How close Have you come to walking away?

[jjawa3]

I have Jabba's Barge sitting near the middle of the small bedroom all the toys are in, I have the Imperial Shuttle too, both in unopened boxes, now will come The Crest, will that box be as big as the Barge? I'm running out of room too.
Oofa, can you get some friends here to buy some things for you and send them? maybe as gifts? would there be import tax on those?

 

[Oofa]

Oofa, can you get some friends here to buy some things for you and send them? maybe as gifts? would there be import tax on those?

That was my MO for a long time (still is, but the last I bought was Anakin and Obi in tcw armor)
We tried the gift thing - doesn't work - taxed, vat'd and customs fee'd to hell.

The best option is to hope one of the etailers, like Toypalace in Germany, get them - then I won't be F'd by all those extra costs. It's only slighty more expensive than what you guys pay over there.

So then I have to make up my mind: Do I really want this figure? Is it worth the added cost? Am I missing out?
That's why all those recent repacks and repaints are not for me.

As I wrote: It's an excellent exercise at the same time.

 

[Masterfett]

So you're telling me that it's just cheaper to buy a plane ticket an fly this stuff over to you?

 

[jjawa3]

I was about to say the same thing! but travel across the ocean is sort of messed up now, If I was coming to visit( I have a friend in England) I would be glad to bring some goodies over to give you! they can't tax me can they? "What are these toys for?" Oh, I play with them, times have been harsh and they comfort me!" ha-ha.

 

[Oofa]

So you're telling me that it's just cheaper to buy a plane ticket an fly this stuff over to you?

If they keep raising the prices with the same frequency, eventually it will be

 

[jjawa3]

What a sad situation! Oofa, are you coming to Cele. next year? ( if it's still on) you can pick up some goodies then, but... would customs go through your luggage and tell you to pay fees ?

 

[Oofa]

What a sad situation! Oofa, are you coming to Cele. next year? ( if it's still on) you can pick up some goodies then, but... would customs go through your luggage and tell you to pay fees ?

I've never been to any of the big cons, and never in the States either.
It would be nice to go sometime, but it's not high on my list (mainly the part about cons, LOL)

I don't know how they'd go about it

 

[jjawa3]

The only Cele. I missed here was the first one that was held in Colorado. I have not been to a European or Japanese Cele. I heard they were fun. As for next year, if the virus mandates are still in place, I will not go and that will be sad for me. but I could not put up with all those rules of virus conduct. A very fun place to have Cele.'s is in Orlando Florida (closer to you in a sense!) it's warm with and without rain! it's beautiful and people are friendly! the con. center is huge, but not a very big main auditorium available ) After Anaheim next year, they should have it-again in Orlando, Why? Disneyworld. why Anaheim? Disneyland. I do hope you may be able to come to a Cele. in Orlando in the future!

 

[Oofa]

I agree 100%
I have a dream of going to Bahamas, so Florida seems a natural visit

 

[jjawa3]

Ah yes, the Bermuda Triangle! a fine before or after trip for Cele. exciting!

 

[Masterfett]

I have a dream of going to Bahamas, so Florida seems a natural visit

I'm a bit envious of your location as I have a dream to visit the Greek Islands and Italy.

 

[Oofa]

I'm a bit envious of your location as I have a dream to visit the Greek Islands and Italy.

That makes two of us, at least regarding the Greek Islands,
Italy, yes, but mostly for the countryside - I hear that's very lovely.
Many Europeans travel to the Lake Garda in Italy on vacation.

 

[jjawa3]

Oofa, go to the Bahamas first then go to Orlando for Cele. The first Orlando Cele. was a strange one, it was my 2nd overnighter, but this time it was outside the convention center! We mostly slept on the pavement! there were several hundred of us(someone check if I'm wrong) Why were we doing it? G.L.-again! it was pretty miserable that time(compared to the very exciting Cele. 3 in Indianapolis!) a lot of people fell asleep during the event, I almost did! that was my last overnighter. the bog overnighter came at the 40th Anniv. in Orlando, I was thinking about doing it again, but took pictures of the huge lines of very excited fans! these hundreds of people were mostly miserable from what I heard. but there was plenty of excitement there too! that was a very good con.! The biggest con. I've been to is SDCC. in 2009. very fun!

