Russ Rep---not another one

cupluv

Active Hunter
TDH,

Looking for some insight on seller Russ Rep. When I first started my journey in getting my ESB suit together I would read post of users to losing money to sellers and think man do i really want to do this. Then I came across post of sellers and buyers who had fantastic experiences. It's looking more and more like I will be experiencing the other side of TDH....

Russ Rep has got a great reputation and produces some fantastic work. I have signed up for his items and have been waiting for 3 months now...and no items...I have sent PM's and an email and have received response that items are still being worked on....items on the way....Well its been 3 weeks and items are still on the way. I have asked for refunds and get items on the way...

Buyers: pay for items and patiently wait for their item to get produce. You give the producer the time it would take to produce the item and maybe add a few weeks for the seller to get things in order and also remember they have lives to live. I totally understand the time it takes to wait for an item

Seller: ask for money upfront so you do not have to come out of pocket for materials. You are making a commitment to the community and a bond of trust is created. Your commitment to make props for the community is appreciated. Since the seller is collecting money up front the responsibility falls on your shoulder to initiate the communication. We all understand life situations take priority, but communication is KEY, not excuses to keep the buyers at bay. We know money is asked up front because of buyers backing out. That’s what creates the two way street the buyer makes the commitment and the seller makes the commitment. The deal is solidified.

Paypal: a tactic I see being played out is that the sellers will keep feeding updates. After the 45 day period you have to file a complaint is up you really have no recourse. This is just like sending a money order or Western Union. The seller has full control of the arrangement and the buyer has no recourse.

TDH: Is not responsible for sellers or buyers. They are not in the business to monitor these types of transaction. There job is monitor and make sure the site thrives with a wealth of information. Here is my take. The admins can't ignore the people that flake out and take peoples money. It happens, but the board can't keep a blind eye with out updating and administrating policy and procedures. TDH is aggressive to monitor threads and keep things in order, and it should also do the same about sellers. We all know why people come here. Its to buy gear and learn how to put it together. If a buyer forks up money the seller should have a time frame to produce the product. If not met, refund the money. Sellers that commit to buying, give the seller time to produce and update the process/thread. If money is being taken from users PRODUCE, UPDATE, and DELIVER the goods…


I know the only option I have is to wait…..
and keep waiting....and waiting...
that sucks :angry:angry:angry:angry:angry:angry:angry:angry
 
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Russ is on the level. Although if you want fast service, you probably need to either look elsewhere, or wait until whatever item you are purchasing from him is 100% finished and ready to ship and hope you can still get in on the list. Russ is pretty AR about his products, and has been known to continue the revision process on something for weeks after the sale before he sends it out. If you were in on the OWK grenade run, you are all too familiar with this. It took approximately 9 months from the sale going live until the product arrived because his team (working in their spare time mind you) took that long to prefect the design. And its a beauty.

The short of it is that Russ does deliver. Both in product and quality. Don't worry about that. He's very professional. But the build process can take months.
 
You have to understand that these things take time, I sell girths and when the orders come rushing in it gets a little hecktic, Waiting three months on a run like this is not long at all. If he has responded then thats a good thing, start to worry when you get no replys.
 
getting no replies.....told me twice they are on the way....over 3 weeks ago....I have been extreamly patience...if he is working on other projects that is fine with me....but no responses...Dark side started a run way after Russ...communicated with all buyers through the thread...and all users got thier goods...I'm sure Russ is a good guy and I respect his work....turn the tables now...I take everyones money to do a run and updates are far apart and don't return PM's and emails...how would I look?....I understand if it takes some time...but telling me I sent them out...then opps they are in my car...3 weeks ago and no tracking number...come on now...its all about good business...Buyers pay money....Sellers should update...not ignore ...I only brought this up when I keept getting ignored...that spells trouble..Its about the money and its about good business practice....FP is a fine example of good business practice..

Not once have a said a bad thing about Russ...I'm talking about how I signed up and paid for Run in January...its almost May
 
I too have ordered from Russ without issues many times, as recently as a month or so ago.

We've all been down this road many a time...

The most useful comment I can say is that if you aren't comfortable with the stance of this (or any other) board, don't shop there. TDH says right up front that they do not get involved. In theory, everyone should read the rules before participating in the board. I never understand why people always say "The Admins need to do something!!!!" when a transaction goes bad, when you know before you ever send a PM that they are NOT going to get involved.

You are essentially buying black market goods from random strangers on the internet. You're taking a risk any time you send money to anyone... It's not much safer than giving money to some guy you see on the bus all the time.

Basically, everyone should just do their homework before shelling out $$ and know what they are getting into.
 
