Robert gionis !

This "customer" tests LPC-815 diodes with two AA batteries and alligator clips (rolls eyes), then has the gall to ask for a refund. I'll bet he still uses the big crayons, instead of the ones for non-toddlers, too ! When I explained what he did wrong, he started trying to bad-mouth my packaging, stating it was not anti-static. Long story short, avoid this "customer" if at all possible. Oddly enough, he filed a claim with pay-pal within seconds of his last reply to me, stating he would go rip off...oooops ! I mean, take his business some other place...whatever. I escalated his "dispute" to a claim, and Pay-Pal slammed it shut. SEEYA.

Here is a snippet from one of his emails :

I just wish to exchange these defective ones for working ones if
you don't to then I will just consider myself burned and continue buying
sleds from Laser Surplus and Modwerks

So - be careful, Modwerx !
SELLER BEWARE OF THIS "customer"

He gave his forum ID as : Ronnie James Diode in the first email to me.

If any sellers require assistance with legal action after being ripped off from this "customer", let me know - I have all the emails that were sent back and forth. That is assuming you would be non-intelligent enough to do business with him....

this "Ronnie James Diode" is planning on selling lasers to the forum???

email something like smokesalotapot@yahoo or something like that??

Ronnie James Diode said:

I am building complete units for resale!!! Prices wil vary depending on diode\driver\battery combo! I will offer two styles with several options ie; Two styles of Mini Maglights, battery choices (two 3.6v, two 6v, one 6v, one 3.6v or two 3.6v rechargable with charger) and two different styles of tail switches. I incorporated the lens housing to act as a adjustment dial for the laser's focus! I custom make my own copper heatsinks as well as rewire and redesign the circuitry of the Maglight itself! I have taken some photos and will upload them to Photobucket I will also upload some videos of the design and working models to Youtube soon! I have been busy looking for suppliers and with doing some testing and manufacturing, I do have working models but it will take me a few weeks to have enough ready to advertise them for sale. My email is available here if anybody is interested! I can also do custom applications.

This is the newer style led Maglight with a Brand New closed can diode rated at 300mW (That's pulsed) Rkcstr V3 Microdrive set to 330maH using two 3.6v non rechargables and Kroll clickie style tail switch, laser lens is fully adjustable by twisting the Maglight lens ring, lens caps included! $125.00 Plus Shipping (around $12.99)
http://i710.photobucket.com/albums/ww107/smokalottapottamus/100_1660.jpg
http://i710.photobucket.com/albums/ww107/smokalottapottamus/100_1663.jpg
All models except this one will be LOC diodes or Bluray for maxiumum burn! Contact me to place a order in advance, and thanks for reading!

Click to expand...

photonaholic said:

Not bad..........

I have a few questions.

1. would you be willing to submit an example of your work to a veteran forum member for unbiased examination, testing and review??

2. what brand & model of laser power meter do you use for the calibration process?

3. what is your warranty period after purchase?

4. do you accept paypal so if the buyer feels that his or her purchase is not what they bargained for they can file a legitimate dispute to recover funds??

5. what county is your business license filed in for review??

Thank you for your time.

Click to expand...

Ronnie James Diode said:

Thank you! And here are a few answers to your questions.

1. Outsider testing and review performed by a reputable knowledgable person could help boost sales. These are costly to produce so I would have to send a demo to somebody who has a reputable and trustworthy name in this market. Basically with the proper credentials yes it is possible!

2. I adjust drivers to output the recommended maH according to the specific diode manufacturer's ratings for OPTIMAL OUTPUT. They still work very well and its much better on your diode and driver. They have a estimated mW for various currents, I will set drivers for LOC diodes at 420maH and use glass lenses.
Red Open Can specs: 660Nm
Average outputs:
* 360mA = 220mW
* 390mA = 235mW
* 420mA = 250mW
* 435mA = 265mW
* 460mA = 275mW- 280mW
I know various things can affect the total overall output and a meter would be a factual gaurantee of mW. I will purchase a meter if this goes full scale.

3. If your not satisfied and it still works 30 days no questions asked! Beyond that I am still working on a warranty that will protect the buyer as well as myself! If it is mistreated it will break as with any sensitive instrument and I want to research into how I can diagnose failures. I will refund 100% for any defect in design or manufacturing failures on my part. What if you break it? I will offer repairs for any user damaged units. (parts and reduced labor) I will provide a written gaurantee as a PDF and a paper copy that will accompany each unit. I will provide full details when I make these available!

