The Green Head - Latest Comments About National Lampoons Christmas Vacation Advent House Calendar

Comment by: Raymond

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 15:55:29 -0600

All OUR payments from customers go through PayPal. Its for the customer's security and ours.

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Comment by: Raymond

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 15:52:29 -0600

...No! We are not a scam! We are not taking more orders until we finish the ones we have! We are still trying to get everything out!

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Comment by: Raymond

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 15:50:26 -0600

I just happened back to here after being told that a customer posted a review. Thank you Joe & Laura. Also...

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Comment by: Sarah George

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 07:16:59 -0600

Part II - is Raymond a scam as well? Also, why do these payments not go through PayPal or similar?

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Comment by: Sarah George

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 07:15:08 -0600

My Sister ordered the house for me last year and of course was taken. I was so disappointed...had wanted one since first seen on CV.

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Comment by: Joe and Laura

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 12:21:51 -0600

We just got our house. If I knew it was this nice I would pay four times as much and wait twice as long. Be patient its worth it. Trust me.

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Comment by: Jared C

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 22:03:54 -0600

If anyone has the images from the windows please email me! I am so sad to see this may be a scam! jaredaggie AT gmail dot com

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Comment by: Guest

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 21:50:52 -0600

What a freaking scam... are you kidding? I am so angry that I have saved my money for YEARS to be able to buy this house for my family!

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Comment by: Tony Morales

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 08:07:46 -0600

Hello, I would like to buy one of these Christmas Advent Houses. Please email me at or call me at 313-207-7062.

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Comment by: Randy Sh0ff

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 14:57:01 -0500

Raymond - Do you have any houses built or that will be built? I would like to purchase one as soon as you would have one available - if not this year, then next.Randy Shoff

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Comment by: Carole Lee

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 21:26:58 -0500

Raymond - I hope you and yours are fine. I originally contacted you in June 2009 about an advent house...and even offered to help you out. I was added to the waiting list. Can you give me an idea of the backlog you are facing? Thanks a bunch...take care...great work!Carole Cote aka Mrs Bubbalips

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Comment by: Ryan Sawyer

Mon, 19 Oct 2009 16:52:38 -0500

Raymond:We would appreciate a courtesy email advising as to our order status. Our order, along with the $200 deposit, was placed in October 2008. At that time, we were expecting a February 2009 completion date. While we understand and appreciate that there have been some delays -- it has been over one year and we would like some acknowledgement of where we are at in this process. So far, the several emails we have sent have not received a response. Please advise. Thank you.

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Comment by: Jim Serfass

Sat, 17 Oct 2009 23:48:54 -0500

Did anyone find a legit place to get one?

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Comment by: Rhon

Sat, 17 Oct 2009 22:51:04 -0500

Raymond, I know that you're incredibly busy and that you're not really responding to emails. So, I'm dropping you a note here hoping that you might see it. I've been going back & forth about the house (it has been hard waiting so long) but I am hopeful that the house might arrive in time this year for Advent. If you get the chance, can you or someone from your team drop me a quick note letting me know what my chances are for that occurring? I do check the status report but I'm not sure if that is being updated during this busy time. Thanks so much.Rhon

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Comment by: Guest

Sat, 17 Oct 2009 09:16:14 -0500

to anyone looking for victorian graphics they are herewww.xmission.com/~tssphoto/xmas.html

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Comment by: Joe and Laura

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 10:19:47 -0500

Jamie,If you purchaced your house a few years ago, you didn\\\'t purchace it from Raymond. His house has substantial upgrades over the older version made by the previous company that is now bankrupt.They probably went out of business becouse they didn\\\'t charge enough for the house!Many people have received their new houses and are very happy with them so no way is this a fraud. I haven\\\'t seen one negative comment, everyone says the houses are \\\"beyond their expectations\\\". The only problem I can see is that Raymond didn\\\'t expect the kind of demand the house received,or the time and effort it would take to meet this demand. This is not his only business, he has a career and a family to support, anyone who has these knows how much time and effort they take. \\\"AND SHOULD TAKE\\\"! Whatever the final price on this house is, it will be what Raymond needs to make it work, so be patient and if you want a house and are willing to pay a \\\"fair price\\\" concidering the time and effort that goes into these \\\"masterpieces\\\", you will have an \\\"heirloom\\\" that will last for generations to come.TO ME THAT IS ABSOLUTLY WORTH WAITING FOR!!!

