The Searcher
Sr Member
So it’s a ponzi and a pyramid scheme at the same time?
I’m not sure how it can be both (or either for that matter).
ANOVOS issues (ANOVOS ONLY discussion)
- Thread starter Art Andrews
- Start date
I’m not sure how it can be both (or either for that matter).
oblagon
Sr Member
I wasn't saying it's either. It's a system built on taking the money from party A to pay for a different product. At some point they get to a point where Anovos isn't able to ship or develop the previous product.
It's a bit more complex than that with their pre-order system. As I said quite some pages back, it worked/works better for their non-Star Wars stuff. First of all, the Trek and BSG items are mostly soft-goods, which they overwhelmingly do domestically. That cuts down the communications issues, development time, shipping issues, etc. Also, CBS Paramount and NBC Universal have been much easier to get permissions and approvals from for their i.p. They're much more hands-off rights-holders.
But it's not so much a matter of pre-orders for item B paying for the manufacture of item A. The pre-order system let them gauge how much interest there was for something before they committed resources internally. Once the pre-oder period closed, they'd use that money for the R&D costs, tooling, materials, and labor. Star Wars has added a lot of previously-seldom-encountered issues, such as the Chinese factories they're trying to find alternatives for, the higher costs for tooling molding dies, etc. But same structure. I pre-paid for the FOTK Standard line kit. Those funds go to the development and manufacturing costs for that...
Unless a whole bunch of people start pulling out of the run. At that point, I'm not sure how they're set up internally for keeping funding going for an item when refunds are depleting that coffer. But I know it's not fun for them to try to juggle. The lower introductory prices they'd list pre-orders at, originally, meant they had a much narrower margin should anything crop up -- like delays, having to rework something... or thousands of dollars in tier-one pre-orders going away as refunds. I'm pretty sure the deeply-discounted sales that have been going around the last few months are attempts to recoup some of what they've been having to give back to irate customers. I know a couple people who have gotten e-mails offering them spots in the FOTK-Standard run, albeit for the current price rather than the original.
Also as before, I'll re-state I'm not excusing, just partially explaining. I'm not on the inside, so there's only so much I know, and a lot of that is piecing data tidbits together or deduction from similar stuff I've seen elsewhere. I'm still doing what I can to directly encourage them to up their game, offer assistance in figuring out logistical nightmares, generally try to keep them in the game. Because they are fans. From the customer-service people on the live chat up to the department heads, everyone who's gone to work there that isn't subcontracted labor (and a lot of them, even) have done so more because Star Trek/Star Wars/BSG than job-is-job. They're also, to the best of my knowledge, not on the brink of going under. Last I knew, they were still actively hiring more administrative and production staff.
Current pre-order queue:
• Standard Line First Order Stormtrooper kit, with Helmet
• Captain Picard suede "Darmok" jacket
• Captain Kirk (Command branch) suede "bomber jacket"
Waiting for the next run of TWOK-style uniform pants, not having had the funds for the last run. Takeaway: Impatient, but not canceling my pre-orders, and plan to order again as they have things I want. All the little, in-stock things I've ordered have been no trouble (Imperial belt, Han belt greeblies, etc.).
But it's not so much a matter of pre-orders for item B paying for the manufacture of item A. The pre-order system let them gauge how much interest there was for something before they committed resources internally. Once the pre-oder period closed, they'd use that money for the R&D costs, tooling, materials, and labor. Star Wars has added a lot of previously-seldom-encountered issues, such as the Chinese factories they're trying to find alternatives for, the higher costs for tooling molding dies, etc. But same structure. I pre-paid for the FOTK Standard line kit. Those funds go to the development and manufacturing costs for that...
Unless a whole bunch of people start pulling out of the run. At that point, I'm not sure how they're set up internally for keeping funding going for an item when refunds are depleting that coffer. But I know it's not fun for them to try to juggle. The lower introductory prices they'd list pre-orders at, originally, meant they had a much narrower margin should anything crop up -- like delays, having to rework something... or thousands of dollars in tier-one pre-orders going away as refunds. I'm pretty sure the deeply-discounted sales that have been going around the last few months are attempts to recoup some of what they've been having to give back to irate customers. I know a couple people who have gotten e-mails offering them spots in the FOTK-Standard run, albeit for the current price rather than the original.
Also as before, I'll re-state I'm not excusing, just partially explaining. I'm not on the inside, so there's only so much I know, and a lot of that is piecing data tidbits together or deduction from similar stuff I've seen elsewhere. I'm still doing what I can to directly encourage them to up their game, offer assistance in figuring out logistical nightmares, generally try to keep them in the game. Because they are fans. From the customer-service people on the live chat up to the department heads, everyone who's gone to work there that isn't subcontracted labor (and a lot of them, even) have done so more because Star Trek/Star Wars/BSG than job-is-job. They're also, to the best of my knowledge, not on the brink of going under. Last I knew, they were still actively hiring more administrative and production staff.
