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Post by stoneage on Apr 3, 2009 0:18:37 GMT
I don't believe there are many people here, who want to spend $45 to $90 for a base for a $15 Dinosaur. If there is someone, they should contract somebody to make it for them separately. Christophe...I feel a huge obligation to live up to your appreciation of my patience here. So... Stoneage and Tomhet, if you seriously believe that this was my point, feel free to say so and I'll explain my actual point (or, I should say, as I've made myself abundantly clear in other posts, re-explain) in more simple terms for you and anyone else who thinks that I was suggesting a $90 piece of plastic for a base. If you don't believe I was suggesting a $90 base, maybe you can clarify your own statements for me and everyone. I think Dinonikes making more Dinosaurs is more important then wasting time making or painting base. He said the wood was free and light to keep shipping cost down. Anyone here can make a base. I have two left hands and I could make up all kinds of diorama type bases. You could buy anything you needed locally. I sure there are several people here that could make a base for you. If it's just the wood you don't like then get a napkin and poke a hole in the middle of it. Then put the napkin over the shaft holding the animal, and push it down over the wood covering it up. Now you don't see the wood. It wouldn't have to be a napkin it could be anything even gravel.  |
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Post by bmknj17 on Apr 3, 2009 1:08:37 GMT
I hesitate to respond to you at all because your intentionally asinine suggestions ($90 bases and now napkins) don't really warrant it, but I'll do so to show you respect (not a contradiction with my criticism, btw) despite what you are giving me.
What you are writing here, of course, is not what you wrote in your last post, so it doesn't really answer my question. But then there is no mature explanation for the last one, is there?
And the fact that you wrote "wasting time" in this one shows that you are not only being childish in your attitude but also really looking at the actual issue at hand selfishly and with tunnel-vision--only from the point of view of someone who doesn't care about the base.
I'm trying to look at it from all points of view, to attract the most buyers. And yes, I am included among them.
When I saw that base, my first thought was that if these figures were only sold like that (with figure, rod, and base nondetachable), I was going to forego all aquatic and flying animals and therefore perhaps many or most terrestrial ones too--because the collection would never be what I'd want it to be.
For me, a beautiful figure on an ugly block of wood is an ugly thing. And I am sure there are others who will feel this way as well. Perhaps a reviewer whose support Malcolm wants might be one of them. Perhaps dozens of people looking at a photo of this figure in an ad might be among the others.
Certainly no one is going to look at that block of wood and think it is anything other than what it is. They might not care, but no one is going to think it is beautiful or in any way on par with the figure it is supporting. And no, not everyone can make an appropriate base.
As for the wasting time issue, enough simple bases to cover all sizes of aquatic and flying animal could be sculpted and molded in an extremely small amount of time (See: Blade), and made from the molds and painted in minutes as needed. There is no time wasted--especially if the bases earn Malcolm more buyers. And the number made will inevitably correspond exactly to the number wanted.
And since he said he plans to make them at some point anyway, why wait and put that block of wood in an ad?
Early on, everyone was so excited because there were going to be accessory elements made--logs, rocks, plants. Now, a few people are claiming to be so bothered by a one time delay of a few hours or days that they think M should forego doing the best work he can and attracting as many buyers as he can just because their own needs are already being met by the figures themselves.
I'm tempted to qualify that, but I'll stop here.
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Post by [][][]cordylus[][][] on Apr 3, 2009 1:26:14 GMT
So if people can make their own bases that is good and dandy, but if people don't want the wood base and can't make their own he should sculpt a base for them?
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Post by bmknj17 on Apr 3, 2009 1:41:20 GMT
M should do whatever he thinks is best.
My opinion is that what's best is taking several hours one time to make bases on par with his figures to make them look the best they could, to attract as many customers as possible, and to make the most money possible.
It is those arguing against it that are asking that he only satisfy one faction (their own) whereas I am suggesting he satisfy as many potential buyers as possible, with virtually no cost of any kind to him but for a relatively minuscule amount of extra work, and for his own benefit.
I'm still at a loss to understand why anyone can't get this and wonder (without actually assuming), since no one one has actually defended the argument against bases with any logic, if it's more about just taking a stand.
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Post by [][][]cordylus[][][] on Apr 3, 2009 1:55:46 GMT
Well, if he made any bases I wouldn't by them... I am actually liking the look of one of these "swimming" above a pice of limestone... Add a shell or two, a rock, a sea star... Yep, that's just what I am going to do. ;D
Maybe, M, for the purposes of the add, you should make a base? And have a blurb that says "base in picture differs from base pictured"
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Post by bmknj17 on Apr 3, 2009 2:02:44 GMT
It doesn't matter that some people wouldn't buy the bases. It only matters that some might only buy the figures with the bases.
And why on earth do the work of sculpting, molding, casting, and painting a base to use in an ad and then not at least offer it as an option with the figures!?!?
Casting and painting each one would take minimal time and it would garner whatever profit M sees fit as well, in addition to whatever sales the bases save.
