RIPPED OFF, JANGO HELMET. Beware !!!

Sorry to hear that, it is very frustrating. We all know how expensive this hobby can be without being ripped off by some complete waster.

Hope you get it resolved somehow.

Sorry to hear that mate, do you have a rough idea of his location? I might know someone who lives near by that can track him down and, e'hm...pay him a visit and posibly rectify the situation. Or better yet, someone on the 501tag forums may know something.

I've heard bad things about this guy on other prop forums.
Sorry about your trouble! Good luck getting the situation fixed.

A friend of mine bought one of these on eBay, it was actually listed as an ESB boba helmet but when it arrived I said, thats a Jango, it was copied off the ILM helmet but wasn't cold cast, it was a terrible cast, very thin, I think ultimately you are better off not getting it although I am very sorry you lost your money

Thank you all for your answers and comments.

About his location... I may be able to get it.. give me a few days and I will contact you back... let's see if I have some luck seeking it.

These kind of things makes me sick .

Originally Posted by [TAG]Jaster

Sorry to hear that mate, do you have a rough idea of his location? I might know someone who lives near by that can track him down and, e'hm...pay him a visit and posibly rectify the situation. Or better yet, someone on the 501tag forums may know something.

We already know what I think.

Sorry to hear that mate, I hope it does not put you off from dealing with Australians.

Hopefully you get your bucket. I bought a CE Stormie bucket from Redford films about 3 weeks ago, payed my Money Order within 3 days, and still haven't got it, or replies from my past 4 emails to him.

Originally Posted by jodo

Hopefully you get your bucket. I bought a CE Stormie bucket from Redford films about 3 weeks ago, payed my Money Order within 3 days, and still haven't got it, or replies from my past 4 emails to him.

i've gotten 5 helmets from them, i wouldn't think it should take that long tho. did they get your address correct?

that sucks. how much did he get you for?

Originally Posted by CombatBaby

i've gotten 5 helmets from them, i wouldn't think it should take that long tho. did they get your address correct?

Well thats it, I'd like to know if he's even sent it out yet. He won't reply to my emails, to either the redford account on ebay, or the redford email address from the site. (Which I just checked and shows it is under construction. But still, I sent the money some 15 days ago. I would of thought he'd at least drop me an email telling me if he'd sent it/received my MO. If he hasen't, I'd like to start procedure to get my money order refunded. (Or PO is horrible, and may even still have the envelope inside their building for that matter. Their crazy like that, they LOVE holding mail.)

I've heard nothing but the best about them. But I seem to ALWAYS bring out the worst in ordering from sites.

I dont remember exactly but about 200€ ... more or less (it was 5 months ago, I should check...) It was not the price of a FP CC... I know.. (but it wasnt the same quality as well... But it really hurts, really... it's not a LOT of money, but in my actual situation, every cent is important, and well, who likes to be stolen ?

I wish someone could give this bastard what he deserve... and break his legs in 10 pieces !!! XDDDD (am I too agressive ? XDDD ).

Now I only want my money back, but I think he will never refund anything... (I also have to forget about the helmet, cause this guys has clearly stated, refusing to answer, that he wont send me anything)

Originally Posted by BobaFettSlave_1

that sucks. how much did he get you for?

Well as for location...

I dont know how far you might want to take this but his site says he is/was an art teacher - http://www.freewebs.com/sculpturedesignstudio/

(Film and work credits) - ART TEACHER Upper coomera state collage (I would think a teacher should at least be able to spell college...)

The website with contact details for the college is -

http://uppercoomerasc.eq.edu.au/cont...p?menu=contact

Perhaps someone there knows him? Might give some incentive if people from 'The Internet' are contacting his place of work looking for refunds from him...

HTH

Dave

How I wish that would be possible mate... not hurting him, just appear there and ask for some answers... that would be amazing...

At least to let him know that he cant go there, taking other's money for nothing... I really work hard for every € I earn, and I hate to see how people like this sleep in peace...

Thanks for the help

Hey Benkenove!

