AP Debacle

[Justice]

I feel everyone has a right to know what happens when things do not go as planned when it concerns products from AP. I have patience, but it has been tested for quite a while, and has now dried up after 2 months of worrying. I consider my dollar amount MIA at this time, and lost all faith in a good outcome. There was no reply to my last message to date. Guess I should have gone with my first armor maker in the end... shoulda... woulda... coulda...

 

This log goes back to 10/31/10, when I first inquired about the shipment after the customs seized his shipment due to not including the plastic manufacturer from what I understood. The order was placed on the 09/15/10 when I sent the money order over to AP. Please take the time to read it all and make up your own mind.

 

----

 

AP: 10/31/10:

 

Hi there,

 

The new batch is almost ready and your new order will ship very soon, your new package will be shipped within USA, we are located only 45 minutes away from USA border, from now on all order will ship from my partner's address in USA, so no more US Customs problems

 

Thank you for your patience

 

Mark

 

Me: 11/11/10

 

Mark,

 

Good news I see... I just now realized I didn't reply to your message.

I await it with much anticipation!

 

Greetings,

 

Cees

 

AP: 11/11:10

 

No worries.

 

Mark

 

Me: 11/17/10

 

Mark,

 

Another week has gone by, any news?

 

Greetings,

 

Cees

 

AP: 11/17/10

 

Hello Cees

 

I'm currently finishing the new batch yours will go out priority, US custom actually seized the packages, I had to remake your kit, your new order will ship direct from USA, rest assured I'm working as fast as I can. You can call my anytime aswell *** ***-****

 

Mark

 

Me: 12/01/10

 

Mark,

 

I tried to give you a call, but there was no answer. We're now living in December. I would like to have a refund and look for other options. I feel that I have been very lenient with this, but for my personal (and my wifes) sanity I am forced to make this decision. It has been two and a half months since I sent the check. I know there where/are issues, but any other company would have to refund the money as well after this time.

 

You can send the *** dollars to this emailadress via PayPal: (xxx@xxx.xxx). I await your reply.

 

Greetings,

 

Cees

 

AP: 12/02/10

 

Hello Cornelius,

 

Your armor is already in transit and will ship from USA, I finished the helmets this weekend. again I apologize for the delay, I have 6 other people waiting. Packages are now shipped from my friend in USA he has the kits to be shipped and will ship to you, I can't refund, I fully paid the forming shop to have it made, I had to make a new batch which takes 6-8 weeks. Rest assured you will get what you paid for,eeks from tme we order plastic and have tem produced. you can ask around about my reputation I always deliver on time but what happened was out of my control.

 

Sincerely

Mark

 

Me: 12/02/10

 

Guess all there is to it then is wait some more...

 

I do understand it was beyond your control, but the wait time is getting a bit out of hand. Any other company would have had to refund the money no matter what. I am taking a leap of faith here, and have been leaping for the past month now. I am out *** + postage and I still don't have anything to show for it. You have a solid reputation going by whitearmor.net, and your product is one of the best out there according to them. That is why I chose you. The sight of the perfect shiny helmet and armor will make my worries dissipate I am sure.

 

What is the time left till it reaches your friend in the USA? I'd like to have the tracking number as soon as it becomes available. Will I be getting it before the year end?

 

Greetings,

 

Cees

 

AP: 12/03/10

 

Cornelius,

 

I know and I understand your frustration, but I had to make a new batch which takes 6-8 weeks, if I had in stock I would have shipped immediately.

 

Trust me your not out of money you will recieve what you paid for, I've been selling SW props for over 10 years, rest assured you will get your armor. I started shipping all orders to my friend and will tell him to ship out yours ASAP

 

Mark

 

Me: 01/03/11

 

Mark,

 

It has been another month. If there is no positive news at this time (delivery date at my address & tracking number) from your end I would like the sum of *** dollars to this emailadress via PayPal effective immediately: (xxx@xxx.xxx)

 

Understand that if I had paid via PayPal I would have had my money back by now. Just because you have received my money in another fashion does not mean you can keep it hostage for 3 months with nothing to show for it. Either it is on it's way, or you refund my money. I trust you understand what I am trying to tell you, and that I will take no other option.

