No more reg. steel "NOW" 1050 spring steel

William Freskyn Murray · Tue Jul 19, 2005 12:51 pm

excited and waiting for pictures of helm & legs :lol:

so thought I would :bump:

this back up

Will

William Freskyn Murray · Sun Jul 31, 2005 11:33 pm

William

No you won't have to redo you old legs for all will be done with in a week from today and will be posted, to show off the new version Celt helm.

Alan,

you told me on the 14th that my helm on legs would be done within a week. A week would be the 21st, It's now August 1st and I haven't heard from you.

I'm leaving to Pennsic in Saturday morning, am I going to have my armor by Friday? We're coming back home during the first week but I want to make sure they're not going to be on sitting on my porch for a couple days.

You're an amazing artist, but you're terrible at emailing people updates.

Will

Murdock · Post by **Murdock** » Mon Aug 01, 2005 1:43 am

You gonna have those gunatlet plates at Pennsic?

Seawolf2k · Post by **Seawolf2k** » Mon Aug 01, 2005 4:10 am

If you still have the Gauntlets and they will fit my hands I would like them. I wear a size 5 glove and can pay via paypal or online via debit card immediately.

Seawolf2k · Post by **Seawolf2k** » Mon Aug 01, 2005 4:17 am

If you still have the Gauntlets and they will fit my hands I would like them. I wear a size 5 glove and can pay via paypal or online via debit card immediately.

AB Hammer · Post by **AB Hammer** » Mon Aug 01, 2005 4:46 pm

I have a lobstertail pair of gauntlets on hand, and Sigfried installed a pair of gloves in them of the smaller size to Med hand they fit, due to the glove. They will cost the $123.75 plus $50.00 to cover the gloveing and the shipping $173.75

If it will work for you
artisanshammer@yahoo.com

William Freskyn Murray · Wed Aug 03, 2005 11:47 pm

And the lack of communication continues.

You managed to answer the person who wants to give you money but don't respond to those who already paid you.

You really need someone to handle the business end of things for you so you can concentrate on hitting metal.

You PM'd me on the 20th and stated you were heat treating, then it was just clean and assemble. Yet somehow in the last 12 days you've either not managed to get those tasks completed, or just not bothered to let me (or other members of the Archive who've contacted me because you're working on things for them as well and not responding to their requests for information) know that they are done and in the mail, that you'll be at Pennsic the first weekend and I should pick them up, that they exploded in the kiln and you need more time, whatever.

You've now left me with one evening (Thursday night) to get my leg armor fixed along with the other last minute Pennsic things, if you had been up front with me weeks ago I wouldn't be scramling to get things in order tonight I would have had weeks. Then I have a wedding on Friday and we leave on Saturday.

Again, you're great with metal.... you just suck at customer service.

Rant on

Before people jump on me for being a prick to Alan, which I guess I am being a little, I should state that I paid for these legs and helmet back in January of 2000 before Alan's mundane world kicked him in the ass. I've been VERY patient because I believe Alan is an incredible artist and his stuff is worth waiting for.... not worth five years, and not worth a string of missed deliveries amounting to about twenty now. All I ever asked from him was he keep me in the loop. I don't "need" these I have a full kit so these are just toys for me. I'm just pissed that once again Alan told me not to worry about fixing my stuff because I'd have my new armor by a certain date and then I'm playing catch up last minute because he doesn't deliver. I THOUGHT we were past this with the honest conversation we had at Blackstone and the fact he's been much better at getting back to me..... until two weeks ago when he stopped again.

Buy off the shelf from Alan, don't order custom stuff unless you're ready to wait. It's worth the wait, but if you need a piece of armor to get on the field he is not your armorer.

Rant off
Will

Sir Thorfinn · Post by **Sir Thorfinn** » Thu Aug 04, 2005 7:26 am

William,
I saw Alan at a local event on Saturday, so he is alive and breathing.
I wish you all the luck I can in getting your comissions.

Thorfinn

William Freskyn Murray · Sun Aug 07, 2005 11:12 pm

Thank you Sir,

We met once when I was working in Wilmington and came to your practice, I understand you started throwing a mean rolling off side body shortly afterwards

I also heard from my friends in Flaming Gryphon that you got knighted shortly after..... congrats since I haven't seen you since.

thanks for the words of encouragement.

