BEYOND, thanks for the insightful post, and no - I didn't start this thread in response to yours...I can totally understand that mindset and to some degree I get excited about specific releases. I just wanted to hear a few more opinions on the subject.

these are not the droids you are looking for....

I'm torn on this issue because I see both sides. As a relative newb, I often feel shut out by the elitism of some vets. I want to emphasize "some" because there are some "experts" here who have been very open and friendly and helpful, although as a generalization, my fellow relative newbs have been the most helpful. We share an enthusiam while on "the learning curve" that is infectious in the best of ways.

It's only right that one should earn one's place in an existing community, as surely as trust needs to be earned. I'm really grateful to those who have offerend hints, links, fair sales and contact info. I was very impressed with BEYOND's willingness to help me sort things out at the S7 store not too long ago. That kind of encouragement is really cool and it's my intention to be equally helpful when I can. The S7 staff has my respect and loyalty not only because the store is an invaluable resource to those outside of Japan, but also because the staff don't act like elitists at all.

On the other hand, I was recently criticized (in a friendly way) for sharing some source information publicly. While I only intended helpful altruism, I did see the critic's point ... the items in question are already almost impossible to find ... why blow it for the true collectors? Some of the folks I've intended to help in the past now beat me to new releases, so it's a bit of a Catch-22, isn't it?

As with all things in this scene I figure the best approach is to behave according to the dictates of conscience. I'll hold some info close to the vest if that seems right, but won't feel guilty about sharing tips if it helps someone find something they really want. A little selfishness is fine ... an overdose is unhealthy. Community is more fun than isolationism anyway.

Elitism, sharing secrets, etc...they're all reactions to the latest actions by a lot of members here.
The whole hong kong flipping fiasco, now we have board members buying from other members and flipping on ebay, and people who buy something and sell it a week later when people stop telling them it's cool.

Those are the reasons i hold my secret ways of getting certain items, and the reason i only share it with people i know really well.

I keep an eye out for myself and my friends here. And the rest of the time I stay quiet.

Fair enough. I guess my frustration comes from being a newb. I know that I'm the "right kind of collector," but there hasn't been enough time for others to know that, which is understandable. All in due time.

the real truth is not many(usually 100 or less) of these type of toys are made and there is not alot of time spent on promotion. These are all mini companies run by collectors. Most of these toys are released as soon as they are completed. there is not much info to give. And it is fun to say secret.

It's more fun to say Scuba! Say it, Scuba!

secret scuba squad

Not that I got anything enlightning to say, still being fairly new, but I really don't care. It's kind of part of the fun, the all of a sudden "OH DAMN!" of something cool dropping. I'm more and more trying to focus down, so that makes it easier, but now and then something great hits, and I need it. It's part of the fun. I can see it being a pain for some, but in the end I really don't give a crap.

I also get the idea of secrecy of HOW one gets things to keep flippers and un-trusted newbs away, makes sense. I have no secret hook up, I just prowel around here until something drops, that's good enough for me, but I can't say I haven't gotten a PM with a hint or two.

beats the year in advance followed by 2 years of delays for some of the western toys i've been "planning" for

lol, me too! I am still waiting for:

ringo
soto walker
KO's toy (it has been so long I forgot what is was called)
hot cha cha cha (it is actually coming)
.....

not to restart the walker whining, but if the problem is that they would have to charge $250-$300 each because of production costs, why not just do it? It'd sell out in 15 min anyway i bet.

sigh. sorry, that picture always brings out the whiner in me.

I don't think that is the problem anymore. I know people have offered to make it at that price point. I think it is a licensing issue at this point, basically Critterbox owns the design but can't get the toy made.

oh well, back to hunting for little pollards

I thought it was interesting that Basman added an extra "cha" to the original name of that toy. L'il issue with the estate of Jimmy Durante, maybe? Perhaps "hot cha cha" is copyrighted by the estate while you can't copyright the phrase "cha cha cha"? Idle speculation on my part.

It's all marketing. If you only make 100 of something, and you're on a shoestring, you want it to sell out immediately.

Didn't this get shown at SDCC05 first, and Hot Cha Cha at SDCC04? I've been waiting for that one for going on 3 years now! If anyone EVER gets any leads on a gold, especially those of you who still read KR, let me know.

Hey was anyone here in the Baseman line-up at SDCC04?

Sorry, that was mindlessly off topic, but that Soto Walker is so damn sweet. If only it ould be made of Jp vinyl.....

secrets=nerds want to feel powerful.

i thought that was a dungeon master.