dietpizzauk
Mid-Carder
Joined on: Aug 5, 2022 18:00:42 GMT -5
Posts: 63
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Post by dietpizzauk on Apr 11, 2023 15:44:25 GMT -5
Everyone can dance around the reality of what PJ is telling them all they want but it's how it is. There's no bias in what he's saying and it's the reality as to why it fluctuates. One thing I don't get why people don't consider, wouldn't the sales from as many international customers as possible outweigh a few extra shipping dollars? It wouldn't make any sense to do something like hold on to a stock of things we are hoping are bought and shipped to simply make space just so we can charge shipping money for fun. Sometimes the suggestion you can make that seems simplest just isn't possible on the scale you're considering. We've said an endless amount of times we wish it were different, but this is what's available to us at our current size, shape and place within the economy. If you do have someone that can forward to you and it's cheaper, I'd suggest it. To think we want less customers and are trying to trick the ones we have into paying extra doesn't track. Also no one is pocketing excess shipping money because if that were the case I would put it all in one of those air tanks that blows money around and film myself capturing it just so everyone could see. Can you at least explain why it’s jumped so sharply this month then? $12 to $23 for a single figure is a massive raise. I priced up some shipping to the UK, and it depends on the size of the box of the figure. Eg, standard Elite is $11.50. But a Defining Moments figure is $22, probably because it’s a bigger box, so needs to go in a bigger box. It’s the same for Ultimates, exclusives, etc. each product has its own shipping cost. |
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Post by mcfclee on Apr 11, 2023 16:02:31 GMT -5
Can you at least explain why it’s jumped so sharply this month then? $12 to $23 for a single figure is a massive raise. I priced up some shipping to the UK, and it depends on the size of the box of the figure. Eg, standard Elite is $11.50. But a Defining Moments figure is $22, probably because it’s a bigger box, so needs to go in a bigger box. It’s the same for Ultimates, exclusives, etc. each product has its own shipping cost. So we legitimately believe that if a box goes up and inch or so the price instantly doubles? This is the only company that works that way, but there’s nothing that can be done? Come on. |
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Post by RSCTom on Apr 11, 2023 16:19:37 GMT -5
Everyone can dance around the reality of what PJ is telling them all they want but it's how it is. There's no bias in what he's saying and it's the reality as to why it fluctuates. One thing I don't get why people don't consider, wouldn't the sales from as many international customers as possible outweigh a few extra shipping dollars? It wouldn't make any sense to do something like hold on to a stock of things we are hoping are bought and shipped to simply make space just so we can charge shipping money for fun. Sometimes the suggestion you can make that seems simplest just isn't possible on the scale you're considering. We've said an endless amount of times we wish it were different, but this is what's available to us at our current size, shape and place within the economy. If you do have someone that can forward to you and it's cheaper, I'd suggest it. To think we want less customers and are trying to trick the ones we have into paying extra doesn't track. Also no one is pocketing excess shipping money because if that were the case I would put it all in one of those air tanks that blows money around and film myself capturing it just so everyone could see. Can you at least explain why it’s jumped so sharply this month then? $12 to $23 for a single figure is a massive raise. I don't have any direct insight into it at the current moment but I do know from the time I've worked regularly in the warehouse and beyond (10+ years on and off) that it fluctuates. PJ is correct in his explanation that anything can cause it. The system we use provides rates directly from the carriers themselves via internet connection...we could wake up tomorrow and it could be 300 bucks for a single figure to a certain place if they wanted it to be that way (obviously that would be a much larger issue, but you get what I'm saying). Sharp jumps are what they are, sharp jumps. I am on the same page with you and that frustration, especially just from a business perspective as I spend a lot of time in another country and it costs us to even ship me things from the business side. If there ever was an opportunity to adjust the cost and make it easier for everyone, best believe we would do it. I would suggest against being part of the 'Ringside cost conspiracy' crowd though. It just isn't how it is and it's a waste of energy. |
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Post by RSCTom on Apr 11, 2023 16:26:16 GMT -5
