Topic: John Hemmens - problem with an order .... (Read 3134 times)

ex docky · « **on:** February 16, 2022, 07:59:47 pm »

Has anyone had problems with delivery of kits marketed by John Hemmens?

Baldrick · « **Reply #1 on:** February 17, 2022, 03:00:22 am »

PM sent,

ex docky · « **Reply #2 on:** February 18, 2022, 02:03:29 pm »

The man took an order from me January 2020 for a Chimaera and modified Max 2 steam plant
To date I have payed for the kit and have only received the wooden part but only 50% of the fittings!
Despite pleading reasoning and eventually threatening legal action the supplier has not completed my order.
I cancelled the order for the steam plant.
Has anyone any advice?

Martin (Admin) · « **Reply #3 on:** February 18, 2022, 02:27:30 pm »

Edited ....

Might be worth sending them an ( unemotional! ) itemised letter, listing what has been supplied and what's outstanding.

Important not to make threats, ask for expectations and provide all the references you can.

Send it recorded or special delivery.

.... any other advice chats?

ex docky · « **Reply #4 on:** February 18, 2022, 02:32:41 pm »

Have tried that route as he was totally unaware what was still missing
I have tried all soft options.

Martin (Admin) · « **Reply #5 on:** February 18, 2022, 02:37:06 pm »

Quote

"itemised letter, listing what has been supplied and what's outstanding"

- No response at all ?

Did you pay by card?
Tried talking to them?

ex docky · « **Reply #6 on:** February 18, 2022, 02:56:44 pm »

Used my credit card 18 months ago.
Have had long monthly telephone calls always giving him the benefit of the doubt.
Promise after promise never forthcoming.
Have a list of emails of failed delivery dates.
Sent formal letters via registered mail
Success none.
Asked for refund in return for the unstated kit.

Martin (Admin) · « **Reply #7 on:** February 18, 2022, 03:26:18 pm »

Anyone know John Hemmens?

Any legal minds onboard?

Baldrick · « **Reply #8 on:** February 18, 2022, 03:32:04 pm »

When did you last talk to him on the phone or receive e-mail contact from John ? My last was about 3 months ago when he phoned out of the blue and we had a slightly strange conversation about long past matters that left me feeling a bit concerned regarding his wellbeing. Since when as I previously reported his website vanished.

ex docky · « **Reply #9 on:** February 18, 2022, 03:35:39 pm »

Earlier this week.
He has left me with part of a kit that I have not started with about 50% of the fittings missing. I thought the offer or returning the pieces to him a fair and reasonable offer.
Not accepted.

Baldrick · « **Reply #10 on:** February 18, 2022, 03:42:33 pm »

If it had been the kit of the Formidable I would have made you an offer for it.

Colin Bishop · « **Reply #11 on:** February 18, 2022, 03:50:30 pm »

You might want to do a search on him from the forum home page. Lots of stuff....

Colin

Engineman · « **Reply #12 on:** February 19, 2022, 06:16:49 pm »

Gents...I guess you have to consider that John is 89 years old...
And <sadly>...we're not getting better with age...if not say more...
Yes, I can fully understand the customers' frustration...but I have a simple question
- what was his main intention when he put the order?

Obtaining a pile of timber and some brass bits and pieces? Or a fine scale replica as a result?

It is also worth to mention the available kits on the market...relevant to CHIMAERA kit...maybe somebody could advise me any of those? Whence the anticipated result is exactly a fine scale replica of SY CHIMAERA...even 50% of missed fittings could not be the reason to abandon the very idea then...
Once the critical items are in place it would be good to specify the list of the missing fittings...probably I can help to fight this trouble...

Baldrick · « **Reply #13 on:** February 19, 2022, 07:52:40 pm »

I thought he was 87, the same age as me ! But I agree , that is what I did, except that I received zero fittings, no build manual and no prop shaft or propellor. In fact only the wood, plans and the build jig . However I worked it all out, scratch built the fittings and enjoyed it . Not quite complete yet but it has kept me out of trouble over Covid.
The one item which did cause some head scratching was the bespoke method of framing where the hull is made in two halves and joined longitudinally as a sandwich at the keel. Fortunately at that time Johns website was still up and I could glean the method of construction from some of his illustrations.

