willy57 Posted January 6, 2012 Share Posted January 6, 2012 I write this blog with a deal of dissapointment. In September 2010 I placed a deposit with Golden Arrow models (www.goldenarrow.me.uk/ ) for the build of their English Electric Gas Turbine 3 OO gauge model. After two dates for completion and a telephone call requesting completion within a further three months. This period has gone and I still do not have the locomotive. Has anyone any experience of trading with this model company as my experience does not seem to relate to their web site claims?? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Y Posted January 6, 2012 Share Posted January 6, 2012 Chris, the proprietor, is a member of this site. Click on the 'Send a message' through here http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/user/7245-bruciethefish/ Other than that Chris has a good reputation with a number of site members and I have not seen any other complaints. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
S.A.C Martin Posted January 6, 2012 Share Posted January 6, 2012 I have had several exchanges with Chris over the years - he's a good man and I have always had the items delivered to me on time and in good condition. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lankyphil Posted January 7, 2012 Share Posted January 7, 2012 No problems a month ago or about 2 years ago, very prompt and plenty of communication. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Horsetan Posted January 7, 2012 Share Posted January 7, 2012 You can usually catch him at shows, too..... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold RedgateModels Posted January 12, 2012 RMweb Gold Share Posted January 12, 2012 Remember Chris is a sole trader, who has other activities outside our hobby that take up a lot of his time. I have always found him to be reasonable and readily contactable. I've just about finished his Duke of Gloucester kit and have done a Crosti 9F in the past. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruciethefish Posted January 13, 2012 Share Posted January 13, 2012 In this instance, I am guilty of keeping this gentleman waiting for longer than I'd like;- I've had contact, & will be finishing his loco as a priority. Unfortunately, as a one man operation, it's not always possible to keep to deadlines, no matter how much I burn the candle at both ends.. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
willy57 Posted February 2, 2012 Author Share Posted February 2, 2012 I have now received my model of EECo GT3 (after return due to rough handling by the post office). I can only commend Chris on the exellence of his modeling and can only say the wait was worth it. It would appear Chris is doing too much with too little available manpower. Keep it up Chris because the modelling world would be at a great loss without your efforts. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold RedgateModels Posted February 2, 2012 RMweb Gold Share Posted February 2, 2012 ANy chance of some photos? of course I don't NEED a GT3, although Summat Colliery is Midlands and 1958 so a clean one might fit ......... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Oldddudders Posted February 2, 2012 RMweb Gold Share Posted February 2, 2012 I have now received my model of EECo GT3 (after return due to rough handling by the post office). I can only commend Chris on the exellence of his modeling and can only say the wait was worth it. It would appear Chris is doing too much with too little available manpower. Keep it up Chris because the modelling world would be at a great loss without your efforts. Full marks to you for coming back and telling us of a good outcome. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
redcos Posted March 9, 2013 Share Posted March 9, 2013 i dont really want to post this but has something happened to chris as i have had very good service in the the past. but i purchased duke of gloucester kit on 5-12-12 which arrived with no caprotti vale gear plus other bits. email him and told parts will be sent in a week or two. sent several emails and phone calls but no replies.and still no parts. hope he is ok. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Horsetan Posted March 9, 2013 Share Posted March 9, 2013 .... can only say the wait was worth it. It would appear Chris is doing too much with too little available manpower.... It occurs to me that he wouldn't be the only one in that boat. Ultrascale also springs to mind. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
redcos Posted March 10, 2013 Share Posted March 10, 2013 sorry one man band or not from 5th december 2012 is not on. i just know iam going to be shot down. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Enterprisingwestern Posted March 10, 2013 RMweb Gold Share Posted March 10, 2013 sorry one man band or not from 5th december 2012 is not on. i just know iam going to be shot down. You've obviously never been self-employed, or very very lucky if you have. Mike. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
multiprinter Posted March 10, 2013 Share Posted March 10, 2013 You've obviously never been self-employed, or very very lucky if you have. Mike. So being self employed is justification for shoddy customer service? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