 

[Masterfett]

If I had known then what I know now, I would have taken an extra few days and went up to Orlando/Disney World in 17 while I was in Miami for a Caribbean Cruise. I told myself there will another chance for a dedicated trip to DW at a later date, silly me.

It has always annoyed me that Celebrations were so far away from me, and that SDCC was always held in the hot summer on lower California. I mean was March taken? lol I'm one who can sweat up a storm in 70 degree weather, ad they want me to attend a con with temperatures in the 100's?! Aside from all that I was never big on large crowds to begin with and waiting in long lines was never my thing either. I remember going to a con in Vegas once in July and I knew that wasn't for me, although the actual con inside was fun, I can' take the severe heat in between.

Speaking of, I got heck of a Sunburn in Belize while on that cruise because I'm not used to the climate and forgetting to take sunscreen with me. lol
If/when things get better I would like to go to one more Con to close out that aspect/chapter of the hobby, as times have changed I see fewer and fewer cast who were the ones I grew up with or a fan of attend anymore. I've notice it with both Star Trek and Star Wars, i realized that I've not met quite a few who have already passed on. We're all getting too old it seems.

 

[Lobotscomb]

Celebration New York LONG OVERDUE

 

[Oofa]

I was fortunate to see Jeremy Bulloch and the guy who played Biggs at a Con here in Denmark in 2018. In 2017 Femi Taylor (Oola) (who is somewhat a "regular" because she has a Danish boyfriend/husband), and Michael Carter/Bib Fortuna and Chris Parsons who played 4-LOM was there as well. But those are only ones I have seen IRL.
I have some pics of them at that con, somewhere

 

[keknivek]

Oofa, go to the Bahamas first then go to Orlando for Cele. The first Orlando Cele. was a strange one, it was my 2nd overnighter, but this time it was outside the convention center! We mostly slept on the pavement! there were several hundred of us(someone check if I'm wrong) Why were we doing it? G.L.-again! it was pretty miserable that time(compared to the very exciting Cele. 3 in Indianapolis!) a lot of people fell asleep during the event, I almost did! that was my last overnighter. the bog overnighter came at the 40th Anniv. in Orlando, I was thinking about doing it again, but took pictures of the huge lines of very excited fans! these hundreds of people were mostly miserable from what I heard. but there was plenty of excitement there too! that was a very good con.! The biggest con. I've been to is SDCC. in 2009. very fun!

I was outside on that same pavement waiting overnight to see George for Celebration V. James Arnold Taylor and Tom Kane came walking around and greeting people. That was pretty cool. Seeing George with Carrie and Mark being interviewed by John Stewart was a highlight of my Star Wars life.

Went to CIII, CIV, and CV but haven't been since. Never been to SDCC but I always thought I would.... now, who knows?

 

[keknivek]

As far as the question to the forum:

I was still buying everything 3.75" in the realistic style up until 2012 when TVC went away and things got super scarce. Then the new movies with 5POA which I didn't buy beyond a few aliens and droids. I have been taking stock of what I have since then. The SAIL BARGE and the return of Vintage Collection (the idea not the execution ) got me right back into paying attention to everything but I'm not buying repacks.

Buying online stinks though. Hate it. Hate waiting forever to get stuff to where I forgot I even purchased. First time in 30 years I got extras of something accidentally (new Hoth Leia) ... I simply forgot I had already pre-ordered (Pre-Order implies these will be available to order eventually, which is a lie).

