ANOVOS issues (ANOVOS ONLY discussion)

[patrickivan]

BBB is like yelp for old people. It doesn't really mean anything.

That's more than a bit of an uncalled-for comment.

It's really a pretty effective tool for lots of people. BBB actually advocates on the behalf of people who can't afford legal recourse (or because it's not cost-effective), and can be quite effective at achieving a result. I'm not saying that public review sites can't be helpful, but for the most part, that's typically only useful against small service type businesses who desperately rely on public reviews. It's also very regional.

But you go ahead and do what you do. Maybe just not make generalized derogatory comments to people who did nothing to you.

 

[ggriffaw]

Not to stir the pot, but with all the divisiveness over Aovos's crappy business structure, wait times, refund issues, etc. over 8 years or so, why are they still in business?

I spoke with my money. I purchased from them directly one time, then after 2 years of waiting, I received an e-mail me out of the blue to say (paraphrase) "Sorry. We ran out of the thing you PREORDERED two years ago and have been waiting on. Your order has been cancelled. Sorry/not sorry for sitting on your $1,700 for two years. You can have your money back now."

This came not long after a very irate conversation with Anovos customer service, so I can't see it as anything other than personal retaliation. Great business practices, Anovos. They, as expected, didn't respond to the BBB complaint I submitted.

In the, what, four years since that happened, I have steered many, many other collectors away from them and have spent my money with anyone but them.

I'm just surprised more haven't done the same.

This is a prop-maker and collector community. I'm 100% sure a group of you can come together, do leagues better, and show Anovos the door.

Many of us have money tied up in preorders and it is pretty difficult to get the money refunded. We are hoping they can eventually deliver on the long delayed products. They already have on some like the TFA Solo jacket.

I'm sure most people will be very reluctant to place a preorder with Anovos.

The Mandalorian helmet is being handled differently since they are not letting you pay for it until they are almost ready to ship your specific helmet. There is less risk in paying for that.

 

[karmajay]

That's more than a bit of an uncalled-for comment.

It's really a pretty effective tool for lots of people. BBB actually advocates on the behalf of people who can't afford legal recourse (or because it's not cost-effective), and can be quite effective at achieving a result. I'm not saying that public review sites can't be helpful, but for the most part, that's typically only useful against small service type businesses who desperately rely on public reviews. It's also very regional.

But you go ahead and do what you do. Maybe just not make generalized derogatory comments to people who did nothing to you.

My comment is not directed toward people but the BBB. It is not a govt agency but a business and they have ZERO power to do anything to change a companies business practice.

People should do things but acting like the BBB fixes companies is not one of them.

 

[darthjones]

Right. The BBB is great and, if you're a company, you do not want to be on their bad side.

But also true, they have no enforcement power of any kind other than the fact that they came to the internet pre-loaded with ratings of larger businesses whereas yelp is choking on restaurants.

What I want here is for someone to defect from Anovos and spill everything in a write up of some kind here: all secrets of every kind, all financial issues, all internal memos, all pay, all money taken home by the takers - nothing left uncovered.

If it goes so far as bank account numbers who am I to argue.

 

[JOATRASH FX]

Maybe I just am so amazed it’s here, and that the rest of it is so perfect, I’m overlooking it. It looks amazing on a shelf—
View attachment 1256936
— and I’m guessing the efx one is going to have its issues too. Whichever one ends up on the movie room mannequin, we shall see.

The ears bug me a little on the Anovos, but I recently got a refund (store credit, which I actually willingly chose this time) for a Discovery uniform (I have just lost interest in the new Trek stuff after all the dystopian themes) and have been thinking of sinking it into their Mando lid. Anovos communication has been better lately, at least when dealing with canceling the Trek STD.

I've been looking at photos of the Anovos and the EFX lids, comparing them to some screengrabs. One thing is that all the promo shots seem to be taken with wider angle lenses, but it you search a bit, there are a lot of shots in the show using a longer lens=the image it "flatter" and gives a more accurate profile. Looks like they are both somewhere in-between. I know the EFX is supposed to be taken from the molds, but I'm having difficulty getting photos to match up. I kinda want to do one myself, but... lack of time and all. A little surprised that the Anovos is so "glittery" in the metallic. That means they can't have used Alumaluster, doesn't it?

Where did you get the mando blaster it’s beautiful

That's actually the first buildup I did of my kit! : ) Build/paint thread is here. (And there's a run in the JY.)

