MR X-Wing

[Commander Max]

...

I hope you would agree, while fun to think about its a viloation of a basica Business 101 sort of concept.

That concept isn't a violation of business 101. In fact it what is called a "missed opportunity".
In manufacturing we constantly pull items out of the production line. Mainly for quality control purposes. Sometimes they are saved/documented for quality control purposes.
MR could do this, they have a small enough market that it could done with very little loss. There is an American company that offers custom paint jobs with mass produced items, and MR is a giant compared to it. The product is made overseas then shipped to the US, and painted in their Las Vegas shop. Of course they charge for it, that is business 101. It's also business 101 to follow the Nike model, who is only in the business of marketing, not making shoes. They subcontract everything, and collect the money. Which appears to be what MR is following.

The real problem with MR products is very simple what kind of quality can you expect from a third world country. The Chinese only care about money.
I'm not knocking your skills, I'm sure that masters are out standing. How can we expect slave labor to produce something, that has the heart of sole of a real modelmaker behind it.

Really, (I do think their are those that would agree) MR is foolish not to offer a custom painted XW. They could charge 3 times as much as regular XW, and you would get a top product. Signed by the artist, etc.
I do not expect this to happen, MR is only interested in bottom line.

 

[DARKSIDE72]

Looks great with the exception of the idealized cockpit. Come on MR...:rolleyes Don't call it studio scale or an exact replica of a filming miniature if the details pertaining to the model being sold never existed on the real model. All that silly cockpit does is turn the model into an expensive toy.
Kudos to those responsible for the rest of the model.

 

[nightrider]

I doubt offering the XW without a final paintjob would reduce the cost enough to make much difference, especially for the small amount of people who would actually want that option.

 

[ghostryder]

Yeah, I think for Barry and Bryan to tap into the talent pool of The RPF is a pretty cool thing to do for such an iconic, "official" Lucasfilm product... Can't wait to see it...!

 

[PHArchivist]

BOLD added

All diims were taken directly from a first gen original body, just corrected for symmetry.

I wish they wouldn't do this... And to be clear -- this is not a complaint; just an opinion.

One thing I love about seeing genuine props in person are all the indications of the hand sculpting work put in (case in point the Endo-skeleton parts, Vaders original helmet, the original TIE fighter models).

But I do understand that we are a niche audience, and most buyers would superimpose the lack of symmetry (or other similar indications of less than precision work) onto MR, never realizing that such stems from the original item.

 

[Zenwalker]

Symmetrical! Oh no, no, no... please say it isn't so! What is the obsession with having to make everytihing symmetrical? I was looking forward to purchasing a replica of the X-Wing SS, not a sanitized version. I may be rethinking my purchase of this one now.

Please just make it like the original model and be done with it.

 

[BrundelFly]

"That concept isn't a violation of business 101. In fact it what is called a "missed opportunity". "

" In manufacturing we constantly pull items out of the production line. Mainly for quality control purposes. Sometimes they are saved/documented for quality control purposes.
MR could do this, they have a small enough market that it could done with very little loss. "

**********

I disagree. If you are trying to sell ONE item to as many people as possible for as low a cost as possible, it just makes sense to offer ONE VERSION.
Could there be a significant revenue stream from people who want to a PAINT YOUR OWN version? I dont think so.

Is it possible? Ofcourse. Enough to justify the trouble? I doubt it!

You would really only be appealing to the folks who want to PAINT YOUR OWN that WOULDNT buy one UNLESS it came in a PRIMER OPTION.


Ok is there ANYONE out there, that ISNT going to buy one, that WOULD if it came in PRIMER only. Be Honest now. Anyone? Before you answer, anyone care to guess what the RETAIL DIFFERENCE of the PAINTED version vs the PRIMER ONLY version would be ?

Lets do some Math. All numbers are rough Guesses and used for example only. I doubt they are off by much though!

