Model retailers under lockdown - those still operational

[Widnes Model Centre]

On 06/05/2020 at 23:14, Porcy Mane said:

Today I placed an order with Durham trains of Stanley. 45 minute later and conforming to all current social distancing rules the order was on my front doorstep.

 

"Bl**dy He11", I said to myself.

 

P

 

Saw this and thought hmmmmmmm....

 

Took an order Friday, took payment over the telephone, delivered seven minutes later with the customer. He even looked convinced when I apologised for the delay as "the lights at the bottom of Gerard Street were on red".

 

In relation to Metcalfe, not sure "In Hibernation" is a good description. They are Staying Safe is my preferred wording. They may not be able to work safely and have taken the right action for themselves. Good on Metcalfe.

 

 

[AGR Model Store]

Update from AGR -

 

Morning everyone. We're sure that many, if not all, of you saw the PMs address to the country last night, and perhaps have seen the subsequent press reports. We just wanted to clarify our position with regards to reopening to the public.

Whilst it seems the announcement offers us a little bit more freedom in how long and how far we can exercise there is still no clarity on non-essential travel and how businesses should operate. We are expecting more details once the new measures have gone through Parliament later this week but for now, for the safety of our customers, our staff and their families, there is no change here at AGR Model Railway Store.

Our website is still open and we are picking, packing and shipping orders as quickly as we can. Please be patient with the situation but don't hesitate to get in touch if you do have a query and we'll respond as soon as we are able to.

- Anthony & The AGR Model Railway Store Team

Please contact us via these channels -

www.agrmodelrailwaystore.co.uk

or email us @

sales@agrmodelrailwasystore.co.uk

We hope to reopen the shop very soon to the public when possible.

 

We thank you for your support during these challenging times for us all and keep safe and well.

Many thanks for your co-operation through this time

Anthony & The AGR Model Railway Store Team.

 

[Baz's]

On 07/05/2020 at 14:19, Baz's said:

 

I think that you may have taken original post in the wrong way, and if there has been any offence taken , then I apologize - none was intended , nor was I suggesting that you were breaking the law - you had the OK from your MP , I would have done the same and if anyone tried to enforce against you then you have very good evidence as to why you are operating your own delivery service. 

 

All I was advising was that i had received totally different legal advice and then further explanation when you responded. Therefore you could equally double check with your MP that they were correct ? I'm not criticizing you for the delivery service you have set up , in fact good on you and for the service you are providing to your customers. 

 

I wish I had received the same advice  but I have not so I have to use Royal Mail , Fed Ex etc  which at the end of the day is a greater cost to my customers which if I could , I would rather deliver personally in the local area for exactly the reasons you have outlined and probably at a lower cost.  

 

I have again checked again this morning and my solicitor stands by their advice along with much further explanation regarding how / why skip drivers / builders merchants / DIY stores etc can continue to operate their own delivery services but its far to lengthy and boring to repeat here.    

 

Once again, apologies for any unintentional issues. i have no desire to cause any trouble and certainly not fall out with anyone else in the modelling community.

  

 

 

 

Further to above and hopefully to bring clarity to situation , I have this morning received confirmation from solicitor that doing your own deliveries as indicated by Widnes Model Centre is permitted. It does appear that there have been ongoing " tweeks " to regulations as clarity has been sought by many parties on various points and that recently the guidance was amended from showing no reference to deliveries to showing that deliveries were permitted by your own staff ( obviously observing social distancing etc ) . It also appears that at times , unsurprisingly,  these changes have been a little slow to filter down to everyone. 

 

Once again, I apologize for any confusion that may have been caused, it was not my intention to do so and hope that situation is now clear at this current point of time.   

Edited May 11, 2020 by Baz's
Clearer message

[Blandford1969]

Just to add that Roxey Mouldings are taking orders.

 

Would it be possible to have a pinned list of those which have been confirmed as operating?

 

 

[247 Developments]

Hi Everyone Were still open for Orders via Email, Post & phone calls

We are posting out once a week (before we open on a Friday for now)

Keep safe from all at 247 Developments

[Blandford1969]

Alan Gibson, Markits and PDK are all still doing business

[St. Simon]

On ‎07‎/‎05‎/‎2020 at 09:52, St. Simon said:

Hi,

 

Does any know if Tim Horn is continuing to work through the Lockdown?

 

I ordered some baseboards from him a couple of weeks before the lockdown started, and I'm sort of expecting them next week, but haven't had any word off Tim (or request for payment).

 

I don't want to email him and ask purely because he was extremely busy when I ordered them, and I can imagine he is getting lots of emails asking about orders!

 

Simon

 

Hi,

 

I can confirm that Tim has been working through Lockdown as my Baseboards will be delivered this week.

 

I assume that this means he is open for orders, although only via email as he website is still down.

