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Collectibles => Kubricks => Topic started by: Crackbrick on January 29, 2007, 09:47 PM

Title: Toning Down...
Post by: Crackbrick on January 29, 2007, 09:47 PM
I'll start off by saying that there will still be Bricks N' Beer, so don't worry, there will always be a silly hat to see.
 
I've had enough with being a completest.
As much as I love the Bricks, keeping up with the Chase figures has just done me in.
Its much to expensive and even when you save $$ by throwing down for a case, the investment is allot of $$ to slap down at once.
 
I'm going to stick to a few Bricks per Series (especially if they are Imperials) and maybe some of the lower end Carded ones that they release in the future.  Whatever catches my eye, just not the entire series anymore.  If there happens to be a chase I want I'll take my chance with Bricks n' Beer!
 
I'd also like to keep some $$ open for the higher end stuff like the RAH Fett and a 400% Fett.
So as you see I'm not done, just not going to keep as much stuff and keep the collection small.
 
I keep telling myself that I won't spend allot of $$ on toys but I already went insane this year, so I have to make a change, my house and car are being neglected!
 
So keep your eyes peeled in the For Sale section.

Doc
 


--
I Dream of Kubricks...
Title: Re: Toning Down...
Post by: nitro on January 29, 2007, 11:37 PM
I always looked forward to your Bricks N' Beer posts. They were always fun to see posted and you looked like you were having fun doing it. I wish you luck with the new collections!

I went through the same thing after purchasing my final set of SW Kubricks from Series 6. It was just too much to play catch up because I started collecting far too late (when Series 5 hit). I figured putting my money into something I still loved which was Star Wars higher end pieces from Sideshow. I bought much of the Premium Format line and think they look fantastic on display for my movie room. As far as the Kubricks, I thought about picking up a few...but Medicoms RAH line looks unreal (have you seen the pics of Vader, Stormtrooper, and Fett!!) and their are more PF's on the way. I look back that the Kubricks will always have a special place, but I can't fathom spending that kind of money again for a 2" toy...I just keep thinking about that any time I have an itch to get back into collecting SW Kubs...Save myself alot of money that way!!  :)
Title: Re: Toning Down...
Post by: maulsith on January 30, 2007, 12:31 AM
I'll start off by saying that there will still be Bricks N' Beer, so don't worry, there will always be a silly hat to see.
 
I've had enough with being a completest.
As much as I love the Bricks, keeping up with the Chase figures has just done me in.
Its much to expensive and even when you save $$ by throwing down for a case, the investment is allot of $$ to slap down at once.
 
I'm going to stick to a few Bricks per Series (especially if they are Imperials) and maybe some of the lower end Carded ones that they release in the future.  Whatever catches my eye, just not the entire series anymore.  If there happens to be a chase I want I'll take my chance with Bricks n' Beer!


 
I'd also like to keep some $$ open for the higher end stuff like the RAH Fett and a 400% Fett.
So as you see I'm not done, just not going to keep as much stuff and keep the collection small.
 
I keep telling myself that I won't spend allot of $$ on toys but I already went insane this year, so I have to make a change, my house and car are being neglected!
 
So keep your eyes peeled in the For Sale section.

Doc
 


--
I Dream of Kubricks...

:o :o Hard choice to make ya...but I respected your decision..
Title: Re: Toning Down...
Post by: Crackbrick on January 30, 2007, 02:10 AM
Thanks for the feedback guys.

Indeed I did see the RAH stuff, it played a part in my rethinking what I collect!
I have the Stormtrooper and I want the Fett as well as a 400% Kubrick Fett.

I just can't afford everything so I'll be happy with a few expensive pieces along with a few small things here and there.

Just posted a partial list.

CB
Title: Re: Toning Down...
Post by: Crackbrick on March 24, 2007, 04:33 PM
I sold just about everything I wanted to.
Only have the Imperial Officer and a Carded Luke, so get em while you can!
I need to raise funds for a MC of Series 8...if they ever announce it and my new Crack: RAH (CRAHK)

Lobot! Lobot!  Lobot!

Rock on
CB
Title: Re: Toning Down...
Post by: nitro on March 25, 2007, 10:13 PM
I sold just about everything I wanted to.
Only have the Imperial Officer and a Carded Luke, so get em while you can!
I need to raise funds for a MC of Series 8...if they ever announce it and my new Crack: RAH (CRAHK)

Lobot! Lobot!  Lobot!

