I read your post with interest Kev as a few years back I contacted Westbourne models regarding ordering stuff up for a build I was doing I rang 3-4 times left numerous voicemails on the answer machine even emailed my requirements through to see if they had them in stock, NOTHING back??? A member in my club said that they were moving premises and moving across the road and soon he'll be up and running again but surely you've got to keep the business going and keep customers happy and satisfied even if it was to return my voicemails / emails stating what was going on his end.
Other posts on this forum mention about model shops in the high street closing which I have to agree with is a terrible shame, here in Bristol and the size of this city we have only two model shops and really one of them only concentrates on model flying and the other one didn't have what I was looking for hence I contacted Westbourne models.
Like so many people now and because I never heard back from Westbourne models I shopped on-line, and the stuff was on my doorstep within 24 hrs great service but I did try and use my local shop first. Thankfully Kev no money was exchanged like yourself and I'm glad for you its all sorted, am I right in saying that the guy who used to run it (Barry Shanks) has now handed it over to his son???
Regards
Kevin