4. I only accept PayPal for the convienance and for the security is provides buyers. I have a E-Bay account with 100% positive feedback as a seller and buyer. eBay My World - rgio6006

5. I make these in my spare room I have no licensed bussiness. I live in Ohio USA, my state does not require small bussinesses to be licensed or insured.

I have taken some photos of the construction of design 1, design 2 still needs documented and all photos uploaded to Photobucket. This is time consuming but it will be done before I start sales. I will show all the internal workings and design of each style. I am proud of my reenginering of Maglights design and want to show it off! I have many years of uncertified expierence in this field. My job requires alot of technical and engineering data and many one of a kind designs! These designs must be documented and blueprinted then submitted and approved by the state before use.

The diode and driver is the actual weak link, my design changes are rock solid and tested. I killed many good diodes in destructive testing.

If you want you can send me all the needed parts and I will assemble one for you to test out! At the moment I have a few local orders to fill as well as my annual training for work coworkers = Potenial buyers!
If demand grows I will need to outsource somewhat, these are time consuming to build and I could not supply a high demand at this time. I only posted this because I had seen somebody had inqiured about a seller of completed units or a assembler that could put this together for them!
If you have the ability I will show my design at a later time and feel free to copy it for personal use. I can show you a very solid way to modify a MiniMaglight to accomadate any battery choice as long as its diameter is no bigger than a AA, how to make a decent heatsink for $3.50 and how I use the Maglight lens ring as a adjuster for the laser lens.

Thanks for your interest and rsponse! :thanks:

Click to expand...

Yeah - THAT seems to be the guy ! I gotta tell you, he talks a good talk, but ANYONE who tests "raw" (his word, not mine !) diodes by using two AA batteries, with leads that attach to the diode with aligator clips....well, golly - something doesn't sound too good about that to me ! When I stated that two AA batteries would put 5.2 AMPS of current through the diode (that would be 2X 2600mah...I use almost exclusively NiMH batts, and Energizer at that, since I happen to like them) he got upset, saying that the highest he's ever seen was 2200mah or something like that...kinda forgetting to multiply by TWO - anywho - I recommend against doing business with him, in ANY incarnation of his "business", and I hope I manage to save folks some good, hard earned money if they heed my warning.

Thanks, Photonaholic for collecting those quotes ! The email he used for me (at least his paypal one) was not the smoking pot one - his last name with some numbers and stuff added to it, but still Yahoo. (Where I come from, a "Yahoo" is some sort of idiot ! Hmmmm...Oh My Goodness...I come from (as in, BORN there) OHIO AS WELL ! Hahahaha love the coincidences )

4. I only accept PayPal for the convienance and for the security is provides buyers. I have a E-Bay account with 100% positive feedback as a seller and buyer. eBay My World - rgio6006

He sold 7 things a year ago with 25 total feedback :tinfoil:

Peace,
dave

daguin said:

4. I only accept PayPal for the convienance and for the security is provides buyers. I have a E-Bay account with 100% positive feedback as a seller and buyer. eBay My World - rgio6006

He sold 7 things a year ago with 25 total feedback :tinfoil:

Peace,
dave

Click to expand...

Oh, Dave....THAT is PRECIOUS ! HAHAHAHAHAHA !! He kinda forgot that ONLY EBAY has a "Significantly not as described" clause... I wonder if this "customer" is even in his teens yet ?

First off you don't even test your own diodes to know if your selling any bad ones! And I have had no problems with diodes from the six different people I have bought off of! I only tested your diodes after the first one I installed did not work! As for testing with AA batteries I used a battery holder with micro clamps soldered on the ends this circuit has a diode and capacitor for some protection! He is claiming I spiked them with 4.5 amps from two generic double A batteries! That would be 4500 miliamps am I not correct? And I have no need to test diodes from other sellers as I stated in response to your
e-mail! Everybody else's stuff works! I approached you about this directly after the first diode didn't work! You would not have refunded anything under any circumstance I believe! I told you three of six diodes do not work I only wanted a refund on the untouched diodes that were defective! Your response right from the very beginning was that I was at fault and a idiot! Not once have you ever thought about Qauility Control after your threats to scare off everbody as to not sell to me I suggested you do a random spot check on your LDs, Have you even checked one since this just to see? You obviosly acquire these from auction or directly from manufacturers, how do you know you didn't get ripped off or maybe you do and your passing the buck with your "deal" on LOCLDs' As far as ModWerks his products are very reasonably priced he carries products others don't and I would highly reccommend anybody to do bussiness with him! Same with Laser Surplus they are are great company they both offer quality products at much lower prices than you do! I now know why you were selling those LOCs' so cheap!

