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

[Invictus Sol]

I'm sure that didn't help but there were a lot of people that actually received the figure and were looking within days to dump it. That's just plain fickleness, through and through.

Regardless, I think it's a fair policy. I've been going through my pre-orders and of 9 (damn HT Star Wars...) there is only really 1 that I 'can live without' and that has a $30.00 NRD (Scout w/Bike). A very cool set and one I think SSC is likely to deliver on, but it's a big piece and maybe $700.00 CAD by the time everything's said and done. If I lose $30.00 NRD for having the option not to follow through with my pre-order or being charged all up front, I think that's reasonable.

 

[LipSmack]

I had starlord and Cap on order with my LCS... I felt bad about dumping them but worked with my LCS guy. Problem with them was starlord looks nothing like the Chris Pratt (proportionality wise, big body, pea head and thick clothing) and Cap was just atrocious costume wise. and what does Hot toys do to help sideshow out with cap!? Announce the next version with the same heads and better red shield with all kinds of new features while the version they just released is stuck in the port... the least they could have done was wait till SS got their orders shipped... If I was SS id be furious with HT's screwing em like that. and before someone pipes up to say thats wrong, HT's could have announced any number of figures in caps place, or nothing at all

 

[Creighton]

Totally agree.
Its like ordering a custom built Corvette and getting a Miata.

Im sure theres a resemblance...

 

[ApeManRyan]

I don't blame them for doing this. I'm one of those guys who is always making decisions and cancelling. But as the rest of you I'm not ordering much anymore.

 

[Wor-Gar]

....or they'll just be a distributor ....

This is what I believe for the most part. I think they'll stick to statues and a few high-priced items as there's better margins, but for Sideshow they are just better off being a distributor.


BTW: when was the last new Star Wars figure previewed from Sideshow?

 

[Khev]

BTW: when was the last new Star Wars figure previewed from Sideshow?

TIE Pilot I believe.

 

[LipSmack]

Totally agree.
Its like ordering a custom built Corvette and getting a Miata.

Im sure theres a resemblance...

are you a Todd Glass fan by chance?

 

[Wor-Gar]

TIE Pilot I believe.

Which was shown like 6 months prior to preorder or something?

No, I mean when was the last totally unforeseen surprise from SS in the Star Wars line? Seems like its been quite a awhile. I guess they've had to make room for HT Star Wars.

 

[Mike86]

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.

I do agree with this. People who are so indecisive with what they're buying that they just purchase and flip right away is stupid. The only reason I really cancel orders is if I have a bunch of items coming at once or something and it's too much for my budget. This may have happened recently with the dock situation, but people need to decide when they order that they really want something and aren't just buying on impulse because it's the flavor of the month.

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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Yeah the monthly coupons probably cause some issues too. The thing I think that happens a lot is an exclusive is offered and people want to lock in their order but if it's available later and becomes coupon eligible why would you choose to not save a bit?

 

[Sidewinder]

I do agree with this. People who are so indecisive with what they're buying that they just purchase and flip right away is stupid. The only reason I really cancel orders is if I have a bunch of items coming at once or something and it's too much for my budget. This may have happened recently with the dock situation, but people need to decide when they order that they really want something and aren't just buying on impulse because it's the flavor of the month.


Yeah the monthly coupons probably cause some issues too. The thing I think that happens a lot is an exclusive is offered and people want to lock in their order but if it's available later and becomes coupon eligible why would you choose to not save a bit?

Well, just speaking of the StarLord Exclusive here. People on the waitlist were sent emails telling them they were unlikely to fill their order and offered the regular version at a discounted 10% off price. The exclusive then became sold out and the waitlist was cut off. Fast forward to today and the exclusive is back as an in stock item and coupon eligible. People who took up one of those these exclusives originally, ended up cancelling and therefore people that were on the waitlist, who took the regular deal, could have got it in the end, but missed out.
Now people who cancelled their original order, without penalty, can simply buy it now at a reduced cost. I don't think that is very fair.

I'm glad I waited it out and my waitlist eventually converted a couple of weeks ago. But I feel bad for the collectors who bought the regular, only to find out the ex isn't sold out afterall.

There are people that just jump on to the exclusive pre orders in case they want to buy it, not because they are going to buy it.

 

[NASEDO]

I never preorder, I waitlist.

The NRD sucks cause if you have to return the item, you gotta call to get the NRD back. Took me 3 days to get someone to answer the phone at SS.

 

[Khev]

Which was shown like 6 months prior to preorder or something?

No, I mean when was the last totally unforeseen surprise from SS in the Star Wars line? Seems like its been quite a awhile.