Will

killian · Post by **killian** » Fri Aug 12, 2005 2:08 pm

Ok, I'm p---ed off now. I was told that my helm would be done the last week of June or the first week of july. I E-mailed you then and I was told "Oh yeah, thanks for reminding me. I'll have it finished and sent off this week."And asked me to send you the rest of the money, which I did. Then I find out that you haven't even started it when you tell me that you have no more mild steel. ever since then I have E-mailed you weekly asking when you were going to have it done, and it's ALWAYS about a week away. That's if you decide to return my message. The last message I recieved from you said that it would be shipped either last Fri. or Mon. Here it is a week later and nothing. If there was one thing I could change about most SCA merchants it is that I wish they would treat their business as a business instead of a "Oh I'll get around to it sometime" type of hobby. Alan, I have paid you fully in good faith, I have tried to keep in contact with you, and I have tried to be patient. The result of this....You have repeatedly lied to me and put me off. Now enough is enough, I want my helm.

Jerry Putman

William Freskyn Murray · Tue Aug 30, 2005 12:44 am

Well it's been six weeks since I was told the parts were going to heat treating then just needed to be cleaned and assembled. If I were an armorer then I would say for sure that six weeks seems a little long to me.

I'm going to bump this thread once a week until I have my stuff in my hands, that way anyone else who considers custom ordering from you will have an idea of what they are facing as far as communication and delivery times.

Fantastic artist. Crummy business man.

Will

AB Hammer · Post by **AB Hammer** » Tue Aug 30, 2005 8:30 am

Well here is Killians

at 99 rivets later, on 1050 spring steel.

<IMG SRC="http://www.creationtime.com/6pccelt01.GIF">
<IMG SRC="http://www.creationtime.com/6pccelt02.GIF">

William Freskyn Murray, and Killian are the same type helm.

William Freskyn Murray, check your PM

William Freskyn Murray · Thu Sep 01, 2005 11:36 pm

PM responded to.

THANK YOU ALAN for informing me as to what is going on.

Damn that's a pretty helmet.

Will

William Freskyn Murray · Wed Sep 07, 2005 7:18 am

gonna keep up with the :bump:

until resolved

Will

William Freskyn Murray · Sun Sep 11, 2005 12:44 pm

and we keep this on the front page with a

:bump:

Agnarr · Post by **Agnarr** » Tue Sep 13, 2005 2:40 pm

nice helm.....

William Freskyn Murray · Sun Sep 18, 2005 8:45 pm

Alan's still working on my helm & legs so back to the front page we go.

Will

AB Hammer · Post by **AB Hammer** » Wed Sep 21, 2005 5:58 am

My turn William

Bump :oops:

William Freskyn Murray · Tue Sep 27, 2005 12:40 pm

been almost a week, so from out nations capital where I'm stranded this week for work..... a

:bump:

Will

William Freskyn Murray · Sun Oct 02, 2005 8:52 pm

last PM I received from Alan was on Sept 15th, last time he posted here was the 21st. Taking a long time to put in 99 rivets in a helmet and assemble a set of legs both of which are cut out, shaped, heat treated, etc just waiting on assembly. Still waiting so back to the front page with a
:bump:

To everyone else who has to keep reading this post my apologies.

Will

William Freskyn Murray · Sun Oct 09, 2005 9:04 pm

ever have one of those "moments of clarity?"

Returned from Aethelmearc crown tournament, realized that as our proud Kingdom once again has heirs to the sylvan thrones that Malcolm & Tessa are the 12th Prince & Princess of AE since I sent Mr. Bauldree over $500 for a helmet and pair of legs I still don't have and am once again being ignored about.

hmm.... spring crown is only six months away, maybe he'll make good on his debt before we hit lucky thirteen.

oh... and a
:bump:

William Freskyn Murray · Sat Oct 15, 2005 7:54 pm

well everyone Alan sent me a message indicating my armor will be in the mail on Tuesday. I'm on a business trip Tuesday to Thursday so here's hoping it's at my office when I get back Friday.

he also sent me a few photos of the couple of things he had to get done before finishing my stuff up and DAMN he does beautiful work.

Will

Jehan de Pelham · Post by **Jehan de Pelham** » Sun Oct 16, 2005 1:13 am

Good God man. What an ordeal.

