K. Holt Yes, its all set up and I like it very much. Will order more as soon as I figure out how I am going to fill the rest of the room. Once I got the plywood on top it became very sturdy. It supports a lot of weight by itself but it needs the plywood sheet to give it more lateral stability which it does nicely. I used 1/2" Baltic birch. They recommended 1/2" luan but that was hard to find in that thickness so I substituted Baltic birch instead which I think is better quality than is really necessary. Keith
Yes, its all set up and I like it very much. Will order more as soon as I figure out how I am going to fill the rest of the room.
Once I got the plywood on top it became very sturdy. It supports a lot of weight by itself but it needs the plywood sheet to give it more lateral stability which it does nicely. I used 1/2" Baltic birch. They recommended 1/2" luan but that was hard to find in that thickness so I substituted Baltic birch instead which I think is better quality than is really necessary.
Keith
Baltic birch plywood is great stuff. I often use it to build cabinetry, and it looks really nice, especially when you can put a veneer strip on the end to hide the plies.
However, this is something that you're going to cover with foam, plaster, track etc. I would say that Baltic birch plywood is way overkill for that. Regular old construction grade plywood will do just fine. Unless of course, money is no object, in which case go for it.
Connecticut Valley Railroad A Branch of the New York, New Haven, and Hartford
"If you think you can do a thing or think you can't do a thing, you're right." -- Henry Ford
My benchwork from Mianne is shipping today!
Keith - how is your table going? Still satisfied with the architecture?
Holt - how's the benchwork looking these days? Are you happy with the purchase?
Where you live is also going to help determine the quality of the wood. I found this out by buying alot of #2 pine 1x4s in Virginia for about a dollar each board, sometimes a $1.50. This wood was clean and straight for the most part and finding good pieces in the lot was pretty easy. Now I live in WA state and going to my local HD leaves me cringing The #2 boards are $2.+ and look like the low grade from VA, and what they call premium here in WA was the #2 grade I bought in VA and here it is almost $4 per 8' board.
In VA I built a stand for my 90 Gallon fishtank out of a combo of premium and #2 grade 1x4s for less than $60 including hardware. The stand is about 30" tall. When i moved to WA I dismantled a layout made of 1x4s (moved it from VA) and used some of that wood to build a canopy for said 90G tank. The canopy is the same exact design as the stand only smaller and uses far less wood but the cost was more than the stand was, and I even used old wood that did not figure into the actual cost of the canopy. Oh and the lights are also not counted in the cost.
So your area is going to determine the quality and cost of the wood you buy as well.
Massey
A Veteran, whether active duty, retired, national guard, or reserve, is someone who, at one point in his or her life, wrote a blank check made payable to "The United States of America" for an amount of "up to and including my life."
rrebell richhotrain: K. Holt: I would agree that both Sievers and Mianne are expensive, and although I haven't priced it out myself, I'm not convinced it is "over priced". There is a big difference in the cost of good quality wood that has been furthermore sanded or finished as nicely as these products are vs just buying some construction grade lumber at the local Home Depot or Lowes. In my original post, I explained that in my case it wasn't sufficient for the product to just be functional. I do in fact want it to look nice. It is going in my home and for that reason alone means it needs to be wife friendly if nothing else. I don't have a dedicated room for it. It will go in the game room along with the big screen TV etc. I don't expect furniture quality, but construction lumber isn't getting in the door here. I have no familiarity with Sievers whatsoever. However, from a quick tour of their web site, there is no assurance that the lumber they use is any better than lumber purchased at Home Depot or Lowes or, for that matter, your local lumber yard. The web site indicates that they use unfinished 3/4" x 3 1/2" No. 2 pine lumber, accurately cut and sanded. That is what is commonly referred to as a "1 by 4" board. It is construction grade. If you want the top grade of 1 by 4 pine, you would select a No. 1 grade which is a grade higher than No. 2 grade. Furthermore, there are grade characteristics that define finishes suitable for construction, cabinetry, painting, staining, etc. Sievers doesn't specify the finish grade. Now, I am not contending that Sievers uses lower quality lumber, but I am suggesting that you may be overestimating the quality of the lumber used to construct the framework. Rich Having built my own benchwork, I can tell you that #2 pine can be #1 in the shorter pieces we tend to use in modules ans a lot of my benchwork has no knots but I go though the boards when I buy them and am very selective!
