ICONS Authentic Replicas Interview clip?
- Thread starter Rusty85
- Start date
SD Studios
Well-Known Member
James...
I want to add that my purpose here is NOT to engage you in a mutually-assured-destruction scenario.
You posted that I was spreading lies. I know what I wrote and sincerely believe what I posted. If I am incorrect anywhere...seriously...tell me and I will post a retraction.
I also want to be clear that your response to my post was to post information that is DEFINITELY incorrect. Now...you may have heard those "facts" from your "inside sources" but I can assure you they are not true.
Leaving MR was one of the hardest decisions in my entire life. My wife and I talked about it for many months before-hand. Michael Cookson was quite shocked when I told him I was resigning. He actually laughed and thought I was kidding. It took me several minutes to get him to believe me that I was serious.
Many of the staff felt "betrayed" by my leaving. But the combination of watching the company going downhill and I couldn't stop it, coupled with me being away from my family for 4 or 5 months out of the year made me decide that leaving was the best thing I could do.
How many times can you wake up and wonder: "What city am I in today???" That kinda blows.
So the whole MR-departure thing is a very sore point for me, so slamming me out-of-the-gate with it, was not too cool.
We both have some very-negative history. I am not dredging that up again. I have said my piece.
We both also have some very positive history. Being high-level managers in world-recognized companies that shipped MANY products to customers all over the globe and seeing how happy people were was just plain darn cool.
Soooo many people would come to the MR booth and shake everyone's hand, and just gush over the products. I know you received the same feedback many times as well. It is very rewarding to know that all of the "suffering" is (almost) worth it in the end.
We have a lot in common...We were both were jerked-over by financial people who had no idea what the company was actually trying to accomplish. People who didn't give a crap that our entire lives were given to these companies and what would happen if the businesses went under. They had their "golden parachutes" and could just move on with their 40 mil in the bank...
Oh...they SAID they cared. But, at the end of the day, their actions really DID speak louder than words.
ANYWAY...
I know there a lot of people here that would like to hear your side of things and maybe get some "closure"...so I do not want to get in the way of that.
I will bow out. (just lay off any more of the bash-Steve stuff...ok?)
Feel free to address the folks here is open discourse. I will not stand in the way.
I want to add that my purpose here is NOT to engage you in a mutually-assured-destruction scenario.
You posted that I was spreading lies. I know what I wrote and sincerely believe what I posted. If I am incorrect anywhere...seriously...tell me and I will post a retraction.
I also want to be clear that your response to my post was to post information that is DEFINITELY incorrect. Now...you may have heard those "facts" from your "inside sources" but I can assure you they are not true.
Leaving MR was one of the hardest decisions in my entire life. My wife and I talked about it for many months before-hand. Michael Cookson was quite shocked when I told him I was resigning. He actually laughed and thought I was kidding. It took me several minutes to get him to believe me that I was serious.
Many of the staff felt "betrayed" by my leaving. But the combination of watching the company going downhill and I couldn't stop it, coupled with me being away from my family for 4 or 5 months out of the year made me decide that leaving was the best thing I could do.
How many times can you wake up and wonder: "What city am I in today???" That kinda blows.
So the whole MR-departure thing is a very sore point for me, so slamming me out-of-the-gate with it, was not too cool.
We both have some very-negative history. I am not dredging that up again. I have said my piece.
We both also have some very positive history. Being high-level managers in world-recognized companies that shipped MANY products to customers all over the globe and seeing how happy people were was just plain darn cool.
Soooo many people would come to the MR booth and shake everyone's hand, and just gush over the products. I know you received the same feedback many times as well. It is very rewarding to know that all of the "suffering" is (almost) worth it in the end.
We have a lot in common...We were both were jerked-over by financial people who had no idea what the company was actually trying to accomplish. People who didn't give a crap that our entire lives were given to these companies and what would happen if the businesses went under. They had their "golden parachutes" and could just move on with their 40 mil in the bank...
Oh...they SAID they cared. But, at the end of the day, their actions really DID speak louder than words.
ANYWAY...
I know there a lot of people here that would like to hear your side of things and maybe get some "closure"...so I do not want to get in the way of that.
I will bow out. (just lay off any more of the bash-Steve stuff...ok?)
Feel free to address the folks here is open discourse. I will not stand in the way.
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James Latta
Active Member
Steve D. - I just want to thank you for your post. I wish we could just chat in regard to what you just posted. As I do agree that we both went through some similar battles. And for the record Master Replicas work was magnificent. And you did help take the company to the very top and made history with it.
