Asmus Toys Lord of the Ring Gandalf Gray

I think for the majority of people this is a moot point. Most of us are going to continue buying Asmus product. The only people who are going to get screwed, and I think it is a minority of people, are the ones who are saying, I’ll never buy another Asmus product again. So to you people although although I’m sure they will miss you buying their product they have no incentive to make this right for you. To the majority of us who are going to still buy Asmus product we all will get a free hat. We just don’t know when.

hoodonit00 said:

I think for the majority of people this is a moot point. Most of us are going to continue buying Asmus product. The only people who are going to get screwed, and I think it is a minority of people, are the ones who are saying, I’ll never buy another Asmus product again. So to you people although although I’m sure they will miss you buying their product they have no incentive to make this right for you. To the majority of us who are going to still buy Asmus product we all will get a free hat. We just don’t know when.

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Everything you are saying is true. Which is why Asmus loses nothing by offering the hat up as an individual item for sale. But they refuse to do that, because supposedly doing so will make people angry. :/

hoodonit00 said:

I think for the majority of people this is a moot point. Most of us are going to continue buying Asmus product. The only people who are going to get screwed, and I think it is a minority of people, are the ones who are saying, I’ll never buy another Asmus product again. So to you people although although I’m sure they will miss you buying their product they have no incentive to make this right for you. To the majority of us who are going to still buy Asmus product we all will get a free hat. We just don’t know when.

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That's why I said if I get one with Gollum (my last preorder with Asmus) then cool. If not whatever. I already have the sculpted Sideshow hat and furthermore I'll have the Inarts version when that releases so its not that big a deal to me. I'm just not paying $200 for another figure I don't want to get a hat. I still think this whole process they have set up to get these hats to people is messed up though.

What was the edition size on the Crown Gandalf?

How hard is it to cross reference those orders direct from Asmus with those that have existing preorders and get those hats in whatever next order they have going out?

Then after those have been accounted for open up a Customer Service email and hire a staff member to monitor that email and work with customers that just want to "order by paid shipping" for a hat.

As Asmus has stated its not about sales and about wanting to make things right. Ok then... that will still have to incur some loss somewhere. At least given folks the option to pay the shipping just for the hat should be on the table. And it would Definitely have far fewer people angry with that option.

Landry said:

Everything you are saying is true. Which is why Asmus loses nothing by offering the hat up as an individual item for sale. But they refuse to do that, because supposedly doing so will make people angry. :/

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Problem is though that if they put it up for sale for just shipping, which they say will cost at least 20 dollars, some people would complain that Asmus is taking advantage of collectors that way to. They really can’t win in this. So best option is to insert it in with another product that most collectors are going to get anyway in which they are paying shipping for anyway. It makes sense

hoodonit00 said:

Problem is though that if they put it up for sale for just shipping, which they say will cost at least 20 dollars, some people would complain that Asmus is taking advantage of collectors that way to. They really can’t win in this. So best option is to insert it in with another product that most collectors are going to get anyway in which they are paying shipping for anyway. It makes sense

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But there's no reason they can't do both. That's what I have been saying from the start. Yes, the people who think (correctly, but unrealistically) they should just get it for mailed to them for free will be mad and feel left out. Maybe. But those people are left out now. Nothing changes in that equation by offering the hat for a direct sale, except that a greater percentage of customers have access. It creates one more path for people to get the hat. What does that hurt?

scumonkey said:

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Blocked. Bye.

It’s only relatively recently that I’ve developed a taste for cheese and finally understood the fuss.

RandomHero said:

The problem isn’t the hat and eyes. I think everyone was very grateful and relieved that they were doing that. There was no complaining anywhere.

The problem is that Asmus states that they can’t ship these out for free because they’d lose money. Again, no problem with that. Completely understandable. But their solution isn’t just to charge people a nominal fee plus shipping costs, it’s to make them buy a figure they might not want to get it.

Now, I’ve been a very big defender of Asmus. I don’t believe it makes sense to be rude to them. They’re trying. But this is really ****** to me. All I can think is Bilbo sales aren’t great, or they’re still hurting after the Ash debacle and need more sales, and this is their way of boosting them.

