Trouble with AB Hammer

Sir Vitale · Post by **Sir Vitale** » Wed Sep 27, 2006 3:31 pm

Just got word, that it was sent on Monday.

Vitale

InfinitySteel · Post by **InfinitySteel** » Wed Sep 27, 2006 3:37 pm

Excellent, then we can finally let this thing die.

Nikos · Post by **Nikos** » Wed Sep 27, 2006 4:21 pm

I respectfully disagree that it can be laid to rest. There are at least 4 other people in this thread that have outstanding issues with AB Hammer. Granted, I don't have one, but I'm doing my best to bring resolution to 2 friends that are out some $400 for the last 6 years or so. Here are quotes of myself and others that have not been publically resolved as of yet.

Tasha McG wrote:Alan, since you're posting and reading this thread, you still owe my husband a pair of bauzabands. They're about five years late at this point. I have refrained from posting here publically for many years about my personal frustration on this topic, but maybe it will get some movement out of you to make it right with him. I can hope.

Please PM me and I will give you his contact information. His birthday is December 4th. Bauzabands by that date sure would be nice.

-Tasha

Nikos wrote:As far as AB Hammer, my friend put a downpayment down on a helm many years ago. Back when it was Crimson Hammer Armoury. As soon as the deposit was received, all communication stopped. It's been so long, that all documentation has been lost, but the lesson learned is still there. His business practice leaves alot to be desired, and it doesn't show much in the way of improvement over the years. His work is fantastic, but every time I see him bragging about his "projects", I wonder how many clients are being screwed out of their rightful due.

dbonneval wrote:Hi Alan,
While I have your attention....
I do think MJBlazek has got it right. If you need names of people you owe money or armour to, I can start the list with my name...

Remember the stainless breastplate with faulds and tassets I ordered? I am still missing the faulds and tassets. It has been over 5 years now. I got tired of calling or writing every week without answer. So I gave up on the rest of the armour and the gift you promised for being 4 years late in delivery.

I do believe you are a good man, but you do take money and not deliver... Call it what you want...

Daniel GÃ©linas

Captain Jamie wrote:Alan are you going to be at home Sunday? I can come down and pick up my gauntlets. If you are not going to be home let's arrange for them to be left on the porch or with a neighbor shall we?

It appears that Sir Vitale was able to get the goods he paid for, though they have yet to be delivered to his hands. But it was only accomplished through a great deal of effort and public exposure to the problem.

InfinitySteel · Post by **InfinitySteel** » Wed Sep 27, 2006 5:12 pm

Then let the people he owes confront him.

(And for all we know,he's already been in contact with the ones who posted here-let's not play white knight folks.)

Captain Jamie · Post by **Captain Jamie** » Wed Sep 27, 2006 8:43 pm

I did get my gauntlets by making a trip down to Alan's shop. You can cross me off the list that have a current problem.

While I was there I went over some ideas of mine with Alan about how to better resolve some of these issues. As Vitus has written, Alan is lucky to be with us at all at this point having barely survived a head on collision some time ago.

It seems that there are a number of commissions that went by the way side for one or more of the following reasons:

Memory loss from the wreck. And no Alan does not appear to have been good at writing things down at the time.

Apprentices taking orders and not turning them in to him. He could not make what he did not know about.

Getting behind/loss of paperwork. Shameful but it happens.

One of the ideas that I floated to Alan was for him to be proactive in finding these lost sheep by advertising for them on various fora and keeping it up for say a year. He may do that. If he does I would urge anyone that has a backlogged commision to contact him and stick with it.

Captain Jamie

Cet · Post by **Cet** » Wed Sep 27, 2006 9:43 pm

One of the ideas that I floated to Alan was for him to be proactive in finding these lost sheep by advertising for them on various fora and keeping it up for say a year. He may do that. If he does I would urge anyone that has a backlogged commision to contact him and stick with it.