richhotrain: K. Holt: I would agree that both Sievers and Mianne are expensive, and although I haven't priced it out myself, I'm not convinced it is "over priced". There is a big difference in the cost of good quality wood that has been furthermore sanded or finished as nicely as these products are vs just buying some construction grade lumber at the local Home Depot or Lowes. In my original post, I explained that in my case it wasn't sufficient for the product to just be functional. I do in fact want it to look nice. It is going in my home and for that reason alone means it needs to be wife friendly if nothing else. I don't have a dedicated room for it. It will go in the game room along with the big screen TV etc. I don't expect furniture quality, but construction lumber isn't getting in the door here. I have no familiarity with Sievers whatsoever. However, from a quick tour of their web site, there is no assurance that the lumber they use is any better than lumber purchased at Home Depot or Lowes or, for that matter, your local lumber yard. The web site indicates that they use unfinished 3/4" x 3 1/2" No. 2 pine lumber, accurately cut and sanded. That is what is commonly referred to as a "1 by 4" board. It is construction grade. If you want the top grade of 1 by 4 pine, you would select a No. 1 grade which is a grade higher than No. 2 grade. Furthermore, there are grade characteristics that define finishes suitable for construction, cabinetry, painting, staining, etc. Sievers doesn't specify the finish grade. Now, I am not contending that Sievers uses lower quality lumber, but I am suggesting that you may be overestimating the quality of the lumber used to construct the framework. Rich
K. Holt: I would agree that both Sievers and Mianne are expensive, and although I haven't priced it out myself, I'm not convinced it is "over priced". There is a big difference in the cost of good quality wood that has been furthermore sanded or finished as nicely as these products are vs just buying some construction grade lumber at the local Home Depot or Lowes. In my original post, I explained that in my case it wasn't sufficient for the product to just be functional. I do in fact want it to look nice. It is going in my home and for that reason alone means it needs to be wife friendly if nothing else. I don't have a dedicated room for it. It will go in the game room along with the big screen TV etc. I don't expect furniture quality, but construction lumber isn't getting in the door here.
I would agree that both Sievers and Mianne are expensive, and although I haven't priced it out myself, I'm not convinced it is "over priced". There is a big difference in the cost of good quality wood that has been furthermore sanded or finished as nicely as these products are vs just buying some construction grade lumber at the local Home Depot or Lowes. In my original post, I explained that in my case it wasn't sufficient for the product to just be functional. I do in fact want it to look nice. It is going in my home and for that reason alone means it needs to be wife friendly if nothing else. I don't have a dedicated room for it. It will go in the game room along with the big screen TV etc. I don't expect furniture quality, but construction lumber isn't getting in the door here.
I have no familiarity with Sievers whatsoever. However, from a quick tour of their web site, there is no assurance that the lumber they use is any better than lumber purchased at Home Depot or Lowes or, for that matter, your local lumber yard.
The web site indicates that they use unfinished 3/4" x 3 1/2" No. 2 pine lumber, accurately cut and sanded. That is what is commonly referred to as a "1 by 4" board. It is construction grade. If you want the top grade of 1 by 4 pine, you would select a No. 1 grade which is a grade higher than No. 2 grade. Furthermore, there are grade characteristics that define finishes suitable for construction, cabinetry, painting, staining, etc. Sievers doesn't specify the finish grade.
Now, I am not contending that Sievers uses lower quality lumber, but I am suggesting that you may be overestimating the quality of the lumber used to construct the framework.
