CollectA New for 2017

[ZoPteryx]

That Dimorphodon is really stunning!  If I had one nitpick, I'd argue the wing and leg membranes should be broader and have more rounded tips, but since the animal isn't flying, this is minor.

The Uintatherium also looks like a real winner.

After purchasing the outstanding (at least I think so) PNSO Basilosaurus, it's difficult to consider any other version.

I agree entirely.  The far more shrink wrapped head and lack of lips on the CollectA are really distracting.  The body looks decent though, and I like the shape of the pectoral flippers.

[Stuckasaurus (Dino Dad Reviews)]

After purchasing the outstanding (at least I think so) PNSO Basilosaurus, it's difficult to consider any other version.

I agree entirely.  The far more shrink wrapped head and lack of lips on the CollectA are really distracting.  The body looks decent though, and I like the shape of the pectoral flippers.

Considering that there ARE no other Basilosaurus models of any decent size, I'd be happy with either. Meaning the Collecta version is good enough for me (and my wallet).

[AcroSauroTaurus]

After purchasing the outstanding (at least I think so) PNSO Basilosaurus, it's difficult to consider any other version.

I agree entirely.  The far more shrink wrapped head and lack of lips on the CollectA are really distracting.  The body looks decent though, and I like the shape of the pectoral flippers.

Considering that there ARE no other Basilosaurus models of any decent size, I'd be happy with either. Meaning the Collecta version is good enough for me (and my wallet).

I agree, the CollectA Basilosaurus is great for those who can't afford or are unable to get the PNSO figure.(such as myself)

[suspsy]

I'm very excited to get my hands on the Basilosaurus. As far as the skull is concerned, I'll just consider it a retro version, very reminiscent of the images I grew up seeing in my prehistory books.

[terrorchicken]

Ive noticed that their trend with the prehistoric mammals lately has been to make them larger. I dont know if its that they think they are more popular with collectors and not the general public so they make them larger so they can charge more. I personally would prefer them in a smaller size so you can display them alongside their extant mammals and the smaller prehistoric mammals from Safari & Schleich/Bullyland.

Im not a fan of the basilosaurus head either, its so reptilian looking.

the dimorphodon is outstanding! I just wish it were smaller.

It seems like almost everybody is making things larger. I would have preferred a smaller Dimorphodon as well, but Lanthanotus's comment (for example) suggests that you and I are in the minority!

yeah, I prefer smaller size for the same reason Neosodon states:

It is just to bulky and expensive and just wouldn't scale well with the rest of my collection.

Larger figures are more expensive. True.
But it will also be more expensive for a toy company to make them.
More plastic, volume, weight, paint, shipping costs etc.
So I really doubt CollectA has found a way to make large figures for the same price as making small ones, just so they can just charge more.

Im just trying to figure out why they would choose to make the majority of their prehistoric mammals so large when it would make more sense to make them standard dinosaur figure size or the same size as their extant mammals. 

[Shonisaurus]

After purchasing the outstanding (at least I think so) PNSO Basilosaurus, it's difficult to consider any other version.

I agree entirely.  The far more shrink wrapped head and lack of lips on the CollectA are really distracting.  The body looks decent though, and I like the shape of the pectoral flippers.

Considering that there ARE no other Basilosaurus models of any decent size, I'd be happy with either. Meaning the Collecta version is good enough for me (and my wallet).

I also like the PNSO basilosaurus but I sincerely prefer to buy the Collecta as you say cheaper and safer shipping as it eludes customs.

[MLMjp]

Man, that group shot is beautiful.

[Brontozaurus]

I was planning to get the Dimorphodon anyway, but it looks like I'll have to grab the Uintatherium too now. Looks better in those photos!

The Basilosaurus is a nasty little worm. I'm happy with the WS tube version, even if it is tiny.

[Blade-of-the-Moon]

i'm getting that Basilosaurus.. I have an idea for a custom...

[tanystropheus]

i'm getting that Basilosaurus.. I have an idea for a custom...

It looks like it would make a pretty cool sock puppet.

[Halichoeres]

Larger figures are more expensive. True.
But it will also be more expensive for a toy company to make them.
More plastic, volume, weight, paint, shipping costs etc.
So I really doubt CollectA has found a way to make large figures for the same price as making small ones, just so they can just charge more.

Im just trying to figure out why they would choose to make the majority of their prehistoric mammals so large when it would make more sense to make them standard dinosaur figure size or the same size as their extant mammals. 

I would guess that the profit margin is larger on larger figures. Plastic is incredibly cheap, so increasing the amount of it that you use has a small effect. Paint is a little more expensive, but the amount of plastic used in a figure increases as a cube of its length, whereas the amount of paint increases as the square of its length. So the bigger the figure, the less paint you use per unit weight of plastic. The amount of time it takes to paint and package a figure is probably relatively invariable, and those costs are labor costs. Labor costs are probably more expensive than materials costs in most countries (including China). Finally, they're shipping these on gigantic container ships--if anything, larger figures have a larger ratio of product to packaging, so from the manufacturer's perspective I doubt it's much of a drain in terms of transportation costs. Sure, you and I pay more when we order one or a few figures from a retailer, but why would the manufacturer care about that?

So I really doubt that a larger figure costs 4× as much to make, but they can charge 4× the price, because if you don't think about it too hard, that feels fair on the consumer's end.

