New shipper UPS RUINED MY SITH ANAKIN!

[JGouse0498]

Fair enough, but the vast majority of these are not being received like the pics posted in this thread.

Isn't this just another you can't please them all discussion? There are far more gripes about the costs of the figures than anything else, so raising costs doesn't seem to be a real option - or at least not and avoiding the "did you just pay ..." threads. I think taking the 5-10 damaged boxes is a much better choice. Not only that, but when you say that SS customer service is lacking, it seems misplaced, Wor Gar called within what is presumably minutes of receiving his figure and is already being promised a replacement. I would say that is pretty top-notch.

No, you're right. No company anywhere will ever be able to please everybody. But that doesn't mean we can't point out areas for improvement. That's why I'm playing devil's advocate here. No, I haven't received a seriously damaged box, but with this type of packaging, it could very well happen to me in the future.

Just to clarify though...I never said SSC Customer Service is lacking. I said it's severely lacking IN SOME AREAS (i.e. - how they handle packaging these figures). I know SSC's customer service reps are good people. That's why I posted that Wor-Gar should contact them immediately because I knew they'd fix things.

So there's really nothing misplaced about my remarks at all. I'm just calling out what I see as problems that any company should take steps to correct

 

[JGouse0498]

Darth Loki, thanks for the in-depth explanation. That is a fairly disturbing glimpse into parcel shipping companies.

But like you said, Sideshow needs to address the packaging on their end. IMO, SSC need to take steps to protect customers from such shoddy handling.

 

[Wor-Gar]

I'm glad this discussion taking place.

First, I just wanted to post this thread in the event more people than usual end up having a bad experience with UPS. Agreed that most items arrive to most people in good condition with either shipper.

Second, SS is great about returns I've heard, I shall finally experience it first hand. I have no gripe with them, or their choice to switch. It was an understandable business decision.

Last, I DO believe in my case it was UPS and not the SS warehouse. The dents and bangs on my mailer match exactly to the dents and bangs on my box. They look fresh, whatever that means. Most importantly, the shipping label, which SS puts on as they ship, has a scratch across it that matches the dent beneath it -- obviously this dent was made AFTER the shipping label was stuck on the box. So, yes, I blame UPS this time around.

 

[JGouse0498]

I'm glad this discussion taking place.

First, I just wanted to post this thread in the event more people than usual end up having a bad experience with UPS. Agreed that most items arrive to most people in good condition with either shipper.

Second, SS is great about returns I've heard, I shall finally experience it first hand. I have no gripe with them, or their choice to switch. It was an understandable business decision.

Last, I DO believe in my case it was UPS and not the SS warehouse. The dents and bangs on my mailer match exactly to the dents and bangs on my box. They look fresh, whatever that means. Most importantly, the shipping label, which SS puts on as they ship, has a scratch across it that matches the dent beneath it -- obviously this dent was made AFTER the shipping label was stuck on the box. So, yes, I blame UPS this time around.

After reading Darth Loki's detailed account of the shipping business, god only knows what your package went through!!

Whatever downfalls are involved in the choice of packaging, the upside definitely is that you will have little to no trouble getting things remedied. It sucks that the Returns Dept. is a week behind, but at least that's not the norm.

I wonder why the Returns division is behind because of SDCC though? It'd make more sense for the department dealing with Order Processing to be running behind.

 

[knewby]

I've been griping about SS's lousy cheap packing methods of 12" figures for years now. It is UTTERLY DISGRACEFUL that a company that supposedly prides itself on being so collector oriented packs figures in a way that is a total crap shoot if they arrive damaged or not. Anyone who does mail order knows that items MUST have some area of "cushion" around the actual box to aborb blows. WHY on earth are we paying on average of $50 per figure and getting such lousy packing??? That part about paying double shipping and waiting til the end is such BS it makes me wanna puke. I've got to pay double to make sure you do what you should in the first place?!?. Its enough to make me quit buying from them. I've gotten a lot of figures in slightly damaged boxes and its too much of a pain to keep requesting replacements or refunds when adequate packing in the first place would alleviate this problem. I've emailed SS about this problem MANY times and they NEVER, EVER reply..........................Larry

 

[Agent0028]

Sorry about your sith anakin.

It is weird how some people really get one company worse more consistently than the other. I know I've not had a problem with UPS and every single shipment I've received on time and in great shape. And I get alot of shipments from UPS 3 this week, 2 last week, and one of last weeks had four boxes.

