ok, look at this "pro" and his models, LOL

Okay, time to pull down the shades, turn off the lights and put this one to bed.

I would like to say that this guy is on to something though.

Offering professionaly (novice)built models online.
What a concept.
If you wanted to sell models that you build ,that would be the way to do it.
The next step will be custom built models online for sale.

AAAAH! The topic won't die! I'm not going to bash the English or his claim as a 30 year modeler. Heck my first model was at age 5, so I guess I'm a 38 year modeler! Anyway, my beef is that he claims they represent aircraft from Operation Iraqi Freedom. The F-15, for example has markings from a Japanese squadron(Samurai Head on inside of starboard tail)! It is obviously a ploy to strike while the iron's hot regarding OIF and throw out anything with OIF attached and prey on the ignorant, acurate or not (F-15 nose gear is acually backwards!) That's my opinion and it's just that.

QUOTE: Originally posted by RonUSMC If the glove doesn't fit, you must acquit!

Took a couple of seconds, but now I got it.

In closing I just want to say...

If the glove doesn't fit, you must acquit!

Hmm...

I think it might be time to lock this thread and move on to other things.

I'll give everyone 24 hours for closing statements and then we'll adjourn this thread.

"Let the buyer beware!"

RonUSMC.
I agree with you in princaple.
However I cannot join in on bashing a person that I do not personaly know.
Yes the modeler is of limited skills.
Yes the prices are very high for a kit of that level
Yes the sales pitch is over the top.
That does not make it ok to make such attacks that I've seen in this thread.

It's clear that this person does not posess a modeler's soul.
You would think that from the sales pitch that this person deeply cared about their work.
A quality that I did not see in the photos.

Keep cool....This guy ' ve a great sense of humor !

I really think it's time to retire this subject. Everyone obviously isn't going to agree, so let's move on to a happier subject.

I, too, refuse to look (but I have an opinion, anyway).

ACTUALLY, he IS a Professional... did anyone bother to look up the definition of that while they had their dictionary open?

" participating for gain or livelihood in an activity or field of endeavor often engaged in by amateurs"

Seriously, though... did anyone notice the glue smears in the Apache rocket pods?? (Or was that "weathering?? LOL) OK, so I looked.

To me, this isn't libel... it's discussion of something that is public domain. What, we aren't allowed to critique online photos of model kits? "Liberal" is more like it...
SUE me? Who AM I, anyway? Does anyone know? Try doing a trace, and then try proving it.

I've seen all this talk before, and there's no reason to walk on eggshells here. Maybe the suggestion that it's libelous could be construed as "threat of personal harm..."

FITTER

You are thinking of this the wrong way James. This isn't a hobbyist, this is someone claiming to be a professional selling his models for top dollar on a very public auction site.

Would you encourage the Yugo car company to do better if they claimed every car was hand built by a team of professionals and only made with the finest qualities. That there Yugos were in line with Lamborghini. Then when you get one, the thing is made from cardboard.

Actually, that puke green looks more like a bad glue job. For those who don't believe me, I can show you some models where that has happened!

O.K guys.
I went back to the pics again.
The builder has the basics and fundimentals down.
What i see missing is the skills to finish them out.
wash's,drybrushing,pastels and such.
I personally would give that person a rank of novice.
I also would advise that modeler to work on their finishing skills.

This person could use "OUR" encouragements not our critisism.

Yes the person did over sell themselves in the bios of the kits but we should look beyond that part.

At least we know where the missing chromate green from the P-38 went.

I think he only owned four different paints when he made that Apache.

white, black, puke green, olive green.

He's right when he says "what a price!", yes, exactly, what an extortionate price for something that looks like it just came out from under a turd, please explain what a socity is?

Yeh, I started to add *libelous* but I wasn't sure. For the record, I'm not angry, just voicing my opinion. And no, I'm not going to look.

QUOTE: Originally posted by Wingman_kz I haven't looked at the items in question and don't intend to.

Aw, come on...you have to look.


click to supersize

Supersize the image and take a look at the paint on the exhaust diffusers.

---

BTW, technically the term you would use here libel, not slander. Slander is oral defamation, libel is written (or published) defamation. Message boards are considered a form of publishing and therefore falls under libel.

defamation - http://dictionary.law.com/definition2.asp?selected=458
slander - http://dictionary.law.com/definition2.asp?selected=1969
libel - http://dictionary.law.com/definition2.asp?selected=1153
fair comment - http://dictionary.law.com/definition2.asp?selected=723

Well, although I don't post often and haven't been around much at all lately, I am a member here and this is my opinion...

So what?

I really can't believe that this thread has grown to two pages. Some of the comments are slanderous and believe it or not, you could be sued for making such comments and statements here just as you could in real life. That may sound a little preposterous and may be an unwinnable case but either way, it would still be a hassle that most of us wouldn't want to face and for some, that would be reason enough to try it.

All of ebay is a *buyer beware* situation. You lay down your money and you take your chances. If you get burned by someone that's one thing, and you'd still have to watch what you say in a public forum, but to randomly assault and pick apart a seller is going a little too far. No matter the claims made by this person or the quality of their work.

I haven't looked at the items in question and don't intend to. I'm not defending this person either. Just giving my opinion.