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Post by tetonbabydoll on Apr 3, 2009 2:03:55 GMT
At the risk of wading in here, I could care less about the base, I will probably mount it on my own anyway, and a piece of wood is fine for me. I think for most of us it is. We have encountered this before, your standards are quite high. There is nothing at all wrong with that, but most of ours are not as specific, and most here just don't really see your point of view. I think spending too much time on the bases right now would just delay the production of actual figures, which are the main focus for the majority here. Not all, of course, but I bet most. Besides, as it is already being offered in the classifieds as is, would this not in fact be a moot point, ant at least hint at M's intentions for the time being?
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Post by bmknj17 on Apr 3, 2009 2:18:27 GMT
TBD...
The conversation is all academic. M's going to do whatever he sees fit.
But, once again, you're basing your argument on the tastes of some whereas I'm trying to help M get as much business as possible. And once again, the whole notion of too much time is ridiculous. You're all arguing about what amounts to a few hours one time. That point is completely illogical.
And regardless of all of your tastes...and remember you all collect cheap toys and many of you just pile them on bookshelves, and part of the point of this line was to elevate the figures beyond that connotation.
I maintain, there is no downside to my argument. There is a huge one--potential lost customers--to yours.
As for the point being moot, maybe it is. But it was Malcolm that initiated the discussion.
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Post by dinonikes on Apr 3, 2009 2:24:18 GMT
pardon me for any rambling nature to this post- jus got off a plane- have sort of jet lag-
Man oh man- I had to go out of town for work unexpectedly- had to leave Tuesday- working non stop since- just got home-just saw that there has been three pages of discussions about this base- look back at page one of this thread---i stated my position regarding these bases- I stated that the base as shown would be the standard base issued with the figures, the rod , base and figure will be separate pieces--if anyone wanted to upgrade at a later date I will make some sculpted bases then- right now I don't have the time to make those sculpted bases no matter how easy others tell me it is to do- I have other priorities- also I want to say that I can make these bases as shown in the photos for FREE- there is NO added cost to these pieces to make these bases with the clear rod - I think that having a piece priced 15.00 instead of 20.00 will ultimately lead to more sales- have sold as many of these pieces as shown as I have the dilo or the T-Rex which don't have these bases-
I have to say - I sold hundreds of prehistoric models on ebay -hundreds- and those models were going for prices ranging from a minimum of 50 dollars up to three hundred apiece-many of them to small museums - all with bases just like these- just look at my classified thread 'Prehistoric Models' to see them- these pieces here are not models and should not be judged as models- the studios selling models are charging hundreds of dollars for their pieces, so yes, they should be supplying nice bases for that price- when I am charging 15.00 for a piece of my work -I feel people are getting quite a bargain (I was just contacted by a potential client that wants to pay me 10,000.00 to make a model for her as a freelance project - I do have a reputation in the museum world after all, even if none of you have heard of me-lol)- Captain Obvious was one of those to buy some of these hundreds of ebay models- you see he was saying that they are fine - I never had any complaints or anyone saying they didn't like these bases- I made them one size fits all basically- I had three sizes that I used for the different sized models--I am tired and have jet lag and am going to bed- will resume this project tomorrow- for now its time to dream-
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Post by piltdown on Apr 3, 2009 2:25:19 GMT
TBD... And regardless of all of your tastes...and remember you all collect cheap toys and many of you just pile them on bookshelves I find your attitude condescending beyond belief and rather insulting. Did you see the title of this forum before you signed up?  Who the heck do you think you are, thinking our opinions are invalid just because we collect 'toys', though anyone who has a Papo dinosaur knows very well they cannot be regarded as mere 'toys'? |
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Post by tetonbabydoll on Apr 3, 2009 2:28:03 GMT
I am not sure. Collectors may--may--be willing to pay a little more for a better base, and there are those certainly who will appreciate it. But, I do not know if the "masses" as such will care that much at all. I think that yes, Malcolm is trying to produce the best, most accurate toys he can, but he has always maintained that they are toys, and not sculpture. He has argued this point with others several times. He is looking at the best figure possible as cheaply as possible. I do not see special bases for swimmers and flyers as being in line with that. He is only doing bases for the terrestrial critters so he can have more dynamic poses, and they are also not all that involved or fancy. Mostly just an indication of land. I would not asses the time involved in running off bases myself, as I can't do what he does. I would not assume it would be quick, cheap, or easy, though. If it were that simple. one could suppose he would have done it already.....maybe.
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Post by dinonikes on Apr 3, 2009 2:35:59 GMT
Since this figure is finished for all purposes- and is already in the classifieds- and since things are getting a little heated- I am locking this thread-
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Post by brachiosaurus on Jan 4, 2012 2:06:20 GMT
How much is it?
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Post by Blade-of-the-Moon on Jan 5, 2012 2:24:37 GMT
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![[][][]cordylus[][][] Avatar](http://files.sharenator.com/Troll_Face_U_MAD_RE_wrestling_1-s407x405-126802.jpg)
Who the heck do you think you are, thinking our opinions are invalid just because we collect 'toys', though anyone who has a Papo dinosaur knows very well they cannot be regarded as mere 'toys'?
