TheSamba.com :: View topic

Fri May 09, 2025 12:28 am

Martin Southwell wrote: On the strength of the above recommendation, I went on to their website, and bought a Kubel, or so I thought. I wrote to them and said that I realise that there would be extra cost to send to the UK, although it accepted a UK adddess, and could they let me know what the cost difference was. So far I've not received anything, or heard anything back from them, or any of the usual e-mail invoices etc, and how and when it is to be dispatched. I'll now have to chase up Visa to get my money returned it seems, if that hasn't already been done. What a let down!

I've just tried to send them a message to ask what is going on, using their web-site Contact messaging section, and always get the reply:
There was an error trying to send your message. Please try again later.
Are they still in business?

Hi Martin. I'm devastated that this has happened. When I posted this, I was still in regular email contact with the vendor and there was no indication that anything was wrong. It really seemed this was the fault of the contractor courier here in Australia and they were on it trying to resolve the issue. Now, for the last couple of weeks it's been total silence and as you indicate, even the online contact form comes up with an error. I'm wondering now that even the tracking info that I was checking all along, may have been bogus. It certainly seems that way. The only thing that seems to indicate otherwise is why would they keep corresponding quite diligently for several weeks if it was an all-out scam?

In the light of the above, I must say that buyer beware!

Fri May 09, 2025 1:18 am

Worse things have happened in life, and we're not talking huge sums of money, but why do people resort to this sort of practice? Greed, or maybe the business going down the tubes. The information re this product was posted in good faith by Undis, so nobody blames him, as they themselves seem to have been caught up in the situation. Visa are now investigating, so let's see!

Fri May 09, 2025 10:42 am

Martin Southwell wrote: ... why do people resort to this sort of practice? Greed, or maybe ...
Apparently thievery is now a profession:

https://www.cnbc.com/2025/05/09/cargo-thieves-attack-supply-chain.html

Sat Jun 28, 2025 6:38 am

I'm pleased to say that I received a letter yesterday, stating that the money spent on 'buying' the phantom Kubel model is being returned to me by the bank, with them having submitted the evidence to Visa. A good result.

What is annoying, is the fact the web-site is still up and running, and advertising items in their 'SALE'. It's a shame that people like this can't be brought to justice.

Sun Jun 29, 2025 1:31 pm

i would like to chime in that i also bought a model from the above link and it never arrived. when i contacted their customer service, the replies were obvious scam tactics. i opened a dispute on paypal and they refunded me instantly.

i have since purchased one from amazon and it arrived quickly and was only $89.

Wed Nov 12, 2025 1:02 am

I'm coming back to this thread to report that I had no luck getting my order or a refund from the scam link I posted on the previous page. Lesson learned and apologies to those who also got scammed because of my recommendation.

I was able to buy the People’s Car version and, recently the Type 82e military Kommandeurwagen from large, reputable online vendors. If you search, you can get them for a very good price now.

Now for an update on my mods.

VW38/35 test car as used by Herbert Kaes. This particular car featured a 1938 VW38 body and a later Kübelwagen Type 82 chassis. It was a forerunner to the famous Type 82e military Kommandeurwagen.

I started off with the RocHobby “People’s Car” version because I needed all the chrome parts that come with it. A lot of modification was needed, so I’ll try to remember the main ones.

Closing the big sunroof hole in the roof
I made new air intakes for the area under the rear window
Engine lid got a new license plate light with stop light that contains a LED bulb
Square corners on rear and front lids.
Reworked rear and front aprons
Modified taillights that incorporate an aluminium tube for the brezel
Different LED globes for headlights and proper reflectors
Modified dashboard that include glove box doors and scratch built, back-lit speedo pod and period correct look radio
Carpet on the floor and front firewall
Fabric covered seats and door panels
Scratch built inner rear quarter panels
Fabric headliner
Correct license plates front and back
Versuchswagen plates front and back
Cut down door window glass
Offroad tires from the Type82e and black painted hubcaps
Paint is satin black with a slight polish to mimic well-worn paint finish but no rust or damage.
Slight detailing of the engine and removal of the circuit board from the engine bay.
General detailing all round
Grossglockner windscreen sticker!

The model retains its 4WD system, although the original car VW38/35 was a 2WD. All other RC functionality is retained. There are additional LED lights now in the dashboard and license plate light.

A thank you goes out to Victor Ma who personally provided with the correct tires and extra light bulbs, as well as advice.

Here is my FB build album for those who want more info.
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10238173739469509&type=3

Wed Nov 12, 2025 1:55 am

nice work undis. looks so much better with the proper grille at the back and a good match on the seat fabric.