Done with EFX/Who is Ep7 Prop Licensee?????

[Lichtbringer]

^^ Yes, I am getting tired of all this pre-order crap.

It´s pretty easy - just don´t buy anything preorder.

If everyone would do it that way, the companies would be forced to stop that way of doing business.

 

[jkno]

To be fair to Anovos they are a reasonably new company and time will tell on whether they deliver and in what timescales.

eFX have been on the go since 2007 and have a track record of taking deposits and payment and customers waiting for what can only be described as unreasonable times for products.

I bought the eFX Studio Scale Red 5 X Wing and at the time of paying was told that there was going to be multiple shipping options available to the UK. Due to delays on the X Wing as a show of good faith they shipped all US X Wings free. They never stayed true to their word on shipping options to the UK they just sent them out at the highest insured shipping rates and charged my credit card. By the time I got the X Wing it cost me almost double what a US buyer would have paid. I wouldn't have been so hacked off if it wasn't for the promise of various shipping options given prior to me paying which never happened.

I have bought other eFX items since and believe myself to be very patient as a customer but the legend Biker Scout Legend I ordered might just be the last time I use them.

I cannot and will not ever question the level of quality or commitment from eFX on making a good product but they should concentrate on getting one or two items out instead of having a big stand full of multiple teaser items that will take years to produce.

Don't get me wrong I am still really looking forward to the Biker Scout but the longer it goes the more tainted it becomes for me.

Since shipping has been brought up I can say it happened to me and other international customers as well. I got my TIE Fighter from a local distributor thankfully. But for Legend Vader EFX offered the shipping through FedEx only as you can see in the screenshot I took back then:



I'm curious what insane fan would have paid $700 for shipping (unless the box would have been beamed directly in my house with Natalie Portman next to it ), then to the grand total (helmet cost + shipping cost), you'd add 24% VAT and customs charges. At the same time BBTS and Razor's Edge (and other shops) were shipping Vader LE's with $150 by Priority Mail with tracking number (it would have arrived 2 days later than thru greedy FedEx). Yeah, EFX has a lot of care and respect for international customers too.

Supposedly the Trek Props Anovos has on display right now are fan made kits

I think you mean Star Wars. From what I know their Star Trek uniforms are being made for some time already

 

[Apollo]

No I mean STAR TREK, specifically, the Phaser rifle and dolphin phaser being shown at Comic con

 

[Lichtbringer]

No I mean STAR TREK, specifically, the Phaser rifle and dolphin phaser being shown at Comic con

Being displayed as products to come? Or maybe just as decoration for their ST suits and regarding stuff? All the ST stuff in their shop is for the costumes, only the QMX-Pgaser is a exception.

 

[Mara Jade's Father]

Being displayed as products to come? Or maybe just as decoration for their ST suits and regarding stuff? All the ST stuff in their shop is for the costumes, only the QMX-Pgaser is a exception.

Apparently products to come from Anovos by their 11 July Facebook post:

A couple of fans checking out our prototype phaser rifles at San Diego Comic-Con International. Make sure you are subscribed to our newsletter for updates on availability! bitly.com/anovosnews ‪#‎ANOVOS‬ ‪#‎StarTrek‬‪#‎SDCC‬

 

[Mara Jade's Father]

It´s pretty easy - just don´t buy anything preorder.

If everyone would do it that way, the companies would be forced to stop that way of doing business.

The problem with that is fans fear the quick sell out. It has happened before. Not to mention special exclusives that are very limited such as extra items with sideshow items and the biker scout pistol with the legends edition helmet.

Now, I myself have fought off those fears for the most part. I either take my chances till items are in stock or order via a retailer who does not charge your card till items ships and no penalty for canceling orders.

But now Anovos has raised the need to preorder by offering Tier Pricing. Ordering early leads to substance like savings. And for some people, that savings is a big deal for being able to afford that item(s).

 

[jkno]

No I mean STAR TREK, specifically, the Phaser rifle and dolphin phaser being shown at Comic con

I understand, I missed the Props from your message. Because most of the Star Trek suits and costumes are ready to buy on their site.

 

[Lichtbringer]

The problem with that is fans fear the quick sell out. It has happened before. Not to mention special exclusives that are very limited such as extra items with sideshow items and the biker scout pistol with the legends edition helmet.

Well, in that case they shall preorder if they think they need to, but don´t start whining later. They know the risc, they get what they asked for.