Rich
So true Rich. Pine species and grading will vary due to geographical areas also. Like you say though, by being selective while looking through the stack of #2, you can find the clear stable lumber needed for our purposes. I really don't mean to include Home depot and other home centers. Local "real lumber" lumber yards carry a far better quality of the pine. Even new lifts of pine delivered to HD will need serious picking. If you notice, HD calls a better grade of pine "Premium", there's no such animal- it is only premium to them. The #2 is such a poor quality bordering utility or #3 grade it forces people to buy the way overpriced "select". Don't get me wrong, they do offer some very good D select but you pay almost double for this grade.
Also FYI, better grading of pine goes into the "clears" w/ D Select and C or Better being almost defect free. In my woodworking/ moldings etc where stain grade clear pine is needed for stain matching etc, I really need to use the C or Better from my commercial supplier.
In no way should anyone really consider this grade, good clear hardwood ranges about the same price.
Modeling B&O- Chessie Bob K. www.ssmrc.org
Sounds like you got a realistic shipping estimate up front. If they had done that for me there never would have been a problem.
You will be happy when you get it. It is very unique in its design.
richhotrain K. Holt: I would agree that both Sievers and Mianne are expensive, and although I haven't priced it out myself, I'm not convinced it is "over priced". There is a big difference in the cost of good quality wood that has been furthermore sanded or finished as nicely as these products are vs just buying some construction grade lumber at the local Home Depot or Lowes. In my original post, I explained that in my case it wasn't sufficient for the product to just be functional. I do in fact want it to look nice. It is going in my home and for that reason alone means it needs to be wife friendly if nothing else. I don't have a dedicated room for it. It will go in the game room along with the big screen TV etc. I don't expect furniture quality, but construction lumber isn't getting in the door here. I have no familiarity with Sievers whatsoever. However, from a quick tour of their web site, there is no assurance that the lumber they use is any better than lumber purchased at Home Depot or Lowes or, for that matter, your local lumber yard. The web site indicates that they use unfinished 3/4" x 3 1/2" No. 2 pine lumber, accurately cut and sanded. That is what is commonly referred to as a "1 by 4" board. It is construction grade. If you want the top grade of 1 by 4 pine, you would select a No. 1 grade which is a grade higher than No. 2 grade. Furthermore, there are grade characteristics that define finishes suitable for construction, cabinetry, painting, staining, etc. Sievers doesn't specify the finish grade. Now, I am not contending that Sievers uses lower quality lumber, but I am suggesting that you may be overestimating the quality of the lumber used to construct the framework. Rich
Hi, Keith. Congrats. I made an order a few weeks ago from Mianne as well and he estimated 1st week of January for shipping. I'm glad he came through for you - it almost sounds like a one-man operation but I could be wrong. I will post my order's status as I get it.
Have fun!
K. Holt Yippee! I just got a shipping notice. My Mianne benchwork is on its way. A big thank you to the anonymous hand that helped pry things loose for me. I am looking forward to receiving this. Keith P.S. I think this confirms again my suspicion that people are almost always fundamentally honest and will do the right thing eventually. Sometimes they just need a little extra "encouragement" to pay attention and do what they said they were going to do...
Yippee!
I just got a shipping notice. My Mianne benchwork is on its way. A big thank you to the anonymous hand that helped pry things loose for me. I am looking forward to receiving this.
P.S. I think this confirms again my suspicion that people are almost always fundamentally honest and will do the right thing eventually. Sometimes they just need a little extra "encouragement" to pay attention and do what they said they were going to do...
Keith:
Glad you are getting what you have ordered. Never heard of Mianne benchwork; you gave them extreme benefit of the doubt.
I guess I understand the market niche for products like Sievers and Mianne, but never underestimate the generosity of your fellow modelers. I have cut wood for modules on my table saw for others, know others in my club who have done the same. That is one of the neat things about the hobby, people love to help, if asked.
SUX V R40 Rider {Moderated for Language}
{Moderated for Language}
You may have missed that the Mianne order is on it's way. I don't believe that any future orders will be a problem also.
