Hey Lads,

I have to admit here in public that I did something really dumb and condemnable! Im really sorry for that!

First of all: Ill try everything to make anything fine again! Im really sorry for all that happend!

What happend you might ask. Im really weak right now because the situation got out a control since 2 days. I really hoped to keep this descretely. And I thought I would be back on track with a lesson I learned and no people getting harmed!

Now it looks like this thread is necessary! We are a small community here....and the news spreaded very fast!

This is the hardest thing I ever had to write I think! Even if the thread title seem to sound funny...but its more reality to me, because I dont know why I did what I did...I could tell you storys that maybe explain it...but the truth is: this is not excusable!

I sold a self touched-up figure here in the classified! It was the first time I did this and I will surely never do this again!

Well, now I said it! The seller is contacted. He did not reply yet! I will try again tomorrow! I already promised a full refund!

Im really ashamed that happend...and its more then embarassing for me to go out in public with this!

Nothing can excuse such a missconduct!

Nevertheless Ill try and say: Im deeply sorry! Im very ashamed! I hope you forgive me!



Wolff

Never too late to say you are sorry and everyone fucks up.

I won't excuse you because I know you, it sounds like you realised already you did a shitty thing Wolff and if you rectify it then that still won't wipe the slate clean but I have never seen ANYONE ever write a watch out about themselves on any forum in 8 years unless they were trying to prove a point or defend themselves because they thought they were in the right.

This clearly says to me - I fucked up, I am sorry, I will put it right, after that happens people can choose to deal with you or not and you will have to respect that from now on, people will think twice and that sucks but you are to blame and you have to shoulder it.

Hope the buyer is compensated/refunded and you guys don't fall out over it too bad.

Wolff, it is very commendable that you have outed yourself regarding this. That isn't to say that I approve of what you did, but this is certainly a step in the right direction of building your reputation back up. You have many friends here that want to help.

Ok, exists two Wolff:

1. A great guy. He does the forums an interesting place contributing sense of the humor and very good information. A great guy who helps the people disinterestedly.

2. A bad guy who is spending an evil moment. A bad guy who has committed the most serious mistake. A guy who has to reflect.

Wolff, get rid of the guy number 2 forever. We all have a great appreciation to the guy number 1.

Just so everyone knows, I purchased the touched-up DBRS from Wolff. He states he has contacted me and offered a refund but that simply has not happened. I received a message yesterday morning with a story about him purchasing some figures and AFA refused one because it was touched up. He told me to be sure to take a close look at mine when I receive it because it could possibly be touched up like the one refused by AFA. That's it, no further contact...

Wolff - I find it really pathetic that you post a public apology but cannot even take the time to contact me personally. To me, these are not the actions of someone who is truly sorry or ashamed. You are putting up a good front for the public to see, but what about the real victim here? I don't need an apology, but at a minimum I should have my original payment waiting in my PP account. No worries, I will start that process to get my money back since you are not stepping up to do the right thing.1

Next step is yours, Wolff. I just got off the phone with Tom Derby and put him on the lookout for anything that could possibly originate from you. I hope you are honest in your initial post above, but I find it hard to believe given our discussions over the past week. All this time you knew you stole from me and you still treated me like I was your friend. You have a great poker face and I can only assume your post above is a continuation of the same scam since you haven't even bothered to contact via email, or a PM here or over on RS.

So where do we all go from here? One can only wonder how many other figures you have touched up and passed on for large sums of cash. This will always be something that hangs over your head and depending on how you handle this from this point forward, I will always be around to remind everyone. I am still waiting for your watch out post over on RS so I don't have to do it. I think it is only right that you also post over there since that is where we did the deal.

Okay, time to take a deep breath and be thankful for the guys out there looking out for me on this one. Thankfully Wolff was caught this time or we might have never known. A BIG HUGE thanks to the guy that contacted me yesterday to help out - I owe you one, bud! If there was anyone else helping behind the scenes, then please send me a message so I can thank you personally.

And for those of you who are against the U-grade altogether, this is certainly one to think about..

