Bad casting from Bonaparte

[CGS military figures]

Then perhaps Dave might wish to give Paul some training in customer relationships, because Paul has pretty much trashed Bonaparte's reputation for service. As a result of Paul's responses, Bonaparte's has probably lost more custom than a full refund, including postage, in the first place would have cost. Compare Felix's experience in this instance with the outstanding service offered by other suppliers mentioned on the forum.

Dave, who has been conspicuous by his absence on this thread, might also guarantee that customer's won't be subjected to this sort of trouble if something is wrong with or missing from a kit. He could at least come on the forum and give potential but wary customers some confidence in his firm.

I fully respect that Chris, as said I'm not defending, maybe I shouldn't have posted, I hope I haven't offended anyone.
I was just trying to add a little to the process, not in defence, but you are correct in all you say.
I don't think Dave has anything to do with any posts, again no defence and I certainly don't want to my put neck on the block lol and I don't want to tread on any toes.

Anyway, best wishes
Gra

 

[Chrisr]

I hope I haven't offended anyone.
I certainly don't want to my put neck on the block lol and I don't want to tread on any toes.

Anyway, best wishes
Gra

Hi Gra,
You haven't offended anyone, and no-one is likely to accuse you of treading on anyone's toes. I respect what you had to say in Dave's defence. All good. Loyalty is an admirable attribute that is too rare these days, so well done.

Perhaps Dave needs to say something to give potential purchasers confidence that his customer service is as good as your high standard. He has some great products, but customers want to be comfortable that if a purchase is missing something or not up to scratch they will be readily accommodated.

Cheers and every best wish
Chris

 

[Tecumsea]

I think it is perhaps worth pointing out that to the best of my knowledge Dave is not computer literate and relies on his wife and son to handle this aspect of the business so it is most unlikely that you will see him posting personally on this forum.
In defence of the product Dave uses a highly regarded casting business and as has been said previously his products are generally of a good standard. Presumably the complexity of this kit is the problem and some work will be needed to obviate the issues.
Having said this the way the complaint was handled is a good example of converting your customers from what in marketing parlance we used to call advocates or endorsers to terrorists as seen here.
..... hopefully it is a lesson learned and we can continue to buy Bonaparte products with confidence.

 

[Helm]

I think it is perhaps worth pointing out that to the best of my knowledge Dave is not computer literate and relies on his wife and son to handle this aspect of the business so it is most unlikely that you will see him posting personally on this forum.
In defence of the product Dave uses a highly regarded casting business and as has been said previously his products are generally of a good standard. Presumably the complexity of this kit is the problem and some work will be needed to obviate the issues.
Having said this the way the complaint was handled is a good example of converting your customers from what in marketing parlance we used to call advocates or endorsers to terrorists as seen here.
Exactly what has happened here..... hopefully it is a lesson learned and we can continue to buy Bonaparte products with confidence.

I have to say I have never been called a terrorist before Keith
Steve

 

[theBaron]

The issue isn't a poor casting. The issue is the poor response to a customer complaint. We can find excuses or explanations for the poor casting. It is harder to find an excuse or an explanation for the poor response the customer received.

 

[Tommy Brown]

The issue isn't a poor casting. The issue is the poor response to a customer complaint. We can find excuses or explanations for the poor casting. It is harder to find an excuse or an explanation for the poor response the customer received.

And at the very end ........ an added intentional insult to the customer. A final nail in the coffin.

 

[Ron Tamburrini]

I have to say I have never been called a terrorist before Keith
Steve

No but you come from a background that can create terror

 

[Helm]

No but you come from a background that can create terror

Leave my missus out of this

 

[Ron Tamburrini]

Leave my missus out of this

 

[Tommy Brown]

 

[Kevin D.]

OK, It was worth reading the entire thread just to get to the repartee between Tommy, Helm and Ron... tears in my eyes laughing!!

I have ordered from Bonapartes on several occasions and recently inherited most of a P.M. Red Lancers kit. I called them from across the pond (all the way down here in Texas) and found Dave to be a very enjoyable man to speak with. He was very helpful and gave me to understand the probable costs of getting the various parts right up front (and then was quite fair in the pricing). As well, I had received their mounted Dragoon in winter gear and it was a great kit with no flaws and no pieces missing. My only concern was a distinct slow down between speaking with Dave and getting follow up from Paul. I'm not over there to see what all is on his plate but it did concern me.

Long story short, I got all the parts I needed for the red Lancer and a PM Indian kit, intact and correct, got the mounted kit no prob and then ordered the Samurai...

As we say down here, shit happens.... Had some flaws and I decided to fix them myself when I start on the kit. So there is another caution for y'all considering this kit.

