Beware the Recaster(s)

[TheObsoleteMan]

I'm in this camp and you guys took the words right out of my mouth. A recaster is nothing but a thief and to me some of the lowest forms of life on this planet are thieves and liars.

I wonder if the actors and property holders of the movies that customizers base their figures on without acquiring permission or paying for rights feel the same way?

 

[PopCultKid]

I had the displeasure of meeting this giant f__k face Q at Frank & Sons this weekend. I'll tell you guys a little story.

I was roaming around F&S and I stumbled on his booth. I knew who it was imediatley when I saw his case of head sculpts and there was Trevs' Dex, Iminime' Ra's, Rainman's Dude amongst a bunch of other s__t that you can see in his eBay listings (yea, to those who didn't know... he has a booth at F&S where he sells HT's, SS, various other collectibles and has a case of HS, many of them recasts, that he sells openly).

He had a whole case of full figures that caught my eye because low and behold standing there were 3 Beto full sets: Pt. 2 Freddy, Fluffy, and an original Jason Pt. 3 that he did a long time ago. There was also a Darkman figure that seemed to have Beto's sculpt and coat but other aspects seemed unofficial. It was almost ironic that only after 5 minutes of being there and while staring at this display case full of these rare Beto gems I hear someone else ask, "so if you run out of stock on any of these heads, can you just make more"? I turned just in time to catch his douchey duck lipped expression while he shruged his shoulders quickly and replied in a cocky a$$ way.... "yea"... Right there he had me goin'

I asked about Beto's Freddy's Revenge. I said "is this head to toe official Beto.... or is this some other kind of s__t? Definitely annoyed by the remark yess: ) he said (again in a douchey tone), "nah man that's 100% real deal. Email Beto yourself and ask him. I have a good relationship with Beto and blah blah blah blah. "How much"? He says, "$750". "Can I check it out"? He opens the case and hands it to me. I inspect and it looks official. Both hands had real metal blades, both heads & fedora looked like original paint and the brain was squishy; that would be extra hard to replicate. The boots and outfit seemed real and it was on an official TT. I told I'm I'd think it over and I'd be back.

Even though it seemed kosher I just didn't trust him based on his rep and I wanted someone who owned it to look it over for me and give me an educated opinion. After chillin' in Fancom for a couple of hours Magnus goes over with me to verify. Mags takes a look through the case and right away says that it's authentic.

I turn to Q and say, "Alright bro, I'm interested in the Freddy. Will you do $700 cash?" Again with that s_itty tone and attitude he says, "nah man, for that I rather keep it on the shelf. There's no reason to go that low and $750 is already a good price and blah blah. Then he turns to Mags and says, "you know Beto. Just hit him up and ask him to make another one", again in his douchey cocky manner. I replied, "well I really don't think that'll happen, but....". Me, Mags & both of our chicks float off a couple of booths down and stop while I start to mull it over fir a few minutes. I'm really on the fence because honestly it was a good price (original retail). I was hoping for a deal but I knew that I'd never find it for retail again, much less in a cash and carry situation where I was able to inspect it before I bought it.

The place was shutting down in 45 minutes and I wanted to take the rest of the time that I had to decide. I walked back over to tell him that I'd come back right before closing (At this point I was pretty much gonna buy it; too rare and sweet of a deal to pass). When I got to the booth he was quickly shutting down shop and killing the lights and whatnot. I say, "that's it? Done for the day?". He's like, "yup. Outtie bro", again with that jerk off tone. That was it for me. I look at Mags and say, "F it. Let's go bro".

I get a few ailes down and I'm starting to boil up. I say to Mags, "ya know what I should've said? With all that dough you're making on selling these recasts that cost you next to nothing you really couldn't bend 50 frigin' dollars on this fig?". Mags is like "you should've said that bro! That would've been perfect!!!". I said, "we'll it ain't to late!", as I stop in my tracks and was ready to double back. Mags pretty much convinced me that it was too late and I missed my moment.

I really regret not saying what I should have but I'm happy with myself that despite I had a fantastic deal and situation in front of me, I decided not to give that d_ck bag my money.

