kiphouse
Main Eventer
Joined on: Mar 9, 2012 14:53:20 GMT -5
Posts: 2,810
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Post by kiphouse on Dec 2, 2022 16:50:10 GMT -5
Send me my order from January and ill buy Luna n gangrel.
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RedDevil
Main Eventer
Joined on: Aug 8, 2017 18:43:00 GMT -5
Posts: 1,590
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Post by RedDevil on Dec 2, 2022 17:39:17 GMT -5
My concern is now knowing that there’s only the two people running the show on this end, and given what Luke says then Kate is doing most of that for both Chella and Wrestling Trader, which is tough enough without having a new born and family to deal with. I know it’s difficult to get staff now, and margins are very tight, but seems a hell of a lot to be doing on your own. There are only so many hours and I’d guess that’s restricting what they can do, especially in terms of the backlog. Unrelated, is your name a Man Utd reference? Yeah, though I've used it on different wrestling forums for so long now that I hardly even think about it - maybe it's due to posting mostly around Americans all this time  |
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Deleted
Joined on: Nov 25, 2024 2:45:52 GMT -5
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Dec 3, 2022 3:34:42 GMT -5
Good to read, Big Daddy looking fine. |
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Post by newgenandy on Dec 3, 2022 4:56:17 GMT -5
Unrelated, is your name a Man Utd reference? Yeah, though I've used it on different wrestling forums for so long now that I hardly even think about it - maybe it's due to posting mostly around Americans all this time Lol my Twitter handles a Birmingham city reference which often confuses people 😆 |
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skogen
Superstar
Joined on: Mar 4, 2021 1:58:42 GMT -5
Posts: 559
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Post by skogen on Dec 3, 2022 12:25:12 GMT -5
Kinda buried the previous owners of Chella in that interview, quite deserved tbh.
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Post by hulkjoegan on Dec 3, 2022 13:57:29 GMT -5
Kinda buried the previous owners of Chella in that interview, quite deserved tbh. It would be interesting to know what went wrong for them….whether it just snowballed and became too much to keep on top of or whatever, potentially after it seemed to turn into a ‘latest signing’ war with the other guy. Either way, I tip my hat to them for being the first to get it going and they had a good run initially. |
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RedDevil
Main Eventer
Joined on: Aug 8, 2017 18:43:00 GMT -5
Posts: 1,590
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Post by RedDevil on Dec 3, 2022 14:39:46 GMT -5
Kinda buried the previous owners of Chella in that interview, quite deserved tbh. It would be interesting to know what went wrong for them….whether it just snowballed and became too much to keep on top of or whatever, potentially after it seemed to turn into a ‘latest signing’ war with the other guy. Either way, I tip my hat to them for being the first to get it going and they had a good run initially. Agreed; as much as it came apart for them in the end, they still deserve a lot of respect in my view for what they managed to achieve (as Luke kinda says himself in the interview, despite his obvious frustration with how things soured later). I think the old Chella: -Were the first company to turn the independent Hasbros/Retros idea that had been floating around on social media since SDCC 2019 into a reality. -The first Retros company to officially announce -The first to take pre-orders -The first to deliver a figure (Aldis in December 2020) -The first to deliver a full series (Ethan Page was the last one of series 1 in February this year) -They launched a few other lines (Uncensored, Wrestle Dudez, the BCW partnership with FC, and then the Impact line; none have been delivered yet obviously but still ) -Signed-up an impressive roster of talents that Trader will be able to work with. They got out something like 11 unique figures since 2020 (using Haystacks as a cut-off point, assuming everyone after that is Trader), and a lot of repaints as well. Only one other company I think has got out a series of Hasbro-inspired figures so far, and there was a fair bit of drama around that as well. I think they did well, especially as they clearly identified when it was time to step away and allow someone else to take it forward when they couldn’t. |
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ajay182
Mid-Carder
Joined on: Aug 3, 2020 16:53:10 GMT -5
Posts: 322
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Post by ajay182 on Dec 3, 2022 16:49:42 GMT -5
