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Post by Crowdfunder on Oct 30, 2017 22:40:59 GMT
Just some constructive feedback for future crowdfunding projects (should you choose to pursue any).
I have been on-board since the start with the Zulus and like most folks am happy to wait as long as it takes to get the best possible product. However, what has been (and remains) extremely frustrating is the lack of updates on progress. We appreciate that sometimes things go pear-shaped - but although such news is disappointing, it is nothing compared to the disheartening effect of deafening silence or sporadic, vague responses, that merely fuel concern.
Managing expectations should be a priority. Keep us informed, and regularly. A monthly update, even if it is a 'no progress' or to explain another hiccup, will reassure us that you are concerned about our investment in the project. Not getting regular updates has the opposite effect. If the overseas manufacturer is not communicating, tell us. If there is a delay for any other production reason, tell us. We are not going to cause a fuss - ultimately we WANT the product. We just want to know what we are dealing with while waiting.
Thanks for reading/listening.
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Post by Forum Admin on Oct 31, 2017 0:43:56 GMT
Thank you for writing us. We are currently doing a general update of the website. Following your post, we will now post the updates part by part as we update each part. Each part is small, so the updates will not be noticeable. The two crowdfunding projects are already completed. We are waiting for the rest of the restocks and other new sets to finish so as to ship all together.
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Post by steve on Oct 31, 2017 1:16:26 GMT
Hopefully you may be shipping before Christmas but maybe that's too much to expect any chance of a nice list of the new sets & restocks please.
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Post by Arlin on Dec 29, 2017 20:39:41 GMT
Any news on these yet?
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Post by Edwardian on Dec 29, 2017 23:11:07 GMT
We know what's coming, just not when, but from Admin's comments and the status on the website, I am sensing that E28B cannot be far off:
E28B 8159 WWI Early French Arty Crew 8162 WW2 French Arty Crew 8290 WWI Belgian Infantry 8291 WWI Belgian Heavy Weapons 8316 unMarried Zulu warriors 8309 Prussian Landwehr March 8310 Prussian Landwehr Action plus restocks Awaiting shipping
E29F 8234 French Greatcoats 8294 1815 French Marching 8296 1805-1812 French Marching 8297 French command plus restocks Production
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Post by Dean Munday on Jan 29, 2018 8:29:12 GMT
Happy FIFTEEN MONTH anniversary, fellow crowd-funders. :-(
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Post by Alan Buckingham on Jan 30, 2018 10:12:17 GMT
Is it really that long !? ...time flies, seriously I thought it was less than twelve months, still we know they are well on the way, and we will have them in our hands soon.
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Post by Claus E. Füssel on Jan 31, 2018 2:12:15 GMT
Happy FIFTEEN MONTH anniversary, fellow crowd-funders. :-( I suspect it is just growing pains of being the first kick-started set...
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Post by Dean Munday on Jan 31, 2018 22:04:46 GMT
Happy FIFTEEN MONTH anniversary, fellow crowd-funders. :-( I suspect it is just growing pains of being the first kick-started set... I suspect you are correct - but frustratingly/regretfully the pains have been severe (i.e. long) enough to put me off investing in further ventures.
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Post by Arlin on Feb 13, 2018 16:18:41 GMT
So just to be clear. If we contributed to the crowdfunding of this in the beginning, we have already bought these Zulus right? You have record of all our addresses? You will automatically mail them to us?
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Post by Forum Admin on Feb 14, 2018 9:24:52 GMT
Yes.
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Post by paintdog on Feb 15, 2018 9:42:35 GMT
I suspect it is just growing pains of being the first kick-started set... I suspect you are correct - but frustratingly/regretfully the pains have been severe (i.e. long) enough to put me off investing in further ventures. It's been too long.
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Post by zirrian on Feb 17, 2018 7:58:03 GMT
Mid-February is here, any updates?
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Post by Forum Admin on Feb 17, 2018 9:56:23 GMT
Orders are being shipped out.
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Post by StellarX on Feb 25, 2018 0:35:05 GMT
My crowd-funded/ordered sets arrived today. Here is (what I hope is) a fair review.
The Good (General): Box artwork; number of figures; number of poses; plastic colour; plastic consistency, dual weapon customization option.
The Bad (General): Large size of figure bases; figures slightly larger scale than previous Hat Zulu set (and not perfectly compatible); figure sculpts are a bit 'ugly' - though I accept that is a subjective call.
The Bad (Personal): Length of time to realize project; infrequency of updates (unless prompted); set being available via retail outlets BEFORE receipt by crowd-funders; poor packaging resulting in crushed boxes during transit.
It's a shame that such sought-after figures were the guinea-pigs for the Hat crowd-funding initiative. As the first set to be crowd-funded, it suffered the most teething problems and delays. The end product delivered also sadly falls short of what was anticipated. With any luck Hat will realize the mistakes and remake this set as a formal non-crowd-funded concern. I certainly won't be buying any more of these or contributing to their crowd-funding initiatives until I see a marked improvement in quality by following their website/forum. Recommend you stick to buying their earlier zulu set which is far superior.