You have always been a maverick and a visionary. And I did and do respect your work. I was just taken aback with your comments at the start of this thread.
I'd like to respond to some of the other comments if that is permissable. Art - thank you for allowing me to post what I have. Your points and comments were good ones, and I'd like to respond to them if given the chance. Thanks. I'll check back in soon.
You have always been a maverick and a visionary. And I did and do respect your work. I was just taken aback with your comments at the start of this thread.
I'd like to respond to some of the other comments if that is permissable. Art - thank you for allowing me to post what I have. Your points and comments were good ones, and I'd like to respond to them if given the chance. Thanks. I'll check back in soon.
James Latta
Active Member
Dr. Chang or whomever you really are, I only said to pm me after an original complaint post, if someone was talking about a specific order, documentation, or an issue regarding a problem that I might be able to still help resolve. I have helped customers over the years who were introduced to me by members here. I was trying to catch up with other questions as well. So it was not to stop people from flaming me, I knew that was going to happen and will continue to happen.
If your friends would like to post they need to join the board. I'm not a big fan of posting on the behalf of others. Seems like there is plenty of information and opposing views here already.
TymerDC
Sr Member
Most of my friends are busy in the film industry, they don't do forums, some old timers don't even use computers and if they have something to add story-wise I'll post it for them......frankly I doubt any of them will anyway since I already talked to one on the phone yesterday and doesn't care to "get involved" although he wants to read what Latta had to say......but then again its not really for you to say is it? If a mod has a problem with it he'll let me know.
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James Latta
Active Member
They are already members here. Many are long-term.
I need a little time to answer posts, so am not running away. Just need to catch up.
Thanks.
I need a little time to answer posts, so am not running away. Just need to catch up.
Thanks.
greylocke
Sr Member
Steve D, I thank you for your post. I am new here and I am not totally familiar with the world of licensed props, however from reading yours and James posts, I would also like to hear your story about your experiences. If you could possibly set up a separate thread I know I would appreciate it. And I would hope that you would also continue to post in this one, where your knowledge and James overlaps.
No problems, James. After seeing some boards where the flamers were really attacking anyone who commented on a topic, this is a walk in the park, LOL
I am glad that you will not run off because of a few "bad apples" on this board. Before I came over here, I had heard of a "prop board" that has only flamers, 24/7, but things are not as bad as they were made out to be, I'm happy to say. Most here are civil, and understanding. CYA later.
thanx
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SD Studios
Well-Known Member
After thinking things over, I (again) realized that it NEVER works out well to post a reply in anger.
I also realized that, me dredging up MORE crap about icons or MR won't accomplish anything here...
I have written what I have written...
:lol
I also realized that, me dredging up MORE crap about icons or MR won't accomplish anything here...
I have written what I have written...
:lol
SD Studios
Well-Known Member
Double post!
"I am glad that you will not run off because of a few "bad apples" on this board"
Hmmmm.... wonder who those would be considered to be.
There are quite a few people here who do not know what went on in the past and given the conflicting information, may still be wondering about who is in the right and wrong. You can see who fired the shots here, so that is a beginning. I lost $ 4000 dollars, had a an insiders view with people at Lucas, so that's another point.
But to put that all aside, I have given this advice to my kids and especially my daughter for a few years.
If you ever have a question as to the character of a person, don't pay attention to what they say. This works with boyfriends, politicians, etc.
People say quite a bit, many times falsely to better their own position. When it becomes a question of judging who they are, look at what they have done and what they do. Forget the words for the moment and you will always see the true person through their works.
If they have lost that trust, then you have to measure carefully what they say, because that is all you can go on at that point.
Now if you lost $ 4000 in a business deal, would you want everyone to consider you the bad apple for getting ripped off?
Or a person with a questionable past person comes back and you find yourself personally have to defend yourself from accusations, are you the bad apple?
So, consider what has been posted by Jim as well as his defenders. Look at each sides accomplishments and decide appropriately. Look who tries to open doors and which side keep lobbing the insults under the guise of taking the high road.
Judge appropriately.
I posted this earlier, I will post it again:
I don't know if he really is interested in change or amends, but always willing to listen to someone who tries to. I just don't think he is there at this point. But I am always willing to leave the door open to be proven otherwise.
Hard to ask forgiveness for yourself if you cannot do so with others. But there is also a time when you have to dust your feet off and walk away.
