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Post by Raven on Sept 3, 2004 12:03:53 GMT -5
There's a lot of misconceptions here. From the idea that because she was a peripheral character on Buffy that she must be wealthy (never mind that actors alternate between years of no income and some seasons of steady income), to the idea that if she has money that she should fund her filmmaking herself (no accountant in the world would advise that, and if you look around at various film sites you'll see every single filmmaker is looking for donations to help fund their work). Misconception about the idea that actors are paid to be interviewed by magazines -- not so. I realize a lot of people here are not yet in the workforce, but just take it on faith that the real world is more complex that you'd imagine, and a lot more expensive. If you view her action figure as simply an item for sale, rather than as something which is being offered as an incentive to fund the film, yeah, it is not a good price. But considering that most filmmakers offer absolutely nothing (or maybe only offer one's name at the end of the credits), it's kind of a nice idea really for her to recognize that there might be a couple thousand people who would pay that much for a figure. This reminds me of the Playmates Toys Star Trek situation, where they released 1,701 Exclusive Picard figures. Each figure was being scalped for more than a hundred bucks a pop. Clearly the market does support that kind of prices. Heck just look at Time & Space Toys to see what they're charging for what were originally ten-buck Buffy figures. Rarity justifies the price. Assume some regular folk will buy it, and then figure a few hundred comic shops may buy one or two with the intent to scalp er sell it later on, and you can see where she probably will sell a good portion of the figures. 2000 might be pushing it, but she can always save 1000 for after the film is done, and offer a DVD+Figure deal to help pay off whatever debt the film goes into. So I would NOT expect any of the figures to be released on the cheap. I think she'd be wise to keep them as a collectable. And come on, they're ONLY A REPAINT. It's not like it a figure that isn't available otherwise. Well said. I completely agree.
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Post by JusticeDemon on Sept 3, 2004 14:05:14 GMT -5
My biggest complaint is this.
I collect all the figure. ALL of them. Even repaints.
With exclusives like SDCC Dark Willow and World Tour Willow, a lot of people are forced to shell out big bucks in order to "complete" their collections. True, they're not being forced to do so, but if all the completionists stopped buying the line, it would hurt us all.
That said, making a figure intentionally rare (pricewise) but not actually making it rare (seeing as how they're making 2000) sets precedent for some nasty exclusives in the future. I'd hate to see other figures be intentionally "rare" for the sole purpose of charging more money for them. I feel Benson Entertainment had the right idea in charging more than retail, but I think they're seriously overestimating demand for this figure. Sure, some people will be willing to pay that, but just like with eBay prices.... after the big spenders have got their figures, the average price drops substantially. (SDCC Dark Willow started at 300, now it's at 60).
My only hope of getting this figure and thereby maintaining my collection is for Benson Entertainment to wise up and release an unsigned figure for a reduced price.
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Post by BuffyLover on Sept 3, 2004 14:16:08 GMT -5
It doesn't matter if Amber is wealthy or not she shouldn't ask us to pay an insane amount of money so she can make her movie. Also, it's not that people can't afford it, it's just the fact that it's the same figure that will retail for 14 bucks (just different paint.)
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Post by CowboyGuy on Sept 3, 2004 14:22:53 GMT -5
I don't think that this figure is worth 125 dollars. Any person with a talent for painting could easily make this from ANY Tara figure. I know why they need the money, and I get it. But making a "rare" figure at an unreasonable price is just asking for trouble. They aren't going to sell, period. They really must think that Tara is a super-popular character or something...
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Post by TruEliza on Sept 3, 2004 14:34:28 GMT -5
I was checking on the offical amber benson messageboard, i'm an on/off lurker there, and quite a few people on there are saying that they can't afford this, and wont buy it, and these are like die-hard amber fans(or not, but you get my point.) so maybe if not many people buy them, benson entertainment will get the HINT and lowr the price.(Hint.)
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Post by krystal081 on Sept 3, 2004 18:48:31 GMT -5
Has there been any word if they'll release this figure at a cheaper price? I'm kind of a completist when it comes to collecting the figures (I have all the figures and their repaints, still working on getting all the preproductions) and I really want this figure. I can even afford it. But it totally eats at me that I may get this figure for $125, only to see the price drop $50 a month or two later. I guess you pay that extra price for certainty? I'm still gonna have to sleep on it a day or two more.
I think Justice Demon has a good point about this starting a nasty trend. So in buying this figure I may be adding fuel to such nasty trend.
Ahhhh what is a girl to do???!!!
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Post by bunniesfrightenme on Sept 3, 2004 20:12:00 GMT -5
There are so many talented people out there (for example Ms Big Pile Of Dust) who could easily buy a regular Tara, repaint it like Triangle Tara, and sell it for say $40 or $50.
And if/when this happens .... I will buy one of them probably. And Benson Entertainment will learn.
