SANDTROOPER 12" Figure

[jkno]

FedEx said I'll be getting mine today, and have to pay a total tax of $40 (customs tax and VAT)

 

[Darthgothikus]

FedEx said I'll be getting mine today, and have to pay a total tax of $40 (customs tax and VAT)

...and so the Transilvanian blood"sucker" becomes the "suckie" how ironic...:blackbat

 

[Vonhahn]

So I just opened mine and put him together. A question about the EX hand. I thought it was one molded piece, but the ring on mine was down around the thumb. I had a heck of a time trying to get it held right.

Anyone else have this problem?

If you want the ring extra snug, you may want to put it between the thrumb and forefinger. It's not quite screen accurate, but neither it the extra hand and if you try to make the hand hold it exactly like the scene, you really run the risk of losing it.

 

[JustinLuck]

So I just opened mine and put him together. A question about the EX hand. I thought it was one molded piece, but the ring on mine was down around the thumb. I had a heck of a time trying to get it held right.

Anyone else have this problem?

BuddyGus, yes Sideshow short changed us. Originally, we were sold an exclusive hand with an attached ring. If you go back a few pages, you can see the original exclusive hand in hi-res.

But Sideshow performed a classic bait-and-switch tactic. Without notification, what we have now is a redundant generic grip hand with a loose plastic ring. Why bother providing two of the exact same hand if the ring is loose? Answer: to hide the fact the exclusive has been reduced to a mere plastic ring. Apparently Sideshow thinks its customers are too inept to notice a difference.

 

[Darthgothikus]

Just glad I cancelled the exclusive and bought the reg £20 cheaper in the UK!

 

[thenammagazine]

BuddyGus, yes Sideshow short changed us. Originally, we were sold an exclusive hand with an attached ring. If you go back a few pages, you can see the original exclusive hand in hi-res.

But Sideshow performed a classic bait-and-switch tactic. Without notification, what we have now is a redundant generic grip hand with a loose plastic ring. Why bother providing two of the exact same hand if the ring is loose? Answer: to hide the fact the exclusive has been reduced to a mere plastic ring. Apparently Sideshow thinks its customers are too inept to notice a difference.

You act as if they have a gun to your head forcing you to buy it. You don't like it, pay $50 more for the Medi.

 

[FLOSI]

BuddyGus, yes Sideshow short changed us. Originally, we were sold an exclusive hand with an attached ring. If you go back a few pages, you can see the original exclusive hand in hi-res.

But Sideshow performed a classic bait-and-switch tactic. Without notification, what we have now is a redundant generic grip hand with a loose plastic ring. Why bother providing two of the exact same hand if the ring is loose? Answer: to hide the fact the exclusive has been reduced to a mere plastic ring. Apparently Sideshow thinks its customers are too inept to notice a difference.

If the ring had been attached we would see just as many people complaining about it being one solid piece.

 

[FLOSI]

You act as if they have a gun to your head forcing you to buy it. You don't like it, pay $50 more for the Medi.

Or even 10-15 less for the non ex through a third party... we all pay a premium for SS exclusives but sometimes they just miss the mark. I still think this is a cool Ex, and most will pose their Sandtrooper with the 'droid piece' at some point.... It might be lackluster when you think '^^^^ me, I just paid more for a small plastic ring!' but at least I'll use that, as opposed to, say, Luke's floppy hat.

 

[galactiboy]

The important thing is that to me the ring looks cool when he's holding it. The hand is slightly different than the other include one, but not a new sculpt; likely it was slightly tweaked. So is it worth much more; no. But it also was the same price as the regular so if buying direct its no biggie and you get the reward points.

Now, of course you could have saved 10% going through retailer... but on this one I don't feel too bad about it.

And a good point Flosi... this is one I'll use, but I've never used the floppy hat and goggles Luke came with

 

[Crimsonbob]

I dont see what the fuss is tbh an exclusive is an exclusive, especially if you keep the box as well. Its still better than some of those horrible stand exclusives they done.

