Figureprints in the EU
by Mike Schramm 
Mar 10th 2009 at 2:00PM
There is a small catch, however -- at this point, while there is no lottery as far as we know, they are charging European customers €129.95, which ends up being about $166, or about $30 more than the US price of $129.95. And obviously shipping overseas from the company's HQ here in America probably won't be too cheap either, and shipping is extra no matter where you're buying the figures from. It looks like Figureprints just figured they'd charge "129.95" to both sides of the world, but thanks to the exchange rate, EU folks are actually paying more.
But then again, we're guessing that people who have been waiting for their chance in the EU to pick one of these up will probably go for the higher price anyway. Figureprints started out a little rough with their limited production capabilities, and a few early bumps in quality, but lately it seems like they're rolling along better than ever.
Filed under: Fan stuff, Virtual selves, Odds and ends, Blizzard, News items, Making money
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Sergio Mar 10th 2009 2:15PM
Any chance they can send figures to LatinAmerica players?
Eversor Mar 10th 2009 2:22PM
Why oh why are these damn companies thinking that euros are equivalent to dollars? Why are they trying to rip people off?
Eversor Mar 10th 2009 2:23PM
That said, it is nice to have this service in Europe as well.
Lab Monkey Mar 10th 2009 3:01PM
Consider that as a foreign income source they may have different taxes/duties etc to deal with.
Fyve & Boomstick Mar 10th 2009 9:34PM
We should be used to it by now. the gaming industry has been pricing this way for years. Just be thankful we dont live in Oz. its even worse for them.
Yay! figureprints! Now to get some uber gear to display on mine :-)
Mildread Mar 10th 2009 4:00PM
@ Labmonkey
Its not about taxes on their side.
Exports tend to be tax free to encourage trade.What government wants to make their countries products uncompetitive?
When these arrive in UK and indeed EU mainland, Import Duty and VAT (Purchase Tax) are due on cost of item + postage + postal insurance.
It's a rip off pure and simple.
InsaneAssault Mar 10th 2009 2:28PM
Has their quality actually gone up? All I remember hearing is that they are able to crank them out faster so there is no more lottery. But at the same time, they raised their prices. As far as I know dont they all still have the same white dusty coating on them?
Oriflame Mar 10th 2009 2:56PM
I gave one recently as a gift, and yeah, it looks a little sandy / white dusty up close, and the scythe the character was holding seems to have the tip broken off, but none of that is noticable from even a foot or two away really. You only notice when you're staring at it close up (which you're going to do for a while).
Overall, I would have paid the elevated euro price and been happy, and am happy with the dollar price. Now we just need hunter pets and ghouls.
Rob Mar 10th 2009 3:04PM
The lack of a hunter pet is the only reason i haven't gotten one of these.
Hurry up!
peagle Mar 10th 2009 4:49PM
A miniature that only looks good from a distance? Count me in!
Shel Mar 10th 2009 3:40PM
FigurePrints in EU? YAY!
1 Dollar = 1 Euro? NAY!
Meh, and I've been looking forward to this :(.
Jay Mar 10th 2009 3:51PM
Even though I'd never actually buy anything like this, the price is just an additional reason for me.
€130 for a small figurine, no tnx.
Keyra Mar 10th 2009 6:25PM
Actually, they're not that small. They average about 6 inches in height, not including the base (obviously, race and pose matters - Tauren will be taller and gnomes shorter, kneeling vs. battle roar, etc.). The base adds a bit more height to it, so without the wood base with the glass dome, the figure plus its base will be around 8 inches tall. Still a little pricey for me, but not out of the range for a custom figure of that size - compare this to a custom wooden model of the first aircraft I soloed which is roughly the same size, and at $299.95 (needless to say I don't have one) I'll take the $130.00 price tag for my rogue :-)
Amaxe Mar 10th 2009 5:00PM
"It looks like Figureprints just figured they'd charge "129.95" to both sides of the world, but thanks to the exchange rate, EU folks are actually paying more."
They're going to take a major hit if they try to sell them in Japan then ;-)
Though more seriously, it could bite them if they overcharge.
1.00 EUR=1.26793 USD seems to be the actual rate
Tes Mar 10th 2009 6:03PM
The cost doesn't bother me as much as the whole shipping accross the world, part.
With all the horror stories I've heard about US folk recieving broken figures, flying it over an ocean and handing it over to Royal Mail or whoever else doesn't instill much confidence.
Teresa Mar 10th 2009 5:35PM
I purchased mine back in Oct, and it ended up coming out to just under $200 CAD..
The hell the delivery company put me through was just atrocious. Do not change your address between when you order it and when you get it (approx 2 months turnaround time), or you'll regret it.
Figureprints changed the address with the company when it was shipped for me (its shipped via ground so it takes a while), and I called during the 1 week shipping process across Canada to change the address. Unfortunately though the system showed the correct address, they never bothered to scan the package and actually look at the address, and just kept delivering to the address on the label on the package itself, so it kept being delivered to the old address. Took them 2 weeks to finally deliver to the correct address.
Too much hassle imo.
The only reason it came in one piece was because the wads & wads of bubble wrap around the figureprint itself.
CallMeIrd Mar 10th 2009 5:50PM
I think it's a genius idea, but with a price like that they can bite my EU ass.
Cuddlebunny Mar 10th 2009 7:11PM
FigurePrints just moved and are "opening" up new orders to pay for their leases. I have been waiting over 4 months now. They basically opened up all orders like an IPO to cover moving expenses and Euro production that backorders are paying for
Deadly. Off. Topic. Mar 11th 2009 11:25AM
So at least, paying more, they don't have to go through a lottery system and are guaranteed having their statue made. At least right now. Not exactly sure if that's worth it, but anyone with money should be happy they can blow a few hundreds this way.