I priced up some shipping to the UK, and it depends on the size of the box of the figure. Eg, standard Elite is $11.50. But a Defining Moments figure is $22, probably because it’s a bigger box, so needs to go in a bigger box. It’s the same for Ultimates, exclusives, etc. each product has its own shipping cost. So we legitimately believe that if a box goes up and inch or so the price instantly doubles? This is the only company that works that way, but there’s nothing that can be done? Come on. How hard is that to believe? This even happens with packages shipped domestically in the States. I shipped something by USPS for 9 or 10 bucks flat rate priority 8 months ago that weighed 4 pounds because of the location...I did a similar thing with same weight but a slightly bigger box the other day and it was 22 or 23 dollars. I just kind of bite my tongue and say well, there it is. It's gotten even more granular as time has gone on. In no way am I happy about it when it happens, but it's reality even on basic shipments. So if it's a reality there, you can imagine there are business aspects as PJ suggests regularly in his posts every time this comes up that factor into it for us. I can't speak for the other toy shipping sites...make what you will of how and why they do that, what their volume of orders are compared to ours, their likely location, etc. It all plays a part and it all doesn't just change, it fluctuates. If the USPS somehow shifted from a money suck for the government to turning a profit this would probably all be a lot better, but that's unlikely anytime soon and it's just my personal opinion on it. |
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Post by mcfclee on Apr 11, 2023 16:30:14 GMT -5
So we legitimately believe that if a box goes up and inch or so the price instantly doubles? This is the only company that works that way, but there’s nothing that can be done? Come on. How hard is that to believe? This even happens with packages shipped domestically in the States. I shipped something by USPS for 9 or 10 bucks flat rate priority 8 months ago that weighed 4 pounds because of the location...I did a similar thing with same weight but a slightly bigger box the other day and it was 22 or 23 dollars. I just kind of bite my tongue and say well, there it is. It's gotten even more granular as time has gone on. In no way am I happy about it when it happens, but it's reality even on basic shipments. So if it's a reality there, you can imagine there are business aspects as PJ suggests regularly in his posts every time this comes up that factor into it for us. I can't speak for the other toy shipping sites...make what you will of how and why they do that, what their volume of orders are compared to ours, their likely location, etc. It all plays a part and it all doesn't just change, it fluctuates. If the USPS somehow shifted from a money suck for the government to turning a profit this would probably all be a lot better, but that's unlikely anytime soon and it's just my personal opinion on it. Appreciate you posting. I hope you guys would look at it as it does stop me ordering. I’ve been fine with paying double retail for years as the “Australia tax” is what it is, but once it gets to triple I have to bow out. Maybe a bigger box does double, but not combining for any saving as well is hard to swallow. Maybe it’s not ringside, but the companies they use, but as someone who did work in logistics for a long while, a call to explain the loss of business could go a long way. There just isn’t a world where every other site can combine and you guys have no negotiating power at all. I for the sake of argument haven’t bought into any “they pocket the difference” points of view. Just want to feel that as a long term customer I’m being heard on an issue that is stopping me shopping with my fav figure supplier. |
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Post by RSCTom on Apr 11, 2023 17:38:04 GMT -5
How hard is that to believe? This even happens with packages shipped domestically in the States. I shipped something by USPS for 9 or 10 bucks flat rate priority 8 months ago that weighed 4 pounds because of the location...I did a similar thing with same weight but a slightly bigger box the other day and it was 22 or 23 dollars. I just kind of bite my tongue and say well, there it is. It's gotten even more granular as time has gone on. In no way am I happy about it when it happens, but it's reality even on basic shipments. So if it's a reality there, you can imagine there are business aspects as PJ suggests regularly in his posts every time this comes up that factor into it for us. I can't speak for the other toy shipping sites...make what you will of how and why they do that, what their volume of orders are compared to ours, their likely location, etc. It all plays a part and it all doesn't just change, it fluctuates. If the USPS somehow shifted from a money suck for the government to turning a profit this would probably all be a lot better, but that's unlikely anytime soon and it's just my personal opinion on it. Appreciate you posting. I hope you guys would look at it as it does stop me ordering. I’ve been fine with paying double retail for years as the “Australia tax” is what it is, but once it gets to triple I have to bow out. Maybe a bigger box does double, but not combining for any saving as well is hard to swallow. Maybe it’s not ringside, but the companies they use, but as someone who did work in logistics for a long while, a call to explain the loss of business could go a long way. There just isn’t a world where every other site can combine and you guys have no negotiating power at all. I for the sake of argument haven’t bought into any “they pocket the difference” points of view. Just want to feel that as a long term customer I’m being heard on an issue that is stopping me shopping with my fav figure supplier. I hear you and I appreciate the collected response. The next time I'm in the position to ask about that specifically, I'll do it and get back to you. |
