SpeedShift

"hope everything gets resolved" Yes, I think it has been resolved. It just took a long time to resolve it. I suspected something was up, (was one of the reasons I started posting this thread) -but my inquiries did not get an answer as to his status. In fact, a couple of guys said they were in contact and were not aware of a health or personal problem. Sometimes people keep issues quiet. I was under chemo treatment for cancer most of last year and with the exception of my immediate family - kept quiet about it. I hope he gets through this ok and his business improves, like I said he has great stuff - but he should do some things to improve communication. If he is behind on supply, under water on back orders, internet is down, health issues etc., there are work arounds to keep your customers up to date and informed.

Yes, he managed to post updates and changes to his logo and business card on his FB page. All part of a marketing effort he is doing. I think he could have spent some of that time communicating about delays in shipping orders. I have often noticed when a seller on Ebay is out of town a message appears informing that shipping will be delayed until he returns. I have a customized decal in the works, and the vendor warns at the outset he has backorders resulting in a six-to-eight-week delay, BEFORE he takes your money. All part of customer service.

So, my brother alerted me to this posting that he found that appeared on another modeling website recently. I suspected that there might be some life issues related to the situation with my order being delayed three months. If accurate, I wish Bob had posted something with regards to this. Communication - was all that was necessary. If this was the reason for the delay and lack of response, I would have been ok waiting another three months for my order - as long as I knew what was going on. This is after all, a community. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Jim Nagle Yesterday at 11:40 AM · I'm calling on all modelers to please drop in on this website The Model Car Garage - The Model Car Garage and see if there is something you need, want, or just have a dollar burning a hole in your pocket. His name is Bob Korunow, he is the sole proprietor, older gentleman and at a crossroads in life. He unexpectedly lost his sister, devotes all his time to his website and ergo no longer builds. But what he makes for the community is outstanding and he is in a dark place right now. Please, stop by his website, show some appreciation for what he is creating for us to continue building all of these amazing creations! That's what we do, right? WE STICK TOGETHER!

PayPal gave the seller until August 22nd to resolve this. Got a text message this morning (August 20) from MCG saying it is in the mail - and USPS indicates a package is now in their possession. Probably won't get it until the 25th, but I think I can confidently say if it arrives - this situation has been resolved thanks to PayPal.

"if you have not opened a case with your credit card company by now, shame on You." Since I paid him with PayPal I opened a case with PayPal. This was in fact - the recommended procedure. When a seller relies on Paypal for many of their sales - and PayPal contacts them - that does get their attention rather quickly, and it finally got his. Not that it would make him go to the post office in a timely way, unfortunately. "oh; i don't want to hurt his feelings and really want him to like me . . ." I don't care what he thinks of me. But since this guy has had health issues in the past - I'm trying to keep an open mind. Try it sometime. "it's the nineties, y'know." It is? I thought it was 2025. "grow a pair like two apples in a tube sock. we're not going to listen to this all winter." Geeeez. Who stuck the stick up your behind? If you don't want to listen to this, .....THEN DONT OPEN THE THREAD. And I thank you in advance for not commenting from now on.

Five days after a tracking number was created by seller, and I still get this: Shipping Label Created USPS Awaiting Item

Thanks! Half way through this build I debated whether to deep dive and do the research for the stock engine, drive train, and interior - or just wing it with modernized equipment. Thankfully the internet had some good stuff that made a stock version of an English Thames/Fordson woody build possible.

! Were/are you an architect, engineer of some sort? School of Architecture - Virginia Tech class of 76. Landscape Architecture program. I liked the Revell Anglia hot rod when I was a kid...the Thames seemed a good candidate for conversion to a woody. If I was to do another Thames or Anglia, I would replace all the door hinges with something more robust. Everyone of them broke after the body was painted while working this conversion. Real frustrating trying to salvage the project. Thank You for the compliment.