Lets say:
1500 retail for the XWING (rounding off a rough guess) which means they probably have a 40% discount to retailers so they (MR ) get 900 Bucks for them. WHich means of the 900 they get painted profit overhead licensing all has to be covered in that price. Lucas gets 20% (for Licensing..actually accurate) off the top so thats a 900 - 180 = 720 lets say for sake of argument they try for a 15% profit so thats 720 X .15 = 108

So 720 - 108 = 612 to cover production and overhead. Lets say its 60% of that for production and 40 for overhead.

.6 X 612 = 367 for actual production of the Model. Oil prices being what they are, the majority of that is for resin and Labor.

For sake of argument lets use rule of thirds. 1/3 of 367 is labor, 1/3 is material, and 1/3 is packaging. .333 X Labor 121. bucks to BUILD and PAINT IT.

How much of the 121.00 goes to the Paint Job? Would a guess 25%?
be reasonable?
.25 x 121 = 30.25

So the difference in cost to paint or not paint is about 30 Bucks?

Ok they SAVE 30 bucks to paint it for the unpainted version.

Woopie.

Lets say they want a nice markup on the Paint job if we were to keep it separate. So the UNPAINTED version is 100 bucks less. IE they make almost three times as much for the PAINTED version for the paint job all other items being equal.

So you get to BUY the unpainted version for 100 bucks less.

Now how many of you IM NOT GETTING ONE UNLESS ITS PRIMERED are gonna buy one where you otherwise would not have?

Maybe one or two more? Hey 100 Bucks is a 100 Bucks.

But then you look over at the painted one and think....

"...its really not THAT bad a paint job. Hmm...I bet it would b EASIER to JUST TOUCH IT UP."


Lets face it....if you DID buy a primered one.....thats how it would PROBABLY SIT. Next to ALL the other projects you are waiting to start.


And you walk out of the store with the PAINTED VERSION even though YOU SWORE on the RPF you would NEVER buy one unless its UNPAINTED.


So MR ends up having:

1) Stock of UNSOLD UNPAINTED MODELS.
2) Extra Costs to UNPACK, and RETURN to the assembly line, IF its even still available, and PAINT these models so they can sell them.


Sorry, STUDIO SCALE MODEL COLLECTING is a NICHE market.

We are not selling 100,000 or even 10,000 of something, we are selling maybe 2500 ?

Your "PULL OF THE ASSEMBLY LINE TO APPEAL TO A FEW if not JUST YOU" really just doesn't make ANY sense.


I have to raise the proverbial BULLSH%T Flag !!!

;-)

frank

 

[BrundelFly]

I doubt offering the XW without a final paintjob would reduce the cost enough to make much difference, especially for the small amount of people who would actually want that option.

Exactly.

 

[BrundelFly]

Symmetrical! Oh no, no, no... please say it isn't so! What is the obsession with having to make everytihing symmetrical? I was looking forward to purchasing a replica of the X-Wing SS, not a sanitized version. I may be rethinking my purchase of this one now.

Please just make it like the original model and be done with it.

Oh COME ON. How DRAMATIC! "OH MY I have to RETHINK MY PURCHASE!!"

MR is shaking in its proverbial boots Im sure.

hahah Im just messin with ya.

There are SO many castings of the "AS IT WAS FILMED XWING " Floating around....you would really stick with that under the guise of being a PURIST?

Really???? Well, to each his own.

Im AMAZED for every PURIST who cant stand the thought of the minor errors corrected, there are 10 people who would COMPLAIN and RETURN the Model because of what they perceive to be POOR WORKMANSHIP.

"hey this one has a CROOKED REAR END!"

Well...so did the FILMING PROP you BONEHEAD!
(not you Zenwalker, speaking in general for example)

So, here is to the purist! Dont add it to your collection, Im sure the one You WOULD have bought will go to a good home were it will be admired and appreciated, and your collection will remain free of the UNCLEAN SYMETTRICAL IDEALIZED SANITIZED HIGHLY SOUGHT AFTER COLLECTIBLE.


