More Repro Figures To Come

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itfciain said:
I hope Orme reads this as I am sure the community would quite happily pitch in to help Kim sue his ass
Click to expand...
Anyone got the time and inclination to start some kind of crowd funding for this? I'm in if so!
 
Meanwhile..on the Darren orme page...........

19141455763_3210e516f0_z.jpg
Capture3 by kenner1977, on Flickr

Arturo said great job. :roll:
 
If mr. Simmonds still have the rights, all he needs is his attorney to write up a cease and desist letter, no?
That would certainly get the ball rolling up Ormes ass...
 
It's so sad. I'm glad I found the forum 18months ago. Before then, although I'd of never purchased his boxes, I had considered buying repro inserts. Not in million years would I buy that crap now though.

The information on the forum, the debates and opinions provide constant food for thought and make collecting so much more than it was when I was out on my own. I think the people reading this thread, maybe the newer members who had considered this junk as an option previously will think twice, and in that way we are keep money out of Darren's pocket and we should feel proud of this forum and what it represents.

All this crap is damaging IMO, especially Darren who is out to make money out people who think they cant afford the authentic items. It's bollocks. The prices Darren charges is scandalous and I pray he gets stopped soon.
 
If anyone had the power to stop him it's this chap with the photos. He could end it all with a solicitors letter...
 
The thing for me is there was this big Anti AFA U Grade thing that happened which many pushed for and resulted in nothing as far as stopping them. While I hate U grades, I think in the long run crap like this hurts the hobby more and yet many people just turn their head the other way and allow this to continue. Just an observation.
 
I'm fighting the same battle on RS right now...

http://forum.rebelscum.com/t1121622/#post19620170

This guy is a member since 2002, and is playing the 'honourable repro-maker' card. He's helping the hobby, right? :(
 
tiefighterboy said:
The thing for me is there was this big Anti AFA U Grade thing that happened which many pushed for and resulted in nothing as far as stopping them. While I hate U grades, I think in the long run crap like this hurts the hobby more and yet many people just turn their head the other way and allow this to continue. Just an observation.
Click to expand...

Completely agree, U Grades damage the physical product but is upfront about it - the damage repro's do is far more insidious, sneaky, dishonest and undermines confidence in the whole collecting hobby.
 
Hello everyone, allow me to introduce myself, Im Arturo del Pozo.
Facebook alerted me you were talking here about my project, the vintage studio, si I took the liberty to come here and read.
I understand some of your concerns and have some clarifications to make.

1) Im really sorry some guy actually believes Im stupid. Sometimes stupidity is subjective, the achievements through my life actually shows me Im not. Maybe this person misunderstood my passion for vintage star wars figures, into believing Im stupid. Also, please understand my native languaje is Spanish, and actually, I learned English by myself, so I cant use it with same fluency you do, I could be possibly transmiting my ideas in a wrong way, intelectually or gramatically, specially at the heat of a debate.

2) I wish to thanks the fellow users who had said Im doing something cool.

3) I have been working in this project for 3 years now.

4) It is true, I have no problem with repros, because thorugh the damaging of several repros, I have been able to create my custom "prototypes". I have avoided as possible the destruction of real vintage stuff. Repros has been the fodder for my project. At least grant me the point I have been honest with you since the begginig about all I have said, even about repros.

5) My project is a CUSTOMS project, I WILL NOT REPRODUCE ANY KENNER FIGURE, NOR KENNER WEAPONS, NOT NOW, NOT EVER. YOU HAVE MY WORD. PERIOD. I will not address Vlix, nor Blue Snagletooth, nor Yak Face, nor any character. I have uploaded images of my future projects, almost 40, you can see them at the vintage studio facebook page, and not one of them is a common or uncommon vintage figure, it will take several years to release those figures, so why would I reproduce an existing figure? that is not the spirit of my project. The same goes for weapons or lightsabers. I have studied forums and groups for several years, and understand the reasons why people dislike repros, and I respect that, even when I dont share the opinion, so not need to worry about it, I will not do it. Cant speak for other people, but my word is writen in stone in this subject.

