A place for those who "Trust the Fungus"

I recently got in touch with Mel effects lab about their goomba busts they sell. The price for an unpainted goomba bust is $225 and for a painted one its $400

Both prices are pretty high but I'm willing to spend it to have something great in my collection and something I genially care about. I think the mario bros movie props really make the film and I have always been fascinated with them and all the details that were out into making the film. So the thought of owing a small piece of the movie in some form really excites me. Now my concern are the emails I have received from them have been very blunt and they avoid questions I have asked about the bust and shipping. The emails I have received from them come off very rude. I usually get one word answers back from them. With no thanks or anything they are just very blunt. I understand that they are a busy business and might not get time to reply back properly but this is a big purchase I'm considering to make and I have been very put off with their attitude. I believe if a customer is willing to buy an item and at a big price a thank you or some more details and reassurance here and there goes a long way. I'm sure they are very professional about their work but when it comes to customer service it's not great.

At first I gave them the benefit of the doubt and thought maybe I was being over sensitive but after every email I have received I have gone with my gut feeling and just don't feel comfortable with this company because of the way they have been perceived though email.

I was wondering if anyone else here has dealt and and the same problem? or has anyone here bought one of their busts and if so how was your experience?

Thanks

Why don't you write to their customer complaint thing? Maybe it's just the people sending the emails, not the company.

My dealings with MEL have generally been positive and friendly, although concise. They are a business that does not usually involve private customers. It's just not their focus. I can't fault them with not putting everything forward on such a request.

That being said, I would not pay that much for one of the busts. It's just not worth it. It's a cool item, sure, but you can't really do anything with it. Putting it on display won't really grant you much either.

It's completely up to you whether you go through with the purchase since it will still be an interesting item, although you should be sure that you will get some use out of it.

Thanks for the replies. I couldn't seem to find a compliant contact in their site. I thought about writing directly to the person I'm dealing with but thought with the way they have been acting they wouldn't really care. I won't be paying out for a bust. Its just to much money and so far the experience of just writing to them hasn't been great. They are charging $130 shipping to the UK. I ordered a guitar in a hard case from america 2 months ago which is a huge package and it cost me much less then that. That was first class and took less then a week. Surely a goomba bust can't be that big and take up much packaging and room?

I know they don't really deal with private customers but If they are dealing with movie studios and film companies on a regular basis surely their manner should be on top form even with the smallest request.

I appreciate the replies and I'm glad to hear that people have had positive experiences. Perhaps I'm just dealing with one individual who hates their job lol

I know this thread is old, but I just read it. Wow, I'm sorry to hear that they came off as rude in their emails. Also, it seems like their prices for the goomba head busts doubled! I emailed MEL back in July, 2011 inquiring about purchasing one of their head busts, and Paul, the person I spoke with, told me it was $225 for a painted one and $125 for an unpainted one. Didn't realize that the price jumped to $400!! When Paul emailed me back, he was to the point, but I didn't find him rude. Here was his reply:

Hi Bill, yes we still have them for sale, attached is a photo of a painted head, they come unpainted, they are made out of latex and poly-foam.

Unpainted $125
Painted $225
Thanks Paul

Sorry to hear your experience with them wasn't so great, IggyKoopa86. I was hoping to buy a bust from them one day, but not for $400.

That's inflation for you. But, if nothing else, purchasing stuff from the movie from MEL would probably drive up interest and revenue in the movie, adding more awareness towards getting a Blu-Ray release.