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Papi Joker
Main Eventer
INTERNATIONAL COLLECTORS LIVES MATTER
Joined on: Feb 23, 2016 23:56:30 GMT -5
Posts: 1,603
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Post by Papi Joker on Apr 11, 2023 17:48:16 GMT -5
is bypassing China an option?
Direct from manufacturer?
These toys are well travelled...
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Post by PJ on Apr 11, 2023 18:15:57 GMT -5
is bypassing China an option? Direct from manufacturer? These toys are well travelled... For RSC? No…They aren’t the manufacture. They’re a Mattel customer like us. |
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Rob7274
Main Eventer
Joined on: Sept 3, 2010 5:46:16 GMT -5
Posts: 3,821
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Post by Rob7274 on Apr 13, 2023 13:45:45 GMT -5
Mattel really do need to give better distribution to international markets.
Mattel and WWE are supposed to be international companies but often leave other regions of the worlds scraps.
In the UK we have been getting half waves which include BaF series.
No Legends, No exclusives, no news on if or when we will get stuff.
So we end up relaying on RSC to collect….they make their profit.
But IF they aren’t looking into ways in helping us international customers get better rates or IF there profiting even more from our shitty situation then they truly do suck and have become as scummy as all the other big businesses.
If a company like Amazon looked to take over the market share they could easily swallow RSC whole and the loyalty of international customers would be little if none at all.
We need to hear of something being actually looked into or action taken.
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Post by AxelSmackdown on Apr 13, 2023 13:50:04 GMT -5
Everyone can dance around the reality of what PJ is telling them all they want but it's how it is. There's no bias in what he's saying and it's the reality as to why it fluctuates. One thing I don't get why people don't consider, wouldn't the sales from as many international customers as possible outweigh a few extra shipping dollars? It wouldn't make any sense to do something like hold on to a stock of things we are hoping are bought and shipped to simply make space just so we can charge shipping money for fun. Sometimes the suggestion you can make that seems simplest just isn't possible on the scale you're considering. We've said an endless amount of times we wish it were different, but this is what's available to us at our current size, shape and place within the economy. If you do have someone that can forward to you and it's cheaper, I'd suggest it. To think we want less customers and are trying to trick the ones we have into paying extra doesn't track. Also no one is pocketing excess shipping money because if that were the case I would put it all in one of those air tanks that blows money around and film myself capturing it just so everyone could see. Tom confirmed he is upping the international shipping so he can buy himself a cash blower box |
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eatushsa2
Mid-Carder
Joined on: Mar 19, 2017 12:54:32 GMT -5
Posts: 487 
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Post by eatushsa2 on Apr 13, 2023 13:56:28 GMT -5
Appreciate you posting. I hope you guys would look at it as it does stop me ordering. I’ve been fine with paying double retail for years as the “Australia tax” is what it is, but once it gets to triple I have to bow out. Maybe a bigger box does double, but not combining for any saving as well is hard to swallow. Maybe it’s not ringside, but the companies they use, but as someone who did work in logistics for a long while, a call to explain the loss of business could go a long way. There just isn’t a world where every other site can combine and you guys have no negotiating power at all. I for the sake of argument haven’t bought into any “they pocket the difference” points of view. Just want to feel that as a long term customer I’m being heard on an issue that is stopping me shopping with my fav figure supplier. I hear you and I appreciate the collected response. The next time I'm in the position to ask about that specifically, I'll do it and get back to you. Perhaps Ringside could look into alternative shipping methods. I usually order from Ringside or amazon, to ship to the Middle East Ringside gives me the option of USPS, which all due respect is garbage, and FedEx which is super fast, even the cheapest option (I'm not counting FedEx International economy as it doesn't get delivered by FedEx but by my local post office which is also garbage.) Amazon usually gives me the option of DHL and Aramex, Aramex is significantly cheaper, yes it's WAY slower than DHL or FedEx but for the extra bucks that I'll save I'll wait a total of 10 days. Summary: look into alternate providers that are slightly slower but still offer tracking. |
