The FAQs have been created to help you understand what you're getting into! :-) Before ordering please understand how Trash Compactor works and help to reduce messages and speed up my creation of orders. Please ensure you read them, (before ordering or ticking the drop down saying you accept them (if you haven't read them)), messaging me about dispatch times, postage costs, and other questions that are an unnecessary waste of your time and mine.
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WHAT ARE YOU PURCHASING?
Trash Compactor specializes in designing and 3D printing vintage-style figures and accessories using either resin or FDM hard plastic. Please refer to the item description for more details.
Please note, Trash Compactor does not sell finished or carded figures. You are purchasing unpainted items, ready for you to paint yourself. While the printed items are durable and sturdy, they are not indestructible and are not suitable for children.
These items are original designs, not reproductions or kitbashed, created to seamlessly fit into your vintage or retro collection. No matter your skill level, they will help you expand your collection.
I recommend using acrylic paints and finishing with a satin or matte varnish to protect them for best results. Leaving resin unpainted can leave it vulnerable to environmental factors, leading to potential splitting or distress. Resin can be sensitive to extreme conditions, such as direct sunlight or cold, which may affect its longevity over time.
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PRODUCTION TIMES AND GENERAL INFO
I aim to process all orders fairly, in the order they are received. Dispatch times depend on the item: some are in stock for quick shipping, while others are made-to-order and take longer. The production and dispatch times for each item are listed on its page.
Since storage is limited, I don’t pre-print larger items, which allows me to offer a diverse selection in the store. Dispatch times may change depending on order volume, so please check the listing details carefully before placing your order.
When adding items to your basket, Etsy combines shipping based on the largest item.
Please ensure that your order does not exceed the insurance limit of £250 UK/$250 US per box, as this complicates the shipping process and causes delays.
Following the guidance in the FAQs helps ensure smooth operations and timely dispatch of your order.  If you order items with different dispatch times, the longest dispatch time applies to the entire order.
Once your order is ready for shipping, you’ll receive an email with tracking details. If your Etsy email doesn’t include tracking information, it may mean the item is awaiting Royal Mail collection, or I haven’t yet had a chance to add the tracking number.
Please avoid sending inquiries about dispatch times, as this information is provided in the FAQs and in your order history. You get a better experience on Etsy id you order on a named account rather than using a guest account. I can't search on Guest accounts so multiple orders will be sent separately.
 
DELIVERY & ORDER VALUE TIME FRAMES
The delivery time depends on your location, and you should add this to the order’s production time. For example, if your order takes four weeks to produce and it takes two weeks to ship to your location, you can expect to receive your item in six weeks.
While waiting can feel long, rest assured that all orders are processed within the timeframes specified by Etsy. If I happen to run over the stated time, please feel free to reach out—but do check your order history first.
As a one-person business, I process orders in sequence based on their received date. Orders are shipped as soon as they’re ready, with occasional delays due to Royal Mail or other unexpected issues.
Please don’t chase tracking updates before the indicated shipping week, as unnecessary inquiries can cause delays. If your parcel leaves the UK, you’ll need to follow up with your local postal service for updates. Once it’s out of my hands, I can’t intervene.
 
POSTAGE AND ORDER LIMITS
Shipping costs are based on standard global track-and-trace rates and the value of your order. Please ensure you select the appropriate postage insurance rate from the delivery dropdown. The available options are:

• £20, £50, or £250 Tracked & Signed insurance options.

If your order exceeds the £250 limit, I may divide the items into multiple boxes to align with insurance coverage. In such cases, I cover the extra postage costs, except when a discount code is applied.
Exceeding the insurance limit complicates the process, so adhering to the £250 limit helps ensure smooth and timely dispatch. If your order exceeds this limit, I may request additional postage fees before dispatching your items.
 
COMBINING ORDERS
If you wish to add items to an existing order, please message me with the details. I’ll provide a basket code if the additional items are covered by the postage already paid. Be aware that this process is manual and can be time-consuming.
To avoid delays, please combine items into a single order during checkout. Multiple orders with separate postage fees complicate preparation and may result in cancellations. If you frequently place multiple orders in this way, you may be blocked from future purchases to ensure smooth operations.
 