-chris

Certainly agree Chris. When I saw this post I thought you would have already been contacted/refunded by Wolff. You deserved to know all of this before the rest of the community. I'm also in agreement with you that this should be on RS and we were in fact working on that before Wolff created this post. As I said before it is commendable that he outed himself here and hopefully the same on RS, but people are going to question past and any future sales when dealing with him.

Chris's money needs to be refunded no questions asked, it should be there already.

Wolff, seriously, this is gonna hurt your reputation, you know it, we all do- but just do the right thing.

Chris sorry to hear you weren't contacted and refunded before now, I hope you are reimbursed asap (I am sure Wolff will refund you)

Thanks for the support but I have to say, I don't understand how it is commendable for someone to post a watch out about themselves after they have already been busted. Just look at Wolff's original post, no mention of being "outed". If I was on the outside looking in, I would think that he felt bad and decided to turn himself in but that is not the case here and nobody should be fooled into thinking otherwise.

If he had never been caught do we really think this post would have seen the light of day? Let's be honest, it was either he post the watch out himself or someone else do it for him. Kind of a no-brainer if you plan to stick around the collecting community and eventually try to sell your variant guide and other pieces from a now-suspect collection.

Anyway, I guess I should refrain from posting anything else until I cool down but I am not buying what Wolff is selling. We would have never seen any such post from Wolff if he was not caught by other vigilant members.

Cannot thank the mods here enough. You guys are great and will always have my support.


-chris

I apologize Chris for not responding sooner. I've just got to a computer now. Commendable was certainly not the right word to have used. I'm just trying to say to Wolff that I'm glad he outed himself before we did it for him.
However, that might be different when it comes to RS as I do not see a post yet from him there and it is certainly important that this comes to light there as he has sold on both boards.

We will never know if he would have ever outed himself having not been caught, but he has and it is up to him now as to how he reacts and makes amends. I just hope that you and if anyone else is found to have been duped will get refunded. I really hope this was a one time situation, but it could have been going on for years. Only one person knows for sure right now.

Wolff this is truly a sad day.

I don't even know how to respond to the post above. Dan, aren't you the same guy that cried bloody murder and foul play when you blamed AFA for "stealing" your $15 Ledy gam guard axe???

Wolff just stole $298 USD from me and has not even attempted to contact me and make things right, you call that a "little boo boo"?!?

Amazing...

EDIT - Well, looks like Dan is in cover-up mode deleting all his previous posts... What a guy..

Wow wow wow...

The only explanation I have for Wolff's behavior (or I could accept as excuse) is that he maybe retouched up the figure ages back (in times before he started to collect variant figures) and simply forgot about it...

Wolff - get up and press the PP refund button for Chris payment.

Imo you would also need to cover Chris expenses for sending the figure to AFA and back and (of course) the amount he had to pay for the attempt to get it graded.

Well if that all works out there is no need to post something at RS. It is a problem inside the TIG family and it should stay there (my thoughts).

Things like that always make me pretty sad and some wishes to leave the SW community come up strongly...

Uli

Unfortunately Uli, that was not the case. The figure in question was purchased recently & touched up to sell to make a profit. It will not stay within the TIG family no matter how much we try. I believe the transaction was done on RS, & Tom Derby has been notified.

Tank1252 wrote:

...The figure in question was purchased recently & touched up to sell to make a profit...

Oh boy... no doubt about that?

Uli

Im getting very late to work today, but this needs to be cleared!


1. I didnt told chris the truth. Correct! I invented a storry...truth! Why did I:
As I said, I hoped to get back on track descretely. I would have refunded him if he had replied! But he didnt replied on my email from yesterday! The story I invented was constructed like someone else to blame, and "not sure"...so I had to wait till he replies!

2. Why first posting here and not telling chris the truth? I dont know...It was late yesterday! I decided to go out in public very late and went to bed! Its much harder to write chris personally what Ive done...I again sorry for that, but I didnt feel it to be a hurry yestzerday night and I wanted a clear mind and choose my words well when facing him!
From his point this looks different...I know that...and Im sorry again! From my point: I know I will refund him fully! And I did send the money today morning!

I dont know why chris talks about 298 USD. I now sent him the money he payed me! If there is any further costs like: fees (no gift button in germany), shipping costs, afa bills: I will surely also pay for these! But I have to wait till chris lets me know! So please dont blame for not fully refunded him...I will do...but I need to know the exact costs!



