Attention Chris Howes

[ONEYE]

I think it's important for people to warn others of potential bad situations...be they just regular transactions or customs. The more information people have, the better decisions they can make.

Whenever we get a scammer on this board, people who were ripped off get upset that previous people who were ripped off or had problems, didn't say squat. That is the whole purpose of having a feedback thread....to give people a tool to decide who they want to give their money to.

Yes, a feedback thread is good to have, but it shouldn't be derailed. Feedback should be pretty simple, Positive, Negative, Neutral.

NO ONE should be allowed to change an individual's feedback. Your feedback is your feedback. Otherwise, it could be seen as favoritism. That was my biggest problem with the feedback thread here, and why I will no longer participate in it. What's the point? If you or Dave agrees with my feedback it doesn't get changed, if you disagree, change my feedback then provide your own take/interpretation of the feedback is BS.

 

[Jen]

Yes, a feedback thread is good to have, but it shouldn't be derailed. Feedback should be pretty simple, Positive, Negative, Neutral.

NO ONE should be allowed to change an individual's feedback. Your feedback is your feedback. Otherwise, it could be seen as favoritism. That was my biggest problem with the feedback thread here, and why I will no longer participate in it. What's the point? If you or Dave agrees with my feedback it doesn't get changed, if you disagree, change my feedback then provide your own take/interpretation of the feedback is BS.

Well there are rules to feedback for leaving a negative vs. a neutral. If money was taken from you and you never got your goods then it warrants a negative. If you did get your goods...but not in the timely manner you expected, it deserves a neutral because you were not ripped off since you DID receive the item you purchased. Both neutrals and negatives give people a pretty good heads up in my opinion. The feedback is not meant to be vindictive but an accurate representation of the transaction that took place.

 

[DinoLast]

I agree, but I also feel that if people are going to use this site to advertise and put together lists of people who paid, etc. the activity should be somewhat moderated & there should be guidelines & feedback. Custom commissions here need to work within the commerce section like the buying, selling, trading of other items. If it happens outside of this place, that's up to the individuals & shouldn't be disputed here but the members here have a right to know about the seller's record if they are advertising products here.

There needs to be some rules,that's just the bottom line. It's hard for other sculptors here to get commissions of their sculpts when C.Howes is offering to do like 30 different sculpts and people are already committed to those. I've got money I want to spend on just one single sculpt, but with the backlog the way it is, I probably won't see that sculpt for years.

Did he go ahead and take payment for the Dexter sculpt?

 

[Deckard]

Ah, well I dunno what happened in the feedback thread, I don't use that either, I just was talking about the commission threads in general.

This thread was created more or less with the intention of not derailing anything and having it's own topic. Everything was even fairly smooth here until Chris responded and didn't adress people who wanted a refund. So those people have a right to be angry and express that, but like I said, I don't think anyone here is blaming this forum. I think we all realise anything commissioned here is done by fans and artists with no actual affiliation.

Really we as the commissioners should be the ones setting rules for said commission, for example, only paying a small deposit up front, and not paying in full until at least pics of a finished product are recieved.

For the most part all the commissions still ongoing seem to be being handled in such a manner, which is at least somewhat a change.

We as a community are learning from this, what not to do. Both as a customer and someone offering a service. Lets hope it just sinks in and this ^^^^ is not repeated.

 

[ProgMatinee]

A major credit to Les and DarkArtist is while they were way behind I always got the sense people were receiving Les and Josh items so I knew not only were they working but actually MAILING stuff to one of more customers.

I think any customizers on the board that are maybe getting nervous over this situation and the reaction from buyers can look to that to relieve a large chunk of their fear. As long as you're showing continual commitment to completing deals, people are able to trust that their items will be making their way to them.

With Chris EVERYTHING seemed to be on hold. Nothing being shipped to customers here. Not even a trickle. In fact, he actually went out of his way to send finished product to NEW customers on ebay rather than prepaid customers. This is a huge departure in credibility from the other customizers on this board.

Just realized Chris' feedback is a whopping 20 here out of how many thousands of dollars fronted to him???????....

 

[Ironman1188]

Both of you guys used Andgor as an example. You know the difference between a single person and a company, right? Andgor had a business address and physical site, where people worked. They had a web address and phone operators to take orders over the phone. You could also order online through their site. And you guys know the majority of people who actually complained to the BBB, Florida Attorney General's office, Consumer Affairs/Consumer protection bureaus were people who ordered custom figures of themselves or loved ones. Right? Not unlicensed, unauthorized sculpts of people/characters. You guys understand that right!?

Apparently not, since you BOTH tried to compare this situation with that. Apples and Oranges.

