ASMUS TOYS : Aragorn @ The Battle of Helm's Deep

[rjszar]

I don't understand why people are complaining about the price of the deluxe. How much do you pay for ANY headsculpt out there? Least expensive mass produced head is probably what $35? People in here spend that much and more for an unpainted custom head and then another $100+ to get it painted. The base is no small piece. Try buying a base that big for a decent price. Maybe they went $20 over. Big deal. Hot Toys just put up the 2099 Spiderman figure with absolutely ZERO accessories for $265.

Keep complaining people and Asmus will go home with their toys and then you'll cry.

 

[hoodonit00]

I don't understand why people are complaining about the price of the deluxe. How much do you pay for ANY headsculpt out there? Least expensive mass produced head is probably what $35? People in here spend that much and more for an unpainted custom head and then another $100+ to get it painted. The base is no small piece. Try buying a base that big for a decent price. Maybe they went $20 over. Big deal. Hot Toys just put up the 2099 Spiderman figure with absolutely ZERO accessories for $265.

Keep complaining people and Asmus will go home with their toys and then you'll cry.

I will gladly pay for the deluxe as long as the head sculpt likeness is much better.

 

[mitraheroe]

As far as I understood, the second headsculpt is exactly the same as the first just with different paint job. On an already manufactured product, that is not 35 USD, maybe 15 USD the most. That leaves 75 USD for the generic diorama, which I don't believe to cost that much to produce (maybe 25 USD?). If you add this two products to an already produced and marketed product, it leaves you 50 USD of profit for the extended version, which means between 1/5 and 1/7 of the whole product. I don't know if it is too much or not, but it is for me.
You people are bringing always the Hot Toys argument, but there are many other companies out there. If we complain, is because we want something good and reasonably affordable, and most of it, because we want ASMUS to keep it this way and not to become another Hot Toys. Keep on being pleased with any demanding prices, and not today, not tomorrow, but one day we will all cry...

 

[rjszar]

As far as I understood, the second headsculpt is exactly the same as the first just with different paint job. On an already manufactured product, that is not 35 USD, maybe 15 USD the most. That leaves 75 USD for the generic diorama, which I don't believe to cost that much to produce (maybe 25 USD?). If you add this two products to an already produced and marketed product, it leaves you 50 USD of profit for the extended version, which means between 1/5 and 1/7 of the whole product. I don't know if it is too much or not, but it is for me.
You people are bringing always the Hot Toys argument, but there are many other companies out there. If we complain, is because we want something good and reasonably affordable, and most of it, because we want ASMUS to keep it this way and not to become another Hot Toys. Keep on being pleased with any demanding prices, and not today, not tomorrow, but one day we will all cry...

You're not paying what it costs a company to produce an item. What difference does it make if it's the same sculpt? If you buy a Gac Toys Keira Knightley GC007A head for $34.99, you can't argue that you should only pay $15 for the GC007B because it's the same sculpt with different hair.

If you use your logic on the regular figure for each piece, then they must be making nothing on it or even losing. Maybe they're going with a minimal profit margin on the regular and trying to make up some of it on the deluxe.

 

[mitraheroe]

The difference is the difference between real production costs and final selling price. This what is called profit, and it is a thin line that companies should watch if they do not want to blow up the market and the space of their own customers.

 

[jal76]

I am impressed by Asmus too...I just hope this does not end up being a case of no good deed going unpunished.
There are folks who think that KA Kim?s Joker sculpt for Blitzway does not look like Joaquin Phoenix even though it looks like a screenshot.
If there is one thing that you can count on in this hobby it is that sculpts are in the eye of the beholder and you will always displease almost as many people as you please. What happens when people don?t like the new sculpt and start posting that the old sculpt was better? Or that they hate both?

 

[rjszar]

I am impressed by Asmus too...I just hope this does not end up being a case of no good deed going unpunished.
There are folks who think that KA Kim?s Joker sculpt for Blitzway does not look like Joaquin Phoenix even though it looks like a screenshot.
If there is one thing that you can count on in this hobby it is that sculpts are in the eye of the beholder and you will always displease almost as many people as you please. What happens when people don?t like the new sculpt and start posting that the old sculpt was better? Or that they hate both?

