Cyril99 Posted March 23, 2015 Posted March 23, 2015 @ wickedlemon, i just give my two cents, nothing more, If tomorrow Lego stop, the world will not collapse, they are so more important things than Lego/custom/bootlegs just share with you what they told me, And about the money i earned with them, no way to be shy, they worked with lego porducts, working with French pad printer... But, i'm not here to tell if it's good or not... @ a good fella, no one, and when i say no one, it's no one, can face bootleg company, If phoenix custom release his deathstroke, and two weeks after you can found it for 2 bucks, even if you buy the customer model, so many will not... If muddy river, christo or whatever still wants fighting, it's their choices, just let you know what NACM told me. No way to be sad, the business will still working, but can't still understand when guys like us love this Brand (Lego by the way), can still buy those kind of products and make the apology of those brands... I never saw my girlfriend, who loves fashion, buying false chanel bags just because she wants one... Again, only my two cents... Same here. I have one of each of their figures as well as the printed black Spiderman head and the Ghostbusters arms. If that was an attempt to make some people feel guilty then I really don't see the point. One or two people saying they were happy about Blackbolt being released?... I bet there's quite a few people here that don't even know he's been done by a customiser already and it's the people on this thread that have then mentioned that it's a rip of the NACM figure. I own around 70 Pad printed custom minifigures from the people mentioned by Goodfella above. The community that buys these premium customs will always be there regardless of the release of cheap bootlegs. I think most people here use bootlegs as a way of filling the gaps in their collection although some may be perfectly happy to have bootlegs in their collection rather than even official Lego. By the way... I never use resellers. I buy direct from the customisers. Why give the reseller a profit? Even if they sell them at the same price as the customiser why should I not just give that money to the people who make them? I think NACM stopping might have more to do with a cease and desist order from Marvel or DC as I know another customiser has had someone whisper a quiet word in his ear. Whether people like it or not the designs used by NACM and a lot of other customisers are owned by Lego and Marvel / DC. Even customisers who create completely unique designs are still infringing the intellectual property and likeness of a copyrighted character. Let's not start taking any kind of moral high ground here. Don't think you are like everyone ;-) I'm glad to see that you are a great customer, but i can confirm you, when a bootleg company put a copy of a customer product (who copy a Lego design) sales stop ! And don't tell me what i can say or not Im not here to judge anyone, if you feel guilty, it's your concern, not mine, As i told you, i just share what they told me nothing more, Now, everyone think what they want, i'm not telling you, or even, forcing you not buying bootleg, Everyone do what they want, but it's incredible, that talking in this topic, it's so impossible... Shameless... Well, still wish you a nice day guys, and hope that this issue will not be the first of many... (As usual, only my thoughts...)
agoodfella77 Posted March 23, 2015 Posted March 23, 2015 (edited) @ Cyril99 Well, in a sense, there is no point in arguing about bootlegs. This is a "genie" that is out of the bottle and it will not go back in. As I said, just because a copy of a design appears in the wild, does not mean that this should affect sales of the original design. As Robianco stated, many people who buy bootlegs have no idea that Black Bolt is NACM's design, just like they had no idea that eclipseGrafx was the original design for many Cyclops figs, Muddy River's Fantastic Four, etc., etc. Your girlfriend never buys fake Chanel bags because she appreciates true quality and is willing to pay for it. And in the same way, there are many customers of premium customs that appreciate true quality and are willing to pay for it. btw, there are TONS of Chanel bootlegs around the world. And guess what? Chanel's gross revenues last year was around $5 billion. I think they are doing pretty OK and I don't think that example is really helping your case. Let's not confuse those two things. Bootlegs copies =/= lower demand for premium customs. In fact, I would argue that they are more likely to: 1) raise the profile of the premium custom (e.g. "Who was the original maker?" -- for instance, now everyone in the thread knows who NACM is and that they made the Black Bolt design -- that's great promotion!); and 2) more people are likely to seek out the original custom (let's google "NACM" -- oh wow, look at all of those awesome premium customs -- maybe I'll save up and buy one of those one day -- and once they get more serious about collecting many will) i.e. your long run demand is likely to increase rather than decrease due to Bootlegs. Edited March 23, 2015 by agoodfella77
Cyril99 Posted March 23, 2015 Posted March 23, 2015 Hey my friend, As i told, i'm not here to be judge and lawyer, for or against bootleg, for or again custom makers, Just to share with you a news, and as i'm here, i can confirm you, they are not so many custom minifg buyer than you think If there were such a market, be sure there will be much more custom maker... They are too much people thinking that, phoenix, muddy river, NACM, christo earns plenty of money making customs, just be serious for a minute... They were doing it, for them first/the community after, and if they can earn a few, good. Finally, just for arguing my purpose, NACM got daredevil, bullesyes, and bolt copying, be sure, that Wasp will come soon, even if i dont agree with them to stop making custom, i can understand their reactions, things, that a few understand here (in my opinion...)
