Support NeoGAF

[Draugoth]

Video game statue manufacturer Gaming Heads claims it has been told to destroy all its licensed PlayStation stock. According to the company, this includes items currently in stock (including The Last of Us Part II Ellie statues, Jak 3 statues and God of War statues and busts).

It also includes pre-order items, such as its Sly Cooper statue, The Last of Us Ellie & Joel diorama, Bloodborne statue and Ratchet & Clank statue.

An ‘open letter’ posted on the company’s Twitter account suggests the decision was made by Sony, but doesn’t explain why it made this decision.

It also namechecks PlayStation’s group manager of commercial partnerships, Judy Ward, gives out her email address and tells pre-order customers to contact her “about your (now cancelled) order, payments, refunds etc. and what they will do for you”.

We have worked with Sony PlayStation for more than 10 years to bring you some of the best video game collectibles and have been trying hard to get them to change their mind

They know you have paid your hard-earned money for items that are ready to ship to you or that are in production but unfortunately, after doing all that we can, they have told us not to ship your orders to you – ‘our business priorities remain unchanged’, a recent direct quote from Sony.

It adds:

:We remember Sony PlayStation’s old tagline that they are ‘for the players’, but given their recent decision that they know adversely affects those in the collecting community willing to spend more on Sony PlayStation merchandise than an actual console, we are now not so sure.”

It should be noted that Sony has not delivered its side of the story yet, and as such it’s not yet clear why it decided to end the partnership

 

[adamsapple]

Demanding them not to sell more is one thing, but demanding they also don't honor any pre orders is a whole another.

What the fuck happened here to lead to this.

 

[Tripolygon]

Yea that's not a good idea to dox an executive by having your customers harass them via email. I'm sure that would get them to change their mind about not licensing you their IP.

 

[Thick Thighs Save Lives]

Gaming Heads seem to have washed their hands of any responsibility toward their customers with no mention of refunds from themselves, just that they “sincerely apologize” for the problems. When customers further enquired about the response of Gaming Heads in the resulting thread on Facebook, they were told the company would “do all that we can” but once again referred them to Sony for refunds.

It also namechecks PlayStation’s group manager of commercial partnerships, Judy Ward, gives out her email address and tells pre-order customers to contact her “about your (now cancelled) order, payments, refunds etc. and what they will do for you”.

I'm sure this will go well.

 

[Tsaki]

This has been written in such a weird way. It seems there is some contractual problems and they have no way to go after Sony legally so now they turn to the Twitter mob. They even direct people to harass a single individual.
Edit: This definitely stinks

 

[SodaZA]

I've only ever heard bad things about Gaming Heads products

 

[SaucyJack]

Taking money from people for products you are not licensed to sell is the fault of the person you didn't get a license from because ....... ?

 

[graywolf323]

I'm sure this will go well.

yeah I’d have to imagine this behavior will not reflect well on Gaming Heads with any other clients they have licensed goods from…

 

[mckmas8808]

Taking money from people for products you are not licensed to sell is the fault of the person you didn't get a license from because ....... ?

I need the answer to this, NOW! Because what else is there to say?

 

[Topher]

Something isn't right here. The company selling the product is telling their customers to talk to Sony about refunds?

Taking money from people for products you are not licensed to sell is the fault of the person you didn't get a license from because ....... ?

Wait.....this company is selling unlicensed products from Sony's IP? Where is this info coming from?

 

[Trogdor1123]

Taking money from people for products you are not licensed to sell is the fault of the person you didn't get a license from because ....... ?

It says a 10 year relationship. Are we sure it’s not licensed?

 

[crackajack]

It should be noted that Sony has not delivered its side of the story yet, and as such it’s not yet clear why it decided to end the partnership

e.g. would be "funny" if the whole situation escalated because too many people were already complaining about their products to Sony support and any Sony contact anyone can find somewhere, for some quality, communication whatever reason, and Sony now pulled the cord and ended any license agreement- maybe within the contractual agreed short timelines.
Merch stuff generally should be easy money, so something must be very off in the partnership. Rallying your customers to take your sides might be a natural response but also rather odd to actually do it without explaining what went down in the partenrship.
No admitting in doing anything wrong, no explaining what Sony accused them off, just they stopped it for no reason and direct your anger at them?
Maybe Sony is just an ungrateful dick here though, but leaving everything that open feels weird.

