What Traders are still offering Mail Order? Services?

[Ron Gray]

New servos just arrived from SWM, many thanks Steve and sorry I didn't get back to you guys after you left a 'phone message for me, I didn't get that voicemail message notification until today!

[Steven Webb (Steve Webb Models)]

Tim Hickey

Thanks – Slec are legendary.

I had a balsa building board off them (and other stuff). It was unusually glued together ends of balsa. Great for sticking pins in. When it arrived a couple of years back it was flat. I was worried it might not stay flay and so stored it flat under the bed. Recently got it out to use and it had badly warped. I started to wish I had laminated it to a board. Anyway, my brother in law has done just that. He is glued and clamped it flat to a thick piece of MDF. It appears to be flat now. I am hoping it stays stable as the idea for pins is a good one. I also got a lot of odds and ends of ply that were great value.

Dai Fledermaus

Incredibly sad that Vanda and David had to post that. I expect they are overwhelmed with the orders while lock down is on. Its worth reminding fold that every business is under some strain or other at the current time. It could be staffing levels; it could be just operating social distancing in the workplace. I am sure some people do not understand the difficulties facing persons and business during this time. At SWM we have not always managed to clear the bench same day and it is not without trying. Not all the staff are in and those that are work long hours without respite.

There are delays with carriers and royal mail. Not everywhere, but it can happen. Many people will think why he is saying that. I understand that, I am not stupid.

Generally, people are not stupid, but some are very ignorant of the situation(s) and that is unfortunate. I cannot speak for Balsa Cabin, but its not unusual for customers to be rude to persons in retail. Hopefully, this health crisis might make them realise the error of their ways. At the end of the day there is some life and death, deep serious stuff far worse than a late order.

Erfolg

Abuse on email is commonplace. The term non proximity method is one phrase I had not heard but I can understand. A very good observation.

Your post is excellent. ‘pales into insignificance to other issues of our present times’.

Phone’s have been another source of strange instances by none proximity. Several callers being quite ‘strange’ as why the shop is shut? To callers. Very argumentative. Which means staff explain the restrictions and then they just repeat the question. Why is it shut though? Doh....

I put it down to ignorance. But if its not ignorance maybe it is stupidity.
Maybe some people are going a little stir crazy. It is still not justifiable to take that out one someone who is just trying their best to do their Job. In difficult circumstances in some cases. Good post Erfolg.

Pete Crosby – I said earlier. Slec – are legendary.

Ron Gray – Thanks for your support/ Kind words. Glad to hear your package arrived. I’m not at the SWM store and so I have told them about your message and the voicemail. If you need to call them the phone lines are open.

Anyway let's keep positive. There's more positive than negative. Lots of good stuff going on. Lots of traders continuing to support the hobby.

Steve

[Keith Berriman]

Placed an order for an ARTF kit and some epoxy this morning bit of problem with stock levels on the epoxy they phoned me and we agreed a different named epoxy all well.

Well done Steve Webb models

Looking forward to another build

[Steven Webb (Steve Webb Models)]

RC Plane Flyer Glad to hear you were sorted out with an alternative. It seems to be a 'thing' at the moment that usual brands are not in stock and others are. I think the supply of goods is not flowing quite as well as it used to.

Some firms like ourselves working on reduced staff levels, there's some hit and miss postage, I have just waited for over 2 weeks for a package to come from the Wirral that was on a 3 day service and yet I also had some ultrasonic cleaning flew on order on a 7 day delivery from down south and that got to me in 3 days.

I've been a little naughty myself regard buying stuff - While Team SWM are in work I'm shielding at home, I have som,e health issues which means I cannot risk catching Covid.

I had a Mavic Mini on order from ourselves for about 4 months and that arrived just as the lock down started so that's not much use. I should at least give it a buzz in the back garden. Its 249g so under the CCA Regs.

But having had a text saying to stay in until the end of June and then expect further instructions. I won a Flair DR1 kit on eBay and picked up a 120 Enya on eBay.

A few other bits and bobs for projects but a couple of nights back spotted a reduced scale Hepcat on eBay eBay and 'nabbed' my self one. £49.99 Ready to cover. It hasn't arrived yet.

