[ddarko]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe Moore

It's not just inflation. Shipping is more expensive and slower than it's ever been. This is causing places to pay for more expensive shipping methods that they then roll into the MSRP. Materials (especially any plastic) has massively shot up in price over the last few years, higher licensing cost, higher cost for labor (sculptors, painters included), production runs are getting smaller, and then whatever their profit margin needs to be to not only sustain, but expand.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mordiganne

Nah. Surely it's just Iron Studios intentionally gouging statue collectors. [/s]

Come on, no need for the sarcasm. My point is that when you look at other manufacturers, this price hike does not make sense. How do we explain that? Do other manufactures not ship? Do they not use materials? Do they not have to pay licensing fees?

This is why I say the pricing hike is not due to inflation or increase in costs. Sure, some of the increase can certainly be attributed to such things, BUT not this much of an increase. The percentage increase by Iron Studios does not match with what we see across the board from other high-end statue manufacturers. That is the problem. Also, do keep in mind that I am not talking about the last few years. I am talking about the last one and half years. Iron Studio price hike has taken place in that short period of time, which is hard to explain given that other high end manufacturers have not made such increases.

As sarcastic as your comment was Mordiganne, it is the truest statement you have made so far, in my humble opinion. They are just trying to see how far they can push it. Now certainly, that is business. Personally, I think that is why it does not help when folks like yourself try to brush it up for increase in costs. It really isn't. The more people are aware of it the better, so that they can hold the line. If people just keep giving into whatever prices they set, it just goes out of control for the entire market.