Any update on QMX's Mal's gun?

[Qui-Gonzalez]

I'm just curious over your motivation, micdavis. The whole premise of this forum is replica props. The building, owning, trading, and general acquisition of said replicas. If this board has not been shut down by now, what makes you think one person buying one replica would do it?

I am curious, do you own only licensed replicas? If not, using your rationale, you are stepping on the toes of license holders such as Icons, MR, Sideshow and any others. I would lay odds that if we look back in your post history, we would see you buying replicas from the JY. So, why bang the drum on one person, then continue to be so derisive?

 

[androidandy]

It is true that doing things the legitimate way is a whole lot harder. Ask anybody who has done any home repairs with or without zoning compliance. Also to give QMx some more credit to the fact that theirs will be built up and not a kit. As well as the fact that licensed props always hold their value better because there is a more accurate knowledge of their limited production and perceived added value. This is no excuse, just trying to give credit where it is due, And perhaps protect those who supposedly might be taking away their profit.

Also, Sid did not step on any toes here, because he did not post here. I apologize if I stepped over any line by mentioning it. It was general knowledge on at least two or three other prop boards.

This could all be meaningless once they (QMx) start to produce and sell the actual props though. Pictures of the new prototypes would go a long way to keep their buyers interested. Hint Hint

 

[KidL]

Soooooo... Any updates on the QMX Mal Pistol?

 

[Gytheran]

Damn guys... get pissed at QmX and take it out on anyone who may be misinterpreted as supporting them? Do you have nothing better to do?

Yes, licenses have special treatetment here. I believe that started with MR and continues to be the case. You may not like it, but so f'ing what?. It's the way it works here.

You don't step on the license's toes as if you try to burn them, they can undoubtedly burn you more. Ever hear of a C&D? Ask GF, AA or various others if it is wise to flaunt your wares openly.

Sidkit, while it may be nice, is absolutely stepping on the toes of the License. It may represent a different version of the weapon, but to the general public, it really doesn't matter, does it? It derives from the same property and will detract from the sales QmX could have... assuming they make the gun at some point...


Personally, I liked the 'noob' comment. It's my kind of sarcasm. :lol
It doesn't matter how long you think you've been here. The ignorance present in the post to which the 'noob' comment was made shows you haven't been here long enough.

The 501st operates under the graces of GL. If GL wished to shut it down, he could. He doesn't for various reasons.

Fanmade replicas are 'bootlegs' because that is what it means to be a bootleg... illegal. Licensed replicas are "authentic" because th copyright hold has given them the permission to recreate the work. It's really not that hard to understand.

If QmX bought out the SidKit replicas, you think that would hurt Sidkit at all? Not in the slightest. You then have a situation where the licensee is supporting the illegal competition of their own product. It makes no sense and would never happen.

You fly under the rader to avoid situations like AA and LFL. It's not thinking inside the box, it's called trying to cover your ass and would be the wise thing to do.

 

[franz bolo]

Sidkit, while it may be nice, is absolutely stepping on the toes of the License. It may represent a different version of the weapon, but to the general public, it really doesn't matter, does it? It derives from the same property and will detract from the sales QmX could have... assuming they make the gun at some point...

Didn't Phillipes, a member here, make a version also? Where does his gun fit in? I think it went for $1,600 or close to it.
FB

 

[exoray]

Fanmade replicas are 'bootlegs' because that is what it means to be a bootleg... illegal. Licensed replicas are "authentic" because th copyright hold has given them the permission to recreate the work.

Ironic when the licensed gun in question is actually an unlicensed (tweaked) bootleg of Fox's prop, isn't it?

The simple fact is that the two guns in question are from two unique studios, from two unique productions and are themselves two unique props with respective ownership of rights from two parties...

 

[Qui-Gonzalez]

Damn guys... get pissed at QmX and take it out on anyone who may be misinterpreted as supporting them? Do you have nothing better to do?

Yes, licenses have special treatetment here. I believe that started with MR and continues to be the case. You may not like it, but so f'ing what?. It's the way it works here.

You don't step on the license's toes as if you try to burn them, they can undoubtedly burn you more. Ever hear of a C&D? Ask GF, AA or various others if it is wise to flaunt your wares openly.

