Things From Another World - A Sci-Fi Fanatics Dreamland!
Written: Nov 14 '02 (Updated Nov 15 '02)
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It isn't often that my kids get excited about something that isn’t Lego related – so when they started to show interest in science fiction films about a year ago I indulged them a little more than I should. Now I have small, mutant-like space freaks running around talking in some strange language, carrying laser guns and proclaiming that the universe is under attack. Sure, that might sound cute but after hours and hours of being shot at, called an assortment of names [all relating to cyber meanies and bad guys] and eventually being forced to play dead on the floor – it can take a toll on you.
Things From Another World came up on a Google search when my oldest son started looking for the film Stargate on DVD. The VHS copy had seen better days and he wanted to spend part of his allowance on a DVD copy. No matter where we searched [Target, Wal-Mart etc] no one seemed to have the DVD version that he wanted [the combo pack of Stargate and Moon 44]. When he asked me if he could go to the site I gave it a quick look to see what it was about and handed the keyboard and mouse over to him. Two hours later he handed me a wish list of things he “really wanted’ from the site. Not only did the site have the individual Stargate SG-1 DVD’s but they also had the boxed sets – at prices about 15% less than Amazon.com! After a week of begging I finally caved in and ordered the boxed set for the boys. That was just the beginning of the adventure – soon I was hooked and stared ordering Dune related products, Star Wars figures and eventually indulging my Abbott & Costello addiction. Don’t even get me started on the multitude of toys and dolls that they sell at the site – let’s just say the last MasterCard bill came with a thank you note.
If I had to write one single line that sums up the product variety of Things From Another World I would have to say “A well rounded, highly entertaining and extremely fair priced site that allows you to indulge and collect some of the greatest media related products on the market”. But in all honesty, that’s just the start of it. The site carries VHS and DVD releases of major motion pictures, television episodes and more off the wall titles than even I could count. If you like cult films and are having a tough time tracking them down – run the title through the sites search engine and see what comes up.
Navigation
I won’t lie – when you first hit the site you might be a little overwhelmed by the lay out. The floating navigation bar helps to guide you through the different main areas of the site but to really get a grasp of what the site has to offer you have to roll your sleeves up and dig in. The search engine is probably the best way to get to know the site, as it will allow you to type in a word and see what is available. Try Harry Potter, Pokeman or Batman to get a nice healthy listing of products that are available. You’ll only see a few results listed on the page so make sure you click the “in stock item” link to see everything that is available. Once you get the feel for how the site works and how to access all the information you’ll find yourself amazed at some of the products that are sold.
If you get lost or just need to make your way back to the main page simply click the TFAW.com logo located in the top left corner of the page. The hovering tabs are also a great way to navigate the site and they are there for your convenience. When you skip around to the different sections of the site you’ll notice an auxiliary information bar under the main one – this will help you find items within the section without having to click on twenty links in the process. In addition to this feature there are sub categories listed on the left hand side of the page that will show you author’s names, genres and other related information. Another very nice perk of the site is the recommendations that you are given when you click on any item listed at the site. It offers suggestions within the general area you selected as well as things that might be appealing to you.
Merchandise
It’s extremely hard to try and pin point who would like this site since they truly have so much to offer. For regular movie fans they have the usual DVD and VHS releases, assorted paraphernalia and collectible items. Those that feel an unnatural attraction to super heroes will find a suitable place to stretch their legs and pick up some very nice items including t-shirts, comic books, figures and posters / prints. I’d like to say that there is something for everyone at the site but that wouldn’t be completely true. If you aren’t into science fiction, anime, comic books, off beat toys or a selected sting of books – then this site might not be your cup of tea. However, if you have a friend or relative that is – you can still navigate the site like a pro by taking advantage of the Gift Wizard. Simply select the type of product you are looking for, the genre is it is and the price range and you’ll see a list of items that would be suitable for gift giving.
Things From Another World offers clothing, posters, books, comics, toys, a full range of films, a few seasonal items, trading cards, Zippo lighters, puzzles, die cast figures, collectible dolls, music, adult comics and related material. Outside the sales arena there’s also a message board where you can chat with like-minded individuals, post questions or just kill some time reading about other people’s fascinations. The board doesn’t get a tremendous amount of traffic so stop by and post up a few topics – you might just make a few new friends.
