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

[hairlesswookiee]

But here's the thing: I don't give a damn about flippers or flipping or flipflops or whatever. What I care about is Sideshow putting their efforts into ensuring the items I receive look as close as possible to what I looked at when I ordered, and that they have commiserate QC on top of it. And they are absolutely failing there, so they can kiss my ass if they think I'm going to start shelling out non-refundable deposits on their products.

This sums up everything I'll need to post about this subject.

 

[thenammagazine]

Actually if the numbers still hold true we even in our large numbers represent somewhere between 3 and 8% of the base. Sideshow even said in on here a year or so ago that the FREAKS boards while they love us is a small percentage of their actual consumer base.

As for the threads, in reality there is so much bull ____ on a lot of the threads, with junior photoshop artists and screaming and yelling both ways, I guarantee you that those who do post on here, who all have other jobs to do at Sideshow, don't want to wade through that. It would take a dedicated person to just wade through it and grab actual constructive posts to share with the QC team and I seriously doubt they have that.

I believe I did state that we represent a small minority, though a diverse one. But if that's the case then it boils down to poor judgment or an unwillingness to admit to sub par products. Which is even worse in my book.

 

[BadMoon]

all those poor doll collectors

****sauce****










































































The above post has been authorized by skimaninc. Any unauthorized use of this word is prohibited by law. If you use such a work you will be squashed. Thank you and drive through.

 

[The Mike]

If that's the case then it boils down to poor judgment or an unwillingness to admit to sub par products. Which is even worse in my book.

Unfortunately that is the perception already received and understood for a while now, that the product sold out and was bought despite QC issues and continues to do so even though there are reps who come defending it actions speak louder than words and the actions so far have been to maintain the status quo.

 

[Skiman]

@ Bad

^^^

 

[ambasah]

I am confused. I have had to return 2 statues in the past due to poor paint application and SS paid for the shipping both times. If their is a paint flaw (such as the recent iron man fiasco or even the vader bust with the eyes) wouldn't SS take care of all shipping costs?

 

[thenammagazine]

Unfortunately that is the perception already received and understood for a while now, that the product sold out and was bought despite QC issues and continues to do so even though there are reps who come defending it actions speak louder than words and the actions so far have been to maintain the status quo.

I dunno. If actions speak louder than words, their warehouse full of product, added to the fact that preorders aren't selling out and going straight to In Stock should be turning it up to 11. They have to acknowledge that they're part, if not wholly to blame. Just breezing over the Indy products tells the story.

 

[The Josh]

Another recent policy change is that SS no longer gives websites commisions on 1/6 figures sold through banner links. I wonder what's in store next?

Thats just on 1:6th Star Wars. Not anything else as far as I know.


I do agree with everyone that if you start putting in policies like this you must improve yourself in every way possible.

 

[fronkenstein]

It will definitely deter me from ordering exclusives. I was on the fence as to whether they are worth it anyway as I almost never use the EX item.

 

[woozie0]

Actually if the numbers still hold true we even in our large numbers represent somewhere between 3 and 8% of the base. Sideshow even said in on here a year or so ago that the FREAKS boards while they love us is a small percentage of their actual consumer base.

As for the threads, in reality there is so much bull ____ on a lot of the threads, with junior photoshop artists and screaming and yelling both ways, I guarantee you that those who do post on here, who all have other jobs to do at Sideshow, don't want to wade through that. It would take a dedicated person to just wade through it and grab actual constructive posts to share with the QC team and I seriously doubt they have that.

Wow, we're only 3-8% of their customer base?!? I thought it would be a lot higher...no wonder they don't listen to us!!

But now I'm wondering why companies like Bowen and Koto go to great lengths to establish relationships through forums like Statue Marvels and Statue Forums? Is their customer base that much different from Sideshow's?

 

[obi_dave_kenobi]

I stopped buying sideshow products from sideshow directly a long while back, 1/6 Plo Koon was my last direct purchase. I rather see it at hastings first, which I am glad I have done cause I have seen some ____ results in proto vs. actual (New Hope Luke for one).

It wasn't till recently that I bought the Special ops troop from them and it was mainly due to I didn't want to miss out on it, and cashed in my reward points that I amount from buying all my hot toys stuff from them. I did have a concern with the quality of the blaster thought =0(.

