Band Together to Take Action

[Ken Wiebe]

There's strength in numbers.  I don't want to lose my $900 investment and I'd be willing to invest a little more if there's a chance I could recoup at least a portion of the money and/or salvage the project.

What do others think?

I'm talking about a backer's group, maybe even using a crowdfunded model, to go after MRG in a coordinated manner.  The goal would be to extract from MRG either dollars or HAL project information to salvage the project (or do both).

I think it's worth investigating.

-Ken

[HARRIS]

You can count me in...Bill

[Ken Wiebe]

Take a look at:

https://www.crowdjustice.com

[kenneth6140]

Yes, I agree. I'm also willing to pay more.  I just want the unit.  Especially if they have the parts ready to go in China.  Maybe a lawyer could help us negotiate. 

On Saturday, August 8, 2020 at 12:05:38 PM UTC-4, Ken Wiebe wrote:

[Erik Flinck]

I would be interested in that, let's at least see if we can get the designs if they wont produce it

[Peter Romanoff]

Count me in...

On Aug 8, 2020, at 4:27 PM, Erik Flinck <erik....@warpnine.se> wrote:

I would be interested in that, let's at least see if we can get the designs if they wont produce it

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[Declan Imeson-Wood]

Definately interested in whatever we can do to actually get the unit somehow!

Count me in too.

[Tom Cowden]

I’m also interested in seeing this project continue, with a less sophisticated bag of tricks, if necessary. As Steve mentioned in his letter, the manufacturer has deemed the product not manufacturable as designed. He doesn’t explain what about it is causing the issues.

I think it’s still important to remember that they filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy which allows them to continue operations while they get the business restructured. It just puts a pause on creditors while they renegotiate lines of credit, suppliers etc. They have not yet filed Chapter 7 which would require them to liquidate all assets and/or the company as a whole.

It would be nice if they could let us know what their thinking is on moving forward, but securities and bankruptcy law requires them to follow specific requirements and communicate things in a legally approved manner.

[Marc Teerlink]

Count me in

[Philippe van Nedervelde]

Ditto. I am in.

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[Richard Harris]

Quite often a Chapter 11 is pushed into a Chapter 7 and the company is liquidated. Steve Dymszo knows this. The best bet is to file complaints with your states Attorney General's office, the FBI, and the USPS Postmaster General. And as a group file as creditors to the bankruptcy and have representation present at any upcoming hearings. The truth is the Hal 9000 customers are Master Replicas Group's # 1 creditor. And they were not listed in the bankruptcy filing.

This should be history precedent setting when it comes to Indiego and Kickstarter etc. as far too many consumers have been and will be ripped off by individuals such as Steve Dymszo.

[kenneth6140]

I filed a complaint with the FBI.  I first called to confirm how to file the complaint & they said to use the following link: https://www.ic3.gov/complaint/default.aspx/

They said it falls under 'Internet Crime'  for now until further investigation because of 'non-delivery of goods or services'.  I was also told the more people that file the better.  I would definitely include the excellent points made by Richard Harris.  

[Richard Harris]

Well done Kenneth. Thank you for the link. Yes, the amount paid to pre-order the Hal 9000 will be considered serious money to the FED's. It's not small money. And the 650K will be considered exorbitant. 

Steve Dymzo is counting on too much time having past already and the customers being winded and just allowing this to all go away without their being much of a ruckus. Why is he selling Master Replica Groups assets via his SD Studios email blast? 

SD Studios should also be made a party to any class action lawsuit as it has no business selling the assets of Master Replicas Group during a bankruptcy.

[kenneth6140]

I'm going to try to consult with a lawyer from the National Association of Consumer Advocates (https://www.consumeradvocates.org/for-consumers) in Philadelphia to see about a class action.

[Lukaz]

The FTC seems like a natural venue for this case. Indiegogo should be the one filing the complaint to protect the users of their platform, they are getting away with this type of outcomes way too easy and still pocketing the platform fees.

https://www.theverge.com/2019/5/6/18534423/ibackpack-ftc-lawsuit-complaint-indiegogo-kickstarter

[Marc Teerlink]

+1

 Sent from my iPhone

On Aug 12, 2020, at 00:01, kenneth6140 <kenne...@gmail.com> wrote:



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[marc sadeghi]

+1

[Walt]

Not based in USA (but in the Netherlands) but count me in.

