Jump to content
 

rails of sheffield


david heath
 Share

Recommended Posts

On 11/02/2019 at 20:38, royaloak said:

Do you honestly expect them to check every loco works as it should before posting it out?

As John McEnroe famously said 'you cannot be serious'.

 

That loco is obviously defective from manufacture so not the distributors fault!

I think you have missed the point. This was the third loco that they had sent me after the first 2 had issues and were sent back. Of course I don’t expect them to check every loco that they send but given that this was the third one I suspect that there may have been cause for them to investigate and take appropriate measures ie check as they alluded to during my call to them. Secondly, these are weathered “in-house” (and to a good standard I may add) but I suspect that this is potentially where the issues with the lights may arise. So Mr Royaloak please get your facts right!

Link to post
Share on other sites

On 12/02/2019 at 13:42, JDW said:

I would guess that for a shop the size of Rails (and Hattons, etc) with the amount they send out, it would be very time consuming to test everything before sending it, especially with new stuff which can be expected in most cases to work right from the box.  Smaller shops are probably more likely to have the time, as they will be packing and sending much fewer items every day.  That said, am I right in thinking that I read somewhere that  @charliepetty does test all of Realtrack's models before sending to customers?

Agreed,  but this was the third loco they had sent so if I had been in their shoes so to speak I might have been inclined to do a check.

Link to post
Share on other sites

On 11/02/2019 at 22:28, Black 5 Bear said:

Many outlets routinely do this as a matter of course, Derails is one such shop. 

Having purchased somewhere in the region of 25 locos from them over the last 4yrs without having to make a single return, they are getting it right in my opinion.

 

Hi, thanks for the heads up. I’ll have a look at this shop for future purchases.

Edited by Haymarket47
Deleted these for shop
  • Agree 1
Link to post
Share on other sites

On 12/02/2019 at 07:34, Ian Hargrave said:

If when you place your order with Rails you request them to check and test prior to despatch,they will do so. 

 

I asked for this when ordering a Heljan WR 47XX last August because of its questionable reputation of delivery in “kit form”. It arrived promptly in immaculate order by next day courier...no extra charge.

 

I have dealt with Rails for fifteen years and have never had the slightest cause for complaint.Their service is excellent. As is,incidentally,that from Derails too.but as Little Dan doesn’t stock Heljan,I could not use his services on that occasion.

 

Hi, Rails have been very good with the returns and I’ve certainly no complaints around this aspect of their service. My disappointment was merely surrounding the fact that this was the 2nd replacement and I’m sure that they said they were going to check the loco prior to dispatch. My wife was already feeling bad about the fact that the first 2 hadn’t worked as it was a Christmas present so you can imagine her thoughts when the 3rd one had similar issues.

Link to post
Share on other sites

56 minutes ago, Haymarket47 said:

I think you have missed the point. This was the third loco that they had sent me after the first 2 had issues and were sent back.

 

Mr Royaloak please get your facts right!

Did you ask them to test it, with it being the 3rd one, or did you just assume/expect them too test it?

 

How very polite of you!

Link to post
Share on other sites

7 minutes ago, royaloak said:

Did you ask them to test it, with it being the 3rd one, or did you just assume/expect them too test it?

 

How very polite of you!

I’m pretty sure that they said they would check it.  I’m also certain that they would have taken my current loco back too but as you’ll see from my original post I was fed up with the time spent phoning and going to the post office.  Again I can’t fault their overall complaints procedure or friendliness it just would have been nice for it to have been third time lucky and have a working model!

  • Friendly/supportive 1
Link to post
Share on other sites

Seems as if Haymarket47 had a run of bad luck - or was just unlucky. I only called by in this thread to say that I ordered a Class 68 in TPE branding on Tuesday, dispatched Wednesday and arrived here Monday lunchtime via Mrs Postie, with the receipt stamped 'Tested VK'. Someone has listened.

 

Cheers,

 

Philip

Link to post
Share on other sites

I've had excellent support and service from Rails concerning a loco I recently bought from them, with some damage to body parts. I purchased by pre order the recently released Hornby Class 60 - John Louden McAdam. On arrival the external and internal packaging was undamaged, however when releasing the model from the clear plastic support material, one bogie sideframe was adrift and a windscreen wiper was missing. I checked the box but no sign of the wiper. The bogie sideframe was not just a push fit, as it was secured to cross pieces at each end, by glue. I was able to reattach the bogie sideframe and everything else with the model worked ok. I contacted Hornby customer support about the missing wiper, but they were unable to help, advising that they don't hold loco body part spares. I contacted rails and discussed the problem, they offered me a return replacement, however I said it was clearly a fixable problem. They advised that they may have some spare Class 60 wipers and would let mew know. This morning, in the post, I received a packet of 4 Class 60 spare wipers. Model is now fixed. Great service. I now have 3 spare Class 60 wipers, so if anyone needs one, pm me.

Link to post
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...
  • 3 weeks later...
  • RMweb Gold
15 hours ago, MGR Hooper! said:

Is everything alright at RoS?? Customer service for the past two weeks is incredibly slow.

I've had excellent service from them in the last 2 weeks after an issue with a new loco. Rapid replacement and return label.

 

  • Informative/Useful 1
Link to post
Share on other sites

  • RMweb Gold
3 hours ago, Graham1960 said:

There website is a bit rubbish. I searched for a class 20 and it came up with lots of things, except a class 20! I sent them an e-mail about it too.

From trawling around the site they seem a bit expensive, especially on what they call "bargains" . I don't know what there second hand stuff is priced like because I couldn't see any on the website.

There E-Bay stuff is very expensive.

Considering I live very close to them, it's the only model shop in Sheffield that I have never been in. So far I will need convincing to take a look around it.

