015. How we package our Collectible toys!

Hello fellow Comrades,

Our toys: Floating Magnetic Ironman by Beast Kingdom

Every once in awhile people start asking questions about how we package our collectible items that we are giving away. Top questions include how we justify the outcome of the shipping price, how we package, where was it from.

Well, Here's a quick article to answer those questions!

Q1. Where is the item from? Why sell it?

First off, our toys are mostly bought from friends and relatives who work in collectible toy, comics and gaming shops. Other reasons include our own toy collection which we have amassed. Sometimes we streamline our collection to make way for other toys too. We are collector's first and foremost. Most are toys that come off from a local convention display. Hence, our toys that we giveaway are given away at reasonable prices meant for the purposes of spreading joy.

One of our toy items sold to us by a friend who works in a toy store.
Item was in a local convention display.

"We would rather giveaway a toy, comic or gaming collectible than to throw it away...where's the honor in throwing something precious anyway?" 

Here's what we check for before we give it away to you:

1. There's a strict ethic code when it comes to choosing what toys we choose to take. We always look for the manufacturer's seal, but when there is none, we ensure that the toys joints are tight, no broken parts and no missing parts. We are extra careful when it comes to Loose collectibles, as they have the tendency to show signs of wear, loose joints, missing parts etc.(of which we reject)
2. Our toys are usually convention display sets which people close to us want to giveaway at an affordable price. Let's face it, no one gives away something they love for free, and if they do, that is like a big giveaway that something might be wrong with the collectible!

We also wrote an article on how to spot bootlegged toys

Q2.What goes into our shipping pricing?

Our giveaways are shipped using the strictest, safest and cheapest method possible. Most people might agree with our shipping prices, but there are those that don't. For anyone in the middle of the fence,here's how we calculate our shipping(toys):

We use a kitchen scale to measure the exact weight of items to be shipped.
Our local postage service uses grams to weigh items.

1. Overall shipping weight.(Original package weight + shipping box + bubble wraps/foam/pads etc) Also, our local courier has a restriction on custom shipping boxes that are too big, of which, we need to repackage it in the courier's own package.
2. Tracking price. Some of you might grumble on this point, but the truth is, having this addon will be a lifesaver. Not only does this build trust between buyer and seller, this also ensures both our local couriers don't mess with our transactions(couriers do it more often than not, trust us, we have friends working with the local post). Among other things, it has been reported that it's easy to 'lose' some items between transactions, or at least, if you do surface shipping, your item might be tossed, slammed, or pinned down during the delivery process, leaving you with a defect box, we wouldn't want that do we?
3. Travelling expenses. Just in case people don't know, we are normal working adults, with just enough love for collectibles to share it with you. We do take some time away from our busy schedules to travel and travelling fare is a cost which we cant do completely free, so there's that element.
4. Shipping materials. We do custom boxes coated with a waterproof turqoiuse paint whenever we can(if we don't, it means, we just don't have time or we have to change the packaging as dictated by our courier postal service). We also buy pads, foams or wraps specially made for our toys. Tape. And printables and promo materials in case you're interested.

This isn't just a one-off thing, our items do get tossed! except with better aiming than this guy.
Thank you Mark Bridgman for opening our eyes to the world of freight handling.

" I remembered a customer of our local postal service wanting to claim China plates which they imported from overseas. It was surface shipped, but the worse was that it didn't come with the fragile label. The postal counter girl gave it a slight shake and told the customer it'd be best if it wasn't opened, and shipped back to the sender..."

-Our friend who works in the postal service


As for cards & comics(Shouldn't be a problem, since there's no complaints, but here it is anyways):

1. Overall shipping weight.(Cardboard protective backing + envelope/Manilla envelopes + original item)
2. Protective sleeves for cards. Very essential if you'd like to avoid scratches, and we'd like you to have the items in a pristine condition.
3. Tracking Price(Same reason as toys)
4. Travelling expenses(Same reason as toys)

Q3.How do we package our items?

Captain America: First Avenger By Hot Toys, Hong Kong(a subsidiary of 'SideshowCollectiblesUS').

How do you package your items? is it safe? In sending an item overseas for shipping, we are dealing with variables. With us, it's all about eliminating variables. We are toy collectors ourselves, so we are always ensuring that not just the figure is intact and in mint condition, we do that for the original packaging itself!

