Robert Scott

I had pre-orders with Hattons, no deposit was required, they would have taken payment upon supply.

I took a look at what Hattons are still offering pre-order status. These I would suggest are standard stock items (when they are received) rather than the "must to haves" that most people place for pre-orders for. I could be wrong however.

That is not true, I placed a pre-order with a retailer and they required me to pay in full up-front. That retailer cancelled the pre-order when the model was released. Then advertised it for sale at a very inflated price.

I had the first part of my pre-order with Hattons (about 14 items) cancelled in February. Today I had another 12 items cancelled. That now accounts for 100% of my Hornby pre-orders cancelled. Last year I had 2 items cancelled just at the time they became available, I decided to cancel the rest and place direct with Hornby. Whilst I can understand that Hattons may not get their full allocation, I find that for every item to be cancelled in 2 hits very bewildering. Surely I can't be that unlucky. Incidentally I placed these orders on the day of announcement so I was hardly very late. Personally I think something else is going on that they won't admit to.

Update on my earlier posts. Gareth from Trains4U kindly got in touch with me privately and put aside for me one of his stock, which I have gratefully accepted. In future I will place my pre-orders with him. I am really excited and looking forward to giving it a run.

Yes I called them, just one hope, one of the shops had a spare, but won't be able to let me have it at the moment. I am on the waiting list.

Unfortunately none of these had any stocks.

My order from Hattons was cancelled today. Too late to get one from Hornby. This is the 3rd time this year that I have been let down on Limited editions. I didn't get the centenary Rocket, the Duchess of Atholl and now Evening Star. It seams to me that when it comes to Limited editions it is pot luck whether you get one or not. I don't think I will bother in future.

Do you still have the Wrenn 2-6-4T spares, I'm in need of a replacement wheel for the rear pony truck. Many thanks

Just as a matter of interest, I believe that if you make up an Excel spreadsheet, you can convert it later to an Access database. Then you can also add photographs etc.

Hornby website do take credit cards. Paypal is just another option.

Thankyou, I was rather put out by that reply.

If the case of the Hornby Rocket is anything to go by, spending loyalty means nothing. I had spent several thousand pounds in the previous six months with a major supplier, I still did not get one because they "oversold".

Lol yes please. But seriously, I decided to order from one of the smaller retailers in the belief (wrongly or rightly) that I would get the model even though I was less happy to pay in full in advance. But I am sure that they were protecting their interests as I have heard of people placing orders and then cancelling them later.

Why should I blame myself if there is a shortfall of the item?

Actually I paid by paypal so I am fully protected. I had a look at their website just now and they are showing a one available.

Well after being disappointed with the "over-selling" of The Rocket earlier this year, it look as though I am unlucky again, even though I pad for my model in January, as the shop demanded full payment in advance. If I do not get mine I shall be very angry! Whatever the cause and on this occasion it would appear to be Hornby at fault, this is unacceptable.

Rails of Sheffield also take Paypal.

Point taken.

Dave, Whether it was intentional or not, you still accepted pre-orders in excess of the confirmed allocation from Hornby. What you need to do is, when you have sold your initial allocation and you are unsure of additional stock being available, stop taking orders and ask customers to express interest (via your wish list). If you are then able to get additional stock, or a customer cancels his order you can then offer to a customer from the wish list. This seems a fairer way of doing things. You must also realise that when these situations arise, you inevitably damage your reputation. I must also add that I have walked away from using your shop as my first choice and will only use you now as a shop of last resort. I have cancelled my outstanding pre-orders with you.

The whole point is that Hattons continued to take orders beyond their known allocation.

I was one of the unlucky ones who had their pre-order cancelled by Hattons. Accepting pre-orders beyond the stock that was due to be allocated is a questionable business ethic. I have re-acted by cancelling all my pre-orders and placing them with other suppliers which I hope they will be able to supply. I will no longer be shopping with Hattons as my first shop of call and will only now use them as a last resort, and have told them so. Not that I think they will take any notice or care. If they cared about their customers they would not allow this to happen in the first case.

I was also one of the unlucky ones who had entrusted Hattons with my pre-order. The pre-order was placed on 8th January. Obviously by then their known stock must have been all sold. They could have informed me that the likelyhood of being able to get further stock was unlikey and cancelled the pre-order then and there. The fact they did not brings into question their business ethic. In the last 6 months I have spent in excess of £2.6K as I have always used Hattons as a first stop shop. Resulting from this fiasco I have decided to only use Hattons as a shop of last resort. I have cancelled all my pre-orders with Hattons and transferred them to other suppliers, who I hope will act more ethically. So by acting the way they have they have lost a lot of future business from me. Although I doubt if they would care or even notice.