Actually it was 2 guys who were posing as a business. They had a seperate entity doing their sculpts but they were the guys selling. And, I don't know if you ever actually dealt with them, I did, and as with many of the folks I know of that also did, the orders were of many of the celebrity sculpts that, unlike now, were rare and/or never seen in 1:6 before. So, the only real difference here is that Howes hadn't yet set up his own ordering page.
And it isn't apples and oranges, Einstien, when the comparison being made, putting it simply and bluntly, is:
- that the opportunity was there in both instances for 1:6 Godhood to be granted (to both Andgor & Howes) for the delivery of such fine sculpts being bestowed upon us and
- in both instances, poor business sense, even poorer customer relations and eventually the effort to lay the blame on others instead of shouldering it and handling the backlogs in a professional manner result in total distrust of the seller and the name being associated with something just this side of leprecy.

 

[Studio49]

Chris is not off the hook, not by a long shot. The people supporting him right now don't want to admit he messed up any more than he does. I suspect they haven't read any of the multiple commission threads that have been talking about his lack of communication and broken promises for more than a month now. They feel somehow blindsided, as if this wasn't coming a mile away.

Have you guys ever heard the saying "give a crook a rope and watch him hang himself" before? Before any of you get your panties in a bunch, I am not calling Chris a crook. He definitely has the potential to become one though. I am giving Chris the benefit of the doubt now, because he emailed me several times with some very specific promises about project completions. I will know in two weeks or less whether or not Chris is taking this seriously. Until this time has elapsed, however, I just have to sit here and contain myself.

At the end of that time frame Chris will either be releasing product, or he will be on the gallows of his own creation. This is not a second chance, or third or fourth for him. It's his last chance, and he should be taking it very seriously.

 

[Darklord Dave]

Perhaps we'll have to rethink allowing commissions on this forum. Although I think if we go by my guidelines posted at the top of this forum, everyone will be happier - the sculptors included.


As for refund requests in this thread - no sculptor or anyone can be held responsible for not following through on a request made in an online forum. He complained that people hadn't tried to communicate with him directly, even though he was having problems with email, he says he would respond.

 

[Ironman1188]

I am giving Chris the benefit of the doubt now, because he emailed me several times with some very specific promises about project completions. I will know in two weeks or less whether or not Chris is taking this seriously. Until this time has elapsed, however, I just have to sit here and contain myself.

But, why didn't he post time frames for all to see about all his commissions? Are these specific promises just to you? Or is he just emailing you because you started this thread. I've said it before, I have no money invested in him. However he actually stands to lose almost twice as much from me as i'd be ordering post his deadlines should the sculpts be decent.
Very shortsighted all the way round he seems to be.

 

[Deckard]

Perhaps we'll have to rethink allowing commissions on this forum.

That would be devastating, with so much talent and so many people who do deliver, please don't let a few bad apples ruin it, even though this one affected so many people, it's still overall when it comes to the people doing it, not that rampant compared to the success rate is it?

So many cool customs come from Small Studios and Spenser etc, not just their own but other peoples, and it would be a shame to see less of those around because some other guy wasn't stand up or responsible like they are.

 

[nanjin]

Perhaps we'll have to rethink allowing commissions on this forum.

Please don't let this comes a Witch Hunt!

 

[ONEYE]

Perhaps we'll have to rethink allowing commissions on this forum.

Your board, you decide.

 

[Voorhees27]

Perhaps we'll have to rethink allowing commissions on this forum. Although I think if we go by my guidelines posted at the top of this forum, everyone will be happier - the sculptors included.


As for refund requests in this thread - no sculptor or anyone can be held responsible for not following through on a request made in an online forum. He complained that people hadn't tried to communicate with him directly, even though he was having problems with email, he says he would respond.

He "says" if you make the subject title something simple he will spot it and reply .......... I sent him an e-mail just yesturday titled "Sideshow Freaks" and guess what? Nothing.

He may not be a scammer but he sure as hell lacks responsibility.

 

[Ultramanimator]

I can't believe this thread is still going! It's gone from a request for an update to a vitriolic rant perpetuated by many people who don't even have outstanding orders with Chris.

It got to the point yesterday, when Nanjin (who certainly has a stake in these commissions) tried to calm the waters and was told he was being naive by suggesting we relax!!! Come on guys!

I understand if people are frustrated, but there are certainly other customizers on this board who've fallen behind and been hard to reach. I don't remember anyone threatening legal action against them. Imagine if your Chris, you haven't visited the forum in a while, and there are suddenly 30 pages of rants and calls to legal action against you. I can understand why his first comments might not be filled with puppy dogs and roses.

