COSTUMEJUNKIE

This is going to be a long one - hmmm where shall I start?
During Episode III fever in Japan, all the previous StarWars were showing on TV week after week. I was watching ROJ from the corner of my eye while working and saw zillions of Stormtroopers in the Endor battle scene and thought to myself "right that does it - I am getting me one of those suits!"
I had a rummage through the online auction sites in Japan and ended up with zilch so I thought I would try my hand at Ebay. I have never used ebay - I turned down their offer to be their Product manager for Japan and heard "Ebay this" and "Ebay that" a lot while I was at Amazon but that was about all the experience I had with the name.

I done a search for stormtrooper suits and came across a certain COSTUMEJUNKIE and as you can see the chap has pretty decent ratings - although I did realize *after* paying him that most of the ratings are from *sellers*...
I also did a search on google for COSTUMEJUNKIE and did not see any red flags so made the purchase of 1,799.99 USD for a *ready to wear* stormtrooper suit. At this moment in time - I did not realize it but I was in for more than just a Stormtrooper suit...

I mailed the seller to ask about shipping time and whether I could wear my glasses with the helmet on (which is why the name of the thread is "glasses"...)
From: "COSTUMEJUNKIE INC" <tk720 at msn.com>
Date: July 23, 2005 11:08:04 AM JST
To: danny at dannychoo.com
Subject: Re: glassesWe can get the resin MG-34 (stormtrooper/sandtrooper rifle) rifles. I'd have to check with another artist who makes them :-) I sent over a chart for color choices and sizes for the suit. The shipping time is about 4 weeks.If you have any further questions, please feel free to email me.Please stop by the website and browse through our inventory of movie/television screen used props/costumes.EDWARD PUGIA
COSTUMEJUNKIE (OWNER)
Now as you can clearly see - the gentleman clearly states *4* weeks.
3 weeks later and I am dead excited - I mail him for a status update - BTW, he never replies with the original mail that I sent for some reason...
From: "COSTUMEJUNKIE INC" <tk720 at msn.com>
Date: August 13, 2005 6:24:03 AM JST
To: danny at dannychoo.com
Subject: RE: Fwd: glassesThings are going great ! It should be finished in a week or so. We're waiting on the boots to be completed as well.
If you have any further questions, please feel free to email me.Please stop by the website and browse through our inventory of movie/television screen used props/costumes.EDWARD PUGIA
COSTUMEJUNKIE (OWNER)
http://www.costumejunkie.com
Great! Its going to be ready on time as he promised - things are looking good. But then it was coming up to 4 weeks since I made the purchase - I sent another mail asking for a status update...
From: "COSTUMEJUNKIE INC" <tk720 at msn.com>
Date: August 25, 2005 5:42:08 AM JST
To: danny at dannychoo.com
Subject: Re: glassesIt's still going to be several days. We're in the middle of the assembly and custom work but it's looking great. When I finish, I'll get it boxed and get you shipping quotes.If you have any further questions, please feel free to email me.Please stop by the website and browse through our inventory of movie/television screen used props/costumes.EDWARD PUGIA
COSTUMEJUNKIE (OWNER)
http://www.costumejunkie.com
2 weeks had past since I got that mail - as you can imagine I was getting rather miffed. Another mail to my friend and came the reply....
From: "COSTUMEJUNKIE INC" <tk720 at msn.com>
Date: September 3, 2005 9:32:56 AM JST
To: danny at dannychoo.com
Subject: Re: glassesYes, it has been 6 weeks and the suit is being shipped tomorrow. I'm sorry if we quoted 4 weeks when we should have said most full stormtroopers take between 6-8 weeks. We put that on our site and put 4-6 weeks on the auctions but do try to get them there quicker.If you have any further questions, please feel free to email me.Please stop by the website and browse through our inventory of movie/television screen used props/costumes.EDWARD PUGIA
COSTUMEJUNKIE (OWNER)
http://www.costumejunkie.com
Now can somebody help me with my English as I cant make out what the gentleman is telling me - "we should have said most full stormtroopers take between 6-8 weeks" and the "and put 4-6 weeks on the auctions" together with the "but do try to get them there quicker" has confused me somewhat - if anybody can decipher this - please leave a comment.
September the 8th - The response to my mail asking for an update below...
From: "COSTUMEJUNKIE INC" <tk720 at msn.com>
Date: September 8, 2005 1:05:10 PM JST
To: danny at dannychoo.com
Subject: Re: glassesWe're going to get the package metered (weighed for shipping) tomorrow and then ship it Friday. We'll let you know shipping options then. The boots and blaster are still being made and WE'LL pay for shipping since it's taking so long to get them done.If you have any further questions, please feel free to email me.Please stop by the website and browse through our inventory of movie/television screen used props/costumes.EDWARD PUGIA
COSTUMEJUNKIE (OWNER)
http://www.costumejunkie.com
Note what the seller says about shipping - you will see something about shipping cropping up later on.
As I did not use Ebay before, I genuinely thought that if a seller decided to keep the money and not send the goods then there was nothing that I would be able to do about it. Having a look at the thread above - would you not be under the same impression? Excuse after excuse with each excuse came the promise of the item being ready soon. I asked the seller many times what his intentions were - whether he wanted to keep the money and not send the goods or what. All I wanted to hear was either "we are keeping your money - tough shit" (which is fine) or "the goods will be ready in another 8 weeks" (which is fine too because I would not have to spend all my time following up on this).

AARRRRRGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!

Sorry, just had to scream for a bit there. Anyway, below is a mail I sent to the seller *8* poxy weeks after I made the purchase. I ask him for a straight answer...
From: Danny Choo <danny at dannychoo.com>
Date: September 16, 2005 8:07:29 AM JST
To: COSTUMEJUNKIE INC <TK720 at msn.com>
Subject: Re: glasses
Edward,
I really need a straight answer from you.
every time I write you I either dont receive a reply or I get a "will be shipped this weekend"I need a straight answer from you - either you are not going to send the suit and are going to keep my money (as I said before that is fine - just let me know. I dont want to waste my time anymore chasing you.
Or *if* you are going to send the suit, I need an eta.BTW, below is a quote form you AFTER I placed the order.
"We can get the resin MG-34 (stormtrooper/sandtrooper rifle) rifles. I'd have to check with another artist who makes them :-) I sent over a chart for color choices and sizes for the suit. The shipping time is about 4 weeks."
I was wondering if I should contact ebay to see if they know whats going on - because I certainly do not.Danny
September 19th - 8 bloody weeks after the purchase and still no merchandise.The reply from the seller below may surprise you - I nearly bit my tongue and went through the roof
From: "COSTUMEJUNKIE INC" <tk720 at msn.com>
Date: September 19, 2005 12:25:35 PM JST
To: danny at dannychoo.com
Subject: Re: glassesSorry, we've been on vacation and just got back into town.If you have any further questions, please feel free to email me.Please stop by the website and browse through our inventory of movie/television screen used props/costumes.EDWARD PUGIA
COSTUMEJUNKIE (OWNER)
http://www.costumejunkie.com
I then get a mail the same day saying that he was *not* on vacation but was helping out with the hurricane relief...
From: "COSTUMEJUNKIE INC" <tk720 at msn.com>
Date: September 19, 2005 12:41:04 PM JST
To: danny at dannychoo.com
Subject: Re: glassesDanny, I'm so sorry. We were called away for a week to assist with the Hurricane releif in Louisana. I just got back into town today. The costume is packed and ready to ship. I'll get you firm prices tomorrow so you have a choice on how you'd like the suit shipped.If you have any further questions, please feel free to email me.Please stop by the website and browse through our inventory of movie/television screen used props/costumes.EDWARD PUGIA
COSTUMEJUNKIE (OWNER)
http://www.costumejunkie.com
At this point in time I was fuming - a MAN ON FIRE!
I really did not know what to do - I rummaged around on Ebay and saw something called the Dispute Console - where I could submit a "items not received" ticket and communicate with the Seller but instead have the thread logged - if the dispute could not be solved, I could escalate and have somebody from Ebay look into the case - I thought I would try my luck and open a ticket. The thread is below - I opened the ticket on Sep 16th and had the fun of going through this crap through to october the 1st...
rx78-gp01 Sep-16-05 at 16:03:08 PDT
Item Not Received: STAR WARS STORMTROOPER COMPLETE COSTUME (#7532519178)
Payment Method: PayPal
Payment Date: Jul-23-2005costumejunkie Sep-18-05 at 20:47:00 PDT
We were in Louisana helping the relief efforts for a week. The customer hasn't paid for shipping yet
, and we're getting shipping quotes for the costume in the next day. rx78-gp01 Sep-19-05 at 20:24:21 PDT
Hi,
You mentioned something about paying for the shipping (see below) does that offer still
stand?costumejunkie Sep-19-05 at 22:06:16 PDT
USA shipping of $45.00 is waived when using the BUY IT NOW. We will deduct $45.00 from your choice
of shipping method. rx78-gp01 Sep-19-05 at 22:14:44 PDT
Thanks,
You mentioned you was going to give me the shipping options today. awaiting instructions.costumejunkie Sep-20-05 at 00:41:02 PDT
Here are your shipping options and prices. All prices need to have $45.00 deducted from them for your
discount:UPS Worldwide ExpeditedSM
Delivered by: By End of Day Monday September 26, 2005 Billable Weight: 46.0 lbs. $309.29 USPS Airmail Parcel Post 4 - 10 Days $115.80 FEDEX FedEx
International Economy®
Time definite delivery in 4 to 5 business days $288.62