Robianco Posted March 23, 2015 Posted March 23, 2015 (edited) I actually think the western market for these bootlegs is very small compared to the original Asian market. The clamp down of the figures on eBay sellers is evident although new sellers pop up all the time. Everyone is entitled to their opinion and is free to state it... But I'll stand by my opinion that the custom market would still support premium figures... The presale of Phoenix figures sell out quickly and there is even a Christo figure at over $250 on eBay currently. Pad printed customs aren't cheap but they're worth it. I just think that DC and Marvel have started to take steps to lean on people and seeing as NACM have figures that are soon to feature in Marvel movies it wouldn't surprise me if they weren't close to being asked to remove them. Edited March 23, 2015 by Robianco
Cyril99 Posted March 23, 2015 Posted March 23, 2015 (edited) I just think that DC and Marvel have started to take steps to lean on people and seeing as NACM have figures that are soon to feature in Marvel movies it wouldn't surprise me if they weren't close to being asked to remove them. Robianco, Phoenix has released spiderman/GOTG figs Christo various DC/Marvel either Even if they will be some movies about Wasp/Panther, don't think the "main" issue comes from Marvel or DC Of course, they can play on the game, asking to close some website, but customers knows how to sell on others ways... No, in my opinion, there is more and more people ready to buy a 2 $ figs than a 30 one ! Chinese figs are more and more impressive, it's a fact, they are doing more and more characters, another facts, they are more and more available on ebay and other market place website (expect bricklink), and they are glorify on lego forum, so it's normal than they take markets parts. I understand your point of view, but as an actor of this marker, i can tell you, you just see the top of the iceberg... No one earn is life selling three custom figs per year... Edited March 23, 2015 by Cyril99
Robianco Posted March 23, 2015 Posted March 23, 2015 (edited) Well I know for a fact that DC have started to warn customisers off releasing figures and Marvel have started to become visible to them also. A very famous customiser pulled their most famous figures from general sale due to a word from the IP owners. I'm not saying it's the total reason for someone to get out of the game but it could be a persuading factor. I know someone who once had a visit from EMI's lawyers at his door for a 'chat' about the Beatles vinyl rips he was selling... told him that even Paul McCartney owned some of them but they couldn't have him selling them while they were about to release the remasters in 2009 so asked him nicely to stop for at least a year or two. Which he did. For a year to two until he just suddenly stopped again. Whether that was another visit from EMI or not I'm not sure but it happens. The digital custom producers put out far more product than any of the pad printing customisers so I'd have thought they'd be the first people being closed down... but they still seem to be going strong. Christo still sells every figure he puts on eBay and has regular business through his site as well as to resellers... Phoenix sell out of their pre-sale figures very quickly and are on second print runs of their figures... Muddy River are looking at their next figures... MH80 regularly sell... Fig nation are starting to expand their Batman pad printed range... Citizen Brick sell very well on their military and TV range... I'm sure these people sell more than one or two figures a year. I've even looked at having some designs printed up myself but the initial costs especially in the UK are prohibitive and as such I'm actually waiting on NACM to get back to me on a quote for the printing of a figure that I requested last week. Unfortunately any figure design that will be well received is probably copyrighted by Lego through their game designs or to a comic company... either way a customiser is infringing that copyright. You only have to look at how well received the designs for Deathstroke have been. By the way... on the luxury watch subject mentioned before... I own a Swiss watch made famous by a certain British secret agent... and no... I wouldn't buy a fake version... but I've also shown that I'd rather own a pad printed figure on genuine Lego parts over a Chinese bootleg too. Edited March 23, 2015 by Robianco
Borex Posted March 23, 2015 Posted March 23, 2015 It's sad to see them stop, they made nice figs. SY didnt copy someones galactus and hawkeye did they? So maybe they are trying to design more themselves? As what customizers concern, i think they customize mostly for themselfs (why would you make a minifig that you dont want yourself?) or am i wrong? Maybe their interests shifted? Or is it really because of the bootleggers?
Robianco Posted March 23, 2015 Posted March 23, 2015 I think the Hawkeye may have been used in a render by Mnap73 on Flickr but not produced as a figure. Not sure about the Galactus. Ironically... it's actually this render they used: Notice what's been added as a watermark!
Robianco Posted March 23, 2015 Posted March 23, 2015 Yeah... I know. Ironically I also know that Mike and other members on there who had previously been very anti bootleg actually bought the Thing bigfig. If the right product is there then people will buy it.
Robianco Posted March 23, 2015 Posted March 23, 2015 I've just had confirmation that my SY210 set has been sent so fingers crossed the tracking starts to work!