6) Some gentleman asked here why would I design an entire vintage style sandtrooper, and give him a POTF2 weapon. In my point 5 is clearly explained the reason, if any of you buy my sandtrooper and decide to give him an stormtroper weapon, is up to you, but I will not reproduce an existing vintage weapon, not now, not in the future. I believe my good faith about this issue has been probed, even before you begin to speak your concerns.

7) About Darren Orme, he is a friend I made through the internet, Im proud of his friendship, but I have nothing to do with his operation. We are not a gang nor anything similar. I hired him to create the box I designed for my project because he is the best in what he does. My package is new, is MY design, the most similar to what I believe Kenner would have done. It will not fool anyone into believing not now, not ever, he is purchasing a real Kenner vintage figure. Please look the back of the package, it is clearly stated. In the same line, I WILL NEVER REQUEST THE CREATION OF THE BOX OF ANY REAL KENNER VINTAGE ITEM FOR MY PROJECT. My project does not need to do that, Im designing new stuff in vintage style, CLEARLY MARKED AS CUSTOM IN THE PACKAGE.

8) Now about my project, Im creating custom figures that will be available in LOW LIMITED RUNS, directly aimed to fans. I will not produce hundreds and hundreds of the same figure, nor sell in stores. Once a limited run of 250 figures/sets, depending on the character, be sold out, it will remain sold out. My figures have no COO, nor markins trying to attempt you to believe is a real kenner figure.

9) About my sandtrooper, the figure is completelly different of a real stormtrooper, if you take out all the new pieces, you will see the only thing similar to a real stormie are 1 arm and 1 leg. So NO CONFUTIONS CAN BE MADE. You can check the pictures of the process and the disenbodied "still in the tree" figure to acertain the truth in my words. I love vintage star wars figures, why would I desing a plan to destroy them? I just wish to contribute to the collector who has an open door and an open heart to a bootleg high quality figure.

10) That is what Im doing, a high quality factory produced custom figure, in low production runs, only for a few people who actually like what I do. Im designing some playsets also. At some point some highly desired ships, maybe Jabba sail barge or the sandtrooper shuttle we saw in the special editions, all in vintage style. Only time will tell.

I hope my statement clarify your concerns. I hope my project bring happiness to some of you. It is a project made with the best of intentions and good faith, dont want to harm anyone, and I dont see how can I harm anyone in the way Im doing things, the only way I will do until the day I decide to close the project. I welcome everyone who decide to aproach and contribute with my project with good faith.

Thank you for your time.
Arturo
The vintage studio.
 
Arturo,

Glad you came on here to give your view on what you do. Always good to hear the other side whether it's popular or not.

I read your points with interest. On the whole, I think you have a reasonable perspective on things and I certainly like your approach to destroying repros :) Oh, and not destroying originals, but I like the destroying repros more. I also like your stand on never reproducing anything that has been officially done. If you stick to that then I, personally, will continue not to have an issue with your customs figures.

What I have an issue with is your association with someone who doesn't have your attitude towards faking stuff. Let's call it what it is: faking. Reproduction packaging that doesn't have it clearly marked as such is fake, not repro. I would have nothing to do with that sort of person and would not want to line his pockets. I would urge you to find another supplier for your packaging, but from your misplaced "pride" in your association with him I can't see that happening.

Which is a real shame, as that means I can't buy from you, as that means I too would be lining his pockets. Until he changes his trade practices I will have nothing to do with him except in reporting his illegal activities to the respective trade mark owners.

Shame, fancied a Sandtrooper 3 pack :/
 
Thank you for coming on Arturo.

Now, as long as you have any deal with Darren Orme, regardless of how cool your custom products may end up being, you will get no support from us. As he is supplying your boxes he is receiving money which is re-invested into his destructful practice. As you are probably aware Hasbro are now looking at his boxes and we are pushing for them to take action. I urge you not to get caught up in the mess.