rx78-gp01 Sep-20-05 at 05:35:49 PDT
I have just sent $70.80c (difference between 115.80) to you. Please send by USPS Airmail Parcel Post
4 - 10 DaysOne of the reasons why I originally asked for other faster options was because I wanted the goods faster
- I have waited so long and might as well wait longer.
rx78-gp01 Sep-20-05 at 18:04:23 PDT
Hi,
I have paid for the shipping (see previous message) in a timely manner (just like I did for the
goods)
Can you let me know when you will ship the goods? You mentioned below that the goods were
packed and ready to ship.Please advise.costumejunkie Sep-20-05 at 21:35:37 PDT
The package is scheduled to go out tomorrow USPS as promised. rx78-gp01 Sep-20-05 at 21:42:52 PDT
Thank you.
If there is some sort of tracking number, please let me know what it is - if not thats
fine.
I will contact you ten days after tomorrow on Sunday 2nd October 2005 if the package has not
arrived by then.
costumejunkie Sep-20-05 at 21:46:43 PDT
Since it's going USPS AIR, they do have a customs number and an insurance number but neither is
trackable.
rx78-gp01 Sep-21-05 at 21:42:28 PDT
Hi,
Would just like to confirm that you sent the package out as promised.
Thankscostumejunkie Sep-21-05 at 23:40:58 PDT
Yes, the costume was shipped today ! It should be there soon. Please let me know when it arrives
safely. rx78-gp01 Oct-01-05 at 16:14:15 PDT
Arrived.
Let me know the proceedure to give you a rating.
So the suit is here and I was about to forgive and forget - until I saw the quality of the merchandise. I payed 1800 USD for the suit, another 70 for shipping, 120 for import tax (which I had to pay when the goods arrived), 30 for a Kenner Stormtrooper blaster (because the one that came with the suit looked like it was chewed on by a dog) and another 150 on bits and pieces like leather and snaps to redo the heap of crap that arrived - have a look at the photos below.
Now I dont mind paying modest amounts for quality stuff but I do mind when I am dishing out wads for absolute crap.
Storm trooper armor kit can be picked up on the net for a few hundred USD - which includes the helmet. The body glove, boots, gloves and other bits n pieces for another say few hundred - a total of 600 dollars-ish. So what the freaking baboon crap did I pay an extra 1200 USD for? Well I expected a suit that was going to be professionally put together and delivered in a timely manner but what I got was the below...Above and Below: This is the blaster that came with the suit - as you can see it looks like some sort of cast - the eye piece must have fell off during or before transit and the nozzle looks like its been stuck up an elephants bottom or something. Above: The cheap velcro used is about as useful as a poke in the ear with a long metal spike (i.e. not very useful at all) - I have tried the chest plate on twice and the velcro has already come off.Above and Below: The crooked velco all over the suit shows the passion put into making this thing (not).Below: The biceps are supposed to be attached to the shoulder bells like this and you will find how the cod piece and back plate should look like in the same link. I would expect this to be done for a "deluxe ready to wear" suit.Below: Back and codpiece uncut - you can see a faint line across the back where there should be a cut.Below: The belt that comes with the suit is the useless piece of plastic which goes round the back - its needs a screw to bold the belt in place! It really should come with a proper beltBelow: Nicely cut velcro (not)Below: These knee plates should be riveted to the knees like so (under knee plates) but instead comes with our friend the velcro again.Below: The hand plates look like somebody took all of 2 seconds to throw together but should look more like this (see the hand plates section)Below:The shoulder bells also come with free dents...Below:Tape is coming off these speaker parts and as you can see - somebody's dog has been chewing on it.Below:More example of badly placed velcro - this time protruding out... Above: So what the fook am I doing to do with all this shit? Well I still want me suit - so I got myself along to Tokyu Hands to pick up a glue gun, some leather, bits n bobs and a Kenner Stormtrooper blaster - after buying all this crap, I thought to myself that I could have just got me some armor for a few hundred dollars and make the thing myself. I mistakenly thought that I was going to get a quality suit but in the end I payed over a thousand dollars for a slap in the face with a wet smelly pound of veal as I have to practically make the suit over again myself.
I will post pictures soon of "Stormtrooper - the remaking" soon.

If the goods were indeed as advertised - "THIS COSTUME WILL BE MADE TO YOUR SIZE AND READY TO WEAR OUT OF THE BOX" (the blurb which the sellers uses) despite the bad pre-arrival-of-goods service, I may have just let this go. But as I said - I am a man on fire and justice has been done.
It amazes me that people can treat consumers this way and think they can get away with it.

• Check my negative feedback on the seller at Ebay
• Now do a search yourself on Google for COSTUMEJUNKIE