(Topic ID: 321425)

6 x Stolen / Missing CFTBL Snackbar Mods

By swinks

1 year ago


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    #1 1 year ago

    Hi all

    Mainly people in Australia and in Europe.

    I recently struck a deal with Ministry of Pinball and sold them 6 x Snackbars along with hidden decals, drive-in speaker mods etc - over $2700AUD worth and sadly they opted not to take out insurance.

    This is what I sent.....

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    #2 1 year ago

    Then this is the photo I got tonight when they unpacked it.

    I have had many customers over the years with selling a few hundred of these and everyone knows that I am loyal and reliable and never had one single loss. I would never do this in my life and admittedly rather stressed as I take pride in my reputation.

    The only thing I can determine is that in the Newcastle main postal branch or Sydney's main branch or The Netherlands main postal branch that someone did a switch.

    Can people keep an eye out for Snackbars going up for sale.

    Regards

    Jady

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    #3 1 year ago

    What was the condition of the shipment on arrival?

    What about the shipping label was it the same when the package shipped out?

    I used to handle logistics claims at my old job and when accidents happen on the shippers end….some weird stuff can happen…

    Also is your business contact information on each of these kits somehow? If someone somewhere is expecting this paperwork and ends up with your parts chances are they are going to be as frustrated as you unless they own a CFTBL.

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    #4 1 year ago

    Sorry to hear this.

    Seems like heavy stuff to substitute. Was it the same box? I had something similar happen when my box went through customs and the declaration/shipping label was accidentally swapped with another box during inspection.

    #5 1 year ago

    I have not got a clear answer on the box but it did weigh 2.7kg.

    The declaration was the same, and technically shouldn't have made it out of Australia

    I live close to Newcastle and there is a Newcastle book there so could be a sorting centre person doing a dodgy...

    I also asked about what appears to be aussie money in the back right of the photo..

    so stressed

    #6 1 year ago

    That looks like a fair wad of cash!?

    #7 1 year ago

    Wow, thats so shady. I'm sorry this happened to both you and ministry of pinball. What an odd thing to steal too

    #8 1 year ago
    Quoted from swinks:

    I have not got a clear answer on the box but it did weigh 2.7kg.
    The declaration was the same, and technically shouldn't have made it out of Australia
    I live close to Newcastle and there is a Newcastle book there so could be a sorting centre person doing a dodgy...
    I also asked about what appears to be aussie money in the back right of the photo..
    so stressed

    Sorry this happened.
    Your reputation is Solid and honorable in the pinball community!
    My gut, someone knows your bussiness at local post office and did a switch.
    Contact your post master General.

    #9 1 year ago

    this sounds like a case for The Hardy Boys... "The Mystery of the Missing Swinks Mods".

    #10 1 year ago

    Did they send you a picture of the packaging etc?
    I wonder if a label got generated or customs paperwork and someone internally put in on the wrong package.
    I’ve had plenty of packages go missing or stolen over the years, even had them sliced open and contents stolen. But I have never in 30+ years of mail order had someone swap the contents.
    And if so, why the wallet with a stack of cash?

    #11 1 year ago

    It doesn't seem likely that a rogue customs agent happened to be a pinball fanatic who hatched a nefarious plan to pilfer a bunch of mods to sell on the black market. Is it possible that maybe the label got dislodged from the box and attached to another random box? I've had that happen before ordering something on eBay where the shipping label got stuck onto the wrong package and I ended up with some dude's knee brace. (didn't keep it... found the correct address and forwarded it on)

    #12 1 year ago
    Quoted from Pinhead1982:

    That looks like a fair wad of cash!?

    Seriously, that looks like quite a bit of money.
    I’m guessing the package somehow got mixed up with a similar package. Why would someone steel a package and fill it with money?
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    #13 1 year ago

    yeah something is very odd and must say did not sleep well last night.

    - I am in the Lake Macquarie area which is 20km from the first sorting centre which is Newcastle which is also happens to be whwew the Pasha Bulka ran a ground - what "Newcastle Big Rescue" book is about
    - what looks to be a big wad of cash ??? strange, along with a head of what looks to be religious hand out brochures
    - I always watch the local post office put the declaration in to a clear slip and that clear slip is sticky as all crap so can't see that it coming off and they are good people down there - I believe / hope and take a photo of the declaration on the box
    - some odd things there - "Must Investigate This" "An inspiring story of survival" booklets

    I have asked Ministry for photos of the box, detail any damage, weigh the box and contents, layout all the goods more clearly, count the money.. nothing back yet

    I have posted in multiple locations as while I gave them the option and advised to have insured and they insisted on not insuring to save money. I am more worried about my reputation as this has never happened and have sent hundreds of packages over the past 8 years to the pinball community around the world and it is gut wrenching and has me questioning my future.

