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2013/07/31 18:27:34
Subject: Painted Figs - Avoid
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Sneaky Sniper Drone
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When I was reading through some of the links pretre posted I noted several issues with the page that were brought up in posts. Primary one being that it is an ad-sense scam. But more shady (to someone like me who is less familiar with the click through stuff) was the horrendous spelling and grammar of the "journalist", my inability to find any other articles, my question as to why a "journalist" builds a page to save his article in perpetuity, and the overall ridiculousness of the claims therein.
While it certainly seems that the OP is having a horrendous experience with paintedfigs, the link in question looks like a joke.
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2013/07/31 18:30:17
Subject: Painted Figs - Avoid
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Decrepit Dakkanaut
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Yeah, on looking through it again, it is riddled with misspellings.
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DA:70S+G+M+B++I++Pw40k08+D++A++/fWD-R+T(M)DM+
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2013/07/31 19:06:08
Subject: Painted Figs - Avoid
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Bounding Ultramarine Assault Trooper
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Yeah, if you believe the story, Navin (whom owns PF) hired a guy as a consultant to increase sales / SOE / blah ...
The consultant is supposedly the guy behind that discountfigs.com site.
I don't know if any of it is true, but Navin talks about it in his interview with Raef.
Maybe the discountfigs.com thing is some kind of scam or maybe the guy doesn't speak English well.
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2013/07/31 20:15:16
Subject: Painted Figs - Avoid
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Excellent Exalted Champion of Chaos
Lake Forest, California, South Orange County
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I remember the Discountfigs.com bit back the last time Navin had issues. It was largely thrown out back then as nonsense.
Regardless of that site, Navin sticks to this story about consultants and rip offs, and it's just the same crap lines that RSO was turning out in regards to Britcons a few weeks back.
Why does a wargames commission service need consultants? Very few home run businesses need consultants for anything beyond legal structuring and advice.
At the end of the day, this is a guy painting in his home, on an island off the coast of a major 3rd world country. If that alone doesn't set off a tiny alarm in the back of your mind, then I know a Nigerian prince who'd like to talk to you about a financial opportunity.
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"Bryan always said that if the studio ever had to mix with the manufacturing and sales part of the business it would destroy the studio. And I have to say – he wasn’t wrong there! ... It’s become the promotions department of a toy company." -- Rick Priestly
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2013/07/31 21:02:42
Subject: Painted Figs - Avoid
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Powerful Orc Big'Un
Somewhere in the steamy jungles of the south...
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 Aerethan wrote:I remember the Discountfigs.com bit back the last time Navin had issues. It was largely thrown out back then as nonsense. Regardless of that site, Navin sticks to this story about consultants and rip offs, and it's just the same crap lines that RSO was turning out in regards to Britcons a few weeks back. Why does a wargames commission service need consultants? Very few home run businesses need consultants for anything beyond legal structuring and advice. At the end of the day, this is a guy painting in his home, on an island off the coast of a major 3rd world country. If that alone doesn't set off a tiny alarm in the back of your mind, then I know a Nigerian prince who'd like to talk to you about a financial opportunity.
Well, it's not just one guy...Looking on the site, he seems to have hired 2-3 other people from the area. I actually don't think he does any of the painting. He's never said either way, but reading around it does seem to be the case. I think I read in one of the old threads about Painted Figs, Navin has said that he has had problems with employees stealing figures before. ~Tim?
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This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2013/07/31 21:04:13
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2013/08/01 22:54:22
Subject: Painted Figs - Avoid
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Bounding Black Templar Assault Marine
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I do commissions for several people both in the gaming community as well as the transformer/action figure community. I would never treat someone like this. it is horrible and my heart goes out to you my friend. I truly hope things work out for you in the end.
WP
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Peace.
Successful Trades: 10+
With: Iboshi2, TheMostWize, djphranq, Sekai(more then one), Viagrus(2), Jackswift, LordofRust, UltramarineFTW (said I was an 'Awesome trader and awesome painter '), DeJolly, NightReaver, necrotes
Thanks for helping make my son have a wonderful birthday: TheMostWize, djphranq, Pnyxpresss
Goremaul wrote:I... I think you are my hero.
