Beware of Big Shark
 

Well it's my first post even thought I've been a member for a while now. Mainly since I've been waiting to turn 18 which happened back in June but heres my story.

I began my airsoft adventures with a little shop I found that goes by the name "Big Shark". I bought an TSD L86 to plink around in the back yard which went fine, I received the item was taught how to use and maintain it properly and safely. Some time later I went back and found another person that I hadn't dealt with before, the shop owner, he seemed nice and we got along well so after buying a glock to start up my collection for future play I went ahead and ordered a VFC SCAR-H through him for a pretty penny which I also received without issues. At the same time I ordered the SCAR I had given him a list of items I'd like (vests, boots, magpuls, etc). He told me in two week's I'd have it, two weeks comes and goes. I received no tracking number or receipt or anything to that effect. He claims he ordered it from airsoft club and that he bunched the order with others to save on shipping. A month passes, nothing at all, another month and so on until now. It has been 6 months since I ordered with him and have yet to see a single trace that the order had even existed. He now claims that the order was shipped back to china due to an issue at customs with duties...

Beware of this shady shop and it's owner Peter Ho. I'm still trying to get a hold of him to get my money back for what was seemingly never ordered, I hope it's resolved soon and without issue. I believe the store moved recently from Splendid China Tower to Pacific Mall. I'll update the thread as things unfold.

I suppose this is also my intro thread but it's the wrong seciton so I'll keep it brief, the names Paul. Turned 18 in June this year, still own the L86 and SCAR-h and Glock but with no other gear games are very difficult to get through, I look forward to meeting you in games!

Quick update, I finally got through to him via phone and he claims not to be dicking me around however we spoke frankly and by Friday he'll see what he can do to return those items to airsoft club and the week after I'll hopefully be refunded but shipping costs are non refundable so I'll take a hit there but thats it, regardless of the situation I simply wish to remove my funds from the large order he placed. Even if he refunds me out of his pocket he'll get the items eventually if he's not BSing and resell them for profit no doubt. Will post again this Friday...

Big Shark is not an ASC retailer.

I realize this, it's simply a warning as it's an up and coming retailer that according to the owner plans to exams and may in the future become one, all this is is a warning to any potential customers.

This is... a review, at best? The retailer resolution center, as the name implies, is to resolve issues with ASC retailers. (and only ASC retailers. ASC does not have any leverage on non ASC retailers)


Moving to the Retailer Review section

I'm going to pitch in for my buddy against Big Shark as well, as you guys can see in an old thread posted here. Something fishy is going on with Big Shark, and I seriously recommend people staying away.

Used to work with Peter, don't anymore, wish I could help.

I really don't understand why people will pay someone to order things that they could just order for themselves and pay less for it too which is what 90% of their sales are, just retail price orders made with a Big Shark markup on it.

Demand your money back, if it's been 6 months like you said you should ask for a refund of some sort. He closed his shop in Splendid and Moved over to Pacific Mall, he's dealing with those Anime DVD stores there that have the guns in the windows so try and find him there.

Also hearing stories of guys giving Peter their guns to fix and they get it back broken, fixing someones glock right now who got it broken by him. Just had to put the nozzle spring back in takes 20 seconds to do, and Peter or whoever fixes guns there ends up breaking the whole trigger assembly.

Also another guy dropped off his WA Beretta there to fix, mind you I was still working for him then. Didn't pay much attention to it, I quit and now work somewhere else still dealing airsoft. The same guy walks in and says that he wants his gun back and cant find Peter via his cell, email and store and says that he's had it for 9 months... And he just wants it back fixed or broken.

Also I dont know what he's doing is legal, his store in splendid is closed everyday never open for sometime now (now it's gone completely) but he's taking the stock he's getting from Mach1 and taking them to Pacific Mall to be placed at the DVD Stores. I dont know if this is true or not but wasn't it Mach1's policy that in one location there can only be one exclusive retailer for their line of products? Which of course is Ken from MyToys who moved upstairs recently.

So my theory is that he only kept his store open in Splendid to get the exclusive dealership on the products and just sending them over to Pacific Mall to be sold to the larger crowd. Which is unfair in every sense, I know monies, money but could he do with Integrity instead of backstabbing other dealers and customers who trust him with $300+ items?

Hehehe so u moved on too sushi, good for you :)

I do miss eating at Lai Doh tho, them was good times, I still know how to say "beef fried noodle" too!

The Story Unfolds
 

He claimed the shipping would be less as he was making a large order at bulk pricing, figured I'd give it a try since I got the gun no problems and it still shoots fine despite what I've heard about him and "new" guns.

