"Minifigs UK .Is there anybody out there...." Topic

Hello guys
Anybody know whats going on at Minifigs UK.A friend of mine
sent for some figures about 4-5 weeks ago,and he has heard
nothing.Nobody is answering the phone or e-mails.There is
a notice on the website stating leave and sickness,but
this message is over a month old……It seems odd that you
cant reach anybody if not a little frustrating…..

Regards

They are definitely there. I was at a barbeque with Neil and Liz at the weekend. Liz has recently had a baby and Neil's right-hand man has long term back problems, so Neil is doing a lot of run ning about on his own at the moment.

I do like Minifigs very much, but it has always taken ages for me to get any order I have ever placed with them. I waited 8 weeks for an order last year (5 packs of infantry and 3 cavalry). When I called to chase the order I was told it had just been cast and would be with me in several days. 10 days later I chased again and was told it hadn't been cast yet!

Last year they did move to new premises which meant that they were offline for a while. But there was also a message on their website for about a month saying that everyone there was sick. There is quite often a message on their website giving a reason for delays.

These things do happen, but it is pretty frustrating to have to wait so long and not be able to get through to people.

From the home page of their website:

"Processing time
(Posted on 14-04-2009 08:47:24)

Due to maternity leave and staff sickness it is taking us longer to process orders than it would normally (I'm here on my own). We are sorry for the delays please bear with us; we hope to get back to some form of normality soon."

Henry
Battlegames
battlegames.co.uk

yes as Steelback said, there is a notice on there. I think the frustrating thing is that there are notices there quite regularly appologising for delays. So that in itself is the 'normality'.

As I said though, these things do happen to all of us and its good that they do post notices to apologise for the delays.

I bought lots from MF in the past and I expect to have more from them at some point. I guess its a case of ordering well in advance.

Er battleeditor
I covered that in my post or did you not read it.It seems a
funny way of running a buisness(not answering the phone or
e-mail)I suppose we are spoilt these days with good mail
order service…
Front Rank 5 days..
Perrys 6 days…
Old Glory 6 days,these companys are all top notch when it
comes to mail order.Even Foundry have a good turnaround.
Even when it is suppose to be normal at minifigs it takes
3 weeks…..Like I said my mate just wants to confirm that
they have his cheque,just a simple e-mail would be nice
confirming this…but there you go…

Regards

They've just replied to 2 of my emails within a day. They tell me that the current delivery time is just over 3 weeks. I must admit that, although I like their figures, I've never liked their attitude, although I've I've never had any dealings with the current management. Their previous people, and I'm talking perhaps 18 years ago and previous to that were dreadful.

customer experience and customer service are very important things, especially during these times. When it gets to the stage where a company seems to permanently have an apology on their website for delays, then something isn't right.

As I've said, things do happen to all of us that mean we have to take time out and other things suffer as a result. We all understand that.

But I do agree with Steelback and Chouan on the attitude/service front. I've been told 3 weeks before and it took 8 weeks, and I've had to do all the running to find out what happened to my order.

They had some major illnesses recently and are way behind on orders.

Essex 2-3 days, i've even had them next day ordering in the morning, best of the lot

I must admit, I have also had essex within 4 days. There have been messages on Minifigs website about sickness regularly over the last year causing delays. Its a shame they have been so unfortunate in that respect.

It should seem that things are getting back to (better than?)normal. I placed an order on the 5th – it arrived yesterday (22nd). OK, still not 4-5 days, but better than the three weeks they quote.

I am glad I saw this. I used to get stuff from them back in the 1970s and delivery times then were aweful. I had hoped that things would have improved, but clearly not. Guess I will be going to Essex…

While we're comparing orders I recently, feeling lavish, placed (small!) orders with Front Rank, Companion, Alban, Perrys, and Victrix, all on the same day.

1) Front Rank – arrived in a few days. Nicely packed. One of the figures was wrong, I told them and within a few days the correct figure had also turned up complete with apology. Outstanding!

2) Companion and Alban – only a few days later, nice note and packing.

