I don’t often contribute to posts like this but I feel I currently have a situation that is right at home here.

I placed an order with a Czech smith a few months ago. Not very long compared to just about everyone in this thread but long enough. Well I was supposed to receive an email in mid-June about my commission. Its now July 1st and no there’s been no email. In all honesty I’m not the least bit mad. You see he never asked for a deposit. While it creates some budgeting issues, as money is very tight in my house these past few years and I can’t really tie up money for too long, it’s really not a major issue at all because money never exchanged hands.

That’s not to say deposits are wrong, the problem is when it goes bad it creates threads like this. I was almost a part of the machine sale, having a 1520 on order. I watched as weeks turned in to months, and months to years. The machine sale made me hesitant to put down a deposit on a XIV I liked on the T&TA site, again, the same situation. I think the only route for this maker is to have an in stock only model but I’m not sure at this point that would work either because once you burn your bridges with your customer base its almost impossible to rebuild them.

Using the past as predictor, I'd say the odds of getting a previously ordered sword are increasingly slim. Lots of promises, missed deadlines, more promises, new plans and deadlines, but few or no swords. Sad really.

Another 3 months gone and nothing.

Original orders placed Feb 2012 and Mar 2012. Has anyone heard from Tom K or Atrim recently?

I'd love to be proven wrong but do believe my deposits ($500 worth) have been well and truly pilfered at this point.

Been talking with Gus a bit about this recently. Gus is regaining some strength finally and is able to grind for longer periods these days . With the regained strength has come a renewed dedication to clearing up the backlog. Evolution Arms and even the pending Ronin Katana legend pieces are being diverted ... T&T backlog pieces are being worked on now . I am speaking out of turn here, butGus's commitment to clearing this up is real , as are his efforts. My sword , ordered in 10 or 11 is one of the ones now being worked on. Others are reaching resolution as well.

I've received a PM update from Tom over on the SBG forum. As I promised, I'm making note of that here. Not much to report and still a waiting game, but the contact and update is very much appreciated.

Well, both of my outstanding orders have now passed the two year waiting mark (Feb and Mar 2012).

Nothing to report. No communication, nothing. But I will keep checking in every few months, just so that new customers are forewarned and don't lose their money.

Anyone heard anything?

Kinder has posted at SBG this past month or so.

FWIW

GC

I have heard from multiple people that this guy "gus trim" takes your money and you never get a sword nor even hear from him again.

Where I come from that's called stealing, it's a criminal offense.

Well, several more months gone, coming up on the 3 year anniversary of my order and still no sign of my goods or a refund of my deposit.

Let this stand as a warning to all would be buyers. Best to buy either in-stock items that are ready to ship or withhold any substantial payment until your sword is ready for delivery.

Bill, that's sad to hear.

Tom did start a thread here earlier this year; I posted there asking if he could give an update on this thread about the status of your sword or refund ... but that seemed to be missed or ignored.

It astounds me that people with such questionable business practices can still expect to participate in online communities.

Still, I'm always heartened by Nathan's encouragement to bring these kinds of issues to our attention.

I'm going to bump this in the hope of hearing some good news about people receiving their commission. I'd really like to see Tom and Gus out of the hot seat, but I think the only way out is through.

I noticed a thread on SBG a few months back showing that Tom was setting up his own workshop ... a shame that some of the funds that were spent on that project could not have gone back into the outstanding refunds that are owed.

Hi Glen,

No, I shared your concerns and did not buy, preferring to wait to see how Tom's venture - and Marc Ridgeway's - played out. My understanding was that both suggested they had business models, as well as supply arrangements with Gus, that meant that no-one would get burned, as we'd seen in the past.

My concern is that I'd like to see Bill's - and everyone else's - swords delivered, or money refunded, and some honour restored before people move onto to new ventures. Bill, I, and others, have asked Tom for an update here for a long time, and none has been forthcoming. However, in other venues, we see that Tom is putting capital into another project, even though Bill and others have asked for a refund.

And Gus's swords are now selling at KoA, while outstanding orders have not been filled.

I don't harbour ill-will towards any of the players, but am just a keen, and saddened, observer.

If so (was there an llc?), is it unreasonable for such a person be allowed possessions of their own? Would anyone now put new money down for a commission of Tom's own rendering? Allow him to make a living?

I am far from supporting those with issues but have tried to be civil with them. I am as sorry and supportive of those that have lost as well. What I try not to do is follow any around as a third person spectator but have been caught up in the issues a few times. Another case in point was having some maker call me out for my opinion of their issues, while claiming my associations with Gus at another board was then unfair in my opinion of them.

The list of problem companies and makers is a long one. My own shame and grief is owning pieces from these people. One by one they find new homes.

Tom is not hiding, so I have to assume some may not be trying that hard. Gus and Tink likewise. A few have dropped completely off the horizon and no doubt history will repeat itself with another name. I was hurt to be shouted down when Tom projected the venture. More hurtful was that it came from the general population pushing the business model. Things have been rough for Gus' fulfillment since 2004-2005ish.

Sorry if I seem mouthy about this but I was trying to keep the peace for too many years somewhere else during an earlier era of disappointment. It is too bad it just hasn't worked out.

Cheers

GC

Tom was selling swords from his collection on SBG to be able to start building the workshop, it has nothing to do with Tried&True. I certainly wouldn't expect him to refund me from the money that has nothing to do with Tried&True but is his personal money.