That an excellent suggestion which I hope he takes you up on. I'v met Alan few time sand he seems like a decent guy. Seeing these threads pop up as if on schedual sucks.

InfinitySteel · Post by **InfinitySteel** » Thu Sep 28, 2006 1:41 am

I hope things get resolved for him soon, and everyone is happy. We need all of the good craftspeople we can get.

waveicle · Post by **waveicle** » Fri Sep 29, 2006 2:59 pm

After meeting Alan about 4 years ago at the WV armour, I ordered a helm from him and it was delivered. About a year and half ago I ordered two stainless sallets, although I had paid for them, Alan didn't send them in the three month period he promised. I stayed very patient and stayed in touch with Alan every couple months (email and phone, we talked about problems he was having.) Last month, Alan kept his end of the deal and finally got them to me. I'm not saying that the delay was ok by any means, but Alan completed his deal with me and I got want I wanted and a little bit more (hand cast rivets and buckles.)

W

Stonekeep · Post by **Stonekeep** » Fri Sep 29, 2006 4:25 pm

I really wish I had been fortunate enough to come up under the tutelage of someone like Allen, or there was someone close that I could learn from to make beautiful helms like that and bring that knowledge back here to this armory.
Allen if you ever decide to move to Texas I will give you free rent and shop space, and access to 1/4 mil. in tools.. lolol

InfinitySteel · Post by **InfinitySteel** » Fri Sep 29, 2006 4:50 pm

Stonekeep wrote:I really wish I had been fortunate enough to come up under the tutelage of someone like Allen, or there was someone close that I could learn from to make beautiful helms like that and bring that knowledge back here to this armory.
Allen if you ever decide to move to Texas I will give you free rent and shop space, and access to 1/4 mil. in tools.. lolol

You can do it Mike.

I'm glad to hear that you are healing well. Don't sell yourself short.

Stonekeep · Post by **Stonekeep** » Fri Sep 29, 2006 5:02 pm

That was a nice sentiment.. thank you..

InfinitySteel · Post by **InfinitySteel** » Fri Sep 29, 2006 6:48 pm

If being down starts to get to you Mike, you might want to consider playing with some new patterns. It's not going to be a strain, and maybe you can invite some local folks to come out to the shop and goof around with them.

It's definitely one of my favorite pass times.

Every cloud has a sliver lining.

Nikos · Post by **Nikos** » Sat Sep 30, 2006 11:39 pm

Well, I regret to report that after sending him the contact information over a week ago on the two individuals that I know who are out $400 to him. AB Hammer has yet to attempt to communicate with them regarding the outstanding orders.

These two gentlemen are willing to work to get this resolved. They both put downpayments on helmets, but they're willing to take just 1 helmet and consider it paid in full. Alan doesn't have to refund the money they sent in. He can make a helmet and be done with the issue. And they'll decide who gets the helmet, and who gets their money back.

If it's a matter of embaressment in trying to talk to them. I'm willing to serve as the intermediary. They would just like this situation resolved.

Nikos · Post by **Nikos** » Fri Oct 20, 2006 7:45 am

I regret to report that now 4 weeks have passed since AB Hammer was provided with multiple forms of contact for the people he owes money/armor to in my area.

To date, no attempt to contact them has been made.

Sir Thorfinn · Post by **Sir Thorfinn** » Fri Oct 20, 2006 10:23 am

*is not surprised in the least*

audax · Post by **audax** » Sat Oct 21, 2006 4:44 am

InfinitySteel wrote:
Stonekeep wrote:I really wish I had been fortunate enough to come up under the tutelage of someone like Allen, or there was someone close that I could learn from to make beautiful helms like that and bring that knowledge back here to this armory.
Allen if you ever decide to move to Texas I will give you free rent and shop space, and access to 1/4 mil. in tools.. lolol

You can do it Mike.

I'm glad to hear that you are healing well. Don't sell yourself short.

Nice.

