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Buy, Sell or Trade: Vendors
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Hosted by Jim Starkweather
Poor Service Australian Hobby Retailer
wizard179
Visit this Community
New South Wales, Australia
Member Since: January 27, 2006
entire network: 251 Posts
KitMaker Network: 46 Posts
Posted: Monday, July 25, 2011 - 11:36 AM UTC
I just had the following email conversation with NKR Models in Australia.

I tried to order the Vultee Vengeance from Earl when I saw them on the website. I have continually had to chase him for information regarding the shipments.


Quoted Text


Get a life, Damian...it's only a plastic model kit...the world won't end if you don't get one!

-----Original Message-----
From:
Sent: Monday, July 25, 2011 3:25 PM
To:
Subject: RE: AZ Model 1/48 Vultee Vengeance


Actual we already have a written contract for the order in this email chain.
If you would like me to go to Australian fair trading let me know.

" When A.Z. never bothers to update me I don't know how you can expect me to update you...??"
- How about when you got the first shipment in and didn't bother telling me that you had them and then sold out. Again don't care that you had the stock assigned to other customers just some news would have been nice.
- Your last communication said you were hoping to get some more in about 2 weeks, about 4 weeks ago, again no info to say "still haven't heard anything from AZ keep you posted".

Regards
Damian


-----Original Message-----
From:
Sent: Wednesday, 27 July 2011 1:16 AM
To:
Subject: RE: AZ Model 1/48 Vultee Vengeance


I have just received an invoice from A.Z. for the next lot of Vengeance kits...but with your attitude I think it best you do buy elsewhere. When A.Z. never bothers to update me I don't know how you can expect me to update you...??

Regards
Earl.


-----Original Message-----
From:
Sent: Monday, July 25, 2011 2:47 PM
To:
Subject: RE: AZ Model 1/48 Vultee Vengeance


Hi Earl

Yes it looks like I'll have to source my order from overseas again.

This is meant in a purely constructive way as I would like to see the Australian plastic model industry survive, but your service on this has been a bit below par. I'm not referring to not getting enough stock, that happens due to Australian distribution and supply/demand, but at no point have you kept me updated on the situation. I could have sourced this from elsewhere if I had known sooner but now I have to pay through the nose for
the item and shipping because has the last source. You're website
doesn't have any news and you have never initiated contact with me.

Regards
Damian


-----Original Message-----
From:
Sent: Tuesday, 26 July 2011 8:48 AM
To:
Subject: RE: AZ Model 1/48 Vultee Vengeance

No...A.Z. still has not got any more....!
Apparently has plenty still...if you want to try there..

Regards
Earl.


-----Original Message-----
From:
Sent: Sunday, July 24, 2011 8:35 PM
To:
Subject: RE: AZ Model 1/48 Vultee Vengeance


Hi Earl



Is there any update on the 2nd batch of Vengeances?



Cheers
Damian
warreni
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South Australia, Australia
Member Since: August 14, 2007
entire network: 5,926 Posts
KitMaker Network: 271 Posts
Posted: Monday, July 25, 2011 - 10:04 PM UTC
And Earl wonders why his sales continue to drop. I used to buy quite a bit of stuff from him, but his range is now miniscule and he doesn't seem to care a fig about customer service.
wizard179
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New South Wales, Australia
Member Since: January 27, 2006
entire network: 251 Posts
KitMaker Network: 46 Posts
Posted: Tuesday, July 26, 2011 - 12:04 AM UTC
It's a real shame. I bought a hold and fold from NKR ages ago but I don't generally buy the model brands that Earl carries.

Things have been a bit hit and miss with online shopping from Aussie hobby stores. I've had good experiences with stores such as HobbyHQ and Frontline but often I've missed out on a limited edition of a rare kit because I thought I had an arrangement with a dealer but then had to chase for updates only to eventually find out that they didn't get enough stock.

D.
AussieReg
Staff MemberAssociate Editor
AUTOMODELER
#007
Visit this Community
Victoria, Australia
Member Since: June 09, 2009
entire network: 8,156 Posts
KitMaker Network: 593 Posts
Posted: Tuesday, July 26, 2011 - 12:22 AM UTC
I hate experiencing or hearing about poor service, whether it's online or face-to-face, so it's good to be warned rather than wander in oblivious.

I prefer to deal with the LHS as much as possible, and I'm spoiled here in Melbourne with quite a few well stocked stores.

I have only dealt with a couple of Aussie stores online, BNA here in Melbourne, and CMA and Firestorm in Sydney, and I have always had positive results either with fast delivery or timely communication if there are problems.

I have dealt with HLJ in Japan and Sprue Brothers in USA and have never had any problems with either.

That means I only have about 4 million more online stores to test out.

Cheers, D
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