 of your hard earned money? It wouldn't prompt you to maybe be a smarter shopper in the future and to analyze the ES of a certain item to sort of feel out how it may sell so that you can perhaps get it cheaper later on?

Second question:...You don't care about the ES so you would buy these items at these prices even if they were "unlimited" runs?

Well Basically this is my opinion on the 2 questions.

Number 1: I would feel a little bad that I paid more for an item if it ends up selling for less in the future. But honestly who can tell if they are going to be hard to find or not? Yes I know 3,000 may seem like a huge ES, but really it isn't, at least to me anyway, and if it's a really popular item it could very well sell out and be hard to find later on.

Number 2: If I'm being completely honest, it would probably make it harder to pull the trigger on a purchase if these weren't at least limited editions. If they were about $100 cheaper I would probably still buy them though, even if they were "unlimited" runs. But I don't see that as a realistic situation cause I don't see SS or other companies making unlimited amounts of these kinds of collectibles, I think it would be too costly for them.

[The Ween]

Ok, you guys that are saying you dont care about the ES because you'll get something regardless if you really like it....I can see what you are saying.

However answer me this. If say Sideshow made a PF with an edition size of 3,000 and a retail price of $500. You really really liked it so as you said, you bought it regardless...you spent $500 on this thing.

6 months down the road these are sitting in Sideshow's warehouse and collectors/retailers alike. We can now buy them on the secondary market for $300. You really wouldnt care that you lost out on $200 of your hard earned money? It wouldn't prompt you to maybe be a smarter shopper in the future and to analyze the ES of a certain item to sort of feel out how it may sell so that you can perhaps get it cheaper later on?

Second question:...You don't care about the ES so you would buy these items at these prices even if they were "unlimited" runs?

This happens all the time in life. I've bought things only to have the price go down weeks or months later. And this doesn't just apply to collectibles. That's just the way it is.

Things go up and down all the time. Something that is valuable now, may not be in a year.

I got caught up in the beanie baby craze and I can't give the things away now.

[SolidLiquidFox]

I never said make tons more so that they have stock sitting around, that was not the thrust of my take on this, and I don't consider that wise. My beef is with edition sizes set low just to make an item rare for no really logical reason, when there were more people who would have wanted the item, and just didn't make it to the website in the 1st 2 or 3 days the item was offered and sold out. I don't think they should keep selling the item indefinitely. I just think they would do better to base edition sizes on actual orders taken (during a reasonable time period) so as not to shut out other potential customers who don't sit right on top of their computers checking for new offerings every day. SS has plenty of things that sell out in the 1st few days of being offered...it just seems like it would be smarter to make ES less important, and sell as many as they can in the offering period.

Here is the thing: this is a hobby, and as such, you as a collector have to make some kind of an effort to "collect". Back in the days people that collected action figures and toys had to go out and hunt. Some learned the days when the new stuff arrived and some knew when the times scalpers hit a certain spot. It meant getting in your car (or bus if you were younger) to hit a local Kmart/Walmart/Target or whatever in search of that special toy/collectible.

Nowadays, all it takes at most is to be here on Thursday night at 6pm PST and wait for that newletter. Sometimes you have to arrange for a PPO but we have not had a really good one in quite some time.

Conclusion? as a collector, you gotta do your part. It's a hobby so some degree of action/involvement is necessary. Having a low ES item every once and then is part of the game and it keeps that spark going. If you yourself can't make it then get a friend to order for you. I have done it for others and others have helped me. That's why I don't buy into the high ES theory due to "helping collectors place their orders at their leisure". You basically take all responsibility from Sideshow on managing the collectible value of their product. May be they should change their name to Sideshow Coolstuff instead of Sideshow Collectibles if the ES doesn't matter to so many people.

[Havok]

Here is the thing: this is a hobby, and as such, you as a collector have to make some kind of an effort to "collect". Back in the days people that collected action figures and toys had to go out and hunt. Some learned the days when the new stuff arrived and some knew when the times scalpers hit a certain spot. It meant getting in your car (or bus if you were younger) to hit a local Kmart/Walmart/Target or whatever in search of that special toy/collectible.

