Les' backlog situation (for the uninitiated)

[KBA]

I hope all you sorry ^^^^s who rode les are proud to know that a great customizer is now gone and we have cry baby ^^^^s to thank for it!!!!​

Piece of ^^^^ ^^^^^^^s!​

^^^^ you!​

Just caught up with Les' decision to retire and King you summed up my reaction pretty well..

 

[paulcarson]

I'm deeply saddened for all the people who chose to pull this poor man apart.

I consider Les to be amongst the best on here, not just for his artistic skills, but for his skill at being a decent human being. I count myself amongst the lucky few who have something in my collection that I'll never ever part with and it was down to a love of what he does that helped me to achieve it ,not trying to be one of a gang of people who try to outdo each other .

I respect Les's decision and will continue to support him in whatever he chooses, as will I support Josh. I'm sure that I've thanked him for his help previously but I'd like to thank him again, because without his help I'm sure that I would have given up on a lot of things a long time ago. Thanks Les, you rock !

 

[pjam]

I'm so sorry to hear this, but I understand. I have at least 15 Les painted heads and each one is a Treasure.

This sums up my feelings:

Les Walker is the greatest thing to ever happen to this Board. Period.

 

[Batty]

He's not just a great artist, he's simply a great guy. Les, you always know who your friends are here.

 

[pixletwin]

I'm so sorry to hear this, but I understand. I have at least 15 Les painted heads and each one is a Treasure.

This sums up my feelings:

Les Walker is the greatest thing to ever happen to this Board. Period.

Amen P and Batty.

 

[DarkArtist81]

I'm so sorry to hear this, but I understand. I have at least 15 Les painted heads and each one is a Treasure.

This sums up my feelings:

Les Walker is the greatest thing to ever happen to this Board. Period.

Well said!

And for his enemies out there, that's not us trying to stoke his ego or anything so mundane. Les as a person is a very giving, genuine guy. He isn't afraid to talk to anyone. And he's not the typical artist who holds his work above all others or lets a friendship be ruined over something as petty as a figure. He's a classy guy, one whom I am honored to call my friend.

As an artist he is very talented, but without the huge ego that normally comes with it. He's humble about what he does, and willing to help others out. For those who only know him as the painter only, don't really know the guy. It's wrong to judge someone based on a business transaction, you can judge their business skills but not their character. For those who HAVE made that judgment call, please remember that he is a human being...just as flawed as the rest of us. He has emotions, and during this trying time has had to have them pushed to the brink.

 

[The Josh]

Its all about patience with these things. People need more of it and that goes for myself as well. Customs take a long time especially when someone has a lot of them to do. Les has said he took on more than he should have and with that folks need to back off and chill let him get caught up and refresh himself.

No, its not at the speed you'd like but not everything in life works at the speed we want it too. Coming here and getting nasty about it is not the best way to handle things especially out in the open where it can hurt his future doing things. Its also imperative that folks read that he does deliver on what he gets. So take some solace that yes the time me be long but the end result will be worth it.

That way everyone can keep their heads and things get worked out where everyone involved is totally happy with the end result. Also that helps keep those with the talent to do this from wanting to leave and hurting the board as a hole. So I go back to my original point of people just being patient even if you have waited longer than you like.

 

[karamazov80]

I think that what many of you point to is the biggest problem--people ordering customs don't understand what they are getting into oftentimes. They expect turnaround as if they are dealing with a business, but they are ultimately just dealing with a fan that does customs.

I ordered a custom from a member (not Les) in early December under the impression that it would be be done in one month (that's what this person told me). I am still waiting, and have no idea how long it will take to get finished, but based on what I have seen, it isn't coming any time soon. When I ordered it, I was new(er) to the boards and the whole idea of ordering customs, and assumed that things work differently than they sometimes do. I'm not upset, I know that people get backlogged and have personal issues, and etc. etc. But the whole situation is different than what I expected, and so I can at least empathize with where the "complainers" are coming from.

What I'm trying to say is that, there is a lack of information on the side of the "consumer." If he knew now what he knew then (regarding potential turn-around time, etc.), then the guy placing the order might not do it to begin with, or at least would develop more accurate expectations before paying, and thus have little reason to complain when things took a while to get finished. Now, he can't get a refund (as he is accustomed to in dealing with typical businesses), and he has to wait indefinitely. In a community where expectations of instant gratification and a resort whining are often the norm, this can be a bad formula.

It's just a tough situation, that I hope can work out for everyone involved.

 

[Blake]

I think that what many of you point to is the biggest problem--people ordering customs don't understand what they are getting into oftentimes. They expect turnaround as if they are dealing with a business, but they are ultimately just dealing with a fan that does customs.