 

Greetings,

 

Cees

 

AP: 01/03/11

 

Your kits is already in the USA and will be shipping to you, I couldn't do much during the holidays, my guy in the USA was on holidays. i will get you tracking# ASAP

 

Mark

 

Me: 01/03/11

 

Mark,

 

I've read ASAP in one of your e-mails before. And that was a month ago. I will not stand for this. Either it is on the way and you have a tracking number by tomorrow, or you can hereby leave the armor at your friend to sell to another willing soul. I will be expecting a tracking number or *** dollars in my PayPal account by tomorrow.

 

Greetings,

 

Cees

 

AP: 01/03/11

 

This is my last reply there's no use repeating myself, the next time you will hear from me is when I email you with a tracking#

 

Mark

 

Me: 01/03/11

 

Mark,

 

You clearly still do not understand the gravity of what I am saying;

Either it is in transit now and you will have a tracking number by tomorrow, or you give me my money back tomorrow.

 

This is not my problem, it is yours. And you need to deal with this in a proper way. And that is not by giving me another run around leaving me waiting for another month. I have expressed I am no longer interested in the armor, and if it is not in transit to my address at this time I demand a refund. How much more clear do I need to get?

 

Cees

 

----

 

I have not heard back from him after this. Whether he read my last e-mail or not does not matter at this point. The armor is clearly not in transit to my person or else he would have said so, so after this amount of time I feel I have all right to demand a refund. There is no reason for him to deny me one as he could easily leave the armor at his friend in the USA and send it to someone else willing to receive it at a later date. I stress that at this point I no longer want the AP armor, especially after how I have been treated. If the armor is indeed in transit to my location I can see that from the tracking information provided at a later date. But if the point of origin date is after the 3rd of January AP is in my eyes fully intent on pushing the problem at hand over to me and wash his hands from all guilt.

 

Now you can come to your own conclusions after reading this and side with either AP or me, but the time I parted with my money on the 15th of September till now leaves me with only one tip: Use PayPal and do NOT send a money order. This is in no way intended as slander. The above e-mail log is only edited for dollar content and e-mail addresses. This is word for word, spelling error for spelling error, a e-mail log from 10/31/2010 till 01/03/11.

 

I will update this as time progresses. Again, this is only to make people aware of how AP treats it's costumers when things do not go as planned, and the costumer is not satisfied with the service rendered.

 

Kind Regards,

 

A would be trooper.

Edited January 5, 2011 by Justice

[Rich330[TK]]

I hope you receive your armour or your refund soon and I hope we will be hearing more positive feedback about AP's relability soon too.

Edited January 5, 2011 by Rick330

[Calculon]

Phew! I understand your frustration. Had something similar happen with something I bought on Ebay.

 

I hope this gets resolved amicably. Let's see the power of this forum.

 

Keep us posted.

[TK bondservnt[501st]]

AP had to take from 11/10 til jan 30 11 off.

 

if you can understand that, then you know what's happening.

 

he will ship.

 

I also have products waiting, but I'm patient!

 

don't bash the man during the holiday season. he has a regular job, and holidays take up all our extra time for

 

hobby based projects.

 

imagine what the weather is like in canada right now.

 

AP does not do the work in a home based shop. and everything from plastics deliveries, to vac forming delays can slow down, and backlog during

 

october through december to a point where you cannot fill the orders due to the problems that come from all the details in producing armor.

Edited January 5, 2011 by TK Bondservnt 2392

[riveting]

can you clarify the bit about "costoms siezure"? what got confiscated?, your kit or his raw materials? thankyou

[Shooter]

Seems to me like he's been replying and doing the best he can. Like what was said previously, these guys aren't stores and everything gets slower over the holidays.

[john danter]

Yeah Justice, try to be cool about it all.

 

It has been xmas. I know you started all this back in Oct, but 2 months is still pretty good for these guys. I don't know many that are quicker. Only me, lol. But I make small stuff not a whole suit.

