Am I seeing things?? You've GOT to check this out!!

[Daniel Peterson]

Gadzooks!

I treated some great friends to a quiet meal last night before attending a Silent Traffic meeting. (I started with a bowl of chicken rice florentine. It was simply outstanding!...but I digress) During the meal, the topic of these recent posts, the now famous eBay auction, and the general drama surrounding Reliable Resin came up. Since the only other topic of interest I could come up with was my cat dying that morning, I was willing to listen to anything...

I expected to tune in here and see a page or two of bilious banter at best. Lo, I find 8 pages worth of every conceivable angle, opinion, accusation, defense, attack, spin doctoring and apologism from every direction.

I have spoken to Don on the phone, I have seen his product, I have seen him at shows, heard the stories and I have an opinion of my own, which at this point would make an already crowded room just more crowded.

What I will say, is that I have found the entertainment value in this thread and read each post from the beginning. It is absolutely riveting. The fact that it hasn't yet been locked amazes me, with Jairus being attentive but not yet compelled to pull the plug...kind of like an NHL official letting the fight go until somebody actually hits the ice. Judgment at its best.

I also give the posters credit, because as close as some of them came to "the edge" with their comments, just imagine this on an unmonitored message board! Yikes!

Jeez, I love this forum. And chicken rice florentine...

[Jim Kampmann]

This response will only be to Mr. Theune, as this thread was originally started because of his 'and I quote' from a message left to him on the Ebay auction "dog doo" resin. Was that 'user friendly' enough for you?

My company, The Good Stuff Inc, is still registered with the state of Minnesota, AS a company. We still pay taxes, Mr. Theune, as we still are collecting royalties from what you consider, "compiled parts". Unlike you, Mr. Theune, we did our own masters, and they are still the property of The Good Stuff Inc. I chose not to pursue the legal road you threatened me to take, because it was not worth my time or money. Based on your sales on Ebay, you won't be around much longer.

As is always the case, you like to do the spin and throw it back at others. Personally, I don't care what quotes you get from television. I would prefer you to learn the english language from a qualified source (like a teacher) rather than a Holiday Inn or campaign commercial (hey Don, nonsense is one word).

Since you will probably have to spew some other response from your soapbox or send me a personal email like in the past telling me to go f.... myself, I am removing myself from this board for the immediate future.

Jim Kampmann

The Good Stuff Inc.

"Me fail English? That's unpossible" Ralph Wiggum

[cruzn]

Sorry Dwayne, but your last message to me didn't make much sense. What was it you’re trying to say?

Oh, and forum rules require you to put your name, first and last, in the signature text box found in the Profile section of this forum.

As for poor items being sold from disreputable companies... most of the time the market takes care of them and forums like this only speed up the information dispersion.

Ciao!

Ok Let me rephrase this...

If a Product is Offered I should be In its best form. and a standard of quality is formed By that first item. when others Offer items in the same industry there will always be a comaprison to the other Company. Ie Revell vs AMT which Plastic used is better which Offering is More accurtate has the Best detail.

We all Like to think we can get the Best product for our money and when we don't we usually try to Make sure we won't get fooled again or Burned.

But when one Lowers the Bar for standards respect for a Product is Lost , to some of us that feel that No one is Investing their time for a better quality product , so we get the same quality or a Lower one . and everyone is Happy. But a few .. and those few that do raise anm issue about Product quality are thought o be In the Minority and should just "SHUT Up AND KEEP YOUR REVIEWS AND CONCERNS TO YOUR SELF" quote from One caster.

So Instead of quality increasing for a better product and happier customers. we get less and less In the form of quality.

And we have to be Happy.

Not going to Happen ..I guess I was raised differently.

Dwayne "Bressem"

[Harry P.]

I haven't slogged through so much BS in one place in quite a while...this thread is very entertaining!

[Jairus]

Yes Harry, it is very entertaining. But without proof as Darin mentions it ends up being nothing but biased accusations and so much opinion. If anyone has anything to say further I believe Mr. Bastedo has thrown down the glove to those who would attack Mr. Thune's casting skill by posting pictures to back up your statements.

You say that he copies or back pours others works... lets see definitive tool marks on bodies that are copied!

You say that he sends out bad and warped castings... lets see something received in the last couple of months that fits that description! The Comet body on eBay was TWO YEARS OLD!

You say that Mr. Theune has told you to F___ off… Lets see the email!

This case would have been thrown out of any court in the land with the lack of evidence we have seen. Everyone up till now has had the chance to post their opinion but so far the only individual to post anything approaching PROOF has been Marc's beautiful build-ups using Reliable resins bodies! With that and with the positive eBay feedback of Reliable Resin, I really do not see this thread doing anything positive with further unsupported attacks.