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Comment by: jamie

Tue, 13 Oct 2009 21:08:50 -0500

I also had purchased an advent house and have had it for a few years. We love the house and wanted to purchase one for our daughter who is getting married in May. I was shocked to hear such stories. Not to mention the price has doubled in a few years! I also would like to be kept informed if there is someone else that can make this advent house. Thank you all for letting everyone know about this fraud. Sorry you all had to go through this!

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Comment by: Christmas Advent House

Sat, 26 Sep 2009 19:37:48 -0500

Moebius, I responded to your email. Thanks.

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Comment by: Moebius

Sat, 26 Sep 2009 17:40:39 -0500

I feel compelled to say for the record, that I hold no ill will towards Raymond, and think it's a truly wonderful thing he's doing for us die hard fans. I also feel he has full rights to charge whatever price he sees fit to make this venture successful. I do feel I have a legitimate complaint to address with Raymond as a business operator, and hopefully he will see the email this time and respond so we can see if there's any possible resolution. However, that complaint in no way takes away from my appreciation of what he did for those of us caught up in the wake of the Duncan's misfortune.I truly wish Raymond every possible success in this endeavor.

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Comment by: Moebius

Sat, 26 Sep 2009 17:32:26 -0500

Raymond, I just forwarded the email chain to you so you can see for yourself. For lack of putting my email address in bot-land, it will be coming from a domain with Moebius in it. I just sent it, so 5:30pm central time on 9/26.

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Comment by: Raymond

Sat, 26 Sep 2009 12:08:04 -0500

Moebius, without knowing your name I can not comment directly about what was spoken about, but I know for a fact I would not have said we would take the order. We stopped taking orders because there were a lot to fill ahead of taking anything new. IF we had taken the order we would be sitting on your deposit right now an you still would not be getting a house for 2009. In fact, at this point I would have offer you a refund because there would have been absolutely no way to get the house to you in time for 2009. We can only build them so fast.

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Comment by: Moebius

Fri, 11 Sep 2009 09:52:54 -0500

The only reason I\\\'m complaining is I feel slightly shorted here. I was communicating directly with Raymond last November about an advance order to deliver this November or December (birthday present for the wife). We had agreed and I was standing by to put the deposit in as soon as Raymond said to (his last message was that he\\\'d notify me when to do so) and he\\\'d get the order in line to be built around the right time. I had even offered to pay the deposit immediately. Then the emails stopped coming, and no responses to any inquiries, and several months later I\\\'m once again out of luck.Call it a verbal commitment if you will, but I feel kind of cheated, and it\\\'s especially frustrating as I have been trying to give this to my wife as a surprise present for many years. First the fiasco with the Duncans, and now this. Raymond, if you happen to read this, I hope you realize I understand the family emergencies that occur, and even your need to raise the price to make it a worthwhile effort, but I feel like we had an agreement that was completely backed out on.

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Comment by: Christmas Advent House

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 07:40:49 -0500

Joe & Laura,We are almost ready to start your house. Thanks for your patience and support.Melissa,Thank you for the encouragement.Guest(s),We are not responding to inquires for new houses. We will only respond when we are ready to take new orders. The website says so as well. I have updated it to be even more clear on that.As mentioned before, we do not check Green Head but maybe once a month. We are very busy trying to get out what houses we can for delivery by December.

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Comment by: Candice

Sat, 05 Sep 2009 00:12:15 -0500

Lifetreker; did you every find out about the roof? Are you making kits?

