'International Edition' Patiet Zero PF?

[thenammagazine]

It took over a week to sell out the regular so to me there was plenty of time for international dealers to get some or to allocate a portion of the edition size for international distributors.

However, I totally agree that making more money wasn't the sole reason behind this. Like Dave said, the profits from 125 more pieces don't make that much difference to Sideshow.

Not only did the PZ PF go up in the newsletter giving international customers a better chance of getting it than several U.S. customers who were commuting home when the newsletter went up, but there was ample time for any of Sideshow's "international customers" to pick up the regular edition. As a matter of fact, I distinctly remember him Wait Listing and becoming available several times after that before finally Wait Listing permanently. So I think that's a weak argument to promote their creation.

However, I think it's a bit naive to think Sideshow won't make that much profit off of this. Remember, they've already stated that there will be more Dead Premium Format offerings in the future and I see the International Edition being the perfect way to advertise these future offerings to those abroad. So will they make money off of this, maybe not a lot off of the physical sales of these International Exclusive Patient Zeroes, but in the long run, there's considerably more money to be had because of these.

 

[Dusty]

Not only did the PZ PF go up in the newsletter giving international customers a better chance of getting it than several U.S. customers who were commuting home when the newsletter went up, but there was ample time for any of Sideshow's "international customers" to pick up the regular edition. As a matter of fact, I distinctly remember him Wait Listing and becoming available several times after that before finally Wait Listing permanently. So I think that's a weak argument to promote their creation.

One last note: I think that you may be getting direct customers confused with distributors. Distributors do not read our retail newsletter - in fact, they probably hardly pay any attention at all to what happens on our site... they have a LOT of eggs in their baskets, not just Sideshow eggs They get an email from our International Distribution department regarding new items, and it takes them a bit longer to get in the loop and place their orders than a direct, individual customer because they are dealing not just with Sideshow, but with every other company whose products they distribute.

Yes, individual international collectors do order direct from Sideshow, but I do believe they prefer to buy from a local distributor (say, in Australia, Canada, etc) if they can because it's MUCH less expensive for them to do so - no shipping costs, customs fees, etc. Our friendly international collectors can probably tell you how much they prefer buying from their local distributor... and if the distributor doesn't get any of the allocation, then it hurts the distributor AND the collector... and yes, Sideshow too

 

[thenammagazine]

One last note: I think that you may be getting direct customers confused with distributors. Distributors do not read our retail newsletter - in fact, they probably hardly pay any attention at all to what happens on our site... they have a LOT of eggs in their baskets, not just Sideshow eggs They get an email from our International Distribution department regarding new items, and it takes them a bit longer to get in the loop and place their orders than a direct, individual customer because they are dealing not just with Sideshow, but with every other company whose products they distribute.

Yes, individual international collectors do order direct from Sideshow, but I do believe they prefer to buy from a local distributor (say, in Australia, Canada, etc) if they can because it's MUCH less expensive for them to do so - no shipping costs, customs fees, etc. Our friendly international collectors can probably tell you how much they prefer buying from their local distributor... and if the distributor doesn't get any of the allocation, then it hurts the distributor AND the collector... and yes, Sideshow too

Absolutely, but my reply was mainly to those who think that this effort was to solely benefit the international collectors. Several people were acting like the international collectors never got a shot at either Patient Zero PF (Ex or regular) and to address the issue of this piece being used as advertising for future Dead PFs.

That said, if CA's taxes and shipping keep increasing, it might be cheaper for us locals to buy overseas...

 

[furystorm]

My first post from my new iPhone! This has been a fun and informative read. Nothing to add here, just wanted to pop in and say PZ is awesome and I wish I could keep one. But I know SS is going to spring an Aliens maquette on us at Comic-con! Can't wait! Only 2 more weeks.

 

[nash]

One last note: I think that you may be getting direct customers confused with distributors. Distributors do not read our retail newsletter - in fact, they probably hardly pay any attention at all to what happens on our site... they have a LOT of eggs in their baskets, not just Sideshow eggs They get an email from our International Distribution department regarding new items, and it takes them a bit longer to get in the loop and place their orders than a direct, individual customer because they are dealing not just with Sideshow, but with every other company whose products they distribute.

Yes, individual international collectors do order direct from Sideshow, but I do believe they prefer to buy from a local distributor (say, in Australia, Canada, etc) if they can because it's MUCH less expensive for them to do so - no shipping costs, customs fees, etc. Our friendly international collectors can probably tell you how much they prefer buying from their local distributor... and if the distributor doesn't get any of the allocation, then it hurts the distributor AND the collector... and yes, Sideshow too

Why can't International distributors get access to products just the same way as US distributors? Why do you have to make a whole new "international edition" just for them?

