Rumple, I know that there are a lot of other model-related forums out there. I’m on three others aside from the FSM forum but I’ll have to say that, speaking for myself, it seems that the other forums tend to exhude vitriol and animosity amongst its own members. It’s not exactly like that here on the FSM forum. I hope that we (you, me & the rest of the forum) can get off to a happier start.
In my humble opinion, I’d suggest contacting the kit manufacturer from this point on. I honestly believe you’ll get the decals you need faster that way. I’ve made purchases both on-line as well as from a local hobby shop where there’s been something a little off with the kit. I usually make one phone call (or in my latest case, an e-mail) to the kit manufacurer and, a week later, the replacement item I needed arrived on my doorstep.
I agree that if you’ve been wronged by a seller, then go after them but that’s only if the situation is worth it. But for a dollar’s worth of decals (if not less maybe?), I’d say make the call or send the e-mail and then let it go at that.
Oh, and the other thing I almost forgot about is that this FSM forum really does have the friendliest group of people I’ve had the pleasure of interacting with. Nine times our of ten, if you’re in need of something espcially like decals, you can bet your bottom dollar that someone will step up and say “Hey! I’ve got what you need. They’re all yours if you’d like them.” But, like they say, you attract more bees with honey than you do with vinegar.
Granted, I think the members of this forum (myself included) always appreciate the warnings of a company’s questionable business practices. Maybe we can all hit the great “do over” button in life and start this all over again with a happy greeting rather than a rant.
Hi Rumple! I’m Eric. Welcome to the forum! [snWcm]
I’ll join in with Eric and say “Welcome Aboard!” Also, here’s a few [B][B][B]'s. It’s just some decals. Hell, you can order a new set in any livery you like, almost, and for not much cash. Maybe time to relax and reassess a little bit? Again, welcome!
Well, Eduard avoided me like the plague when I had an issue with them a while back but yet other members have posted only positive comments about their customer service. Sometimes its whoever is answering your email. It sucks when you buy something and parts are missing but unfortunately, it will happen eventually. From what you are saying, the vendor should have replaced your decals and then they can square it up with the manufacturer. I have ordered from them multiple times cuz their prices are cheaper but they take a little longer to ship, usually the order will reach me within 5-6 days while Sprue Bros. is in my hands in 3. I hope I don’t run into a snag like you did with any future orders. Patienece is a virtue, and good luck resolving your issue.
I was going to type a long and helpful reply to all this until I realized all this butthurt is over a $5 model.
Honestly I don’t know why SH didn’t just send you a replacement kit and call it a day. But a lot of people (myself included) have had nothing but solid experiences with Scalehobbyist, and so coming here, starting a thread called “avoid scalehobbyist” - not “having problems with…” but “avoid…”…yeah you’re going to get some people coming to their defense.
Also if you want a Nieuport 17, do yourself a favor and pick up the 1/32 Academy kit. Not much more expensive, but a really solid little kit with vastly better, well, everything.
Yeah I am of mind that one does not post a thread here like this based on a single minor incident. Unfortunately online hobby purchasing often does not have the same level of service to fix a problem like this as does shopping at the LHS. That is our now 21st century version of the hobby. Most of the time for us one cant just hop in the car, drive a couple blocks back to the store, and exchange the kit for another. And doing it online may take time. They may not have no other of the same kit in stock and a replacement order has to be placed shipped and received. I had a similar experience buying at a local store where a kit part was missing and getting the replacement took weeks. I sidelined that build until the part came in. No rush, there was no time deadline on the build that I had to meet. Are you dying of a terminal illness? Is there some other time deadline for completing this kit? Life happens, we move on. All that aside, contacting Testors customer support is quite easy. When I have had to use them, service was superb and prompt. 99% of all of my online hobby transactions have been problem free. And when they have not been, I don’t come on here and post a rant that really has no chance of addressing the situation. I fix it one way or another and move on.
I was being a bit of a dick, okay. It’s Obama’s fault. I’ve taken this dire issue up with the president, and you guys can continue on with your lives…
No, seriously what happened is they said Testors is going to send me the decals. That sounds good to me. These guys are popular for a reason. They really do have the cheapest prices around, and I’d know, being a cheap bastard and all, lol. You all seem like a bunch of nice guys who want to keep your hobby strong. I can’t help but to just admire and respect that.
I’ll probably still lurk around in the shadows, learning cool stuff. Maybe one day I’ll even finish that dern Constitution and contribute a little. Thanks.
Oh, and I’d like to change the title of this post to something nicer, add a “solved” to it, or just have it deleted entirely, if possible.
Rumple, glad you got it sorted out,there is a second chance way of fixing it, if you need it,you can contact Testors by email on their site, and give them the kit number and other info and request the decals
also, you can go to your first post and hit the “Edit Pencil” at the bottom,when you are there, you can add info to your first entry, and change the Topic Title
Cool beans! I’m glad it was resolved. We’re all here to help. Lord knows I’ve received my fair share of missing parts and decals from the friendly folks here.
Don’t ever feel you have nothing to share. Every little tid bit of info is helpful and everyone benefits from it.
I don’t think people don’t want you to get your stickers. I think they are saying you are blaming the retailer for the manufacturers issue. How is scalehobbyist supposed to get you the stickers, open another box and send them? Send you a new model and you ship back the old one?
When I’ve had missing pieces, I have contacted the manufacturer,not complained to the retailer.