Closed account!!!

[Polylord]

Did they really just say, "Sorry. Bye."?

Yeah that doesn't sound like "Sideshow" at all...

 

[Alice Adrenochrome]

to beat your nearest ss representative to the punch, please direct your comments below.

I get what you are saying, but the SSC people I deal with (on an almost weekly bases), are not the ones to punch. I don't even think any punching is needed. The ones at SSC in charge of such a decision, should drink a Pastis or two, listen to Michael Nyman's music, and than give their OK for this Russian guy! Perhaps some of you Freaks can address this issue at this years SDCC Freaks party? So sorry I can't make it this year (again!).

 

[Moonloop]

They probably didn't say that word for word, but it could have come off that way. Sideshow may have just basically said that to the guy in their email. Sometimes you people on these boards have to realize that Sideshow does not always accommodate everyone and sometimes they may do or say things you don't expect them to.

 

[Dusty]

I just checked with our International Distribution department about this matter, and the way it works in foreign countries is that if there is a distributor in that country, individual accounts are required to order and have their product fulfilled through that distributor rather than directly through Sideshow, to streamline the process. Our international distributors are happy to fulfill orders with the individual retailers - that's why we work with them!

From our site, here's the info for the Russian distributor, who will be able to fulfill the Gadget Toys orders in the future (and all his current, standing orders from Sideshow direct will be fulfilled):

Russia
United Toys
Moscow, Russian Federation
Contact: Alexey Klioutchnikov
Email: [email protected]

I assume that there has been some kind of language barrier that caused this misunderstanding. The Russian retailer in question who posted here is in no way banned from selling Sideshow items - he simply must do his business through the DISTRIBUTOR rather than through Sideshow direct... which will actually be a bit easier on him, since the distributor is right there in his country

 

[theguru1]

It's a similar situation here in Australia. There is only one distributor. All the shops here virtually have to go through them. So it isn't an isolated case. Looking at the distributor list, it's the same in many places. These single distributors hold a monopoly. If a shop owner doesn't get on with them, they're in trouble.

You know as soon as i read the initial post, thats the first thing that I thought of. I know in the past there has been 2 distributor's down here, but right now there is only 1. Which as you say, getting competition and good prices locally with just 1 distributor is a little hard.

So far so good tho, I'm still able to get some pretty good deals on new statues, ie local inspection/pick-up which is cheaper once you add postage if getting direct from SS. But if this will continue, only time will tell.

 

[creecher]

Dusty is right. I can't see him (Gadgettoys) making less money by ordering through the distributor. Rather the reverse, because the distributor is probably getting container loads of stuff, not just Sideshow stuff. That means the shipping cost per figure is greatly reduced. He will get the items from the distributor wholesale, so really he is better off. Then again, sometimes I get paranoid and think the Russian Mafia is getting a slice. Have to go, need meds. Bye.

 

[tylerd]

I get what you are saying, but the SSC people I deal with (on an almost weekly bases), are not the ones to punch. I don't even think any punching is needed. The ones at SSC in charge of such a decision, should drink a Pastis or two, listen to Michael Nyman's music, and than give their OK for this Russian guy! Perhaps some of you Freaks can address this issue at this years SDCC Freaks party? So sorry I can't make it this year (again!).

alice, you may have misunderstood. i don't wish to punch anyone either. the expression i quoted meant that i would reply with the answer that i thought sideshow would give first. sorry for the confusion. btw, looks like ss dusty replied with the answer to russian dude's problem. glad to hear he won't be shut out from getting his products. he might even save some shipping costs. looks like dusty tore down the brick wall.

 

[Gadgettoys]

I just checked with our International Distribution department about this matter, and the way it works in foreign countries is that if there is a distributor in that country, individual accounts are required to order and have their product fulfilled through that distributor rather than directly through Sideshow, to streamline the process. Our international distributors are happy to fulfill orders with the individual retailers - that's why we work with them!

From our site, here's the info for the Russian distributor, who will be able to fulfill the Gadget Toys orders in the future (and all his current, standing orders from Sideshow direct will be fulfilled):

Russia
United Toys
Moscow, Russian Federation
Contact: Alexey Klioutchnikov
Email: [email protected]

I assume that there has been some kind of language barrier that caused this misunderstanding. The Russian retailer in question who posted here is in no way banned from selling Sideshow items - he simply must do his business through the DISTRIBUTOR rather than through Sideshow direct... which will actually be a bit easier on him, since the distributor is right there in his country

Of course, I know these so-called “distributors”. But it is not a distributor, but my direct competitor. And when they felt they were losing the monopoly (by the way, not only connected with the Sideshow production), they, to my mind, had a talk with Sideshow, after which my account was closed. I am a businessman and there is no difference for me whom to purchase from. The most important thing – it should be profitable for me and my clients. I do the consolidated shopping of figures in USA (buy at NECA, Diamond Distr., and others) and in two weeks, after new products’ appearance in USA; I already have them in my warehouses in Moscow. And they will have the same products in two-three months. So, what is better for me and customers? To get the products practically equally with American buyers … or to wait for three months? And why should I overpay somebody, because he will bring the products two-three months later then I can do it myself?
P.S. By the way they don’t sell by whole-sale! (If somebody is interested, here is my site www.gadgettoys.ru and Alexey Klioutchnikov’s site www.superheroes.ru)

 

[pixletwin]

I have to agree with Gadget. It seems like a kind of hostile way to have to do business since his distributor is also his competition. That doesn't add up.

