Topic: Westbourne Models - 'Let the buyer Beware!' (Read 132890 times)

reg · « **Reply #125 on:** December 21, 2014, 08:06:03 pm »

HI Guys
Has anyone down in Bournemouth walked passed Westbourne Model Shop lately ?
If so can you please tell me if they are open and trading ?
Thank you and Hope you all have Happy and Peaceful Christmas Reg

Mad Scientist · « **Reply #126 on:** December 21, 2014, 11:43:43 pm »

There was a thread about them a while back...'the reviews were mixed', as they say. http://www.modelboatmayhem.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,48561.0.html

To be fair, I have never had any dealings with them, and am just hoping to help by providing that link.

Tom

Seaspray · « **Reply #127 on:** December 22, 2014, 07:20:33 pm »

REG
Dealt with them for years but I phone my order, Best try that

paul johnston · « **Reply #128 on:** December 22, 2014, 07:44:40 pm »

I tried to use them once placed an order for a few bits and pieces, waited 2 weeks before they emailed me to say they were not in stock.

CGAux26 · « **Reply #129 on:** January 08, 2015, 07:51:27 pm »

I entered an order on Westbourne's website on December 24. No acknowledgement has been received (nor the merchandise delivered), in spite of two additional emails sent to them. Can someone tell me what it takes to get Westbourne to respond? Are they in business and open?

radiojoe · « **Reply #130 on:** January 08, 2015, 08:04:28 pm »

Been there done that, won't be doing it again.

Martin (Admin) · « **Reply #131 on:** January 08, 2015, 08:21:08 pm »

Unfortunately, not an uncommon question here on Mayhem.
PM me your name, address and order ref, and I'll ring them for you.

Martin

CGAux26 · « **Reply #132 on:** January 08, 2015, 08:41:16 pm »

Tanks, Martin, I sent you a PM.

Just a note to all, I am trying to buy two of the Robbe Tiller Arms, p/n 1483-3465.
I tried to order the same thing from Cornwall Models, and after emailing them, they said it was out of stock.

Neil · « **Reply #133 on:** January 08, 2015, 10:55:12 pm »

I think you'll find that most businesses in this country will shut at the latest on Christmas eve, and not re open till jan 5th......so give them a little leeway......even these guys need a break from you hungry modellers,.

CGAux26 · « **Reply #134 on:** January 08, 2015, 11:43:43 pm »

Noted. I sort of thought they might be closed for the holidays.

U-33 · « **Reply #135 on:** January 09, 2015, 09:38:19 am »

You'll be better off calling them on the 'phone, and if possible, try to speak to the chap with the South African accent (Gary, I believe his name is?) he knows what he's talking about.

Rich

reg · « **Reply #136 on:** January 09, 2015, 11:31:50 am »

Hi CG
I wish I could make westbourn's respond too
I e-maild them an order on 15 October last year
the money came out of my account on the 17 Oct
and I am still waiting after sending them 4 polite e-mail s
and 3 letters, no one picks up the phone there to let you
know if thay have it in stock ,if thay have lost the order
if thay have sent it, if the PO has lost it,

hope you have more Luck with them than me
Reg

Bob K · « **Reply #137 on:** January 09, 2015, 12:07:09 pm »

I was not going to chime in on this, but I had a bad experience with them a couple of years ago. Drove down there and bought a complete Engle sub, including all the Engle bits that don't come with the 'kit' (Why do Engle do that?). Turned out a large four figure sum, which they totted up on their screen and deducted it from my plastic. It then turned that out a lot of it wasn't in stock. Said they'd mail it all on to me. No itemised receipt, just a credit card slip. I took it on trust they had the full details.

Well, only some of it arrived. After loads of flatting about, and not having an itemised receipt, eventually I gave up and figured out what I was still missing to order direct from Engle in Germany. Expensive mistake.

No, I will not deal with them again.

U-33 · « **Reply #138 on:** January 09, 2015, 12:12:17 pm »

That's why I always call them prior to ordering anything...ask if it's in stock, if yes...then flex the plastic. I tend to do that with anything I buy online, not only from Westbourne, but any shop.

Rich

Bob K · « **Reply #139 on:** January 09, 2015, 12:17:10 pm »

Quote from: U-33 on January 09, 2015, 12:12:17 pm

That's why I always call them prior to ordering anything...ask if it's in stock, if yes...then flex the plastic. I tend to do that with anything I buy online, not only from Westbourne, but any shop.

