EfX Product Ideas?

[markyt1]

Like several people have suggested, I think that its time they started to make some props that were a bit more affordable to the common person. I mean some of the collectables are way out of the normal persons price range. Yes now and again you get a bargain on ebay (myself included!!) but it would be nice to buy an item first off without having to mortgage the house or work all the overtime in the world to afford it. The x-wing that efx are releasing its over $1000 i mean who has that kind of money to throw at that....i certainly dont and im quite sure the majority of you wont have either. Were the customers after all hear our voice!!!

 

[micdavis]

Sounds like you're in the wrong hobby to start with.

You get what you pay for.

Your first post is *****ing about pricing, yeah you'll go far here.

 

[Jedi-72]

No offense Markyt1, but that's what toys are for. High end props are another story targeting a more discerning customer. Given how quickly these runs sell out, seems plenty of people have the money. Some of the things are expensive, but look at the work that goes into them. While I would never pay $1200 for an X-wing, I can certainly see the price justified in the final product. My cut off point is below a grand. For others, it's much higher, and god bless 'em and their amazing collections. You're gonna be mighty frustrated getting into this hobby if cost is such a concern for you.

 

[defstartrooper]

No offense Markyt1, but that's what toys are for. High end props are another story targeting a more discerning customer. Given how quickly these runs sell out, seems plenty of people have the money. Some of the things are expensive, but look at the work that goes into them. While I would never pay $1200 for an X-wing, I can certainly see the price justified in the final product. My cut off point is below a grand. For others, it's much higher, and god bless 'em and their amazing collections. You're gonna be mighty frustrated getting into this hobby if cost is such a concern for you.

With respect with these licensed collectables a good deal of the price you pay is for nothing more than a plaque and a certificate.
It's a great marketing model you produce items in small runs and slap a limited edition number on it, this is seen as something special by the collector and it means you have no chance of ending up with a warehouse full of product you can't shift if the piece turns out to be a slow mover.
Lets be honest here these units aren't handmade by some artisan they are mass produced in factories in China(can you say cheap?)

 

[markyt1]

No offense Markyt1, but that's what toys are for. High end props are another story targeting a more discerning customer. Given how quickly these runs sell out, seems plenty of people have the money. Some of the things are expensive, but look at the work that goes into them. While I would never pay $1200 for an X-wing, I can certainly see the price justified in the final product. My cut off point is below a grand. For others, it's much higher, and god bless 'em and their amazing collections. You're gonna be mighty frustrated getting into this hobby if cost is such a concern for you.

So why is ebay awash with props. For example MR Vader Helmets, the price range between some of them is ridiculous. A prop not need be a collectable purely on how much it cost!! Hey i love some of the items that i see on the forums but there is a point where "Taking the piss" applies. Im sure many of your expensive props are stamped made in china!!. lets see more items similar to the MR stunt stormtrooper helmet affordable and a good item, surely its up to me if its a collectable.

MICDAVIS - *****ing about prices i'm only making a comment. Seems that your a marketers dream stick a high price and a limited plaque on it and your sold! Just cause its more expensive does it make it more collectable?

 

[Jedi-72]

Where something is made is beside the point. Is anything made in the U.S. anymore? That argument applies to just about everything we buy on a daily basis. If any of these pieces were made here, then you would REALLY have something to scream about in terms of price because they would probably cost twice as much, if not more, and be more shabbily built.

The sad fact for those of us who would like some of these higher end pieces, is that they're apparently priced just fine because they always sell out quite quickly. And not for nothing, but do you think that the Star Wars license comes cheap? I assure you it does not. These companies pay big bucks for the privilege of making these pieces. That's part of what you're paying for as well, a BIG part. Uncle George gives nothing away.

Even though they fall outside of what I will pay for what is essentially a toy, I pretty much see the value in many of the finished pieces. They're pretty damn good, save for some of the paint work. Hey, I'd be all for lesser priced offerings of equal quality and detail. I just don't think you're gonna see them any time soon. Not enough profit in it.

I understand the frustration of wanting something that you feel simply costs too much. But, if you want the best quality, it always costs you.

 

[IndyFanChuck]

Which one it that one? I actually have never heard of it? Am I missing a joke, or is there really a "barbicon" lightsaber? Dude, how do I not know this!!!!

unless you want to complete the set and do the barbicon Vader saber. That would rock.

