1/6 Luke Skywalker: Red Five X-Wing Pilot Sixth Scale Figure

[Asta]

I just received an email from Sideshow's Returns Department after I informed them about the broken visor and floppy leg.

Seems like a standard email, but it's unclear as to what I'm supposed to do.

Thank you for contacting our Returns Department. Your Return Merchandise Authorization request has been processed for the following item. Please read below for full instructions on how to proceed.

...

Return By: 1/1/2016

1) Please photograph the edition number located on the bottom of the item’s base. If your item does not have an edition number, please skip this step.

2) Please safely destroy your damaged item. We recommend the item be placed into a heavy duty trash bag to contain any flying debris prior to destroying your piece. Please know your item must be completely destroyed, including the base and all accessories.

3) Reply directly to this email and include photos of the edition number and destroyed item.

4) You will receive a confirmation email that your pictures have been received and that your exchange is being processed. Please do not dispose of your item until you receive this confirmation.

If you have any questions about any of these instructions please do not hesitate to contact our Returns Department at 855.SIDESHOW.

Happy Collecting,

Sideshow Returns Department
Office: (805) 214-2139
[email protected]

I've never been in this situation before. The figure only has a broken visor and floppy leg, but they seem to be saying to destroy everything, which seems like overkill.

And are you supposed to destroy it before they send the replacement out? The rest of the figure is perfect, so what if there are other issues on the replacement that weren't present on the original?

I emailed them back for confirmation.

 

[TonTon]

That's crazy, I would check again as you did. I would still think shipping a new replacement body and helmet (do you even need the full helmet?) would be cheaper than an entire figure. I've only had to deal with parts, and I waited until getting the new part to make sure it was indeed better before smashing the old one.

 

[galactiboy]

Seems like overkill... I'd see destroying the whole figure if it had lots of issues, but seems they could have just had you destroy the body and helmet and sent the replacement parts

 

[Darth Waller]

Send it to Harrison Ford.

 

[Asta]

That's crazy, I would check again as you did. I would still think shipping a new replacement body and helmet (do you even need the full helmet?) would be cheaper than an entire figure. I've only had to deal with parts, and I waited until getting the new part to make sure it was indeed better before smashing the old one.

Seems like overkill... I'd see destroying the whole figure if it had lots of issues, but seems they could have just had you destroy the body and helmet and sent the replacement parts

And if they send a whole new figure, is it sent as 'Gift' and under-valued, or do I get stung with Customs Tax again and end up paying even more to own an already overpriced figure?

Never had to deal with Sideshow's returns department before. The only replacement parts I've received previously were for a paint-bubbled HT Stormtrooper helmet and a Star-Lord coat that arrived with two left sleeves. And both times that was dealt with through a local retailer.

Send it to Harrison Ford.

 

[kl241]

Send it to Harrison Ford.

 

[Asta]

Please proceed with completely destroying the figure and all accessories per the RMA email. We will be sending you a full replacement.

What a criminal waste.

Plus I'm not sure whether the unnecessary delivery of a complete new figure will incur customs charges. If they send it from Hong Kong UPS adds on an £11 brokerage fee, plus a £2 residential fee which they seem to lump in as part of the customs charge.

If so, then this deal is getting worse all the time. I'd rather just keep the figure I have.

 

[TonTon]

Maybe they can write it off that way. Do you have to destroy before you get the new one? There could be something wrong with a different part of the new figure.

 

[CAhobbit]

What a criminal waste.

Plus I'm not sure whether the unnecessary delivery of a complete new figure will incur customs charges. If they send it from Hong Kong UPS adds on an £11 brokerage fee, plus a £2 residential fee which they seem to lump in as part of the customs charge.

If so, then this deal is getting worse all the time. I'd rather just keep the figure I have.

You should not incur any additional import fees, VAT, etc on a replacement item sent to you as Sideshow will incur any of those costs. Replacements come directly from our U.S. warehouse.

As to whether you need to to destroy the entirety of your current figure, please do double check with the Returns rep that you've been in contact with. That said, given the issue (visor and floppy leg) it does sound like an entire replacement is going to need to be sent given there is a problem with the actual body of the figure. In which case (if a whole new replacement is sent) then yes, you would have to destroy the entire current/damaged figure in your possession. Again though, please do confirm with the Returns rep that you do need to destroy everything before proceeding further.