[Guest zebm1]

Three Cheers for Jairus....

zeb

[Darin Bastedo]

Yes Harry, it is very entertaining. But without proof as Darin mentions it ends up being nothing but biased accusations and so much opinion. If anyone has anything to say further I believe Mr. Bastedo has thrown down the glove to those who would attack Mr. Thune's casting skill by posting pictures to back up your statements.

You say that he copies or back pours others works... lets see definitive tool marks on bodies that are copied!

You say that he sends out bad and warped castings... lets see something received in the last couple of months that fits that description! The Comet body on eBay was TWO YEARS OLD!

You say that Mr. Theune has told you to F___ off… Lets see the email!

This case would have been thrown out of any court in the land with the lack of evidence we have seen. Everyone up till now has had the chance to post their opinion but so far the only individual to post anything approaching PROOF has been Marc's beautiful build-ups using Reliable resins bodies! With that and with the positive eBay feedback of Reliable Resin, I really do not see this thread doing anything positive with further unsupported attacks.

Thank's Jairus, You summed up my thoughts perfectly. The real telling thing about this thread is out of the nearly 1,000 member of this board, nobody jumped in the thread to say, "Yes I got the shaft by Reliable Resins" the only people who posted negatives were the poeople originally involved in the spam "auctions". I'm sure had this been a thread about AFX-n Resin and their difficulties of late, this thread would be packed full of posts.

As Jairus said, I was looking for the truth, I investigated claims, asked for evidence, and based my conclusions on what I found. My mind is still open if someone has new evidence, but as far as I can see it's case closed for me.

[Modelmartin]

In conclusion: Right! like this will conclude!

This has been very entertaining for me too. I have to respectfully disagree with Jairus about the copying issue. In my opinion it is conclusive and widespread. No need for anyone to respond to this because it is my opinion and I really doubt anyone can possibly change my mind on this issue.

I realize that Mr. Theune has improved his castings to the point most of his current customers are satisfied. That still leaves customers from the first 2-4?? years who got something inadequate and couldn't get satisfaction. Yah! I heard you - take it like a man! But I am sick of that. Would you take it like a man if the latest new car you bought was a total lemon and then the dealer said it was your fault and then told you to screw yourself. I suspect you would be less than pleased about it. I have got junk resin before but the difference is the persons who produced it were CIVIL about it despite their disappointment and gave me my money back when I POLITELY asked to return the model. I haven't had the experience of buying from Mr. Theune so I am going by the accounts of people I know and trust.

If you look at the negative feedbacks he has left for others it is obvious he is less than a gentleman. I am sick of all of the shrill discourse in the country today. I am not shy about mixing things up when there is cause but I try to keep it below the shouting and lying level that is typical of talk radio and cable news! I will even talk politics with you, Jarius, over beers and still be friends after. At least I will do my best to still be friends.

The last 25 years has left a trail of carcasses of small resin casters. Mad Dog, Freeman, ABC, Cheez-Cast, Ken Glenn, Fremont, Ron Cash, All-American, and on and on. Who can remember them all! A few of these guys were good businessman, a few were good casters, a few left paid orders unfilled, they all had different reasons for ceasing production, but they were all decent guys for the most part. They produced original work of varying levels of quality from very good to really awful. If Mr. Theune can clean up his act he won't have to join that list. Can a leopard change its spots?

[Darin Bastedo]

In conclusion: Right! like this will conclude!

This has been very entertaining for me too. I have to respectfully disagree with Jairus about the copying issue. In my opinion it is conclusive and widespread. No need for anyone to respond to this because it is my opinion and I really doubt anyone can possibly change my mind on this issue.

I realize that Mr. Theune has improved his castings to the point most of his current customers are satisfied. That still leaves customers from the first 2-4?? years who got something inadequate and couldn't get satisfaction. Yah! I heard you - take it like a man! But I am sick of that. Would you take it like a man if the latest new car you bought was a total lemon and then the dealer said it was your fault and then told you to screw yourself. I suspect you would be less than pleased about it. I have got junk resin before but the difference is the persons who produced it were CIVIL about it despite their disappointment and gave me my money back when I POLITELY asked to return the model. I haven't had the experience of buying from Mr. Theune so I am going by the accounts of people I know and trust.

If you look at the negative feedbacks he has left for others it is obvious he is less than a gentleman. I am sick of all of the shrill discourse in the country today. I am not shy about mixing things up when there is cause but I try to keep it below the shouting and lying level that is typical of talk radio and cable news! I will even talk politics with you, Jarius, over beers and still be friends after. At least I will do my best to still be friends.