Something else that I find odd is that I never had any problem with either shipper giving me damaged goods, FedEx just has a really really hard time getting it to my house...sometimes my state even. I guess it really does depend on the local hub or something.

 

[The Josh]

I don't want my stuff arriving in banged up boxes either but if the figure is ok and can be displayed. Really is the box that big of a deal? I'm paying the $50+ for the figure not the box. I mean do those who are upset about the boxes of the figures being messed up really wanna cause those that only care if the figure itself is ok more money?

 

[LOTRFan]

The SS 12" figures are wrapped in bubble wrap though, right!? I have only received Luke thus far and he was.

 

[JGouse0498]

The SS 12" figures are wrapped in bubble wrap though, right!? I have only received Luke thus far and he was.

It's a very thin layer of bubble wrap, but yeah they're wrapped in a single layer of bubble wrap. My Anakin was packaged exactly like my Luke was.

 

[Wor-Gar]

The SS 12" figures are wrapped in bubble wrap though, right!? I have only received Luke thus far and he was.

Bubble wrap doesn't save your box when fat-ass uses it for a stool to have his lunch.

 

[King Darkness]

In 4 years of ordering from Sideshow I have never had to request a new box. I have had Fed Ex ship a couple of boxes to the wrong states, but have never had a damaged box arrive. Nor have I ever had anything UPS deliverd damaged...I may request to have Sideshow keep deliverying Fed EX as I have never had a major problem. My Fed Ex guy is rather familiar with my orders and handles them pretty well..That really sux Wor Gar that that happened. I have had really good luck with Fed Ex...The late package every now and then,but never the damaged package..

 

[NASEDO]

I never knew about the extra cost for double boxes, but its worth it. My last 3 figures arrived damaged, I'll have to look into it.

I also wonder were all the scratches come from on the box, its a very minor thing, I would never return a figure for that reason, but just wonder how it happens.

 

[JGouse0498]

Bubble wrap doesn't save your box when fat-ass uses it for a stool to have his lunch.

 

[JGouse0498]

I contacted SS about a week ago about my Damaged Anakin Exc. Box and was told that they could not replace it, that there was no more instock. I don't know if they were lying but if they replace yours that would be messed up.

You inquired about Anakin's packaging. Wor-Gar needs to replace Vader's packaging. That's why he's able to get it taken care of.

Still, that really does suck that they're "out of stock"

Gee...maybe they need to replace more boxes than expected. Hmm...now I wonder why that might be...

 

[galactiboy]

I agree that Sideshow needs to add a bit more space in their packaging. My last box arrive somewhat damaged... a bit of crushing, but not enough to be a big deal to me. But the idea that if you are a "MIB" collector you can pay an extra $8 for shipping is just ridiculous. When you pay for a figure, you are paying for the figure, accessories and the packaging and all should arrive safely. And replacing just the box doesn't help the sick people who are MISB collectors...

 

[King Darkness]

I agree that Sideshow needs to add a bit more space in their packaging.

This is what needs to be done more than double boxing..

 

[TOE]

This is what needs to be done more than double boxing..

the "peanuts" have worked for me all the time.

 

[knewby]

I don't think its fair that people who open their figures get so smug and say who cares about the box. A lot of collectors want MISB figures and pay for them that way. If I pay 50 bucks for a MIB figure I expect the box to arrive in mint shape. I'm not saying that boxes won't get crushed from time to time but SS needs to step up to the plate and ship these with better protection..............Larry

 

[TOE]

I don't think its fair that people who open their figures get so smug and say who cares about the box. A lot of collectors want MISB figures and pay for them that way. If I pay 50 bucks for a MIB figure I expect the box to arrive in mint shape. I'm not saying that boxes won't get crushed from time to time but SS needs to step up to the plate and ship these with better protection..............Larry

couldn't agree with you more. I say skip the printing on the boxes and save that money for enlarging the boxes. We are paying about $60-$70 for a 12" figure I would like to see a mint box or at least close to being mint.

 

[Darth Loki]

Bubble wrap doesn't save your box when fat-ass uses it for a stool to have his lunch.

Trust me, no one from UPS was eating their lunch in a truck while sitting on your box. Have you been in an UPS truck in the middle of Summer? It's like 150 degrees in there! Not to mention that box is way too small to sit on. Now a PF box would make a great bench!