Engineman · « **Reply #14 on:** February 19, 2022, 08:56:24 pm »

Some hints from my end...to make life easy...most of the fittings for CHIMAERA could be barely 'borrowed' from MH&B SY VIGILANT...
Same type of vessel and same (!) half inch scale...very good and relevant choice...
SY VIGILANT is a bit bigger (120 tons vs 80) but it is definitely insignificant...
Even the VIGILANT kit itself is out of production for at least 10 years I assume it is still worth a try to contact Brian Marten (http://www.model-steam-boats.co.uk/) for necessary items...
The propellor for CHIMAERA kit originally came from the Propshop...could be easily ordered directly...

Baldrick · « **Reply #15 on:** February 19, 2022, 10:56:13 pm »

Thats all very well and it's just about what and how I have proceeded , but it is galling when you have spent £1,800.00 on a top of the range boat kit to find you have got a lot less than you were promised and ordered and payed for and you have to spend a load more on parts because the vendor is unable (? ) to fulfil his commitment .

If you find any kits of CC Vigilant for sale please let me know.

ex docky · « **Reply #16 on:** February 20, 2022, 05:58:28 pm »

It is the same for me. The injustice of having spent a lot of money, with little or no chance of compensation, together with the many many false promises of a solution.
It seems such a shame the law does not provide a simpler guarantee of compensation.
He told me the company is now closed!
Ex Docky

Baldrick · « **Reply #17 on:** February 20, 2022, 08:51:43 pm »

Hi docky .
I rather suspected he had ceased trading from reading the runes . Don't despair, John Hemmens was the last manufacturer of kits of the type and quality and now he has gone and Marten Bayliss (CC Vigilant) do not do these types of model boat kit anymore, what you have there will become a collectors item in a few years time .
Providing you are not short of storage space or need to release the capital and you do not want to build the boat I would sit tight and wait for it's value to escalate. I know of several who are holding such kits for the right time to sell at a profit.Going back a few years their was a selection of delectable kits to choose from but now they are all gone .

kinmel · « **Reply #18 on:** February 20, 2022, 11:28:34 pm »

Consumer Regulations are on your side, you do not need to keep trying to get a response from the retailer.

The retailer is in breach of contract if delivery is not made within 31 days, unless specifically stated at time of order.
If you paid by credit card the card provider is jointly liable for the contract under $75 of Consumer Credit Act 1974.. Which magazine has a proforma to make the claim.... https://www.which.co.uk/consumer-rights/regulation/section-75-of-the-consumer-credit-act-aZCUb9i8Kwfa

Engineman · « **Reply #19 on:** March 25, 2022, 12:23:35 am »

Quote from: ex docky on February 20, 2022, 05:58:28 pm

He told me the company is now closed!
Ex Docky

Bl@dy hell...this nice John Hemmens owes me 800GBP since 2006...
What court shouldI go?

RST · « **Reply #20 on:** March 25, 2022, 01:38:59 am »

I guess perhaps very little at the moment going by the location in your avatar?

Section 75 of the consumer credit act could not really be any better advertised here in the UK but it still seems to slip by some customers and traders. Last time I checked with my bank I had hassle with someone, they also offer a resolution service after 7 days of non-receipt on any goods as long as it's not paid for by cash or bank transfer (bank transfers are just plain crazy these days though some still do it!). Paypal for me have been the only ones that have left me hanging in a couple of circumstances the past couple of years. They're supposed to give the buyer a level of protection but that's complete bunk when they chose not to, you'd think the bank would help as the payer of paypal -but apparently not when it comes to paypal.

Rich

py6km · « **Reply #21 on:** May 30, 2022, 12:43:09 pm »

Sorry to hear this. I had an awful experience with this guy a few years ago. I did get my money back eventually. I believe he should have stopped several years before I had dealings, so to hear that other have had issues after this is such a shame.

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Author Topic: John Hemmens - problem with an order .... (Read 3134 times)

RST