The same chap is selling a 30 inch reduced size Simplex

**LINK**

£42.99 Built! I have had kits of him before Miss Tally and Miss Tally's Big Sister. In Kit form and in Part Builds

Big Sister Mono **LINK**

I have one of those as well £29.99 Part built!

I thought I'd mention Grey Fish as I've been checking out his listings and he only started listing a week ago, he's been missing I guess because of the lock down.

One of my favourite sellers (Grey Fish) as he has re production Tanks for Diesels and I've had a fair few of those, I just ordered 2 046 ED Baby Tanks from him. £6.99 fittings kit. There's 2 in a set/ To give an idea of the value - I bought some similar from the late David Owen 12 year ago and they were £20+ each.

All good stuff.

[martin collins 1]

Big thanks to Steve & Janice at Cambrian Models, i`m building their 1/4 scale Cassutt Racer, it comes with mounts for i.c or electric, the electric mount was too long for my intended motor (Eflite 60). I emailed Steve with the size needed and he laser cut me a new motor mount box kit and had it in the post the following day. This is my second kit from them, always helpful with advice etc, another Great British company..............M

[Steven Webb (Steve Webb Models)]

Just thought I’d pop back and thank everyone, especially those supporting the UK model trade during this pandemic crisis and for posting and sharing information in this thread.

SWM came out of the end of lockdown ( personal callers) last week. Never truly completely closed like many other UK companies as we were continuing with mail order. Now re opened to callers with reduced hours . I’d still advise people to Mail Order and only collect items that cannot be sent by mail .

Our own store has re opened with what will be an unfamiliar layout to our regular customers.The counter has moved and has protective Perspex shielding to comply with Social Distancing and Government recommendations. There’s no browsing for the moment , my nephew described the store as being a mini argos.

Many companies have re opened in a very similar manner and I think no matter what UK store you plan to visit you will need to check opening times to avoid disappointment and to comply to social distance regulations. Like many other stores we do not have a full compliment of staff in work is and only 2 customers can be in the store at any one time. No browsing is particularly harsh but like many stores we don’t have the staff to follow customers around wiping down items touched - But remember these measures are temporary. Eventually normal service will be resumed .

I expect this thread has served its purpose for the moment.

 

Once again let me say , regards shopping - I would recommend Mail Order where possible and if you are visiting your local model store check any temporary open / closing times that may be currently in place and adhere to social distancing measures. Like many UK businesses our own is committed to keep customers and staff as safe as possible. Regards toilet facilities we regret currently we have none available  and many UK stores will be the same.

 

Stay Alert and keep safe.

 

Steve

 

 

 

Edited By Steven Webb (Steve Webb Models) on 21/06/2020 08:27:33

[Ron Gray]

Glad to see that you’re getting back to (the new?) normal and I would like to thank you for keeping your sales service going over the last few months, it certainly helped me keep going with my builds!

[ken anderson.]

iv'e just had good/great service from Slec and R/R Control via the post and courier …. thanks.

ken anderson...ne...1.service dept

[leccyflyer]

That's good news that you are reopening for caller Steve - would love to see some piccies of the new layout of the shop.

best wishes

Bri

[Steven Webb (Steve Webb Models)]

Posted by Ron Gray on 21/06/2020 08:44:11:

Glad to see that you’re getting back to (the new?) normal and I would like to thank you for keeping your sales service going over the last few months, it certainly helped me keep going with my builds!

Hi Ron,

Thank you for your kind words , it’s been rather frustrating for me as I’m shielding , being on the most vulnerable Gov List .

So it was all down to the team Ann, Adrian , David and Robin . They were the only four in and were kept very busy as many of our local callers took to having us post items to them. It’s been great that people like yourself have supported us. Everyone working so hard to make sure when the new normal emerges SWM will still be standing!

We are still advising customers to use the mail order service where they can. There’s only two customers , two staff allowed at the counter , door open, letting air in . So important to keep the staff and the customers safe. We have complementary Sanitiser on the table in front of the counter .

