New shipper UPS RUINED MY SITH ANAKIN!

[Darth Loki]

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.

A 16x8x8 box would not add anything to the shipping cost. The added cost would be in the time it would take to add the proper packing compared to slipping the box into the bubble bag that they are using now.

SS seems so proud of how great looking they make all their boxes, they should take pride in the packing of those boxes too.

 

[EVILFACE]

I don't see the problem. I've had 2 figures show up with damage boxes, I emailed SS and a few days later, brand new spiffy box.

I run my own business and have used all shipping services and not a one is better than the other. Though I do prefer the USPS.

 

[Darth Loki]

I don't see the problem. I've had 2 figures show up with damage boxes, I emailed SS and a few days later, brand new spiffy box.

I run my own business and have used all shipping services and not a one is better than the other. Though I do prefer the USPS.

The problem is that Fed Ex no longer offers SS reimbursement for shipments under $100. Now that SS isn't getting reimbursed for these, they may not want to deal with a lot of returns and sending of extra boxes.

 

[lcummins]

...The FedEx deal is: FedEx will no longer reimburse SS for damaged items if they are NOT signed for.... Thus, SS will not replace damaged items for their customers if they are not signed for. This is why SS has moved to UPS, which will still honor reimbursement even if the package is left at the doorstep...

Has Sideshow stated this officially? Until they do, I will have to assume they will replace an item even if you request to keep FedEx as your shipper. The newsletter didn't mention anything about not being able to replace unsigned packages if you stick with FedEx. That would make a huge difference on whether or not people will decide to stick with FedEx or change to UPS, so I hope Sideshow will clarify this officially!

 

[Wor-Gar]

The problem is that Fed Ex no longer offers SS reimbursement for shipments under $100. Now that SS isn't getting reimbursed for these, they may not want to deal with a lot of returns and sending of extra boxes.

I was told by CS at SS that they will no longer honor replacements on FedEx damaged boxes that were left without signature. If SS isn't reimbursed for these, neither will you.

If you still use FedEx, you MUST give your signature in order to replace any damaged items.

Yes, lcummins -- this is what Erin at SS told me on the phone today. I have a feeling SS will address this now that this thread is up.

 

[TOE]

I was told by CS at SS that they will no longer honor replacements on FedEx damaged boxes that were left without signature. If SS isn't reimbursed for these, neither will you.

If you still use FedEx, you MUST give your signature in order to replace any damaged items.

Yes, lcummins -- this is what Erin at SS told me on the phone today. I have a feeling SS will address this now that this thread is up.

but the problem is the FedEx guy leave before I even show up even though i choose the option "Driven must get my signature".

 

[TheObsoleteMan]

This really shouldn't even be an issue, especially with a such a collector friendly company like SSC, they should know better. Just pack them in a slightly larger box that allows enough room for a few layers of bubble wrap and some of those air filled packing pillows and voila, no more damaged packaging. If the other online retailers I order from can afford to do that for the same shipping cost then I see no reason why SSC can't. Paying $8 extra on top of normal shipping costs is bunk. Sorry to be so blunt, but that's just how I see it.

 

[Wor-Gar]

This really shouldn't even be an issue, especially with a such a collector friendly company like SSC, they should know better. Just pack them in a slightly larger box that allows enough room for a few layers of bubble wrap and some of those air filled packing pillows and voila, no more damaged packaging. If the other online retailers I order from can afford to do that for the same shipping cost then I see no reason why SSC can't. Paying $8 extra on top of normal shipping costs is bunk. Sorry to be so blunt, but that's just how I see it.

True. Adam at Dark Shadow ROCKS with his packaging. Big box, lots of air pillows, plenty of room for a whole UPS team to sit on and have lunch without damage...and his shipping rates are really reasonable.

 

[lcummins]

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?

Josh, for some of us, yes, the box is a big deal. I can't help it, I've always saved my packing for just about everything I buy, and want it to stay in "like new" condition. I know, I'm weird!

None of us want to cause price increases, and in fact, with fewer returns, maybe the figures could actually cost less! I feel a little guilty every time I have to request a return, but if I'm paying for something, I expect it to arrive in good condition. I know they all won't be "perfect" and I can live with that, but crushed, creased or torn isn't acceptable.