.

But now Anovos has raised the need to preorder by offering Tier Pricing. Ordering early leads to substance like savings. And for some people, that savings is a big deal for being able to afford that item(s).

It´s OK to do that, as long as they ship around the estimated and said shipping date from the date they offered the product and picked up the money. They said Winter, we will see. As posted above a few months delay would be OK with me, but winter 2016 or later wouldn´t.

 

[Wes R]

But that practice is nothing new. Aren't most the items shown from fan-made private collections? I know MR did the same thing.

That Falcon has been in development since 2009. http://www.efxcollectibles.com/c-24-istar-warsi-in-development.aspx

I don't want to bust on them for the lack of items/production this past year because as far as I know, they might have been busy with Star Wars: TFA items and they are not allowed to talk about them. I have no idea if that is true, but I have to remind myself, I am an outsider.

I think pre-orders are a big problem in this hobby. I rather them not take orders/money till they items were in stock or the items were far enough in the process that a realistic shipping date could be made.

It's not just this hobby, preorders are getting to be a hot topic in every hobby as people think it leads to quality going down as the company has gotten the cash and can be lazy.

 

[Mara Jade's Father]

Well, in that case they shall preorder if they think they need to, but don´t start whining later. They know the risc, they get what they asked for.

But do you think that risk is justified? We are not talking about buying penis enlargement pills from a guy on Craig's List (not falling for that a fourth time). We are talking about a company licensed by LFL/Disney and has roots here on this board who are very aware of the history collectors have had with various sellers in the past. As consumers, we should be able to pay for goods and have them delivered at a promised date. And in a rare occurrence a product cannot be delivered on time, they should notify those who ordered it as soon as they are aware of the issue.

It´s OK to do that, as long as they ship around the estimated and said shipping date from the date they offered the product and picked up the money. They said Winter, we will see. As posted above a few months delay would be OK with me, but winter 2016 or later wouldn´t.

But that's the issue these companies are having.

 

[Lichtbringer]

No, i don´t think the risk is justified. LFL/Disney should punish companies like EFX very hard to make them to fulfill the accepted orders, or drive them out of the business. Maybe people should complain about them to Disney on a regular basis, to make them definately know how pissed people are with one of their licensees.

In Anovos case - nice to see them holding contact to their customers, Regarding the delivery, we will see.

 

[Tom1971]

No, i don´t think the risk is justified. LFL/Disney should punish companies like EFX very hard to make them to fulfill the accepted orders, or drive them out of the business. Maybe people should complain about them to Disney on a regular basis, to make them definately know how pissed people are with one of their licensees.

In Anovos case - nice to see them holding contact to their customers, Regarding the delivery, we will see.

Amen.

What I will go to my grave not understanding is the lack of communication and website update. I have talked to Bryan. He is a smart guy and actually really fun to talk to. I say that because for the most part I hate talking on the phone and I could have talked to him all day. We made fun of Gino and all the crazy fans, some of who try to use 17 different credit cards to pay for a Vader.

I don't get how you can tackle the logistics of getting something like a helmet made, boxed, shipped, have it turn out AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!! and completely blow it on something as simple as communication.

If you look through these threads the number one complaint in most cases is the lack of communication. To fix that is free and takes a few minutes. Why EFX,..Why??????????

If they would just do that they would solve most the complaints. Then you just have the long delay complaints which are very valid but not nearly as numerous as the lack of communication complaints.

I mean the SDCC was the last straw for me. No updates and a bunch of stuff they will never make. How long have we seen that RMQ Stormy, where is the 4' Star Destroyer, how is that ESB Boba coming along???? Darn that Obi Reveal saber would be nice.


They know we are not happy with them and do nothing.

 

[eifion]

It's simply the lack of products and their excruciatingly slow development that kills it for me, not so much the poor comms.

 

[voice in the crowd]

When Efx first came on the scene, the first thing they put on sale was the LE Stormtrooper helmet. It was not a preorder, it was an actual sale. Helmets arrived on doorsteps soon after. I wish that was the standard practice for companies these days.

Yes they did have a product to start with but wasn't it an overlapped product made by Master Replicas so the tooling / production for the LE Stormtrooper was already done and tested wasn't it?

 

[DBoz]

Yes they did have a product to start with but wasn't it an overlapped product made by Master Replicas so the tooling / production for the LE Stormtrooper was already done and tested wasn't it?

