ANOVOS issues (ANOVOS ONLY discussion)

[Dontdissthefett]

This is a simple answer. They are not a retail location or a showroom that’s open to the public. Even if they were doing a great job delivering product, Anovos location still isn’t a retail location. Because they’re not a store, they don’t need or want people showing up. Not an abnormal practice and is not indicative of deceptive intentions of the business.

 

[Jagjaguwar]

To be clear, though, I do feel there are a number of things Anovos is doing that point towards either deceptive business practices, or damage control.

On that note, is anyone else unable to see any of the comments on the Anovos Facebook page? I try clicking on posts to read them but it’s as if they’re being hidden.

 

[Sewbacca]

Going on five months for a refund. Communication has been silenced after a few nice reassuring messages saying the finance department will take care of everything and to get back to me quickly. So hopes are high but expectations are low.

Lots of pissed off people reading various forums. And the way things are it is really feeling like a scam, scheme, etc. and for some to get ripped off again is sad. How does Disney allow this sort of thing happen. Thought Disney would deal with this sort of garbage having their name attached to this company.

 

[Pepperbone]

Going on five months for a refund.

...that is not good news.

 

[Emperor Fett]

Man it’s going to start getting awkward for them when they show up to big events.

 

[Weldon]

To be clear, though, I do feel there are a number of things Anovos is doing that point towards either deceptive business practices, or damage control.

On that note, is anyone else unable to see any of the comments on the Anovos Facebook page? I try clicking on posts to read them but it’s as if they’re being hidden.

I have noticed the same thing you did with the Facebook posts, so I commented one a couple of days ago, asking about delivery of the first wave of a product they are now offering a second wave of, and it was very quickly deleted. I think Facebook still shows a number for comments made, even after the comments are deleted.
Obviously, it would be advantageous for Anovos to hide the fact that orders are not being delivered as they prey on unsuspecting customers who would pre-order new items. I think this is the very same reason they have not yet updated their shipping calendar. The scary bit is that their advertising for pre-orders and sales of in-stock items, etc., seems to be escalating and, obviously from what I've been reading here and elsewhere, they are way behind on fulfilling way more than just my couple of items.

 

[Sean Hebein]

I just got off of the phone with Chase (my bank) to start the chargeback process. Since I paid with my Chase debit card, I wasn't sure if there was going to be anything they could do for me. I was also nervous that there would have been too much time that has passed since I ordered.

They were really helpful and they are going to start their own investigation. If they find my claim valid then I will get my money back in 10 days, earlier if they are able to finish earlier.

If someone at ANOVOS reads this, I wouldn't have went this way if the communication would have been better. Missing a date and then going 2+ weeks without an update, not a way to run a business.

 

[Jagjaguwar]

I have noticed the same thing you did with the Facebook posts, so I commented one a couple of days ago, asking about delivery of the first wave of a product they are now offering a second wave of, and it was very quickly deleted. I think Facebook still shows a number for comments made, even after the comments are deleted.
Obviously, it would be advantageous for Anovos to hide the fact that orders are not being delivered as they prey on unsuspecting customers who would pre-order new items. I think this is the very same reason they have not yet updated their shipping calendar. The scary bit is that their advertising for pre-orders and sales of in-stock items, etc., seems to be escalating and, obviously from what I've been reading here and elsewhere, they are way behind on fulfilling way more than just my couple of items.

Ahh, that would make sense, thank you. And agreed on all counts.

Got an email advertising the stormtrooper kits tonight. Not the email I have been waiting for or what was promised last week. I’ll be cancelling tomorrow and waving goodbye to this company.

 

[Apollo]

So sorry to hear this.

I would reach out to Disney and Lfl on this.

Anovos has turned into nothing more than thieves and scam Artists.

Joe, Dana, you should be ASHAMED of yourselves!

Going on five months for a refund. Communication has been silenced after a few nice reassuring messages saying the finance department will take care of everything and to get back to me quickly. So hopes are high but expectations are low.

Lots of pissed off people reading various forums. And the way things are it is really feeling like a scam, scheme, etc. and for some to get ripped off again is sad. How does Disney allow this sort of thing happen. Thought Disney would deal with this sort of garbage having their name attached to this company.

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[Halliwax]

If anovos just came out publicly and explained the situation. I don’t think it would have gotten to this level

I have seen some pretty f’ed up stuff happen in community’s. And it always seems like over the years of lies and deceit the truth finally comes out

And when the truth is explained in full detail and seems like the community is sympathetic, understanding, and works with the supplier much easier..

If the truth actually came out, I think anovos would be much more appreciated

Hiding behind the curtain and dodging the tomatoes isn’t the way to do it

Just let these people know what the heck is exactly going on..

Did they screw up financially?! If so fine, explain that. Get some new financial backer, and no that’s not opening up preorders for a new product. Find someone willing to partner into the company and make it work..

There are just so many right ways of fixing this..

I just think the Star Wars prop company’s have the bambino curse... seems like they never stick around

 

[oblagon]

In the end, Anovos is taking other peoples money and not delivering product. Anovos coming out with a sob story about how they screwed up wouldn't change my opinion of them. They know exactly what they're doing; and once you screw with peoples money and time all sympathy goes out the window IMO.

 

[Halliwax]

In the end, Anovos is taking other peoples money and not delivering product. Anovos coming out with a sob story about how they screwed up wouldn't change my opinion of them. They know exactly what they're doing; and once you screw with peoples money and time all sympathy goes out the window IMO.

