Deposits on Exclusive Pre-Orders: Sideshow's New Policy?

[Skiman]

For example, the Luke & Han Stormtrooper figures. That thing was a disgrace from start to finish. It began with clearly deceptive photographs and imagery... and ended with production figures that were 80% turds.

Just one example. There are plenty.

What happened with those figures, I had to bail at the last moment?

 

[The Mike]

Those were two figure I was looking forward to the most. As soon as I saw a picture of them I was glad I canceled.

 

[IrishJedi]

What happened with those figures, I had to bail at the last moment?

The production paint on most of the Luke & Han heads was laughably bad. In fact, many of the Hans had their eyes painted in different directions. Like I said, a disgrace.

In the photographs Sideshow was always careful to have Han in front of Luke to appear (accurately) taller. And in at least one instance he was photo-shopped that way (even with Han behind Luke he was taller!!... a total sham).

When I got to SDCC that year and picked up my Exclusives I took one look at those figures and refused to accept them, because of the awful paint. Instead, I had Sideshow keep it and start the process of issuing me a refund right then and there. At least I didn't have to be bothered with shipping it back.

 

[joeprox]

I dunno why but a lot of people view "flippers" as money hungry vermin that threaten the moral fabric of society.

Buying something with the intent of selling it for profit - gee that's a novel concept! We might as well give all forms of business the "flipper" label and chastise them! "Gap wants to charge me $10 for a t-shirt that they picked up for $1??? F*#& them and their families!!!!"

Dude that is what you call Business In fact why sideshow use china to make their statue YES because the labor is cheap they make a lot of profit. Everything is about Business. If you have the Hulk PF would you sell it for the same price that you pay for it NO right so you make profit out of it, so collecting is like saving your money and at the same time collecting, following your passion.

 

[BadMoon]

Dude that is what you call Business In fact why sideshow use china to make their statue YES because the labor is cheap they make a lot of profit. Everything is about Business. If you have the Hulk PF would you sell it for the same price that you pay for it NO right so you make profit out of it so collecting is lake saving your money and the same time collecting, following your passion.

You can still run a good business by providing a quality product, and ditching shoddy business practices. Profits will follow if you have a happy and customer base. Continue to do things that updset your customers and not so much.

 

[Skiman]

The production paint on most of the Luke & Han heads was laughably bad. In fact, many of the Hans had their eyes painted in different directions. Like I said, a disgrace.

In the photographs Sideshow was always careful to have Han in front of Luke to appear (accurately) taller. And in at least one instance he was photo-shopped that way (even with Han behind Luke he was taller!!... a total sham).

When I got to SDCC that year and picked up my Exclusives I took one look at those figures and refused to accept them, because of the awful paint. Instead, I had Sideshow keep it and start the process of issuing me a refund right then and there. At least I didn't have to be bothered with shipping it back.

Ahh I didn't know it got that bad, I thought it was just a few here and there. I did see one pic of Han and his crazy eyes and was like wow they really miss the pupil directions on that one.

I didn't know about the height issue, did collector go through a lot to fix all the mishaps, like body swaps and repaints?

 

[joeprox]

You can still run a good business by providing a quality product, and ditching shoddy business practices. Profits will follow if you have a happy and customer base. Continue to do things that updset your customers and not so much.

Yeah i am one of an-happy customer i will get my Iron Man Maquette this Friday hope i will get a good one because this is the 3rd one. Its OK they put 20% non refundable deposit as long that they lower the ES and they work hard on quality it is okey "only EX"

 

[woozie0]

Dude that is what you call Business In fact why sideshow use china to make their statue YES because the labor is cheap they make a lot of profit. Everything is about Business. If you have the Hulk PF would you sell it for the same price that you pay for it NO right so you make profit out of it, so collecting is like saving your money and at the same time collecting, following your passion.

Dude I know it's business...that's my point!! Maybe I should've used a couple sarcasm smilies but I thought I was clear.

I'm saying that flippers are demonized unfairly when we see the same thing done throughout society.

 

[joeprox]

Dude I know it's business...that's my point!! Maybe I should've used a couple sarcasm smilies but I thought I was clear.

