Morgan Posted December 4, 2023 Report Share Posted December 4, 2023 (edited) So let me preface this by saying I am super hesitant about posting this so if it is questionable please take it down. Also was not sure where to post this so stuck it here. Short story: I have wanted some bison tools (specifically one) for years and finally contacted him August of last year and decided to drop the money on two tools. He was SUPER responsive, kind, explained his ordering process and even sent over a detailed schematic of his tool offerings etc. we agreed on two tools and then he sent me a link to pay via PayPal friends and family (I know i know). So I quickly sent that all excited and his last response over a year ago was “give me a couple of weeks as I wrap up some orders and I will let you know asap once this ships” (verbatim). Fast forward now and he has not answered any emails for over 6 months at least (when I started emailing him with update questions) and often his email will also bounce back. After some googling I found quite a few Reddit threads with this exact same thing happening, some people having paid a few years ago. I guess I am asking is there anything at all I can do here? I want to give him the benefit of the doubt but this is pretty absurd. I know I have no recourse on PayPal since I paid as a friend. I just feel pretty sick to my stomach if this is all going on on purpose but again, who knows what’s happening in his life. Shot in the dark, but does anyone here know him and maybe ease my mind. Or should I just assume I will never see those tools or money again, which is clearly where I am at now. Outside that I guess this is just a heads up to others. Edited December 4, 2023 by Morgan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rox54 Posted December 4, 2023 Report Share Posted December 4, 2023 I haven't purchased anything from him in over a year, but he has made 4 tools for me over the years without any issues and I was always pleased. He always consulted with me about a personalized fit for the handle etc and seemed to take pride in his work and packaged them well. He also repaired a tool that I had dropped on a cement floor. I paid as a "friend" too, but understood it as a way to avoid PayPal fees. I wonder if there is something wrong with his health? I'm sorry this happened to you. Roberta12 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Min Posted December 4, 2023 Report Share Posted December 4, 2023 Maybe somebody who has okay correspondence with him could email him on your behalf Morgan? I'm sorry for your experience. Roberta12 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Morgan Posted December 4, 2023 Author Report Share Posted December 4, 2023 4 hours ago, rox54 said: I haven't purchased anything from him in over a year, but he has made 4 tools for me over the years without any issues and I was always pleased. He always consulted with me about a personalized fit for the handle etc and seemed to take pride in his work and packaged them well. He also repaired a tool that I had dropped on a cement floor. I paid as a "friend" too, but understood it as a way to avoid PayPal fees. I wonder if there is something wrong with his health? I'm sorry this happened to you. And this is the experience I’ve heard from countless others and why I have given him as long as he needs and absolute benefit of the doubt. Tools aside, I hope he is ok. It was only when I read my exact experience happening to others that got me to actually post this. But ya it would be greatly appreciated if anyone knew him personally could possibly reach out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roberta12 Posted December 4, 2023 Report Share Posted December 4, 2023 I love my Bison tool. I haven't found another I like as well. Mine is about 10 years old. I sent it to Phil to have it sharpened a few years ago. Which he did and returned it. I do know he is a "one man show" and I am wondering if it is his health. @Morgan Have you tried calling him? I talked to him on the phone when I was trying to choose my "perfect" tool. He likes birds. I found that out! Roberta Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Morgan Posted December 4, 2023 Author Report Share Posted December 4, 2023 (edited) I don’t believe I have his number but I will double check our email chains. I am thinking health as well and hope he is ok. That was also another reason I posted as I figured someone here might know. If someone has it and wouldn’t mind sharing ( @Roberta12 ?) it and can message me that would be great. Edited December 5, 2023 by Morgan rox54 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Morgan Posted December 22, 2023 Author Report Share Posted December 22, 2023 Sent an email every few days (all very very kind fwiw ) since I made this thread with no response, if anyone has his number it would be appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Min Posted December 22, 2023 Report Share Posted December 22, 2023 (edited) No clue if it’s still current but there is a post in this thread from Clayart 2002 where he gives his phone number. http://www.potters.org/subject59787.htm Edited December 22, 2023 by Min Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldlady Posted December 22, 2023 Report Share Posted December 22, 2023 is it time to ask for a welfare check to see if he is really OK? with no contact in such a long time it seems worth it to know he is in good health. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roberta12 Posted December 23, 2023 Report Share Posted December 23, 2023 telephone 702-388-2085 I will post a pic of the box that my tool came in. As soon as I can get it off my phone. That's for Bison Tools @Morgan So sorry for delayed response. It's December Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roberta12 Posted December 23, 2023 Report Share Posted December 23, 2023 I hope this worked. A new phone, new learning curve. r. Rae Reich 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Morgan Posted January 2 Author Report Share Posted January 2 So I did get a small update from him on facebook, or at least a response. It did not say anything so that was not helpful but at least he is seemingly ok and checking facebook. I think he just gave up on his emails. I responded kindly and never heard a word back so we shall see. Min and Rae Reich 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roberta12 Posted January 2 Report Share Posted January 2 @Morgan Florian Gadsby had a post on IG about Phil and the Bison tools. Check it out. That is so strange that he did respond but not actually. Roberta Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Morgan Posted January 5 Author Report