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Post by Forum Admin on Feb 28, 2018 20:42:15 GMT
The HaT pages for crowdfunders have been updated and will continue to be updated with more information until further notice.
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Post by Ole Ben on Mar 1, 2018 14:10:54 GMT
Dear Admin, I was curious as to the wait time on the arrival of the Zulu sets? This isn't a complaint, I am just curious.
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Post by Forum Admin on Mar 1, 2018 17:00:07 GMT
Dear Admin, I was curious as to the wait time on the arrival of the Zulu sets? This isn't a complaint, I am just curious. Please contact the website e-mail so the crowdfunding crew can check your order or give you a tracking number. Thanks!
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Post by Ole Ben on Mar 5, 2018 14:43:43 GMT
Dear Admin, I received my order of unmarried Zulus on Saturday. I have already cut them out and set them up. I really like them and think they look great. Excellent job, My only gripe is that I didn't order more.
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Post by GarrisonClay on Mar 5, 2018 15:19:12 GMT
Well HaT Gentlemen, I think your new Unmarried Zulus look great and I'm looking forward to buying many. Dave Keen at PSR has done a stellar job of photographing them and giving them his critique. As for me and my tastes and constant sniveling to you, thank you for making them in a nice Brown color and in a soft plastic. PSR shows both Married and Unmarried at 24mm so they should comingle well together. I love the sculpting on this newest Unmarried set. I still especially like the running pose, top row, center. And the action pose, third row, right - I can see Sgt. Bourne thrusting his bayonet at him. The Officer pose, bottom row, right is a very welcome addition adding to the theme's realism. This set will take recreating the movie "Zulu" to a whole new level of action.
In summary, my main purpose in this post is to convey my gratitude to the HaT Gentlemen for listening and releasing another fine set I can enjoy right out of the box. And if there is anything I've learned, if the photos make the figures look appetizing, then they will actually look, feel, and be many times better holding them in my hands. Can't wait; well done; bravo!
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Post by flashman on Mar 6, 2018 12:04:05 GMT
Main problem with this set is the all too common one for me - everyone is carrying a shield but nobody is using it for the purpose it is intended for. This is fine for depicting a set running towards a battle but useless for depicting an army actually fighting at close quarters. This bunch of virgin soldiers would be slaughtered in short order.
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Post by Ironsides on Mar 6, 2018 12:06:56 GMT
Main problem with this set is the all too common one for me - everyone is carrying a shield but nobody is using it for the purpose it is intended for. This is fine for depicting a set running towards a battle but useless for depicting an army actually fighting at close quarters. This bunch of virgin soldiers would be slaughtered in short order. Have you ever used a center grip shield?
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Post by Alan Buckingham on Mar 6, 2018 16:57:44 GMT
The plastic used with these guys is very hot water/ cold water friendly , so although they are moulded with shields to the side, this was the only way to get them in the mould in one piece , they can be bent to the correct position for hand to hand combat.
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Post by waynew on Mar 7, 2018 1:18:48 GMT
After thirty-plus years of trying to find an adequate method to permanently affix the separated shields of Zulu figures in both 1/72 AND 1/32 scale I've about given up on the era due to poor plastic on the part of ESCI figures many years back AND the fact it was nearly impossible to get a good hold between the shields and figures. I think ESCI's was the easiest, but sadly their plastic was poor and there was a price to be paid in accuracy. But I have both ACTA and Conte Collectibles' Zulus and have yet to be able to keep the danged things attached to the hands of my warriors.
Having said all that I would welcome figures molded with their shields properly held by hand particularly if I can do a simple hot water conversion to move the shields into a more proper position. To me it is a small price to pay to not have to re-glue or re-attach shields every time I take them out to set up. JMO.
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Post by Graeme on Mar 8, 2018 4:58:49 GMT
Mine have arrived and the shields will bend into place very easily and look very natural when done. The plastic cuts easily without furring and the minimal mould lines trim very easily with an exacto blade that's quite sharp but not brand new.
I don't have the previous Zulu set to compare them with (I might have to get some now) but these guys look like Zulus to me. And the action poses are very good, I particularly like the guy with the knob kerry and the ring hand figure, and I have to agree with GC, that running pose is absolutely brilliant and a bend of the shield arm and perhaps an undercut and bend of the assegai will make it even better.
The sculpts are perhaps a bit chunky around the shoulders and arms but holding them at arms length they just look powerfully built and I suspect scale effect might kick in to make them look really good when painted.
Zulu Wars is very much a sideline for me and I was never as excited about this set as I was about the Landwehr but now they're here I'm really quite taken with them and very happy to get them and the splendid bonus figures.
Looks like I recieved them before the Australian dealers have them listed too.
There do seem to be awful lot of Zulus around here suddenly though. Think I might need to paint a Gattling Gun.
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