Still looking for Beto's Freddy. If someone is looking to part with theirs PM me!

 

[PopCultKid]

I wonder if the actors and property holders of the movies that customizers base their figures on without acquiring permission or paying for rights feel the same way?

The whole situation isn't perfect and there are the other arguments like your point about the artists themselves being the thieves (of the the actors and property owners) and recasters having a place because the original heads aren't infinitely available.

I still stick with my outlook on this. It takes major talent to sculpt and paint someone's likeness. While those people own their likeness it didn't take a whole lot of talent to be born to look the way they do. God or science is the artist on that. There's no denying the fact that the artist is the talent and the recaster just capitalizes on a demand that the artist created.

Consider this; if these underground artists had to pay licencing fees to get permission, none if these great works that all of us custom junkies hold near and dear to our hearts would even exist. All we'd know is the licensed stuff that's currently on the market today. I love all my HT and SS stuff but if it weren't for the artists on this board, the very best pieces in my collection would have never been born

 

[tinister]

He could have just had that one legit Freddie there to get unknowing people to "order" one from him. And of course that person would get a knockoff. That's probably why he couldn't go down by 50. Never planned to sell it.

 

[thenammagazine]

I had the displeasure of meeting this giant f__k face Q at Frank & Sons this weekend. I'll tell you guys a little story.

I was roaming around F&S and I stumbled on his booth. I knew who it was imediatley when I saw his case of head sculpts and there was Trevs' Dex, Iminime' Ra's, Rainman's Dude amongst a bunch of other s__t that you can see in his eBay listings (yea, to those who didn't know... he has a booth at F&S where he sells HT's, SS, various other collectibles and has a case of HS, many of them recasts, that he sells openly).

He had a whole case of full figures that caught my eye because low and behold standing there were 3 Beto full sets: Pt. 2 Freddy, Fluffy, and an original Jason Pt. 3 that he did a long time ago. There was also a Darkman figure that seemed to have Beto's sculpt and coat but other aspects seemed unofficial. It was almost ironic that only after 5 minutes of being there and while staring at this display case full of these rare Beto gems I hear someone else ask, "so if you run out of stock on any of these heads, can you just make more"? I turned just in time to catch his douchey duck lipped expression while he shruged his shoulders quickly and replied in a cocky a$$ way.... "yea"... Right there he had me goin'

I asked about Beto's Freddy's Revenge. I said "is this head to toe official Beto.... or is this some other kind of s__t? Definitely annoyed by the remark yess: ) he said (again in a douchey tone), "nah man that's 100% real deal. Email Beto yourself and ask him. I have a good relationship with Beto and blah blah blah blah. "How much"? He says, "$750". "Can I check it out"? He opens the case and hands it to me. I inspect and it looks official. Both hands had real metal blades, both heads & fedora looked like original paint and the brain was squishy; that would be extra hard to replicate. The boots and outfit seemed real and it was on an official TT. I told I'm I'd think it over and I'd be back.

Even though it seemed kosher I just didn't trust him based on his rep and I wanted someone who owned it to look it over for me and give me an educated opinion. After chillin' in Fancom for a couple of hours Magnus goes over with me to verify. Mags takes a look through the case and right away says that it's authentic.

I turn to Q and say, "Alright bro, I'm interested in the Freddy. Will you do $700 cash?" Again with that s_itty tone and attitude he says, "nah man, for that I rather keep it on the shelf. There's no reason to go that low and $750 is already a good price and blah blah. Then he turns to Mags and says, "you know Beto. Just hit him up and ask him to make another one", again in his douchey cocky manner. I replied, "well I really don't think that'll happen, but....". Me, Mags & both of our chicks float off a couple of booths down and stop while I start to mull it over fir a few minutes. I'm really on the fence because honestly it was a good price (original retail). I was hoping for a deal but I knew that I'd never find it for retail again, much less in a cash and carry situation where I was able to inspect it before I bought it.