Children’s Section
I really wanted to add some detail about this section of the site to my review. Fans of Bob The Builder, Blue’s Clue’s, Charlie Brown, SpongeBob Squarepants, Hamtaro and even Hello Kitty will find their all time favorite titles listed in this section. Sadly my ongoing quest to collect all the Beavis & Butthead episodes ended when I entered the titles into the search engine and got zero results. While the prices at the site might be a few dollars more than what you would pay at Target or Wal-Mart – the selection of titles can’t be beat.
Outside of the DVD and VHS titles that the site sells you can also stock up on collector toys. McFarlane Toys, Hasbro, Applause, Matchbox and Galoob are just a few of the companies that Things From Another World stocks and sells. Thanks to this site I was able to collection all of the Chicken Run figures [sorry, they are now out of stock] as well as almost all of the Harry Potter Collector Series of statues [resin models]. A vast majority of the items that are sold at the site are for collecting purposes but there are some items that are just too fun to keep locked up in a box. This site offers you a great way to collect figures, dolls and related items that you can give to your kids when they are old enough to appreciate them – or turn around and sell them for a hefty profit.
Comic Section
One thing you will never hear me say is I’m an avid comic book collector, followed by I’m a comic book expert. For me, comics are art and if I like the overall feel of a series I’ll try to get my hands on all the issues. This portion of the site is broken up nicely and you’ll little to no trouble making your way through the multitude of pages. Arranged by publisher, creator, genre and series – the stock is extremely organized. When I started to collect comics I had no idea the number of series that were available or how far they had progressed from the crude and somewhat primitive books from my youth. Anything from the Kevin Smith series to Buffy The Vampire Slayer [as well as Angel] can be found at the site. KISS comics and Vampirella, Tank Girl to Bettie Page [adult comic] – chances are if you are looking for it – they’ll have it.
The Rest
In addition to a hefty DVD and VHS collection, the site also sells books. I’ve never really ventured into that portion of the site other than to see what Harry Potter books they had listed. My taste in books rests mainly in true crime and unsolved cases where as the site caters more to the science fiction crowd. If you are into model kits then this might be a site that you’ll find to your liking since they stock a large number of them in various themes. You’ll also be able to browse the site for some off the wall board games – and yes, the do have The Simpson’s Loser Takes All. Dig deep enough and you’ll be able to find a Digimon clock, Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robot key chains, Bettie Page Zippo lighter and even tiny collectible Aliens pins. In order to get the most out of the site you really have to sit down and explore it – toss a few names into the search engine and see what comes up. I’ve found some unique and bizarre items – most of which are now on shelves in my ‘office’ or packed up in storage waiting for my boys to be old enough to appreciate them.
Pre-Order Perks
Be sure to check the Pre-Order section of the site often so you can get accurate and up to date information on products that are nearing their release date. To make the deal even sweeter you can get a very nice discount on your pre-ordered items [VHS 25% off, DVD 23% off]. This is a great way to avoid the lines at the store and the possibility of them being sold out – or in some cases not even stocking the item until weeks after the release date. Combine the generous pre-order discount with the free shipping offers and you are looking at saving a nice sum of cash.
Payment Options
Things From Another World currently accepts MasterCard, Visa, American Express, Discover, Diner’s Club and JCB*. If these payment options are not to your liking you can pay by personal check, money order or cashier check. Using any of these options can and will delay your order up to ten additional days in order to establish that funds are available.
I’ve only used my MasterCard to place orders through Things From Another World and have never had any trouble with double billings, incorrect amounts charged to my card or any hidden or additional fees. Since the site protects your privacy on all levels you can use your credit card without having to worry about your personal information being seen by unauthorized people. You information is transmitted using a 128-bit encryption and backed by GeoTrust.
The Ordering Process
Once you have filled your cart to the brim you’ll need to pay for all those goodies in order to have them delivered to your doorstep. If you’ve never placed an order before you’ll need to provide the usual information [name, address, phone number etc] to get the process started. The ordering process is broken down into a series of pages so there is less of a risk of losing information. Larger orders take about five minutes total once you have established an account and new customers can expect the whole process to take about six to seven minutes total. While in this mode you will have th option to choose your payment method, shipping options and delivery address. Everything you need to complete the transaction is provided on the pages so don’t worry about making a mistake. If you have any trouble while placing your order call the customer service department or if it’s after hours – send them an email.
