Questions for Asmus

What happened now with asmus directly resulted from them cutting corners and being shady. With the fi-ash-co and Gollum changing colors, it definitely hit them in the finance department, having to provide replacements, etc.

Yeah, I agree that some folks at asmus truly love LOTR, but some over there are also trying to cut corners and be shady. Because of this, fewer people are buying their products. And better competitors like inArt add more blows.

I hope Asmus stops cutting corners and behaving dishonestly.. and continues to create non-human LOTR characters such as orcs and Uruks.

I don't think we are entitled to question Asmus' business decisions. They know quite a bit about all sides of their business, which to us is merely a hobby. What is good to anyone of us, doesn't necessarily have to translate into lots of sales. Only Asmus has the data needed to make such decisions.

On the other hand, Asmus has certainly made mistakes. When you deliver bad quality, you are ruining all your previous achievements. Still, I can't accept they screwed knowingly. I might be lacking data, but as far as I know, screwups were because of technical problems, not their intention. If they compensated for the problems caused, they deserve respect.

What is that chaging-colour thing w/ Gollum?

Also, Asmus is the only 1/6 company to ever mingle w/, & take cues from, us buyers. Only for that, they have left their dent in 1/6 History. But they have done much more than that. You all know this. We should cherish them.

My only real problem w/ Asmus is that they don't come forward now and try to be honest to us buyers concerning their future. They should go on record more often concerning Thranduil's development, and should prospects be real bleak, they could also tell us if a manufacture-to-preorder paradigm could work. Kind of customs done here, but at a bigger scale. High quality stuff like InArt.

They still manufacture LOTR & replenish their shop from time to time. If we want Asmus to make a LOTR comeback, we should purchase their stock asap. Just my 2c.

Because of all I just stated, Mr Asmus, I call upon you.
Please let us your faithful buyers know which way we can help you stay in the LOTR business.
Let us know right here, right now.
Thx.

I still hate Asmus for their Boromir reissue. Saying they are going with a new method, no prototype for promo, just the real product so people can see how it looked like when released. And then the released product still different from their shown photos. Yeah I'm talking about the fish scale chainmail. Now I can see why they're going to release more anime stuff. I think it's better for them. They are kinda overwhelmed by the big license like LOTR, especially after Inart.

SigitoSutasmano said:

I still hate Asmus for their Boromir reissue. Saying they are going with a new method, no prototype for promo, just the real product so people can see how it looked like when released. And then the released product still different from their shown photos. Yeah I'm talking about the fish scale chainmail. Now I can see why they're going to release more anime stuff. I think it's better for them. They are kinda overwhelmed by the big license like LOTR, especially after Inart.

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This is where they lost me too.

I never liked the sculpt on the original Boromir and sold mine off when they announced the re-issue. I think Bilbo had come out not long before that and it was really a very nice figure, so I trusted that they were going to have a great new Boromir figure out. It was supposed to be the same with an upgraded sculpt. The original scan we saw of the sculpt in that thread looked great.

Then the figure just released out of nowhere with an inferior sculpt and downgraded elements of the costume, like the chain mail. I wasn't buying that. So now my collection has no Boromir, my favorite Tolkien character, and no Faramir (second favorite even if the movies screwed him), because that figure is hell on earth to try and set up and I lost interest.

I just hope InArt does get to Boromir so I can right that wrong.

asgardianboy said:

Also, Asmus is the only 1/6 company to ever mingle w/, & take cues from, us buyers. Only for that, they have left their dent in 1/6 History. But they have done much more than that. You all know this. We should cherish them.

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Not entirely true. Yes, Asmus was great about talking to their customers on here and that's why I supported them for so long, even when some others began to turn on them. I was hoping they'd listen and learn.

That said, they weren't the only ones. Limtoys has a Nathan Drake figure that should be releasing soon, and that's due to them listening to people here. There's apparently a Sully in the words too, also a result of this board (and good Nate sales). And there's other figures as well that are in the RnD stage now, that we knew about before people's negativity drove their rep away.

InArt is also definitely listening to people as they've put polls out on what Harry Potter characters people want to see, and seem to understand there's a desire for more LOTR figures.

ThreeZero was also listening to people about Game of Thrones for a while before they abandoned the line.

