Richard Lee Posted February 1, 2018 Share Posted February 1, 2018 My nearest model railway shop has a test track and they test each locomotive before the customer buys it. There is not much difference in prices between them and Hattons. Perhaps the time has come to support your nearest model shop. An excellent idea, if you are lucky enough to have a model shop that does UK outline within reasonable travelling distance. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Colin_McLeod Posted February 1, 2018 RMweb Gold Share Posted February 1, 2018 What if Hattons is your nearest model shop? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
badgerV8 Posted February 1, 2018 Share Posted February 1, 2018 From my original post... , it's a number of years since I bought it, so I knew there was no question of any warranty, Guys, let's get one thing clear here - I did NOT expect Hatton's to do anything about it after so many years, I fully accept it's my fault for not checking it when I got it, I just wanted them to be aware of what had happened (I paid for a new item but received a second-hand one), yet I was effectively called a liar! Why would I lie when I made them fully aware from the outset that I was keeping the loco and wasn't looking for any form of refund - having spent a lot of time getting it to run right and fitted sound to it? I did NOT expect them to "take action", I simply wanted them to acknowledge that a mix-up had occurred at some point, hopefully this would have allowed them to look at their own procedures to prevent anyone else having a similar issue....... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Colin_McLeod Posted February 1, 2018 RMweb Gold Share Posted February 1, 2018 (edited) You may not have expected action, but you did make a complaint (that they sent the wrong item). So they had a choice of either accepting your complaint or not. They chose not. Looking at their procedures from years ago would probably be pointless if they are happy with their current procedures. Edit for typo Edited February 1, 2018 by Colin_McLeod Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Widnes Model Centre Posted February 1, 2018 Share Posted February 1, 2018 What if Hattons is your nearest model shop? You can come to us not far from there! 5 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robin Brasher Posted February 1, 2018 Share Posted February 1, 2018 Royal Mail has told me that Hattons' bar code is not recognised for my Bachmann SR olive green birdcage composite coach. This is the third time this has happened. I wonder if Hattons have submitted it into the Royal Mail network. Last time the other coaches arrived a couple of days later but I was unable to track them so I had no idea when they would come. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold D9020 Nimbus Posted February 1, 2018 RMweb Gold Share Posted February 1, 2018 If the code is shown as "unrecognised", it usually means that the item hasn't yet been posted—if you check back in a day or so it should probably be known—you will be able to find out when and where it was posted (but Royal Mail tracking information isn't very detailed). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandwich station Posted February 2, 2018 Share Posted February 2, 2018 I currently have mixed views.... I've placed a lot of orders with Hatton's over the years and had no issues, but one thing I've been guilty of is buying locos and immediately putting them away into storage, for the day that I "get round to" building my layout.... Anyway, that day came recently, so once I had track down I started running locos. At this time, I discovered issues with Heljan's Class 14 and 17 models via the internet, so was wary of checking out those particular locos first. First, the Class 17, after finding this forum and reading up on the issues. Sure enough, tight wormshaft bearings on the drive towers causing high current drain, dismantled and resolved, all back together and sound installed, job done. Next, the 14.... opened the box, to find a loco with broken steps, headcodes cut from the sheet and already installed, glue marks on the body at the horn blocks and replacement etched cabside running numbers fitted! Oh, and it ran like a bag of bolts, with two pickups bent out of shape as well!! Not what I expected. Now, it's a number of years since I bought it, so I knew there was no question of any warranty, so I decided (with the help of info on this forum) to resolve the running issues myself. This I did, and now have a good running model, which I have installed sound into (with a degree of difficulty!). I decided I would email Hattons and touch base, explaining the situation, as this had actually been bought as a new item.... various emails later, people not wanting to believe me that I had bought it "new", someone else talking about "damage" when it was actually modifications, and a steadfast refusal to acknowledge that something had gone wrong their end.... at one point I was more or less called a liar by one of their staff, which really angered me! Sadly, I don't have the original purchase docs as it was an internet purchase that would have been saved on the hard drive of my previous computer, which went to the big silicon valley in the sky about 2 years ago, haha. I am absolutely convinced that I was accidentally sent someone else's returned item as a new one, by mistake. Lessons learned, 1. check everything on receipt. 