How dumb do you think we are?? PART 2

[Elijah Snow]

Really?
Didn't Dave lock the other one?
Not too long now I'm guessing until this one meets the same fate.
Also if you don't like Sideshow,what are you doing here?

DUDE! Is that Lifeforce? AWESOME flick!

 

[Elijah Snow]

Hard to disagree with this topic, overall. Finally cancelled Thanos EX for a refund after 2nd replacement shipped with same problems. I have a real issue with the "There will always be problems---can't you just keep it and repair it yourself?" mentality. For $400+, you should expect a consistantly QC assured product.

 

[riky]

Quaility has gone down and price has gone up and the pieces still sell out. Not exactly great motivation to improve. I have read comments on these boards from members who think a piece is over priced but buy it anyway, or have QC issues with a piece but are willing to live with it to avoid the hassle of exchanging. We made the bed we are now sleeping in.

 

[Kibishii]

I have been watching this thread and not intervened as I think it is a good outlet for discussion if used appropriately.

Thanks Shell for actually letting constructive criticism of Sideshow occur.

 

[Dr Hulk]

i just started collecting.....i bought 5 items form Sideshow and had to return 3 because of QC problems, so this might be the the reason im leaving this collecting hobby...i had 6 items from bowen and didnt have to return not even 1....3 out of 5 is freaking sad considering the money i spent...the only peace i have left is the Hulk Comm and i might sell that and call it a day...let see

 

[jinxx]

Just give me Selene and all will be forgiven SS.

I concur.

 

[Chronotrigger]

I concur.

For that, I'm sending Lil Kim to your house. Lock your doors!

 

[dfchang]

I think part of it is the increasing cost of production at the Chinese Factory level as well as the increasing ambitious nature of the pieces.

More lights, more size, more characters, more intricate designs . . . and the narrowing profit margin means more errors.

Also, they are asking for more and more in terms of paint applications. Painting Iron Man pieces well require time and attention and that equals money.

To be quite honest, one of the biggest problems we as collectors have encountered is sub-par paint applications. This is the heart of most of the returns. To be fair, paint application is also somewhat subjective. For example, "unacceptable" paint smears or blotches or brush strokes may be completely invisible to many less discerning or picky collectors.

This is the case with the Iron Man Mark VI maquette for instance where complaints about brush strokes on the chin or sloppy line work along the sides of the faceplate were common reasons for returns.

Other issues are much more objective. Paint chips, paint flakes, damage . . . these are unacceptable. Electronics that DON'T work as in Iron Man Maquettes or Thanos diormas are unacceptable. PAINT FLAKING due to the unforgiveable shortcut of not using primer (this is a 5th grade bush league mistake people) is UNACCEPTABLE. It is an embarrassment and usually mandates FIRING of the factory in question. Poor priming leading to paint flaking months or even years down the line has now affected Legendary Scale bust lines, 1:1 bust lines, and statues as well. These are CONFIRMED issues.

Even more troubling are the appearance of FACTORY PERFECT unofficial castings of rare Sideshow products. Balrog originals, black and white Ardeth Bey busts, Dracula busts, Xmen vs Sentinel, chrome Endoskulls . . . they are PERFECT. The only explanation is behind the back, illegal casts from the original Chinese factories.

These are problems that are essentially non-existent with Bowen or Clayburn Moore products. I have NEVER seen a Clayburn Moore pieces that wasn't exquisitely painted. In fact, they are done so well, I can't even see the difference from the prototype. I have NEVER seen Bowen "artist proof" knock offs on Ebay.

The bottom line is that these companies must be using better people in China with better factories and better quality control.

Right now, Sideshow is bigger than Bowen, bigger than Moore, bigger than Cinemaquette, bigger than anybody. With size comes these types of issues. Eventually, their reputation will begin to suffer as collectors increasingly ask themselves: "Are we going to get the piece we put down that non-refundable deposit for and waited 6 monts for?"

Instead of 1000 dollars on Sideshow, maybe I pay 1500 for a Cinemaquette because I know customer service is going to be impeccable and I'll be treated like royalty. Maybe I go for a Clayburn Moore 5000 dollar bronze instead of a 6000 dollar Endoskeleton because I think there will be less issues with the former.

Sideshow needs to send Tom Gilliland and his team to China and they need to take down names and kick ass because THAT is the weak link between design and prototype production and what winds up in our hands.

Currently, I've scaled back down to only the Star Wars 1/6 line of which I am a completist and the PF Disney and Lord of the Rings lines which I think still has very good quality control. Personally, I've become scared off Marvel completely.

I hope things change but there is more and more competition out there for "high end" dollars and when you spend over 1000 dollars on a piece, you expect NOT ONLY perfection but also perfect customer service.

