Part 2 of the Boy and his Droid build project. Gathering the pieces and gluing them together in a realistic grouping. I cut out all the boring sanding bits. Check it out on my YouTube channel, Mediocre Modeler and see what you think.
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The start of a new build. Based on the age old story of a boy and his dog, but with a scifi twist. Watch the birth of my scratchbuilt droid using model rocketry kits, AT-AT’s, B9 and even the 1701-A Enterprise. Check out the video on my YouTube page. 
http://youtu.be/NnI-OYDhPl8?a
In the process of remodeling my home, I rented a storage unit. Long story short, some asshat decided to break into my unit and stole a lot of my models. Here’s the thing, I could understand if they were boxes of model. It would be easy to resell the on Ebay, Craigslist, Offer Up or any number of sites. But these were painted kits. And to be fair I call myself the Mediocre modeler for a reason. I don’t think they’re that great. They only me anything to me. But I’m sure this crackhead thought he hit the mother load. I’m sure he will find out very quickly how worthless the collection is.
Anyone who has had there stuff stolen knows the feeling. It sucks!! What’s really getting to me. I’m randomly thinking about my different models and then realize how many models are missing. There were a few gems that really hurt. One of which was my E-11 Stormtrooper Blaster. It was a featured article here on my blog. I built the blaster from a demilitarized British Sterling and it looked great.
All the work, the man hours the struggles,gone. The collection of resin movie weapons, gone. The Moebius Galactica and Pegasus, both gone. And it’s like a punch in the gut every time I realize what’s gone. And all you can do is be pissed off about it.
On the flip side, there are so many pieces still in the collection, and good ones at that. I won’t try to replace everything that was lost. Maybe one or two things. I really like the Galactica and Pegasus kits. But hope that the police can do their thing and possibly return some of the pieces back to me.
In the meantime, if you see my stuff at a show, don’t buy it and call me.
It has been almost a year since I was almost scammed. To be honest, this whole thing made me look at the hobby and where it was going.
As the years has passed, the Scifi model realm has gotten better and worse. The kits that are available are more detailed than every, but the work that goes into building them is more like assembling kids toys at Christmas. Which it why I decided to try 3D printing. I was finding models of ships and weapon that could be 3d printed and assembled that the retail manufacturers would never touch. I even purchased a 3d printer to do it myself. But that is another story. There are some kits out there that are still worth building. It has been really hard to get back in the game. So where do you start? Having a library of models to build, we start small and simple -ish.
Part of the library is a 3 piece resin Tron Light Cycle resin set. I always won’t to build a diorama of the Light cycles escaping the game grid. I also have a Tron tank, but it won’t fit on the 12×12 footprint I want to keep the model on.
The basic design is done and the blog is back up to date. Now we just have to get some real work done.
The internet is a wonderful tool for collecting. Unfortunately, there are those whose sole purpose is to scam unsuspecting hobbyist and collectors. My recent encounter with one of these such scammers has left me a bit more cautious. Here’s what happened.
Setting the Hook
It was January 1 and I had just closed a very good month and I had yet to spend my Christmas bonus. I really wanted to treat myself and pick up a model kit that I’d normally bypass, as a present to myself. Since I was working on a Battlestar Galactica diorama, I decided the model I’d really like to have was a TOS Battlestar Galactica Colonial Viper Pilot helmet. The helmet was never mass produced as a kit. So the best place to find one would be on Etsy. I’ve purchased several kits from sellers of very good quality on Etsy. After a short search I found what I was looking for from a store called Filmpropz. The seller was based in Australia and at first glance had several Scifi kits and looked completely legit. The only issue I had was the kit seemed a bit pricey. I emailed the seller to verify what all came with the kit. What should have been my first clue that something was wrong was his over willingness to get me to purchase the kit by promising to throw in extra stuff. My desire to have the kit blinded me to what would normally have made me highly suspicious. But with the promise of the helmet, Adama’s broach and cubits all for the same price i couldn’t send him the money fast enough.
The Game
It’s now January 3rd, I send the money and the promises begin.
(Conversations have been paraphrased for brevity.)
Jan 3 – Seller: I will get it cast up and you photos of all the parts before i post them off to you.
Jan 11 – Me: Just checking to see how thinks are going?
Seller: Been busy, daughter just had a baby been helping out. Practically finished, should be in the post Friday. Will photo before boxing to you.
Me: My daughter just had a baby too, here’s a photo. I’m excited, can’t wait to see the kit.
Feb 2 – Me: Just checking to see how its coming.
Seller: All ready to go, get him away Monday and will send tracking.
Feb 26 – Me: Just checking on that tracking number. Did you hear Hatch died. Hope the baby is well.
March 9 – Me: Haven’t seen that package yet, could you track it? Any info would be helpful.
March 10 – Me: It’s been a month and not contact, looks like i’m not getting my kit. The is my last attempt at contact, please send tracking or refund.
Seller: It’s sitting here ready to go, sorry wife sick and I attending our 4 kids. Get it our on Monday
I am very patient person and always look for the best in everyone. The thing that pushed me over the edge was the sick wife and four kids. At this point I decided to do a Google search of the seller named, Bentley O’Toole. I was shocked, not by the number of people that he’s scammed, but by how long he’s been doing it. It seems that Mr. O’Toole is well-known to model builders and cosplayers globally and has even had police action take against him. Luckily, I paid with Paypal and I went straight to my account and started a dispute. The realization that I was being scammed made me mad, but now that I know the game we are playing. It was time to game the gamer. The story continues…
March 11 – Seller: I do apologize for the delay, Just notice the claim. Do you still want it or not?
Me: No just refund me, thanks.
Seller: May I ask why?
Me: According to your email it’s been ready to ship since Jan 11. You couldn’t find time in the past 2 months to ship it? And if there are problems with the kit, you are
too far away for me to bother with trying to send it back. Your business seems to be doing well. You should be able to sell it in Australia. I’d love to have it, but
I’ve never even seen a photo of the kit. I think we’d be better off parting ways.
Seller: I do apologize, wife really sick, no problem shipping to US, will post on my next available chance on Tues., it looks just like the photo., will upgrade post to express.
March 13 – Me: I’m sorry to hear your wife has taken ill. I wish you and her the best. In my opinion, it would be best to not spend anymore money on this project. It has already been 2 months, it will be 2-3 weeks before I get the package. Since you still have it, and with the recent passing of Richard Hatch. I’m sure you will have no trouble moving
it from your inventory. I hope you understand, we can let this pass and part as friends. Thank you in advance.
No further response from seller.
Check and Mate
I will admit, I feel really bad saying, “Let’s part as friend.” That was a complete lie. Especially since I knew I’d be posting the experience to my blog. I just wanted my money back. It was plainly obvious that this guy had no intention of making or shipping the kit. I have reservation as to if he has anything to sell. And as it stands, I think Paypal took the money instead of him sending a refund. I must say that Paypal’s dispute claim process worked well for me in this case.
The thing I’ve always liked about geek culture, is that most of our youth was spent being picked on or ridiculed for our fandom. As adults, we have come together with this mutual history and treat each other with understanding and respect. With all the stuff this scammer had in his store, and with his knowledge of the genre he has to on some level be one of us. And that’s the part that pisses me off. Douchebags are in every fandom, so it’s no surprised we have one in ours. I expect more from our geek fan club, but of course my expectation is what almost lost me my money. My hope is that with all the forms of social media available to us today. That people like this will have fewer opportunities to steal from others and maybe, just maybe a little justice may prevail.
In the meantime, I’m still on the hunt for a Battlestar Galactica Colonial Viper helmet. So…..
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