Marty McFly's Skateboard - Valterra Splatter Deck Conversion

[knightlife]

Yeah - Shane said their QC should have noticed the bushings. Thanks for the offer of help - Shane's already beaten you to it and confirmed I'm down for the correct copers when they come in (so they're expecting more of the originals) and correct bushings, and confirmed the address. He seems keen to ensure everyone has a board they'll love!

Wow, well good for Shane for figuring out all the skateboard issues on his own and for handling all the coper and bushings issues for you. Glad he's finally resolved all of the skateboard issues and that you guys no longer need my help.

 

[retro]

Wow, well good for Shane for figuring out all the skateboard issues on his own and for handling all the coper and bushings issues for you. Glad he's finally resolved all of the skateboard issues and that you guys no longer need my help.

I'm sure we'll be needing you more, still - especially those who strive for even more perfection than the final product! It's good to know they are maintaining a list of people due the "oops" package, though - and that it will include the first-style copers! I think that was just because I contacted him.. I'm not sure he knows who has the black bushings and later copers. You're still invaluable - thanks yet again for all your help! The artwork looks spot on! I love what I've seen of the board and can't wait to have it in my hands later in the year.

Sorry to hear about your leak. Always a stressful, worrying and expensive event. I hope nothing irreplaceable was damaged.

 

[maton]

@knightlife thank you for your replies. I'm sorry to hear about your roof trouble! Hope there wasn't too much damage!? Water damage is horrible.

I got a reply from Shane at Madrid. I emailed him about the wheels and the shade of yellow. He has told me that from the pictures I sent him, it doesn't look like the wheels I received were different. Shane's words ''We worked with our wheel manufacturer to try to copy the color from the screen-used board as best as possible''

Is it possible that the 1st batch of wheels, that went out on the first lot of boards, were wheels left over from the 2010 boards and when they ran out of wheels, they matched the 2nd batch of wheels to the screen used board?

I not very good with this, but i've tryied to put everyone's boards that have arrived together in one picture, compare wheel colour. What do you think?


Shane also added me to a list to replace the copers I have, when they get them. @knightlife Do you have any of those Madrid Coper stickers left by any chance? I would like to have a couple if possible please.

 

[maton]

My board

 

[IndyMcfly88Mph]

Hi Madrid. My Skateboard arrived on Friday 1/15. I am using the phone version of TheRPF. So, I do not know if pictures will upload.

 

[maton]

Hi Madrid. My Skateboard arrived on Friday 1/15. I am using the phone version of TheRPF. So, I do not know if pictures will upload.

Great you received your board. Looks like you got the same wheels as me. What style copers did you get? Also what colour bushings?

 

[Pitbull]

So apparently I got an email from ken which he said, I think it's best we give you a refund? Did I want a refund.....NO not at all I just wanted a non defected board with all the right parts promised from the start. Knightlife has been very helpful with us here but I truly feel if it wasn't for therpf being here we would of been all in the dark about everything that's going on. Why was I snubbed from having a board? Maybe it was because I wanted exactly what i originally pre ordered and I expressed myself here instead of communicating through email but we all know that's a lost cause. I just got my full refund on my board and I didn't put up a fight about it, I just don't have the patience.I even paid for the shipping back to them and still wasn't compensated. I'm done with the this whole silly ordeal and lack of professionalism that went on with this sale. Enjoy your boards everyone and I hope everyone here gets great treatment.

 

[EmmaInCandyland]

I didn't want to intervene as I didn't get a board from them but it really looks to be disappointing... And I really can't believe it pitbull! They could have paid back for the return shipping too... I wouldn't have sent it without a pre paid label to be honest. And it's not fair that some people got more accurate parts than the others and had to pay for the same amount. I really think you guys should try to get compensated at least or a partial refund. It's really not right....

 

[Gary Weaver II]

Unbelievable.

Don't worry Mike, I'll be able to help you out. If and when my board comes in I'll let you have it for my cost plus shipping. I've decided I don't want mine anymore. I'll even include the set of NOS copers I picked up in anticipation of getting the board.

