Did anyone go to this event ???
I was truly surprised first not to get any advanced warning of it, and second not to hear any gossip about it beforehand.
I thought i was a fully paid up member, and the lack of material from Dapol since April wasnt anything out of the ordinary, so i wasn't really chasing.
I didnt think i had been prompted for payment either.
So what is going on ???
I find the firm quite impenetrable at the moment. As the NGS helpline officer I was surprised that they didn't answer my questions about the maroon western enterprise without yellow ends. I then expected to talk to them at the NGS AGM...and they were not there.
And now this. I guess my membership lapsed and they are not interested in sending out a reminder to pay?
I only hope the firm stays solvent for sufficient time to get the class 33 and maunsell coaches produced, and to keep the competition thriving between Dapol and Bachmann.
So what did i miss, apart from a re-run of what was at TINGS? was there a club special set?
In anticipation :worried:
Bob
Renewal forms were sent out in January for all members as they have bought everyone into the same year Feb to Jan I think.
No new announcement's, just updates.
Dapol are far from in trouble and suggesting or hoping they stay solvent is a bit inappropriate.
That response sounded a bit tetchy.
I was only asking a number of simple questions.
If a firm chooses not to speak to me, its more than a bit disappointing.
And its totally different to the relationship i used to have with Dapol staff.
I have tried to have a dialogue with Dapol and I have been ignored.
You obviously have not been ignored because you had a stand at the event.
It does not mean my experiences are invalid, any more than your own experiences which are different.
Bob
Quote from: Bob G on October 05, 2014, 06:53:59 PM
That response sounded a bit tetchy.
I was only asking a number of simple questions.
Bob
Indeed Bob, there's always scope for misunderstanding the tone of a message when it's typed out on a forum.
For what it's worth, I don't think Dapol are in trouble, but it's probably fair to say that Dave Jones left big shoes for them to fill, and that cordial 2-way relationship he cultivated with the hobby (especially via RMWeb) hasn't been easy for them to maintain (if they've even tried at all, which isn't obvious to me, it has to be said).
On the other hand, there Facebook page is fairly regularly updated, and they do seem to make an effort to reply to questions posted there. I get the impression Dapol is much a smaller company compared to Bachmann-Farish. That makes the quality and variety of stuff they produce all the more astonishing (and honestly, I think Dapol get a lot of the credit for improving UK N-scale stuff, in part by forcing Farish to work a lot harder). With that said, it's entirely possible they overstretch themselves a bit at times -- working on N, 00 and O scale ranges concurrently -- and that may well be why some of the time it seems like they're running around madly trying to catch up!
Cheers, NeMo
I have to say that Dapol have kept me in the picture for some time, using both Facebook and mk1 mail... Perhaps there has been an error made and you've been missed by the current system they're using.
I left the factory on Sat with a carrier bag full of goodies, and a sense that despite previous issues (I moaned back then too), they are moving forward and doing well in the process. Long may they continue....
I had to chase Dapol to get my invite as the magazine did not arrive despite being sent twice. I booked in over the phone and my partner and I had a very enjoyable day, there were bargains in the shop eg Class 67 for £40, NQP 66 for £25, a very informative tour of the factory and a free wagon plus copious amounts of free food. To add the icing to the cake I won the Arriva Class 67 EP set.
Hi Bob,
As Richard states renewal forms were sent out in January for immediate return - there was a sliding scale of cost dependent on how much your existing membership remained. The reasoning was to bring everyone in line with a yearly membership January to December.
The event was well publicised in the Dapol newsletters through the year and appeared on the Dapol website. There is also a Dapol Collectors Club facebook page which requires an active add from Nicola at Dapol. All of this would have been for naught if you hadn't noticed the renewals!
As to the event itself, it was both interesting and informative. Joel gave a short presentation regarding the "state of play". There were no new announcements as Richard states, just updates on existing projects.
Richard made an appearance with his N'tastics Shop along with the NGS, DCC Supplies and a fine scale track system which I didn't look closely at and of which I don't know the identity.