My Anakin Exclusive arrived with a major crease from top to bottom on the front panel. I finally decided I couldn't live with it, so I requested a new box and Sideshow was more than happy to send one out. Unfortunately, the new box was shipped flat in a flattened shipping box which had "pre-creased" flaps for easy folding. This left "weak" spots in the package and the new Anakin box had more creases than the one it was replacing! At that point, they had run out of the Anakin boxes, so they had to replace the entire box and figure. It arrived in great shape, although not perfect, but acceptable. How much did the replacement box, figure/box, and three extra shipping charges add up to? I want to save money also, and if there is any way to cut down on damage and returns, everybody wins; Sideshow saves money, we have less damaged items, and possibly lower prices!

Better packaging can only be a good thing, and if I have to pay $1 or $2 more for shipping to get packaging which will protect the item in all but the most extreme cases, but will lower the cost of the figure by an equal amount or more because of less returns and replacements, then I'm all for it!!!

 

[TOE]

why would SS go through the trouble and spend so much time creating cool looking boxes if it will just end up all crushed and tossed out??? ...here's the fact...it is because there are 2 type of collectors. One..those who only care about the figure and second, those who like their figures in mint boxes!!!

 

[pixletwin]

True. Adam at Dark Shadow ROCKS with his packaging. Big box, lots of air pillows, plenty of room for a whole UPS team to sit on and have lunch without damage...and his shipping rates are really reasonable.

Thats why I order anything thats not exclusive through Adam! I have faith someday that Bespin Han (please!) will come out and I will receive him in mint from Adam with no worries.

 

[The Josh]

Josh, for some of us, yes, the box is a big deal. I can't help it, I've always saved my packing for just about everything I buy, and want it to stay in "like new" condition. I know, I'm weird!

I save my boxes too on all my stuff so when I move out I can have something to help me move my collection in. That's alll I need it for other than getting it to me in one piece. I understand that there are folks out there that want the boxes in good shape but I think the vast majority of collectors are gonna open the figure and display it. If they keep the box they are like me unless it's just totally useless (smashed that is) then I doubt they care much.

but if I'm paying for something, I expect it to arrive in good condition. I know they all won't be "perfect" and I can live with that, but crushed, creased or torn isn't acceptable.

As long as the item inside arrives intact and in mint condition the box is secondary. I agree crushed or torn isn't acceptable because you simply can't use it again to move the item. A crease is no biggie to me personally

 

[bluesparrow]

I haven't had a problem with any Star Wars figures(yet-knock wood) but I can see it happening. What I don't understand is why all the other lines are shipped better than Star Wars. I've gotten just as many non-Star Wars packages from Sideshow, and they've been packed in more spacious boxes with plenty of room(filled with bubblewrap). Is it just the volume of Star Wars figures vs everything else? I guess it might be. I wonder how much time that might add to the processing if so.


Crap, I just 3 minutes discussing packing material. Must.Go.To.Sleep.

 

[Alice Adrenochrome]

... 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.

Yes, but it is not always like that. Unfortunately it has happened several times that I had to wait days before I got a reaction. Very often actually. Unless I called, and someone picked up the phone. I know that I am not the only one the CS has to deal with, and I take that as the explanation why it takes a while for them to get back to me. Still is utterly annoying though. I'm well aware that the CS will do as much as they can to satisfy their customers. And that is a very strong point IMO.

 

[Alice Adrenochrome]

Josh, for some of us, yes, the box is a big deal. I can't help it, I've always saved my packing for just about everything I buy, and want it to stay in "like new" condition. I know, I'm weird!

If you are weird because of that, then I'm weird too!

Better packaging can only be a good thing, and if I have to pay $1 or $2 more for shipping to get packaging which will protect the item in all but the most extreme cases, but will lower the cost of the figure by an equal amount or more because of less returns and replacements, then I'm all for it!!!

And I am too.
But if the shipping gets more expensive, I'd also like to have the option of combined shipping. I guess al of us know how much $ we could save if there was a way to ship orders together. Paying $29 shipping for each 12" is really draining my finances. Shipping two 12" figures together, would only be $1 more, saving me $28. Two times $28 = the next 12" purchase at https://www.sideshowtoy.com/

 

[Rockabilly]

I have a little inside perspective on this kinda situation. I work for a large transportation company ( I'm talking about a BIG transportation company as in tractor trailers and mostly larger items like appliances, lawnmowers, motorcycles, hazardous materials, machinery, and pretty much everything else you can think of)and although we do not haul many small packages like this, I would imagine it's much the same situation for the smaller package carriers.

