SouthernFan

I am pleased to confirm Sue's findings that Mike's family are now sorting out his financial affairs.  I too have received a full refund after submitting details of my orders addressed to Mike in the first instance.  I suggest that others in a similar situation to Sue and myself do the same. A shame about the non-availability of Mike's kits though.  While I am able to find an alternative source for a Silver Jubilee set I will be struggling to find a SR 4-BUF EMU set.   I do hope that someone out there will be able to take over Mike's business.  

Thank you for your advice Sue and to RMWeb for providing the vehicle by which these postings may be shared with others in the model railway community.

17 hours ago, suerose said:

The family are now in a position to sort out financial affairs. I have had a full refund. You are unlikely to receive orders, but would suggest that you maybe able to get your money refunded. 

I would suggest a letter by recorded delivery to Mike which will be then picked up by his family. Include a telephone number so you can be contacted. It is really sad.

Thank you very much for your posting Sue from which I was very pleased to learn that you have received a full refund. As the instigator of this thread with a high value order of nearly £600 still outstanding since March 2017 and similar communication problems with Mike to yourself   I will do exactly as you suggest. It is a very sad state of affairs.  I have been a satisfied customer of Mike since 2003, he used to be so helpful and approachable and his kits were of superb quality prior to his health issues.

Hi Mark.  I am pleased to learn that you managed to secure a refund via PayPal and managed to find an alternative source for your kit.  I have not been so fortunate and numerous requests for a refund via email and letter have been ignored as has a CCJ.  Let this be a warning to other would-be customers.

Use PayPal then its 6 months !!!!

All very well but Mike Radford's website has relatively recently stated that he no longer accepts payment by PayPal!  Unfortunately, I paid by direct Bank Transfer which, in the past, has always worked satisfactorily and delivery has been prompt.

Has anyone else experienced any problems in obtaining coach kits from MARC Models recently?  In the past, I have found Mike Radford very reliable and helpful to deal with on ordering his kits within a reasonable time but I have had much difficulty in recent months with a number of items from his SR EMU  and Silver Jubilee ranges some of which have  been on order (and fully paid for) for 18 months. He seems very evasive when asked for an estimation of a delivery date although his website appears to be active advertising his full range of kits with no indication of any delays in production/delivery. I believe that he has a number of health issues so I am reluctant to pressurise him too hard but I would be interested to hear of any others with similar experience . 

"Hi Tim,

 

I emailed Chris a month ago about the Phoenix Ironclad push-pull coaches but have had no reply.

 

Did you ever hear from him?

 

Regards,

 

Adrian"

 

 

Hi Adrian

 

I've heard nothing at all.

 

I placed my original order in March 2014, so I think I've been patient.  

 

Chris at SRG did have very bad time last and early this year, so I understand that Phoenix sales will not have been a priority to him (he does the production in a voluntary capacity as Sales Officer).  

 

However, what really does annoy me is that the SRG website still states an "active" sales operation for Phoenix kits (and are still touting for business via postings on the SEMG Yahoo Group!).  The website should must be updated to make it clear that Phoenix kits are not available at the present time (or just simply take down the kit pages until they are back in full production).  Maybe it might be better if SRG put Phoenix up for sale so that someone who does have the resources to put the range back into production can do so. These are fantastic kits and it would be such a shame if they disappear into oblivion like so many others in recent times.

 

My main motivation for joining SRG was to gain access to the Phoenix kit range (these were advertised on the site, at that time, as only available to SRG members ) and I am now finding it difficult to justify renewing my membership in the future.

 

Cheers

 

Frustrated of 71G 

Hi Chris

I am still waiting to receive a 6-PUL kit that I tried to order originally in March 2010!  I've exchanged numerous emails with Chris Knowles and even met him once at the Southampton Model Railway Show in 2012 and agreed to scribe the door recesses myself but it's always the same response - "jam tomorrow", but never any admission that the kits just aren't available which is clearly the case.  Emails get ignored and order forms/ cheques / credit card details get "lost"

I've given up now  but, like yourself, am annoyed that the SRG website still implies that  the kits are available to members.  I shall be finding it difficult to justify renewing my membership too!

Regards

Graham