On Saturday, August 8, 2020 at 6:05:38 PM UTC+2, Ken Wiebe wrote:

[Philip Raciti]

+1

On Aug 13, 2020, at 5:56 AM, Walt <klaba...@gmail.com> wrote:



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[janice Lizheim]

not in USA, but count me in too

2020년 8월 13일 (목) 오후 8:18, Philip Raciti <philip...@gmail.com>님이 작성:

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[Peter Romanoff]

I’m definitely in. 

On Aug 13, 2020, at 7:20 AM, janice Lizheim <jeni...@gmail.com> wrote:



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[Clyde Wilson]

in as well

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[Darren Leis]

Yes, I am in.  Whatever gets this thing sorted out.

-Darren

 

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[Ryan Leonard]

I am totally in as well!

[Emm Bee]

I filed a complaint with the FTC as well. If our recourse is to file a class action lawsuit, I would be willing to be a part of that too.

Wondering what we can do to organize us better. I doubt that a few sporadic complaints here and there would make any difference.

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[Panagiotis A. Vretanos]

I'm in!

[Jack Beckman]

I am in, I was suckered for one here AND a second unit from their web site directly.

[David Baisley]

I'm in as well.

[Daddy McArthur]

Sounds like quite a few people want in. Question is, who can dedicate time to organize and lead this effort? Having everyone “In” is not necessarily going to get anything done. We need to organize and centralize our efforts. I am equally as pissed off, but I personally haven't the time or money to do what will be required. The $1000 I lost was more than I could afford to lose when I originally paid, and with my current situation it stings even more. 

I have reached out to the local news consumer reporter and been brushed off. Apparently its not newsworthy or a fight they believe we could win. My next step is the FBI / FTC complaints but I have little faith in those, other than adding to the numbers.

The most likely end game is someone will get their “intellectual property” and hopefully follow through with the project, although it sounds like it will be far less tech than originally promised. Personally I am fine with that. I just wanted a decent looking replica. I dont need Alexa / Siri / Google involved. Of course we still lose our investment, amd even if someone came out with one tomorrow I could no longer afford to buy it. I dont see that outcome changing anytime soon. 

This has taught me a lesson and I will never invest in another crowdfunding project, regardless of how badly I want to. I made personal sacrifices so someone else could play with, and lose, my money. Never again.

Michael McArthur

On Aug 14, 2020, at 9:05 AM, David Baisley <davidb...@gmail.com> wrote:



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[Walt Newhouse]

Hello,

Agreed. We"re a small group, though it seems to be growing as people start wondering what's going on now and find their way here. I just found out about this group  a few days ago. 

Mind you all this discussion is open, so in case of any actual orchestrated legal preparations it would be wise to find separate channels to go by at that point. This will surely be monitored  by the "defense" to be.  

Being outside USA unfortunately I don't know any legal advisors to include in this at this point. Turning to my local authorities will become an "out of our jurisdiction" issue, though I will inform at the consumer authority. I know the field of crowdfunding has had their interest at least, and there are several international cooperations.

Greetings, Walt 

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[Solo]

I'm in if I can get my full investment back. I don't even want the option of getting the unit, at this point. Unless another well established company comes in, properly licenses it through WB and can deliver it to us.

Really surprised that WB isn't getting involved, as the unit was allegedly a licensed prop replica from the studio. And it doesn't make them look good to have partnered with an apparent scammer. But, I suppose they aren't out any money, so what do they care? Also, they have bigger fish to fry right now.

[Jürgen Blust]

I’m in Germany here. But you can count me in anyway.

[Ian Brodie]

Count me in. 

[Heiko Fischer]

Count me in.

[Tom Barnes]

Count me in too. 

On Aug 24, 2020, at 7:21 AM, Heiko Fischer <he...@resourceful-humans.de> wrote:

Count me in.

On Monday, August 24, 2020 at 5:27:10 AM UTC+2 brod...@gmail.com wrote:

Count me in. 

On Sunday, 9 August 2020 at 00:05:38 UTC+8 Ken Wiebe wrote:

There's strength in numbers.  I don't want to lose my $900 investment and I'd be willing to invest a little more if there's a chance I could recoup at least a portion of the money and/or salvage the project.

What do others think?

I'm talking about a backer's group, maybe even using a crowdfunded model, to go after MRG in a coordinated manner.  The goal would be to extract from MRG either dollars or HAL project information to salvage the project (or do both).

I think it's worth investigating.

-Ken

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[Mike Foskett]

I'm in the UK but count me in too.

I'd rather have the product rather than the cash though.

Mike

[William Cheng]

Yes, I would rather have the product than a refund - however that's not a possibility ether as I checked and Visa has a 120 day policy so we are well beyond that.

What can I do?