"sounds like the Gravity Paints USA fiasco…every excuse in the book and deceptive practices " Well I wish I had been given "every excuse in the book", but I have never been given the courtesy of an explanation, just an email asking if I received the order, which leads me to believe the seller himself wasn't even sure it was shipped. If it had been shipped, that was a perfect opportunity for the seller to assure me that was indeed the case: by giving me a tracking number and shipping date. How much effort would that have taken? While he was emailing me. Then we could both direct our concern to the USPS instead of me having to constantly email the seller and calling the seller to find out what was going on. The longer this went on the more concerned I was that something either happened to the seller, or I was in a situation that I could no longer take action or get a refund. "getting a shipping label but not shipping" That's where I'm am at the moment. Billed and paid June 3rd. USPS shipping label was created August 10th. That was a relief. As of today August 13th ....been three days...tracking number still indicates "awaiting delivery to the post office" . No messages from the seller explaining the situation. In the message that was passed along by PayPal to the seller - I offered to close the case if the seller paid for priority mail and got this done. I'll let you all know what happens. I'm not trying to ruin his business. If we get this resolved I may even order from him again. But I think all should be aware that in some cases your order is going to take much more time than expected - so plan accordingly.

The IPMS Nationals August 6-9 2025 had a category for Automotive conversions. I entered and got a 3rd place.

Thank You! Being a National event - It was highly competitive as you can imagine. There were competitors from Japan, Europe, and South America. I didn't expect to win anything in Automotive as the level of craftsmanship in the automotive categories is way above my skill level, in particular, - the paint finishes. (I have been trying to improve my paint finishes while spending more time recently in Aviation - I placed twice there, two 2nd place awards in Aircraft/Rotary Wing). I will post some pictures as I cull thru them, and hope others that attended will do likewise.

I just got back from the four-day 2025 IPMS Nationals in Hampton Virginia . Fantastic event! - sorry Bob/MCG wasn't there (the many Automotive category entries were truly awesome - more on that later). Just checked my email and got a tracking number via PayPal for Model Car Garage. So - I'm hoping that this situation is finally resolved amiably for all parties.

Just got back from the four-day IPMS Nationals event at the Hampton Virginia Convention Center. Think there were close to 3,000 models across many - many categories. The automotive entries were awesome and truly state of the art. I was very privileged to receive 3rd place in Conversion/Scratch Bult Automotive. My conversion of Revell's Thames Panel Van dragster to a 1948 Fordson surf woody.

Well, seems I got his attention. This afternoon I got an email from Bob at Model Car Garage responding to my July 26th email. He believes the "order is out in the mail system already", and will "get back to you on it later on today or early tomorrow morning as our Internet is down at the moment". Maybe the internet has something to do with it - but couldn't help but notice during this entire episode he was able to post on Facebook. Anyway, I'm hoping we resolve this amiably. I'll post when and how it ends up.

Thanks Bro......................

Hey....... its ok guys. This is hobby stuff, - life has more important things to get emotional about. But I am irritated that his site takes your money so fast and then I get ignored when I contacted him so many times.

Nothing in the mail today so I filed a PayPal case against Model Car Garage. I would like to resolve this amiably, so I offered to drop the case if he would pay priority mail and ship the item with a tracking number or give a refund. PayPal sent the case information and my offer to the seller and sent me this message. Apparently, they automatically give the seller three weeks to respond. So, I guess there is now an incentive to avoid priority shipping cost if he sends it by regular mail before the deadline. I'm interested in what others have experienced with the seller as I would like to think this situation is rare or possibly due to a health issue or an unfortunate life crisis or situation. I have been dealing with bone marrow cancer and chemotherapy myself this last year, so I know that sometimes life gets difficult. But it didn't prevent me from communicating with people - and I have been totally left in the dark here. Hoping my faith will be restored and will be happy to report a resolution - as I like the seller's products and he seemed like a nice guy. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Your message has been sent to the seller You'll need to give some time for the seller to respond to your message. We suggest that you work with the seller to amicably resolve the issue before August 22, 2025, 11:37:39 AM PDT.

"but filing a compliant with the cc fraud division and the attorneys general office of consumer affairs works wonders." I'd hate to do that to Bob, but that's exactly what another guy did, as posted in the review section on Bobs Model Car Garage Facebook page. Guy got tired of waiting with no responses, opened a case that got Bob's attention, who then requested the buyer close the case and he promised to ship immediately. Buyer closed the case - and it still took time to get the item. Tomorrow is August 2nd...I ordered from his website and was billed same day last June 3rd. Maybe two months is acceptable for a small operation...I get it - but if that's the case...tell the buyer up front and answer his questions about shipping instead of ignoring him for nine weeks. "i got no dog in this fight ." You will - if you order something from him.