Rock on
CB

I went through the same thing with my Kubricks. Instead of RAH figs (which look really cool...you like the Jango coming out soon?), I started putting the money I was spending on boxes of Kubricks to focus on statues (in particular Sideshow's Premium Format line). Since I stopped, the only SW Premium Format fig that's missing from my collection is the Luke. My friends are in complete awe any time they step foot in my movie room. Unfortunately, the Kubricks never had that appeal to them and they never understood the whole chase thing. They just thought they were *gasp* overpriced Lego's. Star Wars Kubs will always hold a special place, unfortunately they are packed away in a shoebox in my closet until I get the urge to get back into the line (which is more doubtful than ever)...
Title: Re: Toning Down...
Post by: Crackbrick on March 26, 2007, 01:10 AM
I love the Bricks, but it just got to cluttered.
What you have done with the Premiums sounds very cool.
I wish I could focus on some of those Attakus statues, but the Medicom stuff has me hooked.
You are dead on about the Jango, it looks amazing.
And I just love the 400%.
Sandtroopers and Snowtroopers are what I'm a sucker for as well.
I also ordered something non toy...the McQuarrie book, love his art and he did lots of things I like other than Star Wars, even some Bigfoot flix.

CB
Title: Re: Toning Down...
Post by: Dan on October 13, 2007, 07:45 AM
It's become clear that more people have followed this path of toning down.

I think the over-abundance of lines to collect, increasing prices for most lines, and the fact that the longer we are in this hobby the less room we have for new stuff is starting to take its' toll.

I also think Medicom did themselves a disservice by having more than a year between lines, and not keeping some OT in the basic assortments slated for next year.

The fact is one of the things we are hooked on is the collecting itself. Too long of a drought and we start to realize we don't "need" it like before.

I think I've come to the conclusion that my kubrick collection will be one of the last things left as the rest of the collection goes away over the years. It is unique, small enough to filt in a medium size tub, and I just love the way they look like the characters, without looking like the characters- they are just excellent toy representations of the movie that defines my childhood (and more of my adulthood than I care to admit).

But I completely understand people's decision to cut back or let the majority go. I did that with my Hasbro addiction (although recent events have caused me to buy more than I had been), and will probably be letting the VCD figures go soon, and maybe some other items as well.

I do look forward to getting the next 2 series, just not nearly as much as I did when they were OT.
Title: Re: Toning Down...
Post by: Crackbrick on October 14, 2007, 11:21 PM
I would love a VCD Stormie, just can't afford one.
Just sold my parco Sandtroopper and my Holo Leia, have to get rid of the Shadow Stormie is next as well as some other stuff.
Just like you said, too much stuff to collect so I want to kepp it to a few cool things.

CB
Title: Re: Toning Down...
Post by: Matt Brand on October 15, 2007, 09:38 AM
That's cool man. You gotta do what you gotta do. It's good to be able to set your limits too.
Title: Re: Toning Down...
Post by: Crackbrick on October 15, 2007, 03:03 PM
There is always something...like those Koto magnets, they keep calling me....

CB
Title: Re: Toning Down...
Post by: Matt Brand on October 16, 2007, 10:53 AM
Heh. After the announcements that 8 and 9 are prequels, I started looking for other things to collect.

Now I am after the carded Kubricks, and also I have been amassing some random Japanese toys, like some Kid Robot stuff, and a couple Bearbricks. No sense or order to any of it. I'd like to find a couple small lines that really interest me though, and go for those.
Title: Re: Toning Down...
Post by: Crackbrick on October 16, 2007, 12:17 PM
I preordered the Series 4 Magnets.

CB
Title: Re: Toning Down...
Post by: Amanaman on October 16, 2007, 04:08 PM
"Never be a completist." remains a constant in collecting.

Everything fights for attention and shelf space, so there's a conceivable limit to how much you can appreciate in a given space and time. Survival of the fittest. Don't try to live up to a checklist, no one imposed it upon you. Don't binge-collect. Take it easy, one or two items at a time. IF you do manage to complete any collection, then let it be by coincidence of simply buying what you like.

I can see myself getting the QGJ brick, and that's about it.

But I really want to see a 400% Yakface.. how likely is that to happen?




