My issue 3 finally arrived yesterday. The cases were fine but the magazine was in a terrible state. I intend to cancel my subscription once I receive the third "bonus" subscriber vehicle and will buy remaining issues in a newsagent.
Issue 4 - the Z8 AND issue 5 - the 2CV arrived along with the third and final subscriber gift, The Goldeneye tank.
All undamaged this time I'm glad to say.
I'm going to complain about the state my copy of issue 3 arrived in, but won't cancel my subscription and newsagents etc onlt tend to carry these things for the first 10 - 15 issues.
oh thank heavens there is a forum out there dedicated to this collection!
I must admit, I have always been sceptical of part collections after seeing a couple feature on watchdog for not sending subscribers the complete sets...ie collection was terminated early. i would assume this collection would appeal to both model car and Bond memorabilia collectors...so should be a bigger market......im no economist though!
My subscriptions also arrive in grey polythene bags...and am so sorry to hear of those who have received damaged goods...have you tried complaining? Are their customer services department efficient?
I did suscribe and as of yet have not been sent Issue 3 with the Renault freebie....although issues 4&5 came through with the tank freebie......... Considering some of you others have received them, mine may be 'in the post'.
I must ask....I was intruiged to read here the collection was first test marketed in France and Germany.....but have both been terminated after ten issues? I cant find any lists online detailing issues 11 and onwards...
The link to the french website one user provided only said 'peut-etre' for the 11+ editions....so they are only his guesses....nothing official.
And how did the other user get to issue 7 in the uk? Was he a fortunate test marketeer?
Would like your thoughts on one thing...would it be OTT of me if i created my own diorama for Little Nellie and the Tank? Its a pity they dont seem to correlate with the rest of the collection.
Kudos to you all for starting up this thread, btw! I am in the process of persuading the missus to get hold of some form of display cabinet...
My issue 3 finally arrived yesterday. The cases were fine but the magazine was in a terrible state. I intend to cancel my subscription once I receive the third "bonus" subscriber vehicle and will buy remaining issues in a newsagent.
Not the best idea if this collection ends up being subscriber only after issue ten....do be careful! I was intending on doing the same thing at first....
I was intruiged to read here the collection was first test marketed in France and Germany.....but have both been terminated after ten issues? I cant find any lists online detailing issues 11 and onwards...
They have not been here in Germany, as stated before, but the collection is running still for France. They are presently shipping Goldeneye BMW Z3 and Xenia's Ferrari 355, which are to my count number 10 and 11.
Greetings
Markus
President of the 'Misty Eyes Club'.
Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!
oh thank heavens there is a forum out there dedicated to this collection!
I must admit, I have always been sceptical of part collections after seeing a couple feature on watchdog for not sending subscribers the complete sets...ie collection was terminated early. i would assume this collection would appeal to both model car and Bond memorabilia collectors...so should be a bigger market......im no economist though!
My subscriptions also arrive in grey polythene bags...and am so sorry to hear of those who have received damaged goods...have you tried complaining? Are their customer services department efficient?
I did suscribe and as of yet have not been sent Issue 3 with the Renault freebie....although issues 4&5 came through with the tank freebie......... Considering some of you others have received them, mine may be 'in the post'.
I must ask....I was intruiged to read here the collection was first test marketed in France and Germany.....but have both been terminated after ten issues? I cant find any lists online detailing issues 11 and onwards...
The link to the french website one user provided only said 'peut-etre' for the 11+ editions....so they are only his guesses....nothing official.
And how did the other user get to issue 7 in the uk? Was he a fortunate test marketeer?
Would like your thoughts on one thing...would it be OTT of me if i created my own diorama for Little Nellie and the Tank? Its a pity they dont seem to correlate with the rest of the collection.
Kudos to you all for starting up this thread, btw! I am in the process of persuading the missus to get hold of some form of display cabinet...
same here, i got issue 2 tue, and 4 and 5 today but it looks as if issue 3 might have gone AWOL
no breakages, YET.
