QMX Star Trek General discussion thread

[abake]

I have followed Nanjin's Star Trek ventures since his first custom made TOS figures, through his custom made Kelvin Timeline figures (still have both!) up to Kirk, Spock, McCoy, Khan, Scotty, Sulu and the Captain's Chair.
While not perfect, they are beautiful figures, lovingly researched and made. I am very grateful to have Star Trek figures at this level of quality, far above anything the franchise has ever had. And I know a lot of it is thanks to Nanjin's passion.
I don't know what went on in his working relationship with QMX, and I suspect none of us do, and we only have Nanjin's side of the story. But no matter what happened, from all the history of Nanjin's involvement with Star Trek figures, I am quite certain that Nanjin always operated with the sole purpose of making the best figures possible. How successful he was depends on each person's tastes and tolerance.
All the tailoring and materials, as well as the amount of extra hands (some specific to the characters) and accessories are on level and perhaps above what one usually gets with 1/6 figures.
And as far as I'm concerned Kirk v1.0 is a well-nigh perfect representation, head sculpt and paint apps, can be surely improved, but the overall figure is great 9/10. Spock v1.0 i slightly below, paint apps not helping a sculpt that could surely use some tweaking and a body that is too muscular 8/10. McCoy dips a bit lower due to a less than ideal sculpt and an obviously too buff body 7/10. Khan is up again in Kirk territory, perhaps even better, as the sculpt is a better likeness 9/10. Scotty is about on par with McCoy sculpt-wise, but the body works slightly better 7.5/10. Finally Sulu is let down mostly by the paint apps, a sculpt on par with Scotty and McCoy, but with a perfect body 7/10.

 

[jal76]

I don?t think anybody owes me squat. Not QMx, not Mr. Tam! I don?t know what you?re going on about and frankly I don?t much care. So you can love or hate whatever you assume people seem to think. And you can genuflect to anyone and anything you want. And you can try to suggest people ought to think any certain way, and good luck with that.

People who like these 1/6 figures will buy them, and many will pay through the nose for a McCoy with a Jean-Claude Van Damme body or a Kirk with a Don Knots body. And many folks will curse their luck or QMx for whatever they could not possess. Personally, I don?t find these figures do justice to the Star Trek TOS that I so love. And I am not afraid to say so. I will continue to call out anybody who tries to stifle my opinion, Archie. And I will continue to cherish the best sci-fi series in the history of the genre without these toys.

Blah blah blah stifle my speech boring bitter blah...but you cared enough to reply to it...and you keep coming back into this thread to type and read about these unworthy figures...why not just blow the dust off your Columbia House Star Trek Original Series VHS Collection and move on?

 

[Pauln6a]

It was only these figures that started me collecting 1/6. Thanks a lot Nanjin Tam! I'm 5 grand down but have no regrets!

Well, a few customising mishaps and body mismatches but otherwise no regrets...

 

[Praetor]

I love that so many people on here seem to think that Nanjin owes them something just because they have purchased one or two QMx figures...not sure why people think that way...
Why do some people think that he should take their advice? What if their advice is garbage?
He can sell slim bodies or not sell slim bodies or do whatever he wants...just like the rest of us...

Unfortunately thats the point.
He went his own way with his production vision and that didnt go down well with his employer, remembering of course that he wasnt freelance QMX was his boss, unless of course someone knows otherwise.

So his own way ended in a parting of the ways and clear animosity with the way he perceives he was treated.

And I for one dont say he owes me anything, im not that egotistical,but if he put himself out there on a thread where he says he can produce and distribute something and then not deliver such as his body, then this shows his initial impulsiveness with plans without properly thinking it through.
I admire his expression of will to deliver,it just seems that he couldnt do what he aspired to do later down the road.


As such this can be picked up on and indeed questioned here as he, by posting it, has opened it up for debate and scrutiny.

I liked his initial visions and his products, but your only as good as your last efforts in buisness....

 

[jal76]

Unfortunately thats the point.
He went his own way with his production vision and that didnt go down well with his employer, remembering of course that he wasnt freelance QMX was his boss, unless of course someone knows otherwise.

So his own way ended in a parting of the ways and clear animosity with the way he perceives he was treated.

And I for one dont say he owes me anything, im not that egotistical,but if he put himself out there on a thread where he says he can produce and distribute something and then not deliver such as his body, then this shows his initial impulsiveness with plans without properly thinking it through.
I admire his expression of will to deliver,it just seems that he couldnt do what he aspired to do later down the road.


