RMweb Premium corneliuslundie Posted September 16, 2013 RMweb Premium Share Posted September 16, 2013 The company was at Expo EM North. I didn't speak to the person manning the stand other than to buy some bogies, but did overhear part of a conversation which implied considerable problems of some kind. Has there been a change of hands which has not been completed successfully? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
R A Watson Posted September 16, 2013 Share Posted September 16, 2013 I have just looked up his (Kits from Somerset) membership record for this forum and the last posting was on the first of April this year,just looking at the collected entries there makes you realise the enormity of the mans outstanding task Whilst I have not been a customer of his products for many years I have been (third) party to conversations between an associate of mine and the proprietor I have come to the conclusion that the old problem of "biting and chewing" has come into play here. Perhaps this is vindication of Petes actions when Carrs took over Len Newmans empire last year, which also lead to vociferous criticism from some on here. Perhaps I have a more relaxed attitude than some towards waiting for delayed service due to some thirty years trying to fulfil the needs of myriad motorists all of whom own the only car on the road. Wally Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
raymw Posted September 17, 2013 Share Posted September 17, 2013 Having met Paul a few times, visited his 'works' a couple of times when he took over the business, spoken to a few retailers, and reading the situations mentioned in this thread, visited his website, and tried phoning a number of times, my conclusion is that if you want anything from coopercraft, the only reliable way is to buy it at a show i.e. pay over your cash and walk away with goods, anything else is a bit hit and miss. Best wishes, Ray Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest maxthemapman Posted September 18, 2013 Share Posted September 18, 2013 I'm sorry, but as someone who takes credit card payments online myself (and has a 100% fulfilment and satisfaction record), the ethical and honest thing to do if there are known long-term difficulties, such as being ill or overwhelmed, is to stop taking credit card payments online. Anything else could be interpreted as fraudulent behaviour. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Craigw Posted September 18, 2013 RMweb Gold Share Posted September 18, 2013 If you look through the various hobby shop sites, you will notice that a good number of the Coopercraft wagons are starting to dry up and when I purchased some 4 and 5 plank wagons a few weeks ago, they reported that getting resupplied is a very hit and miss process. The report of a faulty machine has been on the website for a long time now, one would hope that steps are being taken to rectify the problem and "resume normal services" Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Horsetan Posted September 18, 2013 Share Posted September 18, 2013 .... the old problem of "biting and chewing" has come into play here..... It's particularly unfortunate, given that one of the ranges that he took over (Blacksmith) was itself bought from previous owners who had bitten off somewhat more than they could handle. The website they tried to set up for it was a mess. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium pete_mcfarlane Posted September 18, 2013 RMweb Premium Share Posted September 18, 2013 It's particularly unfortunate, given that one of the ranges that he took over (Blacksmith) was itself bought from previous owners who had bitten off somewhat more than they could handle. The website they tried to set up for it was a mess. It's still not been updated since they sold the 4mm kits: http://www.blacksmithmodels.com/ Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Horsetan Posted September 18, 2013 Share Posted September 18, 2013 It's still not been updated since they sold the 4mm kits: http://www.blacksmithmodels.com/ *facepalm* Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
alfsboy Posted September 18, 2013 Share Posted September 18, 2013 It can be quite difficult to run a small model business .its no great fun but better than working if goes well and not nearly as good if it doesnt .I suspect many take on far more than they suspect it takes and wither on the vine .I only sell a few figures ,about 25 types to date ,and even then it can be difficult to order in bulk when you know sales of some items will be slow ,buy 100 min and sell ten etc .multiply that by say ten diferent items and and tidy sum goes out the door for a bunch of white metal thats going to hang around a while .They all go in the end often taking me by surprise.I dont depend on it for a living so can take a fairly relaxed view of it all .No-one dies if I get it wrong.If I run out I just pull sales of it which is easy as I mainly sell all over the world on ebay .For all the travails about Ebay you can only sell goods you have or the Ebay gestapo will be on your tail and refund issued whether you like it or not .You still need to order far more than you will sell for a while and often you dont catch up your out goings for months especially in the summer .How any one copes with business such as Gibson,C+L and Markits is beyond me .It would drive me nuts .A sudden heavy outlay could well overwhelm the finances especially with injection moulding and the likes .As I said no-one dies if you havnt got an item unless they get frustrating apoplexy and shoot themselves in anger but you shouldnt take payment for goods you havnt got .Its the road to ruin .I hope he gets it all together as I want an LNER driving trailer kit . Martin Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium M.I.B Posted September 19, 2013 Author RMweb Premium Share Posted September 19, 2013 Finally in the country and near a phone. Have tried mornings, evenings and afternoons for 3 days. Permanently engaged............. Money definitely left my account and no goods matching the order have arrived. (everything from everyone else did thought - It's like Christmas!) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Horsetan Posted September 19, 2013 Share Posted September 19, 2013 Finally in the country and near a phone. Have tried mornings, evenings and afternoons for 3 days. Permanently engaged......... If it's any consolation, I haven't been able to get through either.... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Horsetan Posted September 26, 2013 Share Posted September 26, 2013 Managed to leave a message!! Will it be answered? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jwealleans Posted September 26, 2013 Share Posted September 26, 2013 I spoke to him this afternoon so he is there at least some of the time. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
micklner Posted September 26, 2013 Share Posted September 26, 2013 I spoke to him this afternoon so he is there at least some of the time. and ? is he still in business ???? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium M.I.B Posted September 26, 2013 Author RMweb Premium Share Posted September 26, 2013 After a week of trying at all times of the day and evening I have given up, (and also had to come back out here, so no phones) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jwealleans Posted September 26, 2013 Share Posted September 26, 2013 Well he had some of what I wanted, so I've ordered it. That was using the number on the website and about quarter to three in the afternoon. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coach bogie Posted September 26, 2013 Share Posted September 26, 2013 Personally I have given up trying to buy Blacksmith/Mallard GWR clerestories off him. He has lost my business to Worsley Works who are producing the same GWR diagrams plus others and using more up to date style (door hinge holes, bespoke etched roof etc). As good as they are Fred Blackmans hand drawn films are now over forty years old and a bit tired compared to the likes of Geen, Bedford, Worsley etc. Just my opinion Mike Wiltshire Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulT Posted September 28, 2013 Share Posted September 28, 2013 Paul is alive and trading at Scaleforum this weekend. See him at Aylesbury! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulT Posted September 28, 2013 Share Posted September 28, 2013 Oops, for clarity that refers to Paul of Coopercraft! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium M.I.B Posted September 28, 2013 Author RMweb Premium Share Posted September 28, 2013 Paul is alive and trading at Scaleforum this weekend. See him at Aylesbury! I like many other modellers, live overseas. We like buying from websites because our local shops often don't stock British products. We can buy at all times of the day or night, and don't have to wait to trog off to shows to complete our lust for a product. If someone wishes to trade only at shows, then fair be it to them. But please don't trade online without an online customer service system ie, answer your customer's emails and/or phone calls. It is obvious that there is some sort of repeat problem highlighted by reading this post/thread. Please will someone pass this onto him if they go to Scaleforum, because he obviously avoids his emails like the plague. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Siberian Snooper Posted September 28, 2013 RMweb Premium Share Posted September 28, 2013 I have been to scaleforum today, when I finaly managed to track him down with regards to my outstanding (about 18 months) order for Blacksmith kits and bits he said "he hopes to have all the castings ready by the end of the year", so I might get me stuff at ExpoEM, but I'm not going to hold me breath. I was going to ask further questions when someone else distracted him and I got fed up with waiting. SS Edited for big fingers on small touch pad. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold The Fatadder Posted September 28, 2013 RMweb Gold Share Posted September 28, 2013 Didn't have the slatters toplights I was after so walked away Guess I will wIt until I next see him at a show before trying again Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest maxthemapman Posted September 29, 2013 Share Posted September 29, 2013 So, do I go through all the hassle of a chargeback just to recover £12.50? My receipt says that I am order number 700. 700 x 12.50 = £8750, no emigration to Rio on that sort of money, but a useful bit on income nonetheless. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
brian777999 Posted September 29, 2013 Share Posted September 29, 2013 This is a pity as I used to buy all my Slaters LMS/Midland wagons from Coopercraft. The waterslide transfers in the kits were very useful (I love the tare weights) until he struck a problem with his suppliers and he stopped supplying them. I did not find out about this problem until I ordered some Slaters wagons and they arrived without transfers ! Does anybody know if he has got them back in stock ? I have sent many emails but no reply at all. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
raymw Posted September 29, 2013 Share Posted September 29, 2013 Brian 777999 - It is no wonder he is 'stuck with a problem with his suppliers. Please refer to my post #53 - why would you want to send money to someone who can't be bothered to answer emails? I'm pretty certain you could get suitable transfers elsewhere. Maxthemapman - You should definitely go through the hassle of chargeback. . If we let things slide, then his business sense (if there is any ) will only get worse. Best wishes, Ray Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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