ANOVOS issues (ANOVOS ONLY discussion)

[darthjones]

I recall reading a disclaimer on the Anovos emails that says "license pending" or something like that. So they don't actually have the Aliens license yet.

It probably didn't help that some of us wrote to Fox licensing asking for money refunds on our Anovos orders.

 

[Pepperbone]

I recall reading a disclaimer on the Anovos emails that says "license pending" or something like that.

The "about us" pages on KFX mentions working on Alien projects. Since both Alien and The Orville are FOX properties, maybe that's a connection.

With everything that happened in the last couple of years, it's easy to believe that getting the Alien license is wishful thinking on their end. An attempt to generate some interest, perhaps to convince some investors. They likely bargained with some prop producer to design a prototype to send to Fox, hoping that'll be enough to obtain a license.

Anyone could prototype an asset from a know property, pitch it to the studio who owns that property, and announce it without any agreements from that studio - to feel the market. Announcements, especially from this group, mean nothing.

And, like most bloated companies, I can imagine layers of people separating the Star Wars and Alien licensing departments, each unaware of each others' plans and dealings. But since it's all under the same roof now, it's easy to assume that word will eventually get to the Alien team about who these guys really are. I can't image D allowing Anovos / Korben / whatever else company they start next to be allowed to produce merchandise while still owing us what we've already paid for years ago.

 

[Synz314]

Sorry if this has already been mentioned, but I came across this on a website after googling Korben FX.

Edit: sorry, Red Omega mentioned this all a while back.

Joe Salcedo is the owner/president of Anovos. Their address is Simi Valley 93065 on their contact page.



Dana Gasser (Dana G on the Anovos contact us) is also listed on this filing from this year for Korben FX. The address on here is also the same as the Anovos private mail box in Texas.




Here is when they filed to be incorporated in 2017:

Detail by Officer/Registered Agent Name

search.sunbiz.org

 

[darthjones]

Awesome work, guys...

 

[Mara Jade's Father]

Previous posts keep referring to Aliens and The Orville as Fox properties but they are really now under Disney. Also, Disney changed the names of the studios from 20th Century Fox Television to 20th Television and 20th Century Fox Film to 20th Century Studios.

 

[ggriffaw]

Has anyone received a reply to an Anovos support ticket in the last few months? I have submitted several over the past month with no replies other than the automated replies. I would like to know if they are actually producing any of the Star Wars items they list as being in production in Texas. The last update to the product availability page was in March. I haven't heard anything about people receiving Praetorian Guard or Death Trooper helmets.

 

[Kal Argos]

I started with a Luke ESB belt and ended it with a S3 Scotty Tunic. I can say I FINALLY got the premier tunic this past Thursday. Long story short... chasing emails to the CBS licensing person over Anovos. Once I got to this contact, got this in my hands in 1.5 weeks. Total time from start to finish... 3.5 years. Original order, returned, "promised and guaranteed" replacement, "promised" refund, refund to instock tunic, wrong tunic, correct tunic. I can say I have no money left at Anovos.

I sincerely wish everyone luck getting either what they ordered, a fair trade or their money back.

 

[darthjones]

I'm pretty certain they never even made the Kylo Ren costumes. That whole thing they wrote about making them but screwing up the shiny crap is b.s. They made that up. Recall, that f'ing story was that they made aaallllllllll the Kylo costumes. And that they were ready to go.

And that because of the issue they claim, all of these costumes were entirely trashed and thrown out/ burned/ whatever.

Notice that the entire write up is gone from their site and has been for a while.

It is the moral obligation of anyone who used to work there to open up about what happened. Yeah, Anovos might try to sue (laughable) but it is still your moral obligation.

 

[Pepperbone]

I'm pretty certain they never even made the Kylo Ren costumes.

Just like a lot of other stuff too.

Merrick helmet.
Death Trooper Specialist helmet.
Red Leader helmet.
Gold Leader helmet.
Luke helmet...to name a few.

