I am always reading about figure makers who take years
to complete a single order.

Maybe we should also look at the other side of the coin,
at figure makers who are prompt and even exceed expectations.

I have personally received great service from 3 makers of figures:
1. Clinton Detweiler
2. Dan Payes
3. Kem Poyner

All three deserve a medal for treating their customers well.

What other figure makers should be on this list?

Brandt Gilmer.

Gives you an accurate time frame he will begin to build your figure and in amy case received about 6 months early as he had two orders cancel.

Is 12 weeks considered fast?

Dan Lavender have been accurate with th etime frame given.I have 2 figures from him.
Clinton Detweiler and Dan Paynes are also good with keeping their promises of delivery

I never had problems with...

Kem Poyner
Dan Payes
Tim Cowles

and for soft puppets... Steve Axtell is the man!!!

I think 12 weeks is quite reasonable considering that the maker
probably has other prior commitments.

If the figure-maker informs you that the figure will take 13 weeks or longer,
then 12 weeks is excellent.

But if he tells you that he will finish in 11 weeks or less,
then 12 weeks might be a bit of a disappointment.

In any case, the figure-maker should provide a fairly accurate estimate
of how much time he will need before he takes a customer's money.

I've never bought a figure via an order over the phone/web till recently. I just ordered two custom soft figures fro Out of the Box. I have had a great experience with them so far with the order process. I hope to find them to be prompt and have a quality product. I have ordered parts from Mike Brose and I have been very happy with him.