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Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: mvolke1 on September 01, 2014, 04:43:59 pm

Title: Eric Barlow -- bartop-arcades.com
Post by: mvolke1 on September 01, 2014, 04:43:59 pm
Hey All,

I ordered a bar top from bartop-arcades.com, Eric Barlow. It was about 9 months ago. I get emails every few weeks if I reach out to him and he says he's about to cut my cab, or he's had a CNC machine breakdown. There's always an excuse. Do you know if I should just consider my money flushed down the toilet, or have any of you had a successful transaction with him?

He took his BYOAC account down, so he's not on the forums anymore.

Any feedback would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Matt
Title: Re: Eric Barlow -- bartop-arcades.com
Post by: PL1 on September 01, 2014, 05:38:31 pm
It appears that he hasn't nuked the "bartop-arcades (http://forums.arcade-museum.com/member.php?u=60425)" KLOV account yet.

He was logged in there yesterday, but hasn't posted anything there for a month -- about the same time he stopped posting here AFAIK.

His Hyperspin forum "ebarlow99 (http://www.hyperspin-fe.com/forum/member.php?5133-ebarlow99&s=8ee54629636165441ab75ba7145e6cd4)" account shows him last posting there about the same time.


Scott
Title: Re: Eric Barlow -- bartop-arcades.com
Post by: yotsuya on September 01, 2014, 05:56:10 pm
Woah, ebarlow99 doesn't post here anymore? Crazy! Too bad.

You should probably remove his sticky if he's no longer active here.
Title: Re: Eric Barlow -- bartop-arcades.com
Post by: PL1 on September 01, 2014, 06:07:12 pm
(Un)done.

Thanks for the reminder, Yotsuya.

That thread is here (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,131643.0.html) if anyone is looking for it.


Scott
Title: Re: Eric Barlow -- bartop-arcades.com
Post by: yotsuya on September 01, 2014, 06:09:28 pm
Thanks, Scott!

I mean, I hope all is well with him. Seemed like a good guy, but the last post he made in SarverSystem's review sounded like real life was catching up to him. That should be a warning to anyone trying to make this hobby a business.
Title: Re: Eric Barlow -- bartop-arcades.com
Post by: PL1 on September 01, 2014, 06:16:46 pm
I mean, I hope all is well with him. Seemed like a good guy, but the last post he made in SarverSystem's review sounded like real life was catching up to him. That should be a warning to anyone trying to make this hobby a business.
Very true.

That post is here (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,140491.msg1456350.html#msg1456350).


Scott
Title: Re: Eric Barlow -- bartop-arcades.com
Post by: pbj on September 01, 2014, 09:57:19 pm
This hobby is unfortunately filled with thieves.

Chargeback at the first hint of ---That which is odiferous and causeth plants to grow---.  Always.

Your money is gone.

Title: Re: Eric Barlow -- bartop-arcades.com
Post by: HaRuMaN on September 02, 2014, 10:18:32 am
Hey since this guy scammed you, I'll give you a bartop kit at a discount if you're still looking for one.  Just let me know.   :cheers:
Title: Re: Eric Barlow -- bartop-arcades.com
Post by: pbj on September 02, 2014, 10:29:01 am
Hey since this guy scammed you, I'll give you a bartop kit at a discount if you're still looking for one.  Just let me know.   :cheers:

(http://i.imgur.com/KLXYNct.jpg)
Title: Re: Eric Barlow -- bartop-arcades.com
Post by: HaRuMaN on September 02, 2014, 11:01:36 am
pbj's gotta pbj?   :dunno
Title: Re: Eric Barlow -- bartop-arcades.com
Post by: dkersten on September 02, 2014, 11:12:29 am
Wow, I thought it was pretty darn cool that he would offer a discount since the guy got scammed.  Guess I just still believe in people's ability to be fair, honest, and kind...
Title: Re: Eric Barlow -- bartop-arcades.com
Post by: yotsuya on September 02, 2014, 11:31:19 am
pbj's gotta pbj?

Exactly. Don't get worked up about it.  :cheers:
Title: Re: Eric Barlow -- bartop-arcades.com
Post by: pbj on September 02, 2014, 11:43:44 am
how exactly is helping someone who got a scammed a bad thing?

Where did I say it was a bad thing? 
Title: Re: Eric Barlow -- bartop-arcades.com
Post by: mvolke1 on September 02, 2014, 12:18:30 pm
Thanks for the replies, guys.

I emailed him yesterday and he replied that he was cutting the cab as he emailed. He's been telling me that for a while, so we'll see what happens.

Haruman, thanks for the response. I may just take you up on it if this doesn't work out. Ideally, it does. I had shipped him extra parts and stuff, too. It's a bummer.
Title: Re: Eric Barlow -- bartop-arcades.com
Post by: HaRuMaN on September 02, 2014, 12:49:59 pm
Just let me know.   :cheers:
Title: Re: Eric Barlow -- bartop-arcades.com
Post by: Rick on September 02, 2014, 03:23:31 pm
Just let me know.   :cheers:

Unless you're Canadian. Then, let me know.

