Back to beat a (bootleg) dead horse

Randomly ran into a discussion about me earlier today. Always insightful to get feedback. Even better if it’s not said in front of me, coz that’s when it’s the most truthful.

Some people are very hung up on the whether factory extras are bootlegs. And apparently I have been dodging the question? Even though I have answered it numerous times in public and in private???

I tell you guys upfront that the rubber straps I help you get are factory extras.*

No logo on the back, no shop quality string strap, no packaging, might be missing print-on details. It is what it is. If you still want them, I’ll order them for you. If you want the full deal, buy at AmiAmi yourself. I never pretend these are more than what they are?? Whereas other people are boldly selling factory extras in physical shops or conventions as official goods/box split. 

*One of the accusers bought from me in 2016/2017, before I built this website and when each order only involved 50-100 pieces. Back on tumblr I did treat things more casually and only stated “no box, no packaging” in the sales posts. The factory extra aspect was only explained in my tumblr’s FAQ. However, when people asked, I did answer. (As did some customers)

Another amusing thing is, they find me suspicious because I offer older designs or shop exclusive.

Jeez, it’s precisely because we COULD get these difficult to find or out of stock items that makes factory extras useful. Where else do you find a strap design from a few years back? Other than from the secondhand market?

“There can’t be THAT many factory extras!!”

“The old designs wouldn’t be available by now! They must be fake!!”

Okay. When you are mass producing something as cheap as a rubber strap, a couple of hundred spares is nothing. Plastic costing pennies injected into a mould. People at the factory don’t give a shit about this stuff. But if they know someone out there want them, they will sell. The wholesalers go to the factories, gather up the nice “rejects”, and voila, we have factory extras. 

Mind you, I have rarely come across more than 200 units of spares per design. Some batches have more, some only have a handful. If a Daiya or HQ or CCS strap from a few years back is still available, that’s coz it’s not popular enough. If it’s popular, like some of the YOI ones and all the goddamn BNHA ones, they will be gone in a flash. 

No one is sneaking into the factory or hiding with bootleg moulds in a backroom, printing an extra 1 or 2 straps whenever you want one. Factory extras were created with the original batch. 

EVEN FUNNIER is, I am suspicious because I offer store exclusives etc at the same price as average designs. 

God, these gotta be bootlegs eh?? There must be something wrong eh??

Like I said, the factory DOES NOT GIVE A SHIT ABOUT THE DESIGNS/SERIES. An unpopular character from the box set or a store exclusive is all the same to them, plastic squeezed into a mould. The store exclusives only worth more to YOU.

However, the wholesalers do know what’s popular/sell better, so they are the ones who price the items differently. When something is significantly pricier, I pass that cost onto you. When the difference is small, I keep them the standard rate. Why? Because there are hundred of designs!! I’m not gonna sit here and memorize a hundred prices!!!! 

Since I opened this website, I have tried to make it as clear as possible in regard to what I’m offering.

• READ THE FAQ before you order!! These items are factory extras!!
• These print-on details might be missing from these designs – BEWARE!!
• Before I accept your order, CONFIRM IN WRITING that you understand the items you receive will be factory extras and you are ok with that!!!

If you have gone through ALL THAT, then the goods arrive and you STILL go “damn, there is no logo on the back. Bitch sold me a bootleg.”….

Lastly…

Most of the people talking in that thread don’t know me or my items, and they can say whatever based on their assumptions. But should a random person find that thread, I hope they also find ME! Here! On the actual HachiSales platform!!! Telling MY side of the story.

This post was originally published on tumblr. That is where I usually interact with my customers, so if you want to hear their opinions, you can find their comments over there.