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Comment by: Guest

Sat, 05 Sep 2009 00:08:26 -0500

I just want to know why emails are not answered. I don't know what to do....I just keep sending them to Raymond's website and I never hear back

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Comment by: Joe and Laura

Tue, 01 Sep 2009 12:13:49 -0500

Here here Melissa, My wife and I do have a house on order, and we were lucky enough to get last years price since we ordered the house in November last year. My wife and I own our own business and we know how expensive everything can be and how much work goes into paying the bills. This was a great idea by Raymond and I hope he is able to benefit from all the hard work required to make it a successful business venture. Raymond promised me my house this holiday season and I believe him. He could have just said he couldn\'t do it and refunded the money but he didn\'t take the easy way out.Thanks again Raymond and hope to hear from you soon!

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Comment by: Melissa

Mon, 31 Aug 2009 19:52:42 -0500

After reading these posts for the last 30 minutes, I just want to say thanks to Raymond for coming up with a great solution to a product consumers were disappointed they could no longer find. You didn't have to start your own business and you certainly could have just taken 10 orders and left everyone else out in the cold. Instead, you've turned it into a successful business and at a pace where you still are producing (from the comments) an amazing product! We need more people like you in this world.To Kringle, Kris, KimQ and the remaining - bullying the person who could provide an amazing, one of a kind product is truly disappointing. He can charge whatever he feels necessary to recoup the amount of time and materials. Let's think about this, if a house is made of quality materials - it's a min. of $200 investment by him. Then if it's taking him 100-300 hours per house, then his hourly rate on the old price was about $10/hr. You think that's right? If so, then rethink. For this quality of craftmanship, many people here recognize this piece is probably worth $1500-3000. If you want to try building one for yourself, give it a go BUT don't admonish the person who stepped up and has the skills to do it, the ability to recognize the cost of his time, materials, overhead, labor for support (because he clearly needed to have additional people to answer all of YOUR emails) and space -- ever think he may have to rent space now? Seriously, remember why you wanted one of these in the first place - Christmas. Don't forget what that means. And Raymond, thank you. I am not a current customer and I may not ever be, but I admire you and the quality of product you're remaining committed to.

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Comment by: Guest

Fri, 28 Aug 2009 00:50:12 -0500

Hi Raymond:I had submitted several e-mails requesting to be added to your list in 2008 and have not received confirmation. Can you advise if I'm on this list? Thanks Andrea in Carmel, IN.

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Comment by: Guest

Fri, 21 Aug 2009 23:35:47 -0500

I understand about the newsletter but I don't understand why you don't respond to emails.

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Comment by: Christmas Advent House

Thu, 06 Aug 2009 08:54:23 -0500

Hello. Please note we do not check the Green Head very often. We are not sending out a newsletter until we are ready to accept new orders. We still have many to fill and we do not want to take anyone else's deposit and still not be ready to build the house for them.To the person who commented on the price, we have lost money one each and every house we have built because of the time involved to build them. At the original price it is not cost effective for the amount of work that goes into each house. It is quite a lot.As for the price, those who already paid their deposits are getting the 2008 price as agreed.

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Comment by: Guest

Sun, 19 Jul 2009 14:40:00 -0500

So some of you are actually getting email responses from Raymond??? Raymond if you read this please let us know why you don't reply to emails and I would also like to know about the newletter. Please everybody keep posting helpful info as you build your own since I think I will have to try that as well.