SeanConnery007The Bond Archive - London, EngPosts: 169MI6 Agent
Received issues 4 and 5 today (3rd March) along with the GoldenEye tank. All in pristine condition.
Disappointed by the GE Tank, without the 'movie-scene' case it's basically just a model of a tank, not very exciting.
Also disappointed with the TWINE BMW Z8 but then I never liked Bond's BMW's.
I also noticed that the model's don't have open-able doors, which I always feel is a nice touch on model cars.
I just wondered if anyone has yet complained about the state of the packaging - or lack of it - and whether you have received any reply?
The subscription insert with the first issue contained a customer guarantee that promised that our "gifts and issues" would be packed safely to ensure that they arrived in perfect condition.
So far I have got away unscathed - even though I am glad that I bought a Vanquish from Smiths so I got the backboard with the issue / model.
Perhaps I might drop them a precursory e-mail to let them know I have concerns...
And... guess what... I'm still waiting for my Lotus as well.... (received Issues 4 and 5 this last weekend).
Sorry, guys, but I forgot that we can't contact them by e-mail. However, I have this afternoon telephoned the customer service centre.
Basically I received 3 pieces of information:
1) If anything arrives damaged, send it back and they will replace it free of charge.
2) Issue 3 has been delayed because the taxi stocks are low - I was assured that I will be receiving mine "shortly".
3) They say that they cannot do anything to upgrade the nature of the packaging because it is dictated by the publisher (GE Fabbri - I phoned the Database Factory, who I presume is the UK distributor).
I suggest that we all write to the customer service centre enclosing a photocopy of the guarantee and ask them to contact the publisher with a view to upgrading the packaging.
Personally, I am inclined to make the following points:
1) I think that the concept of the partwork is excellent.
2) The models and dioramas are splendid with excellent attention to detail.
3) The magazine is well laid out (OK I know there isn't much to it) and informitive
4) Therefore we are extremely disappointed that such an excellent idea is ruined by the goods being despatched to collectors in such shoddy packaging. It is only going to cause problems for us the consumer and also them as the supplier in the future if we repeatedly have to send stuff back to them and they repeatedly have to keep sending out replacement models.
In the long run it will cost them money and us frustration. It's all very well to lay blame with the Royal Mail but if precautions aren't taken at the source to reduce damages we are no further forward.
Sorry if this has gone on a bit... but if we all bombard them with letters of concern then they should really forward the feedback to the publisher.
Steve
batester2005Dudley, West Mids, UKPosts: 155MI6 Agent
Heyup do any of u know if we'll be getting any of the vehicles from Casino Royale (such as the mondeo) and the BMW motorbike from Tommorow Never Dies?
same here, i got issue 2 tue, and 4 and 5 today but it looks as if issue 3 might have gone AWOL
no breakages, YET.
Oh RATS....I have a breakage....the case on my Renault 11 Taxi....the model which was low in stocks, apparently...according to what one of the proactive members here was told by their customers services. X-(
They have not been here in Germany, as stated before, but the collection is running still for France. They are presently shipping Goldeneye BMW Z3 and Xenia's Ferrari 355, which are to my count number 10 and 11.
Greetings
Markus
Ah I see, thank you for the correction and update!
Received issues 4 and 5 today (3rd March) along with the GoldenEye tank. All in pristine condition.
Disappointed by the GE Tank, without the 'movie-scene' case it's basically just a model of a tank, not very exciting.
Also disappointed with the TWINE BMW Z8 but then I never liked Bond's BMW's.
I also noticed that the model's don't have open-able doors, which I always feel is a nice touch on model cars.
I fully agree with you about the tank....the same would go for Little Nellie....atm Im trying to get hold of a spare diorama case so I can perhaps devise my own little movie-scene for little nellie...i would need a bigger case for the tank. (Yes, I have some free time on my hands....but nothing a little image hunting and Photoshopping cant handle!)