As such this can be picked up on and indeed questioned here as he, by posting it, has opened it up for debate and scrutiny.

I liked his initial visions and his products, but your only as good as your last efforts in buisness....

I get it...but in fairness it?s a little too easy for folks who have not built or created anything to tear down the work of other people who actually have.
Why not at least respect the fact that he put in an amazing effort and delivered some 1/6 Trek figures that otherwise would not have existed without him?
Should someone?s opinion of the fractions of centimeters of the size of one figure?s shoulders be allowed to negate all that was built from nothing by someone who didn?t just type about figures on a forum but actually went out and got them made?

 

[Weapon]

My original post was asking if Nanjin was deliberately destroying molds because of his beef with QMx. Others said he wasn't, but it turns out I'd unfortunately read his statement correctly. Some people here are blinded by their loyalty, which is their decision and right. They have history. That's not what surprised me. I'm not attacking them or his hard work and devotion to Trek. That's very clear to see. As I said, we only get one garbled and angry side of the story here, and I'm personally not interested in the QMx politics. But Nanjin has dropped to rock bottom in my estimation because he's touted for many years he's producing figures for the fans. That was supposedly his driving goal, but now he's actively blocking 1/6 Trek collectors who have PAID a long time ago for Sulu and Scotty. That is not caring about fans at all. So, gloss over it any way you like, it's not right, and I wish I hadn't read his post.

 

[jal76]

I thought Nanjin was pretty clear that he is paying to store the molds...QMx is not picking them up which means that Nanjin still gets a bill...Nanjin has molds but no budget, materials, or license so the molds are no good to him and he does not want to have to pay to store them...soooo...what would you do? Not sure how this amounts to sabotaging the line...if QMx has any desire to make figures they would collect the molds and let Nanjin off the hook for paying for them.

 

[Weapon]

I thought Nanjin was pretty clear that he is paying to store the molds...QMx is not picking them up which means that Nanjin still gets a bill...Nanjin has molds but no budget, materials, or license so the molds are no good to him and he does not want to have to pay to store them...soooo...what would you do? Not sure how this amounts to sabotaging the line...if QMx has any desire to make figures they would collect the molds and let Nanjin off the hook for paying for them.

Read my post again. You have missed the point. If he destroys molds (whatever he claims about money and rust) that puts an end to customers getting the figures they have PAID for.

Your loyalty is admirable, but I will repeat my point for a third and final time - we're getting only one side of the (bitter) story.

Anyway, I'm not here to argue and was hoping for good news about Trek figures, not bad, so I'll come back in another few months.

 

[Asta]

Pretty sure Nanjin already said the moulds were rusted and already useless. Which is an indication that QMx had no intent to use them again anyway.

Since these are the moulds used for multiple figures it flies in the face of QMx's insistence that they're going to produce a further run of Scotty and Sulu.

 

[Weapon]

Pretty sure Nanjin already said the moulds were rusted and already useless. Which is an indication that QMx had no intent to use them again anyway.

Since these are the moulds used for multiple figures it flies in the face of QMx's insistence that they're going to produce a further run of Scotty and Sulu.

I know what he said, I just take it with skepticism. I am also guessing a lot of the people who don't care already have their Scotty and Sulu figures.

 

[FlyAndFight]

Nanjin's obligation to the molds ended when his employment by QMX ended. From that point on, he has no responsibility for the molds or any QMX products abandoned by QMX in HK, whatsoever.

Seems pretty simple to me.

Is it being implied that he should continue, at his own expense, protecting the property of QMX in which QMX has shown absolutely no interest in preserving? Perhaps I'm misunderstanding the conversations.

 

[Praetor]

I get it...but in fairness it?s a little too easy for folks who have not built or created anything to tear down the work of other people who actually have.
Why not at least respect the fact that he put in an amazing effort and delivered some 1/6 Trek figures that otherwise would not have existed without him?
Should someone?s opinion of the fractions of centimeters of the size of one figure?s shoulders be allowed to negate all that was built from nothing by someone who didn?t just type about figures on a forum but actually went out and got them made?

Indeed, however I have not torn down anyones work,I have said how I have loved the figures.
And I agree without him they may not have seen the light of day.

My opinion is that unfortunately his ego prevented him from completing the range because he beleived he could produce figures better and cheaper than anyone else, and In my opinion that was his undoing.

Established factories and production heads wouldnt be too pleased with that degree of competition, especially in China and I suspect,and again just a guess or opinion, that that put the established factories who supplied QMX noses out of joint and Mr Tam had to source production elsewhere.