Nowadays, all it takes at most is to be here on Thursday night at 6pm PST and wait for that newletter. Sometimes you have to arrange for a PPO but we have not had a really good one in quite some time.

Conclusion? as a collector, you gotta do your part. It's a hobby so some degree of action/involvement is necessary. Having a low ES item every once and then is part of the game and it keeps that spark going. If you yourself can't make it then get a friend to order for you. I have done it for others and others have helped me. That's why I don't buy into the high ES theory due to "helping collectors place their orders at their leisure". You basically take all responsibility from Sideshow on managing the collectible value of their product. May be they should change their name to Sideshow Coolstuff instead of Sideshow Collectibles if the ES doesn't matter to so many people.

I honestly think that's a little unfair to say we have to do our part as collector's and make time for PPO's and Newsletters. We all have lives and sometimes things just don't work out the way you want them to and you can't make time for things like that. There are more important things in life than collecting statues, so I don't hold it against anyone who isn't able to make time for those things, and I don't consider them less of a collector, or think they aren't doing their part. Again just my humble opinion. :duff And out of curiosity what do you consider a high ES?

[samueljd]

I honestly think that's a little unfair to say we have to do our part as collector's and make time for PPO's and Newsletters. We all have lives and sometimes things just don't work out the way you want them to and you can't make time for things like that. There are more important things in life than collecting statues, so I don't hold it against anyone who isn't able to make time for those things, and I don't consider them less of a collector, or think they aren't doing their part. Again just my humble opinion. :duff And out of curiosity what do you consider a high ES?

This type of thinking is what would cause Sideshow to go out of business. As a company that produces collectible that we desire, especially of such high quality, they have to gauge interest and produce enough to meet the demand of collectors. We need to make an effort to procure these items or there will not be companies like Sideshow that can sell these to us, because they will be sitting back wondering when someone will purchase the items that are collecting dust in the warehouse.

[Havok]

This type of thinking is what would cause Sideshow to go out of business. As a company that produces collectible that we desire, especially of such high quality, they have to gauge interest and produce enough to meet the demand of collectors. We need to make an effort to procure these items or there will not be companies like Sideshow that can sell these to us, because they will be sitting back wondering when someone will purchase the items that are collecting dust in the warehouse.

I never said we shouldn't make an effort, simply that there are more important things besides collecting. If your able to procure an item great, but sometimes things happen where you aren't able to make that extra effort to get something, and that doesn't make you any less of a collector. Sometime you simply may not have the money, and there's just nothing you can do about it no matter how much you want something. So how could my type of thinking make Sideshow go out of business exactly? I could go on and on and debate about this with everyone, but I just simply don't want to get into it with anyone, cause in the end these are all just opinions.

[SolidLiquidFox]

I honestly think that's a little unfair to say we have to do our part as collector's and make time for PPO's and Newsletters. We all have lives and sometimes things just don't work out the way you want them to and you can't make time for things like that. There are more important things in life than collecting statues, so I don't hold it against anyone who isn't able to make time for those things, and I don't consider them less of a collector, or think they aren't doing their part. Again just my humble opinion. :duff And out of curiosity what do you consider a high ES?

My comments were aimed more at giving the ability to take orders for a large window of time (days) before deciding to close the ES. The ES should be predetermined and carefully thought out. Sideshow has mostly allowed a good 12 hours to pass before putting up a low quantity alert for most preorders lately.

On a side note, I found it interesting how you reacted to my comments. I am well aware that there are other things worth doing with our time (friends, family, etc.) but for the purpose of this community the one thing we all have in common is this hobby. I know life happens and you are not always able to be on top of the hobby but that's why I mentioned taking responsibility for making arrangements if it's something you really want to order. You usually get a full week's heads up. I don't think it is so unreasonable to ask people to take a little ownership of their hobby instead of blaming Sideshow for making something limited and consequentially missing out. Missing out on something will happen. It has happened to most of us at some point or another. Those grown up enough about this stuff can accept it and move on to whatever they offer next. You will read the long threads about people high-fiving each other for getting something limited and you feel like crap for missing out. You just gotta be mature enough to deal with it and congratulate the lucky ones and be there for the next one. All part of the hobby.