 

[lughnasadh123]

Would love to know the full story on this as it seems full of holes right now.

 

[Sethbacca]

If we're being honest here, that sculpt on the Ellie and Joel is kinda meh anyway. The faces are off, and the gun barrel is slightly bent after the stock. Who the hell is paying $500+ for this to begin with?

 

[Robb]

Destroy all current stock? That sounds crazy. Can they even demand that? Never heard of something like that being in a contract.

 

[nemiroff]

Taking money from people for products you are not licensed to sell is the fault of the person you didn't get a license from because ....... ?

Did you just make that up or do you have a source for this claim ("unlicensed")?

 

[Fools idol]

reading between the lines here it would seem that someone was not willing to pay SONY's increased rate to sell liscenced products?

 

[Mr Moose]

We have worked with Sony PlayStation for more than 10 years

I read that's how long they take to ship their products.

 

[Tripolygon]

This has been written in such a weird way. It seems there is some contractual problems and they have no way to go after Sony legally so now they turn to the Twitter mob. They even direct people to harass a single individual.
Edit: This definitely stinks

I find this oddly funny.

Customer: I gave you money for a product

Company: Yea but Sony though, ask Sony about your money

Customer: But I didn't give Sony any money, I gave it to you

Company: Yea I totally understand you, but Sony is bad, Sony hurt customers so ask Sony for your money

Customer: But I didn't pay Sony any money, I paid you

Company:

 

[tmlDan]

really poor quality figures, id want them destroyed too

 

[Midn1ght]

 

[Banjo64]

WTF man are they saying they won’t refund?

 

[Topher]

Hmm, this company seems a bit shady.

Gaming Heads is rated "Average" with 2.8 / 5 on Trustpilot

Do you agree with Gaming Heads's TrustScore? Voice your opinion today and hear what 23 customers have already said.

www.trustpilot.com

 

[Dick Jones]

Please contact Sony for the money you specifically gave me and not Sony.

I wonder why Sony won't continue to work with a company caught scamming the public? a real headscratcher.

 

[Tripolygon]

Hmm, this company seems a bit shady.

Gaming Heads is rated "Average" with 2.8 / 5 on Trustpilot

Do you agree with Gaming Heads's TrustScore? Voice your opinion today and hear what 23 customers have already said.

www.trustpilot.com

Yea this is very fishy. Just reading the replies to customers is cringy and they weirdly capitalize SONY as if they want to make the customers believe their business was with Sony and not them.

 

[DGrayson]

This company sounds shady AF. I can understand Sony put them in a shitty situation but we dont know the whole story. Im betting 99% that all preorder money is gone and spent and they couldnt refund even if they wanted to.

 

[Tripolygon]

This is the head sculpt of Ellie from them. Yea I can see why Sony wants them to destroy it.

 

[Topher]

Yea this is very fishy. Just reading the replies to customers is cringy and they weirdly capitalize SONY as if they want to make the customers believe their business was with Sony and not them.

I don't get how they think this bullshit "talk to Sony" campaign is going to work. These people don't have Sony receipts. They have Gaming Head receipts.

This company sounds shady AF. I can understand Sony put them in a shitty situation but we dont know the whole story. Im betting 99% all preorder money is gone and spent and they couldnt refund even if they wanted to.

I think you are right. More than likely they don't have the cash to issue refunds. I think this company is flat-out lying, frankly.

 

[Alebrije]

This will not end well...no refunds no figures..lots of angry people will be the outcome.

Sony has not responsability btw.

 

[Elder Legend]

Sounds like this company is super sus.

 

[Jinzo Prime]

It's really dumb to burn bridges like this, even if Sony was to blame for the situation. Which I highly doubt.

 

[Topher]

This is the head sculpt of Ellie from them. Yea I can see why Sony wants them to destroy it.

That thing cost $650????

