Lost in the Post (1 Viewer)

[Harrytheheid]

Hi Guys'n'Gals,

Has anyone else experienced the dreaded "TS Order Lost in the Post" scenario...???

During my involvement in the hobby, I guess I've been pretty lucky since the overwhelming majority of my TS orders have been delivered without too many problems, apart from robbing Customs Officials in Dubai charging me up to 40% of the order value in customs duty.

So far this year however, I've had two orders from States-based dealers go missing (or maybe to be more accurate - not delivered).
This is in no way a complaint about the said dealers who are certainly not to blame for the non-deliveries.
The monetary value of the orders wasn't too much (compared to other orders which HAVE BEEN delivered), and I accept that it's the chance I take when having orders sent to countries outside of Europe.
Besides, the value of both missing orders is somewhat offset due to the fact that I don't, ahem, pay customs duty when other TS orders have been delivered to me in China.

It's still a wee bit disappointing though....

Point is, I'm now reluctant to have my TRL order from K&C UK, which is already paid for, mobilised from Durham HQ to China, cos the monetary value of this particular order is in fact TRES-MUCH...!!!
Do any other members have some advice as to how I can insure what will be at least two large parcels that Tony N will mobilise when I finally get the b@lls to ask him to send them to me...???

Similarly, I've also had a recent order for some DVD's from Amazon, including the entire collection of Sharpe movies, go missing, which is a particular bummer. I don't know how I can remonstrate with Amazon. I've tried the "Where's My Stuff" link with spectacular lack of success.
Any advice as to how I can even just get the satisfaction of informing Amazon that these DVD's haven't been delivered (before I go ahead and re-order them) will be gratefully received.

Thanks
H

 

[UKReb]

Hi Guys'n'Gals,

Has anyone else experienced the dreaded "TS Order Lost in the Post" scenario...???

During my involvement in the hobby, I guess I've been pretty lucky since the overwhelming majority of my TS orders have been delivered without too many problems, apart from robbing Customs Officials in Dubai charging me up to 40% of the order value in customs duty.

So far this year however, I've had two orders from States-based dealers go missing (or maybe to be more accurate - not delivered).
This is in no way a complaint about the said dealers who are certainly not to blame for the non-deliveries.
The monetary value of the orders wasn't too much (compared to other orders which HAVE BEEN delivered), and I accept that it's the chance I take when having orders sent to countries outside of Europe.
Besides, the value of both missing orders is somewhat offset due to the fact that I don't, ahem, pay customs duty when other TS orders have been delivered to me in China.

It's still a wee bit disappointing though....

Point is, I'm now reluctant to have my TRL order from K&C UK, which is already paid for, mobilised from Durham HQ to China, cos the monetary value of this particular order is in fact TRES-MUCH...!!!
Do any other members have some advice as to how I can insure what will be at least two large parcels that Tony N will mobilise when I finally get the b@lls to ask him to send them to me...???

Similarly, I've also had a recent order for some DVD's from Amazon, including the entire collection of Sharpe movies, go missing, which is a particular bummer. I don't know how I can remonstrate with Amazon. I've tried the "Where's My Stuff" link with spectacular lack of success.
Any advice as to how I can even just get the satisfaction of informing Amazon that these DVD's haven't been delivered (before I go ahead and re-order them) will be gratefully received.

Thanks
H

Harry it appears that modern Chinese pirates are not just a figment of Hollywoods imagination-they are really out there under the guise of kidnappers of military miniatures. Take notes it could just be another gloriously nonsensical chapter for your Flashman thread.

That is a bummer though mate and so far haven't suffered anything similar. However, had quite a bit go missing over the years from Amazon-posties all over the world just love to pick up the odd CD and DVD for their own personal collection. Have a mate who undertakes Christmas work for GPO and he tells me it's rife and a big problem for the on-line stores as the tracking of small single packages is somewhat spasmodic and very unreliable. With the distinctive packaging of Amazon it just makes them almost a free gift now and again especially to temporary postal employees. Same with passports now that is big business.

But Amazon have always refunded me you have to persevere with Where's my stuff and keep scrolling through yards of BS until you get to contact us then just write them one of your spirited and inimitable e-mails and that should do it after of course the obligatory 28 days wait in case it turns up-after 15 days they never turn up-Trust me they are firmly ensconced in someone elses cabinet.
Reb

 

[Capitolron]

Harry - what about having them shipped to King and Country in Hong Kong ???

Is that closer to you ? At least the HK Mail service is a bit better I would think and you have another reason to go to the shop

I have found that DHL is the best for overseas delivery - those Germans are very strict and dependable.

 

[Harrytheheid]

Harry - what about having them shipped to King and Country in Hong Kong ???

