Hot Toys Quality Control: Whats Goin On?

[Hamanu]

Yes of course, and they don't have the facility to complain Or discuss it on a forum like this one.

Just checked a Geman forum and yah, they're also complaining a lot about QC. One guy said that about half of the Batmans are having problems with leaking, and that many figures with rubber parts (muscle bodies) are deteriorating and/or cracking.

Also, a picture was posted of a batsuit (out of the box, not taken out yet) not being glued properly

Seems that folks in other forums share the criticism of many freaks here. This guys also said that, between shipping, customs and QC, he might need to pick another hobby.

 

[siquisiri]

I got a feeling this person isnt taking into consideration figs like the Comedian and the oily Batman DX. These were MAJOR QC issues not a small percentage. I only hope these issues are fixed by the time they release Keaton bats

 

[Rorywan]

I got a feeling this person isnt taking into consideration figs like the Comedian and the oily Batman DX. These were MAJOR QC issues not a small percentage. I only hope these issues are fixed by the time they release Keaton bats

I mean guys we all love HT. I'm a huge fan myself. But if we don't stop for a minute and start pointing out these problems we could end up with EB level QC in a couple of years?

I just wish Noisetrigger could be a little more honest and direct, because the bottom line is here, they will start to lose business if these problems continue, not because of threads like this one but because of customer dissatisfaction and trust.

Can you come back on Noisetrigger? and talk to us, your customers, about the EX Batman fiasco?
In that case I was lucky and got a problem free set, but judging by the EX Batman thread, I was in the minority.

 

[comiclover47]

Not to get in the middle of this but I think he mentioned he doesn't know first hand about Batman Ex cus they don't sell Toy Fair exclusives.at least that's what I got from reading the last 3 pages

 

[drbrad1975]

Firstly, I need to point of that I am not HT HK. We are just a distributor. I am relating our experiences with HT products, from a mass retailer POV. I dare say I deal with more HT products (and whatever problems) on an everyday basis than most collectors. (I am also not doing PR for HT. Why should I? It's not like they are paying me out of their own pocket. But HT is some of the more helpful companies we have dealings with. Try dealing with the Japanese and you will know what is horrible PR).

That means I actually have a first hand experience on how "widespread" these problems are.

At the end of the day, forums, FB, it just represents a small percentage of the total amount of people who collect HT. Do not mistake these voices to represent the opinions of every single collectors all over the world. I think Freaks here give themselves too much credit. Sure we have lots of members and we are surely the biggest figure related forums here but our membership pales in comparison to most social forums.

I am well aware of the Batman issue. I read through the thread. But I can't comment on that since we don't get the exclusives because we have no toy fair here. But 80% of people here have issues doesn't mean 80% of Batman sold have issues.

However I can say that Iron Mark V is the most problem free Iron Man releases so far. Defect rates are way lower than the previous Marks. They really outdone themselves on such a complex figure.

You must be mistaken in thinking that when I say that everyone is happy, I am talking about everyone is the whole world. I am not. Just saying whoever we have sold to here are happy with Indy.

As for your Indy, I am really sorry about your figure but I can only say bad luck. You have to take it up with whoever sold you the fig to sort it out just like how we will also take care of any HT product we sell that has unacceptable defects.

Let me take a ballpark figure. Let's say we sell 200 HT figs. On average we might have around 5 problematic figure. That's a small percentage by any standards. If you mutiply 200 with 10, 2000 figures sold and 50 defective figures, I still say it's a relatively small amount of problematic products. EB and Medicom has a much higher percentage of problems (EB at one point has a 50% problem rate. That means every other one sold has problems. That is one reason we stop carrying EB products, another reason being no one dares to pre-order EB stuff anymore, this is a situation where collectors really speak with their wallet).

The fact that we are still getting record breaking pre-orders for HT products just goes to show that confidence in their product is at an all time high. Sure they have some lemon (DX02 but to HT credit, they did replace every single one that we sent back within the stipulated period)

I am surprised that people are actually offended with my jab. You guys can stand thenammmagazine but not a small jab from me? I thought you guys are a lot more tougher than that.

But seriously. it's really aimed at people who took the time to actually do the Captain America proto and final product comparison with all the lines and boxes. I mean nitpicking figures at a micro level? No one will ever be happy.

