Problems with overseas online mfgs?

All

Thanks for the replies. I am a very happy modeler in Canada and buy a lot through my local hobby shop. But some things I need from UK, etc.

Time delays are usually understandable, but multi-year non-fulfillment and obstanance to credit card payments, and repeated but unfulfilled promises are the case with one particular one-man operation is the case. I went to Hannants and ordered the same parts by a company, Iriquois, under the same banner. Hanants is great, and even send updates on desired items.

I have not had any major issues either. HPH is a joy to deal with. Paper panzer was a bit tricker as you have to e-mail them. One of the orders i wanted was out of stock, but i did get it when it came in.

Generally i have not had any majopr issues when ordering on line whether it be from a big company or a smaller one.

GMorrison

I have only held concerns about passing around my credit cards online. For that reason I try to use eBay whenever I can for that sort of stuff, and look to have Paypal shield me.

Obviously that cuts way down on availability. 

 

Most on line sites will allow you to use paypal now, its not just for e-bay use.

I've ordered from Mr. Modellbau in Germany 
https://www.mrmodellbau.com/_home/mr_english/index.html

I've also ordered from L'Arsenal in France

http://www.larsenal.com/?PGFLngID=1

I did not had any trouble in either instance.  

However, I've ordered from Eduard in the Czech Republic, and the product took a very long time to ship.  The website listed the item as "In Stock."  However, it took as much time for the product to leave their facility as it did to travel to the US.  

There have been two occasions in which I've ordered from Amazon, and the products came from smaller operations in Japan.  An out-of-production, Tamiya detail set was the last one.  

I have only held concerns about passing around my credit cards online. For that reason I try to use eBay whenever I can for that sort of stuff, and look to have Paypal shield me.

Obviously that cuts way down on availability. 

For the most part, I've never encountered a problem with orders from overseas. But, every now and again, I am reminded that some products come from cottage industries. They are not manufactured on a mass scale, but created (cast, etched, etc.) by a sole proprietor who works a regular job and raises a family, in addition to their work in the world of hobbies.

For instance, I order parts from DLM (Don's Light and Magic) anytime I have a Star Trek project hit the bench. I've known Don for years and worked with him while I was living in Fargo, so I have a good idea of the challenges he faces in both his private life and his business. Each piece he sends out the door is cast specifically to fill the order at the time he receives it. Depending on how much work he has in front of him, the turn-around time can vary dramatically. During his slow periods, I can receive my order in as few as two days; but, when he has a lot of orders to fill or he heads out to shows and conventions to generate sales, it can go up to four to six weeks. But, that's the way it goes in a one man show.