Hello, folks!
Sorry I haven’t updated formally in the past 3 months. Life hasn’t been quite giving this time, and we’ve gotten a covid scare in the beginning of the year due to a close contact testing positive and my partner and I both got sick for a while. I’ve tried updating as much as possible on my social media channels but I’m certain not all customers follow my accounts. So I’m at fault here for leaving you all in the dark about what’s been happening 🙇🏻♀️
My partner lost his job during the Christmas season, so for the past couple of months we have been living solely from the store sales as I’ve also been ghosted by employers for the past year. It’s been difficult to get by because of this, and on top of that my health hasn’t improved too much. I’m due for a CT scan (has been delayed several months as well due to finances) to check complications from the surgery last year, and I’ve been dealing with terrible asthma attacks as well due to the tropical weather.
This is the reason why production has been delayed for pre-order items because money was redirected to my medication, our bills and daily expenses lest we get kicked out. I should have updated you guys sooner, but it has been difficult literally and figuratively to breathe in the middle of all of these problems. And for that, I apologize for my shortcomings 😔
However, we’ve been working hard to get employed and finally set things back on track. We’ve had luck just this month, and I’ve finally gotten paid and set all pre-order items back into production. Some were already in the process of production and just waiting to be shipped out, but some of our manufacturers have also been experiencing delays, covid resurgences and lockdowns, and price increases due to the pandemic as well.
Despite this, I won’t be increasing my prices. But I’m hoping shipping wouldn’t be too affected when we start sending out items again later on.
ABOUT PRE-ORDER ITEMS
Processing orders may still be a bit slow since I’m working now to catch up with all the store backlog. But all shipping schedules have been updated and can be accessed via store.dettsu.com/shipping-schedule. You can also check for your order’s status specifically via store.dettsu.com/order-status to see which shipping batch you’re included in. Just click the tiny magnifying glass at the upper right hand corner of the table to search your order number. (Ctrl + F somehow doesn’t work for this).
In case of website maintenance, you can access your order status via links.dettsu.com/ShippingSchedule instead.
All websites mentioned above have always been updated regularly even if I’m not actively using (store-related) social media. Links to these websites have also always been available via my Etsy homepage and Etsy thank you for purchasing messages on top of my main store’s website. If I was not able to reply to shipping delay concerns, you may check on the schedules that can be found in these websites.
PRE-ORDER ENAMEL PINS
Pin Club has been inactive for almost a year now, and I’m sorting out the production for the remaining pins from the last production cycle. It’s very late, but I don’t want to sacrifice any lapses in quality either. I’m working with the same manufacturer for all my pins but with a different agent, as my previous agent left their company to get married (I love that she had me updated on this lol).
So I’m working it out with the new agent so we can still receive the quality pins we’re all expecting of them. This is why it’s taking a bit longer, since I’m familiarizing the new agent with my specific requests for pin production from previous transactions.
All pre-order status pins are with the supplier and I am currently waiting for updates regarding production, other possible delays, and ETA to my place here in the Philippines.
Pins included in this batch:
- Peach Brooches: MESMERIZER Shinsou with mask default variant
- Peach Brooches: SEA BIRDS EraserMic pirate au default variant
- Peach Brooches: SEA BIRDS EraserMic pirate au purple variant
- Peach Brooches: SEA BIRDS EraserMic pirate au black glitter variant
- Peach Brooches: BARCELONA Victuuri bday pin
- Boku no Neko Academia: NEKOMIMI Shinsou variant
- ASPHYXIA: Shigaraki collar pins
Production time for pins usually take 2 weeks. So far, this manufacturer has not mentioned any upcoming holidays (Chinese New Year just ended recently). But they had experienced lockdowns at the factory before. If there are no other causes of delay, I may receive the pins early April 2022. Pins may be shipped out shortly after they are sorted out.
PRE-ORDER DOLLS
The Villain dolls are the ones affected the most by price increase by my current manufacturer. But seeing as the dolls are already premium priced, I’ve decided not to increases the price of the dolls anymore as well. The dolls are currently with the manufacturer, I’m just waiting for them to send photos for updates.
