Batman Cowl from Gotham Harbor/Dark Roast Replicas - Will I see it?

[SDCC85]

Hey all, been a long time since I posted so hope you're all well.

Last summer I ordered a B89 cowl from Hunter/Gotham Harbor/Dark Roast Replicas on Instagram. I saw lots of posts, lots of good quality, and we had a very positive chat about what would work. I've got a large head, and he makes a 25 inch cowl. So made the payment having talked about it taking maybe two months.

And here we are over a year later.

Comms are patchy at best, with me consistently chasing, at some point getting a response, and then nothing again. At this point it's a source of anxiety for me and I'm considering just letting go, chalking it up as an error, and getting on with my life.

Lessons learnt and all that. Looking back there were definitely things I should have done differently. This isn't about that.

Has anyone dealt with them or heard anything about them? I know things can take a while, especially with smaller makers when it isn't their full-time job. But if this was a bricks and mortar shop, or Etsy, there would have been consequences by now. I've found one other chap through Insta who is struggling too.

Thanks

 

[Enigma93]

Hey @SDCC85 I've been looking for someone who's encountered similar issues with this guy for a while. I had ordered a Returns suit from him last year. Similar messaging with him often not replying and having to message bomb him till I got a response. Anytime I asked him for updates on my suit, he would always send me pictures of someone else's suit and essentially saying, "This is what your suit is going to look like." Me trying to be patient as possible thinking, "That's cool, but where's mine? It's been a couple months already." Soon it became excuse after excuse with often him sending me pictures of other projects he was working on to detour me away from the conversation about my suit. Then when he showed me "My Suit" it was an 89, not a Returns. Eventually I ended up going to someone else. So in turn, I asked him for a refund. Now, I know he never started on my suit, and when I bombarded him for messages for my refund, he told me he doesn't have the money on him right now. So what did my money go to?!? Over time, he did send me small minor payments, but as of right now, still owes me 1k in money that was supposed to be used for my suit. I've been trying to message him again and again. No response. I even went as to comment on his posts. I asked other friends if they've bought anything from this guy and have told me they've had similar issues. Whether it's his excuses (which I've heard the same ones) either: "I have an injury, I'm not in the shop, I've got family issues, weather issues", etc. my friends have all said he's used the same ones. What I'm seeing right now on his Facebook is him taking on other projects while still owing other people either cowls or their suits, or my money. And it seems he's trying to get away from FB and move onto another platform.

 

[SDCC85]

Hey there Enigma,

There's no way around it, that's awful, and I'm sorry that you're going through it. I did give him an out at one point, but he didn't take it. But I'd much rather he'd just been honest about the situation, rather than the excuses and silences. Issues I can wrap my head round and deal with. Life is tricky. Just tell me! That he's started to refund you seems weird. To keep you on the hook is wrong. No good for your wallet or your head.

An update on my own situation, I now have the cowl. Got it on the 21st September, so it took about 15 months all in. On an initial estimate of 2 months.

So time wise, excuse wise, frustration wise...a mess. It leaves a bad taste.

But now I've got it, the actual item is very good. I've worn it a few times, started to bad it, and it fits me well.

That's no salve for the pain you've been caused I know. It's just my personal story coming to a close.

Between this and my MMPR helmet taking 2 years on an 8 month estimate, I'm now very wary. I'll try to stick to sites with some kind of protection from now on, and I'll do a lot more research first.

Can I fault the cowl? No. But comms are key, and that was a big problem.

Good luck my friend.

L - Tiger Stone FX cowl that I tore as it's too small
C - MMPR helmet from Wild Ranger 5
R - Dark Roast XL 89 cowl

 

[Enigma93]

Hey there Enigma,

There's no way around it, that's awful, and I'm sorry that you're going through it. I did give him an out at one point, but he didn't take it. But I'd much rather he'd just been honest about the situation, rather than the excuses and silences. Issues I can wrap my head round and deal with. Life is tricky. Just tell me! That he's started to refund you seems weird. To keep you on the hook is wrong. No good for your wallet or your head.

An update on my own situation, I now have the cowl. Got it on the 21st September, so it took about 15 months all in. On an initial estimate of 2 months.

So time wise, excuse wise, frustration wise...a mess. It leaves a bad taste.

But now I've got it, the actual item is very good. I've worn it a few times, started to bad it, and it fits me well.

That's no salve for the pain you've been caused I know. It's just my personal story coming to a close.

Between this and my MMPR helmet taking 2 years on an 8 month estimate, I'm now very wary. I'll try to stick to sites with some kind of protection from now on, and I'll do a lot more research first.

Can I fault the cowl? No. But comms are key, and that was a big problem.

Good luck my friend.

L - Tiger Stone FX cowl that I tore as it's too small
C - MMPR helmet from Wild Ranger 5
R - Dark Roast XL 89 cowl

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If you're ever in need of a suit or cowl within a reasonable time frame, I'd suggest ShadowFX Studios. But yes, I've been trying to blow up his messenger to get his attention and even comment on his posts. At this point, I don't even care if it looks bad with my commenting about my refund on his posts. I'm hoping people pay attention to the sheer lack of communication and respect between his customers. The fact he's trying to move onto a different platform also seems really sketchy to me also. All this time and the supposed projects he's working on and he cant even refund me the last remaining 1K?