[Gambit]

Hornby has so many issues to deal with and the token models are probably last on their list.

I don't think we'll ever see the token models here in North America and its probably best to move on.

The UK collectors may have better luck.

[Black 6]

At the risk of being labeled a lunatic (which, by this time, may already be too late) I continue to try and get answers to the outcome of this promotion for North American collectors. Much like the character Don Quixote (read classic literature my friends), I continue in my quest to get a straight and truthful answer from somebody connected with Corgi about their failure and wretched handling of the promotion. We need to right this wrong committed against us. Do I really, really, want the silver hood ornament? No, not really. I would certainly have wanted something better and more in line with my actual collection. But what I do want is for a company to play by its own rules and to meet its obligations to its customers who also followed those same rules. That's us fellas. The guys who bought into this "promotion" (both figuratively and financially) only to get ripped-off by Corgi (with a kick to the 'nads for good measure).

So the story thus far goes like this:

1. Just weeks before the Hornby acquisition of Corgi I was making good progress going forward with Corgi UK. They were appalled by the handling of the promotion by Corgi USA and were working to get me some answers to pass on to you. The term "fiasco" was used liberally in describing the whole affair - not my word, but by Corgi UK.
2. The day Hornby rode in is the day my assistance from the Corgi UK people ended - they were sacked. It was suggested I try to contact Hornby and take up where they left off.
3. I contacted Hornby with a short email asking for a little help in this regard or for another contact person. If for no other reason than to get a final answer to what will happen.
4. A few weeks go by without any response from Hornby. So I sent another email expressing my disappointment at no response (other than the automated reply you get to the email submission - something along the lines of "Your call is important...."). This time I do get a response. A one sentence response: "A response to your original email and questions was sent to you on the 8 May
   2008." Wow! now THAT'S what I call customer service. Especially since I have not received any such reply. Now I'm -off. But now I have a name and email address.
5. I have sent two additional emails to this individual and all have met with silence (the last sent on May 16). No response. Nothing. So my impression of Hornby is not a very good one at this point.

That's what I have so far. From what I have experienced Hornby's customer service is not any better than that of Corgi USA (they deliver the same lack of courtesy and responsiveness to their customers). I KNOW they have just acquired Corgi, I know they may not have answers, but I also know you do not treat people like this, people who contact your company with a concern in this manner. To use the English term, I believe I have been told to pi$$-off without their going to the trouble of actually writing that in an email. So much for the new Corgi management.

So what do we do? We could go old-school and throw boxes of Corgi and Hornby products into a bay or harbor (it worked once you know ). Or start a concerted email or letter writing campaign for some answers (no die cast - no peace!). In this regard a well-planned email or letter "carpet bombing" campaign may get their attention (that's when you write everyone on a company's executive directory or in their shareholders directory - it does work too). Or just ignore it and chalk it up to a lesson learned?

I may continue on my own (just out of stubborn spite if nothing else) and try and get some satisfaction out of Hornby now. But a little support would be nice.

[trex0770]

Originally Posted by Black 6

At the risk of being labeled a lunatic (which, by this time, may already be too late) I continue to try and get answers to the outcome of this promotion for North American collectors. Much like the character Don Quixote (read classic literature my friends), I continue in my quest to get a straight and truthful answer from somebody connected with Corgi about their failure and wretched handling of the promotion. We need to right this wrong committed against us. Do I really, really, want the silver hood ornament? No, not really. I would certainly have wanted something better and more in line with my actual collection. But what I do want is for a company to play by its own rules and to meet its obligations to its customers who also followed those same rules. That's us fellas. The guys who bought into this "promotion" (both figuratively and financially) only to get ripped-off by Corgi (with a kick to the 'nads for good measure).

