New to Prop Collecting. Who to avoid?

[Berserk]

Hi All,
I've been read the rpf for some time now and only just started properly collecting movie props and replicas. After checking out eBay and other websites I thought I would ask some questions.

Where the best place to buy replica/resin kits/props? (I live in Australia)

Who to avoid?

Who are re-casters and should be avioded?

Thanks for all you help.

B.

 

[propologist]

keep reading the old threads...keep reading grasshopper and the answers will appear.

 

[cayman shen]

Ha ha ha ha! I can't see anyone sticking their neck out in this thread! Whew!

 

[Beechy McFly]

Aloha and welcome to the RPF.. Great to see another Aussie on board!!

Where the best place to buy replica/resin kits/props? (I live in Australia)
You have just joined the place to buy!! Depending on what you are after, and what you want to spend?? ( Remember, shipping cost a fair bit for items to get here )..

Who to avoid?
As propologist wisely said " keep reading grasshopper and the answers will appear.."

Who are re-casters and should be avioded?
Do searches on recasters etc.. If buying of eBay, maybe try a search of the username of the seller on here.. There has been members posting about sellers, so you could find something.. Or ask away in the forums to be sure..

 

[Berserk]

I found a heap of kits by Coolmodels on eBay but searching on RPF bought up a thread about Coolmodels/Arsenal and how they are recasters (not something I don't want to support).

 

[OdiWan72]

Welcome aboard!

Who to avoid you´re asking???...well, that depends...

IF you plan to avoid anything that will rip a GIANT hole in your wallet over the next years, CANCEL YOUR RPF ACCOUNT and RUN :lol

Otherwise search for keywords such as "recast" and do your homework.
You´ll get an idea who to avoid like the placque (sp?) pretty quick.

Have fun,

Markus

 

[Beechy McFly]

You'll learn very quickly how to recognise a recast.. But as we've all said, you have homework to do.. :lol

 

[SithLord]

"The purpose of PropSafe is for members of the replica prop community to help each other by sharing experiences of good and bad transactions and to list those that practice the act of recasting."

PropSafe

 

[Darth Niob]

You should avoid guys like Phil (SPFX) and JB if you have plans to spend money on a Darth Vader helmet.

 

[Funky]

The Ban Log is a good place to start. Though they are banned here, you can avoid them on other forums if you see their names: http://www.therpf.com/f15/member-updates-91522/

Educate yourself before you buy something. Also tenure and post count usually means they are trustworthy, however there are many new members that I've dealt with and have been very satisfied. Best advice I can give is find yourself a respectable member and become buddies with them. They will guide you in the right direction.

 

[SithLord]

Also tenure and post count usually means they are trustworthy, however there are many new members that I've dealt with and have been very satisfied. Best advice I can give is find yourself a respectable member and become buddies with them. They will guide you in the right direction.

I trust you Funky, can we be buddies? :$


(I keed)

 

[foxbatkllr]

Generally avoid ebay.

 

[GuntahKela]

(not something I don't want to support).

Don't mean to be a grammar-guard, but by using double negative (Not, don't) you are saying that it IS something you want to support :cool

 

[scarf man]

Some of the info is outdated, but here is a thread where RPFers name names.
http://www.therpf.com/f9/how-many-times-have-you-been-scammed-50505/#post681866

 

[propologist]

trust no one...everyone is out to get us...there are spies everywhere....

 

[phase pistol]

Wait.... got a few minutes left on the microwave popcorn...



k

 

[Smitty]

Propsafe which was mentioned and Linked to earlier in the thread is a good list of peeps to avoid.

 

[Heatshock]

Recasting can be a v thorny issue; with many an interesting story. with same merely ending w i said he said; and u having to make a judgement call yourself. Others are more clear cut. I usually find an item; look at the particular forum that has collectors on it (rpf is gd starting point; but there are also other specialist forums); google names to search if they are recasters.

Rather than a generic who to avoid; find somthing u like and then do ur research. What particular movie/style/genre will help others w advice.

 

[MattMunson]

I found a heap of kits by Coolmodels on eBay but searching on RPF bought up a thread about Coolmodels/Arsenal and how they are recasters (not something I don't want to support).

I think in general, that is a very smart approach. A member here used to maintain a list of good sellers/bad sellers, but I believe it fell by the wayside years ago. Your best bet is to do what you're already doing. When you find a prop you want or are interested in, post a thread asking about the seller or the quality of their work. Or their dependability.

Of course, this won't work for ebay auctions, which is one among many of good reasons not to shop on ebay for prop replicas.

I keep a spreadsheet. Keep track of people you have SEEN complete large scale projects, and keep a separate list of poeple who have failed. or who have had projects take ten times longer than they promised. whatever. use your own litmus tests.

Keep in mind also that your mileage may vary. Some users will have nothing but praises to sing about a seller, whereas others may totally hate the same person.

Best of luck, and welcome to the RPF!

 

[treker2557]

I completely agree with MattMunson on how others are viewed. I have been watching this forum for almost 2 years now but only recently joined. Whenever money is in play someone will not be happy.

Also thank you for idea of keeping a spreadsheet to log people to buy from and maybe not to.

Thanks again