Title: Re: Toning Down...
Post by: Amanaman on October 16, 2007, 04:21 PM
The fact is one of the things we are hooked on is the collecting itself. Too long of a drought and we start to realize we don't "need" it like before.
Yeah, it's a slippery slope when you're more into 'hunt' than the 'kills' themselves. You risk amassing stuff that you don't really want..

Quote
I think I've come to the conclusion that my kubrick collection will be one of the last things left as the rest of the collection goes away over the years. It is unique, small enough to filt in a medium size tub, and I just love the way they look like the characters, without looking like the characters- they are just excellent toy representations of the movie that defines my childhood (and more of my adulthood than I care to admit).

I like them for the same reasons. They're designed as toys first, not as realistic (and often imperfect) depictions.
This type of idealistic aesthetic is a major reason why I'm gravitating towards Japanese toys more, and less of the tired, McFarlane/Marvel Legends type stuff.  I do plan to tone down on the army building, but the kubs are all keepers.

Size is also a big factor. The bigger the toy, the pickier I must get. It's harder to move around, demands more attention, etc. Kubricks waste no space for what you get.
Title: before Kubricks were hip
Post by: stormie on July 9, 2008, 03:13 PM
Just for nostalgia...
What a difference 6 1/2 years makes! (http://threads.rebelscum.com/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=UBB4&Number=160136&Forum=,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,All_Forums,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,&Words=&Searchpage=17&Limit=25&Main=160110&Search=true&where=&Name=1634&daterange=&newerval=&newertype=&olderval=&oldertype=&bodyprev=#Post160136)

I remember when I started that thread I felt like the only person outside of Japan that had heard of Kubricks. And what's really strange, I still have yet to obtain an "official" Kubrick Stormtrooper.  :P
Title: Re: before Kubricks were hip
Post by: Crackbrick on July 9, 2008, 04:07 PM
Wow.
Indeed it does.
I went from a completest to just about quiting.

CB
Title: Re: before Kubricks were hip
Post by: efranks on July 11, 2008, 03:12 PM
I remember the bootlegs but never really looked for any.  But when the first real SW Kubricks were announced it took forever for me to find a place to buy them.  Most people hadn't heard of them and nobody was really selling them in the US.

I missed out on the early bird set and I think I bought my bounty hunters box from an eBay seller.  By the time the second wave came out stores like BBTS were selling them.

   E...
Title: Re: before Kubricks were hip
Post by: evenflow on July 11, 2008, 10:03 PM
I came in with series 2 and had to back track for the early bird kit and series 1. I remember when i first saw the early bird kit and thought they were cool but promised myself i wouldn't get into them.  ::)
Title: Re: before Kubricks were hip
Post by: Outkast34 on July 11, 2008, 10:48 PM
I got into the game really late. I stumbled upon a series 5 Luke at the toy show in Pittsburgh. I bought it liked it and got hooked on the crackbricks.
Title: Re: Toning Down...
Post by: DSJ™ on February 20, 2009, 02:51 AM
Are more people trimming down the SW Kubrick’s in their collection or just throwing in the towel?

Over the past few months, I have seen on the bay what looks like collectors selling off their collection of Kuby’s & on other Kubrick forums. Is this because the price of Kuby’s has gone up in price? 

Are these pieces of plastic getting hard to get a hold of for a good price? Is it not worth bothering as the chase figures are high in cost & a bugger to get at times as with the online exclusives? Are they just saying I’m done & want to move on & focus on other collectibles?

Thoughts? 
Title: Re: Toning Down...
Post by: JediJman on February 20, 2009, 08:46 AM
Availability has definitely driven me to cut back, and I'm not as hard core on these as most people I know.  Probably a combination of frustration in trying to get new figures along with the economy pushing people to sell.
Title: Re: Toning Down...
Post by: BrentS on February 20, 2009, 09:48 AM
I was such a buying spree when I first got started, now I've simply run out of "disposable" money or spent it on other things.  So much of what I have left to get are chases or boxed sets and I'm just not ready to shell out the dough for the pieces I'm missing.
Title: Re: Toning Down...
Post by: I Am Sith on February 20, 2009, 07:14 PM
I'm really only willing to spend a certain amount on the figures I have left.  If I can't get them for the price I want, I'm just going to have to do without them I guess.  I'd really like to get the new Series 10 and Boba Fett collection figures, but I just see being able to get them without breaking the bank in the process.
Title: Re: Toning Down...
Post by: skyward72 on February 21, 2009, 07:32 AM
In my case i have been thinning the herd.  Some of the stuff I have sold off either I have in another form or are just sitting in a box collecting dust.  At the same time I have started to have more interest in a couple other collectible areas.  Don't think i will sell my collection, just selling items that don't have a place in my display case.  At this point I am quite happy with the Kubrick collection I have put together and look forward to future releases.
Title: Re: Toning Down...
Post by: Dan on February 21, 2009, 03:46 PM
I'm in a wait and see mode-