It would be interesting to know what went wrong for them….whether it just snowballed and became too much to keep on top of or whatever, potentially after it seemed to turn into a ‘latest signing’ war with the other guy. Either way, I tip my hat to them for being the first to get it going and they had a good run initially. Agreed; as much as it came apart from them in the end, they still deserve a lot of respect in my view for what they managed to achieve (as Luke kinda says himself in the interview, despite his obvious frustration with how things soured later). I think the old Chella: -Were the first company to turn the independent Hasbros/Retros idea that had been floating around on social media since SDCC 2019 into a reality. -The first Retros company to officially announce -The first to take pre-orders -The first to deliver a figure (Aldis in December 2020) -The first to deliver a full series (Ethan Page was the last one of series 1 in February this year) -They launched a few other lines (Uncensored, Wrestle Dudez, the BCW partnership with FC, and then the Impact line; none have been delivered yet obviously but still ) -Signed-up an impressive roster of talents that Trader will be able to work with. They got out something like 11 unique figures since 2020 (using Haystacks as a cut-off point, assuming everyone after that is Trader), and a lot of repaints as well. Only one other company I think has got out a series of Hasbro-inspired figures so far, and there was a fair bit of drama around that as well. I think they did well, especially as they clearly identified when it was time to step away and allow someone else to take it forward when they couldn’t. Totally agree - there's something to be said for knowing when to hold your hands up and call it a day. Somewhat related - puzzlingly, on the MWF podcast recently, one them said "Zombie is the only one with any credibility" in a conversation about retro-style figures. The guy has delivered less than half of what Chella have, despite Chella essentially going dark for months and then being completely sold to another business  . I get that some find his end product superior but that statement is insane recency bias. |
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kiphouse
Main Eventer
Joined on: Mar 9, 2012 14:53:20 GMT -5
Posts: 2,810
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Post by kiphouse on Dec 3, 2022 17:25:17 GMT -5
I think chellas quality is about to go up with the new ownership. Luke seems all about addressing any scale issues and has his eye on making these as toyetic as possible. I think there are good things to come.
Hey Luke, no more clown boots, balloon heads mini heads, teeny tinys like Bull or giants like Jay White.
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walter7paisley
Main Eventer
Joined on: Jan 9, 2022 17:57:13 GMT -5
Posts: 1,713
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Post by walter7paisley on Dec 3, 2022 19:13:22 GMT -5
Agreed; as much as it came apart from them in the end, they still deserve a lot of respect in my view for what they managed to achieve (as Luke kinda says himself in the interview, despite his obvious frustration with how things soured later). I think the old Chella: -Were the first company to turn the independent Hasbros/Retros idea that had been floating around on social media since SDCC 2019 into a reality. -The first Retros company to officially announce -The first to take pre-orders -The first to deliver a figure (Aldis in December 2020) -The first to deliver a full series (Ethan Page was the last one of series 1 in February this year) -They launched a few other lines (Uncensored, Wrestle Dudez, the BCW partnership with FC, and then the Impact line; none have been delivered yet obviously but still ) -Signed-up an impressive roster of talents that Trader will be able to work with. They got out something like 11 unique figures since 2020 (using Haystacks as a cut-off point, assuming everyone after that is Trader), and a lot of repaints as well. Only one other company I think has got out a series of Hasbro-inspired figures so far, and there was a fair bit of drama around that as well. I think they did well, especially as they clearly identified when it was time to step away and allow someone else to take it forward when they couldn’t. Totally agree - there's something to be said for knowing when to hold your hands up and call it a day. Somewhat related - puzzlingly, on the MWF podcast recently, one them said "Zombie is the only one with any credibility" in a conversation about retro-style figures. The guy has delivered less than half of what Chella have, despite Chella essentially going dark for months and then being completely sold to another business . I get that some find his end product superior but that statement is insane recency bias. As I've said regarding the Major Pod guys, jobbers with cash talking absolute bollocks. |
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mrh
Main Eventer
Joined on: Sept 1, 2018 0:11:53 GMT -5
Posts: 3,456
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Post by mrh on Dec 3, 2022 19:25:23 GMT -5
It would be interesting to know what went wrong for them….whether it just snowballed and became too much to keep on top of or whatever, potentially after it seemed to turn into a ‘latest signing’ war with the other guy. Either way, I tip my hat to them for being the first to get it going and they had a good run initially. Agreed; as much as it came apart from them in the end, they still deserve a lot of respect in my view for what they managed to achieve (as Luke kinda says himself in the interview, despite his obvious frustration with how things soured later). I think the old Chella: -Were the first company to turn the independent Hasbros/Retros idea that had been floating around on social media since SDCC 2019 into a reality. -The first Retros company to officially announce -The first to take pre-orders -The first to deliver a figure (Aldis in December 2020) -The first to deliver a full series (Ethan Page was the last one of series 1 in February this year) -They launched a few other lines (Uncensored, Wrestle Dudez, the BCW partnership with FC, and then the Impact line; none have been delivered yet obviously but still ) -Signed-up an impressive roster of talents that Trader will be able to work with. They got out something like 11 unique figures since 2020 (using Haystacks as a cut-off point, assuming everyone after that is Trader), and a lot of repaints as well. Only one other company I think has got out a series of Hasbro-inspired figures so far, and there was a fair bit of drama around that as well. I think they did well, especially as they clearly identified when it was time to step away and allow someone else to take it forward when they couldn’t.