 

[zsherman]

That's actually the first buildup I did of my kit! : ) Build/paint thread is here. (And there's a run in the JY.)

And it’s freaking AWESOME!!!! If you can get on the list for a kit, do it.

 

[JBReplicas]

The ears bug me a little on the Anovos, but I recently got a refund (store credit, which I actually willingly chose this time) for a Discovery uniform (I have just lost interest in the new Trek stuff after all the dystopian themes) and have been thinking of sinking it into their Mando lid. Anovos communication has been better lately, at least when dealing with canceling the Trek STD.

I've been looking at photos of the Anovos and the EFX lids, comparing them to some screengrabs. One thing is that all the promo shots seem to be taken with wider angle lenses, but it you search a bit, there are a lot of shots in the show using a longer lens=the image it "flatter" and gives a more accurate profile. Looks like they are both somewhere in-between. I know the EFX is supposed to be taken from the molds, but I'm having difficulty getting photos to match up. I kinda want to do one myself, but... lack of time and all. A little surprised that the Anovos is so "glittery" in the metallic. That means they can't have used Alumaluster, doesn't it?


That's actually the first buildup I did of my kit! : ) Build/paint thread is here. (And there's a run in the JY.)

I can see evidence that it’s from an original mould, all the major details and angles seem to match in a way the Anovos does not. Also based on their ability to source original moulds and patterns, for example the ESB Fett helmet, Vader FG helmet, even the long delayed Scout helmet, are all definitively from original sources.

 

[darthjones]

So the Anovos court case left of it seems on January 27th with the court/ judge taking the case under submission. If I understand correctly, judge has 90 days to issue a ruling in CA.

Is this right?

 

[Mr Mold Maker]

A little surprised that the Anovos is so "glittery" in the metallic. That means they can't have used Alumaluster, doesn't it?

The spots of “glitter” you’re seeing are actually individual metal flakes! Insane.

You are correct, there is absolutely no way they are using Alumaluster. Alumaluster doesn’t have flakes quite as fine as Spaz Stix or Alclad for example, but they are certainly much smaller than whatever Anovos is using. You’d be hard pressed to pick out individual flakes unless you are a few inches away with high quality chrome paints. You can damn near see the flakes on the Anovos across a room.

 

[Jagjaguwar]

“Thank you for your patience. We are currently going through our backlog of requests and prioritizing each customer based on many factors in order to help everyone better. We have not forgotten about you and want you to know we are working on getting things organized on our end.


We know you are waiting for your refund and are sorry for the delay in processing. If you would prefer store credit, that is something we can address straight away. If not please know we are working towards your refund as quickly as business allows.

Charlie
Anovos”

Approaching 2 months since I received this response (end of December), which itself was the first I heard from them after seven months of radio silence (May 2019.)

In fact, these two email responses are the only time I have heard from Anovos since I requested a refund over a year ago. Unless you count the dozen or so emails they’ve sent trying to peddle new wares (and several of them including, irritatingly, the very item I wanted a refund for.)

As for these recent orders, I can say that the inconsistency in finishing/weathering is one concern, but the decline in quality of packaging is more worrying to me. All of the Anovos helmets I received were nicely protected with molded styrofoam, and zip tied to keep them from jostling around in transit. Are they really just using packing peanuts now? I wonder if that’s cost savings, or if it has to do with being made in the US instead of the Chinese factories.

 

[mluder]

What’s funny is I know it’s not right, and it SORT OF bothers me, but the rest of it is so amazing I just kind of don’t care. Which is SO NOT ME! I’m usually SO ANAL that it should. Details for me are so key, especially at this price point.

Also, I was shocked at how SLIM it really is compared to a Boba Fett. Which brings up the fact that some of the fan-made ones aren’t even close. Even the front runner, the Boba Maker one, which I was super hot to get? Clearly not a new sculpt and is just a Fett that’s been modified.

Maybe I just am so amazed it’s here, and that the rest of it is so perfect, I’m overlooking it. It looks amazing on a shelf—
View attachment 1256936
— and I’m guessing the efx one is going to have its issues too. Whichever one ends up on the movie room mannequin, we shall see.

But tell us about that blaster?!?!?!
(edit) Nevermind... It's Joe's. I should have known. Stunning.

Cheers
Steven

 

[JOATRASH FX]

The spots of “glitter” you’re seeing are actually individual metal flakes! Insane.