Tour of the factory with all processes demonstrated and explained and a build it yourself wagon which you could have weathered. This wagon was free in "N" and "OO", not sure about "O" gauge.
The important points .... an adequate buffet lunch, free coffee/tea throughout the day with a plethora of bargains and Collectors Club specials.
The usual free-for-all when the "Not Quite Perfect" stand opened when a huge number of normally sane people turn into relatives of Gengis Khan and attempt to trample any competition into the ground! Still, after the bodies had been carried away I still managed to pick up Western Viscount in weathered maroon for £25. Would have been rude to leave it there at that price!
Shame you missed out on a entertaining interlude. I suggest you email Nicola at Dapol who is administering the club to check that she has your correct details to hand.
Steve
PS. Forgot to mention the modular n gauge DCC layout in attendance which I believe Dapol are intending to encourage individuals' participation.
Quote from: Bob G on October 05, 2014, 06:14:42 PM
I only hope the firm stays solvent for sufficient time to get the class 33 and maunsell coaches produced, and to keep the competition thriving between Dapol and Bachmann.
In anticipation :worried:
Bob
This is the only part of your post that I disliked as it insinuates that no contact means they are in trouble.
Maunsell coaches were on show as painted samples and looked very good, most other projects are moving forward. I know they have been quite for a year or so as the new team has found some issues and also had to find their feet. I suspect that by this time next year lots of products will have been caught up on and we will be moaning at the amount and cost of all the new stuff.
Hi
Was there any news on the next class 56 releases? According to their website they should have been here last month.
Cheers
Paul
Hi
As an ex member of the Dapol Nthusists Club but not the current club with other gauges, I am interested to know what current N Guage Members think.
Is the open day as good now as it was when only covering N Guage?
Has the delivery of promised discounts and specials improved?
Is it worth joining these days?
I too think that Dapol are to be congratulated on their efforts to improve N Guage models.
Not so sure about their statements about the time-line for new items or their China QC but all that equally applies to items from Graham Farish.
Cheers
Mac :beers:
Quote from: macwales on October 06, 2014, 04:56:17 PM
As an ex member of the Dapol Nthusists Club but not the current club with other gauges, I am interested to know what current N Guage Members think.
I'd join if it had more perks for those who didn't live in Wales!
By that I mean I'd like to have access to the open day special offers (such as not-quite-perfect discounts) by mail order, even if that mean subscribing to their Club. I'd love to go to their open day, but from Hertfordshire, that just isn't practical.
As it is for £25 a year there isn't a huge amount of point. It's a lot of money for company press releases (sorry, newsletters), a free wagon (meh), and the *opportunity* to buy an expensive train pack!
Cheers, NeMo
I aggree If you live along way from Chirk like me in HIGH WYCOMBE it would cost more in petrol and the joining fee than I would save on the special prices so not realy worth it. If members were allowed discount on all purchases and NQP items by mail order and at GOLD DEALERS then it might attract more people to join, just my opinion I wonder what other people think.
Bob
Members do get a discount on all Dapol products if bought directly and also on their cheaper stuff on the exhibition sales stand.
The money I saved on the last lot of things I got from them at the ally pally show (HST bookset, blue 22 set, and other locos, coaches and wagons for me and my mate) made up for the price of the membership.
Alistair
Quote from: NeMo on October 06, 2014, 05:16:15 PM
As it is for £25 a year there isn't a huge amount of point. It's a lot of money for company press releases (sorry, newsletters), a free wagon (meh), and the *opportunity* to buy an expensive train pack!
Actually their member-only releases are normally quite good value. For example, the weathered green class 22 and milk tankers was £115 IIRC. The cheapest I saw the blue set (which was on general release) was just over £140. So the membership and set cost the same as the equivelent box set at box-shifter prices.
Of course for me it was a no-brainer as I wanted the green 22 and milk tankers. A lot of it depends on whether the member models appeal to you. If they suit your era/location, they are quite good value for money. If not then there is always eBay to sell them on. I got a good price for my Silver Link. ;)