Hey Dave,
With all due respect, you're fooling yourself if you think Ryan can get your model. Only Steve can. I have been in your shoes and it was a crappy journey to getting the model deal completed. Good luck.
You are going to REALLY need it.
And if you think Steve is the best, you need to do your homework. There are MUCH nicer kits out there. Just not in the same subjects he happens to sell. When you're the only game in town, of course you are considered the best, you know?
There is no excuse for the delays I experienced and sub-par castings I received (and therefore at the time judged Steve by) for him to consider himself a "business". His current back log does not concern me, but does that mean I cannot tell someone what happened to me? It is on topic, right? As a kit maker, if you want to elevate yourself past hobbyist and into the realm of "master model caster", you have to provide quality and timely deliveries. That is all I am saying.
Every time you guys chime in with talk of "he will eventually deliver - be cool" you essentially give him a free pass to NOT deliver. You guys are selling yourselves short - do you not see that?!
And I have seen the ESB and ROTJ walker kits in the flesh - the castings are a LOT nicer than what was expected 10 years ago, but guys, this is 2008. You can get flawless castings with a little forethought and effort. Steve isn't even casting these - he has said that he has his kid doing the pouring for him - do you know what you are paying for?
I am just tired of people giving casters a free pass on foggy delivery dates, over-extended work loads, and dodgy parts, when there is a standard - a very attainable standard - that can be met. Steve has no love for me and I got nothing to lose since I have no outstanding orders, so why not say what other people are too afraid to say. I've got the balls to do it - don't get all irritated with me for saying what others say privately, okay?
Thank you.