Moria ORC PF

[Polylord]

I inquired about a free return due to the difference in the final product and this was in the return email.

"Sideshow will gladly cover the cost to return an item if that item arrives in damaged condition. However, in the event an item arrives without damage, the customer is responsible for the cost to return the item.

Often our pre-production samples as pictured on our website will differ from our post-production pieces. Please know our production team strives to keep the actual product as close to the pre-production sample as possible, however, the item originally pictured on the website is still a prototype and meant to provide a general concept of the piece. Please know we mark all photos of a prototype as such. Therefore, by purchasing this item with only a photo of the prototype available, you have agreed to risk the possible differences to inspect the piece yourself."

That last line really gets me. Do you have better luck with someone on the phone?

Sorry to say that's a load of crap. I just checked. All pictures of the Moria Orc PF are not marked as being a prototype.

 

[mr.thrifty]

Sorry to say that's a load of crap. I just checked. All pictures of the Moria Orc PF are not marked as being a prototype.

you are correct...

edit...the 360 has it.

 

[Battletroll]

Sorry to say that's a load of crap. I just checked. All pictures of the Moria Orc PF are not marked as being a prototype.

you are correct...

edit...the 360 has it.

Actually, the 360 which says Prototype, looks more red than the photo on the website, which says product photo.

If I was the average non-board-visiting consumer, according to this info I would have assumed they tuned the color down on the actual product compared to the prototype.




It seems in the end the product does look close(r) to the prototype as shown in the 360.

 

[Polylord]

Actually, the 360 which says Prototype, looks more red than the photo on the website, which says product photo.

If I was the average non-board-visiting consumer, according to this info I would have assumed they tuned the color down on the actual product compared to the prototype.

Very good point!

 

[occulum]

Im having a hard time why they dont adopt this process:

1. Create Prototype. Sculpt/Paint
2. Proto approved by license holder. Thumbs up to solicit.
3. Item put up for preorder while simultaneously going to factory to begin production
4. Factory creates several TRUE Artist Proofs that represent the factory's capabilities and resemble what final product will look like.
5. AP's arrive back at SS for a thumbs up or thumbs down.
6. If AP's are approved, but may have slight differences from solicited Proto's, immediately update website photography and put a note in the next Newsletter pointing out adjustments. Then while the factory is busy producing the full run, everybody has realistic expectations of what they are going to receive and plenty of time to cancel their order should they not approve of the factory version.
7. If the factory's final run of pieces arent true to the APs they sent in to reflect their final product, they need to be held RE$PON$IBLE and any adjustments need to be made at the factory's expense.

.. and if they stuck to this process, every product would have factory paint/materials represented in the photography long before an item ships to consumers...

 

[Blu Falcon]

I just spoke with Cathy at Sideshow. Apparently they had some sort of meeting to discuss the statue and to address the public outcry. She was part of a group that went to inspect the statues at the warehouse personally and said that the images posted here are not accurate and the issue is being blown way out of proportion. Rather than the cardinal red we're seeing in the web images, it's more of a "maroon" color supposedly (like the 360 shots). I told her that there has been a new crop of images posted by reputable members, and they all show the tunic as more red than maroon or burgundy. She informed me that these are all custom handmade figures and that there will be variances in the final product. They're working on getting new images uploaded on their web site as we speak. I addressed my personal concern regarding Flexpay and being penalized for canceling or returning the item if I don't like the final result. She says she takes about 90% of incoming calls from customers and so far no one has returned or requested to return the MO, but it's something I can talk directly to the returns manager about. However, she did not inform me of how many have shipped so far, so it's hard to gauge how many folks actually have these in hand. Although she didn't disclose how many people have canceled the order, she did make an interesting remark concerning customers who have canceled so far. Apparently, there are folks who have canceled, who claimed they got worked up over the internet photos, and now wish to replace their order. And I guess these guys can't "un-cancel" at this point and will now have to go back on the wait list. She seemed nice enough, but I could tell that she's been dealing with a lot of these phone calls this week. I'm keeping my order until I have it in hand. At that point I'll decide what to do. I think Sideshow should ship $100 gift cards with these things.

 

[JacktheRipper]

those people that ordered and then canceled should be out of luck. They made a decision and now should live with it, or put themselves on the wait list.

and going by what is pictured at SS I would take the final product rather than the proto.

 

[mr.thrifty]

that's almost word for word what she told me four hours ago. nothing new from the "meeting" ...just glad I have a few weeks to see more in hand pics..
the gift card idea sounds very good..