Below is an example of how we packaged our Loose Hot toys item for one of our guys...

fig1. Individual items are individually wrapped

 

fig2. Cont from fig 1, the items are kept in a bubble-wrap for prevention

 

fig3. figure is bubble wrapped along the joints and limbs to protect against movements

 

fig4. figure is placed inside of a wrap to prevent friction.

 

fig5. This shows all the individual components...ready to ship

 

fig6. Place one pad on either side for weight distribution upon impact

 

fig7. A closer look



fig8. protection fitted on the side too

So there you have it. All our normal packages will be like fitting the original packaging within the shipping box. Inside it you will find:

• Protective items. Surrounding the original packaging are bubble wraps/ peanut foams or pads
• Our printable items e.g. buyers' shipping summary & promo poster for upcoming toys

This is our promo poster, which keeps updating itself. If you like our items,
do visit our store and become a member now to get updates on great offers!

EndNote

Now that you've gotten an insight as to how we ship our items and how we calculate our shipping prices, we do understand that sometimes your budget doesn't allow it, that's why we're flexible. Upon request, we:

• Allow anyone who is interested to order our items loose(only for toys), so as to get a significantly cheaper price on shipping
• We sometimes offer combined shipping on items(Stated on listings)
• We like to offer auctions every once in awhile
• Most times, you can just "Make an offer" to us, as long as we don't lose too much on our purchasing price.

We hope that clears any doubts up, but if you do have a question, leave comments below so that we can answer you and also anyone who reads this page!

Do check out our other toys on sale on eBay(or through this blog's homepage banner!)

2015©Confaderal
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009. Top 7 hiding spots for toys in a toy store

Disclaimer: We are not affiliated to any brands featured in the photos. Photos in this article are taken mostly by us and with the help of a few contributors.

We dance to the same tune every year. 

Every time a new blockbuster hits the screen, we rush to the stores like rats following the pied pipers' tune. And boy is it ugly...we scramble and shove for the latest blockbuster hero figure. Don't leave out the villains too. Some quarrel, some even wrestle to get the latest toy figure. During the scuffle for the last toy on the shelve, everyone turns back to look at that spot on the shelf where the last toy was...

 *But it isn't there anymore.*

Turns out someone has run away with it. Either that, or someone has hidden it. Sounds like a familiar scenario?

Today's article explores the usual hiding spots that tricksters "slot" precious toys in the hopes that they can revisit it one day. Agree with the spots?

1. Check under the aisles: More often than not, the toys are under the aisle. That's a good rule of thumb. Why do people instinctively do this? Well, because humans don't check for toys on the floor now do we? Nowadays genuine collectors know that is the best bet to getting their toy if there's none left on the shelf..kudos:) 

2. Hiding them in the "plushies" basket: And why wouldn't they? It makes sense to hide your toys here right? Because no one really cares about plushies, or do they now?;) now they just need to place the valuable action figures there when no one is noticing...hmmm...

3. Hide them in the little toddlers section: Some people introduce psychological aspects into their battle. These areas have a lot of spots to inconspicuously hide your toys away from prying adult eyes. Plus even cunning parents might get their children to guard these areas.

4. Or store them away in the "Barbie" or "little pony" section: For collectors who don't expect a marvel legends action figure to be stashed in the "little girls" section, think again. These areas are prime areas for storing these toys if you find that leaving your toys at the bottom of the toddlers' slide is a dangerous prospect.

One contributor wanting to be known only as edmayne said: "...I came back for the toy which I left behind at the section, to my horror, my kid and a few others were having so much fun that they accidentally trampled on the figure. I had to pay for a broken figure..."

Sylvanian families dollhouses are perfect dioramas for our 6" figures, just saying...

Found this amongst teddy bears:)

5. Hiding them under our noses!: sometimes you don't need to look far. A story by a contributor who works at the toy store mentions that a collector who was "...looking for Kylo Ren found the last black series piece in between the display stash at the checkout counter, hidden amongst the marvel legends boxes!"

A reenactment stated that it was placed in between those other boxes at checkout area!

6. Putting it in the infant care section: This is a great area, as a lot of stroller couples park intermittently across the aisles to block one's path and view of the display racks. One also has to thread lightly to avoid waking up sleeping infants who will in turn be disgruntled parents! Plus, parents in these areas would most probably see a highly valued figure and mistake it for being misplaced...most times. I repeat...MOST. TIMES.

"Action figure, muddafucka, DO YOU SEE IT?" -someone

7. Or simply, just place it behind the counter with a friendly unsuspecting cashier girl: I'm sure we've all been here, while paying for our items at checkout, we see the last piece of the action figure that we want behind the counter of the cashier. Safe and sound, unless anyone wants to play it aggressive, yes?