What I meant mate is put pressure on him - let him know that you know he is not just an anonymous scammer who ripped you off. Not to go there or anything but if I were him and strangers from the other side of the globe kept asking questions about me where I worked... I think it could embarrass him into doing the right thing...

I dont know really if I were in your situation I'd email the college and anywhere else he is associated with for his contact details regarding fraudulent internet trading... that would be sure to get his attention...

On a side note - Ive been buying music gear on eBay for YEARS and NEVER had an issue. Within the space of a week I lost €250 on a Stormtrooper helmet and some music equipment... It really is a ****** feeling. Im in a similar situation - mature university student with below minimum wage income (on disability for my ulcers) I really couldnt afford to loose the cash... eBay and PayPal ignored my requests for help. The sellers had thousands of transactions and I had less than 150 (mostly buying).

It really is horrible but perhaps you can make things uncomfortable for this guy - or at least let him know that you can do it... call his local police station saying your trying to track down an internet thief, ask the school for his details or to pass on yours to him as you are trying to recoup cash he stole from you etc...

Perhaps Im too vindictive but I know how you feel when you cant afford something but you decide to do without to get it anyway and some scumbag rips you off because you trusted him...

HTH

Dave

I hope through some strange act of mankind that your bucket might show up on your doorstep. I have been betrayed before. You might not see it now. But this will make you much smarter than before. Not that you are dumb or anything. Trust me. It happens to the best of us it sucks. But this person is in worse misery than you.

Guys, the internet is full of surprises.

Yes, you can get ripped off

Yes, mistakes can be made

So keeping that in mind, understand guys that the seller might have had an emergency or something similar happen and doesnt have access. You arent buying from MR with shipping in like 2 days.

You are buying from a FAN, and that is what we all are FANS, not professional prop makers who actually have a big business. Some of you guys might be... I dont know.

Also Redford Films is a reliable seller, I have bought over 20 things from them, each shipped next day. You might have added the wrong address with your payment.

my turn:

i too had a bout with bently otoole. and it was after i read about it on the rpf. this was for his battle droid molds. i was very patient and wanted those **** molds. ugh. i tried.

long story short. i hired an australian attorney, he couldnt find aka bentley, his adress was bogus, i even looked up the adress on google earth.

he claims he worked as a prop maker on the star wars films. maybe, maybe not. his business name by the way had not been licensed for over a year.

i was a plane ticket away from hammering him in court. wait till i tell you his excuse.

the lawyer told me i couldnt be represented, it would be small claims, bentley could have put a lean on the case and claimed some sort of financial hardship and i could have been receiving payments of like 20 ASD a month till it was paid off. oh did i mention i was out $2500.00 USD. when i paid he wanted to use his wifes paypal and i said no. this was for the rest of the molds. 2k worth. he tried to pull an australian fast one.

i did cover my as s. i used good old paypal. 45 day claim, 20 to dispute. if i remeber right. froze his account, he was livid. hahaha. by the end, paypal took my money back from him after i presented all the info and i all i was out was $500 and have some crapy arm molds. oh well.

as far as the lawyer. well, no offense to the people of australia, but look how they became a country. he in the end was worthless too. i had to hound him, and call every few days. which costs by the way.

i emailed "bentley" and told him the lawyers name and number. he actually called him and explained his story and wanted to know what i was going to do. bentley claimed he just had a child and was hurting for money and couldnt afford to be sued. so what.

he is a POS. here is some emails for everyones reading pleasure:


Hi Matt

FYI.

Please read below.

Cheers

Dan
-----Original Message-----
From: bentley otoole otoole [mailto:sculpturedesignstudio@msn.com]
Sent: Wednesday, 7 November 2007 6:49 AM
To:
Subject: RE: FINAL NOTICE BEFORE LITIGATION


thankyou for your concern dan , all attempts have been made to please my
client on many occasions including this one , i am a reputable business
man and artist for over 15 years as my sole income and a family of 6 to
support .
this business agreement between myself and matt was a custom build
of moulds that were offered by my self , the job is under way but has
been delayed due to work load , staff problems and family comitment , i
have stayed in contact with my client through out this .i am happy to
conclude this deal and all efforts will be made to your suggested
deadline .
however my client has filed a pay pal dispute and is now in the final
stage of having the funds refunded for this job , i can counter claim
this through pay pal whom i will be phoning today to inform of the
situation and confim i can still get paid again after i have a tracking
number for the sent goods after this is confirmed i will be sending the
purchased order after its manufactured as originaly intended .
i deal with people like this everyday and i understand people think they
have been ripped off just because they purchased from ebay or other web
sites ,i respect this but at the end of the day it makes it harder to
business for custom work via the net when problems arise during
manufacture.


