|
|
Go to page [Previous] 1~2 | ||||||||||
Dickens & Dave Inner circle North Central Florida 1813 Posts |
Dan - If people have contacted you and actually said that, I can't argue, that definitely sounds like jealousy.
Aussie - I have no doubt you are right, there are probably many who walk through Vent Haven thinking "I wish I could have that figure" for whatever their reason, whether it be for a private collection or to use. I'm probably one of the few exceptions. When I went, I didn't think that about any of the figures, I was just tripping over getting to see them all, like I said, they are the ultimate art and I enjoy just getting to see them and appreciate the art of them.
http://dickensndave.bravehost.com/index.html
"Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest." |
|||||||||
Matt_24 Loyal user 208 Posts |
Quote:
On 2013-06-07 19:32, Dickens & Dave wrote: I think you phrased this perfectly. |
|||||||||
Matt_24 Loyal user 208 Posts |
Quote:
On 2013-06-08 00:32, Aussie wrote: Ultimately, ventriloquist figures are made to be "sold". It causes the figure maker to be both an artist and a business person. If figure makers started putting prerequisites on who could buy their figures based on that figure's utlimate use as a performance tool they would starve. I would go even further to say that they make more money from novice vents/collectors than they do true professionals. In fact, I know they do. There are plenty of collectors who have been the bread and butter of many a figure maker because the bottom line is the bottom line. In regard to McElroy figures, over the last few years there have actually been more than a few McElroys for sale (7 that I know of) --- and one either stepped up and paid the price or one didn't. If you want a McElroy replica, go to http://www.gregclaassen.com and buy one. He has several for sale and due to current materials they will function better and last longer than an original -- and they are exquisite!! I'm sure the only thing Greg will require is cash or check -- not a diploma from the Maher Ventriloquist course. I love this discussion -- because lets face it -- it is a bit controversial --- and it is interesting to hear everyone's opinions. They are pretty much the same as they have always been since I've been frequenting these groups. I think it is always good to look at these issues from all angles before you can truly develop an educated final opinion. Good stuff. |
|||||||||
Dickens & Dave Inner circle North Central Florida 1813 Posts |
Quote:
On 2013-06-08 20:36, Matt_24 wrote: Thank you. Quote:
On 2013-06-08 20:52, Matt_24 wrote: Now that is definitely a very true statement. While there are more people out there into vent than most people think, it's still a relatively small community, and if the only ones that were sold were the ones people actually use, there would be an even bigger surplus of figures out there, especially with all the people making them now. I mentioned earlier that at one time I had nearly 40 figure - I didn't use them, I had three figures I used regularly, the rest were just because I love the figures and enjoyed having a lot of them around. There are people who have less than that but don't use them all, and many who have a LOT more than that just because they enjoy collecting them. Yes, definitely, the collectors are the lion's share of the figure buyers, and naturally of the vintage and collectible buying market.
http://dickensndave.bravehost.com/index.html
"Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest." |
|||||||||
Matt_24 Loyal user 208 Posts |
Quote:
On 2013-06-08 19:21, Aussie wrote: Regarding Stadivarius violins, most of the top violinists who use them, do not own them. They are loaned to them by the original owners, i.e. collectors. Who or what has ever stopped a ventriloquist from researching, networking, etc, to buy any figure that becomes available on the marketplace? Why do collectors know before-hand that these wonderful figures are coming up for sale before others? The answer is because they have marketed themselves as buyers of ventriloquist figures. They have established a reputation/track record as one who is probably easy to deal with and will pay the asking price for said figure. I don't think there is anything wrong with that. Our friend Donald has built a beautiful, and quite possibly largest private collection of Conrad Hartz figures that I know of. Does he perform with every one of them in his act? I'm going to venture a guess and say "No." Does he probably get the opportunity to buy Hartz figures before anyone else because people know that he loves them, and that he will readily BUY them due to this passion of his? Yes! I had a Hartz torso and hands for sale quite a while back. The first person I thought of and contacted privately was Donald! If there is something anyone wants in life, whether it be buying a ventriloquist figure, achieving a professional/academic goal, etc-- and their current course of action is preventing them from achieving that goal, well, in most cases, nothing is preventing any healthy person from dedicating themselves and devising a new course of action towards achieving said goal. (Wow, that was a long sentence, but my goal was obviously not to be English teacher.) Again, great discussion. |
|||||||||
marshalldoll Special user 554 Posts |
Matt you basically have said what I said!! So I concure with your statement!!