Great point -- it's always sad when things end on a bummer, but they had a truly great run
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ajay182
Mid-Carder
Joined on: Aug 3, 2020 16:53:10 GMT -5
Posts: 322
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Post by ajay182 on Dec 4, 2022 10:24:37 GMT -5
Totally agree - there's something to be said for knowing when to hold your hands up and call it a day. Somewhat related - puzzlingly, on the MWF podcast recently, one them said "Zombie is the only one with any credibility" in a conversation about retro-style figures. The guy has delivered less than half of what Chella have, despite Chella essentially going dark for months and then being completely sold to another business . I get that some find his end product superior but that statement is insane recency bias. As I've said regarding the Major Pod guys, jobbers with cash talking absolute bollocks. Thing is, they got me back into this whole world after nearly 15 years out, so I do give them a degree of grace. But no doubt, sometimes their takes are stunning in their lack of self awareness. |
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@Chair.Shot
Main Eventer
WF 10+ Year Member
Joined on: Jan 31, 2012 4:38:24 GMT -5
Posts: 4,861
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Post by @Chair.Shot on Dec 4, 2022 16:04:47 GMT -5
I’m reading people being biased about that statement. Zombie has very little credibility given his undelivered promises/estimates. Chella basically lost all credibility before they were sold. Now they are regaining that. I would argue that they were about even for a while. Until Chella really starts pumping out those back orders AND are able to get new product out, their credibility remains damaged and uncertain. Doing those things would restore it and probably build highly on top of it if things continue going this well. It is looking really good for them and for collectors. Fixing the sculpts and the scaling will put them ahead of all other makers as Chella seem to be the only ones who have come really close to capturing that Hasbro magic.
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walter7paisley
Main Eventer
Joined on: Jan 9, 2022 17:57:13 GMT -5
Posts: 1,713
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Post by walter7paisley on Dec 4, 2022 16:14:00 GMT -5
As I've said regarding the Major Pod guys, jobbers with cash talking absolute bollocks. Thing is, they got me back into this whole world after nearly 15 years out, so I do give them a degree of grace. But no doubt, sometimes their takes are stunning in their lack of self awareness. Yeah that's fair enough, a lot of people enjoy their stuff. They're obviously deep into the figure game, which is what we're all here for, so I commend them on that. |
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walter7paisley
Main Eventer
Joined on: Jan 9, 2022 17:57:13 GMT -5
Posts: 1,713
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Post by walter7paisley on Dec 4, 2022 16:17:41 GMT -5
I’m reading people being biased about that statement. Zombie has very little credibility given his undelivered promises/estimates. Chella basically lost all credibility before they were sold. Now they are regaining that. I would argue that they were about even for a while. Until Chella really starts pumping out those back orders AND are able to get new product out, their credibility remains damaged and uncertain. Doing those things would restore it and probably build highly on top of it if things continue going this well. It is looking really good for them and for collectors. Fixing the sculpts and the scaling will put them ahead of all other makers as Chella seem to be the only ones who have come really close to capturing that Hasbro magic. Chella have put out the most Hasbro retro, IMO, and were doing pretty well until everything started to fall apart. I don't have any ill feelings towards what happened, though, they just took on too much too soon and weren't big enough of a company to fix a lot of it. ZST's stuff is fun, I like some of it, but it's so un-Hasbro to me. If his stuff makes its way to PWT for better prices then I may grab a couple, but ultimately the other lines, predominantly Chella/Wrestling Trader, are gonna be my staple. |
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@Chair.Shot
Main Eventer
WF 10+ Year Member
Joined on: Jan 31, 2012 4:38:24 GMT -5
Posts: 4,861
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Post by @Chair.Shot on Dec 4, 2022 16:29:54 GMT -5
In a perfect world, Chella would have Zombie’s catalog of talent and Zombie would be producing more random or niche figures. I’m happy to be getting any but at the end of the day, there is one style I prefer. This is not a tribal war for me though. I just want what works in my collection and make me happy.
