Farish / Dapol Collectors clubs ?

[talisman56]

Just got my renewal pack from Farish - 'Pool' tank wagon and a new Membership card. Renewed with Dapol in early February and only thing I've had from them is a 'Magazine', which was full of mistakes...

No new Membership card, and when I've tried to get the members discount on a couple of items on their website shop, it doesn't seem to be accepting the code - guess they won't be getting my money next year...

[Westbury]

Joined too... and got my card, badge and Ministry of Supply POOL tank wagon, sadly it doesnt really fit in with any era I'm interested in although it's difficult to find the absolute range of years over which these wagons where used.

Still waiting on the Catalogue... and my first magazine.

[talisman56]

There are a few of the previous years Members' wagons (and locos/coaches) on the Shop section on the Collectors Club website.

http://bachmann-collectorsclub.co.uk/products/n-scale-products

[geoffc]

Being a member of both I would say it depends on what you from your membership.

The two magazines are very different to one another in size and content although neither really appeals to me as I model modern day N gauge and don't wish to read a life history of OO gauge Bach Far wagons and other, to me, irrelevant topics. The Dapol one is more akin to a newsletter with about half the content of no interest to me.

On joining I received a mug, calendar and wagon from Dapol and nothing else since except the magazine and a new catalogue.  With Farish I received a pen, calendar and wagon and catalogue, and another catalogue  and calender this year.

Both wagons are of the wrong era for me.

I have never attended a Farish enthusiasts day so can't comment, the Dapol open day was very good, a tour of the factory and the opportunity to build and keep a wagon, again the wrong era. There was a NQP stall and discounts in the shop, a free buffet with plenty of excellent  food. The icing on the cake for me was winning the Arriva Trains Wales EP Class 67 bookset.

For me the only advantage of the Farish Club has been the free catalogue as none of the special offers have appealed to me. Dapol has given me a free catalogue, a chance to visit the factory and access to NQP models and extra discounts on open day.

So you pay your money and take your choice.

Geoff

[talisman56]

Free catalogue? I've never got a catalogue from Dapol...

[austinbob]

An update on Dapol collectors club - placed order on 1st April (forget the April fools stuff please) nothing heard as of today (22nd April) -  no information about when stuff will be shipped, but credit card debited within hours of order - not impressed. Will wait another week before contacting them. This just isn't good enough.

[Railwaygun]

The Bachmann club have been very efficient - online joining and the ability to buy club specials 30 mins later.

My Wagon has arrived, as well as my F4 in blue & cream ( x2)

So well worth the fee.

[smg id=24143 type=full align=center caption="Bachmann Owners club version"]

Nick R

[austinbob]

The Bachmann club have been very efficient - online joining and the ability to buy club specials 30 mins later.

My Waggon has arrived, as well as my F4 in blue & cream ( x2)

So well worth the fee.

[smg id=24143 type=full align=center caption="Bachmann Owners club version"]

Nick R

Likewise for me - no complaints about the Farish collectors club service from me.

[austinbob]

An update on Dapol collectors club - placed order on 1st April (forget the April fools stuff please) nothing heard as of today (22nd April) -  no information about when stuff will be shipped, but credit card debited within hours of order - not impressed. Will wait another week before contacting them. This just isn't good enough.

Sent email to the collectors club asking for details of when I can expect a delivery. I noticed also, that there were 3 reviews on their site about the collectors club. One of them was complaining about no delivery and no communication - small world isn't it?

[Karhedron]

I would advise phone Dapol directly and asking to speak to Nicola (I think she runs the club). A polite but firm phone call is much harder to ignore/forget than an email.

[austinbob]

I would advise phone Dapol directly and asking to speak to Nicola (I think she runs the club). A polite but firm phone call is much harder to ignore/forget than an email.

You're probably right but I would hope they do respond to a customer's email!. I'll give them a week and phone if they don't get back to me beforehand.

[austinbob]

I would advise phone Dapol directly and asking to speak to Nicola (I think she runs the club). A polite but firm phone call is much harder to ignore/forget than an email.

Received email from Nicola within 1/2 hour. Membership pack was reported to have been shipped 7th April - Awaiting feedback on what has gone wrong.

[austinbob]

I would advise phone Dapol directly and asking to speak to Nicola (I think she runs the club). A polite but firm phone call is much harder to ignore/forget than an email.

Received email from Nicola within 1/2 hour. Membership pack was reported to have been shipped 7th April - Awaiting feedback on what has gone wrong.

Nicola says membership pack resent today - so  - allowing for bank holiday should receive pack next week some time.

[austinbob]

Farish are doing a collectors club named Black 5 for £107 - looks nice. Every steam layout should have a black 5. It apparently has a tender drive (I assume its similar to the Jubilee?)
Anyone have views if this is a good deal ( and a good runner). Very tempting, I'd like a black 5 for my collection.

[Newportnobby]

Is that the 45157 'Glasgow Highlander' (ref 372-137K), Bob?
I did buy that one while I was in Scotland a couple of years ago. As well as a droopy coupling it was not the best of runners, either