New Sideshow Policy - non-refundable deposit figures over $224

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Based on what Sideshow told me, returning/getting refund by saying that it doesn't match the proto is iffy. They said they'd "work with" you but they have repeatedly said these are "hand made" as sort of an out for quality issues. It sort of comes down to your opinion versus theirs ultimately.

Heck, at this rate I'll be happy if my Hoth Han just matches the production pics. Never mind the proto pics. Lol
 
Well let's hope this limits production. I am sure sideshow takes a huge loss during spooktacular .


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I think most people cancel because the production pieces are so far off from the prototypes.

Disagree completely, think most people intend on cancelling cuz they can't justify the money and use that as the excuse.

If you are a die hard SW fan and love Esb, you aren't buying the taun taun because of the seam?
 
Disagree completely, think most people intend on cancelling cuz they can't justify the money and use that as the excuse.

If you are a die hard SW fan and love Esb, you aren't buying the taun taun because of the seam?

The Taun is too much $$, but I guess push-to-shove answer (if it wasn't too much) is I don't love the Taun headsculpt and the fur looks a bit like stucco render. It's a wonderful piece for the Luke and Han to go on and I like the overall look of it, but I didn't love how it came out and I'm the biggest ESB fan there is.
 
The Taun is too much $$, but I guess push-to-shove answer (if it wasn't too much) is I don't love the Taun headsculpt and the fur looks a bit like stucco render. It's a wonderful piece for the Luke and Han to go on and I like the overall look of it, but I didn't love how it came out and I'm the biggest ESB fan there is.

But did you preorder it?
 
I am all for a NRD deposit as long at the I receive the product that is pictured/advertised . Otherwise its plain old "bait and switch.'

"Aint nobody got time for dat!"
 
Disagree completely, think most people intend on cancelling cuz they can't justify the money and use that as the excuse.

I think this is on point.

At this point, no one can rationally expect a Sideshow figure to look like the prototype. They've been having this problem for almost 10 years now. Really, as far as I can remember. My first figures were the Monty Python figures, and those were decent. The Michael Palin sculpt was always off, but they matched pretty closely. The Ash was a bit of a departure. They really started having problems with the Buffy series. It's always hard to make female figures. But really, this has been going on for over a decade. . . and people are still complaining about it. There's a dark humor in that.

This new NRD policy is just short of them stating on the product page "Don't pre-order this unless you're absolutely 100% sure you want it, no matter what". Realistically, that is what it's stating. These people saying SSC is just using NRDs to line their pockets or keeping it in some high interest savings account is just wild tinfoil hat stuff. What else can they do to stop people from cancelling pre-orders? They've shown that they're not capable of making realistic human figures. Collectors should be educated enough to realize the shortcomings of SSC, if you're just ignoring the evidence out there, then that's your own problem, not Sideshow's.
 
Disagree completely, think most people intend on cancelling cuz they can't justify the money and use that as the excuse.

If you are a die hard SW fan and love Esb, you aren't buying the taun taun because of the seam?

Die hard SW fan. Check. Love ESB. Check. Didn't order the tauntaun because I didn't like how Han and Luke turned out. The prototypes at SDCC were SO much better than previous prototypes that I figured that the production figures would have to be at least decent enough to own. I was wrong.

I don't care about this new NRD thing because I honestly don't see myself purchasing anything from Sideshow that isn't a PF at this point.
 
I think this is on point.

At this point, no one can rationally expect a Sideshow figure to look like the prototype. They've been having this problem for almost 10 years now. Really, as far as I can remember. My first figures were the Monty Python figures, and those were decent. The Michael Palin sculpt was always off, but they matched pretty closely. The Ash was a bit of a departure. They really started having problems with the Buffy series. It's always hard to make female figures. But really, this has been going on for over a decade. . . and people are still complaining about it. There's a dark humor in that.

This new NRD policy is just short of them stating on the product page "Don't pre-order this unless you're absolutely 100% sure you want it, no matter what". Realistically, that is what it's stating. These people saying SSC is just using NRDs to line their pockets or keeping it in some high interest savings account is just wild tinfoil hat stuff. What else can they do to stop people from cancelling pre-orders? They've shown that they're not capable of making realistic human figures. Collectors should be educated enough to realize the shortcomings of SSC, if you're just ignoring the evidence out there, then that's your own problem, not Sideshow's.

So it's ok to promise one thing then deliver another?
Prototypes should better reflect what you will actually receive.

When Sideshow put pictures of the actual production piece up, something I've noticed recently, anyone who is disappointed at what they see should have the option to cancel with a full refund of any monies payed.
 
Die hard SW fan. Check. Love ESB. Check. Didn't order the tauntaun because I didn't like how Han and Luke turned out. The prototypes at SDCC were SO much better than previous prototypes that I figured that the production figures would have to be at least decent enough to own. I was wrong.

I don't care about this new NRD thing because I honestly don't see myself purchasing anything from Sideshow that isn't a PF at this point.

