I as many other gamers I'm sure - was quite impressed with Mantic when they first burst onto the scene. I liked their elf figures quite a bit and thought when I had the cash, I would use them to build a large Melnibonean themed army (based on the Elric novels by Michael Moorcock).
I signed up for their newsletter and would check out their blog and website to keep up to date on new figures and developments. It was at this time I noticed their "Speed Building Challenge" - essentially, beat their time to assemble a box of Mantic figures (10 figures) to win yourself a warhost (a boxed special costing about 30 pounds or approximately $60 USD. It includes a quite large number of figures and I decided this prize was tempting enough to order a box of spearmen to try and beat the best time posted (at the time, 11:33) especially when I noticed their free worldwide shipping offer.
It's not an easy challenge and I failed by at least two minutes in my first attempt, but this only motivated me more! Around three weeks later I ordered a second box of spearmen and tried again. This time I was successful, beating the time by more than 10 seconds! Was I ever excited, I encoded the video as best I could to reduce the file size and sent Mantic an email. At the same time my excitement led me to buy a special deal they had online, which included some elven models that would not be in the warhost box. This was near the end of March.
Here is a link to my video - be warned it is boring as I have no video editing skills. It is also quite large at 1.5gb :\
I tried to be patient knowing they are a smaller company, but after two weeks had passed with no response, I sent another email. Another week, another email. Another week, another email. Finally after a month I received a response from Mantic. I don't plan to post the contents of the emails as that is unnecessary, but regardless I was given the impression my entry would be reviewed, currently this is late april. Throughout the entire discussion I always asked if there was any problem with the video or anything I could do. Never have I been asked to do anything or told there was any problems with the video.
I waited for more than a month before I sent another email explaining my disappointment in hearing nothing. Another week, another email. Finally I received another response, promising me a prize and asking for the video link again. At this point it has been more than two months since I submitted my initial email. I waited expectantly hoping to come home one day to a box in the mail. No dice.
ANOTHER month passed with no response regarding the contest. During that time I tried to keep in touch regarding something other than the contest - as I saw the person I had been corresponding with had participated in a tournament with poor results. I had just come back from a blood bowl tournament where I ended second from last and thought perhaps some gaming discussion might keep me in his memory. It didn't. I emailed again about the contest after the month had passed and received no response. I waited another week and sent another email. I still have not heard anything back about the contest since I was last promised a prize on June 8th, 2010.
It has been 112 days that this ordeal has been going on. Nearly a third of a year!!! Over a $60 prize. I have had enough. Today I noticed that Mantic has altered their site. The challenges pages are gone (they used to be in the "Mantic" tab). They can still be found through google (http://www.manticgames.com/Hobby/Mantic-Challenges/Speed-building-Challenge.html)
My wasted effort amounts to the below.
- Feb 24, 2010 - I took advantage of their free worldwide shipping and spent $16.26 USD for a box of 10 spearmen.
- Mar 19, 2010 - I took advantage of their free worldwide shipping and spent $15.65 USD for a box of 10 spearmen.
- Mar 26, 2010 - Mantic had a special deal, which I ordered for $49.99 USD which got me 20 spearmen with command, 10 scouts and 5 metal characters (still taking advantage of free worldwide shipping)
Total = $81.9 USD
Please be aware this donation must be made by Sunday July 18th at 7pm PST.
Also please be respectful and post a comment here if you have made a donation with the intention of getting these models - I would hate for multiple people to donate expecting a bonus. I will also try to update this post as soon as possible upon hearing someone has taken me up on this offer.
Donations can be made at any of the blogs listed below
http://stormwardens.blogspot.com
http://santacruzwarhammer.blogspot.com
http://miksminis.blogspot.com
http://fromthewarp.blogspot.com
http://warhammer40kbloodangels.blogspot.com
http://davetaylorminiatures.blogspot.com
http://www.misterjustin.com
http://dulanisminis.blogspot.com
http://40khobbyblog.blogspot.com
http://wynnstudiomodels.blogspot.com
6 comments:
That's unfortunate. Sorry to hear.
Also sorry you had a problem with their customer service. GW has problems with rules and pricing but their customer service at least to end customers has always been pretty good.
Just made a donation to the project this morning but I am not interested in getting any fantasy style stuff. I spent a good hour last night organizing my hobby stuff and looking at ways to cut the fat.
Sorry to hear you had a hard time.
At least the experience may lead to something going to a good cause.
The Mantic Challenges page is still on Mantic's site under the Hobby Section tab, as stated in the link you found on google...
You might yet still qualify for a prize.
Best of look with the Storm Wardens.
I have just noticed the links within the Mantic Challenges section are not responding.
Sorry about the misunderstanding.
That's a shame dude
I'm just excited to read this today and reminisce about the Storm Wardens project!
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