Help! Need advice

**UPDATE*

I'm just getting excuse after excuse. It would be funny if it was not so serious. Or if it was a a sitcom.

I'm now being told by the guy that he doesn't have the money to ship my costume!!!

What should I do?

IMHO
you've been ripped off
out him on the board
but that's only my opinion

I'd like to give him another week or so before I do that, just so I can be sure.
And TBH I don't really think naming names will get me anywhere at present.

What I'm afraid of is upsetting the guy and knowing then that I'll never see the costume for definite!

Where is the costume, in the UK or states?

Anyone with the savvy to build a proper costume, should be able to get you detailed shots of everything as it sits.

It is possible they dont have the money to ship it, however, that needed to be discussed in the front. if it wasnt, youll need to do a little dealing to get things straight.

There are ways to open up public dialog, and discuss it without acusing, or insulting. I paid $50 for fettdad to rub my corns. He never did.

There. hes outed. Take my lead.

Originally Posted by Nobby

I'd like to give him another week or so before I do that, just so I can be sure.
And TBH I don't really think naming names will get me anywhere at present.

What I'm afraid of is upsetting the guy and knowing then that I'll never see the costume for definite!

ok.
That's your choice
but here are 2 facts...

1. it's been almost 6 months since he took your money.
2. it's been 2 months since you've heard from him

Naming names might not get you anywhere.Your cash & costume are probably long gone.
But, it will prevent someone else from getting ripped off by this same guy.

I would agree that you should out him, as that would at the least tarnish his reputation here on the board as well, and hopefully others would avoid doing business with him.

However, I think you should discuss the situation with him first, and let him know what you'll do if a satisfactory agreement isn't reached. If he is reading this thread, he already knows the situation.

Harsh, but costumers need to be held accountable if they promise to provide services.

If the costume is complete and the only hold up is the matter of shipping it, I'm sure you two can work something out.

Originally Posted by AndrewRP

If the costume is complete and the only hold up is the matter of shipping it, I'm sure you two can work something out.

At the moment I have no proof that the costume is complete, but I'm certainly trying my best to get it worked out.
I certainly don't want to get this guy a bad rep only to have my costume turn up in a few weeks.
That situation would only serve to give ME a black mark.

Originally Posted by Nobby

One recent excuse entailed the fact that his bank had changed it's name (without telling him!!!) and this had caused problems with PayPal!

That is BS. This guy is/has been lying to you.

Mark, you seem like a stand up guy and I applaud your patience and respect shown towards another member. There is nothing wrong with outing somebody like this. Yes, stuff happens and if this guy is legit, he can easily clear up his reputation by shipping said item and by offering an apololgy. I do not sell tons of stuff on here, but the few times I have, I ship the item THE VERY NEXT DAY, if not the same day and give the buyer a tracking number. This is what should happen unless other arrangements have been made. Good luck bro!

Jason

Originally Posted by Nobby

That situation would only serve to give ME a black mark.

How would you get a black mark??

How many posts and how long has this person been here on TDH?

I haven't been costuming for very long, but I just can't understand why everyone pays full price up front for something that hasn't been made yet. It seems so risky and stupid to me. Ok, a deposit is reasonable, then when situations like this happen, you're only out a fraction of the cost.

I understand this is a hobby and those who make costumes for others may not have the money on hand to pay for all the parts/supplies, but I'm sure the buyer and seller can work something out. I don't have a problem with paying full price for something that's less than $100. But for a whole costume at $1500? If I was buying a costume for that price, I'd ask to do a deposit (Dunno, 10% to 20%), and pay the balance upon completion of the costume. And I'd expect it to be shipped the next day at the latest. The benefit here is if the buyer runs into financial difficulty and has to cancel the order, he's only out a fraction of the cost. And if the seller has delays or disappears, again, the buyer is only out a fraction of the cost. If the buyer backs out the seller can always sell the completed parts to someone else. You could work out a deal where you pay for each piece as it's completed and shipped. Takes longer and is more confusing, but less risk that you lose the whole investment.

Basically, I feel that when dealing with that much money buyers should be more wary of sending it all upfront. Even reputable sellers occasionally run into difficulties and delays.

