Is Osborn’s Models Still Trading?

[Tortuga]

What it says in the title really.

 

At the start of December, my dad ordered a wagon kit (listed as being in stock) from Osborn’s Models and received an email to say his order was being processed, but has heard nothing further.

 

A week before Christmas, he tried contacting them by phone to find out when it would be delivered, but only got a recorded message saying to email instead, which he did, but he’s had no reply to his email either.

 

Has anyone on here had a similar issue with or know whether Osborn’s Models are still trading?

[Gilbert]

Its probably worth looking back at old threads on this shop.

Chris

[bootneckbob]

If this is Osbornes in Bideford then I would think yes it is as I was talking to a mate at work today and he was telling me about track he's just bought from there.

[Tortuga]

Thanks Gents.  I searched, but couldn’t find any mention of them after October last year, hence starting this topic.

[andyman7]

Unfortunately the original thread mis-spelt the shop name making a search a little more challenging!

[Tortuga]

So it looks like failing to answer phones and respond to emails isn’t a new thing and, from the latest post on that thread, the only surefire way to elicit a response is to send an email that threatens legal action and to rescind payment.

 

Thanks folks. I’ll pass that onto my Dad.

[lakeview770]

I had a similar response like Tortuga in stock but then 3 weeks later well have to order from Japan

[Kris]

1 hour ago, Tortuga said:

So it looks like failing to answer phones and respond to emails isn’t a new thing and, from the latest post on that thread, the only surefire way to elicit a response is to send an email that threatens legal action and to rescind payment.

No certainty that threatening legal action brings any response. I would suggest to your dad that he contacts the payment provider to get his money back. I had to go down this route after no response to any form of communication.

Edited January 9 by Kris

[Kaput]

They do seem to be one of the shops with a terrible stock system for their website. Stock status on the site doesn't seem to reflect reality and if you order something not in stock they seem quite happy to sit on your money until they get the item.

Bit troublesome when they are also one of the shops still listing things that have been out of production for years and letting you order when there isn't a chance in hell of getting it.

[micklner]

You only have 6 months to make  a claim on a Credit Card.

[Tortuga]

1 hour ago, micklner said:

You only have 6 months to make  a claim on a Credit Card.

Fortunately, they’ve yet to charge my Dad’s credit card. He’s going to let his credit card company know and keep an eye on whether they charge him.

[AMJ]

16 hours ago, Tortuga said:

Fortunately, they’ve yet to charge my Dad’s credit card. He’s going to let his credit card company know and keep an eye on whether they charge him.

This is how distance selling is supposed to be carried out.  Having been involved with a mail order business you are only supposed to charge the card upon packing and despatching the said item.  This ensures that should an item become unavailable then as a customer you do not financially loose out.  Similarly should a model be shipped from the maker with an allocation the trader can then decide whom is getting one of those which they have received.

 

Even a simple quick email reply to say we are awaiting more stock from the supplier would pacify most folks.

[Quintus]

I had a similar problem with them a few years ago, I ordered a loco which was listed as in stock, but in fact when I contacted them after about a week with no response to my order, it was obvious  they did not have the item in stock.

As the loco was selling out fast, I demanded a refund so I could source one from another supplier.

In fairness to the company, they refunded my credit card, but not without a few emails from me.

I have dealt with them since, ordering a low value item with no problems, but I am wary of buying higher value items from them.

[Dragonfly]

I had similar last year too. I've been told that if they've got the item in stock, they get it to you quickly. But if not (because their website stock levels are often very out of date), they just ignore the order entirely. They don't reply to emails, and you just get answerphone when you call them. After a while, and a few emails, I went through may payment provider and got my money back.

Edited January 11 by Dragonfly
typo

[alangdance]

I ordered from there ebay shop. Item arrived in 2 days

[Darius43]

I fell victim to their advertisement on line but actually don’t have in stock during COVID.  
 

in consequence I won’t use them again.

 

Darius

Edited August 20 by Darius43

[RCP]

I ordered a OCWW Kit Siphon C and it arrived promptly. So at least one happy customer.

[numpty]

I placed an order last January (2023) and I'm still waiting for it!

 

[Tortuga]

Right. From all of the replies it seems like Osborn’s Models are still trading, though I’d question whether they actually deserve to be, given their level of communication with customers.

 

Personally, I certainly won’t be purchasing anything from them and I won’t be recommending their services to anyone else.

[Haddocksrock]

Just an update on this for people I ordered one of their own produced wagons in June 2021. The production stalled apparently awaiting parts from other suppliers.

Despite emails and phone calls to their ansaphone over the years, last year actually getting through and a promise of a refund, nothing has happened with the wagon not supplied or money refunded 😔

To late to claim back through my card company so the moral is, if the goods are not supplied in a reasonable time take steps to immediately claim it back before that option elapses.

[Gilbert]

17 minutes ago, Haddocksrock said:

Just an update on this for people I ordered one of their own produced wagons in June 2021. The production stalled apparently awaiting parts from other suppliers.

Despite emails and phone calls to their ansaphone over the years, last year actually getting through and a promise of a refund, nothing has happened with the wagon not supplied or money refunded 😔

To late to claim back through my card company so the moral is, if the goods are not supplied in a reasonable time take steps to immediately claim it back before that option elapses.

and yet they are  still "active"....so wrong....

https://www.osbornsmodels.com/

 

Chris H

[Ray H]

It seems that my experience is shared with that of others.

 

I ordered several items from Osborn's on 26th July and received a (automated?) confirmation of my order. I heard nothing more - like an apology for the delay in despatch (or even an email to confirm despatch) - so emailed them on 3rd August. Again, nothing was heard.

 

A few days later I was checking their website for a telephone number and noticed that the shop was closed (for a short break) until 13th August.

 

I've emailed them again since with no response and have telephoned them on numerous occasions over the last few days. I get an answerphone message indicating that no one is able to take my call and that I can call back later or try emailing them. I've done both with no response.

 

The goods have been paid for via my PayPal account so it looks as though I'll have to seek a refund.

[Halvarras]

Sounds like nothing has changed over the past couple of years then. In 2022 I was seeking some Dapol unpainted wagons which seemed to be out of stock everywhere except Osborn's. But the apparent availability to order from their website of other manufacturer's items which I knew to be long out of stock everywhere else made me a bit suspicious, so I lodged an email enquiry. Silence. Phoned and got the answerphone message. Decided not to risk it. Looked on here and saw that others were having the same experience, so won't bother with this shop in the future. It seems that if an item is in stock you'll probably receive it, or visit in person (Bideford isn't the easiest place to get to). That's it. The website is untrustworthy and well overdue some maintenance (or replacement with something that works).

 

The unpainted Dapol wagons eventually came into stock so I ordered four from Hattons (one of my last orders to them). Now I'm just trying to obtain the transfers for them from a certain emporium in Scotland. Paid for 18 months ago and despite two recent polite telephone conversations involving assurances still no transfers. But that's somewhere the mods won't want me to revisit.....😬🤐

[AY Mod]

@osbornsmodels - you do have the opportunity to reply/respond here.

 

[Ray H]

I submitted a request for a refund from PayPal and, lo & behold, I get an email from the shop advising me that they're awaiting a delivery/stock from Peco.

 

That's all I wanted in the absence of the goods with, possibly, an occasional update.