So the story thus far goes like this:

1. Just weeks before the Hornby acquisition of Corgi I was making good progress going forward with Corgi UK. They were appalled by the handling of the promotion by Corgi USA and were working to get me some answers to pass on to you. The term "fiasco" was used liberally in describing the whole affair - not my word, but by Corgi UK.
2. The day Hornby rode in is the day my assistance from the Corgi UK people ended - they were sacked. It was suggested I try to contact Hornby and take up where they left off.
3. I contacted Hornby with a short email asking for a little help in this regard or for another contact person. If for no other reason than to get a final answer to what will happen.
4. A few weeks go by without any response from Hornby. So I sent another email expressing my disappointment at no response (other than the automated reply you get to the email submission - something along the lines of "Your call is important...."). This time I do get a response. A one sentence response: "A response to your original email and questions was sent to you on the 8 May
   2008." Wow! now THAT'S what I call customer service. Especially since I have not received any such reply. Now I'm -off. But now I have a name and email address.
5. I have sent two additional emails to this individual and all have met with silence (the last sent on May 16). No response. Nothing. So my impression of Hornby is not a very good one at this point.

That's what I have so far. From what I have experienced Hornby's customer service is not any better than that of Corgi USA (they deliver the same lack of courtesy and responsiveness to their customers). I KNOW they have just acquired Corgi, I know they may not have answers, but I also know you do not treat people like this, people who contact your company with a concern in this manner. To use the English term, I believe I have been told to pi$$-off without their going to the trouble of actually writing that in an email. So much for the new Corgi management.

So what do we do? We could go old-school and throw boxes of Corgi and Hornby products into a bay or harbor (it worked once you know ). Or start a concerted email or letter writing campaign for some answers (no die cast - no peace!). In this regard a well-planned email or letter "carpet bombing" campaign may get their attention (that's when you write everyone on a company's executive directory or in their shareholders directory - it does work too). Or just ignore it and chalk it up to a lesson learned?

I may continue on my own (just out of stubborn spite if nothing else) and try and get some satisfaction out of Hornby now. But a little support would be nice.

I'm in since I not only bought the required six models with tokens but proceeded to lose the tokens the day I was to mail them out, ended up buying 5 tokens from a fellow forum member + 1 of my own and managed to send the replacements to Corgi well ahead of the deadline.

p.s. Thanks for carrying the banner for the rest of us suckers B6!

[Old Crow]

OK Don Quixote, aka Black 6, allow me to serve as your faithful squire, Sancho Panza. I will take up your quest and go tilting against windmills. So, what e-mail address do you have? Send me a pm or post it here.

It sure would be nice if Hornby not only honors this obligation but also rights the original wrong and issues the model as a properly painted and marked warbird.

[Black 6]

Ah! Thanks OC, I'll PM you some info this weekend.

I don't know if you ever read the book, but in the end Don Quixote didn't fare to well. The forces of injustice, deception, and dishonor (see how this analogy now ties-in with Corgi) were too much for the poor guy. But he and Sancho gave it a good try.

Originally Posted by Old Crow

OK Don Quixote, aka Black 6, allow me to serve as your faithful squire, Sancho Panza. I will take up your quest and go tilting against windmills. So, what e-mail address do you have? Send me a pm or post it here.

It sure would be nice if Hornby not only honors this obligation but also rights the original wrong and issues the model as a properly painted and marked warbird.

[Celtic]

Black 6, I'm in just because I hold a tear, sweat, and blood-stained confirmation letter dated way back (see post 64). I really don't like the polished horror, and it would be a relief if Hornby decided to honor with the "real thing". But, whichever way that issue goes, it would be nice to see a conclusion in writing.

[Gambit]

Black 6, what is the persons name and e-mail address at Hornby?

Send me a PM if you would rather do it that way.

If others ask for an explanation may be they'll respond.

[LzyBns]

I have to agree with you Celtic, a little something to let us know which way the pendulum is going to swing. Did anyone get the "sights and sounds" model in the first giveaway promotion when the Warbirds line came out? I hate to think there still waiting for that delivery......And when did the Corgi U.S.A. website shut down.

[Cruver Collecter]

Originally Posted by LzyBns

I have to agree with you Celtic, a little something to let us know which way the pendulum is going to swing. Did anyone get the "sights and sounds" model in the first giveaway promotion when the Warbirds line came out? I hate to think there still waiting for that delivery......And when did the Corgi U.S.A. website shut down.

Corgi USA site was open a few weeks back, but just tried it and no site. Not very promising.

[Canucklehead]

Originally Posted by Cruver Collecter

Corgi USA site was open a few weeks back, but just tried it and no site. Not very promising.

That actually may be a good sign, as that site was pretty terrible. Hopefully a new one is in the works.