InArt: The Lord of the Rings - Aragorn 1:6

[webhead05]

I just can't bring myself to bury a company that has fewer than 10 releases under their belt. InArt has problems, and I'm certainly not excusing the customer service side of it, but the real test is whether they get better over time. Now, the rapid escalation of prices is concerning, can't argue at all with that.

 

[Wor-Gar]

Does Hot Toys have great customer service...?

 

[newapelles]

InArt has its fair share of issues, no doubt, and 1/6th figures overall are only going to get more expensive (especially with the upcoming tariffs on Chinese goods). I have a feeling the collecting community is going to take a huge hit next year. I'm expecting lots of cancellations and much smaller figure runs. Definitely going to have to be WAY more selective (and I'm already pretty selective to begin with).

 

[Wor-Gar]

I have a feeling the collecting community is going to take a huge hit next year.

 

[HyperDrive]

And then there’s me who loves INART lol. I don’t have real issues with them, especially not to the point where I’d be deterred from getting them – they’re superior figures over my Hot Toys toyish figures. Sure, Hot Toys quality is refined at this point, but INART is still a mass production company and a relatively new one. Legit issues with INART figures would be taken care of if you go through a reputable store, so not sure why most here act like you’re royally f**ked if you receive a INART set with legitimate QC issues. Lastly, Idk but imo, some of y’all perceive them as something they’re not and treat them like they’re making extremely limited custom pieces lol. I’m being hyperbolic but it’s just how I read it. I’m sure I’ll be proved wrong, but these are just my observations, guys.

Idk, more for me. I say that as someone who also collects and loves my Hot Toys and intend to keep collecting Hot Toys despite thinking INART is superior for mass production.

I also don’t understand why even collect if the hobby is losing its luster.

 

[Rzeznikk]

Does Hot Toys have great customer service...?

I was thinking about this the other day. With all the talk about inarts customer service. I don't think I've ever seen of heard of HT taking care of their customers with any QC issues. Correct me if I'm wrong.

I know Sideshow has some policies in place, but does HT do anything directly?

 

[Spliff]

got mine in today. no qc issues here, but i went with the standard as i didn't think the premium version was worth an extra $250. that said i am blown away by the quality and will never buy another HT fig again after this.

while i think the figure is outstanding, i will say that the likeness is both great and bad. i can tell you that there is no way to properly photograph it and you really need to see it in person. my issue with it is some angles it looks dead on to Viggo and others it looks like a cosplayer. that said i only spent $300 on it so i couldn't be happier.

 

[Gipetto0812]

Does Hot Toys have great customer service...?

I was thinking about this the other day. With all the talk about inarts customer service. I don't think I've ever seen of heard of HT taking care of their customers with any QC issues. Correct me if I'm wrong.

I know Sideshow has some policies in place, but does HT do anything directly?

I don't think they do, but someone can correct me if I'm wrong. If I've heard correctly, I think if you buy/order from Secret Base or any of their other official stores, they don't let you exchange a bad product for a new one. Which is sort of odd that they allow exchanges for their distributors/partners, but won't allow them for direct buyers

 

[HyperDrive]

it’s funny to me how much people crap on INART’s customer service when technically, most of us (I’d wager it’s like 90% of us in these community groups) shouldn’t even have INART products. Most of us do not buy directly……. It’s an incredibly small percentage that are able to buy directly from them that are in these groups but based on all the commotion, you’d think we’re all buying directly from them and INART is telling us to go f**k ourselves. And again, if there’s legitimate QC issues, I’m sure it warrants replacement. Kit is the best option for those who can’t order directly and even he can only do so much. Idk, I’m just grateful I’m even able to get a INART figure stateside.

 

[Spliff]

after getting Aragorn i am depressed i'll never be able to afford Gandalf. i hope they go balls to the wall and do a Sauron though.

 

[Gipetto0812]

And again, if there’s legitimate QC issues, I’m sure it warrants replacement.

I think there were two cases (that we know of) for Gandalf that were pretty bad that InArt did not feel warranted replacements, if I remember correctly. It’s been awhile so I could be wrong and am prepared to be corrected.

One was paint missing on the nose and instead of replacing the head, they just sent a color pencil to “fix” the missing paint.

Another was someone’s Gandalf head had hair that was about as short as Aragorn’s and InArt said that was acceptable normal variance and not worthy of a replacement.

So, things like that get ppl more worried about if InArt will actually come through with replacements when QC issues like the above, that appear to legitimately fall under real and warranted QC issues, aren’t even address properly by the company.

 

[HyperDrive]

I think there were two cases (that we know of) for Gandalf that were pretty bad that InArt did not feel warranted replacements, if I remember correctly. It’s been awhile so I could be wrong and am prepared to be corrected.

One was paint missing on the nose and instead of replacing the head, they just sent a color pencil to “fix” the missing paint.

Another was someone’s Gandalf head had hair that was about as short as Aragorn’s and InArt said that was acceptable normal variance and not worthy of a replacement.

So, things like that get ppl more worried about if InArt will actually come through with replacements when QC issues like the above, that appear to legitimately fall under real and warranted QC issues, aren’t even address properly by the company.

I’d love to know who those customers were. Where they direct INART store purchasers or were they going through a third party retailer/reseller? I know I’ll be told: “that’s besides the point” and “it doesn’t matter” or really, what people would like to say is that I’m outright stupid. But I’d like to know. I need more information. I’d also like to know how people go about these conversations with who they’re interfacing with. I’m sorry, but I take these things with a grain of salt and what people say online. I also don’t always believe people when they show whatever defect they’re broadcasting. Who knows, what if they damaged the figure themselves, and are outright lying, making it seem like it arrived defective from the factory? Generally speaking, people do it all the time. For various things in life.