I ordered a custom from a member (not Les) in early December under the impression that it would be be done in one month (that's what this person told me). I am still waiting, and have no idea how long it will take to get finished, but based on what I have seen, it isn't coming any time soon. When I ordered it, I was new(er) to the boards and the whole idea of ordering customs, and assumed that things work differently than they sometimes do. I'm not upset, I know that people get backlogged and have personal issues, and etc. etc. But the whole situation is different than what I expected, and so I can at least empathize with where the "complainers" are coming from.

What I'm trying to say is that, there is a lack of information on the side of the "consumer." If he knew now what he knew then (regarding potential turn-around time, etc.), then the guy placing the order might not do it to begin with, or at least would develop more accurate expectations before paying, and thus have little reason to complain when things took a while to get finished. Now, he can't get a refund (as he is accustomed to in dealing with typical businesses), and he has to wait indefinitely. In a community where expectations of instant gratification and a resort whining are often the norm, this can be a bad formula.

It's just a tough situation, that I hope can work out for everyone involved.

That is the best post I have read in a long time. I had some unrealistic expectations for delivery when I first started ordering customs as well, which contributed to a lot of frustration months down the line. I understand the situation now, so my frustrations have gone away, especially with Les and DA.

I am still waiting on a different order that I placed almost 15 months ago, and I assure you that if I had known then that it would take even close to this long, I never would have placed the order.

Communication up front to give reasonable expectations is the key.

 

[Ironman1188]

It wouldn't hurt either if any of these impatients would bother to read thevery threads that they are posting in. Neither Les, nor Josh, had planned on any of the events that occurred taking a hold of their lives as it did. However, they were both brutally honest about events in their own personal lives that were causing the very delays these naggers are so annoyed by. I, for one, would like all of these buggers that want to leave negative feedback, and besmerch the fine names of long standing pillars of this forum, to come forward, name themselves give us a peek into their personal lives AND tell us all why they need their piece before anyone else who is waiting patiently.

 

[Blake]

It wouldn't hurt either if any of these impatients would bother to read thevery threads that they are posting in. Neither Les, nor Josh, had planned on any of the events that occurred taking a hold of their lives as it did. However, they were both brutally honest about events in their own personal lives that were causing the very delays these naggers are so annoyed by. I, for one, would like all of these buggers that want to leave negative feedback, and besmerch the fine names of long standing pillars of this forum, to come forward, name themselves give us a peek into their personal lives AND tell us all why they need their piece before anyone else who is waiting patiently.

Before I respond to this, I want to say that I am not one who has nagged Les, as I am sure he would agree.

I want to give my feedback as to why some people could be upset about the wait time. I will be honest and say that I was upset at one point as well, but Les was VERY up front with their struggles and I completely understood the wait.

Here are my thoughts on why people could be upset -

It is very true that Les had had incredibly difficult times recently, there is absolutely no doubt about that. I would not wish his negative fortune on anybody. What if, however, a particular buyer is having an incredibly tough time at this point in their life as well? If that is the case, then the payment that they made (or the potential payment from a necessary sale of the item) could mean a lot to this person.

This is all hypothetical

If I had lost my job and money was extremely tight, I would want my order ASAP so I could try to sell it. Just as Les did not plan on his terrible situation, I could never have planned to have lost my job. As incredible as the figure is, it is a luxury item and paying a mortgage is higher on the priority list. If I then potentially turned into one of the "naggers", countless members would be up my bunghole about what a jerk I am without knowing how dire MY situation was. Everyone is so quick to defend Les because he is such a great guy and one of the cornerstones of this community. They do not know (and probably would not care to know) how bad my situation is because I don't mean squat on this board.

Now, my situation was/is NOT dire, so I am waiting patiently and am cool with the time taken. However, things might have been different if I was not as fortunate.

Having said all of that, Les knows this could be the case and has apologized. He is cool as a cucumber in my book and I wish he would not retire. I just want to take an objective look at why some people might be very upset at the situation.

 

[wofford29]

People losing jobs, people starving, people dying in war, not having your toys head repainted and sent back to you fast enough......

Which one of these sounds ridiculous to complain about?

 

[Blake]

I, for one, would like all of these buggers that want to leave negative feedback, and besmerch the fine names of long standing pillars of this forum, to come forward, name themselves give us a peek into their personal lives AND tell us all why they need their piece before anyone else who is waiting patiently.

One last point that I forgot to mention.

I am an older dude and I just don't believe in disclosing my personal life to a message board. I do not fault those who do, but that's just not me. Therefore if I was one who was constantly nagging for my item, I would feel my personal struggles are nobody's business but my own. I would probably let Les know because I would want to explain my nagging, but it would go no further than that.

Also, just to clarify again, I am not angry or upset about any of this. I just want to share a possible opposing view.

 

[Blake]

People losing jobs, people starving, people dying in war, not having your toys head repainted and sent back to you fast enough......

Which one of these sounds ridiculous to complain about?

I really do not want to argue with you, because when you lay it out like that, you are absolutely correct. I do not think starvation or dying in war has anything to do with my post though.

