MY BAD DEAL WITH THE MYSTERIOUS KEN

[Grobbies]

I have had quite a few dealings with the very mysterious Ken (surname unknown) in the last year or more. For that matter I do not think anyone in the RC community, especially on AVCOM knows his surname or any other personal information of him. He uses a Standard bank Cheque account under the name of SEEDS NPO.

Ken does not answer any phone call or whattsapp call what so ever. In all the time that I have dealt with him I have never been able to speak to him. He strictly only communicate via whattsapp messages, also only when it suits him.

Ken always insist in immediate payment, same day payment, otherwise loose the deal.

I cannot complain about any bad deals that I have done with Ken in all the time I have dealt with him, besides me complaining once or twice about bad packaging that caused damages to in the post. In such case Ken would put the blame on his “VOLENTEERS”. I never made a fuss about it.

I can unfortunately not remember the date, but it was either late 2022 or early 2023 that I bought a NIB OS MAX .55 nitro 2-stroke from Ken. When the parcel arrived it was in fact an OS MAX .46 and not an .55 in the box. Ken made it of as nothing serious as would in any case make enough on .46 as to cover my cost. According to him received the box just as it is from REVO Hobbies and that he would find out from them. I never heard the outcome of his communications with REVO’s.

Ken also insist in using POSTNET as its convenient for him, even though TCG (PUDO) is merely 1km further down the road and about half the price of Postnet.

If you arrange to have a parcel / plane picked up, Ken send someone to meet you in a parking lot at POSTNET. You cannot pick-up from his house or shop whatever the case.

On Saturday 27 January 2024 I received a message via whattsapp from Ken offering me various RC items. As in the past Ken insisted on an immediate payment, same day payment for all the items of which he made the price. Ken listed all the items as such on a whatsapp to me, adding a value to each item. As far as I could understand, the price he quoted was that of a new items. I can however not confirm that, as I have not gone through the trouble of checking the new prices, but in some instances he placed a hobby shop photo showing the new price, which is actually irrelevant as the items are now 2nd hand, and automatically only worth half or even less of the new price.

Ken gave me a price of R1650 for all, if I make an immediate payment, same day payment. I did not argue his price or make any bargaining offer. I only asked him whether his price included postage to which he confirmed affirmative. He assured me that I would be able to sell everything for 3 to 4 times more.

Below I copied in all our Whattsapp communications regarding the R1650 purchase from Ken.

I insert my comments below on each item:

[01/27, 13:27] Ken AeroAstro: Detrum transmitter is a freebie.
List of some of the items

**The transmitter is useless to anyone. Its battery is dead and heavely swollen. Its antenna is broken off, and has a broken casing and 2 broken off switches.**


1. Brand new Dubro rubber tyres 2.75T worth about R300

** Not in Dubro pacage like from new also not worth R300 anymore / ACCPTED**

2. Align Metal Servos x 6. Worth about R400

**No ALIGN SERVOS in the parcel. There were only ALIGN HORNS in the parcel**.

3. Hitec Carry Case worth about R500.

**USED ITEM. A new one is much cheaper than R500 / ACCPTED**

4. 2 x spinners worth about R100.

**USED and not worth R100 / ACCEPTED**

5. Hobby Taiwan motor starter worth R200

**Useless item. Not working / Faulty. Ken suggested that i must check the starter button to see if it makes contact.**

6. 6 x props including some brand new R250

**Only 4 used ones and only 1 new prop in parcel**

7. Clean Batteries 3000mah 4000mah. 2 extra ones freebies worth about R750

**All the batteries are in a very poor state and completely dead. The one battery cannot even de identified as there are no labeling on it. The batteries was put on charge, but still did not pick up charge nor showed any voltage. One of the batteries, a small LIPO is heavily swollen, which actually make it a dangerous item and should not have been posted in such a state. I have had the batteries tested by two other individuals who confirmed the batteries are dead**

8. 7x servos including futaba and brand new hitec micro servo worth about R700

**Only 6 received of which only THREE is in working condition.

2 x JR servo NES 517. Good working condition.
1 x Futaba BLS254. Good working condition.