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skogen
Superstar
Joined on: Mar 4, 2021 1:58:42 GMT -5
Posts: 559
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Post by skogen on Apr 13, 2023 14:13:38 GMT -5
So we legitimately believe that if a box goes up and inch or so the price instantly doubles? This is the only company that works that way, but there’s nothing that can be done? Come on. How hard is that to believe? This even happens with packages shipped domestically in the States. I shipped something by USPS for 9 or 10 bucks flat rate priority 8 months ago that weighed 4 pounds because of the location...I did a similar thing with same weight but a slightly bigger box the other day and it was 22 or 23 dollars. I just kind of bite my tongue and say well, there it is. It's gotten even more granular as time has gone on. In no way am I happy about it when it happens, but it's reality even on basic shipments. So if it's a reality there, you can imagine there are business aspects as PJ suggests regularly in his posts every time this comes up that factor into it for us. I can't speak for the other toy shipping sites...make what you will of how and why they do that, what their volume of orders are compared to ours, their likely location, etc. It all plays a part and it all doesn't just change, it fluctuates. If the USPS somehow shifted from a money suck for the government to turning a profit this would probably all be a lot better, but that's unlikely anytime soon and it's just my personal opinion on it. Thank you for posting. This might be an insane question since I have no idea about the costs nor obviously the RSC's European market but is there a capacity for a European warehouse in the long-term? |
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Post by RSCTom on Apr 13, 2023 14:24:43 GMT -5
is bypassing China an option? Direct from manufacturer? These toys are well travelled... This is not a thing. |
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Post by RSCTom on Apr 13, 2023 14:26:42 GMT -5
So we end up relaying on RSC to collect….they make their profit. But IF they aren’t looking into ways in helping us international customers get better rates or IF there profiting even more from our crapty situation then they truly do suck and have become as scummy as all the other big businesses. If a company like Amazon looked to take over the market share they could easily swallow RSC whole and the loyalty of international customers would be little if none at all. We need to hear of something being actually looked into or action taken. No profit conspiracy but thanks for the thoughts. We do sell on Amazon so they probably aren't that interested. Things can be actively looked at and looked into and if we choose not to provide constant updates about it, that's our business prerogative. That said things are being, and have been, actively looked into. |
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Post by RSCTom on Apr 13, 2023 14:28:40 GMT -5
I hear you and I appreciate the collected response. The next time I'm in the position to ask about that specifically, I'll do it and get back to you. Perhaps Ringside could look into alternative shipping methods. I usually order from Ringside or amazon, to ship to the Middle East Ringside gives me the option of USPS, which all due respect is garbage, and FedEx which is super fast, even the cheapest option (I'm not counting FedEx International economy as it doesn't get delivered by FedEx but by my local post office which is also garbage.) Amazon usually gives me the option of DHL and Aramex, Aramex is significantly cheaper, yes it's WAY slower than DHL or FedEx but for the extra bucks that I'll save I'll wait a total of 10 days. Summary: look into alternate providers that are slightly slower but still offer tracking. It's ultimately going to depend on our offers from those companies and the rates. Unfortunately if the cost is too high coming from a DHL or an Aramex we just simply aren't using them. It's the same if they aren't compatible with our current shipping system which I don't believe a few are unfortunately. It's tough dealing with the local post office, I don't even like dealing with mine. But sometimes those are the only viable options unfortunately. |
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Post by RSCTom on Apr 13, 2023 14:30:18 GMT -5
Thank you for posting. This might be an insane question since I have no idea about the costs nor obviously the RSC's European market but is there a capacity for a European warehouse in the long-term? I can't really say much more than this has definitely been something we have discussed. Not in the short term or probably medium term, though. |
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Post by RSCTom on Apr 13, 2023 14:33:29 GMT -5
I looked into this further and I want everyone to know it's something we on the upper management team are regularly looking into. So far it's still questionable figuring out our options to have cheaper international shipping but it is not something that falls by the wayside. This is checked upon and there just isn't a great solution other than what we already have that doesn't significantly increase costs at the moment.