My point is, if I was suddenly without a job, $100 is a ton of money and could mean being able to pay a mortgage or pay a doctor bill.

 

[wofford29]

I really do not want to argue with you, because when you lay it out like that, you are absolutely correct. I do not think starvation or dying in war has anything to do with my post though.

My point is, if I was suddenly without a job, $100 is a ton of money and could mean being able to pay a mortgage or pay a doctor bill.

My post wasn't directed at you, but just to reply to the last bit of this one. I've been without a job for over a year now. I'm still waiting on a head from Les. There are plenty of things anyone can do for money if they make the effort. A $100 committment they or myself made a year ago shouldn't even enter into the equation right now if they financially plan. If someone is banking on $100 now to get them by this month, then next month isn't going to be any better for them if they're cutting it that close and they'll just need something else to sell, so just reverse it and sell what you can now and sell your Les head when you get it.

 

[MaulFan]

Guys, I think the intent of this thread is getting lost. It's not meant to be a grounds for debating how Les or anyone should do business, what's important in life, etc., it's just a permanent, prominent way for Les' circumstances, which he has chosen to share with the boards to explain his delays, to be available so if people weren't keeping up with his work thread, they'd understand why they haven't gotten their items. Whether they choose to care or not care about that and how they react about their stuff is their thing, but the last thing Les needs piled on all this is for his circumstances to get people stirred up and all.

The points raised in here are valid and what not, but I think it'd be best for Les to just open a separate place to discuss customizing and business practices and leave this place be.

 

[superdoug]

I ordered a custom from a member (not Les) in early December under the impression that it would be be done in one month (that's what this person told me). I am still waiting, and have no idea how long it will take to get finished, but based on what I have seen, it isn't coming any time soon. When I ordered it, I was new(er) to the boards and the whole idea of ordering customs, and assumed that things work differently than they sometimes do. I'm not upset, I know that people get backlogged and have personal issues, and etc. etc. But the whole situation is different than what I expected, and so I can at least empathize with where the "complainers" are coming from.

I think I had a similar expeince too and I think a big part of it is we form expectations of how long it's going to be until we get our custom, whether or not the customizer gives us a date we still probably put one in our heads and then if it's not in our hands by then we start to get anxious and impatient and sometimes even mad. i know the first time i had a custom done every once in a while i'd just shoot an email checking in to make sure it didn't get lost or something. i was surprised by the time it took that time because I had never had one done before but i never got mad or upset because i saw myself as being lucky that somebody was going to do the custom for me. i can understand people getting mad at a customizer if he thinks he is taking advantage of people but that would invole scamming not wait times.

i think we forget sometimes that the reason we get customs done is because we can’t do them ourselves or at least as good ourselves and no store offers them that way. nobody is forcing us to get them customized it’s our own choice and if talented individuals weren’t willing to take on the challenge we wouldn’t have the custom anyway so I see them as still offering us a gift or favor even though we pay them if that makes sense to anyone.

 

[Blake]

My post wasn't directed at you, but just to reply to the last bit of this one. I've been without a job for over a year now. I'm still waiting on a head from Les. There are plenty of things anyone can do for money if they make the effort. A $100 committment they or myself made a year ago shouldn't even enter into the equation right now if they financially plan. If someone is banking on $100 now to get them by this month, then next month isn't going to be any better for them if they're cutting it that close and they'll just need something else to sell, so just reverse it and sell what you can now and sell your Les head when you get it.

I understand where you are coming from. Not everyone is as fiscally responsible though...

 

[Blake]

Guys, I think the intent of this thread is getting lost. It's not meant to be a grounds for debating how Les or anyone should do business, what's important in life, etc., it's just a permanent, prominent way for Les' circumstances, which he has chosen to share with the boards to explain his delays, to be available so if people weren't keeping up with his work thread, they'd understand why they haven't gotten their items. Whether they choose to care or not care about that and how they react about their stuff is their thing, but the last thing Les needs piled on all this is for his circumstances to get people stirred up and all.

The points raised in here are valid and what not, but I think it'd be best for Les to just open a separate place to discuss customizing and business practices and leave this place be.

This supports my thought in that everyone is very quick to defend Les. I was simply trying to give another point of view in an effort to provide an explanation as to why some might be upset.

This thread was derailed a while ago, but nobody would ever post something like this in response to King Darkness calling people ^^^^ing ^^^^^^^s.

 

[MaulFan]

I don't give a ^^^^ right now defending or attacking, frankly I think both sides are going too far.

Good to support Les yes, but these constant feuds that go on tied to him are no good for him and defending him just invites the opposite side to speak up and ^^^^ gets out of control.

Again, a lot of views in here are valid, but can also pertain to any customizer and could easily be discussed elsewhere.

And yes, I've been in here supporting Les like the others in here are, but I've seen where this road leads, it happens to much, and I'd rather put an end to it than contribute to it. Nothing is accomplished from all this.