Is that closer to you ? At least the HK Mail service is a bit better I would think and you have another reason to go to the shop

I have found that DHL is the best for overseas delivery - those Germans are very strict and dependable.

Thanks for the suggestion Ron, but;

a) I don't need any excuse to visit the K&C shop in HK - it's the first place I go to after I check into my hotel and call my travel agent to arrange my Chinese visa's. Second place is Murphy's Irish Theme Pub, just off Nathan Road. Third place.....is my business....!!!!

b) The shop doesn't have much storage room, and it's not a post office either.

c) I can't see Andy being too chuffed by me sending other manufacturers TS's to his business premises. Would you in his position...???

The DHL idea is a good one though, and the cost would certainly be offset by the savings I make in not paying customs duty. This is an option it would probably be best for me to try.
Mind you, I'm now sending my TS orders directly to my company's office in Shenzen and I am somewhat surprised that a couple of orders sent there have "gone missing". I think the guy who is supposed to receive these packages is okay - but UKReb's post has got me thinking bad thoughts. I might invite this dude out for a meal next time I travel through Shenzhen (maybe 4 weeks from now). If I sniff the slightest essence of rodent and begin to suspect that he's absconded with my missing TS and DVD orders, then I'm here to tell you that he'll be happy if I only drag him down some dark alley for some free dental treatment - with a rusty pair of pliars. And I ain't joking here...!!!

Grrrr
H

 

[Capitolron]

Heid - Just trying to help.

Sorry about the lost packages - I know thats a pain. And what are you doing buying something other than King & Country !!!

LOL

 

[Harrytheheid]

Heid - Just trying to help.

Sorry about the lost packages - I know thats a pain. And what are you doing buying something other than King & Country !!!

Heid - Just trying to help.

Yeah, I know that Ron - and I appreciate it. Your suggestion on using DHL is an option I might try, depending on the cost, when I re-order what's "got lost". Thanks for the suggestion.

I must take issue with you on your second comment though, even though it's tongue in cheek. Big fan of K&C as I am, I've never considered them to be "The Only Gunslinger In Town".
The Figarti AFV's are excellent, and I've posted on other threads how much I like the EofI Greeks & Persians that I have obtained. In addition, the K&C shop in HK doesn't carry K&C UK's Crimean Range. So I'm forced to order these items and rely on the International Postman for delivery. It's a similar story with the DVD's from Amazon that have gone "missing".
Now, I've NEVER had the slightest problem when ordering from TF, but what's contained in the missing TS order is FIW figures from manufacturers that I can't get via TF; Frontline and Conte to be specific.

Please don't get me wrong. I'm not whining about the situation - it's just the chance I take when I order up items from dealers other than TF, and I was simply looking for suggestions as to how I can improve matters and prevent future orders "going missing".

The entire issue ought to improve considerably once my reassignment to our China operations comes through and we relocate to the city of Tanguu where our Bohai Bay office/base is situated. I can then have International Orders sent directly to Tanguu.

I'll also save on other hidden costs too. I mentioned on some other thread that when I turned up at Heid Mansion in Dalian around 3 weeks ago with an expensive new suitcase crammed with TS's, Missus H went completely berserk, despite the fact that the case included the SOHK & IC figures she wanted. . Doesn't happen too often, and she's only 5ft 3" - but it's still a scarey experience...
It took her around 5 days to stop speaking in monosylables - and just as she was beginning to thaw in response to my considerable charm campaign... - she came unglued again when she found the receipt for US$500, which was the extra cost of my flight from HK to Dalian for overweight luggage...!!!

Why do you think I'm more than happy to be in Nigeria, of all places, right now...??? Celestial Harmony on the Domestic Front is somewhat at a premium at present, and I just know she'll go bananas when I eventually get my hands on my TRL order.

Never mind, she's having to, ha-ha, do all the packing for our imminent house move in Dalian all on her own. (Which was rather nice and convenient timing on my part don'tcha think...???....

Oh well. I'm hiding in my hotel all day today and the bar opens in around 25 minutes time, so;

Cheers (literally, this time)
H

 

[Harrytheheid]

Trust me they are firmly ensconced in someone elses cabinet.
Reb

No offence intended towards posties or anyone else.

I kinda agree with you there Reb. I contacted our Shenzhen office a couple of days ago and the missing DVD and TS orders still haven't turned up. . Oh well, might as well kiss those ones ta-ta...!!!
I have come up with a cunning plan though. I'm going to reorder the DVD's and have them delivered to my parents in Aberdeen. I can pick them up when I get to the UK after escaping from this dreary dump (no offence intended towards dreary dumps, anywhere else).
They won't add much weight to my luggage either.
Really looking forward to seeing those Sharpe movies.
And "The Life and Times of Col Blimp"
And "Tunes of Glory"
And "55 Days at Peking"

No offence intended towards anyone who doesn't like these movies.