bentley otoole
________________________________
Subject: FINAL NOTICE BEFORE LITIGATION
Date: Mon, 5 Nov 2007 11:26:57 +1000
From: .com.au
To: sculpturedesignstudio@msn.com
CC: @cox.net


Dear Mr O'Toole





We act for Matt.



We note that you entered into a contract with our client in August 2007
for a set of Star Wars Battle Droid moulds for $2,500 USD ("the agreed
amount").



We are instructed that our client has already paid you the agreed amount
due under the contract and that despite his repeated attempts to recover
the remaining moulds, the moulds continue to remain outstanding.



Please be advised that unless you immediately forward the moulds
pursuant to the terms of your contract we have instructions to commence
legal proceedings without further notice to you.



If you are unable to forward the moulds to our client by 12 November
2007 we ask that you contact the writer on .





Yours sincerely


`````````````````````````````````````````````````` ```````````````
you really just had a baby? well then, congratulations.



now, i have read the email you sent to my attorney, .



so, why dont you tell me what molds are exactley done?



here is what i will do, you answer my mold question then send me and my attorney the exact date you will be done with the molds and the date they will be shipped. and i want to know the details of the shipping, BEFORE you ship. i hope the molds are still going to be of good quality. because if not... give yourself time, because i will not allow for bs. i imagine you only have a couple of molds to complete. because you said so in an email.





IF, i like and agree i will drop the pay pal lean. again.



do you agree?



REMEMBER, you told me the molds will be done 3 weeks ago. again. i have that email too, if you need a referesher. i told you if you are busy and cant complete to let me know. you didnt. plain and simple. you said your computer was down for one week, it was over two when i filed suit. i dont mind buying from ebay or over the internet in general. NEVER had a problem, till now.



these are from your emails:

Nov 7, 2007 "...all attempts have been made to please my client on many occasions including this one ," NO they havent

Oct 19, 2007 "fantastic . let me get over the week end of working on them and i really would like to get them away tuesday . " have not received
Oct 15, 2007 "...either pay the rest of the balance of your order and i will have all the moulds away to you before next week or leave it as it is..." lied



what do you have to say for those statements in red? dont tell me and dan that you have been "dealing with" people/customers like me. finish the molds, send them to me, lets be done with this.

matt



----- Original Message -----

From: bentley otoole otoole

To: Matt

Sent: Friday, November 02, 2007 1:13 PM

Subject: RE: MATT



why is it your such a painfull customer , i am trying to everything right for you , i just need some time to finish your orderof moulds , why is it all ways your thinking im taking yiour money and running , thats no way to run a business , you seem like a very paranoid person and not trusting in any way .
ive had my computer down for just over a week and my wifes just had a baby so im behind on my jobs , once again as we have been through this all before with the last box ive sent you .
do you want me to continue the moulds or shall we just call it quits ?

i wil phone your lawer first thing monday morning to explain my situation




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From: @cox.net
To: sculpturedesignstudio@msn.com
Subject: MATT
Date: Fri, 2 Nov 2007 11:27:17 -0700

bentley, if that is your real name. this is my last email to you and my last offer. all i need to do is agree to my lawyer and i will sue you. from what my lawyer tells me, it will be a lot more than $2500 because i will be damned if i am going to pay for everything to get you to fullfill our contract.

it seems you no longer have your business and such. that matters not. i have enough information against you and enough to actually find you.

here is my deal, send the rest of the completed molds this monday or pay me back the whole sum of $2500 monday. if i dont here from you that you sent the molds and provide a tracking number, i will proceed.

think you can hide all the way over there, you are wrong. this will get ugly, and if i have to travel to your country, you will be paying it for sure.

here is my lawyers number, call him if you think i am bluffing.



REMEBER, THIS IS ALL YOUR **** FAULT!

matt

I got stung by Bentley, but i at least recieved my pile of dodgy thin, imperfectly casted, full of holes and bondo armour.....

Went Bobamaker after that and it cost me a less grief and money in the long run....