Which brings me finally to Sideshow's customer service. Yes, they have almost always been unfailing polite but Jaclyn Yudowsky who was in Returns now is not. That leaves who? Inthia is in charge and who is going to help her out? With the increasing issues of quality control, there were only TWO people total (jaclyn and Inthia) to handle ALL OF THAT. Again that is unacceptable. Sideshow is fooling themselves if they think they are good enough and their Chinese factories "perfect" enough that they can handle ALL the return and replacement requests INTERNATIONALLY through only two overworked ladies.

Customers who have broken 500 dollar statues deserve a reply within 48 hours, if you can't do that, you need better quality control or you need to hire more staff to handle that.

I also am concerned about their policy to only allow two returns per customer whatever the issue. I understand this is to protect the company from the few individuals who are essentially unsatisfiable but again each issue should be looked at individually.

I returned a Mark VI maquette for a broken LED. My replacement had a broken chip off the right knee. These have absolutely NOTHING to do with subjective paint application issues and when I spend with tax and shippping 555 dollars for a "Legacy" piece, do I not deserve something without paint chips or a non-functioning LED light? Yet, I was told after the second picture that "no more stock was available" in Returns and offered either a full refund or a 20 percent off to have the statue "repaired."

We have had documented issues with Mark VI Maquette, Thanos diorama, Carnage Comiquette, Alien Warrior Maquette. Issues are NOT just with subjective paint application quality. Issues include broken statues, non-functioning LED lights, and easily seen scratches and chips.

I consider myself a very reasonable, very fair-minded, very educated person who is NOT obsessive compulsive with quality. For instance I kept my Stealth Iron Man comiquette despite 3 to 4 bad scratches on the back right shoulder armor and a small chip along the spine because I felt it did not affect the displayability of the piece.

I've been around watching Sideshow since the Sideshow Weta days. That was before they had things called "Premium Format." This was before they got the Star Wars license, the Marvel license, the Indiana Jones license, the Disney license, before dioramas, before 1:2 scales, before life-size, before Aliens, before Terminator, etc.

You can say I was around for the Renaissance of Sideshow when they rose from a niche garage kit and 12 inch figure specialist to an international high-end collectible powerhouse.

I think I do speak with the perspective of these long years (close to a decade!) that there is a VERY TROUBLING decline in overall quality and I do feel that while the very best is still in front of Sideshow, they need to stop for a moment and clean up their backyard especially with regard to their production facilities in China and their quality control both overseas and domestically.

Dennis

 

[Halcyon]

Give me a ____ing break already...
We're taking notes on new products and the large numbers of CRAP that are making it to loyal customers who have come to expect MUCH more.
...and you can only blame the economy for so long.

This is simply to get people talking more... fanning the proverbial flame. After all, the squeakiest wheel gets the oil. BUT if enough wheels start squeaking, hopefully Sideshow does something before they (WE) all fall off.

Honestly, I'd love nothing more than for SS to step up their QC and get back to the way they were before. Sadly, it probably won't happen, but they could at least make an effort to keep the product quality at a level that matches the prices.

Sideshow needs a NEW PAINT factory!!!!!!!!

Look at Hot Toys, they deliver time and time again.
Sideshow shats on amazing sculpts time and time again.
Its ridiculous. As a sculptor working for them I would go crazy to see my hard work destroyed by horrible paints.

Sideshow could solve 99% of the problems they are having now just by imploying a quality paint factory.

Excellent thread. As a customer for almost 8 years now I have definately seen a change. some of it can be attributed to growing pains, but I think the real issue is that SS has no competition.
We need another (licensed) company to begin producing 1/4 scale statues.

I've said it before, but how can a company like ATTAKUS make perfectly painted statues without issue time and time again, while we continue to get fiascos like the recent iron man from SS?

And the "don't buy it" arguement is silly. I LOVE SS and want them to be better.

You have a point jbinny. Once I get spidey, and I hope he's perfect I'm taking a break from SSC for a while, unless something I really really want comes out.

Im actually FOR Jbinny posting his grievance, I think he's 100% right on. I think DD was wrong for closing the 1st thread, although if he closed it because of the tone, that I can understand. But if buyers have a legit concern about the quality of merchandise, they have the right to say so.
I think this thread is needed.

They also said HT had an advantage because they could have someone on site. It wasn't cost effective for SS to have someone over there. Looks like they better start looking into making it cost effective.

Why is this poster RIP? Cause he said something bad about one of the companies? He should be able to rant if he wants to. He didn't curse any one out or drop racist rhetoric around. Worst thing he might have done is offend someone who's in love with Sideshow. If there's a board rule he's breaking that's one thing, but if the stink is because he's expressing his disappointment with Sideshow, some people need to get thicker skin. Frankly, I think he makes some good points. I've had QC issues with 1/3 of the stuff I've bought from them, to the point I might start considering just buying Hot Toys soon.