(hahahhaha...ah...I tell ya...ya got to laugh.)

Frank

 

[ralphee]

I will say this, just imagine if MR do bring us the Slave One too, just imagine if the non symmetry purists got there wish, MR would have a lot of folk wanting to return wonky firesprays lol, its wonkier the Willy Wonkers wonkiest whackiest candy bar.
So i dont think the symmetry thing really matters or would be welcomed by the mainstream when it boils down to replicas, i dont think the avid armchair fan would appreciate a misaligned X wing hull, yes to some of us, it means a lot, but not everybody is a member here, or cares what parts were even used.
I cant say i know of any ILM studio mini that had full symmetry, thats there charm, but the average money splasher would think hes been kinda cheated IMO lol.
Does that make sense? I just got off work and im real tired LOL.

lee

 

[Commander Max]

Yes SSM is a such a small market in the sci-fi market, which in itself is such a small market in the gift market that it barely can achieve a true profit. Which is why MR charges as much as they can get, (as per your numbers)so they are to expect about $270,000 per product line, most likely higher if special editions are offered.

But in manufacturing we set the retail price but, that isn't what the manufacturer gets. Please demonstrate your numbers based on wholesale unit cost. Because that is what matters to the company, not the customer cost(if MR sells units at retail, that's only icing on the cake). The retail price is for the retailers.

Does MR figure in a defective number of units? (I would assume it is expected to have at least 50-75 defective units in a 2500 unit run, since units are made in China I would expect that number to be much higher.)

For quality control purposes manufacturers regularly pull units from a production line at critical stages. That is check to see if there is any problems in the production line, and fix errors before they can become a huge problem/liability for the company. From what I've seen (and own) MR doesn't do this. Since the product is subcontracted in another country, quality control is impossible, and MR finds it easier to let the customer find problems, and suffer the consequences as they did with the E.

BS, not business 101? Well, if you think like everybody else, sure it isn't.
That's why I said it's a 'missed opportunity' a missed opportunity to catch a customer or group of customers. And MR is known for bad paint jobs, since people are so dissatisfied with the product they feel they must fix it. I'm sure management dismisses such talk, I think that is short sighted. And keeping in mind it is impossible to make everybody happy.
To answer your point of it isn't worth pulling the units out of the line. With pre-ordering product and offered for a limited time. It is very possible to know how many units are to be pulled or bypassed the paint process, but I'm sure the license will not allow it. BS no, but to a company of experienced toy people it would sound that way.

 

[BrundelFly]

"Yes SSM is a such a small market in the sci-fi market, which in itself is such a small market in the gift market that it barely can achieve a true profit. Which is why MR charges as much as they can get, (as per your numbers)so they are to expect about $270,000 per product line, most likely higher if special editions are offered. "



So...you just made my point? Looks like we must be in agreement there.


"But in manufacturing we set the retail price but, that isn't what the manufacturer gets. Please demonstrate your numbers based on wholesale unit cost. Because that is what matters to the company, not the customer cost(if MR sells units at retail, that's only icing on the cake). The retail price is for the retailers. "


Go back and read. I took WHOLESALE price into account.


"Does MR figure in a defective number of units? (I would assume it is expected to have at least 50-75 defective units in a 2500 unit run, since units are made in China I would expect that number to be much higher.)"

Im sure they do. I dont work for MR, you would have to ask them.
Also, the defective number added nothing to the discussion and so I left it out. Honestly, not sure what you thought it contributed.



"For quality control purposes manufacturers regularly pull units from a production line at critical stages. That is check to see if there is any problems in the production line, and fix errors before they can become a huge problem/liability for the company."


Well ofcourse they do. Thats like saying COMPANIES USE ECONOMIES OF SCALE TO HELP REDUCE COSTS. I mean come on....statement of the obvious here. Get to the point.