Slow your roll....Bought plenty of items with no problems...I have read the sell thread...don't act like I'm some rookie that bought for the 1st time....I just want my money...Period

If someone knows him personally..cool..let him know my siutation....We got your point about the admin interfrence from your last post...

as for as homework...that would come from saying "I bought from and I'm comftable"...I would take that as WOW he seems like a good seller..and then buy from him...thats what I did....plenty of people bought from him...TK409 has a link to his site...your right it is a risk...but its minimized by meeting people and flowwing trends of sellers...Looks like I got caught slipping with this one...

Stormtrooperguy... help my thread by trying to get the message to Russ...not playing Monday morning quterback
 
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Stormtrooperguy... help my thread by trying to get the message to Russ...not playing Monday morning quterback

Hey, you said that you wanted "[...] some insight on seller Russ Rep.", so that's what I tried to give. Sorry if it rubbed you the wrong way.

Unfortunately I have only dealt with him through the board myself, so all I'd be able to do is PM him just like you. I've never met him in person. I want to say it was probably about 2 months from the time I paid to when I got my stuff,

Good luck getting your stuff or money. Hopefully it all works out for you.
 
Saw the name "Russ" on this thread and had to look, Being a Russ myself. Hope you get you stuff or money soon. You're right about at least getting communication. It's key to buying and selling on these boards. When I sell I communicate often and respond immediately if the buyer has questions. Also, I don't sell anything that I can't ship out in a week or less. I usually ship within 2-3 days, and always let my clients know when their stuff is on the way. Anyway, Good luck.
Russell
I don't know this Russ, his stuff may well be worth the wait but he should be more responsive since he has your money.
 
I am also a seller (12" custom clone figures) but I usually have the raw materials on hand so I can start producing without asking for money up front. I usually don't ask for payment until the item is boxed and ready for shipment just to be on the safe side. When I got my stuff from him, I didn't have any problems at all. I hope that everything will work out between you and Russ Rep.
 
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Thanks Guys for the support...I have been an optimistic, even without communication. He might be busy, or other things going on..I have no issues with that...Russ just needs to realize if the shoe is on the other foot, how would he react? Come on Russ come through with the goods PLEASE!!!!!
 
Cupluv, you have a very valid point when it comes to communication. I hate it when messages and such go un-answered. It appears Russ was on the forums yesterday, but not today. With all do respect, you have rightfully called him out, but I would suggest giving the man a day or two to answer before this snowballs into something ugly. (I know you have been trying via pm) It has now become public, give him the opportunity to fix it in public. :cheers
 
i have spent hundreds of dollars with Russ......never had ANY problems....is he slow...YES

i would rather have slow with quality products.....
 
cupluv, I am not going to make excuses for Russ or any sellers but I think a common problem is that people look at sellers in the prop world like they look at McDonalds or Amazon.com. While there is no good excuse for poor communication (which I am guilty of myself from time to time), most people who sell items in the prop world do it on the side and have a "real" job, only making props in their spare time. What does this mean? It means there are often delays and that the person is likely to put work, family, etc ahead of fulfilling a prop order. It doesn't mean that is right but it happens. If you are buying an unlicensed prop, you don't have to like this, but you need to understand it and accept it going in. I do hope and expect Russ will come through for you.

In your post you mention that TDH needs to police this more tightly but as you see from the posts in this thread, most long-time members accept the slow nature of this hobby and simply have learned to take it in stride. If sellers were more aggressively policed, we wouldn't have better sellers, we would have little or no sellers. Instead, the membership is lenient and patient, and sellers continue to provide pieces we might not be able to get anywhere else. It certainly isn't the ideal situation, but it is reality.
 
I have never bought from Russ, but know he has been around a while and puts out a great product. Just a thought, perhaps you should try and send him a PM over at the rpf. I think he checks in over there more often.
 
I don't know if folks saw it, but Russ did reply in the rocket thread on 4/19, saying:

RussRep said:
Guys there half done just give me other week or so.. I had other project that held me up but every thing is on track!!

This is another thing that I am guilty of personally... I'll often not reply to everyone individually if I've already made a public post. I figure that if everyone can see the public one, there's no reason to send out half a dozen PMs saying the same thing.

So he's around, he's working on stuff, and he's still checking in on the board.
 
Just my 2 cents on Russ. He's a quality guy. Amazing products and super nice guy to boot. I don't see him standing up people, it's just not his style. He's been my primary metal guys since I've been into props. I've spent well... a lot more than I care to admit...

Just wanted to add my thoughts on Russ, for those that care.
 
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