So while I do appreciate the communication Asmus gave us, they weren't the only ones.

asgardianboy said:

On the other hand, Asmus has certainly made mistakes. When you deliver bad quality, you are ruining all your previous achievements. Still, I can't accept they screwed knowingly. I might be lacking data, but as far as I know, screwups were because of technical problems, not their intention. If they compensated for the problems caused, they deserve respect.

What is that chaging-colour thing w/ Gollum?

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There has been plenty of cases discussed here in this forum, about them cutting corners.
The infamous fi-ASH-co is one of the epic examples of them knowingly screwing the customers by cutting corners,
changing the body, not painting several areas, and only after being pressured with proofs, they replace Henrietta with a proper one similar to the one advertised.

They also were not being transparent about shipping options which caused several buyers to get additional charges upon delivery.
They PMed me and I confronted them with all their wrongdoings, and just like that, they disappeared without being responsible. (still have all the proof in my inbox)
So many other examples of them being shady, just need to read more posts here.

The Gollum-gate is about their Gollum+Smeagol body/arms/legs changing colors even though it's still mint in box, the paint fades so it has different colors with the head.
Fortunately, after several complaints on the Gollum thread here, asmus offered to replace the discolored body, but still, the affected buyer has to pay
some additional shipping/import tax costs to get the replacement body.. which is not supposed to happen, the affected buyers should not spend more money for something that is not their fault.

SigitoSutasmano said:

I still hate Asmus for their Boromir reissue. Saying they are going with a new method, no prototype for promo, just the real product so people can see how it looked like when released. And then the released product still different from their shown photos. Yeah I'm talking about the fish scale chainmail. Now I can see why they're going to release more anime stuff. I think it's better for them. They are kinda overwhelmed by the big license like LOTR, especially after Inart.

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This is another example of them knowingly being shady to their customers.
And I agree, I think the anime stuff and their own IPs are better for them.

I'm sorry, even though i've had my fair share of problems with Asmus...
I have to give them credit where credit is due. They quickly sent me replacement arms and legs for both my Gollums- free of any charges.
And it was just the arms and legs, I never heard of anybody having the entire body change colours,
(but I don't hear about everything).

scumonkey said:

I'm sorry, even though i've had my fair share of problems with Asmus...
I have to give them credit where credit is due. They quickly sent me replacement arms and legs for both my Gollums- free of any charges.
And it was just the arms and legs, I never heard of anybody having the entire body change colours,
(but I don't hear about everything).

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Agreed. When my Gollum/Smeagol had fading issues, they sent me two whole bodies, free of any charge. They did right by me and I won't knock them for it.

scumonkey said:

I'm sorry, even though i've had my fair share of problems with Asmus...
I have to give them credit where credit is due. They quickly sent me replacement arms and legs for both my Gollums- free of any charges.
And it was just the arms and legs, I never heard of anybody having the entire body change colours,
(but I don't hear about everything).

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This.

Bucky Underbelly said:

Agreed. When my Gollum/Smeagol had fading issues, they sent me two whole bodies, free of any charge. They did right by me and I won't knock them for it.

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Same. Pretty low blow for others to put them down and presume to criticize them for their business practice.

I have never had any bad dealings with Asmus and really appreciate what they did for 1/6 LOTR. There was a huge void and their figures were vastly superior to the dated Sideshow ones in my opinion. I would love to see them keep some form of a 1/6 LOTR license to continue making figures.

superdoug said:

I have never had any bad dealings with Asmus and really appreciate what they did for 1/6 LOTR. There was a huge void and their figures were vastly superior to the dated Sideshow ones in my opinion. I would love to see them keep some form of a 1/6 LOTR license to continue making figures.

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Were there bumps along the way? Absolutely. Will there be more bumps in their future? Of course. That's true of every company. Even the big ones. (Which Asmus clearly isn't.) But I salute what they've accomplished and really hope they can continue with LotR.

Good for all of them who got free of charge.
Unfortunately not all countries works like that. Some, has import duties they need to pay, even for free replacement parts.
So, you can say all you want, but asmus can't even defend themself when I asked about the additional shipping/custom tax.

scumonkey said:

I'm sorry, even though i've had my fair share of problems with Asmus...
I have to give them credit where credit is due. They quickly sent me replacement arms and legs for both my Gollums- free of any charges.
And it was just the arms and legs, I never heard of anybody having the entire body change colours,
(but I don't hear about everything).

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It only takes just a bit of reading on the Gollum thread to see pics by members.. and here's one of them with the body change colors:

You want to blame Asmus for what country you live in and their import laws. Thats hilarious.

pixletwin said:

This.