2. print and keep paperwork. 3. don't trust a retailer just because they are big and have been around for a long time! This was my first ever occasion that I felt the need to contact Hatton's about anything I have ever purchased from them, and in all honestly it leaves a slightly bitter feeling towards buying from them again in the future! If you have placed a lot of orders with Hatton's, surely you would have registered on there site and have an account? If not you should have, as all your transactions that you have ever done with them, would have been saved in "Your Orders" file, where you can view any order you have ever placed with them online. Mine go back to 2005. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
leopardml2341 Posted February 2, 2018 Share Posted February 2, 2018 You can buy a Hornby rolling road for about £50. Or one of these for about the price of half a pint of ale https://www.batterystation.co.uk/panasonic-batteries/panasonic-pro-power-9v-pp3-6lr61-battery-1-pack?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIjZLJlL2H2QIVaLvtCh0h7QkgEAQYBSABEgIVyfD_BwE Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
woodenhead Posted February 2, 2018 Share Posted February 2, 2018 Or one of these for about the price of half a pint of ale https://www.batterystation.co.uk/panasonic-batteries/panasonic-pro-power-9v-pp3-6lr61-battery-1-pack?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIjZLJlL2H2QIVaLvtCh0h7QkgEAQYBSABEgIVyfD_BwE Because it's easier to run a loco in on a rolling road than between your legs with a battery on the wheels Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
leopardml2341 Posted February 2, 2018 Share Posted February 2, 2018 Because it's easier to run a loco in on a rolling road than between your legs with a battery on the wheels But not as enjoyable....... I'm outta here Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
goatdriver Posted February 7, 2018 Share Posted February 7, 2018 Placed an internet order with Hatton's on Saturday; delivered in the US on Wednesday. Can't beat that service. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium melmerby Posted February 7, 2018 RMweb Premium Share Posted February 7, 2018 Sadly, I don't have the original purchase docs as it was an internet purchase that would have been saved on the hard drive of my previous computer, which went to the big silicon valley in the sky about 2 years ago, From that statement there are two points that stand out. 1: What about the receipt that came in the parcel? I keep mine. 2: Why didn't you transfer your essential documents from one computer to another? Keith Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
badgerV8 Posted February 8, 2018 Share Posted February 8, 2018 From that statement there are two points that stand out. 1: What about the receipt that came in the parcel? I keep mine. 2: Why didn't you transfer your essential documents from one computer to another? Keith 1. I can't find it. 2. The computer had to be replaced because of failure, not possible to transfer from a fried hard-drive (or it wasn't, when I enquired at the time!). 3. Lessons learnt, it won't happen again! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium melmerby Posted February 8, 2018 RMweb Premium Share Posted February 8, 2018 3. Lessons learnt, it won't happen again! I hope the lessons included backing-up of important files. Even a USB stick can hold a lot (as long as it's not photos or video) Cheers Keith Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
woodenhead Posted February 23, 2018 Share Posted February 23, 2018 I've noticed a pattern of what appears to be split DMUs on the second hand section but this is a new one - they are selling a HornbyDublo Duchess of Montrose apparently split: 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Budgie Posted February 23, 2018 RMweb Gold Share Posted February 23, 2018 I've noticed a pattern of what appears to be split DMUs on the second hand section but this is a new one - they are selling a HornbyDublo Duchess of Montrose apparently split: That's how Hornby-Dublo sold its tender locos originally. I know it's daft, but there we are. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