Jehan de Pelham, esquire and servant of Sir Vitus

William Freskyn Murray · Thu Oct 20, 2005 10:26 pm

well it's Thursday night, Alan told me my stuff would go out Tuesday....

and I haven't heard anything from him one way or the other.

Will

Seawolf2k · Post by **Seawolf2k** » Thu Oct 20, 2005 11:39 pm

Ya know..........

It is really unfortunate that this is happening. I am commissioning a complete 1050 spring steel 15th Cent harness and I will not even consider using this man because of his horrific business practices. He does beautiful work but is dishonest to say the least.

All I can say is that he is lucky that it is you waiting and not me. When he was 3 MONTHS late I would have pursued civil and criminal charges and not stopped until I had a nice civil judgment against him and he was in jail for the theft that he has obviously committed several times over. (I know that you are not the only one this has happened to.)

He should open up a shop with Wombat. :roll:

Jehan de Pelham · Post by **Jehan de Pelham** » Fri Oct 21, 2005 1:56 am

Sometimes craftsmen have to be brought to heel. T'was always thus, and always thus will be.

It wouldn't be so painful but Alan makes some incredibly cool stuff! It's painful to watch this cycle of self-abasement happen over and over again. Men desire to give him substance to earn his bread because they believe in his skill, and he does dis-service to his trade and the agreements which he has made.

To be fair, it must be said that he is a pleasant fellow to deal with face to face. If you could stand over him and keep him to task he will git 'er done. But it seems like he needs supervision, a business manager, something. A man can be a decent chap, an artist, and a bad businessman given to foolish decisions and wracked by a bad tendency toward prevarication and inability to complete a task.

It grieves me to speak so about someone with whom I have had good dealings, but Alan I must confess that I was cautious to work with you on a cash and carry basis, and I was especially careful to never place myself at the mercy of my trust. Eventually you will come across a fellow who will crush you, if you tempt fate. Do not desire your own destruction!

John

AB Hammer · Post by **AB Hammer** » Fri Oct 21, 2005 6:50 am

Seawolf2k

People need all the facts before they speek and attack.

The fact is that he is getting 3 times the value of his original order, for me being late. and I will be posting the photos shortly. I also had to get a larger tourch system to do the larger parts like the quesses for proper hardning.

Another thing, I don't take many orders unless you are willing to go to my shop or I have known you along time, for I come from a historic standpoint and measurments are not enough for a proper fit. Other than that you can only purchase if it is in stock. There are some exceptions, but rare, and armour don't leave my shop unless it meats my high standard.

I also have changed to a mainly wholesale armoury and want people to purchase through them, so when I go to event I can finaly have some fun instead of working every event or being stuck on the phone all the time instead of working in my shop.

Jehan de Pelham

You should have know what was going on, for I have helped you several time and have told you about how I'm changing my buisness, before you started kicking me in the knees.
Me knowing how much trouble you had with your spring steel has made me more cautious with spring steel and helping you correct some of those problems. taking out dents in you spring steel cops and changing rivets ect.

Sir Thorfinn · Post by **Sir Thorfinn** » Fri Oct 21, 2005 10:50 am

Alan,
If you do not keep people regularly informed, and keep others in the loop, you will continue to be regarded with suspicion.
Communication is key here.
It is the ONLY way you will be able to earn a good name in an arena that passes so much business by word of mouth.

Just my .02

Thorfinn

Jehan de Pelham · Post by **Jehan de Pelham** » Fri Oct 21, 2005 9:29 pm

Well, Alan, sometime maker of helmets and armor, dwarven smith who hides under the mountain, I now know where you get the brass for your casting work!

I wish you luck becoming the businessman you should be. And I wish the ruin of men who do unrighteousness. Do not cast aside my good advice given with love.

I am glad that my bringing some maintenance business your way has taught you something about spring steel. I like to see people advancing art and technology.

So, Jeff Hedgecock uses rivets that cannot withstand the clubbing that we do to each other in the SCA. No biggie--his armor to be blunt is not directed for that use. To be frank to take it out onto the SCA field to be struck with rattan clubs is a curious use of it--but armor was always ablative in nature, and used by men who could afford to buy a new harness every once in a while. The problems you cite with the cops were not problems with spring steel; There was some confusion during production and this has since been corrected. But whatever problems with my armor you cite, it arrived on time and I wasn't charged a cent until they were on their way through production.

