Too Bad, Dude?
Honestly, your guess is as good as mine right now.
Too Bad, Dude?
BladeCollector wrote: Wed Jun 09, 2021 8:32 am When I see prices like these, although a gorgeous item, makes me glad I never really got on board the weta collection train. The only weta item I have is the Pre Ruin Orthanc
*puts hand up*Ronin wrote: Fri Jun 18, 2021 3:19 pm Is anybody here still undecided on which Bilbo to get? I'm still torn. I'm hoping to make up my mind and get my order in by tonight.
(Emperor's voice)Valkrist wrote: Fri Jun 18, 2021 4:48 pm*puts hand up*Ronin wrote: Fri Jun 18, 2021 3:19 pm Is anybody here still undecided on which Bilbo to get? I'm still torn. I'm hoping to make up my mind and get my order in by tonight.
I'm waiting until Sunday to make my final decision. Definitely leaning towards the big one, but haven't fully fallen to the dark side yet.
If it's the only [LOTR] Weta Statue you plan on owning then it is most definitely the one to go for, whichever version you decide on.Ronin wrote: Fri Jun 18, 2021 5:26 pm ...
I'm leaning towards the big one too. While it's definitely a lot to spend, it'll be my one and only weta statue/diorama and, again, it's a quintessential piece so that helps justify the price somewhat for me. However I must say again I really do like the simplicity of the Desk statue. It puts all the focus on Bilbo which I love....
The website says June 21 PDT (Pacific), and it is currently 1 AM here on Sunday the 20th.Idril wrote: Sat Jun 19, 2021 7:18 pm Times a ticking Val…….
Although you may have a day more than I think due to the time zone. Unless the end date is 21st June NZ time.
Step right up folks, don't be shy. Time to place your bets on Valkrist's decision, coming right down to the wire.Valkrist wrote: Sat Jun 19, 2021 9:06 pmThe website says June 21 PDT (Pacific), and it is currently 1 AM here on Sunday the 20th.Idril wrote: Sat Jun 19, 2021 7:18 pm Times a ticking Val…….
Although you may have a day more than I think due to the time zone. Unless the end date is 21st June NZ time.
The email that they sent with the clock timer says I have 1 day and just shy of 13 hours, which means it should end for me on Monday at 2 PM. Sounds like I don't have to run for it just yet.
Oh I'm definitely getting one or the other. In fact, Desk Bilbo just took the lead in my head. I'll explain why...Deimos wrote: Sat Jun 19, 2021 4:23 amIf it's the only [LOTR] Weta Statue you plan on owning then it is most definitely the one to go for, whichever version you decide on.Ronin wrote: Fri Jun 18, 2021 5:26 pm ...
I'm leaning towards the big one too. While it's definitely a lot to spend, it'll be my one and only weta statue/diorama and, again, it's a quintessential piece so that helps justify the price somewhat for me. However I must say again I really do like the simplicity of the Desk statue. It puts all the focus on Bilbo which I love....
(Just my unsolicited 2 cents).
Yeah I went back and reread it (Bilbo statue thread at FOU). I did in fact misunderstand. The "500-600" was referencing something else but it was mentioned while also talking about shipping costs so I got them mixed up.Valkrist wrote: Mon Jun 21, 2021 6:29 am Ronin, I could understand that shipping cost if the Bilbo statue was in fact shipping from NZ, but I'm 99.99% certain that he's shipping from the US warehouse for customers in North America. Still super expensive for Canada at the end of the day, but the US address shipping amount should come in below $200.
I'm curious what you read and where exactly as I'm afraid you might have misunderstood something that was said. I think US customers are quite safe on this one.
Edit: I just ordered it. Someone pay Deimos what she's owed for winning the bet.
Ronin, it explicitly said in the ordering process that it would ship from the US. There is no way it will cost what you are projecting, even if there is no shipping amount yet (I hate that new way of doing this, btw).
A big massive thanks to N2 for making this possible.
Yeah I flubbed on that oneN2darkness wrote: Mon Jun 21, 2021 8:12 am Congrats Val and hopefully peer pressure didn't plan any influence? I'm glad I could help as I think this will be an absolute stunning piece and hopefully Weta delivers!