Dan http://www.ventriloquistcentral.com |
|||||||||
Aussie Special user Australia 623 Posts |
I couldn't agree more Matt_24 I can see the value in venues preserving the history of vent figures like Vent Haven (my only jealousy is that I live way over in Australia and it's not easily accessible for me to visit lol). I've read a few comments from disgruntled ventriloquists and collectors and I was just expressing a point of view is all If someone wants to collect something the upside is they are preserving (hopefully) that something for future generations to enjoy, but I can also understand why some ventriloquists get a little annoyed about collectors snapping up figures simply because they have the opportunity to raise funds and they feel they're being denied something. Not everyone has the monetary availability to outbid an avid collector no matter how strong their dedication.
|
|||||||||
Matt_24 Loyal user 208 Posts |
Quote:
On 2013-06-08 21:03, Dickens & Dave wrote: Exactly, Dave. Collecting vent figures is fun! I'm certainly glad that you don't have to be a professional to own one (or I would never have owned one). Dave, you know I've owned a lot of figures over the years. I've owned a figure or two by every maker except McElroy or Leder (those are rare!). Heck, I was lucky enough to have Conrad hand-deliver me a figure in person! I have video of him bring it to life in the hotel room! I don't have the figure any longer - but I have that experience. I have that memory. More priceless than the figure in my opinion. I've always thought that the fun thing about collecting is the people you meet during the process and the relationships you build. I've met cool people like Dave Boiano, Dan Willinger, Donald Sutherland, etc, etc. That is the best part! In my career I'm somewhat of a gypsy. Maybe if I stay somewhere long enough I will build a true collection someday. But, I've done a lot of buying and selling because I like owning different figures and if I get bored I will sell and buy something new and exciting, and most often make a new friend. If the sellers had said, "Well, I think a better ventriloquist should own this. Sorry", I wouldn't have enjoyed this hobby as much as I have. |
|||||||||
Matt_24 Loyal user 208 Posts |
Quote:
On 2013-06-08 21:21, marshalldoll wrote: Great minds think alike. My genius has obviously rubbed off on you. |
|||||||||
Matt_24 Loyal user 208 Posts |
Quote:
On 2013-06-08 21:25, Aussie wrote: You are absolutely right. I'm a realist and understand that most do NOT have the funds to readily buy an expensive figure, but I'm a perpetual optimist and think that the only answer to that is preparation, and a little bit of luck in your timing. That is what I've had to do in the past. If I knew what I wanted and what it would most likely cost I would save, save, save and wait. As we all know, eventually something cool will come up for sale -- and at that point you will be ready! I would think that shipping costs would be rough in Australia, but the internet makes things a little bit easier for you in regard to making contacts, etc. I sold a Geoff Felix figure to an Australian some years back. That wasn't you, was it? But hey, you have cool things in Australia that we don't have here in the states....like deadly box jellyfish and killer crocodiles. We can't have it all! |
|||||||||
Zuke Veteran user 353 Posts |
Quote:
But hey, you have cool things in Australia that we don't have here in the states....like deadly box jellyfish and killer crocodiles. We can't have it all! The box jellyfish and crocs aren't too bad here because the spiders, snakes and sharks kill most of them The shipping is often horrendous to Australia and it makes it worse when people inflate the shipping cost even more to improve their profit. However, the worst part about purchasing those expensive figures is getting them through customs. Firstly you really don't need some monkey dismantling your figure to check for drugs, and secondly the import duties/fees/taxes etc are criminal. |
|||||||||
Aussie Special user Australia 623 Posts |
I've never paid import duties/taxes on any figure I've purchased from overseas nor had them dismantled for any reason, but I do agree sometimes the inflated shipping cost is annoying.
The vent community in Australia (if there even is one) is teeny tiny. I've tried to touch base with a couple of vents (2 relatively well known ones) but they don't want to have a bar of each other. They simply don't want to talk with each other. Anyway this has been an interesting topic and I like to keep an open mind to ALL things so I can appreciate both sides of the tale. |
|||||||||
Zuke Veteran user 353 Posts |
Quote:
On 2013-06-08 21:53, Aussie wrote: What the hell? I don't know how you managed that, everything over a grand attracts charges. Every single figure I've purchased has been stopped and has attracted fees, taxes and charges. My cheapest was about $300+ in taxes etc. for a Mike Brose figure I bought. Man, you must have friends in customs. If not, I'd be careful about posting details of purchases and non-payment of import duties on a public forum, you never know when the tax man might be watching. The vent community isn't huge here but I don't think it is tiny either. Admittedly there aren't many top flight guys (Dean Atkinson and Darren Carr are a couple that spring to mind) but there are quite a few at the level of yourself who do it for a hobby etc. You should get out to a magic club meeting or two and ask around. The head liners though aren't likely to want to give too much away to people like you and me that just muck about at it. |
|||||||||
Aussie Special user Australia 623 Posts |
Quote:
On 2013-06-09 00:17, Zuke wrote: LOL I don't do it as a hobby or to "muck about at it". It's my full time job and I'm booked regularly for conventions and festivals. Check out my site Import taxes aren't applicable on the purchase of a vent figure here in Australia in accordance to our import tariff, it has nothing to do with dodging anyone so it's extraordinary that you say you've paid these. I've purchased from Selberg, Brose and spent good money on figures over the years without any hassles through customs. |
|||||||||
The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » I'm a real boy! » » Coster Joe in Color (0 Likes) | ||||||||||
Go to page [Previous] 1~2 |
[ Top of Page ] |
All content & postings Copyright © 2001-2024 Steve Brooks. All Rights Reserved. This page was created in 0.07 seconds requiring 5 database queries. |
The views and comments expressed on The Magic Café are not necessarily those of The Magic Café, Steve Brooks, or Steve Brooks Magic. > Privacy Statement < |