Kuhn Global
Sr Member
I was recently asked some advice on a piece and was complimented as being a knowlegable person on this board. I must say "thank you" for that, but I do want to make it known that I am just an average JOE with dreams just like everyone here. I am just making it happen like most are doing.
That stated,.. I thought I would share my answer about collecting Studio Scale items...
Most pieces are not widely publicized. Star Wars and Trek usually cover that realm of things. Finding a screen used prop is always the premium way to go and is usually found through those who have basically taken it (not paid for or had permission to do so) from the Studio or shop it came from. Other than that we may find castings that 1.) made their way out of the original molds through the "back door", 2.) Places like MR getting specs from the original models that don't quite make it into their production pieces, 3.) The fan made products (accurate or inaccurate as they may be). My bottom line is... what do I feel about what I obtain after all is done? It has nothing to do with what other's believe my collection to be. I always remind myself...ANYTHING YOU GET CAN BE MADE TO BE AS ACCURATE AS YOU WANT IT TO BE.
In my humble opinion any unfinished REPLICA (and that is the word of the day..lol) is only worth what it means to you to have it. For instance.. I am paying one of my guys thousands for a giant piece,.. but it will be finished and "dead on" when delivered to me. His specific 'extremely detailed' kit is $600 right now... down from the original $1000 that I know was already a deal for what was offered. Provable screen used pieces... they're an entirely different story.
People sell to either dump something, get money for something else, or just need cash. If you have the money,.. you're in control. The seller sometimes doesn't like this fact, but it is true. If you don't have the money available,.. the seller dictates what they want and it is usually accepted.
From my learning process, I will never lay out money for anything in the future that is not ready to be delivered, other than very small amounts to express pre-sale committments. I see too much of that behavior going on as common, accpetable practice. This not only saves me from having a problem, but the artist as well, and thus a great relationship is retained. I don't believe in the "robbing Peter to pay Paul" scenario. Money taken by an artist needs to be applied to the item that it paid for,.. not used on someone elses project that needs to be caught up on. Let me just say I know many of you will never agree with me on this. I even know of philosophies of pre-selling just to make a living with the idea of getting to the project paid for sometime in the future. Very interesting indeed,.. but not for me.
Sometimes buying this stuff requires patience, but in most cases proves to be worth waiting for.
Too much talent (out there in all of you), too little time on this earth (to use it all).
I am going to FL now... Be back Aug 4.
Everyone goes through lulls in popularity....Here comes the firing squad.
That stated,.. I thought I would share my answer about collecting Studio Scale items...
Most pieces are not widely publicized. Star Wars and Trek usually cover that realm of things. Finding a screen used prop is always the premium way to go and is usually found through those who have basically taken it (not paid for or had permission to do so) from the Studio or shop it came from. Other than that we may find castings that 1.) made their way out of the original molds through the "back door", 2.) Places like MR getting specs from the original models that don't quite make it into their production pieces, 3.) The fan made products (accurate or inaccurate as they may be). My bottom line is... what do I feel about what I obtain after all is done? It has nothing to do with what other's believe my collection to be. I always remind myself...ANYTHING YOU GET CAN BE MADE TO BE AS ACCURATE AS YOU WANT IT TO BE.
In my humble opinion any unfinished REPLICA (and that is the word of the day..lol) is only worth what it means to you to have it. For instance.. I am paying one of my guys thousands for a giant piece,.. but it will be finished and "dead on" when delivered to me. His specific 'extremely detailed' kit is $600 right now... down from the original $1000 that I know was already a deal for what was offered. Provable screen used pieces... they're an entirely different story.
People sell to either dump something, get money for something else, or just need cash. If you have the money,.. you're in control. The seller sometimes doesn't like this fact, but it is true. If you don't have the money available,.. the seller dictates what they want and it is usually accepted.
From my learning process, I will never lay out money for anything in the future that is not ready to be delivered, other than very small amounts to express pre-sale committments. I see too much of that behavior going on as common, accpetable practice. This not only saves me from having a problem, but the artist as well, and thus a great relationship is retained. I don't believe in the "robbing Peter to pay Paul" scenario. Money taken by an artist needs to be applied to the item that it paid for,.. not used on someone elses project that needs to be caught up on. Let me just say I know many of you will never agree with me on this. I even know of philosophies of pre-selling just to make a living with the idea of getting to the project paid for sometime in the future. Very interesting indeed,.. but not for me.
Sometimes buying this stuff requires patience, but in most cases proves to be worth waiting for.
Too much talent (out there in all of you), too little time on this earth (to use it all).
I am going to FL now... Be back Aug 4.
Everyone goes through lulls in popularity....Here comes the firing squad.
