I'd ordered three Mk2 coaches. Today the box arrives contains six Dapol Class 27s. For a moment I'm thinking "ka-ching" but of course I write to Hattons and suggest there's someone with by package out there who is feeling a bit short changed.
So apart from the brief moment of amusement like a kid at Christmas, this has now morphed into a hassle. I've got to print off a label, walk to the pick up point in the next village along from here, drop off the package, and then wait however long for my actual purchases to arrive (the other guy is probably thinking the same thing).
I like Hattons, I really do, and use them as my primary website simply because they're so easy to navigate and search (Rails, your website isn't easy to use or search). But whereas they used to be very prompt and efficient, deliveries seem to be much slower nowadays and by the looks of things not 100% reliable in what you get.
Cheers, NeMo
Quote from: NeMo on September 16, 2015, 08:15:35 PM
I'd ordered three Mk2 coaches. Today the box arrives contains six Dapol Class 27s. For a moment I'm thinking "ka-ching" but of course I write to Hattons and suggest there's someone with by package out there who is feeling a bit short changed.
I recently ordered a Dapol 3800 and ended up with a collection of corgi toys with an invoice addressed to someone in Wales.
It did get sorted quite quickly but, as you say NeMo it is a hassle to organise the return and delays the delivery of your new toys!!
I still think Hattons are good though...
:beers:
Quote from: NeMo on September 16, 2015, 08:15:35 PM
I'd ordered three Mk2 coaches. Today the box arrives contains six Dapol Class 27s. For a moment I'm thinking "ka-ching" but of course I write to Hattons and suggest there's someone with by package out there who is feeling a bit short changed.
So apart from the brief moment of amusement like a kid at Christmas, this has now morphed into a hassle. I've got to print off a label, walk to the pick up point in the next village along from here, drop off the package, and then wait however long for my actual purchases to arrive (the other guy is probably thinking the same thing).
I like Hattons, I really do, and use them as my primary website simply because they're so easy to navigate and search (Rails, your website isn't easy to use or search). But whereas they used to be very prompt and efficient, deliveries seem to be much slower nowadays and by the looks of things not 100% reliable in what you get.
Cheers, NeMo
I would have been tempted, especially if they had stags on them :hmmm: >:D :smiley-laughing:
But you're doing The Right Thing and any hassle you may "suffer" should be outweighed by the satisfaction that you've done (a)Hattons, and (b) the Class 27 purchaser, a good turn and been honest about it all. I say well done.
Can't comment on Hattons' recent performance but perhaps others can.
Quote from: class37025 on September 16, 2015, 08:22:06 PM
I would have been tempted, especially if they had stags on them :hmmm: >:D :smiley-laughing:
Since three were the same, I'm guessing the purchaser plans to re-number them, perhaps with stags or scottie dogs. But yes, for a moment I was "chaotic evil" and thinking, how could I get away with this. Of course that moment passed. Didn't want Bad Train Karma following me around... splitting every gear and shorting every circuit...
Cheers, NeMo
I suspect they are having issues in their 'despatch' department. I have been over a week for mine to appear! (Obligatory phone call made yesterday to find out what was going on.)
Quote from: ASFC on September 16, 2015, 08:32:43 PM
I suspect they are having issues in their 'despatch' department. I have been over a week for mine to appear! (Obligatory phone call made yesterday to find out what was going on.)
this seems to be happening more and more,
place order
money taken
awaiting picking
awaiting picking
picked awaiting packing
picked awaiting packing
picked awaiting packing
FINALLY
despatched
IIRC the longest recently was five days awaiting picking
on the other hand, I once placed an order about 03:00, well I was at work, it was despatched the same day, and arrived the next.
it does seem, to me, that their service has dropped recently, at guess since they went to their new despatch warehouse.
just my impression.
Quote from: class37025 on September 16, 2015, 08:39:20 PM
IIRC the longest recently was five days awaiting picking
I have waited for 6 days on this one. This change seems to me to be very recent.
Hmm, my current order has been awaiting picking for three days :hmmm:
Hmmm. Very interesting. Let us know the outcome, NeMo! :thumbsup:
Agreed. Looking back Hattons always seemed to dispatch the day I ordered if I ordered that morning. Got to be part of my routine: having my morning coffee, peruse their website, and order any bits and pieces that caught the eye. But now there does seem to be at least a two-day delay between purchase and dispatch that never existed before.