As a dock worker or driver, you are constantly rushed. A driver leaves in the morning with however many stops and as soon as he has finished delivering he has to start hauling ass to try and get all his pick ups made before the customers closes, trust me it is an enormously stressful job. You may have 10 places to go to closing at 4 o'clock and you don't even get done with your deliveries until 3, not to mention you're on the complete opposite side of town from the places closing early. So in order to get the 10 places closing at 4 you pass 12 places closing at 5, which you have to make it back to AFTER getting the 4 o'clock pick ups. My point here is do to the nature of the business the driver is in a hurry 99% of the time, and may not be as careful as he needs to be with packages. I'm not saying it's right, it's just the way things happen.

Now after the driver's finally done running all over town he comes back to the dock, where now the dockworkers are busting balls to try and get the freight he's brought back in unloaded, separated out to the correct trailer for it's destination and sent on it's way before it gets too late, so that the next terminal the package goes too can get it at a fairly decent time to get it unloaded and loaded back out for delivery. Needless to say most of the dockworkers don't care very much about what they're handling. All they want to do is get it moved as quickly and easily as possible to keep their supervisor from yelling at them.

Not to mention that the package sits in a trailer going down bumpy interstates at 70mph with who knows what stacked on top of it and it's really hard to believe that more packages don't get damaged.

I'm not trying to take up for UPS here at all, I'm just trying to let you know a little about what a package will go through from shipper to customer. It goes through a whole lot of stuff, and a whole lot of hands that could care less what's inside the box, they just want to get done and go home. The only real way to prevent a lot of damages is in packaging the item well enough that it can withstand the normal rough handling of a freight company.

 

[Josette]

This really shouldn't even be an issue, especially with a such a collector friendly company like SSC, they should know better. Just pack them in a slightly larger box that allows enough room for a few layers of bubble wrap and some of those air filled packing pillows and voila, no more damaged packaging.

I agree with you on this completely. I've never sent anything out in the mail in a packaging/mailing box the same size as the figure box. That's like asking for damage, IMO. I remember my very first ebay purchase was a doll and I wanted the doll mint in box. I had no plans to open it. The box arrived to me damaged because she put it in a package that was barely bigger than the doll box and had no room inside the packing box for any kind of packing material to re-enforce it. She just wrapped it in one flimsy newspaper piece. I was not happy about that.

If I'm paying 50-60 a figure then I want that figure to arrive in the best condition possible - that includes the box. And this is coming from someone who opens their figures.

 

[King Darkness]

I also work in the transportation business and inspect trucks for a living. I have inspected to many Fed Ex and UPS truck to count, and trust me THEY ARE NOT LOADED WITH CARE!!! I have seen many "fragile" boxs loaded under heavy boxs. Many "this side up" box with that side down. Its quite amazing how anything makes it any were in one piece. But like Rockabilly says it is the nature of the industry. I have not had boxes arrive in the condition many have described here, but trust me no one company is better than the other. UPS and Fed Ex trucks are in such a rush to make there deliveries time for gentle and carefull loading is really just not that possible. It sux, but thats just the way it is.

The bottom line comes down to how a company handles its packageing before it gets to these companies. If its paked right chances for damage are reduced. Its going to be up to Sideshow to improve the way they pack their products. You cant change the way Fed Ex and UPS operate, but Sideshow can change the way the package our merchandice.

 

[knewby]

As long as SS continues to use that cheap azz "packing" figures will continue to arrive with banged corners. SS knows that carriers are not careful with packages which is more infuriating when they arrive with no cushioning. Common shipping knowledge is pack your item then hold it 5-6 feet and drop it on a concrete surface....will it get damaged or dinged?.....COME ON SS, WAKE UP AND HELP US GET WHAT WE PAY FOR IN MINT SHAPE!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[knewby]

"The bottom line comes down to how a company handles its packageing before it gets to these companies. If its paked right chances for damage are reduced. Its going to be up to Sideshow to improve the way they pack their products. You cant change the way Fed Ex and UPS operate, but Sideshow can change the way the package our merchandice."[/QUOTE]

AMEN BROTHA!!!! Could not have been said any better!