One question - have you supplied Darren Orme with any scans of box flats which could be used to recreate the vintage Kenner, Palitoy or Lili Ledy packaging?
 
You have been sending Mr. Orme images for his reproduction of packaging and store displays (One of his great friends he thanks). FB can be very transparent and many of us keep up with your comments and likes. You have voiced in the past that repros are fine and you have no problem with them. As many of us know China already cranks out fake stormies, so as you have aligned yourself with a greedy **** like Orme, it is very hard for many of us to believe that you will not take the next step and contract to have reproductions manufactured. You are a vocal and strong supporter of his and you have liked on FB everyone of his reproduction creations that are destroying this hobby. You will find no support from this forum.
 
Well done for having the balls to come on here and attempt a defence of sorts Arturo, I'm not really up to speed with your customs or history surrounding repros but how anyone who says they have a passion for the hobby can openly admit they like repros is beyond me.

Time and time again the debate on reproduction items comes up on this and other forums, there are those that vehemently object to them ( to which I'm one ) others who take a view that there's nothing you can do about it so why bother and those that openly support them and believe they do no harm. To those that say they do no harm I'd happily allow you to pay for the replacement of my Paploo staff which after 5 yrs of collecting I've only just noticed is a repro, add that to the 20 or so other weapons I discovered were fakes along my journey to putting together a full set.

It also shits me no end when others say they are sick of people going on about repros as there is nothing you can do to stop them. Of course no one is ever going to stop these wankers making repros I don't believe anyone is foolish enough to believe this would be possible BUT we can certainly have fun making life hard for those that so openly do it like your mate Orme.

Threads like this very one for example, TIG's repro reference library and numerous other threads are testament to how a fair percentage of collectors feel about repros. They suck!

I truly do hope Disney and Hasbro put an end to Orme and make an example of him in the most public way possible.
 
To be honest, you actually come across quite well in your post - certainly better than the idiot comments you were making over on RS

However, as has already been expressed - no friend (especially proud friend) of Ormes is a friend of the majority on this forum. As for your project - as I have said earlier, IF you stick to custom and make nothing reproduction then that is fine by me. Trouble is we have seen it all before. How long before someone like Orme or one of the other twats offers you a lot of money to replicate a Yak Face or some other vintage figure - money that will fund your future projects - will you honestly be able to turn that down, especially having expressed a love of reproduction

Fair play for coming on here - but don't think you will get very far
 
Ok my friends, let me continue clarifiyng the situation for you:

1) First of all, Thank you ScruffyLookingNH for your warm welcome and open mind toward my project. I apreciate it. If you want a sandtrooper and the box is an issue for you, I wish you to know I will make them available also loose. The cost of making a tooling mold is very high, so it will not be a cheap figure. That is why, among other reasons, it was decided long ago loose versions will be available to any one who request it in a more affordable price. It is up to you, you are welcome, just have in mind it is a very low production run, and once it is sold out, it will stay that way.

2) Actually, and please dont take it as being rude, Im just being honest, Im not looking for this group support, I dont want it, in fact, I never ever came to this forum before. I joined yesterday just because facebook system alerted me here you were talking about my project. And I was courios about your opinions. I decided to speak here because some of you were speaking about me in an ugly way, without even knowing me. That is ugly. I dare the guy who say Im stupid to try to sustain a hard debate IN SPANISH, my native languaje, with the same fluency as he does in English, and lets see who looks stupid. At least I made a great effort to support my points in a foreign languaje and against a very rude audience, I debated with honor, in disavantage, ignoring insults and without insulting anyone.

3) Said that, if any one wants a sandtrooper, or any other custom figure I design and release in the future, you are welcome to contact me. This is not about money, this is about legacy, friendship and good memories. Thats all. My door is open, and my hand is extended, it is up to you.

