Has anyone who has recently ordered parts from the subject company experienced a long delay between submission of their order and shipment? In my correspondence with the company it seems the delay is being caused by an enormous number of orders that is overwhelming the staff's ability to fill them in a reasonable amount of time.
I placed an order April 15th for a gearbox, it shipped April 16th, and it arrived in Austin at my door on April 19th. I'm not sure what could have happened between mid-April to the end of April that would cause such a rush, but I imagine they will eventually catch up.
The Backshops - A blog dedicated to modeling projects
staybolt Has anyone who has recently ordered parts from the subject company experienced a long delay between submission of their order and shipment? In my correspondence with the company it seems the delay is being caused by an enormous number of orders that is overwhelming the staff's ability to fill them in a reasonable amount of time.
They supply a very special type of product to this hobby, not every item is "in stock" ready to be shipped. Sometimes they have to make it for you.
Add to that the pandemic and the fact they just changed ownership not long ago, give them a break.
Sheldon
Sheldon,
My intent wasn't to criticize. I only wanted to see if anyone else is experiencing long order/ship times and what explanation they had received. I've purchased the same parts (motor, flywheel, bushing/adapter) from the company in the past and recently received an unsolicited e-mail from them saying they are open for business and accepting orders. There was nothing in their listing of these parts indicating they are not in stock and are back-ordered. What raised my concern was that they had charged my credit card, but had not confirmed that they had shipped the parts. Ususally those actions happen simultaneously, or shipment occurs just before a card is charged.
-Chuck
Chuck,
I have prepared a very large order for Northwest Short Line.
When I have called them to place the order, they have suggested I wait until things settle down and get back to normal before placing an order that large. They are trying to catch up.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
staybolt I only wanted to see if anyone else is experiencing long order/ship times and what explanation they had received.
I only wanted to see if anyone else is experiencing long order/ship times and what explanation they had received.
I haven't ordered from NWSL for awhile (but it WAS after the ownership change). My last order was for various parts related to their quarterer. Most shipped quickly. One that didn't, showed up months later.
I didn't ask for an explanation. I assumed it was because they had to make that particular item, and that the others were in stock. It is inefficient to make items one at a time, so mine must have been put in the queue for production of a number of these parts.
I am sure they don't relish shipping your order broken up, because they have to eat the extra freight charges.
I don't recall if they charged my card at the beginning, or whether they showed on the site whether the item was in stock. The part is only a few bucks, and I DID need and want it WHENEVER it was back in stock.
Since they charged your card the full amount, they have certainly accepted your order. The question then would be (for me) would be whether they have dropped the ball or whether the order is moving forward. Slowly. Or extremely slowly.
When I order stuff from NWSL, it's never with a frantic need. I have SO many other projects that I can be patient.
If NWSL is being even slower than normal, it's likely caused by the change of ownership plus Covid.
All that said, it would be nice if NWSL would have some sort of automated way to inform their customers about the progress of their orders. I suspect that might be more difficult for them to implement than we would wish.
Ed