K.Holt, to answer your question as to what to do, I say cancel your order and trash their name and reputation on as many venues/forums as possible. Just make sure what you post is the facts and truth as to how you feel about it.
I have had bad dealings with companies I ordered from on the internet. I had no problem stating the true, negative facts about the company and how I feel about their poor customer service. {Moderated for Language}
One person with positive things to say about a company can bring in 10 new customers. But that same person with something bad to say about a company can cost that company 100 customers.
K. Holt I would agree that both Sievers and Mianne are expensive, and although I haven't priced it out myself, I'm not convinced it is "over priced". There is a big difference in the cost of good quality wood that has been furthermore sanded or finished as nicely as these products are vs just buying some construction grade lumber at the local Home Depot or Lowes. In my original post, I explained that in my case it wasn't sufficient for the product to just be functional. I do in fact want it to look nice. It is going in my home and for that reason alone means it needs to be wife friendly if nothing else. I don't have a dedicated room for it. It will go in the game room along with the big screen TV etc. I don't expect furniture quality, but construction lumber isn't getting in the door here. Of course once the fascia board is up and all, it probably won't be noticeable either way, but at the pace I am likely to be able to proceed, that is all going to take time. Also, I'm at a phase of my life where money is much more plentiful than time (i.e., I'm not retired yet). I don't consider the cost to be an obstacle here at all. But I do want to work with a reputable company that I can go back to later. Anyway, I am digressing considerably from the purpose of this thread. My choices are pretty simple: either continue to wait and hope or go with Sievers. I guess I have made up my mind in that I will give Mianne a chance to do what they said again this week they will do, but this is their last chance and they won't get another if they don't keep their word this time. I am willing to do this because there are too many positive reviews in this forum regarding this company. Something just doesn't add up. This thread certainly won't help their business and so now I feel a certain responsibility to make sure they don't get screwed by my having posted this. If they come through for me I will make sure that data is posted here to be fair to them, but if they don't, then I guess they deserve what follows. Keith
I would agree that both Sievers and Mianne are expensive, and although I haven't priced it out myself, I'm not convinced it is "over priced". There is a big difference in the cost of good quality wood that has been furthermore sanded or finished as nicely as these products are vs just buying some construction grade lumber at the local Home Depot or Lowes. In my original post, I explained that in my case it wasn't sufficient for the product to just be functional. I do in fact want it to look nice. It is going in my home and for that reason alone means it needs to be wife friendly if nothing else. I don't have a dedicated room for it. It will go in the game room along with the big screen TV etc. I don't expect furniture quality, but construction lumber isn't getting in the door here. Of course once the fascia board is up and all, it probably won't be noticeable either way, but at the pace I am likely to be able to proceed, that is all going to take time. Also, I'm at a phase of my life where money is much more plentiful than time (i.e., I'm not retired yet). I don't consider the cost to be an obstacle here at all. But I do want to work with a reputable company that I can go back to later.
Anyway, I am digressing considerably from the purpose of this thread.
My choices are pretty simple: either continue to wait and hope or go with Sievers. I guess I have made up my mind in that I will give Mianne a chance to do what they said again this week they will do, but this is their last chance and they won't get another if they don't keep their word this time. I am willing to do this because there are too many positive reviews in this forum regarding this company. Something just doesn't add up. This thread certainly won't help their business and so now I feel a certain responsibility to make sure they don't get screwed by my having posted this. If they come through for me I will make sure that data is posted here to be fair to them, but if they don't, then I guess they deserve what follows.
Keith --
I don't think you have to worry about "screwing" the folks at Mienne. After all, you're only relating YOUR experience, not badmouthing them because you had a bad experience. That is, you're not trying to generalize about the company based on your bad experience. Were I going to order from them I would certainly consider your experience, but I'd take other things and opinions into consideration as well.
BTW, you know Woodland Scenics makes benchwork modules, too, right? They are cheaper, although not as customizable (and a little low for my liking, IIRC).