 

He's on these boards so won't rip you off. Not worth his time TBH. What he makes off you by not sending, he'll lose 100 times over from a bad rep.

 

Be cool

[R2Dan[TK]]

Man, you're seriously bitching because you are waiting for like 2 months and had excellent communication?! You're quite new to this hobby, right?

Edited January 5, 2011 by R2Dan

[Hawkeye[501st]]

Hi Mate

I understand your concern and how you feel, I am also waiting for Doopydoos, and its been 3 month now.

The UK and Europe had a lot of snow and shipping was delayed. There are also lot of backlog that needs to be cleared.

I have bought Mark's AP Back piece armor and paid for it, and its still with him, i have asked him to keep it with him till.

I am about to order a Helmet, but shipping is costing me more, so its on hold.

 

I think somewhere between the communication, the frustration has got the better of each of you.

 

Mark mate, you have a good rep in this forum, try and communicate to the poor guy mate!

 

Also, make sure you include something special for him! for his frustration

 

just my 2cents! no offense intended to any party! something just happens beyond our control, and we wont know until we step in either one of your shoes!

[TK-8224[501st]]

A few months isn't bad for armour! People have to understand that this isn't professional stores, this is people making props at their spare time. Try to see your self in that situation. How many hours do you have after work to spend on armour making every day? Enough to make and ship an entire armour within days and still have time for family and other obligations? Probably not.

 

Have some patience. In this hobby it does take time to get your orders. As long as the dealer has a reputation like AP, there is nothing to worry about.

[b1cooee]

Pardon my ignorance but what sort of a postal service are you running over there?

After reading the above transcript it says, and l’ll quote verbatim. “Packages are now shipped from my friend in USA he has the kits to be shipped and will ship to you†What the....

If the packages are now shipped from friend in USA why has said friend still got them?

Either it’s a very bad way to explain himself or there are some pork pies being told!

Yes l understand AP has a reputable name out in the world but why drag this on. It would have been far far easier to say “sorry, it may take 3 monthsâ€

 

Hang in there mate from everything l have ever read you WILL get your armour, it just might take some time. Just my 2 bobs worth.

Edited January 5, 2011 by b1cooee

[davej[TK]]

As has been mentioned many times in this thread, it can often take ages for stuff to come. My TE2 took just on 6 months to get to my door, and a helmet I got from the UK actually spent 4 months from the time it was posted to the time it arrived... Surface mail is a killer.

Justice, mate, it'll get there

[TrooperTim]

There's frustration on both sides of this and I hope it gets resolved for you soon. It would be outstanding customer service for AP to refund your money. Still, the only thing AP is guilty of is delaying an order. I understand how frustrating it is. My biker scout armor order took 4 months to get to me (and it's only half the amount of plastic as a stormtrooper). If all else fails, sell the armor on these forums and recover what you can; that is if you don't want to build a suit right now.

 

When you decide to pursue your armor goals, I can help you build. I'm only a few miles away.

[zsavk[TK]]

Mos tif not all of us have experienced the anxiety of waiting for something you already payed for in this hobby. But Ive always gotten the product eventually. Its the nature of the beast. Im sure AP will deliver. Hes got more than just 1 order riding on his reputation.

 

But I might suggest that the list of armor makers and their availability times gets updated in the "Where to buy armor" thread.

 

Hang in there bud.

[jk007]

Hang in mate,

 

My 1st Armour was AP i waited a few months also, and paid a charge by UK customs but was worth the wait.

 

 

As the other guy's have said a reputation like AP, there is nothing to worry about.

 

Hope this all works out.

 

Jason

[jnnfr72[TK]]

Hey Justice,

I must be one of the six. Maybe the others in our little group will chime in. AP received my initial downpayment Oct 16th. Just to bug him because I couldn't contain my excitement, I sent an email right before Christmas, and he replied the next day. [i think] I understand the pressure from spouses! haaa haaa.... My husband just shakes his head at me. It is alot of $ to be spending. [Thankfully, my hubby's 1st 2 wives trained him VERY WELL.]

I am fully confident that all 6 of us will get our awesome armor as soon as AP + friend can manage it. Yah - I think US Customs has stepped up the security. (I'm glad, actually!)

