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

[Darklord Dave]

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

As prices creep up it doesn't make sense to NOT solicit pre-orders so you can gauge interest and predict a sell through point. I remember the hey day of LotR speculation, there were no NRDs charged and speculators (scalpers) would order multiple pieces hoping to turn around and sell them for huge profit. So manufacturing numbers were increased and we ended up with 10000 Saurons out there. Only now, many years later, is the original Sauron going for retail - he could be had much cheaper for a long time.

If people stop pre-ordering because of an NRD then fewer figures will get made (some characters won't get made at all) and we'll be back to pieces that command a huge price on the secondary market.

 

[Mike86]

If people stop pre-ordering because of an NRD then fewer figures will get made (some characters won't get made at all) and we'll be back to pieces that command a huge price on the secondary market.

Well I won't stop pre-ordering but I'll be more selective with some items until the final pictures of a figure are released and I have to think a lot of people are going to be doing the same. I think it's just the principle seems wrong that if you order something and don't like how it turns out that you still have to pay Sideshow a fee for placing an order if you cancel. That's pretty consumer unfriendly I still think and while I get it to some extent I'm not the biggest fan of the policy. I mostly still think it's a bit backwards to push pre-orders pretty heavily through emails, Facebook, Twitter, etc but then put a policy like this in place that essentially is a deterrent to people to pre-order less. I'm sure they have their reasons but it just doesn't seem exactly logical to me. Like I've said I don't cancel too often but I think this will drive away some business for Sideshow.

 

[Invictus Sol]

Personally I think it's win-win. The runs need to come down and some of the more fickle collectors weeded out from the POs. Sidewinder's Star Lord example is perfect in that regard. Anyway, like I said, Mike, I think the impact on SSC's business will be nil or favourable. They must make a killing on distribution, so a few fanboys electing to order from BBTS instead of SSC direct is hardly of consequence. No offense to anyone but I find about 90% of the anti-NRD arguments pretty whiny and self-entitled.

 

[Mike86]

I guess I don't really see it as entitled. They want business but yet feel that if a consumer isn't happy with the final product that they should be penalized for placing a pre-order and cancelling. I could see if the fee was less but in a lot of cases these NRD's are at least $20 which isn't a lot of money but its enough to pay Sideshow for essentially nothing. It just strikes me as a somewhat silly policy. Consumers do need to learn too that they need to be selective or only get what they really want I agree though. If you're unsure about something just don't hit pre-order and wait it out until in-hand pictures at least. I think the issue is two sided and Sideshow isn't completely at fault but it just doesn't exactly sit right with me. I think it would be one thing if a person was constantly cancelling but I think the policy should be that if a consumer isn't happy at least a couple NRD's per year can be waived or make some sort of compromise so the consumer doesn't feel completely burned.

 

[Deeznutz6]

Personally I think it's win-win. The runs need to come down and some of the more fickle collectors weeded out from the POs. Sidewinder's Star Lord example is perfect in that regard. Anyway, like I said, Mike, I think the impact on SSC's business will be nil or favourable. They must make a killing on distribution, so a few fanboys electing to order from BBTS instead of SSC direct is hardly of consequence. No offense to anyone but I find about 90% of the anti-NRD arguments pretty whiny and self-entitled.

Agreed, well said

As much as I think SSC is a bunch of people tossings darts at a dart board to make decisions, they've done the math, and I'm sure this all works out in their favour

 

[Invictus Sol]

I guess I don't really see it as entitled...

I do get where you're coming from but I just tend to think the hobby's in need of some sort of correction. The runs, prices and quality are all over the place, and even day one of a PO it's common to see comments like oh, eff those prices, I'll wait for Spook, etc. There shouldn't be that kind of cockiness in a niche hobby like this.

I remember when I first started collecting, I would run down the old priority pre-order days/quick sell-outs as elitist but I think now I was probably wrong about that. Maybe something inbetween those instant sell-outs and these redonkulously large runs is in order. If the NRD pushes a few people out that wouldn't end up buying anyway, that's fine with me, even if it means I miss the odd figure or two.