Cheers
H

 

[Wraith]

I can pick them up when I get to the UK after escaping from this dreary dump (no offence intended towards dreary dumps, anywhere else).
Cheers
H

You're in Grimsby?

 

[Harrytheheid]

You're in Grimsby?

Hi Simon,
Nae offence, but Grimsby is far preferable to this place.
N'Anyway, me and a mate once got stuck for a whole weekend in a hotel in Grimsby - next to some place called The Bullring I seem to recall. We had a great time. We ended up gatecrashing a wedding reception. Got a kiss from the Bride and a piece of wedding cake. TRUE STORY.
No offence intended towards bullrings, brides or wedding cakes.

Cheers
H

 

[Cardigan600]

Hi Simon,
Nae offence, but Grimsby is far preferable to this place.
N'Anyway, me and a mate once got stuck for a whole weekend in a hotel in Grimsby - next to some place called The Bullring I seem to recall. We had a great time. We ended up gatecrashing a wedding reception. Got a kiss from the Bride and a piece of wedding cake. TRUE STORY.
No offence intended towards bullrings, brides or wedding cakes.

Cheers
H

Yo Trooper H, since when has it bothered the Scots about offending anyone, its inbred like us scouser's if they can't take the heat, stay outta the kitchen man.
Bernard.

 

[Harrytheheid]

Yo Trooper H, since when has it bothered the Scots about offending anyone, its inbred like us scouser's if they can't take the heat, stay outta the kitchen man.
Bernard.

Well, nae offence intended Bernard like, but I'm under duress nae tae cause ony mair offence tae onybuddy.
So I'm just makin' certain sure that I don't offend anyone with my innocent little contributions.
No offence intended towards little innocents BTW.

Cheers
H

 

[Gideon]

Not sure what you mean by "TS" but I just recently had a package go missing to a customer in Spain. I can tell by tracking information that it landed in Spain a-ok and then the trail goes dead.

It was a K&C Opera stage so it wasn't one of the more pricey items. The buyer and I worked it out to a 50-50 share of loss. Not something I am happy about but it could have been much worse.

Other than that, some packages take a bit longer to reach the destination but I had maybe 3 packages in the past 16 months go missing out of over 4K shipped. Not bad at all.

 

[Harrytheheid]

Not sure what you mean by "TS" but I just recently had a package go missing to a customer in Spain. I can tell by tracking information that it landed in Spain a-ok and then the trail goes dead.

It was a K&C Opera stage so it wasn't one of the more pricey items. The buyer and I worked it out to a 50-50 share of loss. Not something I am happy about but it could have been much worse.

Other than that, some packages take a bit longer to reach the destination but I had maybe 3 packages in the past 16 months go missing out of over 4K shipped. Not bad at all.

Gideon,
No way am I having a go at Dealers. Nuthin' of the kind. I've had nothing but good vibes from the people I've ordered Toy Soldiers (TS) from.
I simply posted my original message in an attempt to see if I could minimize the chances to my orders going missing.

All The Best
H

 

[Cardigan600]

Well, nae offence intended Bernard like, but I'm under duress nae tae cause ony mair offence tae onybuddy.
So I'm just makin' certain sure that I don't offend anyone with my innocent little contributions.
No offence intended towards little innocents BTW.

Cheers
H

Ok der la lol.
Bernard.

 

[damian]

Look Harry the best solution is to simply have all the stuff shipped to my address in Durban. I will look after all your figures lovingly for you. You could pehaps drive down to Durban from Nigeria and pick them up when you are ready.
Joking aside Amazon will replace what you lost. They are good that way.

 

[marco55]

Harry - what about having them shipped to King and Country in Hong Kong ???

Is that closer to you ? At least the HK Mail service is a bit better I would think and you have another reason to go to the shop

I have found that DHL is the best for overseas delivery - those Germans are very strict and dependable.

I work in a shipping dept.and our supervisor says DHL is going under and Fed-Ex is in bad shape too.
Mark

 

[Harrytheheid]

Look Harry the best solution is to simply have all the stuff shipped to my address in Durban. I will look after all your figures lovingly for you. You could pehaps drive down to Durban from Nigeria and pick them up when you are ready.

Aye.....that's a good idea Damian....

Cheers
H

 

[Gideon]

Gideon,
No way am I having a go at Dealers. Nuthin' of the kind. I've had nothing but good vibes from the people I've ordered Toy Soldiers (TS) from.
I simply posted my original message in an attempt to see if I could minimize the chances to my orders going missing.

All The Best
H

Oh, I didn't think you were digging at dealers - I was just relating some bad stuff having happened recently.

Problems with shipping goes both ways. Bad stuff is bad stuff.