MR 2006 lineup unveiled

[bothanspy]

MR has sent out an update.

Since yesterdays announcemnt, we've gotta a flod of email regarding the different editions we have planned for 2006, so here's a few facts about the Limited Edition (LE) vs. Collectors Edition (CE):

For 2006, Master Replicas currently has 7 categories of products:

Elite Editions (EE)
Limited Editions (LE)
Collectors Editions (CE)
Signature Editions (SE)
Studio Scale Force FX (FX)
Scaled Replicas (minis)

We'd like to clarify the difference between the Elite Edition, Limited Edition, and Collectors Edition. Here's a quick summary:

Elite Edition (EE) - Available to Collector's Society members only and will be constructed from the most premium materials available.
Limited Edition (LE) - Available through www.masterreplicas.com and will have a numbered plaque with an edition size cap. It has the same construction as the current Limited Editions. Select International Distributor partners will be provided with a very small quantity of the Limited Editions to help reduce some of the international shipping costs.
Collectors Edition (CE) - In response to our customer requests for a less expensive/ "costuming"/more youth accessible prop replica. Available through our retail partners and will be unlimited. Collectors Edition replicas will uphold the high quality appearance but will use slightly different materials so that they can be priced lower.

There has been a lot of concern regarding the new Limited Edition/Collectors Edition strategy. Here are some key things to know regarding why we have a new Limited Edition/Collectors Edition strategy: - When the Limited Edition version of an item sells out, then it will be gone for good. Through the Collectors Edition, new collectors will be able to still collect popular character's prop replicas for many years to come, long after the Limited Editions have sold out. - Collector's with a Limited Edition will have a collectible that's part of a capped edition run. We hope to keep the edition runs for the 2006 products tighter than 2005 and hope that this will help maintain and improve the value of the Limited Edition replicas.

We hope that this will help clarify the new Limited Edition/Collectors Edition strategy for 2006, and provide our customers with the greatest amount of choice when purchasing their favorite prop replica.

 

[Prop Runner]

I have a question to all our non-US brothers: why do you expect MR to take a huge hit in its already meager profit margin on LEs just to be able to reduce your shipping costs? Even if they opened a warehouse in Australia or Germany or UK, they STILL have to ship them there and they'd STILL have to pay import tariffs (instead of you paying customs, but you're dreaming if you expect the retail prices not to be higher as a result). If MR was a London-based company, us Yanks would have to eat the enormous shipping costs instead, and the German, Aussie, French, Canadian, and UK collectors would still be bitching. The only reason imported goods are competitively priced here is because they come in by the shipload and because of the strength of the US dollar, thus defraying the final price. Not so with delicate, fragile, high-end, limited edition collectibles. So at the risk of sounding insensitive: that's life, deal with it, and be happy MR was able to negotiate a World Wide License with the studios in the first place.

- Gabe

 

[gizmo]

Originally posted by Prop Runner@Dec 23 2005, 10:46 PM
I have a question to all our non-US brothers: why do you expect MR to take a huge hit in its already meager profit margin on LEs just to be able to reduce your shipping costs?  Even if they opened a warehouse in Australia or Germany or UK, they STILL have to ship them there and they'd STILL have to pay import tariffs (instead of you paying customs, but you're dreaming if you expect  the retail prices not to be higher as a result).  If MR was a London-based company, us Yanks would have to eat the enormous shipping costs instead, and the German, Aussie, French, Canadian, and UK collectors would still be bitching.  The only reason imported goods are competitively priced here is because they come in by the shipload and because of the strength of the US dollar, thus defraying the final price.  Not so with delicate, fragile, high-end, limited edition collectibles.  So at the risk of sounding insensitive: that's life, deal with it, and be happy MR was able to negotiate a World Wide License with the studios in the first place.

- Gabe

[snapback]1142578[/snapback]​

I`m not talking about anything to do with LE or import tax and stuff I`m just talking about the general shipping price.I remember someone on here saying they were going to be charged $600 US dollars to ship a snowspeeder or something overseas.And thats before import tax.I know it might come down to Fedex charging that amont but would you pay that much for shipping?I just want more shipping options other than Fedex.I`ve had bigger items delivered for a quarter of that price.I`m sure if the shoe was on the other foot you would be bitching also.

