Custom Release Etiquette Discussion

[IDMCustoms]

I don't buy the "it's too expensive that's why it's being recasted" argument for one second. Recasters will recast anything they can get their hands on. There are tons of recasts on eBay of $35 heads. They even recast $10 Hot Toys parts, Dragon heads, old Enterbay heads, $10 resin heads - pretty much anything that could be sold. The talent and skill level put into the sculpt is what really matters to the buyer. A limited edition 10 piece custom Arnie Kim sculpt sold at $250 has an equal chance of being recasted as a Trevor Grove $35 sculpt.

 

[Ironman1188]

Of course, the door will be open to "counterfeiters" when bums can offer illegitimate recasts for cheaper cost, in the same way that people do that with movies and music. That's a consideration the artists have to deal with and make the appropriate strategic decision.


Sadly if, like you, I demanded that I only wanted to pay $5,000 for a new Lexus because I've seen other cars sell for that price, and I know they're jacking up the cost in the interest of profit, I doubt very seriously my negotiations would go very far.
.

I don't buy the "it's too expensive that's why it's being recasted" argument for one second. Recasters will recast anything they can get their hands on. There are tons of recasts on eBay of $35 heads. They even recast $10 Hot Toys parts, Dragon heads, old Enterbay heads, $10 resin heads - pretty much anything that could be sold. The talent and skill level put into the sculpt is what really matters to the buyer. A limited edition 10 piece custom Arnie Kim sculpt sold at $250 has an equal chance of being recasted as a Trevor Grove $35 sculpt.

Buy it or not, the "appeal" of the recaster is not the $10 head he recast and sells for $10 or $15 when you can still find an original. The "appeal" comes from that recast head that was so liked by everyone but sold for $75 and was limited to 20 castings.
And we've seen this more than once. Then the sculptor complains that his work was stolen and they will not sell anymore in the future to forum posters who aren't in 100% agreement with them. This always struck me as slightly funny because they would rather shun future business then look thru their "limited sales list" for that head. They already sold to the recaster, or his source.
I know I may be in the minority but, I'm sorry, if a sculptor is trying to make money selling his work, it makes no sense to not want to sell to those who are/were willing to pay your price. Then complain when someone else, right or wrong, fills that void.
How many folks here think that its wrong to buy a reproduction part for a '65 Mustang? Ford made them. They don't now. I don't see Ford trying to hunt down the auto parts stores that sell them and get them to stop.
I've said it before and stand by it. I do not support recasters. I am just able to look at this objectively and see the possibilty of how they make their way into people's collections. I cannot sculpt. I cannot cast and make molds and the like. And, admittedly, if I could I would not want to see my work being sold by another. However, I would also do everything I could to make that "recast" less appealing by making my sculpts available and affordable to those that may want one.
Now, as was said, this discussion/debate could go on eternally and there are most likely more than just two sides to it. We've made our points, let's return the thread to its previously unaltered course.

 

[Something Sexy]

I think there needs to be a better way to rate artists that are making and selling stuff. It isn't a sure fire way to avoid problems but it might be nice to know if someone has previously dealt with an artist on their project and how it went.

I think it would also help if you could see everything an artist is currently working on. Might give you a better idea of timelines.

 

[galactiboy]

The feedback can be used for that... but there's an odd phenomenon in which people don't leave negative feedback for custom work So feedback isn't always reflective.

I do think some kind of work load updates would be helpful, but don't know if everyone would want to do that.

 

[Something Sexy]

The feedback can be used for that... but there's an odd phenomenon in which people don't leave negative feedback for custom work So feedback isn't always reflective.

I do think some kind of work load updates would be helpful, but don't know if everyone would want to do that.

Ya I agree the feedback is not used for custom work at all which is a problem.

 

[karamazov80]

I'm pretty sure Dark Artist had no negative feedback. But you can get a pretty good impression for who delivers and who doesn't so much by looking at custom threads. Check out who seems to get stuff out fast and as promised, see who seems to drag feet, see who has multiple folks waiting on outstanding products.

 

[Something Sexy]

I'm pretty sure Dark Artist had no negative feedback. But you can get a pretty good impression for who delivers and who doesn't so much by looking at custom threads. Check out who seems to get stuff out fast and as promised, see who seems to drag feet, see who has multiple folks waiting on outstanding products.

That can still be a major pain in the *** depending on how many times a thread gets posted in. Then there is the problem of so many multiple threads per what artist is creating one. It isn't always easy to keep track.

