The worst ripoff guy on the PLANET

Lodsta · #1 11-17-2008, 07:51 AM

Sad to say he comes from my country.

The guys name is Paul Kopel. He says he has a company called Eurotech but I'm not sure about that. I think he only sells on the web, xtreme scooters and eBay. (Of course he has a pathetic eBay rating).

First of all he never has what he says he is selling (this should serve as a strong clue) but when he does get the product its junker stuff.just avoid the guy0 the real

er is the stupid bloke has prices that are really, really high it'd be funny if he werent ripping people off

Pablo · #2 11-17-2008, 09:18 AM

The only real surprise is more Aussies aren't howling about this jerk. Maybe he is just small potatoes or people already know to stay away from him. I really try hard in my life not to say bad things about anyone, but this guy is a con artist. There is no other way to put it. As a supplier and sponsor, we certainly need to be careful about the things we write. We would NEVER whine about a competitor and legitimate MB supplier.

This guy approached us early on and we almost entered a business arrangement with him. We never even got to the formalizing agreement. He bought one kit from us - next thing we know our customers are complaining to us that pictures of their bikes with Shifter Kits are on eBay! For some crazy price. I had enough that quick and pulled the plug. His response? "I can do anything I want"

He seems to have no technical ability and claims he has a crew. I'm not sure about many of his claims.

It also looks like he is trying to have our product(s) knocked off in China.

He had an encounter with Creative Engineering (the clutch kit folks) as well. I think you are wise to let others know, IMHO.

jasonh · #3 11-17-2008, 09:32 AM

Ouch Pablo, that sucks.

What the heck is up with people? I just don't get it.

Creative Engineering · #4 11-17-2008, 01:49 PM

Ah Yes,

Paul Kopel...The blunder from down under. He's one strange character.

I would never throw a competitor under the bus either but this guy is making a mockery of everyone else who is offering bike engine kits and parts.

He ordered 5 clutch kits...while he was waiting for them to ship he made a replica of my ebay listing, using my photos and text with a price of $110.00 if I remember right.

I called him and asked what the heck he thought he was doing...he said "I can do anything I want". Yeah so can I! I'm not shipping you anything. He freaked out and said some crazy non-sense about an international lawsuit. I told him "Let me know how that works out for Ya! He's so stupid all you can do is laugh at him.

Anyway, I would imagine he probably did have someone else buy a clutch kit on his behalf. I don't really worry about him having the wits to do anything with it...BUT if the Chinese engine factories get it, it'll be all over for me with this product. I had figured that ultimately it was going to happen anyway. Just not this soon.

Maybe he'll slither back under the rock he came from...and we won't hear anymore from him.

Jim

ebmvegan · #5 11-17-2008, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Creative Engineering

Anyway, I would imagine he probably did have someone else buy a clutch kit on his behalf. I don't really worry about him having the wits to do anything with it...BUT if the Chinese engine factories get it, it'll be all over for me with this product. I had figured that ultimately it was going to happen anyway. Just not this soon.

Maybe he'll slither back under the rock he came from...and we won't hear anymore from him.

Jim

Pablo and Jim,
Take it as a compliment. He's trying to make a prifit from your hard work. Although it sucks, word will spread. He may have the product coming in from China, but as we all know, customer service and quality of product holds true above all else in our hobby and in that order. Many come here for advice sooner or later ad we'll make sure everyone is aware of him.

jasonh · #6 11-17-2008, 02:09 PM

I personally wouldn't take it as a compliment, ebm. That's incredibly shady and pathetic. They have every right to be upset.

I'd be pretty ticked if I put lots of hard work, time, and money into developing a product only to have someone a) buy them from me and resell them at a higher price without my knowledge/permission, and b) have them buy one and supposedly send it to China to have them make knockoffs.

ebmvegan · #7 11-17-2008, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jasonh

I personally wouldn't take it as a compliment, ebm. That's incredibly shady and pathetic. They have every right to be upset.

I'd be pretty ticked if I put lots of hard work, time, and money into developing a product only to have someone a) buy them from me and resell them at a higher price without my knowledge/permission, and b) have them buy one and supposedly send it to China to have them make knockoffs.

You're right....I would be livid. Although I can not speak for everyone, but I have developed some products for the club wear. They were mini back packs that had LED lights that would light to the beat of the music that was playing. It felt great to know that I developed them and my wife wore a different one everytime we went out. Someone ended up seeing them, then they copied, then sold them to others. I was livid at first. Then I realized as Jim had said that it was only a matter of time until someone would copy and profit from my hard work. I sat back and thought of how much enjoyment I had with developing the back pak and how much I enjoy seeing my wife and friends wearing the back packs. Someone in China is now manufacturing them for a company based in New York that is owned by a guy who saw them on my wife and had talked to me about it. I purchased one of his back packs and found that my product was better in quality. I am selling them now and although his back pack are cheaper, I can customize mine for each induvidual. I'm no Versache or Prada, but I am proud of what I have done and have actually been kind of thankful that my idea was stolen. Otherwise my merchandise would not have had the exposure. I can not patent my products but Jim and Pablo certainly could.

ebmvegan · #8 11-17-2008, 02:32 PM

Theft of any kind is pathetic, but what I did was out of enjoyment. Yes it sucks that someone stole my idea, but it was fun developing and seeing my pruducts out. That can not be stolen. Anyway, I'm ahead of the theif. I created it, all he can do is take it.

deacon · #9 11-17-2008, 02:37 PM

That is the problem with the world economy some countries don't observe anyone else's patents or copyrights. You might see anything you do turn up on the front page with a Chinese manufacturer. It's sad but a fact of business life these days.

Lots of companies tried to do business with the Chinese only to find their technology stolen. Or at least that is what the word going around is.

I'm sure they have good engineers but man they sure borrow a lot of technology im told.

thatsdax · #10 11-17-2008, 02:55 PM

Hi.. I think I saw that post on Ebay as well of the shifter kit. Who owns the Copyrights to this gas engine Shifter kit? Does anyone know? I have seen a similar shifter kit used with electric motors behind the seat post. But used with the 2 stroke gas engine is a clever adaption of this Free Wheel kit. So.. Who owns the copyright for the Gas Engine version? Does anyone know?