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2013/08/02 09:07:49
Subject: Re:Painted Figs - Avoid
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Fresh-Faced New User
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I came across this forum and although I am not a gamer, I think I can shed light on a few points.
A couple or so years back I was subcontracted to build some websites for Paintedfigs.
Paul, the guy who hired me is the alleged consultant who stole Paintedfigs money.
I had worked with him on some other projects and had never had any issues getting paid so I agreed.
He hired me on contracts of 3 months at a time and as part of my fee gave me a % of sales.
Sales steadily increased from about $3000 in the first month to about $18000 by the end of the first year.
I was getting quite excited as this seemed to be growing more and more.
Paul then explained to me that Paintedfigs was having difficulty in meeting the orders.
They did not have enough painters.
So sales would need to be suspended/slowed down until such time as they did and that he would explain this needs to happen to Navin.
The next I heard was that Navin had terminated his contract and had refused to pay the outstanding balance, Paul then outlined that as my contract was with him, he would pay up my outstanding balance, but the contract would not continue.
And he did pay up in full.
Hardly the behaviour of a conman.
Reading this forum it seems Navin is blaming everyone but himself for his behaviour towards Paintedfigs clients and its inability to fulfill orders.
I thought you would like to know this was brought to his attention a number of years ago internally, the person who did so was fired and now Navin seems to be blaming him for the problems, when the reality appears to be that Paintedfigs is accepting commissions it knows it cannot fulfill.
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This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2013/08/02 11:22:36
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2013/08/02 12:14:38
Subject: Painted Figs - Avoid
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Bounding Ultramarine Assault Trooper
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@Outsourcer
In your opinion, what should those of us that have been stiffed by Navin do to get our models / money back?
Asking doesn't seem to work...
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2013/08/02 12:31:19
Subject: Painted Figs - Avoid
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Fresh-Faced New User
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I am sorry to hear what happened to you evancich.
I cannot give you specifics as I am not a recovery expert, but as a website builder I can explain how web payment processing works and hope that something in that explanation helps.
BUY EVERYTHING ON THE INTERNET WITH A CREDIT CARD. If there is a problem it becomes the credit card companies problem not yours, you get refunded in full by lodging a complaint with the credit card company.
In this specific case Navin is accepting payments through Paypal. He is based in Sri Lanka but uses a USA address for his Paypal account.
If you still have receipts you can prove this. That is potentially wire fraud. Contact Paypal / your local police / instigate proceedings against Navin at his USA address.
Paypal should freeze his account and you could be able to make a claim on any outstanding balance.
I spoke to Paul about this when we were working on the Paintedfigs project and we refused to integrate payment systems into the site until it was sorted. I believe Paul brought this to Navins attention.
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2013/08/02 12:42:21
Subject: Painted Figs - Avoid
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Bounding Ultramarine Assault Trooper
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Thanks for that.
I'm not sure that will work for me since these Paypal charges are like 4 years old...
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2013/08/02 14:00:23
Subject: Painted Figs - Avoid
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Fresh-Faced New User
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Fraud is fraud, irrespective of time. You have been more then reasonable waiting so long.
If Paintedfigs / Navins Paypal account is terminated his business finishes.
By having you pay into a USA registered Paypal account. You are covered by USA laws, not Sri Lankan.
Navin has to abide by USA laws with this Paypal account, that is where to apply pressure.
You said there are a number of you?
If you all write in to Paypal with similar complaints and explain Paintedfigs is in Sri lanka but takes payments through the USA and that you will involve legal/Police action and you follow through, Paypal will become complicit in this if they do not act.
Paypal likes to make lots of money for no effort you would be causing them hassle and they will just pass that onto Navin. Typically they would freeze / terminate his account.
You might not get your money back depending on how much is in the account. But you would stop it happening to others.
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2013/08/02 14:29:35
Subject: Painted Figs - Avoid
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Stubborn Hammerer
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Aerethan wrote:I remember the Discountfigs.com bit back the last time Navin had issues. It was largely thrown out back then as nonsense.
Regardless of that site, Navin sticks to this story about consultants and rip offs, and it's just the same crap lines that RSO was turning out in regards to Britcons a few weeks back.