Glad I'm not the only one experiencing this with Hattons, though not glad it's happening at all!
Cheers, NeMo
Quote from: class37025 on September 16, 2015, 08:39:20 PM
Quote from: ASFC on September 16, 2015, 08:32:43 PM
I suspect they are having issues in their 'despatch' department. I have been over a week for mine to appear! (Obligatory phone call made yesterday to find out what was going on.)
this seems to be happening more and more,
place order
money taken
awaiting picking
awaiting picking
picked awaiting packing
picked awaiting packing
picked awaiting packing
FINALLY
despatched
IIRC the longest recently was five days awaiting picking
on the other hand, I once placed an order about 03:00, well I was at work, it was despatched the same day, and arrived the next.
it does seem, to me, that their service has dropped recently, at guess since they went to their new despatch warehouse.
just my impression.
Quote from: NeMo on September 16, 2015, 08:15:35 PM
drop off the package,
Cheers, NeMo
:o I hope you didn't mean 'drop off the package' literally, NeMo! Dropping a box full of locomotives is not a good idea ;)
:D
Quote from: ASFC on September 16, 2015, 08:32:43 PM
I suspect they are having issues in their 'despatch' department. I have been over a week for mine to appear! (Obligatory phone call made yesterday to find out what was going on.)
I always deal with orders over the telephone rather than the internet these days. I once ordered a model of D1056 Western Sultan via their website; nothing turned up.
I rang them about 2 weeks later to see what was happening.
A few days after that TWO D1056s arrived in the post and it turned out on enquiry that they had assumed my phone call was to place a second order!
A new set of name/number plates fixed the problem but an expensive lesson learned when dealing with this firm.
Quote from: railsquid on September 17, 2015, 03:44:16 AM
Hmm, my current order has been awaiting picking for three days :hmmm:
These days I deal more with KMRC because you know when you place an order they (normally) send it that day. I once placed an order about 4.30 pm to have the package delivered by Royal Mail before 11 am the following day.
Hattons used to be as quick, but have definitely 'slipped' recently.
Quote from: D1042 Western Princess on September 17, 2015, 08:08:53 AM
Quote from: railsquid on September 17, 2015, 03:44:16 AM
Hmm, my current order has been awaiting picking for three days :hmmm:
These days I deal more with KMRC because you know when you place an order they (normally) send it that day. I once placed an order about 4.30 pm to have the package delivered by Royal Mail before 11 am the following day.
Hattons used to be as quick, but have definitely 'slipped' recently.
I don't think they'd be able to get something here quite that fast ;), though previous orders have been satisfactory. As were Hattons (both recently in the dim'n'distant past when one placed orders from a price list in Railway Modeller in an envelope with a cheque). We shall see...
NeMo Did Hattons send you the cost of returning or sending them to the correct customer ?
Bob
So far: refunded my postage costs on my original purchase, and returning the wrong items aren't costing me anything beyond an hour of my life printing the return slip and walking up to Gossoms End.
Cheers, NeMo
Quote from: Bob Tidbury on September 17, 2015, 09:04:38 AM
NeMo Did Hattons send you the cost of returning or sending them to the correct customer ?
Bob
Quote from: NeMo on September 17, 2015, 09:44:46 AM
walking up to Gossoms End.
Is that anywhere near 'Crinkly Bottom'? :-X
Quote from: D1042 Western Princess on September 17, 2015, 11:19:26 AM
Quote from: newportnobby on September 17, 2015, 11:05:55 AM
Quote from: NeMo on September 17, 2015, 09:44:46 AM
walking up to Gossoms End.
Is that anywhere near 'Crinkly Bottom'? :-X
I'm not sure I want to find out! :-[
:D
here you go... (http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?topic=29628.msg332560#msg332560)
Back on topic, I see Hattons has a "Help wanted" ad on the top page of the site since August 1st... Staff shortage?
Its up to Hattons to arrange collection of the wrong items so really they should have been sending a courier to your door to pick them up.
Quote from: railsquid on September 17, 2015, 08:14:49 AM
Quote from: D1042 Western Princess on September 17, 2015, 08:08:53 AM
Quote from: railsquid on September 17, 2015, 03:44:16 AM
Hmm, my current order has been awaiting picking for three days :hmmm:
These days I deal more with KMRC because you know when you place an order they (normally) send it that day. I once placed an order about 4.30 pm to have the package delivered by Royal Mail before 11 am the following day.
