The Aussie Pinball Arcade
Aussie Pinball Forums => General Discussion => General Pinball Discussion => Topic started by: Caveoftreasures on January 14, 2010, 11:56:28 PM
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Unfortunately, at this stage, I have to advise, that my purchase of the Star Trek Voyager Arcade Item has turned to crap.
( I have included the original post below so others dont get caught by this seller).
http://aussiepinball.com/index.php?topic=3492.0
It has been 43 days today, since i purchased this item on Ebay. A buyer has 45 days to lodge a dispute for an undelivered item/unsent item, or you never get a refund via paypal, unless u initiate a claim/dispute within the 45 day period. I was smart enough to initiate the claim/dispute today, within the time period.
I did the paypal payment 1 x week after hitting the "buy it now" button on ebay. The small delay was, that paypal would not allow me to initially pay via paypal straight away like i wanted, until they did the security deposit of the 2 cent and 5 cent security thing, into my bank account to "verify the bank account".
The payment went into the sellers account apx 3 weeks ago. I was contacted by the seller and advised all the shipping info would be forthcoming, but there would be a delay due to the xmas break etc. I was promised the full shipping info and the freight forwarders full details, at the end of last week, but it never came. I was promised all the details again, at the start of this week, it never came, but just the same, it will be a few days etc.I was promised the info again, a few days ago, again, it never came.
I contacted paypal to ask for some advice and it became very apparent, that this seller was postponing and stalling me, i believe, so that the transaction, went past the 45 day mark, leaving me without any rights or recourse to claim a refund etc.
The company i have been dealing with is in the USA. They apparently operate out of a suburb called Hesperia, california. I find it interesting, that a well known pinball co called Socalpinballs have left them positive feedback for a recent pinball machine purchase ?
Perhaps, the seller is legit, perhaps he is going to really send me my item, that i have paid thousands of dollars for. perhaps he is just trying to screw me and never had any intention to ever send me the item. Time will tell. The seller has apx 10 days to prove to me and paypal that the item has been sent, or i get a full refund from paypal. I am also of the belief, that i can still get a full refund, unless it is delivered by a certain time. I ofcourse want the item, but it is looking like a rip-off at this stage. paypal assures me that a full refund is not an issue.
The lesson here, dont ever let a ebay transaction go past 45 days, without filing a dispute, or u are entitled to no refund.
The second lesson, is watch what happens to this transaction.
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? see what happens.
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I had a response here but deleted it! So this is my 'pretend' response
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I will guess Mike, "paypus sux". "good luck getting money out of those bastards". yeh, i am thinking the same damn thing. ^&^
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You'll get your money back via Paypal if the purchase has indeed turned to crap... ive had a similar issue myself before and lodged the complaint before the 45 days.. same as you mate.. seller just kept stalling me. In the end Paypal returned my money in full and i left stinking feedback.
There are delays getting stuff into the country though due to Xmas and if coming by ship then these lot are a system to themselves.. but thats why we have agents yes?
You should have received the shipping documents though -this is proof that it has been sent... this is normally sent to the freight forwarder though.
If you STILL do not know who the FF is then your item HAS NOT BEEN SENT.
If it has ( and i seriously doubt it) then you can withdraw the dispute at any time.
But at the end of the day.. if seller has shafted you... does he really care?? All you can do is leave bad feedback, after 90 days this cannot be accessed by other buyers.. its just a figure like 98% positive etc.
20 small $$ orders completed OK will cancel out your BIG $$ order negative feedback.
Sorry to hear about all this though.. i know of too many stories of people getting ripped from US purchases.. happens more than you would like im afraid
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I hope it all works out for you Brett. Overseas purchases have a risk associated with them, and it seems you have found a dishonest seller. Hopefully eBay / Paypal come to the party and help out !
The fact that you have not been sent the details of the Freight Forwarder would indicate that the seller has no intent of sending the item. Keep us updated !
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I had a response here but deleted it! So this is my 'pretend' response
Mike you showed restraint!
#*#
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The seller has contacted me overnight. He makes reasons/excuses and says he is behind but will ship the item and is making all reasonable steps to send the item.
I just want action from him, not talk.
I have asked him again to provide me with proof of shipping and have asked what it will take for him to get the item to the freight forwarding/docks etc, and when he will provide me with the BOL, and the other neccessary paperwork i require.