I'm just putting together my own order now, he says I'll have my money back the first week of October, we'll see I suppose but I'll be getting it back regardless, there no way he'll get away.

Seems I'm not that only one that knows Peter, thanks everyone for contributing to the thread.

so what happend? :O

Well, we spoke and he said he'd give me a 100$ in store credit even though his store no longer exists and a 100 bucks cash which is bullshit but nonetheless said we'd meet up, when I asked when and where (this was via email) he never replied, I'll be calling him until he picks up on tuesday to get this straight. I don't even care if it's part store credit and cash any more I just want to be done with his shit and move on to bigger better suppliers. I'll update the thread until he basically ceases to contact me or reply/pickup at which point I'll assume he skipped town. Thanks for staying interested.

Ive fixed over 4 guns that came from this guy now.

Each time, the client who came to me was getting shafted. Most who gave stuff to him required SEVERE repairs, and 3/4 guns ive worked on, were "repaired" by big shark.
Used guns being sold as new, botched repairs where guns were given broken to the client being told it was "fixed", severe damage (such as broken metal bodies) and horrid wire jobs.

I was the one who fixed up Tarobear's and several others on this board's guns and have a personal relatonship with those who do mach1's guns. I have seen evidence that "new" guns have been opened by big shark and tampered with, and those who do up Amelio's guns are fully aware of this guy's tampering.

The dude is just reselling Mach1 guns with higher markup. Highly Advise you stay the fuck away.
To play devils advocate tho, what the hell do you expect when you buy from pacific mall?

Althought I bought my crap when he was in china tower it's all the same shit. I forgot to mention that my VFC-SCAR-H recently crapped out. Trigger issue, pull the trigger nothing, pull it HARD and the motor fizzles and finally coughs out a cycle. Maybe you can be the one to fix it? Please PM me so we can work something out, and I noticed you're an age verified, I'm looking to be verified as well. In fact I'll send you a PM now so we can get in contact.

Im officially retired for almost a year now.

I only accepted the work because i felt bad for the guys who got shafted by him. Its shit like this that CAUSED my retirement. Im sick of seeing people shafted by amature docs and scamming merchants which is why im so vocal about BS like this.

I will however recommend you to a guy who isnt retired. Hit up DBSpotter. I will personally vouch for him, I trust him enough that ill give u my personal garuntee that if he cant fix it, ill take the repair in myself.

I appreciate that very much, thanks for the reply and supporting the thread. :nod:

Bring it over to me, were in same mall in unit 2D26 upstairs near the old fido. I'll even fix it for free labor only though, parts are gonna cost ya dont worry I wont jack up the prices =]

I'll be there Wednesday to Sunday so send me a PM if you wanna meet up!

And while you wait I'll also AV you =D

Thanks for the offer, I've already been referred to someone though so I'll see what they have to offer first. I really picked a winner by going for VFC (proprietary), didn't I?

VFC makes good guns, only a few of the parts are propriatary.
The switch assembly (which i suspect is your issue) is one of those parts.

Cracked open a scar before, the switch assembly looks the same as a standard V2 IIRC. I know for sure the VFC M4's use standard TM Based V2 gearboxes.

And also I had alot of VFC guns with fried (melted on one side) switch contacts sounds like the same problem.

Fuck my luck. I'm going to take a risk and check out the innerds of the gun (moreso than I already have) and survey the issue, if I'm confident I can fix it myself I'll go for it, if I end up botching it, I've got 2 guys I can go to and pay through the nose even more. Thanks DarkAngel for the first referral and sushi for the 2nd.

The VFC Scar and M4 does not use all Standard TM based parts some are not compatable.

VFC does not use an electrically plated polycarb selector plate, they are just a piece of steel with the purpose of moving the cut off lever and safety lever, no electrical contact is made with the selector plate. The internal switch assembly also does not have contacts that contact the selector plate, it instead uses a direct circuit (complete in the unit) with the 2nd moving contact piece the only piece required to complete the circuit.

I talked to abanana over the phone, my suspicions lie in carbon built up contacts on the 2nd moving contact piece. Ive had the same issue on 2 VFC Guns from Big Shark already, and abanana is using lipo in his gun, which increases the buildup even more.

Forget filing the carbon buildup off, Ive tried, and somehow they will work during assembly (tested with multimeter), but after a couple shots, they cease to function again. Taro Bear's friend Gaivern (the owner of the VFC M4 Sopmod) i fixed, I dissassembled and reassembled his gun over 6-7 times. I just cant explain it, the metal contacts are touching, but no current is transferring. After modifying a TM compatable switch assembly, his gun has been functioning flawlessly every since.