I'd still say TIE Pilot but I believe he was previewed as a group (with X-Wing Luke, C-3PO and the Biker Scout perhaps) at SDCC last summer. So yeah, been a while since we've seen or been teased with anything new.

 

[LipSmack]

I'd still say TIE Pilot but I believe he was previewed as a group (with X-Wing Luke, C-3PO and the Biker Scout perhaps) at SDCC last summer. So yeah, been a while since we've seen or been teased with anything new.

Maybe SS knows its over, with HTs cranking out what they are at a decent price? you put any figure SS makes and a HT's counterpart, Hot toys will win every single time

 

[Bardoon]

I suppose this was bound to happen. I'm sure some finances had to contribute to this.

I don't mind putting a NRD down for Hot Toys figures but I agree with the consensus here, Sideshow has had quality issues for years. They have never been able to truly alleviate any of them. I commonly just pre-order that which I know I absolutely want and have become selective in the years when prices have been on the rise. Honestly, I've never been confident in Sideshow's 1/6-scale figures and rarely bought any so tossing on a NRD doesn't bother me much because I don't get SS's stuff.

However, if Sideshow wants to restore some customer confidence, especially if adding a NRD on everything reduces customer pre-orders...they should establish some OTHER, NEW policies that should hold themselves accountable. Of course, this would only happen if pre-orders and sales fall below expectations. But it would be a good way of meeting their customers half-way. For example, they could add a number of NRD "refunds" for customers per year for pre-order cancellations (like THREE for example) OR a "Full Customer Satisfaction" when it comes to returns when final products don't "live up" to the final product expectations. If this new NRD policy ends up biting themselves in the @$$, I'm sure we'll see something like that.

Sideshow should also be a little more aggressive with their sales. Spooktacular is one thing, but if you want to move product YEAR-AROUND, they should offer deeper sales than $20-$30 off some of their stuff that is sitting on shelves.

 

[TonTon]

Sideshow should also be a little more aggressive with their sales. Spooktacular is one thing, but if you want to move product YEAR-AROUND, they should offer deeper sales than $20-$30 off some of their stuff that is sitting on shelves.

I'm really surprised they don't have all sorts of sales going on for in-stock items as long as the port issues are still happening. Seems like product is still moving really slowly and probably very little money is coming in as a result.

 

[Sidewinder]

They should spread the sales around, rather than have everyone wait around till Spook to pick up a deal. People will buy a figure with a 10 or 15 percent off coupon, even if the Spook sale is going to be cheaper. You won't know if the figure will still be in stock by then, so 10% off with extra rewards, is a pretty good deal.


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[Mike86]

They do sales but they are fairly sporadic. For instance with Marvel figures I remember last year they had a Marvel Day sale which had some good discounts. They should do the same with Star Wars or DC figures too (although I suppose Marvel is easy since there's so much Marvel product all the time). Spooktacular is decent but it seems like the big sales on figures really happened this last time. I haven't been collecting as long but the couple of years before that I don't remember the discounts being as good. Really it seemed like from Spooktacular until the holidays last year they had some decent sales. It would also be nice if the discounts they offered (aside from the monthly coupons) weren't just on stuff they're sitting on that no one really wants unless they can get whatever it is at a heavily reduced rate.

 

[sithlord13]

When I started with Ssc Star Wars I intially offered in this country(UK) because they were heavily discounted but started to want the exclusives. As time went on I only preordered when the exclusive was worth it because they was still a cost but you got the figure quicker. Now I have only preordered one figure directly in years. - biker scout.
Referring nrds with nearly all UK suppliers I have to pay one- the exceptions being much more expensive stockists.
So it's not an issue but I concur with the issues raised about the difference between prototype and production. Hot toys don't seem to have an issue but Ssc do perhaps the offer should only be taken when a production example is shown or at least that quality is guaranteed

 

[ksteezy]

I don't mind the NRD....less I have to pay at the end...

 

[LipSmack]

Frankly I buy very few things from SSC any more, only the occasional exclusive, so it doesn't really impact on me. I still stand by my earlier post that I think it would be so much better if the industry did away with pre-orders and simply announced a new product when it's ready to ship, so that you could see the finished product and actually purchase, but as I said I know that will never happen. But that doesn't stop me from pre-ordering the few figures I really do want. The only advantage (and yes it is a big advantage for expensive figures) is the flex payment so you're not hit all at once, I admit that IS a nice feature and benefit of pre-orders.

I dont know if its entirely feasable for them to basically produce a figure from start to finish before gauging interest or drumming up pre orders though. I dont know of any company that doesnt show off prototypes and post pre orders these days... I think these higher end figure just have more time put into them so it takes longer then say, hasbro or mattel