I started with this hobby (buying statues I like) a year ago and have about ten sideshow statues (and a few on pre-order). But half of them had a serious issue.

Have to say I fully agree with quotes above..
Pretty frustrating if you receive an expensive statue with flaws that could easily be avoided or repaired/repainted within the factory. Factory management and QC (not blaming hardworking people on factory floor) are deliberately sending these pieces out, while they know its no good. Sloppy paint and glue strings all over it. I even received parts that where broken at end of factory assembly and quickly glued again and still put in the box to cover it up.

It's no fun, bcs it happens to often and local stores get to many requests/returns and won't or can't help you to replace it for one you should receive in the first place.

 

[budafett]

I only have 3 sideshow pieces and none of them have given me issue but I as I've been reading the boards I can feel for the people who have received bad pieces.

 

[DeltaForceChung]

I think part of it is the increasing cost of production at the Chinese Factory level as well as the increasing ambitious nature of the pieces.

More lights, more size, more characters, more intricate designs . . . and the narrowing profit margin means more errors.

Also, they are asking for more and more in terms of paint applications. Painting Iron Man pieces well require time and attention and that equals money.

To be quite honest, one of the biggest problems we as collectors have encountered is sub-par paint applications. This is the heart of most of the returns. To be fair, paint application is also somewhat subjective. For example, "unacceptable" paint smears or blotches or brush strokes may be completely invisible to many less discerning or picky collectors.

This is the case with the Iron Man Mark VI maquette for instance where complaints about brush strokes on the chin or sloppy line work along the sides of the faceplate were common reasons for returns.

Other issues are much more objective. Paint chips, paint flakes, damage . . . these are unacceptable. Electronics that DON'T work as in Iron Man Maquettes or Thanos diormas are unacceptable. PAINT FLAKING due to the unforgiveable shortcut of not using primer (this is a 5th grade bush league mistake people) is UNACCEPTABLE. It is an embarrassment and usually mandates FIRING of the factory in question. Poor priming leading to paint flaking months or even years down the line has now affected Legendary Scale bust lines, 1:1 bust lines, and statues as well. These are CONFIRMED issues.

Even more troubling are the appearance of FACTORY PERFECT unofficial castings of rare Sideshow products. Balrog originals, black and white Ardeth Bey busts, Dracula busts, Xmen vs Sentinel, chrome Endoskulls . . . they are PERFECT. The only explanation is behind the back, illegal casts from the original Chinese factories.

These are problems that are essentially non-existent with Bowen or Clayburn Moore products. I have NEVER seen a Clayburn Moore pieces that wasn't exquisitely painted. In fact, they are done so well, I can't even see the difference from the prototype. I have NEVER seen Bowen "artist proof" knock offs on Ebay.

The bottom line is that these companies must be using better people in China with better factories and better quality control.

Right now, Sideshow is bigger than Bowen, bigger than Moore, bigger than Cinemaquette, bigger than anybody. With size comes these types of issues. Eventually, their reputation will begin to suffer as collectors increasingly ask themselves: "Are we going to get the piece we put down that non-refundable deposit for and waited 6 monts for?"

Instead of 1000 dollars on Sideshow, maybe I pay 1500 for a Cinemaquette because I know customer service is going to be impeccable and I'll be treated like royalty. Maybe I go for a Clayburn Moore 5000 dollar bronze instead of a 6000 dollar Endoskeleton because I think there will be less issues with the former.

Sideshow needs to send Tom Gilliland and his team to China and they need to take down names and kick ass because THAT is the weak link between design and prototype production and what winds up in our hands.

Currently, I've scaled back down to only the Star Wars 1/6 line of which I am a completist and the PF Disney and Lord of the Rings lines which I think still has very good quality control. Personally, I've become scared off Marvel completely.

I hope things change but there is more and more competition out there for "high end" dollars and when you spend over 1000 dollars on a piece, you expect NOT ONLY perfection but also perfect customer service.

Which brings me finally to Sideshow's customer service. Yes, they have almost always been unfailing polite but Jaclyn Yudowsky who was in Returns now is not. That leaves who? Inthia is in charge and who is going to help her out? With the increasing issues of quality control, there were only TWO people total (jaclyn and Inthia) to handle ALL OF THAT. Again that is unacceptable. Sideshow is fooling themselves if they think they are good enough and their Chinese factories "perfect" enough that they can handle ALL the return and replacement requests INTERNATIONALLY through only two overworked ladies.

Customers who have broken 500 dollar statues deserve a reply within 48 hours, if you can't do that, you need better quality control or you need to hire more staff to handle that.

