Hi All,
I know times are tough at present but will avoid further comment lest I stray into a political minefield, but we only have 8 days left in this month so please raid the back of the sofa, jean pockets etc and help to meet the monthly target.
I don't think I'm speaking out of skool, but it costs our esteemed leader to run the NGF every month even if we hit the targets and, if I know Chris at all, I don't think he'd want to put the true figures as monthly goals It's scary.
Attempts are being made to attract new sponsors but problems like the latest PHP shenanigans and the space taken up by the forum put a crimp in any budgetting.
So, if you can help at all, please keep this important resource on the tracks.

    

You said it was listed at £175 and you offered £150 which was auto accepted? I'm assuming through eBay's "best offer" feature...?

Quote from: Roy L S on October 22, 2026, 07:55:15 PM

Quote from: Hot air expert on October 22, 2026, 07:18:14 PMShame nobody took over from Colin?

I am pretty sure that Colin was approached with that in mind, but much of the "intellectual property" was in Colin's head and it wouldn't have been very straightforward to hand it on, even if he had wanted to which I do not believe was the case.

Yeh that was me. There was just nothing to buy really, only Colin's know-how which understandably he was reluctant to put the considerable effort into imparting. He just wanted to retire and rest, but he was very helpful where he was able and I learned some very valuable things from our correspondence.

There was no "make an offer" feature, hence the messaging.

Dave

Seems entirely reasonable on all fronts. She's even observed that a lot of people 'dilute' the cost with additional items. That you only want one coach is obviously irritating, but one of those things. I'm trying to think of models which Dapol have sold directly, most seem to end up with retailers anyway, so there may still be a viable channel. Prototype HST didn't IIRC, but that's the only one I can think of offhand. 

Quote from: njee20 on October 22, 2026, 08:56:20 AMFrustrating as it is that's what they've chosen. You can ask, but "I shouldn't have to..." is a bit entitled. It may be that they don't want the aggro of dealing with international (or specifically Australian) orders, where returns get complicated etc. They are telling you the price, there is no requirement to make that equivalent to the face value of the postage even if they were only paying £12, and there's no obligation on you to buy.

You are of course correct, but I am not really saying "I shouldn't have to...", but rather "Why can't you..", and my decision to cancel is made, with no regrets. When the non-corridors come up (hopefully soon) I will have a larger order where saving on GST will make £40 reasonable.

For everyone's information, here is Andrea's final justification of their position;
- Our charges are clearly advertised on our website.
- We do not ship sufficient packages abroad to command the lower shipping costs that outright retailers can acquire.
- Our P&P charges include the cost to ourselves of picking, packaging and posting of the time(s) and the associated paperwork needed to export abroad.
- Our P&P charges represent the real-world cost to ourselves.
 

The mechanism you used to make the £150 offer is the make an offer feature... you don't need to engage the seller, as Nick says you get 3 bites, so you can make a low offer to start and see what happens. Glad you're happy with it though.

Quote from: Doc Pye on October 22, 2026, 05:40:58 PMWell if you really want a Union Mills GWR Dukedog one is going on EvilBay: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/407294444357

Remember, it is only money and you can't take it with you....but a train ride is forever! 


I am just glad I have all three GWR locos from UM.

Which one are you missing ?

Quote from: Hot air expert on October 22, 2026, 07:18:14 PMShame nobody took over from Colin?

I am pretty sure that Colin was approached with that in mind, but much of the "intellectual property" was in Colin's head and it wouldn't have been very straightforward to hand it on, even if he had wanted to which I do not believe was the case.

Quote from: Doc Pye on October 22, 2026, 05:40:58 PMWell if you really want a Union Mills GWR Dukedog one is going on EvilBay: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/407294444357

Remember, it is only money and you can't take it with you....but a train ride is forever! 


I am just glad I have all three GWR locos from UM.

A few years ago I spoke with Colin whilst ordering a Duke Dog, he said he had 3 in total left (about £85 each) so I bought the lot, re numbered them, fitted DCC and they are absolute stalwarts... current bidding for the one on eBay is pushing close to what I paid for three....some months later on Vectis auctions I managed to bag 3 class 2251's and a couple of the City of Truro's... all for the princely sum of £200.00...all work beautifully and it would appear I chose wisely based on recent sales I've seen of these models. Shame nobody took over from Colin?