Production time is around 15-20 days (excluding holidays and weekends), so I’m expecting the dolls to be done without revisions before April ends. However, since shipping of the dolls takes around the same time, I might receive the Villain dolls around May 2022. The dolls will be shipped out shortly after being sorted. I’ll include freebies for all doll orders as thanks for always being patient with me 🙏🏻✨
PRE-ORDER MANJUUS
Manjuus were supposed to be manufactured last January. But due to our covid scare and my medical emergencies, the manjuus were not ordered in time. My manufacturer has a deadline for each batch so I was expecting for them to have a February batch that I can catch up with. However, they only opened again this March.
This is why manjuu pre-orders have been open indefinitely because it was only this month that my manufacturer had a production scheduled to begin again. At the moment, pre-orders for manjuus will remain open until March 25.
Production for manjuus take around 3-5 weeks to complete due to my manufacturer actually sewing them by hand to ensure quality. So if you buy manjuus from my store, you are actually supporting 2 small business owners 💖 We thank you kindly for your support throughout the times I have had manjuus done with them.
But since this manufacturer has an upcoming holiday in their country on May, manjuus may be shipped out to me late April to early May 2022. Manjuus may be shipped out shortly after the given dates mentioned.
ABOUT ON HAND ITEMS
In the case of on hand items that are currently in stock or in the process of getting restocked, shipping schedule is still twice a month to accommodate our schedules and to avoid going out too often due to my immunocompromised self. All other pins not listed above are either in stock or (about to be) sold out. I won’t be restocking some older designs to make room for new incoming merch as well. Small items like stickers, pins, and lanyards are made locally. So these items do not take too long to produce and can easily be shipped out, so they’re almost always available.
CURRENT SHIPPING DELAYS
Shipping internationally has been terrible lately. An artist friend who also had merch done and used the same forwarder as me only received her stuff late this month. Her production ended January of this year, and her package arrived in the country mid-February. But our customs held her package for more than a month before releasing it, despite having no other fees due.
There have also been delays with USA and Canada bound shipments sine January 2020. I have asked around as artist friends have been airing their experiences with their US customers not receiving their packages on time during this period.
A friend has continuously asked their local post office for explanations as to why US packages were delayed, and we finally got this memo. it seems packages in the Philippines have to go through Japan Airlines before heading to LAX.
According to their explanation in person, apparently there is “airport congestion” indicated in the memo because ALL incoming packages to the USA are going through LAX only and no other sorting centers (very odd?). And that’s why international mail inbound to the USA is taking so long.
I hope that answers all questions regarding USA bound mail!
Regarding EU bound mail, I suppose it’s safe to say there may be delays with some EU countries considering what’s happening right now. I wish all Ukrainians safety in the days to come!
Previous shipping delays for on hand and in stock orders are because of my sudden sickness and doctor appointments;; I also had my third vaccine (booster) last week, so my entire body’s been jelly the past few days. Apologies if I wasn’t able to respond in a timely manner during this time.
My partner, who was supposed to be in charge of answering queries while I was out cold, was also busy with taking care of me. We’ll be working on a system to ensure we’ll be able to give email updates regarding orders next time. Thank you for being patient with us. 🙇🏻♀️🙇🏻♂️
EVENTS IN 2022
We are finally having our first local convention this year, and we’ll be having a booth at Cosplay Carnival this coming April 30-May 1. The store will be closed since we’ll be bringing the entire inventory there. We’ll reopen in May after we’ve sorted the inventory again ✨
END NOTES
And that’s the detailed update y’all deserve after my almost 3-month inactivity from the store’s social media accounts. It’s been hard being sick all the time;; But it’s also the first time I was officially diagnosed with any of the illnesses I thought I didn’t have for the past 20+ years. So I’m grateful I’ve finally gotten the medical attention I needed (maybe not like that, but still huhu).
Thank you again to everyone who has been patient with their orders. We’re doing our best keeping ourselves alive despite this pandemic! And with all this waiting, I’m glad you still support the work I do. I’m finally celebrating being employed after 2 years of no formal employment. I’ve only ever had my shop after all! I can finally afford to give all late orders the freebies they deserve as well 😅
Please please please, take care of your health!
And stay safe out there.
My gratitude towards all of you knows no bounds 💖
