I've been trying to order parts from a particular hobby shop / manufacturer and can't seem to get their attention. I tried calling on Monday. No one in the parts dept. answered the phone but the message said they'd call back if I left my number. No one has called back.
I emailed them yesterday with the part numbers and my contact information. As od today, no one has responded.
I've ordered parts from a few suppliers and have found that it's usually easy and they are happy to help.
How can you stay in business if you don't take care of your customers? It's pretty frustrating.
Anyone here know the secret to getting a response?
Thanks.............
What part of the country are they in ? ? They may be snowbound and unable to get to work.
I think they're in New Jersey. I guess it's a possibility, but it seems like someone should be able to staff the store....Being from SoCal, I guess I can't imagine that much snow......LOL
I live in Connecticut, it all started the week after Christmas. 12 inches of snow, we were well plowed out up here but New York city had problems. The last storm put down 24 inches, New York took 3 or more days to open side streets. The city wants to get one lane open on each street for fire and medical emergencies. Ice storm yesterday, main roads are OK, lots of "black ice" on side streets. In large east coast cities, appartments and a lot of condos do not have parking garages. People park on the street, this makes plowing a nightmare. In large storms, driving is often banned except for 4 wheel drive vehicles.
Rember last Monday was MLK Day, a Federal and State Holiday. If you check the Aristo Forum, (based in New Jersey) one day they only had one person show up.
We have our snow but at least the ground does not move.
Don U. TCA 73-5735
Thanks for the information. I guess I'll just have to wait for the Spring thaw....LOL.
I have a lot of relatives in the Massachusetts / Rhode Island area. But none live in the city.
(And the ground doesn't move THAT much....LOL)
Monday was a Holiday, Friday was also a holiday in some states (Lee/Jackson Day), then there is inclement weather on top. If the store is a small family business, then just be patient. Most of the big suppliers have customer service in India where it does not snow, but they don't speak a passable English.
"Customer service" usualy isn't, so that is why I prefer to look a hobby retailer in the eye when I buy something. There are two non-hobby related supplier I deal with, Henry Rifles of NYC, and Fox Creek Leather of VA; calling either of them is a real treat because more often than not the owner of the company answers the phone. If you want results, talk to the owner- beleive me, things get done fast and proper.
The Dixie D Short Line "Lux Lucet In Tenebris Nihil Igitur Mors Est Ad Nos 2001"
I heard from them about an hour ago. I sent another Email, and got a response that basically said he'd check into what happened to my other communications.
They have my contact info, so I guess I'll just wait and see.
I am sort of stuck with having to do everything on-line. There is only one hobby shop near me that carries trains. I do business when I can, but their stock is pretty limited.
So, I guess I'll just wait and see what happens next.
Thanks for the support and suggestions.
When possible I like to purchase/order my "O" & "G" gauge bits & pieces from Value Craft in Escondido or Walter Andersen's in Poway. With the size of the population here in SD Cnty you'd think that there would be more shops to deal with.
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There is one store (don't rember the name) in Le Mesa. Igues V.C in Escondido gets about 75% of my money, Anderson's gets the rest when I "add onto" my purchases of "mini" trees. Execelent service from both. Anderson will mail me the smaller parts (Oceanside).
Tom Trigg
In La Mesa that would probably be Reed's. VC doesn't carry near the amount of inventory, "O" or "G", as Reed's but their service and friendliness makes them my favorite shop. Best part is they are in the neighborhood.
. I have purchased a number of things from Value Craft. They are good folks and always helpful. Reed's is at the other end of the county from me, so I haven't been there in years.
I try to patronize local shops first. I have looked around Temecula, but almost every model train store I hear about doesn't exist when I get to the address.....Tough times explains that I suppose.
I don't have any track down yet. But I have a closet full of stuff, and I am hopeful to start on the railroad this year.
It seems there's a few of us who live in close proximity to each other. Anyone want to meet some place for Breakfast and swap lies? I'd be up for that.
My LHS is 17 miles away, my prefered shop is about 75 miles away both deal in trains only, I could travel to Sacamento and spend the day looking for the two shops that deal in trains but why?? I only need parts for up grade's or repairs. and my LHS WILL order anything I need, all I need is patients and of course money...and I have neather. My next project is in the gathering stages so for I have the 4 RS-3's from storage, 3 can's of new spray paint. 4 Kedee coupler convershion kits ( Have had them for 15 years or so ) Try and find them now. I only need about $75-100 more in Parts and I know my LHS will only have 1 or 2 of the 4 of what ever I need, SOOOO it's a waiting game we all play for one reason or anouther. It' would not be a Happy Hobby if it were easy.
Dave
The head is gray, hands don't work , back is weak, legs give out, eyes are gone, money go's and my wife still love's Me.
I live in San Diego to, and have been to Value Craft, which has a nice selection of tools, glue, paint, etc. All the G scale has been in the cases forever and is full list price, there's nothing interesting to buy.
Reeds was more into G before I think, now what is there is what no one is interested in buying... I bought a number of things full list, hoping it would stimulate sales, or getting new stock... all I found was "holes" left by what I did buy.
They have lots of the stuff for doing modeling, and a lot more HO, N, etc.
What's funny is neither shop has very many wheels, or couplers. The selections are too small so I'm forced to go to the Internet.
Greg
Visit my site: http://www.elmassian.com - lots of tips on locos, rolling stock and more.
Click here for Greg's web site
Like you said, VC does have a good selection of paint and modeling supplies. I also like that the folks are happy to help you. They're about 20 miles from me, so I usually go there if I can combine it with another trip I need to make.
As far as the original post on this thread.....I guess I'm back where I started. I did get an Email response to a third request for help from them that said he'd check into what went wrong and have someone contact me....The net result has been = nothing happened. I guess I'll try calling again today. I just don't think it should take a week to get nothing done......LOL
There was no mention of trouble with the weather, or anything else, so I'm thinking that I must possess a curse,,,LOL.
The phone extension numbers in NJ are 117 and 116 for Navin and Sherry!!
This is a small operation and no one is there when there is a holiday, snow day, or gone for a week for shows. Be a nag and keep calling, do not leave a message as it is a waste of time.
When you do get through, you get great results.
Thanks for that info, Piercedan.
I sent one last Email on Thursday. I mentioned I had made a few attempts to get in contact with anyone. I received a copy of that Email on Friday, CC'd to Navin. It mentioned I was having trouble getting hold of anyone in parts, and he should call me.
I finally got a call from them on Monday. It was a little weird. He asked where I got the part numbers. I told him I got them from the I-Net. He said that the prices on that page were the current prices (I had asked for a total price with the shipping).....I explained I wanted to be sure that was the case, I also needed to give them my card number, so the parts would be paid for.........It sorta seemed like he didn't understand I needed to pay for the parts....I dunno. I might have misunderstood what he meant.
Anyway, the parts are on the way!
I think that even if they are a small operation, I might suggest that they are a little uncoordinated with respect to communication.
I am glad to have it behind me and know that the parts are "in the mail"......LOL
Thanks to all for the suggestions and opinions.
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