Customer Service
If you ever have a question about a movie, comic book, shipping date, return of an item or even when a movie might be back in stock – call the toll free number and I can almost guarantee that all your questions will be answered in record time. If you are thinking about making a large purchase you can call ahead and see how your order will be packaged and shipped out and how you can go about saving money on the overall shipping fees. Need to make a return? Unlike most sites that will rake you over the coals and treat you rudely – you’ll get nothing but professional treatment from the customer service team.
Gift Certificates
The site does offer gift certificates however the only way to get them is by calling the toll free customer service number [800-862-0052]. I’ve never ordered gift certificates so far but I do plan to this holiday season. Since the boys love this site, I figured it would be easier to just get them gift certificates than to have to site next to the computer and wait for them to pick out the items they want. According to one of the customer service agents the gift certificates are available in the following amounts: $5.00, $10.00, $15.00, $20.00 and $35.00. I am sure my brood are going to go through the roof when they bust open their Christmas stockings and see that Santa left them gift certificates to Things From Another World!
Return Policy
Much like every other internet site, Things From Another World there are a few small stipulations when making a return. If you receive something that is defective, damaged while in shipment or arrives in less than stellar condition you should contact then within 24 hours of delivery to make arrangements for a return. Shipping fees are only refunded if they sent you the wrong item or order so don’t even quibble about it with them. Since you are dealing with items that are considered collectors items there is a strict ‘all sales final’ policy. Make sure you really want that purple metallic Darth Vader doll before you whip out your credit card and pay for it because ones it gets to your doorstep – it’s all yours.
As I stress in every one of my online reviews – its better to take ten minutes out of your hectic and grueling schedule to sit down and make a phone call or type out an email if you have any questions about a product, DVD or figure. If you have any questions or concerns about an item you should ask before you buy. If you need to make arrangements to return an item you can call the toll free number [800-862-0052] or send an email to service@tfaw.com.
Shipping Fees
Since I always order more than a hundred dollars worth of merchandise I never really pay attention to the shipping fees. My neighbor Jane and I order at least once a month from the site and since they offer ‘selective shipping schedules’ [items ship when they are available] we often combine orders to get free or reduced shipping. The nice thing about the selective shipping schedule is that you can elect to have your order shipped individually when it becomes available [if its not in stock] or wait and have it shipped once a week, once every two weeks or once a month. This allows you to save a nice bit on shipping providing that you don’t need the items you ordered in a hurry.
Shipping is calculated according to the weight of your shipment, distance from the shipping address and how many packages you will be receiving. Since it is almost impossible to give a standard listing of what shipping fees are I suggest that you contact the customer service team and ask them for possible estimates. This will let you get a ball bark number so you can figure in the cost of shipping to your total bill. If you want to save some cash check the site for free shipping offers as well. With the holiday season fast approaching you can kill a few birds with one stone and get free shipping on top of it. Be sure to read the fine print and details here www.tfaw.com/offer/holidaycheer.
Contact Information
Help is only a phone call away! Call the toll free number for customer support, order inquiries, general merchandise help or to arrange a return of a defective item. Call between the hours of 9 am and 5 pm [PST] to speak with a customer service representative or take advantage of the email service at service@tfaw.com.
Things From Another World
2008 SE Main Street
Milwaukie, OR 97222
[800] 862-0052
[503] 652-9701
[503] 653-2473 [fax]
www.tfaw.com
The Bottom Line
So far this has been a great site to do business with. All my orders arrived on or before the anticipated delivery date, billing was to the penny and the products were exactly as described at the site. I won’t give up going to the comic book store, toy store or collector shows any time soon but I know that Things From Another World is there for me – 24 hours a day – when ever I feel the need to pick up a Homer Simpson doll, Batman comic book or explore the world of B-films. The selection is outstanding and I’m sure that after you spend a few minutes browsing the site you’ll agree that Things From Another World is one of the best stocked sites on the internet.
As always, thanks for the visit!
^V^ Freak ^V^
© 2002 Freak369
* JCB = The JCB credit card is issued by JCB Co. Ltd based in Tokyo, Japan. It’s an international type of credit card that has recently broken into the US market. For more information please visit the website at www.jcbusa.com
Recommended:
Yes
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