Regarding your question, it's hard to say what is a definitive high ES is. It depends on the license, the nature of the exclusive vs the regular, market trends and other factors. It varies, but there is blatant errors such as the Abomination Ex PF. Check that thread out on the Marvel section. It can't be a mistake that a lot of us who have been here for a while agree they screwed that one up.

[Havok]

Fair enough man, I understand everything your saying. I agree with you that the ES should be predetermined before the piece even goes up for pre-order. I completely understand about taking responsibility for getting something that you really want also, by getting a friend to order it for you if you can't. And I do congratulate the ones who were able to get their orders in for something even if I couldn't, things like that just happen, and like you said it's part of the hobby.

I was purposely trying not to come across as hostile or anything like that, and if I did I apologize. Like I said we're all entitled to our opinions, and just going back to what I said before.....Just the fact that something is indeed limited edition is enough for me. The ES is nice, especially when it's low, but it's less important as long as the item has limited edition status. I think it's nice to be able to debate stuff like this with people, as long as it doesn't get hostile, which I hope doesn't happen here. I'm glad I joined this community cause it's nice to have people to talk with who share the same passion you do. :D :duff

[Badvermin]

Low edition sizes and chase/variants, particularly for figures in a series, really turn me off.

If I get into buying a series, I want to be sure that I will be able to get them all. If there is a chance that I might not be able to get one of the pieces at retail price, I won't bother with the line.

If a figure can sell out in less than a a few hours, as happens with some Sideshow figures, to me that means the company has failed itself (in terms of profits) and their customers (only a fraction of the customers can enjoy the figure).

[Nitro]

Don't care about edition size...frankly, I think it's split on the boards either way. You'll have some complain to Sideshow that the edition size is too high on the Indy PF or beg for an edition size be put on the Iron Man 1:1 bust. On the other hand, if you really like a product....what would it really matter. If you want it, it's your money...you can do what you please.

[LOTRFan]

On a side note, I found it interesting how you reacted to my comments. I am well aware that there are other things worth doing with our time (friends, family, etc.) but for the purpose of this community the one thing we all have in common is this hobby. I know life happens and you are not always able to be on top of the hobby but that's why I mentioned taking responsibility for making arrangements if it's something you really want to order. You usually get a full week's heads up. I don't think it is so unreasonable to ask people to take a little ownership of their hobby instead of blaming Sideshow for making something limited and consequentially missing out. Missing out on something will happen. It has happened to most of us at some point or another. Those grown up enough about this stuff can accept it and move on to whatever they offer next. You will read the long threads about people high-fiving each other for getting something limited and you feel like crap for missing out. You just gotta be mature enough to deal with it and congratulate the lucky ones and be there for the next one. All part of the hobby.

Basic economics == opportunity cost. :lecture

[samueljd]

I never said we shouldn't make an effort, simply that there are more important things besides collecting. If your able to procure an item great, but sometimes things happen where you aren't able to make that extra effort to get something, and that doesn't make you any less of a collector. Sometime you simply may not have the money, and there's just nothing you can do about it no matter how much you want something. So how could my type of thinking make Sideshow go out of business exactly? I could go on and on and debate about this with everyone, but I just simply don't want to get into it with anyone, cause in the end these are all just opinions.

To put it simply, Sideshow is a business and they have to invest capital to supply the collectibles that we would like to purchase. For them to make collectibles without an ES wouldn't help them gauge a demand for the products and if we think it will still be available to us in the future would cause us as collectors to not commit to buy within the window of time that Sideshow gives us. Sideshow has there system worked out. They preview a new release about 6mos before it is actually shipped and gauge the demand within the first few weeks of pre-order. This allows them to produce the amount they have predetermined will be sold. If they didn't adhere to this system, which is strongly based on setting an ES, we would not be getting the collectible we desire to have. Sideshow would not know how many to produce and we as collectors wouldn't be clambering to get them. This is a process that involves both Sideshow as the producer and ourselves as the consumers. Without the input on both parts the system falls apart.