Make the regular edition size larger to accommodate for the intl distributor allocations. there really is no point to an intl edition

 

[RoboDad]

One last note: I think that you may be getting direct customers confused with distributors. Distributors do not read our retail newsletter - in fact, they probably hardly pay any attention at all to what happens on our site... they have a LOT of eggs in their baskets, not just Sideshow eggs They get an email from our International Distribution department regarding new items, and it takes them a bit longer to get in the loop and place their orders than a direct, individual customer because they are dealing not just with Sideshow, but with every other company whose products they distribute.

Then it sounds to me like the real problem is that international distributors aren't being given sufficient lead time to place their orders.

But be that as it may, it still seems that the "defenders" of the international edition are missing the whole point of the "critics" argument. It isn't that anyone wants to deny international collectors the opportunity to purchase a piece, or are trying to force them to pay excessive shipping or customs fees. It is all about being honest with your customers.

People who continue to claim that the international edition is somehow different, simply because it has a different numbering scheme on the base, are being disingenuous. It isn't different. It really is the same edition, just with and increased ES. At least be honest enough to admit that.

If the original announcement of the Patient Zero PF had been made that there would be 300 available to domestic customers, and 125 to international customers, I guarantee this thread would never have existed. The fact that we were led to believe that the worldwide ES was 300, only to find out later, from a source outside of Sideshow, that it was really 425, is what caused all of the ill will.

If nothing else, then the folks at Sideshow should take that away from this discussion, and maybe, just maybe be more up front with ES information in the future.

And to the people (and yes, sadly, I am including p!tu here ) who, rather than discussing and debating the issue, instead attack other collectors' motivations, calling them "dumb", or even questioning whether they are true collectors, THAT is what sucks the fun out of collecting.

 

[Dusty]

But the whole point of the Ask Sideshow answer was to admit that they are human beings and made a MISTAKE. They set the edition size too early and the international distributors ordered a higher quantity than was projected. Therefore it was impossible to publicize ahead of time that an International edition would be made, because it wasn't in the plans until much much later. In fact, they apologized for that oversight of communication in the answer:

"We didn’t intend to offer the International Edition of Patient Zero PF on our website - it was sold in its entirety to International Distributors. So being, news of the piece wasn’t communicated through our web & communications teams for publication. We apologize for the oversight and will inform you earlier if this situation should ever arise in the future."

It's the same with the Spider-Man Bust and a just a couple other items out of all of Sideshow's *thousands* of products - these International editions were never offered at retail, so they were never on our website to begin with, simply offered to international distributors who never had a chance to get in on the original edition.

And somehow, I think the outcry would have been much worse had the original edition size been increased from 300 to 425 (remember Doom?). This was the compromise

 

[GrueSam]

Dusty for The Win!

 

[The Mike]

Sam! Hello!

 

[pixletwin]

Its awesome that people in the EU and Asia get a crack at him. He is one of SS's best and if you have a problem with that than perhaps you are collecting for the wrong reasons.

 

[RoboDad]

Its awesome that people in the EU and Asia get a crack at him.

It isn't that anyone wants to deny international collectors the opportunity to purchase a piece, or are trying to force them to pay excessive shipping or customs fees. It is all about being honest with your customers.

He is one of SS's best and if you have a problem with that than perhaps you are collecting for the wrong reasons.

And to the people (and yes, sadly, I am including p!tu here ) who, rather than discussing and debating the issue, instead attack other collectors' motivations, calling them "dumb", or even questioning whether they are true collectors, THAT is what sucks the fun out of collecting.

So, what was your point again?

 

[Fritz]

So there was an error and an extra allotment was made for International Distributors. Very good. That's noble and I won't debate it.

There was an error with the site/server/whatever and people had trouble ordering the exclusive. There is also an error with the way the waitlist operates between flex pay and regular orders in my opinion. So how about we fix that error and make an extra domestic exclusive for those that missed out on the exclusive? Just set the edition to 42 which is the same basic ratio of international to regular.

PS. Hey Dusty, can you tell Chicky I'll stop whining if she sends me a T-shirt?

PPS. Just so we're clear,, I still love Sideshow. I've gotten way more free stuff from Sideshow and customer service since I've been around than from all other companies I buy stuff from combined!

 

[RoboDad]

So there was an error and an extra allotment was made for International Distributors. Very good. That's noble and I won't debate it.

There was an error with the site/server/whatever and people had trouble ordering the exclusive. There is also an error with the way the waitlist operates between flex pay and regular orders in my opinion. So how about we fix that error and make an extra domestic exclusive for those that missed out on the exclusive? Just set the edition to 42 which is the same basic ratio of international to regular.

PS. Hey Dusty, can you tell Chicky I'll stop whining if she sends me a T-shirt?

PPS. Just so we're clear,, I still love Sideshow. I've gotten way more free stuff from Sideshow and customer service since I've been around than from all other companies I buy stuff from combined!

Best post of the entire thread!

 

[Bubbles]

Theres not even 125 of the internationals available as my 3rd one gets collected for tomorrow this time i'm getting a refund.