Maybe this changes in the future, maybe it doesn't but it's definitely something RSC is trying to navigate.
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Post by casanova on Apr 13, 2023 14:47:09 GMT -5
Being from Europe this topic is extremely interesting for me. Tom, thanks for being so repetitive and open about this sensitive topic. Your posts have been a great read and explanation. As a frustrated buyer I got a little more understanding about why shippingprices are so high. It makes them not cheaper and I will most likely not order from you on a regular basis (as much as I would like to), but it makes it easier to swallow when needed (nWo Retros for example).
One thing I would ask for: If you guys ever find a way to lower the shipping rates for internationals, please make an announcement at this board as otherwise me and many others simply wouldn’t recognize as we don’t check your rates every two weeks.
Thank you!
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Rob7274
Main Eventer
Joined on: Sept 3, 2010 5:46:16 GMT -5
Posts: 3,821
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Post by Rob7274 on Apr 13, 2023 14:55:56 GMT -5
So we end up relaying on RSC to collect….they make their profit. But IF they aren’t looking into ways in helping us international customers get better rates or IF there profiting even more from our crapty situation then they truly do suck and have become as scummy as all the other big businesses. If a company like Amazon looked to take over the market share they could easily swallow RSC whole and the loyalty of international customers would be little if none at all. We need to hear of something being actually looked into or action taken. No profit conspiracy but thanks for the thoughts. We do sell on Amazon so they probably aren't that interested. Things can be actively looked at and looked into and if we choose not to provide constant updates about it, that's our business prerogative. That said things are being, and have been, actively looked into. Thank you for your response. Great to hear and happy to have Ringside constantly looking into other options. |
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Papi Joker
Main Eventer
INTERNATIONAL COLLECTORS LIVES MATTER
Joined on: Feb 23, 2016 23:56:30 GMT -5
Posts: 1,603
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Post by Papi Joker on Apr 13, 2023 17:43:37 GMT -5
is bypassing China an option? Direct from manufacturer? These toys are well travelled... This is not a thing. Customer puts order in. RSC Says not in stock yet. RSC asks Supplier to ship directly to customer once in stock? I guess for one little figure it is to much work which makes sense. But that's how it works with many other things (about 90% plastic comes from supplier in China) Is it because they are boxed in USA? Is that why in China they sell them loose on TaoBao or like a store like KWK? Another thing many online stores who carried WWE seem to fall through here, is the licensing anything to do with RSC (especially when we talk about RSC Exclusive figures?) The solutions are there, the business is mature, it just takes a bit more effort, then we as international collectors would have no issues funding the WCW Nitro stage as well. When we talk about 'doing your part' YOU, our fellow American collecting brothers need to back us first, YOU get the perks, YOU get the sales, YOU get the retail, YOU get the FREE SHIPPING. It is what a good community does after all. Surely you can understand how it feels to waste money on other thing besides our dear toys! |
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