I hope this experience hasn't ruined all the fun that this should be for you and your family. I'm sending good thoughts your way and to up to Canada. I don't know what to say about you not getting your refund. That HAS to be frustrating. However this turns out, I sincerely hope you get resolution that you and your family are ok with. I'll let you know as soon as I get my armor. Shall we make a bet on who gets theirs first? Maybe it's not a good time for jokes.. just trying to ease your worries! Take care, guy! Jenny

[pandatrooper[TK]]

My AP lid took about 3-4 months to arrive, and it wasn't during any holidays, etc.

[Sonnenschein]

Hang in there Cees,

 

I can understand your frustation. The "no refund" part would make me angry too. But AP isn't TE. You'll get it soon.

 

Once I sent a package from Europe to the US (air mail) and it took almost 2 months (instead of a week).

 

Being a "seller" myself, I know that real life can complicate some things and leads to delays.

[Tray[TK]]

I to understand being impatient. I sell kits here on the boards and I myself get impatient when they aren't out in time. While I don't make the armor I am always on my makers back about time and when it will be done. This is an art. And you can't rush art.

 

Patience is a very big thing in this hobby. Weather effects plastic more than anyone could possibly imagine. I have seen it first hand. I've seen as much plastic wasted as it takes to actually pull a kit. And when that happens you run out of stock fast. As people have stated in the past, it takes time to get stuff. Not everyone gets your orders in days or weeks. People have waited months and months for stuff.

 

Take a breath and know your armor will arrive and you'll feel like a kid and Christmas time.

[Justice]

Thank you for your replies.

 

Do not get me wrong, I still want to build my armor, but at this point I do not want to build one from AP anymore. Since he did not send me the armor yet (just checked my inbox, still no reply) he should provide outstanding costumer service and allow my refund. I have been kept on a leash for over 2 months now, and like I stated, my patience with this is gone. I do not want to resell the armor as this puts the whole problem on me and he can wash his hands from all guilt. If the point of origin on the package is after the 3rd of January he is hellbent on making this my problem, and that is just not right after I made clear in writing my interest in his armor is gone and with that the will to purchase. The only reason I do not have my sum back is because I did not use paypal. I would have put a claim on it, and I would have gotten it back. My money has no longer have any place in his account. Yet he is holding it hostage right now because he can as I do not have any other way of retrieving it trough other means. Legal proceedings would be futile as he is in another country and the dollar amount is too low. This is undoubtedly another thing he is very aware of.

 

Reselling the armor is like reselling a car, you will not get what you paid for it since it is second hand. Even if it is untouched. If AP still has the armor within his supply line he should hold on to it and sell to the next available buyer. And it should not take long for him to find one.

 

I understand he has over 10 years of selling experience, in that time he should realize that certain ways of doing business are not acceptable. He could easily resell the armor to another would be trooper, and leave me my money to send to another manufacturer. Yes, I have to wait yet again, but I can do that.

 

I went in with the understanding that he had everything in stock back in September when I parted with my money, then I waited patiently for the new batch to arrive after the customs problems. Then I am told my armor is in transit and after asking for a tracking number it is on the way to his friend in the USA.

 

The ball is in his court right now. Out of courtesy I have sent him the link to this forum post, if he hasn't seen it already.

 

To be continued...

[jnnfr72[TK]]

Some people view life in black and white. Some in shades of grey. I think that's part of the problem. I'm more a "shades of grey person" so I disagree with the extreme views you hold. If you really can't find anyone to buy the armor - send me a pm and we can make a deal. I know - you don't want to do that... but I still need another set and it's one way to deal with your issues.

[ABS80]

Ok since this is now public,

 

I guess he decided to post this after I provided him with tracking# yesterday, here is the original email I sent him yesterday afternoon.

 

From: authenticprops@hotmail.com

Saved: Tue 1/04/11 7:39 PM

To: vendrigstudios@gmail.com

 

Hello Cornelis

 

UPS has not Picked it up yet but here's the UPS tracking# 1Z7198930394800466 Again very sorry for the delay.

