First, apologies if I've posted this in the wrong place!
During the past few years, I've ordered several items -- maybe 3-4 per year -- from Hattons or Rails of Sheffield. These parcels have always arrived quite quickly, usually taking only 4-5 business days. In the past, I've always received excellent service.
However, in July, I made an order (for an N scale Dapol Terrier). Hattons said they dispatched it on July 21 but it has not arrived yet. Since it's now 2 weeks, I'm getting more restless. I did contact Hattons and they confirmed they had sent it on 21 July. They said that they could not investigate the matter with the delivery company until after 25 days.
Just wondering if anyone else in Canada (or the US) has experienced similar delays (and how long), and how they resolved them?
Thanks in advance!
Rob
I'm not in North America, but here in the Netherlands I had a problem with a missing delivery from Hattons. After the 25-day period had elapsed and there was still no sign of the package I informed them and they sent out a replacement.
Quote from: keithfre on August 04, 2017, 02:30:22 PM
I'm not in North America, but here in the Netherlands I had a problem with a missing delivery from Hattons. After the 25-day period had elapsed and there was still no sign of the package I informed them and they sent out a replacement.
Whew, that's good to know! I'm hoping my track record will work in my favour, i.e. I've been a happy customer for 3-4 years with no complaints. Thanks, Rob
I sent a tracked parcel to Toronto last year. The tracking said it was in the goods out at Heathrow for 14 days, then it suddenly appeared at the destination. Took about 18 days all told. Royal Mail won't chase anything until 28 days have passed.
Quote from: Malc on August 04, 2017, 04:48:12 PM
I sent a tracked parcel to Toronto last year. The tracking said it was in the goods out at Heathrow for 14 days, then it suddenly appeared at the destination. Took about 18 days all told. Royal Mail won't chase anything until 28 days have passed.
Thanks ... again this is helpful to know. Hmm, yes
maybe it's stuck in a small corner at Heathrow?
I order a lot from various people and suppliers across the pond, sometimes I will get the package is a couple of days and other times it can be 2 weeks, there doesn't seem to be any rhyme or reason as to why it varies, my last rails package was about 7 days, my last private sale was 5 days, quickest I ever got was overnight (a watch bought online and shipped DHL from the Midlands) it arrived quicker than an order from Chicago or New York!!
The last time I used airmail at Hattons, the parcel arrived over 3 months later!!!
It had obviously been 'in the wars'. The packaging was heavily damaged but luckily the contents were OK. By that time I had already received a replacement order from Hattons.
Now I always use their DHL option. Shipping takes just 2 days and is only a little more expensive. The only drawback is being home for the delivery, but I work from home quite a lot so this doesn't bother me so much.
Regards,
John P
Quote from: jpendle on August 04, 2017, 07:49:15 PM
The last time I used airmail at Hattons, the parcel arrived over 3 months later!!!
It had obviously been 'in the wars'. The packaging was heavily damaged but luckily the contents were OK. By that time I had already received a replacement order from Hattons.
Now I always use their DHL option. Shipping takes just 2 days and is only a little more expensive. The only drawback is being home for the delivery, but I work from home quite a lot so this doesn't bother me so much.
Regards,John P
Thanks, John. Last year, I used DHL once and I think the only problem with that is that DHL will charge you Canada customs & duty. I had to pay about $30.00 extra in duty, which annoyed me. When it comes via the Post Office, I think it flies under the radar & gets through. Again, this is the first time I've had a delay or any problems. Rob
Hi Rob,
Yes DHL is very likely to charge you duty. Was gutted to get stung for duty on a vintage Underground sign I had shipped! It adds a lot to the cost.
My average parcel count from UK is about one a month. They normally take between 1 and 3 weeks. I think it depends how busy customs is. When they are tracked it can say 'out bound from customs NY' for a few days.
Japan is usually also 1-3 weeks - normally quick by SAL; China generally about 3 weeks or more.
I hate 'signed for' as I have to wait for the weekend to pick up.
I find Hattons £3 unsigned is usually about a week, but can be 2 weeks or so. Never had one undelivered, but they have been great about problems on the odd occasion I had to call them (Twice I received the wrong item and they sent the right thing pretty promptly).
Quote from: Mustermark on August 04, 2017, 11:30:57 PM
Hi Rob,
Yes DHL is very likely to charge you duty. Was gutted to get stung for duty on a vintage Underground sign I had shipped! It adds a lot to the cost.
My average parcel count from UK is about one a month. They normally take between 1 and 3 weeks. I think it depends how busy customs is. When they are tracked it can say 'out bound from customs NY' for a few days.
Japan is usually also 1-3 weeks - normally quick by SAL; China generally about 3 weeks or more.
