"Warning: Get Em On The Field Miniatures Painting Service" Topic

The facts (draw your own conclusions):

1) In Feb 2005, after a good transaction and communication when buying some pre painted units, I followed up and sent some figures to be painted to Get Em on the Field Miniatures Painting Service. I understood that he had another order before mine, and that there would be some delay before he could begin. Payment was arranged: I paid in full in advance. So far, so good.

2) Next communication I received was on 25 April 2005.Tor said he was just about to start on my figures, and that they shouldn't take too long (not a large order; two Sword and Flame platoons of 25mm figs plus a few leaders, something like 45 figs all told). He would be in touch when they shipped. No mention of an absence, upcoming move, or any other issue was mentioned.

3) I waited. About a month before Historicon (so somewehre around 25 June), I emailed Tor to suggest that if he were attending, he bring the figs with him (if they were done), and I could get them from him there.
No answer.

4) I posted on the TMP Painting service message board looking for Tor or anyone who had heard from him. He had, previously, actively posted and responed to posts here. No response (from Tor).

5) I waited. I emailed again. No answer.

6) I waited. On 7 July, I sent a snail mail letter, with a self addressed stamped envelope, addressed to the same person and address that I had sent payment to previously (and the same address that is still listed on the website: link )

7) I waited. I emailed again (just in case). No answer.

8) I waited. This weekend, my letter came back, unopened, with the following label from the post office:

"Return to Sender, Mullinax, Moved Left No Address,
Unable to Forward Return to Sender"

8) None of the emails, by the way, bounced. They were delivered somewhere. Still have received no replies.

My conclusions: I'm at a loss

My recommendations: I would suggest that the editor should reconsider the Get Em On The Field Painting Service Banner Ad (which runs on TMP) until the address (and the viability of the business) can be confirmed.

Ed M

I'll see if I can contact him.

I too have an order. Another TMPer emailed me off line saying he had heard from Tor. Apparently he lost his lease quite suddenly. Doesn't excuse his being incommunicado – you can get e-mail access at any public library, Kinko's etc. So while I've been happy with his work in the past, right now I'd say buyer hold off until the situation is resolved.

I am the other TMPer to whom Extra Crispy was referring. My last reply from Tor was in mid-May. In that e-mail, Tor stated he had to move hurriedly and all of his stuff was being stored by a friend until he could find another place. He said that he would get the figures sent off to me once he got settled again. At that time, he stated that he had made arrangements with the local post office regarding his snail mail. As a result, I held off mailing him my next order until he got settled. That order is still on my desk.

In early April, Tor had told me that my order from early February of just under 100 figures was almost completed. I sent payment to him on April 11. After not hearing from him for about a month after I sent payment, I e-mailed him. The mid-May e-mail was Tor's response to that inquiry. After not hearing from him for another month, I e-mailed him on about June 20 to which I have received no reply.

I still have the e-mail exchanges, but they are at home on my computer.

Milt Koger
Louisville, KY

On a personal level, this episode seems uncharacteristic of previous dealings. I hope that things are working out for him.

On a business level, the mailman comes to my door six days a week. All it would take is a note letting me know what's going on or a refund (with or without my figures) to satisfy me: no computers needed.

Ed M

Ed,

I agree. My previous dealings were very good—good quality, good price, reasonable turn around. I even had another order ready for shipment. Because of his previous good service and reported situation, I wanted to give Tor ample opportunity to respond to your original post.

From his e-mails, it sounded like things were temporary. I share your hope that things are working out for him. I remain optimistic.

Milt

It is now 1 August, and I have still heard nothing.

I will bump this thread on the 1st of each month until I hear something. If someone else hears from Tor, please post here.

Ed M

It is now 1 September, and I have still heard nothing.

Over the last month, my phone has been working and the mail has been delivered regularly to my door (in addition to my email being operational).

I will continue to bump this thread on the 1st of each month until I hear something. If someone else hears from Tor, please post here.

Ed M

Have you tried the other email addy that is listed under a domain search?

Well, that's an interesting idea, but I think that I have been pretty fair about working through several different methods, to include sending an old fashioned letter (see my initial post), to make contact, none of them has produced a reply. Bottom line is that I don't think the method is the problem, unfortunately.

It is now 1 Ocotber. Still nothing heard.

Ed M

Ed,

I have tried contacting Jay through some other routes and also have heard nothing. However, his band is still active in the North Carolina area.

Milt Koger
Louisville, Ky

Thanks, Milt,

1 November. Still nothing heard here (from the band or the painting service).

Ed M

Perhaps Bill should remove them from the directory as they are still listed and people do have a bad habit of sending stuff before making any kind of contact..

I have a really large bag of figures that someone sent me about 3 years ago and I have no idea whos they are, I still hope to return them one day.

I agree. I just saw the Get Em On the Field Banner ad across the top of the page when logging in to TMP today. I would seem to warrant Bill's attention.

Ed M

I am sorry to report that I have had no contact either.

Milt

The banner is still coming up. I think the Editor should remove it until things have been resolved.

Contact Bill and explain your cases then maybe he wil remove the banner and link…

Bill has posted a caution.

Thank you much!

Best,
Ed M

On Nov 9 (first time I had checked e-mail since Nov 6),I received an e-mail from Jay dated Nov 7 apologizing for the long delay and stating that he had gotten a new place, had his stuff out of storage and set up, and was painting again. Yesterday (Nov 17), I received another e-mail from Jay stating that he had shipped me the majority of my order and was finishing up the remainder of the order.

Milt

Zow!

That's good news. Nothing heard on my, but still glad things have worked out.

Best,
Ed M

er..that should read "my end" (sounds rather disgusting when taken out of context, don't it?).

On 7 November Bill posts a caution about Get Em On the Field Painting Service on the front page of TMP. Milt gets an email from Jay dated 7 November (see above). It could be a coincidence.

For my part, I still haven't heard anything. I'd be interested to hear about the completion of your transaction, Milt.

Best,
Ed M

Package arrived in the mail today. It contained 60 well-painted figures. This was almost 2/3 of the order. In his Nov 17 e-mail, Tor stated he had sent me what he had completed and that he was working on the other part of the order and would send it when completed.

Milt

Yep, Tor has responded to my e-mail as well. He has apologized and says he will finish my admittedly small commission for no charge….

I still haven't heard anything. Most vexing. Are you using his old email address to contact him?

Ed,

E-mail address used was torvald2@yahoo.com.

Milt

This will be my last post on this thread (unless it is to report a complete transaction). Thanks for your patience.

It is now 1 December. I still have heard nothing. I emailed the above address 4 days ago and have received no response. My money and my figures are still unaccounted for.

Thanks to Milt and Extra Crispy for sharing their information.

Best,
Ed M

Update:

I just received a partial order in the mail along with explanatory note from Tor. I'm a satisfied customer at this point and hope Tor gets things on track again in the future.

Best,
Ed M