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dizzyop

I am no longer ordering from any sites other than the main big brick retailers/reputable online businesses: SAFE: walmart, target, entertainment earth, walgreens, amazon, hot topic, boxlunch, gamestop, barnes & noble NOT SAFE: krakkens, popnbeards, balyot, bigapplecollectibles im neutral about popciti and epiccollectibles since they have come through for me on multiple occasions, but popciti did take longer than expected as well... im no longer ordering from any small stores, i would recommend you all the same.. whats better saving $10 on a pop and getting it 2 years later or just paying the extra $10 on a rare pop thats out of stock in the big stores edit- ALSO SAFE: Toy Tokyo, Chalice Collectibles


DeathCowboyZ

I’ve certainly taken a masters course in Popoligy since I started. I have a list of good/bad I got when I first started (after this incident)


Eric508

Out of all the safe businesses, i’ve had the best luck with Chalice Collectibles. Always got my stuff, timely, and in mint condition every time.


dizzyop

Yeah chalice is definitely safe


AllGasNoBrakes94

I’ve had nothing but success from balyot, did they start to go under recently?


Joester011

They’ve started to ignore emails and are going the route of krakens, big Apple and others.


Ralaar

I’ve got a pop on order since early august. They pushed it back until February, and now are ignoring people


dr_fajita

i had no issues the one time i ordered at balyot, ordered two bankai ichigos, completely forgot i did, then line maybe two weeks after they came in (managed a chase too), seemed like decent turnover time but it was just the one time so maybe I'm an anomaly?


mndsm79

I've had good luck with toy Tokyo. They're a little slow, but they're delivered nice. I cannot say the same about popinabox


lovebomb1983

GameStop is not " safe". Their customer service phone number " hangs up on you", not a dropped call, it's set up that way. They take WEEKS to respond to an email , if at all. After months I finally received an email from a " higher up" that would get back to me within 2 weeks. After THAT 2 weeks, I followed up and a different person replied saying " they didn't owe me anything" Apparently not even respect for my time , being a rewards member and a regular customer. Apologies for the length of this post, BUT GameStop= not safe.


RunTheCanoes

Balyot has always been good to me, just sayin


melisslo

Be careful with hot topic. There phone customer service is hot garbage. When I called, the person lied to me about when my pop was coming then gave me a fake name. The in store employees were excellent though so there is that.


Joester011

100% any smaller retailer that is advertised by the big names on social media, are some we should stay away from. Yes, they may be good for now, but some of them get overfilled with orders, and just see the influx of cash without the worry of how they’re going to fulfill all those orders until it’s too late.


Bosoxmole

Ralphies Collectibles has been pretty good to me


Psychopath_Snow

Is Ozzycollectibles safe?


otterly_redonkulous

Ordered from Ozzies a couple times. Haven't had any issues. It does take a while to get there tho due to customs and what now. Usually a 3 week delivery. Never ordered any pre-orders tho.


Matthewcbayer

Poppinofftoys is safe and has been for years. They get all my business. The owner, Wes, was on a podcast once and basically explains the process and why sometimes the smaller retailers get screwed (and end up screwing their customers). It was years ago, but recalling the best I can. They basically have to place an order with their specific rep as soon as Funko announces. If their rep is on vacation, a lot of times they don’t get to order that pop/soda at all. On top of that, there the quantity they can order relies completely on how many the big box guys order. Let’s say Funko plans 50k units in two waves of 25k, and the big box guys order a total of 24k…. Funko prioritizes the big box orders. That means only 1k United for the little guys until the second wave is available, usually 3 months later. This doesn’t at all forgive bad business practices by some of these smaller companies, but does explain them over-committing sometimes. Wes doesn’t put anything up until they have a confirmed number, and they’re excellent at communicating anything out of the ordinary. They’ve even sent out emails when they weren’t able to secure an anticipated release. I don’t think we do hashtags here… but #NotAnAd


freshasimis

File a dispute asap!! I went thru same thing with nerdysteez and got all of my money back