Theres an RC Company that makes a product called Muck Off . A cleaning solution for muddy RC cars. They turned to Sanitiser production and I have to say there’s are best I’ve tried . The trigger Atomiser is so good!

thanks again Ron

steve

[Steven Webb (Steve Webb Models)]

Posted by ken anderson. on 21/06/2020 09:01:47:

iv'e just had good/great service from Slec and R/R Control via the post and courier …. thanks.

ken anderson...ne...1.service dept

Slec are a good UK company , they put a lot into the Hobby . Essential trader , good to hear all is well with them . They have a very good reputation for their service . I might have my own store , but I’ve mail ordered stuff from Slec in the past and always been very happy with what was delivered !
I’ve just laminated one of their balsa building boards to a chunk of wood to stop it bending .

steve

[Steven Webb (Steve Webb Models)]

Posted by leccyflyer on 21/06/2020 09:15:20:

That's good news that you are reopening for caller Steve - would love to see some piccies of the new layout of the shop.

best wishes

Bri

Hi Bri

It’s super to hear from you. I often think of you, wonder how you are getting on . Timmy will be a young man now with career and all that comes with age. Time Flys .

Yes - A cautionary Phase 1 , restricted shorter open hours to callers , but still open for business all day on the phone, website . The mail order has been incredible , but so difficult for only 4 staff to cope with. But like you’d expect of our lot they’ve done it!

Here’ s Adrian , pictured before we opened . He has got to wearing a mask  now - so you don’t get to see his face.

Imagine all the times I’ve been in the shop and customers when given the bill have said ‘ blimey Ste Dick Turpin wore a mask’ . I can’t be there - But finally I would have had a mask!

Have you noticed on the floor on the way in we are one of the only stores in this pandemic to warn modellers to keep away from their spouse or the opposite sex at 2 metres apart . A different spin on Social Distancing !

i didn’t have great pictures , but these should give the idea . It’s all about safety first.

mail order is still very active , we are on the verge of releasing click and drop off to collect . Our IT guy is on it

so customers will be able to collect goods. They will pay on line and can arrange to collect outside . Avoid any queuing or having to be in the store.

of course fuel, paints , li pos are not all mail order friendly .So collection by many wanting those items is a good thing.

I miss the old days Brian. I have some good news . I’d sold many off my guitars due to my hands and the RA . But I have managed to take up playing in a strange arthritic hands way! I’ve developed some techniques and my playing is better than when I had hands! I just got myself a mahogany Vintage Guitar from MG Guitars in Frodsham . Yes we have a specialist guitar store in Frodsham. Jack picked it up when my old acoustic Fender was in for some work. It was a big step buying a guitar as I honestly didn’t think I’d play ever again.

My warmest best wishes to you all

 

Steve

 

 

Edited By Steven Webb (Steve Webb Models) on 24/06/2020 23:10:31

Edited By Steven Webb (Steve Webb Models) on 24/06/2020 23:12:12

[leccyflyer]

Hi Ste

That's great news and the shop looks fantastic there, please give my very best wishes to everyone in the shop. I really miss having the best model shop in the country right on my doorstep and, as you say, the old days -especially the late night Fridays. Click and collect must be a boon for modellers for those hard to post items

Imagine Frodsham having a guitar shop - Gary Barlow might never have taken up the keyboards! Good to hear that you are enjoying your playing too.

Tim's just submitted his PhD thesis a couple of weeks ago, and we're hoping to see him once the lockdown lifts and he can come home for a visit..

All the best Ste

Bri

[Steven Webb (Steve Webb Models)]

Posted by leccyflyer on 24/06/2020 23:23:39:

Hi Ste

That's great news and the shop looks fantastic there, please give my very best wishes to everyone in the shop. I really miss having the best model shop in the country right on my doorstep and, as you say, the old days -especially the late night Fridays. Click and collect must be a boon for modellers for those hard to post items

Imagine Frodsham having a guitar shop - Gary Barlow might never have taken up the keyboards! Good to hear that you are enjoying your playing too.

Tim's just submitted his PhD thesis a couple of weeks ago, and we're hoping to see him once the lockdown lifts and he can come home for a visit..

All the best Ste

Bri

Hi Brian,

Really nice to hear from you. Thanks for news. I know what you mean regard the lock down. Remember me to Tim and wish him good luck from me, I shall pass on your best wishes the SWM team. They'll be pleased to hear from you.