The last 25 years has left a trail of carcasses of small resin casters. Mad Dog, Freeman, ABC, Cheez-Cast, Ken Glenn, Fremont, Ron Cash, All-American, and on and on. Who can remember them all! A few of these guys were good businessman, a few were good casters, a few left paid orders unfilled, they all had different reasons for ceasing production, but they were all decent guys for the most part. They produced original work of varying levels of quality from very good to really awful. If Mr. Theune can clean up his act he won't have to join that list. Can a leopard change its spots?

This is the way I deal with a resin caster for the first time, and I suggest this method to any first time resin buyer.

1. I make a small order (one body or several small bits if they are a diorama or detail part caster) Basicly I spend only an amount I'm willing to loose. I've seen resin casters go out of business in the time it takes their press release to get published in a magazine.

2. If I actually get the part I look it over. If it is is of adequate quality for the price I paid, and it was delivered in my anticipated time frame, That caster gets passing marks, and goes into my "will buy from again" file. If not, I move on to step three...

3. I politely ask for refund or a suitable replacement. I make sure the caster knows what my issues with the part are, and ask if those issues can be resolved. If the caster makes good on the deal, I decide whether I think it was a one time error, or whether i think it may be an ongoing problem. and decide whether I want to buy from him again.

If I don't get satisfaction from the caster I move on to step four...

4. I never order from him again. I get over it and I build something. I don't make a Voodoo doll of the man, and get out my exacto knife, and soldering iron, I don't start a smear campaign on the internet and I certainly don't bore my freinds for months (or years) complaining on how I got screwed. (though if the guy was a real jerk about it, I might stoop so low as to search for places to sign him up for dump truck loads of junk mail. :twisted: )

Needless to say all of us who have been in the hobby for a while have been screwed buy an aftermarket supplier from one time or another. Chances are it will happen again too. While you may be sick of it, you still gotta take it like a man. The only other choice is to yell scream stomp your feet, but in the end you won't feel any better the situation still won't be resolved, and you will have wasted time and energy that could be used in a more positive manner.

[Darin Bastedo]

Or, to put it another way, if the dealer told you that if you had any kind of "skills" at all, you should be able to keep that car on the road.

Or, if the dealer told you: "Hey, we're the only dealership offering that particular model of vehicle, so you should be happy with what you've got!"

Ironicly I've had all that said to me by a car dealer. but this is apples and oranges. with full size cars there are regulations a legal recourse. with my full size car I called the state attourny generals office, and in no time my dealer was more than cooperative.

but with a resin body there are no minimum quality regulatios, and the attourney general will send you to small claims court. a $50 dollar purchase is not worth my time or effort to get all worked up. I just say screw it, hop in the truck with my brother, play a round of disc golf, then head to our favorite resturant for a plate of med. rare yellow fin tuna steak with key lime seasoning, and a brew. then I head home toss the bad body in my bin of "stuff I'm gonna cut up for kitbashing" and work on my latest project.

[Jairus]

Or, to put it another way, if the dealer told you that if you had any kind of "skills" at all, you should be able to keep that car on the road.

Or, if the dealer told you: "Hey, we're the only dealership offering that particular model of vehicle, so you should be happy with what you've got!"

Ken, this is not a fair comparison, nor is it the proof I asked for. A car is a complicated running machine and probably the biggest investment most of us will purchase.

A resin model car part or body on the other hand is a toy!

These are toys! TOYS!

If you don’t like the product, then don’t buy it!

Darin has already outlined two nicely written proposals and if you fail to read them and act on them, then you and all others still screaming about the inadequacies in life will NEVER be happy or satisfied!

[Darin Bastedo]

If you don’t like the product, then don’t buy it!

Darin has already outlined two nicely written proposals and if you fail to read them and act on them, then you and all others still screaming about the inadequacies in life will NEVER be happy or satisfied!

Of all the things I've suggested, though The Yellow Fin Tuna steak with key lime seasoning, and a brew works the best. 8)

[Modelmartin]

I like a really crusty fresh baguette, some nice soft stinky gorgonzola or roquefort spread on it and a Belgian beer! That fixes lots of things.

[Gregg]

Opakapaka and an ice cold Guiness

[Jairus]

Pizza and Hurricane Ice!

[Darin Bastedo]

I wasn't "screaming" about anything, Jairus, I was merely quoting two oft-repeated phrases that resin casters have used practically since the beginning of time in response to complaints about shoddy quality, and that, ironically enough, have creeped into this thread a few times.

