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Guys... give him a break.
I know that, to a lot of people, financial status is a taboo topic. Regardless of where you stand financially, from wealthy to dirt poor, there are people in all kinds of financial situations who just don't mind discussing it.

I have friends in various different levels of personal income who don't care about it and freely discuss it with friends and even casual acquaintances. It might just be that he's one of those who doesn't mind sharing it.

It does, in fact, make sense to mention it in this case. He's telling you all that he is not doing it for the money and why.

Please, stay on topic with it. Don't let that little facet drag it off.


Eric

MagickalMemories wrote:Guys... give him a break.
I know that, to a lot of people, financial status is a taboo topic. Regardless of where you stand financially, from wealthy to dirt poor, there are people in all kinds of financial situations who just don't mind discussing it.

I have friends in various different levels of personal income who don't care about it and freely discuss it with friends and even casual acquaintances. It might just be that he's one of those who doesn't mind sharing it.

It does, in fact, make sense to mention it in this case. He's telling you all that he is not doing it for the money and why.

Please, stay on topic with it. Don't let that little facet drag it off.


Eric

It is quite on the topic.

He's justifying the theft of his models and money by one individual and saying he did not do anything, because they had been good in the past basically.

Yet, for a lesser ammount of money and models, he is going after an obviously desperate individual in a poor financial situation.

Why is Painting Apothecary subject to this level of prosecution or action but not Painted Figs aka Navin?

His later mention of being 'wealthy' doesn't make sense in regards to this as why was Navin exempt from prosecution? To me, it seems like Painted Figs did more damage and likely needed prosecuting more than this pathetic guy at Painting Apothecary.

I mean literally, Painting Apothecary guy sounds so pathetic, I'd give him a quarter for a cup of coffee.

I'm trying to understand, what OPs wealth has to do with prosecuting one thief, but allowing another, greater thief, to go free.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Basically:

You let Painted Figs get away with theft, but not Painting Apothecary. Obviously, painting apothecary is in a worse situation and stole less from you then painted figs. Yet you're nailing this loser to the wall.


#1) What does that have to do with being wealthy?
#2) Why do you let the bigger thief go, but try to ruin the smaller ones life?

I think they should both be charged, but in a case of triage here, it seems like Navin and painted figs = the bigger crooks and therefore, should have been a large priority then the painting apothecary guy who lives in his moms house.

I'm not justifying that folks have robbed me. You obviously aren't privy to all of the communication I receive about this: from groups of people that know me and from strangers.

Frankly, I was a bit tired of answering inquiries of whether or not $770 would effect my situation. So, I answered that question in the form.

Me saying that $770 doesn't mean much to me has nothing to do with Mike stealing that from me, but rather to decrease the msg I got over that subject. You are reading your own basis into that statement and frankly over reacting.

How do you know I'm not going after Navin?

Navin is in a country that the USA legal system has almost no affect on for private citizens. A law suit from me to Navin would mean next to nothing, especially in a corrupt country like Sri Lanka. BTW, he bribes the post office workers in Sri Lanka to get the models he receives out of customs. It is just the way things are done there.

I've asked Navin many, many times to return my models. I've told him I'll pay for the return shipping. If I flew to Sri Lanka, I think he'd give the models back to me, but I'm not sure I'd be able to get them out of the country. He could call a customs officer that he bribes monthly if not weekly to impound my stuff. What would I do then? I'm not saying he'd do that, but I don't speak the language and don't know how to get things out of customs there.

Since you are such an expert on my situation with Painted Figs, please tell me how to get my models back in 2011.

As to your #2 point, Mike ruined Mike's life. I repeatably asked him what the status of the project was, which went unanswered or delayed and there was never any photographic proof that he was painting anything. When it was past 48 days of Mike ignoring me and some 90 days of the project being over-due. I started using the police and legal options that were available to me. At that point, he crawled from whatever rock he was under (I believe due to the cops calling him). I gave him 3 weeks to return my $ and models and he was unable to. So why should I cut him anymore slack?

evancich wrote:I'm not justifying that folks have robbed me. You obviously aren't privy to all of the communication I receive about this: from groups of people that know me and from strangers.

