Non returnable deposite vs's quality

[Python]

Hello.

Without trying to sound negative, I have a genuine question. I am very much considering buying the Predator 2 maquette. It seems NRD's are the norm these days and I would assume that maquette will also have one and it isn't likely to be loose change. So with that in mind, it is well known that often, the production items don't really resemble the beautiful prototypes we base our purchase on. Here is an example I just posted in another thread which got me thinking about all this...

https://www.sideshowcollectors.com/forums/showpost.php?p=5912024&postcount=34

I appreciate that these are all hand painted and non will be perfect but I've had my fair share of huge disappointments in the past. An NRD never used to be a worry though so you could simply cancel if need be. So what happens if I purchase this maquette direct from sideshow, and then 12 months down the line the first few people who receive there items start posting angrily about the paint jobs and how the maquette isn't half as good as the prototype. Can I cancel my order before it is shipped and get my NRD back on the basis that the item isn't as advertised? Or am I stuck with a $600+ statue + 20% vat, + shipping on something that isn't what I actually paid for and got excited about over the course of a year or so. An answer from the cats mouth would be greatly appreciated so I don't have to worry so much if I decide to order it. Hopefully it will turn out great anyway.

Thank you.

 

[Vitus]

Not sure but If it's the first time cancelling something with an NRD they may return the NRD like they did for me.

$600+ sounds optimistic though :\

 

[Python]

well the + leaves a lot of options open so it isn't really optimistic. Although compared the larger and just as detailed items such as Sauron and dark lord Pf's it would be a fair price for a non official 1/4 predator, much more would be madness. either way it is a heck of a lot of money really hence my question. I have never cancelled but I did transfer a deposit from the Berserker 1/5 maquette over to a more expensive item. I'm glad I did seeing how that turned out. I just don't want to get stung with a bill if the item doesn't even come close to the proto. It would be interesting to here the official sideshow point of view... or even a legal one regarding the circumstances.

 

[Vitus]

Re: Non returnable deposit vs's quality

yeah if they already moved an NRD they may not let you slide on another one unless there is a problem.

 

[Python]

Re: Non returnable deposit vs's quality

yeah if they already moved an NRD they may not let you slide on another one unless there is a problem.

Well that is the question, would sideshow officially except that if the production pieces turn out lousy as we have seen countless times (see one example in my first post) then the NRD should be returned because clearly that is a problem? That's all I would like to know, I think it would put many people's minds at ease when ordering expensive items. I am not being harsh, this fear of quality I have comes from personal experience and great expense. The fact NRD's have been introduced add a new level of worry.

 

[SimFeliz]

I find SS are quite generous when it comes to the NRD. I have cancelled an item once and told them it was because I wasn't impressed with the final product and the deposit was refunded. Another time when I cancelled I didn't ask for the deposit back but they still offered to take the NRD amount off another order. I'm sure there was also another time I cancelled and they refunded me when I didn't ask for it back.

That was a while back - I don't know about now. Where as once they were always very accommodating, I find now it depends on who you get 'helping' you.

 

[Python]

Thanks SimFeliz, it's good to know they looked after you. It would be nice to have an official voice with regards to this specific situation to alleviate any extra worry people may have. As I said, hopefully this one will be great but....

 

[Atheris]

You won't get a response from SS on this because they can't guarantee paint quality.

You simply take a chance. If it shows up not as advertised, call them up ask for a refund and send it back. They get enough people doing the same they will get the message.

Chris

 

[Python]

Yeah I plan to do so. I think it's clear after all of these years the quality won't change however. I am not asking for a guarantee from SS that these will look like the Prototype as we all know we'll be lucky if it's even close. All I am asking is if the item is really poor quality and therefor not as described (false advertisement essentially), can the NRD be refunded on the basis that I was essentially sold something I didn't get? I think this is a question many people would love an answer for. I have no problems with deposits in general. But when you are worried what you may receive that is a different story entirely.

 

[CAhobbit]

A 30 day money back guarantee does exists for all products bought directly through us. If you receive an item and are not satisfied you can return it for a refund. If you have an item on order and wish to cancel before you receive it, you may do that as well. Although order cancelations can result in losing your NRD (if the item being canceled has an NRD) there are one time courtesy refunds or ability to apply an NRD to another order if it's your first time canceling an item with an NRD (Please note - finding out if you can get a refund or apply an NRD to another order must be dealt with directly through our customer service department. If you cancel an order through your account online you will lost that NRD). If you or anyone has any questions about NRDs, canceling an order with an NRD, etc. please do contact our customer service directly and they can assist you (all contact info for them can be found in my footer).

-SideshowAlex

 

[gmvegas20]

I think we all take chances when we preorder things and pay that NRD. Luckily, it's my experience that if you just don't like the statue, then you can always return it to sideshow for a full refund.

 

[Python]

Thank you for the reply Alex, it didn't really answer the question but I guess the point was if they don't resemble the prototypes we can complain to customer services and try to get a full refund.

