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

[fuzzylojiks]

Then you must not own figures like Flint or Luke/Han Troopers or ANH Luke or ROTLA Indy, etc, etc and af naseum.

Or PFs like Slave Leia or Indy, etc.

Sideshow has released plenty of items that show QC issues without technically being "defective".

QC also covers overall quality, consistency and attention to detail. Are you claiming that Sideshow is excelling in these areas?

Yeah sorry to hear about your 1/6 figures but I don't collect those. Only the statues which so far have had only 1 problem, which was solved very well with no extra cost incurred. Altho' consisting of a small sample size, that's less than 3% of the total purchased items.

 

[IrishJedi]

Nope. Returns process covers 'mongoloid' issues.

Really? Even if the Rambo PF looking like a mongoloid that I don't want displayed in my collection is just my opinion?? That's a little reassuring, though there is wording in that you posted earlier that would seem to give you guys subjective leeway to deny a full refund in that scenario.

 

[Skiman]

That is a good point. I've been in it since the original red/gold IM Comiquette, in fact I have 2. Each time I opened the box I was worried that it'd be scratched up beyond belief, a common QC problem from the ____ty foam used to ship. Then came the repaint into Stealth, same problem, scratched up beyond belief for some, mine was the lesser and better than the pictures I saw of the exchanges so I kept it especially since they started saying "well then we'll refund" so the person had their cash but not the piece they wanted. Then was the LSBs, again scratches and now paint issues, then came the little film helms, again painting issues with peeling now for some, then came the 1:1 with huge paint issues and scratchings. Notice a trend? Nothing done or said to handle the major issue of QC where these problems should have never happened and only the offer of replacements or refunds and that's it.

I remember all those, that was the brute of everyone doing this -->

and it hasn't gotten better ever since.

 

[fuzzylojiks]

Nope. Returns process covers 'mongoloid' issues.

 

[The Mike]

Nope. Returns process covers 'mongoloid' issues.

I will say this though. Most companies would simply drop a statement and take off. The fact that Chicky is in here (and making jokes) to field some of the questions and clear up understanding shows a lot.

 

[Randy_S]

I think that the economy has hit the collectible industry particularly hard, and I know I have way less disposable income than I used to. Sideshow seems to be in the transition of this with their customer base. I hope that the transition is smooth as possible for all involved, and they can get a better bead on production numbers. It is still a crap shoot though, and some of what is being produced is simply bad decision making on their behalf. I can't begrudge them for chasing licenses, but they make misteps too. Look at Disney PFs. They made a Prince Dastan PF but not one of the classic Disney Princesses? And why haven't they made a push to have this product sold in Disney Stores? Van Helsing as a Premium Format? Did this character really warrant a Premium Format? Some of their overstock issue comes down to strange licensing choices, bizarre character choices, odd sculpts from time to time and some big hits to QC.

Preach on, brother. How many collectors here were around when SS gave out zero details on anything? It used to be that we would get a tiny hint one week before, then during the PPO was the first glimpse of the product. No prior info at all. On top of that, there was zero info as to what they had planned down the line or even hoped to accomplish.

 

[IrishJedi]

I can get onboard a Mongoloid Caveat to this new policy that issues 100% refunds, including the deposit & return shipping.

I'm still skeptical, though.

 

[The Mike]

So if I understand it right, if I get (I'd better pick a PF since people are stuck on scale) a T-1000 PF and I think it sucks from pictures on the board, I can call and say "I think it looks like a mongoloid and don't want it, give me back my deposit" and they'll do it? Or they'll say "Okay but next be more responsible in your orders?" Something seems a miss....

 

[Something Sexy]

This thread is awesome.

 

[IrishJedi]

So if I understand it right, if I get (I'd better pick a PF since people are stuck on scale) a T-1000 PF and I think it sucks from pictures on the board, I can call and say "I think it looks like a mongoloid and don't want it, give me back my deposit" and they'll do it? Or they'll say "Okay but next be more responsible in your orders?" Something seems a miss....

What's amiss: a better production process and quality control that prevents Mongoloids from happening in the first place.

