NECA's BALROG: A Matter of Perspective...and Opinion!!
Hey folks, I have been on the horn and around the web trying to scour information about the NECA Epic Scale Balrog. What I have found is very interesting...and definitely worth a news post. I have been talking to many of the online retailers that are listing the Balrog for pre-order and have been asking questions about the 'impending' release.
The OFFICIAL WORD from NECA: "Until it’s announced on our website, nothing is confirmed."
First of all, do not think that this figure is a sure thing. It is not...yet. By the look of things, there are two possibilities. One, this pre-order is not really a pre-order, but a way for NECA to gauge interest in the figure BEFORE they decide to produce it. Second, NECA will have to have begun production (or start VERY soon) on this MASSIVE figure if it is to be released BEFORE Christmas 2005.
So far, NONE of the retailers have spoken directly with NECA...most have gotten their information from either Diamond (Previews) or have made a guess based on OTHER online retailers loading up the pre-order. What does this mean...well, again...no telling until NECA comes forward and states a matter of fact release date and MSRP.
Granted the price is a bit steep, but this could also be part of the plan to gauge interest in the figure. If they offer it at $120 MSRP and they sell out of the pre-orders...perhaps they will make more of the figure and LOWER the price a bit...somewhere along the lines of the $80 NECA mentioned before.
What does this mean for us collectors...no matter what, you had better get in line and get this figure on Pre-Order NOW...either it will help get the figure produced, or it will ensure that you get one or two of these. Either way...time to put your money where your mouth's are and start ordering.