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

[fuzzylojiks]

Let me come at this from another angle, since maybe its not being read clearly. It doesn't matter how good or how bad Sideshow's return policy is because that is an afterthought, its a moot point in an argument being made that they should be focused on QC of their product so it never actually makes it to that point. I already said that the policy itself and the clarifications made by Chicky are fine and as a policy its not necessarily a bad one only that they aren't there yet. You can't compare Sideshow's policy to Alter Egos from example because they are a store and Sideshow themselves are making these. If a product isn't up to snuff then its not Alter Ego's fault, they are just distributing where as Sideshow is actually making it which makes it a whole different ballgame in terms of an NRD because its from the source IMHO.

Carl and I are saying that whilst this is a policy made and not a bad one in its idea, its premature because the much larger looming issue of QC is still there and if Sideshow handled that it would help spotlight the fickle customers and not leave a variable that effect the company as a whole not just in returns.

Ok, well I guess I have not had any major QC issues with SSC and the only one I did was covered, so I was just wondering if anyone here had any instances where stuff is not covered monetarily from the QC standpoint of statues.

If not, I don't see a large problem with the policy, since Chicky also said that it covers QC problems, differring paint app from the proto, and does not extend to the 1/6 line.

I guess we differ on our views on Sideshow's QC, I think they have been pretty good when it comes to statues and their CS department have been helpful. Maybe I've just been pretty lucky so far.

 

[woozie0]

Why are people continually shifting the conversation away from what should be the A #1 Priority and main concern for Sideshow and its consumers?: QUALITY CONTROL. That should always be taken care of before any other new processes are even considered, much less put in place. Period. This is the entire point that Mike and I are making here.

Sideshow can institute all the NRD policies they want... after they fix their flawed production process and inconsistent QC.

I agree with you IrishJedi. Sideshow should focus on getting their own house in order before trying to address "speculators, resellers, or people whose wants outstrip their financial capabilities (Q7 in Chicky's response)."

But perhaps Sideshow believes the problems are related. Perhaps they feel their established processes are suitable for certain overall product volumes and the "speculators, resellers, or people whose wants outstrip their financial capabilities" have caused a big increase in volume such that the established process is strained and becoming inadequate.

Whatever the case, I'll echo the warm sentiment towards Chicky and applaud Sideshow for allocating resources to this board and specifically this issue.

 

[tomandshell]

It seems that people want the ability to cancel before shipment rather than returning the final product for a refund once it has been paid for and delivered and seen in person and found to be flawed. Sure, that's more of a hassle, but if you still get a refund if you're not completely satisfied, then I'm OK.

I think this is more about people ordering because they are on the fence and then dumping the order once they realize they are actually going to have to pay for it. People dissatisfied with the final product can still get a refund, right? Just not get a painless instant cancellation at the first sign of troublesome pictures online. I think there are far more people that cancel because of finances than quality control, and this will keep some of the first group from putting in an order, inflating the edition size, and then dropping out and leaving Sideshow with unsold merchandise. I don't blame Sideshow for trying to come up with a more accurate number before going into production, and this will help. They want to get an idea of who is ordering with the actual intent to keep the piece. If the final product disappoints, get a full refund. But don't "commission" Sideshow to create a piece for you if you don't really have any intention of following through with the order.

 

[Skiman]

I agree with Tom with the whole you don't have the money so don't order to inflate size edition and clutter the warehouse.

I also agree with IJ and Mike that they need to improve other aspects of their qaulity if they are going to enforce such deposits.

I wouldn't be worried about the quality not remaining the same as the prototype if in the past everything came out smelling like roses, but in the past it hasn't. You read about horror stories on certain pieces and how many time we are praying to the gods that something like that horror instance doesn't happen to the same piece that we have on order with our fellow collectors. It's a gamble, and your putting your money on the line gambling if the piece is going to be up to snuff. That's the gamble I don't like.

Imagine Iron Man 1:2 before the very first break and the hollowness eggshell was shown on SF, as soon as those pics came over to the SSF, ppl started flipping and rightfully so.... What did they have on the line $250 non-refundable --> that's a load of crap and if I'd have that on order you better believe I'm gonna be pissed thinking the quality was not what I thought from the get go.

Sure some ppl/SSC made it right and even had special deliveries to have that piece finally come unbroken after the 3rd try, for me I don't have that time and hassle to be dealing with something that should come right home right the first time.

 

[choopie]

I agree that QC is an issue, specifically with regards to paint apps. But there are some stunning PFs out there that are still in stock. Why? Is it a financial issue, an issue of having too many other wants on order, lack of interest or lack of knowledge...or perhaps a bit of all it? I'm inclined to think that we have reached a point where the amount of Sideshow lines and products exceeds what the current collector base can support. And I'm not sure that fixing QC, while needed, will completely solve the problem.

 

[BadMoon]

Well kl241- We can set something special up for you if you want. Let me know your account info in a PM and I will get right on it!

 

[fuzzylojiks]

I agree that QC is an issue, specifically with regards to paint apps. But there are some stunning PFs out there that are still in stock. Why? Is it a financial issue, an issue of having too many other wants on order, lack of interest or lack of knowledge...or perhaps a bit of all it? I'm inclined to think that we have reached a point where the amount of Sideshow lines and products exceeds what the current collector base can support. And I'm not sure that fixing QC, while needed, will completely solve the problem.

