Craig Stevens Packing

wrighty

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He was not tag in this post if he hasn't seen it maybe someone can let Craig know. :shock:
 

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mumbo

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Simply Sci-fi said:
Is this posted in FB Vintage Star Wars High End? I can't see it, let alone respond to it.

Also here but you aren't a member............ Vintage Star Wars Group

https://www.facebook.com/groups/Starwarsgroups/permalink/1432096666869577/?comment_id=1432434183502492&notif_t=group_comment_reply&notif_id=1501967394976608
 

Simply Sci-fi

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Whew, that was a bruising experience. For those who didn't follow the threads on the Facebook Vintage Star Wars Action Figures page, this whole thing went out of control when Mike Vogel posted our issues in public. I truly wish he hadn't done that as we hadn't finished our conversation. I suppose he saw a brick wall and took it to the next level. I thought we were still talking. If I had been more internet savvy, I would have known not to dispute things with anyone, because there are thousands of people out there just waiting to join a baying mob. There are bigger issues in the world than a bad packaging job, I have admitted my packing was not up to the hobby's standards, although I thought it was fine. I provided Mike with the part refund that he requested after my name was blasted all over Facebook. I do fear that my reputation has taken a massive hit. People these days don't bother to find out the truth about anything and will just blindly follow the view that "Craig's a bad guy."

I put up a post on the FB Vintage Star Wars Action Figures page explaining an idea I've had for fellow collectors to collaborate with me on a follow-up to my book, in aid of charity. That was probably another idiotic move. I would like to tell the next part of the Star Wars story in the U.K from 1984 to the present day but there's no way I can write it all myself. I'll see what kind of response I get.
 

wrighty

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Simply Sci-fi said:
Whew, that was a bruising experience. For those who didn't follow the threads on the Facebook Vintage Star Wars Action Figures page, this whole thing went out of control when Mike Vogel posted our issues in public. I truly wish he hadn't done that as we hadn't finished our conversation. I suppose he saw a brick wall and took it to the next level. I thought we were still talking. If I had been more internet savvy, I would have known not to dispute things with anyone, because there are thousands of people out there just waiting to join a baying mob. There are bigger issues in the world than a bad packaging job, I have admitted my packing was not up to the hobby's standards, although I thought it was fine. I provided Mike with the part refund that he requested after my name was blasted all over Facebook. I do fear that my reputation has taken a massive hit. People these days don't bother to find out the truth about anything and will just blindly follow the view that "Craig's a bad guy."

I put up a post on the FB Vintage Star Wars Action Figures page explaining an idea I've had for fellow collectors to collaborate with me on a follow-up to my book, in aid of charity. That was probably another idiotic move. I would like to tell the next part of the Star Wars story in the U.K from 1984 to the present day but there's no way I can write it all myself. I'll see what kind of response I get.

Hey Craig, as I said before trial by social media with 99.99% speaking out of their arse is brutal and bruising. Glad you got it sort and move forward.
 

yoda

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I am glad you seem to have got things sorted. It just shows how quickly things accelerate between the forums and Facebook.
 

Simply Sci-fi

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wrighty said:
Simply Sci-fi said:
Whew, that was a bruising experience. For those who didn't follow the threads on the Facebook Vintage Star Wars Action Figures page, this whole thing went out of control when Mike Vogel posted our issues in public. I truly wish he hadn't done that as we hadn't finished our conversation. I suppose he saw a brick wall and took it to the next level. I thought we were still talking. If I had been more internet savvy, I would have known not to dispute things with anyone, because there are thousands of people out there just waiting to join a baying mob. There are bigger issues in the world than a bad packaging job, I have admitted my packing was not up to the hobby's standards, although I thought it was fine. I provided Mike with the part refund that he requested after my name was blasted all over Facebook. I do fear that my reputation has taken a massive hit. People these days don't bother to find out the truth about anything and will just blindly follow the view that "Craig's a bad guy."

I put up a post on the FB Vintage Star Wars Action Figures page explaining an idea I've had for fellow collectors to collaborate with me on a follow-up to my book, in aid of charity. That was probably another idiotic move. I would like to tell the next part of the Star Wars story in the U.K from 1984 to the present day but there's no way I can write it all myself. I'll see what kind of response I get.

Hey Craig, as I said before trial by social media with 99.99% speaking out of their arse is brutal and bruising. Glad you got it sort and move forward.

Thanks for those words. It really does help when someone takes time to help and support someone else.
 

Simply Sci-fi

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yoda said:
I am glad you seem to have got things sorted. It just shows how quickly things accelerate between the forums and Facebook.

Thanks for that. I'm relieved to have got it over with. I'm too busy to let things like that bother me.
 

SublevelStudios

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Simply Sci-fi said:
wrighty said:
Anyone know if there will be a hardcover version? :?

Thanks for asking. There's no plans for a hardback yet but who knows. It's still in the early stages.

To quote the late great Bill Hicks: 'Ah, sarcasm, come on in!'.

To be honest Craig, looking at the pictures of the packaging, it simply was NOWHERE near adequate for a £1000 item. I've sent loose figures in better boxes, I'm surprised you thought it was adequate having been around for as long as you say you have and knowing the state collectors demand an item be received in, espeically high value. I'm sure had the shoe been on the other foot you would be equally angry having forked out a huge sum. And is it true you actually stated he had not asked or paid for more sturdy packaging before you sent it?

