Exactly. Its not like Les is a shady guy. He is honest to a fault. If you paid for his services there is NO QUESTION you will get what you paid for.
Les' backlog situation (for the uninitiated)
- Thread starter DarkArtist81
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ProgMatinee
circlesendwheretheybegin
I just want to say when I'm questioning the system and process, I'm just playing devil's advocate and not implying any negative conotation to individuals. I'm not the best in getting that across sometimes. 
DarkArtist81
Super Freak
I think so too. And so does he. But there is a problem with that.
What money will he have to pay his bills or mail stuff that gets done? He already is going to have a sale, but eventually that will dry up as well. What then?
man_vs_machine
Super Freak
I just hope the best for Les. I know I have 3 or 4 heads coming from him at some point. And to be honest I really couldn't care less anymore when they arrive. I just hope he can pull through all the ^^^^ he's had to deal with lately and get back to being good 'ole happy Les. I know what a great guy he is and he definitely deserves a break from ALL the bull^^^^, personal and professional. I'm down to kick him some loot to help the guy out with his bills for sure.
DarkArtist81
Super Freak
I just want to say when I'm questioning the system and process, I'm just playing devil's advocate and not implying any negative conotation to individuals. I'm not the best in getting that across sometimes.
I understand that man, and you are right to do so. The system is definitely flawed...
And if it is any consolation, I get a burning pain in the pit of my stomach every time I look at you Luke and see that it's not done.
I get that with ALL of my late stuff... I'm sure one day it will develop into cancer.
I dunno. There are lots alternatives which are less savory. But really I'd hate to login and find that the board was dissecting my personal financial crisis.
But I bet that tumor will be in the shape of an awesome-looking Michael Myers head or something! Which you could paint, of course.I get that with ALL of my late stuff... I'm sure one day it will develop into cancer.
First off, thank you for making this thread Josh. I, like many others I assume, did not have a clue what was going on with Les.
I do believe that everyone will get what they have ordered from Les. Since I have never personally met him I can only say that he seems like a great guy- plus his reputation speaks for itself.
However, with all of this said, I do think Les should try to let those waiting know what is going on and maybe if possible update us with a time frame for the products we ordered.
I really do hope his situation improves. Life can throw you some terrible curve balls sometimes. I would like to donate to him. Maybe we could set up a paypal fund for him. I can't give much but hopefully a little bit will help.
I do believe that everyone will get what they have ordered from Les. Since I have never personally met him I can only say that he seems like a great guy- plus his reputation speaks for itself.
However, with all of this said, I do think Les should try to let those waiting know what is going on and maybe if possible update us with a time frame for the products we ordered.
I really do hope his situation improves. Life can throw you some terrible curve balls sometimes. I would like to donate to him. Maybe we could set up a paypal fund for him. I can't give much but hopefully a little bit will help.
I'm always straight forward with Les, he has to do what fits best for him and his lifestyle, and I know whatever choices, no matter what they are, will be to that end and that's all we can hope for him is to find a path where the stresses of the hobby wash away and his involvement in it is one of fun. Unfortunately for him, his backlog was walked into with no preconception of life playing out as it has, and I don't care who you are, you CAN'T predict a year like he's had. Sure any given year will have it's ups and downs to plan for, but certainly his battle with everything is something you don't see coming and when it comes you don't know it's going to play out like it does. It's a terrible ride, you're strapped in like it or not and there's no way to know what's around the corner. That's probably one of the worst aspects of it, you can't relax because you fear the moment you do some other ^^^^'s going to hit the fan, you're almost paranoid and expecting something else bad to happen, it's a very ugly place to be in, and you're totally at the mercy of other powers, very little of it is in your control.
I'm sure he'd like to, but I know he probably doesn't even get an hour worth of time online to check mail and PMs, and because some folks repeatedly contact him, that adds to how many messages he sifts through and sometimes a few people can suck up what little time he has to contact folks. I know I've let a few people know some things on his behalf and I'm sure others are too.
At this point, I'd say he's more devoted to getting the work done than wasting his precious spare time writing to tell people where it's at, it could be done in the time it would take to go to the library and get on sift through emails and say it's almost done and get home and have something come up and lose work time.
ProgMatinee
circlesendwheretheybegin
As much as I'm sure it would eliminate me from getting any customs in the future, maybe the solution is to increase the prices.
If someone is overwhelmed with work requests AND simultaneously isn't making the finances work, then the most obvious solution is that their work is underpriced.
As someone else mentioned, the farther you're backed up, the more outdated your prices are.
Coming from a business background, I'd say the goal of any business should be that you're paying for shipping costs, replenish paints and brushes, etc with savings accumulated from previous sales, not from incoming preorders. That's a rat race. If you raise prices a bit that will gradually get you back to positive column.
If someone is overwhelmed with work requests AND simultaneously isn't making the finances work, then the most obvious solution is that their work is underpriced.
As someone else mentioned, the farther you're backed up, the more outdated your prices are.
Coming from a business background, I'd say the goal of any business should be that you're paying for shipping costs, replenish paints and brushes, etc with savings accumulated from previous sales, not from incoming preorders. That's a rat race. If you raise prices a bit that will gradually get you back to positive column.
uscmhicks
Super Freak
I would but wouldn't be able to for a week or two but I will 
, it felt great putting in for the chair.
I'm seriously totally skint.
Thats what cinemaquette does to ya...
As far as waiting for the heads.... personally I don't care.
Hes give me a reason as to why they might be longer , I understand.
I'm not worrying.
Its not the best situation but thats life and stuff like this happens.
I think some people think Les is an alien who can do a million things at once.