-Gary

So apparently I got an email from ken which he said, I think it's best we give you a refund? Did I want a refund.....NO not at all I just wanted a non defected board with all the right parts promised from the start. Knightlife has been very helpful with us here but I truly feel if it wasn't for therpf being here we would of been all in the dark about everything that's going on. Why was I snubbed from having a board? Maybe it was because I wanted exactly what i originally pre ordered and I expressed myself here instead of communicating through email but we all know that's a lost cause. I just got my full refund on my board and I didn't put up a fight about it, I just don't have the patience.I even paid for the shipping back to them and still wasn't compensated. I'm done with the this whole silly ordeal and lack of professionalism that went on with this sale. Enjoy your boards everyone and I hope everyone here gets great treatment.

 

[Pitbull]

Unbelievable.

Don't worry Mike, I'll be able to help you out. If and when my board comes in I'll let you have it for my cost plus shipping. I've decided I don't want mine anymore. I'll even include the set of NOS copers I picked up in anticipation of getting the board.

-Gary

That's really nice of you dude you are the FN man and I really mean that WOW This is what therpf is all about and this is why i love this forum so much. I just felt I was backed into a corner on this one and it really stings because i was waiting for this all the way back in august. I work hard for my money just like everyone else and frankly I feel whatever I buy from anyone on here THE SELLER should feel privileged to have a complete stranger put trust in there stuff that's all. I really do appreciate the offer bro.

 

[Pitbull]

I didn't want to intervene as I didn't get a board from them but it really looks to be disappointing... And I really can't believe it pitbull! They could have paid back for the return shipping too... I wouldn't have sent it without a pre paid label to be honest. And it's not fair that some people got more accurate parts than the others and had to pay for the same amount. I really think you guys should try to get compensated at least or a partial refund. It's really not right....

It was really just the lack of communication on there end. There was no way i can discuss that option of reinbursement when my emails were being ignored after i shipped it back which is why i kept posting here. I just went with the flow and ate my losses just so everything would be right. Then i see everyones boards coming to them with different parts which really ticked me off on top of everything.

 

[retro]

So apparently I got an email from ken which he said, I think it's best we give you a refund?

Ouch! I'm really sorry to hear that. I would be upset, too - having had your money for months with little contact, then leaving you out of pocket after returning faulty goods.

I know I've been quite vocal, but I'm really quite patient - all I really wanted was the odd update on what's happening, and for those in front of me to get their products who were voicing their concern here, too. I really can wait, so long as I'm kept in the loop. I would say your comments were akin to mine - showing patience but it wore thin when you didn't hear back.

I guess you could do a WHOIS on the domain (you'd need to do it on who.godaddy.com as they mask regular WHOIS searches) and use the information to file a BBB report. I believe that the address given for the corporation is probably Ken's as it's a residential street, but it would seem he has at least (correctly) set up a company to handle the events and e-shop.

It's really disappointing to hear one user state that they were told there were cancellations so they could still order after the cut-off date... then have someone else told they can't have a replacement for a faulty product. If the product were damaged in transit, the shipping cost should have been covered by the carrier and reimbursed. Add this to the potential interest accruing on pre-orders, and you could speculate that some profit may have been made out of the issues. The website now shows the board as out of stock - perhaps it was deliberately left on so the cancelled orders could be resold? Sadly, we don't know as Ken doesn't answer these questions.

I received an e-mail from (I assume) Ken, too. It was, to be honest, quite bizarre! Here's my last e-mail to him:

Hi Ken,

Many thanks for your reply - you're a tough man to track down!


The skateboard was sent to my friend at that address, yes. Many thanks. She sent me photos yesterday (unfortunately, she's been very poorly with a cracked tooth and it was her first opportunity) - it's a stunner!


Unfortunately, as with one or two others on the forum, I received black bushings when I believe they should have been red. Or am I getting that the wrong way round? I e-mailed Shane at Madrid just now about the matter, as I believe he said it was a factory mix-up and resolvable to Joe.