 

Simon

[JohnDMJ]

A quote from Early Risers:

 

"

Heck, the people at Gaugemaster are on the ball. Ordered some decoders and a G-Scale Covered Van online at 12noon today and few minutes ago got an email from UPS saying that the package will be delivered tomorrow!

 

Many thanks to you and your colleagues when you have a chance. One happy bunny here.

 

Keith

"

Edited May 20, 2020 by JohnDMJ

[Firecracker]

Another one who’s still going, Scale Model Scenery.  Superb communication, got an email when I placed the order explaining the delays (running with a staff of two due to social distancing requirements).  Second email when the order was dispatched and the order turned up on time (so well done Royal Mail as well).  Spot on.

 

Owain

[tetsudofan]

20 hours ago, JohnDMJ said:

A quote from Early Risers:

 

"

Heck, the people at Gaugemaster are on the ball. Ordered some decoders and a G-Scale Covered Van online at 12noon today and few minutes ago got an email from UPS saying that the package will be delivered tomorrow!

 

Many thanks to you and your colleagues when you have a chance. One happy bunny here.

 

Keith

"

 

 

Pleased to advise that the parcel from Gaugemaster was delivered at 12:04pm today, 24 hours and 4 minutes after I placed the order.

 

 

Great service by both Gaugemaster and UPS.

 

Keith

[Deltic]

Metcalfe Models have sent their re-opening plans to the Trade.  Looks like new stocks will not be despatched until August. There are building works to complete, then a restock task.  So a few weeks yet before items get back to customers.

[Calidore]

A big thank you to TMC, who have continued trading throughout and are still offering excellent service despite the circumstances. I’ve had a few orders from them in the few weeks just gone, have spoken to them on the phone and by email, and everyone has been extremely helpful and positive as well as being efficient in processing orders for everything. It was actually rather nice to hear a cheerful Yorkshire voice on the end of the phone when I called, and remember that the rest of the country still exists!

 

I know they’ve highlighted delays to their customisation work on their website, so that might be a little different for anyone who uses that, but as a supplier (who carry a great range of materials and bits and pieces it must be said) they’ve been on top form.

 

No connection, very happy customer.

 

Adam

Edited May 20, 2020 by Calidore

[NoelG]

The problem is so many model shops and specialist suppliers are living in the past and cannot take online payments nor even process credit card payments even over the phone. Some are living in the jurassic past like its still 1970 (ie send an SAE for typed catalogs, payment only by cheque, postal or money orders). Who uses the post anymore? Have they not heard of PayPal, or e-commerce web stores in a box? If you cannot sell your wares efficiently on the internet, you are going out of business. It is so easy nowadays to get an inexpensive payment gateway running, or just use PayPal.

[Ian Hargrave]

So many model shops and suppliers ? So where might they be then ?  I know of only one such shop who operates in this way and I suspect he is a rarity. Surely though there is room for everyone in this hobby is there not ? 
 

I imagine there are a number of small suppliers who will want to take issue with you on this.

[Guest Half-full]

3 hours ago, NoelG said:

The problem is so many model shops and specialist suppliers are living in the past and cannot take online payments nor even process credit card payments even over the phone. Some are living in the jurassic past like its still 1970 (ie send an SAE for typed catalogs, payment only by cheque, postal or money orders). Who uses the post anymore? Have they not heard of PayPal, or e-commerce web stores in a box? If you cannot sell your wares efficiently on the internet, you are going out of business. It is so easy nowadays to get an inexpensive payment gateway running, or just use PayPal.

Hate to disappoint you but the Jurassic Era ended 145m years ago.

 

After you wind your neck in, many, many of these small shops and especially specialist suppliers are ran as an aside to their hobby, a lot of the specialist suppliers sell products that they developed for their own models and layouts and offer them to the general public to help other modellers or to cover their costs.  I would confidently say that they are not in it to make a living from their products.

 

And what is wrong with doing things the time-honoured way?  Not everything has to be done right now.  Have you not heard of being patient?

 

 

Edited June 16, 2020 by Half-full

[AY Mod]

1 hour ago, NoelG said:

If you cannot sell your wares efficiently on the internet, you are going out of business.

 

It can't be assumed to be the case for all. My local doesn't have the time to be a slave to a website as he's busy enough with callers usually and phone/email orders during shutdown; after starting about 7 years ago the shop's doubled in size and normally always has at least one customer in.

[Widnes Model Centre]

1 hour ago, NoelG said:

The problem is so many model shops and specialist suppliers are living in the past and cannot take online payments nor even process credit card payments even over the phone. Some are living in the jurassic past like its still 1970 (ie send an SAE for typed catalogs, payment only by cheque, postal or money orders). Who uses the post anymore? Have they not heard of PayPal, or e-commerce web stores in a box? If you cannot sell your wares efficiently on the internet, you are going out of business. It is so easy nowadays to get an inexpensive payment gateway running, or just use PayPal.