The place was shutting down in 45 minutes and I wanted to take the rest of the time that I had to decide. I walked back over to tell him that I'd come back right before closing (At this point I was pretty much gonna buy it; too rare and sweet of a deal to pass). When I got to the booth he was quickly shutting down shop and killing the lights and whatnot. I say, "that's it? Done for the day?". He's like, "yup. Outtie bro", again with that jerk off tone. That was it for me. I look at Mags and say, "F it. Let's go bro".

I get a few ailes down and I'm starting to boil up. I say to Mags, "ya know what I should've said? With all that dough you're making on selling these recasts that cost you next to nothing you really couldn't bend 50 frigin' dollars on this fig?". Mags is like "you should've said that bro! That would've been perfect!!!". I said, "we'll it ain't to late!", as I stop in my tracks and was ready to double back. Mags pretty much convinced me that it was too late and I missed my moment.

I really regret not saying what I should have but I'm happy with myself that despite I had a fantastic deal and situation in front of me, I decided not to give that d_ck bag my money.

Still looking for Beto's Freddy. If someone is looking to part with theirs PM me!

Odd. Given the "fallout," I'm surprised he was allowed a booth at the event.
sarcasm

 

[SwedishHeat]

Odd. Given the "fallout," I'm surprised he was allowed a booth at the event.

bigbrocha ran the show, and had previously explained that he was no longer friends with Q as he had stolen a bunch of figs from him. I'm kinda surprised to hear Q had a booth. I guess they don't discriminate.

Admirable. . . maybe?? I guess??

 

[The Danger]

I had the displeasure of meeting this giant f__k face Q at Frank & Sons this weekend. I'll tell you guys a little story.

I was roaming around F&S and I stumbled on his booth. I knew who it was imediatley when I saw his case of head sculpts and there was Trevs' Dex, Iminime' Ra's, Rainman's Dude amongst a bunch of other s__t that you can see in his eBay listings (yea, to those who didn't know... he has a booth at F&S where he sells HT's, SS, various other collectibles and has a case of HS, many of them recasts, that he sells openly).

He had a whole case of full figures that caught my eye because low and behold standing there were 3 Beto full sets: Pt. 2 Freddy, Fluffy, and an original Jason Pt. 3 that he did a long time ago. There was also a Darkman figure that seemed to have Beto's sculpt and coat but other aspects seemed unofficial. It was almost ironic that only after 5 minutes of being there and while staring at this display case full of these rare Beto gems I hear someone else ask, "so if you run out of stock on any of these heads, can you just make more"? I turned just in time to catch his douchey duck lipped expression while he shruged his shoulders quickly and replied in a cocky a$$ way.... "yea"... Right there he had me goin'

I asked about Beto's Freddy's Revenge. I said "is this head to toe official Beto.... or is this some other kind of s__t? Definitely annoyed by the remark yess: ) he said (again in a douchey tone), "nah man that's 100% real deal. Email Beto yourself and ask him. I have a good relationship with Beto and blah blah blah blah. "How much"? He says, "$750". "Can I check it out"? He opens the case and hands it to me. I inspect and it looks official. Both hands had real metal blades, both heads & fedora looked like original paint and the brain was squishy; that would be extra hard to replicate. The boots and outfit seemed real and it was on an official TT. I told I'm I'd think it over and I'd be back.

Even though it seemed kosher I just didn't trust him based on his rep and I wanted someone who owned it to look it over for me and give me an educated opinion. After chillin' in Fancom for a couple of hours Magnus goes over with me to verify. Mags takes a look through the case and right away says that it's authentic.

I turn to Q and say, "Alright bro, I'm interested in the Freddy. Will you do $700 cash?" Again with that s_itty tone and attitude he says, "nah man, for that I rather keep it on the shelf. There's no reason to go that low and $750 is already a good price and blah blah. Then he turns to Mags and says, "you know Beto. Just hit him up and ask him to make another one", again in his douchey cocky manner. I replied, "well I really don't think that'll happen, but....". Me, Mags & both of our chicks float off a couple of booths down and stop while I start to mull it over fir a few minutes. I'm really on the fence because honestly it was a good price (original retail). I was hoping for a deal but I knew that I'd never find it for retail again, much less in a cash and carry situation where I was able to inspect it before I bought it.