Frankly, I was a bit tired of answering inquiries of whether or not $770 would effect my situation. So, I answered that question in the form.

Me saying that $770 doesn't mean much to me has nothing to do with Mike stealing that from me, but rather to decrease the msg I got over that subject. You are reading your own basis into that statement and frankly over reacting.

How do you know I'm not going after Navin?

Navin is in a country that the USA legal system has almost no affect on for private citizens. A law suit from me to Navin would mean next to nothing, especially in a corrupt country like Sri Lanka. BTW, he bribes the post office workers in Sri Lanka to get the models he receives out of customs. It is just the way things are done there.

I've asked Navin many, many times to return my models. I've told him I'll pay for the return shipping. If I flew to Sri Lanka, I think he'd give the models back to me, but I'm not sure I'd be able to get them out of the country. He could call a customs officer that he bribes monthly if not weekly to impound my stuff. What would I do then? I'm not saying he'd do that, but I don't speak the language and don't know how to get things out of customs there.

Since you are such an expert on my situation with Painted Figs, please tell me how to get my models back in 2011.

As to your #2 point, Mike ruined Mike's life. I repeatably asked him what the status of the project was, which went unanswered or delayed and there was never any photographic proof that he was painting anything. When it was past 48 days of Mike ignoring me and some 90 days of the project being over-due. I started using the police and legal options that were available to me. At that point, he crawled from whatever rock he was under (I believe due to the cops calling him). I gave him 3 weeks to return my $ and models and he was unable to. So why should I cut him anymore slack?

Not trying to be snide, but for a man as wealthy as yourself; I cannot see a problem getting your things back from Sri Lanka. Whether through the means you mentioned or:

Step one, contact your US embassy in Sri Lanka (Located in Colombo, Sri Lanka) and inform them of the theft/situation.
Step two, inform them, you will incur all expenses for the trip down there if they can help with the situation.
Step three, fork out the cash, fly down to Sri Lanka and recover your models with their help.

I'm not saying you won't seem a little off when you call them and say this, but this is an option. You could also take a trip to the Sri Lankan embassy in Washington and plead your case.

If this is all about principal, I can see many options you have on the table; the first of which is contacting either embassy. You may think, that nothing will be done, but when you actually make a proper case for yourself, provide documentation and proof; they are obligated to assist.

Obviously you did not read, because I never asked you to cut Mike slack. I said prosecute them both. I suppose, the fact that you misinterpreted that, despite me agreeing with you the entire topic and urging you to go to the police... I'm not sure what to tell you there.

Just throwing it out there, I assume you might be very busy, so if you need to hire someone to recover your models from Sri Lanka including travelling there and any other work that might be assumed, toss me a PM and we can discuss a retainer fee. I can guarantee that I will recover the models you sent to Navin. (This isn't sarcasm in any way, I put my old job skills to good use)

P.S. - Navin fed you a line about the Sri Lanka situation, I just made a call to a Sri Lankan friend who sends over barrels on a monthly basis (Filled with goods, usually for family & friends) and he laughed at the implication that his family would have to bribe customs to get it. The biggest worry, is that items are often stolen from these barrels and similarly, boxes etc... I don't think Sri Lankan customs has any interest in stealing toy miniatures.

It's not sarcasm, it's just being silly, or deliberately obtuse. You seem to have failed to pay attention to the parts of the thread where Painted Figs didn't stop returning messages or dropping off the face of the earth. Funny how staying in contact, even if you are conducting your business quite poorly, earns more leniency with people than trying to cut and run.

Bookwrack wrote:It's not sarcasm, it's just being silly, or deliberately obtuse. You seem to have failed to pay attention to the parts of the thread where Painted Figs didn't stop returning messages or dropping off the face of the earth. Funny how staying in contact, even if you are conducting your business quite poorly, earns more leniency with people than trying to cut and run.

I have paid attention, I fail to see how painted figs is any less guilty of theft of models and money; then this Mike guy was.

I like the message you are giving though, that these guys run businesses and not theft rings. That's the funny part. Theft is theft. Communicating to your victim on a regular basis doesn't justify it.

Do not look at these individuals as business owners, look at them as criminals.

