Q: Why do you sell your custom figures instead of keeping them all for yourself?
A: Because I need the practice and can make a copy of a figure should I ever want to keep one for myself. Also I would run out of room pretty quick with a hundred different Iceman customs sitting everywhere. I do have a secret 'collection' tho and sometimes you'll see a figure from that pop up in my auctions.
Q: Why don’t you use enamel paints instead of acrylics?
A: I find that it’s difficult (and sometimes impossible) to use techniques like drybrushing and paint washes with enamels. I also don’t want to have to use my airbrush for every step. And of course there’s always the chance the enamel will react with some softer plastic on the figure and remain sticky forever. Acrylics are just safer.
Q: But aren’t enamels more durable than acrylics?
A: If you’re leaving your figure outside in the rain and sun or throwing it across the room in a game of catch, then yes. If you’re just posing the figure and treating it like a collectible, then acrylics (especially sealed ones) are very durable and withstand any normal use. The paints I use are Testors Model Master Acryl series and Games Workshop, two of the best acrylic high quality hobby paints out there. Not the Apple Barrel/Folk Art acrylic paints you get at Wal Mart.
Q: Can’t we just buy the same figures on the shelf from say, Toys R Us or Wal mart?
A: Yes and no. You can buy a Wolverine figure anywhere but he won’t have as detailed a paint job or have metal claws like mine. You can buy a Transformers Barricade at Wal Mart, but he won’t come with flashing lights and a ball jointed head that can look around.
Q: So you’re just making existing figures better?
A: Sometimes. Other times I take an existing figure and turn it into another character entirely. Like when I turn a Sigma 6 figure into a Master Chief from Halo by sculpting new parts and adding weaponry.
Q: How come you don't offer a refund or return? What if I hate the custom?
A: My pictures don't lie. Compared to what it looks like in the pic the custom will look the same or BETTER once you have it in your hands. Just look through my feedback and you'll see everyone has enjoyed their custom.
Q: Why are your US shipping costs so much lower than most other sellers?
A: I keep my shipping costs low a couple of ways. I ship through USPS Priority so I get their boxes for free. I buy a lot of figures so I reuse packing paper and foam peanuts. I also get my bubble wrap and tape at the dollar store. All that shaves off a considerable amount of shipping. $6.00-$8.00 is usually my range.
Q: Why is Express mail (EMS) now your only international shipping option?
A: This was Ebay/Paypal's fault unfortunately. They now require that a tracking number be used on all ebay transactions and often signature confirmation if the value is over $260. Express Mail is the only service that offers that internationally. On the upside you can insure the item for the full amount if you wish and it arrives very fast. On the downside it's pretty expensive. I'm sorry I got pigeon-holed into using this but I have to play by Ebay/Paypal's rules.
Q: Why don’t you allow 0 feedback bidders? I just signed up on EBay and want to bid!
A: I’m really sorry about that. I use to allow 0 feedback bidders but people started abusing the fact they could whip up an EBay account and win my auctions without paying. I’d report and block them but they would just make another account and do the same thing next week. All the time the honest buyers had their time wasted and were being cheated. So now I only allow bids from people with some sort of feedback and without a lot of negatives.
Q: Your auctions sometime end for thousands of dollars! Are you cheating? I smell a rat!
A: Nope, I have never, nor will ever bid-shill my auctions up or have friends bid on my stuff. I start every auction out at a penny and the people who want the custom the most decide the final price. A wide range of people bid on my auctions from the CEOs of major companies, national magazine editors, to regular hardcore collectors. So thank you all!
Q: What's with all the x**y names that are suddenly bidding?! They're all robots! ROBOTS I SAY!
A: Not robots, that's Ebay's new 'Bid Safely' anon system. Now Ebay changes all the bidders names to protect them from scammers, harassment, etc. You can read it here. I have no control over this and everyone's auctions has this feature activated. Rest assured I can still monitor the high bids and kick out 0 feedback bidders or troublemakers.
Q: Someone emailed me saying they're the creator of this figure and they'll sell it to me direct for half the bidding price. What the hell?
A: SCAM ALERT! I will -never- offer to sell my customs direct and end my auctions early. If you get an email like that be assured it's not coming from me. You should forward that to spoof@ebay.com and ignore it.
Q: Will you end your auction early if I give you $300? I have PayPal. C'mon! I'll pay you right now!
A: Nope, I cannot be bribed. All my auctions are honest ones and once they're listed I won't end them for any amount. In the rare occasion I screw up on the title (which as of yet cannot be fixed by Ebay staff) I may have to end the auction and relist it later, but I will never undercut my bidders so don't even bother asking me to.
Q: Do you have a website so I can see all your other stuff?
A: Yes but you’ll have to Google ‘Jin Saotome’s Dangerous Toys’ to find it. EBay doesn’t allow anything that links or even implies that you should go elsewhere from one of their pages. But with a little detective work you can find my site from any search engine on the net.
Q: I want a custom of Ego the Living Planet! Why won’t you make one for me?! I emailed you five times!
A: Really, I wish I could! Unfortunately there’s only one of me and millions of you. Each week I get hundreds of requests for commissioned figures and there’s just no way I could make them. People would be in a waiting line for years! So I do what I can, offer up a few figures each week. Feel free to suggest a figure I should make and you might see it show up on my site to be auctioned off.
Q: Who the heck are you anyway?
A: At the time of writing this I'm a 31 yr old customizer and live smack dab in California's Mojave desert. I've been putting together models/dioramas since I was a little kid, love creating things with my hands, and enjoy teaching other people how to expand their skills in the customizing hobby. (hit up my site for a large list of guides on how to customize your figures) Making custom figures is now my full time job and I’m just a regular joe like any of you out there. And that’s the end of the FAQ folks!
Q: Wait wait, one more question, how can I contact you?
A: Ah, just click the email link at the bottom and ask me anything you want. Or use EBay's message system. I'm all ears!