Just How Limited are "Limited Editions"?

Now, I'm very interested to keep a record of this (before it disappears within my "free" shoutmix post-limit) which started from a query from reader Doc G (gonna be quoting you duder :p) - with regards to the usage of the tag "LIMITED EDITION" - specified by toy-producers (in this case, it stemmed from Enterbay's description of their Fist Of Fury "limited edition" figure at a 5,000-pcs worldwide).

Just how limited is "limited"? Just what makes an item (in this case, specifically a "TOY") a "Limited Edition". How many numbers do YOU think it takes, before an item is / and can be labeled "Ltd Edtn"? Can one actually tag a number to that label?

"Limited Editions are B.S.!" ... "People stamp on the Ltd Edtn-tag just to justify wrangling more of my hard-earned money from out of me!" = A lot of times (or actually, most times) we hear/read/spout this thread of argument, it's from the point of view of "consumers" (disgrunted, disfranchised or just plain disappointed a score was missed) ... but ya gotta admit, once ya see the "Limited Edition"-tag, your eyes glaze over, dunnit? does it? Does the tag really affect your purchasing decision/s?

Are we making a mountain out of a molehill that which is basic business tactics and marketing sell-lines? Or are consumers up in arms over being peddled a falsehood disguised as hype?

Do bear in mind though, at the end of the day, it's one person's buying power and purchasing opinions over another's (continued) survival in the chosen business, toys production or otherwise.

Are consumers ignoring the value of effort which leads to the production of toys - from design to display on the toy-shelf and in your homes? (Nobody actually says "Blood & Sweat Edition", innit? :p) Or the effort out in does not necessarily justify the tag? Can any toy producers and / or creators also weigh in on this?

[BTW: the image shown here is a DVD-slipcase cover - heck, anything can be a "limited edition" these days, yeh? heh]

CLICK THRU for a re-posted record of what had transpired over on my shoutmix - with edited unrelated chatter, of coz :p (I will attempt to add on whenever I can). Meanwhile, please do feel free to weigh in with your opinions in the comments section or on my shoutmix. Crunch some numbers. Let loose rants (gentlemenly, if ever possible). Please identify yourself before you start blasting anyone, yeh? Rudeness disguised as Anonymity may not be tolerated, thanks.

DATED SEPT 6 - SINGAPORE TIME:

DOC G /// maybe off topic but can someone explain to me how a run of 5000pc for the fist of fury Bruce Lee is referred to as "Limited".

ANDY TRE /// not off topic, but the only way that can "justify" the "limited" tag, is when there are no intentions of re-producing the figure after the initial planned run ... but then again, i aint enterbay and this is just hyperthetical of me :p

DOC G /// that's understood but the suggestion of the sell is quite different. Think limited run of 50 versus 5000.

ANDY TRE /// anyone else wanna chip in? :p

DOC G /// amazing quality product though.

DOC G /// so in your opinion, based on production number, when does collector's item become run of the mill?

DOC G /// I'm not a collector by the way I'm an aesthete (spl) that likes being surround by art. I just happen to (have) a lot of rare items. That's just coincidence

ANDY TRE /// i reckon anyone could lay claim to "limited edition" "collector's exclusive" etc - and there really isnt a fixed guideline (that i know of) to gauge, except for "personal opinion" or even "tolerance", IMHO.

ANDY TRE /// Some folks gauge a 200-pcs run as "limited" - only becoz there is less going around - as opposed to 50-pcs. As much as a single One-Of-A-Kind artwork is so rare, it becomes extremely "limited".

DOC G /// fair comment. Branding is important though. You're not going to get much kudos playing the "Collector's item" card when you sell 5000pcs pre-order.

DOC G /// it's almost like they're trying to determine if the go the next run up. Should we go a 1000pc run or 5000?

ANDY TRE /// personally, i reckon "branding" has become the world's excuse to trade off quality, moreso for non-toys, where everywhere i see, anything and and everything has a "limited edition"-tag now! hell, i find stuff in 7-11 that's "limited"! LOL

ANDY TRE /// my personal tolerance is 100-pcs or less :p

DOC G /// I agree with the 100pc or less ANDY

DOC G /// In saying all of this though, design is multifactorial. you've got the historical aspects of design, the emotional appeal and the aesthetic

ANDY TRE /// nah dude, totally agree with ya - the confusion comes when us consumers are fed the "limited edition" line - some justified, some "huh"? LOL

ANDY TRE /// but then again, logistics dictate the production costs of toys go lower when quantity is increased to balance out the cost of production ...

DOC G /// re. Branding...I don't give a **** about it as long as it's honest. It really ****es me off when people sell out. not people I mean brands

ANDY TRE /// aaah but for the price of aesthetic gratification us peddlers and purveyors of plastics go thru on a daily basis LOL - honest and sincerity is key, i agree

ANDY TRE /// all brands have to make a living selling their stuff, so "sincerity" is something i take with a pinch of salt... but as long as they be quasi-honest about it, it'll show :p

DOC G /// I can handle quasi-honest

DOC G /// the world should be taking notes and watching ASH WOOD kick arse with his self-directed marketing. That man is a genius with his finger on the pulse ... can he do anything wrong??

ANDY TRE /// ASH is living a creator's dream, IMHO - designing and making your own creations, in a limited quantity, w/ aesthetic appeal & collector's value for $$ ... ASH rawks! ... maaan, if he did have a bambablog, i'll be setting up a tribute-blog! LOL

DOC G /// I sincerly can get enough of his style ... I'm happy to support guys like ASH and we all know that he's an awesome guy as well

ANDY TRE /// and he's only just beginning! URGH! LOL

DOC G /// I guess that means we're only just starting as well then :)

ANDY TRE /// the blackhole of toy-collecting is ever infinite! LOL

DATED SEPT 7 - SINGAPORE TIME:

KENN MUNK /// A bit late into the discussion, but I think an object slides from design towards art as soon as you sell it by the fact that it's ltd. ed. .. well, not nessecarily art, but "collectible"

bobo to kenn munk /// guess it's not just abt being ltd, but it's an appreciation of the concept, thinking behind the piece of work. your way of definition is alittle hmm.

KENN MUNK /// Once you limit peoples access to a design, you add another dimension, making it art ... my point is, ltd. isn't a factor in design, design is giving shape to something to solve a problem.

ANDY TRE /// agree w/ Kenn - design is functional. aesthetics is subjective, IMHO ... The value of "art" vs mass production costs vs each person's purchasing power and tolerance.

ANDY TRE /// we buy it becoz it's pretty, and it's done by an artist we like, within the price range tt we can afford ... but once the price range goes up, and the amount is limited - we score them and we are triumphant ... we miss out and we claim the creator or company does not look out for their loyal customers

ANDY TRE /// "limited" in the end, for me - is how far YOUR own limit goes ... thy desires are limitless, but thy abilities to saite them may well be