And then set up a buisness to produce a body that he could sell himself to QMX,which in my opinion was another problem for QMX.

Imagine an employee who they allowed relative freedom of expression to try and establish himself as a 1/6th buisness himself and become a supplier of bodies.
Again Im sure this would have stirred up some dissatisfaction within the buisness community.

We must also admit that equally without the Original money and the resources to get the License,this line wouldnt gave gotten off the Ground without QMX.

Again I dont have an axe to grind with the figures,or the man,im just pointing out there has been mistakes on both sides, and to make out the Mr Tam is the 1/6 star trek Messiah without whom nothing would have come to pass is in my humble opinion a bit naive,but I still love the dogged loyalty he receives its humbling.

But again like most things this is subjective and others will and do have opposing opinions to I, which they are obviously entitled and free to have.

So for me again I say I love the figures,but equally others have a right to express their dissapointment or to point out nits or errors in manufacture that may have spoilt it for them.
I dont like the over muscular look but It does not make me hate the figure I just love the fact I have something that I have waited for for some decades,and can see past some of the errors and make peace with them.

But some may not and they feel that it needs to be aired and that is their opinion and I can show tolerance to them and can understand their points of view.

And those who choose to oppose those opinions have that right, but to resort to implied Ageisms or any other discriminatory opinions in response,is when they tend to lose the opposing arguement they try to put forward.

Thats the whole point of forums to air ones gripes and praise where praise is due,and have such a diverse wealth of opinion, long may those freedoms reign and mutual respect and tolerance prevail.

 

[Asta]

I know what he said, I just take it with skepticism. I am also guessing a lot of the people who don't care already have their Scotty and Sulu figures.

Even if the moulds were 'saved' and cleaned up though, surely they would have lost detail, and anything cast from them would resemble a recast.

Which could be a reason why Nanjin will make sure they're utterly destroyed and un-usable - to prevent somebody trying to profit from them with a run of bootlegged figures or parts.

 

[NCC-1701 no bloody ABCorD]

Blah blah blah stifle my speech boring bitter blah...but you cared enough to reply to it...and you keep coming back into this thread to type and read about these unworthy figures...why not just blow the dust off your Columbia House Star Trek Original Series VHS Collection and move on?

I get it...but in fairness it?s a little too easy for folks who have not built or created anything to tear down the work of other people who actually have.
Why not at least respect the fact that he put in an amazing effort and delivered some 1/6 Trek figures that otherwise would not have existed without him?
Should someone?s opinion of the fractions of centimeters of the size of one figure?s shoulders be allowed to negate all that was built from nothing by someone who didn?t just type about figures on a forum but actually went out and got them made?

Blah, blah, blah, but in fairness he put in an amazing effort, blah, blah, but figures otherwise would not have existed, genuflect, blah, blah, but be allowed to negate all that was built, blah, blah, genuflect, but should someone’s opinion matter? Blah, blah, blah, etc, etc.

See how that works, pal76?

But as Kirk scolded the children: “NO BLAH, BLAH, BLAH!”

Getting back to reality, life shows us that there are always two sides to every story and it’s up to the individual to decide. It has been pointed out that we have been subjected to only one side!

Also, regarding the quality, we have the results of the produced figures that speak for themselves and THAT MR. TAM HIMSELF has lamented as falling short of his expectations. No one is debating that for many people these figures are the greatest show in earth. But for others like myself they are more disappointing than not. To each his own. It’s not a difficult concept.

 

[jal76]

Read my post again. You have missed the point. If he destroys molds (whatever he claims about money and rust) that puts an end to customers getting the figures they have PAID for.

Your loyalty is admirable, but I will repeat my point for a third and final time - we're getting only one side of the (bitter) story.

Anyway, I'm not here to argue and was hoping for good news about Trek figures, not bad, so I'll come back in another few months.

I think you need to re-read Nanjin?s post...I am not sure of the relevance of your point to be honest.
The fact is the guy has to pay to store moulds for QMx that they obviously have no intention of using.
Why should he do that? Out of loyalty to strangers? Why don?t you offer to pay the storage bill and then he can just walk away while the moulds continue to rust and go unused.
I don?t know Nanjin and my only loyalty in this scenario is to common sense.

