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Author
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Topic: 350734234772: Shuttle Crossing Sign
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Zach121k
Member Posts: 62
From: Fenton, Missouri, USA
Registered: Feb 2013
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posted 03-13-2013 11:18 AM
   
So I just purchased "Authentic NASA SHUTTLE XING Sign Retired Endeavour Space Crossing Reflective" on eBay. He says it's genuine... Can anyone confirm? |
garymilgrom
Member Posts: 1966
From: Atlanta, GA
Registered: Feb 2007
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posted 03-13-2013 11:56 AM
The sign you bought is 12x12 inches. The signs used in the move look larger, like 24x24. This is not a definitive answer. I also don't like his wording "came from an astronaut that helped orchestrate the Endeoavor move." I think it's unlikely an astronaut was involved in the logistics and Endeavour is spelled wrong. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 03-13-2013 12:03 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Zach121k:
He says it's genuine... Can anyone confirm?
No, it is not. The seller's story is false and the design of the shuttle on the sign doesn't match what was used during the move of space shuttle Endeavour.The signs for the move were produced by Traffic Management Inc. and per the company, only two were used. One is now at the California Science Center and the other was stolen during the transit. Both were 48 inches wide. Traffic Management sells authorized replicas in various sizes. The signs are reflexive but do not use the prism-like decal material shown in the auction. The key difference though is the shape of the shuttle. It is very subtle unless seen in person, but the authorized replicas include the outline of one of the OMS engine nozzles, in addition to the SSMEs. |
Zach121k
Member Posts: 62
From: Fenton, Missouri, USA
Registered: Feb 2013
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posted 03-13-2013 01:00 PM
Well he says he got of from Fred Heib. *sighs*Yeah, I see the difference. It's the top nozzle... Lovely. That's 40 dollars down the drain. |
Zach121k
Member Posts: 62
From: Fenton, Missouri, USA
Registered: Feb 2013
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posted 03-13-2013 01:12 PM
He said it wasn't used... when I told him he stated: Clearly it wasn't used, but was an extra. I purchased 6 of them and there are about 6 more. The father said his son shipped them from fla, where he lives. I apologize as that's all I know. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 03-13-2013 01:14 PM
No idea who "Fred Heib" is; there is a former astronaut named Rick Hieb, but he works today for Lockheed Martin and had no role in the space shuttle's move. The only astronauts (of whom I am aware) who were present at the move were Mark Kelly, Kay Hire, Mike Fincke and Greg H. Johnson. Traffic Management is based in California and the signs ship from there. So either the seller was misled or is misleading you. |
Zach121k
Member Posts: 62
From: Fenton, Missouri, USA
Registered: Feb 2013
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posted 03-13-2013 01:15 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Robert Pearlman:
No idea who "Fred Heib" is...
Fred is his dad. |
Zach121k
Member Posts: 62
From: Fenton, Missouri, USA
Registered: Feb 2013
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posted 03-13-2013 01:23 PM
I feel like a complete idiot.
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Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 03-13-2013 01:30 PM
Everyone makes mistakes, and copies of the signs of various quality were quick to appear on eBay. Has the seller refused to refund your money? Or if already paid via PayPal, you can dispute the transaction. |
Zach121k
Member Posts: 62
From: Fenton, Missouri, USA
Registered: Feb 2013
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posted 03-13-2013 01:43 PM
After telling him Heib had nothing to do with it, no response. How do I dispute charges... |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 03-13-2013 01:50 PM
See: resolutioncenter.ebay.com |
Zach121k
Member Posts: 62
From: Fenton, Missouri, USA
Registered: Feb 2013
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posted 03-13-2013 02:07 PM
Ok I contacted him about a refund. |
p51
Member Posts: 1642
From: Olympia, WA
Registered: Sep 2011
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posted 03-13-2013 02:20 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Zach121k:
I feel like a complete idiot.
Don't. It's happened to most (if not all) of us from one time or another. I've been there myself more than once! quote:
Originally posted by Robert Pearlman:
See: resolutioncenter.ebay.com
Yeah, good luck with that. I got nailed badly by eBay for an issue over those fake orbiter flags a while back. If you call them, they'll tell you what you want to hear but afterward they'll do what they were always going to do already.I have ZERO faith that eBay cares in the slightest about things like this. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 03-13-2013 02:24 PM
Numerous collectSPACE readers have applied for and received refunds from PayPal, as confirmed by their posts on this site. There may be a way to start the dispute through PayPal itself but a quick scan of the site said to consult eBay's resolution center first. On edit: I've looked further and PayPal does have its own Resolution Center but it still requires you first contact the seller through their system and request a refund. See your PayPal account for more details. |
Zach121k
Member Posts: 62
From: Fenton, Missouri, USA
Registered: Feb 2013
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posted 03-13-2013 02:57 PM
I still have faith though: he said If I send it back, he'll refund. Note that pic wasn't of the actual sign, just one of many he bought. Who knows...I still hope it's real. |
Zach121k
Member Posts: 62
From: Fenton, Missouri, USA
Registered: Feb 2013
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posted 03-13-2013 03:28 PM
On my actual replica, I DO in fact see the OMS nozzles. |
kosmo
Member Posts: 388
From:
Registered: Sep 2001
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posted 03-13-2013 04:25 PM
I would deal with this seller through PayPal, eBay does nothing, don't just sent it back. I have had good luck with refunds with PayPal, things should work out. |
cycleroadie
Member Posts: 452
From: Apalachin, NY USA
Registered: May 2011
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posted 03-14-2013 06:25 AM
I was at the Atlantis move and was out on a KSCVC Pad Tour tour while it was moving along the road, every sign I saw on NASA property was at least 24x24, maybe a bit bigger. By every sign, I mean we were on the road and Atlantis was sitting on an overpass, and they had a sign there that was clearly visible from the road we were on, so it was definitely not 12x12. Robert says there were two used, and that could be, I don't recall seeing them all over just by the orbiter. At Exploration Park I had a picture taken of me by Atlantis and one of the signs is next to me, it's again, at least 24x24. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 03-14-2013 08:26 AM
The signs were originally and specifically created for Endeavour's move in L.A. in mid-October 2012. By the time Atlantis was moved in early November, the replica signs were for sale to the public by Traffic Management Inc. The Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex purchased signs through the same means and displayed them along Atlantis' route. The signs that I saw used in Florida were also all 48x48-inch full size signs. |
Zach121k
Member Posts: 62
From: Fenton, Missouri, USA
Registered: Feb 2013
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posted 03-14-2013 04:08 PM
I went ahead and kept the order in place. Even if it is fake, I want a second one. Besides, I like the reflective stuff. |
CuMelter
New Member Posts:
From:
Registered:
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posted 03-16-2013 11:51 AM
If the listing on eBay stated anywhere that this was indeed one of the signs — and you have determined it is not — file an ITEM IS NOT AS DESCRIBED claim and eBay will make them accept a return and refund your money. It's protection for the buyer against being scammed. Just don't leave feedback yet. If you have already left feedback, that may be the end of it. Call eBay help and see. |
Zach121k
Member Posts: 62
From: Fenton, Missouri, USA
Registered: Feb 2013
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posted 03-16-2013 06:16 PM
I just got it. Oh lord, it's lopsided, off center, scratched, etc. |
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