If I calimed to be a professional modeller, with credentials dating back to when Moses built little model arks, would I be criticized or ridiculed by the forum? Most definately, and I would expect to be.

As to wether his shenanigans can impact the ebay sellers out there, most definately. If potential buyers see that quality (?) of work often enough, they won't hesitate to skip over any item bearing a "pro-modelled" description with the thought that it's just another scam. In every little way, the way we as modelers and professionals conduct ourselves both in and out of this forum reflects on the hobby as a whole, and directly on those that partake in this glorious hobby.

A few months ago, a modeller won an award for his work at a national competition. Come to find out, he was passing others' work as his own. He was banned from any further participation in any sanctioned event FOR LIFE. Officials are still very wary of any entry now, as to its authenticity and actual artist. Can we afford this kind of scrutiny just because one person wants to make a buck or two?

demono69

Nobody can prove any of the accusations that they are issuing. Therefore most of what is being said is merely speculation and assumptions. What if this person has physical or mental limitations, and this is the very best work that they can do? Wouldn't that be embarrassing? My point is, we don't know what this persons situation is. So why not cut him some slack?

Darren

Seriously, the little army guys he has in his diorama pictures crack me up.

Those are great. Honest. Aside from all the spelling and all that..those little army guys made my day.

OK guys I stepped up to the plate and sent this guy a message via the Ask the Seller a Question option.

I said that his adds have got this thread going, put in a link, and invited him to use it and to READ all the messages.

I didn't use a "Mean" tone, just matter-of-fact type. I hope he will read this. He really is an embarrassment to you true professional builders out there.

that's some goofy shisnit, but really what's this guy thinking?

Goodness Gracious..............
I am a professional modeller, and I do take exception to seeing this calibre of work, labelled as created by a professional, being sold for that kind of price.
I've asked for, and gotten, up to USD250 for a 1/12 Tamiya motorcycle (heavily modified and just about perfect) because true enthusiasts recognise the quality of the scale replicas I create and have no problem paying the price I ask.
I have no problem with people such as the gentleman in question advertising his wares on Ebay - I feel fairly confident he's not cutting into my market share.
If someone wants to purchase one of his models, great. Good on them. And good on him for selling his models.
I feel that I, and my clientele have slightly (!!) different standards, so I'll keep doing what I do, and he can keep doing what he does (and ne'er the twain shall meet!).
I've found that a subscription to FSM (13 years now) has been a great source of inspiration and makes me try harder and at least equal (or better!) the finer models detailed in the magazine.
Keep doing what your'e all doing - have fun and always try to do better next time and have a laugh about it but don't let this kind of stuff ruin your day.
Life is too short.
Cheers,
Lee Tree

We all had to learn some time.

As for correct spelling.
I think that anyone even considering buying one of these things
will instantly turn away once they see that.

I hate to say this but some of almost sound threatend that this guy.

It seams that alot of you are taking a "THE NERVE OF THAT GUY" attitudes.

Has anyone conntacted him and asked what the deal is?

Their seams to be alot of talk here.

Who's going to step up and contact that person!

Then what will you tell that person?
"You suck", you can't build models so give it up?

I think its time for a reality check boys.

First lets figure out if this person is trying to commit fraud by claiming to be a pro
before we destory a persons reputation.

Maybe he really thinks he's a pro.

Lets give him the benfit of the doubt and assume he does not have any "real " modelers the show him the way.

P.s. do not worry about a poor modeler ruining our reputations as pro's or semi pro's
On e-bay or any where else.

I know that I am not going to lose sleep over it.

This is also a visual industry and you'd have to be pretty foolish to contract a "professional service" off of e-bay. Talk about Buyer Beware. I've been burned on e-bay once too much to trust it. I will live vicariously through you guys on that one. Screw me once shame on you, screw me twice shame on me.

He will cater to a market that will appreciate his goods, if they can get through his diction. Why you would consider buying something like that off of e-bay when there are plenty of local artists that could offer the same thing is sort of like going to a dentist in a flea market. "Here buddy, drink this and hold on" Ya gets what ya pays for.

We benefit most from a well educated consumer. It becomes your best interest to educate more people to belive your product is superior to another. If everyone around you is building $10 models, sure they will expect you to build models for $10 its up to you to educate and sell your client on the $100 model. Does it really matter if this guy sells snake oil? Do you go down and stop the local faith healer from taking innocent peoples money for something they didn't get? Do you go to Hooters for the wings? Do you really belive that the ronco pocket sewing machine can sew drapes? And do you really belive that those college girls on the Girls gone Wild videos are really college girls?...... same thing with this. Do you really think he is damaging the industry? Florida certainly didn't do anything to ruin the electoral process. Made the state look bad and certainly gave the country something to laugh about, but we still have presidential elections no matter how questionable. I'm with irhermann on this one. Its a source of a laugh but I wouldn't lose sleep on it.

Mike

It is in every industry.

Also... it gives people like 7793, http://www.finescale.com/fsm/community/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=4133 , a bad name. He makes a living off of selling his models I *think*. Now when he goes to sell another one, they might not even think about purchasing one because they have already been burned once. When customers get burned, they usually just give up on any further like-entertainment purchase. Which in reality just hurts the Pro Building industry.

This type of thing runs rampant in my industry also: Web Design.