The people at Asmus have some thick skin, but they will grow weary. They already went from showing us the proto and taking input, to not showing anything until the item is well into production. They are still willing to listen to constructive criticism, but people are bashing too much, whether it's the sculpt or the fabrics used or the price.

If one of my customers doesn't like my price, they are free to go elsewhere. No skin off my nose. If they give me too much flack, they are no longer a customer. I have no shortage of good customers who give me great referrals. I know that I provide a great product and I'm not going to worry about a few whiners. I address real problems to make sure people are happy but I don't cater to people's every whim and fantasy.

 

[mitraheroe]

That is the point: that ASMUS have NO real thick skin, and this is what is making them great. The difference between ASMUS and other companies is that they enter into dialog with collectors so far. I support ASMUS since the very first steps with LOTR, and I wouldn't like them to lose their good way. That's all.

 

[rjszar]

That is the point: that ASMUS have NO real thick skin, and this is what is making them great. The difference between ASMUS and other companies is that they enter into dialog with collectors so far. I support ASMUS since the very first steps with LOTR, and I wouldn't like them to lose their good way. That's all.

So you're saying they are unaffected by criticism? It doesn't hurt them at all? That they don't wince at this? Be real. They're human.

 

[Neko]

Looks like we will definitely revisit the head, they are more promotions coming up in the next week or two, but just want you guys to know that revisit to the head sculpt will take place

Great ! In my opinion it just need minor tweaks. As someone stated I think more rounded eyebrushes could help bring the likeness.

 

[mitraheroe]

I'm just saying they're open to constructive criticism. Being demanding is not the same as being destructive, and ASMUS have understood that being open to it is part of their success. I think they appreciate our input indeed.

 

[Chopper Face]

I’d happily pay $75 bucks for a lotr diorama base. My issue with this one is that it doesn’t really denote any particular scene, moment or even location from the films and it’s 45cm tall which could limit where I’m able to put it.
The deluxe set costs the same as HT 40th Anniversary ESB Darth Vader which is also overpriced imo. They seem comparable as they both have a diorama base but you just don’t expect Asmus to be charging those HT prices. I reckon Sideshow have something to do with it as they’re also offering the deluxe. I’d say that both the regular and deluxe release are probably $20 over what seems like appropriate pricing. It’s not a huge deal on one figure but if every figure you buy goes $20 over then it’s going to impact buyer’s decisions, especially under the current state of affairs. I feel myself getting much more picky lately because who can tell what’s going to happen next.

 

[rjszar]

I'm just saying they're open to constructive criticism. Being demanding is not the same as being destructive, and ASMUS have understood that being open to it is part of their success. I think they appreciate our input indeed.

Of course they're open to constructive criticism. But too many, and I'm not pointing fingers at any one person, are just spouting nonsense. Asmus seemed pretty proud of what they came up with. Some of this hurts. Facebook people have been particularly cruel, anything but constructive.

They are thick skinned to take the abuse. If they weren't thick skinned, they would have stopped by now, or they just wouldn't care like so many other companies.

 

[Lizard Lips]

I think there has to be a balance between the time and effort expended and the accuracy and quality of the finished product.

Whilst one could argue that Asmus should only be releasing the very best representation of the character they're capable of I would disagree simply because the projected additional profit would not justify the additional production costs of such an endeavor.

In this instance I do think a bit more time and effort is justified on the basis that a lot of ppl who would otherwise have passed on this figure will now pick one up. Does that mean we'll end up with a perfect or near perfect Aragorn sculpt. No and I wouldn't expect that; they're still a business and they will make decisions that are profitable for them.

 

[jal76]

Of course they're open to constructive criticism. But too many, and I'm not pointing fingers at any one person, are just spouting nonsense. Asmus seemed pretty proud of what they came up with. Some of this hurts. Facebook people have been particularly cruel, anything but constructive.