Btw thanks on the whole 'how was australia founded....' that didnt need to be put in there... funnily enough the majority of people who founded australia happened to be Settlers of the Middle/Upper Class British society.. so i suppose you might want to rephrase that... (Plus Australians happen to be rather patriotic when it comes to insults about them, like the Maori...)

Anyways back on subject... Yes you got stung, yes Bentley O'Toole is a Nom De Plume.. (fake name). He lies, recasts, original mould sales are about 10th gen, all his gear is didgy yet he remains able to sell all this stuff...

Im privately investigating this certain person, who i know may would have a class action suit against, and i can say it isnt just himself involved, there is a whole recasters ring worldwide, including 1 more individual on the east coast of australia, who happen to be all in contact with eachother... That R2 kit happens to be mostly in the USA from what ive gathered, which those parts have to be sent to 'Bentley' before he can send them out etc...

But until the investigation is over, there isnt mucht that can be done by any of us...

Ill post when the results are cemented in stone...

so how did we get the info that this jango helmet is cast from the real deal anyhow? imean this guy seems like hes as slimy as they come

weird double post error - sorry

A screen cast Jango helmet sure has alot going for it. Unfortunatly it looks like it's owner is a complete tool.

I had a very similar situation happen to me a while back with a leatherworker - but it really was an odd situation because we talked about placing an order, and then when I finally gave him the go ahead to start working on it he decided to stop answering my emails. I sent him at least 15 emails on various accounts asking if he was still interested in doing work for me but he just refused to reply. I found this completely strange because it was basically just him telling me he didn't want my business...I hadn't payed or anything.
I came out unscathed, but I hate to imagine what would have happened if I had actually paid him beforehand...
I ended up contacting my old friend Richie (at RA) and he did the leatherwork for me instead with no problems. I knew I could count on him so I did.
It's always best to stick to someone you trust. But with expanding internet commercialization it is becoming increasingly hard to do so.

If you could get me some contact information of his, like an email address, I'd be more than happy to get you your money back.

In fact, I think many on this board would be willing to talk to this guy. When confronted by 100 of a sucker's friends, the situation tends to change.
Just throwing it out there.

Well... believe me... he is not on vacation... he is not with nothing... just lies and excuses...

Why I know this ?? well, because of this.

After 4 months of waiting... I talked to a friend who was also interested in a jango helmet (who actually asked me for advise where to get one), I explained him the situation, and he tried to help.

My friend contacted him expressing his interest in a helmet, BUT he wouldnt buy it until he solve the problem with my helmet.. that means, SEND MY HELMET...

He was so nice with my friend... You can start now thinking... if he was there, if he answers my friend's emails... WHY THE HELL DIDNT HE ANSWERS MINE ??? ... that is why he didnt want to answer my emails... He had my money, and didnt need anything else from me... That is why he answers his emails.

Bentley told my friend that he will send both helmets... My friend paid it (with paypal)... and then this guy started to delay on answering his emails, and also delaying the shipping date he told him...

My friend started to worried, and after a few weeks, he threaten him with make a claim on paypal... Then is when this guy answered, and send him a helmet...

So...

This guys was ALIVE... was there... and read the emails and answered the emails he wanted (never my emails). It's not a problem of the email address, because I sent him by hotmail, gmail, my work email and my personal band email Jotnar... So HE RECEIVED the emails...

Why, if he owns me a helmet... and I've been waiting 4 months for it... why do he makes 1 and send it to my friend instead of me ??? (because he thinks that I cant make any claim like paypal does... and my friend does).

So, believe me.. he is there...!!! just do what he wants. He is a lier, and a THIEF !!

I will try to contact some Australian members of the 501st, to see if they can help in some way...

Benkenove, I just had dinner tonight with a friend from the 501tag here in Aust, he has had the same problem with Bentley. The good news is, he has his address and is going up with his Dad to confront him. PM me your email address and I will forward it to my mate so you can talk and hopefuly he may be able to do something for you.