Speaking of fittings. You know how many times I traveled to California for fittings? None. I have met Jeff Hedgecock zero times. And somehow my armor fits. How is that?

If you think I'm being overly sharp, consider that it looks like you have taken your business model from Wombat. You are responsive and kind to those who are in front of your face, and you are disrespectful and full of avoidance to those who are not there to remind you that they are people who deserve your consideration. You always had things to sell at events to make some scratch, always some basket hilts or a pair of gauntlets, or something like that at fighter practice, while helmets years in the waiting were sitting on racks in your shop almost done--this more than anything made me leery of your practices.

Save your honor man before you meet with someone who will bring the law down on you.

Jehan de Pelham, esquire and servant of Sir Vitus

AB Hammer · Post by **AB Hammer** » Sat Oct 22, 2005 7:35 pm

Jehan de Pelham

Have I ever done anything to you? NO!!

Have I ever done any thing to Sir Vitus or any squire brothers? NO!!

OH Eddy? our deal was over a time of 2 years and I am finishing his over the next 2 weeks 5 months early. you can ask him if you want.

I have been good to all of you, and when I took armour to sell it is because I need to eat and have a place to stay and electric. I don't get a millitary check, and have a minimum pay out just like every one else, the only money I get is from sells. I have refused over 60 orders over this last year, to keep from getting behind when I have been gettin ahead. The only ones I did take was because I needed supllies or had to pay a bill and I didn't have enough funds to do so and I have delivered most of them already, and I have been doing more (improving or upgrading) for those I am late on.

So why do you spill these patronizing and condescending overtones my way? I am taking care of buisness the best way I can and still keep a roof over my family and my heads.

So why is it for you to say anything, 90+% of what you here is normaly bull and just out wright slander, but when the less than 10% that is true kick me I bend over and take it, and make it wright. But it take time because I have to survive at the same time.

So the next time, please call me and ask, and I will tell you just like I have before.

Thus my HONOR is well in tack, and slowly but steadily shining brighter every day.

Jehan de Pelham · Post by **Jehan de Pelham** » Sat Oct 22, 2005 8:16 pm

So you have not taken commissions and deposits, sometimes even completion fees and then not sent armor? Sometimes for years?

If I am wrong, tell me.

But your real concern ought to be William Freskin Murray, who says that he has sent money to you years ago and still not received product. Is he a liar? Is he slandering you? In truth, it seems like he is being polite even after years, but I don't have to be polite, because I don't need anything from you.

Jehan de Pelham, esquire and servant of Sir Vitus

P.S.: Don't bring my household into this. Your services, for which you were compensated as you should be, did not buy silence on matters such as these.

William Freskyn Murray · Sat Oct 22, 2005 10:04 pm

All,

my intention with this thread is not to smear Alan. If anyone really wants I have the cancelled check that was cashed in February of 2000, as well as copies of the letters I sent to the Better Business Bureau, the Attorney General of New York (where I reside), the Attorney General of Kentucky (where Alan resides) and the Post Office.

Jehan, I pursued legal action many years ago and the only place it got me was advice to take Alan to small claims court in New York, an easy win since he wouldn't even likely respond but because he has no assets in New York State their would be no way to enforce it with me then getting the settlement transferred to Kentucky..... which would involve me having to physically go to Kentucky. For $530 I decided I could do one of two things, accept that fact that I had just been fucked out of $530 OR choose to think that at some point Alan would make good on his commitment to me.

Alan, the FIRST time you gave me a deliver date my helm & legs were going to be done before Pennsic in 2000. Years later when you explained what had happened with your real world situation and your family I told you repeatedly that I have a full set of armor and what I'm getting from you are toys, I told you to take care of the people who were threating to drive to Kentucky and beat your ass, I told you to take your time and just drop me an email now and then letting me know that you still realized you owed me. We sat down at Blackstone Raid back in April and you drew me a picture of the helmet you wanted to build for me.... which looks amazingly similar to the one you mailed to Killian but that's another story altogether I won't bore everyone with.... and now you gone back to "it will be done in a week" I don't hear anything for three weeks, I make a comment or two on here then I hear from you telling me why you missed the deadline you imposed upon yourself... the latest was you had to complete a helmet for a client who was leaving for England. To your credit every time you have responded you have been apologetic and offered to do more as repayment for the trouble. IF you were to tell me my helmet is going to ship on Tuesday and then send me an email on Monday that says "hey look, I got a client who is moving to England in five days and I have to get his helmet looked after before I can get back to yours" I would completely understand. It's all about communications, which you just don't seem to understand. Be honest and forthcoming upfront would get you a lot farther in the business world. Turning down commissions is hugely commendable, it means you know your limits and how much you're able to produce and when you're over them.

