Well, I've been holding out hope for as long as I can, but with all these issues with Rick Ponte coming to light within the past couple of months, I think it's time to say something.
I first commissioned with Rick for a full Fett commission in June 2015. We came to a contracted agreement that he would have my commission completed within 6 months to 1 year of my payment date. I paid Rick, in full, for the painting of a FPH2-ROTJ helmet, FP armor, FP gauntlets as well as shoulder and knee armor on June 28, 2015. Prior to paying for the commission, FP had sent everything to Rick minus the JP and blaster, which were not completed. At Rick's request, I ordered all of the metal parts from Dakota, which Rick received in Dec. 2015.
The first time I asked Rick specifically about the status of my armor was Aug. 21, 2015, with him replying the next day that he was "working on the armor since I think I have all the custom colors mixed. For the helmet, I'm still researching a little bit more." I was perfectly happy with this response.
In the meantime, I had ordered a flight suit and vest from Clothears and boots from MOW. The Clothears items arrived to me on Oct. 26, 2015 and I sent it to Rick for improved weathering, etc. on Dec. 3, 2015.
On October 29, 2015, I asked for another update. Rick did not get back to me until Nov. 16, 2015, with the reply, "End of December / start of January is what I'm aiming for."
On Jan. 4, 2016, I asked for another update, Rick said that he would have a better ETA by the following weekend. I asked again for an update on Jan. 30, 2016, Rick responded with "I'd say March, brother."
On Feb. 27, 2016, I asked for progress pics. Rick sent a pic of my "completed" back plate. In regards to the helmet, he said that he had the base done and that he was hoping to make more progress during the three day weekends that he was taking off." On March 6, 2016, I received a pic of the left gauntlet in primer and a pic of the trimmed, but unpainted right shoulder bell.
On March 30, 2016, I asked for another update and Rick replied that he was trying to get the chest armor, vest and flight suit to me ASAP so that I could start on my display. He said that he hoped to have it shipped out "NLT Sunday", which was the first week of April.
On April 17, 2016, Rick contacted me with a new cell #, saying that he was let go from his job the two weeks prior and that he had been looking for work, but that he hadn't forgotten about my armor. I texted back saying if he couldn't get my helmet done by June 2016 because of his job search that I would be fine with him sending it back and that I could always find someone else to paint it. He responded, "I can get it done well before then."
On May 3, 2016, Rick said, "This Sat I can mail chest armor vest and flight suit." On May 8, 2016, I asked Rick if he mailed the stuff out, he replied, " We're looking at most likely Tuesday. This weather has not been kind to my seacoast, and I need to re-apply the yellow since I can scrape it off with my fingernail."
On June 12, 2016 I asked for another update, Rick replied on June 14, 2016, "Let's shoot for flight suit, vest with armor, and backplate for this Saturday." On June 23, 2016, Rick replied, " I need a few more days to get the armor, vest and flight suit out." I asked for updated pics of all my pieces, Rick sent pics of my boots, right shoulder bell and back plate and he said that the gauntlets are in red.
On July 23, 2016 Rick said that he was going to put together a word document listing my stuff and it's level of completion. He sent this to me on Aug. 13, 2016, but with no ETA's.
On Aug. 15, 2016, Rick said that he wanted to have all the hard and soft parts completely done within the next two weeks, but that the helmet needed a little extra time.
Rick got back to me on Sept. 2, 2016, saying that he was "looking to ship out all green armor by Monday." On Sept. 7, 2016, I asked if he was able to get the armor shipped out. Rick said that there was a delay because the left chest plate from FP had a small crack and that he was going to replace it with an extra one he had. He sent me a pic of the crack (which was negligible) so I told him to fix the crack as best he could instead of having to repaint a new chest plate, Rick was apparently fine with that solution. At that time, he also asked to ship him the chest and shoulder decal because he didn't receive them from FP. This struck me as odd since he said that he was going to try and ship out the green armor a couple months prior.
On Oct. 4, 2016, I asked for yet another update, Rick replied, "Trying to wrap up a batch order, so to place seal and weather should put it a next week." I asked for an ETA on the gauntlets and helmet, to which Rick replied, "Gauntlets one more week after that, and helmet in hopefully 2."
I asked for an update on Oct. 17, Oct. 21 and Oct. 25, finally getting a response from him saying that he was going through some personal issues and "Commission stuff took a back seat as of late."
And that's the story, as long winded as it is. Sorry for the play-by-play breakdown, but I feel it's the best way to document the issues that I've had with Rick and how it mirrors Rnbuda's almost perfectly.
As a post script, I don't feel that Rick is inherently devious and personal issues always trump commissions / work. He was always a pleasure to talk to when I was getting my Fett project off the ground and his painting skills are second to none. With that being said, he had my items for almost a full calendar year before these issues started to arise. I'm sorry to "pile on", but it is what it is.
Everything stated above can be reproduced through text and Facebook messages.
Mike Turner