I also am concerned about their policy to only allow two returns per customer whatever the issue. I understand this is to protect the company from the few individuals who are essentially unsatisfiable but again each issue should be looked at individually.

I returned a Mark VI maquette for a broken LED. My replacement had a broken chip off the right knee. These have absolutely NOTHING to do with subjective paint application issues and when I spend with tax and shippping 555 dollars for a "Legacy" piece, do I not deserve something without paint chips or a non-functioning LED light? Yet, I was told after the second picture that "no more stock was available" in Returns and offered either a full refund or a 20 percent off to have the statue "repaired."

We have had documented issues with Mark VI Maquette, Thanos diorama, Carnage Comiquette, Alien Warrior Maquette. Issues are NOT just with subjective paint application quality. Issues include broken statues, non-functioning LED lights, and easily seen scratches and chips.

I consider myself a very reasonable, very fair-minded, very educated person who is NOT obsessive compulsive with quality. For instance I kept my Stealth Iron Man comiquette despite 3 to 4 bad scratches on the back right shoulder armor and a small chip along the spine because I felt it did not affect the displayability of the piece.

I've been around watching Sideshow since the Sideshow Weta days. That was before they had things called "Premium Format." This was before they got the Star Wars license, the Marvel license, the Indiana Jones license, the Disney license, before dioramas, before 1:2 scales, before life-size, before Aliens, before Terminator, etc.

You can say I was around for the Renaissance of Sideshow when they rose from a niche garage kit and 12 inch figure specialist to an international high-end collectible powerhouse.

I think I do speak with the perspective of these long years (close to a decade!) that there is a VERY TROUBLING decline in overall quality and I do feel that while the very best is still in front of Sideshow, they need to stop for a moment and clean up their backyard especially with regard to their production facilities in China and their quality control both overseas and domestically.

Dennis

--

I can agree with the above; however, why should Sideshow even bother to listen much less acknowledge or read a legitimate much less a valid and vicious complaint/concern.

Their logic/rationale . . .

OH, WELL . . . we're experiencing quality control issues, but those collectors and still paying $ for the stuff. Why would we even bother addressing or improving because we'll still sell enough to make $ and those who cancel . . . others will pick up their canceled orders. We win regardless so screw that.

The preceding logic/rationale is not specific to Sideshow, but pretty much many businesses/companies nowadays.

I still buy and enjoy a variety of products by Sideshow and I've experienced my share of quality control on a product or two which I addressed to Sideshow which they addressed and resolved.

If some of you REALLY are that IRKED by Sideshow, then . . .

1. CALL them and speak with someone in the appropriate area and state your complaints.

2. E-MAIL them and state your complaints . . . hopefully in a calm and collective manner.

3. POST & DISCUSS within this forum . . . like we usually do anyway, but the manner in which express yourself is also looked up not just by Sideshow (if they even look @ such a thread like this), but by other forum members who may share the same sentiment as you, but not necessarily the same intensity.

Unlike others, I've yet to spend $500.00+ on any one single product from Sideshow. I've been sticking with 1:6 and other assorted products, but I would totally understand how one would be upset if spending that much $ and getting an inferior product and then the replacement is no better.

 

[Syrio]

Here's the thing, if Sideshow isn't giving you the satisfaction for your dollar. Stop buying from them, that's the only message that they hear, not a million rants on a message board.

And if you say "but they'll sell out any way", then your real issue is not with Sideshow, but with you fellow collectors who for whatever reason have lesser standards/expectations for their dollar than you do yours. Which I sense ultimately is the purpose of this thread. It's not "why are you doing this to us Sideshow" and more "why are you schmucks taking it from Sideshow".

 

[bearmodel]

My 2 cents.....

Sideshow should slow down the amount of stuff that comes out every year. That will help increase quality control....

I think the paint job could be better but i think they do a better paint job than most companies.....

SS customer service is one of the best I ever had a pleasure to deal with so even if you get a broken piece, Sideshow will make it right....

As a company, Sideshow does more than most out there with free stuff, discounts, gift cards and rewards.

we can't really say they release a lot of crap because one thing might suck to one collector but to other it might be great so it comes down to taste and everyone has a different one....

So we should let Sideshow know how we feel about it, they really should consider a better paint factory, they should slow down and concentrate on the QC and we should give credit to SS for having a great CS and for giving us all this free stuff all the time .....

Anyway, love you Sideshow but get your act together...

Cheers

Bear

 

[Darklord Dave]

A general abusive thread is of no use to anyone, as I mentioned to the OP in a PM. I have no idea what he's talking about and since he cannot express himself in an appropriate manner and will not deign to elaborate on his problems I feel that this thread has no point in existing.