I dusted off my feet long ago on this. If Jim wants to walk back in, I will give him the grace of trying to redeem himself properly. As for the others trying to give him support; give him the proper support to move forward, and that is not by justifying his earlier actions.
Hmmmm.... wonder who those would be considered to be.
There are quite a few people here who do not know what went on in the past and given the conflicting information, may still be wondering about who is in the right and wrong. You can see who fired the shots here, so that is a beginning. I lost $ 4000 dollars, had a an insiders view with people at Lucas, so that's another point.
But to put that all aside, I have given this advice to my kids and especially my daughter for a few years.
If you ever have a question as to the character of a person, don't pay attention to what they say. This works with boyfriends, politicians, etc.
People say quite a bit, many times falsely to better their own position. When it becomes a question of judging who they are, look at what they have done and what they do. Forget the words for the moment and you will always see the true person through their works.
If they have lost that trust, then you have to measure carefully what they say, because that is all you can go on at that point.
Now if you lost $ 4000 in a business deal, would you want everyone to consider you the bad apple for getting ripped off?
Or a person with a questionable past person comes back and you find yourself personally have to defend yourself from accusations, are you the bad apple?
So, consider what has been posted by Jim as well as his defenders. Look at each sides accomplishments and decide appropriately. Look who tries to open doors and which side keep lobbing the insults under the guise of taking the high road.
Judge appropriately.
I posted this earlier, I will post it again:
I don't know if he really is interested in change or amends, but always willing to listen to someone who tries to. I just don't think he is there at this point. But I am always willing to leave the door open to be proven otherwise.
Hard to ask forgiveness for yourself if you cannot do so with others. But there is also a time when you have to dust your feet off and walk away.
I dusted off my feet long ago on this. If Jim wants to walk back in, I will give him the grace of trying to redeem himself properly. As for the others trying to give him support; give him the proper support to move forward, and that is not by justifying his earlier actions.
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Lord Boron
Sr Member
Just who are these "bad apples"??? If someone gets ripped off of $800 in the junkyard should they just shut up and take it least they be considered a "bad apple" who's rocking the proverbial boat? Last I knew around here, it was the seller who took the money and never delivered who was considered the bad apple. I'm just as curious as everyone else to hear what he has to say, but until I get either my Solo blaster and Cylon helmet, or the money back, I consider that money stolen, whether it was 1 year ago, or 20.
I am with you on that. I am not going to bash anyone, or anything like that, I am just stating what I purchased and the facts of my ordeal with icons. But.... I'LL listen to anything anyone whats to post, anyone including Jim, but in the end like you said if I dont get my proto-type colonial blaster, cylon helment, or viper helment or even a refund that all has been paid for in 1998 thats stealing.....black and white
autoprops713
Sr Member
I also lost money towards a few MIB items but I never expected for Jim to come on to this forum, open up his gift bag, and give each of us what we are due after this many years. It's not going to happen. I don't know the man (except from everyone else's perspectives) which is why I was curious to read what he was going to write and see where he was going with all of this.
I think the quote that got many who did loose money was Jim's post:
"As far as customers go, what no one wants to admit is all of the customers who got refunds in full, and then kept coming back to Icons for more."
The debts of Icons are legally lost for the most part as they were business debts voided when the business closed properly.
I personally having $ 4000 outstanding and a legal settlement from Jim on that that was never followed through, that quote above is a bit insulting. At that time, I could have gone after him but did not on the agreement he compensate me for less than 1/4th the original debt at a time he still could have done so and was filtering product out to other venues such as MiM.
Jim did know about my certain issue, promised to handle such legally at the end and did not. In posting here, he said he wanted to address such but has not. As I noted, anyone here can pm me if they need to.
The issue at this point is not the money which I have written off or even the legal which I have a firm foundation on. It is his ethics and whether or not his own standards have changed at all.
As I have noted numerous times here, I have opened the door for him on past experience or other issues he he wants to say so. But if he or his puppets go after those who took losses or others on a vendetta, he/they will get called on such here. Criticizing those that do speak up or calling us bad apples for questioning his post is the way to start the fire.
"As far as customers go, what no one wants to admit is all of the customers who got refunds in full, and then kept coming back to Icons for more."
The debts of Icons are legally lost for the most part as they were business debts voided when the business closed properly.
I personally having $ 4000 outstanding and a legal settlement from Jim on that that was never followed through, that quote above is a bit insulting. At that time, I could have gone after him but did not on the agreement he compensate me for less than 1/4th the original debt at a time he still could have done so and was filtering product out to other venues such as MiM.