woodenhead Posted March 10, 2013 Share Posted March 10, 2013 He's still an active member on this site so he is contactable via PM, let's see how Redcos's issue is resolved before we shoot anyone down. The last post to this thread was over 12 months ago with a confirmation of resolution, it got revived by another member this morning so it's not as though there is a queue of people lining up to complain is it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold RedgateModels Posted March 10, 2013 RMweb Gold Share Posted March 10, 2013 Chris uses a 3rd party to do his whitemetal casting, so he may be waiting on a supplier too Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Enterprisingwestern Posted March 10, 2013 RMweb Gold Share Posted March 10, 2013 So being self employed is justification for shoddy customer service? No, but it depends what you define as shoddy customer service. A bit of common sense and understanding of the situation wouldn't go amiss. Above all you're entitled to your opinion. Mike. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
alfsboy Posted March 10, 2013 Share Posted March 10, 2013 Normally the only alternative to so called "shoddy " service , is no service at all .In other words no-one else bothers making it at all as there is no real money in it ,no-one else is interested in that scale/gauge/subject. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruciethefish Posted March 10, 2013 Share Posted March 10, 2013 Hi folks, I must apologise for being somewhat unresponsive, but I've been ill for the past week, & I'm now struggling to catch up with orders, emails, & jobs I should have completed a few weeks ago. I shall be spending most of tomorrow casting things & packing parcels, so people should have their bits / orders during this week... Thanks also for the words of support;- it's not easy making a living on one's own, particularly with various commitments pulling in several different directions, so it's nice to feel that people out there understand. Best, Chris Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Enterprisingwestern Posted March 11, 2013 RMweb Gold Share Posted March 11, 2013 Hi folks, I must apologise for being somewhat unresponsive, but I've been ill for the past week, & I'm now struggling to catch up with orders, emails, & jobs I should have completed a few weeks ago. I shall be spending most of tomorrow casting things & packing parcels, so people should have their bits / orders during this week... Thanks also for the words of support;- it's not easy making a living on one's own, particularly with various commitments pulling in several different directions, so it's nice to feel that people out there understand. Best, Chris I've said it before, and no doubt I'll say it again, but,,,,, you can please some of the people some of the time but not all of the people all of the time. Crack on regardless Chris. Mike. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
redcos Posted March 11, 2013 Share Posted March 11, 2013 You've obviously never been self-employed, or very very lucky if you have. Mike. thanks for your reply your assuming that iam not self-employed which i am all my work comes from recommendations. and if i cant do the work in a given time i let them know. if not thy can wait or go someware else. its the not knowing that started my posts not to have ago at chris Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
redcos Posted March 19, 2013 Share Posted March 19, 2013 I've said it before, and no doubt I'll say it again, but,,,,, you can please some of the people some of the time but not all of the people all of the time. Crack on regardless Chris. Mike. as i have said before i know things dont go right all the time . but i was building this for someone else. who wanted working lights- sound-smoke- firebox flicker. which has cost me nearly £200 for parts has i have given him his money back... i think i have been very calm as it was ordered on the 5-12-12. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
redcos Posted March 25, 2013 Share Posted March 25, 2013 just to say a big thanks to chris. rang him on friday and parts arrived saturday morning. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Downendian Posted February 15, 2017 RMweb Gold Share Posted February 15, 2017 I've now purchased three golden arrow castings, and I'm pleased with them. First was a Crosti 9F, purchased as I thought none would ever be produced RTR, wrong, Hornby announced their model shortly after. Mine is in a to do box in primer sat on a railroad evening star chassis, and a simple but fun project. I subsequently bought the Hornby model. Next was a SDJR large boiler 7F, this time a bit more work was needed and still to be completed. The smokebox door on the casting was too small, so I scratch built my own and it made a big difference. I carried out major surgery on the casting and fettled it to fit a Bachmann 7F chassis. It's almost done, just handrails to do and spraying. Most recent is a Z class 0-8-0T, earlier this month. I've only cleaned the casting up a bit, and acquired a Hornby 8F chassis to fettle. If like me you've not yet attempted an etched brass kit, these models require rudimentary plastic working skills that I've picked up modifying RTR diesels. I see it as an interim phase in modelling before embarking on a brass kit. Golden arrow specialise in the unusual classes unlikely to become RTR, although unfortunately for Chris, some like the Crosti have done just that. I've always had excellent service, and I'm very happy with the products, which with added detailing certainly sit alongside the current crop of RTR well. But most importantly, they are models that you have built which gives the most satisfaction. I certainly will buy more in the future and I'm considering the Maunsell diesel shunter and G16, but must complete the above three first. Neil Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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