 

[jjawa3]

Kek, glad you were there! I have a "Welcome to Olando" magnet on the refrigerator, he didn't show up. I remember Tom and James walking around too, remember the pizza? that was my dinner that night. I wonder if G.L. will ever decide to do a signing? I've been thinking about if it's possible to try to ask him to do a send in request? I was thinking about, if it could be done, send in my G.L. in armor figure and having him sign that. As for the 1st Orlando con. I was so tired I barely heard the interview! Were you in the Cele. 3 line outside that night in Indianapolis?

 

[hansloroll]

There was no way I was waiting in that rain and cold during C 3. It was bad enough in the cattle lines inside.

 

[keknivek]

Kek, glad you were there! I have a "Welcome to Olando" magnet on the refrigerator, he didn't show up. I remember Tom and James walking around too, remember the pizza? that was my dinner that night. I wonder if G.L. will ever decide to do a signing? I've been thinking about if it's possible to try to ask him to do a send in request? I was thinking about, if it could be done, send in my G.L. in armor figure and having him sign that. As for the 1st Orlando con. I was so tired I barely heard the interview! Were you in the Cele. 3 line outside that night in Indianapolis?

I was not waiting outside in Indianapolis. It snowed around there in Late April........ snowed...... CIII was my first convention of any kind and it was epic. Met my hero Peter Mayhew. The only autograph I have.

 

[jjawa3]

Kek, Wish you had been there! sorry, I wrote that very late last night, my mistake, yes, the early Cele's were smaller but very fun! none of this lottery stuff, first come, first serve lines, you know it from 3, but the store lines were horrible! Reed was not doing those Cele's then. I will never regret the long wet line and "refugee run" across the street! it was a true show of fan dedication to Star Wars. anyway, my hotel was right across the street!

 

[keknivek]

I was in a hotel right next to the convention ... all I remember was a TRAIN? in the middle of it? I heard people waiting like all day to get into the store and decided I just didn't want stuff that bad. I did get a box of the CIII talking Vaders later though...

 

[jjawa3]

Kek, Yes, I waited over 5 hours to get into the store! I have damage to my feet due to this activity(other Cele.'s too) the room was well lite and the cashiers at the wall end of the room were very nice and patient and tried their best to be quick. after I got out, -finally, I had to sit down before taking my stuff over to my room and then resuming standing in lines! ugh! I remember this very vividly.

 

[E_CHU_TA]

i havent walked away but i barely collect, this is the first time i have come to this sit in months and it was months since the last time i had looked then. i dont even remember the last time i bought a Star Wars figure, a year, two years three? seriously i cant even remember. i dont even know what figures have come out in the last 2 or 3 or maybe 5 years, the only think i recall buying were a couple of the playsets that have come out. i get confused what line is even what, i thought it was the black series which was confusing with the 6" line i dont give a **** about, but now it looks like its the vintage collection again? i dont really hear anymore about what iis coming out and when i hear something did come out i have no idea if its an actual new figure or just a rerelease and thus no idea if i need to bother with it. the only thing im buying these days is kickstarter figures and that is frankly so expensive i can barely keep up with it. like i said the mainstream stuff i like such as Star Wars and Joes are completely non existent, yet apparently they are still existent but just randomly now and then and i never see them or hear about them to know they have some actual new figures coming out in a line i had thought was dead. no i havent walked away i am still collecting but i am bitter and jaded.

 

[darth_sidious]

With such little presence at retail, you'd really have to be keeping up with collecting sites to know what's being released these days. So many are online or retailer exclusives, and they often sell out quickly. Without a basic 3.75 assortment anymore, TVC pretty much represents the scale, though we now have Kenner style Retro figures, with a wave once or twice a year. Depending on your collecting focus, you might have missed out on some great figures - if you're into the OT mostly, Hasbro is continuing the Kenner 96 campaign to get all those original characters on cards, whether updated or repaints. They are also covering Clone Wars and Mandalorian. I'd browse photo archives to see what you've missed, as prices tend to jump when a figure is off the market for awhile.

