Hi I am new, have I bought from the wrong place?

[swiftwilly]

Hello all, just got into hot toys and been buying them mainly from sideshow, but over the past few days i realised there is alternative websites that sells it for only slightly cheaper, such as alterego and the australian website popculcha. Have I made a slight boo boo buying from the official sideshow store? However I see most people buy from there, what is wrong with those alternative websites? Is there a better place to buy than sideshow?

Thanks, new to the scene.

 

[maniac cop 5]

Although I've been collecting for over 25 years I'm fairly new to the Hot Toys scene having just got into them a year ago.
In my limited experience I try to buy from Sideshow directly when I can on higher end pieces mainly for the customer service if anything goes wrong.
I had an issue with the HT 1989 Batmobile that called for replacement and also with the last 1/6 Batman figure. Both were bought from well known stores other than Sideshow. I had problems with replacements for both items where it seemed that Sideshow customers had a much better experience.
Also if you plan on future Sideshow purchases you build up points for discounts.
Just my personal experience and your mileage may vary.

 

[Lejuan]

Sideshow = good CS policy that offers replacements or refunds for defective items; reward points that reduce the cost of future purchases; coupons that reduce the cost of current items; access to exclusive accessories for some items.

If you're not in Australia then buying from popcultcha will attract a hefty shipping price.

 

[swiftwilly]

Thanks for the response, will stick with Sideshow where possible.

 

[SAB]

Hello all, just got into hot toys and been buying them mainly from sideshow, but over the past few days i realised there is alternative websites that sells it for only slightly cheaper, such as alterego and the australian website popculcha. Have I made a slight boo boo buying from the official sideshow store? However I see most people buy from there, what is wrong with those alternative websites? Is there a better place to buy than sideshow?

Thanks, new to the scene.

Are you in Australia?
Those of us that are here often buy from Popcultcha as its nice to have a local store option (with free in country shipping!), which means they bear the international shipping risk (damage in transit, lost packages, exchange fluctuations, etc....) from companies like Enterbay/Sideshow/Hot Toys.

Sideshow is only worth buying from if they have an exclusive extra in the products you want....and/or collecting reward points is important to you.

 

[annexasia]

In factory on product management and planning is most important.

 

[bunnyfreakz]

Depend with your location though, search closest one so you can save money on shipping / postage.