More Irrational Games Limited Editon Items

[Crimson_Dragon92]

Originally Posted by blingaling

So I figured I would try to bring the general Irrational Games store general discussion back to it's original home with a possibly inflammatory post.
These are just my (unprofessional) opinions. I welcome dissenting thoughts and am looking forward to discussing some issues with you all


Signed Editions:
Having things signed by Ken is nice, but older signed items (litho trio/fitzroy book) also included signatures by artists and writers was much nicer. The markup is all over the place too.

Just looking at the in-stock items-
Devil's Kiss Bottle: unsigned 350, signed 600. 71% markup.
Fitzroy canvas print: unsigned 50, signed 150. 200% markup.
"Falling" poster: unsigned 15, signed 100. 566% markup.

It seems completely arbitrary and makes no sense. Between just these 3 items that's 400 signed items. Rare? Nope. Still collectible? I guess that's up to us, the collectors to decide.

I personally would not ever again pay extra to have something signed by him. A signed edition of an open edition item feels like a cash grab. You want to reward loyal collectors? Throw some randomly signed objects into inventory. Or just don't charge extra for the first 50 or 100 you sell that just happen to be signed. And don't advertise it.


"First Edition" vs. "Open Edition"
Calling something a first edition with a possibility of more if demand calls for it is BS. I don't care about dollar value appreciation. I don't care if subsequent editions are unnumbered. Leaving yourself an easy out like that is unfair to early purchasers who will just never know what they've bought.

Open editions are fine, as long as there is full disclosure. I would never not buy something because it was open and not limited. For something high priced like the Devil's Kiss it makes a big difference though, especially if you lack unlimited funds and need to prioritize your purchases. It's a heckuva burn to miss something this month because you thought you had to get in quickly on something that will still be available next year.


Resellers/Secondary market:
It happens deal with it. In the art world, the toy world, or anything people collect: %10 of anything go to resellers, and they will scalp you if you let them. If it burns you that bad: Don't buy. Learn to live with things you missed out on. Be a grown-up. Pretty please.

On the other hand, for high demand items, one per household is a good policy if you are a retailer who cares about curtailing resellers. You can't stop it, but you can give fans a better chance.

Current pricing on the signed edition items will undoubtedly burn resellers purchasing multiples, but it also burns everyone who just loves Ken and wants something signed by him. Have you seen the bay lately? Stuff's not moving.


So there's my 2?. Be gentle on me

100% agree

[Boinkzoink]

Originally Posted by blingaling

So I figured I would try to bring the general Irrational Games store general discussion back to it's original home with a possibly inflammatory post.
These are just my (unprofessional) opinions. I welcome dissenting thoughts and am looking forward to discussing some issues with you all


Signed Editions:
Having things signed by Ken is nice, but older signed items (litho trio/fitzroy book) also included signatures by artists and writers was much nicer. The markup is all over the place too.

Just looking at the in-stock items-
Devil's Kiss Bottle: unsigned 350, signed 600. 71% markup.
Fitzroy canvas print: unsigned 50, signed 150. 200% markup.
"Falling" poster: unsigned 15, signed 100. 566% markup.

It seems completely arbitrary and makes no sense. Between just these 3 items that's 400 signed items. Rare? Nope. Still collectible? I guess that's up to us, the collectors to decide.

I personally would not ever again pay extra to have something signed by him. A signed edition of an open edition item feels like a cash grab. You want to reward loyal collectors? Throw some randomly signed objects into inventory. Or just don't charge extra for the first 50 or 100 you sell that just happen to be signed. And don't advertise it.


"First Edition" vs. "Open Edition"
Calling something a first edition with a possibility of more if demand calls for it is BS. I don't care about dollar value appreciation. I don't care if subsequent editions are unnumbered. Leaving yourself an easy out like that is unfair to early purchasers who will just never know what they've bought.

Open editions are fine, as long as there is full disclosure. I would never not buy something because it was open and not limited. For something high priced like the Devil's Kiss it makes a big difference though, especially if you lack unlimited funds and need to prioritize your purchases. It's a heckuva burn to miss something this month because you thought you had to get in quickly on something that will still be available next year.


Resellers/Secondary market:
It happens deal with it. In the art world, the toy world, or anything people collect: %10 of anything go to resellers, and they will scalp you if you let them. If it burns you that bad: Don't buy. Learn to live with things you missed out on. Be a grown-up. Pretty please.

On the other hand, for high demand items, one per household is a good policy if you are a retailer who cares about curtailing resellers. You can't stop it, but you can give fans a better chance.

Current pricing on the signed edition items will undoubtedly burn resellers purchasing multiples, but it also burns everyone who just loves Ken and wants something signed by him. Have you seen the bay lately? Stuff's not moving.


So there's my 2?. Be gentle on me

Spot-on!

[OneLetter]

Thanks for the feedback. As I stated in the other thread, I'm not going to comment on pricing, but I do appreciate you taking the time to discuss your feelings, and it'll certainly be brought up with the team here.