Hattons used to be as quick, but have definitely 'slipped' recently.
I don't think they'd be able to get something here quite that fast ;), though previous orders have been satisfactory. As were Hattons (both recently in the dim'n'distant past when one placed orders from a price list in Railway Modeller in an envelope with a cheque). We shall see...
And here we go:
QuoteThis an automatic email to tell you that the items on picking list ... have been packed on Thursday, 17 September at 11:30 and put into 1 parcel addressed to:
Quote from: cjdodd on September 17, 2015, 12:43:06 PM
Its up to Hattons to arrange collection of the wrong items so really they should have been sending a courier to your door to pick them up.
Absolutely. All you are required to do is make them aware of the issue and make the package available for them to collect. Anything more than this is a kindness on your part and not something they can expect/insist that you to do if you don't want to.
To be honest it isn't at all convenient because of my job, so I've just emailed them and told them that if they specify a 2-hour slot tomorrow or Monday, someone will be in the house to give their courier the parcel. Let's see what they say!
Cheers, NeMo
Quote from: Rabs on September 17, 2015, 01:06:51 PM
Quote from: cjdodd on September 17, 2015, 12:43:06 PM
Its up to Hattons to arrange collection of the wrong items so really they should have been sending a courier to your door to pick them up.
Absolutely. All you are required to do is make them aware of the issue and make the package available for them to collect. Anything more than this is a kindness on your part and not something they can expect/insist that you to do if you don't want to.
Quote from: railsquid on September 17, 2015, 11:44:02 AM
here you go... (http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?topic=29628.msg332560#msg332560)
You wicked man. Fancy trying to drop me in the :poop: with Peter when you know full well I was referring to......
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noel%27s_House_Party (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noel%27s_House_Party)
Quote from: NeMo on September 16, 2015, 08:15:35 PM
I'd ordered three Mk2 coaches. Today the box arrives contains six Dapol Class 27s. For a moment I'm thinking "ka-ching" but of course I write to Hattons and suggest there's someone with by package out there who is feeling a bit short changed.
So apart from the brief moment of amusement like a kid at Christmas, this has now morphed into a hassle. I've got to print off a label, walk to the pick up point in the next village along from here, drop off the package, and then wait however long for my actual purchases to arrive (the other guy is probably thinking the same thing).
I like Hattons, I really do, and use them as my primary website simply because they're so easy to navigate and search (Rails, your website isn't easy to use or search). But whereas they used to be very prompt and efficient, deliveries seem to be much slower nowadays and by the looks of things not 100% reliable in what you get.
Cheers, NeMo
Have you ever thought that this might be deliberate rather than random ?
Maybe you pressed the wrong button on their web site and inadvertendly entered a prize draw ?
Keep it !
Best regards,
Joe sans scrupules
Quote from: newportnobby on September 17, 2015, 01:39:04 PM
Quote from: railsquid on September 17, 2015, 11:44:02 AM
here you go... (http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?topic=29628.msg332560#msg332560)
You wicked man. Fancy trying to drop me in the :poop: with Peter when you know full well I was referring to......
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noel%27s_House_Party (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noel%27s_House_Party)
I'll just be getting my hatton coat then...
Quote from: NeMo on September 16, 2015, 08:15:35 PM
I'd ordered three Mk2 coaches. Today the box arrives contains six Dapol Class 27s.
Hah, I just noticed this - I ordered three Mk2 coaches as well. Wonder what I'll get... :hmmm:
Quote from: Rabs on September 17, 2015, 01:06:51 PM
Quote from: cjdodd on September 17, 2015, 12:43:06 PM
Its up to Hattons to arrange collection of the wrong items so really they should have been sending a courier to your door to pick them up.
Absolutely. All you are required to do is make them aware of the issue and make the package available for them to collect. Anything more than this is a kindness on your part and not something they can expect/insist that you to do if you don't want to.
....and if they don't collect.... :claphappy:
Well, they said they'd collect Friday. So far the package is still waiting here at for them! Maybe they'll collect them today. I'm guessing I won't get my coaches until the locos are gone... :confused2:
Cheers, NeMo
A packet addressed to myself is now in Kawasaki, which is where all inbound packets seem to pass through (I think they go through customs there).