Nikos · Post by **Nikos** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 4:42 pm

Yet another disappointing week for the people in this area who are owed by this individual. Over 5 weeks with the contact info, and nothing done as of yet.

I've also noticed that the good gentle who started this thread has not mentioned that he's received the items that were supposed to have been shipped over a month ago. And he paid money to have them shipped above and beyond what he was already out to the armourer. I would hate to think that he was mislead into paying for shipping on armor that never left the workshop.

Sir Vitale · Post by **Sir Vitale** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 5:08 pm

Yep, they still haven't arived. I've never had airmail take this long.
I sent Alan a note yesterday asking if he got any sort of tracking number when he sent the shipment, although that may not be available for some of the cheaper shipping options.

I'll keep you informed as things progress.

Stonekeep · Post by **Stonekeep** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 6:11 pm

This isn't to jump to someone's defense, Im simply stating some of my experiences:

I've shipped airmail to Japan that took 4 weeks, and I have shipped airmail to Australia that took over 6 weeks...

Why, I have no clue, but both times the customers were angry with me, and there was absolutely nothing I could do, and the post office could give me no further information except it was en route.

The guy from Australia actually called me a liar until it arrived and he saw the postage date and that it was indeed shipped airmail. As I recall he sent me a heartfelt apology.

The guy from Japan actually called my local post office after I gave him the number to see if he could find out more than I could (which he couldn't).

I've never had a package not arrive, but I've sure had them take a lot longer than their quoted 5-7 days.

Aaron · Post by **Aaron** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 6:31 pm

You're not kidding one bit on those shipping times to Japan.

I look at the postmark, and it is often in the mail for that long. I just got some armour from Cet and it was almost 40 days in the mail.

The longest I've seen is 70 days in the mail.

IceFalcon has the best turn around time. For some reason he can mail the items to Japan and they don't get delayed. It's good to be a duke I guess.

Stonekeep · Post by **Stonekeep** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 6:41 pm

I stopped using "Stonekeep Armory" as the sender and just use my name, plus instead of declaring it "armor", I now declare it "costume supplies", as I feel a lot of the delays may be the result of customs. I think they still pull so many for random checks anyways.

The post office basically told me "we get it there in less than a week, now how long it takes to get through Japanese customs and delivered inside that country is not our problem"

Stonekeep · Post by **Stonekeep** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 6:50 pm

The thing about it is:

When it arrives, check the postmark, and you will know definitively if you were told the truth or not...

Armoured Air Bear · Post by **Armoured Air Bear** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 8:09 pm

I really hope Alan gets these orders cleared up. He's a really nice guy. I've met him and been to his shop, and I've got to tell you that he really does some really nice work. but he's got get this cleared up.

If he gets the back orders completed, I think he could do well as an in stock armoury, and teaching others to make armour. (If I wasn't making armour with valerius, I would go down there and pay to leanr to make some armour)

Just my $.02,

Aaron

BTW Has anyone heard from Alan latley? he hasn't posted here in a while.

Sir Vitale · Post by **Sir Vitale** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 9:44 pm

Normally when I order stuff from Amazon etc airmail to NZ it takes about 10 days. But the delay may also have been caused by the package being a larger size than I am used to importing. All I can really do is wait.

Vitale

jabberwockey · Post by **jabberwockey** » Tue Oct 31, 2006 3:55 am

Ok, I feel compelled to reply to this particular comment.

AB Hammer wrote:Survival is the main reason things get delaid, if you don't have enough orders coming in to cover the bills you have to jugle to projects that will pay the bills.