1 x Tower Pro SG 5010 – Faulty
1 x CYS model S3006 – Faulty. Its lead has been cut off.
1 x Futaba S9256 - Faulty

Hitec micro
**Look new but NOT TESTED**

9. 2x chargers

**Tested / Fine**

10. Hitec telemetry - gps and PC

**NOT TESTED and I will probably not sell it cause of the condition of most of the items received in the parcel **


Programmer and voice reader

**NOT TESTED and I will probably not sell it because of the condition of most of the items received in the parcel **

11. 2 x electric motor.

**Not tested and not in such good condition. The smaller one of the 2 motors has a bent prop shaft**

12. Various Dubro sealed packs worth about R400

**14 small bags. Have not checked price or value**

[01/27, 13:29] Ken AeroAstro: Telemetry plus lights etc worth about R450

** No lights in package only plastic light covers**

[01/27, 13:30] Ken AeroAstro: Looking for quick sale price for all. Will be packed into case R1650 today deal.

[01/27, 13:31] Ken AeroAstro: You should be able to make 3 times to 4 times. It's literally a mini shop and the last spares from garage.

I have tried to communicate my issues with Ken but he seems not to be willing to respond to my messages or to accept my comments. I suggested to send him back his package and he pays me back my money, but no response to my suggestion.

I have sent Ken a number of short cell phone video recordings to try and demonstrate all the short comings. Ken seems not to be interested in these videos as he has not commented on any of them. He only made a comment regarding the starter motor, saying I must try and fix the switch.

Ken is of the opinion that there is still enough value left in the items on which I don’t have issues, for me to make a decent profit. That argument is beside the point.

I did not receive what was stipulated by Ken in his whatsapp messages as setout above. It is logic that one expect to find items your buy in a good and clean working condition.

Ken keeps referring to previous GOOD deals he done with me deals of the past. That is immaterial, it’s in the past and has no bearing on this deal.

Ken has responded in quite a few whatsapp messages claiming to be totally innocent, talking in circles, and even accusing me of attacking his “volunteers or individuals who packed. I have never accused his “volunteers or individuals’” at any time.

The rest of Ken’s messages, which is part of this BAD deal, and which are all of a total irrelevant nature, are available on “Whattapp copy” should anyone like some more reading material.

This is probably all my own fault and a shot I have to take on my chin. They say it’s the tamest dog that bites the hardest. Very true. I will probably bump a lot of the items in the rubbish bin before I think of selling it. But be assured, if you buy something for me you will get what you paid for. My name is worth more to me than any money can buy.

May this be a lesson to all my fellow RC byers and flyers. BE WIDE AWAKE at all times. Rather find ways and means to make sure that what you buy is what you get.

Based on the above, You be the judge.

I will definitely never make any deals again with the mysterious KEN.

Safe flying guys……..and girls.

[Ken]

I have had quite a few dealings with the very mysterious Ken (surname unknown) in the last year or more. For that matter I do not think anyone in the RC community, especially on AVCOM knows his surname or any other personal information of him. He uses a Standard bank Cheque account under the name of SEEDS NPO.

Ken does not answer any phone call or whattsapp call what so ever. In all the time that I have dealt with him I have never been able to speak to him. He strictly only communicate via whattsapp messages, also only when it suits him.

Ken always insist in immediate payment, same day payment, otherwise loose the deal.

I cannot complain about any bad deals that I have done with Ken in all the time I have dealt with him, besides me complaining once or twice about bad packaging that caused damages to in the post. In such case Ken would put the blame on his “VOLENTEERS”. I never made a fuss about it.

I can unfortunately not remember the date, but it was either late 2022 or early 2023 that I bought a NIB OS MAX .55 nitro 2-stroke from Ken. When the parcel arrived it was in fact an OS MAX .46 and not an .55 in the box. Ken made it of as nothing serious as would in any case make enough on .46 as to cover my cost. According to him received the box just as it is from REVO Hobbies and that he would find out from them. I never heard the outcome of his communications with REVO’s.

Ken also insist in using POSTNET as its convenient for him, even though TCG (PUDO) is merely 1km further down the road and about half the price of Postnet.

If you arrange to have a parcel / plane picked up, Ken send someone to meet you in a parking lot at POSTNET. You cannot pick-up from his house or shop whatever the case.