I know a number of people that have basically kept their collection, but have stopped buying new releases as well (or greatly reduced purchases). I'd honestly like to cut back myself, especially putting an end to buying figures I have no interest in, stopping the completist mentality of buying all the new releases, etc. I started this year with the Gaming Great in TVC - I had zero interest, so I thought that would be a good segment to remove from my purchases. I may start to thin out gaming figures and some EU from previous years as well, unless I actually appreciate the release. Once you've spent years collecting, not many simply walk away, but they'll often reflect and reorganize what their priorities are in the hobby, which can be a good thing. I don't personally want to expand my collection heavily, I'd rather purchase quality new 3.75 sculpts and leave it at that.

 

[MysterioMaximus]

I've gone through an odd period recently where I'm kinda UTTERLY back in - not just SW but figures in general (I collect a lot of things). Having a lot more play money does have a part to play, but truth is...I still rather rarely see new SW figures. AND when I do, they're OFTEN figures I have no interest in. My collection is predominately original trilogy, squeaks of prequels, and some Mando and Rogue One. But I keep finding stuff I just DON'T care about. FINALLY I found IG-11, Lando, and Palpatine Vintage Collection (as I only cherry pick Black Series 3'' is my bread and butter) a nd just bought all of them straight up. Saw Teebo too, but already own the TRU Ewok pack so passed on him.

The issue, for me anyway, is just distribution. Here in Pittsburgh, it's downright awful. I think that just gets people frustrated. I'm fortunate enough to see ONE Vintage figure on the pegs, it's THAT BAD HERE.

 

[Cobalt60]

I never really collected action figures, just the 1:1 props & helmets. but given the way eFX has been squandering the SW license -- barely releasing ANY product at all anymore -- they pretty much ended the hobby as we knew it (from back in the MR days). so now I don't really collect anything at all anymore. my "collecting" has been reduced to just a few impulse purchases, here and there.

for example.. I hadn't bought any SW items in a long time... but a few weeks ago I happened to see a sideshow "baby yoda" at a local store here in town. it's not something I would have ordered online (sight unseen) ... nor even something I really had my eye on, in the first place... but I grabbed it on a whim, as an impulse-buy.

this is the first SW item I've bought in a long time.

You can now own a life-sized, screen-accurate Baby Yoda figure... for $350

The most accurate Baby Yoda yet is life-sized, but costs $350

www.theverge.com

 

[jjawa3]

Cobalt, he is cute and possibly a good investment. If anyone is into colecting unusual Star Wars items, try looking at The Republic of Tea, They are offering Mandalorian themed teas in neat canisters and mugs, I got the first set(minus one sadly) the artwork is excellent.

 

[keknivek]

So, who's only still in collecting 3.75" because they want to see what comes out of the coming Disney Plus shows? or perhaps you're in it because of the 96?

This whole message board seems tired lately. I want to still be excited but I have so little time to enjoy my collection even lately. I need a time-out.

 

[Masterfett]

That's essentially about 80% why I'm still holding on, the new characters or possible shot at an old character's appearance in new media possibly increasing the chances of finally getting a figure. Hence Rebels Characters, Thrawn, Inquisitors, TCW characters etc.

The other 20% is waiting on definitive updates to figures like ANH Farmboy Luke as well as unmade OT and PT characters. I'm not really on the complete the 96 for carded purchases bandwagon but more for certain characters it might get us such as a new Tarkin or Sim Aloo or repacks of older figures that are insane prices on ebay like Weequay, Nikto, etc.

I do feel like my interest is lessening each time something I really want goes unaddressed along with the continued price increases making them seem less and less worth the Money on 10-12 year old mold reissues, while also facing higher and higher inflation costs elsewhere. I will likely have to finally make a decision by 2025 to full stop or only buy 1-2 per year as long as they continue to make the characters I'm actually after.

I've totally stopped buying TBS as of several months ago and canceled all my pre-orders, now I'm contemplating doing the same thing for some TVC pre-orders.

