At the risk of getting some feathers ruffled, XTC kites used to sell dual line sport kites. At that stage I worked for a kite shop in Melbourne which did stock these for a very short time. I can remember the owner of that shop having lots of problems with the supplier at the time. The kites were also pretty poor quality and were a pig to fly. I don't know that this is the same company as back then (I'm talking 10 years ago) but going off that website, and my experience with a brand called XTC, I'd be VERY careful.
It's always better to go with someone reputable, especially over the net!

Please beleive me DON'T DO IT.

trees moving

Thanks for all this feedback. What I find a little strange is that nobody seems to have seen, riden or really know the XTC kites. For an Australian brand that's strange!

Hi all, XTC are not aussie kites or boards at all. They are manufactured in good old CHINA and sold by a lying thieving scumbag by the name of CHARLES WERB (rhymes with worm! how appropriate!) of xtc kiteboarding. Do not under any circumstance deal with this person. I did and am still chasing goods or refund. He has suppliers and creditors chasing him from all round oz. He has a payment default to telstra from jan 2004 totalling $4733.00. There are many more!! YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!! He is an accomplished, compulsive liar! BEWARE!!!

Hmmm XTC
Rise nightclub $50 each not bad if my memory seves me right!!

XTCkiteboarding Canada is no longer.

Craig,

how come eBay kicked him out?... twice, no less...

rgds,
AzzA

Please do not ever make the mistake of doing business with Charles Werb and XTCKiteboarding or Linkstone Pty Ltd. A.C.N. 081 503 200. I did and am now out of pocket by $3,966.45!

I made contact with Charles Werb back on the 12/06/2004, and ordered several boards and kites from him. He informed me that it would take about 2 weeks to make the boards and 3 weeks to make the kites and have them delivered.

On Friday the 13th of August (13/08/2004), two boards turned up (4 weeks late). One was badly damaged and the other was the wrong size! I sent an email informing Charles of this and he agreed to send me two new boards, to replace both of them. (please note that the boards are of very poor construction anyway!)

I was then informed on the 27/08/2004, that the kites were sent on the 18/08/2004 directly from China. Then on the 08/09/2004 Charles informed me that TNT had tried to deliver the kites three times but no-one answered the door, so they sent them back to China! He was unable to supply tracking numbers for this shipment, to prove any of this. I now know all of this was a total lie. (Charles is a compulsive liar, and a very good one.)

On the 14/09/2004, Charles informed me that he had taken the Kites from the China factory back to Australia, as he had been out there teaching them how to make boards. He then said that he sent the kites with tracking number 997010CV037848761AU, with Australian Post. However when I chased Australian Post with this tracking number they knew nothing about it. I put this to him, and he said he would sort it out, his excuse was that it was a new service Australian Post were offering and they must have got confused! He came back and told me that the new Aus Post service was a 21 day delivery service, and was not traceable as he had thought. He had chosen this service to save money. On the 11/10/2004 I started chasing him again. He ignored me for some time - about 4 weeks. On the 04/11/2004 Charles sent me a note saying that the kites had been returned to Australia this time, and he sent photos of the kites to try and prove that they had been returned. But what he was actually doing was proving that they had never been sent from the China factory. I could tell by the background in the photos, that they were still in the China factory. The whole thing had been a lie.

Charles informed that he would send the kites for a third time (obviously he had never sent them once, in the real world). I asked for the transit numbers to prove this, and he ignored me until 25/11/2004, when he said he sent the kites and boards for a third time, I asked for the transit numbers and he ignored me, once again! On the 23/12/2004, I sent an email threatening police action and that I would warn off other people from doing business with him on kitesurfing forums. Charles just ignored these threats. On the 01/02/2005 I spoke to Charles and he had a new excuse that customs were holding the kites and boards due to the fact that the place of origin was different on the packaging to it's contents. e.g. Kites made in China, but Australia stated on packaging. I contacted the customs office, and they were holding no such products.

Take my advice and the advice from others in this forum, do not do business with Charles Werb and xtckiteboarding.