As far as your opinion on looking nice goes, I understand that it's going in your home, and that you might give significant weight to the appearance. I'm a pretty fair carpenter, and have made several pieces of furniture (I'm just finishing up a set of Adirondack furniture for my deck -- didn't quite get it done in time to enjoy it, but that's another story), and I assure you that what you dismiss as "construction quality" lumber can be made into pieces that look quite nice (my train display shelf, for one). It depends on how much care you take with it. However, what I meant was that the benchwork doesn't need to be the part that's visible to the outsiders. I have helped people put wood paneling around the lower edge of the layout to hide the girder structure, and likewise I have seen many layouts with a simple valance, which hides things quite nicely. You could also use thin plywood or tempered hardboard covered with adhesive backed wood veneers... or just paint it (AC grade, or "one good side" plywood works pretty well for this). In fact, given that you'll likely have wires, switch machines and what not under your layout, you'll probably WANT to hide the benchwork at some point. None of these things are very hard to do, and they will all probably serve you better than bare, stained, or painted benchwork if appearance is important to you.
richhotrain I have no familiarity with Sievers whatsoever. However, from a quick tour of their web site, there is no assurance that the lumber they use is any better than lumber purchased at Home Depot or Lowes or, for that matter, your local lumber yard. The web site indicates that they use unfinished 3/4" x 3 1/2" No. 2 pine lumber, accurately cut and sanded. That is what is commonly referred to as a "1 by 4" board. It is construction grade. If you want the top grade of 1 by 4 pine, you would select a No. 1 grade which is a grade higher than No. 2 grade. Furthermore, there are grade characteristics that define finishes suitable for construction, cabinetry, painting, staining, etc. Sievers doesn't specify the finish grade. Now, I am not contending that Sievers uses lower quality lumber, but I am suggesting that you may be overestimating the quality of the lumber used to construct the framework. Rich
I can only speak to what I received: the wood is at least #2-very close to #1-and precisely cut and drilled and sanded. Also, straight and true. I painted it because that is the finish I want; however, it would have been quite suitable for stain or even a clear finish if that is what one prefers. The hardware is as good as you can find anywhere. I saw Mianne benchwork at a show some time ago and was favorably impressed, but Sievers seemed to be a more rugged assembly (and it has proved to be so).
Dante
I am not familiar with either product, however I just checked out both Mianne and Siever's wesites for product and specs. As mentioned, the Siever's is nothing more than precut #2 pine (big deal- wiring holes and predrilled countersink assy).
I can see why you do really like the Mianne product. It is hardwood. Legs are 2x2 w/ supplied adjusters. The Joists or I beam is fabricated truss of hardwood/ masonite web. The doweling and camlock feature is rather strong as well as quick. No one her seems to have any experience w/ the product or company. It is quite a decent looking system (this is coming from a quick look and desciption off website) I am a professional woodworker.
It is a real shame that you are having so much trouble with getting your order. There is absolutely no comparison between the quality of these 2 products.
If you really do need to go w/ something else, especially since (I assume you have the 1/2" birch precut), just have a carpenter or someone with tools/ decent woodworking skills cut and assemble the pine structure for you. That extreme cost for #2 pine plus shipping and possible loss of not being able to use the $200 woth of birch, may actually end up costing the same.
This is actually the first time ever really looking at prefabed benchwork of any kind. Why would I? I am an experience finish carpenter/ general contractor. I hope that the Mianne will come through for you.
K. Holt I would agree that both Sievers and Mianne are expensive, and although I haven't priced it out myself, I'm not convinced it is "over priced". There is a big difference in the cost of good quality wood that has been furthermore sanded or finished as nicely as these products are vs just buying some construction grade lumber at the local Home Depot or Lowes. In my original post, I explained that in my case it wasn't sufficient for the product to just be functional. I do in fact want it to look nice. It is going in my home and for that reason alone means it needs to be wife friendly if nothing else. I don't have a dedicated room for it. It will go in the game room along with the big screen TV etc. I don't expect furniture quality, but construction lumber isn't getting in the door here.