Quote from: NeMo on September 21, 2015, 06:41:19 AM
Well, they said they'd collect Friday. So far the package is still waiting here at for them! Maybe they'll collect them today. I'm guessing I won't get my coaches until the locos are gone... :confused2:
Cheers, NeMo
That's not the way it should work! They have failed to deliver the goods you ordered, so keep pestering them, and insist they despatch your items immediately. It's not your fault they made a mistake!
I think there must be some (hopefully temporary) problem at Hattons.
I have made about six orders from them. Every time I had a sequence of emails..."your order is received"..."your order is being picked"..."your order is packed ready for dispatch"...etc.
But on 13 Sept, I ordered some items, to be delivered to Singapore by DHL. I got the order acknowledgement, the "being picked" email - then nothing. The order arrived OK on 17th - but I still have not had notification of dispatch with AWB number.
Not a complaint, just to add to the story.
I get the feeling a lot of this is down to the secondhand stuff they are now offering - their website seemed to be slowed down a lot as soon as this was introduced. I suspect it's added a lot of additional orders to their already large undertaking.
Cheers,
Alan
You might be right - it's certainly the main reason why I keep checking the site in the hope something interesting pops up (note to self: when it does, order straight away before someone else finds it ;) ).
A lot of their secondhand prices seem pretty steep to me - same as Rails of Sheffield. Not sure why the secondhand market has gone like that - is it a sign of an increased demand for N?
Cheers,
Alan
Beats me - though in many ways it would be a good thing. There's still the odd bargain to be had, especially if you're not afraid to fix the odd coupling or broken buffer.
Quote from: Dr Al on September 21, 2015, 02:26:06 PM
I get the feeling a lot of this is down to the secondhand stuff they are now offering - their website seemed to be slowed down a lot as soon as this was introduced. I suspect it's added a lot of additional orders to their already large undertaking.
Cheers,
Alan
what makes me laugh is that sometimes the second hand items are more that the new ones.
I did suggest that as they have a section for second hand, it might be an idea not to list it in with the new items.
didn't get anywhere.
Must just be me then. I've gotten lots of good stuff from their pre-owned stuff. Dogfish, Sealions, Mk2a TSOs, numerous parcels wagons. So long as they're in good condition and cheaper than the crazies on eBay, I'm happy!
Cheers, NeMo
I ordered a couple of Peaks from them, 'pre-owned - like new' :thumbsup:
luckily I asked they to test run them prior to despatch ..
turned out one of them was a non runner :thumbsdown:
made an offer on it as it was, and did get a chunk off the price :thumbsup:
turned out to be a broken drive shaft, did think of repairing it, but wondered why it had broken in the first place, and as I wanted a dummy to run double headed, ended up striping it down.
previously had some Peco MGR hoppers, with loads, off them, again 'pre-owned - as new' but when they arrived the 'loads' turned out to be dollops of what looked like bath sealant, with ballast pressed into the top and a coat of matt black paint.
luckily I had some spare hoods c/w loads, so I dug the crud out, cleaned the tops of the hoppers, and then fitted the hoods and loads.
so if it says 'like new' - beware !
My view is generally their second hand prices are excessive
Keeping an eye on special offers on new items from retailers including Hattons provides far better deals
EBay can still be good if you are diligent and understand when to buy. I still get some very good bargains but not as many as a few years back
I do not see me ever buying second hand from Hattons as their pricing stands
As an aside, has anyone asked Hattons to dispense with including their catalogue bumph with orders? Given everything's accessible on the web and many get their email newsletter, this almost always ends up in the recycling immediately.
Cheers,
Alan
Quote from: railsquid on September 21, 2015, 07:24:21 AM
A packet addressed to myself is now in Kawasaki, which is where all inbound packets seem to pass through (I think they go through customs there).
Package has arrived, all items present and correct :thumbsup: Added bonus - arrived while the Mrs was out.
Quote from: railsquid on September 22, 2015, 03:22:34 AM
Added bonus - arrived while the Mrs was out.
Unfortunately I can sympathize with that :-[
order from 16th still showing as picked awaiting packing :veryangry: :censored:
Out of interest, how long can you leave it before you can have these 6 Class 26's up running around your layout? Do they have a time limit to collect by, does anybody know?