Anybody reading this would you want to do bussiness with a seller who posts your name on the internet? God knows what else he will do with my information! This just goes to show what type of person he is and what kind of shop he runs! I will post pictures of the LDs' so you can two of the three that don't work have scrapes on them I could also make some videos testing evrybody elses working diodes just to prove to everbody that didn't damaged these they never worked before he sent them!

Here is my original e-mail by the way!
Hello I recently placed an order for 6 LOC diodes "LPC-815 20X DVD burner
diode out of sled" I recieved them today and after carefully extracting it
from the factory heatsink placed it in a screw in style module powered it up
with a rkstr V3 driver set to 420 maH and nothing but a very weak LED! This
was cause for concern so I tested the remaining five diodes purchased from
you and half are dead! They are still in the factory heatsink I did not
attempt to remove them or desolder them I used a anti static wrist strap
during handling in a static free environment! I wish to return them for
working diodes I will ship them back to you including the one I removed
along with the factory heatsink so you can inspect how I removed it. Three
of the six worked fine upon testing, I used two AA batteries with test leads
attached for testing of raw diodes.
Hopefully we can work this matter out I wish to continue to order LOC diodes
from you and will be increasing my volume soon! Regrettably if you decide
not to refund or replace these I will not be able to place any future
orders, I hope you understand and have no hard feelings. If you wish to not
replace the one I had removed and desoldered I fully understand and will
harbor no grudge. Your resolution of this matter would be greatly
appreciated

Thanks for your time and your promptness with shipping!
Robert Gionis
Ronnie James Diode@LPF

Yeah that sounds like a terrible customer!

Here is one of his
Robert -
In that 1/2 a second, you are throwing 5.2 AMPS of power through the diode. AA Batteries are HORRIBLE to test with ! You've been exceedingly lucky that you have not smoked every diode you have touched if that is how you test them. I cannot exchange diodes out, especially after they have been tested like that. The ONLY way to test diodes safely is to solder leads onto the pins, and use a current regulated power supply at a low setting, with the diode in a heatsink. Alligator clips are a HUGE no-no with diodes. I saw that you used an LPF alias in your previous email - have you read the "rules of the road" for testing, and experimenting with diodes ?

5.2 amps from a generic AA??? And what about the one in a heatsink with a driver I must have installed it wrong? Why have I only damaged diodes from you and half of them at that? If I was that careless wouldn't I have had this problem with all the others? Then you try this stuff and act like a little kid talking about big crayons! I'm forty years old and act it! What is your excuse?
All I asked for was a refund on your garbage! That is a yes or no question! There was no need for six e-mails some offensive and threating!

" Sorry for your dissapointment, but to rewind things 100%, my returns
policy for my website clearly states no returns on opened merchandise.
I cannot control how you mistreat items. My packaging is above
reproach, Robert. It most defintely IS antstatic. Go ahead and file
your fraudulent claim with Pay-pal, I will also notify other sellers
to be carefull dealing with someone who tests diodes like Kipkay.
Enjoy life"

Has anybody here ever had these problems with Greg Stoner?

SenKat_Stonetek said:

Yeah - THAT seems to be the guy ! I gotta tell you, he talks a good talk, but ANYONE who tests "raw" (his word, not mine !) diodes by using two AA batteries, with leads that attach to the diode with aligator clips....well, golly - something doesn't sound too good about that to me ! When I stated that two AA batteries would put 5.2 AMPS of current through the diode (that would be 2X 2600mah...I use almost exclusively NiMH batts, and Energizer at that, since I happen to like them) he got upset, saying that the highest he's ever seen was 2200mah or something like that...kinda forgetting to multiply by TWO - anywho - I recommend against doing business with him, in ANY incarnation of his "business", and I hope I manage to save folks some good, hard earned money if they heed my warning.

