Buyer beware

for those of you who are fairly new like me I just warn you about a seller on ebay known as Frank-N-Son2. I bought a pair of gauntlets from him and this is how the showed up. ( Haven't posted a picture before, hopefully I did this right )

Looks like maybe just a packing error? Or maybe he did pack it well but the postal/ups/fedex service dropped it really hard?

Before you shun him in the community...why don't you inform him of the damage during shipping and see what he says?

I've done so (and in all fairness he has not had time to respond yet) However, I'm not the only one that has reported issues. I just realized I got the name a bit wrong. It's Frank-N-Son-Part2. If you do a search for F-N-S you'll find another report. From what I understand this person was banned from here for being a recaster. I bought these in Feb right before I joined up and would not have if I had seen any of the posts on this forum. Just wanted to add a new post for anyone new post for other new guys like myself. I have no idea what the resolution is going to be on this, but I'll post a positive one if it happens. Just wanted to give a warning about purchasing things on ebay. It's a much better idea to buy things from other members here

Originally Posted by JoNich

Before you shun him in the community...

Frank-n-Son already has a bad rep here.

Yeah, I blieve he recasts ruffkin's gauntlets. I almost bought from him, luckily at that time when the auction was over, he told me paypal had seized up his account and I wasn't able to pay for them. Lucky me.

You can fix those

Well he responded to me fairly quickly and is sending me a replacement part. So he is trying to make it better. However, I've already contacted Rufikin and ordered a set of his gauntlets. I'll most likely fix these, clean them up a bit, and resell them.

Help me Ruffkin, you're my only hope!

PM sent

That Bites because I'm having a problem with ECD Studios.Order from him on Ebay for a Double set of armor stickers for ESB,and ROTJ. Ive contacted through Email and got his phone number.No response from him its been almost for weeks. I'm new also but I hate to get stiffed! 15 bucks is 15 bucks!

EDC Studios is bad news as well. I've read tons of bad stuff about that site over on RPF.

Yes, F-N-S or F-N-S part 2 (same thing) sells recasts of my gauntlets, very poor quality too.

Originally Posted by texasfett

ECD Studios

I highly recommend NOT ordering ANYTHING from "EDC Studios"

Boy, I hate it when I see this happen. Sadly it happens way to often. Why people are still buying from Bloodsports is beyond me??? I peek at there ebay feedback every once in a while just to see if there buyers feedback will ever truly reflect there products. Sadly it dosnt and the funny thing is they allways keep the auctions private if they have to do with a fett prop. I was tempted once to buy a cheap item just to throw some neg feedback but felt that wasnt fair and I didnt want to give them a dime. Perhaps one day recasting will become more rare, but not any time soon.

Does bloodsport recast a lot of stuff? I've checked out their site, got some useful info but I find their stuff to be way overpriced

Yes bloodsport is a recaster and banned member from here

Bloodsport is the poster child for recasting

Oh, thats too bad - sorry to hear that they came broken!

Originally Posted by MacRory

Is there a list of recasters available to those who are not aware? I believe that would be helpful so those new to collecting pieces to create their Fett costumes don't throw money at those who recast thus providing them the means to perpetuate it. I'm sure it would be a bit controversial in some aspects. Just wondering.

That is actually a really good idea. I like the sound of that. I got screwed on ebay once also...a $165.00 recast mystery helmet that was constructed horribly. I have to admit, I HAVE purchased something from bloodsport, even after i joined this forum, I ordered was collar studs, I won an auction of his on ebay for $0.99. I have to admit, they weren't bad or anthing. (But how can someone mess up collar studs?). So that isn't much to say about him. Just never buy from him.

Oh, and we should star that list that MacRory suggested. I think that'd be a wise move. Or, just make a Sticky Thread where everyone lists evil Ebay sellers.

And about those gauntlets, I'd just get them repainted and re-worked. The shape looks okay, but the paintjob looks as though it was painted with finger-paint. Cheers!

Hi i am new to the dented helmet, thought this would be a perfect place to post...anyways hate to rehash old wounds but I too (sadly) purchased a pair of gauntlets from f-n-s.:puke The next day I found about tdh..anyways after reading the threads, I asked him for a refund, we are talking the next day.. guess what get an email from his WIFE saying he is out of town at a seminar and took the post with him... so now i'm stuck and worried. Anyways hello to all this the best place ever thanks for all the info guys!!

So who has the info on all the Recasters? Finally got my items from ECD Studios,but never never again! Stay the away from these Bloody Recasters! What they need to do is there make own @#$%! Anyways be aware of them devils!

The possibility of the 'bad' list was discussed in this thread:

http://www.thedentedhelmet.com/f33/avoid-so-so-list-10253/

so is starfortress and goldenarmor bad too?

who cares "who is bad" look for who is good....trust me saves time, and if ya wanna know who is good read the threads.......

hey texas fett this is what i gather after a little research, gauntlets=ruffkin toys, armor = mold your own out of 1/8 sintra (templates are everywhere),or bobamaker fiberglass (little pricey). The helmet is most important try morrowsun? Go for mystery size, I think the wider mandibles look more accurate. Check out bobamakers helmet as well. flax jacket vest = batninja, and for knee darts, boots, capes, neckseals check out TK 409 site (great stuff)...gotta go

Hello all, i'm new here and am starting to piece together a set of custom Mando armor.......looking through the posts i see alot of recasters....just wondering if anyones heard of Schuby's Galactic Props?....he has painted and unpainted sets for sale,and i was thinking of getting a set of unpainted and doing it myself.....his feedback seems pretty good and from what i see the work isn't half bad..........so if anyone has heard something about this guy give me some feedback,it would be much appreciated..................