At the minute he needs to help out his parents ( think about how much time that would take up ) , supply the cash , look after the home and look after himself.
On top of all this his computer goes and breaks and he still goes to the library to let us know whats going on as well as answer phonecalls to friends and customers from here..
Now is it just me or is that not amazing ?.
Hes doing alot and barely if ever gets a break.
I just hope everything works out for him.
When someone mentions Les , I usually think of the friend Les before the work hes doing for me.
There only figures... the problem hes having are serious issues.
Not toys.
I understand we have paid and it can be frustrating to not get our stuff but all the people that have worked with Les tell us what a stand up guy he is. Check his feedback !.
You will get your head..... now let the man deal with his problems.
Theres not point in hassling him , chill out , wait and he will update you.
Causing more problems isn't going to speed anything up.
He knows he has your money and knows what he has to paint for who.
So.... you know...
hold on ...
hes only human.
, it felt great putting in for the chair. I'm seriously totally skint.
Thats what cinemaquette does to ya...
As far as waiting for the heads.... personally I don't care.
Hes give me a reason as to why they might be longer , I understand.
I'm not worrying.
Its not the best situation but thats life and stuff like this happens.
I think some people think Les is an alien who can do a million things at once.
At the minute he needs to help out his parents ( think about how much time that would take up ) , supply the cash , look after the home and look after himself.
On top of all this his computer goes and breaks and he still goes to the library to let us know whats going on as well as answer phonecalls to friends and customers from here..
Now is it just me or is that not amazing ?.
Hes doing alot and barely if ever gets a break.
I just hope everything works out for him.
When someone mentions Les , I usually think of the friend Les before the work hes doing for me.
There only figures... the problem hes having are serious issues.
Not toys.
I understand we have paid and it can be frustrating to not get our stuff but all the people that have worked with Les tell us what a stand up guy he is. Check his feedback !.
You will get your head..... now let the man deal with his problems.
Theres not point in hassling him , chill out , wait and he will update you.
Causing more problems isn't going to speed anything up.
He knows he has your money and knows what he has to paint for who.
So.... you know...
hold on ...
hes only human.
abake
Rex Tremendae Majestatis
It's sad to see such a good person going through such tough times.
I've been waiting for some of my stuff for close to 2 years now (when I spoke to Les about the project it was clear it was going to be a looong one).
I wrote him the other day and told him not to worry about shipping stuff since that costs money, but instead to just send me pics of the WIP to keep me happy.
I hope things start looking up for him soon. 'Cause we're all
I've been waiting for some of my stuff for close to 2 years now (when I spoke to Les about the project it was clear it was going to be a looong one).
I wrote him the other day and told him not to worry about shipping stuff since that costs money, but instead to just send me pics of the WIP to keep me happy.
I hope things start looking up for him soon. 'Cause we're all
Mooncat
Super Freak
It'll be here when inspiration takes you fair enough
does that mean 1, 2, 3, 4, possibly 5 years ? or months ? or weeks ?
If it is 1, 2, 3, 4, possibly 5 years, weeks, months then that should be explained upfront. They can take an informed chance they wait 5 years, they rolled the dice. Or indefinitely as you look like your suggesting ?
Dont offer refunds ? that should be said upfront also !
All this should be said upfront, so people using these boards new and old have no reason to feel scammed or misled
If you say it will be here when it will be here and you dont offer refunds fair enough, as long as people know that before sending you the money.
Otherwise customisers get long pages full of posts on their personal threads from people with commisions
and the majority read "wheres my money or my head ?"
This custom section now has its own commerce section "commisions" , the other commerce section has rules and feedback why doesnt ours ?
EDIT : I just found this https://sideshowcollectors.com/forums/showthread.php?t=40193
Missed it completely apologies (seems its dated back in 2008) can we add a link to this thread in the first post of the AVAILABILITY THREAD ???
https://sideshowcollectors.com/forums/showthread.php?t=47290
Id even go as far as to say those that advertise on a sticky in this section should first post their own policy under
SSF Custom Artist's Guidelines for Commissioned Work
So that all custom transactions on this board are explained upfront ?
timeframes and refund policies !
To that end can you take my "availibilty" post down until I post my own policy ?
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Mooncat
Super Freak
You dont need to set up a fund, send him some money ! those that havent already paid for a commision and therefore dont have his paypal address contact DA or myself for that matter. Ive sent some funds tonight what I can spare. It doesnt have to be $30 make it $10 make it whatever you think you can part with to help out a talented nice guy whose hit some hard times.
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DarkArtist81
Super Freak
Thanks for posting that, Mooncat... I put a link to that policy thread in the availability thread for the masses to know. I think that will help those who haven't dealt with us to understand our policies regarding custom work.
metaphorge
Archbishop of Bologna!!!
Yes, thanks for making this post Josh.
And let me chime in: if you have work in with Les, BE PATIENT! The results will be more than worth the wait.
galactiboy
OT Preferist
I only have one Les item and its the Nicholson Joker head.
And let me tell you he's next to the "figure of the year" Bank Robber Joker. Still no contest, the Les head still looks more impressive.
And let me tell you he's next to the "figure of the year" Bank Robber Joker. Still no contest, the Les head still looks more impressive.
uscmhicks
Super Freak
Les hicks head is why I joined this forum.
If hot toys hadn't of made a hicks figure I probably would of only been into statues...
I can't wait for hicks to look like hicks on my shelf !.
Les and his work rocks !.
If hot toys hadn't of made a hicks figure I probably would of only been into statues...
I can't wait for hicks to look like hicks on my shelf !.
Les and his work rocks !.
