Oldsmokey apparently there in a garage just opposite where the shop was, it looks like there focusing on the internet more than walk in nowadays, but you can still walk in and grab from the shelf so I'm told.

Hi Guys
I live about 5 miles from Westbourne.
The shop has been empty at least since Oct 2015 when I last went by there.
Builders onsite refurbishing the shop unit no sign of Westbourne models.
I didn't stop as anyone who has been there knows parking is very difficult.

To day 3rd May 2016. I again went by, just out of curiosity as so many modellers on many forums are having problems with Westbourne Models.
Situation still the same, builders equipment and materials on site, the sign above the shop reads "To let" again I couldn't park to get a closer look or ask one of the builders what the situation was.

Perhaps Westbourne operate from home these days, I have no idea.
If I do get a chance I will stop by and ask someone in a nearby shop perhaps.
I hope this may be of some help to forum members.
Brian

Cornwall Model Boats have the same item (Part No: RB00722240). Unfortunately, they are out of stock.

But could be worth giving them a call, at least they speak to their customers.

Can only echo the comments hear been a month since I placed my order blaming suppliers for the delay.

Contacting them is near impossible do not respond to emails or as it seems phone calls I did talk to them once though they picked up as I was leaving a voice mail expressing my concerns. They seemed aware of the issue and he blamed his colleague for not contacting me. After not making a delivery when I was told I tried again to contact them email and phone are a no go. However they seem to respond ton quickly and prefer you to contact them on Facebook.

"Thank you. Please do use FB as a means of contacting us - it is very useful and I check in with it all day...."

Their page

https://www.facebook.com/WestbourneModelsCom/

I have still decided to request a refund at this point. Hope this information is helpful to anyone struggling.

I ordered some Rung Step Ladder - 22 x 240mm from them any suggestions of another stockist guys ?

Fortunately, I have been reimbursed my order, because of non-delivery, as I had ordered via Visa. One wonders that they are still in business, and still place ads in Model Boat magazines.

Since the problems have been ongoing for some 3 years I get the impression that they really don,t care.

Hello that's the trouble with some shops they think that because in the past they made the name now there untouchabel so use your feet don't use them and they will go under no one will look after the business like the one who started it and reputation

😟

Maybe it is time for all model boat clubs to join together to warn their members about this company. The magazines that accept their adverts should be involved as well. I know how infuriating it is to try to deal with these people. They took my money quickly enough but ignored several emails and telephone messages when I tried to get them to resolve my problem. if anyone still has problems post it on their facebook page.

I ordered some props from Westbourne in January and they still have not turned up
when I got thro to them after a week of trying there excuse was that they had moved
and this was the reason for no being able to get thro to them

Like somemore model boaters who have been charged for the items they do not have in stock

If I finally get my gear I will not use them again

Dave

I believe the father retired one or two years ago. Apparently he ran the webside of the business and it seemed to go smoothly. With his retirement the web business has suffered as the sons/partners? do not seem either interested or capable of managing the system. it may well be that the shop itself is still satisfactorily run but I am far removed from that end of the Country.

It's somewhat distressing to hear all the criticism about Westbourne Models. I have not used them recently but in the past I found them very good. it's a shame they can not come on this site and justify themselves. Needless to say, I will not be using them again, at least not until I hear they have significantly improved.

After several emails and telephone messages the only way that I managed to get a response from them was by posting my problems on their facebook page, otherwise, hopefully, you paid with your credit card and if so you are covered by section 75 of the consumer credit act, contact your bank. How those clowns are still in business beats me ?

Sadley from a money point of view, the mags are struggeling to make a profit, the advertising can only just break even on costs, gone are the days of editors and loads of people to do the jobs, its a one man band. When you speak to the advertising department they handle dozens of calls for all the mags they publish.

Sad but as Dave said buyer beware.

Mark

If you look back to April 2013 on here we were having problems with them then.

I should have added that approaching the magazines re the adverts would also probably be a waste of time unless they were to be inundated with complaints. I have had experience of a retailer who published, in their advert, both an e-mail address and a telephone number for complaints and other queries. They never responded to e-mails despite proof of the mail having been received. The telephone number "did not accept incoming calls". Contacting the ASA resulted in the reponse that the advert was OK. it was a service problem and was outwith their remit despite the fact that incorrect and/or misleading statements were made re the contact information. Magazines are not going to stop carrying an advert unless there is a major outcry and even then we are again up against, in most instances, the "big boys" who don,t give a t*** about you and me.