Oh, and Hippo Clone, we're not all convicts down here. yoink, got ya watch

Well, after a while, I finaly got a reply back from redford films. -

"Will be out of the office until September 3rd. All emails will be answered upon returning."

I checked his feedback, and he was still sending out items when he should of received his payment, so there should be no reason I was shorted my helmet. Hope you other guys luck too!

Originally Posted by jodo

Well, after a while, I finaly got a reply back from redford films. -

"Will be out of the office until September 3rd. All emails will be answered upon returning."

I checked his feedback, and he was still sending out items when he should of received his payment, so there should be no reason I was shorted my helmet. Hope you other guys luck too!

I bought my ROTS Vader helmet from them with no problems.

Originally Posted by [TAG]Jaster

Benkenove, I just had dinner tonight with a friend from the 501tag here in Aust, he has had the same problem with Bentley. The good news is, he has his address and is going up with his Dad to confront him. PM me your email address and I will forward it to my mate so you can talk and hopefuly he may be able to do something for you.

Oh, and Hippo Clone, we're not all convicts down here. yoink, got ya watch

Ask him to get it on video.

Originally Posted by Mercke Lutso

Ask him to get it on video.

wow this sounds like a guy that ripped me off for a jango helmet on ebay. he said he was in the states used the name zombiebuddy

Originally Posted by wanta be jango

wow this sounds like a guy that ripped me off for a jango helmet on ebay. he said he was in the states used the name zombiebuddy

No, that's somebody else, but also a scammer.

ok
took me for $85 when to paypal but has account was closed

oy, so disheartning to hear about this stuff when it happens. Good luck Benkenove. BTW, I like to apologize to all our Aussie mates for some the slander. That was uncalled for. I have friends from there, and that currently live there. I can't wait to visit!

INXS

I aactually agree with the video bit... Our nightly media programs like 'a current affairs' etc love that kind of stuff.... and they will really go down hard on this guy..

Plus everyone in australia will know about him too, and it'll stop others from getting duped by his well put auctions..

Originally Posted by Commander Voltaire

oy, so disheartning to hear about this stuff when it happens. Good luck Benkenove. BTW, I like to apologize to all our Aussie mates for some the slander. That was uncalled for. I have friends from there, and that currently live there. I can't wait to visit!

INXS

Speaking for myself, there was nothing said here that I took offence to, so no harm no foul. Every country has its fair share of people that have no problem with ripping off good honest people for their own selfish means.
I hope we can at least bring this one to justice.

Hi everyone, Just signed up. Im the guy who Jaster is talking about. Bentley was to make me to lifesize models, a Jawa and a Wicket. That was in March. I sent him $200. At first he would respond to emails. Then as the months went by, no word from him. On a couple occasions he said he would be in my area, but never showed up. Now he lives 3hrs drive north of me. Then recently when i discovered his new ebay name, i messaged him. He responded and said he would be around on the Saturday, That was weeks ago now. When on the Sunday i messaged him, i got a reply from his partner saying he was meant to be going to my place to drop of the models, and that she would get back to me when she knew where he was. The next day i hear back from her, saying that he was involved in an accident on the way down to Brisbane. I replied, that was unfortunate, and now i had waited for too long and that i want my money back. She said she would look after that. Still no money. I have sent another message back, stating that if the money is not in there by today, i will be taking the matter furter.
I know its only $200, but that my money. I work hard for it. I informed Bentley that i have 2 family members in the police force here in the state of Queenlsand. I never threatened him in any way.
I have his address and a mobile phone number. My father has a farm not that far from his address, and i will be up that way shortly.
I have dealt with Bentley in the past and never had a problem.
If anyone wants to pm their issues with him, i will take them with me to put to him.
Maybe he does need to go on a Current affair but at the least on fraud, for taking money for goods/services and not providing them.
