Welcome to our next Q and A of the Day post! This column will be published daily, weekly, monthly, or just based on how many questions I get emailed – but no more than one a day. Feel free to send in your questions and I will put them in the queue. Click through for Q and A of the Day: Day 41. Topic: Sideshow Collectibles Ripping Off Collectors....

Q: Hi. As someone who regularly checks out JTA for some much needed guidance and advice regarding what's hot and not you have been at the forefront with the best reviews and honest opinions and it's thanks to those reviews from yourselves and other Collectors the contribute that my own Collection has flourished over the past two years adding that during which time you have steered me away from what potentially could of been some poor choices on my part not to mention financially crippling.

I would just like to ask then for your take on the forthcoming Sideshow Echo Base Luke Skywalker/Han Solo (Hoth Outfits) Figures. As I'm predominantly a Original Trilogy Collector (Ok, I'm guilty on picking up a couple of 1:6 Clones) it's these Echo Base figures that I'm particulary keen to get.

I really don't want to enter in the debate that's currently raging of the "correct" colour Jacket for the Han Solo piece as I'm sure you'll have you ear bent many times over that issue, I will say though that I do think it's a little unfair on Sideshow for any loyal Collector (some of whom are probably on a limited budget for these items) to choose, when they (Sideshow) could make life easy and have one Exclusive Edition which includes either Jacket for Han and then a Regular Edition...and at those prices, it looks like your being coerced into buying the two! and with the constrained financial climate Sideshow want to make sure they keep their customers not alienate them!

Myself, I'll probably bite the bullet and buy both! with a serious dent to my Wallet. My query to you however is regarding the sculpt.

I'm 90% happy with what I've seen so far and and as you know trying to capture a true likeness of Harrison Ford is to many Collectors the Holy Grail, from what I can see though I'm very happy and confident but typically you read some Forums and as always there's always going to be some negativity and I understand that you'll never please everyone but rather me reading some random Collectors rant I would much rather your professional opinion on them as you'll see things that maybe some other won't. And with your inside knowledge would you know if these are just the Prototypes and not the final Production pieces being shown? so "if" there are any imperfections at least Sideshow have just shy of Twelve months to "fine tune" them.

After all I guess I'm looking for something that's similar in sculpt to the Hot Toys Luke (Bespin) DXO7 sculpt with a definitive/"best likeness to date" figure. Your opinions would be much appreciated.

Keep up the great work and I look forward to your reply.

Best Wishes, Edward (UK)

A: Hello Edward. Thank you for the candid feedback. I am thrilled that we are able to provide a good resource for you and others to help you with your Star Wars collectible buying habits. We strive for quality content as best as we are able (and sometimes fail), so I am happy to hear it's been a benefit to you.

I wanted to wait a few more days to respond to your question, because I am still hot under the collar about Sideshow releasing two separate 1:6 Scale Figures of Han Solo in his Hoth gear with the only difference being the color of the coats. But I don't see myself changing my mind about this. I feel it is an utter outrage for Sideshow Collectibles to expect their hardcore fans to spend over $400 (after shipping) just to get both color coats. If they wanted to make extra money, then an Expansion Pack would have been the correct (and respectable) thing to do here. Imagine a special set with some extra Hoth-specific accessories (like some welding tools, and even updated Bespin-styled bloodstripe pants to complete the look of that scene). Even welding goggles or maybe Luke's lightsaber (?). And then they could have sold that for an extra $50 and make everyone happy.

I think Sideshow is trying to cash in on everyone's obsession with The Empire Strikes Back frankly, but in the long run, moves like this will only piss off fans to the point where they stop buying the products. That ultimately would devastate the line. The prices alone are already killing customers and for $199.99, we have to get a plethora of stuff with the figures to make this worthwhile and feel like we aren't getting ripped off. An extra coat for Han Solo would have cetainly been goodwill. In fact, that should have been the exclusive version (to come with both coats). I really love both Luke Skywalker and Han Solo Hoth figures. I think Sideshow really stepped up to the plate to ensure that the likenesses were spot on, but this move with Han Solo really has me stewing and that's all I have been obsessing about. I almost feel that they should be ashamed of themselves quite honestly. Do they only care about the elitist consumers, those that have nonstop expendable income? And screw the smaller guy that has a modest salary (myself included) and frustrate them. I am not saying they need to cater cost to what I want, but they didn't have to take this route.

I don't have any "inside" knowledge with Sideshow Collectibles, but I can absolutely tell you that the images of these figures you see on the site are indeed prototypes. What you shouldn't really worry about however is that the production pieces in recent history look as good as the prototypes (if not better in many instances), so I have no worries that we'll be receiving figures that looks awfully close and identicial to what we see in the prototype images. Sideshow Collectibles does listen to fan feedback, so if you post comments on their site, they will take them to the production team. I (as well as many other fans) complained about the phase II helmet of the figures in their Militaries Of Star Wars lineup. And while they didn't perfect it, they did improve it before it went into mass production. So the point is that they do listen (which is fantastic). I, like you, are ecstatic to see how well Luke and Han turn out, but Sideshow has to stop making collectors buy another whole figure to get the one variation that exists betwen the two. It can't happen again. That's my two cents anyway.