When was the last time SSC answered a post in this forum?

[CogPaul]

I am new around here and have found this thread really interesting. The balance between resource and community is difficult to achieve on any board. SSFreaks has such a wide range of members with such diverse interests (and sadly sometimes agendas) that it is easy to see the tensions when you sign up and immerse yourself in the forum.

I have to say that personally I have found people willing to help and offer advice, there are clearly experts on this forum who are well worth listening to,and I have learnt a great deal (for example learning about recasts and copies helps all collectors and of course SS themselves).

However, some of the posts I have read are so vitriolic towards SS that it is little wonder they choose not to respond. I am sure that as a succesful company SS welcome constructive criticism and are keen to build relationships with customers but like most of us they are probably selective in what they read!

 

[aussieinnyc]

I've got to admit the main things I read on this board now are Dark Knight related - I love the figures, there doesn't seem to be another place so easily accessible to discuss them, and there seem to be a few people on here who can provide insight, info, and images on them.

BUT

The main reason I joined? Indiana Jones. But for whatever reason, that line currently doesn't have a lot of visible love directed at it from Sideshow's end. I'd love to be more actively involved in Sideshow's products, and discussion about those products. I'm not quite sure what the point I'm making is - maybe just that Sideshow might need to make a more visible effort to keep some collectors interested in their products, especially if, like me, they are quite narrowly focussed in their interests. Otherwise their attention will wander, and with it the focus of the board.

 

[ProgMatinee]

I'm not sure theres going to be one big solution to stop bickering.

I would however like to find some way of getting answers from SSC on stuff, and that includes some of the tough questions.

Perhaps SSC doesn't need to browse the whole site maybe they can just pop into this Q&A forum, and maybe this forum could be mod'd more strictly to avoid vitriol. I really think with a little more communication some of the vitriol would drop anyway.

Maybe I'm childish, but I know if I asked something politely over and over and never got an answer that eventually I'd start being bitter about it.

And I don't mean SSC needs to answer questions like "When are you making so and so?", but I think addressing the major concerns over stuff like the use of the Buck or the state of the LOTR line would really put us to ease or at least tell us the line is dead or whatever. Just keep us in the loop a bit!

 

[Darth Madden]

For all the crap the Spawn board is they do have a 20 questions thing every so often where people post their questions in one specific thread and then the company answers them.. maybe Sideshow can do something like that.

 

[MaulFan]

For all the crap the Spawn board is they do have a 20 questions thing every so often where people post their questions in one specific thread and then the company answers them.. maybe Sideshow can do something like that.

They already do on their own site.

 

[Darth Madden]

They already do on their own site.

I guess I haven't surfed around there enough, where do they do that?

 

[TOE]

i'm actually glad they don't come here or post more often.

Too embarrasing.

 

[TOE]

However, some of the posts I have read are so vitriolic towards SS that it is little wonder they choose not to respond. I am sure that as a succesful company SS welcome constructive criticism and are keen to build relationships with customers but like most of us they are probably selective in what they read!

There's constructive criticism and there's the "WTF?" or "It sux!!". Please elaborate on it why it sux. Sideshow do come here to get some feedback but not providing why it sux does not help. Which also leads to why ALOT of sculptors don't come visit here anymore.

 

[Wetanut]

Regardless of the reason/franchise to join, this place is, and should be, a forum to discuss any and all collectibles by anyone who wants to. However, as the site name implies, the emphasis is on Sideshow and their products. Anyone who comes in to proudly declare they think SS's products are inferior to whatever company is of their choice or that they have zero SS products should not even be on here....they are only here to bait and argue IMO (and instead of ignoring the obvious, folks rise to the occasion and feed the trolls). They can espouse their company of choice in whatever fansite that pertains to that company.

Free debate and critique (a far cry from criticism) is always to be encouraged. No one is asking folks to accept everything without comment and opinion. And Dave has noted on many posts that he is leery of censorship and expressed the desire that folks self-police. The problem is that many folks do not know how to express themselves in other than the most basic, knee-jerk ways. They confuse intelligent debate and exchange of opinions with argument and name calling. Additionally, folks forget that this is a broad-spectrum community and not everything that comes into their minds at that particular nano-second in time should be posted. Before they click the "submit reply" button, they need to think about potential offense, button-pushing phraseology, and appropriateness of the reply and pictures. Really, none of us are prudes, but most of us have absolutely no interest in anyone's sexual preferences and grandstanding. Those who have a need to share could probably do so on any number of sites devoted to that topic.

We all need to be aware when we post is "would I talk this way IN PERSON to my friend/spouse/other or teen/tween/youngling kids?" Because we have most of those elements in our midst. The anonymity that the internet provides and the screen name/persona that allow us to hide behind is no excuse for bad conduct.