I've put some pics up on the forum, so people know I've got my item. As I said in my posts and e-mail, I do appreciate you are but one man and it's tough to cope with a volume of e-mails with a day job - you have my respect and sympathy there! However, it is frustrating to receive precious few mailshots and no replies to communications. I really appreciate you checking up on the order arriving OK, but it was four weeks ago I last contacted you and you did nothing to assist me tracking my order when the timeframe your last mailshot gave came and went - I had to go directly to Madrid to find out what was happening. Of course, the festive holiday didn't help expedite the communication backlog, I appreciate that.


I do hope you take my comments on board as constructive criticism, which is how they were intended. Being a one-man band replying to hundreds or thousands of e-mails is an arduous task - I completely understand. If it's going to take you four weeks, though... at least set up an autoresponder so people know what's happening! Or, if your last mailshot promises all skateboards going out within the next week and that didn't happen... send another mailshot!


It is somewhat disappointing, when writing such a long e-mail, to have the contents and my questions ignored and just a check that the item arrived. It's great you're checking up on orders, but it would have been nice to have had a reply before the item had arrived and for those questions to have been answered. It somewhat tarnishes any suggestion that I'm a valued customer - you had $325 of my money for months, did nothing to keep me informed what was happening to my order and replied to my e-mail completely ignoring the contents and just mentioning that I should now have the skateboard. Please - put yourself in my shoes. How would you feel as a fan who waited months for a product they've longed for since 1985? Fortunately, I believe you can empathize as a fellow fan!


Joe mentioned before that Shane had agreed to sell blank decks (just with artwork and grip tape) to the few who asked on the forum and that he'd check with you and Shane whether this was still possible, and what they'd cost. Despite the hiccups we've had, I'd still be interested in finding out how much one would be.




Best wishes,


Mark

And here is his reply:

Thank you Mark, I will make sure that we fix this for you , and have forwarded your email to the manufacturer to ensure this happens.

I'm not quite sure what he's thanking me for - being critical of his communication skills, perhaps? As you can see, there were numerous points raised and questions asked that he, once again, simply ignored. As for forwarding my e-mail to the manufacturer, the person he carbon copied in on the e-mail was.... Joe! Congratulations knightlife - you've been promoted!

I accept that he might have forwarded it privately... although I guess he didn't notice where I said I'd already told Shane at Madrid about the mix-up! It doesn't hurt to have the store chase matters with the manufacturer though, of course!

Sadly, it's clear we're never going to get good communication out of Ken. Nobody's got back to me about whether the blanks are available but, if your communication is anything to go by, I highly doubt it will happen.

 

[IndyMcfly88Mph]

Great you received your board. Looks like you got the same wheels as me. What style copers did you get? Also what colour bushings?

Here you go, if you need any more angles, let me know. The wheels are a darker shade than the yellow background of the VALTERRA logo on the deck. The bushings are bright red. Copers are typical 80s I guess.

 

[Pitbull]

The fact is im not the only one with the horrible communication. If joe or ken felt threatend by my actions its complete BULL. All i ever wanted was communication and customer service. I posted about how i have kens address but that was just in case i get fondled around at least i knew where my property I RIGHTFULLY OWNED was. All i ever posted what was in this thread THATS IT.

Sent from my SM-N920P using Tapatalk

 

[OUTATIME1978]

No your right Mike communication from Ken is really bad!! All I want is my dam COA Hope you take Gary's offer on his board.

 

[knightlife]

The fact is im not the only one with the horrible communication. If joe or ken felt threatend by my actions its complete BULL. All i ever wanted was communication and customer service. I posted about how i have kens address but that was just in case i get fondled around at least i knew where my property I RIGHTFULLY OWNED was. All i ever posted what was in this thread THATS IT.