Look closer

There you go...

I must admit, I always go for the last point option when I decide I don't have enough cash and I have to make a run to the atm machine.

In hindsight

Not everyone doing this is a scalper. Collectors do this when they're so strapped too. This allows them to not pay extravagant prices later on when they don't get them, so it's a real issue that they protect themselves. Everyone deserves their share right? Also, sometimes casual buyers are pressured to get a perfect present for their kids, so don't be too quick to judge when hiding the toys is their go-to option. 

There's no rules to this, but there are unethical ways people could acquire your toys...like stealing from your basket...so becareful!

Comment below...

If you think I left out any great hiding spots!(if you're willing to share that is). Also share with us any interesting experience on this topic! Have a great week everybody and don't forget to check out our next article or you'd want to be a contributor for our next article. Ideas are always welcome:)

Do add us on Twitter if you haven't, to get the latest in news that's happening in the toys, games, comics and trading cards world! Also, by following us, you'd allow yourself to keep updated on our latest offers on our reasonably priced toys,comics and cards on eBay!: If that's not enough, send us an offer!:D

http://stores.ebay.com/Confaderal

2015©Confaderal

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004.10 Ways to Spot bootleg toys

Disclaimer: I do not own the images which are credited. Those pictures which are credited are taken from sources elsewhere to supplement or support this article for educational purposes only.


Welcome Comrade,

In an idealistic world, each one of us should have our own set of 1:1 scale figure crowd our room. When we wake up in the morning, there's nothing more we would want most than have our life-sized figures greet us. In an idealistic world, we would be given an allowance to spend solely for our toy collection. But hey!

*Snap Back to Reality*

 

In the cold, dark reality of the world, we don't have the luxury of buying 1:1 scale figures, nor do we have a lot of space to begin with, no? So we just do our best with what we have. We buy hot toys figures every once in awhile, we pepper it with neca, mezco toys to fill our empty spaces in the glass cabinet..Maybe once in 1 year, we'll try to afford a 1:1 scale bust or some really expensive statues. But we keep it to a minimum, to avoid bleeding eardrums from spouses and parents. So we curb our spending.

 

 

When the time comes for us to spend, we spend big don't we? Imagine spending big on a toy, statue or bust only to discover it is bootleg?(if we ever discover it).

 

Source: Doomkick.com

 

"#%^$#&^%#$%#"

 

 

That's exactly my reaction. I've listed links to other bloggers or websites who point out bootlegged items.

 

https://picchar.wordpress.com/2008/10/02/signs-of-bootleg-figures/

 

http://www.tomopop.com/kotobukiya-issues-warning-over-fake-artfx-new-52-figures-31553.phtml

 

https://thecounterfeitreport.com/product/347/Hot-Toys-Wolverine-Action-Figures.html

 

http://thefwoosh.com/2013/10/fraudulent-figure-feature-neca-teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles-bootlegs

 

Don't fret though, most of the netizens are here to help us with distinguishing the real from the fakes. Before we go into details, let's take some time to figure out why pirates make bootlegs of toys in the first place...

 

 

 

For the simple reason that they are opportunists:

 

This reasoning can sum up pretty much their whole operation. Why is this important? Well, Bootlegs don't want to waste time manufacturing toys which have lower cost. Lower cost = lower profit margin. Makes sense? The time and effort to make the toy/figure etc isn't worth the profit.

 

Take for example, NECA's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle series. A few factors contributed to it being highly sought after.

 

• The toy is highly flexible and has a lot of articulated joints
• It is well made
• It's production was discontinued by NECA
• Item is in high demand, and you could re-sell those for up to quadruple the price

Read Fwooshs' review of the bootlegged TMNT(Scroll up)

Bootleggers must've smelled the opportunities here. The market is still there...and it's hungry. So while NECA stepped out from the stage, the bootleggers stepped in their shoes, being the supplier. They took advantage of the market, and boy did they earn.

 

Which leads me to three key points, which can be a bootleggers motto in how they execute their mission to take over the market...

 

1. Bootleggers mass produce.
2. Bootleggers want to produce fast, fast, FAST!
3. They don't really care about the packaging           

 

 

Ok. Firstly, Bootleggers mass produce their stuff. I'm not trying to say that legit toy manufacturers don't, but toy manufacturers usually release only a limited amount of toys...Bootleggers carry on from there. Once bootleggers' ascertain there's value in the toy, They start to mass produce. Often times, their factory line makes use of cheap labor(did I mention child labor?). These laborers paint and make the toys from moulds. Which brings me to the Quality triangle. Cheap, fast, good. You can only pick two.