[The Drizzle]

I honestly think that's a little unfair to say we have to do our part as collector's and make time for PPO's and Newsletters. We all have lives and sometimes things just don't work out the way you want them to and you can't make time for things like that. There are more important things in life than collecting statues, so I don't hold it against anyone who isn't able to make time for those things, and I don't consider them less of a collector, or think they aren't doing their part. Again just my humble opinion. :duff And out of curiosity what do you consider a high ES?

Agreed.
I think part of my deal here, at least personally, too, is that I don't consider myself a "collector". I don't think all of us here are collectors. Some of us are just enthusiasts. That's what I would consider myself. I don't look at investment or resale value with this kind of thing at all, because when I buy it, it is my hope that I will be impressed with it enough to keep it. If it's all about money to you, you pretty much better leave it in the box rather than compromise it's value. I got over the notion of "recently manufactured items=monetary value" years ago when I learned that "collecting" is a black hole that sucks you in eventually, and has a habit of making you buy things you don't really want due to what I call the "Pokemon Effect" (gotta catch 'em all) No, I never bought Pokemon, I'm way too old, just a good example. It gets to the point where you're not just buying to enjoy, you "collect collecting". One line leads to another, next thing you know you have a house full of crap- and when you have too much stuff, it really (at least for me) starts to feel like crap; it loses focus and starts to feel like hoarding. I can't tell you how many things I bought two of, just to have one to open, one to save. That mentality drove me nuts eventually. It was all a waste, because determining what is going to hold value is so hit-and-miss. "Collectibles" just aren't a great investment. Edition Size doesn't guarantee value. I'm just not interested in value, and I'm surprised so many people don't seem to believe it. I just buy to enjoy, and I despise the creation of unnecessary artificial rarity to create a collectible that can leave some collectors and enthusiasts out in the cold.

[The Drizzle]

Low edition sizes and chase/variants, particularly for figures in a series, really turn me off.

If I get into buying a series, I want to be sure that I will be able to get them all. If there is a chance that I might not be able to get one of the pieces at retail price, I won't bother with the line.

If a figure can sell out in less than a a few hours, as happens with some Sideshow figures, to me that means the company has failed itself (in terms of profits) and their customers (only a fraction of the customers can enjoy the figure).

Amen, brother.

[The Drizzle]

To put it simply, Sideshow is a business and they have to invest capital to supply the collectibles that we would like to purchase. For them to make collectibles without an ES wouldn't help them gauge a demand for the products and if we think it will still be available to us in the future...

Setting the ES based on orders taken during a reasonable order period (no, not just 12 hours, at least a week, not everyone lives on the internet) would not leave extras sitting around to make people think they can put the purchase off for a while.

[samueljd]

Setting the ES based on orders taken during a reasonable order period (no, not just 12 hours, at least a week, not everyone lives on the internet) would not leave extras sitting around to make people think they can put the purchase off for a while.

Why are you quoting me? I said nothing about the amount of time, you did. I was responding to another member about the production process. And don't assume you know a person or their lifestyle because you're angry when they don't agree with you. I work overtime everyday and invest a small amount of my time that I have in the forums dedicated to the collectibles I love. Thank you very much. :whip

[SolidLiquidFox]

Setting the ES based on orders taken during a reasonable order period (no, not just 12 hours, at least a week, not everyone lives on the internet) would not leave extras sitting around to make people think they can put the purchase off for a while.

I would agree that this should be the case with the regular editions but not the exclusives.

[The Ween]

If you're collecting strictly for value or hoping to sell it later for a higher price, then it matters alot. If you're just getting what you like, then it probably won't. When I order something, I'm not thinking about the edition size. If it's small and I get one, then it's just a bonus. I only order things that I have no intentions of selling. In the past I have at times bought things strictly because I thought I might make a buck later on it only to fall flat on my face, so I strictly buy what I really want now and intend on keeping. If I have to sell and it went up in value because it's a limited, in demand item, then yay for me.

[The Drizzle]

Why are you quoting me? I said nothing about the amount of time, you did. I was responding to another member about the production process. And don't assume you know a person or their lifestyle because you're angry when they don't agree with you. I work overtime everyday and invest a small amount of my time that I have in the forums dedicated to the collectibles I love. Thank you very much. :whip

Wow. I'm not angry about anything, but you sure sound like you are. My reply was actually based on two or three posts. You were just the last person in the chain of ideas, so I quoted you. It specifically pertained to your talking about us thinking our believing an item would be available in the future. My supposition was that if done my way, people would still not think that.
Lighten up, Francis.

