What I mean is them figuring out the cost to ship and what duties and tariffs are imposed and managing a custom order outside their normal web shop which introduces its own set of issues, manual credit card payments triggering fraud warnings with the bank etc. I've rarely had a simple process spending several thousand dollars on anything from overseas from a supplier that hasn't before shipped to New Zealand. Half the time they ignore me entirely, just too much hassle for one order. Maybe I've just always had bad luck!

They don't do any of that. The buyer has to handle it. That's how export/import works.

When you are the Stern agent, they send the machines to a port and then its your problem to get them to wherever you want them. Stern issues you an Invoice, delivers the goods to the port (FOB) and you have to handle it from there.

When I bought my Spooky games, same deal as Heighway would be. I had a truck collect them from the factory, and now they are here in my house. No difference to Spooky if I am living 10 miles down the road or 8000 miles away. They put the machines on the cart dock and someone came and took them away.

Even easier for Heighway as NZ is same voltage/Hz as the UK. Just ship out a domestic U.K. game.

rd

And what about knowing consumer laws regarding sales in NZ? Warranties? Import restrictions? Duties and taxes? Stuff the company should do due diligence on before doing business (even online) to other countries.

If I import something from overseas, I get no more warranty than I get from the local Stern agents. Lol

I had a couple of small things to sort out with my Spooky pins, I received exactly the same support a local person would get if he needed it. Top notch.

All the taxes etc are the buyers responsibility to pay on arrival at port.

In NZ we only have to pay our version of VAT which is 15% based on the invoice supplied by the manufacturer. You can import anything you want as long as it is not an endangered species or live bees lol

Consumer laws don't apply to a company that is not based in NZ. If I buy an Alien pinball and it burns my house down, that's on me.

rd

Right, I see. If Heighway want to do it that way then I'd be happy with that. Will see how things pan out next year.

Just curious, Heighway will quote airfreight door to door right? Once you pay that charge what more does a consumer need to do other than track it and sign for it when it appears at your location?

You are right, you did make a "crap statement" but don't worry, your mum says your special and I'm sure you are.

None as of yet. However, hopefully in the near future.

Don't worry, our NZ discussion doesn't affect what they are offering you guys in the USA. Totally different scenario.

They are shipping themselves to a distribution point in the USA and trucking them from there. I believe you only have to pay the truck costs.

rd

Thanks for that clarification rotordave. I do recall now that being the case. I'm relieved.

All assuming you took the responsibility to import the product.. and your view would apply if you basically bought the product overseas yourself and then imported it yourself. But when you sell international as a business, even online, more can be in play. For instance, your Fair Trade Act applies, even if the company isn't based in New Zealand if they are selling online to new zealand customers (see http://www.comcom.govt.nz/fair-trading/fair-trading-act-fact-sheets/buying-and-selling-online/) . They would also be responsible for ensuring the product meets the country's import and environmental constraints... because ultimately they would be the ones responsible for the shipment and declarations.. not the receiver.

Flying loose works most of the time.. but if you start doing things like shipping a container worth of goods.. or just high dollar items in general.. you sure need to know what costs you will face, what risks, and what steps must be taken.

Just a question Dave, if the invoice price includes the UK 20% vat tax do you have to pay both the UK20% AND the NZ tax when it arrives?

That's what I am referring to. Heighway aren't about to open a branch in NZ any time soon.

rd

VAT isn't charged for outside UK.

For Canada, I had my Full Throttle shipped air freight direct. The freight company did the brokerage for me, for a nominal fee, and they collected the 13% HST that we pay here. Not double taxed.

Any updates coming? Man I need something again, how about an in house video? Game looks great but

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That's correct. No UK VAT on exports. Tax is payable in your country if applicable.

rd

Ha, ha. I didn't even think about that acronym when I posted but heck..... why not. "Heighway Pinball,..... our new games with revolutionary technology are The SHiT!!"

I like it.

QSS

Hey Toads. My understanding is that you should only need to pay HP their price excluding the UK 20% VAT given it is being exported or alternatively you need to claim back the VAT as part of the export. Once it lands is Aust, customs will ask you to pay the 10% GST and most likely import duty on top of this.

From Andrew's posts it looks like our local distributor here in Aust will be announced shortly. You should talk to Andrew as to what his approach will be for you guys (in Aust) that have already paid deposits, as to whether you still buy direct or if your orders will be changed to go via the distributor (clearly there'd be benefits of shared shipping costs although it may delay your machine)

Cheers

A couple of things I've recently seen for fans of the franchise:

Alien Queen Tree Ornament:
http://www.thinkgeek.com/product/jgtp/

The Ultimate(ly expensive) Collection of Giger Art:
http://www.werd.com/36739/taschen-hr-giger-limited-collector’s-edition/

The fog machine hook-up is still a possibility.

Played Full Throttle 4 times in competition at Sanctum 24hr tournament. Very impressive flow.

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Thanks Andrew, I will send you an email.

Just to add my experience of contacting Heighway after listening to the Spooky Pinball podcast interview of Andrew from Heighway. 2 emails over a 3 week period and still no reply.

Do not they want my money? Or at least follow up on sales enquiries.

Hi Andrew,

I did re-send another email last Thursday referencing this exchange from last week on Pinside so you could identify me. I hope you got it ok.

Regards
Daniel

Whats happening Andrew? update please and thank you.

What did that end up costing you? PM me if you don't want to post it. Thanks Frolic

Any new info on Alien gameplay, videos, rules? I'm eagerly awaiting anything!

Thought u guys might like this balaclava

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Now that sure beats, "Stay Tuned" !!

Yes, very exciting!

8 hours to go....

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t-minus four hours and counting ....

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I can tell you the game is being played really a lot now in Budapest at the both of RS-Pinball.

At the Hungarian Pinball Open are a Full Throttle standard and one of the 2 Alien standard from the Expo ;

You find some pictures on Facebook and soon also Videos

RS-Pinball

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That gave me the chills. Glad to see a darker video and the sound / video , just amazing.

Whoa!!! This will be big for sure!!! Great clip!!!

Holy shit! Now that's what I expected that "secret video" to be like!

Thanks for fixing the left ramp shot!

Great stuff.

That video was awesome. Mode looks fun and the video ads to the suspense. My only fear is I would be watching the cut scenes. They looked beautiful on either screen. Well done Andrew and team.

Looks great! Any updates on the LE art?

Sweet

Sweet!

Wow. now that's the way to use a license.

Thanks Andrew, what a great video! I'm having a great time with my Full Throttle LE. Will you be including some Alien modules in the first or second quarter production of the new year for those of us with Full Throttle games or will they come after full game production?

My prediction: This game will be on the Pinside top 10 list within 6 months.

awesome!!!!!!

Great update and great job Andrew and team!! This pin keeps getting better and better!! Can't wait to see the final version!!

Brian

No cut scenes. Everything is custom edited, and the pace is quick. You can skip the longer stuff like mode intro animations with a double tap, but they're not super long, maybe 8 seconds if I recall. Scenes edited together to set the mood, a title treatment, and David Thiel's audio.

The only "movie clips" are the slow panning scenes that play behind the game credits.

Kelly and I worked together on a lot of tests and samples to get the glitchy analog look of the videos right. Alien is a world of CRT screens, used equipment, dirt, it's lived in. We wanted the videos to match that feeling. A little bit of VHS action.

The full screen clips in that video are taken straight from the source files, that's why you don't see the dashboard overlay with the scores etc. That's composited in game.