I’m aware I’ve said I think some collectors overthink the hobby, and while I don’t think I’d classify myself as I’m “overthinking” this, I just take what people say with a grain of salt lol.

EDIT: I’m not disputing there aren’t QC issues.

I also feel for people who feel worried about potentially getting a defective product. That being said, I think the QC issues topic is overblown.

I also agree that INART needs to streamline their quality management and standardize their QC processes across all factories they send their products through. How I understand it is that Hot Toys has a dedicated and in house factory whereas INART has several factories, so yeah luck of the draw where the figure the end user gets is coming from. Yes, they need to ensure same acceptable range of variation across the board and minimize the range in variance. I’ve never disputed this.

Apologies for my Lousy grammar. I’m watching Monday Night Football lol, and my team is losing so I’m just typing away. Have drinks in me too. Sorry

 

[Earth 616 Collector]

I think there were two cases (that we know of) for Gandalf that were pretty bad that InArt did not feel warranted replacements, if I remember correctly. It’s been awhile so I could be wrong and am prepared to be corrected.

One was paint missing on the nose and instead of replacing the head, they just sent a color pencil to “fix” the missing paint.

Another was someone’s Gandalf head had hair that was about as short as Aragorn’s and InArt said that was acceptable normal variance and not worthy of a replacement.

So, things like that get ppl more worried about if InArt will actually come through with replacements when QC issues like the above, that appear to legitimately fall under real and warranted QC issues, aren’t even address properly by the company.

Correct on both. The hair issue was so bad, I and others, legitimately thought the owner purposely destroyed the hair to smear InArt. Obviously after reading what they had to say, that wasn't the case. The hair was just that bad.

Maybe that employee was on their 30th hour straight working, or had a few to drink at lunch. I've seen Barbies with better hair cuts from my sister's growing up.

Does Hot Toys have great customer service...?

This, InArt needs to get that global license going for every figure and partner with a place like BBTS.

 

[HyperDrive]

This, InArt needs to get that global license going for every figure and partner with a place like BBTS.

If they partner with BBTS, just be prepared for a steep price hike, like at least 20% or more. Imo, there’s no need for them to have a middle man (like Hot Toys has with Sideshow). Cut them out, I’d say. If INART has a global license for an IP, they take care of the distribution themselves. First figure like that will be Dune Paul Atreides.

Where the rest of the world will finally experience what the Aussies and regions in Asia are currently experiencing. Something that the rest of us simply aren’t since we’re going through third party avenues.

 

[Earth 616 Collector]

If they partner with BBTS, just be prepared for a steep price hike, like at least 20% or more. Imo, there’s no need for them to have a middle man (like Hot Toys has with Sideshow). Cut them out, I’d say. If INART has a global license for an IP, they take care of the distribution themselves. First figure like that will be Dune Paul Atreides.

Where the rest of the world will finally experience what the Aussies and regions in Asia are currently experiencing. Something that the rest of us simply aren’t since we’re going through third party avenues.

True, there would be a 20% increase from the HK prices. Im thinking more from the aspect that InArt wouldn't have to handle the QC stuff like Hot Toys and be more hands off beyond making the product.

When there are issues with long delays and figures rolling out in batch systems with Hot Toys, many people blame Sideshow, not Hot Toys. When it's with InArt, they take the full blame. Kit doesn't take it, rightfully so and SpecFiction doesn't take it. Although they probably should to some extent.

How long has Deadpool been rolling out in batches? Nobody is complaining about Hot Toys doing that. Anyone that is complaining is mad at Sideshow. It's not like Sideshow is sitting on a stockpile of inventory that they are not sending out.

I think this could just help InArt's overall image and help finetoon some problems they are running into.

 

[HyperDrive]

True, there would be a 20% increase from the HK prices. Im thinking more from the aspect that InArt wouldn't have to handle the QC stuff like Hot Toys and be more hands off beyond making the product.

It would be an increase in comparison to the HK prices but also their current listed prices on their direct website. And hold on, but BBTS doesn’t handle the QC for Hot Toys.. or Sideshow for that matter, they’re just distributors..

When there are issues with long delays and figures rolling out in batch systems with Hot Toys, many people blame Sideshow, not Hot Toys.

Yeah, cause people are du- sorry, ignorant. They don’t have the full picture.

When it's with InArt, they take the full blame. Kit doesn't take it, rightfully so and SpecFiction doesn't take it. Although they probably should to some extent.

People love to pick and choose and simply hate on INART lol imo. And on FB, you’d be surprised, people blame Kit all the time. It’s become a meme at this point.

How long has Deadpool been rolling out in batches? Nobody is complaining about Hot Toys doing that. Anyone that is complaining is mad at Sideshow.

I think it’s a mix of both, but yeah you’re right, people instead put the onus on Sideshow vs Hot Toys.

It's not like Sideshow is sitting on a stockpile of inventory that they are not sending out.

hey, that reminds me of someone! Spec Fiction.

I think this could just help InArt's overall image and help finetoon some problems they are running into.

I’d rather they take care of distribution like with their Paul release which we’ve yet to see how it’ll pan out and here we are, jumping the gun as a collective. And more importantly, I wish the community could become less ignorant. Are you saying you’d rather they have a middleman which would increase costs so they are the ones that bear the brunt of the criticism and not the actual company? That’s just asking for more misinformation to spread around lol….

Edit: please don’t take this like I’m “attacking” you, 616. I like your contributions and whatnot. I’m just having discussion. If you don’t like how I said certain things or I’m totally wrong or don’t understand x thing, please let me know. These are just my observations of the community I’ve been a part of for years and I’ve been privy to the worst of the worst (FB and YT discourse) and Idk, it’s just how I see it. Know that I agree with how you read others.