 

I grant you that the website can be frustrating but there’s a lot on it and there are a good deal worse than this 

 

No need of the disgruntled tone.I only wish I lived closer.Go there....I dare you.....spoil yourself and bring a little sunshine into your life.Sounds as if you need some. 

  • Like 1
  • Agree 2
  • Funny 1
Link to post
Share on other sites

  • RMweb Gold
3 hours ago, Graham1960 said:

 I searched for a class 20

 

Odd, I've just typed "Class 20" (without the quotes) into their main search field on the home page and got 20 hits, all class 20 related.

 

To be fair to Rails many other sites would have brought back lot of other results with "20" or "class" in the description. So pretty good IMHO

 

And if you really want to pay over the odds for locos etc you could always try another Sheffield establishment (I don't mean Marcway)

Edited by RedgateModels
Link to post
Share on other sites

  • Administrators
3 hours ago, Graham1960 said:

There website is a bit rubbish. I searched for a class 20 and it came up with lots of things, except a class 20! I sent them an e-mail about it too.

From trawling around the site they seem a bit expensive, especially on what they call "bargains" . I don't know what there second hand stuff is priced like because I couldn't see any on the website.

There E-Bay stuff is very expensive.

Considering I live very close to them, it's the only model shop in Sheffield that I have never been in. So far I will need convincing to take a look around it.

 

This is your 2nd post? It looks suspiciously like you've registered just to have a pop at a particular trader.  If that's your game, please stop. 

  • Like 1
  • Agree 4
Link to post
Share on other sites

The only problem I have with the website is the need to keep clicking "Load more..." to scroll down. Just a minor grumble though and it's probably set up for mobiles and tablets rather than computers.

 

As for bargains. Loads of them on there. I just wish I could buy more, but I'm a bit "bargained out" at the moment after overspending.

 

 

 

Jason

  • Agree 2
Link to post
Share on other sites

The website is a bit "odd" at times, but one just becomes accustomed to its little foibles.  However, there's nothing much to complain about, and much to appreciate, especially their customer service.  As an example, I pre-ordered "Lord Nelson" from Rails a year ago.  It arrived on Saturday, Hornby having announced that it was on these shores at the beginning of the week, and the pre-order price was honoured.

 

Doubleplusgood!!!

 

 

 

  • Agree 1
Link to post
Share on other sites

  • RMweb Premium

I have had similar on occasion, where the website returned a lot of unrelated items, but generally have found it to be ok.  That said, I rarely use it, generally just pop in if I'm nearby.  I would agree that lots of their Ebay stuff (secondhand) isn't the cheapest, and one or two have appeared on the Ebay Madness thread I seem to recall, with comments about their description.  Things like "missing two buffers, scuffed paint, very good condition", but that's a criticism that can be levelled at many online traders who use the same grading system, in which "good" and "very good" seem to mean something different to most people's definition of "good", just to avoid saying "damaged" or "slightly damaged".

 

As for expensive, I'd say they are cheaper than the other shops in Sheffield, though it's been a long time since I bought from a couple of them and use them for different things so it's hard to compare directly.  I expect Rails would have been cheaper than Olivia's Trains for the decoder I bought on Monday, but Olivia's offered me some valuable advice and tested & reset another decoder I was having issues with for me while I was there, DCC being their speciality.  

 

I've no idea how either of them compare with Sheffield's other DCC specialist, MG Sharp, as I haven't dared sully their premises with my presence for years.  Even with the shutters up, I'm not sure I'd bother, the red vinyl crudely stuck across the window, plus the fact that last time I went I had to knock and wait for them to open the door, isn't a very inviting shop  Rails, on the other hand, has a very well laid out shop, although with the new part, it's actually two separate shops side by side, with no internal access between them for customers.  Easy parking outside rush hours too, right outside the door.

 

Talking of welcoming, Sheffield Transport Models.  I've always had a hello when I walk in, and good service, but I do wonder how anyone more "rounded" than I ever manages to walk around the shop.  I haven't been for a while but it's piled high with stuff, I think if I were working there I'd need to have a good clear out, clean and tidy up.  But great for materials, things like plastic rod and brass section, as well as a hoard of books and magazines.  Again easy parking in the bus lane outside the door.

 

And finally of course Marcway, more of a traditional model shop selling boats, cars etc as well as railways.  Generally well stocked and have always been helpful when approached, a good stock of things like Metcalfe kits and second hand stuff, though whether some of the latter is "good" is open to debate.  Probably a little more expensive than Rails for locos/stock, but of course convenience might outweigh that, each to their own.  

 

Apologies, that post ended up a lot longer than I intended to when I started writing!

 

 

Link to post
Share on other sites

  • Moderators
5 hours ago, Graham1960 said:

I have NO beef with Rails at all.  How can I have? I haven't managed to purchase something, despite numerous visit to the site. But since I am from Sheffield I thought I would put my two peneth in

 

It certainly sounds like you have as you have, through your own words, admitted that you have not visited the shop or bought anything from them and then bring ridiculous analogies in. You were asked to rein it in but obviously felt that didn't apply to you so access to the topic will be removed.

  • Like 4
  • Friendly/supportive 2
Link to post
Share on other sites

4 hours ago, stewartingram said:

Surely when buying track, it is deemed fragile to post? Hence a more-rigid box is safer to post than a single piece. I'm certain a shop visitor would however be able to buy single pieces. Common sense really.

 

Stewart

 

Yes. The track comes in packs of 25 and the shops usually split them. I'm pretty sure most shops would send you fewer if you ask. But I wouldn't want to see them after going through the Royal Mail mangle...

 

 

Jason

Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share

×
×
  • Create New...