First-Time Buyer's Guide
Welcome to the World of Premium Collectibles.
Everything you need to know before placing your first order.
📑 Quick Navigation
1. What is a GK Statue?
Understanding resin collectibles
2. Why Pre-Order?
The benefits of securing early
3. Product Status Explained
Decoding listing terminology
4. Understanding Scale & Size
Choosing the right statue
5. Payment Plans
Flexible payment options
6. Step-by-Step Ordering
Complete ordering walkthrough
7. After You Order
What happens next
8. Shipping & Delivery
Getting your statue safely
9. What to Expect
Setting realistic expectations
10. Need Help?
Contact & support
What is a GK Statue?
GK (Garage Kit) statues are handcrafted, highly detailed collectible figures primarily made from resin. Unlike mass-produced PVC figures, each GK statue represents the pinnacle of collectible craftsmanship.
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Material | High-quality resin or polystone |
| Production | Limited quantity, often hand-painted |
| Detail Level | Museum-grade precision and craftsmanship |
| Value | Appreciates over time due to limited availability |
🎯 Why Resin?
Resin captures intricate details that other materials simply cannot achieve—from the texture of fabric to the subtle gradients in skin tone. This is why serious collectors worldwide prize these pieces as works of art.
📊 GK vs. Regular Figures: What's the Difference?
| Aspect | GK Statue | Mass-Produced Figure |
|---|---|---|
| Material | Resin/Polystone | PVC/ABS Plastic |
| Production | Limited (often 50-500 pieces) | Mass-produced (thousands+) |
| Detail | Hand-painted, museum-grade | Factory-painted |
| Price Range | $100 - $5,000+ | $20 - $300 |
| Collectible Value | Appreciates over time | Typically depreciates |
Why Pre-Order?
⚡ The Reality of Limited Production
Unlike mainstream retail products, GK statues are produced in strictly limited quantities. Studios determine production numbers based on pre-order demand—once pre-orders close, there are no restocks.
🎁 Benefits of Pre-Ordering
| Benefit | Explanation |
|---|---|
| 🎯 Guaranteed Allocation | Secure your piece before it sells out |
| 💰 Best Price | Pre-order prices are typically 20-40% lower than aftermarket |
| 🎁 Early Bird Bonuses | Some releases include exclusive accessories or discounts |
| 📦 Peace of Mind | No scrambling to find sold-out items later |
What Happens If You Miss Pre-Order?
If a statue sells out during pre-order, your options become:
- Wait for cancelled orders (rare and unpredictable)
- Secondary market (often 2-5x original price)
- Accept that you missed it (some pieces never resurface)
If you see a statue you love, don't wait. Popular releases can sell out within hours or days.
Product Status Explained
When browsing our store, you'll see different status labels. Here's what each means:
What it means:
Be among the first to reserve a new statue before full details are released.
Why it matters:
- Studios use Early Bird numbers to determine final production quantity
- Often includes exclusive discounts (e.g., 5-10% off)
- Lowest risk—if the project is cancelled, you get a full refund
How it works:
- Pay a small reservation fee (often just $1-$10)
- Wait for official product details and pricing
- Decide whether to convert to full pre-order or cancel
What it means:
The product is officially open for reservation with confirmed details.
Key information available:
- Final price
- Estimated size and weight
- Expected release quarter (e.g., Q3 2026)
- Limited quantity remaining
What it means:
The reservation period has ended. Production quantity is locked.
Can I still get one?
Sometimes! Contact us—slots occasionally reopen due to:
- Cancelled orders
- Unpaid balances
- Studio increasing production slightly
What it means:
The product has been manufactured and is shipping to collectors.
Availability:
- We may have limited stock from cancelled orders
- Prices may be higher than original pre-order price
- First-come, first-served
What it means:
The project was cancelled—the statue will not be produced.
Why this happens:
- Minimum pre-order quantity not reached
- Studio encountered production issues
- Licensing problems
If you pre-ordered: Full refund guaranteed.
⚠️ Important:
The "Est. Release" date is the studio's projected completion date, not a guaranteed delivery date.
| What the date means | What it doesn't mean |
|---|---|
| When the studio expects to finish production | When you'll receive the statue |
| Subject to change without notice | A binding commitment |
| Based on studio's best estimate | Suitable for planning gifts/events |
Do NOT purchase pre-order items as gifts for specific dates (birthdays, holidays, etc.). Delays are common in this industry—sometimes 6-12 months or more.
Understanding Scale & Size
📐 What Does "Scale" Mean?
Scale indicates how the statue's size compares to the character's "real" size in their fictional world.
1/1 Life Size
150-200cm
Dedicated display rooms
1/4 Scale
40-60cm
Statement pieces
1/6 Scale
25-35cm
Most popular size
1/8 Scale
15-25cm
Great for beginners
🏠 How to Choose the Right Size
Before ordering, consider:
- Display space: Measure your shelf/cabinet dimensions
- Weight capacity: Large resin statues can weigh 10-30+ kg
- Lighting: Will you be able to properly light the piece?
- Budget: Larger scales = higher prices + shipping costs
Start with 1/6 or 1/8 scale. These offer excellent detail at manageable sizes and prices.
Payment Plans
We offer flexible payment options to make collecting accessible:
💎 Deposits
| Stage | Amount | When |
|---|---|---|
| Deposits | 30% | At checkout |
| Balance | 70% | When ready to ship |
| Total | 100% | |
Best for: Collectors who want to secure their order with minimal upfront cost.
📅 Five-Month Payments Plan
| Stage | Amount | When |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Deposit | 5% | At checkout |
| Monthly Payments | 20% × 5 | Monthly after deposit |
| Total | 105% (includes 5% fee) | |
Best for: Collectors who prefer spreading payments over time.