As for the moving doors....I thought exactly the same when I first got them...but the other half suggested perhaps the lack of interactive parts to the models are down to the fact they are dioramas for display and not model cars for play?
Hi Lordsfa... sorry I missed your post before I posted mine.
I think that a specimen letter template would be an excellent idea. If you don't mind creating one and have the time, please do so.
Glad to have you on board the "Save our models" campaign!
All the best
Steve
Here it is:
[address]
The Customer Service Manager
James Bond Car Collection
The Database Factory Ltd
Unit 4 Pullman Business Park
Pullman Way
Ringwood
Hants
BH24 1HD
Re: The James Bond Car Collection. Subscription number [number]
Dear Sir / Madam,
I would like to express sincere concerns regarding the standard of packaging implemented whilst dispatching each edition of the aforementioned part collection. To date, each issue has arrived in a mere grey plastic bag which contravenes the following clause in the customer guarantee: "gifts and issues would be packed safely to ensure that they arrived in perfect condition.”
None of my issues to date have arrived in this elusive perfect condition. Each magazine has arrived crumpled and creased. Two out of my six dioramas thus far have arrived with cracked cases. This is not simply an isolated incident. Several other fellow collectors have reported similar grievances and no doubt they will be getting in touch with you shortly.
Passing the blame to Royal Mail will not be prudent. The items must be securely dispatched initially. Similarly, it is too simple for your customer services department to claim any damaged articles may be returned for replacement, however, this is an extraneous hassle and an added cost on my part.
In view of this I insist the following be carried out by you or your representatives:
1. All measures be taken to ensure the packaging is upgraded as soon as possible, to ensure magazines and dioramas arrive in ‘perfect condition’. This includes, but is not limited to, any contact which must be made with the publishers.
2. All subscribers who either have already returned items, or will do so throughout the life of their subscriptions, be refunded of postage and packaging costs.
I purchased one of these off Ebay (since they don't ship to the US), and was quite pleased by the diorama- it's the lotus from The Spy Who Loved Me. Looking over the posts, it arrived in much better condition than being shipped directly from the manufacturer. Since I can't get these from the UK, might someone here on the list be able to get the Esprit Turbo for me when it becomes available? Hate to pay 3X price and inflated shipping off ebay for one. Likewise, I would be more than happy with anything from the US that you might need. Glad I found the list!
I apologise for bumping the topic, but I have to ask whether it's going to be 40 parts, definitely. I bought the DB5 model, and it's all very pretty and stuff. I like very much.
Furthermore, I've heard about problems packaging-wise through perusal of these forums, and I'd like to know if packaging in Australia was any better? I'm thinking of subscribing for the 3 free models, but if the magazines are going to come crumpled, and the model cases smashed, I'd rather not.
The screws that secure the cars to the base of the dioramas have a weird triangular socket head on them. Is this a recognized fastener shape or just something to discourage the owner from removing the models from the bases? I can remove the DB5 from the first one with a set of jeweller's screwdrivers I have but I was just wondering if there is a special screwdriver set made for these kinds of screws.
atm Im trying to get hold of a spare diorama case so I can perhaps devise my own little movie-scene for little nellie...i would need a bigger case for the tank. (Yes, I have some free time on my hands....but nothing a little image hunting and Photoshopping cant handle!)
If you manage to come up with something for Little Nellie & the tank and are willing to share, then I for one would be keen for whatever you can produce.
The screws that secure the cars to the base of the dioramas have a weird triangular socket head on them. Is this a recognized fastener shape or just something to discourage the owner from removing the models from the bases? I can remove the DB5 from the first one with a set of jeweller's screwdrivers I have but I was just wondering if there is a special screwdriver set made for these kinds of screws.
Thanks
I think it's just a form of tamperproof screw like the star shaped ones. I'm sure there are tools out there for it. I'm sure a correct sized flat head would do it.
Well I had no idea the partworks going on sale in the UK would be this extensive, they look great. Shame they kicked off with the rubbish DAD cars though, who wants that?