I used to do that but one day I realized I am not enjoying the figure anymore but instead finding faults with it every single day. I totally lost the plot.

I am much happier now that I can enjoy the figure as a whole and not by how many thread count the fabric has.

I think you underestimate the problems that hot toys qc is generating. I own somewhere in the neighborhood of 40 hot toys figures and I have had quite a few defects over the years. It seems that the more intricate the figures get the more problems they have. It's getting to the point I don't want to deal with it anymore. I have other hobbies and interest along with work relationships etc to fill my time. I don't want to be on the phone or emailing trying to get parts etc. I don't have the time nor patience anymore. Hot toys website is a joke for handling these issues. They just ignore many of the issues. Hot toys may be best game in town but people only can tolerate so much.

 

[Lejuan]

Couple of points:

* any statistician would be able to tell you that SSF and HT FB communities would almost certainly provide a representative sample of consumers of HT products. Therefore if there's a fair number complaining of QC-related issues on the threads here, it's highly likely that those issues are repeated across the whole customer base.

* I don't buy from sellers who can't offer a sound return policy on defective stuff. Sellers who will replace or refund an item and pay for the shipping costs both ways get my business. Oftentimes they charge a bit more than other sellers, but I see this as a very reasonable insurance policy for those times where I'll need to return an item. To me this is simple: you get a defective item, you return it. Sometimes this is a hassle, but really... this is the way all consumer products work isn't it?

* Some QC issues appear to be born out of lax QC, but rubber deterioration issues are things that only play out over time. HT appear to have learned something of the use of rubber in their figures as evidenced by their exploration of alternative materials in their more recent figures. They're playing a long game in this sense, trying to establish the best materials to use that offer good articulation, minimal use of exposed joints and durability/longevity. This kind of innovation takes time to develop, so the short-term result can be that some figures suffer from that experimentation.

* Every so often you'll get a leaky abs thing or cracked elbow joint thing going on, but it seems that HT don't often repeat their known mistakes - if ever? Most of the QC-related stuff tends to be a result of the implementation of innovative techniques, processes and materials. Do we really want HT to stop their innovative approach to figure design and manufacture?

I just can't bring myself to get worked up about this. The only issue that would really disappoint me would be when a fault or defect only presented itself after such a length of time had lapsed that I couldn't return it for a replacement or refund. I'm lucky in that this hasn't happened to me, so maybe my glass is half-full as a result.

 

[a-dev]

Put simply, the type of idiot who shells out $200 plus for a doll is also the type of person who sits on internet forums to discuss/nitpick said doll. Don't try to marginalize Sideshow freaks as some tiny minority. Just isn't true.

Nosetrigger, are you honestly saying there are people out there who have say a dozen HT figs - an outlay of thousands - and yet have never gone on the internet to discuss them or learn more about them in a forum?

Thats what I've always figured. Most HT owners have to get their stuff online, you can't buy them just anywhere. And if they're online shopping chances are they're also in forums talking about the stuff. I'd find it a strange case someone who collects Hot Toys figures and has never posted online about them.

 

[YoNoSe]

I find the opposite in my personal experience. I deal with many collectors through my friend's store. Most guys who buy HT and SSC product do not participate at this forum though most have lurked at some point. The consensus is that this place is almost hysterically negative.

My friend has carried HT figures since the first AVP Predators. Since then he has had less than 5 returns from the hundreds of figures he's sold.

So in my personal experience noisetrigger's statements ring true.

 

[pepez]

Firstly, thank you for your post. You did so with intelligence and thought which I appreciate, until you completely blew it with your last couple of lines, which I will highlight in bold. I mean seriously, you say that on a toy collectibles forum, where people spend their incredibly hard earned cash on allegedly top end product!
&

There are also several problems with your logic, the main one being that we in SSFreaks are just a little drop in the pond, if that is so, and the problems being reported are relative to the amount of people posting here, there is a massive massive problem in "the big world".

Head over to the Batman Begins EX thread, I would estimate that 80% or more have had QC issues with this release. Thats 80% of the people who post on here. It follows that a similar percentage of the entire output also has these problems.

You say Indy is sold out now and all customers are happy with it? WTF? I have two and both are faulty, one with a dodgy hat and ripped seams the other with a damaged head.
I can tell you, I'm not happy. Stop with the senseless PR, you just come across as dishonest. Did you even bother to look at the pics on the previous page?