That was far beyond my understanding however I know my way around the gun enough to know where to take pictures, I'll be posting my findings, hopefully next weekend I'll get into the thick of it. Taking bets...

Well if you meant the old Marui design for the switch then no not compatible forgot about that in marui gearboxes, I always assumed it was the newer design without the passing through the selector plate. Since alot of companies now use that one as opposed to old marui one thought it was standard. My bad...

So in an odd turn of events I've received 100 dollars via an electronic transfer I verified to be legit, the "company" I received the funds from was called "Sample Gallery Inc." Which is very likely to be a new front for scams and such. I'm still waiting to redeem my 100$ in store credit which I can safely assume I'll never get as he has no store and refused to meet in person. He basically sent me the 100$ and I could either sit there and not take it or settle for it. No surprise he didn't want to meet in person even though he said he would last week. Glad I could at least get that much back but it might be bitter sweet as that money may go towards my gun being repaired.

how much money does he still owe you?

100$ however he claims the best he can do is 100 cash (which I received today through electronic transfer rather than cash) and a 100$ in store credit at his non-existent store.

omg, the samething happened to me. I also ordered the airsoft from him in september. But hard to find him. Can anyone help me to find him

I want either pick up the gun or get me $300 of deposit back

Sorry to hear about that. he very rarely picks up his phone, not long after I started catching onto him he said that he no longer picks up blocked calls (calls where the call id is unknown) which mine was which I found to be very strange and an obviously to know which calls to pick up and which to let ring. Once calling became a difficult thing to do I emailed at least once a week which he replied to pretty quickly. Having my blackberry is convenient in this case since I could reply right back when he sent me a reply since I knew I could catch him with his phone still in his hands. In my case he owed me 200 dollars worth of products, after countless emails he electronically sent me a 100 bucks, the other 100 is supposed to be an in store credit in his non-existent store. He refused to give me the money in cash probably because being seen in his old shops are could get him in trouble in various ways.

My recommendation, keep on him with emails, phone calls go no where, it was 7 months between me giving him the money for the products and me receiving half of it back.

As much as I insisted I knew what was up he denied everything, he sticks to his story convincingly but don't believe any of it.

Good luck man, thanks for supporting the thread, it's obvious he's gotten to a lot of people.

Thanks for your recommendation. Last time he emailed me back was 2 weeks ago. Before that we just contact each other which looks fine. But things are getting weird these 2 weeks. I emailed him couple time about the day when I can go to pick up the gun, but I don't get any response. I also went to his partner's store in Pacific Mall. He partner said he will help me to find him. I just hope I can find him shortly. I am so shock about his way do business. How can someone treat his customer like this

He puts on a good little show and to be honest I don't trust any of his partners. I feel they're all in it together unless he's just screwing them too, as far as I know he doesn't have a shop. When I asked about my store credit he said all his stuff was in a warehouse. Keep us posted!

any suggestion what i should do now? I just can't find this guy

Finding him in person would be difficult, he either didn't tell his partners or did and they're in on it. Keep on him with the emails like I said earlier, thats all you can do at this point.

I'll try this then. Thanks anyways

Consider your money gone. You and 20ish other people have the same situation you do.

Did you ask for a receipt when you handed over that "deposit" (sounds more like you paid for the whole gun in advance)?

unfortunately he doesn't give out receipts

wonder why...

*que epic suspenseful music*

people... to help you guys better, as much as i know i dun think he have any partner/s, he probally trying to make up story to screw with you guys. and i dun think he have a warehouse either

however, i know he is teaming up with someone else at some other location.

When I paid a 20 dollar deposit on a 200 dollar pistol that I bought from him, I made him write me one on the back of his card. That buy went smoothly. He seemed like an upstanding guy.

Guess he decided to skip town recently then?

RECOL his scammer ass.

Its much easier if a bunch of you get together and do it as a group.

And when you pay "cash" at a place like pacific mall... Dont ever expect a receipt... or a refund.

If you guys are looking for this guy, try unit E26 in Pacific mall, it's located near some of those big windows and is somewhat close to a corner of P-Mall. You can't really miss the place as there is an ICS L86 being displayed in the window along with 2 M4s. Also, in the front display, there are several airgun pistols in the front display.

are you sure thats him? theres a few shops that sell his guns in pacific mall.

All the Anime DVD stores in Pacific mall are his partners (well the ones with guns in them anyways) mind you the partner owns all of them in there so it's not multiple partners.

The only legit store that should be selling em in Pacific is Ken in MyToys or ChiGun hobby (same store different name)

And the unit in question E26 is in fact one of his partners, it has one of Big Sharks half clear WE SCARS on display. And I know for a fact only he sold them.