How hard can it be to put something on a pallet and wrap it, then make a call to a freight forwarder, get some paperwork faxed over, then pay them to pick it up and take it. We will see what this guy has to say to my reply email. Friggin Frustrating. I really want this item, thats what shits me. ^&^
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Brett, I really, really hope it works out for you, must be a major pain and so disappointing for a consumer who is honest, honourable and acts in good faith. I hesitate over a $10 purchase over the net.
&& && I'm probably not the only one on AP who wonders that if Paypal sort it all out for you, at least financially, will you become a card carrying, flag waving, sing it from the roof tops supporter of the way Paypal protects consumer rights? :lol
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Man, what a saga. Paypal has been excellent i will say that. If paypal doesnt come thru, then my bank will. Thats a given. ^^^
This is why dealing with Mark C is so dam easy and such a pleasure. I have never met the man, yet sent him lots of $$money for parts n pinball machines etc, u always get ya stuff quickly, its always so easy. I wish every ebay seller was like our good mate in Melbourne. I have been spoilt. lol ^^^
The USA seller and I just had a long long telephone conversation. Lets see what happens. !@#
Feeling a bit more confident. But the big lesson here is that 45 day ruling ebay has. If ya dont do a claim before the 45 days, ya will never be entitled for a refund. If ya dont pay by paypal, ya will never get a dime back either. Ohh what fun it is dealing with overseas. *.*
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you have done the right thing brett
i had a simmilar situation twice but it was for about $50 to $60.
on the 45th day a put in a dispute, fortunatly i did recieve my item with out any dramas after that.
one of the items had been sent but sat in customs for 3 weeks, the other item was not sent due to the seller having to spend a lot of time in hospital with her sick son.
in both instances i withdrew the complaint and gave the sellers good feedback but mentioned it did take a long time for the items to arrive.
both sellers had %100 pos feed back
hope it works out well for you caveman, i am looking foward to playing your latest "treasure". %$%
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No good Brett!
As Mike will point out <ducks for cover> - Paypal has probably screwed this guy the instant you filed the complaint.
I imagine this guy no longer has access to his funds - he will be eager to talk now I bet. !!@
Hope you monster toy arrives as it was supposed to!
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No good Brett!
As Mike will point out <ducks for cover> - Paypal has probably screwed this guy the instant you filed the complaint.
I imagine this guy no longer has access to his funds - he will be eager to talk now I bet. !!@
Hope you monster toy arrives as it was supposed to!
eBay/PP 'create' this bad situation with their idiotic rules that don't allow for time it can take for an internation deal to happen IE time frame to file a complaint in this instance ^&^
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thanks Brett
we try to make things easy here at pinball spare parts
I too have lost a couple of items from USA , but was a few years ago and nothing like this , for as much as I hate paypal I am glad you can get your money back if needed
let me know if I can help
thanks
mark
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, for as much as I hate paypal I am glad you can get your money back if needed
Now - I am NOT going to bang on about it but there are some PP things that simply are not understood by most users. If you read the PP user agreement there IS NO PROMISE OR GUARANTEE that you will get you money back AT ALL! It is entirely at their discretion. What they 'really' mean is that you will get it back ONLY IF PP can get it back from the seller. If he has emptied his account and cancelled the connected bank account/credit card you are STUFFED!
PP ARE NOT an insurance company - they do not promise anything - this is so mis-understood and pepertuated by LIES told by eBay and PP themselves. PP DO NOT refund money from their own account.
I truly hope you do get it back in this case but if you don't there is SFA you can do about it.
PP are NOT safe and are FAR from the best payment method. They are a con and a rip-off! Oh, did I mention they tell lies?
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, for as much as I hate paypal I am glad you can get your money back if needed
Now - I am NOT going to bang on about it but there are some PP things that simply are not understood by most users. If you read the PP user agreement there IS NO PROMISE OR GUARANTEE that you will get you money back AT ALL! It is entirely at their discretion. What they 'really' mean is that you will get it back ONLY IF PP can get it back from the seller. If he has emptied his account and cancelled the connected bank account/credit card you are STUFFED!
PP ARE NOT an insurance company - they do not promise anything - this is so mis-understood and pepertuated by LIES told by eBay and PP themselves. PP DO NOT refund money from their own account.
I truly hope you do get it back in this case but if you don't there is SFA you can do about it.