(I think I would've told them too, in case they charged me for them down the line!)
Well, right now they're sitting in a box waiting for Hattons to collect them. My wife is at home with the baby, and she will give them the box if they but knock on the door... as yes, despite promises to collect Friday (via Yodel, I fear) they've still not been to collect them.
I do find it odd. I've written Hattons twice, once on Sunday evening and once this evening. The order I placed for three Mk2 coaches has arrived, and very nice they are two. The Network Southeast ones are really pretty, if a bit darker in hue than the Dapol 86. But honestly, I'm wondering about the other guy whose presumably expecting his box-load of 27s, poor chap!
All most peculiar.
Cheers, NeMo
Quote from: Jonas on September 22, 2015, 08:07:13 PM
Out of interest, how long can you leave it before you can have these 6 Class 26's up running around your layout? Do they have a time limit to collect by, does anybody know?
(I think I would've told them too, in case they charged me for them down the line!)
Quote from: NeMo on September 22, 2015, 08:11:53 PM
The Network Southeast ones are really pretty, if a bit darker in hue than the Dapol 86. But honestly, I'm wondering about the other guy whose presumably expecting his box-load of 27s, poor chap!
I haven't seen the coaches in the flesh yet (although I hope to buy one at least very soon), but the Dapol 86 is in the earlier lighter blue NSE livery, and the coaches are in the later 'revised' colour livery.
Beware of Yodel if you are out in the sticks, all the drivers are self employed and are paid for deliveries, not collections.
In my job as a postie quite often I've been asked by couriers where "so and so" is, when told, they always seem to head off in the opposite direction :o
Quote from: Jonas on September 22, 2015, 08:07:13 PM
Out of interest, how long can you leave it before you can have these 6 Class 26's up running around your layout? Do they have a time limit to collect by, does anybody know?
(I think I would've told them too, in case they charged me for them down the line!)
From memory they have 3 months to collect the package at their expense once you have notified them of the error. If they fail to collect it they become yours.
But you might want to check that, it's in the sale of goods act somewhere
Quote from: cjdodd on September 24, 2015, 12:53:13 PM
Quote from: Jonas on September 22, 2015, 08:07:13 PM
Out of interest, how long can you leave it before you can have these 6 Class 26's up running around your layout? Do they have a time limit to collect by, does anybody know?
(I think I would've told them too, in case they charged me for them down the line!)
From memory they have 3 months to collect the package at their expense once you have notified them of the error. If they fail to collect it they become yours.
But you might want to check that, it's in the sale of goods act somewhere
I've just checked, and you need to make two attempts to contact the company and they have to arrange collection of the good (ie send a courier to collect them) after that they have 6 years to legally claim them and then they become yours. During that 6 years you must look after the goods but if they then do claim them you can claim storage charges for them.
So i'd ring hattons again, tell them they have 30 days to collect the items (which is a reasonable amount of time)
Well... despite assurances their courier would pick them up this afternoon, there's still a box of Dapol 27s in my house.
No idea what the problem is here. My wife is at home with the baby, she waits around for them before going out to do stuff. It's not like she's missed them. The courier just doesn't bother visiting.
Cheers, NeMo
I find this so bizarre, if it was just a single wagon or something I could understand them writing it off. But £400 worth of locos - which they must have had to send out again, or refund the original purchaser - surely it's worth sending one of their own staff in a car to collect?!
Well, the good news is that the box of trains was finally collected this afternoon.
Hattons had said they'd email and let us know what day they'd collect the parcel. Instead their courier turned up randomly, just as my wife was literally going out the door with the baby to do some shopping. 30 seconds later and they'd have missed her. So not the best communication on their part!
Still, all's well that ends well. Some chap should be getting his box of Dapol 27s very soon!
Cheers, NeMo
I hope your wife got a signature from the collection driver , because he might have been an N Gauge modeler and now has a nice collection of 27s in his stock.
Bob
Yikes! Didn't think of that... :doh:
Quote from: Bob Tidbury on September 28, 2015, 08:33:35 PM
I hope your wife got a signature from the collection driver , because he might have been an N Gauge modeler and now has a nice collection of 26s in his stock.
Bob
Come on, chaps. You're all at twenty sixes and sevens :-X