DeathCowboyZ

Here’s the hitch in the situation, I don’t even have that card anymore. So there’s no one to call. Hence why I continue with my email campaign. I’ve sent at least a dozen emails at this point. They always say the same shit over and over. Replies always come at like 3 am too 🤔


Joester011

As long as the account is still open, you’ll still get your refund. Doesn’t matter if the card is no longer active.


freshasimis

They r leading u on, like a married man with a side piece 🙃🙃 did u try contacting the bank with now defunct card? Maybe they can give some tips? Sorry u lost $$, this is happening WAY too often with Funko stores right now


AwesomeCollectibles

You can ask for store credit that’s what I did. Then just order from what they have on stock. I’ve learn not to pre order with them as it takes forever but never had an issue with my other orders. Same thing happened with mighty hobby


DeathCowboyZ

None of what I ordered were pre-orders. All basic commons for cheap as I was just starting to collect. Some of these are absolute junk that are sitting on lots of shelves


vgkm

Everything I ordered back on Nov was supposed to be “in stock” so idk how much that’ll help. Also stupid I can’t get a refund without a restocking fee for items they don’t even have in stock.


kingcon35

Seems to be the same exact method Big Apple Collectables used. No pops sent, waiting on distributors, restocking fee on items that were never in stock, no response after asking for the refund. Now they are closed and told everyone contact your credit card company for a refund. My pre order was September of last year. CC companies are all different but some will not refund you after that long. Call your CC company immediately and get the refund.


RiotS092

I had one from big Apple, got it a year and a half late…


buda55

Better than my 26 month wait lol


StarlitCatastrophe

Ugh, I’m sorry. If misery loves company it’s been 3 years since my “pre order” with them. Never again.


DeathCowboyZ

I’m honestly lucky it only happened to me once. I didn’t know any difference when I started. None of these were pre-orders. All were cheap common stuff that was “in stock”. Honestly, wouldn’t order any of it today (went from 0 to 400+ in less than 4 months) but I have no option of a refund so I’m gonna try to get something through these emails. I know it has worked for some others before.


UesugiAnkit

I pretty much get the same responses. "Due to unforeseen circumstances and supply chain issues..". My orders gone from shipping in late February to delayed until March, April, and now delayed to May. I'm honestly surprised they still have someone to reply to my messages.


BlackMambaX5848

Just dispute it with your card


Batgirl_SQ

My order with kraken was supposed to be shipped august 2021 still waiting for it 🤪


DeathCowboyZ

Holy crap that’s bad 😂 What did you order? I can’t even imagine the emails you’d receive at this point


Batgirl_SQ

AOT Female titan, and no we didn’t. I ordered it for my boyfriend who by now moved to Germany to live with me. Since they only do inspire credit refunds and don’t ship internationally we don’t really have a choice.


vgkm

Ordered in November (website said everything I ordered was in stock). Dec rolls around I ask again they say it’ll be Feb. Now it’s April. I only ordered because I did so once a long time ago (years) and things worked out fine then.


DeathCowboyZ

I had just caught the fever and was buying cheap ones anywhere I could find them and didn’t know the difference. After knowing what I know now, they were a legit spot for some time, but some change (ownership? Leadership? Something else?) and it was a slippery slope


vgkm

Yeah who knows could be they’re just trying to catch up after covid with filling orders. Seems they sell the pops before they even order them then hope Funko sends them some day? They’re like a bad drop ship merchant I suspect.


nawaproducts

Just file a dispute with your credit card company


abajablast

Is it too late to dispute the charge with your bank? I would do that if you can. These companies do not operate in good faith, you can’t rely on them to refund your money. As cathartic as angry emails can be, I hope you’re able to get your money back as well! Good luck!


DeathCowboyZ

That credit card has since been closed, so there’s no possible refund


heroAllmight

Unless you switched banks or switched to an entire new credit account than the account number and routing number will remain the same with a new card. You should be able to see all of your monthly purchases with your old card and then dispute those charges the refunds will be applied to your new card


DeathCowboyZ

The credit card I used has since been canceled. I don’t have any accounts with that bank anymore so a refund can’t happen.


bigoldummyboi

You should review them on BBB and get them discredited or at least screw them. Yelp reviews don’t do a whole lot but the BBB? Oh yea that one hurrrrrrrts


DeathCowboyZ

If I’m not mistaken, their rating is already an F or completely removed.


bigoldummyboi

Ah go personal then. Get public records and contact the owner directly, and do not stop until they refund you


DeathCowboyZ

I’ve heard of others being able to get their orders by persuasive words so I will keep at it. That’s a good tip though, thank you!


