[chiefs70]

Did you ever pre-order something so long ago that when it shows up you wonder where it came from exactly? A long, long time ago I pre-ordered the Gentile P-51B and B-25 "Legal Eagle." Today I received shipping confirmation. Weren't these due last year - summer for Legal Eagle IIRC. I guess it is a reminder why I don't bother to pre-order any longer. I guess I can toss them in the closet and see if they are ever worth trading - I don't even have the other TFM Gentile birds with which I must have intended to display it.

So, has this ever happened to you? At least I can honestly tell the missus I don't remember ordering them.

[Rush104]

Originally Posted by chiefs70

Did you ever pre-order something so long ago that when it shows up you wonder where it came from exactly? A long, long time ago I pre-ordered the Flying Mule Exclusive Gentile P-51B and B-25 "Legal Eagle." Today I received shipping confirmation. Weren't these due last year - summer for Legal Eagle IIRC. I guess it is a reminder why I don't bother to pre-order any longer. I guess I can toss them in the closet and see if they are ever worth trading - I don't even have the other TFM Gentile birds with which I must have intended to display it.

So, has this ever happened to you? At least I can honestly tell the missus I don't remember ordering them.

Can't say I have- I file my purchase confirmations in a separate folder in my e-mail. When they arrive, I take the e-mail out and delete it.
Now, I have come across some models that I had forgotten I'd purchased while doing some cleaning around the apartment. It's nice to open one of the big Rubbermaid storage bins, look in it and realize that yes, I DO have that particular airplane!

[Cruver Collecter]

On at least one occasion I had an order come to the door that I had completely forgotten about. I had placed an order through Historic Aviation for a couple of IXO French Fighters and it was about 3 months later that they finally arrived. After I saw the contents I quickly remembered, but did not have a clue prior to opening up the box.

[chiefs70]

Originally Posted by Rush104

Can't say I have- I file my purchase confirmations in a separate folder in my e-mail. When they arrive, I take the e-mail out and delete it.
Now, I have come across some models that I had forgotten I'd purchased while doing some cleaning around the apartment. It's nice to open one of the big Rubbermaid storage bins, look in it and realize that yes, I DO have that particular airplane!

I have a pretty solid system as well - I log them all in an Excel spreadsheet - but I think I deleted this one during one of my cleaning sprees as I thought I cancelled it. Ah well, I've learned my lesson - an it wasn't painful in the least!

Here's the interesting thing, however. I checked out Tricatus' site and notice both the Gentile and Legal Eagle came out last year. Hmmm, I wonder what finally triggered them to send it to me now? I'll have to contact them tomorrow and find out the scoop.

[MigAlley]

I never really forgot about pre-orders. With Corgi, they have a way of haunting you. Often, models turn out to be far less nice than expected (e.g., the Immola and Sardinia He-111s, which look nothing like the prepros). At other times, you find models you've preordered discounted on the Bay before you even get them - which happened to me with the Black 310 Mitchell and the Snafu Snatchers Catalina. I didn't really mind as much, as I wanted to support Corgi for doing these big birds in schemes that I like. I was very dissapointed to see that they released a much nicer PBJ almost immediately afterwards, though: the Flightline version. That really put me off preordering. And really, with their current line of biplanes, it's a good idea to check the rigging before you buy.

I do tend to forget which models I do and do not own, particularly with regard to those early Corgi releases that don't really fit the theme of my collection anymore. I forgot all about the Confederate AF Mustang, the PR Mosquito and Spitfire set, and the Garfield Weston Spitfire, for example. I wish I could forget about some of my other models, though, like the Armour RAF F-117 Sadly, I have trouble blocking out that HUGE box from my memory!

[Celtic]

I track all my orders (including pre-orders) by printing a copy of the order form and a picture of each model and filing that packet in an order folder. I also add a picture and a description of each model ordered to a running list I've kept since 2005. This eliminates surprises. (When I finally receive a model I add it to my Excel spread sheet.)

However, I've had pre-orders get so backed up that I've had to cancel a plane from an order just to free up models that ARE available. Of course, that means that all my paper work has to be updated, which can lead to considerable confusion if I'm not careful. And, because of all the recent delays of Corgi models and delays from other companies, I no longer pre-order.

For me, all the paper work is one of the fun parts of the hobby, since it allows me to list, rank, shuffle, and generally track my collection. But, that's just me -- a paper shuffler from birth...

[EDIT: I just corrected hobbie to hobby. Does anyone else have trouble with that word?]

[chiefs70]

I sent a note to TFM last night regarding the "mystery" and Martin kindly responded with a rather detailed explanation of how it occurred. Apparently, the purchase of Corgi US by Master Replicas last year has wrecked havoc with their US distribution. As part of their consolidation they decided to move their distribution warehouse from Chicago to N. California. So, although the Gentile Mustang hit the US in December TFM didn't receive it until this week. As Martin put it, "The irony for us, a Northern California retailer, is that many of the latest releases have taken four months to complete the final 150 mile leg of their trip from China to our warehouse!" Fortunately, Martin believes it is all for the better and the issues seem to be behind them with a bright future ahead.

I thought you all might enjoy this little tidbit in lieu of the delivery issues and delays we have seen with Corgi. Martin is - and has always been - a top notch individual and I was appreciative and impressed he took the time to write me a lengthy explanation of the situation. It is dealers such as TFM that make this hobby so enjoyable even when frustrations arise.

[aeroeng]

Originally Posted by MigAlley

... like the Armour RAF F-117 Sadly, I have trouble blocking out that HUGE box from my memory!

Hey MigAlley,
Check this thread out. You might be able to unload your RAF F-117.

Armour "British" F-117 Stealth - 1/48th scale

[Celtic]

Originally Posted by chiefs70

I sent a note to TFM last night regarding the "mystery" and Martin kindly responded with a rather detailed explanation of how it occurred. Apparently, the purchase of Corgi US by Master Replicas last year has wrecked havoc with their US distribution. As part of their consolidation they decided to move their distribution warehouse from Chicago to N. California. So, although the Gentile Mustang hit the US in December TFM didn't receive it until this week. As Martin put it, "The irony for us, a Northern California retailer, is that many of the latest releases have taken four months to complete the final 150 mile leg of their trip from China to our warehouse!" Fortunately, Martin believes it is all for the better and the issues seem to be behind them with a bright future ahead.

I thought you all might enjoy this little tidbit in lieu of the delivery issues and delays we have seen with Corgi. Martin is - and has always been - a top notch individual and I was appreciative and impressed he took the time to write me a lengthy explanation of the situation. It is dealers such as TFM that make this hobby so enjoyable even when frustrations arise.

Great post -- thanks. In the few times I've asked Martin about something, he's always beem up-front. Now, the question for all of us is: why didn't someone think to ask before! Anyway, good to hear the future looks so rosy. My question is, did Master Replica know that they were just three hours by truck from Grass Valley (which is NOT an old hippie hangout)?

[stalag8611]

Amen to Martin and his crew of merry men. First class all the way. As for pre-orders, I maintain a "tickle" file on all I've in place and will follow up with the dealer if things aren't smoothly moving along. It's almost always the manufacturers fault if you do a back bearing on the delay.