I think we all take chances when we preorder things and pay that NRD. Luckily, it's my experience that if you just don't like the statue, then you can always return it to sideshow for a full refund.

Including the nrd? That is good to know but I'd rather cancel any poor production items before they ship to save all the hassle both sides. Shipping them back if they are just rubbish as opposed to broken would presumably be at my cost and would be incredibly expensive from over here, prices have gone mad lately. I stopped buying so much because of all the qc issues but there are a few things I'm thinking of getting and the cost is huge hence I'm hesitant about slapping down nrd's if they don't live up to what we have seen. I guess the risk has gone up even higher with the deposits.

 

[devilof76]

If you don't want to take the chance of losing an NRD on a pre-order that fails to live up to your expectations based on the prototype, then don't pre-order.

 

[Python]

Unfortunately if you want something, you are forced to pre order usually or miss out, especially with low edition ex's. I don't mind pre ordering as long as what I receive looks like that which I based my purchase on. In most cases however it does not. I don't think cancelling an item and asking for a refund is unfair if the production pieces turn out to be poo. This is all I am trying to clarify.

 

[Darkmatter]

If you don't want to take the chance of losing an NRD on a pre-order that fails to live up to your expectations based on the prototype, then don't pre-order.

you can't blame the guy for wanting what he pays for. ultimately most pieces need to be seen in hand before you can possibly know if it lives up to expectations. i have seen pretty bad pics on an item from several different collectors but when i received mine, it didn't have the same issues and was perfect. then there were times when i saw horrific pics and looked for and found the same issues, so those pics helped me out.

my advice would be if you really want the piece, wait to get it in hand. if it doesn't live up to expectations, send it back for a refund and you're out the shipping. but at least you know what it looks like live. you can't go by pics alone.

 

[Vitus]

I'm buying 2 of everything from now on and eating the cost of return shipping on one of them... unless it arrives broken... Then they can pay it.... which it probably will based on all the broken things they have sent me in the past. I get way more broken pieces than not.

 

[Darkmatter]

Hello.

Without trying to sound negative, I have a genuine question. I am very much considering buying the Predator 2 maquette. It seems NRD's are the norm these days and I would assume that maquette will also have one and it isn't likely to be loose change. So with that in mind, it is well known that often, the production items don't really resemble the beautiful prototypes we base our purchase on. Here is an example I just posted in another thread which got me thinking about all this...

https://www.sideshowcollectors.com/forums/showpost.php?p=5912024&postcount=34

I appreciate that these are all hand painted and non will be perfect but I've had my fair share of huge disappointments in the past. An NRD never used to be a worry though so you could simply cancel if need be. So what happens if I purchase this maquette direct from sideshow, and then 12 months down the line the first few people who receive there items start posting angrily about the paint jobs and how the maquette isn't half as good as the prototype. Can I cancel my order before it is shipped and get my NRD back on the basis that the item isn't as advertised? Or am I stuck with a $600+ statue + 20% vat, + shipping on something that isn't what I actually paid for and got excited about over the course of a year or so. An answer from the cats mouth would be greatly appreciated so I don't have to worry so much if I decide to order it. Hopefully it will turn out great anyway.

Thank you.

a very difficult decision, risking the NRD many months before the piece ships. if it arrives less than expected, you're out the shipping. if you cancel because of a bad buzz from other collectors, you lose the NRD.

and this is one major reason why i think NRD suck.

 

[Python]

I agree completely. If the item does not resemble the prototype, SS cannot keep the NRD as the item has technically been sold through deception. If I sold you a gold Rolex and it turned up as a plastic casio you would not be happy. I think if we all kicked off enough under such circumstances they would buckle and return the NRD's but I'm not sure enough to bet $100 or whatever on that theory

Vitus, an expensive way of doing things but I guess it works, Could you not sell the second item rather than return it if it isn't broken?

 

[Vitus]

Yeah I'm just venting lol but if the piece is important enough to me I might consider it! Wouldn't be the first time I bought 2. I had 2 stormies and 2 clone trooper exclusives PFs. Army building pfs gets expensives lol.

 

[Bastilla]

A 30 day money back guarantee does exists for all products bought directly through us. If you receive an item and are not satisfied you can return it for a refund. If you have an item on order and wish to cancel before you receive it, you may do that as well. Although order cancelations can result in losing your NRD (if the item being canceled has an NRD) there are one time courtesy refunds or ability to apply an NRD to another order if it's your first time canceling an item with an NRD (Please note - finding out if you can get a refund or apply an NRD to another order must be dealt with directly through our customer service department. If you cancel an order through your account online you will lost that NRD). If you or anyone has any questions about NRDs, canceling an order with an NRD, etc. please do contact our customer service directly and they can assist you (all contact info for them can be found in my footer).

-SideshowAlex

I have read that if the item is not damaged the customer has to pay shipping back to sideshow. So if it is just a matter of not being satisfied with the item the customer will have to pay to have it shipped back. True?