Current pre-order queue:
• Standard Line First Order Stormtrooper kit, with Helmet
• Captain Picard suede "Darmok" jacket
• Captain Kirk (Command branch) suede "bomber jacket"
Waiting for the next run of TWOK-style uniform pants, not having had the funds for the last run. Takeaway: Impatient, but not canceling my pre-orders, and plan to order again as they have things I want. All the little, in-stock things I've ordered have been no trouble (Imperial belt, Han belt greeblies, etc.).
Not entirely true,
The Star Trek Survival jacket is going on what 2 years possibly 3 years from “Pre=Order” to delivery.
The BSG TOS Jacket is going on a year iirc.
One of their reps told a Board member here that AFTER taking the Money UP FRONT for that jacket they had not procured a manufacturer for that jacket.
That in itself speaks to their hap hazard way of running a business.
Just get their money and figure it out along the way is NO WAY to run a business.
That and dragging their feet and making it next to impossible to get a refund shows how terrible they are in running a business
The Star Trek Survival jacket is going on what 2 years possibly 3 years from “Pre=Order” to delivery.
The BSG TOS Jacket is going on a year iirc.
One of their reps told a Board member here that AFTER taking the Money UP FRONT for that jacket they had not procured a manufacturer for that jacket.
That in itself speaks to their hap hazard way of running a business.
Just get their money and figure it out along the way is NO WAY to run a business.
That and dragging their feet and making it next to impossible to get a refund shows how terrible they are in running a business
darthjones
Sr Member
Inquisitor, you give more responsible updates on behalf of Anovos than they themselves do. But I don't see how it explains fake updates like in my example above. Shoot, I even left out the middle step of "safety testing" in my lengthy post. I can post it here but, to summarize instead, it went from 1.) March: everything done and ready to go - delivery in three weeks! to 2.) undergoing safety testing to 3.) Sept.: they have been sitting with the manufacturer this entire time and nothing has happened.
How many people here feel familiar with months of "safety testing"?
If anyone at Anovos takes any kind of a holiday break it would be offensive. Like seriously, no shame.
How many people here feel familiar with months of "safety testing"?
If anyone at Anovos takes any kind of a holiday break it would be offensive. Like seriously, no shame.
oblagon
Sr Member
That's not what Anovos admitted to sometime ago. You must have some connection to Anovos to try and spin their bad behavior.
Star Wars Helmets
Sr Member
According to their website - for the General Merrick Helmet
1) in July 17 they said "Summer 17”
2) in Summer 17 they said "Fall 17”
3) in Fall 17 they said "Winter 17"
4) in Winter 17 they said "Spring 18”
5) in Spring 18 they said “Fall 18”
I’m presuming in 6 days (their end of "Fall") the page will be updated to say "Spring 19”. Otherwise, as it stands with six days to go they still think they’re going to be shipping all these helmets out!
Pretty disgraceful really!
Cheers
Jez
1) in July 17 they said "Summer 17”
2) in Summer 17 they said "Fall 17”
3) in Fall 17 they said "Winter 17"
4) in Winter 17 they said "Spring 18”
5) in Spring 18 they said “Fall 18”
I’m presuming in 6 days (their end of "Fall") the page will be updated to say "Spring 19”. Otherwise, as it stands with six days to go they still think they’re going to be shipping all these helmets out!
Pretty disgraceful really!
Cheers
Jez
Jagjaguwar
Sr Member
Yep, I’m in the same boat with the Blue Leader lid, Jez.
Isn’t it strange that they said many months ago that it was almost ready? Hmm...
I made the offer over on Rebelscum, but figured I would do the same here. I have an email that I’ve used (and have given to others to use) to resolve issues in the past. For me it solved an issue I’d been going back and forth with live chat for several months, within about 3 days of when I emailed.
I know the address has been posted in various threads in the past, but I’d rather not do this, as who knows what bots might be trawling for email addresses, etc, and if dozens of people suddenly all email at once, it might stop working (as he might change his address).
Anyone can feel free to PM me for it, but preferably only those who have been waiting over a month, not just a couple days/weeks.
If anyone else is familiar with the address I’m referring to, they can chime in if the consensus is that it’d be fine to just post publicly. Doesn’t matter to me, I just hope it remains as a sort of “last resort” option.
Isn’t it strange that they said many months ago that it was almost ready? Hmm...
I made the offer over on Rebelscum, but figured I would do the same here. I have an email that I’ve used (and have given to others to use) to resolve issues in the past. For me it solved an issue I’d been going back and forth with live chat for several months, within about 3 days of when I emailed.