Thanks, Photonaholic for collecting those quotes ! The email he used for me (at least his paypal one) was not the smoking pot one - his last name with some numbers and stuff added to it, but still Yahoo. (Where I come from, a "Yahoo" is some sort of idiot ! Hmmmm...Oh My Goodness...I come from (as in, BORN there) OHIO AS WELL ! Hahahaha love the coincidences )

Click to expand...

Your the idiot I told you they were generic double a batteries from Rite Aid! And I never said the most I had seen was 2200maH I said that I purchased two for thirty dollars her is the e-mail!

The first diode to fail was connected to a rkcstr V3 driver that in turn was
soldered to my power supply (two 3.6v 900maH) The driver was set to the
optimum setting reccomended which is 420maH. I have yet to destroy a diode
in placing it in a module! I use a screw in type heatsinked module for
testing and comparing of diodes! The AA battery thing is a quik test and I
have never ever had any bad diodes untill now! The first diode was fired
according to your instructions and I can make a video for you of me removing
a diode and it still working as well as my whole setup! I guess I failed
there too somehow?
5.2 amps equates to 5200 miliamps I have never seen a AA battery that has
that kind of current! I just paid thirty dollars for two 2200maH batteries
and this whole time my Rite Aid batteries had twice the amperage? How do you
know they were good when you shipped them? What kind of testing do you do
prior to packaging? As you had pointed out I need to do some reading at LPF,
I think it possible you may need to review your own handling procedures
there as well. Most of my diodes and electronics come in antistatic baggies
and packaged accordinly! You have them in double plastic that does not
resemble anti static packaging! Fact is the first diode was defective and
was hooked up to a protected circuit properly now you want to push the blame
on me when your not even sure you sent working diodes! I guess I will not be
placing any more orders and will file a dispute with e-bay for the defective
products I purchased.
I hate to have to do that but I guess I am left with no choice in the
matter!

It is nice to see how you twist my words around to make it seem like I am some dum*ss!!!

daguin said:

4. I only accept PayPal for the convienance and for the security is provides buyers. I have a E-Bay account with 100% positive feedback as a seller and buyer. eBay My World - rgio6006

He sold 7 things a year ago with 25 total feedback :tinfoil:

Peace,
dave

Click to expand...

Did you even read the feedback? It is 100% and that statement was part of an answer!

I have no problems on E-Bay and will not buy off anybody who does not use PayPal I will also not take any other form of payment when I do sell things online E-Bay isn't the only way to sell stuff online you know!

photonaholic said:

this "Ronnie James Diode" is planning on selling lasers to the forum???

email something like smokesalotapot@yahoo or something like that??

Click to expand...

I never planned on selling lasers on your forum I offered to sell one guy who was asking if anybody had one for sale!
Then you asked me about them so I responded to you! I really don't need your approval or greg's! As far as E-Bay I sell books and antiuqes on there and the 20 bucks just isn't worth the trouble at times! I will sell these locally like I told you!!! Actually I can't make them fast enough! Now you want to act like some fool when you actually complimented me on my laser and satisfied with my answers to your questions!

photonaholic said:

Not bad..........

I have a few questions.

1. would you be willing to submit an example of your work to a veteran forum member for unbiased examination, testing and review??

2. what brand & model of laser power meter do you use for the calibration process?

3. what is your warranty period after purchase?

4. do you accept paypal so if the buyer feels that his or her purchase is not what they bargained for they can file a legitimate dispute to recover funds??

5. what county is your business license filed in for review??

Thank you for your time.

Click to expand...

photonaholic said:

That was a very well thought out answer, and I like what I just read.

I was testing the waters here, we have had way too many scammers and rip off artists plague this forum, One even burned me recently, he hired me to do a couple builds for him, and after I drove around, bought parts and began work, he got banned from the forum, and subsequently filed a paypal dispute before the work was even finished!

I would also be kinda worried about abuse of product after purchase, every day someone posts about dropping lasers, burning the lens with a match, crap like that.

My business licenses are on file at the county building, since my local customers usually make the checks out to "Omnitech" or "Rocky Roost" so I have to comply with local codes, and banks won't let you have an account in the name of the business without one.

Good luck with your endeavors, just make sure your lasers comply with CDRH code, or uncle Sam may get upset.