 

[JustinLuck]

You act as if they have a gun to your head forcing you to buy it. You don't like it, pay $50 more for the Medi.

My credit card was already charged and the item was shipped before I even found out about the issue on here from other board members. I made my purchasing decision based on the exclusive hand with droid part that has been posted on their website since the time of pre-order. That is the hand I was sold on, and that is what I expected. Instead of $100 + shipping from a retailer, I paid $110 + shipping + tax + a signature on delivery fee that I had signed a waiver not to have. So it turns out I paid about $20 more for a plastic ring with an extra gripping hand that will never be used.

And Flosi, I disagree. Why would people complain if the ring is attached? The exclusive hand is supposed to be made for the purpose of displaying the 'droid part'. You simply swap hands if you want a gripping hand. And who wants to constantly worry about a small plastic piece dropping on the floor and getting lost in the carpet pile?

 

[FLOSI]

The important thing is that to me the ring looks cool when he's holding it. The hand is slightly different than the other include one, but not a new sculpt; likely it was slightly tweaked. So is it worth much more; no. But it also was the same price as the regular so if buying direct its no biggie and you get the reward points.

Now, of course you could have saved 10% going through retailer... but on this one I don't feel too bad about it.

And a good point Flosi... this is one I'll use, but I've never used the floppy hat and goggles Luke came with

Some EXs are must haves to me but honestly, Vader's choke hand: cool, but I have yet to display him with it, Han's second blaster: not even sure which is which at this point but I can only use one at a time, ST: The second blaster is cool but I just keep it in the holster etc etc... the exclusives are cool to have but in no way a deal breaker 99% of the time.

I dont see what the fuss is tbh an exclusive is an exclusive, especially if you keep the box as well. Its still better than some of those horrible stand exclusives they done.

 

[Matt S]

Normally, this kinda thing bothers me, but the ring, once positioned on the hand, looks good.

No idea why its no longer an exclusive hand with attached droid part though...makes no sense

 

[FLOSI]

And Flosi, I disagree. Why would people complain if the ring is attached? The exclusive hand is supposed to be made for the purpose of displaying the 'droid part'. You simply swap hands if you want a gripping hand. And who wants to constantly worry about a small plastic piece dropping on the floor and getting lost in the carpet pile?

You disagree because you only see your own point of view. I'm not saying you shouldn't be upset if you had your heart set on something only to be let down and then in that paid $20 more, that does suck. For others, however, the exact opposite could well be the case and had the piece been attached I am ASSUMING that someone would be upset. Do I know that for sure? No, but keeping in mind that someone will inevitably complain about just about any aspect of a SS Star Wars product at some point on this board it's a pretty good bet that it would happen. The scrutiny that these figures go through is way over the top (and I'm just as guilty as the next guy).

 

[thenammagazine]

My credit card was already charged and the item was shipped before I even found out about the issue on here from other board members. I made my purchasing decision based on the exclusive hand with droid part that has been posted on their website since the time of pre-order. That is the hand I was sold on, and that is what I expected. Instead of $100 + shipping from a retailer, I paid $110 + shipping + tax + a signature on delivery fee that I had signed a waiver not to have. So it turns out I paid about $20 more for a plastic ring with an extra gripping hand that will never be used.

And Flosi, I disagree. Why would people complain if the ring is attached? The exclusive hand is supposed to be made for the purpose of displaying the 'droid part'. You simply swap hands if you want a gripping hand. And who wants to constantly worry about a small plastic piece dropping on the floor and getting lost in the carpet pile?

So return it then and quit whining, or glue the ring.

 

[The Craw]

i think the loose ring works. it lets people position it themselves cuz you know if sideshow had it attached certain people would say it was off by half a millimeter. providing the extra hand let's the owner decide if they wanna permanently attach the ring with glue or something the way they want it, and still have the extra hand for other poses. i'd say everybody wins. what was the problem again?