I'm saying that flippers are demonized unfairly when we see the same thing done throughout society.

I hear you

 

[Sweet Rabbit]

Exactly. If Sideshow products looked exactly like protos, I guarantee you a lot less people would have an issue with it. Seeing Flint or even the SDCC Exclusive (which you know those will have it) Han in Stormie gear with flat black hair and yellow eyes, it just isn't worth it to pay outright only to have to deal with returns in any fashion. Even if they give me the 10% back, the real issue for SSC is QC and that should have been addressed waaaaaay before any kind of deposit policy implements.

now if sideshow came out & said that 10% fee would be used to sure up the QC dept, I'd be all for it

 

[thenammagazine]

The production paint on most of the Luke & Han heads was laughably bad. In fact, many of the Hans had their eyes painted in different directions. Like I said, a disgrace.

In the photographs Sideshow was always careful to have Han in front of Luke to appear (accurately) taller. And in at least one instance he was photo-shopped that way (even with Han behind Luke he was taller!!... a total sham).

When I got to SDCC that year and picked up my Exclusives I took one look at those figures and refused to accept them, because of the awful paint. Instead, I had Sideshow keep it and start the process of issuing me a refund right then and there. At least I didn't have to be bothered with shipping it back.

Didn't we find out that there would be no height difference when they let it slip during chat? Otherwise, it would've just been, "HA HA, DEAL YOU ____S!"

 

[divo]

The new policy stinks. Just another sign that Sideshow may be heading into real financial trouble. If they were really interested in ensuring that EX sold out, then address QC, listen to some of the comments concerning certain works (Hulk comiquette hair as an example) & make changes to satisfy their paying customers (!), reduce the edition sizes (as they've become too large anyway). No way this is going to fly, especially with overseas orders. Folks, this smells like the beginning of the end.

 

[Bezzerkerr]

i don't like it. I like ordering all EX's for ____s and giggles and cancelling most of them right before the shipping date.


In all seriousness, this weeds out the fools that aren't that serious about a piece. People that want it will have no problem giving the non-refundable deposit.

 

[Randy_S]

I don't like giving someone my money just to hold for 8-12 months before the product arrives.

 

[Skiman]

i don't like it. I like ordering all EX's for ____s and giggles and cancelling most of them right before the shipping date.


In all seriousness, this weeds out the fools that aren't that serious about a piece. People that want it will have no problem giving the non-refundable deposit.

 

[thenammagazine]

In all seriousness, this weeds out the fools that aren't that serious about a piece. People that want it will have no problem giving the non-refundable deposit.

We're not talking $7-$30 kiddie toys though. Go play with your Cinema of Fear toys and let the big boys discuss high-end collectibles.

 

[Bezzerkerr]

We're not talking $7-$15 kiddie toys though.

oops wrong thread

 

[obi_dave_kenobi]

Since some of you mentioned that you may start ordering from alternate sources. I may go ahead and take that route as well. Would any of you have feedback on darkfigures.com? They ok? not at all? They are good?

Please let me know, I would appreciate the info on a post or PM. Thanks

 

[atl_falcon_fan]

Since some of you mentioned that you may start ordering from alternate sources. I may go ahead and take that route as well. Would any of you have feedback on darkfigures.com? They ok? not at all? They are good?

Please let me know, I would appreciate the info on a post or PM. Thanks

I have bought a few statues from darkfigures, had no problems here. If it's a piece that only has a print or something like that for the exclusive you're probably better off to just get it from a bbts or darkfigures and save around $30.00. I mean sideshow gives you roughly 5 cents on the dollar reward point wise, however you buy two for example from darkfigures,bbts,etc and you will have saved perhaps close to $60.00 on two statues anyway so it would be close to a wash.

 

[obi_dave_kenobi]

I have bought a few statues from darkfigures, had no problems here. If it's a piece that only has a print or something like that for the exclusive you're probably better off to just get it from a bbts or darkfigures and save around $30.00. I mean sideshow gives you roughly 5 cents on the dollar reward point wise, however you buy two for example from darkfigures,bbts,etc and you will have saved perhaps close to $60.00 on two statues anyway so it would be close to a wash.

Thanks, for the info. I appreciate it.