Why does a wargames commission service need consultants? Very few home run businesses need consultants for anything beyond legal structuring and advice.
At the end of the day, this is a guy painting in his home, on an island off the coast of a major 3rd world country. If that alone doesn't set off a tiny alarm in the back of your mind, then I know a Nigerian prince who'd like to talk to you about a financial opportunity.
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2013/08/02 18:10:34
Subject: Painted Figs - Avoid
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Bounding Ultramarine Assault Trooper
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2013/08/02 18:16:43
Subject: Painted Figs - Avoid
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Old Sourpuss
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Jesus, I'd go action movie on them and fly to his country and get my models back  .
Best of luck man
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DR:80+S++G+M+B+I+Pwmhd11#++D++A++++/sWD-R++++T(S)DM+
 
Ask me about Brushfire or Endless: Fantasy Tactics |
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2013/08/02 18:27:49
Subject: Painted Figs - Avoid
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Longtime Dakkanaut
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Did you research the srilanka postal system? are they reliable? could they have jacked your stuff? i cant think of any reason why he wouldnt ship out finished projects.
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2013/08/02 18:44:44
Subject: Painted Figs - Avoid
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Lesser Daemon of Chaos
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Wow Really sorry for what would seem like a loss.
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Latest Blog Post: 7th edition first thoughts and pictures.
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2013/08/02 20:54:20
Subject: Painted Figs - Avoid
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Excellent Exalted Champion of Chaos
Lake Forest, California, South Orange County
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kb305 wrote:
Did you research the srilanka postal system? are they reliable? could they have jacked your stuff? i cant think of any reason why he wouldnt ship out finished projects.
Ebay. Why not double down on the profit if you are already scamming the models?
The gall to post finished works that you ripped off from someone is disgusting.
Navin has some karma due.
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"Bryan always said that if the studio ever had to mix with the manufacturing and sales part of the business it would destroy the studio. And I have to say – he wasn’t wrong there! ... It’s become the promotions department of a toy company." -- Rick Priestly
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2013/08/03 20:39:43
Subject: Painted Figs - Avoid
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Monstrous Master Moulder
Rust belt
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I would also contact the local FBI office in you city/area.. They handle stuff like this... Maybe the FBI will tell you what your options and maybe have some other complaints about this company.. Put your tax dollars to work and contact the local FBI office...
Round trip Air fare to Sri Lanka $2000.... Baseball Bat $25........ Cab fare to and from Airport $100.....Getting your models back Priceless....
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This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2013/08/03 20:42:37
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2013/08/03 21:20:41
Subject: Painted Figs - Avoid
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Veteran Wolf Guard Squad Leader
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have you contacted the d6 generation? If so what was their response?
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 3500 pts Black Legion
3500 pts Iron Warriors
 2500 pts World Eaters
 1950 pts Emperor's Children
 333 pts Daemonhunters
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2013/08/03 22:59:05
Subject: Re:Painted Figs - Avoid
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Longtime Dakkanaut
Houston, Texas
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Damn......
I really wish you the best in the months to come with this issue. 15k and 6k of models. Ouch doesn't begin to cover that, maybe BLAARGHH is better.
Sri Lanka is an area pretty notorious for this sort of thing. As people here have said try to get commissions done in state or at least in country.
Probably talk to your local FBI as others have said. They can directly intervene with something like this without making an incident or spending a lot of their time, 21k is enough for them to do something.
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This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2013/08/03 23:06:13
Finally found my quote from a gym buddy born and raised in South Korea:
"It is the soldier, not the reporter who has given us the freedom of the press.
"It is the soldier, not the poet, who has given us the freedom of speech.
"It is the soldier, not the campus organizer, who gives us the freedom to demonstrate.
"It is the soldier who salutes the flag, who serves beneath the flag, and whose coffin is draped by the flag, who allows the protester to burn the flag." |
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2013/08/03 23:22:56
Subject: Painted Figs - Avoid
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Powerful Orc Big'Un
Somewhere in the steamy jungles of the south...
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brettz123 wrote:have you contacted the d6 generation? If so what was their response?