At least in Mike's case, the models were recovered.


It's a shame that individuals like this ruin the hobby, but I hope this will serve as a lesson to anyone else considering sending out full armies and potential thousands of dollars to strangers.

If you took your car to the mechanic, you would not be paying him the money in full for your work before it is done. Neither, would you allow him to keep your car after he took your money and did no work. The same should go for a painter.

It isn't all about principal, I got robbed by Navin. I tried Shawn at BTP and he did an amazing job. I tried Mike (because of the podcast recommendations) and he attempted to scam me. So, he got what he earned.

I've called the USA embassy in Sri Lanka and they have bigger problems, namely terrorist cells there.

Since I work in DC, I've walked in to Sri Lanka embassy and they don't care. They don't really like hearing that a foreigner is saying bad things about a non-terrorist citizen of Sri Lanka and basically couldn't care less.

I have basically one option, which is to ask Navin (nicely) to return my stuff.

I agree he should return my stuff and it should be high on his list. But that is your PoV and my PoV.

I'm sure to Navin, those models are associated with him getting conned and that money is long gone. So, he'd have to further damage his business in order to get those models back to me.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Painted Figs is not any less guilty than Mike.

There are just fewer options to recover my $ and models from Sri Lanka

evancich wrote:It isn't all about principal, I got robbed by Navin. I tried Shawn at BTP and he did an amazing job. I tried Mike (because of the podcast recommendations) and he attempted to scam me. So, he got what he earned.

I've called the USA embassy in Sri Lanka and they have bigger problems, namely terrorist cells there.

Since I work in DC, I've walked in to Sri Lanka embassy and they don't care. They don't really like hearing that a foreigner is saying bad things about a non-terrorist citizen of Sri Lanka and basically couldn't care less.

I have basically one option, which is to ask Navin (nicely) to return my stuff.

I agree he should return my stuff and it should be high on his list. But that is your PoV and my PoV.

I'm sure to Navin, those models are associated with him getting conned and that money is long gone. So, he'd have to further damage his business in order to get those models back to me.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Painted Figs is not any less guilty than Mike.

There are just fewer options to recover my $ and models from Sri Lanka

Fair enough. I understand your situation a bit better now.

Thanks, if I ever get them back, I'm going to change my return shipping address to Blue Table Painting

Im from asia and to give perspective on how customs and shipping here works, we sometimes need to bribe customs officials to get our imported stuff because its either that or they place a high custom's tax on your package, sometimes the same value as the package itself. Its all very arbitrary.

Barrels or shipping boxes on the other hand are different, for my country those arent checked by customs because its all considered personal belongings.


@identifyzero
Dont talk like its that easy to lawsuit someone from half way around the world as opposed to a guy living within driving distance.

Wow that is great news to hear, anymore updates with the police evancich? My analysis seems 100% spot on back on page 1 xD

I am sorry to hear all these problems you have had mate. I had a bit of problems with painted fig last year as well but I did finally get everything I ordered. I hope you the best of luck with getting everything you own mate.

If you still haven't gotten stuff just remind Navin imo because he did take a bit of reminding on stuff that they had "lost". Not saying you should have to do that but it will get you stuff you ordered.

Painted Figs, yeah, I'll see how that turns out.

@Luna: Yeah, you were right. I'm working within the system to get my $ back. I called the firehouse he volunteers at and gave my side of the story. All of the legal and police pressure is still happening.

I still can't get over how bad of a human being Mike is. I gave him so many chances to make this right and he wasn't able to.

I guess that is why he lives with his parents and can't get a "real" job.

If somebody came at me with legal and police action and said: "all you have to do is show up 20 miles away from where you live with my models and return the $ and all the trouble will go away", I'd totally do that.

I still don't understand why he didn't take the easy road out of this.

evancich wrote:I still don't understand why he didn't take the easy road out of this.

Does he currently know there are legal actions on him?
Im shocked that he didn't attempt to apologize or attempt to solve this privately.

My next analysis, expect a counter strike towards you " some how". So don't be surprised xD

Christ, what a mess.

He is aware. I gave him a copy of the police report when I picked up my models.

The county has contacted him about the civil suit against him.