Yeah I agree, it's a combination of factors, some of their art direction and changes in scale have also been questionable. Which stunning PFs are still in stock btw? The main thing is the bloating due to cancels when it's time to ship causing leftover stock in the warehouse and they are trying to address that. Looking at the building second chance items, they must be running outta space.

 

[Randy_S]

Ok, well I guess I have not had any major QC issues with SSC and the only one I did was covered, so I was just wondering if anyone here had any instances where stuff is not covered monetarily from the QC standpoint of statues.

If not, I don't see a large problem with the policy, since Chicky also said that it covers QC problems, differring paint app from the proto, and does not extend to the 1/6 line.

I guess we differ on our views on Sideshow's QC, I think they have been pretty good when it comes to statues and their CS department have been helpful. Maybe I've just been pretty lucky so far.

QC is a major factor in why the sales of Star wars 1/6 dropped off by roughly 80% from the beginning of the line. I used to buy every figure & accessory, but they just ended up so poorly made and painted that I stopped ordering and sold off almost all of it. I know others that have as well. Even though they've improved drastically, I still won't go back to them.

 

[The Mike]

Fixing QC won't solve the problem but it'll target it. I would concede that 89% of the issue at hand is folks ordering and then canceling just because they don't have the money or spend the money elsewhere. Personal Financial Reason as the cancel screen has. The thing is that the 11% which comes from people seeing the product and canceling because the paint apps are shotty or like in the Moria Orc the shirt is bright raspberry red instead of the muted maroon like in the pics or something those lines, I don't believe they should be out the deposit because they didn't allow the thing to ship. Not to mention that if the QC issue was resolved you'd be able to say its only because of this not because a variable still in the water.

 

[The Mike]

QC is a major factor in why the sales of Star wars 1/6 dropped off by roughly 80% from the beginning of the line. I used to buy every figure & accessory, but they just ended up so poorly made and painted that I stopped ordering and sold off almost all of it. I know others that have as well. Even though they've improved drastically, I still won't go back to them.

Exactly and just because this particular policy doesn't effect 1/6 (yet) doesn't mean there isn't still a looming QC problem that does actually lend itself to be a part of this policy across the board in all variations of product...People ARE canceling because of QC (more in the 1/6 area which might be why they are left out) but in other products as well and if they could cut that off then you'd have more understanding I believe.

 

[fuzzylojiks]

QC is a major factor in why the sales of Star wars 1/6 dropped off by roughly 80% from the beginning of the line. I used to buy every figure & accessory, but they just ended up so poorly made and painted that I stopped ordering and sold off almost all of it. I know others that have as well. Even though they've improved drastically, I still won't go back to them.

That's a disappointment and sad to hear. Lucky this change does not extend to the 1/6 line then. So far, for the limited statues from SW line I have, the paint apps seem really good tho'.

 

[Enigma]

why people still talking about 1/6 stuff?

Chicky said it will not be for that.

 

[The Mike]

Because if you were following the conversation you see it has moved to QC which does effect 1/6 even if the policy does not. I seriously think that it doesn't effect 1/6 yet...if you look at those threads, those are the most canceled things and I think that its only a matter of time until you see a 10% NRD for 1/6 figures. For the most part it'd be about $10 but still we are talking principles.

 

[choopie]

Yeah I agree, it's a combination of factors, some of their art direction and changes in scale have also been questionable. Which stunning PFs are still in stock btw? The main thing is the bloating due to cancels when it's time to ship causing leftover stock in the warehouse and they are trying to address that. Looking at the building second chance items, they must be running outta space.

Mola Ram, Evil Queen, Vlad, Blackbeard, Rocketeer are items I think are particularly good, IMO. But none of those are Marvel or SW which seem to be the only two licenses most folks are interested in these days anyways.

 

[The Mike]

That opens up the Edition Size can of worms...whether something from an originals line should carry anywhere near the same ES as something from Star Wars or Marvel, two licenses that show they need more, or even if lesser known characters should carry a higher ES which in turn leads to product sitting in the warehouse because of overestimation of ES. Then again I don't know if we want to add another factor into the conversation which is already straining to keep up with the idea of QC.

 

[Enigma]

No 1/6 figures

jumping the gun.

 

[Skiman]

jumping the gun.

Your telling a employee that works for the company and has insider information that they are jumping the gun?

 

[choopie]

That opens up the Edition Size can of worms...whether something from an originals line should carry anywhere near the same ES as something from Star Wars or Marvel, two licenses that show they need more, or even if lesser known characters should carry a higher ES which in turn leads to product sitting in the warehouse because of overestimation of ES. Then again I don't know if we want to add another factor into the conversation which is already straining to keep up with the idea of QC.

Which points to the fact that there are countless factors that drive what sells and what doesn't and what buying behaviors determine what sells through from pre-order to permanent sold-out status. I agree that Sideshow's policy implementation is premature, and I'll also add a bit short-sighted.

 

[The Josh]

Can their QC get better? You bet it can. One should always look to improve and I do think SS is doing that. Now, I do disagree that their QC sucks. That to me says everything from them is nothing like whatever or the item is crap. That's just not true but as I said they can get better.

If this policy helps in that then awesome. If not the yeah it sucks but at the same time it's good in that it will keep folks from just ordering because they can. So while it takes care of that hopefully (and I'd be shocked) is multitasking working to improve QC.

 

[Enigma]

Your telling a employee that works for the company and has insider information that they are jumping the gun?

others are. Chicky said no 1/6 figures.