Sent from my SM-N920P using Tapatalk

Pitbull, I'm sorry that things went down for you the way they did. Being vocal about all the problems with the boards isn't what prompted Ken to just give you a refund. It was that plus your comment about visiting the NY address where Ken had you send the board. Ken lives in Canada, but that NY address is the home of some of his family friends.

I don't think you ever meant anything personally against me, and if you did, I certainly never took it that way. I just think you wanted the board you were promised.

Unfortunately, there are some things that I can't do anything about, like Ken's communication skills. Ken knows how I feel about that. What I can do, is help make sure that Madrid follows through with everything they've promised us all. As for your board, I'm glad Gary offered to help you out by selling you his. I would have offered to send you mine, but I already gave my board to someone else here.

As for the wheels, I raised concerns about the color of the new wheels that were shipping now, and Shane replied with the attached image and note. "Mark (Retro) is the only one so far to bring up a concern about the wheels to me. I explained to him that all the wheels we had poured are the same color and the ones he received aren't different. Check out the attached picture of our production wheel color that I took during my final meeting with the manufacturer."

The new wheels do look a shade lighter to me, at least in some of the photos I've seen recently. Unfortunately, there are so many variables that can make a color appear very different in different photos. And, both waves of Madrid wheels do seem to match different screen shots from the movie. I think both waves of wheels are very close, and probably bookend the exact color of the screen used wheels.

To those of you here who want a finished deck without any hardware (including Pitbull), Madrid has agreed to make them available to you guys for half the cost of the complete board. I will probably order one of these as well, and continue to work with everyone here who's interested in my help.

 

[maton]

So apparently I got an email from ken which he said, I think it's best we give you a refund? Did I want a refund.....NO not at all I just wanted a non defected board with all the right parts promised from the start. Knightlife has been very helpful with us here but I truly feel if it wasn't for therpf being here we would of been all in the dark about everything that's going on. Why was I snubbed from having a board? Maybe it was because I wanted exactly what i originally pre ordered and I expressed myself here instead of communicating through email but we all know that's a lost cause. I just got my full refund on my board and I didn't put up a fight about it, I just don't have the patience.I even paid for the shipping back to them and still wasn't compensated. I'm done with the this whole silly ordeal and lack of professionalism that went on with this sale. Enjoy your boards everyone and I hope everyone here gets great treatment.

That's a shame They said they would replace it for you. I know you now have been offered a board by someone on here, but you could always email Shane at Madrid and ask if he can help you out. They may still have boards left. Anyway, I hope you do get one sorted. Nice that the RPF folk on here are so nice and helpful!

Unbelievable.

Don't worry Mike, I'll be able to help you out. If and when my board comes in I'll let you have it for my cost plus shipping. I've decided I don't want mine anymore. I'll even include the set of NOS copers I picked up in anticipation of getting the board.

-Gary

What a lovely thing to do man! Shame it has ended like that for Pitbull. He, like the rest of us, have been nothing but patient. All he wanted was a nice board, that he paid the money for. Well at least there are people willing to help him out. Very kind of you dude.

Here you go, if you need any more angles, let me know. The wheels are a darker shade than the yellow background of the VALTERRA logo on the deck. The bushings are bright red. Copers are typical 80s I guess.

Thanks for the extra pics. Yeah, seem to be exactly like mine. I can clearly see a difference in the wheel colour. It not bad though, they are nice wheels! I don''t mind them, they do have a slight match to the screen used board now. I only emailed Madrid to see if they made the change to the colour on purpose.

No your right Mike communication from Ken is really bad!! All I want is my dam COA Hope you take Gary's offer on his board.

I hope you can get your COA! I guess we'll probably never know how many board were actually sent out in the end.

The new wheels do look a shade lighter to me, at least in some of the photos I've seen recently. Unfortunately, there are so many variables that can make a color appear very different in different photos. And, both waves of Madrid wheels do seem to match different screen shots from the movie. I think both waves of wheels are very close, and probably bookend the exact color of the screen used wheels.

The picture you posted of the wheel in your last post Joe, does seem to be glossy too! Like the first batch of wheels! Do you think they may have forgotten to put gloss in the mix or something. The wheels that are going out now ( my wheels ) have more of a matte look and feel to them. Could be the reason??