 

[Trooper31]

Most of the time I'm not as excited as I was in the past. The new stormtrooper was great to see and reminded me why I collect and how fun it can be. It also helped me refocus what I want to collect. This year we finally got access to solid cases again. So, in the past few years, I pretty much had to buy by the case or risk not getting the figures I really wanted. That meant some figures I didn't want. Now that I can pick and choose again, I'd have to say it's becoming more fun again. I also decided to skip the Imp. Gunner and Sensorscope R2 even though I usually buy all OT TVC figures. I already have those figures and don't really need more, so that's helped to refresh my enjoyment.

I think if anybody wants to take a break, I'd suggest still pre-ordering or buying things in store that you normally like and just put them in a box in a closet somewhere without opening. Stay on your break by not opening the stuff and after a couple of months, open that box and see how you feel looking at those figures. If at least some of them excite you, then maybe you just needed a break. If nothing excites you, then go through the rest of your collection and see what does excite you and maybe focus your collection around that stuff.

 

[keknivek]

That's essentially about 80% why I'm still holding on, the new characters or possible shot at an old character's appearance in new media possibly increasing the chances of finally getting a figure. Hence Rebels Characters, Thrawn, Inquisitors, TCW characters etc.

The other 20% is waiting on definitive updates to figures like ANH Farmboy Luke as well as unmade OT and PT characters.

It's hard to put a finger on it but I think I'm pretty much the same as you. There are a large number of figures I'd like to see, but we get rereleased stuff or updates of things I have. I'm happy to get a new Lando and Lobot, but they are honestly marginally better than what I had and I almost forgot I ordered them when they showed up at my door. I think it's the preorder that is exhausting my last lingering interest.

A good example is the Bespin Guards that just were announced. IF I could have them in hand NOW I'm sure I would be quite pleased with the purchase. As it is, I ordered and lost interest almost immediately. You can't discuss them really... they exist-that is all.

The Mando and BoBF stuff is cool, but knowing we won't get some of the cool secondary characters and having to wait months and years to even see anything is just aggravating. If I want pizza, I don't want to order it and have it delivered in November. By then I've found other things.

Most of the time I'm not as excited as I was in the past. The new stormtrooper was great to see and reminded me why I collect and how fun it can be. It also helped me refocus what I want to collect. This year we finally got access to solid cases again. So, in the past few years, I pretty much had to buy by the case or risk not getting the figures I really wanted. That meant some figures I didn't want. Now that I can pick and choose again, I'd have to say it's becoming more fun again. I also decided to skip the Imp. Gunner and Sensorscope R2 even though I usually buy all OT TVC figures. I already have those figures and don't really need more, so that's helped to refresh my enjoyment.

I think if anybody wants to take a break, I'd suggest still pre-ordering or buying things in store that you normally like and just put them in a box in a closet somewhere without opening. Stay on your break by not opening the stuff and after a couple of months, open that box and see how you feel looking at those figures. If at least some of them excite you, then maybe you just needed a break. If nothing excites you, then go through the rest of your collection and see what does excite you and maybe focus your collection around that stuff.

I was happy to see Germany has a shot at Pulse items now (or will eventually)!

I've been paring down most of the extraneous stuff that I've purchased or been given for a few years now. I figure I'll keep the stuff I really like and have had some fun going through old purchases. The new releases are just a trifecta of annoyances: 1) they are rarely new characters, but minor upgrades to figures we have. 2) we don't get to see them in hand before purchasing and most of the time don't get them for months after. and 3) the prices are crazy. I had come to terms with paying over $10 per figure but $15 is double what they were in 2010 for the same figures. LITERALLY the same figures in many cases.

 

[Trooper31]

It's hard to put a finger on it but I think I'm pretty much the same as you. There are a large number of figures I'd like to see, but we get rereleased stuff or updates of things I have. I'm happy to get a new Lando and Lobot, but they are honestly marginally better than what I had and I almost forgot I ordered them when they showed up at my door. I think it's the preorder that is exhausting my last lingering interest.