I am kinda worried about the Cody actual product, I hope it turns out well or i'll have to pay the $20 Cancel fee for the Flex pay.

That in mind, I mainly use sideshow for my Marvel Hot Toys stuff. Now if I could get a DC Hot Toys seller that is trustworthy. Any hints?


Ps. Mike I really your sig. Elmo never looked so nice. lol

 

[fuzzylojiks]

I am confused. I have had to return 2 statues in the past due to poor paint application and SS paid for the shipping both times. If their is a paint flaw (such as the recent iron man fiasco or even the vader bust with the eyes) wouldn't SS take care of all shipping costs?

I've yet to hear about a QC issue where SS refuses to pay for the shipping. They totally covered my shipping too. Perhaps those that are irate over the QC issues can chime in.

 

[fuzzylojiks]

Wow, we're only 3-8% of their customer base?!? I thought it would be a lot higher...no wonder they don't listen to us!!

But now I'm wondering why companies like Bowen and Koto go to great lengths to establish relationships through forums like Statue Marvels and Statue Forums? Is their customer base that much different from Sideshow's?

I wonder how much of their consumer base are flippers

 

[risingstar]

Why all the hate on flipping? Moreover, why are people who sell collectibles at a profit viewed differently than anyone else selling things at a profit? It's lunacy.

I am remarkably thankful a market exists for flipping. I sold at least 85 Bowen statues and busts over the last two years. On the most part, I made some decent money. Much of that money went on to pay for other collectibles I wanted even more. I, for one, am thrilled there's a market to move this stuff.

Whether I choose to move stuff the day something comes out or two years down the line shouldn't make a difference. I must say, busy-bodies are a major pet peeve of mine. Some people would actually have us submit 1000 word essays on how we believe we deserve the right to by a $50 bust. Jeez. This astounding sense of entitlement is such a total turn off.

 

[thenammagazine]

I've yet to hear about a QC issue where SS refuses to pay for the shipping. They totally covered my shipping too. Perhaps those that are irate over the QC issues can chime in.

If you're not satisfied (which from what I've seen is only 3 exchanges), per the new policy, you pay for shipping if the end result is a refund.

 

[fuzzylojiks]

If you're not satisfied (which from what I've seen is only 3 exchanges), per the new policy, you pay for shipping if the end result is a refund.

Not if it's a valid QC issue for me. They paid up.

 

[thenammagazine]

Not if it's a valid QC issue for me. They paid up.

Unless there's breakage, "valid" is entirely subjective. I personally think ____ty paint apps are a valid reason. Any changes made from prototype to production are also valid reasons (equates basically to false advertising). I'm betting they don't see it that way though.

 

[quadcent]

for all those that think ssc is doing this to screw the flippers, do you really think ssc is gunning for them, NOT. i believe flippers are actually a very small percentage of the people that cancel.

i personally think it's coming down to a situation that i was told about sometime ago that with the combination of larger ES's and the no pain cancellation policy ssc's warehouse is bursting at the seams. they simply just don't have the room to store stuff anymore so they have to implement some sort of policy to curve the problem. other things they could do is to widen their already huge GC selection while being able to use the GC in combination with other discounts and free shipping.
for the life of me i can't understand why they insist on having items on the GC list (which mean they want to move it) but then when they offer another special they then take the item off of the GC listing.
i'm sure most people realise how much this stuff costs to make and even with multiple discounts on the product ssc is still making a good margain.

 

[kl241]

Most of the exclusives are gimmicky anyways. Unless it's absolutely essential for the character I don't need it. I have been buying less directly from Sideshow and more from vendors like AE because it saves 10%-15% and Reward Points be damned. I can never use them on what I really want to use them on anyways.

 

[risingstar]

Unless there's breakage, "valid" is entirely subjective. I personally think ____ty paint apps are a valid reason.

I have found that consumers and production companies differ greatly in how they might define a poor paint application. Don't even get me started on how distributors like Diamond might define a poor paint application. I don't even think it's in their vocabulary... lol.

Any changes made from prototype to production are also valid reasons (equates basically to false advertising). I'm betting they don't see it that way though.

I believe there's a caveat which states some changes may be made during the production phase. I think all companies use that disclaimer of sorts. No real false advertizing to be found there.