Review of ashcraft baker. Buyer BEWARE!!!

[Hugo de Stonham]

I was at a practice not long ago and a new fighter was talking about getting the A/B starter kit. I advised him not to and that I would assist him in putting together a set of armor to get him on the field. Another member who claimed to be part of the AA approached and raved about A/B, said it would be the best move for the new fighter to take. I advised him of the reviews that I have seen on the AA and his reply was "the AA will back me in saying A/B is the best price around and the best service there is". At that moment I just walked away.

[Maddoux]

So you went home, found the url to this thread and gave it to both of them, yes?

[herrhauptmann]

I was at a practice not long ago and a new fighter was talking about getting the A/B starter kit. I advised him not to and that I would assist him in putting together a set of armor to get him on the field. Another member who claimed to be part of the AA approached and raved about A/B, said it would be the best move for the new fighter to take. I advised him of the reviews that I have seen on the AA and his reply was "the AA will back me in saying A/B is the best price around and the best service there is". At that moment I just walked away.

Anyone can be a part of the AA. It's just a message board, not a role call of the elite.
Maybe the starter kit would be a good deal if the new fighter went up to the smith, handed him cash, and walked away with a complete starter kit. That assumes there's an experienced person standing there doublechecking the gear: welds, rivets, straps, and the placement thereof. Personally, I haven't seen it to decide if it would be protective enough, durable, and still allow mobility; so maybe the starter kit is the biggest trap in existence.

But if they've got to pay, then wait for him to send something...

[Lord_Kalen]

good thing this thread got revived I guess , was thinking of order his elbows and knees , as they looked decent and were cheap ... also had kinda thought about buying the cheapest helm he had , glueing a large purple phallus on it and taking the field weilding a "combat" version of the Chu-Ko-Nus I make

[Maddoux]

I don't think that I want to know...

[Carrick Mac Manus]

I ordered one long before I ever joined the archive as a backup to the helm I was wearing at the time. Well it eventually became my regular helm due to a unforseen circumstance but I always swore I would replace it with a expensive top line helm after hearing the horror stories. Time passed and I fought in it and never got around to affording the helm I wanted. Last month in our Baronial champions tournament the face of the helm above my eye caved in after a good shot and left me bleeding and unable to continue the fight with that helm. I wore a black eye for the week after and will have a small scar that will stay there. I would not even advise using one of these helms as a loaner item or backup item. The risk to the wearer is too great and the collapse came with no warning signs at all. Lessoned learned and I wished I would have known before the initial investment. The face area of his helms really need to be investigated to see if they are conforming to the rules for being safe to use in our sport because this failure which I have now heard is not that isolated an incidence is the one failure that definately can not be tolerated.

[Joseph]

good thing this thread got revived I guess , was thinking of order his elbows and knees , as they looked decent and were cheap ... also had kinda thought about buying the cheapest helm he had , glueing a large purple phallus on it and taking the field weilding a "combat" version of the Chu-Ko-Nus I make

elbows and knees- look no further then rough from the hammer.
best price, good quality. can't be beat

[Keegan Ingrassia]

good thing this thread got revived I guess , was thinking of order his elbows and knees , as they looked decent and were cheap ... also had kinda thought about buying the cheapest helm he had , glueing a large purple phallus on it and taking the field weilding a "combat" version of the Chu-Ko-Nus I make

elbows and knees- look no further then rough from the hammer.
best price, good quality. can't be beat

+1

[Maddoux]

I thought we might be free, as his e-mail address seemed to be disconnected. But, he just re-vamped his site. Its very pretty now, it seems he's gearing up for more business.

[Brennainn]

Boo.

[Ceawlin Alreding]

Oh, dear lord...

[bigfredb]

This says it all:

http://www.bbb.org/tucson/business-revi ... z-20031046

You can put a bow on a turd, but, in the end, it's still a turd.

[Laiodheach the Bear]

I wonder who the first sheep will be.

[Maddoux]

He did respond to my e-mail regarding a year old order that never was filled, with a reasonable explanation as to why it wasn't filled as well as some of the changes that I've noticed on the site. If my order is filled in a (schedule adjusted for reasons) timely manner and the quality has returned to what we used to expect from him, I *might* give him a second chance. The business has changed, its now just Ashcraft Armory. Maybe, just maybe, he can begin to redeem himself.