Amset-Rah Posted March 24, 2015 Posted March 24, 2015 My Phoenix came in just the other day and aside from a bit of enthusiastic printing on her normal face (It's a bit thicker), she's spot on. My Sheng Yuan Fantastic 4 set shipped last week so I'm expecting it to show up soon and I'm hoping that Thing will grow on me. I still prefer Decool's version, but SY's Thing looks like a recolored Solomon Grundy.
soltari007 Posted March 24, 2015 Posted March 24, 2015 My Phoenix came in just the other day and aside from a bit of enthusiastic printing on her normal face (It's a bit thicker), she's spot on. My Sheng Yuan Fantastic 4 set shipped last week so I'm expecting it to show up soon and I'm hoping that Thing will grow on me. I still prefer Decool's version, but SY's Thing looks like a recolored Solomon Grundy. I got SY's F4 and DC's Future Foundation, and I think the SY version is mostly better.. Dc's Thing has a better design but it's a tad too bright orange, while Human Torch "flame on" mode is awesome!!!
Sabbath Posted March 24, 2015 Posted March 24, 2015 I personally mixed and matched. Decool's Thing with white shorts sits with my Decool Future Foundation, while Decool blue shorts sits with my SY Fantastic 4. SY's Thing sits in a draw unloved but safe from reselling. Anyone else buy that MOC S.H.I.E.L.D. Bike? Got instructions? I've got none and the guy's offline. His chat says online but it's just an autoreply bot.
Amset-Rah Posted March 24, 2015 Posted March 24, 2015 I don't mind the bright orange, since I'm more akin to the comics/cartoons and that reminds me of that look, but different strokes I guess. As for the Shield bike, it looks interesting to say the least but I don't have instructions sadly.
Sabbath Posted March 25, 2015 Posted March 25, 2015 Seller sent the instructions. Damn thing is fiddly as hell. I'm going to glue it together just so it doesn't break apart when picked up.
jangosolo Posted March 25, 2015 Posted March 25, 2015 Hmm I have had a parcel "arrive" and shown as delivered - but its not come to my house! Awaiting the seller's response, but I'll be gutted if I don't get those bargains - hopefully he's just put the incorrect Tracking number on my order...
wickedlemon Posted March 25, 2015 Posted March 25, 2015 Hmm I have had a parcel "arrive" and shown as delivered - but its not come to my house! Awaiting the seller's response, but I'll be gutted if I don't get those bargains - hopefully he's just put the incorrect Tracking number on my order... Wasn't from the ali seller Fun Club/yi li was it?
jangosolo Posted March 25, 2015 Posted March 25, 2015 Wasn't from the ali seller Fun Club/yi li was it? It was indeed - no response so far either. Boooo.
wickedlemon Posted March 25, 2015 Posted March 25, 2015 (edited) It was indeed - no response so far either. Boooo. I checked at my local sorting office. Parcel was delivered to someone in Northampton. Seller told me they had a bad day and sent it to the wrong address. They've offered to resend the order but I've not heard anymore. You may want to check about yours, as RMs system will have the delivery address. I wonder whether they've been giving out one tracking number to lots of people. hello my friends I query the tracking number. I apologize. Send the wrong address. Because too many parcels. Paste the wrong address. I was very depressed. Had a bad day. Because this suggests another address errors. Sorry again. If you want I will re send your parcel. Hope don't affect you Edited March 25, 2015 by wickedlemon
jangosolo Posted March 25, 2015 Posted March 25, 2015 (edited) I checked at my local sorting office. Parcel was delivered to someone in Northampton. Seller told me they had a bad day and sent it to the wrong address. They've offered to resend the order but I've not heard anymore. You may want to check about yours, as RMs system will have the delivery address. I wonder whether they've been giving out one tracking number to lots of people. [/background][/size][/font][/color] oh boy, I'd better raise a case then - I couldn't find the address on the RM tracker, but the sorting office was in London, while I am in Sheffield! Edited March 25, 2015 by jangosolo
wickedlemon Posted March 25, 2015 Posted March 25, 2015 oh boy, I'd better raise a case then - I couldn't find the address on the RM tracker, but the sorting office was in London, while I am in Sheffield! I'm going to hold off with a dispute just in case they do come through with replacements. May as well be optimistic.
bosondehiggs Posted March 25, 2015 Posted March 25, 2015 Wasn't from the ali seller Fun Club/yi li was it? he was selling myth cloth at very very cheap price even for bootleg for me it's a scammer
soltari007 Posted March 26, 2015 Posted March 26, 2015 I only ordered it a few days ago, so I'm not expecting it for at least a couple weeks. I've ordered from that seller a few times, and he is the fastest shipper i have dealt with on AE. Does anyone know if the Sy Sentinel set has printed pieces for the sentinel? reason why I ask is because I ordered from Taobao, after the set appeared there, but it turned out to be a dud, not available yet. Will try again though.
pmptstc1 Posted March 26, 2015 Posted March 26, 2015 I'll let you know when i get it. It hasn't shipped yet, which is actually pretty slow for the seller.
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