UnitedCardists.com - The forum for Cardistry, Magic, Custom Decks and All Things Playing Cards.

vasta41 wrote:After ignoring me for 4 months Claude finally came out of the woodwork to tell me he wouldn't be giving me a refund because, basically I'm a moron for thinking two totally different printing companies are two totally different printing companies.
Let this be a warning to everyone: DO NOT EVER BACK "NEMESIS" PROJECTS. Claude is a narcissistic, stubborn and delusional person who will swindle you out of your hard earned money.

Again, DO NOT BACK CLAUDE.

I am the infamous TwoPiece, and I support this message.

He hasn't even responded to any of my messages, save the very first one I sent ages ago when I found out he switched printers and wanted a refund. He's ignored all my subsequent requests for a refund and I don't have the cards either.

I would not recommend backing any of this guy's future projects. He's a bait and switcher, and if I don't get the cards, he's a scammer.

PrincessTrouble wrote:He hasn't even responded to any of my messages, save the very first one I sent ages ago when I found out he switched printers and wanted a refund. He's ignored all my subsequent requests for a refund and I don't have the cards either.

I would not recommend backing any of this guy's future projects. He's a bait and switcher, and if I don't get the cards, he's a scammer.

I sent him 5 PMs within 2 days (including 3 in 2 minutes) threatening him that I would continue to PM him until he replied. After about 1 hour he replied saying, "Hey Paul OMG what are this messages? Im in Holiday"

Again, DO NOT TRUST CLAUDE.

P.S. I still haven't received my decks yet so we will see about that...

OMG - Sick design!!! - Love the gold foil ... But just if the quality doesn't suffer from it.
Who are you printing with???

Well, during the campaign he said he would print with Cartamundi, but because of reported "delays" Claude changed the printer to NPCC. The deck does look great. I haven't handled one of these decks, but got another deck that was printed by NPCC about the same time (Ephemerid) and they are typical of other NPCC decks I have. They are stiff and snappy. They handle okay, but not near as smooth and even as several other card manufacturers (USPCC, Cartamundi and EPCC for starters). If you don't care about handling, they are nice decks. I do like the tucks. I am not happy at all at how Claude is handling those that wanted refunds though, especially as those here that he refused to give a refund have also not received any decks, and strung some along about giving them a refund only to recently decline. That just doesn't sit well with me. But, personally I am fine with the decks. I'm probably not backing any more of Claude's projects anymore unless he does some serious efforts to resolve dissatisfied backers. I am also fairly sure we discussed the importance of using a major manufacturer (I think this was one of his changes from his first unsuccessful campaign. Although he also did some good redesigns in his art.). I think we also went over the perils of changing printers after the fact. Not positive though.

The Gentleman Wake just did a review on Ephemerid deck, and goes into detail on the handling. It is out on youtube if you want to get his issues with the handling of an NPCC deck.

These cards are now in stock at CPC - not that I recommend wasting a single penny on this, but to point out that they are now freely on the aftermarket but "coincidentally", those who asked for a refund have still not received jack shit.

Claude, I'm calling you a thief and worse. Not only did you promise one thing and deliver another - something which could be forgiven on a freshman effort, if you had handled it like a man - but anyone who showed the gumption to confront you about this has been refused both refund and product. At least a garden variety thief or con man steals impersonally, but you've shown outright contempt and spite for anyone who has requested customer service, and now evidently robbed them. You're even too cowardly to answer them when they demand to know what the hell is going on.

It's not too late to make it right, at least as right as can be at such a late hour. Refund these peoples' money. If you actually care about your professional reputation and personal honor, also send them the decks they backed, for free, in apology for the abuse they've endured. But I don't expect you'll lift a finger, your behavior so far has outed you for a low-class scoundrel.

Come and get one in the yarbles, if you have any yarbles, you eunuch jelly thou.

holy shit 29$ at cpc :/.

This creator rubs me the very wrong way. When he first announced the printer change after the end of the campaign, I tried to talk some sense into him but to no avail. He just refused to grasp the quality and price point difference between the two printers. As did the others, I asked for a refund and he strung me along promising to think about it but guess what - nothing happened. The only difference between Paul, Outsider and myself is that he did send me the decks.

Now, I am not a vengeful chap but one thing that is definitely going to happen is that I am going to be there for the launch of his next deck to warn the unlucky suckers that he would draw in about his business practices. If they decide to invest regardless, that is their choice but at least they will be warned. That said, I have a nagging suspicion that he would struggle to get funded.

Well I'm glad I didn't back this. The main reason I stayed away was the way he first reacted back when his initial campaign failed and we were giving design advice. Then he came back later 'changed' and settled down, willing to make changes only once it was clear he had failed. I'm no psychologist but it reminded me of the kind of behaviour you'd see in an abusive relationship, apologetic and open only when it served his purposes, I just couldn't shake that unease. He got his money and his decks so he no longer has any reason to pretend to care that some are unhappy I guess. If he has the guts to make more campaigns I'll be sure to steer clear even if the design greatly improves (my word was that ancient deck hideous right from the start, and he never did take any advice regarding it).

I don't have any eggs in that basket, but it is unfortunate to read the stuff going on here.
I can only encourage people to pull their money asap via third party services like PayPal or their credit card provider, when shady things happen or questionable behaviour occurred. As much as supporting new creators is awesome, be aware of the risks and be ready to act accordingly.

I just wanted to let you all know that I have received the decks that I pledged for. Well, sort of- I didn't pledge for NPCC decks but I digress. I'm still not a happy camper and will be actively boycotting Claude in the future but I thought it was worth noting that at least I ended up getting the decks after all.

Thanks for notifying us Vasta. At least that takes him off the lowest parts of our banned list. I am sorry he didn’t give you a refund, which would have been the right thing to do given all our discussions with him about the importance of using a top printer. He knew this was a very big deal to many folks that a a part of UC at least. You especially made the point very clear you were backing Because he decided to use Cartamundi when you backed the campaign.

I still have no replies to my PMs and no decks.

I think that comparing Claude to Natalia is unfair. He is fulfilling (at least I received mine, some issues during shipping are common), Natalia is not.

Never received my pledge decks and didn't get a refund. Won't respond to my PMs on Kickstarter.