Share Posted January 5 Yup I saw that post the day he posted it, I even posted a response in the comments. Ya, it’s beyond strange…I reached out on Facebook and said “sorry to bother you Phil but I’ve sent countless emails with no response “ his response was “well then just message me here then ok” now nothing from him on there either. Seeing how many people this is happening to from Florian’s post as well as a few Reddit threads posting my same situation…I will be shocked if these tools ever show up. I gave up on that $200 some time go sadly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Min Posted January 6 Report Share Posted January 6 5 hours ago, Morgan said: sorry to bother you Phil but I’ve sent countless emails with no response “ With all due respect, I think sometimes being too polite doesn't work with some people. Why are you saying sorry to him? Rae Reich 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Morgan Posted January 8 Author Report Share Posted January 8 On 1/5/2024 at 2:43 PM, Min said: With all due respect, I think sometimes being too polite doesn't work with some people. Why are you saying sorry to him? Well at this point you may be right but I am trying to be nice to a man in his 80s, could have who knows what health issues going on, and overwhelmed with a backlog of orders. Yes, at this point I am taking the polite hat off now that we know a bit more, but I figured that would be my initial approach. Min, Kelly in AK and Roberta12 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelly in AK Posted January 9 Report Share Posted January 9 It seems safe to suppose Phil of Bison Tools has either passed away or an invalid and it’s unknown who’s responsible for sorting out what’s left of his life. That said, it’s my opinion that politeness, civility, and compassion are always worthwhile until proven unwarranted. @Min is right, you have nothing to be sorry for, but as a reality check, the guy is probably dead. Sure looked like a one man show. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Morgan Posted January 9 Author Report Share Posted January 9 Well, he has not passed away per numerous account on IG, Reddit, Facebook and my own personal response from him noted just recently. Unless someone is impersonating him which is pretty absurd. While I don’t want to speculate I think he just took on way too much and as a man his age (Florian really blew him up exposure wise) got overwhelmed and is not great about communicating as it is digitally. He could have had health issues on top of all that but again that is just speculation. That doesn’t excuse all the issues but let’s not make statements like it is safe to assume he has passed, as we know that is simply not true. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Babs Posted January 9 Report Share Posted January 9 3 hours ago, Morgan said: Well, he has not passed away per numerous account on IG, Reddit, Facebook and my own personal response from him noted just recently. Unless someone is impersonating him which is pretty absurd. While I don’t want to speculate I think he just took on way too much and as a man his age (Florian really blew him up exposure wise) got overwhelmed and is not great about communicating as it is digitally. He could have had health issues on top of all that but again that is just speculation. That doesn’t excuse all the issues but let’s not make statements like it is safe to assume he has passed, as we know that is simply not true. Well you could play the game and offer to send him more money in case he is financially wrecked! Scammers abound, just saying. Not digitally savvy, an Intermediary may be intercrpting orders and money , if so your offer may bring the eel from its burrow! Not the forst time some liwCclife has taken over a dead petsons id Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelly in AK Posted January 10 Report Share Posted January 10 I wasn’t reading carefully enough, and spoke before I knew what I was talking about. Sorry about that, it happens occasionally. I’ve had a concentrated share of picking up the pieces after deceased family members the past two years and my mind went straight there. I wish you (and Phil) the best of luck completing this arrangement. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Morgan Posted February 11 Author Report Share Posted February 11 Minor update to anyone else in my boat. I pinged him on Facebook again and actually got the most detailed message out of him I have. “Good news Morgan, I have your order printed out and I see your PayPal payment”…then radio silence again ha! Maybe I actually get these sometime in the coming years…who knows. Hulk, Min, Rae Reich and 2 others 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark C. Posted February 17 Report Share Posted February 17 (edited) I thought he never did facebook (as his site says) but worked on e-mails only?His email is on his facebook site or you can call him here if it still works 702.338.2085 he is in Las Vegas time zone wise I HOPE IS ok but it sounds like he has dropped into a black hole. I always liked talking to him Edited February 17 by Mark C. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Morgan Posted February 17 Author Report Share Posted February 17 He claims to not contact him on Facebook but he was non responsive on email after payment (over a year ago) so I sent him just a couple of DMs on Facebook and oddly he replied. He sounds fine and is obviously working. Maybe something happened before but I do not want to speculate. What I can say is a few big social following potters dropped his name almost daily which certainly probably overwhelmed him with orders. Time will tell and I am going to be optimistic I get my replacement tools but when is anyone’s guess. Roberta12 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark C. Posted February 17 Report Share Posted February 17 11 hours ago, Morgan said: He claims to not contact him on Facebook but he was non responsive on email after payment (over a year ago) so I sent him just a couple of DMs on Facebook and oddly he replied. He sounds fine and is obviously working. Maybe something happened before but I do not want to speculate. What I can say is a few big social following potters dropped his name almost daily which certainly probably overwhelmed him with orders. Time will tell and I am going to be optimistic I get my replacement tools but when is anyone’s guess. I googled this issue and you are not alone. Seems many are in your boat. I would try the phone and his direct email. That amount of time is Not ok to wait Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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