With all due respect, I also believe "If you don't like it, don't buy it" doesn't really apply, either, unless you're referring to items one has the ability to examine prior to purchase _ obviously not the case when one buys by mail, which is how most resin casters conduct the majority of their business.

I know that I've been scorched a time or two by casters (not Mr. Theune, it should be noted) whose finished products bore little resemblance to what they showed in their print ads or on their Web sites.

As for the proof you asked for. not having any dealings with Mr. Theune, I can obviously not offer anything of the kind. If that means I'm no longer allowed to participate in this discussion, then I guess I'll just sign off here.

Hey Ken, You are right, most resin casters just aren't good businessmen. a man's got to know his limitations. I've often been tempted to start up in the aftermaket parts business but I know I have niether the time or the patience to do it well so I never had.

I just noticed that you are from N.E. kentucky how far are you from Kingsport TN?

[ratrodder]

Yes I have stayed away from reliable resins for years because of all the copying of other products he does. I could really go off here and list a bunch he has copied but I'm tired of hearing and reading this. I must say that I am really surprised at Darin!. Also, good stuff is gone and reliable comes at him like he did. No,No, Jarius you need to ban that guy. Keep whacking plastic and I'll just keep doing my own conversions. Thanks guys for letting me know who you really are!

[Darin Bastedo]

I must say that I am really surprised at Darin!.

Surprised? How? I hope not in a bad way.

[Guest zebm1]

A sling fest never ends well, but them that start these kinda deals, I feel that waz their, less than obivious intent from tha beginning. I've been chatting for 10 yrs and I've seen it all before, some folks just aren't happy unless others are unhappy. I'm sure all of us are very familiar with an oft-repeated phrase these dayz. "Your either with me, or against me."

I don't see a happy end to this Gregg, Jairus and while I am by no means a fan of censorship, nay I fight against it. In tha interest of saving friendships, perhaps this should end.

My 2 cents worth.

zeb

[Deano]

I don't see a happy end to this Gregg, Jairus and while I am by no means a fan of censorship, nay I fight against it. In tha interest of saving friendships, perhaps this should end.

My 2 cents worth.

zeb

This thread >was< locked on April 10 and then opened up again some time on April 11. Why it was resurrected, only the moderator who reopened it can say ... I would have left it dead.

I've seen people I've considered to be friends (not close friends, but friends) saying things that I really would rather have not seen. Makes me sad in a way.

[cruzn]

I had my say. Then to be Taxed By others. So I have Nothing else to say..

Dwayne Bressem

[Maliburacr]

I've been a member of SLM for to many years to count. Yes, it has it's flaws, but it has it's good points also.

The one thing that has always ercked me ( and this is not SLM, but many other groups too ) is when someone asks for detail photos of a car that was raced 30 or 40 years ago , and then gets pissed off and leaves the group when nothing gets posted for a reply. WELL guys - there is no such thing as a "WAYBACK" machine. Unless you want to count Dr. Peabody's.

I'm sure if any of us knew then what we know now, we would have taken those photos.

Bud Lefevre

[Guest zebm1]

And I'll add an addendum to Bud's post.....people don't seem to understand that "under tha skin" photos of cars are almost never published, especially "dragsters and racecars." No-one wants to give away their "secrets" to tha competition.

Most "under tha skin" photos are in private collections and take some really deep digging to find any gold. Take for instance "Grumpy's Toys", lots of exteriors, almost none under tha hood or of tha dirty side. It takes someone like Vince Putt or Biscuitbuilder who have an interest in what lies underneath, but there again, those are in their private collections and haven't been "published." And yall know how hard it is to pull a chicken's teeth, don't yall?

zeb

[Darin Bastedo]

I've been a member of SLM for to many years to count. Yes, it has it's flaws, but it has it's good points also.

The one thing that has always ercked me ( and this is not SLM, but many other groups too ) is when someone asks for detail photos of a car that was raced 30 or 40 years ago , and then gets pissed off and leaves the group when nothing gets posted for a reply. WELL guys - there is no such thing as a "WAYBACK" machine. Unless you want to count Dr. Peabody's.

I'm sure if any of us knew then what we know now, we would have taken those photos.

Bud Lefevre

That's Mr. Peabody to you. Mr. Hector Peabody, the dog in that cartoon, while smart enough to, never earned a Phd. Though he was the invetor of the WABAC Machine that he, and his pet boy Sherman used to travel time in. As a tribute to The catoon of our youths the writers of "Back To The Future" had Marty's arrival in the past be at the Peabody Farm. It was later revealed in the credits that Farmer Peabody's son was named Sherman.

[Reliable Resin]

Reliable is the caster in question here, Zeb.

Chiming In again are we ?