We're not children (no matter the chronological age), but when we act like it, then the mods have to step in. The mods and Dave shouldn't have to babysit us. The potential of being edited or banned should not be the constraints being used to reel in the postings. That's too much like children who won't steal or cheat, not because they have an awareness or even caring of the wrong, but because they fear being caught and punished.

And we all need to be aware of a bit of the history and policies of Sideshow to start ranting about whatever their shortcomings are. Go to their website and read their FAQ and other archived info. There's a world of information there.

Geez....I'm sounding like a dried up schoolmarm, aren't I? Sorry for the rant.

 

[Adoptedscot]

I totally agree with what Maulfan and others have said.
I love this board and really enjoy coming here but sometimes its just a childish hatefest of inappropriate comments/pictures.

I have been really grateful that SS even did visit here, they havn't had to,but i'm sure they will again.
Dusty was the main source but she has had a lot of 'life stuff' going on and then theres the atmosphere that any SS employees would be coming to if/when they visited us here.

First and foremost we are a collective community, here to talk about all things collectable, have a laugh and a giggle with the friends we have made online.
Imo anything else on this Forum is secondary,for instance Commerce/OT/Sandbox, great additions to the board as long as people use them with thought and consideration of others and within the guidelines, rather than trying to push the boundaries,creating atmospheres or just being down right nasty.

It seems some members are in such a hurry to create threads/get into Commerce/build a persona rather than just joining in and taking the time to get to know the community,they don't realise the foundations of what makes this such a great Forum and therefore don't contribute positively to it.

People need to start enjoying this place again, by all means be critical of something if you don't like it but there's no need for bashing things in a rude abusive manner or being so negative which is what we are seeing a lot of lately.

I appreciate what you're saying Progmatinee but this section is to ask Sideshow as we are a Sideshow site. They are not obliged to come here, when they do it is a priveledge for us that they may answer questions.
However if someone starts a thread being overly critical/abusive or just saying this sux etc, if I were them I know I wouldnt want to read that either.
This section is incase any SS people can help us, if anyone has a problem/enquiry then contact SS direct, either by email/phone or writing, this section should not be used as a guaranteed link to them as it is not.

Shell
x

 

[SpawnFan]

What I also notice more and more, and have been subject of twice now, is having certain things some people collect that are not mainstream being ridiculed even by some vets.

I never understood this hatred and need to post stupid remarks and pictures if someone likes something you don't.

 

[Adoptedscot]

What I also notice more and more, and have been subject of twice now, is having certain things some people collect that are not mainstream being ridiculed even by some vets.

I never understood this hatred and need to post stupid remarks and pictures if someone likes something you don't.

If you mean Spawn Vs Medi and all the variants thereof then I guess it would depend on the comment. Given that this is an online community, something which may be spoken in jest may not come across as such when typed, as Wetanut said people need to re-check their posts before they submit them.
I know personally speaking I always preview any comment I post to make sure.

On the flipside, again being an online forum a thicker skin is needed for light-hearted banter.
Newer members and 'veterans' alike have their own crowds/friends and characters that have a laugh and criticise each other accordingly, they know how each other will take it, but if they use the same speak to someone who isnt in their usual crowd it may come across as offensive.
For serious negativity for instance if anyone ever receives a personal attack/threats etc then report it to a mod before retaliating, it only makes things more difficult for us to try and sort out if you attack them back.
Shell
x

 

[MaulFan]

I guess I haven't surfed around there enough, where do they do that?

It's a little hidden, actually probably too hidden for the non-surfer, it's under the Production Blog, at the top of the page graphic there's a link to Ask Sideshow A Question, and every week they pick some and answer them, I think it's done weekly, and often during SDCC and even Toy Fair, they answer more than usual. It's a great resource.

https://www.sideshowtoy.com/?cat=26

 

[SpawnFan]

If you mean Spawn Vs Medi and all the variants thereof then I guess it would depend on the comment. Given that this is an online community, something which may be spoken in jest may not come across as such when typed, as Wetanut said people need to re-check their posts before they submit them.
I know personally speaking I always preview any comment I post to make sure.

On the flipside, again being an online forum a thicker skin is needed for light-hearted banter.
Newer members and 'veterans' alike have their own crowds/friends and characters that have a laugh and criticise each other accordingly, they know how each other will take it, but if they use the same speak to someone who isnt in their usual crowd it may come across as offensive.
For serious negativity for instance if anyone ever receives a personal attack/threats etc then report it to a mod before retaliating, it only makes things more difficult for us to try and sort out if you attack them back.
Shell
x

I have been in the online community game for a long time so I understand the difference between jokes and just trying to unhinge a thread used for discussion of a certain type.