Great post, word for word I agree. I so badly wanted a Tauntaun but Luke and Han look goofy and I can't be bothered doing a custom fix on either figure.

I don't think Sideshow deserve the right to lock you into anything seeing that they aren't hitting the mark when it comes to production quality, not only the weird staring eyes but what about the switcharoo with Han's hood material amongst other things.

I just got Captain Rex and he's awesome but they aren't modelling that on a real person, that's where it goes pear shaped.

I feel I have the right to change my mind if something doesn't meet expectations and I can't do that if I'll lose a deposit.
 
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I still find it interesting that so far this policy only appears to be applying to Sideshow figures over $224. I've checked multiple Hot Toys figures over that price and so far none are asking for a deposit. I looked at the pages for C3PO, Temple of Doom Indy, Red 5 Luke, and Deadpool and they want it for each of those figures. It almost seems like Sideshow isn't confident enough in their own products or something and are worried about cancellations so they're sticking the NRD on their figures. I'm guessing they have less cancellations for Hot Toys because what they show in prototype form generally matches the final product or is exceeded by the final product.
 
Maybe there doing it now because of that dock situation when many people cancelled items, they may of lost a large chunk of preorders. Thats my theory lol.
 
I think this is on point.

At this point, no one can rationally expect a Sideshow figure to look like the prototype. They've been having this problem for almost 10 years now. Really, as far as I can remember. My first figures were the Monty Python figures, and those were decent. The Michael Palin sculpt was always off, but they matched pretty closely. The Ash was a bit of a departure. They really started having problems with the Buffy series. It's always hard to make female figures. But really, this has been going on for over a decade. . . and people are still complaining about it. There's a dark humor in that.

This new NRD policy is just short of them stating on the product page "Don't pre-order this unless you're absolutely 100% sure you want it, no matter what". Realistically, that is what it's stating. These people saying SSC is just using NRDs to line their pockets or keeping it in some high interest savings account is just wild tinfoil hat stuff. What else can they do to stop people from cancelling pre-orders? They've shown that they're not capable of making realistic human figures. Collectors should be educated enough to realize the shortcomings of SSC, if you're just ignoring the evidence out there, then that's your own problem, not Sideshow's.

Why can Hot Toys do it,but Sideshow Can't???? And Sideshow is now charging 200+ for a figure.If they are charging that price,so should the Quality be just as good as Hot Toys.At least when I pre-order a HT figure,there is no worries at all about the result of the final figure.
 
I don’t even know where to begin here. From a business point of view, I understand why SS is imposing a NRD on higher-priced figures. And really, it’s a two-fold issue where both the collectors and SS themselves are to blame, although they don’t seem to want to fix the problem on their end. Their QC sucks. But the customers who are constantly POing everything they make, then canceling every time the production figure doesn’t match the proto has to be hurting them financially. All of their figures are licensed, so they have to pay for that license. It costs them money to manufacture the items, ship those items from China, and then distribute them out to the customer and other retailers.
Let’s take Snake Plissken as an example, and I’ll just throw all these numbers out there as Hypotheticals. Let’s say worldwide, they got 3000 POs for Snake. They manufacture said items, have them shipped from China, and once everyone sees the production photos 1500 people cancel their orders... they just ate the cost of licensing, manufacturing and shipping on those, and now they have to warehouse the things. Based on mods done of figs by some customizers, maybe they pick up 500 orders; they still have to eat the cost of a 1000 units. That’s not cheap from a business stand-point. And all those fickle customers are costing them money. You can’t blame them for wanting to impose an NRD to get at least a percentage of their money back, and possibly cut down on fickle POs in the future.
On the other hand, the fact that SS wants to play in the big leagues with Hot Toys, and yet seem either too cheap or too lazy to hire someone in China to handle QC is an absolute joke. But then again. Everyone buying their items should know by now that SS is incapable of putting out a human figure that looks, 1. Like the actor/actress, and 2. Doesn’t have some sort of weird distortion to it. So, again, the customer is partly at fault. If you know they can’t make a human representation that looks good, and yet you continue to PO such items, you only have yourself to blame for buying their crap in the first place. If everyone stopped buying their turd humans, they’d stop making them or realize they have to improve their s&$ty QC. If they stopped making them... oh well. Gives them time to focus on what they can make. If they improve their QC, so much the better for the consumer.
In other words, the consumer is partly to blame... in a much bigger way than you might think. You continue to buy a turd, there’s no incentive for any company to stop producing turds. Accept some of the responsibility for NRDs. There are newer companies out there (Star Ace is a perfect example) that are cheaper than SS and making far superior products. For all those people that have a hard-on for SS, you’re part of the problem. They’ll never improve until their products stop selling, or they'll just be a distributor (or... go out of business).
 
