Help! Need advice

Nobby

Active Hunter
Hi All,

I am in need of some advice.

I think I may have been ripped off by a board member!

I'm not naming names as yet, but I think that a member here may have ripped me of to the tune of $1500+
I paid this member back in January for the service of sourcing and assembling me a Boba costume.

I've seen the odd, grainy, cell phone picture of some small bits of kit, but have not heard anything in the last 3 weeks (even though I was promised regular updates).

I know that this member has been active on the board in the last 24 hours so has seen all my messages, but ignored them.

What should I do????

All advice welcome
:cry:cry:cry:cry


***EDIT****:
Please ignore this thread for the time being. Just received a positive PM
 
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**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?

:cry
 
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.
 
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.
 
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.

The costume is in the States, and shipping was included in the $1500+ I have already paid

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 heard from him today. That's when he told me he didn't have the money to ship. ( he had previously promised to ship a week or so ago - funny thing but he only realised today that he didn't have my address!)

One recent excuse entailed the fact that his bank had changed it's name (without telling him!!!:confused) and this had caused problems with PayPal!
 
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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.
:(
 
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
 
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 ? :lol:
seriously dude if i havnt got any item from the vendor then i would have filed within the 45 day refund by now !! :angry ...how long haas this been going on for now ??? :facepalm
 
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! :D

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!;))
 
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