 

[karamazov80]

Yeah, I usually pay a fair amount of attention to the guys I buy from, so that's not an issue here. But really, just look at the last few pages. If you see folks posting, "anyone get theirs yet??" or "any updates??" or "well, it's been 6 months, what's the status??" then you can get an idea.

 

[galactiboy]

I think it's good when customizers have one master thread for all of their projects. They can of course have other threads for specific projects, but a main thread that gives updates on all if them.

 

[IKE-CON]

Ya I agree the feedback is not used for custom work at all which is a problem.

A lot of feedback left for me is based on custom work I did
for customers.

I think perhaps, there should be more detail left in the notes of
the feed back. Plus maybe like an Angies list check box system
where it rates different aspects of a transaction

One box you click for custom work

Then maybe something like this comes up.


1) Rate the transaction 1= completely satisfied 2 partially satisfied 3 Unsatisfied

2) Rate job completion time 1 = Finished ahead of schedule 2 within schedule 3 Did not finish on time

3) Rate Cost 1= finished under budget 2 = Finished within budget 3 = finished over budget.

You get the general idea.

A point system on top of the general rating.
Or even a sub section rating for custom jobs.

Just throwing that out there.


As a customizer who does figures and parts, I find the size of the
job determines the time frame. Most of my customers are return
customers. So they know I spell out everything in advance.
Because I only take on one custom at a time(unless I'm
doing several of the same figure), my process is always the same.

1) Before any money is taken all details of the figure
are worked out in advance.

I give a full list of what the figure comes with, how long it should take
(which I pad with extra time to make sure it's achievable) and
how much it will cost.

2) Once agreed upon, a detailed Paypal invoice with all the details
of the figure listed is sent for deposit.

I do not start a custom job without a deposit..ever. That shows
to me the customer is serious. Also, it allows me to pay my painters
or tailors right away to get the ball rolling.

3) I stay in contact and send updates with pictures almost everytime
I finish another part of the custom. This normally happens every 1 to 2 weeks.

4) Once final product is finished and approved by the customer, a
final invoice is sent for the BIF.

The process for a full figure is normally 6 to 8 weeks.
Just parts, a lot less time.

So for me, a full figure custom can't be done in 4 weeks.
For sure if you're waiting on a painter or a custom part coming
back from a tailor or printer.

TIME: So that's why I think you should be rated on the time frame set for that project.

That shows they have completed the project on time or not.
Pretty cut and dry.

Just thinking outloud.

What do think?

 

[annihilate22]

A lot of feedback left for me is based on custom work I did
for customers.

I think perhaps, there should be more detail left in the notes of
the feed back. Plus maybe like an Angies list check box system
where it rates different aspects of a transaction

One box you click for custom work

Then maybe something like this comes up.


1) Rate the transaction 1= completely satisfied 2 partially satisfied 3 Unsatisfied

2) Rate job completion time 1 = Finished ahead of schedule 2 within schedule 3 Did not finish on time

3) Rate Cost 1= finished under budget 2 = Finished within budget 3 = finished over budget.

You get the general idea.

A point system on top of the general rating.
Or even a sub section rating for custom jobs.

Just throwing that out there.


As a customizer who does figures and parts, I find the size of the
job determines the time frame. Most of my customers are return
customers. So they know I spell out everything in advance.
Because I only take on one custom at a time(unless I'm
doing several of the same figure), my process is always the same.

1) Before any money is taken all details of the figure
are worked out in advance.

I give a full list of what the figure comes with, how long it should take
(which I pad with extra time to make sure it's achievable) and
how much it will cost.

2) Once agreed upon, a detailed Paypal invoice with all the details
of the figure listed is sent for deposit.

I do not start a custom job without a deposit..ever. That shows
to me the customer is serious. Also, it allows me to pay my painters
or tailors right away to get the ball rolling.

3) I stay in contact and send updates with pictures almost everytime
I finish another part of the custom. This normally happens every 1 to 2 weeks.

4) Once final product is finished and approved by the customer, a
final invoice is sent for the BIF.

The process for a full figure is normally 6 to 8 weeks.
Just parts, a lot less time.

So for me, a full figure custom can't be done in 4 weeks.
For sure if you're waiting on a painter or a custom part coming
back from a tailor or printer.

TIME: So that's why I think you should be rated on the time frame set for that project.

That shows they have completed the project on time or not.
Pretty cut and dry.

Just thinking outloud.

What do think?

Makes sense to me as it covers almost everything a prospective customer would like to know before he reaches out to an Artist. However, implementation might not be possible to an extent as you describer. I may be wrong but I believe vBulletin has its limitations.

Dave would be the right person to confirm the same.

 

[Something Sexy]

I would be very interested to see what options Dave actually has.

