Muppet-Puppet Replicas on Ebay

[Nick]

Oh I have to jump into this... As most of you know I did tons and tons of research on puppets, and also wanted to borrow one for my class etc. I spent many hours on eBay and saw many of these auctions. If you look at the pics, it is obvious they (the pictures) were professionally done. They are most likely not the actual puppets this person made. Some of the pics even look as if they were taken from video.

His one feedback is from a t-shirt... I had seen these auctions before, and that person had a feedback of 4 or 5, if I remember. Their wording in the auction was very bad... and they said they would begin building in 3 months.
This person has done some research, and most likely copied the text from other auctions... The one thing, is the pictures are the same and I distinctly remember them. This person began selling on eBay March 21st, I did my research over 2 months ago. ( I also mentioned these puppets in another post, were I covered some of this before... discussing the quality of them etc.)

In my yrs of eBay experience, this is definately a scam, and this person has been busted more than once I'm sure. If Amicus did order Ernie and Bert, then prove me wrong and when your puppets arrive take pics and post them, let us see them, take pics around your house and with them on your arm.

I have no doubt that Ravagefrackle can build these, 100%! I have seen him with a miss piggy build, and also other muppet builds, and not just the chickens! He could make a fortune himself selling on eBay, but, he is an ethical person, and also would never compromise his name and reputation. The person on eBay will eventually be caught, and will most likely be sued by Disney or Jim Henson Co. for any trademark infringement.

Companies today have a person who, there only job is to investigate online auctions. To ensure their names are not being infringed, or illegally sold. I know that companies like Longaberger, Pampered Chef and others like it have a total eBay dept to make sure their reps do not sell on eBay, thus compromising the market of their goods.

I have reported these auctions to eBay.

 

[Nick]

Taken from eBay...

Counterfeits, unauthorized replicas, unauthorized items (such as counterfeit watches, handbags, or other accessories) or unauthorized copies (such as copies of software programs, video games, music albums, movies, television programs, or photographs) are not permitted on eBay. Unauthorized copies include (but are not limited to) copies that are pirated, duplicated, backed-up or bootlegged. It is illegal to sell unauthorized copies of media.
Guideline: If the product you are selling bears the name or logo of a company, but it wasn't made or endorsed by that company, don't list it on eBay.
Violations of this policy may result in a range of actions, including:

• Listing cancellation
• Limits on account privileges
• Account suspension
• Forfeit of eBay fees on cancelled listings
• Loss of PowerSeller status

 

[spcglider]

Then I suggest that anyone who thinks the law doesn't apply to them go ahead and order a Muppet replica from this person.

That way, when they get scammed, we'll all be vindicated.

-Gordon

 

[Nick]

HUZZAH! I can't agree more! I will have to find the post where I talked about this same issue... and as I said, it was around 2 months ago that I posted it... I even think I used the person's eBay name in the post... As soon as I find it I will post the link....

 

[Nick]

Thanks Gordon for your insight but your insight here means ZILCH, save it for the legal forum you must frequent. Lol.
Can't wait to get my Ernie and Bert puppets! Thanks to you "ravagefrackle" for convincing me to buy it too! Without your insight on the great prices and comparing these to your chickens I don't think I would have sprung for them!
Guys, thanks to you both, really.

Sorry I can't let this drop, (maybe I am OCD) Anyway, I can not stand someone who lies and or makes things up.... According to the post above, Amicus is bidding on a replica of Ernie and Bert... Well, I searched the auctions of Puppet Express... Completed and current in the last 30 days... and below is what I found.... The feedback I mentioned earlier is not an item this person sold, but one they bought. Also Note the bold, that is the only auction with a Bid, and it happens to be Kermit... the auction that ended is Gonzo... there are no auctions for Ernie and or Bert...

So

1 - 10 of 10 total, Click on the column headers to sort.
Item Start End Price Title High Bidder / Status
230108741566Mar-23-07Mar-30-07 15:39:38 PDTUS $850.00Professional Ventriloquist CUSTOM muppet PUPPET TV PROPPrivate (*)

230108802036Mar-23-07Mar-30-07 19:45:33 PDTUS $975.00Professional Ventriloquist CUSTOM muppet PUPPET TV PROPPrivate

230108821248Mar-23-07Mar-30-07 20:41:42 PDTUS $2,995.00Professional Ventriloquist CUSTOM muppet PUPPET TV PROPPrivate

230108949299Mar-24-07Mar-31-07 06:57:11 PDTUS $550.00Professional Ventriloquist CUSTOM muppet PUPPET TV PROPPrivate

230109054668Mar-24-07Mar-31-07 11:47:56 PDTUS $850.00Professional Ventriloquist CUSTOM muppet PUPPET TV PROPPrivate

230109091073Mar-24-07Mar-31-07 13:23:08 PDTUS $750.00Professional Ventriloquist CUSTOM muppet PUPPET TV PROPPrivate

230109139064Mar-24-07Mar-31-07 15:49:25 PDTUS $750.00Professional Ventriloquist CUSTOM muppet PUPPET TV PROPPrivate

230110273866Mar-27-07Apr-03-07 07:06:23 PDTUS $795.00Professional Ventriloquist CUSTOM muppet PUPPET TV PROPPrivate

230108974309Mar-24-07Apr-03-07 08:23:01 PDTUS $395.00Professional Ventriloquist CUSTOM muppet PUPPET TV PROPPrivate

230111840982Mar-30-07Apr-09-07 15:53:09 PDTUS $850.00Professional Ventriloquist CUSTOM muppet PUPPET TV PROPPrivate (*) indicates that auction has ended.

 

[Punch'n'Judy]

CAN'T WAIT TO GET MINE!! THE ANTICIPATION IS KILLING ME!!!!!!!

Good.

 

[Jonathan]

Amicus, You are One of the Biggest Jerks I Have Ever heard From...
Master Replica, and ravagefrackle puppets put these to shame, and Frankly, You just Prove that People are Ignorant, and Lose All Social Respect when they sign onto the internet!
Does it make you feel better to pick on others Kid'o-
Can You Build Better Than "Master Crapula"
Or Have You Been Asked to build anything for the Muppets????

Untill you prove to me these things
Shut the Heck Up

-J

P.S: I Hope you Buy one of those Puppets... and Get you Butt Sue ed off!!!!!

 

[MuppetQuilter]

This is truly ridiculous. The ebay auctions are clearly in violation of ebay rules and violation of MHC/Disney property rights. There's nothing to argue there; it's a fact. There is also no reason to attack one another, call people names, belittle each other... Everyone needs to go watch Fraggle Rock a few times and remember what Jim Henson tried to teach us.

Amicus, play nice or go away.

Everyone else, quit egging him on.

Sheesh.

 

[ravagefrackle]

Thanks Gordon for your insight but your insight here means ZILCH, save it for the legal forum you must frequent. Lol.
Can't wait to get my Ernie and Bert puppets! Thanks to you "ravagefrackle" for convincing me to buy it too! Without your insight on the great prices and comparing these to your chickens I don't think I would have sprung for them!
Guys, thanks to you both, really.

go for it, seems to me he hasnt sold one ever. He posts the same pictures everytime he tries to sell one. So go for it , wouldnt be suprised if you get scammed out of your cash,

 

[spcglider]

Has anyone here given consideration to the idea that the seller IS Amicus?

A little research shows his past postings sure have been asking a lot of questions about how to MAKE these exact Muppets.

And he certainly spends a LOT of time defending the "right" to buy and sell them. To the point of being paranoiac about it. He gets downright nasty when it's brought up.

I'm just sayin'... is all.

-Gordon