Not really an important point Pogue, but that doesn't make it any less valid....

my new goal is to make really valid points about unimportant things. I think that is how to be an internet nice guy (or something).

BTW -I think retail for the rainyday SP at the SB shop was about 5000 yen, maybe Mark can confirm.

i got the rainy day at SDCC last year and i think it was 80 bones or close to it.

That actually is a bad example. Most Secret Base figures are around 4000-5000 yen at SB in Japan, but it costs more at here in the states. By your logic, Super 7 is ripping everyone off by charging $60, since that is over what you think is retail.

Actually, it is not a bad example since stores in the states are not given the Skull Pirates to sell (sdcc excluded). Since there is no retail option outside of Japan the only price you can use is the price in Tokyo.

This would be like Brian selling the GF's on ebay for less than market prices but way over average retail. I don't have a problem with what Pushead is doing but I do wonder what people would say if Kozik or Biskup or Kaws did the same thing. It does tend to lead to price inflation.

And I never said anyone was getting ripped off, you jumped to that conclusion.

Maybe it's the only way lowsk8er get's any cash from this? Maybe he's not actually paid, just given the stuff and told to take a cut? I dunno, just a thought, not really an attack (seems like lots of stuff said these days gets taken that way.)

I'm just saying that I'm sure Pushead knows what his stuff goes for, and he finds a middle ground. So he can make a little money and people pay far less than they have to for the item. Inflation would only happen if the BIN price is above market price, but that is not the case here. If he and lowsk8er wanted to gouge people, they would just put the auctions up without a 'Buy It Now' price. Imagine what the prices would go for then...

Like I said, I am surprised by this attitude.

I'm just happy to get them.

Not a complaint mind you, just an observation....Frank does in a way, with the Murder Rumbles and RXH. I'm not sure what retail was, but I'm sure what we paid for those was a little over. Granted, there were aditional costs that went into materials for customization I'm sure, so maybe not the best example.

I don't have a strong opinion on this (although I tend to agree with Locomoco's attitude when paying higher than retail) but as a point of consideration ... does anyone resent Bwana for selling his Gargamel items at higher prices here than what they sell for in Japan? It sure doesn't seem like it. "Only way to get them" and all that. As long as truly inordinate flipping isn't occurring, it's my impression that most people are happy to pay a bit higher than retail because the value of owning the piece is the main consideration. That's certainly been true for me when buying items from fellow board members at prices I know to be higher than retail. My choice .... no complaints. I hope that makes sense.

Not much because I think the average Pushead fan has been a fan for more than a couple months or longer than KR has been around....I mean last year at SDCC most of the people in the line to buy some Pushead stuff were a bunch of old school skaters and punkers and cats who had love for Pushead besides his dabbling in vinyl toys....I mean a couple dudes brought their vinyl records and skateboards to sign and weren't even checking for his new vinyl stuff...which is why I don't think people would care if Kozik or Biskup or Kaws did the same thing....they all sell vinyl, which is the same...but are all completely different and stand alone as artists...

hey heres a question....

Why does Kaws, who lives here in Brooklyn, sell ALL his goods and toys in Japan? Are all his true fans there? Do they get it more than we do? Or does he get the most dollar or yen that is for his goods? So if we do buy it, we are getting taxed even more to get it over here...Shit I think I would be stoked if he offered his shit for a BIN price on da'bay...but I really don't care for it or the hype surrounding it...Shit , have any of you guys seen Kaws...he don't even wear his shit...so why should I?

I don't imagine KAWS is circumventing copyright laws that might catch up with him if he were to sell his Simpsons, Mickey Mouse, Michelin Man, Buggs Bunny etc. "tributes" in the USA or EU, but it's tempting to think so.

My guess has always been that Japan is the land of mucho expendible income. It's the world's greatest test market. Just a semi-educated guess though. Good question.

Hell no, Bwana is an artist in every true sense of the word....I would be stoked to get one of his toys, even if at a higher price....Have you seen his customs?

Just gimme the damn toys!

Yes, and I fully agree, although I wasn't thinking of the customs. I know what you mean though. I've just never seen anyone complain that the Gargamel items sold here are (if I understand correctly) sold for more than 200% of what they sell for in Japan. No criticism intended!

I think the OF store is owned and run by Medicom, so it is in Japan.

I agree with Cesar. I think it is the long established fan base that gives Pushead the leeway to sell his stock for higher than retail prices.

I have actually recommended this to a few artist and toy companies and they all seem to think it is unseemly but I have never gotten a good reason why. If you made it you can set the price point. For example, I think Mori should just sell the uber limited RxH figures for $100's right off the bat.

I wonder how selling like this effects after-market prices in the short and long run?

this is bullshit.....since when did any of us have a chance to get these things at retail???????
over here in the UK we get nothing unless we get it from this board or ebay...
Lowsk8kr is a stand up guy, helps me get my shit without paying through the fucking ass for it. So what if he makes a measly $20 per toy, for fucks sake , give the guy a break.
there can't be one board member here he hasn't hooked up at some point........
I'm just glad i get a chance to grab these toys and what is retail anyway?????
5 aint never seen a Pushead toy in a shop...no sir
chill the fuck out people.

I think you are the only person flipping out.

Pushead fans are a hyper bunch.

This is a complete non-issue to me.

I wish Kaws or Biskup or Mori would pop up on ebay every so often and sell past releases for slightly above retail.

Edit: And I'm talking about Pusfan's BIN sales not auctions.
Though the auctions do seem to start at reasonable prices.

i totally agree. i feel like in this situation in particular, lowsk8r and pushead are doing good for the fans considering these pieces would cost much more if bought anywhere else besides japan or maybe the occasional piece that pops up in the for sale section here on sb. i mean just look at the prices that the rare RxH pieces are demanding on the bay these days. if mori posted up some of those pieces for a slight mark up from retail i think we would all be ecstatic.

me too.....

I have no idea how this woman is associated with Kozik but she's on ebay selling a ton of his stuff and even had 3 of the blood splatter subber-only murder damnedrons for sale, each were priced way over "retail".

She could be the same on ebay for Kozik...who knows?

If its a way for fans to get certain pieces at prices they're agreeing to, then who really cares...

don't artists usually get a handful of their own toys to do whatever they want with? Doesn't Kozik sell some of his stuff months after being "sold out" at a higher than retail price? Didn't you(Pogue) celebrate even just a little when you snagged that flocked skullwing the other day off Pushead for only $325?

I think whats worse is when people buy from his auctions and put them up on here within a week valued at double, I have seen that plenty of times. There was quite a rush of Blood and GID pirates and most commanding $250-300. I believe both of those sold for $150 and $130 repsectively by lowsk8r no? There is no way all the ones being sold or traded here at $250-300 were all from YJA.