Ben

 

[dkwd]

Does this mean we will someday see a Collector Edition of the Medal of Yavin?

I missed out on the first run of it.

David

 

[Prop Runner]

Originally posted by gizmo@Dec 23 2005, 03:04 PM
I`m not talking about anything to do with LE or import tax and stuff I`m just talking about the general shipping price.I remember someone on here saying they were going to be charged $600 US dollars to ship a snowspeeder or something overseas.And thats before import tax.I know it might come down to Fedex charging that amont but would you pay that much for shipping?I just want more shipping options other than Fedex.I`ve had bigger items delivered for a quarter of that price.I`m sure if the shoe was on the other foot you would be bitching also.

Ben

[snapback]1142597[/snapback]​

Well, I'm not an apologist for MR's shipping practices, but have you talked to Amy and asked what alternative shipping methods they offer? As an exercise, why don't you find out the speeder's box dimensions and weight, and call a few other international air-mail shippers to find out what it would cost for them to ship it. I have a feeling it might be more, simply because MR must enjoy a volume corporate client discount with Fed-Ex. I know I enjoy a significant shipping discount with UPS because I have a business account with them. Alternatively, sea shipping for small boxes is often more expensive than air freight because you'd be paying for an entire shipping container. I know a guy in Perth who's got a licensed B9 Robot on order from the American licensee. I dared not ask him what he's paying for the multi-crate air freight, but luckily, he can afford it, since the robot already cost him $18,000 (.... :eek ).

Nobody ever said this was a hobby for the poor... The only thing the poor are known to collect is children.

- Gabe

 

[gizmo]

Originally posted by Prop Runner+Dec 23 2005, 11:33 PM--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Prop Runner @ Dec 23 2005, 11:33 PM)</div>

<!--QuoteBegin-gizmo

@Dec 23 2005, 03:04 PM
I`m not talking about anything to do with LE or import tax and stuff I`m just talking about the general shipping price.I remember someone on here saying they were going to be charged $600 US dollars to ship a snowspeeder or something overseas.And thats before import tax.I know it might come down to Fedex charging that amont but would you pay that much for shipping?I just want more shipping options other than Fedex.I`ve had bigger items delivered for a quarter of that price.I`m sure if the shoe was on the other foot you would be bitching also.

Ben

[snapback]1142597[/snapback]​

Well, I'm not an apologist for MR's shipping practices, but have you talked to Amy and asked what alternative shipping methods they offer? As an exercise, why don't you find out the speeder's box dimensions and weight, and call a few other international air-mail shippers to find out what it would cost for them to ship it. I have a feeling it might be more, simply because MR must enjoy a volume corporate client discount with Fed-Ex. I know I enjoy a significant shipping discount with UPS because I have a business account with them. Alternatively, sea shipping for small boxes is often more expensive than air freight because you'd be paying for an entire shipping container. I know a guy in Perth who's got a licensed B9 Robot on order from the American licensee. I dared not ask him what he's paying for the multi-crate air freight, but luckily, he can afford it, since the robot already cost him $18,000 (.... :eek ).

Nobody ever said this was a hobby for the poor... The only thing the poor are known to collect is children.

- Gabe

[snapback]1142619[/snapback]​

[/b]

Thanks for the suggestions.I`m really looking forward to seeing how the Y-wing turns out and will look into these options further to try and get one.

Merry Christmas
Ben

 

[Cookiee Monsta]

Originally posted by Prop Runner@Dec 24 2005, 10:46 AM
I have a question to all our non-US brothers: why do you expect MR to take a huge hit in its already meager profit margin on LEs just to be able to reduce your shipping costs?  Even if they opened a warehouse in Australia or Germany or UK, they STILL have to ship them there and they'd STILL have to pay import tariffs (instead of you paying customs, but you're dreaming if you expect  the retail prices not to be higher as a result).  If MR was a London-based company, us Yanks would have to eat the enormous shipping costs instead, and the German, Aussie, French, Canadian, and UK collectors would still be bitching.  The only reason imported goods are competitively priced here is because they come in by the shipload and because of the strength of the US dollar, thus defraying the final price.  Not so with delicate, fragile, high-end, limited edition collectibles.  So at the risk of sounding insensitive: that's life, deal with it, and be happy MR was able to negotiate a World Wide License with the studios in the first place.