 

 

Back in late September US customs seized 8 of my packages, I'm still resolving this matter with them, it's something about plastic specs ect... US Custom have been very strict lately, anyhow this happened during the busiest time of year which is right before halloween, this whole situation set me back quite a bit, all my kits are now shipped directly from USA so no more Custom issues, basically I had to replace all 8 seized orders and unfortunately ended short and had no more in stock to send one to Cornelus which was part of the 8 kits missing and had to wait for a new batch to be ready, also the shop I deal with was back logged and could only take me in after he finished his big contract, please understand I deal with a industrial vacuumforming shop which deals with big contracts, they squeeze me in whenever the chance, that is why I only ask for a deposit when not in stock, I had in stock when Cornelus paid me in full but ended being short when because of the 8 seized I had to replace. This is the first time I had problems with Customs, I always try to deliver in a timely manner, I've been very stressed out with all this as I take my reputation very seriously, for the record I still owe 4 kits which are being shipped. Jenny thank for your understanding yours is on the way aswell. I appreciate all who have been very undestanding. I'm a big collector myself and wait months for my expensive props, as you all know which I don't have to explain, we are fortunate that there's people offering awesome props to fullfill our childhood dreams!

 

Sincerely

 

Mark

Edited January 5, 2011 by ABS80

[ABS80]

Oh I forgot,

 

As you all can see from UPS tracking# his armor is shipping from USA address, like I said all orders are now shipped from USA. Cornelus you always made it sound that I was trying to rip you off after knowing my reputation, if I wanted to steal from you I would have just ignored all your emails, you need to chill out, patience goes a long way.

 

Mark (AP)

Edited January 5, 2011 by ABS80

[Justice]

Update

 

AP: 01/05/11

 

I sent you tracking# yesterday UPS tracking# 1Z7198930394800466, I guess you waited for your tracking# before trying to ruin my rep,

thats was very classy of you, I hope you also post this email

 

Mark

Me: 01/05/11

 

Mark,

 

I will post your e-mail, and this follow up e-mail. I will tell you I am still extremely upset with the situation. You proceeded to send the package the day after I expressed my wish to receive a refund. You have therefore made it my problem. Any damage to your reputation is for others to decide. This will perhaps change any future transactions you might make, and if someone decides not to go with your armor after researching and finding this topic they have every right to do this. Reviews, positive or negative are a part of doing business, and you will have to learn to deal with both.

 

I hope any future transactions will go more smoothly, and you give people a proper timeline, and not the runaround you have given me. This, in the end, could have been avoided. But I will not retract any statement I made, or any I will be making regarding the initial dealings with you. Your snide remark calling me classy I dismiss, just like you dismissed my legitimate request for a refund. I gave you 24hours, and you did not reply.

 

The armor... well... I'll tell people exactly how it arrives, and exactly what quality it is. Pictures if need be. Your reputation as a armor builder is superb. I will tell people exactly what I got in my possion in this very topic once it arrives.

 

Cees

 

====

 

Mark, I have not received this e-mail you posted above, or this topic wouldn't exist. I am saddened everything unfolded the way it did, but what I stated in my last e-mail is still valid for the most part. To all who check the tracking number, it is indeed listed for yesterday, so he did comply with the 24h time frame, The e-mail with the tracking number did not arrive however, and it is not in my spambox either. Unfortunate, but this does not change how AP dealt with the situation which arose 2 months ago.

 

The next update in this thread will hold a link to a new topic about my newly arrived armor. I will edit this last post (or post a last post if this thread stays active) to reflect that link.

 

Cheers

 

Looks like he's going to be a trooper after all.

Edited January 5, 2011 by Justice

[ABS80]

 

No actually your kit is missing the main belt, as I told you I was still waiting for some parts to arrive to my friend in USA, but to avoid further delay I decided to ship without and will ship the belt

seperately, you see things always in a negative way, man you need to trust peoples.

 

About not receiving the email with tracking# it's very weird, from all the emails I sent you and you replied it's the only one you never recieved, hard to beleive!

 

Mark (AP)

Edited January 5, 2011 by ABS80