Based on recent events on eBay, it would appear that long-time original movie prop dealers Startifacts and Star Wares have had some business conflicts that have spilled over into the public space. Following a rash of eBay negative feedback remarks left for Star Wares, many remarks have been expunged by eBay and the startifacts account now shows a suspended “NARU” status (Not A Registered User).
Star Wares, which was founded by Marcia Tysselling, has been active in the hobby since 1989. As reported in October 2008, Tysselling recently sold controlling interest in the company to Kevin Martin of Piece of the Past (see Star Wares Collectibles & Piece of the Past Form New Partnership/Ownership Arrangement).
I am unsure of the origins of Startifacts, but know that they have been in business for nearly as long, at close to two decades, having been founded by Michael Kronick in the late 80s.
Both Star Wares (as starwarescollectibles) and Startifacts (as startifacts) have been selling on eBay since 1998.
An OPB reader brought to my attention a few days ago that Startifacts had left Star Wares a number of negative feedback reports on eBay.
Below is a snapshot of the starwarescollectibles eBay Feedback Profile as of June 4, 2009:
Since, much of the negative and neutral feedback left by startifacts for starwarescollectibles appears to have been removed by eBay, and the startifacts account now shows a suspended “NARU” status. Some of those negative feedback reports left for starwarescollectibles were for items won on 06/01/09 and the feedback remarks were left on 06/04/09 – just three days later – which is the likely reason that those were removed by eBay, and the account suspended.
Below is a snapshot of the revised starwarescollectibles eBay Feeback Profile as of June 7, 2009:
Below are archives of the negative comments made (with some stricken by eBay):
BUYERS BE STAR WARE!!!!!!!!!!
THEY SEEM TO SELL THE SAME ITEM OVER AND OVER–I HAVE BOUGHT THIS ITEM TWICE!!!
PLEASE BUYERS BEWARE THEY ARE VERY PUSHY AND RUDE
WILL NOY BUY FROM EVER AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
BUYERS BEWARE——————
RUDE STAFF —————-NEVER AGAIN
RUDE–VERY RUDE NEW STAFF–| TRUE SHANE THE END OF A GREAT COMPANY
STARWARES HAS LOST THE TYESLLINGS ITS NOT THE SAME WITHOUT MARCIA
POOR AND RUDE COMMUNICATION FROM NEW OWNERSHIP–MARCIA WOULD BE SHOCKED
WILL NEVER DEAL WITH STARWARES AGAIN
NEVER RECEIVED—NO COMMUNICATION—-WHAT HAPPENED TO YOU GUYS???
VERY POOR AND RUDE TO LONG TIME CLIENTS
NEVER RECEIVED NO COMMUNICATION–WHAT A SHAME
STILL HAVE NOT RECEIVED—BUYERS BEWARE!!!!!!!!!!!
NRVER RECEIVED
WILL—VERY POOR PEOPLE SKILLS FOR A 2 DECADE CLIENT
WOW—TOO BAD MARCIAS NOT STILL THERE–VERY RUDE COMMUNICATION
If any of the principals of these companies (Kevin Martin of Piece of the Past/Star Wares or Michael Kronick of Startifacts) would like to respond or make a statement, they are welcome to publish a “Reader Comment” below.
Jason De Bord