 

[micdavis]

MICDAVIS - *****ing about prices i'm only making a comment. Seems that your a marketers dream stick a high price and a limited plaque on it and your sold! Just cause its more expensive does it make it more collectable?

I buy few of the marketed items. I'm more of a builder than a buyer.

And it's "you're" as in "you are", not "your".

 

[markyt1]

Buddy

Cool the jets, can you not agree to disagree, no need to keep posting snippy comments. I mean what are you saying about going far here??? Its a discussion board and i expressed an opinion you dont have to agree. Thanks for the English lesson also.

 

[defstartrooper]

Of course they sell out fast they only produce the items in small runs of say 500 for a worldwide market it's not hard to find 500 mugs in the world is it.

 

[IndyFanChuck]

micdavis has been around this board for years, YEARS. Youre on 4 posts and arguing with a veteran member. Maybe we should start over and get back to the topic. (EVERYONE here is sarcastic, and EVERYONE makes snippy comments, just watch, someone will make a smart-a$$ comment about what I am saying right now:lol) Truly, I'm trying to help. I see you going down the WRONG road. It's your first day of class - don't argue with the principle!:unsure

ANYWAY, they might have produced this in some other form, but I would LOVE to see a miniature of the Death Star. Something around helmet size with lights from the inside. (BUT PLEASE GOD, NO SOUND EFFECTS!)lol:lol

What have they produced that ISN'T a cheap toy, that is a replica of the Death Star?


--Chuck

Buddy

Cool the jets, can you not agree to disagree, no need to keep posting snippy comments. I mean what are you saying about going far here??? Its a discussion board and i expressed an opinion you dont have to agree. Thanks for the English lesson also.

 

[defstartrooper]

What has post count or length of membership got to do with having an opinion ?

 

[jts1031]

Nothing. He's just trying to suck up.

 

[TOSPHASER]

:unsure

 

[antwayne]

I'm interested in something similar to MR's blue-prints but with design stories and autographs from the builders of the original props. I'd want it shadow boxed and containing a mounted paint sample and greeblie or part replica from the prop along with a replica of the final design sketch with GL's approval stamp and a quality photo of the prop. I'd hang them alongside the props I already have- and in place of the ones I don't.

 

[Jedi-72]

How big should they make the runs? There isn't a huge mass market for studio scale X-wings or Millennium Falcons, etc. These aren't commodity products, like ipods or something. They need to size the runs so that they are able to make a reasonable profit on the pieces, satisfy a reasonable chunk of the high-end collector market, and preserve the value of the pieces being produced as much as they can. If they produce too many, and don't sell out, they wind up selling them at discounted prices to clear out inventory, and then collectors who paid the higher price complain about the value of their pieces now declining...a valid complaint.

That's the entire purpose of limited editions. It always cracks me up when I see "Limited Edition", and then an edition number in the tens of thousands.:rolleyes Yeah, real limited. I think the editions could be a little bit larger, but not by much. By keeping the run small, demand remains high for the pieces after market, which is important for items like this, the rarity. I don't think the prices are unreasonable. Truth be told, were the economy doing better, I would have snagged the X-wing myself.

Of course they sell out fast they only produce the items in small runs of say 500 for a worldwide market it's not hard to find 500 mugs in the world is it.

 

[defstartrooper]

No of course there isn't an open ended market for the big studio scale stuff but come on they pull the same tactics with every single piece they produce.

 

[micdavis]

Then don't buy them.

 

[Jedi-72]

That's business. They're here to make money, after all. I feel that some of the stuff could be more "reasonably" priced, but then everyone defines that term differently. Taking all their costs into account, the prices are probably pretty fair for many of their pieces. Some things, like OT sabers and blasters, you can build for less out of original parts if you're patient and lucky on ebay. That's where most of my collection came from. I have a real Sterling Stormtrooper rifle, complete, that I got for $400 compared to a replica for $450 or $500. My entire collection has three licensed pieces, so I'm not a big customer of companies like these, though I can appreciate their efforts.

As Micdavis says...don't buy them if you think they're too expensive. I think BMWs are too expensive for my sensibilities, but I'd like to own one. Does that mean BMW should make them cheaper? I don't see an Apple computer being worth 2k. NO way. Maybe half that. Some people see the value, some don't...though they may still want said item.

 

[Too Much Garlic]

I think any licensed prop that costs more than a fully finished, accurate fan made replica is priced too high. But again... what do I know of business and the costs involved.