PP are NOT safe and are FAR from the best payment method. They are a con and a rip-off! Oh, did I mention they tell lies?
Mike
mate I agree PP is a rip off and so on ,
our new web site will have other options
in this case I hope it works out for Brett
mark
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, for as much as I hate paypal I am glad you can get your money back if needed
Now - I am NOT going to bang on about it but there are some PP things that simply are not understood by most users. If you read the PP user agreement there IS NO PROMISE OR GUARANTEE that you will get you money back AT ALL! It is entirely at their discretion. What they 'really' mean is that you will get it back ONLY IF PP can get it back from the seller. If he has emptied his account and cancelled the connected bank account/credit card you are STUFFED!
PP ARE NOT an insurance company - they do not promise anything - this is so mis-understood and pepertuated by LIES told by eBay and PP themselves. PP DO NOT refund money from their own account.
I truly hope you do get it back in this case but if you don't there is SFA you can do about it.
PP are NOT safe and are FAR from the best payment method. They are a con and a rip-off! Oh, did I mention they tell lies?
Mike
mate I agree PP is a rip off and so on ,
our new web site will have other options
in this case I hope it works out for Brett
mark
I sure hope it works out for him as well. What annoys me the most about PP is the blatent lies they tell about their so called protection - it is one big CON - I don't really have an issue with their over the top fees or even their less than favourable exchange rates it's the constant "you are ONLY safe if you use PP" that bugs me because it just isn't true!
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lost $430 from Paypal who did not believe me that i sent some collectible banknotes to Thailand. buyer took the goods and the money. i hate them but you need the bastards for international purchases
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Any progress/news Brett? !@#
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UPDATE -
The sellers wife, has telephoned me several times over the last few days and has advised me that several problems had occured at their end. The seller has admitted that a lack of communication from their end had made the problem worse.
1. the machine has been sited/ located on a arcade style site in a shopping centre that was shut for an unknown reason and that they could not get access to their/the machine.
2. they were behind in their day to day business committments due to a private/family matter.
3. the customs/quarrantine people have fumigated the machine for international shipping but the pallet the machine had been placed on, was not fumigated/acceptable so another plastic/resin heat treated quarrantine friendly pallet had to be swapped out. The machine had to be half unpacked/restraped to the new pallet etc. this took time. new paperwork had to be submitted etc.
4. the machine is supposed to be loaded on monday or tuesday by the freight company at the docks
5. my taxfile/ABN details had to be supplied to the freight forwarder company for the importing part/taxes to Australian relevant dept/peoples.
Overall, I have been now given reasonable information which beats the "in a few days" treatment which went on for almost a month since parting with my hard earnt $.
We will see if the paperwork and relevant info is forth coming as promised, early next week. I have my fingers n toes crossed. I want this new toy bad. *%*
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My fingers will be crossed for you as that machine looks pretty cool
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My fingers will be crossed for you as that machine looks pretty cool
I agree - it looks GREAT! BUT - as a seller I certainly would NOT be shipping it if someone had just made a PP chargeback and the dosh had been ripped from my account!!!!!!
Think about that for a moment.
I would simply be saying "transfer the REAL money (not funny PP fake money) to my REAL bank account and I'll get it shipped - otherwise BUGGER OFF!
Put yourselves in the sellers shoes - why on earth would they ship now that eBay/PP has become involved in the money????
If I were the seller I would take the neg on eBay and forget about it!
Sorry Brett - I know you don't want to hear that but I don't see any other outcome at this point!
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Mike, dont forget, these people have had my hard earnt $ for over a month. When i was not contacted, they left me with no choice.
However, after they did phone me, I bravely canned the paypal dispute, their account is no longer on hold, and they are free to continue on with sending the machine. I will say, however, i got more action the moment their paypal account was frozen, than i had in the previous month.
If i dont get the machine, i will simply reverse the credit card transaction via my bank. I am more confident after speaking with the owner of the business and the freight forwarder who also phoned me. Cross ya fingers. ^^^
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It should all work out in the end mate, just keep the pressure on them. ^^^
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Sounds like some progress is being made - which is great. I find Point 3 a little strange;
3. the customs/quarrantine people have fumigated the machine for international shipping but the pallet the machine had been placed on, was not fumigated/acceptable so another plastic/resin heat treated quarrantine friendly pallet had to be swapped out. The machine had to be half unpacked/restraped to the new pallet etc. this took time. new paperwork had to be submitted etc.