MONEY LAUNDERING PRECAUTIONS
If you place multiple individual orders and then request postage refunds for each, this creates an administrative burden and could be perceived as suspicious activity, such as money laundering. From now on, no postage refunds will be issued for such cases. Instead, I’ll provide a credit note for future use, subject to time limits.
 
DISCOUNTS AND CODES
Discounts on Etsy are determined by seller activity, and Trash Compactor operates differently due to challenges with postage calculations on multi-item orders. Instead of inflating shipping costs, I use a discount system to keep postage rates reasonable.
Discounts are automatically generated in some cases, including:

• Leaving items in your basket triggers a discount code.

• Favoriting an item may also generate a discount code.

• Signing up for Etsy’s mailing list provides promotional coupon codes based on events and the time of year.

Trash Compactor does not offer blanket discounts, but these auto-generated codes provide savings on your orders.
 
ORDER COMPLETION AND TRACKING
If your order shows as "completed" but does not include tracking information, this means it is still being finalized, packed, or waiting for Royal Mail collection. Once your parcel is collected, I will update the status with the tracking numbers.
Once the tracking number is provided, it means your order has been picked up and is on its way to you! Please note that Etsy currently sends out automatic emails stating that your order has been dispatched as soon as I mark it "complete"—even if it hasn’t been picked up yet. I apologize for the confusion, but rest assured, tracking info will be added once the parcel is on its way.
For orders with tracking, you can find the shipping details and the expected delivery date in your Etsy purchase history. Please be patient—I’m working as quickly as possible to fulfill all orders!
Customers who follow the FAQs and ordering guidelines are genuinely appreciated, as you help keep everything running smoothly. Unfortunately, those who continue to disregard these rules may be blocked from future purchases. I don’t take this decision lightly, but it’s necessary to ensure fairness for all customers.
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DAMAGED OR LOST PARCELS
If your parcel is damaged or lost by your local delivery provider, there are steps you’ll need to take yourself. While I will do my best to assist you, please note that I am unable to contact your local delivery provider directly, as they will only communicate with the recipient of the parcel. I can, however, assist with any issues involving UK Royal Mail. If your parcel has been damaged or lost in their care, I will be happy to help.
 
Here's what you need to do if your local delivery provider is involved:

1. Contact Your Local Delivery Provider: Report the parcel as lost, damaged, or missing and provide them with any required details. Be aware that they may ask you to wait a certain period before officially declaring the parcel lost, as delays are often cited until enough time has passed.

2. Provide Parcel Value: You may be asked to give the value of the parcel in order to file a claim for compensation.

3. Alternatively, you can also reach out to Etsy's Purchase Protection Program, which covers purchases up to $250. However, Etsy will require you to follow certain steps before they provide compensation. ​Please do not file a claim for a parcel that has already been delivered, as they check tracking information and may contact me for verification.

 
As a seller, I adhere to Etsy’s rules to ensure protection for both of us, which is why certain limits and conditions apply, as outlined in the FAQs. This ensures that neither of us loses money.  If there is an issue with your delivery, please let me know as soon as possible, and I will do everything I can to help.
Please note, I am unable to assist with tasks such as rescheduling deliveries, changing the delivery address, or asking the delivery service to hold parcels, as they will not communicate with me. These are actions you will need to handle directly with your local provider.
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FEEDBACK
Feedback is always appreciated, but if you're unhappy with any part of your order, please reach out to me before leaving negative feedback. It’s unfair to leave comments like "didn’t send replacements" or "didn’t refund" without first contacting me or allowing to resolve any issues or letting me provide assistance. Some times stuff happen out of my control and I will always do anything i can to resolve any problems. Im not an asshole! If you dont contact me or let me know, then who's the asshole then! I care about what I do, its my hobby and my full time job and I care alot about my customers, so please reach out before being negative!
Also, if negative feedback is left without prior communication, please understand that future orders may be cancelled and Extortion is not tolerated.
I’ve had many cases where customers rated me three stars even though they loved the items, simply because they didn’t understand Etsy's rating system. Remember, Etsy’s feedback system is different from platforms like Trustpilot.