The place was shutting down in 45 minutes and I wanted to take the rest of the time that I had to decide. I walked back over to tell him that I'd come back right before closing (At this point I was pretty much gonna buy it; too rare and sweet of a deal to pass). When I got to the booth he was quickly shutting down shop and killing the lights and whatnot. I say, "that's it? Done for the day?". He's like, "yup. Outtie bro", again with that jerk off tone. That was it for me. I look at Mags and say, "F it. Let's go bro".

I get a few ailes down and I'm starting to boil up. I say to Mags, "ya know what I should've said? With all that dough you're making on selling these recasts that cost you next to nothing you really couldn't bend 50 frigin' dollars on this fig?". Mags is like "you should've said that bro! That would've been perfect!!!". I said, "we'll it ain't to late!", as I stop in my tracks and was ready to double back. Mags pretty much convinced me that it was too late and I missed my moment.

I really regret not saying what I should have but I'm happy with myself that despite I had a fantastic deal and situation in front of me, I decided not to give that d_ck bag my money.

Still looking for Beto's Freddy. If someone is looking to part with theirs PM me!

I'm sure he's reading this right now, laughing. Son of a *****.

Would've met him in the parking lot. Still would have been plenty of time for that!

 

[vareika]

Pop thanks for sharing this important info...what a bastard...sad really.

 

[zebraten]

He didn't have a booth at the event, correct? He has a booth at Frank and Sons and not at the Expo, where famCon was being held. Although they are attached, Chris has no say who rents a booth at frank and sons, as there are literally hundreds of booths there filled with (mostly) non 1:6 related toys.

 

[Dr. Odd]

So it's clear, Q did not have a booth at the Famcon event. The Famcon event took place within the Frank and Sons collectible show, which is like a giant swap meet or flea market for collectibles. They have a seperate area for exhibits and events such as Famcon.
As far as I know Q is a permanent vendor at Frank and Sons.

 

[SwedishHeat]

He didn't have a booth at the event, correct? He has a booth at Frank and Sons and not at the Expo, where famCon was being held. Although they are attached, Chris has no say who rents a booth at frank and sons, as there are literally hundreds of booths there filled with (mostly) non 1:6 related toys.

Ahh, okay.

I think we have something like that around my town. I imagined it was more something like a convention hall that you rent out.

 

[bigbrocha]

He didn't have a booth at the event, correct? He has a booth at Frank and Sons and not at the Expo, where famCon was being held. Although they are attached, Chris has no say who rents a booth at frank and sons, as there are literally hundreds of booths there filled with (mostly) non 1:6 related toys.

People who live vicariously through the internet can only suspect the worst, It was great having you be a part of the show Zebraten, your work is truly phenomenal in person.

 

[mightyq]

Another type of person you should be aware of.....is a certain buyer on here that likes to buy something from you, then want a refund, report you to Paypal to try and get a refund before they send it back to you, then only send half of the items back to you and the other half is damaged. Then after I send all kinds of documents to Paypal, they still pretty much get their way by scamming you....only sending back certain items and not the other. Well......I'm tired of getting scammed. I may get booted from this forum, but I'm tired of getting ripped off for hundreds of dollars. They know who they are, and a couple of mods do too. I won't mention any names, but beware of people like this. I contacted by bank to dispute the charge from Paypal, and they stopped it. This person is still on the forum btw. Just as bad as a chickens*** recaster.

bro, this is so wrong!!! if this were me i would feel a moral obligation to tell all my fellow freaks who this person is so they dont harm another, as you sit nice and tight and worry about yourself this person may be scamming somebody else!!!!! dont give me your working with a mod, and blah blah blah,,, your just worried about yourself....or you would have said who it was and help warn who know's how many other victims......sorry bro,,, i dont agree with your tight lip....your doing the board an injustice...and if somebody gets hurt as you wait tell me what you wopuld say to that poor guy??? i'm working with a mod, sorry i could have helped but decided to just shut up,,,,, dude you were better off not saying a thing about your problem on here...because i am sure somebody reading this right now agree's with me..