As much as I think SSC is a bunch of people tossings darts at a dart board to make decisions, they've done the math, and I'm sure this all works out in their favour

Yeah, I do get that impression with SSC, too.

 

[DarthTrafford]

How come the Hot Toys Starlord doesn't have a NRD listed?
It's over $224
Or is it just newer figures?

 

[DCFett]

Refusing to pre order is going to drive up prices and drive down offerings. SS and HT will be less likely to go deep into a line and we'll have incomplete teams. The NRD is asking for fans to show some love and yes, commitment, in order to keep the pipeline flowing. Won't be everyone's cup of tea, but I'd imagine all the non committal cancellations add to the back stock of merchandise we see still in-stock for really cool items. Let's face it, production numbers are on their way down and this will hasten the step. I'm off to get my order in on hulk buster

 

[MR Regan]

It's Sideshow's blatant bait and switch tactic that makes NRDs unfavourable

That's it right there, they can't put something up for pre order then when it's nearly due to ship change the pics to what we are actualy getting, After people have nearly paid it off through flex pay.

That's what they are doing though, then charging you the NRD for the privilege of not liking it.
I think the SS bubble is about to burst as people are waking up to their sneaky tactics and over priced shoddy products.

 

[jkno]

I remember discussing about a possible NRD on another forum long ago, when people kept pre-ordering and then canceling, this was prone to happen in the end. Personally I haven't ordered something directly from SSC for a long time and doubt I will again.

 

[LipSmack]

As prices creep up it doesn't make sense to NOT solicit pre-orders so you can gauge interest and predict a sell through point. I remember the hey day of LotR speculation, there were no NRDs charged and speculators (scalpers) would order multiple pieces hoping to turn around and sell them for huge profit. So manufacturing numbers were increased and we ended up with 10000 Saurons out there. Only now, many years later, is the original Sauron going for retail - he could be had much cheaper for a long time.

If people stop pre-ordering because of an NRD then fewer figures will get made (some characters won't get made at all) and we'll be back to pieces that command a huge price on the secondary market.

Yeah LOTR was a crazy time for merchandise

I get exactly what youre saying

 

[Pixelpiper]

Great discussion, but I haven't seen anyone mention the most basic bit of info, or question it. How is this a new policy? Sideshow seems to have always had NRD on items over a specific dollar amount - I believe that was $250. If it's now $224, all they've done is lowered it a little bit. One's opinion of the NRD shouldn't necessarily change because of that $25 margin.

Regardless of the dollar amount, I don't see NRD as a punitive measure. It's a security measure for SSC to discourage wild speculation by scalpers and wishy-washy customers. If you have a legitimate reason to cancel at some point in the future, I'm sure SSC will be willing to work it out with you like they have so may times in the past.

Lastly, with regards to items that end up materially/tangibly different than presented at the time of sale, both Credit Card issuers and PayPal have policies to deal with that - and Sideshow has to play according to their rules. Consult your payment issuer/processor's fine print for the full scoop.

 

[LipSmack]

Great discussion, but I haven't seen anyone mention the most basic bit of info, or question it. How is this a new policy? Sideshow seems to have always had NRD on items over a specific dollar amount - I believe that was $250. If it's now $224, all they've done is lowered it a little bit. One's opinion of the NRD shouldn't necessarily change because of that $25 margin.

Regardless of the dollar amount, I don't see NRD as a punitive measure. It's a security measure for SSC to discourage wild speculation by scalpers and wishy-washy customers. If you have a legitimate reason to cancel at some point in the future, I'm sure SSC will be willing to work it out with you like they have so may times in the past.

Lastly, with regards to items that end up materially/tangibly different than presented at the time of sale, both Credit Card issuers and PayPal have policies to deal with that - and Sideshow has to play according to their rules. Consult your payment issuer/processor's fine print for the full scoop.

I thought they only had it on some Hot toys pieces, not their own...

