In August the wrestling group I represent, OWA (Omaha Wrestling Association) ordered a championship wrestling belt from Joe Marshall, aka, The Beltster, and paid, in full, up front $615. The money orders were cashed and I have never received my belt after six years.
According to his website, anyone paying up front and rush fees would be put in a special category to get their belt faster. We paid up front and would have gladly paid rush fees had we known of them, but he did not post that fact on his website until long after we had paid.
His website claims to not bother him with phone calls, letters or e-mails as it delays his process. We waited several years to contact him and his PR person, Donna, explained that the belt was being upgraded and Joe would make it right with us. I patiently waited a very, very long time and contacted him, to which he replied if I bothered him again, he'd sell the belt for a profit and return the money paid.
That was over two years ago and it has been six years since we've ordered the belt. I have spoken to a couple of his former clients and they have never waited any longer than two years for a belt, all of whom urged me to contact Mr. Marshall, stating six years was ridiculous. I sent him a letter in June of this year and have not heard a response, again giving him ample time to respond.
I have followed all of his rules in regard to being patient, change of address procedures and paid up front, in full for the belt, to which I have received no word from Mr. Marshall. I firmly believe he bilked myself and the people of my organization out of $615 to help make belts for other organizations.
There should be no reason that a belt takes six years to make, and that he doesn't have the guts or business sense to at least touch base with a customer that paid, in full, up front, with a simple e-mail or letter. Let me know that the belt is halfway done, not started or nearly completed. As far as I know he took the money, spent it and has no intention of ever doing a belt. If it is going to take 25 years to make a belt, let me know and I will ask for my money back before you start and save you the headache.
If he can't keep up with demand, hire more help or refund the money paid up front, in-full, so that my organization, or any other organization in the same situation (he has a very long list of customers still waiting for belts) can go elsewhere to have a belt made. I understand that the WWE and other 'top' groups take up a lot of his time, that is why he should refund our money immediately and stop ruining his reputation. No belt, paid in full and up front, should take six years to make. We picked a simple design with minor changes to make his job easier in hopes he could get the belt done faster, but he simply has ignored us and taken our money.
Be aware that if you pay Mr. Marshall, he very well may take your money and never produce any items whatsoever and totally ignore you.
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