Would you pre-order from eFx?

[planet]

I have never ordered from them myself just read a lot of posts and am very cautious who I buy things from .
But when a small replica company takes in a ton of orders and gets way behind how do they ever catch up ? The only way you can get back to even with orders is stop taking them . Thats where some other replica companies made big mistakes keep taking in the cash and orders when you know your never going to produce it.

if people are getting orders they should post they did maybe it will help others not worry.
or show they are trying .

 

[Funky]

if people are getting orders they should post they did maybe it will help others not worry.
or show they are trying .

Customers shouldn't have to run damage control. That is the company's responsibility.

 

[h3pilot]

Funky Jedi,
Are you really posting from a Commodore 64?
That was my first computer.

 

[Alan Castillo]

Armando, that's what, the third time you've been asked ? :lol

 

[h3pilot]

I have never ordered from them myself just read a lot of posts and am very cautious who I buy things from .
But when a small replica company takes in a ton of orders and gets way behind how do they ever catch up ? The only way you can get back to even with orders is stop taking them . Thats where some other replica companies made big mistakes keep taking in the cash and orders when you know your never going to produce it.

if people are getting orders they should post they did maybe it will help others not worry.
or show they are trying .

I'm not aware of anyone having problems ordering items that eFx has on the shelf.
They have successfully delivered many products.
Some pre-order items have been delayed, but I think all have been eventually delivered. (somebody correct me if I'm wrong)

I pre-ordered a X-Wing direct from eFx, got it, and like it. I honestly can't remember if there was a delay. There have been delays on the Vader Legend helmet, but it is finally supposed to ship from China this month according the eFx site. They actually posted an update on it
Though the silence on the TIE has been disconcerting.

 

[Apollo]

Oh I agree the communication should be way better.

When these threads pop up the usual suspects show up and **** and moan when they don't even have a order with them. :rolleyes

Again it really is simple, if you do not like the way they do business don't buy from them.

It may not be good for efx but the consumer then will have spoken.

I don't really see that happening though from what I know.

Is it bashing to point out legitimate concerns regarding communication? If this were, 'they haven't responded in 24 hours to my requests for more information' then yeah you might have a point. But if it's true people have been sending emails to the company, and they have received no response in 1+ years, and the last public communication was 5 months ago, then yes, I think there is valid concerns to be addressed.

And your point about not doing business with them if you don't like the way they do business, well, when enough people do that they go out of business, see the concern from a business perspective?

 

[Apollo]

Umm no it is simply the truth, sorry if you don't like it or agree with it. :unsure

Again, if you don't like the way they do business, don't buy from them, wait untill Redford films or another company has the item you want in stock ready to ship.

efx is very aware of all the threads trust me.

This type of attitude is stupid and childish. :rolleyes

We want eFX to succeed as a company, which is why we are voicing our concerns over the lack of communication & customer service. If we didn't like eFX, nobody would complain and the company will just die out because of these business practices. :behave

 

[Apollo]

Don't let Funky fool ya!

He is the biggest closeted efx fan on this forum! :lol

 

[defstartrooper]

No i would not pre-order from eFX or any other company.

As for asking for updates on their site whats the point ?
They put the pre-orders up before they've even done the logistics and found out if they can produce and deliver the product within budget margins.
I'm guessing they just pull a figure out of their ass that they think the public will be happy to pay and then go trawling round China to find someone who can make it and make it cheap.
Seriously prop companies seem to be the most backward companies in the world.

They don't set any timeframes, now i dunno about you but if i'm getting product manufactured i want it made and delivered on a set date, not when the factory can get round to it which seems to be the norm in the prop world.

eFX took pre-orders on the Vader helmets months before they even had an approved sample in hand, how can it take months just to produce a sample ? who they got making them JB ?
What would have happened if the factory couldn't produce a satisfactory product ? just add another 6 month delay on the delivery while you get another factory to have a go ?
Again most companies tend to gotten past the R+D phase of a product before they put it up for sale, but not prop companies.