I think you are being a little condescending to your fellow freaks to be honest. We are not stupid. And we just want what we are paying for, high-end collectibles/toys that we expect to be of a certain standard.

Whether we play with them all night in our closets or under our beds is none of your business, ensuring that your customers are happy and satisfied with the quality of your products is.

I have not encountered problem with HT so far. Well it's only minor. But I must agree with you. This is the best post so far!!! Good post.

Apart from HT HS getting much improvement, there're minor thing which they lack of and seems to ignore. Not to mention for such 'empire' should have much better customer service. I haven't seen they respond to any comments, critics or stuff. All I saw are releases of newer products, exhibitions, events, new licenses. Only one response regarding fake products. That's it.

I am consider new collectors. But I had spent more than I had my entire live. Not any more. I am not happy with it's quality and arrogance. So don't be subjective and do what you should instead of BAD PR lying to all of our faces.

 

[Uncanny Web-Slinger]

People always say HT is a niche luxury item, so with that in mind i must say that FB and Forums must account for a sizable customer base as its a niche product, not a mainstream products sold in toy stores globally.

There are only around 3-4 retailers who carry Hot Toys in the UK who arent specialist 1/6 stores like OSB. So its not mainstream and therefore the customers talking about them on the internet must equal to at least 40-70% of their total customers.

Not to mention for such 'empire' should have much better customer service. I haven't seen they respond to any comments, critics or stuff. All I saw are releases of newer products, exhibitions, events, new licenses. Only one response regarding fake products. That's it.

they simply have no dailogue for customers to get a response and they only respond on places like their official Facebook page with info on fakes, new stuff and that's it.

With so many licenses fallen off the radar and quite a few QC issues with rubber figures, you'd think they'd make some kind of statement to reassure their customers.

I passed on the New Batman in the end as i was sick of Hot Toys selling rubber figures without any word on fixing the issues they've had

 

[pepez]

People always say HT is a niche luxury item, so with that in mind i must say that FB and Forums must account for a sizable customer base as its a niche product, not a mainstream products sold in toy stores globally.

There are only around 3-4 retailers who carry Hot Toys in the UK who arent specialist 1/6 stores like OSB. So its not mainstream and therefore the customers talking about them on the internet must equal to at least 40-70% of their total customers.



they simply have no dailogue for customers to get a response and they only respond on places like their official Facebook page with info on fakes, new stuff and that's it.

With so many licenses fallen off the radar and quite a few QC issues with rubber figures, you'd think they'd make some kind of statement to reassure their customers.

I passed on the New Batman in the end as i was sick of Hot Toys selling rubber figures without any word on fixing the issues they've had

Exactly. I say it'll be the end of the world when HT speaks up.

 

[noisetrigger]

I think it's culture thing because collectibles are somewhat of a niche market in the States where one city might have only a few of such stores and most have to resort to buying online.

In this part of the world, there are an average of 20 shops in a city selling collectibles. That means you can get HT in most major shopping locations here. In Japan, Taiwan, HK, those shops are practically everywhere. One could say collectible are somewhat mainstream here. (There is hardly a single collector here who doesn't have some HT in their collection these day).

Do you see how much more widespread HT are in this part of the world? Howard has long said that their biggest market is not USA. It's infact Japan. What does that tell you? That means the forum here really only represents are very specific demographics. Sure we have people all over the world but the majority members are from the Great US of A.

And I can tell you that a lot of my customers do not hang out in forums. At least not toy forums. And since we deal directly with customers, I get feedback directly from them and Indy has been very positive.

Let's say HT makes 5000 Indy. Let's say there is indeed 100 problematic Indy, That's only a 2% defect rate for a handmade item. Even if we go to 200 problematic Indy, that's still less than 5% defect rate for something put together by hand.

I can't really comment on Comedian rubber suit. We have long sold out of them and not a single customer actually came back with complains.

But Lejuan said it best. Stuff with experimental materials are hard to predict. I need to point out that a lot of other manufacturer have the same issues when using new materials (not only limited to the toy industry). To HT credit, they try hard to improve on their next releases.

I am well aware of the complains with the DX04 boxes. Almost 1 of 3 will have some forms of tear, some minor, some really major. But you see major improvements with Indy. The material is so much thicker and studier and the outer box is much thicker, offering better protection. That means HT are well aware of the problem and did something to fix it.