    I have started a thread here:

    http://aussiepinball.com/index.php?topic=19766.new#new

    https://www.aussiearcade.com/topic/99941-6-x-stolen-missing-cftbl-snackbar-mods/

    https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/6-x-stolen-missing-cftbl-snackbar-mods#post-7110851

    And posted on my Facebook page as well.

    https://www.facebook.com/Swinks-Pinball-482676868601568

    https://www.facebook.com/groups/1017312555443636

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    #14 1 year ago

    Strange story, also when they opted NOT to take insurance even if they paid so much…

    Hope you find them. Your a good seller and mod maker . I wouldn’t be to worried about YOUR reputation

    #15 1 year ago

    A bit more about the parts.

    - I have only made 68 x v7's
    - I keep a spreadsheet of all the owners
    - With only 65 of these sent out to people around the world to the following place:

    65 kits went to these places
    Australia - 6 kits
    New Zealand - 1 kit
    USA - 35 kits
    Canada - 1 kit
    UK - 3 kits
    The Netherlands - 7 kits (including the 6 missing ones)
    Germany - 1 kit
    France - 6 kits
    Italy - 1 kit
    Norway - 1 kit
    Belgium - 2 kit
    Portugal - 1 kit

    They are 6 x Snackbar Mod v7's like these below and has the version recessed in the underside like in the photo.

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    #16 1 year ago

    This type of shipping screwup is exactly why insurance is offered. 100% MOP's fault for not insuring the shipment... shit can happen when you're entrusting strangers to move your package across the globe.

    Wonder what the person who got your stuff is thinking right now...

    #17 1 year ago
    Quoted from metallik:

    This type of shipping screwup is exactly why insurance is offered. 100% MOP's fault for not insuring the shipment... shit can happen when you're entrusting strangers to move your package across the globe.
    Wonder what the person who got your stuff is thinking right now...

    It was insisted that insurance be removed and have the email as proof

    yes wonder what they are thinking but then I thinking if someone does the switch why would they put in a bundle of cash - very very strange.

    #18 1 year ago
    Quoted from AMSNL:

    Strange story, also when they opted NOT to take insurance even if they paid so much…
    Hope you find them. Your a good seller and mod maker . I wouldn’t be to worried about YOUR reputation

    thanks mate and take pride in my reputation and up till now never lost a package, and hope people still support me, but thinking insurance is now compulsory from now on.

    #19 1 year ago

    I don’t think that’s a bundle of cash I think those are wallets with paper card to show what it’s for like fake paper drivers licence when you buy a new wallet at the store. If it was a bundle of cash then it was easy let MOP order new ones with you from that money

    #20 1 year ago

    I say if they opted out of insurance, that's the gamble that they are taking and you are no longer liable once the postal carrier picks it up. It seems too fishy for me, and if I were the seller, as much as I'd want to work with them, I would tell them that it wasn't my responsibility.

    A tough lesson learned for MoP.

    And good on you for documenting everything. When you're dealing with high value shipments, you want everything you can get before you send it off to have proof of condition, for instances like this.

    #21 1 year ago

    Is MoP trying to screw you over?

    #22 1 year ago

    I even sold some drops to wolftownjeff yesterday before all this happened and he paid the required amount in USD and not in AUD which effectively $70 too much. I could of sat on it but I could live with myself. I refunded him and he paid again the correct amount in AUD and saved himself $70AUD. This has happened many times as paypal defaults to USD and on every occasion I refund and get them to pay again - with many people being really appreciative.

    I would never do this as is criminal if I were to do this and would destroy my reputation.

    Australia has increased there declaration control recently and scan many packages to ensure the contents are correct so would be surprised if it happened in Australia but obviously stranger things have happened, so can't remove that possibility. Waiting for more details and photos to start a postal investigation at my end - strangely no photos after 8hrs of asking - this would be first priority if it happened to me.

    #23 1 year ago

    I also don't think it's cash in those "wallets" ... if you look, most of the printed material is for/from a religious organization (hiswordmedia). I'll bet that "money" is really fake bills with one side looking legit and the other a solicitation to read more about God.

    #24 1 year ago

    Swinks you're fine, I think it's painfully obvious the boxes got mixed up by Australia post. Perhaps MOP should contact Hiswordmedia.com and ask them if they got any weird shipments lately. They might actually be able to trade back for their stuff.

    #25 1 year ago
    Quoted from metallik:

    Swinks you're fine, I think it's painfully obvious the boxes got mixed up by Australia post. Perhaps MOP should contact Hiswordmedia.com and ask them if they got any weird shipments lately. They might actually be able to trade back for their stuff.

    I will reach out to them just in case, also waiting for photos of the box to determine if the declaration moved boxes or if the box was cut open and goods swapped out.