Click to expand...

And the E-Mail Address is SMOKALOTTAPOTTAMUS@yahoo.com! I have several E-mails for different forums! I should have used weapons_of_ass_destruction@yahoo maybe? Or dyke_tyson? Truth is I will continue to do what I do and the world will still spin NO MATTER what your or greg think!

Well your answers were well thought out, and I DID like what I read at that moment, now the pressure is on, and truer colors are starting to emerge.

I especially like this part.......

Ronnie James Diode said:

I never planned on selling lasers on your forum

Click to expand...

Ronnie James Diode said:

I am building complete units for resale!!! Prices wil vary depending on diode\driver\battery combo! caps included! $125.00 Plus Shipping (around $12.99) All models except this one will be LOC diodes or Bluray for maxiumum burn! Contact me to place a order in advance, and thanks for reading!

Click to expand...

Testing a diode with 2AA's and only a diode and capacitor is a sure way of killing your diode!

Even if they don't supply 4500mA, anything over 500mA is gonna kill your diode, and 2 AA's are very capable of that!

I have bought from Greg before, waaaayyyy back, and never had any problems. You need to graduate from diodes and capacitors to a real laser diode driver before you start accusing people of sending dud diodes.

You mention it's only for a quick test? How quick is this test exactly? I would hope less than 1ns, that's all you need to kill a diode!

Did you discharge the capacitor on your AA "tester" before you connected the diode?

Having a diode die during shipping is extremely rare, if not impossible.

I think the clincher for the Defective LD returns is here....

Originally Posted by Ronnie James Diode

The diode and driver is the actual weak link, my design changes are rock solid and tested. I killed many good diodes in destructive testing.

Click to expand...

And....

I used a battery holder with micro clamps soldered on the ends this circuit has a diode and capacitor for some protection!

Click to expand...

And no current limiting resistor at least... but still allowing "4500 miliamps" (as quoted) into a Laser Diode that can only handle under 500mA...
not to mention... allowing the capacitor to charge up to the max before the LD is
connected to the "AA batteries I used a battery holder with micro clamps ".
I cant see him removing the batteries and discharging the cap for every one of all the
LDs he tested.


Jerry

From your sig . . .

Ronnie James Diode sings Holy Driver! :crackup:

Ronnie James Diode said:

Did you even read the feedback? It is 100% and that statement was part of an answer!

I have no problems on E-Bay and will not buy off anybody who does not use PayPal I will also not take any other form of payment when I do sell things online E-Bay isn't the only way to sell stuff online you know!

Click to expand...

You made the statement to support how "honest" you were. I have <900 eBay feedback. However, my last sale was in 2003 AND none of those sales were laser related. Do you think that I should include my eBay feedback rating in my sig to help make people trust my laser work? The correct answer to that question is, "No."

Peace,
dave

P.S. Learn to use the multiquote and the edit button for your responses. You've had so many "hits" on this "Gionis Sucks" thread that it has already made Google

Are you kidding you spent $30.00 for two 'AA" cells I've never heard of a "AA" cell costing this much :tinfoil: you know if you save up your money for say 13.3 purcheses of your expensive battries you could buy a nice current & voltage regulated power supply like this one

Ronnie James Diode said:

they were generic double a batteries from Rite Aid! And I never said the most I had seen was 2200maH I said that I purchased two for thirty dollars her is the e-mail

Click to expand...

Flaminpyro said:

Are you kidding you spent $30.00 for two 'AA" cells I've never heard of a "AA" cell costing this much :tinfoil: you know if you save up your money for say 13.3 purcheses of your expensive battries you could buy a nice current & voltage regulated power supply like this one

Click to expand...

He appears to suffer from both punctuation and spelling deficiencies. I THINK he was saying that he spent $30 on two sleds/diodes

Although I grant it is difficult enough to read what he writes to understand the confusion.

:thinking:Hmmmmmm:thinking:

Peace,
dave

daguin said:

Learn to use the multiquote and the edit button for your responses. You've had so many "hits" on this "Gonis Sucks" thread that it has already made Google...

Click to expand...

Once a professor, always a professor...

Flaminpyro said:

...a nice current & voltage regulated power supply like this one...

Click to expand...

<off-topic>
"Maim", "Toruture", man, I love your custom label - awesome
</off-topic>