CSI,
I think you need some literacy help. First, I discussed the issues the consumer would have by getting a broken product that has been placed in preorder. Thus, what I was able to do is analyze the issues that a consumer would have to deal with by putting myself in someone else's shoes. I have not had a bad experience on the level of BLS. However, I saw enough evidence to be able to form an opinion about his situation. It is fine that you disagree.
I have a joke for you, 97.4% of all statistics are made up. I am glad you are good at making up numbers. You might enjoy a career in politics. But seriously, there are a lot of people upset. Most are in the group that hasn't gotten there statue. Now their fears have been realized, there are no replacements. I haven't gotten mine. I am sure I love it, but I am a bit worried.
I was not making a comment just about this statue, but about recent issues that have occurred on several other statues. I have been reading QC complaints people have had on the Apoc Premium Format, and it is more than just .01 % of the people. Several people have said they feel lucky that their statue showed up without minimal issues. I was one of several people whose statue showed up soaking wet. For me it was Sauron, but I know of others. Not the box, but the statue. I didn't find any rust, so I didn't need to get a replacement. The argument that many of the XM posters are making is that they want top level quality. They want a statue that is very close to the prototype. Don't believe me, read theM. From what I have seen, Superman is overall the best statue of the year. It is actually better than the prototype. I have no complaints about the statues that have been received without issue. This was not the statue BLS received, and now it is concern for all of us that are waiting.
Ok, so you want me to address your previous points, here you go:
Well the customer loses in several ways.
1. If they really want the piece, they will have to pay more on the secondary market.
So do anyone who didn't preorder. But in the big scheme of things a statue is not something you have to have, so if you buy it because you desperately want it, that decision is on you, that cost is on you.
2. Most pieces require a NRD and some people use flex pay. I don't know about you, but my money makes money. Thus, there is a loss of potential gains.
If you are seriously making that much money investing your $40 elsewhere then your first point wouldn't be an issue. Even at 10% interest, which is unheard of, you would be out $4 of possible potential earnings. Is that really worth whining over?
3. Because most of the exclusives are done on preorder, the consumer plans to have the funds to buy a product. Thus, the consumer will pass on other collectibles to save for the one they want. Hence, if it comes to them broken they also missed out on another in demand item that they would have gotten if they had known their item would be broken.
Again it's a life choice. You are not in any way financially harmed by not buying another potential statue.
4. There is a loss of time. Time is money. I do not want to spend my time talking with Sideshow on the phone or through email about defective products.
Been there, done that. It's really no time at all to handle these situations with Sideshow. 10-15 minutes out of your day will not financially impact your life in the slightest.
5. For me the biggest problem is that we buy these items because we want them. We look forward to getting them. Sometimes for over a year. This is not the instant gratification hobby. Thus, after an extensive and anticipated wait, we end up with nothing. If this doesn't bother you, why are you buying statues?
Boom, we finally have the real answer, I WANT IT!!! That's what it really boils down to. Unfortunately "I WANT IT" doesn't amount to financial loss.
As for XM, you could buy a Superman EX or Apoc on the secondary market and it will still cost you less than buying from XM. They also have very small edition sizes, so your rather likely to not even be able to preorder one to begin with. And even with all their hype, I still think the head sculpts on their statues are quite off thus making them inferior to what I would get from Sideshow anyways. But if you like them and have that much cash to toss around, have at it.
five pages gone!