HT are not the same as a few years ago where it is truly only the most hardcore will know of them but the moment they started doing movie license, HT has taken their step into mainstream. HT has basically become a household name for collectors. So HT are not as niche as most think and a lot more mainstream in this part of the world.

 

[a-dev]

I don't think Hot Toys are known at all in Ireland but for people who go to Forbidden Planet. I doubt most people realise how far 1/6 dolls have come, they probably still think Action Man is the pinnacle. Sure enough if ever theres an article, for example, about the latest fad X Factor band who've been turned into toys its always pretty much of Action Man standard and thats what the newspapers call 'realistic' - where if they had any awareness of Hot Toys I'm sure they would have a very different view.

 

[Rorywan]

Noise trigger could you please comment on a current QC problem?
Saying something is sold out is only relevant to a company who has cleared their shelves of it and is no longer concerned if it falls apart.

What about the current Batman Begins EX?

Thanks.

 

[noisetrigger]

Noise trigger could you please comment on a current QC problem?
Saying something is sold out is only relevant to a company who has cleared their shelves of it and is no longer concerned if it falls apart.

What about the current Batman Begins EX?

Thanks.

I can't comment on Batman since we didn't get any to sell. Those exclusives are only limited to countries that has a toy fair.

I think others and I have said enough about the QC problems. HT has always had problems. Some minor, some serious but mostly minor. Sure they are some lemon like DX02 and apparently Comedian now, but out of how many releases? HT if we take into account their military line has hundreds of releases and I think a one or two lemon is still a pretty good track record.

I think a lot of the grievance with HT has a lot to do with people getting really critical because of the amount they have been paying.

Let me put things in perspective. HT is still the way cheaper than EB or Medi and those actually get way less flak for the crap they put out (EB GOD and UU Luke anyone?)

SS on the other hand is slowly but surely getting to HT price point and they are no where near HT for the quality and craftsmanship.

 

[Guinnessfan]

I'm speculating here, but when a fig is returned to SSC or an affiliate and replaced wouldn't HT, in the end, be supplying the replacement as is done with all retail? If so HT is well aware of any mass QC issues with their products and I hope they would be looking for ways to avoid any major problems going forward.

 

[dredman1]

HT has to be doing the replacing... why would a vendor pay for their mistakes. For the prices these items should be sold solid. I had to have a couple replaced. Really makes me think before I pre order with the QC issues and different sculpts on the final product.

 

[Rorywan]

Sideshow is selling and replacing the hundreds? of faulty Batman Begins EX, I don't understand why you can't comment on that?

As for a list of rubber decaying.. Mars Attacks, Watchmen, DX02, Sarah Conner, Robocop, all the Alien/Aliens releases. And they still don't admit any kind of problem?

You keep banging on about Enterbay being worse, worse than the current Batman Begins fiasco? Lets talk about HT here, there are plenty of other threads to bash EB and medi.

The major disappointment by many with the Indy release?

I know it has made me stop pre-ordering. HT is no longer a 100% safe bet IMO. It was. I will wait and see closer to the release what problems there are if any. I feel a lot of others will do the same. End result? HT will lose a significant number of pre-orders. You mentioned earlier that some people had actually cancelled their Captain America orders after the threads here.
Shock, Horror! Thats what happens when people are disappointed with a release. You expect them to buy it anyway, to keep you guys happy?

It's supposed to work the other way round mate.

 

[Deak Starkiller]

People cancelling their Captain America pre-orders reeks of bull____. They're looking for any minute flaw/detail to justify cancelling their order/save money. Indy was a let down because of the PERS, but I wouldn't say he has a consistent QA problem. Batman...seems hit or miss. I'd say the Comedian was a legitimate issue, I know mine went to ____ all by itself. I just think the community here is just unrealistic in their expectations.

 

[Kuzeh]

People cancelling their Captain America pre-orders reeks of bull____. They're looking for any minute flaw/detail to justify cancelling their order/save money. Indy was a let down because of the PERS, but I wouldn't say he has a consistent QA problem. Batman...seems hit or miss. I'd say the Comedian was a legitimate issue, I know mine went to ____ all by itself. I just think the community here is just unrealistic in their expectations.

This...
and a severe case of OCD too...

!!