Fumigation is done when the machine arrives in Port. You CAN have it fumigated at the port of origin, but if the fumigation service is not approved by AQIS, they will request it be fumigated again to Australian standards. You should confirm with the Freight Forwarder - If they fill out the paperwork correctly - the "Declaration of Packaging", then it is quite possible that it will not have to be fumigated.
Bottom line - It is your choice on whether the game is fumigated. If they say it is fumigated - request the paperwork. They can provide you a PDF within hours.
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good luck brett , i hope it arrives . if you keep talking direct to them rather than email it will help
i always find over the phone much better .
mark
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Strangeways, i asked for the item to be fumigated at their end as per advice i recieved in Australia. Because mainly of the high wood content of the item and also the wood packaging. I was told it had to be fumigated, prior to arriving in Australia. I was told that it will not be allowed to be released from the Australian bond store unless fumigation certificate was provided by USA. (isnt it too late to fumigate a container against bugs n stuff if u let it land on australian soil, without killing the bugs first. wouldnt the bad bugs just crawl off when the container arrives. i thought the horse would have bolted by then, hence the bugspray b4 it leaves usa). ?
Also, the machine is sharing a container with alot of other peoples items. Perhaps this also had something to do with it. I am no expert, just the dummy who has handed over money and is relying on so called other experts. This is not sometihing i do very often, relying on others, i mean. I run a tight ship with my business and usually only deal with people who can give me straight answers and educated advice. It seems importing something from the uSA wasnt one of them. lol !@#
my fingers n toes are still crossed all goes well.
Hey, it might be good for someone who has a decent amount of experience to post a new thread about bringing stuff in from Europe or the USA.
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Brett, that thing is HUGE!!!!!
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Strangeways, i asked for the item to be fumigated at their end as per advice i recieved in Australia. Because mainly of the high wood content of the item and also the wood packaging. I was told it had to be fumigated, prior to arriving in Australia. I was told that it will not be allowed to be released from the Australian bond store unless fumigation certificate was provided by USA. (isnt it too late to fumigate a container against bugs n stuff if u let it land on australian soil, without killing the bugs first. wouldnt the bad bugs just crawl off when the container arrives. i thought the horse would have bolted by then, hence the bugspray b4 it leaves usa). ?
Also, the machine is sharing a container with alot of other peoples items. Perhaps this also had something to do with it. I am no expert, just the dummy who has handed over money and is relying on so called other experts. This is not sometihing i do very often, relying on others, i mean. I run a tight ship with my business and usually only deal with people who can give me straight answers and educated advice. It seems importing something from the uSA wasnt one of them. lol !@#
my fingers n toes are still crossed all goes well.
Hey, it might be good for someone who has a decent amount of experience to post a new thread about bringing stuff in from Europe or the USA.
Hmmm..
I've brought in single machines and a container from Europe. Neither were fumigated. If the supplier states in his packing declaration that he used cardboard and NOT wood for packing, then you do not need to fumigate. In August 2009, there was a new condition - a "Plastic Wrap" declaration = No plastic wrap around the machines. Not sure if and how this is enforced. Because my supplier filled out the paperwork correctly, Customs passed my goods without fumigation. Customs can inspect and demand the fumigation be done.
I'd say yours had to be fumigated because of the possibility of "cross contamination" - and so that the supplier / Freight Forwarder can make money.
AQIS can demand the container be fumigated - regardless of your paperwork. Items from Asia are almost always fumigated - furniture / bamboo etc..
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I used to have my containers from China fumigated due to wooden pallets (it is mainly the packing they are worried about and more so it it has bark on it).
These days I spend a few extra dollars and buy re-cycled plastic pallets. No fumigation, no interest from AQIS and I have a guy here that pays me $25 each for them after I unload them. YAY - beer money for free!
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so mike...
i assume you dont like PP much then..
or are you holding back..
<..>
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I used to have my containers from China fumigated due to wooden pallets (it is mainly the packing they are worried about and more so it it has bark on it).