Ken

Originally Posted by wanta be jango

wow this sounds like a guy that ripped me off for a jango helmet on ebay. he said he was in the states used the name zombiebuddy

He's not a scammer, just a recaster.

If you don't mind getting a recasted helmet that may be slightly damaged, then I would suggest that if you continue talking to him he will get it to you soon.

If you want a better quality helmet, then this is a good chance for you to back out.

Did we got any news here?

Im thinking about contacting a lawyer.
Can please some of our australian sisters and brothers give us some help.

Thx

Mike

Ken you have PM... let's see if you can do anything for me... (almost 6 months now )...

I really want and need my money back, cant afford any loose at this moment (I'm throught a really bad economic situation, and this really hurts !!! )

bentley is wanted by gametraders over in aus now, he got paid to make a master chief suit and was paid a lot of money, in the thousands and has done a runner with the cash, the police are now looking for him. i got the from the head of media at gametraders

Looking at his site, he's selling a Westar which is obviously a recast from that kit

So, the police are now involved?

Somebody needs to trace his computer...

I know necro post but I also want to be sure that everyone gets this info...

This is a cross post from the 501st Terror Australis Garrison
Forums...

Troops,

Usually we are not allowed to mention armour suppliers names on the
forums however I have run this past the CO and he has given the green
light. I have received a formal request from Queensland Police
Detectives to ask for any members or non-members to contact them in
relation to Bentley O'TOOLE.

The following is an excerpt from Detective Chad LONERGAN's e-mail to
me this morning:-

"I have seen a forum for the 501st where a lot of people have had bad
dealings with O'TOOLE. I cannot get onto the website from the work
computer but had heard that you may have some knowledge/involvement
with the 501st. What I was proposing was to post my work e-mail
Lonergan.Chad@police.qld.gov.au on the website saying if anyone has
had any dealings with O'TOOLE where money was paid for an item but it
was never sent or they never received it to contact me via e-mail."

It appears that O'TOOLE has been selling the same items over and over
again [R2D2 units to USA & Spain recently] and after receiving
payment for them never sends them. He then allegedly re-sells the
same items a second, third or fourth time.

As stated above this is an official request if you have had dealings
with O'TOOLE and have been ripped off or know someone who has -
please contact Chad on his e-mail address. Your complaint and
information will be treated with the highest degree of
confidentiality.

If you have any questions please don't hesistate to contact me via
PM - or you can just e-mail Detective LONERGAN.

Cheers,
JT.
tk7551@hotmail.com

****IF YOU ARE A MEMBER OF ANOTHER STAR WARS RELATED FORUM - PLEASE
FEEL FREE TO CROSS POST THIS THREAD****

I know a hell of a lot of people have had bad, shocking or worse
dealings with this person, and now its finally come round where its
all going back on him... Anyone who has been cheated by this
individual needs to get in contact with Detective Lonergan with all
the evidence they have on Bentley. Proof of payment, goods ordered
and dates etc...

Finally those who have been done over by O'Toole can finally have a
bit of closure. Its been a long time coming...

I'm glad that this guy is being investigated. I also find it ironic that his last name has the word "tool" in it.

Originally Posted by twistedxknights

I know necro post but I also want to be sure that everyone gets this info...

This thread was created here a few weeks ago, Ill bump it to the top of the list...

From the look of things atm... he has a nice list of fines coming...

i know how you feel.im of the opinion that i too have been ripped off with a jet pack.im in ireland and the builder is in the uk so not that far away.whe and over 4 months ago i ordered and payed for it.when i payed him he told me he had 1 built and i could have that.most of my emails he wont awnser and when he does bother he tells me he will give me a delivery date,give me progress reports,put up pics on his facebook page and to me by emal and i have had nothing.i could understand if i was getting a full or even half a costume but its only 1 part [2 if you include the harness].in the same time frame i got a flightsuit,cold cast helmet kit and the chest,shoulder and collar armour from bobamaker and he lives in portugal so i dont know what this guy in the uk is playing at but i will not be dealing with him again.....