" From what I've seen (and own) MR doesn't do this. Since the product is subcontracted in another country, quality control is impossible, and MR finds it easier to let the customer find problems, and suffer the consequences as they did with the E. "


"From what I have seen and own" you have determined a fact? Oh YOU'RE GOOD. THat's AMAZING you can make such a determinate based on, what you own..how many products? 2 ? 3? 6? 10 out of the 10,000+ they have produced and you can make an accurate assesment of thier production.


Quick, go buy a LOTTO ticket you are obviously psychic and mentally gifted.



OH and....SUBCONTRACTED TO ANOTHER COUNTRY? I about shot my soda through my nose. That was FUNNY! How much of WHAT you currently have in your HOUSE was MADE IN THE USA? Pick a room in your house, and tell me how many things you find that are MADE IN CHINA.


Back to the real discussion...
Have they had QUALITY ISSUES? Well Yes. Show me a compnay that doesn't. To MR' defense, making such SMALL runs for such HIGHLY CRITICAL collectors, problems can even appear worse than they should.

FYI, they have product QA. So much products were pulled and not even sent, case in point ROCKETEER Helmets. Also the VADER HELMET.

If they DIDNT have QA,....why was the run delayed? They CAUGHT with the QUALITY ASSURANCE PROGRAM? YA THINK?

The debate on what sort of JOB the QA has done can be saved for another thread. Im just pointing out that your assessment they DONT HAVE ONE..is ABSOLUTELY REDICULOUS.


"BS, not business 101? Well, if you think like everybody else, sure it isn't. "

You mean unless I think like you? I just dont see your logic and even running conservative guestimates as an example just show that it doesn't add up. Im not ALL knowing in Business, but I did learn SOMETHING when I earned my MBA. (Besides how to do BEER BONGS)


"That's why I said it's a 'missed opportunity' a missed opportunity to catch a customer or group of customers."


MISSED DELUSION would be a more accurate statement.
Its too small a group in an already SMALL GROUP to make it economically viable. Get over it.

" And MR is known for bad paint jobs, since people are so dissatisfied with the product they feel they must fix it. "

I have seen ALOT of posts here of people here VERY HAPPY with the paint jobs they got. Some folks I have seen complain have posted pics of products that I didnt think were that bad.

So its SUBJECTIVE. Dont get me wrong, I have seen some that I thought were poor. And yet, all that person had to do, was return it, and some did and they were shipped replacement products that they were happy with so WHERE is the "DISMISSAL BY MANGEMENT"


I have MET MR management. I have seen first hand how serious they take customer satisfaction.



" And keeping in mind it is impossible to make everybody happy. "

Could not agree more, some people complain just tohear themselves.


"To answer your point of it isn't worth pulling the units out of the line. With pre-ordering product and offered for a limited time. It is very possible to know how many units are to be pulled or bypassed the paint process, but I'm sure the license will not allow it. BS no, but to a company of experienced toy people it would sound that way."


Ok ya lost me on the first part of that .....but What the license ALLOWS is a WHOLE other issue. In fact, I doubt it would allow ANY product modification thus making our friendly discussion PURE Entertainment only.


Why dont ya write or IM me directly. We can chat more. We have strayed too far from the thread topic as it is.

Frank

 

[nightrider]

As for symetry and "100% movie accuracy", that's at least one mental illness that thankfully I don't have.:lol What I want is what my eye saw on the screen before I found out all this craziness from people obsessed with how many lumps a trooper helmet had. I do want a good looking replica that is true to the original, but if something was crooked or misaligned on the filming model then by all means do the world a favor and put it on straight. As I've said before, just because they took a paint brush to the vader helmet in ANH to fix a last minute problem quickly knowing that it wouldn't show up on screen(under normal circumstances) doesn't mean I would even consider doing the same thing to a $900 vader lid, I think the majority of people fit into that catagory. Most people just don't want crooked and sloppy stuff just because that's the way it was on the originals, but hey, if that's the sort of thing that makes you sleep good at night then great, there's an @## for every seat.

