Anime store at Rage

[Kharrak]

The rarity of the figures is based on two things: Their popularity at release, and how many are actually made prior to release.

Certain figures, such as this one are really popular, and often sell most of their stock either prior or soon after release, making only a few models to be spared.

Intended limited production helps provoke such hasty purchases.

Of course, this mostly applies to the more luxurious models, as seen above. That one costs about R2000, prior to import costs and local mark up, likely bringing it to about R2500. Can't really comment on the cheaper ones, but all the anime figs DO run on a limited production cycle, so depending on their age, they will become increasingly rare over time. Quite often, the stuff you still see in stores again and again simply haven't been sold - rather than them being remade all the time.

Then again, I didn't even know there WAS an anime store at rAge. Had a quick look around, didn't see anything past the things being sold at the boardgame store place.

As for a hasty round of price increases, yeah, sounds odd. Rarity IS a factor though, assuming that statement was true, as the gain collector value - but the item generally has to be somewhat popular initially to warrant it, or REALLY hard to find.

EDIT: Owait, accusations of them being fake? Well, not being clued in to how the forged miniature market is operated, I can't really speak on that :P

[Strifehart]

The rarity of the figures is based on two things: Their popularity at release, and how many are actually made prior to release.

Certain figures, such as this one are really popular, and often sell most of their stock either prior or soon after release, making only a few models to be spared.

Intended limited production helps provoke such hasty purchases.

Of course, this mostly applies to the more luxurious models, as seen above. That one costs about R2000, prior to import costs and local mark up, likely bringing it to about R2500. Can't really comment on the cheaper ones, but all the anime figs DO run on a limited production cycle, so depending on their age, they will become increasingly rare over time. Quite often, the stuff you still see in stores again and again simply haven't been sold - rather than them being remade all the time.

Then again, I didn't even know there WAS an anime store at rAge. Had a quick look around, didn't see anything past the things being sold at the boardgame store place.

As for a hasty round of price increases, yeah, sounds odd. Rarity IS a factor though, assuming that statement was true, as the gain collector value - but the item generally has to be somewhat popular initially to warrant it, or REALLY hard to find.

EDIT: Owait, accusations of them being fake? Well, not being clued in to how the forged miniature market is operated, I can't really speak on that :P

FYI. I wasn't accusing it of being fake. I was stating the fact that all the figures at that stand are fake. Making an accusation leaves room for error.

I have a pretty big collection of these figures myself so it becomes pretty easy to spot a bootleg. I'm quite surprised that year after year the rage organizers still allow these guys to sell their bootlegged products. AFAIK it's one of the reasons why the AWX guys don't exhibit at the expo anymore as they do not want to be associated with the illegal activities of these guys.

[Kharrak]

I have a pretty big collection of these figures myself so it becomes pretty easy to spot a bootleg. I'm quite surprised that year after year the rage organizers still allow these guys to sell their bootlegged products. AFAIK it's one of the reasons why the AWX guys don't exhibit at the expo anymore as they do not want to be associated with the illegal activities of these guys.

Where did you see the figures being sold, by the way?

[Strifehart]

Where did you see the figures being sold, by the way?

The stand was called Playground. Which is basically www.playgroundshop.co.za and www.uncutshop.co.za combined from what I gather. It was towards the middle of the expo behind the main show floor.

Have a look at that last link. EVERY SINGLE FIGURE on that site is a bootleg.

[Kharrak]

Checking it out... the figures I see there are all official. Many old, and many from the "cheap 'n nasty" side of things, but official.

The prices are also kinda accurate, considering shipping and retailer mark up.

Unless you mean what you actually get in the shop is a cheap copy of what is advertised on the site?

[The Joker]

Unfortunately the organizers of Rage won't do jack shit about it because that anime shop pays between R50 000 R100 000 for their stall, that's enough of a reason for them to turn a blind eye. In any case rage is a joke..kak venue (18 000 cap), no where near enough parking, Toilets and atm's/cash points never in working order ect ect ect...


Oh and AWX all the way, good friend of mine owns the shop and in all honesty there is no better anime shop in Gauteng.

[Glordit]

Yeah listen that wasn't really the point I was making. Just found their supposed justification for their greed retarded.

I see that.

[ZenbaaS]

I see that.

Ja man what can I say.

[Strifehart]

Checking it out... the figures I see there are all official. Many old, and many from the "cheap 'n nasty" side of things, but official.

The prices are also kinda accurate, considering shipping and retailer mark up.

Unless you mean what you actually get in the shop is a cheap copy of what is advertised on the site?

Quick example : R199 at from those wankers, whereas the original retailed for about 5700yen at release. It's sold out everywhere yet these guys are selling it at less than 30% of the original price and they have ample stock? Seems legit.

[Kharrak]

The prices I checked (not the one you quoted, notably) worked out - but those were mostly the smaller, cheaper ones.

If they are desperately trying to clear stock that just wont sell, such a price drop would be justifiable - marking it back up could simply be cognitive dissonance as a result of also wanting to take advantage of the rAge markup storm.

Ultimately, I have no idea, they could be official, they may not be official - but I don't think odd pricing alone is proof that they are unofficial and low quality remakes. Not seen the products first hand, etc.