I have a problem with the idea that someones order might be bumped back in the que simply because it isn't currently proffitable enough for the armourer at that time. Your money problems are just that, yours. If you can't make reasonably good on your original time frame then, if the customer wishes, a refund is in order. I understand that delays happen, especially in this type of business but lets be realistic here. As a customer, if you tell me I will get an item in six months, I either want the item or my money back within a reasonable amount of time. Giving credit for unexpected delays, after eight months either the item or a refund is in order. Based on what I have read on this forum, I will never pay in advance for anything. If I place a custom order, I do so with the knowledge that when the project is done it is time to pay for it. I was familiar with, and practiced the concept of honesty and integrity long before I ever heard of the SCA and when I order an item, I WILL pay for it. Don't get me wrong, I understand that this world is far from perfect and there are plenty of customers out there who can get very stupid when things don't go exactly as they expected. All you can do is the right thing and hope the people you are dealing with are doing the right thing as well. That being said, people have put out some very good ideas and concepts for business practices and are well worth incorporating into existing practices.

jabberwockey · Post by **jabberwockey** » Tue Oct 31, 2006 5:02 am

MJBlazek wrote:See there I go, being raised ina family of business and customer service. I was brought up taught that the customer is always right.

But what some of you fail to realize is that for some of us...the majority of us...is that $600 is a lot of money to drop on a breastplate, or on anything for that matter.

Having spent many years myself working in the customer service field, I can say without reservation that this particular little pearl of wisdom is complete and utter crap. The customer is just as human and prone to error and emotion as the business person. The customer should always be treated with respect but are rarely always right.

I dont think any of the armourers on this forum fail to realize the amount of money that goes into a piece of armour. If they dont, they are poor businessmen. Bear in mind that most of those armourers were newbie fighters at one point and fully understand the difference between the way cool Anshelm bascinet for $1500 and the not overly pretty, yet infinitely functional Ashcraft-Baker conical for $105. I am currently looking to upgrade my helm but am having problems finding a helm I like in a price I can afford. This is by no means the fault of the armourer. It is simply the issue of my desires being greater than my means.

That being said, the reason I am upgrading my helm is I have the Ashcraft-Baker helm, bought their starter kit as a matter of fact, and with the exception of the gorget have been very pleased with it. At this point I simply want more form to go with the function. I would LOVE to be able to afford one of Anshelm's items as they do beautiful work. As I can't, it is my job as a consumer to look around and find a product which fits my needs, desires, and pocketbook. This is the same in every day life when you buy a car, house, major electronics, or whatever you are looking for. It isn't the job of each business to cater to my needs, it is mine to find the ones that do.

Cory Nielsen · Post by **Cory Nielsen** » Tue Oct 31, 2006 12:52 pm

Armoured Air Bear wrote:BTW Has anyone heard from Alan latley? he hasn't posted here in a while.

I got a PM from him two days ago in response to a PM from me asking about an order we've been discussing.

MJBlazek · Post by **MJBlazek** » Tue Oct 31, 2006 1:34 pm

jabberwalky..please...don't drag me back into this. Ron and I have made peace.

Stonekeep · Post by **Stonekeep** » Tue Oct 31, 2006 1:37 pm

Jabberwockey is a new member it says.. He probably didnt realize that was from weeks ago.

wilmot · Post by **wilmot** » Tue Oct 31, 2006 2:01 pm

Greetings,
MJBlazek was upset (rightfully) with a armourer but was being too general in his comments, there is no problem now and I am helping him deal with the armourer he has the problem with, this is over and done with.

Ron

jabberwockey · Post by **jabberwockey** » Wed Nov 01, 2006 6:24 am

Sorry about that. I was responding as I read and didnt realize till the last page of posts how long ago the thread had started.

Roger_de_Gilbert · Post by **Roger_de_Gilbert** » Wed Nov 15, 2006 6:06 pm

Greetings to the list. Since Nikos contacted Alan a while back he has been in touch with me.

Alan and I discussed our options and he promptly had the helm ready and shipped, with a tracking number provided.

The helm has arrived right on time, and is very nice, exactly as pictured on his website and pictures he sent to me while discussing our options.

This concludes my business in a happy, if much delayed, manner with Alan.

Regards,
Roger

Trouble with AB Hammer

My last order from Alan

Dragging people back in.