Interesting News from the Detroit Area (2 Viewers)

Michtoy was my first supplier of K&C back in the late 90's . I never had a problem with Rick when it came to anything... Spent a lot of money and was always satisfied with his service and problem solving. All orders were by phone and cc. Then all of a sudden double billing for large orders. He blamed it on staff, but once problems were solved, never ordered large amounts again...just a piece here and there... I guess there was a reason that K&C dropped him as a distributer...
 
Rutledge...

For me, its not ''mere'' economic theft if there is such a thing. Its worse IMO than just pinching goods from a store as the dishonesty element is far more and the breach of trust is absolute.

A lot has been said about how many times etc etc but, my view will always be that persons who undertake such actions should be severely dealt with.
Mitch

Rutledge said:
No one is arguing for more sympathy. But 20 years of prison is not something we give those who have committed non-violent crimes, for the most part. We dont have the space or money for it, frankly. Crimes of violence are much more dangerous to society than "mere" electronic theft, and we must reserve suffiicent resources to keep all those folks locked away.

Judges have flexibility, not autonomy. Dont know the actual criteria, but likely relates to degree of mischief, previous behavior, genuine remorse expressed, and likelihood to repeat. Somewhat but not totally subjective.

US laws do not prohibit convicted felons from owning or running legitimate businesses (unless perhaps something that requires licenses, like medical or financial). We want crooks to pay for their crimes, but also have reasonable options for making a life for themselves after doing so. Having a criminal background is not easily overcome. Many businesses are reluctant to hire, banks dont extend credit, previous customers are not likely to return, etc. No need for massive govt oversight, the free markets ensure punishment is lasting and instructional :)

Note: I do not speak from personal experience! ^&grin
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pugio said:
Michtoy was my first supplier of K&C back in the late 90's . I never had a problem with Rick when it came to anything... Spent a lot of money and was always satisfied with his service and problem solving. All orders were by phone and cc. Then all of a sudden double billing for large orders. He blamed it on staff, but once problems were solved, never ordered large amounts again...just a piece here and there... I guess there was a reason that K&C dropped him as a distributer...
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It's interesting you should say that, I was begining to wonder whether he was just double charging customers outside the U.S. Martin

Martin
 
I suppose that nobody saw their lights flicker (in that area) then a jail term it must have been LOL. I asked some friends to keep an eye out but, have not heard anything anyone else heard??
Mitch
 
Interesting read thanks for posting. Should be thanking his lucky stars its only ten months. $19,000 per month!!!
Mitch
 
The most revealing part of the article was this statement by the prosecutors in their court papers: “The case before this court is not extraordinary; it is typical.”
 
Well, judgement handed down and pretty light sentence considering prior record of like offence. How come the perp is always remorseful after they get caught? As to the effect on family and employee, maybe that factor should have been weighed a little more heavily by the perp before he did the crime. Oh well. -- Al
 
I wonder if his business will still be there when he gets out?.

Rob
 
Rob said:
I wonder if his business will still be there when he gets out?.

Rob
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I was thinking the same thing. This incident has certainly stopped me from ever doing online business with him that is for sure. I wonder what will happen to ONTC, is he not a part of that?
 
I sincerely feel sorry for his family...

I don't understand how he ever got a second chance with any major credit card company after the 1993 incident...

that does not make sense...

M/C...Visa...A/E...Discover will usually cut you off completely after one inceident like this...
 
mikemiller1955 said:
I sincerely feel sorry for his family...

I don't understand how he ever got a second chance with any major credit card company after the 1993 incident...

that does not make sense...

M/C...Visa...A/E...Discover will usually cut you off completely after one inceident like this...
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It can depend on how he organized his business, whether as a sole proprietor, or if he was incorporated, and based on that, with taxpayer ID info was used.

Prost!
Brad
 
i would say no it wont!!

This is the tip of a very large iceburg!! he has been sentenced for the one person for the $168000 but there is more than one mention on here of double charging!! and slow refunds........and blaming staff. This is coming out SINCE.

it has been made clear by dealers in UK (being the organiser of the London Toysoldier show) we hear a lot...........and he has done it to MANY UK dealers as well.......

so sorry for his family and staff as he has screwed them over!!

who will trust Michigan Toy soldier or buy Old North West using a credit or debit card??

Shame shame shame.........
 
just re read the article.............so this guy has done the over charging before and since. and then does this again and blames the finacial climate.........!!!

So has the toy soldier world been dieing on its arse since 1993!! the first time he was caught double dipping!! so was that when he had money issues??

oh not that was some 14 years later in 2007............wow that s a long time to be against the wall and not go down!!

And how bad are things that he needs heading towards $190k!!

BLOODY lucky he only got 10months

good luck to the family and staff HE WAS ONLY LOOKING OUT FOR THEM!!

absoultly no sympathy here it has tainted the Toy Soldier world
 
thebritfarmer said:
I was thinking the same thing. This incident has certainly stopped me from ever doing online business with him that is for sure. I wonder what will happen to ONTC, is he not a part of that?
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No business from me either. Don't see how the business can survive this kind of hit. -- Al
 
Like I said before the only chance for this business will survive is for someone else to buy it that is not connected in any way to him.There are people who are held in very high esteem in our hobby who are or have been connected to him business wise and I hope their reputations are not tarnished by this.
Mark
 
MTSC no longer sell the figures of Conte Collectibles
Is it the beginning of the end of MTSC?
 
marco55 said:
Like I said before the only chance for this business will survive is for someone else to buy it that is not connected in any way to him.There are people who are held in very high esteem in our hobby who are or have been connected to him business wise and I hope their reputations are not tarnished by this.
Mark
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I think the same
also change the company name
 
Very rarely do I post comments on any site but I just had to comment on this guy, Rick Berry of Michigan Toy Soldier Co. Hmmmm, he only stole $189,000 this time? Well, in November 2000 he ripped me off for $500 on two playsets he promised to deliver within a few weeks. After 3 months and numerous broken promises he stated the manufacturer was going to ship them to me. Fortunately for me, I actually knew the manufacturer and called him directly, he had NO knowledge that he was to ship two playsets to me as per Mr. Berry's statement. However, since I bought directly from the manufacturer before, he agreed to send them to me and invoice Rick Berry of MTSC. I never heard from Berry again, no phone call, no email replies, no apology, no nothing. If it was not for the efforts of the playset manufacturer I probably would have never received those playsets. I read in a newspaper article (Daily Tribune 1/27/2011) that Berry has a similar conviction for credit fraud on his record from 1993. Seems like this guy never learned his lesson. But justice has been served as I see he was just sentenced to 10 months in jail on 2/7/2011.

Let’s see:
Strike 1 = 1993 Conviction for Credit Card Fraud
Strike 2 = 2000 He stiffed me for $500 for 2 playsets
Strike 3 = 2008 Bilks Peter Jackson out of $189,000 in fraudulent credit card charges.

OK, 3 strikes and you go to JAIL! 10 months does not seem long enough for this 3 time loser! Who knows how many other people he scammed including people like me who never said anything until now. Yes, I feel bad for his family and his employees but I have NO sympathy for him.
Gary
PS-And finally think about this-who in their right mind is going to give their credit card number to him or his business now?
 
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