Desirability of steelbook collecting

[creasey275]

The year 2012 has seen a massive surge in steelbook releases, and collectors. Of the 35 pages of threads on HDN steelbook forum, 24 have been started this year. Back catalogue films, new releases and multiple releases in different countries has, I imagine, lead collectors to become more choosy about which to buy and where to buy it. "Limited" releases to 4,000, shop exclusives and steelbook treatment(debossing...) are now crucial deciding factors whether customers buy, and judging by the posts on numerous thread here and elsewhere reporting that a lot are keeping steelbooks sealed, over-riding the film itself.

Now for the statement.

In 2012 the huge increase in steelbook releases has lead to the decline in desirability of steelbooks. Discuss.

 

[IRON MAN]

I think stating that it doesn't matter to you is not adding anything to the thread. I in many ways feel the same way about my collection. But it is important to also realize that there is more to collecting as this is an expensive hobby. For purposes of trading and selling, values are important.

Just try to add some value to the thread by adding info that is relevant to the topic in the OP. Try to bring some facts or opinions as to why steelbook values are decreasing / increasing

The secondary market at the moment is very volatile. Too many releases is cutting spending budgets thus prices are not being pushed higher

Fair point and valid approach which I appreciate and duly noted, unlike the other one

 

[chanfm]

Fair point and valid approach which I appreciate and duly noted, unlike the other one

Agreed. Frank says it so much better.

 

[mima2005]

I plotted the average sold prices of some of the steels listed by the OP for the past 90 days on eBay.

Prices are in US dollars.

Real Steel Blufans

Sucker Punch Comic Con

You see the occasional dip in price but on average the prices are holding and even gone a bit higher in case of Real Steel.

 

[chanfm]

I plotted the average sold prices of some of the steels listed by the OP for the past 90 days.

Prices are in US dollars.

Real Steel Blufans

View attachment 40225

Sucker Punch Comic Con

View attachment 40226

You see the occasional dip in price but on average the prices are holding and even gone a bit higher in case of Real Steel.

Well done, mate! Very impressive research. If you have more stats, I am sure people here will be interested to know whether this trend only applies to Real Steel Blufans and SPCC or to most steels.

 

[lgans316]

All these are way less than the lowest retail price and it is truly shocking.. This is now the harsh reality of investing in Steels especially from Asia. Steer clear of pre-ordering them unless they are uber special. Try your luck in eBay. I would love to see how Godfather Triilogy TW would fair in eBay.

 

[justboy]

I saw these at the time and reckoned something about the seller or steels were dodgy for how little bidding had been placed.

Someone will be very happy getting them for these prices!

 

[lgans316]

Iron Man 3 TW will be my last Asian Steel on pre-order besides the blufans exclusives. Beyond this I am going to take my time and try my luck in eBay as the trend has been really disturbing and I don't want to spend hard earned money and later regret purchasing because the price dropped significantly and reflects how overcrowded the market is w.r to Steelbooks.

 

[Wootball]

To be fair, everyone should have seen this coming. The market is dying, quickly.

 

[jitstark]

I agree. The market is dying.

Too many steels being produced (70 Zavvi exclusives since March to Dec doesn't help) has left people with less money for older, harder to get steels. New collectors would much rather buy 2 zavvi steels than an Asian one now which usually has a much better all round package (slip, discs, content etc.).

 

[therichman]

I just wonder if the market is dying why is it so hard to get FS Disney/Pixars for under $100 a piece or Iron Man FS for under $700 sealed??..

 

[blumaster]

I think because those are kind of old & rare. The steels that are losing their value seem to be recently released WW releases and people have seemed to stop caring about Asian slips, for the most part.

 

[lgans316]

Those are the true grails released ages ago when there were not many Steelbooks being released. The landscape has now changed.

 

[blurayisnice]

Those steels just aren't that special (the cheap asian ones). Those steels (especially batman ones) were released almost everywhere in huge quantities.

More exclusive/rare steels (recent ones) easily sell for more, like the Expendables Asian one.

I think people just don't care about where the steel was released, as long as it is the same design/artwork as the one they like?

---------- Post added at 07:16 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:10 PM ----------

Well, you have to give them credit for trying...and he is offering free postage

Man of Steel Ultimate Collectors Edition

uhm, isn'tthat a germany steelbook

 

[therichman]

I think because those are kind of old & rare. The steels that are losing their value seem to be recently released WW releases and people have seemed to stop caring about Asian slips, for the most part.

Those are the true grails released ages ago when there were not many Steelbooks being released. The landscape has now changed.

Oh okay I got you.. So the quantity of newer release steelbooks has become an overload for most collectors so it's rather hit and miss, but the originals/classics of the steelbook world are still worth an arm, a leg and a first born...

That I agree with

 

[lgans316]

Exactly bud. Aforementioned Steelbook collecting is now like a ticking time b£mb due to re-releases. On those days collecting was true fun but it ain't any more.

 

[hayemaker]

To be fair the auctions of those TW and Singapore steels seemed to be 1-day auctions and really your chances of making a lot of money on 1-day auctions are not very good.

 

[stevo]

I agree. The market is dying.

Too many steels being produced (70 Zavvi exclusives since March to Dec doesn't help) has left people with less money for older, harder to get steels. New collectors would much rather buy 2 zavvi steels than an Asian one now which usually has a much better all round package (slip, discs, content etc.).

Some say dying, I say maturing. As for the notion that too many steels are being released, I'm afraid that a lot of you are fooled by an optical illusion. I'm here to tell you that no, not too many steels are being released. You see, it seems that a lot are being released, if you lived in the UK that is. If you're a member of this forum, you would also feel that a lot of steels are being released. All this is an illusion I assure you. People in N. America, when was the last time you bought an FS or BB exclusive? Are they being released anywhere near the rate as in the UK? As for me, the last FS exclusive I got was Jack the Giant Slayer.

 

[MacLeod]

The value decreasing actually makes me feel a bit better since I like to open and view my collection. When I get something worth too much, I always feel bad for opening it even if I didn't pay all that much.
Who Framed Roger Rabbit is a great example.
I picked it up from Zavvi with a birthday coupon and ended up getting it for only $22 or so shipped to Japan.
Of course, as soon as it got here, I saw people selling it for 3 or four times that and had a bit of an internal struggle before cracking it open.

I think I need to stop looking at forums and auctions a few days before receiving a new steelbook.

I tend to open mine to view as well. Part of the reason as to why I buy a film is too watch it. I simply prefer the steelbook packaging to the standard one.

 

[Afterdeep]

If a newer technology comes out in the future all prices will go down eventually. Sooner or later this will happen..

 

[wildstang0302]

with the recent prices on ebay i think there is a rather large decline in prices. I just had to let underworld awakening 3d japan sealed/mint go for $16.45 on ebay cause i didnt put a reserve.