I would glad pay them $40 for the hat and eyeballs plus full shipping price. Much cheaper than ordering the InArt version. But this isn’t an option. I don’t want Bilbo. I want Elves and warriors in my LOTR collection. I have no hobbits because I want no hobbits. But if I want a Gandalf hat I now need a hobbit.

You can’t see how that would annoy people?

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Exactly. I have defended Asmus thick and thin with a healthy dose of criticism when warranted. I wanted Old Bilbo but I don’t care for the stern expression and I need to be more selective in collecting due to space and practicality. It’s a matter of quality and what Asmus wants to be since the Crown series is meant to be at a higher level, therefore there is a higher expectation. Yes Asmus doesn’t owe us anything but this isn’t the best or most practical solution to give away Gandalf hats to some who will never own the figure. With growing frustration, the way I see it is pay $75 for Inart preorder NRD vs $200 for Old Bilbo and a better hat for Gandalf.

We appreciate all the voice of you guys, either it is a praise or a criticism.
Our intention is to fulfill all the Gandalf buyers in the market for an upgraded hat,
and this will remain true.

We have plan to make over 10000 copies of wizard hats,
eventually there will be so many wizard hat in the market,
that ALL the Gandalf owners will either have one (or more),
or be easily acquire one.

Asmus said:

We appreciate all the voice of you guys, either it is a praise or a criticism.
Our intention is to fulfill all the Gandalf buyers in the market for an upgraded hat,
and this will remain true.

We have plan to make over 10000 copies of wizard hats,
eventually there will be so many wizard hat in the market,
that ALL the Gandalf owners will either have one (or more),
or be easily acquire one.

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Awesome. And you've made a fantastic toy, with this one exception. Now can you answer this - because it is important. Will you release the hats in some way that people can acquire them from you without making another, unrelated, purchase.

Just a "yes" or "no" would be great.

As far as I know, we have already started sending hats to people who does not mind paying shipping.

so the answer is "yes"

But we will not shelf it, to avoid more debates

Asmus said:

As far as I know, we have already started sending hats to people who does not mind paying shipping.

so the answer is "yes"

But we will not shelf it, to avoid more debates

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Great. Thanks.

Asmus said:

As far as I know, we have already started sending hats to people who does not mind paying shipping.

so the answer is "yes"

But we will not shelf it, to avoid more debates

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Did you guys just email random customers if they would like the hat but with shipping having to be paid? I'm one who wouldn't mind getting the hat if I just need to pay for shipping.

Please do email us for that . ([email protected])

we will first find out the shipping for you, and you can decide if it is worth it.


However, I must remind, it is safe to say at some point all the pre-orders or instock items purchase from our website will be given a hat for free.

When we have enough hats available, may be not only LOTR, all online orders will be given a hat.

Asmus said:

As far as I know, we have already started sending hats to people who does not mind paying shipping.

so the answer is "yes"

But we will not shelf it, to avoid more debates

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I don't mind paying shipping.

Asmus said:

Please do email us for that . ([email protected])

we will first find out the shipping for you, and you can decide if it is worth it.


However, I must remind, it is safe to say at some point all the pre-orders or instock items purchase from our website will be given a hat for free.

When we have enough hats available, may be not only LOTR, all online orders will be given a hat.

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Can I ask, when will Boromir be available? Shouldn't be too far in the future, right? If Boromir will be completed and available for purchase soon, I would not mind if you shipped my hat with that figure.

Asmus said:

Please do email us for that . ([email protected])

we will first find out the shipping for you, and you can decide if it is worth it.


However, I must remind, it is safe to say at some point all the pre-orders or instock items purchase from our website will be given a hat for free.

When we have enough hats available, may be not only LOTR, all online orders will be given a hat.

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Sent you guys an email with my Gandalf order number and my address for a shipping quote on the hat. Appreciate it!

RandomHero said:

Can I ask, when will Boromir be available? Shouldn't be too far in the future, right? If Boromir will be completed and available for purchase soon, I would not mind if you shipped my hat with that figure.

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From what I am told, I am sure Bormoir from Asmus Toys online store will be giving a hat.

I am not sure if we will do it for the all volume of Boromir, but all the online orders from our store will be giving one once the hat production catches up

And I think by the time Boromir is ready, we should have plenty.