 

Anyone who comes into our shop will have to Pay Pal, or else!  How big is this box that the e-commerce store fits in? Thank god we live in the past or we wouldn't sell any steam loco's or the like.

[Trains4U]

1 hour ago, NoelG said:

The problem is so many model shops and specialist suppliers are living in the past and cannot take online payments nor even process credit card payments even over the phone. Some are living in the jurassic past like its still 1970 (ie send an SAE for typed catalogs, payment only by cheque, postal or money orders). Who uses the post anymore? Have they not heard of PayPal, or e-commerce web stores in a box? If you cannot sell your wares efficiently on the internet, you are going out of business. It is so easy nowadays to get an inexpensive payment gateway running, or just use PayPal.

 

Its not the payment gateway that’s the issue, that is the relatively easy part.

 

its the e-commerce website and stock management.   It really is a nightmare.

[maico]

1 hour ago, Half-full said:

Hate to disappoint you but the Jurassic Era was ended 145m years ago.

 

After you wind your neck in, many, many of these small shops and especially specialist suppliers are ran as an aside to their hobby, a lot of the specialist suppliers sell products that they developed for their own models and layouts and offer them to the general public to help other modellers or to cover their costs.  I would confidently say that they are not in it to make a living from their products.

 

And what is wrong with doing things the time-honoured way?  Not everything has to be done right now.  Have you not heard of being patient?

 

 

 

It's cheques that are going the way of the Dodo http://www.bankaccountadvice.co.uk/cheques-being-phased-out.html

[Chris116]

Just to let those in London know that Janes Trains will be open from Wednesday to Saturday, 1pm to 6pm. They do mention on the website that you will need to have a list of requirements and they cannot allow people to just browse for the time being.

 

http://www.janestrains.co.uk/

 

Sadly as I travel by public transport I don't think I am allowed to go there even if I have a list!

[Bomag]

28 minutes ago, maico said:

 

It's cheques that are going the way of the Dodo http://www.bankaccountadvice.co.uk/cheques-being-phased-out.html

 

No, quite a few banks (well most) would like to kill them off but there is a still a significant number of users with protected characteristics for which the alternative is more costly for the banks. Therefore it will stay, even with a much smaller usage.

 

For some equality and fairness only applies to somebody else'e ability to fit in with how they see the world. 

[JohnDMJ]

I can understand the reluctance of folks to order 'on line' and for traders' reluctance to trade 'on line' and respect it as a personal decision, not a dinosaur / dodo fascination.

 

Having had, and had taken away, the facility of Eurocheques several years ago, I am surprised that some customers still prefer cheques or even Postal Orders!

 

What I find even more amazing, if such were possible, is the number of customers who write or email an order with their card details included!!

[andyman7]

3 hours ago, Chris116 said:

Just to let those in London know that Janes Trains will be open from Wednesday to Saturday, 1pm to 6pm. They do mention on the website that you will need to have a list of requirements and they cannot allow people to just browse for the time being.

 

http://www.janestrains.co.uk/

 

Sadly as I travel by public transport I don't think I am allowed to go there even if I have a list!

The actual Government advice as of now is that you should avoid public transport if you have an alternative, but you ARE allowed to use the trains. Just wear a face covering. The Thameslink trains through Tooting are very lightly loaded during the day and there is plenty of room to socially distance. So as of now it is totally up to your own willingness to travel, there is no ban!

Edited June 16, 2020 by andyman7

[Chris116]

2 minutes ago, andyman7 said:

The actual Government advice as of now is that you should avoid public transport if you have an alternative, but you ARE allowed to use the trains. Just wear a face covering. The Thameslink trains through Tooting are very lightly loaded during the day and there is plenty of room to socially distance. So as of now it is totally up to your own willingness to travel, there is no ban!

The buses I have travelled on this week to shop for food have been repeating the "essential travel only" message which appears to be at odds with the law but I can understand why they want to keep people away and buying model railways can be done via the internet so I will not be travelling for that reason. 

 

The thing I would love to do is to be able to volunteer as guard once the Mid Hants reopens but again I cannot see that as an essential journey at present.

[NoelG]

On 16/06/2020 at 15:08, Trains4U said:

 

Its not the payment gateway that’s the issue, that is the relatively easy part.

 

its the e-commerce website and stock management.   It really is a nightmare.

 

But even PayPal using email address to make online payments for orders placed over the phone or via email is secure and little hassle to set up (ie for small hobby suppliers who don't need a full online e-commerce shop in a box). Retailer gets paid, sends the goods, no paper needed nor wasted, no time wasted.

 

https://shop.mypos.eu/en/19-card-payment-machine/90-mini-credit-card-reader-mini-white

 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Square-Card-Reader-Accept-Contactless/dp/B06XRWD4BD/ref=asc_df_B06XRWD4BD/?tag=googshopuk-21