My negotiations with Sideshow (about returning my Tamashii C-3PO) turned out to be a disaster. As you might recall, my Threepio had some scuffs and scrapes all over it - and it CLEARLY was an opened item when I received it. I uploaded the photos here earlier. Oh, and that's not all! I found a tiny scar on his chin - which many of 3PO owners do have on their figure, I noticed it on a couple while watching some photos on the net. Some might've not noticed it yet, I suggest you all check yours more closely right away (please do). It's on the lower left part of Threepio's face.
I think these scars and blobs are some sort of casting / molding defects, when somebody (@ the factory) forgot to clean up the molds, or obviously didn't clean the mold too often. So plain dirt and carelessness has a some sort of part in this whole act. (and it ain't a comedy, let me tell you...)
Sideshow said, that in their opinion the item wasn't broken or anything. This kind of things belong to pieces like this - they're handmade! And that the package hadn't been opened before. So they didn't want to pay for the return shipping. They wanted me to trash the piece. Well, I just couldn't. I had already lost the import duties/taxes, because this struggle with the SS lasted for way too many months. Three months is the maximum time and by then you have to return the goods. Policies suck around here, anyway, 'cause our Customs Office doesn't believe in trashing stuff - the parcels must be returned in their original form. So, I clearly wasn't too happy about the decision they made at the SideShow. I didn't want to risk everything. By destroying this (somewhat nice) piece and buying a new one from Japan, didn't tempt me at all. Because you'll never know what you'll be receiving... And how does the return policy work with the Japanese stuff... Way too many risks, if you ask me. In the end, I was a complete fool for paying such a ridicilous price for this Threepio - which was $544, according to this days rates! Holy crap!!! THIS WAS THE LAST FIGURE I ORDERED FROM THE SIDESHOW - THAT'S FOR SURE. Not a recommended place to buy from, IMO. I rather use Amazon, eBay, BigBadToyStore or some other distributor in the future from now on - they have A LOT cheaper prices too! I bought like 6 expensive figures from SS this year;
This the MOST EXPENSIVE Tamashii C-3PO
Hot Toys Iron Man Mark VII - SE
Hot Toys Iron Man Mark II - Armor Unleashed
+ all the 1:6 diecast figs (Robocop, Mark 42, Iron Patriot).
And this is how they repay me?? For being a loyal customer to them. I'm a jerk for believing in them and their return policies. Well, what ever. No more. I'll pay for the rest of the bills, but no more. I'm so pissed right now. No, this feels more like they're pissing on my face.
Merry Christmas, everyone.