Covid 19 : Six Months in.

[Widnes Model Centre]

 

 

Where did that six months go? 

I thought it might be useful for members using web, mail order and personal shoppers to give an insight into running a model shop and how things have changed since early March.

 

l speak to shops up and down the country as well as being a compulsive reader of this forum. I am reading about the lack of customer service being provided  by some shops.

 

It has been a really challenging time for everyone. Enforced closure or so we thought. Then only able to post using postal services, or so we thought. We ended up like many shops working 12 hours plus. Delivering late into the evening. Then a return to the new normal. Expensive Covid 19 procedures to follow. We have spent well over a thousand pounds making our shop Covid Secure. Then there is sanitizer and masks. Disinfecting every surface to try and keep staff and customers safe.

 

Then everyone has to wear a Face Covering. We went from total Lockdown with everyone training to try and make the Olympic team. Those same people are now claiming to be exempt due to a lung disease.

 

Returns have to be quarantined for 72 hours. So that right hand point when you actually needed a left hand point is now not available for sale for at least three days. Stock has not been easy to get in quantities we would all like due to worldwide difficulties.

 

It has been incredibly difficult and hard work for us all. Some shops remain Mail Order only. They don’t want to keep you out of their shops, they just want everyone to be safe. Shops have had to close as owners have had to go into self-isolation and not able to get anyone to run their shop. Not to mention childcare, parent care etc...

 

As of today we have gone into a much stricter regime due to rising infection rates. We aren’t the only shop, lots will be, now and it would appear some way into the future. We don’t know what this will actually mean. 

 

All the model shops will be working a lot longer hours than what is says on the front door. They, l am certain are doing their very best to provide you, our customers the service you deserve.

 

We all need to Carry on Modelling to keep life as normal as humanly possible. Just pause and have a think of how much effort has gone into getting the rail joiners to you.

 

So, please be nice to them in return , we don’t want any shops to close.

 

Stay Safe and Well. Hope to still be here in six months time to give you a 12 month review.

Edited October 1, 2020 by Widnes Model Centre
Typo

[Markwj]

Thank you for the insight and good luck you are doing a great job.

[Legend]

Yes very interesting post . It’s really odd isn’t it that this year seems to have shot through .  I think you’re post shows the struggles that you, specifically in a model shop , but actually all retail have been going through in the year . We do take it for granted and we really shouldn’t . So a resounding thank you for your service and indeed posting on here and giving us your insight .

[Oldddudders]

I do hope some of those making despicably impatient posts about a number of other shops read this and feel guilty. The me-me-me generation is alive and well and living in a dark corner of RMweb. 

[Rowsley17D]

I can only say I have received excellent service from various online retailers I have used during the past 6 months. I don't think I have had to wait more than a few days before delivery has been made. Big thanks to those delivering our goods too.

[rob D2]

6 hours ago, Oldddudders said:

I do hope some of those making despicably impatient posts about a number of other shops read this and feel guilty. The me-me-me generation is alive and well and living in a dark corner of RMweb. 

To be fair, at least one of those shops had dire customer service BEFORE Covid...and I’d suggest 90% of people on here are more generation boomer than entitled Y

[Firecracker]

Something that really amuses me is that during the lockdown/furlough I got customer service ranging from excellent to stunning (I’ve got no other words to describe one man bands who get bits to me in under 24 hours, let’s hear it for Railtec and Chivers/Five79) from all the various traders and manufactures I ordered bits from for my hobby (also the delivery services who kept the job moving).  On the other hand, larger operations failed to compete, such as the complete apathy I got from my (now ex.) insurance company when attempting to renew the house insurance.  The less said about the major UK company who attempt to supply my broadband connection and their pandemic customer service, the better.  

 

I’ll admit to spending more than I usually would in my local once they reopened (big hand for Monk Bar models please, you’re doing a grand job!).  I justified it as the money I would have otherwise spent on fuel and I decided they were in greater need of it than BP (besides which, that Bachmann Ransomes and Rapier crane is gorgeous).

 

Thanks for the initial post, when this eases up a bit and I’m next in your neck of the woods, I’ll pop in and spend some money.

 

Owain

 

Edited October 2, 2020 by Firecracker

[ikcdab]

 I've pretty much had a first rate service from all the online orders I've done. Hugely impressive under the circumstances. 

Thanks to all of the retail and manufacturers.

Ian

[sidmouth]

I think every trader who has managed to keep going , often having to shift selling to an online platform deserves a lot of credit .I am  very appreciative of all the delivery services who have got orders to me . finally to all the customers who have carried on modelling and supporting their local model shops  

[Hibelroad]

Prior to this pandemic I bought most of my needs from exhibition stands. With the changed situation we are now in and the fact that I am in a high risk group as far as infection is concerned, I have had to rely on delivered orders. I must say that I have received excellent service from a number of different retailers. I appreciate that they are having to put in many hours of what is effectively unpaid work in order to supply our needs and they all deserve our thanks and support. 

[Edwardian]

I suppose that is in the nature of cottage industry suppliers that they tend to trade from home, nevertheless, regardless of the size and circumstances , all the small to medium suppliers I have dealt with since Covid restrictions have been commendably responsive and efficient.

 

We must continue to support them with orders, but should also pause to praise them for supporting us in difficult times.

 

Dart Castings, Scale Link, OO Works, Alan Gibson, Freestone/Howard Scenics, Cambrian Kits, Sankey Scenics, Clever Models, Andrew Stadden, Modelu, Lanarkshire Models and Peter's Spares have all given me great service over these difficult months. Many thanks and best wishes to them.