- Gabe

[snapback]1142578[/snapback]​

Considering all their gear comes outta Asia, once each of their props are ready to be released, all they then have to do is send the allotted product too their respective warehouse's.It'll be naff if they send them first to the U.S, only to be sent back out to Aus & U.K-Europe branch's.

It's the shipping cost's that are the killer, not MR's pricing.

 

[RKW]

Originally posted by Cougar+Dec 23 2005, 11:47 PM--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Cougar @ Dec 23 2005, 11:47 PM)</div>

<!--QuoteBegin-Prop Runner

@Dec 24 2005, 10:46 AM
I have a question to all our non-US brothers: why do you expect MR to take a huge hit in its already meager profit margin on LEs just to be able to reduce your shipping costs?  Even if they opened a warehouse in Australia or Germany or UK, they STILL have to ship them there and they'd STILL have to pay import tariffs (instead of you paying customs, but you're dreaming if you expect  the retail prices not to be higher as a result).  If MR was a London-based company, us Yanks would have to eat the enormous shipping costs instead, and the German, Aussie, French, Canadian, and UK collectors would still be bitching.  The only reason imported goods are competitively priced here is because they come in by the shipload and because of the strength of the US dollar, thus defraying the final price.  Not so with delicate, fragile, high-end, limited edition collectibles.  So at the risk of sounding insensitive: that's life, deal with it, and be happy MR was able to negotiate a World Wide License with the studios in the first place.

- Gabe

[snapback]1142578[/snapback]​

Considering all their gear comes outta Asia, once each of their props are ready to be released, all they then have to do is send the allotted product too their respective warehouse's.It'll be naff if they send them first to the U.S, only to be sent back out to Aus & U.K-Europe branch's.

It's the shipping cost's that are the killer, not MR's pricing.

[snapback]1142635[/snapback]​

[/b]

EXACTLY.

If MR truly wants to compete internationally then they need international distributors. Luckily for us non-US folks it looks like MR is listening and will be sending out small shipments to selected dealers.

 

[Prop Runner]

Originally posted by RKW@Dec 23 2005, 03:53 PM
EXACTLY.

If MR truly wants to compete internationally then they need international distributors. Luckily for us non-US folks it looks like MR is listening and will be sending out small shipments to selected dealers.

[snapback]1142638[/snapback]​

Keep in mind that quality control is the primary reason MR has the products shipped to the US first (not to say that solves their QC problems by any means, but when there IS a major problem, like with the Rocketeer helms, it's easier to contain the damage with a centralized warehouse instead of issueing a world-wide recall at their expense... :confused

Also, the bulk of MR's customer base is here, so splitting the shipments and handling QC at the factory level definitely adds risk and expense. As an engineer, I can tell you this is true for all consumer products.

Having said that, I'm glad they're being more responsive to international dealers.

Cheers,

- Gabe

 

[Cookiee Monsta]

Originally posted by Prop Runner@Dec 24 2005, 11:59 AM
Keep in mind that quality control is the primary reason MR has the products shipped to the US first (not to say that solves their QC problems by any means, but when there IS a major problem, like with the Rocketeer helms, it's easier to contain the damage with a centralized warehouse instead of issueing a world-wide recall at their expense...   :confused

You would think they would have QC where the props are being made in Asia, rather then having them sent to the U.S and find out there if the individual props measure up or not? Sounds stupid not too get them checked at the point of origin, cuts down all the shipping back and forth across the pacific of stuff that does'nt measure up.

 

[Prop Runner]

Originally posted by Cougar@Dec 23 2005, 04:28 PM
You would think they would have QC where the props are being made in Asia, rather then having them sent to the U.S and find out there if the  individual props measure up or not? Sounds stupid not too get them checked at the point of origin, cuts down all the shipping back and forth across the pacific of stuff that does'nt measure up.

[snapback]1142659[/snapback]​

You would think so, and common sense would dictate that your outsource vendor is responsible for ultimate product quality, and contractually, they are obligated to comply with all material, surface finish, and dimension tolerance specifications at the time a PO is cut. However, you'd be amazed how many times I've seen entire shipments arrive out of compliance because of a vendor mistake or oversight. Sure, there's a process called "first article inspection" when production samples are sent from the factory to iron out the chinks, but during production, there can be errors in machine settings and instructions, and "shyte happens."