I think the point has been sufficiently made. I think everyone is overreacting and should wait and see what happens. I myself have a bit of money tied up in these projects and want to see them delivered, but I certainly am willing to wait a little longer to see how things turn out.

I'm not trying to stoke the flames. I love this forum and want to see it continue in the same fun atmosphere that I found when I first joined.

This is a great hobby and a great community. I just think we all need to take a breath.

Now sweet dreams and pleasant thoughts

 

[Studio49]

I can't believe this thread is still going! It's gone from a request for an update to a vitriolic rant perpetuated by many people who don't even have outstanding orders with Chris.

It got to the point yesterday, when Nanjin (who certainly has a stake in these commissions) tried to calm the waters and was told he was being naive by suggesting we relax!!! Come on guys!

I understand if people are frustrated, but there are certainly other customizers on this board who've fallen behind and been hard to reach. I don't remember anyone threatening legal action against them. Imagine if your Chris, you haven't visited the forum in a while, and there are suddenly 30 pages of rants and calls to legal action against you. I can understand why his first comments might not be filled with puppy dogs and roses.

I think the point has been sufficiently made. I think everyone is overreacting and should wait and see what happens. I myself have a bit of money tied up in these projects and want to see them delivered, but I certainly am willing to wait a little longer to see how things turn out.

I'm not trying to stoke the flames. I love this forum and want to see it continue in the same fun atmosphere that I found when I first joined.

This is a great hobby and a great community. I just think we all need to take a breath.

Now sweet dreams and pleasant thoughts

There is nothing vitriolic about the truth. I have $220 tied up in this, just so you know. And to date I am the only member who said they would pursue legal action and only if Chris failed to deliver on the goods. Nobody is overreacting here, like you make it sound.

I wonder though if all of you guys have read the entire thread? Maybe it should be required before posting in this thread. To date there are at least three members asking for a refund and Chris is ignoring them. He doesn't have the money, or he could have easily done it by now. We are all taking the wait-and-see approach, but that doesn't mean we can't talk about it. Stop trying to muzzle people.

 

[Ultramanimator]

There is nothing vitriolic about the truth. I have $220 tied up in this, just so you know. And to date I am the only member who said they would pursue legal action and only if Chris failed to deliver on the goods. Nobody is overreacting here, like you make it sound.

I wonder though if all of you guys have read the entire thread? Maybe it should be required before posting in this thread. To date there are at least three members asking for a refund and Chris is ignoring them. He doesn't have the money, or he could have easily done it by now. We are all taking the wait-and-see approach, but that doesn't mean we can't talk about it. Stop trying to muzzle people.

I've actually read every single post in this thread since you started it, so please don't make assumptions.

I've got about the same as you have invested in these commissions and the only point I was trying to make is that plenty of people have hopped on board who don't even have a beef with Chris.

I was trying to be pleasant about the whole thing and you've gotten defensive.

And speaking of muzzling, please don't try and tell me what I can and can't discuss based on what you assume my knowledge of the situation is.

Now I'm going to go and enjoy my weekend. I suggest you do the same.

 

[Wor-Gar]

Perhaps we'll have to rethink allowing commissions on this forum.

This is the possible result I most feared when this situation 'exploded'.

I truly hope it won't come to that, as I have only had wonderful results from the people I've chosen to deal with on this forum. But I do understand if this type of thing is too troubling to deal with.

As was mentioned earlier, the decison ultimately rests with Dave.

 

[Spenser]

To date there are at least three members asking for a refund and Chris is ignoring them. He doesn't have the money, or he could have easily done it by now.

I added up all the payments from the commission posts and Chris has taken in…and this is a rough estimate, around $7000 in payments.I think he can give a few people their money back. (let me know if I didn't do the math right!)

 

[Cocoboloboy]

Perhaps we'll have to rethink allowing commissions on this forum. Although I think if we go by my guidelines posted at the top of this forum, everyone will be happier - the sculptors included.

Like Wor-Gar, this is what I feared the most when this whole thread exploded.

I'll say this. It would be a crying shame if this were to end with the wonderful pool of talent that is on this board being squelched because of one person's inability to communicate properly with his clients.

 

[Voorhees27]

Like Wor-Gar, this is what I feared the most when this whole thread exploded.

I'll say this. It would be a crying shame if this were to end with the wonderful pool of talent that is on this board being squelched because of one person's inability to communicate properly with his clients.

The solution here is learning from your mistakes, I know I have. The same thing goes for the commerce section, many have been scammed (Although I am not calling Chris a scammer) but it continues to operate. If anything we can all learn something from this experience so it doesn't happen again.