 

[SwedishHeat]

Here's a general thought/question I had. . .

When does "rainman's tailor" stop being "rainman's" tailor? Apparently Velvet Morning has been using rainman's tailor for his projects. Cheungkinman used the same tailor for Oldboy and Freddie Mercury, and now marlindesign is using this tailor for his various projects.

So, this tailor isn't really rainman's anymore, right?

Personally, I would like to know said tailor's name, as it feels more respectful to refer to this person as The Tailor or TailorPerson, or better yet referring to said person by their given name or a handle if said person prefers, rather than acting like this person belongs to rainmain.

 

[Something Sexy]

Here's a general thought/question I had. . .

When does "rainman's tailor" stop being "rainman's" tailor? Apparently Velvet Morning has been using rainman's tailor for his projects. Cheungkinman used the same tailor for Oldboy and Freddie Mercury, and now marlindesign is using this tailor for his various projects.

So, this tailor isn't really rainman's anymore, right?

Personally, I would like to know said tailor's name, as it feels more respectful to refer to this person as The Tailor or TailorPerson, or better yet referring to said person by their given name or a handle if said person prefers, rather than acting like this person belongs to rainmain.

It is really no different then the manufactures Sideshow, Bowen or Hot Toys use. Yes the tailor is doing fantastic work but Rainman, or Velvet Morning, or Cheung are the ones who are coming up with the ideas and making the prototypes for the tailors. No one asks currently who is asking making this stuff, they only care about the designer.

 

[karamazov80]

Here's a general thought/question I had. . .

When does "rainman's tailor" stop being "rainman's" tailor? Apparently Velvet Morning has been using rainman's tailor for his projects. Cheungkinman used the same tailor for Oldboy and Freddie Mercury, and now marlindesign is using this tailor for his various projects.

So, this tailor isn't really rainman's anymore, right?

Personally, I would like to know said tailor's name, as it feels more respectful to refer to this person as The Tailor or TailorPerson, or better yet referring to said person by their given name or a handle if said person prefers, rather than acting like this person belongs to rainmain.

Make's sense to me. It's because Rainman is the biggest "name" associated with this person I guess, and maybe he was the first to use her? Her name is Iris. And she's the best. I didn't know this was Velvet Morning's tailor as well. I thought he made his own clothing.

 

[transhi100]

Make's sense to me. It's because Rainman is the biggest "name" associated with this person I guess, and maybe he was the first to use her? Her name is Iris. And she's the best. I didn't know this was Velvet Morning's tailor as well. I thought he made his own clothing.

He did make his own clothing with his older releases. But with his more recent releases he's been using Iris as well.

 

[annihilate22]

Make's sense to me. It's because Rainman is the biggest "name" associated with this person I guess, and maybe he was the first to use her? Her name is Iris. And she's the best. I didn't know this was Velvet Morning's tailor as well. I thought he made his own clothing.

Is she the same 'Iris' who works with iminime ?

 

[Cheungkinmen]

Actually, I call her "Rainman's tailor" (which should be seamstress anyways) because Rainman gave her contact to me, he trusts me and sees me as a friend and told me not to give out her contact. I didn't beg for her contact, FYI.

If people have issues with the current naming, then I will call her The Seamstress from now on.

I heard some people are not currently happy that some of us use "the seamstress" because "it's only for rainman use", Rainman personally gave me her contact and encouraged me to keep doing my thing, with an opportunity like that AND encouragement, why not?.

Anyways, just sharing my thoughts about it so the nay sayers know what's going on.

Peace.

 

[karamazov80]

Yes, but I believe she only provides the prototypes/templates for the outfits Iminime uses. Thus far, the actual quality of Iminime clothing is not up to the level of what you see with Rainman.

 

[karamazov80]

Actually, I call her "Rainman's tailor" (which should be seamstress anyways) because Rainman gave her contact to me, he trusts me and sees me as a friend and told me not to give out her contact. I didn't beg for her contact, FYI.

If people have issues with the current naming, then I will call her The Seamstress from now on.

I heard some people are not currently happy that some of us use "the seamstress", Rainman personally gave me her contact and encouraged me to keep doing my thing, with an opportunity like that AND encouragement why the not?.

Anyways, just sharing my thoughts about so the nay sayers know what's going on. Not pointing fingers, you guys know who you are.

Peace.

I can see how he might want to protect his seamstress from having every other member with a custom project trying to use her. But I have personally thought that she deserves full credit for doing such amazing work, and that just referring to her in a generic way took something away from that. It does seem like a number of people now have been able to contact here though with their various projects.