Wizkids Miniatures - Quality Control issues and their status

[Kikoli]

Well, it's not just the white paint, but all the extra hours of work to apply it, the washes, etc... There's a bit more than just the paint that would go into it.

I believe it was the reason because the price hike happened almost as soon as they started reprinting her after that first error. Likely after Wizkids approved the model and were quoted the costs on the incorrect one, they made their price point and after they had to correct course, the costs shot up due to the extra work hours / resources required for her now and upped the price accordingly.

[Mattnuke]

My guess is that the price went up after they replaced the initial run because WizKids was quietly recouping the cost of having to send many, many people a free replacement.

[Jandar]

It took me forever to get a replacement, because the person who was dealing with this had left the company and no one had took over their work-in-progress. Eventually, they took care of it though and sent me a nice white one. I'm quite happy with the replacement.

[coyotee]

I doubt that was the intent - as we know, the error happened due to an incorrect "paint master" copy being used.

I never believed that it was a mistake. Wizkids had already been putting out minis that were just coloured plastic with a wash on it.

If it wasn't a mistake when they did it on the Red Dragon from Fangs a Talons, why would I believe it was a mistake on the Ancient White Dragon?

[Kikoli]

I doubt that was the intent - as we know, the error happened due to an incorrect "paint master" copy being used.

I never believed that it was a mistake. Wizkids had already been putting out minis that were just coloured plastic with a wash on it.

If it wasn't a mistake when they did it on the Red Dragon from Fangs a Talons, why would I believe it was a mistake on the Ancient White Dragon?

Because the difference there was a mass produced miniature for the blind boxes vs a premium miniature/display piece.

One had to be cheap (though I do agree the F+T red dragon was a bit too cheap), while the other should have been a lot better.
If it wasn't a mistake, I doubt Wizkids would have bothered replacing and upping the price. Just stated that these were as they were meant to be, and left it at that.

[coyotee]

I doubt that was the intent - as we know, the error happened due to an incorrect "paint master" copy being used.

I never believed that it was a mistake. Wizkids had already been putting out minis that were just coloured plastic with a wash on it.

If it wasn't a mistake when they did it on the Red Dragon from Fangs a Talons, why would I believe it was a mistake on the Ancient White Dragon?

Because the difference there was a mass produced miniature for the blind boxes vs a premium miniature/display piece.

One had to be cheap (though I do agree the F+T red dragon was a bit too cheap), while the other should have been a lot better.
If it wasn't a mistake, I doubt Wizkids would have bothered replacing and upping the price. Just stated that these were as they were meant to be, and left it at that.

So in that version you are saying wotc doesn't do PR damage control, and try to filp the story, telling people it was all just a mistake and misunderstanding, when the gaming community gets upset and it costs wotc money.

You may have a point if wotc hadn't already approved several other minis that used the same cheap technique, and they didn't show the same denial with the OGL and many other similar issues with their other brands.

If the long list of screw ups over the past few years ( with ALL Hasbro brands) are all just incompetence, instead of shrewd costcuttung decisions.... then Hasbro wouldn't be the successful corporation it is for so long.

[MyriadTabletop]

For me, since it's impossible to tell the difference between an error with an apology, and an attempt to cut corners and subsequent back peddling, I've learned not to bother speculating about the -hows- and the -whys- behind situations like this. One camp will always respond by being more charitable while another camp responds with cynicism, and it usually gets personal.

What we can talk about is poor levels of quality control and what WOTC -should- have done in these cases, but we have a thread for that.

[Tyrant]

I doubt that was the intent - as we know, the error happened due to an incorrect "paint master" copy being used.

I never believed that it was a mistake. Wizkids had already been putting out minis that were just coloured plastic with a wash on it.

If it wasn't a mistake when they did it on the Red Dragon from Fangs a Talons, why would I believe it was a mistake on the Ancient White Dragon?

Because the difference there was a mass produced miniature for the blind boxes vs a premium miniature/display piece.

