Pixie Posted February 20, 2013 Share Posted February 20, 2013 It's worth the wait gents - having picked up my copy at Southampton, it's certainly a very well written, researched and presented piece. The drawings are of a quality that I'd be happy to base a model on them. It's also partially solved a crane mystery of mine that's lingered one for some years - I now know the type of crane, just not the exact number! Cheers, Pix Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poor Old Bruce Posted February 20, 2013 Share Posted February 20, 2013 Yepp! As I understand it 600 of the 2000 print run have sold already. If there aer people who do not yet have volume 1, around 1800 of the print run of 2000 have sold (although no doubt a good number of these are with resellers). I would hassle WHSmith or go somewhere else? Charlie Petty (DC Kits) had some volume 1s at Stafford. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold griffgriff Posted February 20, 2013 RMweb Gold Share Posted February 20, 2013 Got mine from Book Law at the weekend... and they matched the Amazon price of £32 (and no postage to pay ) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Clive Mortimore Posted February 20, 2013 RMweb Premium Share Posted February 20, 2013 Picked up my copy on Sunday at the Watford show. Just excellent. I enjoy military history and artillery of the twentieth century is one of my passions. On reading chapter one of volume 2 I learnt that Sir Wilfred Stokes not only invented the Stokes trench mortar, which all modern mortars are based on but also the weight relieving bogies found on large railway breakdown cranes. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium PaulCheffus Posted February 20, 2013 RMweb Premium Share Posted February 20, 2013 I'm still waiting for my order from Amazon placed at New Year. Their latest prediction is early March, but if you reckon nearly a third of the print run have sold already I may resort to Plan B! Regards, Andy. Hi Me too ordered 4th Jan and the delivery date just keeps slipping. I may be going for plan b as well if it gets delayed again. All of the recent books I have pre ordered with Amazon have all been delayed even though the book has been available elsewhere. Cheers Paul Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
EddieB Posted February 21, 2013 Share Posted February 21, 2013 I'm still waiting for my order from Amazon placed at New Year. Their latest prediction is early March, but if you reckon nearly a third of the print run have sold already I may resort to Plan B! Regards, Andy. Oh dear, Amazon may well have been my Plan B. Smiffs have now advised that the "Barry" book ordered at the same time is on its way (see above), and as their price for "Breakdown Cranes" is substantially below Amazon et al., I'm hoping that they will still fulfill my order. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Welly Posted February 24, 2013 RMweb Premium Share Posted February 24, 2013 I have got my copy from Noodle Books yesterday and it is a very good book. Sadly two or three photographs appear to have been mistakenly sent to the printers in draft resolution (and I have seen too many Noodle Books having these blunders, eg Southern Electric Drawings and Plans by B Golding and The Lambourne Branch revisited by Kevin Robertson ) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy M Posted February 27, 2013 Share Posted February 27, 2013 Hi all, An update for anyone thinking of ordering from Amazon is that they now forecast delivery to be late March! If you are after a copy of Vol.1 though, there is one available in the shop at Bridgnorth. Regards, Andy. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Castle Posted February 27, 2013 Share Posted February 27, 2013 Hi All, I have both volumes in my bookcase now and I have to echo the congratulations to Kevin Robertson for producing such a fine study on these fascinating machines. There were a few copies that found there way to the shop at 81E and myself and several of my fellow volunteers have indulged ourselves and thoroughly enjoyed reading them. I haven't had the time to really look at anything but the pretty pictures in general but I have read the section on the crane I wish to model and a few of the other bits and pieces and thought it was really cracking stuff. The only problem now is that having started a model of the liner train, I now find that I have all the reference material needed and I now want to crack on with the breakdown train for Little Didcot! Roll on the Easter brake when the kettle will go on and the books will find their way to my lap... All the best, Castle Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cctransuk Posted February 27, 2013 Share Posted February 27, 2013 I'm still waiting for my order from Amazon placed at New Year. Me too - and I've tried to hassle Amazon about this today - not easy when the person you are talking to is on the other side of the globe! Now call me suspicious, but both WHS and Amazon are discounting this book. Neither can get stock and blame the publishers and distributors. I would imagine that the large on-line retailers demand a sizeable discount. On the other hand, the book is widely available via the publishers and independent bookshops at full price. Perhaps there is a link, perhaps not! I suggested this to the publishers' representative, but it was hotly denied. You may think so; I could not possibly comment! Regards, John Isherwood. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Clive Mortimore Posted February 28, 2013 RMweb Premium Share Posted February 28, 2013 Hi All, I have both volumes in my bookcase now and I have to echo the congratulations to Kevin Robertson for producing such a fine study on these fascinating machines. All the best, Castle Hi Castle It is nice that Kevin has published these books but praise should go to Peter Tatlow for sharing his lifetimes reseach with us. I have several of his crane drawings hat have appeared in magazines over the years but to have them and all the others in two wonderful volumes along with all the brackground information is just excellent. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Clive Mortimore Posted February 28, 2013 RMweb Premium Share Posted February 28, 2013 Me too - and I've tried to hassle Amazon about this today - not easy when the person you are talking to is on the other side of the globe! Now call me suspicious, but both WHS and Amazon are discounting this book. Neither can get stock and blame the publishers and distributors. I would imagine that the large on-line retailers demand a sizeable discount. On the other hand, the book is widely available via the publishers and independent bookshops at full price. Perhaps there is a link, perhaps not! I suggested this to the publishers' representative, but it was hotly denied. You may think so; I could not possibly comment! Regards, John Isherwood. Hi John We all like a bargin. Would you be willing to sell a bulk amount of your transfers at a large discount to someone who will sell them on to your potential customers for less than you would/could? I have often read on forums like this one "Support our small suppliers". Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cctransuk Posted February 28, 2013 Share Posted February 28, 2013 Hi John We all like a bargin. Would you be willing to sell a bulk amount of your transfers at a large discount to someone who will sell them on to your potential customers for less than you would/could? I have often read on forums like this one "Support our small suppliers". If that was the way that the market was going, fine. But what I would do is to set the base price to the discounters at such a level that my margin was protected. OK, that would increase the price at the non-discounters but that is the case already. My real beef is that, apparently, the publishers in question are not being up-front with the likes of Amazon and WHS and telling them that they won't supply at a discount. On that basis the discounters are taking orders that there seems every likelihood won't be filled. I for one can't believe statements such as "the distributor had difficulties getting the books to Amazon". Really, in these days of super-efficient logistics? Also "had"? Amazon and WHS still don't have stocks, and can't say when they will. There seems to be an element of 'cake and eat it' here. Don't supply popular titles to the discounters, but indicate that you will supply so that, when a title doesn't sell so well, the surplus can be disposed of at a discount. The book-selling market is going irresistably on-line; there's no point in playing King Canute! All this is surmise based on the facts, but I cannot see how we can draw any other conclusion. If I am wrong, I will be only too delighted when Amazon fulfil my order. Regards, John Isherwood. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold The Stationmaster Posted February 28, 2013 RMweb Gold Share Posted February 28, 2013 I'm not sure if folk realise but this book (and others under the Noodle imprint of course plus some others ) can be ordered from Kevin's own online shop or by 'phone from him and delivery is free for orders over £40 - the website has undergone a bit of a facelift recently and is now much improved. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cctransuk Posted February 28, 2013 Share Posted February 28, 2013 Hi John We all like a bargin. Would you be willing to sell a bulk amount of your transfers at a large discount to someone who will sell them on to your potential customers for less than you would/could? I have often read on forums like this one "Support our small suppliers". Actually, Clive, there is a much more direct response to your comment. Over the fifteen years that I have operated Cambridge Custom Transfers, several wholesalers and retailers have expressed an interest in marketing my transfers. My response was completely frank - in order to keep the transfers affordable and to maintain a reasonable return for my effort, I prefer to market by direct ordering only. I have no problem with this publisher if he has taken the same line with the discount on-line retailers. However, all the indications are that these outlets have been promised stock which is not being made available. If this is not the case, and I am wrongly critical of this publisher, then let's be told the true facts. When I enquired directly I was told that "... our distributor had difficulty getting the books to Amazon". Hardly believable, two months after publication. Anyway, I have now managed to make contact with Amazon's Buying Department and they are aware of what seems to be going on. I have been promised feedback on whether they are or are not going to get stock, and an undertaking to amend their web-site to set out the true position. I will await that with interest! Regards, John Isherwood. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Revolution Mike Posted February 28, 2013 RMweb Gold Share Posted February 28, 2013 If that was the way that the market was going, fine. But what I would do is to set the base price to the discounters at such a level that my margin was protected. OK, that would increase the price at the non-discounters but that is the case already. My real beef is that, apparently, the publishers in question are not being up-front with the likes of Amazon and WHS and telling them that they won't supply at a discount. On that basis the discounters are taking orders that there seems every likelihood won't be filled. I for one can't believe statements such as "the distributor had difficulties getting the books to Amazon". Really, in these days of super-efficient logistics? Also "had"? Amazon and WHS still don't have stocks, and can't say when they will. There seems to be an element of 'cake and eat it' here. Don't supply popular titles to the discounters, but indicate that you will supply so that, when a title doesn't sell so well, the surplus can be disposed of at a discount. The book-selling market is going irresistably on-line; there's no point in playing King Canute! All this is surmise based on the facts, but I cannot see how we can draw any other conclusion. If I am wrong, I will be only too delighted when Amazon fulfil my order. Is it the publishers not being up front or Amazon/WHS? Given the aggresive nature that Amazon take to prices I can perfectly understand why a small supplier would not wish to fall in line. Putting the "pre-discount" price higher only penalises all those apart from Amazon. I don't blame you for wanting to directly retail your products, but then not everyone wishes to do that or has the time to do so. There are plenty of retailers who will supply this book for you (which aren't Amazon or WHS) eg Kevin directly or Charlie at DC Kits and I am sure they are not alone. Cheers, Mike Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cctransuk Posted February 28, 2013 Share Posted February 28, 2013 There are plenty of retailers who will supply this book for you (which aren't Amazon or WHS) eg Kevin directly or Charlie at DC Kits and I am sure they are not alone. Cheers, Mike There are indeed, but I prefer to shop on-line and to take a discount. If that is not available to me I will pay full price. What I object to is having the book offered to me at a discount, (which would not be possible if the publisher openly declined to supply Amazon and WHS), and then denied the purchase because the publisher fails to supply my chosen retailer. I repeat - if I am misinterpreting the facts, let's be told what is going on. Regards, John Isherwood. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Welly Posted February 28, 2013 RMweb Premium Share Posted February 28, 2013 I'm not sure if folk realise but this book (and others under the Noodle imprint of course plus some others ) can be ordered from Kevin's own online shop or by 'phone from him and delivery is free for orders over £40 - the website has undergone a bit of a facelift recently and is now much improved. That's how I got my copy, it arrived less than a week after I made the order. In fact I didn't even pay postage for the crane book ( £38) ! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium PaulCheffus Posted February 28, 2013 RMweb Premium Share Posted February 28, 2013 There are indeed, but I prefer to shop on-line and to take a discount. If that is not available to me I will pay full price. What I object to is having the book offered to me at a discount, (which would not be possible if the publisher openly declined to supply Amazon and WHS), and then denied the purchase because the publisher fails to supply my chosen retailer. I repeat - if I am misinterpreting the facts, let's be told what is going on. Regards, John Isherwood. Hi I completely agree. If Amazon are unable to supply for whatever reason then they should be honest so we can go elsewhere. I have been promised at least three different sets of delivery dates (current one is 4th March) but at this current time I expect that to get put back again by two weeks as that is what they seem to do. When I emailed and asked what was going on I was told they were having difficulty obtaining stock but they had some due in by Friday 4th Feb well that came and went and my delivery date got put back. Cheers Paul Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pcc4199 Posted February 28, 2013 Share Posted February 28, 2013 Just ordered vol. 2 from 'The Book Depository', for CDN $46.00, (GBP 28.60 approx.). On the 19th of this month, I ordered vol.1 from them for CDN $40.25, (GBP 25.00 approx.). Arrived yesterday, 27th, both orders include free shipping. Beats me how they can offer free shipping on all their orders. Cheers. Andy Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Revolution Mike Posted February 28, 2013 RMweb Gold Share Posted February 28, 2013 OK, I will be more straight forward and say that I think Amazon are the one's at fault here - for whatever reason they don't have stock, but they are implying that they will have. By undercutting the opposition (when they have no stock) they take away sales from those retailers who do pay the normal price. DC kits, Noodle Books and Ian Allan will all take online orders. While we all love a discount, in some cases all we end up doing is hurting the small guys. The equivalent would be me setting up a "mike's transfers" web site advertising your transfers at 15% off your price even though I actually had no stock. While I understand your frustration having placed an order in good faith, I can't help feeling the target of your frustration is misplaced ie it should be Amazon rather than the publisher. Cheers, Mike Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cctransuk Posted February 28, 2013 Share Posted February 28, 2013 OK, I will be more straight forward and say that I think