On Saturday 27 January 2024 I received a message via whattsapp from Ken offering me various RC items. As in the past Ken insisted on an immediate payment, same day payment for all the items of which he made the price. Ken listed all the items as such on a whatsapp to me, adding a value to each item. As far as I could understand, the price he quoted was that of a new items. I can however not confirm that, as I have not gone through the trouble of checking the new prices, but in some instances he placed a hobby shop photo showing the new price, which is actually irrelevant as the items are now 2nd hand, and automatically only worth half or even less of the new price.

Ken gave me a price of R1650 for all, if I make an immediate payment, same day payment. I did not argue his price or make any bargaining offer. I only asked him whether his price included postage to which he confirmed affirmative. He assured me that I would be able to sell everything for 3 to 4 times more.

Below I copied in all our Whattsapp communications regarding the R1650 purchase from Ken.

I insert my comments below on each item:

[01/27, 13:27] Ken AeroAstro: Detrum transmitter is a freebie.
List of some of the items

**The transmitter is useless to anyone. Its battery is dead and heavely swollen. Its antenna is broken off, and has a broken casing and 2 broken off switches.**


1. Brand new Dubro rubber tyres 2.75T worth about R300

** Not in Dubro pacage like from new also not worth R300 anymore / ACCPTED**

2. Align Metal Servos x 6. Worth about R400

**No ALIGN SERVOS in the parcel. There were only ALIGN HORNS in the parcel**.

3. Hitec Carry Case worth about R500.

**USED ITEM. A new one is much cheaper than R500 / ACCPTED**

4. 2 x spinners worth about R100.

**USED and not worth R100 / ACCEPTED**

5. Hobby Taiwan motor starter worth R200

**Useless item. Not working / Faulty. Ken suggested that i must check the starter button to see if it makes contact.**

6. 6 x props including some brand new R250

**Only 4 used ones and only 1 new prop in parcel**

7. Clean Batteries 3000mah 4000mah. 2 extra ones freebies worth about R750

**All the batteries are in a very poor state and completely dead. The one battery cannot even de identified as there are no labeling on it. The batteries was put on charge, but still did not pick up charge nor showed any voltage. One of the batteries, a small LIPO is heavily swollen, which actually make it a dangerous item and should not have been posted in such a state. I have had the batteries tested by two other individuals who confirmed the batteries are dead**

8. 7x servos including futaba and brand new hitec micro servo worth about R700

**Only 6 received of which only THREE is in working condition.

2 x JR servo NES 517. Good working condition.
1 x Futaba BLS254. Good working condition.

1 x Tower Pro SG 5010 – Faulty
1 x CYS model S3006 – Faulty. Its lead has been cut off.
1 x Futaba S9256 - Faulty

Hitec micro
**Look new but NOT TESTED**

9. 2x chargers

**Tested / Fine**

10. Hitec telemetry - gps and PC

**NOT TESTED and I will probably not sell it cause of the condition of most of the items received in the parcel **


Programmer and voice reader

**NOT TESTED and I will probably not sell it because of the condition of most of the items received in the parcel **

11. 2 x electric motor.

**Not tested and not in such good condition. The smaller one of the 2 motors has a bent prop shaft**

12. Various Dubro sealed packs worth about R400

**14 small bags. Have not checked price or value**

[01/27, 13:29] Ken AeroAstro: Telemetry plus lights etc worth about R450

** No lights in package only plastic light covers**

[01/27, 13:30] Ken AeroAstro: Looking for quick sale price for all. Will be packed into case R1650 today deal.

[01/27, 13:31] Ken AeroAstro: You should be able to make 3 times to 4 times. It's literally a mini shop and the last spares from garage.

I have tried to communicate my issues with Ken but he seems not to be willing to respond to my messages or to accept my comments. I suggested to send him back his package and he pays me back my money, but no response to my suggestion.

I have sent Ken a number of short cell phone video recordings to try and demonstrate all the short comings. Ken seems not to be interested in these videos as he has not commented on any of them. He only made a comment regarding the starter motor, saying I must try and fix the switch.