;)
Title: Re: Eric Barlow -- bartop-arcades.com
Post by: mvolke1 on September 15, 2014, 06:54:51 pm
Still no arcade. I'd say to stay away. Looking like a scam.
Title: Re: Eric Barlow -- bartop-arcades.com
Post by: Sarver Systems on September 16, 2014, 09:30:51 am
So I got the last of his cocktail cabinets?
Title: Re: Eric Barlow -- bartop-arcades.com
Post by: yotsuya on September 16, 2014, 09:36:39 am
His website is still up, and it even lists new products for September. Did he rage-quit here?
Title: Re: Eric Barlow -- bartop-arcades.com
Post by: PL1 on September 16, 2014, 09:56:35 am
His website is still up, and it even lists new products for September. Did he rage-quit here?
He hasn't posted at KLOV or Hyperspin since July 30th -- about the same time he quit here and deleted his posts.   :dunno

Latest item I see on his site under "New Products (http://www.bartop-arcades.com/index.php?main_page=products_new&zenid=C-oNl9ys,mod,bGQZLABR2)" is a TMNT Control Panel 4 player Date Added: Monday 22 July, 2013.

What am I missing, Yotsuya?


Scott
Title: Re: Eric Barlow -- bartop-arcades.com
Post by: Sarver Systems on September 16, 2014, 10:21:06 am
I'm still giving him the benefit of the doubt.

I am 90% happy with my cabinet, and he was always quick to respond to my emails and messages via FB and here.
Title: Re: Eric Barlow -- bartop-arcades.com
Post by: yotsuya on September 16, 2014, 10:46:55 am
Latest item I see on his site under "New Products (http://www.bartop-arcades.com/index.php?main_page=products_new&zenid=C-oNl9ys,mod,bGQZLABR2)" is a TMNT Control Panel 4 player Date Added: Monday 22 July, 2013.

What am I missing, Yotsuya?

Scott

Uh, the big grey bar on his front page that says "New Products For September":

(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=141133.0;attach=316434)

Now, it could just be a script or whatever, but if I came across the page and didn't know any better, I would think he was actively updating it.
Title: Re: Eric Barlow -- bartop-arcades.com
Post by: yotsuya on September 16, 2014, 10:49:23 am
I'm still giving him the benefit of the doubt.

I am 90% happy with my cabinet, and he was always quick to respond to my emails and messages via FB and here.

Wow, I'd love to see what would happen if you were 100% happy with it.  :cheers:
Title: Re: Eric Barlow -- bartop-arcades.com
Post by: PL1 on September 16, 2014, 11:12:30 am
What am I missing, Yotsuya?
Uh, the big grey bar on his front page that says "New Products For September":
Cue the "Scott walks into a bar" jokes.   :dizzy:   :lol

My guess is the list is generated by a script since the products shown under the bar are, in matching order, #2-10 when you sort old-to-new.   :dunno


Scott
Title: Re: Eric Barlow -- bartop-arcades.com
Post by: yotsuya on September 16, 2014, 11:28:19 am
My guess is the list is generated by a script since the products shown under the bar are, in matching order, #2-10 when you sort old-to-new.   :dunno

Me too.

Regardless, if he's out, he should take the site down. It's just going to cause confusion otherwise.
Title: Re: Eric Barlow -- bartop-arcades.com
Post by: HaRuMaN on September 16, 2014, 01:26:20 pm
Lol.  I like to give Rick a hard time but I'm not trying to run him off (and he knows that).  I even stickied ebarlow's thread for him.  So clearly, I was out to kill the competition.   :dizzy:
Title: Re: Eric Barlow -- bartop-arcades.com
Post by: Rick on September 16, 2014, 01:30:17 pm
I like to give Rick a hard time but I'm not trying to run him off (and he knows that).

I know we have a good time, and we both know when we're joking around. I'm certainly not going to run off and ragequit because of a few lighthearted insults. (Besides, if I go, there won't be any quality bartop manufacturers left!)

>:D
Title: Re: Eric Barlow -- bartop-arcades.com
Post by: HaRuMaN on September 16, 2014, 01:32:42 pm
I like to give Rick a hard time but I'm not trying to run him off (and he knows that).

I know we have a good time, and we both know when we're joking around. I'm certainly not going to run off and ragequit because of a few lighthearted insults. (Besides, if I go, there won't be any quality bartop manufacturers left!)

>:D

And I like keeping Rick around so there's someone here to steal my Malenko's ideas!  >:D
Title: Re: Eric Barlow -- bartop-arcades.com
Post by: yotsuya on September 16, 2014, 01:33:48 pm
I like to give Rick a hard time but I'm not trying to run him off (and he knows that).

I know we have a good time, and we both know when we're joking around. I'm certainly not going to run off and ragequit because of a few lighthearted insults. (Besides, if I go, there won't be any quality bartop manufacturers left!)