Secondly, the concept of getting people back onside by helping you write another book for chairty is a bizarre notion. I presume the intention was a good one but you've completely misread the situation - this would never get the community to support you and in fact you've shot yourself in the foot.

I'm pleased you have resolved the issue with Mike but I would take a long hard look at the handling of this and learn from it. It's really done you no favours I'm afraid which is a massive shame as the book looked like an interesting read and deserved the full support on the community.
 

Lindo

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I can't see how **** packaging and trying to promote a book is the same thing tbh, how is 1 case of poor packaging going to damage your reputation? And that is exactly why Facebook is the devil
 

SublevelStudios

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Lindo said:
I can't see how **** packaging and trying to promote a book is the same thing tbh, how is 1 case of poor packaging going to damage your reputation? And that is exactly why Facebook is the devil

A bad reputation travels twice as fast as a good one.

Now, when anyone mentions Craig's book, they're likely to mention this episode in the same sentence - 'yeah, Craig Stevens, the guy who sent a £1000 item in naff packaging that got damaged, he's then one that wrote it'.

Now you can see how it might affect his promotion - the timing could not have been worse.

I'll still be buying the book for sure, it covers the areas I'm most interested in having a UK bias, and I have no doubt Craig has covered it meticulously it's just a massive shame that this happened now, and TBH need not have happened at all :(
 

mumbo

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Reply from Forbidden Planet

Hello

The Stores are run and managed independently from ourselves and you would need to check with your nearest store regarding this.

Thank you

Regards
Wendy
Customer Services
 

Simply Sci-fi

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SublevelStudios said:
Lindo said:
I can't see how **** packaging and trying to promote a book is the same thing tbh, how is 1 case of poor packaging going to damage your reputation? And that is exactly why Facebook is the devil

A bad reputation travels twice as fast as a good one.

Now, when anyone mentions Craig's book, they're likely to mention this episode in the same sentence - 'yeah, Craig Stevens, the guy who sent a £1000 item in naff packaging that got damaged, he's then one that wrote it'.

Now you can see how it might affect his promotion - the timing could not have been worse.

I'll still be buying the book for sure, it covers the areas I'm most interested in having a UK bias, and I have no doubt Craig has covered it meticulously it's just a massive shame that this happened now, and TBH need not have happened at all :(


Thanks for your words. I would hope that everyone who mentions my name would not think that of me that way, although some might. It depends on how many people really took notice of the situation and what their opinion is of it.

This is has been a massive learning experience for me. I believe that my apprenticeship is for life and I now understand how anybody out there can jump on to social media and trash your name. It is not wise to upset anyone, under any circumstances when something you're involved in depends on upholding your public persona.

Its fortunate that my book is only going to be a very small part of my income (it is a labour of love rather than profit), especially now that my publisher is treating it as a specialist title priced at a whopping £30, rather than a mass market book priced to sell. I'm hoping to make the most of my foot in the door of the publishing world and write books on other subjects. I'm also working on a novel. I have other self employment opportunities, that have nothing to do with Star Wars - which will allow me to get a little variety in my life. I can only hope!
 

subzero

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If you were on an 'O J Simpson style trial' then yes i'd worry about the book, but over a single damaged box I wouldn't worry.

Luckily most people are smart enough to know not to connect something as irrelevant as a bad toy shipment to a book release, I myself know about the damaged item and do believe judging from the photo that the box should have definitely been stronger, but I couldn't give a monkey's about it and i'm still ordering your book.
 

Mini99

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Just had a response from Forbidden Plant, that your book should be available in the Autum/winter of this year.
I hope that this helps your sales.
Best of luck.
 

edd_jedi

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Although I absolutely agree that a better box should have been used (or for such an expensive item even a plastic box) it looks to me like somebody has kicked a hole in the box. If somebody really wants to destroy something, there's not much you can do to stop them. I've had poorly packaged items arrive perfectly (I once had a MOC arrive from the USA in a jiffy bag without a single crease or bubble dent) and also "bomb-proof" packed items arrive damaged, there is a certain amount of luck involved.

I agree Craig probably should have been more forthcoming with a refund or other solution, but we only got one side of the story on that to start with and it sounds like a solution has been found. Hopefully learnings on both sides.
 

weasel

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SublevelStudios said:
To be honest Craig, looking at the pictures of the packaging, it simply was NOWHERE near adequate for a £1000 item. I've sent loose figures in better boxes, I'm surprised you thought it was adequate having been around for as long as you say you have and knowing the state collectors demand an item be received in, espeically high value. I'm sure had the shoe been on the other foot you would be equally angry having forked out a huge sum. And is it true you actually stated he had not asked or paid for more sturdy packaging before you sent it?

Secondly, the concept of getting people back onside by helping you write another book for chairty is a bizarre notion. I presume the intention was a good one but you've completely misread the situation - this would never get the community to support you and in fact you've shot yourself in the foot.

I'm pleased you have resolved the issue with Mike but I would take a long hard look at the handling of this and learn from it. It's really done you no favours I'm afraid which is a massive shame as the book looked like an interesting read and deserved the full support on the community.

Sums it up for me.

Hopefully it has been put to bed and lessons have been learnt.
 
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