► Jkno's collection ◄
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jkno
Legendary Member
Re: My AT-AT Driver helmet (and collection)
Thanks a lot vaderdarth, DarthWad3r, Thoth, DOGFOX2109, MClass, kurtyboy and Lando!
Being in Romania collecting these is quite hard even today. I grew up with Star Wars when my country was under the Soviet rule (70's and 80's). I watched SW (ANH) and ESB on cinema, but ROTJ had to watch on a friend's VHS player since Ceausescu (the Communist leader/president) didn't allow it to run on cinemas - maybe he was afraid and saw himself as the Emperor who got thrown out of his throne...
Before 1990 there were hard times in this part of the world, and Star Wars OT was like a light tower for people here, especially for children who watched it. Of course there were no SW toys to be found in this part of the Eastern Block, but even so I considered SW an inspiration, a way to make people forget about their every day problems.
Times are much better after 1990, but even today it is hard to be a collector here.
Why is hard to be a Romanian collector:
- very few people understand your hobby
- problems with paypal (they ask Eastern Europeans to open US Bank accounts or limit the amount of money one can send/receive through paypal)
- problems with ebay (because of paypal)
- huge shipping quotes because of international transport costs
- 24% VAT tax
- budgetary salaries lowered by 25% due to crisis, this measure affecting all teachers, doctors, police, etc.
- customs charges (they tax the shipping cost too, thus is a tax on a tax)
- problems with people thinking everyone from Eastern Europe is a thief (I encountered this more times than you may think)
- foreign stores that don't ship to Romania
- no sci-fi or comic conventions (we can't even think of a Star Wars convention yet)
- no SW toys or rarely a few SW toys in local stores
- 99% of the trades/buying are happening outside the country
And the list can go on and on...
Thanks a lot vaderdarth, DarthWad3r, Thoth, DOGFOX2109, MClass, kurtyboy and Lando!
Being in Romania collecting these is quite hard even today. I grew up with Star Wars when my country was under the Soviet rule (70's and 80's). I watched SW (ANH) and ESB on cinema, but ROTJ had to watch on a friend's VHS player since Ceausescu (the Communist leader/president) didn't allow it to run on cinemas - maybe he was afraid and saw himself as the Emperor who got thrown out of his throne...
Before 1990 there were hard times in this part of the world, and Star Wars OT was like a light tower for people here, especially for children who watched it. Of course there were no SW toys to be found in this part of the Eastern Block, but even so I considered SW an inspiration, a way to make people forget about their every day problems.
Times are much better after 1990, but even today it is hard to be a collector here.
Why is hard to be a Romanian collector:
- very few people understand your hobby
- problems with paypal (they ask Eastern Europeans to open US Bank accounts or limit the amount of money one can send/receive through paypal)
- problems with ebay (because of paypal)
- huge shipping quotes because of international transport costs
- 24% VAT tax
- budgetary salaries lowered by 25% due to crisis, this measure affecting all teachers, doctors, police, etc.
- customs charges (they tax the shipping cost too, thus is a tax on a tax)
- problems with people thinking everyone from Eastern Europe is a thief (I encountered this more times than you may think)
- foreign stores that don't ship to Romania
- no sci-fi or comic conventions (we can't even think of a Star Wars convention yet)
- no SW toys or rarely a few SW toys in local stores
- 99% of the trades/buying are happening outside the country
And the list can go on and on...
jkno
Legendary Member
Re: My AT-AT Driver helmet (and collection)
Thanks Fuzzual and AMP
I got this AT-AT Driver helmet from a cool member here The only one who makes gray AT-AT helmets IIRC is DarkAgent - see my second AT-AT lid in the pics above, but that helmet I traded not long ago for another piece.
Thanks Fuzzual and AMP
I got this AT-AT Driver helmet from a cool member here
The only one who makes gray AT-AT helmets IIRC is DarkAgent - see my second AT-AT lid in the pics above, but that helmet I traded not long ago for another piece.
Darth Niob
Sr Member
Re: My AT-AT Driver helmet (and collection)
My AT-AT Driver helmet is also grey and its made from Dan Laws
Thanks Fuzzual and AMP
I got this AT-AT Driver helmet from a cool member here
My AT-AT Driver helmet is also grey and its made from Dan Laws
jkno
Legendary Member
Re: My AT-AT Driver helmet (and collection)
He makes them per special request. I talked to him last month. But Dark Agent makes them gray without any problem.
My AT-AT Driver helmet is also grey and its made from Dan Laws
He makes them per special request. I talked to him last month. But Dark Agent makes them gray without any problem.
jkno
Legendary Member
Re: My AT-AT Driver helmet (and collection)
One day I'll try getting an AT-AT Driver helmet and armor from MonCal or Dan Laws. But will most likely go for white color, the gray helmet I have is enough. And I might display the armor and helmet on a bust - thus need to find a good bust, anyone know some good options please?
One day I'll try getting an AT-AT Driver helmet and armor from MonCal or Dan Laws. But will most likely go for white color, the gray helmet I have is enough. And I might display the armor and helmet on a bust - thus need to find a good bust, anyone know some good options please?
rebel scum
New Member
Re: My AT-AT Driver helmet (and collection)
A very nice collection you've got there. Love your trooper stuff!
Chris
A very nice collection you've got there. Love your trooper stuff!
Chris
jkno
Legendary Member
jkno
Legendary Member
Re: My AT-AT Driver helmet (and collection)
Thank you Chr2win, greatly appreciated!
In fact if eFX will release the Hero Stormie Legend lid, I might get that too, unless they will repeat the shipping "fun" international customers had with greedy FedEx for Vader Legend
You know what I think you need to finish off your collection? A Stormtrooper helmet.
Your collection is what I hope to have mine look like one day. Most impressive, sir. Most impressive. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you Chr2win, greatly appreciated!
jimjimmyjones85
Active Member
Re: My AT-AT Driver helmet (and collection)
Always love to see your collection my friend. It is always amazing to behold and I know you are quite proud of what you have been able to put together when faced with the adversary you have had to deal with.
Congrats as always.
Always love to see your collection my friend. It is always amazing to behold and I know you are quite proud of what you have been able to put together when faced with the adversary you have had to deal with.
Congrats as always.
jkno
Legendary Member
Re: My AT-AT Driver helmet (and collection)
Thank you so much Jimmy! Indeed I'm glad I managed to get this modest collection considering how hard it was to bring all these items in my country.
Thank you so much Jimmy!
Indeed I'm glad I managed to get this modest collection considering how hard it was to bring all these items in my country.Similar threads