As for the US shipping costs, I'm not sure where those crazy high numbers came from, but my Treebeard only cost $75 and weighed almost 60 lbs and was in a huge box. I know that was a few years ago, but I still don't expect to be over $60.
That sounds like the number I quoted in that thread, but that is literally what it will cost *me* ordering from *Canada*, not the US.Ronin wrote: Mon Jun 21, 2021 8:18 am
Yeah I went back and reread it (Bilbo statue thread at FOU). I did in fact misunderstand. The "500-600" was referencing something else but it was mentioned while also talking about shipping costs so I got them mixed up.
Okay that makes sense. Seeing the price of a shipped Gandalf staff falsely stoked my impression of what the price might be. And again since I've never bought a statue, I at first assumed they ship from US warehouses but wasn't 100% sure and thought maybe they all ship from NZ.
Thanks for keeping me straight, Val. This staute buying game is no joke haha.
Yeah I think that's part of where I got mixed up. Gosh, I can't believe they hit you that hard with shipping and import duties. That's obscene.Valkrist wrote: Mon Jun 21, 2021 8:23 amThat sounds like the number I quoted in that thread, but that is literally what it will cost *me* ordering from *Canada*, not the US.Ronin wrote: Mon Jun 21, 2021 8:18 am
Yeah I went back and reread it (Bilbo statue thread at FOU). I did in fact misunderstand. The "500-600" was referencing something else but it was mentioned while also talking about shipping costs so I got them mixed up.
Okay that makes sense. Seeing the price of a shipped Gandalf staff falsely stoked my impression of what the price might be. And again since I've never bought a statue, I at first assumed they ship from US warehouses but wasn't 100% sure and thought maybe they all ship from NZ.
Thanks for keeping me straight, Val. This staute buying game is no joke haha.
I can understand the Staff though. If it ships from NZ, and owing to the length of the box, I fully believe the number is just brutal. Luckily, I tend to stick with UC for my staves, and the only Weta one I have is Thranduil's, and that was ordered through Secret Compass in Colorado.
I just pre-ordered Kira from the Dark Crystal and received an email from Weta, but had to check as it went to my "promotions" box. Maybe yours went there too?Valkrist wrote: Mon Jun 21, 2021 8:19 am Nope, the pressure was mostly internal, with about 15% of it coming from my wife where she kept warning me I would regret it I didn't order it, so.... here we are.
On a side note, for the first time that I can recall, upon placing the order, I did not get a confirmation email from Weta. It's very odd because every other order I've placed, it comes within seconds of hitting the order button. I checked my account, and the order is there, so I'm confident everything is ok, but still strange that the email did not come through... yet?
Hey Val, two options I might suggest (if you've already heard of and considered these - please ignore). As I have the exact same issues you stated....Valkrist wrote: Mon Jun 21, 2021 8:52 am Deimos, having watched multiple seasons of Border Security on TV, the process seems very arbitrary, but imported goods don't typically catch the eye of customs agents for an inspection unless it is coming from a suspect country of origin, or there is something off or suspicious about the package itself. At the bare minimum, it goes through an xray, and then it gets cleared if they don't flag anything about it. In nearly 20 years of collecting, I've never had a Weta package inspected, and only one from UC that was.
Costs is where the problem lies for me.
Though I live a mere three hours from the warehouse, because it is considered international shipping, the cost rate immediately escalates by about 200%. Then they add import taxes for an item bought abroad (the government wants its cut), and customs fees for processing. This is usually tolerable except when the item due to size and weight, gets passed off to UPS instead of USPS.
UPS costs most than the postal service right off the base cost. Worse, they then add their ridiculously high brokerage fees, which they claim is their charge for paying all the other fees and taxes on the customer's behalf while clearing the item. The amount they charge for this is insane compared to what the service entails. It's a total scam, but they will hold you hostage and not release the package unless you pay it. Add more taxes over those fees and a fuel surcharge, and yes, Bilbo would cost me around $500-$600 more just to arrive in my hands.
So... off to Andrew's doorstep it goes.