If he has, I'm guessing the response will be the one they always give: dismissal/ignoring it. This is what they've done every other time this issue has come up, so I don't see any reason why they won't do so again, and keep doing so until some kinda legal action is taken against Painted Figs.
~Tim?
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2013/08/04 03:08:35
Subject: Painted Figs - Avoid
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Bounding Ultramarine Assault Trooper
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Contacted the D6?
Yes, I got a response from Russ, which I won't post here. But, let me put it this way, have you heard PF ads on that podcast in the past few years?
Paypal dispute?
Yes, I talked to them. Yes, they know that PF is breaking their rules with the USA / Sri Lanka thing. No, they won't do anything until more people get burned.
FBI?
Well, I live near DC and work in Arlington at DARPA, which has advantages. Namely, I can head to the Sri Lanka embassy on my way home from work.
The DoS didn't care, because they are far more concerned with the terrorist training camps in Sri Lanka than my $ / toys.
The Sri Lankas' in DC, basically remotely high-fived Navin for pulling on over on me.
The FBI cares but there are bigger fish to fry. The best they would do is put Navin on the "no fly" list, but they need more complaints against him.
Sri Lanka lawyer / bounty hunter?
Yep, talked to some. I'm 100% sure I'll get ripped off again.
USA Law?
Criminal? Talking with the prosecutors in MD and the feds. Yep, 100% Navin broke the law. 100% they would go after him. But, unless he steps foot in the USA and / or MD. There is nothing they can do and I'd be wasting everybody's time.
Civil? Same deal, but it'll cost me a few grand to get it filed and all that.
So, what can be done?
If enough people complian to paypal they will shut down his account / refund. This is probably the #1 thing to get anything back.
If enough people talk to the FBI and postal inspector, they will pursue it, but the DoS would rather not hassle Sri Lanka (because the USA hassling a "business" person in Sri Lanka will anger the locals and likely cause a few more enrollments in the terrorist training camps {I'm not joking}). Hence they can't do much. But, will start a case if enough citizens ask them.
If anybody hears that Navin will enter the USA, UK, Aus, NZ, or Canada, I'll quickly file charges and get him picked up.
So, if you where burned by PF the best thing you can do is contact your local FBI office also fill out the compliant form with the post office.
Compiling to paypal will work too, especially if it is within the 45 day time limit. Automatically Appended Next Post:  ThePrimordial wrote:Damn......
I really wish you the best in the months to come with this issue. 15k and 6k of models. Ouch doesn't begin to cover that, maybe BLAARGHH is better.
Sri Lanka is an area pretty notorious for this sort of thing. As people here have said try to get commissions done in state or at least in country.
Probably talk to your local FBI as others have said. They can directly intervene with something like this without making an incident or spending a lot of their time, 21k is enough for them to do something.
Yeah, I switched over to BTP a couple of years ago...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bluetablepainting/sets/72157634785172056/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bluetablepainting/sets/72157632541935200/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bluetablepainting/sets/72157634595647193/
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This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2013/08/04 03:11:29
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2013/08/04 03:43:14
Subject: Re:Painted Figs - Avoid
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Fixture of Dakka
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Well worn ground, bro.
Sorry for your issues.
http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/436240.page
The warnings been out on these cats for a bit, though. The guy is a clownass, and the whole debacle is ripe with just bad mojo. He was on here running his hole claiming that everyone was against him or some sort of gak. Combine that with the webpage, and it becomes a Greek tragedy of epic proportions.
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At Games Workshop, we believe that how you behave does matter. We believe this so strongly that we have written it down in the Games Workshop Book. There is a section in the book where we talk about the values we expect all staff to demonstrate in their working lives. These values are Lawyers, Guns and Money. |
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2013/08/04 03:55:31
Subject: Painted Figs - Avoid
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Bounding Ultramarine Assault Trooper
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If you'll note, from my OP. My troubles with Navin greatly pre-date that open letter.
I saw that thread and I didn't post anything in it, since Navin had leverage over me (my $ and models).
Now a year and a half after that open letter and nearly 4, *FOUR*, years after I got burned, I figured that getting models or $ back is a lost cause and I'd post my story here and hopeful make sure nobody else gets burned by PF.