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Comment by: jerry

Sat, 18 Jul 2009 20:59:37 -0500

I have signed up and have been told that I have been added to the list, but I don't know where I am on the list, and I have asked many times.I never once received a newsletter. If anyone has received a news letter, please forward it.Thanks

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Comment by: Pat

Fri, 17 Jul 2009 16:48:08 -0500

Raymond...What Moebius says goes double for me. I hope that you'll come down a little on the price though, what with the economy & everything...I did sign up for the newsletter though. Take care...Pat

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Comment by: Moebius

Fri, 17 Jul 2009 10:27:09 -0500

I suppose I'm back to trying to find plans (and someone with talent to help as this is definitely not my forte) to build a model myself. I had been in contact with Raymond last November in hopes of pre-ordering a model for this fall. I was hoping to delay shipping till around November as it was to be a surprise birthday present for the wife and I didn't want to try and hide it for several months. However, I'm guessing after Raymond had the personal troubles, my details got lost in the shuffle, and now I see once again no orders being taken and a double in price. So it looks like one more year my birthday plans are likely going to fall through.Raymond, if you still check in here, if you keep old emails, you can probably find the exchanges we had in November. I believe it's when you were starting up your mailing list and were offering to put me on it to let me know when to send the deposit. I'd still love to do business with you, but I'm guessing there's very little chance we could make it happen now. Plus, after being laid off for 3 months, I really doubt I could cover the double in price anyway. Still, I'd be willing to try.

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Comment by: Kringle

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 18:30:04 -0500

For anyone wanting to know where it began:Goto google.com and select to search for images. Type in DiscoverUSF. Now find the picture of the advent house that takes you to http://www.discoveruniversal.com Now read Raymonds blog. You will find out where it all began...and extra pictures. Didnt know Raymond worked for Universal.Lifetreker, I don't know what the house is made with. Maybe bass wood and a streched material over it. It looks very smooth. He could of sanded is down, primed it, painted it green, and then applied a poly base clear coat to appear smoother. I dont blame anyone for not wanting to build their own. Good luck and hopefully someone does get the right idea and just markets the so called "building plans" to everyone. Hell, charge us $200 for a book detailing how you built it....(Raymond!) Might save you time and put an extra buck in the pocket. Hopefully, I won't be waiting till xmas 2020. Kringle Out.

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Comment by: lifetreker@hotmail.com

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 18:13:39 -0500

Raymond,What's the roof made out of? I am having trouble with mine. So far, I everything bulit to the roof. Bricks and windows are on as well. Can you please help me? I just don't want to wait 2-3 years to get a advent house that might cost $3.5k due to inflation prices you might tag on. Also, I am working on bulding plans, so anyone else who wants to build there own will be able to. Unless Raymond beats me to it. Really though, does anyone know what the material for the roof is?

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Comment by: Kris

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 23:25:58 -0500

Raymond-Please excuse me for being rude, but I have to ask. What constituted the house prices going from $500 to $1000 dollars? DOUBLE what it used to be? I am really wanting to understand that. Another thing I have issue with is anyone that was on your "waiting" list. All those people now have to pay the "new" price which still has not been justified. You also don't respond to emails either.I just think it's wrong on many levels what you are doing. Granted, you might be making a "quality product" - I don't know as I have never seen anything but the same photos on your site. Never been updated - but communication is poor and that alone, does not justify a $1000 dollar price tag I am sorry to say.

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Comment by: Pat

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 12:47:53 -0500

Raymond...are you still going to be sending out newsletters? If so, when do you send them? I did sign up on your site. Hope everyone is happy & healthy with your family.Pat

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Comment by: Pat

Sun, 14 Jun 2009 17:40:27 -0500

Raymond...hope everyone is well with you & yours. When can I get on the list to order a house of my own? I'll keep checking your site. I believe I signed up for the newsletter..but I'll double check that.Pat

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Comment by: Raymond

Sun, 14 Jun 2009 14:27:51 -0500

Marjorie,I\\\'m so happy you like the house. I hope it brings you decades of happiness. We\\\'re still building away on the others.And for the record, this is not a replica of the Christmas Vacation Advent house as the description on The Green Head says. It has been modified to be a stand alone Christmas Advent House. We do not have control over the copy written on the site.