Jim did know about my certain issue, promised to handle such legally at the end and did not. In posting here, he said he wanted to address such but has not. As I noted, anyone here can pm me if they need to.
The issue at this point is not the money which I have written off or even the legal which I have a firm foundation on. It is his ethics and whether or not his own standards have changed at all.
As I have noted numerous times here, I have opened the door for him on past experience or other issues he he wants to say so. But if he or his puppets go after those who took losses or others on a vendetta, he/they will get called on such here. Criticizing those that do speak up or calling us bad apples for questioning his post is the way to start the fire.
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James Latta
Active Member
Tripoli, You keep quoting the statement I wrote about the customers who got refunds and then came back for another refund. This happened. The FBI saw the documented proof that it did.
There were also customers who got their product and then did forced charge-backs. And there were customers who got 2 of the same order as well as a refund. It was Icons bank and it's accounting software that did not protect the company. I owned 20% of the company. I warned Icons founding CEO/President that this would be a problem with the growth of the company and he did not listen. I was not responsible for Finance, Sales or Manufacturing. Others were.
Icons was not a small company. Within 10 months in business it had over 100 employees ( the majority not hired by me, my department had 3 or 4 people ). Over 300 employees worked at Icons over the 5 years the company was in business ( 1995-2000 ). The facility we occupied in the end was over 25,000 square feet in size. When Guy Raz's endless harrasment forced an investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice and they toured the Icons factory, the investigators jaw dropped as he walked through it. And he stated that he would have bought stock in the company if it was not closing. He said that he could see every single penny that was in the company, and that what the D.O.J. looks for are people selling fake diamonds out of their apartments. Which is rampant, not large factories trying to employ people.
Icons was an American company. And it was not out to hurt any customer, period. And I was not out to steal one dime from anyone. I personally lost more then anyone. And their were many factors that contributed to Icons demise. Including competitors who profited from spreading lies about Icons when it could have survived. That is why Guy Raz went to Federal prison and I did not.
There were also customers who got their product and then did forced charge-backs. And there were customers who got 2 of the same order as well as a refund. It was Icons bank and it's accounting software that did not protect the company. I owned 20% of the company. I warned Icons founding CEO/President that this would be a problem with the growth of the company and he did not listen. I was not responsible for Finance, Sales or Manufacturing. Others were.
Icons was not a small company. Within 10 months in business it had over 100 employees ( the majority not hired by me, my department had 3 or 4 people ). Over 300 employees worked at Icons over the 5 years the company was in business ( 1995-2000 ). The facility we occupied in the end was over 25,000 square feet in size. When Guy Raz's endless harrasment forced an investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice and they toured the Icons factory, the investigators jaw dropped as he walked through it. And he stated that he would have bought stock in the company if it was not closing. He said that he could see every single penny that was in the company, and that what the D.O.J. looks for are people selling fake diamonds out of their apartments. Which is rampant, not large factories trying to employ people.
Icons was an American company. And it was not out to hurt any customer, period. And I was not out to steal one dime from anyone. I personally lost more then anyone. And their were many factors that contributed to Icons demise. Including competitors who profited from spreading lies about Icons when it could have survived. That is why Guy Raz went to Federal prison and I did not.
James Latta
Active Member
Tripoli wrote: "People say quite a bit, many times falsely to better their own position. When it becomes a question of judging who they are, look at what they have done and what they do. Forget the words for the moment and you will always see the true person through their works."
Actually what this is called is being judgmental. As you are not even allowing a person to explain anything. It's narrow-mindness and uncommunicative and can lead to false assumptions. This is a major problem in our world today. Thinking you know more about a situation then you do.
Tripoli...you think because you got a tour of Lucasfilm you are in the know, when you have no clue what you are talking about. Go raise a million dollars in venture capital, license, develop, prototype, manufacture, market, sell, distribute, ship and warehouse millions of dollars in Star Wars replicas, get into a political and legal battle with George Lucas and then maybe you can tell me about LFL.
Actually what this is called is being judgmental. As you are not even allowing a person to explain anything. It's narrow-mindness and uncommunicative and can lead to false assumptions. This is a major problem in our world today. Thinking you know more about a situation then you do.
Tripoli...you think because you got a tour of Lucasfilm you are in the know, when you have no clue what you are talking about. Go raise a million dollars in venture capital, license, develop, prototype, manufacture, market, sell, distribute, ship and warehouse millions of dollars in Star Wars replicas, get into a political and legal battle with George Lucas and then maybe you can tell me about LFL.
