POWSides - patience is rewarded.

Over on my wagon-building thread, there's some indication that I'm not the only person not to have received from POWSides an order placed (and paid for) in or since April - does anyone have any information? Often with these small firms there can be a hiatus due to illness or other issues, when dealing with the commercial activity can become a low priority. I trust there's not too big a problem with this valuable supplier and that the individuals concerned and their families are well.

I made an order on 12 Jan 17 (transfers only) which was delivered promptly but a more recent order of 7 April (transfers and unpainted wagon kits) hasn't been delivered. I note their website says last updated 18 March.

Like at least one other, I've emailed without getting a response but haven't yet got round to trying phoning.

I ordered 2 kits earlier in the yearand theydid take a while to come. I suspect that they are made to order which may be why they take longer than just the transfers.

These were unpainted Slaters PO wagon kits so one would assume no preparation necessary. Their website quotes delivery times of 2-4 weeks for transfers and 4-6 weeks for pre-lettered kits; I've always found them prompt in the past. Mikkel had had speedy delivery of unpainted wagons not so long before my April order.

Yes, I can see from my e-mails that my last order - for a couple of unlettered kits - was placed March 24 and I remember receiving them within a week here in Denmark.

Back in early January I ordered some lettered kits and these took about 4 weeks to arrive. I received a polite explanation and apology, apparently it takes a couple of weeks to have the wagons printed and they were a bit behind for personal reasons.

Don't Slater's wagons come from the Coopercraft black hole if at all?

POWSides evidently have their own source or stock of some of the PO types that they use for some of their pre-lettered kits and do advertise as being available separately - Mikkel had ordered successfully.

Don't all rush...

Some of their kits use Parkside Dundas bits.

Some of their kits use Parkside Dundas bits.

This is also true - they use those for the liveries appropriate to RCH 1923 12 ton wagons.

Don't Slater's wagons come from the Coopercraft black hole if at all?

No, the PO wagons are still made by Slaters for POWsides, something Mr.D is not happy about.

The only delay I've ever encountered was an order for an 0 gauge wagon kit when he was waiting for another batch of kits to come from the manufacturer and then he had to do the sides before he could send it to me.

I received a very quick response to an e mail I sent asking about the delay.

David

No, the PO wagons are still made by Slaters for POWsides, something Mr.D is not happy about.

They may advertise them but there isn't a separate source. POWsides still have to get the kits from Coopecraft who have the moulds.

So which is it........

They only way to find out is................FIGHT.........

... or not. Nile, Andy, what is the evidence for your statements?

No, the PO wagons are still made by Slaters for POWsides, something Mr.D is not happy about.

He may not be... ... but we are.

They may advertise them but there isn't a separate source. POWsides still have to get the kits from Coopecraft who have the moulds.

I had no intention of starting another Coopercraft thread here.

POWSides evidently have their own source or stock of some of the PO types that they use for some of their pre-lettered kits and do advertise as being available separately - Mikkel had ordered successfully.

 

Don't all rush...

Packed with their own POWsides branding. An interesting little mystery where they get them...

From conversations with those having contacts within the Trade, I believe that the arrangement between Coopercraft and Slaters was about retailing the 4mm and 7mm ranges and that production of the 4mm Slaters kits was still done by Slaters. I would assume that, as possibly the biggest purchaser of 4mm and 7mm Slaters wagon kits, POWSides might have a separate contract for purchasing the kits direct. 

 

Of course, this is conjecture, as are many of the other posts in this thread.

I really don't want this to descend into another Coopercraft thread but this has been said before and carries the implication that Slaters could manufacture the Midland, NER, etc. kits if they could extract themselves from Coopercraft as the current distributor. Possibly POWSides' contract pre-dates the arrangement with Coopercraft. I would have some sympathy with Coopercraft's unhappiness as reported by Nile, if he was actually supplying the kits in competition with POWSides.

Anyway, as Jol says, this is speculation: the point is, the PO kits are available from POWSides but for some reason mine haven't arrived. As no-one has stepped forward to say POWSides are ill or otherwise distressed, I'll get round to giving them a call. 

I assumed that the PO wagons were separate to the railway company wagons as until recently C&L were selling them. I bought a few that were labelled as such. Within the last five years or so anyway.

 

 

Jason

The Slaters 4mm kits were in C&L's hands before passing to Coopercraft. Possibly longer ago than you are thinking.

I had to wait months for some transfers I'd ordered. It go to the point where I'd almost forgotten the project. However, after a nudge, they did arrive. I think they have been hit by illness, and IIRC, a bereavement. Patience may be needed,

Thanks - that's the sort of hiatus I imagined and was holding me back from hassling.