If you're like me and have no idea what they're talking about, here's an older thread that might help you understand:

https://www.planetfigure.com/threads/dance-of-death-again.118620/

I only paint 54mm, and I was laid off and looking for a new job, so I never really paid that story much mind, when it unfolded.

You are most wise and with the current high shipping charges you would attract in the USA to be added to any order, you could find yourself out of pocket for a sizeable sum of money. Assuming the others setting up with Ian Burton know of his antecedents and 'reputation' for probity within this small and niche hobby of ours - it wouldn't be hard to establish if they asked a few questions - and yet (still) decided to go into business with him, then this invites the potential buyer to draw their own inferences as to what sort of set-up they will be dealing with.

Perhaps to reassure their (honest) customers and as a gesture of good faith given the concerns expressed on this thread, then 'TFB Miniatures' may be willing to offer a 'pay upon receipt of goods' service as after all, the concept of trust and honesty goes both ways doesn't it....?

Gary

https://www.facebook.com/groups/137713260410885/permalink/1027290924786443/

For thoes that have Facebook.. Posted on miniatures collectors of America page. Not on any British or European Facebook pages??? I wonder why
Tommi

I do not have a FB account. Perhaps therefore, one of our US members may wish to provide this link so that our friends and fellow enthusiasts over there know (exactly) what / who they are dealing with and can then make an (informed) decision as to whether to take the risk?

As Tommi and Steve both say, one can draw their own inference for TFB rendering themselves incommunicado to this site after Kev's quite straightforward Mod request via an email for clarity as to who TBF are and then as a consequence of it, seemingly now bypassing the UK / Europe by touting in the US where they will be largely unknown.

If of course we are all wrong and have done them a disservice, then I am sure that TFB's rebuttal of the content of this thread would be most interesting and those of us (me certainly) who have contributed issue an unreserved apology if necessary.

Over to you TFB.!

Gary

Scott a.k.a. "oldtrousers" is a member on here and the MFCA may be he can advise!

Burton is currently wriggling on the MFCA site.

Here is a copy of the post and additional comments from the Facebook page along with the bad grammar and spelling mistakes.

Ian Burton
Hi just wanted to show this new bust from a new uk based company it run by some friends of mine. Its a french officer of spahi 1870 its a 1/9 bust ive seen tge first castings and they look great. Ive been told they will be launching the website over this weekend. I will pst all the info on them once i get the ok fron them
Ive been told they have a range of AWI busts in tge pipeline for early in the new year and a couple of 75mm figures for january. Hope you like what yoy see so far it was sculpted by Pavol Offo Ove thanks for looking.

MEMBER:

Can you confirm if you are or are not a part of this Company. I refer you to a post on Planet Figures that states you are. See attached thread. https://www.planetfigure.com/threads/tfb-miniatures.394389/

Ian burton

No not part of the company not been on planet figure for over 2 years!! I will look at that. The partnership is as follows Stephen Headley Terry Houshem and Derick Porter. These are long term friends. I am connected by knowing them and selling my equipment to them. Who ever put it on planet figure is very much mistaken and if you know who runs the site could you please let him her know that i am not connected thank you.


MEMBER


isnt this the same Ian Burton that ran Ellie’s Minatures?

MEMBER

What is the company`s name?

Ian burton

ok so i posted photos on her at a request of some friends and all you want want bang on about is me it is nothing to do with me other than supporting some old pals in there business you've slammed me enough over the years for things that were out of my control you have no need in now smashing another company because i am supporting them! DISGUSTING THE LOT OF YOU!!

MEMBER

The company is not run by friends of Ian Burton, it is run by Burton himself (The B in TFB) I believe the T is a close friend or relative. Burton is trying to hide the truth concerning ownership which really signals that TFB is starting under the same level of evasion and obfuscation that was a hallmark of his previous company Ellies Miniatures. Dance of death signalled the end of the company and the history of why can clearly be seen by reading the posts submitted by purchasing members on Planet Figure. Those viewing this thread will draw their own conclusions.

Just read the denial of association by Ian Burton regarding this company...wonder why the denial regarding this and the posts on Planet Figure haven't come from those associated with the company and most likely to be affected by the negative publicity.


I might point out that Ian Burton fails to state the reason for not being on Planet Figure for 2 years.....he was actually banned from the site for 2 years!

MEMBER

If your still in any doubt, google Ellies Miniatures, the bloody website is still up and running even though he was bought out a couple years ago! All these kits now belong to a new owner, but the website remains open for business…Absolutely outrageous!

MEMBER

For someone that has no involvement in the company and posting up on their behalf when tbh they probably can do themselves, You claim that you already seen castings, know future releases etc, that a lot of involvement for someone that denies having any involvement and being so much in the know cant clarify what TFB means. So many loop holes here!!!

The line up of releases alone, Franco Prussian War, AWI show the Burton Involvement as they are favourite Genre's of his.

You can run but you can't hide Ian.

Ian.

I am sure you are following this thread like a hawk so why not stop now and try and retain whatever possible remnants of dignity may still be lingering inside you. This is a niche and mainly intimate hobby amongst close circles of friends and where it is almost impossible not to have your true self or your activities exposed.