Amazon are the one's at fault here - for whatever reason they don't have stock, but they are implying that they will have. By undercutting the opposition (when they have no stock) they take away sales from those retailers who do pay the normal price. DC kits, Noodle Books and Ian Allan will all take online orders. While we all love a discount, in some cases all we end up doing is hurting the small guys. The equivalent would be me setting up a "mike's transfers" web site advertising your transfers at 15% off your price even though I actually had no stock. While I understand your frustration having placed an order in good faith, I can't help feeling the target of your frustration is misplaced ie it should be Amazon rather than the publisher. Cheers, Mike Mike, I can't agree; I can't believe that Amazon have put the book in question on their web-site unless they've checked with the publisher and been told that they will be supplied. As to your example, if you were to check with me if I'd supply you at trade discount I'd say "No" - not "Yes" but then withhold supplies. I ordered Volumes 1 and 2 together from Amazon on 5th January. The fact that they were able to supply Volume 1 almost immediately suggests that they had no reason to believe that they wouldn't be supplied with Volume 2. I would think that a reasonable assumption, wouldn't you? I can't see how Amazon can be at fault here. It is common practice to order-in specialist books as customer orders are received; that is exactly what my local bookshop does. .... or am I missing something? Regards, John Isherwood. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold griffgriff Posted February 28, 2013 RMweb Gold Share Posted February 28, 2013 TBH Amazon do occasionally have the nasty habit of trying to sell books before they aren't* published... ... darn those preorders EDIT *Not of course including the subject of this thread which obviously has been. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Portchullin Tatty Posted March 1, 2013 Share Posted March 1, 2013 Guys, Can I urge some caution on the remarks that you make about firms on both this forum and also one of their telephone answering machines. Fairly significant accusations have been levelled at both Amazon and Noodle Books here where you, frankly, can not possibly know what the situation is. For starters both views can not possibly be true so someone has got to be libelling one of the firms and quite possibly both firms have been libelled. Even something as simple as the delivery of a book from a publisher to an end customer can go through at least three shipment firms, one or two wholesalers, a retailer and for someone like Amazon potentially more than one of their distribution centres. Leeping to the conclusion that some form skullduggery is at play will in most instances be incorrect. As far as Kevin (of Noodle Books) is aware, this and his other books are freely available from his wholesalers and have been taken up by the major chains. He can not comment for how this book is working through the remaining steps of the supply train but it is unlikely that anything untoward is happening. He is neither refusing to sell to specific parties nor delaying delivery to them. So please, lets not make any more accusations against anyone and wait for the supply chain to deliver the books to our doorsteps. Then you can enjoy the read. As Mike Sharman amusingly once said "if you want to make a small fortune out of model railways, start with a big one" - few of the people we deal with make more than an acceptable living and in practise many of them do it for close to just the love. We need the authors, publishers, designers, manufacturers and retailers that support the hobby that we enjoy and making the sort of comments that seem to pop up too often on RMweb has got to drive some of these people away! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cctransuk Posted March 2, 2013 Share Posted March 2, 2013 As far as Kevin (of Noodle Books) is aware, this and his other books are freely available from his wholesalers and have been taken up by the major chains. He can not comment for how this book is working through the remaining steps of the supply train but it is unlikely that anything untoward is happening. He is neither refusing to sell to specific parties nor delaying delivery to them. That is extremely reassuring - though one is tempted to ask whether the books in question are being carried by someone on foot if it takes at least two months for them to get to Amazon at Milton Keynes (or wherever)! So that those of us who have chosen to purchase from Amazon can challenge their assertion that they are not being supplied with stock, perhaps the following simple questions can be answered - nothing libellous, just plain, hard facts? THE PRECISE DATES WHEN THE ORDER(S) FROM AMAZON WERE RECEIVED AND WHEN THE BOOKS WERE DESPATCHED. (Sorry to shout, but my Bold etc. tabs are greyed-out). Since the parties at both ends of this supply chain maintain that they are not at fault, we must conclude that it is in the logistics area that things have gone awry. Perhaps the books in question are languishing in a dusty corner of a transit warehouse? How hard can it be to transport books in modest quantities within the borders of England? Let's face it, models are transported by sea from China in much the same timescale! Regards, John Isherwood. PS. Have Amazon reported to the distributors that they have not received the books that they have supposedly ordered? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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