Yesterday, I recieved the survey and filled it out right away. I like the idea that Hasbro listens to what the collectors would enjoy and promote an opportunity to ask us what we want in terms of promotions.

I was disappointed that the auctions ended when they did. I had been hoping that the super-inflated auctions would weed out the big bidders then have a chance to allow the medium and lower bidders with fewer JMP's to win some cool stuff.

I was really excited about the possibility of a frequent buyer program or limited edition SW action figures. Programs like these would be great to have as a more equalizing effect and a chance to get back a little somethin' from Hasbro.

I can get behind the list but the order may not be correct in most to least expensive. In my search for the complete collection so far, Toy Fair Vader is the most expensive to come by. Also the Holiday R2-D2 & C3-PO figures are more rare and expensive to acquire due to the very limited release as a Wal-Mart exclusive should be added to the list.

I collect for the fun and nostalgia of Star Wars and the memories of late night and early morning runs to the stores in hopes of finding those one - three figures that you know are out there but not at your store or area yet.  

An additional notion to consider for knowing how much your collection is worth for insurance purposes (renters/homeowners). How much will it cost to replace the figures so your collection can be restored? Especially if you collect doubles or triples (openers, keepers, and heritage figures to pass along to your kids).

How about a Wookie, an republic/imperial officer, Bail Organa, and a new villan? I liked the picture that was in the SW Insider with Bail Organa in military looking get-up. I would also like to see additional Jedi as a possibility for a sneek preview figure. But I also liked the Neimoidian guard/soldier as pictured in the latest SW Insider.

The ultimate in sneek previews would be Jedi Anakin and Obi-Wan with super articulation. Thereby getting our appetites fully wetted for the onslaught of new figures from Episode III. I can't stand the wait any longer, bring it on!!!

I have been very fortunate to have almost all of the new 2003 figures even though they have not been easy to find or get from the on-line distributors even pre-orders.  In general, I have been very excited about the new '03 figures. Some of them have been the most awesome figures produced so far by any company at this scale. Some leave much to be desired any Han Solo comes to mind. And since this is the best of '03 I will add my favorite Clone Wars figures to the list as well even though this is the Saga Section.

My favorites to date:
1. Coleman Trebor
2. Anakin Secret Ceremony
3. Lt. Dannl Faytonni
4. Clone Wars Anakin (fantastic, except for the head sculpt)
4. Aayla Secura
5. Padme Droid Factory Chase
6. Darth Tyranus Geonosian Escape (Awesome articulation and the action feature is by far the best.)
7. Clone Wars ARC Trooper
8. Yoda & Chian/Ashla & Jempa (all padawans were great Yoda not so much)
9. Clone Wars Clone Troopers from the multi-packs (while just repaints they are excellent)
10. Clone Wars Jedi Knight Army (just for the different and additional Jedi figures despite limited articulation of the legs).

Oh yeah! Lest I forget the Cinema Scenes are great also.
 
My least favorites to date.
1. Han Solo Flight to Alderaan (truly aweful sculpt, the way the legs look in the package, and arm pose all 'round just plain uck)
2. Han Solo Hoth (can't stand up and action feature doesn't work well, my original vintage Han Solo Hoth is still better than this one, I do like the articulation in the elbows and gloves and the accessories but that's it).
3. Jango Fett Kamino Escape (too many of these already in circulation and nothing new about this dull figure)
4. Obi Wan Acklay Battle (insufferable action posture and limited articulation)

Looking forward to getting the rest of the '03 figures and especially the new '04 Jedi Luke.
 

I was interested in hearing the announcement about the on-line auctions with eBay. However I am already cautious about them. The other day I saw that some enterprising soul has already started auctioning off the Jedi Master Points at the last time I checked the bid was at $20.50. I will bid to try to win something but I'm not going to hold my breath. I think that having the auctions World wide or at least regionally such as all of N. America or Europe or Asia and Australia would have been really interesting. Hopefully, since the first one is a trial Hasbro will expand the opportunity to our fellow collectors around the world.

I am excited about the new figures that will be released this year and then next year also. I think that the deluxe figures will be pretty cool.  I'm looking forward to the Bail Organa figure, Tatooine Padme and the Concept Stormtrooper. As for next year's figures I think the Tatooine Jedi Luke will be the ultimate. Wouldn't it be cool if the Luke figure came with two or three right hands: one flesh, one battle damaged, and one gloved. That would be so awesome.

I have been thinking about Wal-Mart and its lack of support for the Star Wars Saga line this year. Who cares! It means I won't have to hit 16 stores on a fruitless run twice a week.  However, they could be pretty market savvy in the notion that maybe people will keep them in their run rotation. Each time that Wal-Mart stores have put new merchandise out on the shelves so far this year, it has been snatched up and picked clean within hours to as much as two days max even those with incredibly damaged packaging (ie Trash Compactor Sets with utility knife cuts in the bubble and on the cards and dented bubbles).  I'm not talking about last year's leavin's or the Cantina Cinema Scenes which continue to darken the pegs but the new waves of '03. Perhaps they are just keeping us hanging on for the chance at seeing the new items and then they are not stuck with yearlong pegwarmers.  While I would like to eliminate them from my frequent haunts while looking for the ever elusive new figures I will probably keep going and going. Personally, I hope the Clone Wars Line goes big and Wal-Mart shoots itself in the foot just so that they might find that they do not determine what drives the retail market.