[blingaling]

Originally Posted by OneLetter

Thanks for the feedback. As I stated in the other thread, I'm not going to comment on pricing, but I do appreciate you taking the time to discuss your feelings, and it'll certainly be brought up with the team here.

No problem, thanks for your time and consideration.

I'd also like to add a second vote for a vinyl soundtrack for Infinite

[misterunboxers]

Originally Posted by blingaling

So I figured I would try to bring the general Irrational Games store general discussion back to it's original home with a possibly inflammatory post.
These are just my (unprofessional) opinions. I welcome dissenting thoughts and am looking forward to discussing some issues with you all


Signed Editions:
Having things signed by Ken is nice, but having older signed items (litho trio/fitzroy book) also including signatures by artists and writers was much nicer. The markup is all over the place too.

Just looking at the in-stock items-
Devil's Kiss Bottle: unsigned 350, signed 600. 71% markup.
Fitzroy canvas print: unsigned 50, signed 150. 200% markup.
"Falling" poster: unsigned 15, signed 100. 566% markup.

It seems completely arbitrary and makes no sense. Between just these 3 items that's 400 signed items. Rare? Nope. Still collectible? I guess that's up to us, the collectors to decide.

I personally would not ever again pay extra to have something signed by him. A signed edition of an open edition item feels like a cash grab. You want to reward loyal collectors? Throw some randomly signed objects into inventory. Or just don't charge extra for the first 50 or 100 you sell that just happen to be signed. And don't advertise it.


"First Edition" vs. "Open Edition"
Calling something a first edition with a possibility of more if demand calls for it is BS. I don't care about dollar value appreciation. I don't care if subsequent editions are unnumbered. Leaving yourself an easy out like that is unfair to early purchasers who will just never know what they've bought.

Open editions are fine, as long as there is full disclosure. I would never not buy something because it was open and not limited. For something high priced like the Devil's Kiss it makes a big difference though, especially if you lack unlimited funds and need to prioritize your purchases. It's a heckuva burn to miss something this month because you thought you had to get in quickly on something that will still be available next year.


Resellers/Secondary market:
It happens deal with it. In the art world, the toy world, or anything people collect: %10 of anything go to resellers, and they will scalp you if you let them. If it burns you that bad: Don't buy. Learn to live with things you missed out on. Be a grown-up. Pretty please.

On the other hand, for high demand items, one per household is a good policy if you are a retailer who cares about curtailing resellers. You can't stop it, but you can give fans a better chance.

Current pricing on the signed edition items will undoubtedly burn resellers purchasing multiples, but it also burns everyone who just loves Ken and wants something signed by him. Have you seen the bay lately? Stuff's not moving.


So there's my 2 cents. Be gentle on me

Agreed.

[ingmar1988]

Originally Posted by blingaling

No problem, thanks for your time and consideration.

I'd also like to add a second vote for a vinyl soundtrack for Infinite

vinyl soundtrack would be awesome

Also, i would really love if you guys did more giclee, instead of poster or lithograph. Much better quality!

[amb6883]

Any word on when the description on the Bronco print is going to be updated?

[ZeeAussie]

Might as well post my annoyance in this thread since it's related.

I purchase the "Falling" poster for my nephew for his birthday coming up as he is a massive Bioshock fan along with Assassin's Creed anyway back to the story.

I was really dissapointed to recieve the poster in the condition that was delivered to my address. Flat pack for a poster is like a no no for me and I'm not too sure why Irrational Games didn't use cylinder tubes for shipping!!!

Why am I complaining? Well using a flat pack for a poster with edging support doesn't do justice to the poster being sent in the mail, especially when delivering it to Australia and I'm sure there will be a bit of wear and tear in the process due to the handling of the postal workers in the countries of USA and Australia.

Now it's probably not the postal workers fault for doing their job, but surely Irrational Games need to understand by delivering a poster, especially one that is signed and cost $140 for it to be delivered to myself to give to my nephew for his birthday could do with a cylinder tube for deliverly considering how much I paid for the thing to protect what it's for.

Now I've e-mail their support last week (Tuesday and got a ticket number) and yet to hear anything on the subject, pretty piss poor in my opinon and at the time of this type up I'll probably never purchase another thing from them until this gets sorted. Not holding my breath as it's probably $140 down the drain for me for something I was going to give my nephew for his birthday.

I've posted some pics of the condition and was wondering what you guys think? Am I over reacting?

[flatout]

Sorry to hear this happened.


Honestly I prefer the flat shipping but that is me (I simply hate rolled lithos and posters).

Funny thing is Irrational could easily solve this but putting the post in wax paper then tapeing that to an oversize piece of cardboard before putting it in the flat box.


This might sound like a lot but for the profit margin they get one these it is very little to ask.

[ingmar1988]

Flat shipping is bad idea, when shipped all over the world. I prefer a tube always.