In the Christmas 2019 flier I found “Chief Modelers’ Weathering Choice Set” (SQ10215). The set consists of AKI011 White Spirit (35ml) AMIG1206 Dark Streaking Grime (35ml), AKI025 Fuel Stains (35ml), VJ73813 Engine Oil Stains (40ml), ABT005 Smoke (20ml) tube, ABT007 Raw Umber (20ml) tube, ABT070 Dark Rust (20ml) tube, ABT205 Metallic Silver (20ml) tube, (4) plastic paint pots. Hmmmm, that might be helpful. A 20% discount offered through email would cover the cost of shipping. So, I ordered it on 2 December 2019.
Nothing happened.
I contacted Customer Care 20 December and was informed some of the items were back ordered and would arrive soon.
Nothing happened.
On 2 January I checked each of the items in the set online and found all were apparently in stock except AMIG1206 Dark Streaking Grime. I wrote and suggested that instead of waiting for that, how about substituting AKI012 Streaking Grime instead? The reply was, in effect, we can do that; we’ll send it out right away.
Nothing happened.
I keep checking my account to see if the order has shipped. Yesterday I was told they’re still waiting on some items, sorry for the delay. But last night the January 2020 flier arrived, and SQ10215 is right there on page 42 again.
A similar thing happened to me a little over a year ago: Ordered a kit using a nice coupon offered through email. Waited. Contacted Customer Care. Told it was on back order, Repeated several times. Eventually the order just disappeared.
Are others having similar difficulties? Any suggestions?
Unfortunately, you’re not alone. Squadron has become more expensive and less reliable than other online shops over the past five or so years. You’ll get more satisfaction from the competition; here’s two of my favorites for starters:
I seldom if ever buy anything from Squadron. I can find things from other vendors.
Remember, too, when Squadron announced that it would no longer send out its free catalogs? You had to pay a subscription. Then about a year later, they quietly reveresed themselves, and started sending it out again. It reminded me of the stereotypical annoying kid in your neighborhood, who gives everyone things, if they’ll just be his friend.
Wow! That’s what I get for not keeping up on the forums. Thanks, Greg. I guess I’ll be relying more on ScaleHobbist and SprueBrothers; as well, I like hobbylinc.com.
They have done the same for years, I remember a similar incident with them when I was in college. Sometime between 2001 and 2005. I just started ordering again over the last couple years, but only during sales and very infrequently. Haven’t had a problem lately though.
That’s too bad. Years ago I used to pour over their flyer, write in my order on the form and send it in in an evelope. 3-6 weeks later I’d get my order. I used to consider them to be THE place to go for mail order kits. I guess they just cant scale to the online world.
Lots of other choices now. Really good ones so find a new vendor I suppose.
Squadron was, for many years, the go-to mail order shop. I gave up on them quite a while back. I’ve been using Sprue Bros. for a number years now. Very quick, reliable service, good prices, and if they say they have an item in stock they really do and it’s ready to ship.
Talking to one of my LHS owners, Squadron/MMD is in serious financial trouble. When he orders from MMD, he has to send money directly to their bank. It seems they have to get your money to place your order and hope their distributors have access to what you want. Sadly, it doesn’t look good for them in the long run.
I had a similar experince a year ago orderng from their Black Friday sale to stock our contest raffle. It was late January and still nothing was coming in. I had to call them up and go through the catalog with a representative to insure I would even get anything in time for our late March show.