“ this entire situation could have been avoided had the seller simply said something like : sorry I’m running behind, but I should be able to get it out to you in a couple of weeks”… Thanks Mark......Yes an email to that effect was all I would've needed to continue waiting. Even if the items were out of stock and it would take nine more weeks to ship. But here I am - nine weeks down the road and no items, - no explanation and - no message other than the one when he asked if I received it. No information when or how it shipped, even IF it was shipped, or if he was going to track it down from his end. But his website sure takes your money fast. If it arrives tomorrow, I promise to post here to let you know he finally followed thru with my order. But given what I've been through, I feel very tenuous about ordering anything again. A pity - as he has great stuff. My five-year relationship ended.

Well, tomorrow evening this week will have come and gone I have still not received my items from Model Car Garage. Nine weeks since I was billed for my June 3rd order and except for the email from him July 15th asking if the order was received - nothing. I've always been respectful in my communications with Bob but I'm beginning to think I'm in his spam file or blocked. I take no pleasure in this but I'm going to send one more email tomorrow Friday night - then I'm giving up and filing a complaint with my credit card company and PayPal. Ironic since the last time this happened, I was finally able to get him on the phone - we had a nice conversation, and he asked me to spread the word with the model car crowd and wanted to expand his business as things were kind of slow. Maybe he needs to work on his customer service with the business he has - before he expects to expand. His contact info (from his website) in case any of you that feel charitable can intervene on my behalf - before he loses my business, or everyone else's as well Robert Korunow bob@modelcargarage.com The Model Car Garage, Inc. E-mail: bob@modelcargarage.com Phone: (772) 224-1903

I'm posting this so the rest of you can be informed about the current issue with this company when making a purchase. MCG has great stuff, and I know a small operation has its challenges. If this is resolved, I'll continue to do business with them. I'll see what happens this week, - if nothing, then that's it for me. Some of you may have no problem waiting eight weeks to get information about what happened to an order that doesn't arrive after paying for it. I'm not one of them. I recall I used PayPal connected to my bank credit card for the order. I may be able to request help from PayPal.

Q: have you called the 800 number on your card to see if you were charged? I saw the charge on my credit card when I looked into it. Q.did MCG send you an order confirmation email? I received an email confirmation the evening I ordered - confirming the order was processed and "would be shipped soon". Q. when you reviewed your previous orders, did you see the current/ missing in action order? I saw my order history - including this latest order. in a take a deep breath moment, the past 20 years have groomed us as consumers to expect everything to work like a fine-tuned watch. when it doesn't, we start to hyperventilate. I took a deep breath - weeks ago. Stuff happens. But six weeks without even an acknowledgement or response to my repeated questions is inexcusable - unless there was a crisis or health issue. From what has been stated by some of you folks here that have met and talked to him.....there wasn't. the big A has spoiled us, allowed the development of unrealistic expectations, and perhaps set the bar unrealistically high for cottage industry, niche, businesses. I understand that. I have been doing business with several cottage industry hobby businesses over the years. Replicas and Miniatures is a one-man operation and has NEVER had this kind of problem. I've gotten purchases from Brazil and Poland in less time than this. I ordered some of these items as gift items - so I ordered with a month lead time. Missed the deadline but stuff happens. But some timely basic customer service/communication would be nice. and as a footnote: smartphones are the worst &*^%$* things ever invented. I ordered on my home computer, so not sure what your point is. But agreed.

Well after getting an email from Bob on July 15th asking me if I had received my order.....NOTHING. So, looking back I ordered online and my credit card was billed on June 3rd... then after two emails and a leaving a phone message and asking about my order on his FB page - I finally got an email response - 6 weeks later. - No confirmation in his email that my order was shipped. - No status report if the item was out of stock. Just a question if I had received it. (which sounds to me like he doesn't know himself if he ever shipped it). Nothing in the mail today (Saturday) so emailed him again today (been eight weeks now) so if it doesn't arrive - or if I don't hear from him this week that's it for me. After five years of doing business with him I'm ready to call it quits and begin filing a claim with my credit card company.

Good to know, thanks. For all....I just got an email this afternoon from Bob asking if I had received my order...so I'll let you know how we resolve it.

I've seen MCG items sold via a second party as well...I'm hoping I don't have to go that route. I'll keep you all informed.