Sidkit, while it may be nice, is absolutely stepping on the toes of the License. It may represent a different version of the weapon, but to the general public, it really doesn't matter, does it? It derives from the same property and will detract from the sales QmX could have... assuming they make the gun at some point...


Personally, I liked the 'noob' comment. It's my kind of sarcasm. :lol
It doesn't matter how long you think you've been here. The ignorance present in the post to which the 'noob' comment was made shows you haven't been here long enough.

The 501st operates under the graces of GL. If GL wished to shut it down, he could. He doesn't for various reasons.

Fanmade replicas are 'bootlegs' because that is what it means to be a bootleg... illegal. Licensed replicas are "authentic" because th copyright hold has given them the permission to recreate the work. It's really not that hard to understand.

If QmX bought out the SidKit replicas, you think that would hurt Sidkit at all? Not in the slightest. You then have a situation where the licensee is supporting the illegal competition of their own product. It makes no sense and would never happen.

You fly under the rader to avoid situations like AA and LFL. It's not thinking inside the box, it's called trying to cover your ass and would be the wise thing to do.

Well, here we go again. There are only a few people who suck up and eat whatever a licensee dishes out. Those few want to give "special treatment" to a licensee. So, no, that is NOT how it is. I don't see them being treated any more or less special than any other crafter here. If they produce garbage, or don't produce anything other than hot air, they get called to task on it.

Again, where were QMx's toes stepped on? They weren't. Buyers are unhappy with "We can't tell you anything" and "We won't use the RPF as our sounding board". Hell, many of the buyers ARE RPFers. So, QMx is stepping on the toes, not the buyers stepping on his toes. People want their items when they pay for them, or are willing to wait for a reasonable amount of time. I am not buying unless you have it on hand. My money is NOT some promissory note you can use to fund whatever you choose. It is to get my product out when you get my money. Simple as that. This just seems a case of borrowing from Peter to pay Paul.

Not one person here is arguing that replicas are bootlegs, so why go on that tangent? Nothing said here would hurt the RPF. That was the point micdavis was trying (and failing) to seem like was happening. "Oh no, you bought a bootleg replica and bragged about it on a bootleg replica forum!" That is sarcasm. It has been going on for close to a decade here. Big whup.

 

[defstartrooper]

Sidkit, while it may be nice, is absolutely stepping on the toes of the License. It may represent a different version of the weapon, but to the general public, it really doesn't matter, does it? It derives from the same property and will detract from the sales QmX could have... assuming they make the gun at some point...

I dissagree with that there are many many cases of unlicensed props being openly sold and are spoken of on this board where there are also licensed versions available.
Surely the majority of people dropping $250 on a replica are buying it because they are a fan not just a casual observer buying something because it looks pretty?
That of course is a matter of conjecture the fact though is the prop is a different prop.
Will these replicas affect QMx sales ? doubtful the QMx replica is a limited run i doubt they will have too much problem selling all of the units when they eventually produce them.
So i still don't see how this is treading on anyones toes.

 

[Noeland]

Forgive me if I missed them, I searched the forum and didn't see anything. Are there any updates on when Mal's gun will finally ship? I can't find anything on their blog. Are we looking at the 3rd quarter of 07 now?

I'm not trying to be a smart ass, but did this question EVER get answered? By anyone? Ever?

 

[Qui-Gonzalez]

I'm not trying to be a smart ass, but did this question EVER get answered? By anyone? Ever?

Steve from QMx popped in on another thread and had, as I recall from Blad, 1300+ words with no definitive ship dates. It's still up in the air and no real word from the QMx people has been said. That is as far as I know it.

 

[Noeland]

That's what I was afraid of.

Argue the merits of license, and the quality of sidkit all day long, but the fact remains:

That question needs a simple, definitive answer or QMX needs to scrap the project and move on.

Nothing else matters.

 

[Entropy]

The simple answer is that they do not have a firm production schedule yet and therefore can not give a projected ship date. I'm sure they will announce one as soon as they have one. I believe they are still shooting for 3rd quarter, though.

 

[Blad]

The simple answer is that they do not have a firm production schedule yet and therefore can not give a projected ship date. I'm sure they will announce one as soon as they have one. I believe they are still shooting for 3rd quarter, though.

I''m sorry Entropy but Steve himself has said twice that the Mal guns were "In production, in both the US and China". Once before Christmas, the version that had quality issues and lost them six-months.