Please be aware that Charles Werb is a very good con man. He won't just "take your money and run", in fact it is Charles who calls you more often than not, to ask if the kites & boards have arrived. This is just to give you a false sense of security. DO NOT BELIEVE A WORD THAT HE SAYS!

I'm currently pursuing Charles through a debt collection company based in the UK, who also do international debt collection. If anyone else would like to join the campaign to try and get money back please post your comments to this forum.

SOS Had some problems with Charles Werb/Linkstone trying to get Surfboards off him. We are now out of pocket about 3g's so yeah, watch out for him.

This is an open letter to all those who are doing or considering doing business with Charles Werb of XTC kiteboards. Mr Werb was declared bankrupt in December 2004; for the second time in five years. He has debts in excess of $500000. His common business practices are
1. Pay suppliers with cheques from empty or overdrawn bank accounts.
2. Pay suppliers with net banking and leave one digit off the recipient's bank account so that the funds never reach their account.
3. Fax photocopies of registered envelopes which are never sent as proof that a cheque is in the mail.
4. Deliberately incorrectly address product so that it is returned to him.
5. Take payment for goods which never arrive.

I have been careful not to say anything which cannot be proven and there are certainly enough of us who will go to court and testify such under oath. But ask yourself this, how did Charles Werb manage to buy a house in Queensland for $465000 just two months before he was forced into liquidation? Who is made bankupt twice in 5 years? If Mr Werb attempts to manage or direct a company after December 2004 he is breaking the law and any one who buys, sells or supplies him has absolutely no come back if they seek to pursue Werb for debt collection.

quote:

---

This type of slander and defamation of character, not only shows the individuals level of sofistication, but it is against the law and just plain imature.

---

IANAL but to the best of my knowledge its not against the law to complain publicly about not receiving goods or services that you have paid for and didn't receive. this happens all the time on current affairs shows, usually involving a reporter tracking down the alleged crook to ask him or her a few questions.... so theres a good tip for you guys who lost money - why not get in touch with A Current Affair or Today Tonight and get this Bozo exposed on national TV...

http://aca.ninemsn.com.au/default.asp

seven.com.au/todaytonight

I can't provide any insight into the quality or performance of XTC kites since the kite/board package that I "won" in an eBay
auction on November 26, 2004 has yet to arrive even though Mr. Charles Werb persistently claims that he posted it on December 21,
via Australia Post.

If it were not for Graham (http://www.brandxkites.co.uk/) I'd probably still be trusting that Charles sent the XTC kite/board
package, albeit with increasing doubt. However as it happens on January 19 when my patience with Charles' lame excuses for not
providing a tracking number for the registered insured post that I ordered (for which I paid US$65, and that Charles acknowledged
via email) finally expired, I discovered via a Google search on keyword "XTC" that I was not alone in my frustration with Charles.

Now I can't say whether Charles is a liar, or whether he just has extremely bad luck with the reliability of mega corporations such
as Australia Post, UPS, TNT, DHL and whatever other postal/courier services he claims to have used to ship his merchandise. I wonder
if the legal counsels of these corporations would consider Charles' propensity to blame them for his delivery problems slanderous of
their reputations?

Either way in my case his attempt to blame Australia Post is moot since I ordered registered insured postage. It's no concern of
mine if Australia Post loses it since I can claim the insurance money (provided I have a tracking number). But since Charles never
provided the tracking number after numerous requests over a period of two months I can't help but conclude that he never posted the item.

What I can do is relate my recent experience. You be the judge for yourself. The following is a sample of my correspondence with
Charles. Do Charles' responses look familiar anyone? I apologize for the length, but since "Craig" has questioned the veracity of
Graham's experience with Charles, I hope that this may add some authenticity to the recounting of my experience.


* After failing to respond to our queries for the postal tracking number since January 6, 2005, Charles finally sent us (my wife Carrie) this email only after we registered a complaint with PayMate. We have not heard from him since.