    #27 1 year ago
    Quoted from swinks:

    I even sold some drops to wolftownjeff yesterday before all this happened and he paid the required amount in USD and not in AUD which effectively $70 too much. I could of sat on it but I could live with myself. I refunded him and he paid again the correct amount in AUD and saved himself $70AUD. This has happened many times as paypal defaults to USD and on every occasion I refund and get them to pay again - with many people being really appreciative.
    I would never do this as is criminal if I were to do this and would destroy my reputation.
    Australia has increased there declaration control recently and scan many packages to ensure the contents are correct so would be surprised if it happened in Australia but obviously stranger things have happened, so can't remove that possibility. Waiting for more details and photos to start a postal investigation at my end - strangely no photos after 8hrs of asking - this would be first priority if it happened to me.

    You are the best mod maker and a great guy, don't be so hard on yourself. I bet this works out in the end.

    #28 1 year ago

    #swinks ..
    Don't lose sleep over your reputation, that is solid, but this is a hell of a mystery...
    Too weird

    #29 1 year ago

    Cheers for the support guys

    - Contacted Auspost and reported but since it has been delivered and accepted by MoP they can't start yet.
    - MoP has to put in an inquiry at the dutch postal showing them the box, and contents and declaration then they start a report.
    - Then once done they push to Australia to investigate the Australian side if they can't find anything there.

    Not much I can do until I get some photos

    #30 1 year ago
    Quoted from metallik:

    Swinks you're fine, I think it's painfully obvious the boxes got mixed up by Australia post. Perhaps MOP should contact Hiswordmedia.com and ask them if they got any weird shipments lately. They might actually be able to trade back for their stuff.

    ^This.

    I'm predicting it is just some sort of mix up at the NSW sorting centre. If you look up the registrant details for hiswordmedia where the pamphlets are from it goes back to a company called Ministry Designs.

    That seems like too much of a coincidence when the intended package was addressed to Ministry of Pinball.

    They are local to you swinks.
    https://hiswordmedia.com/about-us/

    0439 694 356

    Give them a call and see if they have received any odd packages of pinball mods in the last few days.

    #31 1 year ago
    Quoted from pinsanity:

    ^This.
    I'm predicting it is just some sort of mix up at the NSW sorting centre. If you look up the registrant details for hiswordmedia where the pamphlets are from it goes back to a company called Ministry Designs.
    That seems like too much of a coincidence when the intended package was addressed to Ministry of Pinball.
    They are local to you swinks.
    https://hiswordmedia.com/about-us/
    0439 694 356
    Give them a call and see if they have received any odd packages of pinball mods in the last few days.

    I happen to call him about 10 minutes ago and his packages go to the same sorting centre in Newcastle, so looks like it can only be 2 things:
    - my declaration ended up on a different box - so photos from MoP will help solve this
    - or someone dodgy at the Newcastle Sorting Centre swapped the parts

    The dollar notes are fakes to look like $50 and $100 with wallets and all the brochures seem to be his - have emailed him the picture and he will confirm.

    #32 1 year ago

    Those are religious pamphlets made to look like cash so you will take them when handed to you which works well and fits with all the other religious literature there.

    I have not seen wallet pamphlets but notice there is a stack of worn wallets, likely more of the same gimmick pamphlets.

    It seems so random to steal pinball mods when the post office handles mountains of easy to pawn goods.

    Good luck tracking down your package!

    #33 1 year ago

    plot thickens

    MoP sent me a heap of pictures

    The declaration was swapped from my box to someone elses box with the other guys address still on there and it was address to a guy in NSW, Australia and postage to NSW and 1/3 the cost to get it overseas.

    How does this happen....

    Either my box is still sitting there as has no declaration...
    or
    Some dodgy bugger swapped the label and sent it to themselves or just took it (doesn't help that they also have there own sending facility there)

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    1 week later
    #34 1 year ago

    Damn, this sucks on many levels.

    Any updates or progress?

    #35 1 year ago

    Investigating is happening at the Dutch Postal Service and Aus Postal Service - waiting game now

    The box that MoP got was someone's else's package.

    1 month later
    #37 1 year ago

    case is still running, very frustrating - seems to be with Dutch Customs but some games being played.

    3 weeks later
    27
    #38 1 year ago

    Well got some great news this morning in that Ministry of Pinball got their package of 6 x Snackbars with some extra gear. So there is Snackbar Stock in Europe though not sure on the price they will have listed.

    Case Closed - and stock is at Ministry of Pinball

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    #39 1 year ago

    Wow! So are these the originals that you sent, or replacements?

    #40 1 year ago

    That's awasome and has to be one of the weirdest stories until you realize it's just parcel service is universally bad. I wish I could have been there when MOP opened the original box.

    #41 1 year ago
    Quoted from DakotaMike:

    Wow! So are these the originals that you sent, or replacements?

    the originals

    Quoted from RyanStl:

    That's awasome and has to be one of the weirdest stories until you realize it's just parcel service is universally bad. I wish I could have been there when MOP opened the original box.

    yes and the email was basically WTF

    #42 1 year ago

    Glad that this had a happy ending

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