eBay seller franko2828

I was just having a look through Z-scale offerings on feeBay. I happen to notice a lot of familiar kits being offered by a seller... yet, the seller is not listing any of the manufacturers names on the kits.

franko2828

Has anyone bought from this seller? I'm wondering what others think of this seller's kits, because a lot of them look like copies. I could be wrong, but...

I've never bought from him but he does say that they were all bought at an estate sale... He just isn't bothering to publish who's kits they are...I think....but I could be wrong too.

rvn2001 wrote: I've never bought from him but he does say that they were all bought at an estate sale... He just isn't bothering to publish who's kits they are...I think....but I could be wrong too.

I see what you are stating... but, even the photos he is using are taken from the manufacturer's sites. I've sent a message to feeBay, but they rarely take any action.

Alex,
They could indeed be copies as it would not be difficult to take a kit and measure the parts and redraw it with Corel DRAW to any scale one wished. Or they may be originals as represented,withe the seller not bothering to list the manufacturer.
One could also change slight details of any structure and claim it to be a new structure completely, which to some extent it would be.

I don't think it would be very cool to take a Z structure and just flip it around or change minor points, but what do you think of taking a different scale building such as HO, N, or G and sizing it down to Z? Would that be dishonest?
Just wondering. And no, we have never done that.........but it would be the easy thing to do.

I received the following reply from the seller...

"Good morning. The listing you reference is indeed GCLaser and all photos are used with permission, as are all other photos. I have found that by omitting the manufacturer's name I draw more questions, comments and views. All of my distributors are aware of my marketing plan. I'll always disclose who makes the kit when asked. Thanks for taking thr time to review my offerings. Frank Binder"

I'm not a buyer. His "marketing plan" smells.

The thing that smells is that he says "ESTATE SALE - THESE ITEMS ALL CAME FROM A DISMANTLED ESTATE AND LAYOUT." Which, unless it was a dealer/distributors liquidation, is BS.

Agreed, Joe. His reply to me does not match his listing's details. Reporting him to feeBay does nothing, as feeBay doesn't care, as long as they are pulling in their fees.

I have not replied to him. I have contacted MTL about this. I'm not sure if they will do anything about it. I'm not sure how to contact the other smaller manufacturers.

Mr.JA wrote: I have contacted MTL about this. I'm not sure if they will do anything about it. I'm not sure how to contact the other smaller manufacturers.

Alex, I don't see any MTL there, but I believe the Billboards, TV Broadcast Tower, Shotgun Houses and Loading ramp are all Blair Line LLC, PO Box 1136, Carthage, MO 64836 - 417.359.8300 (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) www.blairline.com. Everything else he has is listed is GCLaser, P.O. Box 621, Genoa City, WI 53128 - 815.354.6627 (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) www.gclaser.com

Joe