"Maelstrom Games- Are they about to go bust?? " Topic

Had an email today saying my order has been split as some items are out of stock. I can only assume they are so busy that it is taking time to get round to answering all enquiries
and processing orders, by which time some items have been sold to others who got there just in front in the queue.

I ordered some FiB stuff that was shown as in stock. Got an email a few days later saying that the order has been split because of lack of stock. I received the bits that were actually in stock, but surely it is not worth it for them to restock my order at a loss?

Slightly worried as I cannot seem to get in contact.

It would be illegal in Europe for Battlefront to tell Maelstrom that they cannot discount. As they are presumably supplied from Battlefront's UK headquarters then European law would operate. You are not permitted to set a retailer price that cannot be discounted from.

Mike

My order has gone to "cancelled" but I have not received any email from them to explain why, and no refund to PayPal or to the attached credit card.

I have rung them everyday for a week, and emailed too. No response at all.

I have raised a dispute on PayPal and also talked to my credit card company as I have nowhere to go as this company has my money and will not return it.

Unfortunately Battlefront can set the maximum discount policy as the invoices and legal contract is with Battlefront New Zealand so they don't have to abide by either the UK Company Act 1998 or the EU anti competition laws. It is a shame though.

Desmondo
I was in a similar position – Maelstrom refusing to respond to my emails and not answering the telephone – but after I logged a dispute Paypal refunded my cash so fingers crossed you should get the same result. I honestly cannot understand how the expect to retain any customer loyalty when they are behaving like this. They've lost mine and I totalled up that I've spent almost £800.00 GBP with them over the past few years.

Well, I hope I wasn't premature in praising them.

The second order showed up… well 1/2 of it did.

Missing an item I could understand, but missing so much that if it'd all been present it wouldn't have fitted into the half-regiment box they used… surely someone should notice a thing like that.

It is possible there's a second box in transit (although that's not what my account page says).

I've emailed them -- with detailed photos of what turned up and the packaging, (3 days now no response), and just tried calling the phone (no answer).

Exactly the same here. The box showed up but half the items are missing. And of course, the two most valuable. It cannot be a mistake. Hopefully, it will show up in a couple of days, however, the website says it was shipped in one package.

I dont understand, as the missing items are labelled "in stock".

yes

OK, I sent in an email and they immediately split my order into two (the Perry men at arms were not in stock, but the FiB tanks, some paints and scenic stuff apparently were) and they have shipped the in-stock items to me pretty swiftly after that.

Just waiting on the Men at arms now…

Order placed 27/09, all in stock when ordered. Email arrives earlier this week to say some items out of stock and order being split. Paintbrushes arrived yesterday, a month after being ordered, GF9 scenic stuff still on its way when it arrives 'in stock' presumably.

Is there any chance you wouldn't be able to get money back from PayPal if they decide in your favour?

Beast of war has put a link on its website , giving tips on what to do when a store goes bankrupt . Useful.

link

But I mean as long as I have a PayPal claim in I should be fine aye?

I've also contacted my bank but PayPal would be way easier and if MG are going under by the time my bank sorts it they would have gone under and there'd be nothing to claim from?

Do PayPal remove the funds from a suppliers account on hold when a Claim Is made or do they wait till they decide? I've heard they do both.

Ordered some in stock stuff on 9th October. Still processing. No reply to mails. But still they are sending stock-clearance mails. Mind boggling.

@Chitty 1 : no. If paypal decides in your favor, you will get your money, even if MG's account is blocked or empty.

Yes the stock clearance, and the warehouse move really doesn't seem to make sence..

Logically.. reducing stock so you have less to move.. fair enough. But the level of stock clearance they seem to be aiming for and more importantly the discounting on the items being sold, is less than the cost to re-stock now in some cases it appears.

So that makes no sense to me..

I hope people do get what they have ordered in the end.

The general consensus of opinion at Fiasco today was that Maelstrom will be no more within a week or so leaving huge debts however Eye of the Storm will take its place straight away

Order at your peril!

Oh crap,

I ordered a copy of the Maurice Rules and Cards plus other stuff two months ago, the site claimed they were available to order but after the order had been processing for several weeks I sent an e-mail and they split the order. The new order contain just Maurice Rules and Cards is still processing, despite three e-mails from me asking to cancel the order. Reading this thread explains a lot of what is going on.

On the plus side a copy of the rules and cards arrived today from Eureka Minis.

I have been chasing these people for weeks after my item vanished from their website after ordered as initially been in stock. Despite 28 unanswered fone calls and emails nothing !
It may only be £21.00 GBP but it makes my blood boil. Is the shop still open does anyone know, I could really do with a visit, get my money and a verbal of my chest.
As to this new website " the eye of the storm " I seriously hope major manufacturers stuff them and people black list them.

Guess people will know soon if their orders are going to be sent out,as there isn't above 1/2 a dozen items in the whole of the FOW range listed on their website?
LES

lodged a paypal claim and got money refunded , wont be doing buisness with them anymore

Well, ordered from them on this big sale, then read this thread and was very nervous. I placed the order Friday night, and it arrived complete Wednesday morning. No complaints at all, as ordered, and at 50-70% off.

Hmm. Placed 3 orders. The first order has not been despatched, and I must admit I am worried. The 2nd and 3rd orders have arrived. The unfortunate thing is the first order was the stuff I really wanted -- the other orders were nice to haves that I decided to pick up.

well logged my paypal claim, Ive been waitng for over 6 weeks for some SAGA stuff, no replys to emails or phone calls.