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Comment by: Marjorie

Fri, 12 Jun 2009 11:57:12 -0500

I also received an email from Raymond back in January explaining about his family\\\'s health emergency over the holidays. I decided not to receive a refund hoping to have my house by Christmas 2009. I am so happy that I did. On Thursday it arrived! It is so fantastic. The workmanship is wonderful. The house is perfect and Raymond, I can\\\'t thank you enough. I keep looking at it and can\\\'t believe it\\\'s our. I can\\\'t wait for this Christmas! Thank you again.

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Comment by: Joe Travale

Fri, 12 Jun 2009 11:00:18 -0500

Raymond, Its great to hear from you, its been along time. My wife and I ordered a house from you in November and are very excited to know you are still building these masterpieces. Just so everybody knowes, I ordered the house 7 months ago and I know when it is finished and I receive it for this Advent season the wait will have been worth it. Thanks for everything, hope to see more posts from you soon.

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Comment by: Raymond

Thu, 11 Jun 2009 21:47:11 -0500

I haven't checked in to see what's been posted on here for a while and I'm surprised to see people think we have goe out of business. I can tell you we are not closed and have not run off like the previous company despite what Kris says.We have stopped taking "NEW" orders because we have plenty to fill first. We want to finish the current orders first. The house price is not for everyone. However, te amount of work and detail we put into each house justifies the price. We have not had any nagative fedback from anyone who has received one of the houses. In fact, we have received the highest compliments from everyone so far.in the meantime, we are continuing to build houses that have previously been ordered and hope everyone is as happy with there as we are with ours.

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Comment by: Kris

Thu, 11 Jun 2009 19:52:17 -0500

Interesting to see yet another person making these just quit. I guess that's what happens when you rip people off. Who would pay $1000 dollars for a house like this? Seriously? I hope nobody lost any money this time around.Maybe one day I can get one of these houses and the person/business making them sticks around!

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Comment by: Salman Khan

Thu, 11 Jun 2009 03:39:35 -0500

This is a TEST CommentSalman Khan<a href=http://www.google.com/>Salman Khan</a>http://www.google.com/

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Comment by: Candice

Wed, 10 Jun 2009 21:54:28 -0500

Yes I think there is special paper, I will try and find out the name. Does anyone know a good online doll house place to find the windows,dormers etc?

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Comment by: JERRY

Mon, 08 Jun 2009 10:16:55 -0500

I copied them all from the Duncan website. They look pretty good on screen, just not sure on how to print them. Should I use a transparency or some type of paper???

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Comment by: Candice

Sun, 07 Jun 2009 19:11:37 -0500

Jerry I was thinking of trying to make one too. Where did you get the vintage pictures?

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Comment by: Pat

Thu, 04 Jun 2009 19:47:46 -0500

Hi...I haven't visited this site in quite awhile..Where the heck is Raymond?? Is he still making the houses?? I hoope so, since nobody else can replicate the details that he puts into his. I'll check back later.

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Comment by: Jerry

Tue, 02 Jun 2009 17:55:40 -0500

I'm sorry but could the person who listed the discover universal link please state what that link is for and what does it have to do with these advent houses. I have searched that website for hours and have no clue as to what I am looking at.I think Raymond wants out of the business. The demand was to great for him and he was very overwhelmed with orders and inquiries. I have saved every picture from his website and the Duncans website, I even have the vintage pictures for the windows. I am planning on making my own. If all goes well, I will attempt to make some for resale, but these will be in kit form. The kit will be preassembled and the buyer will do the final assembly. Right now I am thinking in the $300 dollar price range for the kit. I am also thinking of a model that can be built and is only 6 -7 inches wide and could be placed on a fireplace mantle. Keep it up and away from little fingers. Both models will still light up and be the same width and height as the Duncand and Raymond versions. Anybody have any comments?I did find a place that sells Moose Mugs alot cheaper. Go to this website. You can buy 4 mugs for $80.00 plus s/h instead of that guy from canada on Raymonds website who charges sh!t tons more money.Traditionalexperiences.com

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