keidal Posted April 5, 2016 Share Posted April 5, 2016 Hello, I recently rejoined the 3 mm Society and received a packet containing amongst other items, a CD titled "3 mm Society Illustrated Catalogue" and a Price List No. 19, dated April 2010. My lap-top computer refuses to process whatever information is contained on the CD, despite several attempts by "electonically ignorant" me and a friend who is very familiar with the modern technology. As such, it is useless to me and unless the 2010 Price List has not been updated and no additional items are available to buy, the Price List is also useless. Simple questions from my simple mind :- Why is it made so difficult for a member to buy items from the 3 mm Society [or is it The Three millimetre Society ?] and why is it necessary for a prospective buyer to send two photocopies of the Order Form ? Isn't there a more up to date technology available, including Paypal ? There is no way that I am going to send my Credit /Debit Card information. Why is it not possible for the Society, whatever it's called, to emulate The 2 mm Scale Association, who state on the Internet, exactly what they can supply and even give the cost of each item, together with a photograph and information in certain instances. At the very least, you know what's available to buy and how much it costs at this time. That to my mind will encourage you or otherwise to join The 2 mm Scale Association. The 3 mm Society won't give you similar information unless you join and pay up ! One reason why I rejoined the 3 mm Society was in the belief that they would be able to supply 4' 8" driving wheels and 4' 3" / 4' 4" tender wheels, but apparently not according to the 2010 Price List. My interest is, or now perhaps more likely was, to pursue Scale3 modelling. Has anyone any suggestions please, apart from heading towards 2 mm scale modelling, which I am seriously considering and currently researching exact 2 mm scale ? Keith Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnarcher Posted April 5, 2016 Share Posted April 5, 2016 I did find a similar problem - thinking of trying 3mm after some years of 00n3 I got the same things from the Society. I did manage to open the catalogue, but it includes everything they have ever sold, some of which are no longer available, and also newer things that aren't on the 2010 price list. So if I wanted to buy anything it was always necessary to email to check what is available. I will add though that when I did that they were very helpful. As for wheels it seems to make a lot of difference whether you want FS 14.2mm (a separate supplier), or intermediate - the new SQ drivers look good but aren't very clearly listed as far as I can see. I haven't looked at the 2mm society, but look at the Broad Gauge Society site, they also list and illustrate all they sell on line. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
keidal Posted April 5, 2016 Author Share Posted April 5, 2016 I have contacted two Society members and they have been extremely helpful, which was greatly appreciated. However, I can't say that black very small printing on green paper is a brilliant idea. If it is necessary to use a different colour for each Price List for some reason, perhaps it would be sufficient to use a coloured panel across the top of the Price List, above the listings. My ancient eyes would certainly appreciate that ! What a pity that this Society is not encouraging more folks to start modelling in 3 mm scale to whatever standards and yet with a little more forward thinking, it should at least display what is on offer to buy. Keith Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quarryscapes Posted April 6, 2016 Share Posted April 6, 2016 I had the same issue - Can't remember if it was a CD from the 3mm society or the EMGS. I suspect that the problem is whoever made the disc did not finalise it, or that the discs were simply no good in the first place. The EMGS does have an online ordering facility, but sadly it is incredibly difficult to use. I do like the 2MMSA's approach, it's very useful to be able to see what's available in a nice clear format though I do wish I didn't have to print it off and post. (Can I save as PDF and email perhaps since I'm paying by paypal?) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium DavidLong Posted April 7, 2016 RMweb Premium Share Posted April 7, 2016 I had the same issue - Can't remember if it was a CD from the 3mm society or the EMGS. I suspect that the problem is whoever made the disc did not finalise it, or that the discs were simply no good in the first place. The EMGS does have an online ordering facility, but sadly it is incredibly difficult to use. I do like the 2MMSA's approach, it's very useful to be able to see what's available in a nice clear format though I do wish I didn't have to print it off and post. (Can I save as PDF and email perhaps since I'm paying by paypal?) If you look at the bottom of the order form it gives the details about ordering via email/PayPal: "You may pay by cheque, Card or PayPal. PayPal (we send a PayPal invoice to you) is preferred as it has fewest errors in processing and exact amount can be billed. Cheques should be crossed and made payable to "The 2mm Scale Association" See printed shop pricelist for 'Open cheque' system. For payment by credit/debit card you may use Visa, Mastercard, Switch, Solo, JCB, Maestro. For payment using PayPal, please indicate that Paypal is your preferred method, provide an email address, and we will send you an invoice for payment through PayPal to that address. (4) Print the Form or Generate PDF File" The process is to generate the PDF file, email it to the appropriate shopkeeper and request a PayPal invoice. On payment the items will be posted to you. HTH David Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil Copleston Posted April 7, 2016 Share Posted April 7, 2016 Keith, I hope you can resolve your difficulties with the 3mm Society. I have to say, sending out CDs and expecting members to print out forms and send in the post with a cheque does sound very 'last century' and burdensome! Keeping all current sales items up to date on a website is so easy these days, and rapidly changeable as stocks fluctuate or prices are altered. I can't think why the 3mm Society is not doing that. Displaying up-front what you have to offer before the customer commits to enter your shop (i.e. joins membership) is customer-focused and surely the right way of doing things. Actual purchasing may be restricted to a members-only area of the website to prevent open sales, protected by a password (say, on your membership card) and quoting your membership number. This is the way many modelling societies - including the 2mm Scale Association and S Scale MRS - and commercial suppliers are going, and is to be welcomed. It makes life so much easier! In this day and age, we expect to view online, click on an item, go to the checkout and pay with PayPal. Secure and straightforward. And then the goods turn up in the post a few days later. Anything else is positively archaic! 3mm scale is a super scale and an attractive size, and I hope the Society gets its act together. And that they encourage you in your experiments in Scale 3, which I've always felt has great potential. Good luck! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnarcher Posted April 7, 2016 Share Posted April 7, 2016 It would be nice to have it all on line, but for me the problem was that the paper lists were out of date, so one could never really be sure without enquiring, what was actually available. Still it would probably be easier to keep an online list updated? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil Copleston Posted April 7, 2016 Share Posted April 7, 2016 It would be nice to have it all on line, but for me the problem was that the paper lists were out of date, so one could never really be sure without enquiring, what was actually available. Still it would probably be easier to keep an online list updated? John, I can't see any justification for issuing out of date paper lists or prices. What's the point? Then have to put the inquirer through the palaver of chasing up to see if something is actually available seems rather silly in this day and age of instant ordering on websites. I feel your frustration! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
keidal Posted April 7, 2016 Author Share Posted April 7, 2016 Hello folks, Over the past few weeks since I rejoined the 3 mm Society, this subject has been bugging me and I have considered approaching the 3 mm Society, to request at the very least an up to date Price List, but then thought why should I have to. To send out a 2010 Price List to a new member is stupid and quite frankly in my opinion, an insult. I have therefore decided that I will not be renewing my membership of the 3 mm Society and I will not pursue Scale3 modelling any further. Instead, I will join the 2 mm Scale Association and investigate the possibility and practicality of modelling exact 2 mm scale, which I'm going to refer to as Scale2. I have considered the 3 mm standards proposed by Stewart Hine so many years ago and as a consequence, I've produced a set of standards exactly to 2mm scale which I'm going to pursue, at the earliest opportunity. I feel better already ! Keith Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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