Hot Toys - DX16 / DX17 - The Phantom Menace - Darth Maul and Sith Speeder

[Vonhahn]

It's impossible to get lower prices in this hobby.

Its easy to drive prices down with, say, cars... because everyone wants a different one.

But in this hobby, its total OCD, and everyone wants the best. Period. So you could have 100 companies competing, but there would be only one that's "the best"... and therefore they would set the price... and set it high.

This has already been proven. Look around you. Its HT.

It's also the properties that are popular. I would put the COO Model Vikings at HT quality...but they are a lot cheaper because COO Isn't paying high licence fees...and it's not a property that is for everyone....

 

[slikkerias]

We can’t compare prices for say for instance VTS with HT. Pretty sure VTS gets at least as much revenue from selling a figure as HT does, the Disney licenses takes a very high percentage.

 

[jake26]

How do you explain Sideshow raising prices to meet Hot Toys? It is because the market is there for them to do so.

For competition to work in this hobby, you will need many more companies with similar options at lower prices and I do not see that happening.

We do have the finial choice. We do not have to buy these amazing figures

 

[TonTon]

In collectibles where there are only say 4000 people who want a certain character and production costs per figure depending on quantity, competition is not the answer really.

You’ll likely end up with smaller runs at higher costs, and/or lower quality. The addition of Hot Toys to the SW market has just raised Sideshow’s prices if anything. Most people faced with an endless array of options don’t buy all of them but start to get selective. For many, that meant cutting SS out of the equation, or skipping ST or PT, or side characters, etc.

 

[SilverStar17]

We do have the finial choice. We do not have to buy these amazing figures

Ultimately, this is indeed the case. Figures are not a necessity. It’s their business and they can choose to charge whatever they want. However, we can also choose not to pay what they charge. They need money to stay in business; we don’t need to give them our money.

You’re ultimately the one that determines the value of something based on how much value it has to you and what you’re willing to pay for it based on that value.

 

[jedijim3002]

So is it we the collectors fault for driving up the price? Is it the companies fault for many different reasons stated ie licensure, new technology, higher detail/quality? Or is it a combination of the two?

 

[subzro]

So is it we the collectors fault for driving up the price? Is it the companies fault for many different reasons stated ie licensure, new technology, higher detail/quality? Or is it a combination of the two?

Have to toss increasing labor costs in there also and probably other things we don't even think about.

 

[The Chaver]

You guys are nuts.

The only thing driving the price up is that fact that they can. That’s it. Making these things only gets easier as time goes by.

That said, I have once again have stepped away from 1/6 again because I can’t justify the price on something so small that I can barely see on the shelf.

1/6 are only cool for people, like a lot of you, that actually like to play them.
[emoji23][emoji23]

Other than that I’ve switched to larger pieces. I don’t need to interact with the damn things. Lol.


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[subzro]

You guys are nuts.

The only thing driving the price up is that fact that they can. That’s it. Making these things only gets easier as time goes by.

That said, I have once again have stepped away from 1/6 again because I can’t justify the price on something so small that I can barely see on the shelf.

1/6 are only cool for people, like a lot of you, that actually like to play them.
[emoji23][emoji23]

Other than that I’ve switched to larger pieces. I don’t need to interact with the damn things. Lol.


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That's a great idea because the price of larger pieces has not gone up while the QC has gone down. I can't buy statues anymore to much money for what you get. I do like the ones i have but i got sick of the QC.

1/6 isnt for everyone. Good luck with the statue game.

 

[GMan022]

Have to toss increasing labor costs in there also and probably other things we don't even think about.

I think labor costs play a huge part. They've affected other collectibles that also come out of China. And since HT employs probably the most skilled painters in China, the cost of figures has to be increased to keep them.

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[Wor-Gar]

That said, I have once again have stepped away from 1/6 again

See ya when you swing back around. Again.

 

[chengda85]

I think labor costs play a huge part. They've affected other collectibles that also come out of China. And since HT employs probably the most skilled painters in China, the cost of figures has to be increased to keep them.