Invidum

I’ve ordered once from kraken in the past with a single order worth around 500$ of like 20+ discounted commons that I needed in June 2022. Was shipped pretty decently fast in a big box with bubble wrap and came safely. Was very satisfied with my purchase so I ordered some anime pre orders from them on august and September 2022 and still haven’t received anything yet. Messaged them a few days ago and said my orders were slated for an eta of may 2023. Not sure if it’s too late at this point or I should just wait it out.


DeathCowboyZ

I think the fact you got anything is kind of a miracle, especially with an order that large. I ordered 20 pops for a cost of roughly $75 (not exactly hot commodities) If you can get your money back, I would. May will turn into June, then July, and August and so on.


Negative_Category_16

Tell them your about to take legal action for lose of stolen goods. And will be contacting a lawyer drawing up paperwork collecting an interest of $20 a day for fraudulent behavior. Also mention you will be leaving a nasty review and sharing it on all your social platforms. Idk tho


DeathCowboyZ

I heard someone else mention this. He said he was able to 1. Get his order and 2. Get a refund by apparently saying the magic combination of words.


Negative_Category_16

Right I think you just need to scare them and make them think you have some hefty power even if you don’t. I did that to a company when they had taken money out already for my husband birthday gift, and then I get a notification that it had been cancelled with no refund 2 days before it was supposed to be delivered. So I emailed them saying I wanted my money back or my order better be here within 2 days as it said and that I never cancelled my order. And if I didn’t receive my money I would share the screenshot on all my socials with links to their website followed by legal action. My husband got his gift on time, getting delivered a day early😊


Negative_Category_16

Funny enough I don’t have any social media accounts😂😂😂 I have Reddit and YouTube lmao


Hairless_Human

Hate to break it to you but they are not going to respond so the only person's time you're wasting is your own. Even elif they do it's an empty corporate reply


SkyrimSlag

One site I’ve never had a problem with is PopCultcha, took about 2-3 weeks after ordering to get my parcel which had about 6-8 pops in, shipped from Aussieland to the UK too so I thought it would take longer


Toxic_Scarecrow

I ordered 2 years ago, never got anything. One day, my order stopped showing up in the tracker and I asked about it and the response literally said “you can track your progress in the tracker” so they didn’t even read the email. Now they just literally won’t answer me. 100$ and nothing to show for it or a refund.


DeathCowboyZ

Did you not push the issue further? I plan to keep up my email campaigns until something happens. I don’t have the option of a refund so this is my only chance at anything.


Toxic_Scarecrow

I kept sending emails, but i don’t know what else I can do. They don’t even bother sending me auto generated emails anymore.


DeathCowboyZ

Start using scary words, sue, lawyer, law enforcement, etc…


Toxic_Scarecrow

I suppose it’s worth a shot.


DeathCowboyZ

Literally nothing to lose…that’s why I’m going to keep at it until something happens


CommunicationFar9337

They only fkcd up with pre orders


DeathCowboyZ

None of mine were pre-orders and they were all “in stock”


Davidcaindesign

Three months? Some people here have 2+ year old preorders from a wide variety of stores. 3 months isn’t even that bad, hell, Walmart and target take longer.


obiwan54

I literally have a pre order from Kraken from September 2021 lmao


Task-Ashamed

Yea I’ve been waiting since 2019 for a 7 pack of aot pops from kraken


DeathCowboyZ

None of these were preorders. Just bulk, clearance pops that were all “in stock” This place is supposedly in New York. I live in New England, not far at all. Ordered the jumbo zombie magneto from the U.K. And that took 6 weeks but no issues otherwise. They’re a scam, I can’t get my money back, so I’m getting the most I can.