Your making me blush with the description of the SWM store, but I've never been too modest and so I'll agree.

Friday Night Opening. That was a good time - Back in the old day. Due to the Addison's disease and Steroids and the RA I am actually double the weight and plus a little more than I was back then. Twice the man I joke. I'd love to return to the slim old days.

Recently I found a hand written photocopy sheet of one of my Friday Night Specials. One of the Friday Nighter's passed away some 20 years ago and his wife was moving home to go into sheltered housing. His daughter asked we'd help get rid of his stuff. We don's do that sort of thing usually, but she needed help so took his gear to sort and dispose of on eBay. He had all the What's New at Steve Webb Sheets. The hand written ones to the later Apple Mac desk top publishing ones.

The sheets were hand written until about 1995 as we did not have a computer. The paper I found was interesting to me as it had an offer in a hand drawn star shape offer -Futaba 148's. Back then the 148 was the staple servo diet of most modellers. Above the offer is said ' Steve Webb Models is the servoshop. That's where the name servoshop was to come from. Years later. So servoshop had its beginnings on Friday Nights. Servoshop has been essential to SWM's continued trading. We now have a number of industrial users and special effects companies that use us for servo supplies.

Not only the best model shop, but also this guy. If you stayed in the Frodsham area you would be broke!

**LINK**

Have a look at his site. He holds make your own guitar classes. He's selling some Guitars from Gordon Giltrap. He just got me with one. Inexpensive made in Malaysia. Mine cost a little more as he did a set up on it and changed strings etc. The Band is called 'Vintage' and mine is made from Mahogany wood. A sort of Parlour esk guitar.

Take Care old pal.

My very best wishes.

Steve

[Steven Webb (Steve Webb Models)]

Just logging on checking the trading post.

do any traders have updates they want to share ? Are they open ? Normal hours ? Short hours?

SWM - re opened but with shorter hours for personal callers . Our normal hours still show on google because the store is open for mail order / phone & web and eBay items . But callers in person are 10 until 2 pm

The short hours are to keep up the constant sanitising , mail order etc. The mail order supports the store being open for the locals , so we’ve used up resources keeping on top of same day mail order when we can .

To state that again. - if calling at the store in person , it’s between 10 and 2 pm , it’s very safe as it’s masks on , sanitiser , only two in the store at any one time.

the only issue we’ve had with 2 in at anytime is when a customer has returned with a problem and we are sorting it on the counter , it can cause a back log as it holds up the flow of customers . We are asking people that do return with an item they need us to set up or look at that they call and we can give them an appointment . That way they don’t hold up the customer flow into store.

i would also add that looking at ESCs and set ups and stuff we are only looking after stuff we have sold / sell . Even before lock down more and more customers were turning up with items purchased at Hobby King or via eBay China . Our friendly , helpful free of charge ways do not stretch to items from other business’s. We could employ a person on Saturdays purely to look at items purchased elsewhere . Our legendary service comes with our own sales.

While we are always able to issue free advice , working on items purchased elsewhere is unfair on the customers that support us. If items are purchased direct from China cheaply . People should factor in the lack of service that goes that.

The Future was looking quite positive we have a weekly meeting to discuss opening more hours , attending with the current issues and it did seem there was light at the end of the tunnel - But it seemed a step back was in place yesterday with stricter Covid 19 contact rules being put in place . So for the moment we are pressing as we were . I’m not sure of how Clubs are affected by the 6 person rule .

SWM

Open Mail Order as normal 24/7 website 9.30 till 5.30 pm phones mail order

callers in person 10 am till 2pm temporary As at 10.9 .2020

masks mandatory unless medical reasons prevent wearing one . Customers that turn up without masks can purchase one with a donation to charity in our Box on the counter.

if you have a problem with items purchased from us ( mode change , esc set up or similar please call us first and we may give you an appointment outside our normal temporary times )

hope that’s of some interest and help to members on the forum .

My very best wishes to all and keep safe!

Steve 

 

ps I apologise for typos , writing this on my phone, but I have some problems with my eyes and can’t read it back . Hopefully my eyes will get better . It’s a nasty side effect of my conditions 

 

 

 

 

Edited By Steven Webb (Steve Webb Models) on 10/09/2020 15:25:13