 

[retro]

Hmm, I don't recall mentioning wheel colour to Shane - mine looked right! Perhaps the other British chap (apologies, I forgot the name) mentioned them? I believe he contacted Madrid, too. Not that it matters, their point is they only had one mention of it.

As a photographer, I quite agree that colour can vary greatly depending on lighting, white balance and other factors with the camera itself (I'd say screens too, but we're each looking at pictures on one screen and seeing variations). Yellow can be particularly tricky.

For the record, I received a quick reply from (I assume) Ken, as I told him that, whilst I'm over the moon that the board has finally arrived and the minor issues can be easily resolved, the lack of communication rather soured the transaction and I shall forever remember this when I look at my board. I also said that I'd given up on receiving a reply to my questions and points raised - whilst I appreciate that there must be a backlog of e-mails and busy schedule, it shouldn't take too long to answer a few questions. The reply was:

I appreciate your comments and apologies for any negative experience you had.

Well, at least I got something in response!
knightlife - the blank boards sound very interesting still... I'll double check I've not got any pressing bills looming and sort something out - thanks!

 

[maton]

A message for Joe @knightlife and members of the forum. I wanted to add my thanks and say how much I appreciate how much time and help Joe has put into this project. Joe knows this already. If it wasn't for him helping us out, then we would have all been completely left in the dark, with no updates. Yes, it hasn't been easy with the all the communication problems ( not from Joe ) and wrong parts going on the boards. I would like to say a huge thank you to Joe. I can't imagine how many messages on here and emails he must have been getting! Every single message I have sent him, he has replied to all of them and each one has been polite and extremely helpful. I'm sure he has tried to reply to every single message and email with people's complaints or questions.All of this has been dumped on Joe to sort out, which I think is very unfair and it must have been very stressful to have all of this on his shoulders, all whilst dealing with daily life things and recently the terrible roof problems. It isn't nice being left to sort everything out on your own. Sometimes you get left to do others work, you end up doing it to keep the customer happy and don't ever get the proper recognition for it. It's happened to me before at work. On behalf of everyone here you have helped, thank you so much Joe. The details on the deck are absolutely stunning! I have always wanted to own a Marty Mcfly skateboard and you have helped to make that possible. From one Back to the Future fan to another, I am very greatful for your hard work. I'm sure you will continue to do everything you can to help.

 

[knightlife]

The picture you posted of the wheel in your last post Joe, does seem to be glossy too! Like the first batch of wheels! Do you think they may have forgotten to put gloss in the mix or something. The wheels that are going out now ( my wheels ) have more of a matte look and feel to them. Could be the reason??

According to Madrid, the wheels are exactly the same (their most recent photo & those currently shipping). Like Retro said, it's really tough to tell from photos. Though, the new ones do look more matte to me. I think the only way to be sure is to put a wave one wheel next to a wave two wheel. I'll try to make it down to Madrid, though it won't be terribly soon. New man cave (office) roof is done and I have some catching up to do. Luckily nothing at all was damaged inside. Definitely a few things in here like most of you on the RPF that I'd rather not get ruined.

Maton, your message is sincerely appreciated. I know this skateboard project had some speed bumps, but I'm very happy and proud of all the epic BTTF thing that I helped make happen in 2015, even this skateboard - well, the deck mostly. The Lyon Estates signs are so epic it's actually kind of hard to wrap your head around them until you've stood right next to them. They're so massive. And, they'll be making their journey to Universal Studios soon to go on permanent display there. Anyway, once everyone's boards are in hand, and they have all the right parts on them, hopefully enough of the magilla surrounding this project will fade enough for everyone to just enjoy their boards. Maton, thanks again.

On another note, I have that completely blank board that I posted pictures of a while back. No graphics, no decals, nothing. Just wood. Proper kick, proper shape, proper holes. If anyone here is interested in it, send me a PM. Oh, free.