 

[Koloth]

It is part of Nanjin?s marketing to keep the fire here alive knowing that there is a huge fan community. He seems to be working on sonething and I cannot imagine him quitting his beloved star Trek idea / concept. So in the meanwhile let?s let him work on it for a better Star Trek range. He might be working not only on new figures but also on better parts to replace imperfect ones.

let?s face it : although he is not the Messiah ( how could he ever be?) he ?gave? us the best ST TOS action figures produced up to now, with some more or less important inaccuracies and imperfections, but compared to other productions, light years better!!!! I myself have waited for a little less than a half century to see those figures and I am happy with KnSnMCnChair.

 

[gin007]

to blindly believe that Mr Tam is above criticism or reproach doesnt help growth but reinforces egos that may need a little reduction in size to progress in future.

But hey were all entitled to our differing opinions and I respect your take and your loyalty

I don't blindly believe in anyone, nor am I loyal to anyone. I have seen his results. I have also seen QMx's abandonment of multiple lines and ST went much further with them under Nanjin.

Where we differ is that you think bringing down his ego a notch will result in ??? I guess I don't know what it is you are trying to accomplish by saying this:

Dreams and realities blur and over eager or over zealous attempts to fulfill them with your own ego outstripping the harsh realities of the buisness practices of certain companies has consequences.

Then personal egos get bruised, and the reality that you are a small fish in a big pond dawn on you.

Were mistakes made by everyone? Yep, but we aren't privvy to the full story and qmx doesn't seem to give any hoots about transparency so we'll never hear anything from them, so where does this speculation about how much it was one person's fault who left the company do for us exactly? I mean you don't know it was ego. We know he's passionate for sure but that isn't a crime to want to deliver high quality products for low prices. It is you who is speculating. Do you work for qmx? Do you have some sort of inside knowledge? Please enlighten us loyal, blind people.

I guess if taking people's ego down a notch works for you off the boards, maybe you will accomplish whatever it is the point of these posts is. I don't think it will result in anything other than alienating someone who has a clear passion for 1/6 trek and has a proven track record.

Was the glitter face a problem - yes, I agree, I had actually forgotten about it. The paint app otherwise looked fine for the price point to me. I've never heard of the Sulu chin chip? The Picard staining was definitely a bad business but Nanjin acknowledged the problems, and we didn't see that on the TOS releases. The bodies? He tried to solve the first release problem with polaris bodies, and its my understanding new bodies are prohibitively expensive, so we're lucky he did it with his own $$ and got a realistic Spock body.

In response to the other topic being discussed, Nanjin's comment about destroying molds was, at the least, unwise. I don't know if qmx has an agreement with him for the storage, if they do, it certainly is unwise to say something like that. On the other hand if he's asked them multiple times without response (which he's stated) and if they are not paying the rent (unclear if he's been paid for storage) and he's advised them they will be seized and disposed of under whatever the agreements terms are, then he can do what he likes. The real problem isn't his comment, it is that qmx hasn't done anything with the molds and doesn't care because if they did, they'd already have secured them from Nanjin when he asked about them. Ergo, no one whose preorder is outstanding will likely get their figures. That is incredibly frustrating but again the heart of the problem is QMx.

But as much as I see their faults, its also true that the mass-produced TOS figures wouldn't have happened without QMx. I hope they'll get their stuff together someday and start putting out figures again but I feel like the writing is on the wall for them and i'd definitely be wary of "new lines". The only way they could inspire confidence to me as a consumer is to finish out some of the stuff they've left lingering in the wind, but the pro-orders are no. 1 in my book because clearly they promised x amount of figures to distributors and haven't followed through a year later. Tick tock QMx.




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[Praetor]

I don't blindly believe in anyone, nor am I loyal to anyone. I have seen his results. I have also seen QMx's abandonment of multiple lines and ST went much further with them under Nanjin.

Where we differ is that you think bringing down his ego a notch will result in ??? I guess I don't know what it is you are trying to accomplish by saying this:



Were mistakes made by everyone? Yep, but we aren't privvy to the full story and qmx doesn't seem to give any hoots about transparency so we'll never hear anything from them, so where does this speculation about how much it was one person's fault who left the company do for us exactly? I mean you don't know it was ego. We know he's passionate for sure but that isn't a crime to want to deliver high quality products for low prices. It is you who is speculating. Do you work for qmx? Do you have some sort of inside knowledge? Please enlighten us loyal, blind people.

I guess if taking people's ego down a notch works for you off the boards, maybe you will accomplish whatever it is the point of these posts is. I don't think it will result in anything other than alienating someone who has a clear passion for 1/6 trek and has a proven track record.