 

Good & Fast>Expensive. Fast & Cheap>Crappy. Cheap& Good>Slow

 

There is very little room for attention to details. The painting is almost always more sloppy(mass production time constraints). If you would compare the original and the bootlegged copy side by side, the latter has a somewhat orange/yellow tint.

Credit: Counterfeitreport.com

 

 

Also, in case you are wondering, they don't make their copies from scratch(that would take too much trouble and time, refer back to "bootleggers being opportunists"). Bootleggers mass produce the toys from moulds, usually, if not their own(based on original copies), they would steal the moulds from the original manufacturers. (I heard) Original manufacturers change their moulds every once often, while bootleggers don't. This leaves the possibility that toys further back in the assembly line gets diminished features, inevitably.

 

Oh, and more often than not, chemicals used to make the bootlegged copies are hazardous, which leaves a telltale smell. Usually lead-ish chemical smell. This though, is not to be confused with the smell of fresh box packaging.mmmhmmm...nice.

 

 

Secondly, Bootleggers want to produce fast. Once they catch on the wave of opportunity, they hit the ground running. Why is this so? With toys, there's downtime and peak period. Resellers like me get our toys in bulk during downtime because it's much cheaper, keep one or two, to love and to care for, while reselling the others at peak time(so when I buy the next exclusive-talk-of-the-town toy, I don't have to donate my liver*peace out*). Heh. Bootleggers though, would want to make sure that the wave is high before they dive into manufacturing their own fake goods. And you can see it in their works(as mentioned in the points above).

 

With that being said, Keep a lookout for hastily assembled parts e.g. loose joints, sloppy painting or even unmovable parts on bootleg figures, whereas the original is movable. Good areas to check are usually armpits, crotch, neck, toes and areas where two different kind of fabrics meet(where bleeding of paint onto another occurs).

Bleeding of paint on the shin. Credits: picchar.wordpress.com

 

 

Last of all, Packaging is usually neglected. Usually, if they are mass-produced, the packaging is the tell-tale sign. The reason is because they print out from the sample original packaging itself. By doing so, some colors are 'lost in translation'. Original Manufacturers print their boxes from digital documents/files, hence the colors of the print, is exactly how the ori manufacturers want them to appear. Keep a lookout for areas in the original packaging where there is a holographic sticker or a shiny segment. These cannot be replicated through mass printing. Also, freebies found in the packaging, like booklets, or back card inside the packaging is usually neglected.

Color print of packaging diminished. Credit: picchar.wordpress.com

 

 

The safest way to check though, is to compare the item in question beside an original. Or simply scour the forums for bootlegged version of the toy. Just like antivirus software, you have to keep yourself up to date, because bootleggers will always come up with new ways to make their product look real.

 

 

Ok so: Let's gather all the bold sentences and form a summary of: "10 ways to Spot Bootleg Toys"

 

1. Usually, lower cost toys are not worth the bother for bootleggers. They are always looking for cheap alternatives to widen the profit margin.
2. Making use of cheap labor means sloppy work
3. Painting are generally with a yellowish tint
4. Diminished Features
5. Strong chemical smell
6. Hastily assembled parts leading to loose joints
7. Where the original features moving parts, the bootlegged one doesn't
8. Bleeding of paint across surface
9. Packaging colors are more dull as colors are "lost in translation"
10. If the original has a holographic sticker or shiny parts on the packaging, keep a lookout for that.

Where the real figure uses magnet, the bootlegged version uses the cheaper peg to prop up the
figure. Credit: Tomopop.com

 

Here are some ebay rules to avoid bootlegged stuff:

 

• Ask seller to provide more photos other than the ones displayed to prove that the item is legit. Legit seller or re-sellers wouldn't mind
• Bootlegged items are usually too cheap. Too good to be true
• Steer clear of listings tat never provide the original pictures(taken by our amateur selves), or are using the commercial photos of the item plucked from the net.

 

I hope this helps. And if you have other prevention-methods, feel free to leave a comment below, so the whole community can benefit from it. Thanks!

 

2015©Confaderal



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002.*EVENT* Singapore Toy, Game, Comics, Convention 2015!(STGCC)

It's here again!

So, I rushed to get the tickets to the event as fast as I could because I hadn't had much time(work was my reason, sorry I know, lame excuse right?). In fact I bought the ticket one day before the event.