 

[Darth Cruel]

Edit - Never mind...after re-reading Dusty's post it looks like my questions were answered. The law is the law.

 

[tomandshell]

I can understand the frustration, but I hope that it's clear that Sideshow has a set of rules about how they distribute internationally and was merely enforcing them. This wasn't personal. I wouldn't assume that Sideshow was singling anyone out or acting maliciously--just expecting people to stick the the established rules. The story would presumably have the same ending if it happened in another country. (I would agree that if the Sideshow approved distributor refuses to sell to others or marks up the prices, then I think the situation should be looked into. Abusing his exclusive distribution rights shouldn't be allowed.)

If my wife started an account for herself at our home address, Sideshow would eventually catch it and close the account because it's against the rules to have two per address. It wouldn't be anything personal and my wife would probably be frustrated and feel that it's unfair for my account to be given preferential treatment, but Sideshow is going to require us to follow their rules.

 

[Gadgettoys]

I can understand the frustration, but I hope that it's clear that Sideshow has a set of rules about how they distribute internationally and was merely enforcing them. This wasn't personal. I wouldn't assume that Sideshow was singling anyone out or acting maliciously--just expecting people to stick the the established rules. The story would presumably have the same ending if it happened in another country. (I would agree that if the Sideshow approved distributor refuses to sell to others or marks up the prices, then I think the situation should be looked into. Abusing his exclusive distribution rights shouldn't be allowed.)

If my wife started an account for herself at our home address, Sideshow would eventually catch it and close the account because it's against the rules to have two per address. It wouldn't be anything personal and my wife would probably be frustrated and feel that it's unfair for my account to be given preferential treatment, but Sideshow is going to require us to follow their rules.

1. I'm not accusing Sideshow of anything, most likely they just haven't looked properly into the situation and have made the hasty decision.
2. It is not a question of an account opening, but of closing of the existent account yet, moreover there were no any demands, like increase of buying volume.
3. Rules. Could you tell me what demands (rules) precisely doesn't correspond my account? I would really like to get convincing explanations, probably I'll agree.
4. To buy from distributor. That distributor will demand advanced payment as soon as Side show demands it from him. And then I'll be waiting for the goods for 3 months (i.e. that distributor will work using my own money). While those goods come in 3 months, many clients will buy them on BBTS for instance and will get them in 3 weeks.
Well, your example with the wife is not appropriate… I could put "neighbor" instead of "wife" in your monologue and everything will change.

Please understand that I'm not a street vendor, I'm that very distributor (I buy almost all brands in the USA and only with Sideshow I've faced with problems). This market in Russia has just started to develop and there are only two progressive shops in the whole country, mine and my competitor's. Every of us is trying to promote this business by own means. But now it turns out that we don't have equal conditions, as my product line will lack a significant deal of Sideshow including the HOT TOYS…

 

[tylerd]

... Sideshow is going to require us to follow their rules.

i've dealt with bbts, razor's edge, darkshadow and many many retailers that feature collectibles. basically you order, pay for the item and the item is shipped. no huff, no guff. they even pack your item without you having to pay extra for them to package it like it should be packaged in the first place to ensure a safe shipment.

i think policy at ss may have too many provisions and rules for a consumer spending their hard earned bucks to appreciate. they are big enough to say we don't need your business, which is a dangerous road to follow for any business. gadget has absolutely NO recourse with the ss decision to drop him on his ear. this may drastically effect his business, and may even put him out of business. he could have lost alot of money too. something wrong with that my way or the highway attitude.

is sideshow becoming less friendly with their customers and wholesalers, taking on the face of corporate america? i'm afraid to say, it sure is looking that way. money sure can be an evil thing.

 

[Amanaman]

Okay, bye.

 

[tylerd]

Okay, bye.

is that you robby rat?

 

[lcummins]

Just curious, do you have an actual "brick and mortar" store, or just a web site? Sideshow quit taking wholesale accounts for web only stores several years ago...

Wholesale pricing is available to those who have a business license and/or resale certificate, and meet the criteria of having a brick and mortar store, or operate a print catalog business. Sideshow is no longer taking on web or ebay only accounts. If you are interested in becoming a wholesale account you will need to provide the following information (in addition to your business license and/or resale certificate) to qualify for wholesale pricing:

• Picture of store front
• A copy of your mail order catalog

With that being said, I guess Sideshow has different criteria for being a "distributor" and not just a retailer. Some countries do have two or even three distributors, but that may be because of the amount of business being done in those countries. The only real answer is to talk to Sideshow and try to figure out what you need to do to become a distributor.

 

[Gadgettoys]

Thank you everybody who was helping me here. I'll follow Dusty's advice and tell you the results.Bye

 

[galactiboy]

Good luck, sounds like a very complicated situation.

 

[S-Ramos]

Maybe you could go through a European or Asian distributor Or molotov the other guys shop

 

[MrE]

Maybe you could go through a European or Asian distributor Or molotov the other guys shop

Molotov Cocktail is such a russian saying we call it petrol bombing in the UK but it amounts to the same thing.