-----Original Message-----
From: xtckiteboarding [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Thursday, January 27, 2005 2:42 AM
To: Carrie
Cc: Client Services
Subject: 8mt Kite and board

Good morningn Carrie.
This product was shipped on the 21 December 2004 with Australia Post.
We have now only found out that the product that has gone out using this system is taking UPTO 8 weeks to be delivered due to the size.
We are getting emails back daily from clients whoi are now receiving gear shipped END Novemeber!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I will contact Australia Post Friday to find out any news as they have been really helpful in sorting this out for us as they have
acknowledged their responsibility inn not confirming with the receiving country first.
Yous faithfully.
Charles Werb
+61418984019


* This is the email chain faithfully rendered (except for some masked telephone numbers) from the date of the initial transaction (Nov 26) until January 19 when I discovered via a Google search on keyword "XTC" that I was not alone in my dissatisfaction with Charles:

-----Original Message-----
From: Carrie
Sent: Wednesday, January 19, 2005 8:47 AM
To: [email protected]; [email protected]
Subject: RE: FW: FW: Item #7116383574 Purchase
Importance: High

Charles,

It's been 2 weeks since your last e-mail. Please e-mail the tracking #, the shipping company name, and expected arrival time ASAP.

Thanks,
Carrie

-----Original Message-----
From: Carrie
Sent: Monday, January 17, 2005 2:55 PM
To: '[email protected]'
Subject: FW: FW: FW: Item #7116383574 Purchase

Charles,

I still haven't received this fax or e-mail with shipping info. Please respond ASAP...anxiously waiting to hear when we might receive this purchased item.

Thanks,
Carrie

-----Original Message-----
From: Carrie
Sent: Thursday, January 06, 2005 9:31 AM
To: 'Lynn Robertson'
Subject: RE: FW: FW: Item #7116383574 Purchase

Hi Charles,

You can fax it to xxx-x63-6723. Thanks very much for getting back to me.

Carrie

-----Original Message-----
From: Lynn Robertson [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Thursday, January 06, 2005 1:42 AM
To: Carrie
Subject: RE: FW: FW: Item #7116383574 Purchase

Hi Carrie.
I keep trying to send the attachment of the freight docket but it is
bouncing back.Do you have a fax no?
Thanks
Charles

From: "Carrie "
To: "Lynn Robertson" <[email protected]>
Subject: RE: FW: FW: Item #7116383574 Purchase
Date: Tue, 4 Jan 2005 13:20:12 -0500

Hi Charles,

I'm still waiting for the shipping information. Please respond ASAP.

Thanks, Carrie

-----Original Message-----
From: Lynn Robertson [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Monday, December 20, 2004 4:42 PM
To: Carrie
Subject: RE: FW: FW: Item #7116383574 Purchase

Hi Carrie.
Apologies for the late reply but frantic here leading upto Christmas.Will email shipping details today.Thanks Charles

From: "Carrie "
To: <[email protected]>
Subject: FW: FW: Item #7116383574 Purchase
Date: Mon, 20 Dec 2004 09:19:16 -0500

I'm sorry to be a pest, but please let me know ASAP the shipping status of the item I have purchased. I am getting very concerned
about the lack of communication around this item.

Thank you,
Carrie

-----Original Message-----
From: Carrie
Sent: Wednesday, December 15, 2004 3:53 PM
To: 'Lynn Robertson'
Subject: RE: FW: Item #7116383574 Purchase

Hi Charles,

Could you please let me know when you shipped out this item and the tracking number for it. You indicated below that you would be
shipping it last week, however I haven't heard from you.

Thanks,
Carrie

-----Original Message-----
From: Lynn Robertson [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Thursday, December 02, 2004 3:42 PM
To: Carrie
Subject: RE: FW: Item #7116383574 Purchase

Hi Carrie
Payment received as per paymate,gear will be shipped out next week.W
will advise shipping details as soon as it leaves. Thanks Charles

From: "Carrie "
To: <[email protected]>
Subject: FW: Item #7116383574 Purchase
Date: Thu, 2 Dec 2004 11:54:58-0500

Good Morning,

I'm getting a little concerned in the fact that I have not heard
from you since I purchased this item and paid for it. Please respond to the below e-mail as soon as possible.

