Camperdown Posted February 19, 2022 Share Posted February 19, 2022 The story so far: In early December I emailed Brassmasters asking if it was possible to purchase parts from one of their kits. I received a swift reply along the lines of "these are the instructions from the kit, which parts do you need?". I replied: this and that, and in addition I need the following parts, as listed on your website. Can you quote me a price? Since then I've heard nothing, despite a few follow up emails. I know that Brassmasters are still in business as they posted an update on their blog on 17th January. My question is: is anybody else having difficulties communicating with Brassmasters, or is it just me? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TeakDB Posted February 19, 2022 Share Posted February 19, 2022 I too have had a recent delay. I sent an email around a week and a half ago with one of their pdf order forms and asked if they could confirm the items were in stock before I paid, I have so far not heard back. Im not too fussed, as yet, as it does stress its a part time business and i'm in no huge rush, but that doesn't really explain an unasnwered enquiry from December. Hopefully all is well and there is an innocent explanation. Will update if the situation changes. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Ralf Posted February 21, 2022 RMweb Gold Share Posted February 21, 2022 I emailed them a quick query the other evening (probably a week or more now) and got a very fast response clarifying things. Have yet to actually finish the order mind you... Ralf Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BR traction instructor Posted February 21, 2022 Share Posted February 21, 2022 I’m exchanging emails with Brassmasters regarding a new chassis kit under development and aren’t aware of any issues. BeRTIe Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Camperdown Posted February 21, 2022 Author Share Posted February 21, 2022 Thanks all. Just me and TeakDB they're not replying to then. I suppose I'll try again. I've already sent essentially the same email four times from two different email addresses. I really don't want to bombard them like some spam bot, but in the absence of another way to contact them it's hard to know what else to do. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BR traction instructor Posted February 21, 2022 Share Posted February 21, 2022 I’ve dropped my Brassmasters contact an email alerting them to your posts and will add any reply from them. BeRTIe Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Camperdown Posted February 21, 2022 Author Share Posted February 21, 2022 Thanks BeRTIe. I imagine it's just that real emails are getting lost amongst spam. Perhaps in the "contact us" section of the web site, Brassmasters could add a note along the lines of "please add the following keyword ... to your message to bypass the spam filter". Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BR traction instructor Posted February 21, 2022 Share Posted February 21, 2022 (edited) The chap who normally deals with orders within this small company has been on holiday but is back in harness now and will be picking up any outstanding ones over the next few days. BeRTIe Edited February 21, 2022 by BR traction instructor 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Camperdown Posted February 21, 2022 Author Share Posted February 21, 2022 Thanks BeRTIe. If I don't get a response I'll email them again in a couple of days and post here how I get on. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Camperdown Posted February 21, 2022 Author Share Posted February 21, 2022 BeRTIe: Maybe coincidence, or maybe due to your prompting, but I finally heard from Brassmasters this afternoon. Hopefully they'll shortly give me a price, as they promised. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Blandford1969 Posted February 22, 2022 RMweb Premium Share Posted February 22, 2022 On 21/02/2022 at 16:39, Camperdown said: BeRTIe: Maybe coincidence, or maybe due to your prompting, but I finally heard from Brassmasters this afternoon. Hopefully they'll shortly give me a price, as they promised. John is not always the quickest, but is far better than one larger one who I've had an order with since last April and which told me today answering emails or telling customers when their order might be dealt with (up to 18 months still for some spare parts) is not possible or worthwhile as they get too many emails. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Enterprisingwestern Posted February 23, 2022 RMweb Gold Share Posted February 23, 2022 Now Brassmasters are back up to speed, a relative term!, I'll have a go at ordering a couple of Cleminson chassis', hopefully to collect from the UK in March. Mike. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BR traction instructor Posted February 23, 2022 Share Posted February 23, 2022 (edited) 9 hours ago, Blandford1969 said: John is not always the quickest, but is far better than one larger one who I've had an order with since last April and which told me today answering emails or telling customers when their order might be dealt with (up to 18 months still for some spare parts) is not possible or worthwhile as they get too many emails. I first expressed interest in the upcoming new chassis kit several years ago, when the idea was first mooted. The project was one of several under development concurrently and was hampered by the design of the RTR loco involved/time spent getting around resultant issues. Covid didn’t help. However, I wasn’t kept waiting cos I have so many other items to build/improve. A little forward planning by modellers usually removes time factors from the equation and allows small manufacturers to focus on producing their goods. I don’t hesitate to pre-order with these guys cos I know that the result will be right. I would never pre order from several large RTR manufacturers cos the errors can be large enough to make the model unrecoverable. BeRTIe Edited February 23, 2022 by BR traction instructor 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TeakDB Posted February 24, 2022 Share Posted February 24, 2022 To update my earlier post I received a reply to my email yesterday with an apology for the delay in replying as they were awaiting some castings for my kits to be complete. As I said to them, not an issue, it's only a hobby! