The New Dapol Club

GWR-Kris · January 07, 2014, 11:31:00 AM

Just a question to exisitng members of the Dapol club is anyone renewing for the new club. I cant fully decide if I should or not, as other than the open day has not really been any good over the last 12months.

Maybe with this re-organisation it maybe better more communication etc. The one thing i remember them saying was with the club they will annouce new arrivals before annoucing them on main site, this has never happened.

Also with various issues of loco relaibilty and ignoring my emails I have lost any faith in them as a manufacturer. The only things from Dapol that appeal to me are there coaches.

ahodgett · January 07, 2014, 02:03:44 PM

Hi Kris
I too have not rejoined the club as I am a long way from Chirk and can't see any benefits other than the open day. BUT I've bought lots of their stuff and have only had two returns. I think their diesel chassis is superb, the super crawl motor, not had a quiet one yet, even after long spells of running in. I feel they should investigate a new motor with a moulding around it so it's an exact replacement for the super motor as a high priority as it's the main running complaint about all locos I have noticed.
I too like their coaches (and wagons) and this month there are a huge number of coaches being sent out, nearly 20, hope they are all ok. I do feel they have made far too many mistakes with their coaches, which IMHO boils down to very careless or non-existant QA, the fiasco over the loco hauled 125's for example. I could make a long list but won't, but would love to know how it happened as is still obviously happening.
I can't lose faith with Dapol and I have bought far more Dapol than the competition since they started and have rarely been disappointed.

Joel the MD is very approachable and well worth talking to.
Regards
Arthur

MikeDunn · January 07, 2014, 04:50:09 PM

I joined mainly for the Silver Link model ... given the various delays, lack of Club info, etc etc I decided not to renew; compared to the Bachmann and Hornby clubs, the Dapol club is rather amateurish ... lots of words, very few actions was my experience with them.

Mike

ahodgett · January 07, 2014, 05:36:30 PM

Hi Mike
On reflection I must have renewed at least once, as my initial reason for joining was for the Evening Star, I think I also ordered ( before not renewing ) the class 26 with 6 wagons, as I have that as well. I also have the Silver Link, it's a beaut, so must have joined again, but as you say they are in a different league from Bachmann, their club is very good.
The Dapol club members apparently don't get much info, but Dapol have posted their last two deliveries, both arriving in the shops during January, so maybe with the new team things will improve. I can't help having some suspicion that things weren't always rosie under the old team!!
Regards
Arthur

GWR-Kris · January 08, 2014, 09:23:49 AM

Quote from: MikeDunn on January 07, 2014, 04:50:09 PM
I joined mainly for the Silver Link model ... given the various delays, lack of Club info, etc etc I decided not to renew; compared to the Bachmann and Hornby clubs, the Dapol club is rather amateurish ... lots of words, very few actions was my experience with them.

Mike

Im glad its not just me that thinks that. The only real benifit I see is the NQP (if you can get to them)

I am curious to see how it works for new members joining. cus if you join say september time do you pay £25 to end of Jan?

ParkeNd · January 08, 2014, 10:12:20 AM

It's easy to see what the benefits of a Brand Club could be to a 1960's schoolboy - lapel badge, membership certificate etc. Also to say a classic sports car owner who really needs a baseball cap to wear to the pub.

But for say Dapol buyers, or any other brand, it's difficult to see the benefits for say a 55-70 year old adult (going by the queue for Warley this is us) anymore than a Dyson Club or a Hoover Club or a - list any everyday brand.

It might be possible to first in line for news of the latest model delays, or product recall notices, or junk mail from "associated companies" they have sold your name and address to (pre-paid funerals, over 50's life insurance, Dora Bryan in a swimsuit in an oldies bath) but beyond the sales benefit to Dapol of the membership fee what is an adult going to get?

Karhedron · January 08, 2014, 01:03:52 PM

To me, it is only worth it if you want a particular limited edition. I got both the Silver link and the nicely weathered class 22 box set but I have not renewed this year as I have a couple of panniers and B-sets already.

Newportnobby · January 08, 2014, 04:14:22 PM

Quote from: ParkeNd on January 08, 2014, 10:12:20 AM
It's easy to see what the benefits of a Brand Club could be to a 1960's schoolboy - lapel badge, membership certificate etc. Also to say a classic sports car owner who really needs a baseball cap to wear to the pub.

But for say Dapol buyers, or any other brand, it's difficult to see the benefits for say a 55-70 year old adult (going by the queue for Warley this is us) anymore than a Dyson Club or a Hoover Club or a - list any everyday brand.

On that note can I say we still have NGF lapel badges for sale (see bottom of page)

davieb · January 08, 2014, 04:30:55 PM

Quote from: ParkeNd on January 08, 2014, 04:18:55 PM
Quote from: newportnobby on January 08, 2014, 04:14:22 PM
Quote from: ParkeNd on January 08, 2014, 10:12:20 AM
It's easy to see what the benefits of a Brand Club could be to a 1960's schoolboy - lapel badge, membership certificate etc. Also to say a classic sports car owner who really needs a baseball cap to wear to the pub.

But for say Dapol buyers, or any other brand, it's difficult to see the benefits for say a 55-70 year old adult (going by the queue for Warley this is us) anymore than a Dyson Club or a Hoover Club or a - list any everyday brand.

On that note can I say we still have NGF lapel badges for sale (see bottom of page)

Thanks Mick. Had a look. Good value. Might get tempted.

I can say that the NGF Badges are top quality items

Go on get yourself one

dave

simonprelude · January 09, 2014, 10:39:47 AM

I've not renewed as I'm not sure which month I joined so not sure which renewal package I need.

GWR-Kris · January 09, 2014, 11:03:32 AM

Has anyone renewed?

Richard @ N'Tastic Scale Models · January 09, 2014, 11:24:51 AM

Will do if I remember, I would like the B set, limited set. I am also able to attend open day.

macwales · January 09, 2014, 12:27:40 PM

Hi

I too have not renewed.

When I joined about 3 years ago they promised more newsletters per year than were ever delivered. I was also under the impression that there would be a special addition offer every quarter and that too was not correct as there was only three in two years.

I went to the shop at Chirk once and asked for my Members' discount on a load of stuff (engine, wagons, paint and points) (then 10%) and was told it did not apply to Dapol stuff already discounted in the shop or to non Dapol products. I felt very disappointed at this.

On the plus side I did get the Silver Link after an eternal wait (and it had to go for a repair to DCC supplies within three weeks) and the special engineers diesel with 6x wagons which is a delight. I attended one open day. I did not know about the Not Quite Perfect stuff but learned quick and managed to get the last of the NQPs left on the table after the scrum had subsided. It was a B17 and proved to have nothing wrong with it (cost me £15). There were some decent discounts on locos and wagons in the shop on the open day.

So in all - broken promises and late deliveries is the name of that Club game as far as I am concerned. I may join again if this situation improves I will watch this space.

Cheers

Mac