Model Forum / Radio Controlled / Helicopters / August 2004

Dear group members.
I have E-mailed Leamington hobby centre over the past couple of weeks to ask
them a few questions about the upcoming competition, and about a few of
their products, but they have never replied. Does anyone know if they have
facilities for reading E-mail? I have even tried copying all mails to my
work's address to make sure they're actually being sent. They are, and still
I have no replies.
Considering I'm a customer and I pay their wages, I'm amazed at their
ignorance. I have tried on several occasions with no luck. I tried phoning
them today, and got no reply. Perhaps if they displayed their opening times
on their website I would know when to phone.
To be honest, I'd have expected a reply from ANYBODY I E-mailed within a
week ESPECIALLY A BUSINESS! Not answering the telephone is just incredible.
Anyway, subsequently, I will not be attending their competition day, and I
won't be buying anything from them. It never fails to astound me how model
shops really don't give a damn about their customers. I think they all want
us to visit their shops and just buy things which we can see on the shelves.
Well I'm sorry, but there are no helicopter-orientated shops in my area, and
I need a few particular spare parts for my models.
I tried Midland Helicopters this afternoon after waiting 2 weeks while they
re-locate to larger premises. To my amazement, they were closed.
I gave up e-mailing Midlands about 2 years ago, and have wondered why I
bother every time I deal with them.
Well, that only leaves a few shops left who sell the parts I require, and
the next on the list was Skyline models. The phone was answered immediately,
and within 3 mins 10 seconds, my parts were on their way. I even had to
enquire about a Futura SE Drive belt, as there is no part number shown in my
manual. Excellent friendly service Skyline, I'll be coming back to you again
and again.
In the meantime, perhaps the group can suggest some more useful and friendly
heli shops to me.
I require a supply of Robbe, Kyosho, X-Cell and JR Spares. I would also like
to extend my list of places to buy secondhand models. I live in
Peterborough, and would prefer to deal with shops based in the UK.
Friendly service would be a bonus, as would people who actually care about
selling me what I require. I'm not an unreasonable person, and if they can't
help me, I would simply like to be informed of such. I can then make my own
decisions as to where else to order from. Failing to reply to enquiries from
their own websites is very poor indeed. Is it any wonder I never order from
these places online?
I work as a purchaser of electronic components, control gear, and workshop
tooling. I deal with a wide range of industries, and often very specialist
and distant suppliers and I have never found any company so arrogant as
these model shops are. How Midland helicopters found the need to expand is
beyond me.
Industries with Attitudes of model shops would simply fall by the wayside.
The same would go for any company in the domestic consumer market.
I know some of the model shop owners monitor these groups, and I hope they
will begin to listen to the customer, or even respond to the customer.
Well here's your golden chance.

For all  group members,
Your helpful Comments and suggestions on where's best to shop will be warmly
welcomed.
Cheers.
Joe Landy (unable to fly till tomorrow when my Skyline order arrives!).
Peterborough
UK.

E-mail joelandyman <at> Postmaster.co.uk
All replied to my NTL address will be deleted due to excess Spam.