There are also many times when QC problems arise not with the manufacturing, assembly, or finishing process, but with the product design (walls to thin, bosses to short, part interferences or excess clearances, misaligned mating features, failure to call out a tolerance or surface finish, etc.) This typically happens when a product design and development cycle is rushed, design reviews are perfunctory and not thorough (if they even happen at all), and corners are cut in the initial and advanced prototyping stages.

That's why most consumer product companies and OEMs regularly institute random QC checks on the production parts to ensure that vendor mistakes don't happen and design flaws don't crop up (usually due to a high customer return or repair rate), and if they do, are nipped in the bud. At these times, entrire shipments are either returned to the vendor for rework, reworked locally, or accepted with the deviation, according to the best judgment of the company product & QC engineers, marketing department, and project budget.

- Gabe

 

[DL 44 Blaster]

Originally posted by dkwd@Dec 23 2005, 06:30 PM
Does this mean we will someday see a Collector Edition of the Medal of Yavin?

I missed out on the first run of it.

David

[snapback]1142616[/snapback]​

Me too :cry My dumbass thought a flood of them would hit ebay like the training remotes and be alot cheaper than SRP.....boy was I wrong...they hardly ever even go ON ebay and when they do,they command a nice profit for the seller.

Steve

 

[Sluis Van Shipyards]

Originally posted by WookieGunner@Dec 22 2005, 08:27 PM

Ok, I'm confused.  Wouldn't a Boba Fett Ep VI Blaster by a Boba Fett RotJ Blaster?

[snapback]1141966[/snapback]​

I'm an idiot; for some reason I read it as Ep V Blaster... :rolleyes

 

[SpideyFett]

Originally posted by Lynn TXP 0369@Dec 23 2005, 06:40 AM
Looking at this pic one can only wonder if there will be a Studio Scale Klingon ship in the works in the future to go along with the Enterprise???

Lynn

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Any "Sneak Peeks PICS" on the Fett Bucket Lynn?? :rolleyes

 

[Star Wars Helmets]

Originally posted by bothanspy@Dec 23 2005, 10:07 PM
MR has sent out an update.

There has been a lot of concern regarding the new Limited Edition/Collectors Edition strategy. Here are some key things to know regarding why we have a new Limited Edition/Collectors Edition strategy: - When the Limited Edition version of an item sells out, then it will be gone for good.

[snapback]1142559[/snapback]​

They forgot to add

"However we retain the right to bring out another version of the same product in a slightly different material and call it the "EE", or an "XE" or a "30th Anniv" or whatever we may decide, now or in the future"

I'm sorry to go on about this. But if you bring out a Limited Edition of something of 500 units, then its ethically wrong IMO to re release what is effectively the same product a year later when those 500 have gone.

Cheers

Jez

 

[Lynn TXP 0369]

Originally posted by SpideyFett@Dec 23 2005, 10:16 PM

Any "Sneak Peeks PICS" on the Fett Bucket Lynn??  :rolleyes

[snapback]1142748[/snapback]​

I wish, I really doubt it'll be what people want or expect judging from the Trooper and Rocketeer idealized helmets helmet's.

I'll stick with my MSH and MSH2 helmets for now.

Lynn

 

[Prop Runner]

Originally posted by BingoBongo275+Dec 24 2005, 04:03 AM--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(BingoBongo275 @ Dec 24 2005, 04:03 AM)</div>

<!--QuoteBegin-bothanspy

@Dec 23 2005, 10:07 PM
MR has sent out an update.

There has been a lot of concern regarding the new Limited Edition/Collectors Edition strategy. Here are some key things to know regarding why we have a new Limited Edition/Collectors Edition strategy: - When the Limited Edition version of an item sells out, then it will be gone for good.

[snapback]1142559[/snapback]​

They forgot to add

"However we retain the right to bring out another version of the same product in a slightly different material and call it the "EE", or an "XE" or a "30th Anniv" or whatever we may decide, now or in the future"

I'm sorry to go on about this. But if you bring out a Limited Edition of something of 500 units, then its ethically wrong IMO to re release what is effectively the same product a year later when those 500 have gone.