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium MPR Posted September 1, 2023 RMweb Premium Share Posted September 1, 2023 It appears that the 3150 large prairie is almost ready for sale. No pricing yet, design approach looks impressive.https://www.brassmasters.co.uk/gwr_3150_2-6-2t.htm 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Siberian Snooper Posted September 1, 2023 RMweb Premium Share Posted September 1, 2023 Hopefully it can be built without the cab shutters and the straight bunker sheet, not sure that's the correct terminology for no top rear lamp protection. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium MPR Posted September 1, 2023 RMweb Premium Share Posted September 1, 2023 2 hours ago, Siberian Snooper said: Hopefully it can be built without the cab shutters and the straight bunker sheet, not sure that's the correct terminology for no top rear lamp protection. Looking at the instructions (and the labelled etch sheets), I would answer “yes” to both questions. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Siberian Snooper Posted September 2, 2023 RMweb Premium Share Posted September 2, 2023 Great, thanks. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jol Wilkinson Posted September 2, 2023 Share Posted September 2, 2023 Going by BM's pricing for the Finney 2-6-2T, then something around £200. Odd that they have quoted suitable motors that are no longer readily available, but the HL coreless should fit the bill. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steamport Southport Posted September 2, 2023 Share Posted September 2, 2023 1 hour ago, Jol Wilkinson said: Going by BM's pricing for the Finney 2-6-2T, then something around £200. Odd that they have quoted suitable motors that are no longer readily available, but the HL coreless should fit the bill. How many of the more "serious" kit builders have stocked up on the motors though? I wish I had with the Black Beetles, but I do seem to recall quite a few people panic buying Mashima motors when the rumours they were ceasing production started. Jason Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cctransuk Posted September 2, 2023 Share Posted September 2, 2023 41 minutes ago, Steamport Southport said: How many of the more "serious" kit builders have stocked up on the motors though? I wish I had with the Black Beetles, but I do seem to recall quite a few people panic buying Mashima motors when the rumours they were ceasing production started. Jason It has been posted here several times - by me, amongst others - that Black Beetles are still in production, and can be ordered, and efficiently delivered, from the manufacturers in Australia. It is my understanding that the manufacturers laid in a large stock of Mashima motors before production ceased. CJI. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Down_Under Posted January 18 Share Posted January 18 (edited) Latest update from Brassmasters: https://www.brassmasters.co.uk/accessories.htm They have withdrawn their supply of etched and cast whitemetal/brass detailing parts, along with coupling rods. Pick up what you can from exhibitions. Bit of a blow for overseas customers. Found it a handy range of detail components with many uses. Any suggestions as to where to pick up items like this now? Re-introduction of the Austerity / J94 looks to be on the cards and is welcomed. James Edited January 18 by Down_Under 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Mikkel Posted January 18 RMweb Gold Share Posted January 18 Argh! Yes that is bad news for overseas customers. And I don't think anyone else (with mail order) stocks their items? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rope runner Posted January 18 Share Posted January 18 4 hours ago, Down_Under said: Re-introduction of the Austerity / J94 looks to be on the cards is welcomed. It will be interesting to see if the resin boiler/tank portion is up for replacement with an etched offering. The weakest part of the kit IMO. Paul A. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cctransuk Posted January 18 Share Posted January 18 4 hours ago, Down_Under said: Latest update from Brassmasters: https://www.brassmasters.co.uk/accessories.htm They have withdrawn their supply of etched and cast whitemetal/brass detailing parts, along with coupling rods. Pick up what you can from exhibitions. Bit of a blow for overseas customers. Found it a handy range of detail components with many uses. Any suggestions as to where to pick up items like this now? Re-introduction of the Austerity / J94 looks to be on the cards is welcomed. James Oh dear - that would seem to be indicative of another valued supplier in the process of withdrawing from the market. CJI. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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