For those overseas, Here's a little rundown of the event:

• It is a two day event: This year it's on the 12-13 sept 2015.
• This event is held yearly
• STGCC has sponsors like XM studios, Magic The Gathering, Mighty Jaxx, Falcon's Hangar etc
• In collaboration with NYCC
• Houses talks by Industry heavyweights: C.B. Cebulski, Adi Granov, Camilla d'Ericco, Huck Gee, Jason Freeny, Adam Hughes(among many)
• Besides shopping, you can attend talks, Get exclusive items, Take pictures, Cosplay, play some cards etc

Those are just some activities that you can do over there in a nutshell. I took a few photos to give you an idea of the atmosphere.(Refer Below)

If you ask me why I was there, well, I wanted to attend the talks. Here's what I attended:

1. Toy creator: The tool kit
2. Talking Comics

Call me anything you want, but the value of a convention is what talks there are, right?(yada, yada, yada, I'm boring you, no?). But hey, to each his own, they say. Through the talks I gained an insight as to how proffesionals churn out creative concepts, one after another and never get brain blocked. Respect yaw!

Take for example the "Toy creator: The Tool Kit". Jason Freeny's work is amazing. He brings us through how he started drawing all the way to how toy manufacturers(namely Mighty Jaxx) adopted his ideas for their toys. His trademark "anatomy" work started off with the fascination over a balloon dog. From there, he broke down how the bones and veins and muscles would form an inanimate object. Soon, we were awed by his other works like the anatomy of a gummi bear and lego-man, to name a few. Which begs the question; How does he do that? God knows. The whole audience was impressed that I spent a considerable amount of time chatting with the person beside me on how wonderful the ideas and toys are!

Another geek treat was in store for me later that afternoon as Adam Hughes, C.B Cebulski, Adi Granov and Jim Cheung shared with the audience their time doing comics. It raised a hell lot of questions. For those of you who'd think being a comic artist is easy, let me tell you: All four of them agreed that there's no free time for them! I remember a remark Adi made about how difficult it is when he has bills to pay, and he's rushing his pages for deadline, when his average time on one page is 2-3 days(and they get paid per page)!

Alright, alright, I shall not bore you with details. I took some photos of the shops, the showcases, the activities and the cosplayers there. Off course I did some shopping! Exclusives? maybe;)

Hot toys showcasing their First Order Stormtroopers! Not for sale yet though.

More Hot toys star wars figure. This is the third phase stormtroopers

The lady with buns. That was what the crew on Star wars #4 called her.

Did you know that his original name was supposed to be Luke Starkiller?

Here we have antman, and the "thing" beside him is the legit antman;D

I thought that hot toys actualy displayed their showcases really well, here is the epic fight in the last few
scenes of AOU.

Capt'n America in his AOU suit.

The much younger Han Solo and Chewie in the millennium falcon cockpit. Look at all the lights!

The hottest star at the moment, Can't wait for Kylo Ren!

Showcase from NECA, Gipsy danger, damaged.

Look at the hair. Thank you XM studios

Someone left their backpack at the XM studios booth.

I wonder what the warboys from mad max are gonna say about this...hmmm

Daredevil and his diorama

Some rare ghostbusters toy on sale

For anyone who loved this movie...

There's a drawing booth. Look at that, amazing!

Discounts! more discounts! and more bargains!

Found this. Darn wish I was some rich man's son!

Maul for SGD$30, anyone?

"After all I've done, and I'm ONLY valued at SGD$80?" -Mr Krueger

Bard getting his spotlight time

Han becoming slaves to kids. Where's Boba, guys?

I tried to overexpose the camera for this. Saruman, I'm doing you a favour, dude!

The toys, and the que, you have no options!

Artfx Kotobukiya. Boba fett Cloud City ver was snapped up almost within an hour. Only one left by the time I went
to the booth for a second viewing.

look at the details on that.

SDCC power rangers vinyl. Crystal

Meet Mr and Mrs Deadpool. I hope they take care of their kid.

EVA

I was looking for MMPR zords the whole day. But this is the only booth selling em. And the price wasn't
very welcoming:( not when you're still a student, only working part time)

1:1 Scale hulk and hulkbuster, jeesuss!

Payday

R2-whaaaatt?

It's like a comic flea market!

Talented sculptors showcase their works.

D'oh

So there you go! Here's to another year gone! Now, to look forward to next year!

2015©Confaderal


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