You are missing a LOT. Some of the fan made collectibles are countless times more accurate than licensed ones. They are made with true dedication, with attention for each detail, with the soul of the artist imprinted on the prop itself. Many fan made use genuine parts just like screen used ones. Some of the fan made items go for a lot more than licensed ones, and quality is indisputable.
Most of the time licensed stuff is in fact produced in China, by workers and painters that don't really know, nor care, what are the items they are working on. That's why the quality on SSC, MR, EFX, HCG etc. might be less than their counterpart fan made items.
Just compare a SL ANH Vader helmet with an EFX Legend or LE Vader helmet, a Sterling conversion to a MR Stormtrooper blaster, a Webley conversion Fett blaster compared to MR one, Elm-Studios/Cyberman/Gino Emperor life-size bust with Sideshow 1:1 Emperor bust, a Graflex/MPP converted lightsaber to a MR/EFX one etc. If you didn't know about any of these or haven't really seen them, or if you cannot afford them, then it's understandable. Personally I would give any 3 licensed lightsabers for a single good MPP conversion. That is the feeling you might have when holding a well made unlicensed prop lightsaber or blaster.
Preach it brother. Well said.