I know the address has been posted in various threads in the past, but I’d rather not do this, as who knows what bots might be trawling for email addresses, etc, and if dozens of people suddenly all email at once, it might stop working (as he might change his address).
Anyone can feel free to PM me for it, but preferably only those who have been waiting over a month, not just a couple days/weeks.
If anyone else is familiar with the address I’m referring to, they can chime in if the consensus is that it’d be fine to just post publicly. Doesn’t matter to me, I just hope it remains as a sort of “last resort” option.
Same hear.
I have to wonder though - were those helmets ever in production?
Was production started, then stopped 18 months ago?
Are those helmets sitting on a shelf somewhere in China?
Are they boxed in a warehouse in China waiting for Anovos to pay?
Is the same going on with Green Leader and Red5? (likely)
Prepare to be offended
Haha!
I inquired about refunds for the Kylo ensemble this last Thursday or Friday and I was told it takes 8-12 weeks for processing....:/
Essentially I might have to wait an entire shipping window before I can get my money back after they have already had it for forever.
Incredible...
Why do I feel it would take more than that?
darthjones
Sr Member
Prepare to be offended
Oh I'm sure! Lacking any sense of shame or decency, one is always a step ahead in the American economy.
Enjoy your Anovos Christmas at the expense of our (three) Halloweens.
Funny, in correspondence with customer service at Anovos there was some chick who was trying to be upbeat and, at one point, typed, "I live for Halloween!" And I typed back, "yeah, me too. Or, I used to. Not much going on these days."
Slight lack of awareness there on her part.
Sano
Well-Known Member
Personally I think so. I think there must be a reason that there was someone on Facebook selling Anovos armors from China. My guess is that China can sell it to someone else of the company doesnt pay? Don't know if its true but I could imagine that.
darthjones
Sr Member
Curious - was the facebook Anovos pull something that no customer had yet received? Meaning, it cannot be a recast by a fan if no one has yet gotten one, right? Wow if so.
Also, as long as we are respectful, myself, and a friend, and someone else here have already emailed Chris Holm, head of licensing at Lucasfilm. There a LOT of orders slated by Anovos to be delivered by the end of this coming week and we all know that they will not fulfill them all: Let's ALL write to chris.holm@lucasfilm.com and just say what is going on. His entire job depends on the quality of the fan experience so we should send feedback it seems to me.
Yes, lawyer absurdities prevent him from perhaps responding but more important that he gets the info.
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I'm fairly certain Holm, Lucasfilm and Disney are well aware of how Anovos operates, and how its customers are/have been treated.
I'm also fairly certain there's already been a lot of behind the scenes discussions between all parties, and that Anovos' future handling of the property has already been determined...
Not saying action should not be taken, just saying that, if there was an initiative to reach out to SW's Homebase, it should be formulated in a way that wouldn't allow ambiguous responses.
I personally don't want to know what's going on.
I want:
- hard dates as to when the merchandise we paid A time long ago will be shipped to us?
- hard dates for if the merchandise isn't shipped on the determined dates - or if there are no determined dates, when are we refunded?
Ugh.........I'm tired of this.
It's safe to assume things aren't going well at Anovos, and that attorneys have assessed the risks associated with not delivering, and/or dealing with a class action suit from customers. And that sucks for everyone.
Optimism fading fast...…….
oblagon
Sr Member
no one had a class action suit against Icons when they disappeared with everyones money; I doubt Anovos is too worried about it happening to them as it costs a lot to sue someone.
My advice for anyone who's sick of the wait and runaround is to get your bank involved and get your money back. At this point all the costumes offered by Anovos can be purchased from RS or ImperialBoots. Any of the helmets such as blue leader RS can build up for you and it'll be on a direct cast versus a fan sculpt from Anovos.
My advice for anyone who's sick of the wait and runaround is to get your bank involved and get your money back. At this point all the costumes offered by Anovos can be purchased from RS or ImperialBoots. Any of the helmets such as blue leader RS can build up for you and it'll be on a direct cast versus a fan sculpt from Anovos.
cinderbike
Active Member
I have heard so much on either side that Anovos is/isn't going under. At this point I don't know what to believe... All I really want is my First Order stuff. All the other kits/helmets on the market aren't nearly as accurate. If they go under we all lose.
I don’t think anovos is going under, I think their Star Wars products have a problem.. whether is the factory’s they use or something... because they have quickly delivered their ghostbusters stuff
I don’t understand how some products can ship and others cant? Maybe it has to do with licensing? Idk..
It sure is a sticky situation...
I don’t understand how some products can ship and others cant? Maybe it has to do with licensing? Idk..
It sure is a sticky situation...
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