Pirated castings on eBay

[renarts]

Screw e-bay. This is an item that I'm sure US Customs would be interested in. They take a pretty dim view of importing or selling counterfeit goods into the US. No different than Rolex Watches, Louis Vitton bags etc.

 

[AJLaFleche]

I took a look at these...the casting is quite rough so even cheap the value is poor. However, the feet are attached to teh base and the ground work on the gladiator figures I've done is different, so he may be sqeaking by the copyright. :angry:

 

[Jim Patrick]

Way to go Luca! Strike one up for the good guys!

Jim Patrick

 

[jasmils]

G'day all,
I came across what I think are recasts a couple of weeks ago on ebay. These one's were out of the United States. Copy's of Warriors vignetts.
I sent an email to Bob and he replied :-


"Hi Jason,

Thank you so much for the information. We were already aware of this
guy through other conscientious people like yourself. However, we
really appreciate your telling us!

All the best,

Bob Letterman
The VLS Corporation"

So I now keep a good eye out for them. As an employee of a hobby shop
who trade on ebay, this gives us all a bad name. Hence when we sell a figure on ebay, the photo will be the original kit and box.

Cheers Jason

 

[Calvin]

This is the url of the form you must use to contact the PayPal customer service:

https://www.paypal.com/int/cgi-bin/webscr?c...contact-general

generally, changing the nation id between "https://www.paypal.com/" and "/cgibin" takes to your localized version, as example for the spanish service this is the url:

https://www.paypal.com/es/cgi-bin/webscr?cm...contact-general

a quick way to contact them is sending an email to the [email protected] address. This is an (also localized) address for pointing out fakes about PayPal, so they will read carefully what you are sending even if off-topic, passing it to the corresponding department.

By the way, I sent a message to them about the ebay "model-in" user ([email protected]) after reading the thread posted by Costas, getting a reply about some more investigation they will made.
Dont know about the current status of the paypal account of such gentleman, but now on his web site (http://www.toy-in.com) curiously he is not using PayPal, but the XT-Commerce platform (http://www.xt-commerce.com/en/). I think another email to the XT-Commerce center will solve it again.

 

[Baguette]

the 19 feedback is from different buyers. most of them bought multiple figures.

 

[Calvin]

Just sent the following message to [email protected]. Complaining about piracy and doing nothing does not serve at all, so I hope more of you will do the same.

"Hello, this message just to point out that the user owning the http://www.toy-in.com web site is using your system to receive payments about illegal traffics he does with illegal pirated copies of miniature figures.
He was using a PayPal account some time ago, an that situation was pointed out to the PayPal customer service. Now he is doing the same using your system. The sales he does using your system are illegal, so I think you are aware about the legal consequences of that.
Regards, Luca Piergentili"

 

[Calvin]

This is the reply I got (and I sent) from/to XT-Commerce. Personally I will not buy anything selled trough his system. Everyone can judge by his self.


Thanks for your reply, I think that most of figure modellers out there will be interested in knowing your attitude regarding piracy.
Here the full thread about that topic:
http://www.planetfigure.com/forums/index.p...view=getnewpost
Luca Piergentili


----- Original Message -----
From: Mario Zanier
To: Luca Piergentili
Sent: Friday, April 07, 2006 10:50 AM
Subject: Re: illegal use of your service


Hello Luca,


Well, anyone can use our free Shopping cart.
We cannot Controll who is using it, and how someone is using it.


We are not responsible for anyone.


regards,

 

[mahross]

This is deplorable. I also noticed one of the figure was Latorre's.

http://www.planetfigure.com/forums/index.p...topic=9488&st=0

People like this should be caught and castrated. This hobby is hard enough for the manufacturers' without some idiot trying to rip them off.

Ross :angry:

 

[nberrington]

Gents I doubt we will get far with eBay or these deplorable payment schemes.

In general eBay is an amazing facility, and I do buy a good deal of figures via their service (I also sell some) - however, like the rest of internet has some potential problems if used by creaps!

I think the best approach is to get the word out to everyone you know - clubs, email lists, etc, and tell as many people as you can NOT to buy this junk. It will kill our hobby if we leave it be.

Pirated figures appearing in competitions should be summarily disqualified.

Thanks for all the responses, glad you guys all feel so passionately about this.

 

[aknific]

Guys,

I realize that by this point we're kind of beating a dead horse, but this actually gets worse ... I followed the link to their on line shop posted above, it seems they added some"new" items:

http://www.toy-in.com/product_info.php?inf...s-Sergeant.html

In this case they're even using the box art from the real thing!

Anthony

 

[nberrington]

I think I feel ill.

 

[DaveCox]

It was their rendition of the Templar in resin that first allerted the modelling world to Toy-In (also Toy-In Com) - Costas posted a thread about them some time ago. I reported them to Ebay and Paypal but without even a reply.

 

[Calvin]

This is the data of the gentleman who registered the domain (toy-in.com), more than this I cant do. From this infos it's also easy to contact his hosting provider.

===


WHOIS information for toy-in.com:

[whois.paycenter.com.cn]
The Data in Paycenter's WHOIS database is provided by Paycenter
for information purposes, and to assist persons in obtaining
information about or related to a domain name registration
record.
Paycenter does not guarantee its accuracy. By submitting
a WHOIS query, you agree that you will use this Data only
for lawful purposes and that, under no circumstances will
you use this Data to:
(1) allow, enable, or otherwise support the transmission
of mass unsolicited, commercial advertising or solicitations
via e-mail (spam); or
(2) enable high volume, automated, electronic processes that
apply to Paycenter or its systems.
Paycenter reserves the right to modify these terms at any time.
By submitting this query, you agree to abide by this policy.