I wont be doing business with Eye of the storm either

After an email, unanswered, my order was split into three parts,got most of it but others still outstanding.
When I ordered everything was in stock. Interestingly the Eye of the storm site has them in stock!
The contact details on the two sites are the same as well.So if you order anything from EOTS are you going to get an answer?
It would appear that orders are being supplied, if slowly, however concern about restock and complete fulfillment of orders is obvious.
The most damaging thing has to be the lack of communicating, refusing to answer the phone and emails simply angers your customer base, fuels speculation and will deter future custom in Maelstrom and eye of the storm.

Maelstrom website: This site is currently offline due to maintenance.

Anyone who believes this?
I doubt.

Eye of the strom suddenly has significantly in stock FOW product.

Still awaiting product…

Owner appears to be a significant rat that needs to get his head caught in a trap.

Tried to go on Maelstrom web site and site is closed.

Am still waiting for part of an order from the sale, but looks like that will never appear, but was only one tin of primer.

Should i write of my order? worth about £50.00 GBP, and just contact my crdit card company?

"You have 45 days from the date of the transaction to open a dispute in the Resolution Centre."
For those that have paid using paypal.
LES

is any one really going to be doing business with eye of the storm' after this affair?

this is treating the customer with contempt

I have not been impressed with the service from this company for a long time, to take money for products knowingly not in stock and then order when funds are reached is beneath contempt. Sure some people have got some bargains but I fear a lot more people will lose out.
It doesn't surprise me Eye of the Storm appears to be picking up where Maelstrom left off. Create separate companies, minimise liabilities and repeat the whole cycle again. Unfortunately being human we like to give the benefit of the doubt.

I will be hugely disappointed in BF as a company (or any company) if they supply any reincarnation of Maelstrom with product if people / customer get screwed. Genuine business?? No, just an integrity issue that suppliers with an interest in their customer base shouldn't deal with.

So can you use Paypal on this Eye of the Storm site? After all the hassle they must have had over the past month with people wanting refunds, I'd be surprised to see them offer their facility to what is clearly a 'duplicate' company. There again, would I really?

So can you use Paypal on this Eye of the Storm site?

Not ATM,but they will probably get it sometime as they will be classed as a different company.
LES

What is the EotS web address? All I found on Google was some Rock Band.

link

Looks like the Maelstrom site has gone along with my £25.20 GBP outstanding order.

Thanks Shootmenow, I should have just typed it into my browser it's so obvious! I don't see any GF9 listed as one of their product lines stocked so I guess I can whistle bye bye to the rest of my order from Maelstrom too.

Nick on the North Star site has announced Maelstrom has closed down – nothing else.

I paid by Paypal and had everything refunded a couple of weeks ago so if that (or a credit card) avenue is open to you then I'd definitely advise you to take it. The worst that could happen is you're where you are now.

Having heard some (quite heated) discussions at my local store last week I wouldn't be surprised to see this run and run as there are more than a few folks out there who feel really ripped off and want something done. I know I'm still feeling very irate and I actually had all my money back!

With the wargaming community being so close, do these guys really think a simple change of name will solve everything for them?

Given themselves another name change – Maunsfield Games!
Sad thing is a lot of people who've booked for events are quite happy they are still going ahead yet it's the same owners who have ripped off loads of gamers. Pity there couldn't be a show of unity

There is a FOW tournament there this weekend which is pretty well attended so doesn't seem to have affected them that much!

Why anyone would use them again is beyond me because there are plenty of other good retailers out there who aren't trying to take over the world!

Empire Games Store, Wargame Store and Stafford Games to name but a few that I have used and found very good.

It looks like the venue has been split off from the old company along with a number of other new enterprises.

My understanding is that Maelstrom games is in receivership but that is only third hand information. I was there at the tournament today and there is stock in the shop although I did not look in detail as I am not planning on buying anything.

I entered the comp and paid before this whole thing kicked off and was somewhat concerned that the event would not go ahead. As it happens there are a couple of events there this weekend. How long things will stay as they are I have no idea.

Question I just asked on BF forum:

I ask this question in all sincerity and hope that the initial question isn't sufficient to have it removed.

Given what appears to be happening with a certain store in the UK, will BF supply product to store that go bust and then start up again under another name but with a significant degree of commonality in local, ownership and even website design?

I work in the finance game and we have a written policy that we don't lender to borrowers who effectively construct a phoenix scheme – that is go bust, burn your creditors and then rise again under another name (and maybe questionable transfer of product or property).

It's an integrity and social responsibility issue – we just don't want to be a party to it and put the same above "potenial" profit. I say potential because once done, the second time is even easier…The old saying of "first loss, best loss" or "good money after bad", you play a dangerous game akin to gambling when you think you can recoup your losses from recommencing trade. This is without the readily quantificable issue of the illwill you generate from the end creditors would were initially burnt.

This is speculation true, but with the establishment of another cloned site, selective supply of product, lack of response to emails and phonecalls, and now the fact that their site is now "offline", the stench is pretty strong.

I would appreaciate BF (and indeed any manufacturers) attitude to the above scenario.

Regards and thanks,

Good luck with a reply Nick…

Not holding my breath, but will determine my future spend, not that thats worth much to BF

Seems they went the way of the former Yugoslavia…

I would say it would depend on whether Maestrom owes BF anything.

If they don't, and they are not going to tell you if they do, then why wouldn't they supply the new company.

You could just as well ask the same question og GW and all the other companies that have supplied Maelstrom.