XM Studios 1/4 Star Wars Darth Maul - Page 29

built2shred · 02-09-2019, 03:42 PM

Out of curiosity I sent a message directly to XM about the issue, basically I just got a boiler plate response saying to fill out a form.... You have 4 options.

Bought it from an official XM retailer (within licensed area) - They will take care of the issue for you.

Bought it directly from XM website, XM will take care of any issue for you.

Bought it from a private seller (someone who buys it for you in Singapore and then ships it to you).. XM views this like buying an item on Ebay, so your only recourse is dealing with the seller, the original buyer will have to contact XM for a replacement and then you'll have to discuss the shipping costs with them.

You can pay XM to fix your problem (any country) and they will fix or replace the part for you. But again you have to pay them for the service of fixing it and shipping it to you.

In the response XM didn't mention anything about the issue they have with boxing that part that keeps breaking on people... Basically they're pulling a SS standard response. Never admit anything

Anyways that's the risk you take with buying grey market statues. If your going to buy them, I would get them from Speculative Fiction since he takes care of his customers... anyone else and It can be a gamble.

They also mentioned they make replacement parts in their workshop and not the factory... and since it's from scratch it can take several months for a replacement.

GaryTonge · 02-09-2019, 06:54 PM

Got notice from my rep that XM has reinforced the packaging in the area in question. Should be shipping to me next weekend!

WEIRDO 1 SHINOB · 02-09-2019, 07:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aa909

you think filming the delivery of the last 10 ft makes a difference? That box has been thrown, dropped, kicked and flipped 100 times before the final delivery guy even gets his hands on it. It has to be able to withstand far worse than what you described.

Of course /filming the last 10 ft makes a difference, especially when valuable items are being delivered. Beside your items being damaged, some people have the nerve to steal your packages in other instances. I was just saying it was a good idea. To each their own.

Yes, the box can be flipped, thrown or dropped in transit, but at least I have actual proof. I have had a previous argument with a delivery company where damage occurred to the item and they said they were not responsible. When this guy dropped my container with the Darth Maul statue, do you know if that may have caused the damage or not? Of course you don't and more than likely it is still XM Studios lack of protective measure, but if you can claim some of that loss from the delivery company, go ahead I say.

By the way, you talk about the package being able to withstand far worse, too bad XM did not follow through with testing their new protective measures. It doesn't need to be mishandled a hundred times, just that one time can mess up your day.

WEIRDO 1 SHINOB · 02-09-2019, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by built2shred

Anyways that's the risk you take with buying grey market statues. If your going to buy them, I would get them from Speculative Fiction since he takes care of his customers... anyone else and It can be a gamble.

Built2shred, have you ever ordered from Hero's Collectables out of Texas I believe? If anyone else have, are they good to deal with?

They also mentioned they make replacement parts in their workshop and not the factory... and since it's from scratch it can take several months for a replacement.

Oh man, if I do get a replacement part I hope the wait time is shorter. This has been a big eye opener for sure. Good luck to the rest of people that ordered this piece.

slickrick · 02-09-2019, 08:02 PM

I never worried about breakages, unless it was major, but broken pieces of capes doesn't phase me. I may the only collector of my kind, but when I get a broken piece, I just glue it back or modify on my own. I'm just weird like that. I just finished breaking apart XM hulkbuster's base and chiseled away the rock base that was taking space. Call me crazy!

built2shred · 02-09-2019, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GaryTonge

Got notice from my rep that XM has reinforced the packaging in the area in question. Should be shipping to me next weekend!

That's what they told me right before they shipped mine out... I'm not sure XM is aware that their "fix" is not working..

Hopefully they added more then just a couple of Styrofoam pieces around the cape area.. because that's all they did for mine and it still broke.

Quote:

Originally Posted by slickrick

I never worried about breakages, unless it was major, but broken pieces of capes doesn't phase me. I may the only collector of my kind, but when I get a broken piece, I just glue it back or modify on my own. I'm just weird like that. I just finished breaking apart XM hulkbuster's base and chiseled away the rock base that was taking space. Call me crazy!

If you have the skills more power to ya.... but most collectors don't have the skills to fix things smoothly..

Quote:

Originally Posted by WEIRDO 1 SHINOB

Built2shred, have you ever ordered from Hero's Collectables out of Texas I believe? If anyone else have, are they good to deal with?

I haven't personally but there are few members on the freaks forum that have, I know of two people who received broken Darth Mauls from Hero's Collectables so will see what happens..

Like I mentioned early, the issue isn't if XM will replace the parts, I'm 100% positive they will, the issue is who pays for the shipping.... Will XM make a smaller box for the broken part so it costs less to ship or since it's all part of the lower half of the statue will they have to ship out a whole new statue which means another roughly $300 in shipping costs... for several years it was a non-issue as XM has been solid with their shipping box designs but lately they haven't had that 100% success rate

Putting shipping costs aside, the other issue is, do you really want to wait 7-10 months for a replacement part.. that's one of the risks doing business with XM if you get a broken statue.... and given for most of us who don't live in the licensed area, is it worth it when your paying $1000-$1500 for a statue.

I personally think XM is screwed if collectors decide to stop buying statues outside of the license area as I suspect many of XM sales are grey market sales through 3rd parties...

built2shred · 02-09-2019, 08:27 PM

I went ahead and did my own little fix...

With normal lighting and viewing distance you really can't see the break.... but with a light on the statue and close up you can see the crack... Once I put in the display case nobody will see it as you can't see his backside in the case but it's still annoying knowing it's there on a fairly expensive statue.

Iko Iko · 02-09-2019, 09:04 PM

Nice job on the fix. It is hard to notice if you aren't looking for it.

GaryTonge · 02-09-2019, 10:06 PM

My guy held off on mine for a while even though it was ready to ship a month ago. I hope all goes well!

Mepaphoros · 02-09-2019, 10:32 PM

There is no way I wouldn't return this if I paid top dollar. You guys should really return all of these, make the company pay!