 

[Vonhahn]

I'm fine the the way the loose ring came out. I didn't pay anything extra for it, so I still win. Some people say I could have saved money by ordering the non-exclusive through a secondary retailer, but honestly I would pay the extra $10 for Sideshows LEGENDARY customer service. My sand trooper also had a helmet issue. A minor one, but it distracted from the overall appearance with a mis-glued aerator (pictures a couple of pages back...) I e-mailed sideshow and the next day they send an e-mail that a replacement helmet is in the mail.

I doubt I would have had as easy of a time from a secondary retailer in getting the matter resolved so I will NEVER buy from a secondary retailer if I can help it and getting a loose little ring at no extra charge is cherry on the top.

I think some people just get uptight because an awesome looking prototype picture ends up not being feasible in mass production and people whine and cry that the toy we all choose to pay $100.00 + can't be quite as detailed as one awesome prototype, custom made by artists can be.


Get over it and live....:emperor

 

[DarthTrafford]

Mine is out for delivery. It went out at 7:45AM this morning and I won't get it until at least 6 or 7 PM tonight.
I hope my twin brother signs for him.
:chew

 

[Darthgothikus]

I'm fine the the way the loose ring came out. I didn't pay anything extra for it, so I still win. Some people say I could have saved money by ordering the non-exclusive through a secondary retailer, but honestly I would pay the extra $10 for Sideshows LEGENDARY customer service. My sand trooper also had a helmet issue. A minor one, but it distracted from the overall appearance with a mis-glued aerator (pictures a couple of pages back...) I e-mailed sideshow and the next day they send an e-mail that a replacement helmet is in the mail.

I doubt I would have had as easy of a time from a secondary retailer in getting the matter resolved so I will NEVER buy from a secondary retailer if I can help it and getting a loose little ring at no extra charge is cherry on the top.

I think some people just get uptight because an awesome looking prototype picture ends up not being feasible in mass production and people whine and cry that the toy we all choose to pay $100.00 + can't be quite as detailed as one awesome prototype, custom made by artists can be.


Get over it and live....:emperor

I agree with you 100% about the customer service - 2nd to none.

I also appreciate that a one off, artist made prototype can't necessarily be re-produced en mass in a factory, however... In my opinion a company like Sideshow who are making "High end" collectables as much as "Toys" aught to be striving to get as close as possible. It's not like they are adverse to upping the prices to cover extra work; $90 for Regular Stormtrooper, $110 for Sandtrooper.
Why not make it $120 and nail the paint & produce the already sculpted droid part hand?

I'm not whining, I'm getting the Sergeant, Squad leaders on order, and I'll want a couple of Black pauldron troopers if/when they make them, I just think as customers we have the right to speak up when things are a little disappointing, otherwise Sideshow will think we don't care about shoddy paint, floppy bodies, misleading prototypes, etc etc... If we continue to point these things out - politely - perhaps the next figure will be better!

Just my humble opinion - I love Sideshow to bits - MORE STAR WARS FIGURES PLEEEEAAAASSSSEEEEE!!!!!

 

[jkno]

Another Imperial joined my collection: sideshow 1:6 Sandtrooper Exclusive. Again Sideshow sent the package with FedEx but this time it arrived in perfect shape not like 1:6 Vader. It was opened at customs but seems this time only opened the brown shipping box - still for that I had to pay $40 (customs charges and VAT tax).

The figure is quite cool, had to fix the chest armor making it tighter with a hairdryer, and the backpack was hard to attach with those tiny straps - at least none was broken as I read it happened to others. But I also attached the backpack with double tape so it won't be supported just by those stupid straps. I really like the Sandtrooper Rifle MG-15 (RT-97C) but the exclusive ring thing was kind of lame.

Some pics comparing the exclusive hand with the regular one - they are very close but not identical:

...and so the Transilvanian blood"sucker" becomes the "suckie" how ironic...:blackbat

I wish you to lose the same amount of money each time I have to pay these stupid taxes. Amen!