That's my understanding as well.

 

[Apollo]

Upcoming Products, ie the Phaser rifle and dolphin phaser

Being displayed as products to come? Or maybe just as decoration for their ST suits and regarding stuff? All the ST stuff in their shop is for the costumes, only the QMX-Pgaser is a exception.

- - - Updated - - -

Not really, actually most of the costume replicas on Anovos are pre-order

I understand, I missed the Props from your message. Because most of the Star Trek suits and costumes are ready to buy on their site.

 

[Mara Jade's Father]

Yes they did have a product to start with but wasn't it an overlapped product made by Master Replicas so the tooling / production for the LE Stormtrooper was already done and tested wasn't it?

That's my understanding as well.

I don't care is a unicorn pooped the helmets out their butt. Point is;
pay>ship>receive = no complaint
pay>wait>wait>change ETA>wait>wait>change ETA>wait>wait>no comms...>no comms...>no comms... = complaint

To be clear, I never had an issue with quality of product from Efx or MR. I have always be extremely happy with my items. I also do not have an issue with how many items are offered within a certain amount of time. The Wand Company has done great work putting out quality items on schedule at once a year (and now they got two items this year). I actually like a regulated pace of offerings, especially if you are talking about LE items because funding becomes an issue.

 

[Mara Jade's Father]

In Anovos case - nice to see them holding contact to their customers, Regarding the delivery, we will see.

Love the Anovos guys but to be fair in this discussion items like the Solo holster went on pre-order last June, was suppose to be delivered fall of 2014. Currently the updated info on the website states delivery is planned late May 2015. Not sure if you aware, but it is now July 2015.

My hopes for Anovos is that once the first products actually hit the market, it will be like opening a flood gates and items will become readily available. There are a lot of items I want to buy both pre-ordered and future planned but there is no way I can afford to jump on so many early tiers for so many items offered in the past year. Although it has pained me, I had to limit myself to the solo holster and the Enterprise ball cap.

 

[Tom1971]

I don't care is a unicorn pooped the helmets out their butt. Point is;
pay>ship>receive = no complaint
pay>wait>wait>change ETA>wait>wait>change ETA>wait>wait>no comms...>no comms...>no comms... = complaint

To be clear, I never had an issue with quality of product from Efx or MR. I have always be extremely happy with my items. I also do not have an issue with how many items are offered within a certain amount of time. The Wand Company has done great work putting out quality items on schedule at once a year (and now they got two items this year). I actually like a regulated pace of offerings, especially if you are talking about LE items because funding becomes an issue.

Wow, that Unicorn would be worth a fortune. :lol

 

[niennumb1]

Out of pure principal, I am contemplating pulling out of my order, taking the $300 NRD loss just so I don't have to pay them over $600 more for the Legend I have on pre-order.

I do not support the way they choose to conduct business with people at all and have been regretting this since about 4 months ago with no new communications on anything, except one really lame update that was no step forward as to answering anyone's questions about what was going on.

I'm betting the Scout Trooper stuff is ready to go, but that they are running out of money from other projects they've started investing in, and they can't afford to start fulfilling orders. I don't truly know what is going on with the inner workings of this company, but I can only speculate that they funnel these pre-order monies into other things either pending or new, toss aside the projects the preorder money was purposed for, and then having a future preorder fund the completion of the next backed up production order.

It was interesting that not too long after the Scout Trooper pre-order happened that the Captain America shields started shipping. Merely observation and might be pure coincidence.

I do think these licensors should keep tabs on the integrity/follow through of the companies they grant their properties to. I would certainly want to make sure, if it was my property, that not only was the quality of the pieces high, but that their business model was sound and turnaround within reason.

Back to losing that deposit though. I REALLY don't want to just pull out of the deal having thrown $300 into it already. What I don't like though is just the way this company keeps thinking they can get away with doing this to people. The best way I could respond to that though is to stop letting money go inbound to support this ongoing practice.

I get it. YES, the end product is awesome. I know. There are others who will produce something just as good out there who actually give a damn about getting my business, though. I do not take kindly to any company that feels this entitlement that because they have a good product that people will just take it up the kaboose and let them be treated poorly. Some are completely fine with this because that's all they care about is (at some point in their life) will finally get what they ordered. Most have an issue with it though clearly.

I'd hate to lose $300 in thin air, but I'm also not crazy about giving the other $600 to them either.