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2013/08/04 20:07:36
Subject: Painted Figs - Avoid
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Monstrous Master Moulder
Rust belt
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Even if it been 4 years or more I would still make the phone call to the FBI.... Whats the worst thing they could tell you??? Tough luck.....Well your already there....
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2013/08/05 02:44:01
Subject: Painted Figs - Avoid
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Bounding Ultramarine Assault Trooper
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I did talk to the FBI...
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2013/08/05 11:39:54
Subject: Painted Figs - Avoid
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Old Sourpuss
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I'm trying to figure out wtf the FBI can do, they're not an international policing agency right? Their sway ends at Hawaii .
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DR:80+S++G+M+B+I+Pwmhd11#++D++A++++/sWD-R++++T(S)DM+
Ask me about Brushfire or Endless: Fantasy Tactics |
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2013/08/05 14:07:43
Subject: Painted Figs - Avoid
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Bounding Ultramarine Assault Trooper
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Just read 5 posts up and you'll get your answer
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2013/08/06 07:11:06
Subject: Painted Figs - Avoid
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Fresh-Faced New User
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I did a little digging and @evancich and indeed others similarly affected should contact the FBI because PaintedFigs / Navin Weeraratne has broken USA Federal law and does infact operate in the USA.
Here is what happened with the money…
1. You pay to a USA based Paypal account
2. The money is transferred to USA Bank Account owned by Navin Weeraratne.
3. This money is transferred to Lucas Como (orkboss) – a USA citizen, you may have even sent minis to him in Bloomington.
4. Lucas Como then gets paid to transfer some / all of the money out of the USA to Navin in Sri Lanka.
In addition Navin buys his supplies from a USA company, the Warstore and advertsises through USA based websites.
So therefore the majority of business activity takes place inside the USA and getting Federal involvement and stopping any of these USA elements, stops the scam continuing.
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This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2013/08/06 07:12:01
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2013/08/09 13:54:53
Subject: Re:Painted Figs - Avoid
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[DCM]
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He's still active and looking for business:
PaintedFigs.Com
Does a Prepainted Scifi Mecha Game Seem Interesting?
I've been trying to get people interested in wargaming here in Sri Lanka. Disposable incomes are lower, so I've been looking at lower cost scales and alternatives. In the process, I came across some interesting, 15mm kits from Russia. Here are some of their minis:
And some of their tanks:
(Their tanks [red] compared with some Zvezda, 15mm, WW2 tanks [green])
They're made by a company named Technolog.
Game Rules that Keep Costs Down?
These could fit into any existing 15mm rule set. Alternatively, they could come with some rules. Something easy to pick up and quick to play.
We've working on a simple system, to work with as few as 3 minis a side. Larger games would probably top out at 7-8 minis a side.
I ran some numbers, and here is what we should be able to do, at showcase quality:
- A starter pack of three power armors (each a bit bigger than a Space Marine): $10.
- A power armor single: $3.50.
- A tank single: $6.50
- A mech single: $7.50
An army box set, of 5 power armors; 3 tanks; and 2 mechs: $50.
Again all this is including showcase quality paint jobs.
You can see some much larger images of what Technolog offers, and some tentative numbers and rules ideas, in this drop box folder.
I think Open Sourcing them would help players quickly fix issues and develop new material. It would also make them free. The cost of a rule set is a barrier to entry, and I don't know why more miniature manufacturers don't see them this way.
Easy And Low Cost Growth
If the minis sell, then stepping up is relatively easy. What stalled our 3d printing adventure, was that good 3d design was a lot harder to do than expected. However, coming up with 15mm weapon add-ons or mecha parts, is much simpler than designing an Orc. They would also be easier and cheaper to produce. There's also whatever new designs Technolog may make.
If you think there's something to this idea, I would love to hear your thoughts. Any feedback, criticism, or new angles would be much appreciated. Also, interest! If we do this, you would be the first people we would pitch these to.
It's an exciting time. Thank you for reading this much, it's much appreciated.
Navin
Paintedfigs.com
About Paintedfigs.com
Painting since 2006. Quality fantasy painting at the lowest rates.
Troubling that this is going on while he still owes a lot to people...
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