I have no idea what the Spawn vs. Medi is about as I have never heard of that discussion before, I just use this name as this is the only one I have used for the 10+ years I have been online and it does not really reflect my full scope of interest anymore but I can't think of a better one.

 

[Darth Madden]

It's a little hidden, actually probably too hidden for the non-surfer, it's under the Production Blog, at the top of the page graphic there's a link to Ask Sideshow A Question, and every week they pick some and answer them, I think it's done weekly, and often during SDCC and even Toy Fair, they answer more than usual. It's a great resource.

https://www.sideshowtoy.com/?cat=26

Well, what do you know.. thats cool. I'll have to keep an eye on that. Thanks.

 

[CAhobbit]

I guess I haven't surfed around there enough, where do they do that?

Sideshow Collectibles' Production Blog

'Ask Sideshow Archive

'Ask Sideshow' Q&A's are posted in the production blog (sometimes questions are answered in future podcasts). If you want to ask a question you can click the top left hand corner of the production blog banner that says 'Ask Sideshow' and submit a question that could be answered in upcoming 'Ask Sideshow' production blogs or in a podcast. Or Click Here for the actual form.

 

[Mesa]

Even with all the hate and negative commentary, I'd be willing to bet SS puts a person and/or team on researching customer reaction to their products/new releases on this site. I'd almost guarantee it. SSfreaks is free market research to them. It's all business to them; if negative, either change pre-production releases to satisfy complaints or anticipate low response. Many companies would pay for this sort of "research" and focus groups, DLDave provides this service for free to them.

So even though we can be whiny bi tches at times, I'm sure SS appreciates it regardless in the end.

Again, it's just business. Having said that, SS normally goes out of it's way to show their customers they think of us as more than just customers and I think they really do listen to our gripes.

I think the more immature reactions and comments on this site are probably easily ignored by SS. But when we get serious, like SIM, they react accordingly and do their best to make it right in the end.

 

[MaulFan]

Even with all the hate and negative commentary, I'd be willing to bet SS puts a person and/or team on researching customer reaction to their products/new releases on this site. I'd almost guarantee it. SSfreaks is free market research to them. It's all business to them; if negative, either change pre-production releases to satisfy complaints or anticipate low response. Many companies would pay for this sort of "research" and focus groups, DLDave provides this service for free to them.

So even though we can be whiny bi tches at times, I'm sure SS appreciates it regardless in the end.

Again, it's just business. Having said that, SS normally goes out of it's way to show their customers they think of us as more than just customers and I think they really do listen to our gripes.

I think the more immature reactions and comments on this site are probably easily ignored by SS. But when we get serious, like SIM, they react accordingly and do their best to make it right in the end.

Good points, but the big concern being raised here is that people don't just want to be observed in here, they want the interaction. I'm sure Sideshow still overviews this site, no doubt, but they've taken a step back in how involved in conversations around here they get and that's what folks are missing and looking for and where the negative vibes that are becoming more and more prevalent around here become a factor.

 

[nash]

the problems :



1- Star Wars and everything related to it, from its fans to the marchandise..it just sux.... I just hope Sideshow lose the licence one day....



2-The rejects that comes from the spawn board here every day...mostly kids who are fans of the Alien/predator/Terminator and other Hot toys stuff......The Krusaders ,the medicommies and the Brotherhood all toned down..but those guys are just retarded...The pirates thing is so unoriginal and not funny its disgusting...the Sandbox used to be a funny place now its so mediocre and uninteresting.


3- Dark Knighters --- over rated and uninteresting members here, like the movie they love so much.


4- People that come here just to make a $.....not interested to be part of this place....We see you....


5-Political threads have no places on this board. IMO.


6- the new breed of customizers who come here again for $$$ and who called their procuct '' the definite version of '' a figure.Many of those new customizer makes really sub- par products.There I said it.Please rate those guys threads accordignly..they deserve to know their product sux.

7- Also people posting threads with pics of themselves for a line of clothing like they are a model shouldnt be allowed to speak on this board...

I think Shai sums things up damn well! However I think all of this is inevitable with Sideshow becoming more mainstream you're going to have more people interested and thus no more garden of eden so to speak.

I also think that this thing about people being "too harsh" on Sideshow is BS. I see sideshow apologists rip into other companies' products just as bad as those people who rip into sideshow's products with nothing very constructive to say. hypocritical much?

 

[BadMoon]

I think Shai sums things up damn well! However I think all of this is inevitable with Sideshow becoming more mainstream you're going to have more people interested and thus no more garden of eden so to speak.

I also think that this thing about people being "too harsh" on Sideshow is BS. I see sideshow apologists rip into other companies' products just as bad as those people who rip into sideshow's products with nothing very constructive to say. hypocritical much?

That and douche bags that feel the need to attack someones opinions just because they are too damn nerdy to handle it.