"What has happened to Rapier 6mm?" Topic

I placed an order last year and it took about six weeks to arrive (29th Sept until the 14th November. I started getting a bit concerned while I was waiting and emailed Stephan at Rapier three times before I heard a response. He apologised for the wait and as a response put a post on his shop home page acknowledging that there had been a delay and that normal service was resuming.

When I did finally receive my order I was impressed, as I have been in the passed, with the fine quality of the product. I REALLY do like his stuff despite the limited range and it mixes very well with Baccus.

As a response to receiving my haul, I realised I wanted more and placed another order the same day (14th November). Now, over two months and three unanswered emails (sent to both his addresses) later, I still have not received my goods and am getting rather annoyed.

To rub salt in the wound, a gaming compadre who lives very near by placed an order recently and received it within three days! Now I understand that some stock may need to be cast and some may already be on the shelf waiting to post, but over two months wait with no correspondence is verging on taking the pi55 as far as I can see.

Is this a case of 'slow ship' me once, shame on you, 'slow ship' me twice, shame on me? Should I have known better and not placed another order so soon after the previous long wait? Or is this just plain old poor form on his part? How long are other people prepared to wait before they get annoyed?

Back in the day, 6-8 weeks for delivery was the norm. We are spoiled by the same week delivery thing. The man acknowledged the mistake and got your order to you correctly. Unless you need them very, very soon, I really don't see the problem.

It could be worse, he could have taken your money and disappeared. As Rapier, by all accounts is a good company, you can probably safely order from them. If delivery times are too great for you, you can always go to the competition.

Use the phone, you would be amazed at how quickly things get ironed out this way. Electronic ordering isn't necessarily reliable as it probably relies on emails which can be fickle things.

I had a similar experience – ordered in mid-October and received the minis yesterday, literally. I'd sent a couple of emails and given up on ever getting the figs, so I was pleased to see them (and they are very nice models).

Based on that, IMO Rapier remains a reputable company, but there's something haywire in their supply chain and communication at the moment. I've ordered previously from them and received the product within 3 weeks, so this is a relatively new issue.

As ancientsgamer says, it's probably worth a long distance call to find out what's going on.

I've ordered from them in the past and have never had any problems.

It may be a bit of a blip as one-man-band type companies are prone to suffering.

I have met Rapier Miniatures at a show and he seemed a thoroughly nice bloke. I would second the suggestion of a phone call, e-mail sometimes goes a bit wonky……

@Pattus Magnus: I am having the same problem. Ordered some Imperial Romans (an entire army) in 24 October and did not received the minis yet. So there's still hope for me…

Curiously, i ordered one Armies of Arcana rulebook from Lone Gunman Games in 18 October and the situation is the same… Maybe some trouble with the mail that month?

And they have arrived! I presume it is a coincidence that that they came two days after I posted this rather than a reaction to my post.

There was a very apologetic note included in the package which I did appreciate, but I would have much rather had a response from my first or second emails telling me that there were problems at his end and the package was going to be delayed.

Who asked this Joker – while you're right that back in the day things took longer to send. Back in the day we didn't have penicillin and people died of small infections. I take your point but with modern payment and postal services, not to mention the internet, I just feel that a little bit of customer liaising is helpful when things are delayed.

Ancientsgamer – you're right though the thought didn't actually cross my mind. Rapier provides two email addresses for correspondence and that was what I used. I acknowledge that phone may have gotten me an answer sooner.

JucaJunior – hold in there mate. Rapier stuff continues to be excellent, it's that just his service at the moment, for what ever reason, leaves a lot to be desired.

I've had some delays receiving items that I ordered from them also. they have responded to my email quickly though. Their site has a notice that they had moved and that there has been a delay in filling orders due to the move.

My Armies of Arcana rulebook arrived today, after 3 months. Aparently the problem was with the brazilian mail, but it is just a guess.

Now, let's see if the miniatures from Rapier arrives too. I sent an e-mail asking if there is/was some problem, but i did not received any answer until now.

Let's wait.