3)Perrys – two weeks or maybe more(my emails of enquiry had received a one line reply stating delays). When they did eventually arrive most of the swords and bayonets were bent (some perilously so) and the figures all COVERED in flash. The general impression was "couldn't care less".

4) Victrix – one month. Teething problems I hope.

Joining in the fun…

Minifigs…I used to order all my figures from them. I actually gave up on them about 5 years ago, at that time there was no on-line ordering and I couldn't be fagged to phone them up to place an order any more and then wait three weeks for the wrong figures to arrive. Have never gone back and have sold all my MiniFig units.

Front Rank…Always had outstanding service from Front Rank…have occasionally had the wrong figure but they always send out a replacement ASAP. Very quick turnaround. My 28mm supplier of choice.

Perry…Agree on the Perry figures about the flash and perilously bent bayonets…its a shame as it has put me off ordering from them.

Fighting 15's…superb service from Ian and considering his current personal circumstances a very quick turn around. Beautiful 18mm figures that I can highly recommend.

Peter Pig…currently taking a few months off Napoleonics and painting up an ECW Royalist army. Peter Pig figures are excellent and the service is quick and efficient.

Pete

Steelback did your friend get anywhere with his order in the end?

Rosco1815….

No they could not find the order,they have got to be one
of the worst companies out there.

My mate was a bit angry to say the least…

Regards

Steelback,

I bet he was.

Mine was sent to the wrong address.

Regards

I used to order a fair bit from MF and found that they regularly turned around in about 2 weeks so I could plan on that basis. I never had a wrongly packed order or any damaged figures. However a few years ago I realised that the 'Keep' stocked MF. I could get them within days of ordering and somehow the figures were always better cast with less flash.

AB are always superb and its hard to find any flash or even mould lines to clean up. The price is worth it IMHO.

Perry's have been mixed. I've always been lucky and have had clean castings but I bought some at a show recently and was very careful to select the best blisters as some looked a bit battered and swords etc looked like they were on the edge of coming away. If I mailed ordered and they arrived excessively flashy I would have no hesitation in sending them back. Its only because we (collectively ) don't send them back that companies will put out stuff that's less than good.

The little I've had from Foundry and Bicorne has been good and very clean like AB.

I had orders from MF years ago in several weeks aswell, but everything I have ordered in recent years has taken ages, 5 weeks+, sometimes 7/8 weeks to arrive, its been sent to wrong address on one occasion, and one order didnt arrive atall (as with Steelback's freind).

I can't remember the last time there wasn't a note on their website saying that delays were due to staff sickness. As I've said before, we all get impacted by sickness and people understand that, but there is a permanent excuse for long delays on their website which gets a bit much after a while.

I agree with you about the other manufacturers Timmo.

I guess people will end up going to places like that for their figures in the end if the service is better.

No doubt you are talking about 25 mm but if you want 15 mm Minifigs by way of Tom Dye and GFI here in the states has always provided excellent service – or so has been my experience.

G.

After looking around I came to the conclusion that Minifigs was going to be the best company to buy my next army from.

I send them an email yesterday and got an extremely good reply more or less straight away, with an extra one clarifying one point waiting for me this morning.

I found this very encouraging, despite all of the above.

Hope to place my order today – will see what happens!

mawaliuk2, was that fast response from Minifigs US or UK?

UK.

wow, thats an amazing improvement. Lets hope they keep it up. Good luck with your order

Thanks. I'll let you know how it goes if you are interested.

yes do.

So is Minifirg back in full action?

I've just picked up a query from a colleague who hasn't been able to make 'phone or e-contact.

they still have a notice on their homepage dated 14th April saying there are delays due to maternity leave and staff sickness…, not sure how mawaliuk2 is doing with his order though..

3)Perrys – two weeks or maybe more(my emails of enquiry had received a one line reply stating delays). When they did eventually arrive most of the swords and bayonets were bent (some perilously so) and the figures all COVERED in flash. The general impression was "couldn't care less".

