Beware of Thai posters...

[Deleted User]

Hi guys,

I was in Thailand and I bought two posters from Santi in his small shop in Siam.
 -> Apocalypse One Sheet (80 usd)
 -> Dr No One Sheet (280 usd)

I am aware about the all Apocalypse Now 2sh vs 1sh story and the fact that someone is printing (or has printed) some posters in bulk for the local market.
What's funny is that despite being printed, these are surprisingly rare to find online.  It seems people behind this know very well how to proceed not to bring up suspicion -> they print a small amount on nice looking old paper and sell them directly only, in shop and at slow pace.

I even spoke to the seller, Santi (who speak/understand easy English), and mentioned the issue with the line and fact there are repro (I actually wanted to know if these repro are recent or old; and still printed nowadays).  I got vague answers saying the 2sheet are original but these 1sheet are also original as they were use in theaters, blah blah.  Also, I mentioned I was planning to see another seller, Pea... as soon as said that, he told me that Pea is selling lot of them as well as other stuffs. That on his side, he stopped doing ebay because he prefers to sell directly and know his customers (** Real reason is that on Ebay, buyer has the possibility to file a claim in Paypal and to give bad rating)

Some will argue I was dumb to have spend 80 usd on Apocalypse Now 1sh knowing all this.  Gonna say, yes I was... but at the same time, the image is nice and still rare to find (although it seems we all have one)

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I also bought the Dr No, the poster is really really great.  I felt something as soon as I saw it, a really really great image.  He initially refused to sell it to me, saying it is rare and he has a regular buyer coming in 2 weeks time to buy it.   I tried to know more about date of poster as I said to him it is in very good condition for a 1962 poster (and price was low).  He also show me an ebay bid at 445 USD for the same. I had to argue with him for a good 10 mn to get the poster, I though it was a nice deal... ... ... until I get a message from someone telling me it is also a repro. (I have been buying art and poster for years, I should have seen that one coming; but gonna admit I had doubts when purchasing it).

That person bought also plenty of posters from Santi and said that the all poster community is angry against Santi for what he has done and this has been known for years.   And that Pea knows about it !!

Funniest of all, the person who contacted me to say it is a repro is the name that Santi mentioned as his potential customer     Santi is clearly selling these Dr. No to foreigners, may one every two or three months.

What sucks is and get me annoyed that I wrote to Pea before going to Thailand saying I shall pay a visit to Santi, if Pea knew about this and she is a legit seller, she could have warned me, no ??

What double sucks is that I did some intensive online researches about Santi to know if he was legit or not.  And found nothing !!

I wonder why if that guy sold fakes to many of us, why nobody has come up publicly to say it out loud and warn others ??  Disappointed !


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Does this Dr. No 1sheet Thai poster worth 280 USD, I don't think so...  may be 100 USd max.

Is this poster rare ?  It will be if they stop producing it / selling it


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I wrote to Santi

"I am the one who bought posters (Dr. No & Apocalypse Now) three weeks ago. So I learned you sold me reproduction posters (not original).  You can reimburse me on Paypal or by bank transfer, I shall sent the poster back to you. Let me know if you plan to reimburse me. I shall also contact my bank to see if I can revert the payment. If you refuse, next time I am in Bangkok, I shall come with the posters, payment proof  and the police... and will also post online about you selling fake posters. Send my money back now !! Waiting for your confirmation.
Thanks"

I got the following answer:

"It has been for a several years that we do sell the poster as well as be a first of poster seller in online. Our shop is well known.

Every time after we finished bidding the poster that got high price, the other seller will offer the price in order to find the same poster as well.

Somehow they don't know where it from but we know the source. It makes us get a problem to deal in the same price that have brought before. Because the buzz of high price gone wide in market, so it makes us to stop selling online. There are a lot of many poster still out there and some of it got less because we sell it in the shop. Actually, the poster that you brought from us is the one that we intend to sell to someone because he ordered it.

If you want to return the poster back please contact the address below

We will return your money immediately after received the poster from you. Please send parcel back with registered airmail.

Our shop open since 1997, the only one shop, no branch, never move before. So, there is no reason to be afraid and sell the fake one.

Thanks

Santi Classicmovieposter"

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What do you think ?

1/ Should I keep them knowing they look great and I paid a fair price compared to others who got fooled also ?

2/ Should I put pressure on him and ask for refund first before sending it (knowing he will presumably refuse) ?

3/ Should I take the risk and send it (knowing if package is damage or lost, I am double f*cked) ?

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Last but not least, beware of Thai posters !!   Gonna say I contacted other Thai sellers (Pea and two others) afterwards and I only got silence which makes me think of a defeaning silence.



Thanks for reading and don't be shy, this post is in a private section, so speak out loud and share your thoughts.

Thanks

Paul

This has to be down to personal preference.... If your happy enough to keep as a momento of your trip and enjoy them on the wall, so be it, but if you get niggled every time you look at them, try to get a full refund, or at the very least a partial one. 
If you have been deceived, you really need to let as many know as possible in this hobby, so others don't fall for the same thing.  

David

I'm with Paul, keep it unless it grinds you.

But thanks for sharing, it's a reminder that people need to be aware no matter where they go.

[Deleted User]

Thanks for your reply guys !

I have decided it is better I don't to deal with that guy anymore, consequently I will keep them

This said, don't hesitate to spread the word to others so that they don't get fooled too.  It has to stop.

Cheers