 

[Chicky]

I am trying to get to everyone's relevant concerns in the thread! Our production guys are constantly working on quality issues, sourcing new artists and manufacturing procedures. Have we hit everything 100%? Nope. Do we try like hell? Yes. To assume QC is being put aside until other procedures are put in place, is wildly inaccurate. To assume QC issues are the number one reason for cancellations? Also inaccurate.


Can you return your item if it is majorly different from the prototype and get a full refund? Yes. Can you return your item if you decide you don't like it, ie the pose of Skywalker or the face sculpt of Rambo even though they haven't change from the prototypes? Yes, but in that case you pay return shipping.
Can you return your item for a refund if it didn't have the right amount of dirt deco in the same spots as the prototype? Yes, but this would be considered an aspect of the hand detailing and you would need to pay for return shipping. You can see this list could get pretty long which is why we cant detail it out in our Return Policy, however the majority of collectors who have taken advantage of the policy have been pleased with it.

 

[The Mike]

I notice that the Shield Liger that went up with the NL has this: A non-refundable, one-time deposit of $26.50 is required at the time of order placement.

Now its not small but its a die-cast piece from Yamato...will imports from other companies have this NRD tag as well now? Chicky?

 

[Randy_S]

Something that factors into people cancelling orders, SS is cranking out a lot more product than in previous years. I've never had so much on order before, and when something new is put up for order I sometimes have to sacrifice something else I wanted. When the Emperor PF is put up, it's going to be a difficult choice since I want everything I have on order.

 

[Amanaman]

I notice that the Shield Liger that went up with the NL has this: A non-refundable, one-time deposit of $26.50 is required at the time of order placement.

Now its not small but its a die-cast piece from Yamato...will imports from other companies have this NRD tag as well now? Chicky?

Imports with NRD too, huh? I hope that's a glitch, because these things can be found for less at other retailers, deposit-free.

 

[Seaward]

I am going to be done after this, but to my point above about Sideshow making some odd decisions about who/what gets produced. The Newsletter is posted, and has a sneak peek of the much sought after and highly anticipated . . . Rick from the Mummy...

I didn't know that a ton of people were clamoring over a Brendan "The Forehead" Fraser figure to have as part of their collections, especially in the Premium Format line.

 

[Something Sexy]

I am going to be done after this, but to my point above about Sideshow making some odd decisions about who/what gets produced. The Newsletter is posted, and has a sneak peek of the much sought after and highly anticipated . . . Rick from the Mummy...

I didn't know that a ton of people were clamoring over a Brendan "The Forehead" Fraser figure to have as part of their collections, especially in the Premium Format line.

The Mummy freaking rocks!

 

[choopie]

So if I pre-order something with a deposit required and there's a change from prototype to production before shipping that I don't like (ala light feature added to Chernabog PF), can I cancel and get my deposit refunded or do I have to wait until the item ships then return it?

 

[Seaward]

The Mummy freaking rocks!

To each their own and no offense intended. I was thinking more about the fact that the Mummy isn't an ongoing license for them (at least in this iteration) and without a film being release to tie in product, it seemed like strange timing. I didn't see much buzz on the boards for a figure like this, so it didn't seem to be in relation to some huge fan request either. I was sincerely stumped is all.


don't hate me, but I didn't like the Mummy at all...

 

[Something Sexy]

To each their own and no offense intended. I was thinking more about the fact that the Mummy isn't an ongoing license for them (at least in this iteration) and without a film being release to tie in product, it seemed like strange timing. I didn't see much buzz on the boards for a figure like this, so it didn't seem to be in relation to some huge fan request either. I was sincerely stumped is all.


don't hate me, but I didn't like the Mummy at all...

Oh no I agree with ya 100% that it is an interesting choice since other than the first movie the rest blew and is there really a lot of interest in this? I think I am down for the PF IF the sculpt is updated a bit. But again, if I have to put down a deposit for then I doubt I would order it from SSC. Wait until later on to get it cheap.

 

[LOTRFan]

I didn't know that a ton of people were clamoring over a Brendan "The Forehead" Fraser figure to have as part of their collections, especially in the Premium Format line.

Good news - the likeness isn't exact?



Glad to read Chicky's last few posts, clears up my fears regarding the canned "they are all like that" emails and posts I have seen.