I do so love redemption stories.

[Caius705]

He did respond to my e-mail regarding a year old order that never was filled, with a reasonable explanation as to why it wasn't filled as well as some of the changes that I've noticed on the site. If my order is filled in a (schedule adjusted for reasons) timely manner and the quality has returned to what we used to expect from him, I *might* give him a second chance. The business has changed, its now just Ashcraft Armory. Maybe, just maybe, he can begin to redeem himself.

I do so love redemption stories.

*INCOMING SHIT STORM, PLEASE CLEAR LANDING BAY; INCOMING SHIT STORM, NON ESSENTIAL PERSONNEL MUST LEAVE ARE*

All kidding aside, as far as I can tell, enough people are owed back armor that he'd have to work for a few years to make up for them. I don't think redemption is on the table.

[bigfredb]

Also of note (per website), it is no longer Ashcraft Baker . . .

it's Ashcraft Armoury




And the email address is: kgashcraft@gmail.com

[Karl der Walder]

I have been making SCA armor Professionally for over 33 years and have made over 40,000 helms and 250,000 basket hilts.

That's 3.3 helms and 20 hilts per day. Anyone that can crank out armor like that must be a master... And churning out number like that, I can see how some people's orders would get missed.

[Diglach Mac Cein]

Maybe he's using a 3-D Printer.

Or a whole bunch of guys in India.

[CTrumbore]

Maybe he's as full of sh!t as his promised dates of delivery are?

[The Iron Dwarf]

maybe he means he has taken orders for and payment for that quantity

[Caius705]

maybe he means he has taken orders for and payment for that quantity

That's....That's probably closer to the truth.

[Maddoux]

Oh, I'm not expecting much, but that will make things all the much sweeter if he can pull it off.

And yeah, that change in the name is one thing that I've noticed and had explained by reasons. (Its not my place to discuss them, but they are reasons and they are worthy of some leeway.)

As far as the numbers go, one word is very important. "Professionally", the time era is claimed is as a professional crafter, but he does not claim to have made the helms and hilts all within that 33 years. Is it an over-exaggeration? Most likely, but it might not be as tremendous of an over-exaggeration. Especially considering that there was a business partner.

I'm not saying that I believe the guy, but he did respond to my e-mail same day, and explained what happened with my order and says that he's going to have it shipped this week. I want to see what happens, and I'm hoping that he gets me my order. If he makes things right, then I have reason to believe his reasons. Any second order that I might potentially make is largely dependent on how impressed I am with what I receive. If he makes things right, I might give him a second chance. Not a "I need a helm, gorget, elbows, and knees" order, but something to see if maybe, just maybe, he's going to do right by his customers.

If you did place an order that you haven't received, shoot him an e-mail at the new address. A lot of paperwork got lost.

[bigfredb]

. . . he's going to have it shipped this week. -> paperwork got lost.

I wish you the best of luck.

". . . fool me 33,000 helms and 250,000 . . . "

[Maddoux]

I'm not paying anything on this second chance, so why not give it to him?

Trust me, I'm not saying that he's solid in my book. I'd written this money off, if he provides awesome. If not, I lose nothing.

[RandallMoffett]

Maddoux,

I am hoping he comes through for you. His armour has been floating around far before I got involved in this and some of the first armour I got were things from his armoury (usually second hand).

RPM

[Maddoux]

I received an e-mail tonight, letting me know that my order is being shipped tomorrow. He seems to be making an effort to correct things, and that goes a long way.

[Paladin74]

I'm not paying anything on this second chance, so why not give it to him?

Trust me, I'm not saying that he's solid in my book. I'd written this money off, if he provides awesome. If not, I lose nothing.

By having to write it off, you'd already lost, correct? If he doesn't come through this time, that's just adding insult to previous injury. I wish you the best of luck, but I'll spend my money elsewhere, on better wares at that.

[The Iron Dwarf]

why go to AB or as now A when there are loads of reliable armourers here

[Maddoux]

I'm not paying anything on this second chance, so why not give it to him?

Trust me, I'm not saying that he's solid in my book. I'd written this money off, if he provides awesome. If not, I lose nothing.