Alton Junction
St Francis Consolidated RR Have you seen that new skit they do on one of the ESPN football shows........... "C'MON MAN!"
Have you seen that new skit they do on one of the ESPN football shows...........
"C'MON MAN!"
It USED to be my favorite segment on Monday night... now, my poor Raiders are on it every week. It's a lot more fun when they feature teams I don't like!
Marlon
See pictures of the Clinton-Golden Valley RR
hi Keith,
the local carpenter or cabinet maker could do it too. he can leave the actual build up to you.
Paul
K. Holt Wow, I guess I'm a tiny bit surprised by how overwhelmingly negative the consensus view is here. I guess I was somehow expecting (hoping?) someone to speak up for them based on their past positive experience,
Wow, I guess I'm a tiny bit surprised by how overwhelmingly negative the consensus view is here. I guess I was somehow expecting (hoping?) someone to speak up for them based on their past positive experience,
What negative consensus view are you talking about? I don't remember any of the responders saying that they had any personal direct issues with that company, and certainly none of them directly know of any issues that company might be having other than what you posted, nor do they know of any quality problems with the product. Basically they are criticising you for not following their after the fact advice. Sort of kicking you when you're down.
You have to use your own judgement on what course of action to take. If you really believe in the product, then maybe you want to be patient to the extreme. If they charge your credit card and don't ship the product, then that's fraud and an entirely different matter.
I have the Sievers benchwork because I have neither the tools nor the time nor inclination to make the benchwork myself. The service was excellent, the product is excellent, and I recommend it although it is admittedly more costly than building from scratch. You might be able to adapt your plywood to the Siever module sizes which are of common dimensions.
PS. They might even be willing to do custom sizes-for a price, I would imagine.
PPS. It looks good, too, in reference to one of your comments about Mianne. I painted mine because it is in a finished room, and I wanted to minimize moisture absorption although it is in a controlled environment.
Jamis Wow! Color me really, really cheap, but I just went to the Mianne and Sievers web sites and priced the products. Please don't think I'm bad mouthing these solutions, but I find them very expensive for what they are. I know they have a place in the hobby, but I really didn't expect them to be so pricey. I actually had been considering Seivers as an option, and I didn't know about Mianne, so your OP got me to looking. I will be going with my original domino design using 1/4" and 1/2" plywood witth 3/4" homasote. I can assemble all of the sections of my 8' x 10' x 5' shelf layout for the less than the cost of two 2' x 4' Mianne sections. I have the tools and time to cut and assemble the plywood into the layout sections I need, so I guess I'm in a different situation. Thanks for the push to look though.
Wow! Color me really, really cheap, but I just went to the Mianne and Sievers web sites and priced the products. Please don't think I'm bad mouthing these solutions, but I find them very expensive for what they are. I know they have a place in the hobby, but I really didn't expect them to be so pricey. I actually had been considering Seivers as an option, and I didn't know about Mianne, so your OP got me to looking. I will be going with my original domino design using 1/4" and 1/2" plywood witth 3/4" homasote. I can assemble all of the sections of my 8' x 10' x 5' shelf layout for the less than the cost of two 2' x 4' Mianne sections. I have the tools and time to cut and assemble the plywood into the layout sections I need, so I guess I'm in a different situation. Thanks for the push to look though.
Well, you're right about that... guys like you and me, with decent woodworking skills, can whack this stuff out -- similar quality, even -- for a fraction of the cost.
The other issue is that benchwork doesn't have to be showroom quality. It just has to be functional. A lot of people think they can't build benchwork, but if they can use a saw, a carpenter's square, and a measuring tape, they probably can. Power tools make it easier, but are not essential (and they can be rented pretty cheaply).
For the OP.... you say you believe in their product, but have you ever seen it? The other thing is, you expected people to defend them (I can't... never used them) but the title of your post doesn't exactly pull Mianne users in. Maybe if you started another one, using their name in the title, you'd get better results.