I hate 'signed for' as I have to wait for the weekend to pick up.
I find Hattons £3 unsigned is usually about a week, but can be 2 weeks or so. Never had one undelivered, but they have been great about problems on the odd occasion I had to call them (Twice I received the wrong item and they sent the right thing pretty promptly).
Thanks for this feedback. Hopefully it will arrive next week, which will be the 3rd week. Otherwise, it sounds like Hattons will make good in the end, even when it's not their fault. I'm going to try to avoid DHL then unless I'm desperate! Cheers, Rob
Happily for those of us in the USA, there is no import duty on model railways.
Regards,
John P
While not a UK order, I recently ordered something from Germany (when I get a chance it'll be posted in the "Latest Loco..." thread. It was off eBay from DM-Toys (Modellbahn Union), shipped 26 June, recorded as sent to Canada 29 June. Then nothing. Canada post won't track it (international tracking not recognized). So, last week I asked for a refund, and through eBay got that today. The day the model arrived :-[ :-[ :sorrysign:
I've contacted DM-Toys about returning the refund or paying again. I hope this isn't an issue for them with eBay, but the lesson learned for me was that it can take quite a while, even if Canada Customs doesn't get their sticky fingers on it (they didn't in this case). As with you the vast majority of my orders from Europe/UK have been delivered within a couple of weeks, so I assumed it was lost after nearly 40 days. Maybe it's a Canada Post Summer holiday issue?
Hi Rob
I wouldn't be getting too concerned until the delay extends to a month. Here in Oz, stuff from the UK generally arrives in about 10 days although the flying time between Europe and here is 24 hours. Two weeks is not unusual. The biggest delays I've had have occurred when sending items between here and Canada as it turns out. I sold a freight car to a guy in Ontario a while back which took a month. A few years ago I ordered a locomotive from TrueLine Trains that took 3 months. I suspect that it had been sent by sailing ship instead of by air mail.
I've never lost anything in the mail. Touch wood!
Webbo
Could have been a pigeon!
When I moved from the UK to Oz, I was glad when I landed in Sydney, but Geez, me arms were tired! :D
Quote from: JayM481 on August 05, 2017, 04:58:45 AM
While not a UK order, I recently ordered something from Germany (when I get a chance it'll be posted in the "Latest Loco..." thread. It was off eBay from DM-Toys (Modellbahn Union), shipped 26 June, recorded as sent to Canada 29 June. Then nothing. Canada post won't track it (international tracking not recognized). So, last week I asked for a refund, and through eBay got that today. The day the model arrived :-[ :-[ :sorrysign:
I've contacted DM-Toys about returning the refund or paying again. I hope this isn't an issue for them with eBay, but the lesson learned for me was that it can take quite a while, even if Canada Customs doesn't get their sticky fingers on it (they didn't in this case). As with you the vast majority of my orders from Europe/UK have been delivered within a couple of weeks, so I assumed it was lost after nearly 40 days. Maybe it's a Canada Post Summer holiday issue?
always buy from the DM-toys website - cheaper & better service ( to UK)
https://www.en.dm-toys.de/index.html (https://www.en.dm-toys.de/index.html)
DAniel Mrugalski info@dm-toys.de has always been very helpful with problems.
I would have bought from the site normally, but he had a number of items listed for auctions prices well below retail, and didn't have those prices on his site, so I took a punt. Got the MU limited edition Dapol valenced A4 Quicksilver for less than 90 Euro including post. Almost 50 Euro off the website price, so hard to resist.
I doubt which site I used would have made a difference for the postage delays though, as they all seemed to be at the Canada Post end. Unless it was shipped by sea, of course, though the cost of shipping was more than what Hatton's charge, and orders from them have never taken more than two weeks.
Quote from: JayM481 on August 07, 2017, 03:04:13 AM
I would have bought from the site normally, but he had a number of items listed for auctions prices well below retail, and didn't have those prices on his site, so I took a punt. Got the MU limited edition Dapol valenced A4 Quicksilver for less than 90 Euro including post. Almost 50 Euro off the website price, so hard to resist.
I doubt which site I used would have made a difference for the postage delays though, as they all seemed to be at the Canada Post end. Unless it was shipped by sea, of course, though the cost of shipping was more than what Hatton's charge, and orders from them have never taken more than two weeks.
will have to keep an eye on his site then!
Good news -- my parcel arrived today! The Terrier looks great and runs well.
I guess I was spoiled with the ultra-fast service of the past. Usually these small parcels take only 4-5 business days but, in this case, it took just over 3 weeks. I'm not complaining, just happy it's now here.
Thanks again for your feedback above.
Cheers, Rob