He said three months ago that they were in full production again. If they were in full-production three months ago in the US, then why haven't we seen even a single one?

If the update is to be believed it's going to be another three months before shipping.

Does anyone really believe that a serious prop company can exist on the sales of two paper props and a handfull of rings for what will be well over a year?

2000 (?) money packs @ $20
150 rings @ $200
750 blueprints @ $99
Total (approximate) sales $144,250

Using Steve's own words the margins have been cut on pure production costs, but assuming it's 100% markup QMX have survived on approx $75,000 for almost a year.

Paying everyone's salary, rent, license fees, coffee etc. on $75,000. According to Steve, pre-payments are kept in escrow. I know they have financing, but the money-men don't invest out of the goodness of their hearts, they want paying back with interest!

If you look at the bottom of our forum you'll see that QMX have even disappeared as an Affiliate. That could be at the request of Steve, in which case it's a big finger in the air to us all. Or it could be Mods. protecting us..........

I'm afraid that whatever goodwill QMX had by being 'friends' of the RPF is rapidly evaporating.

 

[Entropy]

I''m sorry Entropy but Steve himself has said twice that the Mal guns were "In production, in both the US and China". Once before Christmas, the version that had quality issues and lost them six-months.

He said three months ago that they were in full production again. If they were in full-production three months ago in the US, then why haven't we seen even a single one?

My post wasn't a criticism or an endorsement of QMx, it was just a regurgitation of what I received from QMx customer service this week. I'm not even going to try to evaluate whether or not it conflicts with information previously received, it is simply what I have heard most recently from some kind of an official source.

 

[Blad]

OK, so I guess it's whether anyone's trusting enough to believe the latest propaganda.

 

[Qui-Gonzalez]

Completely unrelated to the topic at hand; Blad, your avatar is a bit disturbing. It skeeres me!

 

[androidandy]

It is true that doing things the legitimate way is a whole lot harder. Ask anybody who has done any home repairs with or without zoning compliance. Also to give QMx some more credit to the fact that theirs will be built up and not a kit. As well as the fact that licensed props always hold their value better because there is a more accurate knowledge of their limited production and perceived added value. This is no excuse, just trying to give credit where it is due, And perhaps protect those who supposedly might be taking away their profit.

Also, Sid did not step on any toes here, because he did not post here. I apologize if I stepped over any line by mentioning it. It was general knowledge on at least two or three other prop boards.

This could all be meaningless once they (QMx) start to produce and sell the actual props though. Pictures of the new prototypes would go a long way to keep their buyers interested. Hint Hint

My first post sounded all wrong so I edited it.

I would also like to add that the continual posts of the prototypes and factory assembly of the OffWorld Blade Runner gun helped a few of us stay the course(and later buy a second) in their preorders even though they were months late as well. At this point a lack of info will only encourage more preorders to cancel and assume the worst about the company. I think the best course of action would be to show some trust to the community here to regain trust from us. Any politician knows the value of the press, and the fatality of sticking to a bad plan of action.

And by the way Blad your avatar does make me dizzy as well. I LOVE it

 

[Blad]

Thanks Qui-Gonzalez & Androidandy for the avatar comments, I'd better make it clear that it isn't me but Jeremy Clarkson BBC Top Gear presenter http://www.topgear.com/
Filmed while driving a[SIZE=-1] McLaren-Mercedes SLR in a 'boat vs car' race between London & Oslo.




[/SIZE]

 

[Noeland]

The simple answer is that they do not have a firm production schedule yet and therefore can not give a projected ship date.

Well, that's not the simple answer, it's the obvious excuse. I don't blame a company for using an excuse to explain away problems to potential customers.

But there must be a deeper problem going on, because time is clicking by with not even the promised prototype production pictures getting posted.

There is such a thing as "consumer confidence" and it can be lost thorugh problems and bad attitudes. :confused

 

[Darbycrash]

Well, that's not the simple answer, it's the obvious excuse. I don't blame a company for using an excuse to explain away problems to potential customers.

But there must be a deeper problem going on, because time is clicking by with not even the promised prototype production pictures getting posted.

There is such a thing as "consumer confidence" and it can be lost thorugh problems and bad attitudes. :confused

Plus how do they expect to make money on all the new products. When they still haven't delivered their main offering yet.