Jim - Preserving the history of the NKP Cloverleaf first subdivision.
K. Holt Wow, I guess I'm a tiny bit surprised by how overwhelmingly negative the consensus view is here. I guess I was somehow expecting (hoping?) someone to speak up for them based on their past positive experience, or perhaps to remind me that most of these hobby businesses are very small one man operations that struggle financially and that I should be more understanding and not have the same expectations as if I am dealing with a more established business outside the hobby industry. My problem is that I believe in their product. It is very nice. However, if they let me down again this week by not meeting their promises I will willingly admit to being a fool on this issue. I appreciate all the feedback. It helps me to know I'm not being unreasonable, and if I have to switch to Sievers on Monday I will know that I (finally) did the right thing. Keith
Wow, I guess I'm a tiny bit surprised by how overwhelmingly negative the consensus view is here. I guess I was somehow expecting (hoping?) someone to speak up for them based on their past positive experience, or perhaps to remind me that most of these hobby businesses are very small one man operations that struggle financially and that I should be more understanding and not have the same expectations as if I am dealing with a more established business outside the hobby industry.
My problem is that I believe in their product. It is very nice. However, if they let me down again this week by not meeting their promises I will willingly admit to being a fool on this issue.
I appreciate all the feedback. It helps me to know I'm not being unreasonable, and if I have to switch to Sievers on Monday I will know that I (finally) did the right thing.
Keith,
I will remind you what you first wrote. Here it is, verbatim.
I placed an order about 6 weeks ago. After a month I sent an email just asking politely if they had an estimated ship date. No response. So I called. It seems they remembered talking to me, but had lost my order. I asked what usual shipping time was, and all they said was I should have received it by then. So I gave them the list of items again. They indicated they should be able to get the order out by the next day. I called back again after two weeks to see if they had an estimated ship date. This time they seemed apologetic, remembered talking to me, but couldn't find my order. So I gave it to them a third time. This time they said they could get it shipped that week. Well now its the following week and no word from them yet.
There is a difference between being a small business and being incompetent. They lose your order, they don't respond, then they lose your order again. They are incompetent.
Customer service these days is pretty terrible, but this story beats most. Treating a customer with cash in hand this way makes me cringe thinking about how they'll treat you if/when you have a problem. You think you're not getting callbacks now? Try calling with a problem, lol.
Take your money & run.
Let's say they do come through for you. Great. But their customer servicve remains terrible and they're OUT OF BUSINESS by the time you want to buy the items to finish your layout. Judging by this story, it seems likely to happen. Now what? The "what" is you'll have to either build the remaining pieces yourself, which you've already said you don't want to do... or find another place to $$$ custom build $$$ it and hope it matches up, or toss it and start fresh. No options are good options there.
Take your money and run.
-Ed
"We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act but a habit." -Aristotle
Why didn't you cancel the order like everyone suggested.
This is some Tony The Tiger stuff going on. ie. Frosted Flakes.
Michael
CEO- Mile-HI-RailroadPrototype: D&RGW Moffat Line 1989
This sounds like an iffy place to do business. Assuming you eventually get what you ask, and if they know you need more, now they have you completely by the short ones.
It is nothing short of discourteous to neglect to inform a prospective customer, or one with whom you had agreed to provide materials or a service, that you are falling behind. I think it is unethical, too. If you value people, just for being people, and not because they happen to be customers, you would offer them the courtesy of learning of your predicament, and you would free them to find other ways to get what they need when they need it. Look at it this way: suppose our friend here had arranged, at long last, and after much negotiation, to get three friends to come over and help him to erect the materials on a Sunday afternoon. It took some doing, but finally a Sunday afternoon could be penciled in on a calendar where they were all free. Our friend contracts for the materials to be delivered well ahead of time, say two full weeks. If we go by the timeline he has given us, that Sunday would long since have passed, and he STILL hasn't managed to pry a shipment notice out of the supplier.
That kind of service belongs well sunk in a one-holer out back.