THE FALSE “RIPPLE” WEBSITE & THE TRACK RECORD

At approximately 6pm on Monday August 26 2013, an individual had stated on their FaceBook the existence of a Misleading “RipplePaintball.com” website. It was quickly shared in the matter of moments within the Paintball Community on FaceBook. Their identities have been blocked for their protection.



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RipplePaintball.com is not owned and/or registered by anyone here at Ripple Industries.





Our Official Websites are:

www.BattleFieldPB.com www.BFPB.ca www.RippleIndustries.ca www.Rippleind.ca





Our old location (from July 2009-July 2013) was located at 160 East Beaver Creek Rd. Unit 12. We decided to move out as the store has grown over the years and required more space. We, Ripple Industries, moved the store to our new Location at 100 Leek Cres., Unit 10 and re-opened on July 6 2013.



The False Website claims that “WE’VE MOVED” and having the “Alternate Address” of another Company’s Store Location with a direct website link. The web page has similar a “Gas Mask” to our Logo. Image was saved from a FaceBook Discussion Group.

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The False Website was quickly taken down shortly after many members of the paintball community had spoken out and expressed their thoughts. All negative comments and ratings were quickly deleted off from the Company’s FaceBook Page.





Within 24 Hours of the news, we received an apology from President of the Company and we have also found another Public Apology with similar context. From both Statements, they state that the act was “Undertaken by an Employee” and that they had been “Disciplined”.

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“RipplePaintball.com” was Registered on July 25 2012 and we did not have any knowledge of this False Domain until early 2013. The domain was registered in the summer far before their “New Neighbouring Pro-Shop” opened next to us in November 2012. We did recall that the domain was For Sale for $1500 years ago but we did not think much about it. We speculate that someone high-ranked had purchased the domain as why would any employee spend such a high value for a False Website. An active member of the paintball community had also pointed this out:

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Below is the whois public domain information:

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If it was the “Disciplined Employee” that acted, why would they register another domain of another paintball company under “Tacticalmod.ca”. The public whois information clearly states the email of the “Company” and the Name of the “Administrative and Technical Contact” matches the name of the President of the Company.

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Ripple Industries has done business with this “Company” before for many years prior to September 10 2012. As we did not have knowledge of this “False Website” at that point in time. If we have known, we would have ended our business relationship with them earlier. We decided to end our business relationship near the end of August 2012 after the fact that a Representative of the Company visited our store and claimed the following:





“If you become PBL Approved, my boss is going to open at store here.”

-Wholesale Representative of the Company





We did not take kindly to that statement and viewed it as an insult. We decided to part ways and continue to operate at our old location.





In November 2012, the “Company” had opened their newest storefront on the other side of the same commercial plaza as us. Many may recall the backlash the paintball community had on the “Company’s” FaceBook Page. The Company had claimed on their FaceBook Page that we helped them find the location and we had to respond as that statement was false. Below is our Official Statement regarding the opening of the new neighbouring storefront:

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On July 6th 2013 we have moved to our new location at 100 Leek Cres., Unit 10. Within the same week that we opened the new Ripple Industries Location, the Agent of the Landlord of our old location at East Beaver Creek found a sign taped to the door of our old unit: (we blacked out the unit number.)



“For all of your Paintball and Airsoft needs go to 160 East Beaver Creek Unit XX”

-Sign posted approximately in early July 2013





We found the the torn-up sign in the unit as the Real Estate Agent threw it inside while inspecting the old location. As we do not have proof of who had posted the sign but the intent was to lure unaware clients to the neighbouring storefront on the other side of the plaza. We took a photo of what was left of the sign:

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Another instance of the “Company” pressuring local paintball businesses was the Banner from “Milsim Exclusive”. On December 7th 2012, Milsim Exclusive was granted to hang their banner inside a Local Indoor Paintball Field only for it to be removed two months after.

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The use of other Local Business Names within the “Company” Ads has also been seen on Kijiji Classifieds within the past year. Below we have taken a screenshot of the Latest Ad for a popular marker. In the “TAGS” we clearly see our Business Name (in Red) and another local shop (in Blue). Using as many “TAGS” as possible in the very same manner as the website domains for Search Engine Optimization. These ads have been listed since November 2012 for multiple listings and require to be updated on a regular basis as they expire.



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Back on December 26th 2012 (Boxing Day Sale) customers may recall what they witnessed in the driveway of our old location. A hard working individual dressed in the Olive Tactical Vest and Chicken Suit with a printed sign: (We have blocked out the Unit #)





Discount Paintball

SAVE $

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Unit XX





The individual acted alone and as his body language expressed that he did not want to be in the winter cold to “Dance & Wave” to everyone that drove into the plaza that day.



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The announcement that the False Website of “Ripplepaintball.com” was a result of one employee's actions is very hard to believe. The "Company" has a clear track record of these types of business practices and continues to cover its tracks since the spotting of the False Website.



We foresee with this continuing trend of covering up their tracks:

Deleting Negative Comments & Ratings on their FaceBook Page

Removal of “RipplePaintball.com” Content

Abandonment of the Registered Domains

Removal of All Kijiji Listings

Closure of their “Richmond Hill” Location as it is an Embarrassment due their actions





Again we here at Ripple Industries are not the ones to judge as we are here to service you and the paintball community. We have always been a firm supporter of your Local Paintball Shop, we are not looking for an apology from the “Company” as it is the paintball community that is owed more than just an apology.





We’re Not Angry, We’re Not Upset, We’re Just Disappointed.





We greatly appreciate your support, please feel free to share, comment and discuss - not just on our FaceBook Page but anywhere you want to express your thoughts.





Thank You for your Support & Passion for this great sport of Paintball and Ripple Industries.

-Thomas Mok

Owner/Operator of Ripple Industries Ltd.