[stargatedalek]

I would still argue that it's fair. And it has nothing to do with consumers, but rather retailers. A larger figure (let alone one in a package) will take up more shelf space and most likely take longer to sell even barring the price because parents are more discerning about large things (especially large things that are cheap, because people will assume they are poor quality). This means that a retailer needs to charge more for something larger, and if the consumer is going to end up paying more anyway why shouldn't the company take a larger cut themselves.

[Cloud the Dinosaur King]

I don't really like the teeth on the Basilosaurus, but I like the rest of it. I really like the Dimorphodon and will 100% be picking it up.

[Shonisaurus]

I don't really like the teeth on the Basilosaurus, but I like the rest of it. I really like the Dimorphodon and will 100% be picking it up.

It is the first quality uintatherium that has been made in the collecting and toy market. As far as the dimorphodon is a beauty as I have highlighted.

The weakest part is the basilosaurus Collecta is superior to the PNSO, but that does not make it the first cheaper, affordable and accessible (since it does not take up so much space).

[Dobber]

Is the Dimorphodon due at the end of the year or sooner? I'm with the rest of you...it looks fantastic!

Chris

[suspsy]

Is the Dimorphodon due at the end of the year or sooner? I'm with the rest of you...it looks fantastic!

Chris

It's due out in June, along with the remaining new toys.

[Neosodon]

Larger figures are more expensive. True.
But it will also be more expensive for a toy company to make them.
More plastic, volume, weight, paint, shipping costs etc.
So I really doubt CollectA has found a way to make large figures for the same price as making small ones, just so they can just charge more.

Im just trying to figure out why they would choose to make the majority of their prehistoric mammals so large when it would make more sense to make them standard dinosaur figure size or the same size as their extant mammals. 

I would guess that the profit margin is larger on larger figures. Plastic is incredibly cheap, so increasing the amount of it that you use has a small effect. Paint is a little more expensive, but the amount of plastic used in a figure increases as a cube of its length, whereas the amount of paint increases as the square of its length. So the bigger the figure, the less paint you use per unit weight of plastic. The amount of time it takes to paint and package a figure is probably relatively invariable, and those costs are labor costs. Labor costs are probably more expensive than materials costs in most countries (including China). Finally, they're shipping these on gigantic container ships--if anything, larger figures have a larger ratio of product to packaging, so from the manufacturer's perspective I doubt it's much of a drain in terms of transportation costs. Sure, you and I pay more when we order one or a few figures from a retailer, but why would the manufacturer care about that?

So I really doubt that a larger figure costs 4× as much to make, but they can charge 4× the price, because if you don't think about it too hard, that feels fair on the consumer's end.

Even with the higher profit margin smaller figures should still be more profitable. They sell better because people will tend to buy more of them.

[Halichoeres]

Larger figures are more expensive. True.
But it will also be more expensive for a toy company to make them.
More plastic, volume, weight, paint, shipping costs etc.
So I really doubt CollectA has found a way to make large figures for the same price as making small ones, just so they can just charge more.

Im just trying to figure out why they would choose to make the majority of their prehistoric mammals so large when it would make more sense to make them standard dinosaur figure size or the same size as their extant mammals. 

I would guess that the profit margin is larger on larger figures. Plastic is incredibly cheap, so increasing the amount of it that you use has a small effect. Paint is a little more expensive, but the amount of plastic used in a figure increases as a cube of its length, whereas the amount of paint increases as the square of its length. So the bigger the figure, the less paint you use per unit weight of plastic. The amount of time it takes to paint and package a figure is probably relatively invariable, and those costs are labor costs. Labor costs are probably more expensive than materials costs in most countries (including China). Finally, they're shipping these on gigantic container ships--if anything, larger figures have a larger ratio of product to packaging, so from the manufacturer's perspective I doubt it's much of a drain in terms of transportation costs. Sure, you and I pay more when we order one or a few figures from a retailer, but why would the manufacturer care about that?

So I really doubt that a larger figure costs 4× as much to make, but they can charge 4× the price, because if you don't think about it too hard, that feels fair on the consumer's end.

Even with the higher profit margin smaller figures should still be more profitable. They sell better because people will tend to buy more of them.

Maybe? I guess I think a lot of kids want the biggest thing in the store. And there's clearly no shortage of collectors who want big pieces. I don't know how many small pieces you have to sell to equal the profit of a single large one.

[Blade-of-the-Moon]

i'm getting that Basilosaurus.. I have an idea for a custom...

It looks like it would make a pretty cool sock puppet.

lol

or this , with some work :

[Shonisaurus]

Is the Dimorphodon due at the end of the year or sooner? I'm with the rest of you...it looks fantastic!

Chris

It's due out in June, along with the remaining new toys.

At shop.modellpferdeversand.de and other stores are expected to arrive in August. I guess that will depend. But before September all the figures of Collecta 2017 will be released. In fact in my store of all the life in the Shop of the Museum of Natural Sciences of Madrid has just arrived the first batch already commented of the dinsosaurios of Collecta 2017. I was told that they would receive the second part, uintatherium, basilosaurus and the great dimorphodn a in August or during the summer. If that happens with the physical stores there are hopes that these figures will be released in July-August.

In regards to the tube of dinosaurs I think that the most practical thing is to buy it in stores online. In physical stores I say experience takes a long time.