 

[Commander Max]

"From what I have seen and own" you have determined a fact? Oh YOU'RE GOOD. THat's AMAZING you can make such a determinate based on, what you own..how many products? 2 ? 3? 6? 10 out of the 10,000+ they have produced and you can make an accurate assesment of thier production.


Quick, go buy a LOTTO ticket you are obviously psychic and mentally gifted.

My determination in based on standard failure rates. These are common and each manufacturer has their own tables, based on the complexity of the product and the number of steps in producing that product. You clearly have very little understanding of the manufacturing process. Because these rates can be predicted, and have to be. Within a margin of error.

OH and....SUBCONTRACTED TO ANOTHER COUNTRY? I about shot my soda through my nose. That was FUNNY! How much of WHAT you currently have in your HOUSE was MADE IN THE USA? Pick a room in your house, and tell me how many things you find that are MADE IN CHINA.

That is a serious issue, and a lot of people are not happy with it. I'm one of them along with a number of members of this board. Which is why I would rather go to a garage builder than MR. I hate to say it but I do have items made in the USA in my home. Having stuff made in China you get what you pay for.

Back to the real discussion...
Have they had QUALITY ISSUES? Well Yes. Show me a compnay that doesn't. To MR' defense, making such SMALL runs for such HIGHLY CRITICAL collectors, problems can even appear worse than they should.

FYI, they have product QA. So much products were pulled and not even sent, case in point ROCKETEER Helmets. Also the VADER HELMET.

If they DIDNT have QA,....why was the run delayed? They CAUGHT with the QUALITY ASSURANCE PROGRAM? YA THINK?

The debate on what sort of JOB the QA has done can be saved for another thread. Im just pointing out that your assessment they DONT HAVE ONE..is ABSOLUTELY REDICULOUS.

If they do it wasn't apparent in the delivery of the E.

MISSED DELUSION would be a more accurate statement.
Its too small a group in an already SMALL GROUP to make it economically viable. Get over it.

That would be all the more reason to do it. Because the potential could make or break the line. Based on your numbers yes, they do not work. But there is another issue beyond money to consider.

I have seen ALOT of posts here of people here VERY HAPPY with the paint jobs they got. Some folks I have seen complain have posted pics of products that I didnt think were that bad.

Most people (even here)are so happy getting something, that a product of any quality will do. Without ever going beyond first impressions. Which is the market MR is aiming at.

So its SUBJECTIVE. Dont get me wrong, I have seen some that I thought were poor. And yet, all that person had to do, was return it, and some did and they were shipped replacement products that they were happy with so WHERE is the "DISMISSAL BY MANGEMENT"

By allowing a poor product out the door in the first place, ex the E, with an orange peel paint job, light bleeding where it shouldn't be occurring.

I have MET MR management. I have seen first hand how serious they take customer satisfaction.

Of course all companies put on that face. Even to their own employees. What management really thinks of their customers, is only reserved for them.

Ok ya lost me on the first part of that .....but What the license ALLOWS is a WHOLE other issue. In fact, I doubt it would allow ANY product modification thus making our friendly discussion PURE Entertainment only.

Agreed, the legal terms would make us getting any deviation, from the license agreement impossible.
(Well, unless you can go into the factory and steal one. In a country where you can get shot for petty crimes, that isn't the best idea.)

Why dont ya write or IM me directly. We can chat more. We have strayed too far from the thread topic as it is.

Sorry Frank, I believe in open discussion which is better than keeping things off the board. Even if it goes off the subject.

MR has greater problems than product. I will only bring up this one point, why would I want to join their collector's society, to get a discount, when I can get the same exact item from ebay and even a greater discount, with free shipping?