Unfortunately Trading Standards are no longer what they once were. You need to first contact the local Citizens Advice Bureau and ask them for advice. You then have to go through the usual rigmarole of sending a recorded delivery letter to the offending retailer and give them a chance to redress the situation. if this does not work the next step is to ask either your bank or the card issuer if they will do a charge back. if this does not work then the next step would be the small claims court or the sheriff court in Scotland. The CAB claim to pass on the information to Trading Standards but the latter will not get involved unless there is a plethora of complaints against the retailer. Total waste of space these days like so many so called standards and enforcement agencies. 😟

I did that, but never heard any more. My thoughts are to contact the various modelling magazines and make sure they are aware of the situation.
Hopefully they will refuse to carry adverts, so others do not make the same mistake.
Cannot imagine why they would denigrate their standards by promoting suppliers like this anyway.

Best bet would be to contact 'Trading Standards' - or the media about Westbourne, they would soon get the matter sorted, but of course there have been so many dissapointments to so many folk.



Jim

I stopped using them a long time ago I ordered a number 2 sail for my Laser at first they said they had it in stock then the next day they rang and told me that they did not and said they would have to order one from the USA I waited 3 month for delivery
I vowed after that never again 💭

Well I guess we all know then simple as that.

Its a little late for that their name is mud all over the net

Have a look on Mayhems site you can kiss your order goodbye amd they already have the bad name

Does anyone on this web site live near Westbournes to enquire as to just what is happening there.Anything truthful would help to save them getting a bad name if it's not their fault.

My experiences of Westbourne are that they are very good at charging your card as soon as the order is placed regardless of whether or not they have stock in place. Any attempts to contact them re non supply of goods either result in beng lied to re the items or more often all communication is totally ignored. I would certainly not recommend anyone attempting to do business with this company. Any reputable company will not charge your card until the items are dispatched.

hI admiral
I can understand your annoyance with Westbourne but it is not Electronize's problem as your contract is with Westbourne. if you used plastic or paypal I suggest you report the matter and hope they will take the necessary action to either get you the goods or your money back.

thumbsdown: Westbourne take my money. Fail to deliver 6 weeks gone by,
I should have read all those bad reviews prior to order.
I have asked Electronize, speed control wholesaler, to supply and get paid by by Westbourne. No reply from Electronize, pity, as Ive been their product user for many years.

Bangzoomer,I must have been just lucky with my order. No excuse for that kinda service at all,if you still need graupner items I had good luck with Lowell Briggs Hobby up here in Nova Scotia.I went thru his website found what I wanted then emailed him and he would confirm quantity in a return email usually in 2-3 hours.Ron.

Thanks Canada... I ordered my Graupners as Graupner was going BANKRUPT.... I learned that weeks later. Before I learned that - again - I sent them countless e-mails and left phone messages - LONG DISTANCE CALLS - LOS ANGELES to the UK - EXPENSIVE ! ! ! NO REPLY. Westbourne should not list their e-mail and phone number if they intend to Ignore all e-mails and phone calls.

Morning all,I am on the other side of the pond in Alberta Canada.I have been dealing with both Westbourne and Cornwall in the past three weeks,I had no problems at all I had delivery at my door in 7 days with both.That is faster than what I can get for delivery here within my own province,another is White Ensign with I just got yesterday five days simply excellent service and better prices to boot so I am glad I didn't see this post first.Cheers to the British modelers and Suppliers.

Ron.

Appreciate westbourne may be having trouble with their suppliers but surely this does not excuse their way of doing business and the lack of courtesy in responding to customer queries????

HI gooner68
May be a bit soon to suggest Graupner will return to normal. The web site is unavailable and the new owner has not indicated how it intends to proceed. There will be supplies with retailers etc but I would make sure any supplier confirms they have the item(s) requested before sending any money.

Now been waiting 28 days for my order with westbourn have sent two emails the second to cancel my order and return my money still no reply wish I lived nearer to them as I think face to face is the only way I may get it sorted.

well done gooner68 that seemed to be the only way to get a proper answer. But what about graupner then?

