Balrog statue - how much to bid?

[dawgfan]

For those that are fans of the Lord of the Rings, you may or may not be aware that the company that handled the sets, costumes, special effects etc. - Weta - has a side business making collectible statues, busts and other keepsakes for a number of film and TV franchises, including of course the Lord of the Rings. You can visit the site here (http://www.sideshowtoy.com/cgi-bin/category.cgi?category=lotrhome).

I discovered this about 7 months ago, and was immediately drawn to the limited edition Balrog statue (see it here (http://www.sideshowtoy.com/cgi-bin/category.cgi?category=lotre&item=8706R&type=store)). Unfortunately, at the time I discovered the site the statue was already sold out. I bought instead the Ringwraith on a Steed statue and love it, but I still wish I had the Balrog.

I checked ebay not long after to see if any statues were available, but apparently they hadn't shipped out yet, as there were none to be found at the time. A week ago, I checked ebay again and found 3 available for bidding, and each time since there have been at least 3 up for bidding.

My question to you all is how much you'd pay for it. It was originally priced at $300 - pricey, but seeing the quality of the Ringwraith statue I bought, not out of line either.

The prices I've seen on ebay have ranged from $600-$1,200. Currently the lowest bid on a statue is $750. Knowing that these are a limited edition and are sold out, and that primarily fanatics will be the audience, it's not surprising that the statue is drawing 2x to 4x prices. Personally, if I saw another bid starting at $600 I'd probably put in for it, but I don't think I could go much higher - it just seems too much.

Another obvious factor is the buildup to the Return of the King, and the possibility that having that released soon may be driving up demand. Do you suppose that in a couple of years things might cool down and you could find one being shopped for a lower price?

[QuikSand]

Originally posted by dawgfan
Do you suppose that in a couple of years things might cool down and you could find one being shopped for a lower price?

Absolutely.

[dawgfan]

Thanks QS - that thought actually occurred to me as I was typing up my post, and I strongly suspect you are correct.

[sterlingice]

So, instead, you should send me $600 for rent for the next 3 months :D

SI

[dawgfan]

Well, if you agree to dress up as a Balrog and pose on my desk for the next few months you might have a deal...

Good job + bachelorhood = money for frivolous purchases...

[sterlingice]

Originally posted by dawgfan
Well, if you agree to dress up as a Balrog and pose on my desk for the next few months you might have a deal...

*starts considering offer* How big's your desk? I'm not sure I'd fit.

But back to the topic at hand, the only down side is that while those items will be cheaper, they will be tougher to find as people forget about them. I run across that problem with stuff I've looked for on ebay before. You'll have to check a lot to find something like that because while they're all over the place now (or at least all over the place relative to 1000 made), they may only hit ebay once or twice every month in the future.

SI

[Draft Dodger]

<i>* cuts to reaction shot of Mrs Hassleback in the stands* </i>

[Samdari]

Good Job + Marriage = money for "little things to spruce up the house"

[dawgfan]

Originally posted by Samdari
Good Job + Marriage = money for "little things to spruce up the house"

Don't get me wrong - a 2nd income to help defray mortgage payments, bills, food and other living expenses, plus all the other good stuff would be great.

I just know that my ability to spend frivolously would likely be compromised were I operating under a joint checking account...

[Ben E Lou]

Single guy: You get statues of Balrogs and Ringwraiths for $600 a pop.
Married guy: I just got two Oriental rugs for $600 a pop.

Oh yeah, but "they retail for $3,000 each, sweetie! This is a GREAT deal!"

:(

[primelord]

Originally posted by SkyDog
Single guy: You get statues of Balrogs and Ringwraiths for $600 a pop.
Married guy: I just got two Oriental rugs for $600 a pop.

Oh yeah, but "they retail for $3,000 each, sweetie! This is a GREAT deal!"

:(

Heh so sell them for full value and give part of the profits to dawgfan so he can bid on his statue :)

[cthomer5000]

Originally posted by dawgfan
Well, if you agree to dress up as a Balrog and pose on my desk for the next few months you might have a deal...

Good job + bachelorhood = money for frivolous purchases...

Lord of the Rings statues + woman seeing your place = guaranteed bachelorhood

[Ben E Lou]

Originally posted by primelord
Heh so sell them for full value and give part of the profits to dawgfan so he can bid on his statue :) Can't do that. Somehow these two big hunks of material make her "so happy" when she comes home and looks at them. :confused:

...and I get "so happy" when my fullback rushes for over 600 yards in a season. Men are from Mars. Women are from Venus.

[Buccaneer]

In the past few months, my wife has spent over $1k on pieces of fabric. I spent the same amount on little pieces of cardboards. It evens out I guess.

[Mustang]

Originally posted by cthomer5000
Lord of the Rings statues + woman seeing your place = guaranteed bachelorhood

Fat chicks dig Balrogs

[sterlingice]

Originally posted by cthomer5000
Lord of the Rings statues + woman seeing your place = guaranteed bachelorhood

Yeah, but at least he'll have LotR statues. ;)

SI

[dawgfan]

Originally posted by cthomer5000
Lord of the Rings statues + woman seeing your place = guaranteed bachelorhood

Why do you think I keep the statue at work?

[mckerney]

Originally posted by Mustang
Fat chicks dig Balrogs

True, fat chicks need love too, but they gotta pay.

Have you thought of whoring yourself out to 6 fat chicks for $50 a piece. Or just one really fat chick for $300? Then even if you did have to over pay a little it wouldn't be a problem, would it?

[Airhog]

I would take the 6 fat chicks option. at least you get more luvin for the same amount of cash :D

[3ric]

Originally posted by cthomer5000
Lord of the Rings statues + woman seeing your place = guaranteed bachelorhood

Quote from "Friends":
Ross: "Didn't you read 'Lord of the Rings' in high school?"
Joey: "No, I had sex in high school."

[dawgfan]

Originally posted by 3ric
Quote from "Friends":
Ross: "Didn't you read 'Lord of the Rings' in high school?"
Joey: "No, I had sex in high school."

Hehehe...

I actually didn't read Lord of the Rings until after the first 2 movies. I was a moderate fan of the cartoon version of the Hobbit, but I was never all that interested in reading fantasy-type books, though I did play some D&D in middle school.

The movies so blew my mind though that I've since dived-in whole hog, buying the extended edition DVD's and nice hardcover editions of the Lord of the Rings, the Hobbit and the Silmarillian.

[Mustang]

I just remember this thread from a bit back..

dawgfan. I sure hope you bought that statue at $600-$1000.. damn things are going for about $2500 now.

[Ben E Lou]

Update?