Rich

That's why I drove down there is person. The sheer quantity of essential 'extras' is not very apparent.
It was only after deducting my card that they admitted a lot of it wasn't in stock. I came home with the giant box and some other bits. Wish I had ordered from Germany. Engle were very helpful, speaking good English too.

CGAux26 · « **Reply #140 on:** January 10, 2015, 05:01:54 am »

OK, how about Dean's Marine? Are they a reliable supplier via email orders? I see they have tiller arms.

Or any other vendor, who sells tiller arms??? AAARRRRGGGGHHHH!

hmsantrim · « **Reply #141 on:** January 10, 2015, 06:58:37 am »

Hi.
what about here. seems to have a large range added the contact details so you can enquire about stock.
can you not get what you want from a supplier in the USA ??
frank
http://www.riversidemodels.co.uk/Model_Boat_Accessories.htm

http://www.riversidemodels.co.uk/contact.htm

CGAux26 · « **Reply #142 on:** January 10, 2015, 07:32:13 am »

Thanks. I may try those people, once Martin has had time to call Westbourne on Monday.

I could not find that particular Robbe tiller arm on several US sites. Just being picky.

Brian60 · « **Reply #143 on:** January 10, 2015, 08:21:31 am »

Have you tried Cornwall Model Boats? They have an extensive online catalogue and it tells you if its in stock or an expected delivery date. I've always had good service from them, even receiving stuff to my home in Spain as well as the UK.

barriew · « **Reply #144 on:** January 10, 2015, 09:00:16 am »

Quote from: hmsantrim on January 10, 2015, 06:58:37 am

Hi.
what about here. seems to have a large range added the contact details so you can enquire about stock.
can you not get what you want from a supplier in the USA ??
frank
http://www.riversidemodels.co.uk/Model_Boat_Accessories.htm

http://www.riversidemodels.co.uk/contact.htm

I have used Riverside Models via their eBay listings. Always prompt service to the UK

Barrie

flack · « **Reply #145 on:** January 10, 2015, 10:47:59 am »

Wish I had seen this post a few days ago. I have recently ordered from Westbourne and note that my credit card was debited on the day of order but have had no acknowledgement of the order or response to an e-mail about when I can expect delivery. As with several other posts I wont be using them again.

Shaun

inertia · « **Reply #146 on:** January 10, 2015, 11:21:46 am »

Many thanks for that link, Frank - very useful.
As for debiting a card before sending out the goods, there's no excuse for it - it's dishonest.
DM

Bob K · « **Reply #147 on:** January 10, 2015, 12:54:50 pm »

Quote from: Inertia on January 10, 2015, 11:21:46 am

Many thanks for that link, Frank - very useful.
As for debiting a card before sending out the goods, there's no excuse for it - it's dishonest.
DM

And debiting a customers card whilst in their shop when they do not have the goods . . .

inertia · « **Reply #148 on:** January 10, 2015, 02:39:55 pm »

Quote from: Bob K on January 10, 2015, 12:54:50 pm

And debiting a customers card whilst in their shop when they do not have the goods . . .

Presumptuous of them, to say the very least, but you could have stood your ground and insisted on paying only for the items you were taking away with you. You would then have been free to obtain the goods elsewhere; no reasonable trader could have objected to that, given that they were unable to supply you on request. You were properly hoodwinked and I have some sympathy for you, but I'm sure you'd admit (even though it's with hindsight) that it was rather foolish to walk out of the shop with only part of what you'd driven there and paid for.
Where a customer orders by phone or on-line; is not told that the goods are out of stock, but still has his card debited at that time is a different level of sharp-practice - which I view as dishonesty. From what I've heard and seen on this forum these guys seem well-versed in all types of it. Given the hard work that Barry Shanks had put into building up the reputation of this business it's a crying shame that it's come to this.
DM

Bob K · « **Reply #149 on:** January 10, 2015, 03:31:07 pm »

DM: In hindsight, I would agree, and certainly will not make that mistake again. I had the big 'kit' box, which I had looked inside of, and a bag of various 'loose extras'. I was relying on their 'industry expertise' in Engle subs, and dumbly had not demanded an itemised list including all 'to follow' items clearly highlighted. eg: Special servos, X Tail mixer, Leveller PCB, special battery for the new F14 Tx, none of which I ever got. I reckon that without a list, plus delivery times from Germany, they eventually lost sight of what I'd had and what was owed.

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Author Topic: Westbourne Models - 'Let the buyer Beware!' (Read 132890 times)

inertia

inertia