Guess I can pick them up in WHSmith well enough. Wouldn't want to get them all, but most of these are just how I'd devise them in terms of background/location.
Comments
Issue 4 - the Z8 AND issue 5 - the 2CV arrived along with the third and final subscriber gift, The Goldeneye tank.
All undamaged this time I'm glad to say.
I'm going to complain about the state my copy of issue 3 arrived in, but won't cancel my subscription and newsagents etc onlt tend to carry these things for the first 10 - 15 issues.
I must admit, I have always been sceptical of part collections after seeing a couple feature on watchdog for not sending subscribers the complete sets...ie collection was terminated early. i would assume this collection would appeal to both model car and Bond memorabilia collectors...so should be a bigger market......im no economist though!
My subscriptions also arrive in grey polythene bags...and am so sorry to hear of those who have received damaged goods...have you tried complaining? Are their customer services department efficient?
I did suscribe and as of yet have not been sent Issue 3 with the Renault freebie....although issues 4&5 came through with the tank freebie......... Considering some of you others have received them, mine may be 'in the post'.
I must ask....I was intruiged to read here the collection was first test marketed in France and Germany.....but have both been terminated after ten issues? I cant find any lists online detailing issues 11 and onwards...
The link to the french website one user provided only said 'peut-etre' for the 11+ editions....so they are only his guesses....nothing official.
And how did the other user get to issue 7 in the uk? Was he a fortunate test marketeer?
Would like your thoughts on one thing...would it be OTT of me if i created my own diorama for Little Nellie and the Tank? Its a pity they dont seem to correlate with the rest of the collection.
Kudos to you all for starting up this thread, btw! I am in the process of persuading the missus to get hold of some form of display cabinet...
Not the best idea if this collection ends up being subscriber only after issue ten....do be careful! I was intending on doing the same thing at first....
They have not been here in Germany, as stated before, but the collection is running still for France. They are presently shipping Goldeneye BMW Z3 and Xenia's Ferrari 355, which are to my count number 10 and 11.
Greetings
Markus
Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!
same here, i got issue 2 tue, and 4 and 5 today but it looks as if issue 3 might have gone AWOL
no breakages, YET.
Disappointed by the GE Tank, without the 'movie-scene' case it's basically just a model of a tank, not very exciting.
Also disappointed with the TWINE BMW Z8 but then I never liked Bond's BMW's.
I also noticed that the model's don't have open-able doors, which I always feel is a nice touch on model cars.
Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!
I just wondered if anyone has yet complained about the state of the packaging - or lack of it - and whether you have received any reply?
The subscription insert with the first issue contained a customer guarantee that promised that our "gifts and issues" would be packed safely to ensure that they arrived in perfect condition.
So far I have got away unscathed - even though I am glad that I bought a Vanquish from Smiths so I got the backboard with the issue / model.
Perhaps I might drop them a precursory e-mail to let them know I have concerns...
And... guess what... I'm still waiting for my Lotus as well.... (received Issues 4 and 5 this last weekend).
Steve
Sorry, guys, but I forgot that we can't contact them by e-mail. However, I have this afternoon telephoned the customer service centre.
Basically I received 3 pieces of information:
1) If anything arrives damaged, send it back and they will replace it free of charge.
2) Issue 3 has been delayed because the taxi stocks are low - I was assured that I will be receiving mine "shortly".
3) They say that they cannot do anything to upgrade the nature of the packaging because it is dictated by the publisher (GE Fabbri - I phoned the Database Factory, who I presume is the UK distributor).
I suggest that we all write to the customer service centre enclosing a photocopy of the guarantee and ask them to contact the publisher with a view to upgrading the packaging.
Personally, I am inclined to make the following points:
1) I think that the concept of the partwork is excellent.
2) The models and dioramas are splendid with excellent attention to detail.
3) The magazine is well laid out (OK I know there isn't much to it) and informitive
4) Therefore we are extremely disappointed that such an excellent idea is ruined by the goods being despatched to collectors in such shoddy packaging. It is only going to cause problems for us the consumer and also them as the supplier in the future if we repeatedly have to send stuff back to them and they repeatedly have to keep sending out replacement models.