Was the glitter face a problem - yes, I agree, I had actually forgotten about it. The paint app otherwise looked fine for the price point to me. I've never heard of the Sulu chin chip? The Picard staining was definitely a bad business but it was their first fig, Nanjin acknowledged the problems, and we didn't see that on the TOS releases. The bodies? He tried to solve the first release problem with polaris bodies, and its my understanding new bodies are prohibitively expensive, do we're lucky he did it with his own $$ and got a realistic Spock body.

In response to the other topic being discussed, Nanjin's comment about destroying molds was, at the least, unwise and perhaps petty. I don't know if qmx has an agreement with him for the storage, if they do, it certainly is unwise to say something like that. On the other hand if he's asked them multiple times awithout response (which he's stated) and if they are not paying the rent (unclear if he's been paid for storage) and he's advised them they will be seized and disposed of under whatever the agreements terms are, then he can do what he likes. The real problem isn't his comment, it is that qmx hasn't done anything with the molds and doesn't care because if they did, they'd already have secured them from Nanjin when he asked about them. Ergo, no one whose preorder is outstanding will likely get their figures. That is incredibly frustrating but again the heart of the problem is QMx.

But as much as I see their faults, its also true that the mass-produced TOS figures wouldn't have happened without QMx. I hope they'll get their $#@& together someday and start putting out figures again but I feel like the writing is on the wall for them and i'd definitely be wary of "new lines". The only way they could inspire confidence to me as a consumer is to finish out some of the stuff they've left lingering in the wind, but the pro-orders are no. 1 in my book because clearly they promised x amount of figures to distributors and haven't followed through a year later. Tick tock QMx.




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Oh dear looks like I hit a nerve with you sorry about that.

Let me say and agree I am speculating as I have pointed out before its opinion,but you are assuming Mr Tams statements are fully accurate and without an opposing narrative from QMX we are free to continue to speculate.

And no I dont work for QMX and at no time have I cast aspertians that anyone is less entitled to an opinion either or disparaged anyones loyalty I have praised it, and no one was saying you yourself was blindly supporting or loyal it was a general statement re most posts placing Mr Tam above reproach,so context is key and if you took offence at that then you may have taken it out of context... and immediately took it to be offensive and went on the defenceive when no slight was intended,but thats the beauty of these boards words can be taken anyway you see fit.

As for Ego I get that from his posts it is all there in written form, from his statements as to how he has taken on big buisness, to him saying he was in full control of production and could have made as many figures as he wanted but didnt, to his buisness dealings and approach, it makes for interesting reading and an insight into character.

So forgive me if I take from previous posts that I can see ego and on some cases arrogance in what he has previously written.

Again I am free to build and comment upon my own findings and dont see the need to take overt offence and then become so defensive as your post.

As for ego out of the boards,egos can be damaging in all walks of life and the bruising of said egos can actually help build a stronger and more self aware personality,where humility can make for a more rounded individual open to change and self reflection.

I have had my ego bruised several times in the past and learnt from it and am probably still a tad egotistical, but I tend to reflect more on how I approach stuations as to not over alienate people the best I can, but sometimes the truth or opinion can have that effect of alienation.

Can you honestly say you havent had at some point had an over inflated ego and had any subsequent ego bruising and learnt from the experience?

But for some alienation and offense again can be subjective in my opinion but hey ho.

And can I point out Picard wasnt their first figure re Star trek he was after Kirk and Spock so he went down not up and didnt learn from the error to make a better TOS line, the TOS line was already produced,so not such a proven track record.

When the line progressed it became less succesful, poorer sculpts for Scotty and Sulu, and the smirk debacle of Sulu,which again was a pre production change by the production lead.

But again I salute your strength of support I respect that and your postion but please try and respect mine and allow me to have an opposing view to yours without some of the vitriol.

 

[gin007]

but please try and respect mine and allow me to have an opposing view to yours without some of the vitriol.

Please point out the vitriol. I was quoting your words.

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[Praetor]

Please point out the vitriol. I was quoting your words.

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The vitreol was in your assumption of direct intent to disparage you from my quoted words, and then the wounded sarcasm with the please enlighten we loyal blind people bit.

And progress on to have a veiled dig at my ego statements to try and imply a flawed character trait,which I addressed where I have stated I am just as guilty of egotistical behaviour,but try and learn from the bruising where I can, but Iwill offer a defence if I believe it is warranted.

You took direct offense when none was intended toward you directly or indirectly and the thought it needed the added sardonic wit to enforce your point....vitriolic...

But hey ho you carry on its your opinion and mistaken belief that you were pointed out for direct criticism and you are free to hold that opinion as I am free to offer oppostion and debate to it.