A streak of bad luck

[balsaworks]

I've had a bit of bad luck lately with my slot car purchases.
First there's this guy in the UK who makes those goreous Aston Martin kits. He received a bunch of my money in January and after about 10 reminders and pleas from me and other helpful people (after he shut down his email), all I have is a bunch of excuses and promises but no kits and no money.
Then in June I purchased 2 resin kits from GMC in France. No kits arrived and this guy just says that he shipped them - uninsured, so it's out of his hands.
Then I purchased an LMM GT40 from a reputable company in the US. The car was impeccably packaged but had broken free and bounced around inside the box - all 7 wings had broken off. This was a professional seller - car returned for a full refund incl. return postage.
While the GT40 was being returned I ordered a replacement from a dealer closer to where I live and this car arrived like this:
What can you say. The headlight reflector has come off but the lens is intact, so I can't glue it back in place :angry-banghead:

[Czar]

A simple tip for anyone interested. Whenever I ship a car in the crystal case I always wrap around the car and plinth two or three times with plastic wrap (Saran wrap) before I put the clear top on the case. That way if the anchor screw comes loose the car is not affected. Heck, many times I can't find the anchor screw and this holds the car in place perfectly. I also add a note on masking tape to tell the recipient that the car is not secured to the plinth. Also, if there is any water seepage into the package the car is protected. Cheap, easy, effective.

[Wolseley Hornet]

Sorry to hear you've had rubbish service from a UK supplier.

I think you should mention names, and publish the full story on as many sites as possible.There is no excuse for bad service.

David.

[Ember]

[FootScoot]

It always makes one leery of sellers when someone doesn't deliver what they are supposed to. Most sellers are fair and square, but on occasion you get a bad apple. I had a bad experience with a seller I France also, must be the water. In the UK I only buy from Pendles. I normally buy from the vendors on the forum and my LHS. I've never had a bad experience with anyone from those 3 sources. :)

[Wolseley Hornet]

Sorry, Ember,but if someone hasn't got his goods,or his money back nine months later,and is feeling sore about it, somebody has done something wrong.

Extenuating circumstances or not,basic decent treatment of customers should not result in people feeling ripped off.

I've no doubt that the majority of sellers are good and honest;that has on the whole been my experience, but this hobby increasingly depends on internet trading, and one person's bad experience with one trader can put an awful lot of people off.

Surely the message must be - if you can't keep customers happy when things go wrong, don't engage in mail-order selling, however fantastic a modeller your friends tell you you are.


David.

[Ember]

Oh, I agree and I thoroughly understand why everyone is frustrated and feeling ripped off. I'm merely trying to assist by passing on the information I am given. Would be much better had he thought to keep his customers advised of the situation.

[Dangermouse]

Tomas

I know about your troubles with getting the kits you ordered - but to then run into the problem with GMC and a broken LMM car - that is the 3 bits of bad luck - time to buy a lottery ticket.

David

[RazorJon]

I have 1 rule of thumb when selling to others

I do not take money till its in the box :naughty:

thats it, easy as pie

[ddyke]

Bruce first
People I know
Pendleslot
then if I can't get it from the above I roll the dice but only on smallthings.

[balsaworks]

Just thought I'd bump this thread to tell what eventually happened.
The GMC kits that got lost in the mail never turned up and they are my loss, because I just assumed that the shipping charge that I paid would cover insurance, which it didn't - forgot to check the fine print.
The defective Le Mans Miniatures GT40 long nose car was returned to the manufacturer in France and a good replacement car did arrive, although it took 2 months and 2 email reminders to get it. I got an LMM figure as a bonus, to (almost) make up for the return postage.
Then, yesterday a package arrived with the Aston Martin kits from England, including bonus kit to compensate for having waited so long - a very nice gesture indeed! These kits are gorgeous; the quality of the resin bodies is simply top notch in every aspect - overall shape, details and surface finish. The metal details are top quality too.
So, overall a good start of the year.

[Ember]

It's a shame that it took so long, but I'm glad they have arrived safe and sound. I look forward to seeing them take shape in your hands.

[oceanview]

That is a fantastic start to a New Year, here's hopin' the French deal arrives this year!!