Over the years I have referred people to Michigan Toy Soldier Company as a good place to buy plastic army men. I no longer recommend them. The owner, according to news reports was convicted of using a customer credit card to charge purchases for his business without the knowledge or consent of the credit card holder. The charges were in excess of $150,000.00! The victim was Peter Jackson, the movie director who gave us the Lord of the Rings and the remake of King Kong.
The owner did not make a mistake. He did not charge Mr. Jackson’s credit card in error. The owner made an immoral decision to steal money from Mr. Jackson. The excuse that he did it to save his business is irrelevant. The excuse that he did it to save the jobs of his employees is also irrelevant. The excuse that Mr. Jackson could afford it is irrelevant as well.
Other companies have gone out of business rather than turn to crime. There are plenty of rich people out there, but their money is not our money to take because they can afford the loss. I don’t care how nice the employees are, or how well stocked the store is, or how competitive the prices. I will never shop there again, and I will do business with legitimate companies, not crooks. This hobby is filled with decent, honest, hard working people and this kind of activity makes us all look bad to the general public who know little about us other than one of use stole money from Mr. Jackson. I hope that full restitution with interest is paid to Mr. Jackson and that he continues to have fun with his little soldiers, thus spake the Bunkermeister.