woodenhead Posted February 23, 2018 Share Posted February 23, 2018 That's how Hornby-Dublo sold its tender locos originally. I know it's daft, but there we are. Blimey! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robin Brasher Posted February 23, 2018 Share Posted February 23, 2018 Both Hornby-Dublo and Tri-ang sold their locomotives and tenders separately which made the locomotives look cheaper. It also meant that if a locomotive wore out and the tender was alright you just needed to buy a locomotive. I had a Tri-ang unlined green Princess Elizabeth. When the crimson Princess Royal came out I bought a Princess Royal body from the Tri-ang spares department and a crimson tender from a toy shop in Chelsfield, Kent which gave my model a facelift. When Hornby-Dublo brought out the Castle and 8F locomotives they sold the locomotives and tenders only as a unit as the three rail pick up was in the tender. They seemed very expensive but were about the same price as a Duchess locomotive and tender. Hattons' price seems high. I recently bought a working Duchess of Atholl train set with two coaches and track for £35. The market for Hornby-Dublo seems to have collapsed/ Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Colin_McLeod Posted February 23, 2018 RMweb Gold Share Posted February 23, 2018 Unless you want an EMU Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Dunsignalling Posted February 23, 2018 RMweb Gold Share Posted February 23, 2018 (edited) Hattons' price seems high. I recently bought a working Duchess of Atholl train set with two coaches and track for £35. The market for Hornby-Dublo seems to have collapsed/ Yes, unless it's mint, rare or both, (and boxed) most of it's not worth much at present. The sad truth is that those giving up their HD collections through death or infirmity, many of whom had been collecting since childhood, greatly outnumber those newly attracted to collecting it. There's such a lot of it coming on to the market that anyone beginning a collection can afford to be very choosy over the common stuff. The one Hatton's are offering looks like it's one step away from landfill but there's probably just enough in it to get ones money back breaking it for spares. John Edited February 24, 2018 by Dunsignalling Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stevelewis Posted February 24, 2018 Share Posted February 24, 2018 Unless you want an EMU Back in the 80s I was doing some calls in Ashton under Lyne, when stopped at some traffic signals I glanced to my left and there was a cycle shop, in the window I spotted some Hornby Dublo items, so when the lights turned green I drove down a side road parked up and went into the shop, to my surprise there was a 2 car EMU set and also 3 centre cars I asked the shopkeeper what the price was and he said 'give us a fiver for the lot' which I did, £5 in 1985 is worth around £10.50 today ( source inflation checker) 9 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
truffy Posted February 25, 2018 Share Posted February 25, 2018 (edited) Yes, unless it's mint, rare or both, (and boxed) most of it's not worth much at present. The sad truth is that those giving up their HD collections through death or infirmity, many of whom had been collecting since childhood, greatly outnumber those newly attracted to collecting it. There's such a lot of it coming on to the market that anyone beginning a collection can afford to be very choosy over the common stuff. Anybody who's collecting as an investment is likely to be disappointed, unless they're collecting diamonds or Picasso. Tastes change. Collect for your own enjoyment and 'play' value. Anything more than that can only be a cherry on the top, not a goal in itself. Edited February 25, 2018 by truffy Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest chris.trebble Posted March 8, 2018 Share Posted March 8, 2018 Hattons/Heljan Class 14. Received ex pre-order only to find one part of body loose in package and one part missing. Hattons responded quickly and helpful with advice on fitting loose part and replacement for missing part. Good service from Hattons but suggestion of quality control issues with Heljan. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium newbryford Posted March 9, 2018 RMweb Premium Share Posted March 9, 2018 Hattons/Heljan Class 14. Received ex pre-order only to find one part of body loose in package and one part missing. Hattons responded quickly and helpful with advice on fitting loose part and replacement for missing part. Good service from Hattons but suggestion of quality control issues with Heljan. This issue is not specific to Hattons/Heljan. It seems to be par for the course for models these days that parts that are supposed to be fixed are loose in the box (or missing) Put them on with too little adhesive, they fall off. But - put them on with too much glue - they don't fall off, but have blobs of adhesive or glue marks. Don't put them on and leave them to the customers to apply - then complaints about unfitted parts abound. The manufacturers/commisioners are damned if they do or damned if they don't. Cheers, Mick Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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