The price of the single boxes and mastercases increasing by 50% or more is a big concern- I don't see the secondary market responding well to the idea of a set of 6 basics selling for $100 plus, when they have just been released.

I am thinking about that Boba set, and how a box of 12 is probably almost certain to only have 1 basic set, plus some extras. Immediately the extras are virtually worthless, because anyone buying them would still be stuck looking for the expensive 1 per box ones later to have a set.

So hypothetically I buy a box at $150 or more, get a basic set of 6, 2 extra of 2 of them, and 1 each of 2 others. That would make 2 1 per box figures, not far off from the ratios of some of the recent series. Those that came with 2 extra in each box (packed 3 per box) immediately become $5 to $10 figures, and maybe the other two extras (packed 2 per box) are worth $10 to $15. If my estimates are right and on the high side, that works out to selling your extras and ending up with a basic set of 6 at at $100, plus the hassle of listing and shipping the others, and the shipping you paid for the box to begin with.

Meanwhile, the prices of all the previous released sets has dropped steadily over the last year. Right now a basic set of series 1, 2, or 3 might set you back $60 with out much effort, when they were over a $100 a year or so ago. Part of that is 1 and 2 being released on cards, decreasing demand for the loose ones. But it doesn't explain why 3 is so far down, and 4 going that way as well. Series 5 and higher never became that desirable (and can all be had for $40 or so per basic set of 6). So to see the basic sets become $100 plus out of the chute is frightening. If they hold their value fairly well, them I am ok with that. I don't expect to make money buying star wars toys, but I would rather not lose my shirt either.

But that doesn't even touch on chases. If a 1 per 2 mastercases figure (1:96) has typically been in the $100-$125 range, what do they become when the mastercases has increased in cost by 50-75%? Will the next Aurra Sing type chase sell for $175-$200?

I guess I just don't see the market supporting the cost of these mastercases, basic sets, and chases. And the box sets had already become ridiculous.

So, I may opt for a box of Fetts and see what shakes. I've ditched every other line except a few OT figures and GH sets, so this is where my collecting money will go. But I may jump the fence and become a basic set collector off of other peoples mastercases if everything stays so upside-down on the pricing.
Title: Re: Toning Down...
Post by: Morgbug on February 21, 2009, 11:34 PM
I really am not feeling a huge hit for the most part on this.  Yeah, prices are indeed up substantially, but since the prequel stuff started, I backed right off the master case notion anyway.  I just didn't want that much stuff hanging around I didn't really care for.  Hell, I still have a pile of Royal Guards, Biker Scouts and Tie Pilots kicking around anyway, so having some Fetts sitting isn't a huge deal. 

These announcements haven't changed my habits on these for the most part.  Even when I was buying master cases I was looking at the full sets on Ebay at $300 and thinking that might have been the smarter approach anyway.  I'm not convinced these are going to rise dramatically on ebay.  From North American sellers eating the huge cost, shift in exchange rate and additional shipping, yeah.  From guys that normally corner all the chase, not so much.  I never jumped on stuff that early anyway for chasand the prices have always dropped to the much more reasonable $100 range anyway.  I think they'll still do that.  I do think early sets might be astronomical, in the $400 + range but they'll settle. 

The economy is killing the secondary market too, just ask anyone selling on ebay these days.  Good, high end stuff can still command a premium, along with short run stuff.  But stuff like Kubs, which aren't really all that limited in production, and anything moderately common is taking a huge hit for now. 

I've got my box of Fetts ordered.  I'll wait for a good price on the basic set of six for series 10.  After that it is wait and see.  Don't forget how spoiled we were by Robby.jp either, we all had access, ourselves or through Jeff, to pretty close to wholesale pricing.  Not everyone did.