These days I spend a few extra dollars and buy re-cycled plastic pallets. No fumigation, no interest from AQIS and I have a guy here that pays me $25 each for them after I unload them. YAY - beer money for free!
hmmmm beer money
I can feel another pile of crap on ebay soon
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we have some progress. i recieved these photos today. it aint over til the fat lady has sung, and her cheque cleared. lol
i will feel 1 million percent better when it hits the docks in Australia and it gets unpacked in my loungeroom. note how it folds up, sort of.
i got a copy of some paperwork as well. just waiting for a tracking number now. still got my fingers crossed.
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great news!! ^^^
The top part un-bolts then the two ends fit together! and its on a standard size pallet as well, smart thinking. Each piece should fit in a standard doorway.
Let me know when she arrives mate, I'll give ya a hand to set it up + $&&
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Way bigger than a standard pallet,,,, big bloody item,,, look like its on it way then,,good luck with it.. #*#
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WELL. 3 HOURS ON THE PHONE TO THE USA LAST NIGHT FROM 3 AM TO 6 AM BACK AND FORTH.
and finally I get told the item is in a container and leaves the USA this weekend on a Ship/Vessel called CAP BOND.
It arrives in Australia on the 3rd March. THE SELLER DID NOTHING FOR ME. A lovely lady called Lucy at a company called SHIPCO did everything.
THE LESSON HERE PEOPLE IS AS FOLLOWS -
1. Never arrange the freight forwarding from the USA end
2. Get a Freight forwarder in Australia to do all the work for you
3. I should have used my brother who has 15 yrs experience but he was away and i didnt wait.
4. If the seller is Hispanic and doesnt speak much english, use a freight forwarder who uses interpreters.
5. NEVER GIVE UP. I was so tempted.
6. NEVER deal with a Company in California called ARCADEPLANET. The owner is an idiot. Doesnt have a brain in his head. Poorest communication.
7. Get advice from Mark C before you try to import something.
Will take photos when it gets here. Phheeewwwww. !
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Well that all sounds positive at last!! Good on you for persevering.
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I am looking foward to helping you set it up and convert it to run on 240V.
I just hope their is a transformer and power supply with a choice of different input voltages.
in the older video game (1990's) most have a 240 to 110 volt transformer for the monitor and an electronic power supply for the game board.
in the worst case you will need to buy a 240 to 110 volt transformer.
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Mate - 240V? He would use a treadmill and a dynamo to see it run I think? :lol
Sounds somewhat positive Brett! ^^^
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#*#
for all those that shit on paypal i got my repair(on motorbike) payed for by the seller through the dispute system
so heres a believer in paypal
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#*#
for all those that shit on paypal i got my repair(on motorbike) payed for by the seller through the dispute system
so heres a believer in paypal
Everyone is a believer until they get stung! Personally I feel so many get done over by PP that I am becoming quite nausious of people who come on and brag about how wonderful they think PP is - sorry, but they will get you in the end - go on, keep using them and find out for yourself, don't bother learning from others problems "I'm allright Jack - stuff you!"
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I gave the idiot seller a NEGATIVE FEEDBACK on his ebay site. His 100% dived to 82 percent.
I just cannot understand why i had to email this lazy man 20 times, week after week and get little information back.
WASNT IT AMAZING THAT THE MOMENT HE GOT A NEGATIVE FEEDBACK HE ONLY THEN ANSWERED MY EMAILS. AMAZING.
I have never given someone a neg feedback before. Then the seller sends me a abusive email and then asks me to lift the neg feedback at the end of his unfriendly email.
YEH RIGHT. *.* *.* *.* *.* *.* *.*
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Thats great news Brett - and well done on leaving him Neg Feedback.
Will be a "Great Day" when it finally arrives !
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good on you for sticking to your guns! Cant wait for your report on the machine when it gets delivered!. Hope its all works well for you!
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Mate - 240V? He would use a treadmill and a dynamo to see it run I think? :lol
now that would funny to see.
I think i would have to setup the pedals to spin the dynamo inside the cabinet. it would be just like my mates old car that had a great big hole in the floor in front of the drivers seat. it would run on Flintstone power. Yabba dabba doo
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I was wondering if the machine turned up ???
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yes yes yes it arrived apx 8 -12 months ago. ^^^
The only Star Trek Voyager outside of the USA i am told by the President of the company who produced and licenced them with Paramount Pictures.
Its alot of fun and I love it to death. I think i can find another link for it for a you-tube video we made. Link below. ^^^ ^^^ ^^^