Originally Posted by john.django

Hi i am new to the dented helmet, thought this would be a perfect place to post...anyways hate to rehash old wounds but I too (sadly) purchased a pair of gauntlets from f-n-s.:puke The next day I found about tdh..anyways after reading the threads, I asked him for a refund, we are talking the next day.. guess what get an email from his WIFE saying he is out of town at a seminar and took the post with him... so now i'm stuck and worried. Anyways hello to all this the best place ever thanks for all the info guys!!

What a surprise- I too ordered gauntlets from him before I knew how bad he was- and I emailed asking where my order was and got an identical reply from his wife-he was teaching a seminar then too!! I am still waiting almost three weeks later for my order to turn up-will keep you posted and post pics if they ever get here!!!

John.django more less I know who to trust,I have no life since I found this site!(LOL) I've met a lot of cool people here. I was just asking about the recaster wanna be's.Im about quality I like buying expensive props. I'm about 80% complete with me first suit.

Originally Posted by Kile Hannad

just wondering if anyones heard of Schuby's Galactic Props.

Yeah, He has an ebay store. I bought a set of sintra child armor from him, and I thought he did pretty good work.

Originally Posted by Fett prop artist

Yeah, He has an ebay store. I bought a set of sintra child armor from him, and I thought he did pretty good work.

right on thanks for the input................

nice work texas,
hey fetishist i am waiting still also!! i will post pics as well.......
see ya

I want to thank all about posting this topic, I almost bought from Frank and Son, but I also wanted to say that I heard about the stories from bloodsports, I did order a set of gaunlets which he claims are not recasts......right.????.......Anyhow I only bought them because I needed a set for a big parade I'm doing in 2 weeks. And without it, it just wouldn't look right. But I plan on showing an updated pic on what i get. Thanks.

Well, the gauntlets arrived from frank-n-son2- here they are straight out of the box...









So I pulled them apart, and started again from scratch!!








Will post more as I get happier with the mess that was sent to me!!

Sorry to drag this a bit off topic (and asking a newbish question), but what exactly is a recaster? From what's said, I gather that they take other people's work and push it off as their own. Is there any more to it than that?

Originally Posted by Boba_Fett_03

Sorry to drag this a bit off topic (and asking a newbish question), but what exactly is a recaster? From what's said, I gather that they take other people's work and push it off as their own. Is there any more to it than that?

no more to it, thats exactly what it is.

A recaster is someone who takes moulds from someone elses work-basically using inferior materials and selling them on as their own work. Like buying a good set of gauntlets, taking a cast of them and then selling the re-casts.

Ah, okay. Basically, it's like tracing someone else's artwork and passing it off as your own. Thanks.

My Frank-n-son2 Gauntlets after I stripped them down-



Then stripped back the awful paint and filled, sanded and silvered-








And this is how they look now, just need hoses fitting!!-








Took me a few days, but I think they turned out ok in the end, what do you guys think??

good work! but the image of gauntlets out of the box has permanently scarred me!!!!!!!!

did you leave him neg feedback??

No, they were actually ordered for me by my mate, but I will be sending an email telling him exactly what I think of him!!!!

heh... they actually stiffed me for a pair of gauntlets a while ago.

looking back on it, i'm glad to not have them! though the $100 would have been better served elsewhere.

Those look athousend times better man! Good job!!!

100 dollar paper weight!!! can wait!!

Man, those are almost as nice as my BSS gauntlets!

Thanks for the comments guys, am pleased with how they turned out! Just shows that a little encouragement and hard work do go a long way!!

Originally Posted by tk7602

heh... they actually stiffed me for a pair of gauntlets a while ago.

looking back on it, i'm glad to not have them! though the $100 would have been better served elsewhere.

well it looks like i got the stiff as well!
over two months no gauntlets.
I filed a paypal dispute.
Also I noticed a new member today F-N-S?????HMMMMMMMM?
could this be frank-n-son? I hope not

Originally Posted by john.django

well it looks like i got the stiff as well!
over two months no gauntlets.
I filed a paypal dispute.
Also I noticed a new member today F-N-S?????HMMMMMMMM?
could this be frank-n-son? I hope not

HAHA, you know it ever well could be. Or it is just one horrible coincidence.

I really wish I had found TDH before him. I also lost money to frank n son part 2.. about a year ago ( lol ) I bought a set of ROTJ from him and well..I still don't have them..he dodged my emails as well as the instant messages I sent him..He would just sign off..after about 6 months I finally went to paypal and they told me I had to file my claim within 45 days from auction end..( patience was not my friend this time) after speaking to a supervisor at paypal I got half of my money back....all I can say is buyers beware

I have also bought from shuby's galactic props.. a set of armor stickers..and they were very nice...friendly too

I just bought from frank and son as well and I am still waiting for my guantlets. I have since begun to scult to make my own ( I have a degree in art and sculpting is my thing) since I have waited so long for delivery. Right now I have no money and no guantlets. To make matters worse I missed my convention due to being out a pair of guantlets. I mean hey, to show up as fett with no guants is.......OBSCENE

Got my money back and thanks to Ruffkin I can throw my sculpture away and focus on the finishing.

Originally Posted by skirata

Got my money back and thanks to Ruffkin I can throw my sculpture away and focus on the finishing.

Thats good news. I am working on a Ruffkins Kit and its a great kit and if done right can produce top notch gauntlets!!! Cant wait to see em done!
Keep us posted!

I agree, go for a pair of Ruffkin's, you won't be disappointed.

DAZ

Originally Posted by evan4218

Thats good news. I am working on a Ruffkins Kit and its a great kit and if done right can produce top notch gauntlets!!! Cant wait to see em done!
Keep us posted!

Lol, I'm glad I'm gonna be buying Man of War gauntlets...well, I already bought them, they just need to make and ship them. LOL!

But of coarse I trust MoW to get them done and ship them