[Mesa]

Lighten up, Francis.

I want a "Stripes" 1/6 line of figures. Well, just Bill Murray, Ramis, and John Candy.

[samueljd]

Wow. I'm not angry about anything, but you sure sound like you are. My reply was actually based on two or three posts. You were just the last person in the chain of ideas, so I quoted you. It specifically pertained to your talking about us thinking our believing an item would be available in the future. My supposition was that if done my way, people would still not think that.
Lighten up, Francis.

Then say that and make your point clear. When you quote someone, especially by just nitpicking on specific phrase you are using that as your reference. I'm not angry at all, I thought the remark was directed at me (that is why you quote someone) and I gave a direct response. You have been quoting people and making several assumptions about those people. In my case, you quoted one line I said and then made a preconceived judgment about certain members. If you plan on following a chain of thought just quick reply or quote a statement you directly answer, otherwise it comes off as a direct personal argument or remark toward that person (that is why it's called quoting).

[The Drizzle]

If you plan on following a chain of thought just quick reply or quote a statement you directly answer, otherwise it comes off as a direct personal argument or remark toward that person (that is why it's called quoting).

...and a big "Thank You" goes to the Dept. of Redundancy Dept.
...Still making assumptions about me.
I really am sorry my post bothered you, my reply was in no way an attack, but a clarification. I told you a moment ago, part of your post (the part I replied to) was the reason I quoted you. I'm sorry you can't understand that, but you're totally overdoing it in the "mountains out of molehills" action here.

-edit: Seriously, don't get bent out of shape about it- I did quote you for a reason, it pertained to my reply...and I meant you no harm or disdain. It's just toys and decorations, it's not that important.

[zoid2323]

I dont really care about the number IMO they're probably grabbed randomly and tagged with whatever # they get.

[Warrior Alien]

i personally could care less about edition size.
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as long as i get one.

I couldn't have said it any better! :D

[woofers2]

I remember buying Santi with the Bomb back in the day because of it's rarity and it's one seriously eerie piece. Am I sad I forked out the money? Nope because if I decide to part with it, I can get basically any other items I want for the value.

[woofers2]

What is a true collector? One who says YIPPPPEEEE I got a statue that every single person who collects Sideshow has, or the one who says YIPPPEEEEE I got a statue that most of the other collectors wish they had?

?

[NIGHTCRAWLER]

What is a true collector? One who says YIPPPPEEEE I got a statue that every single person who collects Sideshow has, or the one who says YIPPPEEEEE I got a statue that most of the other collectors wish they had?

?


good one!

I really don't care. If i like it i buy it. If it's mass produced, hopefully I can buy it for a cheap price :naughty

[ortiz344]

ES in some cases may be a deciding factor when buying or what version i buy, however, its not a major issue for me

[Darthy]

ES in some cases may be a deciding factor when buying or what version i buy, however, its not a major issue for me

Same for me. I would never buy a statue or a figure because of the edition size ...

[iron.jedi83]

doesnt matter to me what the ES is. if i like it i will buy it and keep it. but if you think about how many people are in the world against the ES, the ES would be a pretty low number all the time

[woofers2]

doesnt matter to me what the ES is. if i like it i will buy it and keep it. but if you think about how many people are in the world against the ES, the ES would be a pretty low number all the time


If you compare the sideshow collectors to the ES then you can understand why a product with 9500 pieces is still sitting on shelves all over the world collecting dust. Without these being limited editions they are no longer collectibles. Who wants to pay $300 bucks a pop for something that has no rarity whatsoever, and you can't play with? If you really claim you would "I would have a hard time believing it".

Without the limited edition sizes there would be NO Sideshow collectibles, because they wouldn't be able to put them out there at the right price for something with no collectibility value.

[iron.jedi83]

If you compare the sideshow collectors to the ES then you can understand why a product with 9500 pieces is still sitting on shelves all over the world collecting dust. Without these being limited editions they are no longer collectibles. Who wants to pay $300 bucks a pop for something that has no rarity whatsoever, and you can't play with? If you really claim you would "I would have a hard time believing it".