Well, obviously, haha. : )

We can't get Spaz over here in the Old World... and I've been trying to get hold of Alumaluster but they are apparently ignoring e-mails (despite claiming to be able to ship worldwide). They told me last year they had a new EU distributor, but never got back to me about it. Maybe I'll just have to call Imperial Surfaces old-school! I like Alclad for emulating aluminum and Molotow for chrome, though the latter is... temperamental... to apply.

I think the Anovos looks good from a short distance away... and it kinda matches the daylight photo that Favreau (?) posted on Twitter. Funnily enough, that paint would be great for some Trek TNG props! I'm a little more bugged by the ears.

 

[FastballSpecial]

I ultimately passed on ordering the Anovos Mandalorian helmet, after getting the email option to pay for the 48 hour window.

I was fortunate to get the Han Solo TFA jacket that took almost three years. I won't be pressing my luck with ordering directly from them again though.

 

[Inquisitor Peregrinus]

We just don't know enough about the metallizer used. Aluminum or some other material? Particle shape? Particle size? Carrier? Perfect technique can't compensate for improper materials. Ideal materials can be wasted by the wrong method of application. "Cornflake" particles below 40µ are hard to screw up. But the bigger the particles, the more sparkle. The rounder the particles the more sparkle. Bigger, rounder particles tend to be used for deliberate sparkle effect... and also tend to be cheaper, and used by people who don't know what they're doing so much.

Depending on the smoothness of the clearcoat, I'd almost consider recommending using that as a base to apply a new finish over. *heh*

 

[zsherman]

But tell us about that blaster?!?!?!
(edit) Nevermind... It's Joe's. I should have known. Stunning.

Cheers
Steven

BWAHAHAHAHAHA! So true! It’s amazing. I’m really impressed with the quality of the entire thing. From the detective work, the details, the print and even the finishing. Just perfect.

 

[mluder]

BWAHAHAHAHAHA! So true! It’s amazing. I’m really impressed with the quality of the entire thing. From the detective work, the details, the print and even the finishing. Just perfect.

Yeah... I'd love to get one but unfortunately I just can't swing the money right now. Joe does top notch work.

Cheers
Steven

 

[Mr Mold Maker]

Well, obviously, haha. : )

You’d be surprised how often the obvious is overlooked, haha. I saw someone in one of the Mando groups complaining because he thought it was actually glitter in the metal paint! Can’t blame them though, not many folks have first hand experience with these paints.

We can't get Spaz over here in the Old World... and I've been trying to get hold of Alumaluster but they are apparently ignoring e-mails (despite claiming to be able to ship worldwide). They told me last year they had a new EU distributor, but never got back to me about it. Maybe I'll just have to call Imperial Surfaces old-school!

Calling is your best bet if possible. I believe Sam recently had a surgery for something so perhaps he is a little behind. Last I talked to him, he mentioned the site was being worked on to fix the “shipping glitch.”

Have you ever heard of or tried Pro Chrome from Mouldlife? They may be able to ship to you, and I’ve heard it is somewhat comparable to Alumaluster.

 

[ggriffaw]

I ultimately passed on ordering the Anovos Mandalorian helmet, after getting the email option to pay for the 48 hour window.

I was fortunate to get the Han Solo TFA jacket that took almost three years. I won't be pressing my luck with ordering directly from them again though.

I can't see much risk in not getting the Mandalorian helmet within a few weeks of paying for it. Plenty of people have already received theirs in that kind of timeframe.

Other items from Anovos are a very different story though.

Hopefully other products will be manufactured at the same facility as the Mandalorian helmet eventually. It will probably be a while if they have a long list for the Mandalorian helmets.

 

[FastballSpecial]

I can't see much risk in not getting the Mandalorian helmet within a few weeks of paying for it. Plenty of people have already received theirs in that kind of timeframe.

Other items from Anovos are a very different story though.

Hopefully other products will be manufactured at the same facility as the Mandalorian helmet eventually. It will probably be a while if they have a long list for the Mandalorian helmets.

I'm sure there isn't much risk involved with ordering. However having $500 tied up with them for three years and after having spent a few thousand with them over the last few years, I'm just going to be extremely skeptical of supporting their products in the future.

 

[ggriffaw]

I'm sure there isn't much risk involved with ordering. However having $500 tied up with them for three years and after having spent a few thousand with them over the last few years, I'm just going to be extremely skeptical of supporting their products in the future.

I can't blame you for feeling that way. I would be hesitant to place a preorder for an item that is projected for delivery months later. They have lots of work to do before earning trust back.