For anyone contemplating buying anything from Mr. Feng of ArkModels, be sure you know what you are getting into before you end up with the broken promises, poor design & quality, broken models, blatant lies & repeated dodged emails / phone calls as I recently saw these past 6 months.
Instead of posting the whole saga here, you can see the details along with photos of Feng's handiwork, at either of the following:
http://www.subpirates.com/viewtopic.php?t=2052 (my lament begins about half-way down & refers to an "exclusive" deal Feng signed with a company in the States, my complaint & photos are on the page 2)
http://www.shipmodels.info/mwphpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=10925&start=30 (my complaint can be found on page 3 once I realized after several months that I was getting the same treatment as others already familiar with ArkModel)
Since I am not the only one complaining about this character, I thought I'd share some other complaints on Feng & his business practices that I've found around the web. It certainly appears that I am not the only one who feels like he's been taken advantage of when it comes to doing business with Arkmodel. He's had enough time & opportunity to make this simple issue right, but has failed to do so at every chance given him. At this point, all I can do is try to dissuade others from making the same mistake & buying from him.
ModelMayhem / UK
8/20/06
"ARK models near Shanghai, bought a completed kit off them. Now I don't want to go into any detail at this time as we have supposed to have come to a resolution to our dispute (enough said??). We agreed an arrangement in Dec but am still awaiting ARK to uphold their end of the agreement, all I get is delays - delays - delays!!! Think that if I'm honest I don't ever expect them to come good to their word!
I have pictures and documents of the build of the ship supplied by Paul, my build of the Sovremenny from TJ's, and the item supplied by ARK if anyone wishes to see any more details on what I have already spoken about."
ModelWarships
10/25/06
"I purchased that same tug that Tim has over a year ago. Looks nice in the pictures, eh?
Took a full year for ARK to deliver all the parts. Much went in the trash it was so bad- the "bow thruster" for example, oh, and the entire fiberglass hull too. Three times thicker than any f/g I've ever seen, crudely finished and mis-shapen to boot. Many parts virtually unassemblable, like the pilot house roof.
What puzzles me is that Feng has some really GOOD looking stuff and methods... like the big PE fret, and all the laser-cut plastic parts which ought to be near perfect, off of CAD designs... and he includes pretty complete plans, even with hull lines (which allowed me to scratch build a new hull).
Purchasing direct is a scary proposition... may be different now, but back then he only took Western Union transfers... but the stuff did eventually show up. I'd rather take the same extra dollars and pay an importer, whom I can deal with locally."
ModelWarships
10/15/06
"Caveat Emptor would appear to be a wise one to bear in mind -
http://hmshood.com/hoodtoday/models/arkmodel/arkmodel.htm Good luck."
ModelWarships
10/15/06
"Ark models in a word..
Ick."
ModelWarships
10/19/06
"One of the posters on my site, XXX XXXX, asked me to add to this thread. He has been waiting over a year for ARK to settle on some issues with a model they sent him. He has been getting a lot of promises, but so far, no satisfaction."
ModelWarships
11/18/06
"I had major problems with ARK with the kit I bought from them and it took over a year to get them to even reply to my emails!!
They did eventually reply to me, probably because they got fed up of my slagging them off, and we came to an amicable settlement. That was prior to Xmas last year and I am still awaiting ARK to complete their end of the agreement.
Within the last 24 hours they have attempted to complete their end, but failed miserably (I won't go into details but they didn't do themselves any favours!!) and are supposedly correcting next week. I will wait and see if they come through but this will be their last chance to make good as my patience is now at its end!
I have to agree with a lot of the above comments, certainly the west win hands down at the minute on just about everything other than price. If the Chinese sort out their quality control, quality of product (both accuracy of detail and improve their finish quality), along with their customer service/support, the Chinese will become MAJOR players in the field."
At this point I wish I would have heeded their advice & started pulling back before sinking anymore funds into this company. Feel free to contact me directly should you have any similar experiences that you wish be passed along. Thanks!
Chuck