Domain Name:toy-in.com


Registrant:
JERRY ZHANG
room 506 no1 caobaoroad3158
201101



Administrative Contact:
zhang jie
JERRY ZHANG
room 506 no1 caobaoroad3158
shanghai Shanghai
CN
tel: 021 34151054
fax: 021 34151054
[email protected]

Technical Contact:
zhang jie
JERRY ZHANG
room 506 no1 caobaoroad3158
shanghai Beijing
CN
tel: 34151054
fax: 34151054
[email protected]

Billing Contact:
zhang jie
JERRY ZHANG
room 506 no1 caobaoroad3158
shanghai Beijing
CN
tel: 34151054
fax: 34151054
[email protected]

Registration Date: 2005-09-07
Update Date: 2006-02-22
Expiration Date: 2006-09-07

Primary DNS: ns1.DNSFAMILY.com 218.85.132.246
Secondary DNS: ns2.DNSFAMILY.com 218.107.216.80

 

[georges64]

Can we all of us ,send mails to the bidders ? To tell them that they are bidding on illegals items.
georges

 

[Gauntlet]

I have a idea, here is a link for the U.S. Federal trade commission. we can complain to them about Ebay's shaddy bussines practices. But they will probably only take into account complaints from U.S. citizens.
http://www.ftc.gov/ftc/antitrust.htm

For fellow Planetiers that are not U.S. citizens try this link
http://www.ftc.gov/bc/international/intanti.htm

maybe if they get enough complaints they will look into it

 

[Bill Mayo]

Excellent idea.

 

[tigger]

Hi Guys
I think I might have fallen into this trap recently I saw a figure on ebay which had the photo/box art from Andrea's Modern Dracula figure copyI took the liberty of emailing the person to see if it was the Andrea kit the answer taken direct from the answer is

hi john,
i guess so as it looks the same picture but these don't have any packaging...just a plastic bag with parts

When the item arrived I had a check over it and found some small bubbles which are as a result of the mould not having been fuly vacuumed which gets into all of the detail. I have many of the Andrea figures and not one has this on them even some of thier early stuff. I an convinced they are copies. I will be contacting ebay, paypal, and Historex and Andres in due course. I am really miffed with this deal.
Here is the sellers address

Moon crest Models
John

 

[DaveCox]

Originally posted by tigger@Apr 11 2006, 07:42 PM
Hi Guys
I think I might have fallen into this trap recently I saw a figure on ebay which had the photo/box art from Andrea's Modern Dracula figure copyI took the liberty of emailing the person to see if it was the Andrea kit the answer taken direct from the answer is
When the item arrived I had a check over it and found some small bubbles which are as a result of the mould not having been fuly vacuumed which gets into all of the detail. I have many of the Andrea figures and not one has this on them even some of thier early stuff. I an convinced they are copies. I will be contacting ebay, paypal, and Historex and Andres in due course. I am really miffed with this deal.
Here is the sellers address

Moon crest Models
John

He's still advertsing teh same piece - if it is a copy he obviously made more than one!!

 

[tigger]

Hi Guys I emailed the seller the following

Dear sir or madame
I recently bought this item from you from ebay. I have consulted with the manufactures who on first sight of the figure tells me that this is a copy, Fake, rip off call it what you will! Can you confirm the authenticity before I begin action with ebay ,paypal, historex agents and Andrea Miniatures.
I would like to take this oportunity to give you the chance to explain your side of the equasion havig replied to an email to me in which you stated when asked if this was an genuine Andrea Figure Quote hi john,
i guess so as it looks the same picture but these don't have any packaging...just a plastic bag with parts close quote
I look forward to your response and unwavering assistance in solving this puzzle?
John

he then replied

HI john,
I purchased this item along with a lot of others, I never asked if it was genuine or a knock off,
your question to me was ...was it the same as....my answer was I guess so as there isn't any packaging
or other wise, I sold this on in the same nature as brought

I hope that helps in some way

bets wishes
Gary

I then emailed him again

Sorry Gary
I don't find this acceptable as an answer with respect to the knowledge of it being a fake or asking the authenticity when you bought them (please take a minute to read Ebays and paypals copywrite rules)May I suggest you now knowing they are fake stop selling them ? May I also suggest now that you are aware that you offer a full refund incluing postage to all buyers from you who bought these figures ( with a full and frank appology) ?
In respect to this knowledge of authenticity may I suggest you contact your supplier and advise them that you require a full refund?
I hate to be the bearer of this news but I am trying to suggest ways of making amends?
I sincerley hope this can be resolved and that as a result I do not have to take the matter further as I believed I was buying an Andrea figure and the quality is not the same.
I look forwrad to your reply

John

this is his latest reply

Hi john,
I do not know that these are fake and really only have your say so on this matter,
I brought these in good faith and can not contact a supplier as I brought these as a job lot
and there for have no return,
As a gesture of good faith I will refund your money if you return the item as it was received
if you wish to purchase this item with no questions of it's authenticity then you should purchase
it from the manufacturer with packaging.

Regards
Gary

I will deffinately be taking this further now he is aware of the nature of the item and he is still selling
John