In the long run it will cost them money and us frustration. It's all very well to lay blame with the Royal Mail but if precautions aren't taken at the source to reduce damages we are no further forward.
Sorry if this has gone on a bit... but if we all bombard them with letters of concern then they should really forward the feedback to the publisher.
Steve
Oh RATS....I have a breakage....the case on my Renault 11 Taxi....the model which was low in stocks, apparently...according to what one of the proactive members here was told by their customers services. X-(
Ah I see, thank you for the correction and update!
I fully agree with you about the tank....the same would go for Little Nellie....atm Im trying to get hold of a spare diorama case so I can perhaps devise my own little movie-scene for little nellie...i would need a bigger case for the tank. (Yes, I have some free time on my hands....but nothing a little image hunting and Photoshopping cant handle!)
As for the moving doors....I thought exactly the same when I first got them...but the other half suggested perhaps the lack of interactive parts to the models are down to the fact they are dioramas for display and not model cars for play?
I second that motion! No doubt others will too....a flimsy polythene bag isnt enough when evidently some of the cases are being damaged in transit.
Shall I draft up and post a template letter here others can print and send off to the publishers?
My Issue 3 plus Lotus and Renault arrived today. All in good order, although the magazine was little bit crumpled around the top edges.
I am going to write to them about their packaging this weekend.
Steve
I think that a specimen letter template would be an excellent idea. If you don't mind creating one and have the time, please do so.
Glad to have you on board the "Save our models" campaign!
All the best
Steve
A draft of a letter I intend sending to the Database Factory is there.
Thanks
Steve
Here it is:
[address]
The Customer Service Manager
James Bond Car Collection
The Database Factory Ltd
Unit 4 Pullman Business Park
Pullman Way
Ringwood
Hants
BH24 1HD
Re: The James Bond Car Collection. Subscription number [number]
Dear Sir / Madam,
I would like to express sincere concerns regarding the standard of packaging implemented whilst dispatching each edition of the aforementioned part collection. To date, each issue has arrived in a mere grey plastic bag which contravenes the following clause in the customer guarantee: "gifts and issues would be packed safely to ensure that they arrived in perfect condition.”
None of my issues to date have arrived in this elusive perfect condition. Each magazine has arrived crumpled and creased. Two out of my six dioramas thus far have arrived with cracked cases. This is not simply an isolated incident. Several other fellow collectors have reported similar grievances and no doubt they will be getting in touch with you shortly.
Passing the blame to Royal Mail will not be prudent. The items must be securely dispatched initially. Similarly, it is too simple for your customer services department to claim any damaged articles may be returned for replacement, however, this is an extraneous hassle and an added cost on my part.
In view of this I insist the following be carried out by you or your representatives:
1. All measures be taken to ensure the packaging is upgraded as soon as possible, to ensure magazines and dioramas arrive in ‘perfect condition’. This includes, but is not limited to, any contact which must be made with the publishers.
2. All subscribers who either have already returned items, or will do so throughout the life of their subscriptions, be refunded of postage and packaging costs.
I anticipate a speedy response.
Yours sincerely,
[signature]
[name]
Matt
Furthermore, I've heard about problems packaging-wise through perusal of these forums, and I'd like to know if packaging in Australia was any better? I'm thinking of subscribing for the 3 free models, but if the magazines are going to come crumpled, and the model cases smashed, I'd rather not.
Thanks
I think it's just a form of tamperproof screw like the star shaped ones. I'm sure there are tools out there for it. I'm sure a correct sized flat head would do it.
Here's the full list:
http://www.mi6.co.uk/sections/articles/collecting_james_bond_cars_2007_lineup.php3?t=&s=
Guess I can pick them up in WHSmith well enough. Wouldn't want to get them all, but most of these are just how I'd devise them in terms of background/location.
Roger Moore 1927-2017