The Last of Us Part II: Ellie Stealth Edition statue

It’s time to head to Seattle with Ellie from The Last of Us Part II. The Ellie (Stealth Edition) statue shows an attentive Ellie looking over her left should with her bow and arrow at the ready. Her clothes are ripped and worn but she has revenge on her mind. The Ellie (Stealth Edition) statue...

www.gamingheads.com

 

[Sethbacca]

WTF man are they saying they won’t refund?

Call it a hunch but I’m betting they already spent that sweet sweet preorder money and can’t. That’s why they’re trying to get their customers to pressure Sony.

 

[CuNi]

I wonder if charge backs are possible in this situation as they are clearly and publicly saying they won't and can't honor already paid contracts.

And since this is the US, I can smell the class action lawsuit brewing.

 

[StreetsofBeige]

This is the head sculpt of Ellie from them. Yea I can see why Sony wants them to destroy it.

I’d consider that a collectors item. It’s so bad like a comic book misprint hold on to it!

 

[Freelance Yakuza]

I’m going to give Sony the benefit of the doubt, not because a company would be incapable of doing this, but because it would be so cartoonishly villainous to receive the money and then order the product to be destroyed.

 

[nemiroff]

I find this oddly funny.

Customer: I gave you money for a product

Company: Yea but Sony though, ask Sony about your money

Customer: But I didn't give Sony any money, I gave it to you

Company: Yea I totally understand you, but Sony is bad, Sony hurt customers so ask Sony for your money

Customer: But I didn't pay Sony any money, I paid you

Company:

Yeah, they definitely have the obligation to customers in their end, if they took the money they can't shift the responsibility on Sony (they can still blame Sony for possibly breaching contract, if applicable, but that's a different thing). This is probably also written in consumer laws.

 

[FeralEcho]

I find this oddly funny.

Customer: I gave you money for a product

Company: Yea but Sony though, ask Sony about your money

Customer: But I didn't give Sony any money, I gave it to you

Company: Yea I totally understand you, but Sony is bad, Sony hurt customers so ask Sony for your money

Customer: But I didn't pay Sony any money, I paid you

Company:

Real time video of Gaming Heads custommer support replying to their customers...

 

[UnNamed]

How to Destroy your Business: Pro Tips.

 

[ozz ex machina]

I'm in two minds. I don't like seeing consumers be fucked.

But in the case where it's people who collect and own gaming toys, I find it very funny.

 

[ArthriticZombie]

Man, I can’t wait to watch this incoming class action lawsuit.

 

[HarryKS]

Can you 3d print statues?

 

[Roxkis_ii]

Can you 3d print statues?

You can, but i think it takes quite a bit a work depending on your setup.

 

[Muddy]

Theres nothing to be destroyed.

They simply haven’t made them and using Sony as an excuse for failing to fulfil their orders.

Their contract with Sony has probably been terminated because of it.

 

[Northeastmonk]

That thing cost $650????

The Last of Us Part II: Ellie Stealth Edition statue

It’s time to head to Seattle with Ellie from The Last of Us Part II. The Ellie (Stealth Edition) statue shows an attentive Ellie looking over her left should with her bow and arrow at the ready. Her clothes are ripped and worn but she has revenge on her mind. The Ellie (Stealth Edition) statue...

www.gamingheads.com

Probably cost them $10 to manufacture in a factory in Zhejiang.

 

[Topher]

Probably cost them $10 to manufacture in a factory in Zhejiang.

 

[bender]

This is the head sculpt of Ellie from them. Yea I can see why Sony wants them to destroy it.

Looks great.

 

[Neilg]

I wonder if charge backs are possible in this situation

And since this is the US, I can smell the class action lawsuit brewing.

chargebacks are 100% possible. they'll end up in a lot of shit with their payment processor over this.
class action is a waste of time, they wont exist anymore long before it gets anywhere.

 

[Thief1987]

They are always taking money upfront, and they have many of orders without any limits, but it seems that they just can't make many of these figurines at the same time. So in result they are very slow at fulfilling orders with many customers waiting for literally years. There was one person in the tweet chain who said that he is waiting for his figurine since 2018. I think Sony already had plenty of complaints from angry people in their address hence this radical measure.

 

[Aenima]

How to scam your clients and shift blame to Sony 101.