This post is to alert the rest of you that, in my experience, UThomas is not a reliable seller. That might seem very direct statement, and it is; however, it is also a fact. This is relayed in chronological order. If I seem harsh, please read our conversations in the next post. Thomas pulled a fast one and then tried to blow me off.
A caveat: Before anyone says, "Well yeah, but that is still a good price." I was not looking for an X-mag in fair or good condition. I was looking for an X-mag in excellent condition. That is what I paid for. The marker I received is not as advertised. That is a violation of the rules of our trading community and a violation of trust.
I purchased the gloss black X-mag that Thomas listed for sale here. http://automags.org/forums/showthread.php?t=253216
Relevant PMs before the sale was made:
September 9th:
Then on the 21st:
On the 24th, I asked for better pictures without the overpowering glare and at full resolution:
These are the only additional pictures I received. http://yfrog.com/64img0660vqjx
I picked the marker up from the post office on the 12th of this month. The box was in good condition and the contents were all wrapped in bubble wrap. Thomas was kind enough to throw in that old Halo for free. (Then he uses that inclusion to rationalize his inaccurate description.) Unfortunately, the marker was NOT in the condition promised.
The left side has a number of scratches, especially toward the front and on the centerfeed breech. Most do not show bare metal, however, the forward half of the driver's side body is peppered with numerous indentations and gashes as is the upper half of the battery housing. The damage is very visible. The dings appear to have been made by some sort of impact. Or perhaps the marker was reanodized without any surface preparation. Regardless of the cause, I asked Thomas to offer a return for full refund. He refused and blew me off. I will post our PMs in the next post.
Here are a few pictures that are very representative of the damage.I broke the marker down and cleaned it thoroughly before taking these. It was full of paint, and unfortunately the sear lock still sticks (not mentioned in his sale post), but that's not what I am mad about. Notice the microfiber cloth, no dust and no fingerprints. These were taken outdoors in the shade.
Please click the images below and view them in full resolution:
Here is the whole album of 36 shots in full resolution: http://yfrog.com/42img1614cjx
Before I took these, I sent Thomas two other series of photos. These were taken indoors under a floor lamp. No flash. I did wipe the marker down before these as well.
This photo in particular does a good job or showing the size and depth of the indentations. Again, please click and view it in full screen:
I don't know about the rest of you, but when I pay for something that is repeatedly described as "excellent," "fantastic," and "looks almost new." That is exactly what I expect. Whether or not this is still a good deal really is of no consequence. Sending an item in a condition other than described is dishonest. Categorical imperative, anyone? If the marker's flaws had been made known and if Thomas had described the marker accurately, I would still have $770 in my bank account and he would still be trying to sell this damaged marker.
If that isn't enough, please see my conversation with Thomas when I complained and asked for a return. His responses were bureaucratic, patronizing, and arrogant.
A caveat: Before anyone says, "Well yeah, but that is still a good price." I was not looking for an X-mag in fair or good condition. I was looking for an X-mag in excellent condition. That is what I paid for. The marker I received is not as advertised. That is a violation of the rules of our trading community and a violation of trust.
I purchased the gloss black X-mag that Thomas listed for sale here. http://automags.org/forums/showthread.php?t=253216
Relevant PMs before the sale was made:
September 9th:
Originally posted by ArmyEngineer
Originally posted by UThomas
Originally posted by ArmyEngineer
Originally posted by UThomas
Originally posted by ArmyEngineer
Yeah, me too. The thing is, prices have continued dropping. If you could take a few more pics for me in natural lighting w/o the glare and in a higher res, I would appreciate it. Put that XSi to good use! 
Is the passenger side just dirty around the trigger, or is the ano faded?
Thanks again,
Charlie
Is the passenger side just dirty around the trigger, or is the ano faded?
Thanks again,
Charlie
Originally posted by UThomas
Those pics were actually in a light box - in Texas it is too bright and gets a bunch of glare. Anyway - I'll take some more pics but don't expect a pro photog 
It is gloss black - no pooling or fading in the anno - looks almost new (as you can see by how little wear on the valve there is).
Thomas
It is gloss black - no pooling or fading in the anno - looks almost new (as you can see by how little wear on the valve there is).Thomas
I picked the marker up from the post office on the 12th of this month. The box was in good condition and the contents were all wrapped in bubble wrap. Thomas was kind enough to throw in that old Halo for free. (Then he uses that inclusion to rationalize his inaccurate description.) Unfortunately, the marker was NOT in the condition promised.
The left side has a number of scratches, especially toward the front and on the centerfeed breech. Most do not show bare metal, however, the forward half of the driver's side body is peppered with numerous indentations and gashes as is the upper half of the battery housing. The damage is very visible. The dings appear to have been made by some sort of impact. Or perhaps the marker was reanodized without any surface preparation. Regardless of the cause, I asked Thomas to offer a return for full refund. He refused and blew me off. I will post our PMs in the next post.
Here are a few pictures that are very representative of the damage.I broke the marker down and cleaned it thoroughly before taking these. It was full of paint, and unfortunately the sear lock still sticks (not mentioned in his sale post), but that's not what I am mad about. Notice the microfiber cloth, no dust and no fingerprints. These were taken outdoors in the shade.
Please click the images below and view them in full resolution:
Here is the whole album of 36 shots in full resolution: http://yfrog.com/42img1614cjx
Before I took these, I sent Thomas two other series of photos. These were taken indoors under a floor lamp. No flash. I did wipe the marker down before these as well.
This photo in particular does a good job or showing the size and depth of the indentations. Again, please click and view it in full screen:
I don't know about the rest of you, but when I pay for something that is repeatedly described as "excellent," "fantastic," and "looks almost new." That is exactly what I expect. Whether or not this is still a good deal really is of no consequence. Sending an item in a condition other than described is dishonest. Categorical imperative, anyone? If the marker's flaws had been made known and if Thomas had described the marker accurately, I would still have $770 in my bank account and he would still be trying to sell this damaged marker.
If that isn't enough, please see my conversation with Thomas when I complained and asked for a return. His responses were bureaucratic, patronizing, and arrogant.
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