-SideshowAlex

 

[Asta]

You should not incur any additional import fees, VAT, etc on a replacement item sent to you as Sideshow will incur any of those costs. Replacements come directly from our U.S. warehouse.

As to whether you need to to destroy the entirety of your current figure, please do double check with the Returns rep that you've been in contact with. That said, given the issue (visor and floppy leg) it does sound like an entire replacement is going to need to be sent given there is a problem with the actual body of the figure. In which case (if a whole new replacement is sent) then yes, you would have to destroy the entire current/damaged figure in your possession. Again though, please do confirm with the Returns rep that you do need to destroy everything before proceeding further.

-SideshowAlex

Thanks for the confirmation, Alex.

The Returns Department did also confirm that the whole figure needed to be destroyed:

Please proceed with completely destroying the figure and all accessories per the RMA email. We will be sending you a full replacement.

 

[CAhobbit]

Thanks for the confirmation, Alex.

The Returns Department did also confirm that the whole figure needed to be destroyed:

No problem! I hope your replacement arrives safe and sound and minus issues!

-SideshowAlex

 

[Asta]

No problem! I hope your replacement arrives safe and sound and minus issues!

-SideshowAlex

Thank you!

I'm not looking forward to taking a hammer to poor Luke though.

 

[Mike86]

I've never understood the whole destroy the figure and send pictures thing. Seems like overkill for some more minor issues and wasteful. Why not just give the customer a prepaid return label and send out a new item? The good parts of the figure could be reused.

 

[Darth Skywalker]

I've had defective product twice and they told me to destroy the item and send photos. I never did. Just threw the junk away. They can't threaten to charge you twice when they fail to recover their own defective product. It's crazy to think they demand that when someone could injure themselves in response to a threat.

Say someone get a piece of shrapnel in their eye from destroying a product and is blinded. That's an easy half million dollar + lawsuit if that person relies on their vision to earn a living.

 

[kl241]

I've had defective product twice and they told me to destroy the item and send photos. I never did. Just threw the junk away. They can't threaten to charge you twice when they fail to recover their own defective product. It's crazy to think they demand that when someone could injure themselves in response to a threat.

Say someone get a piece of shrapnel in their eye from destroying a product and is blinded. That's an easy half million dollar + lawsuit if that person relies on their vision to earn a living.

 

[bmarz1000]

Seriously, if the entire defective figure was returned to SS they would be able to use that figure for replacement parts for someone else! Perhaps someone needs a right boot or glove? Or a flight suit or chest box? Boom! Doesn't make sense this way unless it's an insurance thing (but it seems more risky to have someone take a hammer to a plastic toy with tiny, sharp pieces).

 

[TonTon]

They instruct you to first place it in a pillow case so nothing flies into your eyes. I can't believe law suits are being discussed. But I agree that's it's completely wasteful--just replace the pieces that need to be replaced (don't reveal to us that the actual figure is worth less than the shipping for it, especially when you're charging $240). Only Harrison Ford should be able to destroy these figures, and for entertainment purposes.

I think the issue might be that it's overseas shipping in this case, as normally they just send a replacement part(s) and have you destroy just those parts.

 

[Mike86]

It could potentially be dangerous though. That might not be Sideshow's fault if a person is careless when destroying something but I could see a potential liability for them with the way people are so lawsuit happy.

 

[CAhobbit]

I've had defective product twice and they told me to destroy the item and send photos. I never did. Just threw the junk away. They can't threaten to charge you twice when they fail to recover their own defective product. It's crazy to think they demand that when someone could injure themselves in response to a threat.

Say someone get a piece of shrapnel in their eye from destroying a product and is blinded. That's an easy half million dollar + lawsuit if that person relies on their vision to earn a living.

It's always recommended (in the email sent) that people cover the piece in something (such as a heavy duty trash bag) to prevent anything from flying and injuring the person destroying the item.

-SideshowAlex

 

[bmarz1000]

I just used my Regular, Spook and Cyber Monday Reward Points to buy this Exclusive for $135 shipped!