Goodbye Modelzone

We might be hearing reports of a turn in the economic climate, but the effects are still being felt, as ‘Store Closing’ signs have started to appear in the windows of one of the few high street stores specialising in modelling here in the UK.

Modelzone, that narrow shop that stocked a few paints, brushes and scenic accessories towards the back were placed into the hands of administrators on the 26^th June. You can read the full statement on all that remains of their website here.

I don’t want to speak ill of the dying but at the same time I need to be honest; it was not by first port of call for modelling materials. I’ve used two different branches  of the chain and I must admit the customer service was in most parts quite poor, ranging on apathy (yes I stood at the counter for nearly 10 minutes once trying to get somebody’s attention to serve me) through to a passable acknowledgement that  as a customer you existed. Only once can I say that I received a very good customer service experience where a member of staff helped me try and find some items I was looking for, and I never saw her again. So I wonder, as they did not actually compete on price with anywhere else, there was not a warm welcome what would draw in customers?

This is in contrast to the very good customer service I’ve received in general from my local Hobbycraft who have been willing to check stock levels, go and find additional items and generally greet their customers at the tills with a friendly smile. A similar experience in the Lego Store at Stratford where struggling under a couple of bulky boxes already selected, an offer to hold them at the till for us, allowing us to continue unhindered with pick-a-brick, and with friendly staff that are enthusiastic about their product all makes for a much better customer shopping experience. A feeling that you are being appreciated. In a world where the high street is still suffering, stores need to consider and value their customers much more and become the places where people want to visit if they are to survive. I hope this serves as a lesson to other chains that have recently turned a blind eye to customer service.

For those of you wondering what is on offer and have I picked over the some of the bleached bones exposed to the world, most products including Airfix and Lego are currently on offer at 20% off, tools, brushes, paints and glues are at 50%. Hornby and Scalextric are not on included in the discounts, but Airfix is.

For those wondering what I have bought, some tree materials for my growing forest area, a bench clamp, a set of pliers and some other tools.

Starting my “New Year’s Resolutions” early

Starting my “New Year’s Resolutions” early.

As the festive season galloped towards me at a shocking pace, I found it hard to feel happy, fluffy and festive. My letter box and email inbox received more grief than good will and it came from the main service providers for banking, electricity, gas, internet and phone.

NO LONGER!

I’ve procrastinated too long in giving these people a kick up the arse or the complete boot. So now they go. Their days are numbered and in some cases their time has come.

The first to go is Eon, supplier for gas and electricity now for several years. Earlier in the year when my fixed term for duel fuel expired they moved me to a new one automatically again with a higher than average price but fixed until April 2014. As we all know they seem very quick in hiking prices but when the wholesale cost comes down we never see the benefit. This time however they played dirty.

I have just received a letter saying my electricity prices are rising in January.

What about the fixed tariff until May 2014?

It seems now that according to their records only the gas was moved to a fixed rate and the duel fuel electric was not.

My tough luck.

This is not the first time I have had cause to complain about them. Over the last few years I have experienced their inability to process their own meter readings, have at times had over two years of bills reworked several times as they entered a ridiculously wrong reading, thus sending the billing into meltdown. I received a hostile letter from them for being at work when their meter reader came, I HAD NOT REFUSED ENTRY I was just not there as I’m not psychic. When I complained about this attitude in writing to their customer service department I received no response. This has been their last chance and the switch process is already in motion.

 

Others will follow, this will be a year of change unless services improve.

 

Tree Hugging

Apologies for not blogging sooner, but if I had over the last couple of weeks this blog would have just degenerated into a rant at the general level of apathy so many large companies show to their customers these days. I’m still awaiting satisfactory responses from many, and their general level of indifference is astounding. Companies like Play.com, London Buses and Nation East Anglia Trains to name just three. That was not what I wanted this blog to be about, so instead I’m going to talk trees and a company that does show an interest in their customers.

I decided my layouts needed some special trees and foliage, and so I looked to one of the tree kits from Woodland Scenics. I invested in the full range of glue, scenic cement and spray bottle in order to do the job right.

First stage was to remove the bases from their trunks and fit them, then bend the branches out and twist them to form three dimensional shapes.

To be honest the trees are much stronger than I first thought, initially I was a bit apprehensive about twisting them in case I was too heavy handed, but I had nothing to fear. The next stage was to glue them up and leave the glue to set and go tacky before applying the foliage.  

The foliage comes in a bag, at first glance you think there’s not going to be enough for all the trees in the pack, but providing you break the clumping foliage up before applying it to the branches there is certainly enough material in the pack to complete the project.

Once tacky I applied the foliage, left for 24 hours then started spraying with the scenic cement to secure and protect the trees – disaster, after I sprayed two of the trees the foliage all dropped from the trees, forming a soggy mess like the fallen leaves of autumn.

Now, I follow Woodland Scenics page on Facebook, where many people post images of projects and if you’re on Facebook and haven’t been to their page you should look it up – you’ll see some brilliant work there. Remember to ‘like’ the page for updates in your news feed.

I posted an appeal for help on their page and very quickly a brilliant young man named Joe Hawkins replied with helpful advice and shortly after Woodland Scenics themselves responded.

Their response was a well thought out answer to my situation, instead of just reprinting the instructions they tackled what had gone wrong and advised how I could get good results. 

The good news is that once the foliage had dried out I was able to follow their advice, applying two coats of Hob-e-tac before pressing the foliage on by hand and then building the scenic cement up in light layers.

Now I have the first batch of successful trees ready to be added to the graveyard set, the castle ruin and cottages.

It’s good to see that some companies take pride in their products and services and make the effort to help and provide advice for their customers. Well done Woodland Scenics, I will certainly be buying more trees in the near future. The other thing I like about Woodland Scenics is their website, it contains short video demonstrations which are great for getting you started.

http://woodlandscenics.woodlandscenics.com/

http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/WoodlandScenics