Then when they do deliver updates it's never good news, the reason is because they've been telling you from the start they're going to make this thing the dogs wotsits, but then update months later with news that it's not actually gonna be the same as they originally said ( read as cutting corners and going for cheaper manufacturing materials and labour )

I'n truth they don't update their sites or make regular newsletters with progress updates because they have no clue what the hell they're doing from one day to the next, they don't plan ahead they work on the fly.

 

[KaanE]

I have to agree with defstartrooper. The only prop company I would preorder from is Anovos, which gives you an ETA which they usually, if not always, accomplish.

 

[Clutch]

how can it take months just to produce a sample ? who they got making them JB ?

:lol :lol :lol

 

[Apollo]

Anovos does costumes not props, and they were taken to task for their Tos Command Tunic being late with no updates

The only prop company I would preorder from is Anovos, which gives you an ETA which they usually, if not always, accomplish.

 

[BoboFatt]

1. I think we can all agree eFX can do a better job of communication
2. I think we all can agree eFX has nice products for it's target group
3. I have posted a comment previously that explains the delays
4. I have posted a comment that explains why no updates have been received as late
5. In Bryan's post he apologized
6. In Bryan's post he explained there will be more updates soon
7. Bryan is aware of your concerns


Anything else at this point is overkill. If you still have issues, then don't do business with them. That is not a childish comment, it's common sense. It's ironic that someone thinks that is childish when half the posts here reek of "are we there yet, are we there yet, are we there yet"...."I want an Oompa Loompa now!"

 

[Davard74]

This isn't eFX, but I pre-ordered the Tron Lightcycle in late 2010.

Sam Flynn with Light Cycle Collectible Figure Set - Hot Toys - SideshowCollectibles.com#

It's been delayed a few times. It was supposed to ship in late 2011 I think, then in early 2012, currently it is May 2012. Which is now, so just have to wait and see.

Obviously SideShow is a far larger company than eFx, having many other manufactures products on their site other than them selves. Just goes to show though, eFx isn't the only one that have delays. Happens to everyone.

 

[streetjudge79]

Never again for me. No communication on the Luke helmet, no updates for like a year. Just unacceptable.

 

[Alan Castillo]

....
Obviously SideShow is a far larger company than eFx, having many other manufactures products on their site other than them selves. Just goes to show though, eFx isn't the only one that have delays. Happens to everyone.

And therein is a crux of the matter.

Perceived solvency relaxes the consumer. When someone is relatively small, frequent communication is even more important with large amounts of cash in the balance.

 

[KaanE]

Anovos does costumes not props, and they were taken to task for their Tos Command Tunic being late with no updates

At least they send updates every month and yes, they make props too, like pins and patches.

 

[Funky]

Don't let Funky fool ya!

He is the biggest closeted efx fan on this forum! :lol

:lol you are correct, sir. I AM a big fan of their products, again, I'm not contesting that. When they finally get something out it's awesome. My "complaining" is solely with their lousy customer service and
total disregard for their customer base concerning communication. Then to allow threads like these to exist (on forums they belong to!) and not address the issues. I mean, wow. Any new (potential) customer reading this may decide to stay far,far away from EFX.

 

[Lichtbringer]

1. I think we can all agree eFX can do a better job of communication
2. I think we all can agree eFX has nice products for it's target group
3. I have posted a comment previously that explains the delays
4. I have posted a comment that explains why no updates have been received as late
5. In Bryan's post he apologized
6. In Bryan's post he explained there will be more updates soon
7. Bryan is aware of your concerns


Anything else at this point is overkill. If you still have issues, then don't do business with them. That is not a childish comment, it's common sense. It's ironic that someone thinks that is childish when half the posts here reek of "are we there yet, are we there yet, are we there yet"...."I want an Oompa Loompa now!"

I beg your pardon, but all that is nonsense.

It´s a company, not a guy in the basement. At least they want to be. "Not feeling well" is no legetimate excuse in business things. If you are that small and without a second plan when somethings happens - stay away from other peoples money until you have a product.

Sure, it´s only a prop-company, safe in their little market-niche, due to the license-policy, but if it would be real company in a real market with real competitors - they would be dead very soon.

 

[Kerr Avon]

Any new (potential) customer reading this may decide to stay far,far away from EFX.

It's making me seriously rethink ordering a Captain shield. :unsure