Johnfromoz

Hi Rick,

All good points - I suppose I have taken a more benign attitude towards this incident because of the number of times over the years that Hattons have gone above and beyond what I would expect.  I will press them for the couplings though, it seems only right as the items are not fit for purpose (i.e. running with other Bachmann stock).  

A more concerning factor is that on further closer (and I mean closer) examination of their images, this practice appears to be frequent in their pre-owned, boxed stock.  Using the zoom facility, one can just about make out spaces at the NEM pockets where couplings should be in several wagons across their pre-owned range. Some of these images are inconclusive because of the box sellophane and the picture angle taken. Yet nowhere are there caveats/descriptors advising that these items are without couplings.

Another factor in the Hattons growth phenomenon is that you never deal with the same person twice on a single matter. I 'm up to person 4 now and counting. I suppose that can't be helped, but sometimes you get conflicting replies. I will say that they are ALL professional and courteous in what they do.

John

Curiously, I find myself, (as an avid Hattons fan) writing to flag some concerns about the direction they are going in.

As a modeller and collector in Brisbane, every year (for the past thirty) I expend a couple of thousand pounds with this firm on my hobby (a frightening indulgence, I know).  I do this, because I find them ethical in the extreme in dealing with any issues which may arise.

As most are aware, Hattons have recently delved into selling pre-owned (like new) stock.  Taking a liking to a set of four boxed 3 planks with BD containers at only a modest discount to new price, I placed an order. Only one wagon arrived which, when unboxed was found to be devoid of couplers.  When contacted, Hattons were their usual courteous selves in sorting out the mistake with the missing wagons, but concerning the absence of couplings, stated that they were purchased 'as is'. Now, I  am generally fine with the 'buyer beware' principle, but when the wagons are only illustrated with one middle distance photo of four wagons in their boxes I feel that they have a duty to disclose absence of couplers in the product descriptive.  Only a minor niggle I know, as a bag of couplings are probably about a fiver, but something I feel Hattons would not perhaps have done a few years ago.....

The helpful retail assistance members seem to have acknowledged this, and hopefully Hattons will adjust their practices on pre-owned selling.  What do RMWeb members think?

John