QMx: 1/6 Firefly - Captain Malcolm Reynolds

[csi]

I just cancelled my pre-order. I was going to hold off and see if what we saw at SDCC could maybe possibly still be improved a bit, but the silence by QMX tells me that there won't be any further changes made.

You just canceled mine as well. So disappointed in this. Guess we know why Andy has been missing since Dec.

 

[Bucky Underbelly]

I feel for QMX. For the record, I believe them saying that the first factory wasn't doing well and then went to the second one which was supposed to be better. Unfortunately, better is still not good enough. Look at it from their point of view. They have sunk thousands of dollars and months of work into that great prototype. They spent more time and money at that first factory. Who knows if they got their money back. Chances are they didn't. Then they went all in with this new factory and got less than perfect product. I'm sure the money has already been spent for the production. At the very least they probably had to pay a hefty deposit to get the job started, and perhaps a second or third payment along the way. The factory isn't going to give it back--they've already done the work and they have to pay their employees after all. Factory work at that level isn't "satisfaction guaranteed or your money back". So now they're out tens of thousands or even hundreds of thousands of dollars for all these figures that everyone is now canceling! They really don't have much choice. Either eat the costs of all these figures, or try and sell them anyway. At least they'll get a little bit of that money back.

It's not fair to the customers, especially those that have already pre-ordered. But QXM is really in a difficult position. A loss like this could very well mean bankruptcy.

I don't know about bankruptcy. They have plenty of other lines and products that should soften any blow. But I could definitely see this being a costly misfire and maybe the beginning and end of their foray into 1/6 figures.

I definitely feel for them. I believe they genuinely love the property and want to put out the best figure they can. But this is a whole new category for them and there seem to be ... putting it politely ... growing pains.

I'm still hoping beyond hope that the finished product looks more like the first proto than what was shown last week, but I'm ready to cancel my order if in-hand pics similarly disappoint.

 

[slamscaper]

I think I'll still pick it up and look for another sculpt or talk a sculptor into doing a new one.

 

[youbastards]

Who was the relatively small company that provided free replacement heads for a 1/6 Dr Who figure? QMX needs to follow that model.

 

[JMW326]

Wow. That looks bad. I was hoping it was the angle or lighting but I don't see how. I have had this preordered with BBTS from day one so it still shows as $159.99 in my preorder cart which makes me want to hold on to it a bit longer for more pics just in case. I just don't know.

 

[MarfMaster]

Hey guys, I was at SDCC and have a potentially encouraging story to share. The Mal in Michael's photo was indeed on display, but there was also a completely different, MUCH better looking figure packed in the final production packaging behind it. I spoke at length with Joseph at QMX who is in charge of overseeing production and pointed out the various differences between the the loose figure (which does look rather awful) and the much better looking figure (which looks like the proto) that was boxed behind it. He said that the figure on display was their "convention Mal" which is the piece they put to be handled and aren't afraid of being broken, and assured me that the much nicer Mal in the final production box was indeed the figure that we would all be receiving. I asked him to confirm like 10 times, and he was certain. Assuming he wasn't lying to my face, we should all be very happy with the Mals they ship out, which he also mentioned would be shipping in early-mid August.

 

[slamscaper]

I'm still holding out the faith! Ty Marf!

 

[csi]

Hey guys, I was at SDCC and have a potentially encouraging story to share. The Mal in Michael's photo was indeed on display, but there was also a completely different, MUCH better looking figure packed in the final production packaging behind it. I spoke at length with Joseph at QMX who is in charge of overseeing production and pointed out the various differences between the the loose figure (which does look rather awful) and the much better looking figure (which looks like the proto) that was boxed behind it. He said that the figure on display was their "convention Mal" which is the piece they put to be handled and aren't afraid of being broken, and assured me that the much nicer Mal in the final production box was indeed the figure that we would all be receiving. I asked him to confirm like 10 times, and he was certain. Assuming he wasn't lying to my face, we should all be very happy with the Mals they ship out, which he also mentioned would be shipping in early-mid August.