📝 Important Payment Notes
- Shipping fees are NOT included in product prices
- Shipping is calculated and charged separately when your item arrives at our warehouse
- All prices are in USD
Step-by-Step Ordering Guide
📦 For Pre-Order Items
Detailed Steps:
Browse and select your statue
Use filters: IP, Character, Scale, Studio
Choose Payment Plan 1 or 2
Plan 1 recommended for beginners
Click "Add to Cart" → Checkout
Review your cart carefully
Enter shipping address
Use your full legal name, complete address
Complete payment
PayPal, Google Pay, or Apple Pay
Wait for production
We'll email updates when available
Pay balance + shipping when notified
Choose your preferred shipping method
Receive your statue!
Record unboxing video (important!)
🏪 For In-Stock Items
Browse In-Stock products
Check availability
Confirm availability with customer service
Recommended before purchase
Complete full payment at checkout
100% payment required
We send photos + shipping invoice
Review product photos
Pay shipping fee
Choose shipping method
Receive your statue!
Record unboxing video
For in-stock items, we recommend contacting us first to confirm availability. Inventory updates may occasionally lag behind actual stock levels.
After You Order: What Happens Next?
🗺️ The Journey of Your Statue
📧 Communication Timeline
| Event | How We Contact You | Your Action Required |
|---|---|---|
| Order Confirmation | Email (immediate) | Verify order details |
| Production Updates | Email (when available) | None—just stay informed |
| Item Arrived at Warehouse | Email + Photos | Review photos |
| Balance Payment Invoice | Email/WhatsApp | Pay within 30 days |
| Shipping Invoice | Email/WhatsApp | Select method & pay |
| Tracking Number | Track your package |
⚠️ Critical: The 30-Day Response Window
When we contact you for balance payment or shipping, you must respond within 30 days.
- Your account is marked as "Lost Contact"
- We reserve the right to dispose of your order
- All previous payments are non-refundable
Shipping & Delivery
🚚 Shipping Methods
Express (UPS/DHL/FedEx)
Fastest delivery option
Dedicated Air Line
Balance of speed & cost
Sea Freight + Express
Cost-conscious collectors
Sea Freight + Truck
Best value option
Land Transport
Europe only
*Some European & South American countries excluded
❓ Why Is Shipping Calculated Later?
Unlike standard products, GK statues have unpredictable dimensions and weights until they're manufactured. The same statue design might ship in 1 box or 3 boxes depending on the studio's final packaging decisions.
Our process:
- Statue arrives at our warehouse
- We weigh and measure actual package dimensions
- We send you a shipping invoice with exact costs for each method
- You choose your preferred option
🏭 Warehouse Services
When your statue arrives, we:
- ✅ Inspect package condition
- ✅ Reinforce packaging if needed
- ✅ Take photos for your confirmation
- ✅ Offer optional detailed inspection (fee applies)
💰 Storage Fees
| Period | Fee |
|---|---|
| First 7 days | FREE |
| Day 8-30 | 1% of product price per day |
| After 30 days | Order may be disposed; payments non-refundable |
What to Expect: Setting Realistic Expectations
🎨 The Nature of Handcrafted Art
Resin statues are handmade artworks, not factory-perfect mass products. Even the most premium pieces may have:
| Normal Characteristics | Description |
|---|---|
| Minor paint variations | Slight color differences from promotional photos |
| Small air bubbles | Tiny bubbles in resin (often invisible once displayed) |
| Seam lines | Where parts are joined together |
| Minor touch-up marks | Evidence of hand-painting corrections |
✅ What IS Covered (Major Damage)
| Issue | Our Response |
|---|---|
| Structural damage | Full refund or replacement |
| Major breakage | Replacement parts or repair |
| Missing core components | Replacement or refund |
| Unable to display as intended | Full resolution |
❌ What is NOT Covered (Minor Imperfections)
| Issue | Why It's Not Covered |
|---|---|
| Slight paint inconsistencies | Normal handcraft variation |
| Small surface scratches | Within manufacturing tolerance |
| Subjective dissatisfaction | Personal preference, not defect |
| Damage from improper handling | Customer responsibility |
If you cannot accept ANY possibility of minor imperfections, please reconsider before ordering. Collecting resin statues is a hobby that requires understanding and acceptance of handcrafted variability.
📹 Protect Yourself: Record Your Unboxing!
If damage occurs during shipping, you'll need video evidence for insurance claims.
Requirements:
- ✅ Start recording BEFORE opening the outer box
- ✅ Show all sides of the sealed package
- ✅ Record continuously (no cuts or edits)
- ✅ Inspect all parts on camera
- ✅ Submit within 72 hours of delivery
Without complete unboxing video, carriers may deny damage claims.
Need Help?
📞 Contact Us
support@collectorfigures.com
Detailed inquiries, order issues
Click to Chat
Quick questions, urgent matters
Live Chat
Website bottom-right corner
Immediate assistance
Response Times: Email within 24 hours (business days) • WhatsApp often faster during business hours
📚 Helpful Resources
| Resource | Link |
|---|---|
| Frequently Asked Questions | FAQs → |
| Pre-Order Policy | View Policy → |
| Return & Refund Policy | View Policy → |
| Shipping Policy | View Policy → |
| Track Your Order | Track Now → |
🌐 Join Our Community
Connect with fellow collectors:
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🎉 Ready to Start Your Collection?
You've made it through our complete guide! Here's a quick checklist before your first order:
Welcome to the Collector Figures family. Happy collecting!
— The Collector Figures Team
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