ScRSG Posted April 20, 2021 Share Posted April 20, 2021 Anyone having problems contacting , what I presume, is the new SE Finecast? I have called on the number listed on their site but consistently fails to answer. Anyone having any better luck? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Blandford1969 Posted April 20, 2021 RMweb Premium Share Posted April 20, 2021 Try email, I get the impression they are working out what they have got. I have asked to order various spare parts and got an email back saying they would come back to me. There is of course the added bonus of covid and people not being able to work normally. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steamport Southport Posted April 20, 2021 Share Posted April 20, 2021 Squires? Yeah. I was wondering about something myself and that website is difficult to use. They seem to also now have the Millholme and Stevenson Coaches ranges as well. Jason Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andyman7 Posted April 20, 2021 Share Posted April 20, 2021 (edited) I rang this morning and got an answer. They are under new management although with continuity from the previous operation. The website is a priority to update but apparently the previous operators have lost the password for administering it so it may mean a new site being created. Edited April 20, 2021 by andyman7 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Jol Wilkinson Posted April 21, 2021 RMweb Premium Share Posted April 21, 2021 As I understand it, SEF was purchased by Squires but may/will operate as a separate entity. They have also purchased Stevenson Carriages and Millholme from Paul Barker. A new website would seem a logical move to combine marketing both ranges. The proprietors of both ranges are still available to provide information and advice if asked, unlike other ranges such as ABS, Perseverance, Westward, etc. I believe several other producers used SEF for contract work and this has left them in a difficult position. 4 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Mike Bellamy Posted April 22, 2021 RMweb Premium Share Posted April 22, 2021 (edited) 15 hours ago, Jol Wilkinson said: I believe several other producers used SEF for contract work and this has left them in a difficult position. The same applies to NMRS following the death of Graham Jones earlier this year as he also did contract casting for others. . Edited April 22, 2021 by Mike Bellamy 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonhall Posted April 22, 2021 Share Posted April 22, 2021 I happened to have a day out on the South Coast yesterday, and found myself in Squires, and there were at least 5 staff in the shop, so I don't think COVID staffing is the source of communication problems, however I do understand from friends in the trade, that some of Squires decisions about who would actually do the casting, ruffled some feathers, so the transition might not have been as smooth as it could have been. Jon 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hayfield Posted April 22, 2021 Share Posted April 22, 2021 15 hours ago, Jol Wilkinson said: As I understand it, SEF was purchased by Squires but may/will operate as a separate entity. They have also purchased Stevenson Carriages and Millholme from Paul Barker. A new website would seem a logical move to combine marketing both ranges. The proprietors of both ranges are still available to provide information and advice if asked, unlike other ranges such as ABS, Perseverance, Westward, etc. I believe several other producers used SEF for contract work and this has left them in a difficult position. Jon I understand the NuCast Partnership have their own casting machine(s) or facilities Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Jol Wilkinson Posted April 22, 2021 RMweb Premium Share Posted April 22, 2021 3 hours ago, hayfield said: Jon I understand the NuCast Partnership have their own casting machine(s) or facilities It wasn't only w/m casting that SEF did, they also vac formed plastics and did contract work for at least two other suppliers. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Re6/6 Posted April 23, 2021 RMweb Gold Share Posted April 23, 2021 The number to call is 01243 842525. I've just placed an order with a very helpful member of (Squires) staff. All would seem to be well now. 1 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScRSG Posted April 28, 2021 Author Share Posted April 28, 2021 On 23/04/2021 at 11:50, Re6/6 said: The number to call is 01243 842525. I've just placed an order with a very helpful member of (Squires) staff. All would seem to be well now. Tried that one - no reply. Tried the other again - no reply. Emailed to the new address per their advert in BRM (www.sefinecast.co.uk) - surprise, surprise - no reply. I am trying to get them to sell me something, but I fear I may have to look elsewhere. Sorry. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Smith Posted May 25, 2021 Share Posted May 25, 2021 Placed an order for a Q Class chassis over the phone last week, and was told it would go in the post later that day. It wasn't available in their Ebay shop, and that was significant as it turns out, because when I chased the order on Monday I was told that it was in fact out of stock. The helpful lady that took my order has promised me an e-mail with an ETA. Am tempted to go with the 4F chassis for my Crownline Airfix 4F conversion, but there's the tantalising possibility that the Q Class chassis kit will have a backhead in it to upgrade the Bodyline loco kit it is intended for - just like the SEF U and N Class chassis kits do! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Blandford1969 Posted May 25, 2021 RMweb Premium Share Posted May 25, 2021 On 28/04/2021 at 14:47, ScRSG said: Tried that one - no reply. Tried the other again - no reply. Emailed to the new address per their advert in BRM (www.sefinecast.co.uk) - surprise, surprise - no reply. I am trying to get them to sell me something, but I fear I may have to look elsewhere. Sorry. I had to chase 3 times to an email to get a response, hopefully just teething troubles. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScRSG Posted May 25, 2021 Author Share Posted May 25, 2021 38 minutes ago, Blandford1969 said: I had to chase 3 times to an email to get a response, hopefully just teething troubles. I hope you are right, but I am afraid I had to order from elsewhere to obtain what I wanted. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Smith Posted June 19, 2021 Share Posted June 19, 2021 After my third e-mail I got a sympathetic reply offering to find out what had gone wrong with my order, but after another week had passed I phoned just after nine and the boss answered. The real problem was that I had ordered FC-106 for the Q Class, when it had been replaced by the generic chassis kit FC-202, but this wasn't at that point reflected in Squires' systems. No doubt some poor soul was trying to work out how to get an obsolete kit back into stock for me to have one. Not only is my FC-202 chassis winging its way to me, but Squires had the 7mm Long Life bit in stock that I needed for my Weller 75W soldering iron and generously cut me a deal on the two items. It seems that Weller have dropped their UK distributors and that is why Weller bits are out of stock everywhere here. Good recovery by Squires/SEF and happy customer again. 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hayfield Posted June 26, 2021 Share Posted June 26, 2021 (edited) I have been putting off using Squires for some SEF spares for a while, just thought they would not be as accommodating as Dave Ellis and it would be a hassle. How wrong I was, I phoned in an order for some etchings yesterday (Friday) morning, the order was taken but I had to wait for a price, mid afternoon I had a phone call with a figure, which I duly accepted. Arriving in the post this morning (Saturday) are the items. What a great service A very big thank you to Melanie who was not only very helpful but exceptionally efficient. Thank you very much to all at Squires, will be using your services again Edited June 26, 2021 by hayfield 1 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Bucoops Posted June 26, 2021 RMweb Gold Share Posted June 26, 2021 I did email an enquiry a few weeks back and got a reply saying they were assembling the kit I wanted that week - have chased a couple of times since with no response. I shall try calling (when I've been paid - I've spent the money I put aside for it :D) 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stewartingram Posted June 26, 2021 Share Posted June 26, 2021 How do I find a listing of what Squires are producing in the former SEF range. I can't find anything on the Squires website, and I've searched ebay but only occasional items are put on there. Do they have a webpage in the style of the old SEF one that lists everything? Stewart Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steamport Southport Posted June 26, 2021 Share Posted June 26, 2021 3 minutes ago, stewartingram said: How do I find a listing of what Squires are producing in the former SEF range. I can't find anything on the Squires website, and I've searched ebay but only occasional items are put on there. Do they have a webpage in the style of the old SEF one that lists everything? Stewart I think they are still using the old website for now. Notice the home page now has Squires address on it. South Eastern Finecast, 100 London Road, Bognor Regis, West Sussex, PO21 1DD. Telephone: 01243 842525 Email: sales@sefinecast.co.uk http://www.sefinecast.co.uk/ Jason Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hayfield Posted June 26, 2021 Share Posted June 26, 2021 Stewart As far as I can remember Squires have taken over the SEF website, its a bit old fashioned and not up to some more modern sites but has all the information that was available from SEF http://www.sefinecast.co.uk/ The Price List gives a break down of stock items In the past if you wanted a spare part(s) for locos you requested a parts list for that loco and either ordered it via post or phone. I used a parts list supplied by Dave prior to the transfer of business and simply phoned my order. The person I spoke with stated she was in the process of cutting up the etches, may be they have been restocking the range Just give them a call, I found them very helpful Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stewartingram Posted June 26, 2021 Share Posted June 26, 2021 41 minutes ago, Steamport Southport said: I think they are still using the old website for now. Notice the home page now has Squires address on it. South Eastern Finecast, 100 London Road, Bognor Regis, West Sussex, PO21 1DD. Telephone: 01243 842525 Email: sales@sefinecast.co.uk http://www.sefinecast.co.uk/ Jason Ah thanks. I'm familiar with the old SEF website, and can work my round it ok. Strange they make no mention of it anywhere though. I was suspecting that the range was basically on hold, out of production, until items were announced, and that seemed to be in their ebay shop. Stewart Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Theakerr Posted June 26, 2021 Share Posted June 26, 2021 Interesting Thread. I too had delayed placing an order because of the ownership change. Three days ago I sent an e-mail re a N7 chassis and sending it to Canada. No response at all so far. Will give it a few more days to see what happens. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hayfield Posted June 27, 2021 Share Posted June 27, 2021 11 hours ago, stewartingram said: Ah thanks. I'm familiar with the old SEF website, and can work my round it ok. Strange they make no mention of it anywhere though. I was suspecting that the range was basically on hold, out of production, until items were announced, and that seemed to be in their ebay shop. Stewart Stewart In this thread there has been replies stating Squires has taken over the range and is selling the items, I guess like all things the IT side will follow and why not use the existing site if it is known and used by existing customers. I do think we should be a bit patient with both the business and its employees, Dave knew the business inside and out, I assume it will take some time for Squires to be in the same position 10 hours ago, Theakerr said: Interesting Thread. I too had delayed placing an order because of the ownership change. Three days ago I sent an e-mail re a N7 chassis and sending it to Canada. No response at all so far. Will give it a few more days to see what happens. I think you have two things causing an issue, firstly the change of ownership secondly the change in sending items abroad even though nothing has changed sending to Canada. Some times a phone call speeds things up, being abroad makes this difficult Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Mallard60022 Posted June 27, 2021 RMweb Premium Share Posted June 27, 2021 Another thread where so many seem to not understand the complexities of small businesses being taken over and having to rearrange stuff and want everything yesterday. Patience is a virtue; adopt it. P 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium 30368 Posted June 27, 2021 RMweb Premium Share Posted June 27, 2021 1 hour ago, Mallard60022 said: Another thread where so many seem to not understand the complexities of small businesses being taken over and having to rearrange stuff and want everything yesterday. Patience is a virtue; adopt it. Spot on! We rely on tiny, often one person, set ups who themselves are enthusiasts. Give the guys a break! Kind regards, Richard B 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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