Merrick helmet was ordered and fully paid for 1444 days ago. Still no delivery.

But hey!! I'm remaining optimistic, okay you guys?!?! I think if we all stick together, our combined hope will make things happen!!!
HAHAHAAAA!!!! Hahaha!
Haha....
Hehehe.......
Mmmmmm....hehe............

Mmmmm..........
..........
......
....
...
..
.

 

[darthjones]

Just like a lot of other stuff too.

Merrick helmet.
Death Trooper Specialist helmet.
Red Leader helmet.
Gold Leader helmet.
Luke helmet...to name a few.

Merrick helmet was ordered and fully paid for 1444 days ago. Still no delivery.

But hey!! I'm remaining optimistic, okay you guys?!?! I think if we all stick together, our combined hope will make things happen!!!
HAHAHAAAA!!!! Hahaha!
Haha....
Hehehe.......
Mmmmmm....hehe............

Mmmmm..........
..........
......
....
...
..
.

Oh right - but do you recall the huge Kylo write up literally called "Worth the Wait?" I think? I'm feeling pretty strongly now that this was a huge lie. And I felt that before it was removed. And I heard it from the right people too but I know these "people" really don't want me to identify them so take it for what you will.

Don't get me wrong, I don't like these guys.

 

[_Lee_]

How the hell are Anovos getting away with this?

Disney are a huge company who dwarf them in comparison.its when these things happen that you have to question the credibility of Disney / LF.

Hasbro produce so much stuff that is amazing for the price, even though not 100% accurate - but they put Anovos to shame. Surely there must be a company out there which is capable of doing the job.

And they wonder why people turn to unlicensed goods.

 

[darthjones]

It feels to me at times that LFL is turning into an extension of Apple - in their ways, tactics, and sensibilities.

Leggings, coffee cups, ear buds....nice hair cuts.

I don't know. Maybe it was easy for Anovos to scam them. And scam or not, wow did Disney and LFL sit on their hands forever or what?!

 

[Apollo]

Its MONEY, simply put MONEY corrupts everything!

 

[enterprise0216]

Agree once they have your money your on a waiting queue from hell and it’s not a joke. The last few month simply look like they are throwing specials left and right to get rid of inventory. In order one to make room for inventory coming in in order to finally n the century. Or worst getting rid of everything in order to file for bankruptcy and start with their new business venture under the guise of Korben FX or some other company full of shadiness. Of course my opinion, but thus far it’s looking it. All my friend that collect anything have been warned and are staying away.

 

[Pepperbone]

It feels to me at times that LFL is turning into an extension of Apple - in their ways, tactics, and sensibilities.

Leggings, coffee cups, ear buds....nice hair cuts.

I don't know. Maybe it was easy for Anovos to scam them. And scam or not, wow did Disney and LFL sit on their hands forever or what?!

You're right. And it's not just a feeling.

LFL became a giant independent production house because of how it laid the foundation for what merchandising has become. It was unprecedented at the time. But (I think) what we're seeing now is the Disney marketing branch pushing it too far, like all MONEY addicts do (per Apollo).

To us, it seems like D and LFL sat on their hands during this fiasco. But knowing a few people inside D, I can say anovos was merely a small drop in a big bucket. They got the license shortly after the merger, while D/LFL were developing campaigns for the release of TFA, merch for what they believed was going to be next big thing (BB-8), and theme parks on both Coasts. So I'm not sure they were able to keep an eye on everything back then. Not an excuse, that's for sure. But I do know there was a lot stuff in motion.

But aside from not delivering what we fully paid for, anovos will end up making it more difficult for others to acquire a license, because of some sort of Salcedo/Gasser clause, justly forcing D/LFL's merchandising team to tighten leashes with third parties. Can't blame them.

All my friend that collect anything have been warned and are staying away.

Oh I'm with you there. Not sure that'll be going anywhere anyway. But business is business, and there have been worse players than Salcedo and Gasser who have continued failing $uccesfully.