I could be wrong

 

[Pixelpiper]

I thought they only had it on some Hot toys pieces, not their own...

I could be wrong

AFAIK, anything over $249. Darth Vader Deluxe Exclusive had it (regular may not have, can't remember). Dewback had it. Tauntaun, statues, etc. People are getting caught up in a whirlwind for nothing. There's no news here, move along.

 

[LipSmack]

AFAIK, anything over $249. Darth Vader Deluxe Exclusive had it (regular may not have, can't remember). Dewback had it. Tauntaun, statues, etc. People are getting caught up in a whirlwind for nothing. There's no news here, move along.

Statues yeah, I dont recall regular figures though, grievous was $250 and I didnt pay an NRD on it

 

[Pixelpiper]

 

[bmarz1000]

Yeah they've always had a NRD on more expensive items and now most 1/6 figures are "more expensive".

Makes sense to me.

 

[Deeznutz6]

Great discussion, but I haven't seen anyone mention the most basic bit of info, or question it. How is this a new policy? Sideshow seems to have always had NRD on items over a specific dollar amount - I believe that was $250. If it's now $224, all they've done is lowered it a little bit. One's opinion of the NRD shouldn't necessarily change because of that $25 margin.

Regardless of the dollar amount, I don't see NRD as a punitive measure. It's a security measure for SSC to discourage wild speculation by scalpers and wishy-washy customers. If you have a legitimate reason to cancel at some point in the future, I'm sure SSC will be willing to work it out with you like they have so may times in the past.

Lastly, with regards to items that end up materially/tangibly different than presented at the time of sale, both Credit Card issuers and PayPal have policies to deal with that - and Sideshow has to play according to their rules. Consult your payment issuer/processor's fine print for the full scoop.

Wishy washy customers, great term

Like you said, I'm sue SSC will work with clients on refunds ( also keep track of repeat offenders) where a complaint or request is warranted, ie extreme variance from proto pic or huge delays. What the Won't tolerate I'm sure is those wishy washy criers complaining about ridiculous cases.

 

[Payton collectibles]

Hi Everyone

too many points to agree with . If I really want it when they announce it then I'm going to pre order it (it has to be something I know I want in my collection). The NRD is nothing new in the UK and it really doesn't bother me.

if 1000 ppl worldwide in the spur of the moment pre order a figure and then cancel it when it's already being made not only will there be 1000 more in the X out of X amount which could be avoided sideshow will have 224k worth of figures sitting around which is what they are probably trying to change.

I think sideshow should improve quality control on these things and it should not matter if it has an NRD or not, these are not cheap luxuries and don't get me started on the packaging of the sixth scale figures

Stewart

 

[TaliBane]

As prices creep up it doesn't make sense to NOT solicit pre-orders so you can gauge interest and predict a sell through point. I remember the hey day of LotR speculation, there were no NRDs charged and speculators (scalpers) would order multiple pieces hoping to turn around and sell them for huge profit. So manufacturing numbers were increased and we ended up with 10000 Saurons out there. Only now, many years later, is the original Sauron going for retail - he could be had much cheaper for a long time.

If people stop pre-ordering because of an NRD then fewer figures will get made (some characters won't get made at all) and we'll be back to pieces that command a huge price on the secondary market.

And how much were those LOTR figs each? I can't see scalpers piling up orders of Luke X-Wings at $240 a pop to sell at a huge profit.

Great discussion, but I haven't seen anyone mention the most basic bit of info, or question it. How is this a new policy? Sideshow seems to have always had NRD on items over a specific dollar amount - I believe that was $250. If it's now $224, all they've done is lowered it a little bit. One's opinion of the NRD shouldn't necessarily change because of that $25 margin.

The fact that the recently drastically INCREASED prices for an average SSC 1/6 human figure is now above the very recently LOWERED threshold to trigger an NRD.

Meaning that going forward, every single SSC 1/6 figure will have an NRD.

THAT is news... isn't it?