Uli no doubt about that! I have done it! As you can see I wont lie again! But you have to believe me I never did before!

wolff

I also sent this in an email just now but since you brought it up here..

I paid -€229.50 EUR, which was $301.82 USD at the time. I was just refunded $230 USD with $9.27 in fees taken out, so I am still out $81.09 USD.

xiskool wrote:

Wolff - I find it really pathetic that you post a public apology but cannot even take the time to contact me personally. To me, these are not the actions of someone who is truly sorry or ashamed.

Im am truely ashamed. Thats why it is harder for me to tell you personally! I thought about sending you the link here yesterday night! But I thought it should be more personal...but I really wanted to have clear mind and choose my words well! But the truth is: such behavior has no right words or explanation!

I am deeply sorry! One mistake after another! But I cannot make this right...how could I?? I can only fully refund you! I did the first step...you now have to let me know the additional costs! I WILL PAY THEM LATER TODAY! Im off for work now!

Wolff

xiskool wrote:

I also sent this in an email just now but since you brought it up here..

I paid -€229.50 EUR, which was $301.82 USD at the time. I was just refunded $230 USD with $9.27 in fees taken out, so I am still out $81.09 USD.

That whyt I said...I dont have a clear mind! Of course I got it in euros! Im sorry...I will do the rest now...oh man this gets more embarassing all the time!


edit:

I sent 85 USD...this will hopefully refund the 81 plus the additional fees that will come up now!

Wolff

Just wanted to confirm for those interested that Wolff just refunded the full purchase price. I actually owe him .29 cents now.

xiskool wrote:

...I actually owe him .29 cents now.

Lol - if that all wouldn't be really really sad...

Out of interest - Chris you now got a full refund for your initial payment. How about your expenses for the AFA thing? Was that already included or are you keeping the figure for that? ...

Uli

P.S. If anyone wants me to shut up here please let me know.

Noone wants you to shut up!

Chris let me know if there is any further costs! I will pay for them!

Forget work today....one trouble more or less...its not important anymore!

Im awaiting my ban now! Money issues were cleared! The bad taste stays and will stay! I know that and Im prepared!

Once again, I apologize to:
- Chris, I lied to him, I cheated him and I robed him! There is no excuse!
- My good friends here! I dissapointed them very much!
- My best friends here, because even they knew what I did. they sent me pms to build me up! That is more embarassing as I ever could think of it would be! Im not the victim here! And I havent earnt these Pms! Although Im very thankfull for that!
- the whole community! Its normally that cheaters join and try to do a scam these days! Its really damaging the collection community if members like I do such a thing! This damage is not to repair again!

I am deeply sorry!

Wolff

Well - Wolff there is probably really no excuse for what you did. But the final result is what should count in the end imo. Chris got his money back and simply has to say how much else he needs to cover his costs, so there should stay no finacial harm in the end (what is always good).

Imo it is now up to him how he wants to punish you for lying to him. If he wants to cruzify you at RS he can start a thread there or simply tell you to start an apologize thread... we will see how he decides (and it is only his decision imo). Perhaps will he make his peace with the situation like it is now...

On a sidenote: it is good to see that the comunity here and the SW comunity in general worked to solve the problem. It is also good to see that AFA (or Tom alone) made a good job in this case. You usually only hear bad things about AFA with grading fake weapons, misgraded figures etc. but they did a perfect job here.

Don't let us forget what Wolff did for the main TIG page and the comunity before he made a step in the totally wrong direction. I think he really noticed that it was false what he did but everyone deserves a second chance imo.

Uli

P.S. Please remember that my native language is German if you read what I wrote above

I wanted to explain what has happened here so all users can understand exactly what happened.

The last 48 hours have been very painful for me personally Wolff is someone who i have been friends with for a long time and had a lot of respect for and has contributed a lot to the site.

Here is a brief summary of what happened.

Wolff purchased 2 Beater Dark Jacket figures on his eBay account he then repainted them to appear mint to sell to unsuspecting collectors on both the TIG Forum and RS.

A number of TIG members did some back ground checks as things didn’t sit right. They uncovered damming evidence of Wolffs scam so they contacted him to challenge him about it Wolff confessed and then pulled the remaining fake figure that was for sale on TIG and RS however he had already sold one via RS to Chris Xiskool.