I've never had anything, but good service from Perry's. Order usual arrives in about 7 days. Sometimes a little later – usually due to the post office rather than the Perry's. The figures have always been fine, flash free and with everything intact.
Agree that Esssex are outstanding and also Irregular, who if you phone by about 3pm will usually get it in the post to you that day. I've had stuff from them regularly turn up the next day.
Minifigs I've not mail odered from for years. Many years ago used to buy the figures direct from the factory and they would cast it for you there and then if they didn't have stock. Factory was in the red light district of Southampton so if you got spotted you could spare your blushes by pretending you were visiting a prostitute instead of buying little toy soldiers! Lol!

Fred,

I sometimes used to wander over to the factory when I was based in Portsmouth. On one occasion, I encountered my CPO who was negotiating terms and conditions of access with a young lady; I do not know who was more embarassed!

Lived opposite their factory when a student.

Was great to wander in from time to time but little cash to buy!!

Hi

I placed my order by email at the beginning of last week. Gave my card details by phone (he ended up calling me as I had a bit of trouble reaching him). I am now waiting for my figures.

The guy explained that he is currently a one man operation, so phoning is difficult because he is spending most of his time at the casting machine filling orders. As I said earlier, my email experience has been only positive. He certainly seems to be trying hard, so good luck to him!

Hi

Just had a call from my wife – my order has arrived.

That was about 6 weeks, which was OK with me.

Neil is a very nice fellow and it sure sounds like he is in a stressful situation at the moment. I did work experience there MANY years ago and the heat and white metal/release agent fumes did my head in (and that was only 3 weeks), as did the grumpy original owner Neville. That said i am sure i was a pain in the backside at 15, my mum and dad sound deffo confirm that assumption.

I've tried and tried and tried to call, email etc;; all to no avail, have they now finally closed down??????

I had a prompt response from them to an enquiry I made recently, but wasn't aware of an issue in supply. I guess its one of the problems of growing older in an industry which is often still family based for many suppliers. I used to get my minifigs from the Baileys (The Keep in Devizes) and they were terrific. Havent bought minifigs for ages, but will need a few more now having just bought a couple of second hand minifig armies.

I gave up on AB when they were in Wales some years ago. IMHO they were the worst supplier going, and had terrible customer management skills.

Ive always been very happy with Essex, and my club swears by Lancashire Games – there are thousands of the things on the table. Worth a look at them before you order.

5 weeks now

Neil, who has ended up running the business single-handed because his casting man has a chronic illness and Liz has had a dramatic and unfortunate change in her personal circumstances, has been very ill himself lately as a result of stress.

If I can find out what the current situation is, I'll post any information on Neil's behalf here.

Henry
Battlegames
battlegames.co.uk

Thanks Henry, I'm sure I'm not alone in sending best wishes and hope to see all is well at Minifigs asap – they have been a tremendous influence on so may of us (my first figs were MF).

Get well soon!

Any news from Minifig's?
/Lars

5 weeks now !!!!

Just received an e-mail newsletter from Caliver Books which states

'Well, I am very pleased to announce that we are the new owners of MINIFIGS PRODUCTIONS. All moulds, assetts etc should start making their way from Southampton to Nottingham shortly. Production will start again in a couple of weeks so please bear with us.'

Not sure what effect this will have on existing orders!

Not a lot of communication it seems. Poor show.

See TMP link and TMP link

Henry
Battlegames
battlegames.co.uk

---SNIP---
Obviously, there will be a few months of teething problems as we move production to Nottingham (yes, I know!!!), but figures will still be coming out of Southampton in the interim, so don't be afraid to order!
---SNIP---
(Copied from another post)

Can we hope that this also cover orders placed before the transfer?

/Lars

Very interesting… So why they took money 30 minutes after order was placed (03.08.2009)??????????

13 Weeks now, so existing orders are not being filled!

Minifigs have obviously suffered from problems outside of their control. Hopefully the move to Caliver will allow the continuation of this historical company and also that all the customers get their orders.