 

EXTORTION
Extortion is prohibited on Etsy, as outlined in Etsy's Buyer Policy and Seller Policy.
Any attempt to blackmail me with a bad review in exchange for refunds or favours will be met with the strongest possible actions. This includes potential legal proceedings and the risk of having your account permanently closed by Etsy.
This behavior is not permitted from Etsy sellers, nor is it allowed from buyers. Please don’t attempt it—it won’t end well. I pride myself on being a fair and honest person, and I expect the same respect and integrity in return.
Here are examples of actions that qualify as extortion:

• A buyer leaves a negative review to pressure the seller into providing additional items that were not part of the original transaction.

• A buyer leaves a negative review to demand an unwarranted refund.

• A seller offers goods, services, or compensation in exchange for a positive review.

Lastly, please note that any communication or transactions that take place outside of Etsy may not be considered in disputes or investigations so i dont communicate about order out side of Etsy, this protects you and also me!
Thank you for understanding!
For your own protection, please be sure to use Etsy's Messages tool and conduct all transactions through Etsy's checkout system. 
 
REVIEWS AND SOCIAL MEDIA
Please direct your inquiries about custom processes to my YouTube Channel and Facebook page. Doing so helps prevent delays in order fulfilment and reduces administrative time, allowing me to focus on completing orders and designing. Additionally, fellow group members often provide valuable tips.
While I appreciate the sharing of your pictures and progress, kindly use Facebook, Instagram, and other Star Wars groups like The Trash Compactor Group, Smugglers Den, SWIGG, and Star Wars Customs. When shared via Etsy messaging, it becomes challenging for me to engage or share them.
If you wish to include a link in posts, please add either my Trash Compactor Facebook page or my Etsy store, not my personal page, as most of my friends and family aren't avid Star Wars enthusiasts.
REVIEWS AND PICTURES: Your reviews greatly contribute to the growth of the store. If you encounter any issues, please contact me for resolution before leaving less than 5 stars. Leaving 4 stars due to an xx-week delivery time indicates a failure to read the FAQs before ordering.
Also leaving a poor review, because you didn't actually read the description or product info or know what it was you were buying, is not a reflection on me, but is poor public reflection on yourself. So please know what you are purchasing and reach out if you have any issues before being publicly rude. 
I am very friendly and helpful, and if you're rude for the sake of being rude, then sorry but blocking is an option.
Kindly include a photo in your reviews as it helps showcase your work, aiding Trash Compactor's growth.
Stay updated on new items, sales, and more by following Trash Compactor on our social media channels:
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/trashcompactor3263827
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/trash_compactor_customs
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/trashcompactor
Join the Trash Compactor Custom Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/trashcompactorcustoms/
Explore additional links on Linktree - https://linktr.ee/trashcompactor
 
UNCLAIMED AND RETURNED ORDERS
Parcels may be returned as undelivered for various reasons. Once your order is dispatched, it’s important to regularly check the tracking information to avoid issues.
If a parcel is returned due to uncollected items from the local delivery office, an incorrect address, or mismatched delivery name, Trash Compactor is not responsible for the cost of resending the item. In such cases, you have two options:

• Cancel the order and receive a refund minus the postage costs.

• Resend the items by paying the postage fee again.

Please ensure that the shipping address on your Etsy account is correct, as the details provided when you place the order are the ones used. Any changes to your Etsy account after ordering will not update the existing order information.
 
ORIGINAL DESIGNS AND COPYRIGHT
To protect against design theft, Trash Compactor does not sell figure designs digitally. Nearly 99% of the items in my store are my original creations. If an item is not my original design, the description will clearly mention the original designer, and prints are only offered with the designer’s permission.
Credits and commissions are provided to other designers whose work is used or sold through Trash Compactor. If you have any doubts, you are welcome to contact the designers directly. While I don't focus heavily on print-on-demand services, I am open to helping if I know the designer and the request fits within my offerings.
If this FAQ doesn’t address your question, feel free to reach out, and I’ll respond as soon as possible!
Thanks for your time, and may the Force be with you!
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SUGGESTED PAINTERS
Regarding painting recommendations, there are a couple of fantastic artists I suggest:

Greg Matthews (US-based): Ouroboros Customs.

I frequently send items to him for painting on behalf of others. www.instagram.com/ouroboros_customs

Hayden Rogers (UK-based): The Retro Painter, He’s another incredibly talented artist.
www.instagram.com/haydenarogers

I’m not entirely familiar with their exact processes, but the best thing to do is reach out to them directly.
They’re both super helpful and very reasonable to work with. Do check out their instagram accounts.