 

[darthjones]

I dont want any company to replace Anovos. I strongly advocate that any and all fans in possession of LFL prop specs and patterns continue to produce what they can and Disney not utter a gd PEEP about it going forward. I lost thousands trying to be legal and above board with the way they wanted to do things.

Additionally, I feel that anyone with access to Anovos files release them to fan fabricators. You are not “special,” not an “insider” with your measurements folder, and are an Anovos creep yourself until you betray them.

Meaning that you fabricate for us or give to someone who can.

And give for free.

We have already paid.

The whole community has.

Most all specs are already out here if you know where to look for your character. And some very responsible people are doing some great work.

 

[Lenitas]

Has anyone received a reply to an Anovos support ticket in the last few months? I have submitted several over the past month with no replies other than the automated replies. I would like to know if they are actually producing any of the Star Wars items they list as being in production in Texas. The last update to the product availability page was in March. I haven't heard anything about people receiving Praetorian Guard or Death Trooper helmets.

Not us.

We have a voucher from an unfulfilled order (a different and infuriating story). We can't use it, as shipping *anything* to Canada exceeds the value of the voucher. We can't get the money back as support has been ghosting us for the last year. I tried to give the voucher away in my circle of friends, but the items on the store are so lackluster that nobody even wants the voucher for free, even when everything is $5. Besides, there simply isn't an expectation anymore that anything will actually ship.

Such a shame to see this store go down in flames so spectacularly.

 

[KojiroVance]

I dip my toe into this morass every so often. So sad to hear that Anovo's principals are still thriving (?) and doing this. Sorry if I sound naive, but I don't follow this story year in, year out.

Looking at their site out of curiosity, they have a number of Star Trek things on sale and am tempted by some cheap TOS delta patches, but then their "refund policy" (if you can call it that) on their Terms of Service page. Tempted to call my credit card issuer and ask if they can do a chargeback from such a company making a charge, then failing to send the product.

LL SALES ARE FINAL - No refunds.

However, if a pre-ordered product becomes unavailable following a transaction or if technical problems prevent delivery and it has not shipped yet, the customer is eligible for an in-store credit or a Digital Gift Card. Only funds that have been paid towards the original pre-order item(s) will be given in the form of in-store credit or a Digital Gift Card. Certain fees are not included and will not be credited.

What I'm curious about ... is the Digital Gift Card like a Visa Cash Card, or some kind of Anovos gift certificate that can only be used on their site?

I'm surprised that no one (?) has complained to the Federal Trade Commission about illegal trade practices (taking money, refusing to send product, refusing to provide refund).

 

[KojiroVance]

How funny. :-\ Yesterday, they had some ST TOS delta patches for $4.95, very tempting to order a few. BUT their very troubling "all sales final - NO REFUNDS" policy gave me pause to call my card issuer today. Chase confirmed that yes, I could file a dispute to a charge if any or all items are not sent and no actual refund tendered.

Satisfied by my card issuer's answer, I checked this morning and ... the patches are up to $14.95. No go.

You know what, Anovos? You can go **** a Ferenghi [where **** can represent any legitimate exchange of goods or services in the known ST TOS universe, as per the Rules of Acquisition].

 

[Lenitas]

I dip my toe into this morass every so often. So sad to hear that Anovo's principals are still thriving (?) and doing this. Sorry if I sound naive, but I don't follow this story year in, year out.

Looking at their site out of curiosity, they have a number of Star Trek things on sale and am tempted by some cheap TOS delta patches, but then their "refund policy" (if you can call it that) on their Terms of Service page. Tempted to call my credit card issuer and ask if they can do a chargeback from such a company making a charge, then failing to send the product.



What I'm curious about ... is the Digital Gift Card like a Visa Cash Card, or some kind of Anovos gift certificate that can only be used on their site?

I'm surprised that no one (?) has complained to the Federal Trade Commission about illegal trade practices (taking money, refusing to send product, refusing to provide refund).

Just an ANOVOS voucher. And see my reply above regarding how useful it is. Literally can't even give it away for free, lol.