I suspect Dave does not "do Internet" and I've learned to be careful assuming why things go bad.... I certainly agree that this situation went horribly, unnecessarily sideways and ended frustratingly poorly. That said I'll probably order from them again.... They've just put themselves on thin thin thin ice with just about everybody including me, but I will most likely give them another shot.

se le guerre

Kevin

 

[Oda]

Sad story this one Felix.I know by a conversation we had a few years ago that you are extremely well versed in samurai arms and armour.What did attract you to this bust in the first place?Helmet design is quite odd,the pictures do not show any visible means of Sode attachment to the Do (in this scale they should be very visible indeed).I guess all that is secondary though.The company should do the right thing and replace all damaged parts free of charge (and make sure that they pack things in a more secure way in the future).Especially a brand so old and highly respected as Bonapartes.

Oda.

 

[Wayneb]

Amazing

OK, It was worth reading the entire thread just to get to the repartee between Tommy, Helm and Ron... tears in my eyes laughing!!



I have ordered from Bonapartes on several occasions and recently inherited most of a P.M. Red Lancers kit. I called them from across the pond (all the way down here in Texas) and found Dave to be a very enjoyable man to speak with. He was very helpful and gave me to understand the probable costs of getting the various parts right up front (and then was quite fair in the pricing). As well, I had received their mounted Dragoon in winter gear and it was a great kit with no flaws and no pieces missing. My only concern was a distinct slow down between speaking with Dave and getting follow up from Paul. I'm not over there to see what all is on his plate but it did concern me.



Long story short, I got all the parts I needed for the red Lancer and a PM Indian kit, intact and correct, got the mounted kit no prob and then ordered the Samurai...



As we say down here, shit happens.... Had some flaws and I decided to fix them myself when I start on the kit. So there is another caution for y'all considering this kit.



I suspect Dave does not "do Internet" and I've learned to be careful assuming why things go bad.... I certainly agree that this situation went horribly, unnecessarily sideways and ended frustratingly poorly. That said I'll probably order from them again.... They've just put themselves on thin thin thin ice with just about everybody including me, but I will most likely give them another shot.



se le guerre



Kevin

 

[Wayneb]

Let it go.......................I can't believe you guys continue to drive the stake deeper

 

[Chrisr]

Agreed. Let's move on. Dave wasn't the culprit.

 

[Huw63]

Let it go.......................I can't believe you guys continue to drive the stake deeper

Agreed. Let's move on. Dave wasn't the culprit.

I must agree. I think it's been a sad tale but I've only ever had great service from Dave and during the time of this thread I received the "Officer Saxon Heavy Cavalry Garde du Corp 1810-13" which I'd ordered and it's flawless.

I think this thread should be locked now.

Cheers

Huw

 

[Wayneb]

Agreed. Let's move on. Dave wasn't the culprit.

Neither was Kevin......sorry Kevin;..you just happened to be in the line of fire.........

Wayne

 

[Tommy Brown]

Saw this on facebook closed group Military Figure Painters Association page:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/288998934623616/permalink/756067894583382/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/288998934623616/permalink/760362354153936/
You have to have a facebook account and is a member of the group to see the below discussion.

 

[Huw63]

Saw this on facebook closed group Military Figure Painters Association page:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/288998934623616/permalink/756067894583382/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/288998934623616/permalink/760362354153936/

My view:

1. This thread is done to death I think. The customer service was lacking, the responses were rude and I feel from the purchaser especially as he's so far away. I'm sure David has become aware of this and is dealing with it.

2. Mould lines happen. Metal Modeles, who are one of the most reputable first empire manufacturers, even have a guide to making kits and also market a beginners box containing a file. They instruct how to remove mould lines. Most kits need some cleaning up somewhere even from the best manufacturers such as Pegaso, and I've got some old Almond kits and in places, shock horror, they need cleaning up or in the case of the Office rof the 95th the arms seem too long. Finally on this point I have the Poste Militaire mounted Chasseur a Chavel in my Grey Army and it's one of the best castings I've seen - bought from Bonaparte's in November 2016. Its a big kit but dry fitting it, mine clipped together and will require just normal cleaning up. Equally on my bench at the moment I've the Chasseur in dolman, Cuirassier and Cuirassier Trumpeter - all ex-Poste Militaire models bought from Bonapartes and no issues.

3. . Research is part of the hobby and the instructions of the old Poste Militaire kits are easily found on the internet. Many of the manufactureres don't provide instructions and I can name more than a few of them - so some bookwork and use of the interent and the information is usually easy to find.

Sorry but I don't see the above link as being useful to this thread and I don't think it should be part of this thread.

Again I repeat that I think this thread should be closed now. Time to let it go.

Cheers

Huw

 

[Nap]

Hi Guys

Not been around much due to life etc ...catching up now

The concern has been dealt with and yes customer service wasn't what was hoped , lessons have I am sure been learnt

There are casting lines and NO casting is ever perfect , yes some are better than others ....we do not live in a perfect world wish we did I would be good looking !!!

I AM LOCKING THIS NOW ..there are new releases and members projects to enjoy rather than these sort of responses

If members wish to talk about this do so by using PM facility between each other

Thank you

Nap