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Post by Rogue on Sept 5, 2004 8:37:52 GMT -5
Edit: just realized that I went on another rant about exclusives and such, when that's not quite what JD was pointing out. Ah well... That said, making a figure intentionally rare (pricewise) but not actually making it rare (seeing as how they're making 2000) sets precedent for some nasty exclusives in the future. I'd hate to see other figures be intentionally "rare" for the sole purpose of charging more money for them. See, this is exactly why I hate Con exlcusives, chases, and short-packed figures. Con exclusives are a sort of "perk" for collectors who can spare the time, money, and travel expenses to attend the Con. Chases and short-packed figures are a nice bonus for collectors (and retailers) who can buy a case. For the rest of us who just want some cool toys, and for whatever reasons really like the limited toys, we're left to spend big bucks for essentially the same pieces of plastic. It's nuts. Pre-production samples, things not normally available to buy, are the only things really worth paying big bucks for. I'm talking about those Ikon paint samples, ornament protos (I have one of the all white Anya ones...), Buffy series 1 T-1s like Willow and The Master... things that are truly "limited edition" since they were not truly "mass produced." Chases and the like are mas produced, any way you look at it. Even if there are "only 1000" produced, that's obviously more than the six or so Ikon paint samples of Spike with a black & white outfit -- which were never intended to be for sale anyway. Now those are some rare things worth shelling out big bucks for, if your aim is to own something unique or rare from a toy line.
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Post by Ebola on Sept 5, 2004 19:35:22 GMT -5
Edit: just realized that I went on another rant about exclusives and such, when that's not quite what JD was pointing out. Ah well... See, this is exactly why I hate Con exlcusives, chases, and short-packed figures. Con exclusives are a sort of "perk" for collectors who can spare the time, money, and travel expenses to attend the Con. Chases and short-packed figures are a nice bonus for collectors (and retailers) who can buy a case. For the rest of us who just want some cool toys, and for whatever reasons really like the limited toys, we're left to spend big bucks for essentially the same pieces of plastic. It's nuts. Pre-production samples, things not normally available to buy, are the only things really worth paying big bucks for. I'm talking about those Ikon paint samples, ornament protos (I have one of the all white Anya ones...), Buffy series 1 T-1s like Willow and The Master... things that are truly "limited edition" since they were not truly "mass produced." Chases and the like are mas produced, any way you look at it. Even if there are "only 1000" produced, that's obviously more than the six or so Ikon paint samples of Spike with a black & white outfit -- which were never intended to be for sale anyway. Now those are some rare things worth shelling out big bucks for, if your aim is to own something unique or rare from a toy line. I don't mind paying more for something that is really limited. The 2000 piece edition of Triangle Tara is more numerous than some of the busts and statues which go for considerablely less. I got one of those Ikon paint samples for about $220; its a tan pants Faith #3 of 6.
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Post by ToodlesMrJim on Sept 7, 2004 19:07:10 GMT -5
Does anyone know how many are left or have been sold? JD can you get us a count?
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Post by CowboyGuy on Sept 7, 2004 19:15:15 GMT -5
Yes I am also curious to see just how many they have sold. I'm guessing maybe a couple hundred if that.
Actually has anyone one the forum bought one?
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Post by scottxwl on Sept 8, 2004 9:00:08 GMT -5
Actually has anyone one the forum bought one? I bought one. I'm very excited to have a complete collection and also very interested in helping out Amber with her project. I'm a big fan of hers.
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Post by Willfan on Sept 11, 2004 23:56:36 GMT -5
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Post by hallie on Sept 12, 2004 5:29:43 GMT -5
I like this figure, but no way can I afford it - I can't even buy the basic Anya and Tara figures, let alone this!
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Post by ToodlesMrJim on Sept 12, 2004 12:02:32 GMT -5
I had enough money but with these darn Hurricanes I had to miss work because we left town. The money I had set a side for it has to be used just so i can get by living.
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Post by Fireball on Sept 20, 2004 9:28:45 GMT -5
Wow! that movie is gonna be crap!
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Post by Alyrenee on Sept 20, 2004 20:29:09 GMT -5
Wow fireball, you are just a ray of proverbial sunshine.
Well I have entered into evcery contest i can find for this and sent some money for the movie...but i might just break down and order it. its a great figure and it would be cool to help Amber out...hmmm.
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Post by totalfoxjc on Sept 21, 2004 22:40:28 GMT -5
Actually has anyone one the forum bought one? Yeah, I bought one. I thought it was a really clever idea to raise some money to make a movie. And DST was really nice to give Amber a 'new' figure to sell. Yeah, it's a lot of money and, you know, I was never a huge Tara fan, but I guess I'm a completionist And being in the business, I want to support fellow actors. Even being on a hit television show for 2 years, she's still not that well known in the industry. Everybody can use some help sometimes. This is a cool way to help.
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Post by sprocket on Sept 22, 2004 0:34:18 GMT -5
I thought about it for a few weeks, saved a bit of extra $ that I would have spent on takeaways and other non-essentials - and then bought one.
I like the figure, and although it is a lot of money, I decided that I may as well help Amber out in her fundraiser as I'm sure I'm heathier cooking for myself rather than going out 6 or 7 times a week - so both of us benefit!
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Post by Harm's Way on Sept 22, 2004 0:56:45 GMT -5
Wow! that movie is gonna be crap! I know what you mean. I was all ready to donate... then I saw the film discription - No thanks...
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