 

[BrundelFly]

"My determination in based on standard failure rates. These are common and each manufacturer has their own tables, based on the complexity of the product and the number of steps in producing that product. You clearly have very little understanding of the manufacturing process. Because these rates can be predicted, and have to be. Within a margin of error. "


Easy now. You have NO idea what knowledge I have and I have gone to great lenths to not make this discussion a personal attack or in anyway use it somehow insult you. If you disagree say so, but dont get personal it just makes ya look as weak as the counter points you are providing and I would like you think you are above that.

One can have an opinion, even if its based on emotion, and little fact, argue it fiercly, but still do so with his dignity in tact.


"That is a serious issue, and a lot of people are not happy with it. I'm one of them along with a number of members of this board. Which is why I would rather go to a garage builder than MR. I hate to say it but I do have items made in the USA in my home. Having stuff made in China you get what you pay for. "


Then do so, Plenty of Garage folls out there that would love to accomodate you.

Dude... Almost Everything is made in China.




If they do it wasn't apparent in the delivery of the E.


So says YOU. I have not seen any other comments from anyone else. Im not saying they dont exist, I just have not seen them. I will submit however, POSTS here on the RPF do not a CONSENSUS make. And again, WHO hear BOUGHT an E that was unhappy and was REFUSED a REFUND or an EXCHANGE??? ANYONE?? Buehller???


That would be all the more reason to do it. Because the potential could make or break the line. Based on your numbers yes, they do not work. But there is another issue beyond money to consider.


Which is.....??? Its a Capitalist Society. An insurance company somewhere is denying someone a NEEDED operation, because of...(DRAMTIC DRUM ROLL) Money.


Most people (even here)are so happy getting something, that a product of any quality will do. Without ever going beyond first impressions. Which is the market MR is aiming at.

Thats your OPINION. You are entitled to it. Its grounded ONLY in your perception. Have you seen thier Marketing Plan? Come on.


By allowing a poor product out the door in the first place, ex the E, with an orange peel paint job, light bleeding where it shouldn't be occurring.

Well, it SHOULDN"T be. However you said yourself that every product has a certian number of rejects which is why ya pull product to inspect in the FIRST PLACE. Ya got a BAD one. Did ya SEND IT BACK? Did they Exchange it? Or ya just complaining for sake there of? Do tell what was the outcome?




Of course all companies put on that face. Even to their own employees. What management really thinks of their customers, is only reserved for them.


By YOUR statement.....you would ALSO not be privy to such knowledge and therefore everything you have stated is once again....OPINION.

Even still I have a pretty good read on people when I meet them and I can tell when someone is SNOWING me. I can also tell when someone is clutching at STRAWS in a discussion, and by the comments posted here, so can others.



Sorry Frank, I believe in open discussion which is better than keeping things off the board. Even if it goes off the subject.

No apology needed. Not even for you judging my education/knowledge level.


MR has greater problems than product. I will only bring up this one point, why would I want to join their collector's society, to get a discount, when I can get the same exact item from ebay and even a greater discount, with free shipping?[/quote]

Then DO so. I have no idea where the WONDERS of the COLLECTORS society came into this dicussion. We started on the practicality of offering an XWING without PAINT.

I offered reason why it was unreasonable that I feel were valid, and openly supported by COMMENTS from others here.

You brought up some counter points. Some have some merit, but still do not aplly to the situation we are discussing. I feel you are using LARGE SCALE CUSTOM MARKET POSSIBILITIES on a company that is too small to accomodate such customization.

You just cant get there from here, with THIS particular company on THIS particular product.

No matter HOW hard you wish it so, or HOW negative you want to be regarding your opinion of MR its not gonna change the constraints of production they are trying to work in. Im semi familiar with these contraints because I have had some involvement with two of the product they have created to include the one that is the subject of this thread.

If there is VALIDITY to anything you have said, then NONE of the XWINGS will sell or a huge portion will not because, THEY DIDNT COME PRIMERED.

