So, I managed to snag an Apocalypse statue off eBay last week.
I should have realized there was a problem with the seller. He seemed careless: he didn't even put "Bowen" in the auction anywhere, and he listed the sculptor as Seth Vandable instead of the Kucharek Brothers. I think he just copied the info from his simultaneously running Mr. Sinister auction, since that statue was sculpted by Vandable. Still, I got it for what I consider a good price.
The item comes in today. I swear to God the box had about an 8 inch lump in the middle of the top flap, where he couldn't be bothered to find a box that fit, so he just forced the flaps closed.
I open the box, and the padding is...
a sleeping bag? What the hell? Who packs using a sleeping bag?
Still, the box inside looks intact, but there's a rattle. Never good. I crack it open, and it turns out this dude placed the statue correctly inside the box, then threw the two spare hands loose inside, so they flopped around during shipping.
Miraculously, the gun hand didn't get damaged at all. There are a few places on the statue itself where the paint got scuffed, but the main damage occurred to the loose hands. Two fingers broke off. I might be able to glue them, but I'll always know they're damaged, and I can't sell him as mint.
I'm still waiting to hear back from the seller. He's either getting the whole thing back and giving me a full refund, or he's going to refund a substantial portion of my money and let me keep the damaged statue.
On a related note: if there's anybody out there who has a spare regular hand they might be willing to part with, please let me know ASAP. I would gladly pay you for it.
Who knows? I figure there might be a customizer out there with a spare hand, or somebody who never intends to display the regular hand.
lmfao.....a sleeping bag. Really now? I guess he packed it in case Apocalypse got tired during his journey!
I am sorry about the situation, but I can't help but laugh at the stupidity of some people.
There was a picture at the other forum where somebody just put a loose statue inside a cardboard box....no padding whatsoever and shipped it out. The thing was completely in pieces upon opening it. lol
Do we have a thread for this stuff? I'd love to read a comprehensive collection of stories like these.
look out for bed bugs lol. sorry man that sucks about the hands though
Jesus, I didn't even think of that. That thing is going in the trash ASAP. Ick.
The auction didn't mention Bowen, so I figured I had a better chance of getting it for a low price (I know when I search, I usually search for "bowen hulk" or "bowen thor"). I hoped people would miss it.
The seller has responded to my e-mail and agreed to a partial refund. I think I can live with that. We'll see if he follows through.
Now then... I just need to get my hex bag out and hope somebody's Detolf holding their Apocalypse shatters, leaving only a pristine hand left behind... one that I'll gladly relieve them of.
I saw that Sinister of his, but after reading this I backed away from it. Those strands on the back are delicate and with the way he shipped Apocalypse...!? He may not have fingers or a cape!? No thanks...good luck getting it shipped to Australia!? Ouch!? I honestly hope things go well for you...
send him back. A broken statue, even if repaired, is still a broken statue.
I'd send him back too, but before you do...I would hit up Bowen's customer service to see if they have a spare hand. If not, it'll be next to impossible getting a collector to give theirs up.
I'd send him back too, but before you do...I would hit up Bowen's customer service to see if they have a spare hand. If not, it'll be next to impossible getting a collector to give theirs up.
Good call. I doubt Bowen will have any spares, but I'll shoot them an e-mail to see.
The seller and I already agreed to a partial refund, so sending him back isn't an option.
I've glued the fingers back on. For one finger, you can't tell it was ever broken. On the other, there was a small hairline crack visible. I've touched it up with Tamiya Clear Blue paint, and it's not noticeable to me anymore. If I walked in a store and saw it, I'd never know there had been damage.
Honestly, I'm actually pretty happy with how it turned out. I ended up getting Apocalypse for less than $200, so I can live with it. I don't intend to sell him, so the hit on resale value isn't too big a deal (and non-existent if I can find a replacement hand somewhere).
Good call. I doubt Bowen will have any spares, but I'll shoot them an e-mail to see.
The seller and I already agreed to a partial refund, so sending him back isn't an option.
I've glued the fingers back on. For one finger, you can't tell it was ever broken. On the other, there was a small hairline crack visible. I've touched it up with Tamiya Clear Blue paint, and it's not noticeable to me anymore. If I walked in a store and saw it, I'd never know there had been damage.
Honestly, I'm actually pretty happy with how it turned out. I ended up getting Apocalypse for less than $200, so I can live with it. I don't intend to sell him, so the hit on resale value isn't too big a deal (and non-existent if I can find a replacement hand somewhere).
Wow! Congrats! It does look good...now about that Tamiya clear blue paint; my Apocalypse has blotches all around his collar area. Do you think that color would fix it if I apply it to the affected areas? It's a dark blue though...any suggestions?
Wow! Congrats! It does look good...now about that Tamiya clear blue paint; my Apocalypse has blotches all around his collar area. Do you think that color would fix it if I apply it to the affected areas? It's a dark blue though...any suggestions?
The clear blue is roughly the same color as the A on his belt. It's not a perfect match, but it's close.
If you're talking about the really dark part of his collar, it won't work for that area for sure. Best bet there is to try to match the colors yourself, but it's always a crapshoot doing that.
The clear blue is roughly the same color as the A on his belt. It's not a perfect match, but it's close.
If you're talking about the really dark part of his collar, it won't work for that area for sure. Best bet there is to try to match the colors yourself, but it's always a crapshoot doing that.
Thanks for the info, but yeah mine is not that bad. I'd like to paint it myself if it's easy to do on my own. Maybe I'll hit up one of the professional painters for further advice.
Yay, Apocalypse... awww, crap.
Linear Mode