Welcome to my world...It's sketchy to say the least. It's too late to dispute it too...

I'd ask around to see if anyone else from his area knows him. Sorry about your troubles bro!

It also make sense to pay by credit card when using Paypal. You can always dispute the charge with your CC company if Paypal doesn't make good or if the window of opportunity has passed.

Hi Mark,this guys sounds a bit like ruffkin is that who is it ?
seriously dude if i havnt got any item from the vendor then i would have filed within the 45 day refund by now !! ...how long haas this been going on for now ???

Originally Posted by LadySewforus

How many posts and how long has this person been here on TDH?

I hope this was not misunderstood. I meant the person who is doing the selling? Is he or she well known here?

This always burns me up!

I think he's been here a while (will look it up when I get home from work).

I have today received a lengthy message from the guy concerned.

After reading what he had to say, and a full explanation, I am confident that this transaction will have a happy outcome.

He also supplied me with some good quality pics of the costume and it looks awesome!

Thanks, guys, for all your words of advice.
I'll post pics when I get suited up (which will be roughly 30 seconds after it arrives on my doorstep!)

Good
I hope it works out for you

that is just wrong!!! cant believe i missed that...

Originally Posted by Stormrider

Where is the costume, in the UK or states?

Anyone with the savvy to build a proper costume, should be able to get you detailed shots of everything as it sits.

It is possible they dont have the money to ship it, however, that needed to be discussed in the front. if it wasnt, youll need to do a little dealing to get things straight.

There are ways to open up public dialog, and discuss it without acusing, or insulting. I paid $50 for fettdad to rub my corns. He never did.

There. hes outed. Take my lead.

good news, brother, and yes, please let us know the outcome of your situation...

Hey Mark! What's up, man! First of all, sorry to hear that you are having such a rough experience with one of the members here . I am happy to hear that the seller is working to resolve the situation with you. In my opinion, It is total BS and completely unacceptable if a seller on these boards rips off another member. If for any reason, this falls through again, you really need to call him out on this! I agree with Cojake on this. Purchased goods should go out ASAP with tracking #s provided. If not, updates should be given on the status of the order continuously. Please keep us posted of the situation. Good luck and take care!

Sorry to hear this my brother and dear friend. When someone takes advantage of a fellow board member; it make "The Sniffer" himself want to suffocate them with X-tra Large Granny Panties.

Sorry to hear of your strife and suffering. Perhaps in the end you will enjoy a true Sniffers paradise.

The Sniffer has left this forum upset.

Originally Posted by The Sniffer

Sorry to hear this my brother and dear friend. When someone takes advantage of a fellow board member; it make "The Sniffer" himself want to suffocate them with X-tra Large Granny Panties

That made me cough up my drink

personal problems ... somehow I have heard this before ...

It´s always the same.

Nobby please out his name before others will run into the same trap!

You´ll even get more info if he ripped off others before.

This is just bad business plain and simple. As a seller I DO NOT take any payments until the item is finished, boxed up, and ready for shipment. No fronting money, half payments.....etc

Just read all this. Man I HATE these kind of things, it ruins the hobby...
Bad business indeed!

Name him/her please

I'm having trouble with this as it goes on. Look its been this long, you know your prob not going to get your stuff now. You need to out him so no one else will go threw this. If you do not want to give the members name out to us then I think you might need to keep all this to yourself. We can not help you unless you give us a name so our mods can take action. Sorry if it sounds rude but its like going to the police and making a report for theft, and when they ask for who did it you say "I dont wanna give that out". - just my 2 cents.

Bummer bro.

Originally Posted by Boba Fett

Name him/her please

I've lost all patience, i'm afraid.
Please see here:
http://www.thedentedhelmet.com/f22/rimshot-please-contact-me-34081/

I read through that thread you linked.

What happened in the end? It appears you got into communication with the guy, but did he come through? Are you getting your stuff?

Hope everything works out for you man! Nothing cheeses me like bad communication.

So far just this:

Originally Posted by Nobby

I received a box with boots, girth belt, cape, gloves and spats in about 4 weeks ago.
Nothing else.

But I have heard from him and he's promised he'll get the rest of my stuff to me when he has funds to pay for shipping.