 

[The Danger]

I think he's just being cautious. It's probably wise to work things out behind the scenes with a mod before dropping someone's name who doesn't rightfully deserve the negative attention. To be fair though, it seems this individual is in fact a ripoff artist and DOES deserve to be in the limelight. Time will tell though, I'm sure justice will be served.

 

[Privyet]

His heads look like ****.

 

[Privyet]

Another type of person you should be aware of.....is a certain buyer on here that likes to buy something from you, then want a refund, report you to Paypal to try and get a refund before they send it back to you, then only send half of the items back to you and the other half is damaged. Then after I send all kinds of documents to Paypal, they still pretty much get their way by scamming you....only sending back certain items and not the other. Well......I'm tired of getting scammed. I may get booted from this forum, but I'm tired of getting ripped off for hundreds of dollars. They know who they are, and a couple of mods do too. I won't mention any names, but beware of people like this. I contacted by bank to dispute the charge from Paypal, and they stopped it. This person is still on the forum btw. Just as bad as a chickens*** recaster.

TELL US

 

[Wulf]

Trevor put the call out in that thread that he suspected that Q was recasting his stuff, as well as using Trevor's photographs in his ebay listings. Q got all blustery about it - he publicly denied it but sent Trevor some messages - Trevor didn't reveal the content of the messages except to say that they were getting threatening and nasty. Next thing we know Trevor is pulling up shop. What was said between them can only be speculated on, but what is beyond doubt is that Trevor left the board because of Q's actions. I haven't checked Q's listings for a while, but he was definitely using Trevor's sculpts to recast, and Trevor's images to promote them. Whatever one thinks about the ethics of recasting, Q is a prick. I would love a Trevor Dexter or RM Dude... but my collection will go without Q's recasts so I don't have to be reminded of him and his douchery every time I look at my shelf.

So Trevor is no longer doing custom projects? Trevor is such a great artist.. in my opinion though, he shouldn't worry about losing sales because of recasts. Most people will want to support the original artist and have better quality. If anyone wants recast quality then that's their own issue. I think he did right though in calling Q out on the scam listings. Things like that would definitely help me make a decision on buying recasts, or any kind of product for that matter. I'd want the recasters to be honest about the product being a recast. A wild guess is that Q threathened Trevor with contacting the licensors maybe? The Breaking Bad project was unlicensed, right?

 

[Lejuan]

A wild guess is that Q threathened Trevor with contacting the licensors maybe? The Breaking Bad project was unlicensed, right?

Yeh, that was my guess. The irony being that Trevor got the Mezco gig doing their BB sculpts, most likely on the back of his having shown Vince Gilligan his unlicensed Walter Whites. So no more customs for boardies through SSF as such, but his latest Clint Eastwood sculpts for Iminime might be a sign of more collaborations.

 

[Punishment1218]

bro, this is so wrong!!! if this were me i would feel a moral obligation to tell all my fellow freaks who this person is so they dont harm another, as you sit nice and tight and worry about yourself this person may be scamming somebody else!!!!! dont give me your working with a mod, and blah blah blah,,, your just worried about yourself....or you would have said who it was and help warn who know's how many other victims......sorry bro,,, i dont agree with your tight lip....your doing the board an injustice...and if somebody gets hurt as you wait tell me what you wopuld say to that poor guy??? i'm working with a mod, sorry i could have helped but decided to just shut up,,,,, dude you were better off not saying a thing about your problem on here...because i am sure somebody reading this right now agree's with me..

You're entitled to your opinion.....but that's just it.....your opinion. I don't believe in stirring up crap on a forum and calling out someones name when it is being dealt with. I just pointed out a situation that can happen to anyone of us on here, and I wanted to share my experience. Not one person has said that they are going through the same thing yet. When they do, and they want info on who it is....then there's that little thing called, private message; and they can look me up. Until the mod working on this takes care of this, and right now it's been sent over to Darklord Dave, then I'm not gonna bash anyone on here. Sorry dude...not my style. So opinions at this point don't matter.

 

[TotalDominAsian]

Does anyone have a link to all this Q/Trevor drama? I'd like to take a glance. Wondering when Q started doing recasts. I remember buying my HT Godfather from him 2 years or so ago when I first got into 1/6.