I just placed an order with GM last night, only prob is both items are out of stock, and one of them is “special orders”
What the heck is a special order? And how long will it take for my things to arrive?
thanks
It may take a while, GM lists everything including stuff they have to order from the manufacturer only when a customers orders it (i.e. they don’t stock it - ever). So it may be weeks before you see your order. If its worth it to you, then wait, if not only order stuff that’s in stock. I believe they have a new site up with only instock items listed.
As a general rule thumb, if it’s not in stock at GMW don’t order it unless you are prepared to wait what could be a looooooooong time.
A special order is an order from a manufacturer that is not a normally stocked item, ie they place a special order for you. Depending on the size and physical location of the manufacturer these order can take ages to fill.
If the item is something you want badly enough and it’s not listed ‘in stock’ or ‘special orders’ and you are prepared to wait, then go ahead. Otherwise find another store that carries the item and order from there.
I’ve had a “Special Order” for one item with GM since 19 July 2004. I may never see it, but I’m keeping the order open.
I ordered a 4" Hold & Fold in January from them (along with a lot of other stuff). That is the only thing that is still pending. But I think I’m going to cancel it and just order direct from The Small Shop. Otherwise, I’ve had really good service from them. I like that you can view your order status on line and then, if you get tired of waiting, and your order meets their minimums for shipping, you can have it sent and either keep/cancel the back ordered items. I had to do this to get the rest of my order, plus a second order sent to me.
Another thing, make sure that your stuff that is in stock meets the $10 min. Otherwise you’ll never see it either because they will hold it until the slow boat from China arrives. If it doesn’t meet this minimum. call them and tell them to waive the $10 min rule and to ship it anyway. They are pretty nice about it as long as you call.
Reason why I say this is because I had a $100 dollar order and only $7.99 of it was in stock. I really needed the $7 item for a commissioned project and I waited and waited and e-mailed them to ask why they won’t send the in-stock item? I was told to order more stuff or wait to meet this min. requirement. Well, that teed me off so I called and got a kid who told me the same thing. I didn’t give in and talked to an owner who said “no problem”, “I’ll FedEX it tonight and pay the difference, sorry for misunderstanding and the delay”. Good call on his part. He kept me as a customer.
In otherwords, they have competition that would get the parts to me without me having to buy more stuff or wait 6 months for the order to be completed for shipment.
Scott
My last order from G-M consisted of only four items, all listed as “in stock”. The total was slightly less than the same four items at Squadron. The difference was about $1 per item cheaper for a total savings $4 and change over Squadron.
When my order arrives, only 2 of the 4 were actually in stock. I had to reorder the other 2 items from Squadron and paying shipping to both G-M and Squadron negated any savings. It would have been cheaper to just order all four items from Squadron.
I ordered three items from them 2 instock the other special order, a squardron item. I asked GMW for an update and they said the special order could take 2 weeks to 6 months. I still kept the order becuase squardron doesn’t have one of the items that GMW has. Overall I find that GMW is cheaper than any one online especially with their price guarantee.
Joe
thanks guys. I’ll probably wait. Ive got enough to tie me down for a while. I’ll keep the special order for awhile. There is a similar instock item but it was 20 mor dollers! so, i’ll see if i can wait.
wow $20 more!!! what the heck is it rebel???
I just recieved my mini machinist vise from GM… ordered it 3 monthes ago and forgot about it… now I gotta refigure my finances lol
The last time I ordered anything from them it took about a month. I just ordered from them this weekend and my order status page says that it’s being packed. Both items are in stock, so hopefully it should get to me a bit more quickly this time. I’m not terribly worried about it though, as I’m not really in a hurry for these items. If I was pressed for time I’d have my lhs order it for me, or go to Squadron. I like GM though, as they do stock tons of stuff that I can’t seem to find other places.
Hey Guys,
MY general rule of thumb with Great Models is “If it is not in stock, then don’t bother.” I ordered a 2" Hold n’ Fold last amy, and I finally got it… in December. My wife wrapped it up and gave it to me for Christmas. I still have a decal set on order, and it has been over a year. I have heard bad things about Squadron, but I have never had a problem. The longest I have to wait was a month for an order. Also, if you catch their sales, you can get great deals. In fact they are my preferred service. Great Models is good only if they have it.
Goo luck on your item.
What a great Christmas present! lol![:D]
woodbeck, heres what it is-
heres what I ordered- some nice resin wheels for my Opel blitz $10
here was my other option - In stock- $30
Big difference. Hopefully I wont forget about them and get them in the mail in a year!
Well, that just about seals it for me, then I will be canceling that Hold & Fold and ordering it from elsewhere, I don’t feel like waiting another three months for it.