Pro's & Con's of a Godzilla Vinyl Toy Price Guide!

[Legion1979]

Legion was saying that Gorosaurus & Kamakiras did not sell well at G-Fest 2012.

Only going on what Mr. PlanetXMan says, my friend. Apologies if I'm incorrect.

[Planetxman]

I did not sell one single Kamakiras. It's not like people didn't ask. I sold 2 of 3 Gorosaurus'. The amount of $ people were spending on single figures was definitely down from previous years. There was probably 800 more people than the previous few years.
I think that it is more indicative of the economy than anything. I do not think that the toys themselves dropped in value, rarity or demand. I think that in general, people have less money to spend. I know that is the case for me and many of my friends.

[Plexton]

True, but then again, luxury spending is actually one of the last things people cut down on (we're funny that way.)

[BandaiBandit]

Many collectors put out a price list with lower prices, so they can buy up toys cheaper, then sell higher! (A well known fact)!

*Citation needed

If "many collectors" put out a price list, wouldn't buyers then be informed by the same price list? If I publish a guide that says Orga is a $50 figure, then sellers price their Orgas accordingly, and I buy their Orgas, how can I then turn around and say, "Well, my guide was wrong. It's actually a $75 figure. Buy one, please" ?

Seems like a self-refuting claim to me.

On the other hand, if dealers write a high price list, buy cheaply from Japan, and sell here according to their own list, it makes perfect sense. Buy Orga at 1000-1500 yen, say it's a $75 figure, and sell to kids at G-Fest who don't know any better. (these numbers are just hypothetical, an example scenario)

In referance to your words "self-refuting". My statement about people that I know personally for years have put out a price list, have indeed applied these those practices as you have mentioned in your first sentence above!

As for the hypothetical dealer example, what a person pays for something to turn around and to sell is not the problem. Its the prices he or she sets when selling it to the customer. The American market will always be different in prices than Japan. Japan pays higher on some(early toys), less on others(newer toys). There is way more Godzilla/Kaiju product over there. Plus, the Japanese want only perfect condition toys(like tagged toys) for the most part. Non tagged sells alot less. Early Bandai tagged figures sell alot higher in Japan than here in the USA! Yes, a Orga may only cost 1,000-1,500 yen, but the yen cost more, shipping, auction fees ect...will make your one toy cost alot more than you think! A single buy thru Yahoo Japan will turn that one toy into a cost $50 or more by the time you get it. Its not free to be able to bid on YJ either, that if your an American. You have pay a third party auction house, to be able to bid.
So, the root of the problem then falls back to the prices set here in America, which will never be the same as in Japan.

[Jomei]

I'm well aware of how buying from Japan works. That and eBay are why I don't purchase from dealers here.

[Planetxman]

More serious collectors buy off Yahoo Japan than ever before. Myself included. It has affected pricing here in The States and what other collectors are willing to pay for various items.

[Bio_Goji_89]

Many collectors put out a price list with lower prices, so they can buy up toys cheaper, then sell higher! (A well known fact)!

Couldn't be talking about anybody Greg and I know, could you?

[BandaiBandit]

More serious collectors buy off Yahoo Japan than ever before. Myself included. It has affected pricing here in The States and what other collectors are willing to pay for various items.

Yes, I agree!
Before you could buy off YJ, the market here was higher on Bandai figures, because there was less availabilty in the USA.
Most of these guys on this board don't remember 15-20 years ago(before Ebay Sept. 1995), when figures like Baragon with tag was selling for around $250(Mothra Larva 1992 sold for that too if anyone remembers). I never sold mine for that! Even with the first several years of Ebay prices were really high. There wasn't any really other choices for detailed sculpted figures, other than models! Bandai was it! The market changed with more availabilty and more companies to choose from!

I personally use Yahoo Japan to buy Bullmark, Marusan, and Popy figures for my collection.
You usually get for what you pay for, as the saying goes! Ya, every once in a while you might score a good deal on a vinyl toy, but vinyls in general are not cheap. New Bandai is still the cheapest on the market, its generally light years in cost from new M1, Model kits, or X-Plus.

[Planetxman]

Couldn't be talking about anybody Greg and I know, could you?

Someone with a hidden agenda perhaps ?

[BandaiBandit]

Do you think Bandai will release new 6" figures in the near future? Maybe by the next film?
Godzilla is also coming up on the 60 years mark.
Speaking of year marks, Bandai Godzilla figures will hit 30 years next year!
Do you think people will buy the early figures based on their age now?

[Planetxman]

Do you think Bandai will release new 6" figures in the near future? Maybe by the next film?

I think it is possible. I do think that they will reissue the entire 6" line.

[Legion1979]

Do you think Bandai will release new 6" figures in the near future? Maybe by the next film?

I think it is possible. I do think that they will reissue the entire 6" line.

The ENTIRE line? Probably not? They'll probably do what they did in 2005 and just release what they think are the strongest sellers and either add a couple of re-scaled toys or surprise us with a new sculpt or two.

[RedZillaKing]

They should rescale Gorosaurus and Baragon if they go that route. If the new film is at least moderately successful I see Bandai capitalizing on that with new figures. Or maybe they'll throw collectors a bone for the 60th anniversary.

[Mr. X]

They should rescale Gorosaurus and Baragon if they go that route.

This.

[tymon]

They should rerelease some MB sculpts like G62, G64 and G74. I would buy King-Goji in a heartbeat, especially if it was painted grey instead of that ugly green.

[RedZillaKing]

They should rerelease some MB sculpts like G62, G64 and G74. I would buy King-Goji in a heartbeat, especially if it was painted grey instead of that ugly green.

^This. I would grab a King Goji in a second. However, I will NEVER pay more than 60 bucks for a single 6" Bandai vinyl figure. So I'm fine until they rerelease it. Much like the Earthtron I'd likely get multiples.

[Planetxman]

I hope they do not release the figures from the MB as individuals. It takes away from the uniqueness of the box.

[tymon]

Screw uniqueness, I want a $15 King Goji!

[Jomei]

Screw uniqueness, I want a $15 King Goji!

I feel pretty much the same way... about every figure I don't own.

[Planetxman]

I guess I feel differently because I already own one.