One had to be cheap (though I do agree the F+T red dragon was a bit too cheap), while the other should have been a lot better.
If it wasn't a mistake, I doubt Wizkids would have bothered replacing and upping the price. Just stated that these were as they were meant to be, and left it at that.

So in that version you are saying wotc doesn't do PR damage control, and try to filp the story, telling people it was all just a mistake and misunderstanding, when the gaming community gets upset and it costs wotc money.

You may have a point if wotc hadn't already approved several other minis that used the same cheap technique, and they didn't show the same denial with the OGL and many other similar issues with their other brands.

If the long list of screw ups over the past few years ( with ALL Hasbro brands) are all just incompetence, instead of shrewd costcuttung decisions.... then Hasbro wouldn't be the successful corporation it is for so long.

Do we actually know how much WotC intervenes in the Wizkids operations? WotC could be pretty hands off. Not that I think they deserve any benefit of the doubt given their actions since roughly January.

[Kikoli]

I doubt that was the intent - as we know, the error happened due to an incorrect "paint master" copy being used.

I never believed that it was a mistake. Wizkids had already been putting out minis that were just coloured plastic with a wash on it.

If it wasn't a mistake when they did it on the Red Dragon from Fangs a Talons, why would I believe it was a mistake on the Ancient White Dragon?

Because the difference there was a mass produced miniature for the blind boxes vs a premium miniature/display piece.

One had to be cheap (though I do agree the F+T red dragon was a bit too cheap), while the other should have been a lot better.
If it wasn't a mistake, I doubt Wizkids would have bothered replacing and upping the price. Just stated that these were as they were meant to be, and left it at that.

So in that version you are saying wotc doesn't do PR damage control, and try to filp the story, telling people it was all just a mistake and misunderstanding, when the gaming community gets upset and it costs wotc money.

You may have a point if wotc hadn't already approved several other minis that used the same cheap technique, and they didn't show the same denial with the OGL and many other similar issues with their other brands.

If the long list of screw ups over the past few years ( with ALL Hasbro brands) are all just incompetence, instead of shrewd costcuttung decisions.... then Hasbro wouldn't be the successful corporation it is for so long.

As someone said; Wizkids and WotC are two separate entities. You can't hold the WotC or Hasbro screw ups to Wizkids as that's different businesses, likewise we cannot hold Wizkid mess ups against WotC. The OGL and other Hasbro issues has no bearing on this at all as we're trying to blame different companies for things that happen.

And that's not what I'm saying at all.

From the understanding, and this info came from Poh, who I'll add was highly respected here as a Wizkid's rep before he left the company, there was an error that happened with miscommunication with the models between them (Wizkids) and the factories that make the minis and the unfinished model was approved and put into production. It slipped through quality control and Wizkids made good to fix it for everyone affected.

My point is, that the price tag for Arvie was originally based on quotes that likely came from the unfinished model that went into production. After they fixed the issue and saw that prices to complete the newer, revised Arvie would increase the price or cause them significant loss, they increased it for new purchasers. Did not penalize the current buyers and even fixed the issue, then course corrected for the future.

Also, as I pointed out, comparing the situation to the Fangs and Talons red dragon mini is an unfair comparison, because the F+T red dragon was designed to be mass produced and a cost effective gaming piece, while Arvie is a premium piece, designed to be extra detailed and for both gaming and a display piece. You're comparing something made cheaply so you can get it cheaply, vs something for the hardcore collectors/game masters willing to spend premium prices.

