"What would you do?" Topic

I have five 24 man unpainted battalions of 28mm lead figures as well as a a 10 man command pack of an Allied Waterloo Army. Probably paid around $200 USD for them.

I bought them 4 years ago here on TMP in good faith, I subsequently found out that they were probably re-casts. I believe the individual went by the on line name Warm Beaches, he was subsequently exposed as a crook.

I am now out of 28mm Napoleonic gaming and have been having a clear out, I had forgotten about these figures.

I need to get rid of them and am unsure of how to do it. I did contact the original manufacturer whose figures were used in the recasting process. I offered to send them to the company with me paying the postage gratis if they were thrown back in the lead pile to be melted down and recast. I did not get an answer.

I am having great difficulty just throwing them in the trash as they are excellent quality, actually cleaner then the originals

What should I do?

Thanks,

John

Since the original manufacturer doesn't seem too concerned as he didn't bother to reply to your generous offer, why don't you continue with your charitable ways and donate them to someone who does painting classes with kids so that they can continue to teach young people to learn their painting skills on.

At least it keeps them out of the trash, and it helps kids (who might not be able to buy figures) get into the gaming and hobby industry. Just a thought.

A marvellous idea, Hitman ! Surely nobody would throw away a Han van Meegeren Vermeer (falsified paintings, but really beautiful), and why would anyone want to throw away falsified but beautiful figures ? It certainly is not THEIR fault that their origin is "black" ! I notice on several boards (also outside TMP) that (for instance) a teacher gives both history lessons and painting lessons for children, therefore creating interest both in history AND in our hobby !

Great idea Hitman.

I've always given any recasts that I've come across to those in the hobby who do home-casting.

I make sure the figures are unusable first!

HMGS Hobby University would be a great group for this. They do a lovely paint-n-take.

You paid for them and the manufacture doesn't want them back. Then I would paint them up for my collection and use them in my games. You have done more than your share of due diligence. Frankly I don't understand the crisis of consensus here.

thanks. Some good ideas so far.

rallynow I do not collect 28 mm anymore, thus the need to get rid.

You write that they were probably recasts. What if it turned out that they weren't recasts? You even write that they are cleaner castings that the 100% genuine article. What not just sell them on eBay with the description you've given us?

Put the funds into a project you are still interested in, or give them to somebody who does want them.

If you bought and paid for them, and they are decent figures, ten sell them. Just charge what you paid or less.

I'd sell them.

warmbeaches is still on ebay. They have been notified many times and do nothing.

Sell them for what you can, and inform the buyer of the situation, it seems you have been more than forthcoming all along. So do as you wish with no fear of reprisal.

Many good suggestions--and none I think unethical. But you might also consider the Toys for Tots auction at Fall In!

Yes, Warm Beaches is a re-caster. I brought him up some years ago when he was flogging his product here on TMP. He went under a different name here but then went to E-Bay when Bill locked his account. Many on here disagreed with me when I posted about his re-casting.

There's a chap on LAF that puts up a request for 15mm WW2 figures for his class every year. He gets them to paint then play. You could try there? Otherwise sell them for you what you can get and donate the money to charity?

I'd contact my local community waste disposal representatives and find out how to properly dispose of lead products. Some communities may actually allow you to simply throw them in the trash.

I'm confused as to how the quality of the counterfeit goods impacts on the decision making process.

Samnaz it is always a pity to throw nice things away, I believe most people would get that.

I think I will sell them
And give the money to charity.

Thanks for all the excellent suggestions

Just sell them with a description. You may get a medal for being so pious

lol, anyone who knows me will absolutely reassure you that I never would get a medal for being pious. I just do not want to be done for fraud!

john