I feel very much the same way. Lobot and Lando are great figures, but I was actually happy with the last versions of those characters. It does make it difficult to get excited about new stuff because we have to wait so long for it to hit or we see cool stuff in a new show and know we'll have to wait 12, 18, 24 months before we get it or we may never get it at all.

For that reason I never saw it as a good thing that Hasbro had so many new sources to choose from because they let too many years slip by with hardly anything and now they'll really never be able to catch up when it comes to some cool backgrounders or minor characters that always added so much to the SW line (droids, aliens, etc).

 

[Masterfett]

I think it's the preorder that is exhausting my last lingering interest.

A good example is the Bespin Guards that just were announced. IF I could have them in hand NOW I'm sure I would be quite pleased with the purchase. As it is, I ordered and lost interest almost immediately. You can't discuss them really... they exist-that is all.

Exactly, waiting so long to get something after the initial reveal excitement for a figure loses quite a bit of steam with each month that passes. For me.

The Mando and BoBF stuff is cool, but knowing we won't get some of the cool secondary characters and having to wait months and years to even see anything is just aggravating. If I want pizza, I don't want to order it and have it delivered in November. By then I've found other things.

Pretty much, the lack of depth for the more interesting background characters is a real buzzkill for world building. I give them credit for the Klatooinian Raider that came with the AT-ST from Mandalorian, and especially give kudos to best buy for taking it despite not including a main character! And I'm guessing that it was approved during the old regime's reign, Steve who also approved great items like the Barge and Skiff 3-pk.

Of course it the cool alien backgrounders that have always appealed to me more than boring humans.

 

[Lobotscomb]

The influx of new media and “safe” characters is definitely chipping away at my commitment. Not to mention a zillion Clones. Yawn. I wouldn’t mind the new media characters so much is the shows didn’t suck rotten eggs. Book of Boba Fett had the potential to be fantastic but they were afraid to remain true to the character. Mando was mostly great but where are the Figures of the second Bananas?

 

[Hoth_My_Fav]

It feels more like a big money grab by Disney and the nostalgia is wearing off quickly with all the nonsense going on. I agree with the comments above me. I guess all big corporations eventually go the way of the Roman Empire.

 

[Lobotscomb]

I think Star Wars needs a break from itself.

 

[Masterfett]

I mean I get the Clone repaints from their perspective, it pads their bottom line which I suppose is what's helping us get the new characters requiring all new molds which is a very costly investment. And is why I also understand the need for a mix of old/new/kitbash to stay within a budget for the waves/line.

And as much as they state that the Walmart figures don't take slots away from basic line because if it weren't for them those wouldn't be released, then where does that Money come from? Does Walmart actually pony up the extra funds need for that wave that's in addition to the normal Star Wars budget? And does that also apply to the Fan Channel or Specialty waves?

One of the reason why we don't see a lot more new characters is the fact it requires new tooling which takes time and resources versus a reissue or slight kitbash and Hasbro needing something to release in the meantime, the annual budget for the line cannot absorb to costs of too many new sculpts and is why we see so much reuse peppered in. And frankly a lot of them are are fine like for Axe and Koska, we expect a certain amount of reuse in these cases and is perfectly acceptable. Yet even with so much reuse we can't seem to get the characters like Krrsantan, Tusken Chief Garsa, Q9, Xian, Burg Frog lady, Sim Aloo etc.

And the most upsetting aspect is they a lot of them could also be made using reuse such as the case made with Sim Aloo reusing the body of Daultay Dofine and tooling a new head and SG's. Q9 could utilize reuse from 4-Lom with only needing new head, torso and lower legs. Garsa as well, which would certainly free up resources needed for Krrsantan or Xian etc. Yet it seems like if they can't incorporate that darned split torso into every figure they don't even bother looking at older molds. lol

 

[keknivek]

I want to know if the rumors are true that they don't have the molds for most of the figures that were done back in the 30th Anniversary and Legacy Collection days. I could understand if they don't have or can't use a 15 year old mold, but it's not like they aren't still using the the 2004 Han Solo mold in 2021.