Same. Pretty low blow for others to put them down and presume to criticize them for their business practice.

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Thank you

pixletwin said:

You want to blame Asmus for what country you live in and their import laws. Thats hilarious.

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Not blaming them for the country's import laws. Blaming them for not doing proper QC, because it's quite a widespread issue, not just one or two unit affected.
If they do proper QC, this will not be a problem at all, they won't lost money for replacement and the customer won't have to pay extra money for custom tax etc.

Either way, I'm partly glad asmus is not releasing new LOTR figures.
If they still have the license, I hope they are trying to fix their business practice and do better, resulting in better products.
If they don't, then I hope more competent companies take over and do the 2nd-3rd tier characters as well.

I'd be surprised if there's anything left of your ax... you've been grinding it for quite a while?!

scumonkey said:

I'd be surprised if there's anything left of your ax... you've been grinding it for quite a while?!

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Well put

batsheva said:

Good for all of them who got free of charge.
Unfortunately not all countries works like that. Some, has import duties they need to pay, even for free replacement parts.
So, you can say all you want, but asmus can't even defend themself when I asked about the additional shipping/custom tax.


It only takes just a bit of reading on the Gollum thread to see pics by members.. and here's one of them with the body change colors:
View attachment 687976

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I am sure Asmus didn't do this on purpose, and this kind of production failures might be enough to run an otherwise cool company aground. They screwed up, not even at design time (since there were many OK units and the problem was fixable), but at production time, and that failure might cost us the only company regularly giving us Middle Earth 1/6. We are not guilty, Asmus is, but because they do bold things & face risks.

Shady behaviour on Ash+Boromir might be the result of previous mistakes, and it is a mistake in and of itself.

scumonkey said:

I'd be surprised if there's anything left of your ax... you've been grinding it for quite a while?!

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If you take a look at a few pages back, I do give credit to asmus when they produce good products.

Now, I don't need to grind my axe.. asmus already hurt themselves. I don't have to do anything, we can all see what happened to asmus now.
So many issues, and problems, that even some members here have started to leave asmus.
I'm not badmouthing them, I'm just pointing out their code of conduct, and what can be done better.
All I said here, are facts. Quoting SigitoSutasmano:

SigitoSutasmano said:

Saying they are going with a new method, no prototype for promo, just the real product so people can see how it looked like when released. And then the released product still different from their shown photos.

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There's no way asmus didn't do this on purpose. Tell me if this is not shady?
and we know there are many other issues.

Why do I keep saying this? because It is important to balance praise and criticism in order for individuals to improve.
If I violate the forum rules, of course I will already be banned.
I still remember your post when I "grind my axe" so that Asmus finally listens to your complaint:

scumonkey said:

In this case batsheva is correct.
I don't like to air out dirty laundry in public but in this case Asmus has failed me miserably.
I have done all that was asked for replacements , and have got nothing in return but lip service.
Not a hater (have bought every single release), but lately have become very disillusioned with Asmus.
They have been going in the wrong direction for the last year, and will no longer do so at my expense.

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The point is, if Asmus does not listen to feedback or criticism and continues to conduct its business in the same way, any criticism from me or praise from you guys will be ineffective.
People will become disappointed, asmus will keep losing money (either people have stopped buying or because they need to keep sending replacements.) and in the end, they stop making things.. including LOTR figures. This may be already happening..

asgardianboy said:

I am sure Asmus didn't do this on purpose, and this kind of production failures might be enough to run an otherwise cool company aground. They screwed up, not even at design time (since there were many OK units and the problem was fixable), but at production time, and that failure might cost us the only company regularly giving us Middle Earth 1/6. We are not guilty, Asmus is, but because they do bold things & face risks.

Shady behaviour on Ash+Boromir might be the result of previous mistakes, and it is a mistake in and of itself.

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Of course, I don't think they did it on purpose.. That's precisely my point. They need to fix their business, both technically and ethically.
I disagree with "them taking bold steps and facing risks", as I feel they are not doing proper quality control and rushing the release.
They came up with the replacement body in a very short period, not more than a month. And the replacement body is problem-free, at least from the feedback of the people receiving it on the thread. This indicates that they can avoid the issue if they improve their quality control. They can decrease the risks and avoid incurring losses, both to them and to some of the affected buyers.