Oohhh No No - that would definitely drop Canadian civilization back a few steps lol. Sorry, I meant the Oreo flavours only available in the US. We get a fraction (maybe half?) of what "ya'll" do. When i did part of my schooling in the US, every trip home my sister made me bring back different Oreo flavours... otherwise I wasn't allowed to visit haha. She has collected all the packaging from all the various ones she's tried.Deimos wrote: Mon Jun 21, 2021 4:32 pm I usually fill up my tank and buy some US only Oreos and Drinks to take back for the family haha.
Wait. ...WAIT!....WAIT JUST A SECOND!!!
You don't have OREOS??!!!
Why, I'm...speechless! And, my dear sir, there is nothing "HAHA" about it! How on earth do you survive???
And all these years I had been led to believe that our Northern neighbors were as civilized as we.
Oh my, have I ever been deceived! .......No Oreos...how sad.....
Well, that is quite a relief to learn.Jash wrote: Mon Jun 21, 2021 5:01 pmOohhh No No - that would definitely drop Canadian civilization back a few steps lol. Sorry, I meant the Oreo flavours only available in the US. We get a fraction (maybe half?) of what "ya'll" do. When i did part of my schooling in the US, every trip home my sister made me bring back different Oreo flavours... otherwise I wasn't allowed to visit haha. She has collected all the packaging from all the various ones she's tried.Deimos wrote: Mon Jun 21, 2021 4:32 pm I usually fill up my tank and buy some US only Oreos and Drinks to take back for the family haha.
Wait. ...WAIT!....WAIT JUST A SECOND!!!
You don't have OREOS??!!!
Why, I'm...speechless! And, my dear sir, there is nothing "HAHA" about it! How on earth do you survive???
And all these years I had been led to believe that our Northern neighbors were as civilized as we.
Oh my, have I ever been deceived! .......No Oreos...how sad.....
I believe you.Valkrist wrote: Thu Jun 24, 2021 3:50 pm The reason you're not seeing the Argonath, Prancing Pony, Barad-dur, and others, is because those were Limited Editions and unlike UC, Weta has apparently said before that those are off-limits and will never be reissued.
Minas Tirith, Rivendell, 2nd Orthanc, etc were Open Editions, and though long out of production, Weta are perfectly within their right to test the waters and see if there is enough demand to produce another run or two.
No promise was ever made that this would never occur so where no word is given, there is no word to be broken. Again, unlike with what UC did, I have no problem with this. The Limited Editions are off-limits.
'Zactly. Which is why I said the MC version is a way around its promise of no LE re-issues.Idril wrote: Thu Jun 24, 2021 5:57 pm That is true Deimos. Weta could choose to do a new Argonath. But that would be a new sculpt and different in size/sculpt so wouldn’t fall into the area of a re-issue. As far as weta is concerned, I would bet my house they will never extend or reissue a sold out LE.
Congratulations.....a Grail acquired.TMcLim wrote: Fri Jun 25, 2021 6:53 am I just managed to snag an original #279 Weta Argonath in Canada, very excited as I never thought I would own one. As far as Weta reissuing sold out LE environments, I don't think they will I think that would be suicide in the collectibles world. I am all for them reissuing open edition pieces, I evened started a letter campaign to get Minas Tirith re-released. As for a new and improved Argonath, even though I now own an original I would say I would love to see one, the original is quite small and it will give other collectors a chance to get the Argonath, I might even pick one up myself haha. I don't think they will however as there are still locations in middle earth that haven't been done yet.
Yes there was, and I managed to get one on the reverse auction they had a few black Friday sales ago. Great piece, but not worth the retail price IMO.Deimos wrote: Fri Jun 25, 2021 7:28 am @Idril...
Since you seem to be the most informed about the Weta scene (anyone else, feel free to weigh in and/or correct) was there an MC version of Gollum made?
That's all of them so far, the next one should be announced next month at comic con.Deimos wrote: Fri Jun 25, 2021 10:33 am Thanks N2.
Ok, so what are all the MC pieces?
Treebeard, I know (because I have it )
Gollum
Thranduil in the THrone Tree
Gandalf and Frodo in the cart
Anything else?