I just spoke with Cathy at Sideshow. Apparently they had some sort of meeting to discuss the statue and to address the public outcry. She was part of a group that went to inspect the statues at the warehouse personally and said that the images posted here are not accurate and the issue is being blown way out of proportion. Rather than the cardinal red we're seeing in the web images, it's more of a "maroon" color supposedly (like the 360 shots). I told her that there has been a new crop of images posted by reputable members, and they all show the tunic as more red than maroon or burgundy. She informed me that these are all custom handmade figures and that there will be variances in the final product. They're working on getting new images uploaded on their web site as we speak. I addressed my personal concern regarding Flexpay and being penalized for canceling or returning the item if I don't like the final result. She says she takes about 90% of incoming calls from customers and so far no one has returned or requested to return the MO, but it's something I can talk directly to the returns manager about. However, she did not inform me of how many have shipped so far, so it's hard to gauge how many folks actually have these in hand. Although she didn't disclose how many people have canceled the order, she did make an interesting remark concerning customers who have canceled so far. Apparently, there are folks who have canceled, who claimed they got worked up over the internet photos, and now wish to replace their order. And I guess these guys can't "un-cancel" at this point and will now have to go back on the wait list. She seemed nice enough, but I could tell that she's been dealing with a lot of these phone calls this week. I'm keeping my order until I have it in hand. At that point I'll decide what to do. I think Sideshow should ship $100 gift cards with these things.

 

[Alice Adrenochrome]

That's quite a story...

 

[creature4000]

That's quite a story...

Thats a spoon full of crap!!!!

 

[The Josh]

Thats a spoon full of crap!!!!

People want SS to make a comment. Something gets posted and its called crap. There is no winning for losing.

 

[quadcent]

anyone that cancelled and gets back on the WL will most likely get one. i accidentally cancelled mine at the beginning of december, and i got on the WL the next day, and it converted in less than a week.
so i highly doubt that this one will stay "sold out", most likely second chance for some time imo.
i'm hoping to pick a second one up on the cheap down the road, that i can customize, and if it works out i'll do the original one i have coming from ss.

 

[Reefer Shark]

This one will be up for second chance for sure. So anyone that cancelled (me included) can just wait for that if they change their mind on it.

Personally, I think their stance on the situation is very dissapointing. They claim that the images posted from forum users aren't acurate, but these same users have stated that the cloth is indeed that color in person.

So in effect, they are calling some of their good customers liars rather than face up to the situation.

If they would just come out and say "hey, it's much different than proto. we can't change it, so please take this opportunity to cancel if you don't like it. Sorry for the inconvenience", It would go over much better than acting like there's nothing wrong and everyone is crazy.

Bad form SSC

 

[MinMay]

I hope people don't damage it on purpose to return it?
That's just plain wrong. Karma!

 

[quadcent]

I hope people don't damage it on purpose to return it?
That's just plain wrong. Karma!

nope not me, i actually want this one with or without the red.
can't wait to get him along side lurtz, then comes berserker.

 

[icruise]

People want SS to make a comment. Something gets posted and its called crap. There is no winning for losing.

They're essentially saying that we're all imagining the issue, which to me doesn't seem like a very constructive attitude to take, although it may be the only option they have short of a recall.

Personally, I don't care if the statue has a pink loincloth as long as I'm not penalized for canceling. It doesn't seem fair to have to pay to cancel when the prototype is so markedly different than the proto. Can we at least agree on that?

 

[akamonrg]

Open a poll to show sideshow people mind about this.

Vote to show sideshow that you want more QC and quality on products.

https://sideshowcollectors.com/forums/showthread.php?t=46448

 

[LOTRFan]

Apparently, there are folks who have canceled, who claimed they got worked up over the internet photos, and now wish to replace their order. And I guess these guys can't "un-cancel" at this point and will now have to go back on the wait list.

 

[Agent23]

Don't gotta worry about this guy wanting to un-cancel it. poopie, poopie, I even gave up the rewards points I was using towards this, and still canceled. That's how turned off I am by it.

Easy pass for me. Saves me $$$ and now I will be very picky on what LOTR P.F.'s I get from here on out.

Already sold my Galadriel, Frodo, and GTW.

Just have Lurtz and Aragorn now. With the Berserker still on order.

 

[Ktjn]

Apparently, there are folks who have canceled, who claimed they got worked up over the internet photos, and now wish to replace their order. And I guess these guys can't "un-cancel" at this point and will now have to go back on the wait list.

I hope they're not lowering their standard by lying to their customers?