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Mr. Yellow
Mid-Carder
Joined on: Apr 19, 2020 11:58:32 GMT -5
Posts: 281
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Post by Mr. Yellow on Dec 4, 2022 16:43:55 GMT -5
I just think all these small separate companies should work together....throw egos aside and share talent/resources. Obviously there's a market for these.
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walter7paisley
Main Eventer
Joined on: Jan 9, 2022 17:57:13 GMT -5
Posts: 1,713
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Post by walter7paisley on Dec 5, 2022 4:27:34 GMT -5
I just think all these small separate companies should work together....throw egos aside and share talent/resources. Obviously there's a market for these. I think the only person who hasn't shown any willingness to work with others is the little fella from ZST. By all accounts, Wrestling Trader are trying to contact at least some of the other companies, as Chella did before them. |
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britishbrickfan
Superstar
Joined on: Aug 19, 2019 7:02:28 GMT -5
Posts: 976
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Post by britishbrickfan on Dec 5, 2022 4:42:25 GMT -5
I just think all these small separate companies should work together....throw egos aside and share talent/resources. Obviously there's a market for these. I think the only person who hasn't shown any willingness to work with others is the little fella from ZST. By all accounts, Wrestling Trader are trying to contact at least some of the other companies, as Chella did before them. this is my understanding too - Figure Collections and Wrestling Trader were both working with Chella, and both FC and WT are likely to be open to supporting/working with companies like Rush/Rock n Roll etc in future, yet Zombie himself was open about not wanting to work with a European-based distributor for his line, because (in his own words) it would reduce his profit margin
there is a market, there is clear appetite for both the figure styles and the characters currently announced/signed, but each company is in the game to make a profit, and working with another entity means splitting the profit, which is why ZST won't do it (it's a business, not a charity)
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Post by newgenandy on Dec 5, 2022 5:21:35 GMT -5
I think the only person who hasn't shown any willingness to work with others is the little fella from ZST. By all accounts, Wrestling Trader are trying to contact at least some of the other companies, as Chella did before them. this is my understanding too - Figure Collections and Wrestling Trader were both working with Chella, and both FC and WT are likely to be open to supporting/working with companies like Rush/Rock n Roll etc in future, yet Zombie himself was open about not wanting to work with a European-based distributor for his line, because (in his own words) it would reduce his profit margin
there is a market, there is clear appetite for both the figure styles and the characters currently announced/signed, but each company is in the game to make a profit, and working with another entity means splitting the profit, which is why ZST won't do it (it's a business, not a charity)
But a % of something is better than a % of nothing There’s a few people out off by exorbitant postage costs. Literally a figure from zst is £40 + £40 postage. Of uk folks could get that for less due to postage it’s work out for everyone Likewise a few people have said they don’t want to pay the cost for some uk exclusives - same scenario flipped Also by working together they could cut development costs and the bottom line - zst said for each figure he produces it costs him $10. Even for shorter runs but still in triple figures that’s expensive |
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