A Surprise Package
When I get home at the end of the day I usually don’t expect much, just the dog sitting by the door wagging his tail and maybe a few bills in the mail. Today I was surprised to find a small package waiting for me. It’s normal to find a package with a figure or some magazines/artbooks I’ve ordered every once in a while, but I always know that they’re coming so it’s no surprise. This package was totally unexpected, I had just received everything I’d ordered recently and as far as I know, none of my figure preorders have been released yet. The packaging also wasn’t familiar to me, it didn’t match the way things were packaged from stores I regularly buy from. Well, after a long day, my brain wasn’t functioning at capacity so it took me a while to think of doing the first thing most people would do (before examining the box): check to see who the sender was.
Yes, the package was from Otacute, the store that cancelled my order for the exclusive Taiga China Dress figure. I’m still very upset over that incident. This is the first time I’ve received anything from them which was why I didn’t recognize the packaging. At first I thought it might be the Remilia Scarlet Nendoroid, the only other order I have with Otacute, but it’s too early for that. When I opened up the box, I found this inside:
If you can’t read the print, it’s an apology letter along with a gift. While I can’t say that the choice of gift was fitting (what does One Piece have to do with Toradora?), at least Otacute is putting in some effort to make things right. I am giving them one more chance with my Remilia order, but if they manage to screw that up somehow, they will not be getting any more business from me.
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Wow, I can’t believe that any anime store would actually do that. It’s rather nice of them to acknowledge their mistake and actually send you a gift (though it still doesn’t make up for the disappointment, of course).
But for them to actually say sorry like that shows that they at least care somewhat for the customer. Most other stores would just brush it off instead of sending a full apology letter.
1I got one of these today too. It’s a nice gesture at least.
2lol did u check the price of the gift? XD was it from their bargain/sales bin?
3@Ari:
In general, most large stores will give you something if they screw up, but this is the first time I’ve seen an anime store do this.
@Celtic Guardian 7:
Agreed, at least they’re trying to make up for it.
@alucard13mm:
4I’d say it’s worth a few dollars. I saw a lot of these One Piece toys in Akihabara and they weren’t worth very much, but it’s better than nothing.
Well that’s a nice way to apologize though I think they should have instead given store discount vouchers or maybe even store credit.
5LOL! It’s true that One Piece has nothing to do with Toradora but I’m a One Piece fan too so I wouldn’t mind. =W=
I’m glad Otacute took the initiative to make amends though.
6In response to:
lol did u check the price of the gift? XD was it from their bargain/sales bin?
This One Piece set is a special variation from the regular one. Only three people on MFC owned each figure until this happened. I’m willing to bet they have a big backstock. The paper they sent with the package said it was a ‘sample’ worth $5, but I think that’s more for customs and such. MFC lists each figure as 200 yen, which means ten of them would be worth 2000 yen. Not a bad gift. =) I’ve set up all my little guys and am enjoying them.
7@dreaming Artemis:
That would be nice for regular shoppers, but it might seem like a sneaky way to get customers to spend some more money. I think the best solution would’ve been to give people the option of store credit or a free gift.
@flyzice:
Yes, taking the initiative shows that they’re serious about their reputation.
@Celtic Guardian 7:
8I didn’t know the whole set was worth that much. Well, I’m glad it’s not something worse like a keychain or cellphone strap.
seems every box has the fragile sticker.. lol i bet workers treat it like regular stuff and just toss em around. i think we need to upgrade to SUPER fragile or… something more attention getting “HAZARD BIO SAMPLES” “MAY KILL YOU” or “IGNITED WHEN DROPPED”
9That’s nice of them to do. Although thinking about it I would have preferred some store credit, kinda like Amazon does instead of some random gift.
10@alucard13mm:
lol, I don’t think anything would get past customs if they had stickers like that ^.^”
@Miette-chan:
11What would’ve been better is if they gave out store credit AND a free gift :)
I think it was nice of them to send any gift, so don’t be greedy guys. They could send nothing at all.
12@MangaFigures:
13I know, that’s why I’m giving them another chance.
Oh wow, that’s a nice gesture. It’s not Taiga in China dress, but it’s better than just a refund.
14Yi recently posted..Heart-Pounding Excitement at Mononoke Girls’ Academy Review – a Blush-Worthy Yuri
@Yi:
15Well, they take payments after the stock arrives, so I didn’t have to go through the trouble of getting a refund.