I went to westbourne models and mentioned the plight of some of you, I was told that bangzoomer had been reimbersed after they had tried tirelessly to locate some motors for him, when graupner had folded. it appears graupner have now been taken over and things should get back to normal order wise.
Im just passing on what I was told.
gooner68

HI Dave,
I may need advice in the future.
The company A Model World has sorted out my order will be delivered this Monday. The guy there Mark seems very helpful.
I have built static Billings kits in the past, but have no experience of making them remote control.
Looking to make as detailed as possible with as much working with RC as I can.
Let you know when I need help.

All stories about westbourn models has cheered me up no end been waiting 8 days for my order now I am feeling it may not ever arrive. hope its not the curse of the new boy.

HI Robin
Most on line suppliers are in the business of selling model kits and bits. Unlike your local model shop they often do not respond to general questions about building models unless you are purchasing or have purchased a kit.

Now that you have found this site we have a wealth of knowledge on all matters relating to building and sailing model boats so please ask away and see what replies you receive.

We all started somewhere and know how confusing it can be to a newcomer to the hobby.

There are many build blogs on the site which may help answer some of your questions, but we will always help you whatever level of skills you have 😀

Jon
Graupner is mentioned in this months MMI mag. Seems like the company that supplied the R/c kit to the old Graupner have acquired the firm. interesting to note that the factory and many employees are not being retained.
I suspect any supplies will be from existing stocks and may not all be available in the future. Could be some good deals to be had as stocks are sold, but spares may be in short supply if available.
Hopefully the new owner will retain the profitable parts of the old Graupner but it is too early to assume the new company will retain all or any of the original product line. Unless they have a factory with spare capacity this may take some time.

I tried recently to get advice from them for the parts needed to get started on building Billings Smit Rotterdam.
I am new to RC boats and happy to buy from them.
Never responded to my detailed email.
Have now gone to another supplier and put in a decent size order.
Cornwall Boats also never had the courtesy to respond to my email

cant vouch for westbournes poor customer service , Ive used them once or twice via the phone and have had the opertunity to visit the small shop they operate from ! as to the issue with graupner , they have recently been bought by another company , and are still trading , Ive just placed an order for micro magic spares from my local model shop , fratton models in portsmouth . jon

HI Dave
Totally agree, it is a pity the new owner does not realise that, no response will lead to a bad reputation on any company and could ultimately to the loss of yet another once good supplier, who I have used in the past.

HI Ralph
I am sure most suppliers are eager to meet their customer's expectations but as we both live in the UK our experience may not reflect service overseas. Personally I have had few if any problems with suppliers both here and abroad but I may just have been lucky. I do agree that unanswered emails and phone calls are unacceptable and it would certainly make me very wary of dealing with any firm acting in this way.

Really bad customer service not to answer emails or phone calls, especially to overseas customers, who will be put off buying from British suppliers generally.
Much better service is available from other UK suppliers, especially one in Cornwall.

Thanks for the reply. I understand the Graupner situation.... NOW. But if they're not going to answer emails why bother to put a "contact us" bar in their website. 13 emails and TWO transAtlantic phone calls - NOTHING. The need to treat people with more dignity than that.

This thread had me worried as I had just ordered some parts from Westbourne. But all was well as they rang within 5 days to say the parts had been dispatched and they duly arrived after the weekend as promised.
There does seem to be a problem with the supply of Graupner parts as these were out of stock, which isn't surprising if Graupner have gone bust.

Nothing! Nothing! 13 emails. Two telephone messages from Los ANgeles to the UK. No reply to these postings. it's okay. I reversed the credit card payment and found motors elsewhere. Westbourne does not care - it should be obvious tI anyone. Building a model boat is supposed to be pleasant and relaxing - NOT STRESSFUL ! ! !

Has westbourne models replied to any of these complaints or are they just not worried. I don't live anywhere near or I would pop in and ask

Same here they take the money and no parts arrive, they owe me money from the past. I've cut my losses and will not use them again, going to tell the guys on the lake the same ....

I too have had problems with this company. Courtesy costs nothing.

there is no excuse for poor customer service, they only have to reply,its just manners! sorry to hear about graupner going bust, another rc model company bites the dust. What motors were you after?