Thank you,
Carrie

-----Original Message-----
From: Carrie
Sent:Tuesday, November 30, 2004 8:18 AM
To:'[email protected]'
Subject: FW: Item #7116383574 Purchase

Good Morning Charles,

I actually managed to pay this through Paymate. They sent me an
e-mail last night to say that the money has cleared and will be deposited into your acount. The total is $582.30 and covers the $500 cost of item and the $65 US shipping that you quoted, converted to Australian Dollars.

Please let me know when you will be sending the Kite Surfer out
and a tracking # so that I can follow up on its whereabouts.

Thanks,
Carrie

-----Original Message-----
From: Lynn Robertson [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Thursday, November 25, 2004 5:58 PM
To: Andrew
Subject: RE: Question about postage for item #7116383574 - KITESURFING,KITEBOARDING 8MTKITE+FREE BOARD NO RESERV

Hi Mate.
It is insurec parcel post.
Thanks

From: Andrew
To: Lynn Robertson <[email protected]>
Subject: RE: Question about postage for item #7116383574 -
KITESURFING,KITEBOARDING 8MTKITE+FREE BOARD NO RESERV
Date: Thu, 25 Nov 2004 16:58:48 -0500

Charles,

Does the US$65 shipping charge include insurance/registration? If not
how much extra is that?

Thanks,
Andrew

-----Original Message-----
From: Lynn Robertson [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Thursday, November 25, 2004 4:24 PM
To: Andrew
Subject: RE: Question about postage for item #7116383574 -
KITESURFING,KITEBOARDING 8MTKITE+FREE BOARD NO RESERV

Hi Andrew
Yes we can ship by sea/surface mail which will cost US$65.00 Thanks
Charles

From: Andrew
To: [email protected]
Subject: RE: Question about postage for item #7116383574 -
KITESURFING,KITEBOARDING 8MTKITE+FREE BOARD NO RESERV
Date: Thu, 25 Nov 2004 16:02:33 -0500

Hi Lynn or Charles,

Is that the airmail shipping rate?
Is there a lower cost shipping rate, where delivery time is not a factor (within reason, i.e. max. 3 months)?

Thanks,
Andrew

-----Original Message-----
From: Lynn Robertson [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Wednesday, November 24, 2004 4:35 PM
To: Carrie
Subject: RE: Question about postage for item #7116383574 -
KITESURFING,KITEBOARDING 8MTKITE+FREE BOARD NO RESERV

Hi
Yes we do,shipping is US$120.
Thanks
Charles

From: Carrie
Reply-To: Carrie
To: [email protected]
Subject: Question about postage for item #7116383574 -
KITESURFING,KITEBOARDING 8MT KITE+FREE BOARD NO RESERV
Date: Wed, 24 Nov 2004 09:50:53 -0800

Dear repetextc,

Do you ship to Canada? If so, how much

To respond to the question online, go to the URL below. You will
have the option to display your response directly on your item page.

contact.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?RespondToQuestion&iid=7116383574&qid=379282864

=====================================================================
Item #/Item Title End Date
=====================================================================
7116383574 03-Dec-04
KITESURFING,KITEBOARDING 8MT KITE+FREE BOARD NO RESERV

Thank you,
walk1971

the one and only XTC kite to every make it to the end user!!.
this is my friends kite, i mentioned him early in this thread.
Ive actually riden this kite so i know it exists.. and if you check his ebay feedback he wont rip you off.

quote:

---

Originally posted by matt510


If anyone knows someone who can go and collect our debts (because the government nor and debt colloction agent can if he is declared bankrupt) in an honest manly fashion (if you know what i mean) then i know and can confirm his home address.

---

My doctor's' diagnosis may well exclude me from a life sentence, please post his details here for my perusal; I might have some ideas to recover your losses whilst fulfilling my psychotic desires. If you would like trophies please include specimen jars.

i think they were an English band from the eighties