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I thought JC Hong paints every single on of them? XD

 

[rayeknor]

Nope hot toys use factory painters like every other company. Better paintjob but still, one man cant paint several thousand of each figure

 

[Hoody999]

Nope hot toys use factory painters like every other company. Better paintjob but still, one man cant paint several thousand of each figure

Yep. He does the first prototype which goes to the factory. I assume he keeps track of colours used, order of application etc. As a guideline for them.

That's also why his version is always better than production versions. Although have got to give credit to the HT production team. They're not bad ! Still probably only a handful of select people though for each area painting, sewing, packaging, quality etc.

 

[Bo Shrek]

Two years ago I would have had the below figures on my want list:

Dooku
Anakin
Obi Wan
Hoth / Bespin Leia
AOTC Yoda
ESB Vader
Maul
DX 15 Sparrow

Prices are just too high I no longer feel interested in owning these figures.

What I have purchased in 2018:

Loose Vader from Tarkin two pack $210
DX15 Sparrow head and two face plate $100

You can see the corner cutting a seasoned collector like myself is doing to stay in the game. Like I mentioned before I am not officially retired but I mainly stay on the bench now rather than play the game.

 

[The Chaver]

See ya when you swing back around. Again.

I might come back. Idk. It’s just that bigger pieces keep me from buying the smaller 1/6 stuff.

Yeah, sure, the bigger pieces are going up in price too, but feel like I see my money in them vs 1/6

Only way I’ll get back into it is when I get all the large iconic pieces that I want.

I got :

T-800 1/2 scale
Dog Alien 1/3 scale
2 1/4 scale Berserk pieces and probably Apostle Zodd. That thing is gonna be a massive piece.

Probably going to get It Pennywise 1/2 scale too.

Yup, my plate is too full. 3 of these 1/6 figures is almost $1,000. Not worth it to me.



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[bebe13junior]

The collecting game has definitely fizzled out a bit for me.
I have most of the characters I like.

I am excited to get this, 1/4 scale Vader as well as the Emperor and Royal Guard.

Only thing I'm really wanting is the 1/4 trooper. Than I'd maybe pick up a figure here and there if I have extra funds.


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[FlyAndFight]

Like Chaver and several of you that have posted similar thoughts, I've been getting a little discouraged with the hobby's higher prices. That and lack of display space have me being even more selective on figure purchases.

I'm feeling the effects of burnout as well. I've easily got over two dozen figures that I've received in the last year or so that have remained in their boxes. I open up the packaging to take a quick look and back they go.

Another issue is that with many of the figures that I have, I'm at the point where they are being replaced with simply newer versions. I understand the whole progress in 1/6 technology and such, but it can be somewhat discouraging at the same time.

Just to bring this back to HT's Maul, I would like to pick up this figure to replace my old SS one but to be honest, I have yet to pre-order and I'm not sure I really need it my collection, especially at this price.

 

[Wor-Gar]

I might come back. Idk. It’s just that bigger pieces keep me from buying the smaller 1/6 stuff.

Yeah, sure, the bigger pieces are going up in price too, but feel like I see my money in them vs 1/6

Only way I’ll get back into it is when I get all the large iconic pieces that I want.

I got :

T-800 1/2 scale
Dog Alien 1/3 scale
2 1/4 scale Berserk pieces and probably Apostle Zodd. That thing is gonna be a massive piece.

Probably going to get It Pennywise 1/2 scale too.

Yup, my plate is too full. 3 of these 1/6 figures is almost $1,000. Not worth it to me.



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But the larger items take up so much space you're out of the hobby within 10-15 pieces.

And 1/6th still remains the most expansive of movie franchises other than 3" figures.

Like Chaver and several of you that have posted similar thoughts.

But you've been here longer than me. The hobby won't let you go.

 

[jake26]

Isn't this the vicious circle of purchasing and replacing figures?

I remember when Sideshow released their first Maul figure for $60. Considering Hasbro made a $20 version, paying 3X for a far better version was worth the investment. However, comparing the 1st Sideshow release to the 2nd, the second is better but cost 4X more but the improvements are not warranting the cost. It would be nice if they offered trade-ins.

It will be interesting comparing Sideshow Maul to Hot Toys. Man, the conversation we will be having will be pure gold!!