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Post by dvenn on Jan 3, 2010 8:41:47 GMT
Hi Guys, i wonder how many other people here have had the frustration of using model shop webs, only to find it clearly states items you would like are not in stock, only to ring up and ask when it might be in stock, only to be told yes we have it but we dont have time to update the site. I find this to be more prevelant in my other hobby of railway modelling, as i model German outline your not excactly spoilt for choice, if i went by my local shop web site they would have nothing in stock. I realise all updateing takes time, but if you are running a website then you know it has to be updated at regular intervals. Any one else had the same experience. Dave
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tim
Sprue Cutter
Posts: 24
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Post by tim on Jan 3, 2010 10:30:46 GMT
Yes I have simerlar problems with mine. Most shops doing this also have mail order and the facts are there are only so many hours in the day for them. Not being the size of say Hannants who have plenty of staff your local shop is mostly a family concern with a few part time enthusiasts about and doesn't make the sort of money to support a full online web service. That said even the best of online shop fronts fails at times so unless you are sure the tiem you want is reasonably common or are prepared to wait a bit if back ordered your best bet is to phone and ask.
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Post by sanguin on Jan 3, 2010 11:25:49 GMT
About a year ago I was asked to build a warship kit by a lady whose son had served aboard it; she had the name but not the kit. It was sold by Dragon, and I eventually found a UK shop that claimed to have one in stock on their website. Now I knew that the importers had none in stock and no other retailer could supply one either. However this store claimed to have one kit available. I ordered it 'on line' and expected delivery within a few days, or a couple of weeks at the most. Nothing happened. A phone call produced the response that it would be 'a few more days' as it was 'in a container due to dock imminently'. A month later another call from me produced a similar reply. Some weeks after I had an email from the company asking me to re-order as my credit card request had expired. I declined. I also then checked their website and was amazed to discover that this 1/700th ship kit, completely unavailable in the UK, was now listed as their second best selling kit....No names, but the store is considerably North of Watford. I have never ordered from them again. A friend in California got me the kit in the US and delivered it by hand last summer - still not built, just how tiny is the etched brass in 1/700th? Not even my varifocals seem to work! However, dvenn, may I make a recommendation that you try my local model shop website- they are primarily European model railways with model kits almost as an aside: www.hobb-e-mail.co.uk/shop/shop.php?cat=377&maincat=27&sid=sid438b56fd23706094bae206e1efcf834aAll I can say is that I have never found them to be listing something on their website that they do not have in stock unless someone has bought it in the last few minutes. They do a lot of mail order stuff and are very helpful. Not only that but any purchases you make will clear a bit of space in an incredibly crowded shop! As an aside, my on-going lack of email response from from Magna Models in the last quarter of 2009 was ended by the receipt of a parcel containing my ordered conversion kit and nowt else, no note of explanation or apology, just the kit. John
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Post by dvenn on Jan 3, 2010 11:56:00 GMT
Hi John i have used Hobb- e-mail .co.uk, with no problems, and i might add a great price on all items, the shop i was really referring to is here in the west country, and advertises as well known german companys inspirational store. Dave
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