Why can Hot Toys do it,but Sideshow Can't???? And Sideshow is now charging 200+ for a figure.If they are charging that price,so should the Quality be just as good as Hot Toys.At least when I pre-order a HT figure,there is no worries at all about the result of the final figure.
Amen. Can't believe people still buy SS products.
 
Die hard SW fan. Check. Love ESB. Check. Didn't order the tauntaun because I didn't like how Han and Luke turned out. The prototypes at SDCC were SO much better than previous prototypes that I figured that the production figures would have to be at least decent enough to own. I was wrong.

I don't care about this new NRD thing because I honestly don't see myself purchasing anything from Sideshow that isn't a PF at this point.

Sorry, I should have added a collector focused on 1:6 scale.

If you are an avid fan of the above and collect that scale( majority of said line, not 1 or 2 figs) then you most likely preorder the stuff you want for certain and a measly 30$ won't be a problem.

I have over 100 SW 1:6 figs and only preorder what I know I want in my collection. I won't br crying if 3po is a cm to short and want a refund.
 
I still find it interesting that so far this policy only appears to be applying to Sideshow figures over $224. I've checked multiple Hot Toys figures over that price and so far none are asking for a deposit. I looked at the pages for C3PO, Temple of Doom Indy, Red 5 Luke, and Deadpool and they want it for each of those figures. It almost seems like Sideshow isn't confident enough in their own products or something and are worried about cancellations so they're sticking the NRD on their figures. I'm guessing they have less cancellations for Hot Toys because what they show in prototype form generally matches the final product or is exceeded by the final product.

They added the NRD to the AoU Captain America, but that seems to be the only one I have found as of yet. I imagine that SSC will add NRD's to other Avenger figures that end up being over the $224 mark as well.

I do think they're are too many collectors ordering something, only to cancel because they change their mind, or need the money for something else.
The StarLord exclusive figure went on waitlist back in July and collectors were informed that their order was unlikely to be filled. The figure then went to sold out status. Since then, the majority of wait listers had their orders filled as collectors cancelled their orders. The figure is now IN STOCK and a monthly code can be used on it.

Now, there must have been a lot of cancellations and it can't be because the figure didn't turn out like the proto, the production piece turned out very well. Several collectors cancelled because of the dock issues, they ended up buying direct from Hong Kong. Some also may have cancelled due to the exchange rate with the U.S. dollar. If SSC had implemented NRD's on this figure, I doubt there would have been as many cancellations.

As for Sideshow's own pieces, I would certainly be less inclined to preorder with an NRD. I've never had an issue with their maquettes or PF's, I have a few of those and I love them. No problems with putting down an NRD with those. However their 1/6 line human characters are just not up to standard. It's a shame because their sculpts are very good in most cases, it's just the production that lets them down. I wouldn't want to be putting a deposit down on Indy or Luke X-Wing after the issues arising with Hoth Han and Hoth Luke.

I also feel like SSC are causing some of these pre order issues with their monthly coupons. People will order and then if it's still available a couple of months down the line, cancel and then reorder with the $20 coupon. How about Sideshow just take $20 off their original prices and scrap the coupons all together lol.


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NRD makes sense for SS, I personally wont PO with them anymore, moreso because of our Canadian Dollar then and NRD, plus they refuse to ship with USPS so the cost of shipping is high and you ALWAYS get nailed with customs/import fees. Im sure Canadian customers are in the minority too so they could care less about our money
 
They added the NRD to the AoU Captain America, but that seems to be the only one I have found as of yet. I imagine that SSC will add NRD's to other Avenger figures that end up being over the $224 mark as well.

I do think they're are too many collectors ordering something, only to cancel because they change their mind, or need the money for something else.
The StarLord exclusive figure went on waitlist back in July and collectors were informed that their order was unlikely to be filled. The figure then went to sold out status. Since then, the majority of wait listers had their orders filled as collectors cancelled their orders. The figure is now IN STOCK and a monthly code can be used on it.

Now, there must have been a lot of cancellations and it can't be because the figure didn't turn out like the proto, the production piece turned out very well. Several collectors cancelled because of the dock issues, they ended up buying direct from Hong Kong. Some also may have cancelled due to the exchange rate with the U.S. dollar. If SSC had implemented NRD's on this figure, I doubt there would have been as many cancellations.

As for Sideshow's own pieces, I would certainly be less inclined to preorder with an NRD. I've never had an issue with their maquettes or PF's, I have a few of those and I love them. No problems with putting down an NRD with those. However their 1/6 line human characters are just not up to standard. It's a shame because their sculpts are very good in most cases, it's just the production that lets them down. I wouldn't want to be putting a deposit down on Indy or Luke X-Wing after the issues arising with Hoth Han and Hoth Luke.

I also feel like SSC are causing some of these pre order issues with their monthly coupons. People will order and then if it's still available a couple of months down the line, cancel and then reorder with the $20 coupon. How about Sideshow just take $20 off their original prices and scrap the coupons all together lol.

Star Lord went back and forth on waitlist because it was stuck at the port for months
 
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