4) Now about the pacakges and Darren: Im not associated with him. I understand the struggle with him, but Im not part of it. I stand in my words: I HIRED him to "CREATE the box I designed for my project because he is the best in what he does. My package is new, is MY design". That doesnt mean he is the suplier of MY packages, He made the prototype under my request and specifications. Once you have the protype, isnt it a lot cheapier to hire a printer company in your own country to just print the boxes? did you thought about volume shipping costs, custom taxes, weight, etc. etc.? I believe it is clear now. If you buy a 4 set sandtrooper in package you are not feeding him, you are feeding the american printer company I decide to hire to made them in low runs. I hope this clear your concerns about packages. In fact Im recieving offers now, and will decide on the most conveniently for the project, analizing not only price, also quality.

5) Now about Darren and the acusations of me providing him pictures and scans, well, lets me tell you the story: I didnt came out of the blue a month ago with my project, as I told you, Im working 3 years know, actively working on it, and before that I have been thinking about this for 5 years. I showed my designs to the public, and images of my customs in my own facebook page since the beggining, I share them in some groups, other people shared them, you know how it is. One day, Darren send me a meesage, I didnt knew him before that, stating Im doing a good job with the pictures I took, and asked me if I can take pictures of my first twelve for a project of him. I didnt saw anything wrong, why would I deny a kind request of a fellow collector? So I took the pictures in my own style and send him them. Period. Anyone would have done the same. From this point we made friends, Internet friends, and again, Im proud of having his friendship, as would be of the friendship of any one of you. Im a grown man, I will not unfriend him just because some people hates what he does. It is up to him how the deal with his live, his problems, etc. That is not my problem. Unfortunatelly, later, I learned my pictures were not usefull to him, a pity for me. Fortunatelly, all my exchanges with him are public, I have nothing to hide, or to be ashamed, clear as water. As someone said, the beauty of facebook, it is transparent, as my behavior. Again, Im not hiding anything.

6) This is for you tiefighterboy, have you noticed that you are sentencing me not for what I have done, you are doing for what YOU BELIEVE I might do? what kind of thinking is that? so you would sentence a guy who have a gun, and have never used it, for the possibility of killing someone in the uncertain future just for owning the weapon? Please... I told you, I told everyone not only here, I will not do it, it is not my plan, it is not the nature of my project. To create a moulding tool is extremelly expensive, the sandtrooper tooling mould costed me 22.000 dollars. Why do you believe I would expend 22.000 dollars in creating a tooling mould of a figure that already exists, produced in hundred of thousands 30 years ago, and you can still find by the dozen on ebay by 10 dollars? NOW THAT WOULD BE STUPID, but you are free to believe whatever you want. Im so sure of my words, Im ready to bet with you, I bet you 1 million dollars, if I ever reproduce a vintage kenner star wars figure exactly as it is in its original form, in other words, if I create a repro, feel free to hire a lawyer and charge me 1 million dollars. It is writen now, here you have your public contract.

7) My actions are public and clear, I will not unfriend Darren, and I will not stop to give him a "like" at his facebook page when I decide to do, just because he is a friend. The day that change, I will stop, but until them, You will continue seeing my "likes" on his facebook page, as in the facebook page of that other mexican friend I have who does nice customs and was reproducing a vader head dont know what for, but seems to have horrorized you. Cmon people, what damage can a "like" in facebook do? On the other hand, are you actually going to act like a facebook police, taking screen prints of the people who gives likes to Darren and to what they give likes? honestly is that healthy?

8) Look my friends, if you have anything to ask about my project or of my relation with other people, dont make assumptions, just ask me, my door is open. I have nothing to hide, and I will be happy to be in touch with all of you, even with the peoiple who consider me stupid, maybe if you talk directly to me, in good faith, I might convince those guys Im not.
 
Lol - I take it back - now you sound like a twat again!

$22,000 my arse
 
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