They are thick skinned to take the abuse. If they weren't thick skinned, they would have stopped by now, or they just wouldn't care like so many other companies.

Yep...I love that Asmus is open and responsive to feedback but I could really see a scenario where if their good nature is abused they reach they point where they simply say there is no pleasing these people and just disengage.
I personally thought that this figure looked great...I will be happy if Asmus can get it to look better.
The folks who were painting it as some kind of epic failure were being a little unreasonable.
Was there room for improvement? Yes. Had Asmus personally betrayed anyone and disgraced both Peter Jackson and the entire Tolkien estate? No.
Feedback is great but Asmus does not have to take it.
They don?t owe anything to anyone. They release products and if people like they buy if they don?t they won?t. Asmus is smart enough to realize that it pays to try to get as many people to like as possible. I am sure that like everyone else, however, they also have their limit.

 

[Bucky Underbelly]

Yep...I love that Asmus is open and responsive to feedback but I could really see a scenario where if their good nature is abused they reach they point where they simply say there is no pleasing these people and just disengage.
I personally thought that this figure looked great...I will be happy if Asmus can get it to look better.
The folks who were painting it as some kind of epic failure were being a little unreasonable.
Was there room for improvement? Yes. Had Asmus personally betrayed anyone and disgraced both Peter Jackson and the entire Tolkien estate? No.
Feedback is great but Asmus does not have to take it.
They don?t owe anything to anyone. They release products and if people like they buy if they don?t they won?t. Asmus is smart enough to realize that it pays to try to get as many people to like as possible. I am sure that like everyone else, however, they also have their limit.

Very well said.

 

[Sassafras]

Yep...I love that Asmus is open and responsive to feedback but I could really see a scenario where if their good nature is abused they reach they point where they simply say there is no pleasing these people and just disengage.
I personally thought that this figure looked great...I will be happy if Asmus can get it to look better.
The folks who were painting it as some kind of epic failure were being a little unreasonable.
Was there room for improvement? Yes. Had Asmus personally betrayed anyone and disgraced both Peter Jackson and the entire Tolkien estate? No.
Feedback is great but Asmus does not have to take it.
They don?t owe anything to anyone. They release products and if people like they buy if they don?t they won?t. Asmus is smart enough to realize that it pays to try to get as many people to like as possible. I am sure that like everyone else, however, they also have their limit.

Also there's lining up the production factory which probably does other figs or products - you can't just dial up Shapeways.

I don't understand why people are complaining about the price of the deluxe. How much do you pay for ANY headsculpt out there? Least expensive mass produced head is probably what $35? People in here spend that much and more for an unpainted custom head and then another $100+ to get it painted. The base is no small piece. Try buying a base that big for a decent price. Maybe they went $20 over. Big deal. Hot Toys just put up the 2099 Spiderman figure with absolutely ZERO accessories for $265.

Keep complaining people and Asmus will go home with their toys and then you'll cry.

This made me laugh. True enough, as a diorama base fan, there's not THAT many of them, and the mark-up can be huge. But just one or two bases IMO can add a lot of interest to a display.

Re the prices - yep. If Zorro wasn't - well, Zorro - Antonio Banderas' Zorro - I would've passed $$$$. And I'll be eyeing Blitzway real hard for any more of their figs, coz I wasn't seein' the LUV for a character and meticulous attention to details. Am happy to be back in ASMUS-land.

Now, if they'll just change their minds and make Thranduil's throne

 

[Bgnyc007]

Ordered the EX thru sideshow got the email since I registered for their con. 500 Es btw on sideshow for exclusive.

 

[DakRen]

Ordered the EX thru sideshow got the email since I registered for their con. 500 Es btw on sideshow for exclusive.

Do you still get sideshow points for ordering?

I guess it will be more at sideshow because of tax and shipping than Asmus. Maybe.

 

[Bgnyc007]

Yes you get RP on sideshow, no tax for me since I live in FL shipping was $20 I also threw some of my RP at it to bring it down some.