Sorry, NOT gonna happen. I predict it sells out in 3 months from the day they begin to ship.

Frank

 

[Commander Max]

"My determination in based on standard failure rates. These are common and each manufacturer has their own tables, based on the complexity of the product and the number of steps in producing that product. You clearly have very little understanding of the manufacturing process. Because these rates can be predicted, and have to be. Within a margin of error. "


Easy now. You have NO idea what knowledge I have and I have gone to great lenths to not make this discussion a personal attack or in anyway use it somehow insult you. If you disagree say so, but dont get personal it just makes ya look as weak as the counter points you are providing and I would like you think you are above that.

One can have an opinion, even if its based on emotion, and little fact, argue it fiercly, but still do so with his dignity in tact.

You have to keep in mind you don't know my knowledge and experience is as well. Or who I am. And I find keeping the argument on something as easy as pulling a product out of a production cycle, silly. It's not going to happen. As as I see it all points have been made.

Well, it SHOULDN"T be. However you said yourself that every product has a certian number of rejects which is why ya pull product to inspect in the FIRST PLACE. Ya got a BAD one. Did ya SEND IT BACK? Did they Exchange it? Or ya just complaining for sake there of? Do tell what was the outcome?

Yes there is an accepted number of rejects. But on a high dollar gift item that should not be left to the customer to find. Especially in the first unit out the door. Then the customer has to wait months for a replacement.
I call that bad customer service.

Sorry, NOT gonna happen. I predict it sells out in 3 months from the day they begin to ship.

OK, Frank you know everything and we know nothing.
(The only way they would sell out is if their retailers buy up the inventory, which they would have to do with the license running out. No license with LFL means you can't sell them. Guys look for some great deals at the end of the year).
Would you mind telling us how long it took to sell out the E(MR still has them), the MF(MR still has them), the Snowspeeder, AT-AT(both took a little longer than three months to sell out)?
If SW is such a great seller, then would you mind telling us why LFL and MR is parting ways?

 

[Treadwell]

Sorry Frank, I believe in open discussion which is better than keeping things off the board. Even if it goes off the subject.

Actually it has gone WAY off subject and you should start a new thread in the main forum if you want to continue the discussion. This thread is about the MR X-Wing, not the MR business model.

 

[vaderdarth]

I'm dying to see some new and improved pix of this baby!!! Hint Hint Hint!!!!

Dave

 

[ghostryder]

If SW is such a great seller, then would you mind telling us why LFL and MR is parting ways?

Because they could not agree on the new terms of their licensing agreement.

http://masterreplicas.com/customer/community/news/detail.php?id=34

Given sales into the millions of the Force-FX lightsaber, limited edition helmets, and other products (Mara Jade sold out in what, 17 minutes, the Shadow Trooper helmet, even less than that), I'm pretty sure SW is a great seller.

Contrary to opinion here, pulling an uncompleted X-Wing from the assembly line and selling it as a "complete your own" would in effect make it a model kit. Since Master Replicas does not have the license to produce model kits, only completed replicas, it would be more expensive for them to try and ammend their current licensing agreement to provide kits.

 

[BrundelFly]

Thank You Willie.

"And THATS the End of THAT."

I agree with the moderator, its time to move on. I think all opinions have been expressed far more than they warranted.

Frank

Because they could not agree on the new terms of their licensing agreement.

http://masterreplicas.com/customer/community/news/detail.php?id=34

Given sales into the millions of the Force-FX lightsaber, limited edition helmets, and other products (Mara Jade sold out in what, 17 minutes, the Shadow Trooper helmet, even less than that), I'm pretty sure SW is a great seller.

Contrary to opinion here, pulling an uncompleted X-Wing from the assembly line and selling it as a "complete your own" would in effect make it a model kit. Since Master Replicas does not have the license to produce model kits, only completed replicas, it would be more expensive for them to try and ammend their current licensing agreement to provide kits.