Either try a commercial venture in another hobby where you are unknown, or start making directed telephone calls with a dodgy accent offering 'investment opportunities' or by telling vulnerable people that they have won a lottery (which they never entered!) but need to pay some tax first to release the funds.

In the immortal words of Kenneth Wolstenholme's 1966 World Cup Final broadcast - " They think it's all over.......it is now!"

Is money/model still owed to people for the previous venture?

I like the line "things that were out of my control" that's a new spin on not been able to fund a project correctly, pay what you owe to others and project manange.

You got a well deserved bashing after everything came out in the wash and I know things from the horses mouth now and more than just the Dance of Death.

I see no rebuttles or defense from the so called owners and none of the questions publically answered on here. As previously stated draw your own conclusions.

PM Sent

This is MR Stephen Hadley one of the 3 partners in the company trading as TFB Miniatures. I received a call from Mr Ian Burton with regards to some very serious comments with regards to TFB Miniatures.

I want to make this quite clear from the out set that we are taking the events of today very seriously. It’s not just on here where we have seen comments on Facebook and the white rose military modelling site.

We as a company do not have to explain to any one who we deal with and who we will receive advice from. We bought casting equipment from Mr Burton and asked him to help with setting it up and to also help with some of the issues we came across in this long journey to get to this point alone.

He posted the photos on Facebook as a favour to us as we were getting ready to launch the site over the weekend. I have to say that this has been some welcome and I along with Terry and Derek have found it quite offensive and in some parts dam right rude.

The TFB stands for Three Figure Brothers nothing more nothing less. I find it difficult to understand why their is so much interest in the name. Well I hope that has put some minds at ease.

Now to the more serious part of this post.we should not have to explain ourselves to any one. Who we use for advice with regards to casting is is our business. We have taken the name of the person who posted the most offensive post on white rose site and will be seeking legal advice and proceed from their. As to the others we have noted them too for future reference. Should your comments have an adverse affect on TFB Miniature we again will look into legal action.

What ever your grievances are with Mr Burton you should keep them separate from us. We have now asked him not to post anything on our behalf. Should you wish to know anything with regards the company I.e new releases then please do so either on her by PM or through our web site when up and running.

I now hope that this is the last time I we have to deal with this playground nonsense. But please be aware we will take legal action against anyone posting inflammatory statements on here or any other forums.

Now can we please get back to enjoying the hobby as I think enough has been said. I personally do not want phone calls from a friend to tell me about the nonsense that has gone on today.

Thank you.

TFB Miniatures

Stephen, by design or otherwise you are a little late to the party on this and the membership will draw their own inferences for the reason in any delay in doing so. If you are a bona-fida company then good luck but I fear that within this hobby you are tainted by association (in any way) with Ian. Where trust, honesty and probity are concerned, his track record speaks for itself amongst those who know him personally and many of us can provide both factual and empirical evidence if necessary. If you are a friend of his as you claim, then on any 'balance of probability' assessment, you will have known of Ian's antecedents within this hobby when you allowed him to effectively promote your brand as a fledgling new company.

With regards to the threats of 'legal action', I am unaware if you have any concept of the going rate for that sort of action and having a legal background myself, I can tell you now it won't be cheap and I am unsure how 'reputational damage' or as you call it "adverse effects" can be claimed for TFB when you have (to date) no actual sales figures or market share yet by which to 'prove' commercial or reputational damage has been done. How (exactly) could you 'prove' you lost 'X' sales when you don't even have a product to market yet and with no comparator sales data...?

The membership don't take kindly to threats so perhaps we should all now 'move on' and allow the potential customers to review all the available evidence / opinions submitted and then make their own purchasing decision.

Thank you for the alleged clarity on this issue and a shame it wasn't given when this matter was still in its infancy.

Gary

Maybe I shouldn’t get involved but I do have to say clarification on your relationship and honor were good ideas. Toothless threats not so much. Maybe this thread should be locked/deleted.

My suggestion as a member Kev would be to now lock it but don't delete it. That way, all the available evidence is out there for individuals and potential customers to review and then make their own minds up.

If this company get up and running and say within a reasonable period of time appear to have established themselves as a credible and reputable company, then obviously you can revisit the topic and make a more informed decision then.

Personally, I think that's a very reasonable proposal and perhaps the company will go on to prove us all wrong.


Gary

Just to reply to the latest statement, we are a new company with a lot to learn. I was late getting to the party as you put it as I and my partners have other things to deal with. It was a call from Mr Burton that prompted the response. We will let our products do the talking.s I’m sure people will enjoy them.

As to the threats as you Call them they were very much a response to one of the comments made and yes we do have take what we said very seriously. As to Mr Burton’s involvement, we bought equipment from him and he gave us advice and guidance. Yes we know him,and yes he put up the post that might have been an error of judgement on our part. But what is done is done.

As I have posted I’m open to any conversation and will answer any questions that are asked with regards our future range. Or any thoughts on future releases.

We did not want our first steps into this hobby to end up putting out fires before we started. We did not post anything as we were getting ready to launch the website. So we have now Seen just how quickly things take a turn when we take our eye off the ball. This will not happen again.

Now can we get back to enjoying this hobby

Kind regards

TFB Miniatures