The individuals also contacted the TIG Moderation Team with their concerns which led us to complete details checks which sadly confirmed this had indeed happened.

I also had to ask Chris Xiskool to trust me when i was checking info out through this period and i thank him for this.

Yes Wolff is a friend of mine but I also consider Chris Xiskool a good friend as well so i was deeply upset and angry to find out what happened.

Once the evidence was collated we contacted Wolff who confessed what had happened and expressed remorse and a desire to put things right we advised him that this information will be released publically for the good of the community and that it was in Wolffs best interest for him to come clean himself as opposed to us releasing the details (which we would have done had Wolff not taken the action he did). It’s good that Wolff owned up to the community and this was a positive step he should however apologised privately to Chris first.

Lets also not forget that he was caught and that’s what has led to this if he wasn’t caught would he have continued this practise? Has he done this before? - The truth is we don’t know.

I also agree 1000% with what Chris Xiskool said let’s put this into context he was deliberately scammed out of a large chunk of money by a fellow collector that he trusted.

Wolff has said he has only done this once that can only be taken at face value.

If I had purchased any high end figures from Wolff (I haven’t but I’m assuming some people have) then I would be sending then to Tom Derby at CIB so he could check them for signs of any tampering.

Here are some details of the figures in question -

Original Auction Rebel Soldier Pic 1:



Touch Up Soldier Pic 1 from Wolff's FS Post:



Original Auction Rebel Soldier Pic 2:



Touch Up Soldier Pic 2 from Wolff's FS Post:





I’m having a really chaotic day at work today guys so please bear with me so I will post further details tonight as needed.

I just want to add that this scam took place on RS and Shane has been informed by the TIG Team.

Just to add this has broken very quickly we all have full time Jobs as well and personal lives to manage we are in the process of informing other relevant vintage SW communities.

Cheers Jay

well done to the mods and anyone else who helped discover what was happening, this is the sort of thing that happens every day on fucking ebay , there is no place for it on here or any other dedicated forum at all, the fact that its a "well respected" and VERY knowledgeable member makes it all the worse in my eyes.
A hell of a lot of the deals on here and in the vintage community in general are made with trust a massive part of them, not knowing someone and sending them money..... god i hope it turns up/its the right one/its not been fucking painted is all part of that, if it was some snotty teenager thinking i can make some money out of the star wars geeks then that can be "brushed under the carpet", this cant.

What if say it was me, who has not been collecting for that long decided to "invest" a lump of money in a figure that will surely never go down in value as a centre piece in my collection, i would not send it for grading so it would sit, now six months down the line my situation changes and i need some quick cash, i decide to part with the same figure so i sell it on here/rs/swfuk/swcc or anywhere else and a more experienced collecter realises its been tampered with as soon as they see it, NOW it would be my name tarnished and not the guy i got it from, sure the truth would come out but not before the damage was done and i was labeled a scammer. A good reputation is very hard to get a bad one is not.

mods , admins, developers have a massive decison to make here regardless of the fact money has been refunded,

having been scammed on ebay (£273) i know exactley what a foul taste it leaves in your mouth, it took me six months to get a refund, the only possible positive to come out of this is the fact money HAS been returned quickly

A very dissapointed

Andy

I would like too add 2 points:

1. I contacted chris before the mod team wrote me! Because a dear good friend contacted me before! At this point I thought I could make it right again with a story I invented!

2. The other Soldier was NOT sold! And I removed the touch ups already yesterday evening, also before the mod team contacted me!

I also apologize for beeing not a native english speaking person. If something sounds wrong, aggressive, strange, please contact me! I never attended to do so here! I just want that everyone knows the full truth! A mistake that got even bigger and bigger!

If you think I was not punished enough: I also lost the money I payed for the DBRS! I will gift the figure to chris! It at least costed nearly 70 euros (including shipping)! If he doesnt want it: I will surely take it back and pay for the shipping! I will remove the touchups and ....yes and....I cannot even sell this anymore untouched! So yes I lost all my friends, I lost all respect here and I lost a lot of money....no yelling!....I earned it!

Wolff