Ken is of the opinion that there is still enough value left in the items on which I don’t have issues, for me to make a decent profit. That argument is beside the point.

I did not receive what was stipulated by Ken in his whatsapp messages as setout above. It is logic that one expect to find items your buy in a good and clean working condition.

Ken keeps referring to previous GOOD deals he done with me deals of the past. That is immaterial, it’s in the past and has no bearing on this deal.

Ken has responded in quite a few whatsapp messages claiming to be totally innocent, talking in circles, and even accusing me of attacking his “volunteers or individuals who packed. I have never accused his “volunteers or individuals’” at any time.

The rest of Ken’s messages, which is part of this BAD deal, and which are all of a total irrelevant nature, are available on “Whattapp copy” should anyone like some more reading material.

This is probably all my own fault and a shot I have to take on my chin. They say it’s the tamest dog that bites the hardest. Very true. I will probably bump a lot of the items in the rubbish bin before I think of selling it. But be assured, if you buy something for me you will get what you paid for. My name is worth more to me than any money can buy.

May this be a lesson to all my fellow RC byers and flyers. BE WIDE AWAKE at all times. Rather find ways and means to make sure that what you buy is what you get.

Based on the above, You be the judge.

I will definitely never make any deals again with the mysterious KEN.

Safe flying guys……..and girls.

Hi Grobbie

Your feedback is truly important to us. Thank you for sharing. You have mentioned a lot of important matters over a year or so period. Glad that most of the items worked out well in the past. We value you. On most recent matter:
1. It was communicated that the items were remains in garage being cleared and were numerous and in various states. The Dectrum transmitter and over 30% of the over 7kg contents were actually free! FREEBIES !
2. It was agreed to allow you time to go over the items.
3. In first communication you mentioned 6 or the 7 servos were working. Now its 3? Today 06.02.2024 on AVCOM Classifieds you "ask if the servos listed are part of what you paid for" NO. You have confirmed receiving Servos as per pictures shared. The statement then can be taken the wrong way, making genuine potential buyers concerned or suspect we are double selling, when infact it is a genuine and clean offer of sale.
4. We cleared the matter on the Servos, There were align Servo horns as per the pictures. This was communicated several times. Honestly what is the price of a single align servo even used? How can 6 align servos be worth only R400?
5. Truly value all your messages and have admitted to not being able to immediately respond to over 30 messages from a single person at one go. We will look to improve on this.
6. The moderators insisted we not mention our Non-Profit ever again so out of respect, we will not. Having said that, we prefer that RC comes first before personal issues. It is no use going after an individual of the entity, lets be more solution orientated and deal with the problem at hand or your queries.
7. While we may give priority or first right to buy to some buyers, that in no way deprives us our right to advertise on our own on the platform. We humbly ask that we we choose this route, to self-advertise, can efforts to tarnish or hinder genuine sales through slander be stopped.

Lets give ALL a chance. Please RC Resellers. Please, allow us to sell cheaply without profit margins

Thank you.

[Grobbies]

1. To clear a workshop or what ever you want to call it, does not mean "Dump your rubbish" somewhere else. I did not buy the parcel because of the "Freebies". Why did you sent "freebies" if you knew it was worthless.

2. I went though everything and submitted a full report including some photo's and video footage, but you choose to ignore my messages and phone calls.

3. Bottom line, your list mentions 7 servo's and one micro servo. Only 6 servo's received of which only 3 were working.

4. We never cleared the Align servo matter. Your list indicated "Align Metal Servos x 6". No mention was made of any Align horns. Please do not try and make me the liar.

5. You don't mention the broken Starter motor, which you expect me to try and fix.

6. You don't mention the batteries which was in such a poor condition. The one LIPO was so swollen that it is actually a safety risk. But that clearly did not bother you to post it in that state.

I'm happy to see that I am not the only person that has been taken for a ride by you and I really hope the RC community will in future think twice before buying from you. If not i will keep reminding them.

[Roger]

Ok

6. The moderators insisted we not mention our Non-Profit ever again so out of respect, we will not.

You just did. Ok, you have till close of business tomorrow to post your NPO details. This must include all compliance documentation indicating that you are a registered NPO. Do not PM us - this must be in the open. PMs will be ignored.