Perhaps his suppliers should be made aware that they are working with a scammer and that the community does not like scammers, they might be able to help you with contacting him.

Dai doh is soooo good. And cheap too. :D now I'm gotta go this weekend!

I dealt with Peter once and everything went smooth. Sorry to hear all the other troubles tho...

So I figured he closed down, and I could contact him or sometime now too.

That's the more accurate description.

Yeh man! I used to eat there at least twice a week

I eat there pretty much everyday...

Wow, I'm usually upstairs reading until the GO train arrives... :confused:

Hello, strangely enough this is my first post.
I've been reading ASC since '07 and quietly learning all I can.
When I saw this thread I figured I may have a suggestion.

I've not had dealings with this seller before. But as a small businessman and independent contractor I have had situations where my customers/employers have refused to pay or just have disappeared. I am in no way a close student of the law but you all who have been cheated by this person should get together and formally write a letter to your local O.P.P's Fraud detachment including all your records of communications and specifics and let them see if there's cause to investigate.

If anyone can find you the answers you may be looking for it would be them.
As I mentioned above I do not have any experience of the law and do not know offhand if this would work or be a good idea.

Also maybe contacting Mach1 would be a good idea they may have some words for him.

Thanks for reading and have yourselves a good day.

Again.... RECOL.

FFS its stickied on EVERY buy and sell page.

I've created an account and began the process however to include information from other victims would involve me gathering information like addresses and phone number, for the time being I will state that only I was a victim to get the ball rolling.

Btw, I think sample gallery is the store name.... It's on the store sign. But his card says big shark. Just hit me last night.

So it is. When I got my partial refund via electronic transfer the company it was sent from was Sample Gallery Inc.

Little update on the condition of my gun for those of you who didn't know it was broken read the earlier parts of the thread. I've got it down to the trigger assembly and I'm not seeing any corrosion but I noticed that there is a fair amount of play within the trigger as in I can pull it a fair way without the contacts actually moving, I've got a few solutions in mind, will keep you posted!

I ordered from Peter earlier this year and both an ICS M4 and paid a deposit for a Hi-Capa to pick up the next day. He also threw in a Sling that he did not have in stock. I did get a receipt from him!!!

The tooth on the Piston on the M4 broke within the first day and would not replace it. Instead, he SOLD me an aluminum one the next day when i picked up my hi-capa.

My experienced friend took a close look at the Hi-capa and it did not look new. It looked like it had been completely disassembled before which may have been how he had imported. Until last week, I have never taken apart the grip and did to add some steel upgrades and noticed a screw was missing and confirmed that it was completely disassembled and even forgot a screw. It still worked without it but still.

Lastly, he told me that the free sling would come in a week and after going back like 5 times, i've finally received it after a month.

That's my story with big shark. I did get a receipt, service and replies were ok but ONLY hard to get a hold of if he owes you anything and always has your money.

Update time! Had some time to investigate the trigger issue on my VFC SCAR-H which I purchased from peter. Take a look at this contact...

http://www.airsoftcanada.com/attachm...1&d=1288847162

Not much to say here I mean christ, less than 5000 BBs through it and the contact is looking like that. I AM using an 11.1 lipo battery but that kind of wear is insane for that little use. Design flaw or what?

I'm in the process of deciding on how to address the issue, so far the only long term solution I've thought of is introducing a small relay into the stock to prevent the arching when the contacts move away from another which would theoretically stop this pitting/corrosion. If I have space I'll install a socket so over time I could replace the relays as their contacts will of course also wear.

Open to suggestions!

That's pretty much what I'd expect seeing with a big LiPo (although maybe not as quick as 5000 rounds: the completely burnt-through contact is impressive)

Install a MOSFET in the gun.

Also move this to the Doctor's Corner if you want to keep discussing the repairs: don't threadjack your own review thread with this.

Hey Abanana, am I good or what? :P

not unexpected with an 11.1v lipo. only unexpected in that few rounds.

use a mosfet or rewire with an ASCU http://www.airsoftparts.ca/store2/in...oducts_id=1878

Dude, thats not a problem with the seller, its the fact that you are using a Lipo without electrical upgrades, get a Mosfet unit...

told you it was the contacts, seen this problem 3 times already on VFC's

The threads in a bit of a shambles, (the actual review, food, repairs) I'm pretty much done with it then.

Didn't doubt your diagnosis, had to see it for myself. :cool:

I knew it was a contact issue, Dark told me that weeks ago, didn't blame the seller, I'm aware what lipo does to guns, you'd figure a VFC might be a bit tougher.