Alan sent me a PM stating that my stuff shipped on Friday, this is the first time in five years I have been told "the armor is in the mail" so we will see what happens. Alan also indicated that he has taken photos that will be posted in the next few days once developed and scanned into the computer.

Again I apologize to those who have been stairing at this train wreck to see if they can see blood oozing from the conductors head, 'cause you can't divert your eyes from the train wreck. Alan Bauldree has quit literally made me decide that I will NEVER order custom armor again unless the person is within walking distance of my house where I can know what is going on, and then I would still be hesitant. I would buy from Alan again in a heart beat if I were to find him at an event selling goods and I could pick up the piece and hand him cash. Regardless of my personal experience it is physically impossible to deny that the man has an uncanny knack for creating beauty out of metal that we are privilaged to be able to wear in the game we play.

I just want people to understand that this type of transaction is far to common in the SCA armor market. Alan is just one example of how this can occur and what people may be unfortunate to experience if they order things that aren't on the shelf. Again, I can keep positive that Alan will deliver while being negative that I will never order from another armorer again because I don't have the faith in any one of them to give them my cash and hope that they don't break an arm or get arthritis or whatever before my armor is done.

I will let people know when the goods show up.
Will

AB Hammer · Post by **AB Hammer** » Sun Oct 23, 2005 9:12 am

Any armourer that makes all his stuff by hand is subject to injuries and delays due to it. And anything that takes you away from being in the shop can cause delays. Breakdowns on the road, ect.... Being an armourer that has had more than his share of sickness, injuries and as well as bad medicines that has injuried me more than help me.

That is the reason(s) that I have made these adjustments over the last few years. and I am going partly mechanized like most armourers in hopes to suppliment any future injuries or sicknesses. As well as wholesale so I'm no longer on the road to make my living but am having more time in the shop to do my work and create more historic and beautiful things. I am also training future armourers that help me meet future demands, that is more histicly accurate and not just someting to make you legal on the field.

William Freskyn Murray · Tue Oct 25, 2005 10:01 pm

Alan,

you sent me a PM Friday saying "Just got them off today" but haven't responded to my PM asking which address the goods were shipped to??

If they were sent to the address I gave you in Cheektowaga I need to know what day to expect delivery so I can take the afternoon off and wait for the mail, don't want the box sitting on my porch in the rain all afternoon. If you sent it to the Tonawanda address I gave you then it is going to work and someone is always there to sign for things.

thanks
Will

William Freskyn Murray · Wed Oct 26, 2005 8:11 pm

All,

Alan PM'd me to tell me that my helm & legs went out via FedEx on Monday because his wife got delayed at work Friday night and didn't make it to the store. He has taken photos of the work that he says he will post tonight and provided me a list of the upgrades he did.

I've been waiting over five years for resolution to this issue.... and been very patient given Alan's "real life" situations that have come and gone through that time. Now that they are "in the mail" as it were I've been really damn impatient waiting to see them

I've waited because I would rather give Alan the opportunity to feed his family and create something unique for me that I can own with pride, now that I know it's done I REALLY can't wait for it to get to work. It went out FedEx so I'm hoping it will be at my office tomorrow - 3-5 day ground would be anywhere from Thursday to Monday!!!

Alan, any chance you can provide a tracking number so I can keep an eye on the FedEx web page and watch the box tranship the US???

I'm so not going to sleep the next few days until I'm fondling pretty new metal shiny bits!!!!!! :shock:

My digital camera died a year ago and I haven't replaced it but once I have my toys and get them strapped up, etc I will try to get pictures taken and up. Good god I may have to use my 35 mm, get the photos developed and then scan them..... how 1990's

I'll be back on this thread within minutes of the box showing up in my office!

Will

p.s. I've been on the archive six different times since getting home at 6:30 waiting for Alan to post those pictures!!!!!