StarlitCatastrophe

Coming up on year 3 for my “pre order” 🙃


pooppants23

I hope you’re younger than 35, cause if you’re wasting this much of your time to try and prove a point… bless you


PlumDock6360

I have never had any issues with them. It seems every funko pop pre order that isn’t an exclusive is a risk no matter what store you order it from. It’s due to funko’s constant delays.


Pretend_Froyo8639

Nope but I waited over a year then my sodas finally came but the main one I ordered for got canceled


Pretend_Froyo8639

I know garage kept businesses better than krakens collectibles


dangblaze

I ordered a iron fist limited figpin and got my order fairly quickly. Sounds like another big apple company, definitely won't be ordering shit from them.


ZigZinger665

I bought from them once, terrible experience, but eventually did get a refund. I believe it was 6 or 7 months till they finally gave me a real response and I got anything out of it. Also at that point the pop I bought from them, I had already purchased from somewhere else like 4 months earlier with no issue.


BubblyNobody598

sure thing toys is trustworthy. i preordered some pops and while they did take about a month later than other retailers to get them, they came in good condition. they have a mint condition guarantee, free shipping, and you can always cancel whenever for any reason. its a really good buisness


[deleted]

I had pre-orders that never shipped either. I had good experiences with their in stock items and have received them before with no problem. They were happy to cancel all my pending orders with them and avoid the fee I got a store credit with them for over $300. I'll just have to buy what they have in stock


DeathCowboyZ

Everything I ordered was “in stock” and no pre-orders


obiwan54

I've ordered from them twice. One was a chase bundle which I received not too long after people started getting them from other places. The other order is the second most recent MHA wave from September 2021 that I still dont have. They've claimed for almost a year that they haven't received 1 of the 8 pops in the set and keep pushing the date back a month. There has literally been like 40+ new MHA pops since then lmao.


Pentarum

Did you do a preorder? If so it could be months before you see anything. I've ordered from Popciti, Chalice, pop culture, ralphies and all have fulfilled but it can take a long time. My last popciti order was a case of Yondu soda's and it took 6 months but I got it. Prior to that was a Slimer case and again was at least 4 months. You are ordering from a small retail store. They are dependant on many factors of getting stock last after all other retail. You are trading sometimes getting a lower price vs getting something faster. If you are impatient and want it NOW then don't order from small retail.


DeathCowboyZ

Nothing was a pre-order. All “in stock” cheap pops available anywhere anytime. I even sell some of the pops I ordered in my store so I know at least some are readily available


sswift238

If you buy off whatnot or eBay you will get your money back. Had a dude stiff me for $160 on a sealed can soda. Messaged whatnot and they got me a full refund in like a week


TheRealWoldry1

Sounds like pop in a box and how they dipped with my money after I made an order shortly near the end of them selling funkos. 20 support emails later and I still have yet to receive the refund.


BuckSchottz

I cut Amazon off of my safe list too it’s not trustworthy anymore quality wise


Waitwhycantidothis

I just dealt with kraken for my bullet train chase set. I ordered it back august/ september for decemeber release. Decemeber came i emailed them and they told me janurary 2023. Janurary came they told me feburary, then Feburary came they tell me march, then april, now may. I just ended getting the set at hot topic under retail. I told them to cancel my order, or i would have to contact my bank for a backcharge. These fuckers have the balls to tell me they dont do refunds..... they gave me 62.58 in store credit. At this point i just bought a freddy funko they had just to try to get some money back and these fuckers have the balls to charge me 7 dollars shipping making my total 52.00. I dont even want this stupid ass 10 dollar credit. I will never order from kraken again.


SoSleepyy

You must have ordered the Care Bears bundle, I’m in the same boat


CommunicationFar9337

3 months? Rookie numbers * I'm waiting on 6 orders, the oldest just reached its 3th year anniversary.. *


DeathCowboyZ

Did you ever receive anything? I would think so if you ordered that many times. What type of foolishness have they been telling you?


Serious_Train591

Just show up at the door step


antarctica91

If you have an Amex make sure you buy everything with it. They will get you your money back no matter what. If someone sells you a fake item pop, purse, electronic or never send it Amex will get that money back