By having to write it off, you'd already lost, correct? If he doesn't come through this time, that's just adding insult to previous injury. I wish you the best of luck, but I'll spend my money elsewhere, on better wares at that.

I suppose there could be "added insult" but confirmation that an irresponsible and dishonest vender isn't really an insult.

What would be is if he sends me my product this time, I chose to put another order in, and that one doesn't come through.


Why would I consider ordering from Ashcraft Armoury when I know what I do? Because if the reasons are correct, and Kelly Ashcraft is trying to fix things, then does he not deserve a second chance?

If your answer is no, that's fine.

But, I look at it and believe that I was dealing with Baker before, the Syntax and mannerisms are different in the communication. Maybe its an affect, maybe not. If it was Baker, how can I judge Ashcraft solely off of her? If I get my order, and its shod, then shod is shod. But if its quality, then the reasons given, the ones that led to Ashcraft Baker becoming just Ashcraft, I have to decide how much I believe comes from Ashcraft and how much comes from Baker.

[bigfredb]

[Zubeydah]

I was at a practice not long ago and a new fighter was talking about getting the A/B starter kit. I advised him not to and that I would assist him in putting together a set of armor to get him on the field. Another member who claimed to be part of the AA approached and raved about A/B, said it would be the best move for the new fighter to take. I advised him of the reviews that I have seen on the AA and his reply was "the AA will back me in saying A/B is the best price around and the best service there is". At that moment I just walked away.

Who in Wiesenfeuer was saying Ashcroft Baker was awesome and Armor Archive recommended? Feel free to PM me if you'd prefer to answer privately...

[Paladin74]

I'm not paying anything on this second chance, so why not give it to him?

Trust me, I'm not saying that he's solid in my book. I'd written this money off, if he provides awesome. If not, I lose nothing.

By having to write it off, you'd already lost, correct? If he doesn't come through this time, that's just adding insult to previous injury. I wish you the best of luck, but I'll spend my money elsewhere, on better wares at that.

I suppose there could be "added insult" but confirmation that an irresponsible and dishonest vender isn't really an insult.

What would be is if he sends me my product this time, I chose to put another order in, and that one doesn't come through.


Why would I consider ordering from Ashcraft Armoury when I know what I do? Because if the reasons are correct, and Kelly Ashcraft is trying to fix things, then does he not deserve a second chance?

If your answer is no, that's fine.

You must do what you feel is right, of course. If it were a matter of just you and a handful of people, I could see doing so. When the number is as high (and I don't have exact numbers, but you can search these forums, or even just in this thread and note that something is amiss) as it is, I think more caution is needed.

There is a saying that has stuck with me over time:

The definition of insanity is to continue to commit the same mistake/blunder/happenstance and expecting a different outcome.

I am joking with you, in case it is not obvious. The saying is true, but I'm not calling you insane.

[Maddoux]

Indeed. And had I not gotten reasons(tm)*, I wouldn't consider it.

But, there are far too many variables that have changed. I believe in the second chance, should someone strive to earn it. Kelly Ashcraft has sent me the tracking number to my package today, and its on its way here. It looks like things have changed, and it looks like he's on his way to earning a second chance.

[Morgan]

I was at a practice not long ago and a new fighter was talking about getting the A/B starter kit. I advised him not to and that I would assist him in putting together a set of armor to get him on the field. Another member who claimed to be part of the AA approached and raved about A/B, said it would be the best move for the new fighter to take. I advised him of the reviews that I have seen on the AA and his reply was "the AA will back me in saying A/B is the best price around and the best service there is". At that moment I just walked away.

Who in Wiesenfeuer was saying Ashcroft Baker was awesome and Armor Archive recommended? Feel free to PM me if you'd prefer to answer privately...

LOL I was gonna ask the same question...

[EnderPC]

Ordering from AB is taking a chance with your money. If your cool with that great. Just know that is what your doing.

I actually still point people toward AB for one thing. Hilts. 3 hilts for 30$ is about the best deal out there. They aint pretty but they work and if they never come in i'm only out 30 $, which sucks but aint too bad. I dont think you can get even 1 hilt for 30$ anywhere else.

For the price of AB's helmets and joints there are better quality armourers out there that you dont have to risk money on.