Without the limited edition sizes there would be NO Sideshow collectibles, because they wouldn't be able to put them out there at the right price for something with no collectibility value.

i would pay $300 for a collectible not because it's rare, but because that collectible is representing a movie that i loved or a character that i really care for or is just a wonderful piece of artwork. and you are right that there would be no SS if they didnt have limited editions, but then if all there stuff was sold out there customer base would not grow, which would mean ES could get smaller but then the prices on those would be high to make up for the production of said products

[Kibishii]

ES does not matter to me whether or not I want a piece. HOWEVER, ES determines when/where I buy it. I really liked the Bowen Modern Iron Man. However, once I found out the ES, I cancelled from Sideshow and got it from eBay for 1/2 the price. The higher the ES, the cheaper I can pick it up from from nonretailers.

[Badvermin]

i would pay $300 for a collectible not because it's rare, but because that collectible is representing a movie that i loved or a character that i really care for or is just a wonderful piece of artwork.

Exactly. I don't care if they made 30 or 30,000 of a item, I just want a cool representation of something I like. I don't ever really plan on selling any of my collectibles.

[woofers2]

Exactly. I don't care if they made 30 or 30,000 of a item, I just want a cool representation of something I like. I don't ever really plan on selling any of my collectibles.

The point is that without limited numbers produced there would be no Sideshow Collectibles, there would be no sideshowcollectors.com, and this conversation would be non existent.

In regards to the bolded above are you a Kill Bill fan or another movie fan? Because I would gladly sell you a quentin tarrantino comic con exclusive that is a cool representation of the movie for $300.

[tnaig001]

The point is that without limited numbers produced there would be no Sideshow Collectibles, there would be no sideshowcollectors.com, and this conversation would be non existent.

In regards to the bolded above are you a Kill Bill fan or another movie fan? Because I would gladly sell you a quentin tarrantino comic con exclusive that is a cool representation of the movie for $300.

I disagree with you on this point. I buy things because it is well made, an accurate and detailed representation of a movie i strongly relate with.

Does it matter that everyone else has one, honestly no, so long as i have one i honestly couldn't care if another one existed.

I really think that even without a limited ES, if the item was truly well made, people would have no problem buying it and SS will boom.

If you collect to feel that you are top dog then you might be better off commissioning one of a kind pieces instead.

[woofers2]

I disagree with you on this point. I buy things because it is well made, an accurate and detailed representation of a movie i strongly relate with.

Does it matter that everyone else has one, honestly no, so long as i have one i honestly couldn't care if another one existed.

I really think that even without a limited ES, if the item was truly well made, people would have no problem buying it and SS will boom.
If you collect to feel that you are top dog then you might be better off commissioning one of a kind pieces instead.


Sideshow took a beating on the last of the Lord of the Rings statues. Why? Because they increased the prices, increased the edition sizes and lost a lot of loyal collectors.

Like I said I have plenty of good quality pieces I would gladly sell you for $300. So may people talk like they would gladly throw away money on something they can get for half the price a month later but that's not reality. It seems like gung ho talking.

Somebody walks into your house and admires your statues where there is no production limits and says "that's so cool". Then they ask how much you paid. You say "$300". They ask you how much it's worth and you say " I could sell it for $150" and you have your friends calling you a fool for not buying it at $150.

Not to mention that it wouldn't be very interesting if we all had the same Sideshow pieces because there was no rarity. How many posts on here would be people showing off the same collections. The big topic would be the displays.

[TeeTee]

It doesn't really matter to me either. I mean it's always nice to know you have one of something that only 200 was made of, but honestly I just like the fact that they are limited editions period. Even if it's 5,000, or even 10,000 think about that, that's only 5,000 or 10,000 in the entire world. To me that's pretty limited.

This post sums it up for me.

I don’t re-sell, I don’t flip, I don’t care about the edition size, be it 200, 500, 5000 heck, even I am ok with 50,000. but I still vote YES because I like the exclusivity, as long as it is limited edition with numbered beneath the base.