[Wickedcool]

Can’t this be it own thread

[Dabima]

Is anyone having any luck with Wizkids replacements? I still have an open ticket for the Arvieaturace mispainted dragon I received that’s been Pending since last August. The last response I got from supports was last October apologizing for the delay and saying the fulfillment center is sending them one that they will inspect to make sure it’s okay and then send it out to me. It’s been radio silence since then. I’ve reached out to the replacements suppport team once a month since then with my original ticket number and begging for some kind of update and they’ve ignored me every time. I also have an open ticket from January since a town square warlock tiles set I ordered was missing one tile. My request is still in “request received” status with no acknowledgement. Any attempt for an update has also been ignored on this request. In desperation I reached out to wizkids themselves letting them know the situation and they apologized profusely, gave me a coupon, and said they would prioritize my requests and make sure I got a response shortly. That was two months ago. Still no closer to a resolution

[Jandar]

From the understanding, and this info came from Poh, who I'll add was highly respected here as a Wizkid's rep before he left the company, there was an error that happened with miscommunication with the models between them (Wizkids) and the factories that make the minis and the unfinished model was approved and put into production. It slipped through quality control and Wizkids made good to fix it for everyone affected.

Poh was likely the best and most legit actor in the whole Wizkids/WotC umbrella.
There is zero reason to doubt him.

And I'm usually VERY skeptical.

[Clint]

Well, it's not just the white paint, but all the extra hours of work to apply it, the washes, etc... There's a bit more than just the paint that would go into it.

I believe it was the reason because the price hike happened almost as soon as they started reprinting her after that first error. Likely after Wizkids approved the model and were quoted the costs on the incorrect one, they made their price point and after they had to correct course, the costs shot up due to the extra work hours / resources required for her now and upped the price accordingly.

There is no way that the price on those gargantuan+ miniatures is being driven by extra production costs of some sloppily applied white paint and wash. I refer you to McFarlane dragons for comparison.

https://www.amazon.ca/McFarlane-Dragons ... 57LS&psc=1

https://www.amazon.ca/Icons-Realms-Drag ... 04f1ca0da8

As well, that price hike was retroactively applied across the board even to miniatures tat had been out for years, such as the earlier versions of Tiamat and Bahamut that suddenly had their MSRP doubled or tripled. This was a marketing decision that it was more profitable to charge way more and sell fewer miniatures.

Also, as I pointed out, comparing the situation to the Fangs and Talons red dragon mini is an unfair comparison, because the F+T red dragon was designed to be mass produced and a cost effective gaming piece, while Arvie is a premium piece, designed to be extra detailed and for both gaming and a display piece. You're comparing something made cheaply so you can get it cheaply, vs something for the hardcore collectors/game masters willing to spend premium prices.

Sorry, but I don't see much, if any, difference in paint or sculpt quality between the so-called "premium" miniatures and what comes in a booster pack, especially with the large+ miniatures. Maybe there's an extra step or two added in some cases. It's still factory quality work.

[Kualan]

Is anyone having any luck with Wizkids replacements? I still have an open ticket for the Arvieaturace mispainted dragon I received that’s been Pending since last August. The last response I got from supports was last October apologizing for the delay and saying the fulfillment center is sending them one that they will inspect to make sure it’s okay and then send it out to me. It’s been radio silence since then. I’ve reached out to the replacements suppport team once a month since then with my original ticket number and begging for some kind of update and they’ve ignored me every time. I also have an open ticket from January since a town square warlock tiles set I ordered was missing one tile. My request is still in “request received” status with no acknowledgement. Any attempt for an update has also been ignored on this request. In desperation I reached out to wizkids themselves letting them know the situation and they apologized profusely, gave me a coupon, and said they would prioritize my requests and make sure I got a response shortly. That was two months ago. Still no closer to a resolution

Definitely follow up with them again, the system does work but it might be a case of getting the right stars aligned.

I requested a replacement for one of the miniatures from the Onslaught core set due to it arriving without an arm; I had real low expectations since I'm from outside the US and I had heard about long waits. However I got a response and a new mini posted out to me within a week or two (I might have benefitted from Onslaught being a new release at the time, so they were probably well-stocked with replacement pieces from that particular product).

[Dragomir]

Allthough I never received a message. I got an email couple of days ago that NECA sent me a parcel.
Today I picked it up at the post office and it contained the replacement for the black abishai that was missing an arm.

This replacement took 10 months to happen. But received all without any charge or need to send in the defective miniature.