Cheers

Jez

[snapback]1142901[/snapback]​

[/b]

If aluminum, plastic, and stainless steel are indeed just "slightly different," then I'd agree with you. Fortunately they're not, so I don't. And neither apparently do the customers who happily sold out the stainless steel Luke ANH EE saber in record time...

Jeez, Jez - did Santa leave you a lump of coal in your stocking this year? :rolleyes

- Gabe

 

[ScaryGuy]

Originally posted by Prop Runner@Dec 23 2005, 11:46 PM
I have a question to all our non-US brothers: why do you expect MR to take a huge hit in its already meager profit margin on LEs just to be able to reduce your shipping costs?  Even if they opened a warehouse in Australia or Germany or UK, they STILL have to ship them there and they'd STILL have to pay import tariffs (instead of you paying customs, but you're dreaming if you expect  the retail prices not to be higher as a result).  If MR was a London-based company, us Yanks would have to eat the enormous shipping costs instead, and the German, Aussie, French, Canadian, and UK collectors would still be bitching.  The only reason imported goods are competitively priced here is because they come in by the shipload and because of the strength of the US dollar, thus defraying the final price.  Not so with delicate, fragile, high-end, limited edition collectibles.  So at the risk of sounding insensitive: that's life, deal with it, and be happy MR was able to negotiate a World Wide License with the studios in the first place.

- Gabe

[snapback]1142578[/snapback]​

I don't blame them for import taxes. But if I would order a lightsaber from MR directly I would have to pay $190 on FedEx shipping costs. Now that's a bit high compared to the price of the saber itself. I have asked Amy many times if they would offer USPS shipping. That would costs around $40 - $50 with insurance and online tracking. But they are not willing to do that. The solution they came up with is that a few european distributors will get some of the LE's. However, I'm afraid they will just ask scalping prices because they will be truly limited in europe. It already happened with the 250 Luke EE's that were given to R2DToys. They are asking $800 for it. And that's not just import taxes.

 

[spinner 44]

As said before MR only wants to work with Fed-Ex for foreing shipping, it's their option, maybe because they have a good account with them or whatever other reason they decided. That is their choice as bussiness. But a very expensive choice for any non-US customer. I buy a lot from US and Fed-Ex That makes the shipping cost 3 to 5 times superior than USPS EMS. I buy a lot form the US and EMS has never ever failed me, not saying it wll never be, but it is fast (4-5 days), insurable and traceable. Same service as Fed-Ex.

Plus you have to think that taxes are valued not only over the product's price , but over product+shipping cost. If you have a MR Snowpeeder and pay $600 you end up paying taxes (25% to 35%) for a $1200 valued product, not funny really.

Sideshow Toys has a different approach to this matter. Much more european-friendly. The decided to open a wharehouse in Ireland so the shipping for all europeans is reduced significantly, shipping a big item like Sauron only costs $40-60. That goes for web-exclusive and non-exclusive material. And for over sized and more expensive items that will ship from their US wharehouse, like the Predator statuette, they offer FREE shipping.

As a said in my first post in this thread, better have good friend in the US and have it shipped to him/her (MR offered this some time ago, shipping to a different address of the billing one), and then have it shipped to you.

 

[RKW]

Originally posted by ScaryGuy@Dec 24 2005, 12:21 PM
I don't blame them for import taxes. But if I would order a lightsaber from MR directly I would have to pay $190 on FedEx shipping costs. Now that's a bit high compared to the price of the saber itself. I have asked Amy many times if they would offer USPS shipping. That would costs around $40 - $50 with insurance and online tracking. But they are not willing to do that. The solution they came up with is that a few european distributors will get some of the LE's. However, I'm afraid they will just ask scalping prices because they will be truly limited in europe. It already happened with the 250 Luke EE's that were given to R2DToys. They are asking $800 for it. And that's not just import taxes.

[snapback]1142907[/snapback]​

That situation is occuring at the moment because R2DToys is acting like any other customer. Buying in bulk and is able to demand any price they want for them. But now that MR wants to change things so that they are the sole distributor then they can simply make a few select international retailers official MR distributors and impose an RRP on them. Granted there will probably be more demand than supply and some customers will try to make a killing on ebay. But since MR has the worldwide license then they atleast need to give us the opportunity to buy them at retail prices.