First pic of the licensed Korben Dallas Blaster - Fifth Element

[racprops]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(androidandy @ Feb 22 2007, 08:11 PM) [snapback]1424427[/snapback]</div>

A lot more than material costs and set up costs go into each production item. You also have to make sure it covers all the costs to keep your company going as well...like pay rent, payroll, electric, equiptment upkeep, and all the other high costs of doing business. One piece alone of course is hard to do that unless you are a one man operation.

Then the matter of figuring out your market. If your market is large you can put out a large amount at a smaller price to make money. If your market is small you need to be able to sell a smaller amount at a higher price to get your profit. A Star Wars License can do both, but 5E will need to ask a higher price for a smaller run or they will sit on a lot of unsold guns. Of course if there is a good sized hardcore fan group they can open it up a bit more. I personally think the $300-$350 range sounds about right for a medium sized run(a few hundred guns). Less than 100 guns I think they can sell them at the higher price. Also you have to take into account how quickly you sell them and get your investment and initial costs back. A small run might sell faster than a large run when people wait to see because there is no percieved scarcity. But if they are well priced and sold through the right channels (like in French science fiction film magazines)..they might sell like hotcakes. I do think there is a good sized market for this gun around the world and a medium size run at a medium price will sell the best I think IMHO. The high end prop Market seems very soft right now. It all depends on the marketing I figure.
[/b]

You have got that right.

For a US Company to compeat with a third world worker who will work a whole day for a bowl of rice (or nearly thatÂ…) is very hard. Specialy dollar to dollar (or dollar to rice) in retail pricing.
But one thing that seems to be happening, they keep messing up, so far the quaritly has not been there, nor the accuraticy, the imports keep missing important details.
Fit and finish and serviceablty is also not there, many products offer NO repairs and no parts for repairs so it it fails, youÂ’re out of luck.
These are things where a US company can step up to bat and provide.
And I keep hearing more and more peole say thay are turned off by these problems and are now shopping Americian.
So there maybe a light at the end of the tunnel and not a oncoming train either.
My 2 cents.
Rich

 

[SurferGeek]

Sheesh... :rolleyes

I've gotten just as much crap from US dealers and so called craftsmen as I have from foreign sources.

 

[MattMunson]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(SurferGeek @ Feb 23 2007, 07:41 AM) [snapback]1424486[/snapback]</div>

Sheesh... :rolleyes

I've gotten just as much crap from US dealers and so called craftsmen as I have from foreign sources.
[/b]

Amen. last time I checked, Sony and Honda still make a pretty good product, but maybe I'm behind the times

Example - it costs Sideshow $1,500 to make one of their lifesize T-800 endoskeletons. That includes shipping from China. They sell them for $5,950 thus making $4,450 dollars profit. Fair? If that's what people are willing to pay.
[/b]

Though this and the post that it came from are very compelling, I believe it paints a very naive picture of the product-to-market process. Androidandy filled in some of the gaps, but I can ASSURE you that sideshow is not making a 4,450 dollar profit on each unit. You've got to factor in so many other things on top of the production costs.

But folks, this is how business is done. Star Wars action figures that are for sale at target for 5.00 probably cost PENNIES to actually get manufactured. Should we boycott target for trying to "gouge" the buyer out of four dollars?? I dunno.

I personally never felt that the whole "materials cost" argument held any water either. Isn't a mercedes and a toyata made of about the same amount of materials?? how come one costs more??

I know these discussions have been played out a million times before on the RPF, and I'm sure they will be played out a million times more. I think the key to making a good point in these types of things is to get educated about what actually goes on in the production of a product. It's WAY more than just the cost of raw materials. If it wasn't, how come the board doesn't light up like a christmas tree when someone offers something that costs more than the resin involved????? There's a HUGE premium to be paid for Intellectual Property. That's where a lot of the money goes, and why a BMW costs more than a daiwoo. Sure, Beamers have slightly more exotic and expensive materials, but not an order of magnitude or two worth. It's the IP you're paying for.

Still, it's an interesting discussion.

Let's just hope I'm not the only one who's completely oblivious to Rich's subtle hocking of his own wares in this thread. Interesting choice, but oh well

 

[b26354]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(MattMunson @ Feb 23 2007, 11:29 AM) [snapback]1424513[/snapback]</div>

I know these discussions have been played out a million times before on the RPF, and I'm sure they will be played out a million times more. I think the key to making a good point in these types of things is to get educated about what actually goes on in the production of a product. It's WAY more than just the cost of raw materials. If it wasn't, how come the board doesn't light up like a christmas tree when someone offers something that costs more than the resin involved????? There's a HUGE premium to be paid for Intellectual Property. That's where a lot of the money goes, and why a BMW costs more than a daiwoo. Sure, Beamers have slightly more exotic and expensive materials, but not an order of magnitude or two worth. It's the IP you're paying for.

Still, it's an interesting discussion.

