I’ll join the revolution. I just got taken on a mask I bought TODAY. I paid good money for a piece of crap mask with the damn hair falling out, and a horrid paint job. It’s gonna have to be completely redone. Luckily the mask came from a killer mold so it looks good. But it needs an overhaul
f**k all the drama and the stealing! i never buy directly from mask makers unless they already have the item Finished and ready to ship. And i never pay any money up front for “projects” that are still in the works.
even e-Bay is a safe place compared to recent happenings like the cgp implosion and fraud, the starJERK robbery, etc.
45 days?? no. how about 7 days!
Much needed post Scott. I am totally with you. There are a few (VERY few) I will wait longer for that has EARNED trust with me like Justin but that is a SHORT list to say the least.
Take for example the custom LARGE case you made for me. I had it from conception to finish in about a month and this was when you had MANY projects going on. What I got was a flawless custom made case in a short period with no excuses.
That’s the way it SHOULD be.
The few bad apples have caused distrust, fear and a sense of anger in the community. Many people treat others (including myself) with unwarranted suspicion based on the shady dealings of a few. This needs to end and end now.
This hobby is about fun and friendships. There is no place for scams in this community. Time to do some “weed eating”.
Sam and Justin are about the only people I trust. I don’t distrust anyone, but am very observant of other makers times and feedback in this community. I know I will receive a mask from these guys. Others, not so much. I will join the revolution and use this system with any new makers or those whom I’ve never done business, while reserving action for those who have earned a little respect and leeway. If I ever get burned, it’s my fault.
Good idea, Scott.
-Jonnie
Amen to this! My main issue with these guys is there lack of communication. If you’re unable to deliver, for the love of God send your customer a stinking message! In what alternate reality is it alright to take someone’s money and leave them completely in the dark until a box shows up six months later? It just has to stop. At the very least, from this moment on I’m using only a credit card to pay through PayPal. I don’t know if it will help, but I figure at least I may have some recourse if I go through the credit card company; then again, I may be kidding myself. It’s a real shame that discussions like this have to keep happening over and over again.
yea it was a lot of fun seeing Dan Drista playing sick and posting pic’s on his Myspace page drinking all you money away at a bar, He had good feedback from other users, everyone said he was a stand up guy. Nothing ever came of that, we all got burned, I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again. Start a Myers trust fund so you can have reconstructive surgery done on you asshole when you retire from this hobby, your gonna get screwed a lot and its only going to get worse. The 45 day agreement is great but no maker will honor it, it will turn into the usual disappearing act.
AMEN!
I hear ya on this topic.
I think 6-8 Weeks is a respectable timetable to wait for a mask. There is only a handfull of mask makers i trust these days. Even with Justins 6plus month wait time i still trust him only because he promptly responds to emails and inquiries. Its all about communication. If i order a mask and the maker says that it will be a 3-4 month wait. Thats fine. Just as long as we can stay in contact and the mask maker stays true to his word. Thats all that really matters. I also dont think certain indy mask makers should bite off more than they can chew. Meaning DONT take orders for 30 masks if that is going to put you over your head. i also wont buy from any member here unless they have a good reputation. Luckily i have not been burned yet in this hobby…
What we need to start is the “NO MASK OVER $350 CREW” 
Janty Chattaw??? Dude, I went through the same crap w/ him on a Keaton cowl.
He even claimed that the package was lost at one point and said he’d “go out of his way” to do another at no charge.
I mean to the point where I will NEVER order from him again. You should read the emails he sent me.
I finally had to file a dispute and get a hold of him on his Myspace page just for him to reply to me.
I’m definitely jumping on board here.
Chad,
I bought a Keaton cowl and Keaton face with eyes for it and the sonar cowl. $675 total. The Keaton was a gift from my family for my wedding. He said he shipped it on the 11th the day before my wedding. I got back to the house the next week and there was no fail to deliver slip or a box waiting. He said he got the address wrong and it went to the wrong place and he would get it back then get it to me. Long story short he is full of crap so I nailed his ass with two claims in one day and shut him down big time. He has ten days until I get my money or a box on my doorstep. If he fails to deliver or refund since he’s in CA I’m taking him to small claims court.
AND… We are busting his knee caps. 
What is everyone’s opinions on mask makers being friends of yours, so they think that your masks can wait, while they finish up other masks and start and finish other projects before your mask is complete? I have had that happen to me before… Kind of sucks… I paid for my mask to be finished like everyone else.
I’m in! I just ordered a mask last week and if it doesn’t get here in 40 days, I’ll file a dispute.
Shane
Yeah Scott, I agree! I have twice waited almost 2 years on masks! And I know it doesn’t take anyone 2 years to make a freakin mask. Then my bud gets the same mask I have ordered 6 months sooner than me and he ordered 6 months after I did 
He waited a year for his.
I always tell me customers to wait until I am finished to pay me! Some insist on paying for their mask work up front, but I discourage it. This is better all the way around… except for me sometimes I do this so if I was ever not able to deliver, my customer would be covered. I get burned this way sometimes, but most of the time it’s all good with me. People call me crazy for doing this but I feel better this way and I know my customers do. But my replica weapons, stands, displays and all other custom stuff is 100% up front, of course!
However, for some strange reason I am completely smuthered with Halloween work this year! It will obviously take a bit longer than I would like to get my customers masks and props done during this time. But I never rush my work out and never will! I would quit making this stuff before I would do that! 
Great post Scott! 
JC
Great post,
I couldn’t agree more with you. A tracking number also helps, and can be added through paypal, so both the buyer and Paypal are aware of the progress of the tramsaction.
This is a great post there should be so kind of electronic contract made to commit them to the work, at least if it goes to court you have paper trail and an electronic signature.
Great Thread! im no mask maker, but none the less i wasnt raised this way, i believe a lot of the people on here were not either.
i really just couldnt think to steal from other people, its not in my blood.
most of the people on here have children, grandparents, A WIFE that might reluctantly accepts our hobby and lets us blow major $ on latex and plastic.
to the cons: how do you sleep at night and feel justified that you wont give someone as much as a response?(not a bs excuse, we have all heard them)
some of the most upheld artist in the business even pulled a houdini and act like its a weight off thier shoulders
i just wasnt raised like this, so even though im not a maker, i am a buyer, i agree with what is said about paypal and the standards scott put on here
it is not too much to ask, but if i sell something to someone, you bet damn sure that its gonna get to them tightly and firmly packaged to them! I expect the same from all of whom i buy from, thats good business. So im in as a buyer and a seller for sure.
Zach
I support this, however things do happen sometimes. I have had people waiting for their icon masks from me for over a year and there’s nothing I could do about it. It was totally out of my hands. If they were able to file a claim, I would be out the money for the sculpt, plus I would have to refund their money. Sometimes life does happen, it just should be the exception rather than the rule imo.
Yea but I know you a stand - up guy as do many others , you have always kept in touch a let me know whats going on, an I have always gotten the product nothing but good dealings with CBK.
Nik is the only person I have directly dealt with on a regular basis and he has always been great regarding shipping, so he has my trust. I have bought one mask from CGP and…well, we all know about that.
I have had many issues regarding people delivering goods though, mostly from custom figures. I am just VERY careful with who I give my cash to nowadays. Hopefully the days of chasing answers and waiting for packages are behind me.
this is exactly what happend to me, everyone tells me ohh yea josh russell is great to deal with, etc. now im out of 550 dollars, its complete BS, he built up his rep, then just stole thousands of dollars from people