Which is strange since they have confirmed on FB that the one pictured and on display was in fact the final piece. Not to mention that would have to be one of the dumbest marketing strategies ever, putting an inferior product on display for all to see.

 

[slamscaper]

That was Twitter.

 

[davejames]

Yeah that is pretty encouraging. Not sure why they would have such a crappy looking figure out on display, but there's no denying the one in the box looked a LOT better. And I'm inclined to believe the guy in charge of production when he says that's the one we'll actually be getting.

Here's hoping anyway.

 

[Bucky Underbelly]

I'm SOO hoping that's true, Marf!

The emotional yo-yo that is my heart is starting to swing back upward ...

 

[rjszar]

Really hoping it's true. I think I was the first to mention the boxed figure looked better and I wasn't the only one who thought so.

 

[JMW326]

Thanks Marf, I was hoping that was the case. I will hold on to my order for a bit longer.

 

[karamazov80]

Thanks Marf. Like others, that would be a baffling marketing decision, and odd that they would lie about it elsewhere. If there are multiple production figures out there, and they all look great...I can't figure this out.

 

[GeneralZodLives]

I'd like to see the packaged figure we're supposed to be getting. If I were QMX I would have rather not put anything out than the figure they displayed at SDCC. It was incredibly disappointing to see in person.

 

[YoNoSe]

I'd like to see the packaged figure we're supposed to be getting. If I were QMX I would have rather not put anything out than the figure they displayed at SDCC. It was incredibly disappointing to see in person.

I don't discount your POV seeing it in person, and I'm sure Marf asked the right questions. Right now it's still a wait-and-see for me. Even if it is sub-par, for the $150-ish price, that's about the cost of a custom head and a pro paint-job. At the very least it's a starter kit. I know that's probably ridiculous to say, but the way prices are going it's weirdly kind of a deal. Or I'm just blind and optimistic.

 

[GeneralZodLives]

I don't discount your POV seeing it in person, and I'm sure Marf asked the right questions. Right now it's still a wait-and-see for me. Even if it is sub-par, for the $150-ish price, that's about the cost of a custom head and a pro paint-job. At the very least it's a starter kit. I know that's probably ridiculous to say, but the way prices are going it's weirdly kind of a deal. Or I'm just blind and optimistic.

I actually agree with you. I'll be disappointed if this is what we get after seeing the amazing prototype in Dallas last year, but I haven't completely lost hope. I'm still in the "wait and see" camp. If the SDCC figure is what we get then I'll just have to decide if it's good enough for the money or if I want to spend a ridiculous amount trying to get a decent custom.

 

[Golden_Boy]

I actually agree with you. I'll be disappointed if this is what we get after seeing the amazing prototype in Dallas last year, but I haven't completely lost hope. I'm still in the "wait and see" camp. If the SDCC figure is what we get then I'll just have to decide if it's good enough for the money or if I want to spend a ridiculous amount trying to get a decent custom.

It's like holding out hope for another Firefly movie. If what you saw was disappointing in person, and they say that that was the production piece, I have no doubt that'll be what everyone's getting. As you mentioned, why would you put out an inferior product if there was a chance at improvement on ANY level! There will be loads of cancellations due to the pictures posted from SDCC, and rightfully so. Such high hopes for the line, and now it looks like we'll have to wait in hopes that Hot Toys eventually does it. /sadpanda.

 

[Golden_Boy]

I guess this was less of a cutesy teaser pic, and more of a "hide as much of the production piece as you can in the promotional material" pic.

 

[Underaglassbell]

I guess this was less of a cutesy teaser pic, and more of a "hide as much of the production piece as you can in the promotional material" pic.

喝畜生雜交的髒貨

Poor Mal, what did the Alliance do to your lovely normal face!
- Well this went from a definite yes, to um I highly doubt it so damn fast

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