>:D

Wait, we're only supposed to be joking with Rick?  :dizzy:
Title: Re: Eric Barlow -- bartop-arcades.com
Post by: Rick on September 16, 2014, 01:46:51 pm
Wait, we're only supposed to be joking with Rick?  :dizzy:

Quiet, you!

 ;D

And I like keeping Rick being around so there's someone here to steal give appropriate credit for my (puh-leaze) Malenko's ideas!

FTFY
Title: Re: Eric Barlow -- bartop-arcades.com
Post by: retrogamedude on September 16, 2014, 04:35:54 pm
Got scammed once on a PC forum, started sending him his personal info including address, phone numbers, SSN then work info.  It's amazing how fast I got my money back. 
Title: Re: Eric Barlow -- bartop-arcades.com
Post by: Rick on September 17, 2014, 07:22:21 pm
Regardless, if he's out, he should take the site down. It's just going to cause confusion otherwise.

Doesn't look like he's out. He's hanging out and active (http://bartopmania.com/index.php?t=msg&th=840&start=0&) on Bartopmania.com.
Title: Re: Eric Barlow -- bartop-arcades.com
Post by: yotsuya on September 17, 2014, 07:27:29 pm
Wow. Thanks for the heads up, Rick. Someone with an account here and there should shoot him a PM.
Title: Re: Eric Barlow -- bartop-arcades.com
Post by: Rick on September 17, 2014, 07:29:26 pm
Wow. Thanks for the heads up, Rick. Someone with an account here and there should shoot him a PM.

I just joined up - I'll reach out, and figure out if he even knows there's a complaint.
Title: Re: Eric Barlow -- bartop-arcades.com
Post by: yotsuya on September 17, 2014, 07:30:15 pm
Wow. Thanks for the heads up, Rick. Someone with an account here and there should shoot him a PM.

I just joined up - I'll reach out, and figure out if he even knows there's a complaint.

Yeah, find out why he rage-quit!
Title: Re: Eric Barlow -- bartop-arcades.com
Post by: Rick on September 17, 2014, 07:35:07 pm
Yeah, find out why he rage-quit!

PM sent. He seems to be active on there, so I'm hopeful I'll get a response. (I told him if it's none of my business to tell me to GFM, so he's definitely got that option open.)

;)
Title: Re: Eric Barlow -- bartop-arcades.com
Post by: mvolke1 on September 17, 2014, 09:09:20 pm
So Eric refunded my money today and apologized. He said he saw my post. I told him it wasn't personal, but I needed to know if others had issues.
Title: Re: Eric Barlow -- bartop-arcades.com
Post by: yotsuya on September 17, 2014, 09:17:30 pm
Don't feel bad - you had every right to make this post. I'm bummed about ebarlow99. Seemed like a good guy. Hope all is ok.
Title: Re: Eric Barlow -- bartop-arcades.com
Post by: Rick on September 17, 2014, 10:15:04 pm
Don't feel bad - you had every right to make this post. I'm bummer about ebarlow99. Seemed like a good guy. Hope all is ok.

He replied to me. Very civil, no hint of any animosity at all.
Title: Re: Eric Barlow -- bartop-arcades.com
Post by: Rick on September 17, 2014, 10:25:57 pm
Now that I'm on a PC, and not on my phone... (which would WORK if TAPATALK WORKED, Saint!) >:D

Eric asked me to convey his apologies - again - and is very concerned about his reputation. He didn't leave BYOAC to be shady, or any other reason other than the negativity that we all seem to get at one time or another... I, for one, have never had issue with the guy, and wish him well. I'm happy to hear that the troubles that created the necessity for this thread have been rectified.
Title: Re: Eric Barlow -- bartop-arcades.com
Post by: chopperthedog on September 18, 2014, 09:18:06 am
He didn't leave BYOAC to be shady, or any other reason other than the negativity that we all seem to get at one time or another...
I don't blame him. There are a select few that can really take the fun out of this hobby here.


good day.
Title: Re: Eric Barlow -- bartop-arcades.com
Post by: PL1 on September 18, 2014, 10:20:36 am
Eric asked me to convey his apologies - again - and is very concerned about his reputation. He didn't leave BYOAC to be shady, or any other reason other than the negativity that we all seem to get at one time or another... I, for one, have never had issue with the guy, and wish him well. I'm happy to hear that the troubles that created the necessity for this thread have been rectified.
Thanks for contacting him, Rick.   :cheers:

Glad to hear that things are better for him.   ;D

I posted links to his site and the forums where he is still active then locked his B/S/T thread so people who want to do business with him don't waste their time posting in the thread and waiting for an answer.

There are a select few that can really take the fun out of this hobby here.
Sad but true.   :police:


Scott
Title: Re: Eric Barlow -- bartop-arcades.com
Post by: Sarver Systems on September 18, 2014, 10:23:45 am
Well, I can agree with that statement as well, which is one of the reasons I always gave him the benefit of the doubt, and I never posted anything negative about him.