I totally understand, make no mistake I am not defending this behavior. I have nothing invested in anovos because their prices are too high, and I’m not a fan of the after the purchase fees (handling fee?! Really?)

They could easily just sucker me by just including it in the total price.. but once I add it to cart and see extra money for handling? Give me a break..

400 bucks for vacuum formed plastic helmet ... and I’m getting whacked around 15 bucks for handling... your not making enough profit already on this product that comes from China?...

Enough said

All I’m saying is, it seems once the truth comes out the members realize what’s going on and becomes more forgiving.. that’s just my experience on other runs that feel threw

I have seen here some guys have 5k invested with this company.. that’s not fair.. just come on here and explain

“We have had some serious issues with this and that, our new plan is this, and if this plan goes through we can expect this product this date”

And give the real expected dates.. even if it’s 11 months from now. Just let the people know.. I can guarantee if they came on here today and said all product isn’t going to ship for 11 months. More people would wait the 11 months, then the people backing out..

 

[AJK001]

I don't know where I read this but I'm pretty sure I read that they were not allowed to comment on any of the goings on with the company by either LFL or Disney. I'm not sure how true this is and and don't remember where I read it, it could even have been in this thread. Whatever the excuse they have not posted in this thread for a long time.

 

[oblagon]

I totally understand, make no mistake I am not defending this behavior.
400 bucks for vacuum formed plastic helmet ... and I’m getting whacked around 15 bucks for handling... your not making enough profit already on this product that comes from China?...

No worries, I was just throwing my 2 cents in
Concerning pricing, I agree that recently they are becoming way overpriced for what you get and the handling fee is pretty crappy. To play devils advocate RS charges around $500USD for a vacuum formed plastic helmet (although I do realize the difference is the linage)

I don't know where I read this but I'm pretty sure I read that they were not allowed to comment on any of the goings on with the company by either LFL or Disney.

How do you explain companies like Hasbro, Mattel, Hot Toys, etc that advertise and openly talk about future products. Hell, Toy Fair is nothing but that.
It's just an excuse by Anovos and they are simply passing the buck so they don't have to explain themselves. Easier to blame big bad Disney/LFL which for anyone who's worked with them knows that Disney/LFL does everything they can to get product out. The longest I waited from them for approval was 2 days, not the years Anovos claims.

 

[Jagjaguwar]

It appears they’ve changed things as far as the shipping calendar on the website. As in, it no longer exists. Apparently for “ease of use” they’ve moved all updates to individual product pages.

I’m no expert but it seems more like they’re trying to limit how easy it is to see what products are currently delayed or overdue.

Trying to start a live chat since they are supposedly online until 1pm pacific (seems like shorter hours than it used to be?), but it doesn’t appear to be working.

I’m done, I’m out. Taking my money elsewhere.

Edit: **** it, sending an email to them instead. I’ll update when I hear back about how long it’ll be for a refund, and again when I get the money.

Also, friendly reminder that I have an email for Joe Salcedo over at Anovos, should anyone having issues getting refunds want to try using that. As mentioned before, it was posted publicly in a thread by joe a while back, when he still came around the forums. Since there’s been discussion about “doxing” I won’t be posting it publicly here, but anyone who wants it can pm me. Good luck, all. Part of me has wanted to stick it out but between this, the EFX Scout mess, and a less than stellar experience my last go-around with RS Props, I’m kinda done.

 

[FuzzyWampa]

Part of me has wanted to stick it out but between this, the EFX Scout mess, and a less than stellar experience my last go-around with RS Props, I’m kinda done.

What happen with your RS experience, if you don't mind me asking?

 

[Jagjaguwar]

What happen with your RS experience, if you don't mind me asking?

Basically, the Scout helmet I ordered took over a year and a half from order to delivery (keep in mind that this was not unique to me, the helmets were all delayed due to difficulty in making them) the first one was cracked in shipping, and despite a couple attempts to get a helmet weathered in the specific style of a screen-used helmet that is photographed on the StarWarsHelmets site, I ended up receiving a Scout lid with the same sort of generic weathering I had from the start (though at least the replacement was not cracked.)

The other issue was a complete TIE commission that took 11 months to receive in its entirety instead of the few weeks it was supposed to, had a damaged chest piece (seems to have been scratched by the metal screws sticking out of the chest box it was packed in with).

All this was back in 2015/2016, and it seems like they’ve really improved things since then. I think my experience was just a combination of bad luck, RS being super busy with an influx of orders, and this being just prior to them making a couple changes that made the customer experience better (possibly including adding more prop builders and a dedicated customer service person.)

Unlike EFX and Anovos, I would have absolutely no qualms about ordering from RS again (planning on it now, actually.) Really great products and nice people. I should’ve clarified my comments initially, they are not and have not ever been in the same league as EFX/Anovos as far as shoddy business practices.

 

[Weldon]

Anovos shipping calendar has been discontinued and estimated ship dates are now shown on the product page. In the case of the Luke X-wing helmet, 1st wave has been pushed back to Winter (now current quarter) with no explanation or notation of previous shipping estimates. Wave 2 (now available for pre-order) estimate is for winter next year. Haven’t been given any good reason why anyone should believe these dates.

 

[oblagon]

Jagjaguwar Sorry you had that experience with RS. They must have worked out the kinks in production as now they usually bang stuff out in about 4 weeks with few problems to the fit and finish.

 

[dawyer47]

Hey wanted to update everyone. Took 16 weeks, multiple emails and chats, BBB dispute and an email to Disney. Just got a full refund confirmation via email. It was 8 separate refunds but adds up to my total.