"Ironclad Miniatures" Topic

Has anyone gotten anything from Ironclad Miniatures recently? I ordered some stuff in mid February… remindered them about it the beginning of March (they indicated it would be shipped the next day)… all it really remindered them to do was charge my credit card the next day… is a month norm for them?

Haven't returned any of my emails since…

I ordered mine at the beginning of February…still waiting. After two emails I received a reply. They have been in the process of moving as well as had a PC virus. I am hopeful to see my order arrive soon.

I was told some weeks ago that my order of January 20, 2011, was shipped to the U.S. No sign of it so far.

Tom

I ordered back in mid-January so that I would have plenty of time to get the buildings I wanted before Cold Wars. I wrote him the week before the show and he said he had "missed the package" during his recent move and would get it off to me post haste (of course I had to scratch build a bunch of structures to fill in where HIS furshlugginer ones were supposed to go on my board). I started a dispute with Paypal anyway since it was at 44 days, and now with these comments I think I will escalate the dispute. I don't think he's on his game right now. A dealer at Cold Wars told me he owed him $3,000 USD worth of merchandise (NOT paid for in advance, mind you). Hopefully he will get back to his previous excellent service, but for now I will avoid him.

Sounds very unlike John, have you considered giving him a ring? As a one-man-show he may just be horribly backed-up, it happens very easily if you get a lot of sudden business.

It's also worth noting that some post to the USA is still horribly delayed due to the changes in security since the "printer bombs" incident.

Royal Mail, who send the bulk of packages, are still shipping items via sea, even when they have been paid to go by airmail. Sea can take anywhere from 8 to 12 weeks.

However some packages are going through fine in airmail, as normal, in 3-5 days.

It makes it a very awkward situation as it easily sounds like a perfect get-out-of-jail-free excuse. Sadly it is true, its totally random (apparently) and impossible to predict.

--------------------

USA
Start date: 18th November 2010
End date: Ongoing

Update 7th March 2011:

Further to the recent increased security measures for items carried on passenger airlines to the USA, Royal Mail has continued to work with relevant airlines and deploy a range of contingency measures and routes to get as much mail to the States as quickly as possible.

We are pleased to confirm that the vast majority of items have now reverted back to being flown to the USA, with only a small amount of mail having to be diverted to alternative routes, including sea containers.

As a result, most items, including personal and business letters and packets, should be delivered in the US within a few days of posting. However, delays of about two weeks may continue for heavier packets sent by social (non-contract) customers that are still unable to fly due to security restrictions. We are continuing to explore alternative solutions for these items, to return them to air transit as soon as possible

Royal Mail is very sorry for the recent unavoidable delays; we are continuing to work to minimise disruption to our customers, whilst ensuring we comply fully with the US directives and regulations.

link

D

antenocitisworkshop.com
governanceoftechnology.com

I don't think that the Royal Mail can be blamed for all this… you have to ship something first for the Royal Mail to get involved… and if you are backed up, just say so and do not promise to ship it the next day and then charge the credit card for the items… just don't charge if you are not shipping… pretty simple…

And why should I make overseas calls? If their email isn't working there are always alternate email sites like yahoo or hotmail or whatever that will work temporarily…

His email IS working, because when I wrote him the first time telling him I was disputing the purchase with Paypal he got back to me very quickly. I'm sure it's all a situational thing because I've ordered many times before and always gotten great service. But he's not handling this backlog well at all. He hasn't ever written me back from this last week and I have already escalated my claim since the deadline for it was tomorrow.

I trust all will turn out well for everybody. But then I'm an optimist, mostly. 8)=

I just want my steampunk vehicles <grin>

I wanted my scenery stuff, too. Ah well!

I received an email today from John. Apparently even thought he said he'd send my order 2 1/2 weeks ago he says he "managed to cancel the courier". That's one slow courier! Kicker is he says he can't give my money back because it's already been "removed" from Paypal. Weird. I have gotten no refund and the dispute shows it is still open pending investigation. Is this how Paypal works?

Paypal puts a hold on his account until the matter is settled… normally takes months since it's to Paypal's advantage to sit on the cash and collect interest… remember that Paypal is not bound by banking or credit card regulations… that's why if the merchant insists on Paypal, I use the personal credit card option… credit cards have consumer protections..

To see if he sent the package… bring up the status of your order from the confirmation the website sent when you ordered… see if it indicates shipped.. versus payment recieved versus ready to ship…

To follow up…I received my order today…and the owner was kind enough to put in a bonus item as an apology for the delay!

I received my January 20, 2011 order to the U.S. on March 25, 2011. It had been mailed On February 15, 2011.

No bonus item for me!

Tom

John refunded my money with no problem. Paypal did not "sit" on anything-- as soon as the vendor contacted them they credited my credit card immediately. Regardless of all this I will eventually try to order from Ironclad again.

Still waiting for a reply… a couple days ago, using email, I asked for them to simply send me the items I paid for or give me a refund… as before, no reply…

If their email isn't working there are always alternate email sites like yahoo or hotmail or whatever that will work temporarily…

Their email isnt really the issue, if your domain or email has been black-listed for spam, either by their ISP, server-based or client-based 'ware, then your emails may either not be getting there at all or going immediately into the junk.

That is somewhat common in our experience.

Another more common issue is the title being flagged as spam; people who put no title or "my order" or similar brief titles can easily trip a spam monitor resulting in your emails never even being seen.

As such it makes sense for you to use a different email, not them, sign up for a hotmail account or similar and drop them another email.

Please bear in mind that just because he got a previous email does not mean he has received subsequent ones. Spam filters are often over zealous and treat all emails individually, change the title, add a flagged phrase by innocent mistake and they are consigned to the garbage immediately.

With other people getting replies and you not, i really do suggest using an alternative email or method of contact.

I very much doubt that John is selectively ignoring you, far more likely that he simply isnt getting your emails.

Occasionaly it isn't the customer that doesn't do everything wrong causing the vendor not to send bought and paid for items… sometimes it just may be the vendor… unusual in the world of some TMPers.. but it can happen that it's the vendors who at fault on not shipping orders…

I finally did get the items yesterday… and it didn't take 3 months by banana boat (took 4 days)… it's all based on BAD customer service… apparently, there is no need for the vendor to wish repeat business…

Is there still a problem? Is John okay? What's the wait time on an order these days?

My most recent order was place 20 days before my previous post. I've just gotten an email indicating the figures are on their way.

And, oddly enough, they arrived the next day.

I have always found that an order will arrive the day after I have finally gotten worried enough to contact the vendor. Thus, guaranteeing that I look like an impatient idiot.

Not that I am not an impatient idiot, mind. Just don't like to look like one.