Gentle Giant Mini-Busts

[Morgbug]

It's still a reasonable price as it has started climbing now (finally) and most I watch end in the $30s.  It's also a very nice piece.  I remember seeing it first at C3 in the display there and thinking it was pretty darn impressive. 

[Rob]

Great call on Froogle.... I looked there and I looked in Yahoo's shopping thing and I just found Grand Moff Tarkin for $35 shipped.

My shopping spree is winding down, but I'm still looking for good deals on Threepio, Greedo, Bossk, Biker Scout, Stormtrooper, and Sandtrooper (orange).

And I just worked out a trade for the Gamorrean Guard.

[DarkKnight2k4]

Looks like you are doing well on this quest.

It's a dangerous path you have taken... But I am glad you are enjoying it...

[Rob]

Hey Guys,

What's the deal with this:

http://cgi.ebay.com/BRAND-NEW-STAR-WARS-DARTH-VADER-17CM-BUST-FIGURE-RARE_W0QQitemZ110094892211QQihZ001QQcategoryZ83719QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Is that the first darth vader or is it some knock off?

He doesn't say Gentle Giant and I don't know if that's because this is some rip off or because it's lost in translation.

[Rob]

They look the same - is there something I'm missing or is this guy selling these way too cheap?

[DSJ™]

Fake, the chain around his neck is missing. 

Fake ESB Vader busts?

[Rob]

Thanks Dale...

Is this a common problem with Gentle Giant Mini Busts?

I'd think that people would charge more if they were trying to rip people off.

[Jeff]

Is that the first darth vader or is it some knock off?

He doesn't say Gentle Giant and I don't know if that's because this is some rip off or because it's lost in translation.

That is the bootleg - you can tell because it's missing the chain around his neck -

It's not easy to tell the difference, but like Gundam said, the bootleg doesn't have the chain around his neck, as seen in RS's pic here (which is still tough to see in their dark picture).

Other than the chain, it's pretty hard to tell the difference (when looking at pictures anyway, I don't have the real GG bust) unless you look at the bottom.  Interestingly, it has a Lucasfilm copyright from 2005 as The Encore Group.  I'm not sure if that is legitimate or not since I haven't been able to find out much about the company besides their website under construction.

[Rob]

Thanks Jeff - yikes.

[Nicklab]

The listing seems a little sketchy even though the guy has decent feedback.  I would email him and ask for the following:  The serial number and/or a photo of the base.  Also to see if the original packaging is included.

There have been cases of people painting the chrome Vader's to look like the original edition Vader.  So be cautious, because this piece will routinely sell for over $250.

***EDIT - I hadn't seen the replies immediately above mine.  Plus, look at the chest plate and compare it to the RS image that you linked to.  You'll notice that the controls on the chest plate aren't painted well, and there are some slight paint inconsistencies there.

[Rob]

I already emailed him - we'll see what he says, but now I sort of have the answer to the question and he won't be getting a dime from me.

Thanks for the replies everyone....  Are there any other notorious knockoffs in this line?



In other news, my Grand Moff Tarkin order ($35 shipped) was cancelled... turns out the 'in stock' status on the website I ordered it from was a mistake.  Shame.

[Nicklab]

Who was the e-tailer?  If it was Toyglobe, then watch out.  They've got a rep for screwing people over.

[Rob]

For the Tarkin?  It was Finar Comics (www.finarcomics.com).

The guy was apologetic in his email and offered me some discounts on comics trying to get my business... he seems legit.

[Daigo-Bah]

Love my Chewie bust I got the other day; he's absolutely huge!:

[DarkKnight2k4]

Chewie is awesome !

I love him. I am glad to see they took the care to add flexibility to the ends to avoid breakage.

Great piece  !