Let's just hope I'm not the only one who's completely oblivious to Rich's subtle hocking of his own wares in this thread. Interesting choice, but oh well
[/b]

And, don't forget that the person who's offering these paid $12000 for the original - he's obviously not concerned with recouping his costs - but that's what the IP cost him.

Would a Blade Runner blaster made with the permission of the Blade Runner partnership and cast or scanned from the hero prop be worth more or less than a replica made from looking at some pictures of the hero prop. Would anyone care if the one derived from the hero didn't have a sound card where the cylinder should be?

 

[TOKI]

Without a doubt I will be in for one of these.

As for the price, I'm guessing it will be in the $350 - $400 range. Cast off of an original, electronics and some metal parts. I'm going to assume that since it is licensed it will include plaque, some paper work and maybe a display. From what I've seen with licensed pieces this price range seems likely for the size and construct of the piece.

Arthur

 

[racprops]

I am NOT, as I have no wares to offer, I am asking what the model does.

So does it do any thing??

Or is it a static dummy model.

Rich

 

[MattMunson]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(racprops @ Feb 23 2007, 09:10 AM) [snapback]1424525[/snapback]</div>

I am NOT, as I have no wares to offer, I am asking what the model does.

So does it do any thing??

Or is it a static dummy model.
[/b]

Here's a thread that answers those questions:
http://www.therpf.com/index.php?showtopic=125481&st=0

 

[micdavis]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(MattMunson @ Feb 22 2007, 05:48 PM) [snapback]1424544[/snapback]</div>

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(racprops @ Feb 23 2007, 09:10 AM) [snapback]1424525[/snapback]

I am NOT, as I have no wares to offer, I am asking what the model does.

So does it do any thing??

Or is it a static dummy model.
[/b]

Here's a thread that answers those questions:
http://www.therpf.com/index.php?showtopic=125481&st=0
[/b][/quote]

Now that is friggin' funny.

 

[racprops]

I read that as a question not a statement of it features.

As in fishing, WOULD you pay $500.00 fo this gun with working features

And it seemed like many were talking $300.00 which would be right for a dummy.

Rich

 

[PHArchivist]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(micdavis @ Feb 22 2007, 11:51 PM) [snapback]1424546[/snapback]</div>

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(MattMunson @ Feb 22 2007, 05:48 PM) [snapback]1424544[/snapback]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(racprops @ Feb 23 2007, 09:10 AM) [snapback]1424525[/snapback]

I am NOT, as I have no wares to offer, I am asking what the model does.

So does it do any thing??

Or is it a static dummy model.
[/b]

Here's a thread that answers those questions:
http://www.therpf.com/index.php?showtopic=125481&st=0
[/b][/quote]

Now that is friggin' funny.
[/b][/quote]


:lol LMAO. (And watch what you say about Toyota. :angry )

 

[mgoob]

I'd quess in the $500 range.

For fans of this film, this is a great opportunity.

Perhaps other, more obscure films from 10+ years ago will have props made.
2007 is the 10th year of MiB but it seems like yesterday.

Glad you're getting one of your dream props, Matt.

 

[MattMunson]

Man, is MIB really 10 years old? Wow. Still a pretty fun movie. Too bad the sequel sucked so much.

 

[Zendragon]

Very cool... I think between $295 and $395 would make it a safe sell. $500 and I suspect most will pass on it.

 

[MattMunson]

Got a couple more pieces of information to pass along about the release of this bad boy.

It will INDEED include the following:

COA
Display Stand
Plaque

Better and better...

 

[Blad]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(MattMunson @ Feb 24 2007, 09:53 PM) [snapback]1425880[/snapback]</div>

Got a couple more pieces of information to pass along about the release of this bad boy.

It will INDEED include the following:

COA
Display Stand
Plaque

Better and better...
[/b]

You can get rid of plaque with a decent toothbrush.

£150 sounds about right for a practical model.

Hopefully it'll get into production before the UK labour government ban anything that remotely looks like a gun.

 

[MattMunson]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Blad @ Feb 25 2007, 10:59 AM) [snapback]1425976[/snapback]</div>

You can get rid of plaque with a decent toothbrush.


[/b]

I'll talk to the dude and see if we can get one included with each blaster :lol

 

[Chingon]

Any more news on this? Like who the licensee is, price range, when it will be available?

 

[moffeaton]

Any news?

 

[Polsnulspace]

Hopefully it'll get into production before the UK labour government ban anything that remotely looks like a gun.

I hear you there my friend!!!:rolleyes

I definately want this for my 5E display but the price will need to be about £200 MAX. I used to moan when spending £100 on a single dvd.....now Im collecting this madness!!!!:lol

 

[MattMunson]

Got some more info recently. Neglected to post it. Sorry about that. Here's the latest:

SRP will be $249. NICE
Working electronics. Still not EXACTLY sure what this will mean, but from what I gather, it will mean a light up counter that does something.
Display stand.
1000 pieces limited edition.

If I hear any more, I'll certainly let ya know