Hi " Sosna ", first of and, You are NOT european distributor for GHQ items. You are a polsih reseller, like there are resellers in germany and other countries.
Some thoughts : You told me, that You check every item before shipping. Ok, i ordered a pontoon bridge, and not a ruined pontoon bridge. but i got the last One. Strange, that you want to solve my complaint only with the next order. Interesting, so i had to buy something, and then, perhaps will get a usable bridge. And if not, you will solve my complaint with the next order, or what ?
Next point. You told me, that you are the licensed producer of leva, then i was told, that you have no molds ( how can you produce without the original molds ), and that you sell already produced leva items. Then i told you the news about alains successor, and you told me, that most of the leva molds are destroyed ( hmmm, the guy wants to start production in 2007, without molds he will have a little problem, won´t he ? ). Then you wanted to know, where i got the informations , that leva will restart production, and i told you, that i will not solve your lisence problems, but that the informations seem to be quite serious.
Ok till now ? And i was more than astonished , this behaviour makes me skeptical, and indeed i will not order anything else, and wait, till i can get " real Leva " for my bucks.
And that you say to be " european distributor for ghq " makes my skeptizism all the more determined.
By the way, when you ship damaged items ( obviously not by transport but a bad resin casting ), and your customer has to pay the re-shipment, that´s not a real good after sales service to my opinion. Paying shipment twice for ONE usable item ???? ( see a t your homepage ).
Buildings from JR Miniatures???
Moderators: dnichols, GHQ, Mk 1
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Bull`s eye
- Posts: 49
- Joined: Fri Nov 10, 2006 12:09 pm
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Mk 1
- E5
- Posts: 2383
- Joined: Fri Dec 24, 2004 3:21 am
- Location: Silicon Valley, CA
I can't speak for anyone else and their experiences.
From my own experience:
I expect occasional flaws with any castings -- pewter or resin, although perhaps more with resin. I have resin castings from many sources. I often find minor flaws. True with Leva, with JR, with Mainly Miniatures, with ODGW (back when they sold resin buildings under their own line). I've even casted my own scratch-built resin buildings and trenchworks. Bubles get in. Flaws occur.
In fact I've had casting flaws with GHQ models as well. Rarely. But I've had them.
Additionally, I have also experienced mis-shipments. From many vendors. Even from GHQ. Again, rarely. But I've had them.
The key, to my observation, is not whether a vendor is perfect at all times, but how the vendor deals with dissatisfaction when it is brought to their attention.
As an example, every time I've brought a concern to GHQ's attention, I was completely satisfied with the resolution. More than satisfied. Downright pleased. I felt valued as a customer.
I have also bought items from Sosna -- although not many. The models I have received from Sosna were of pretty good quality. As I said, I expect occasional flaws in resin castings, but so far have not seen any worth mention.
However, in one of my purchases we had a misunderstanding. In this case it was not over product quality, but over how pricing and/or shipping was quoted to me. I raised my concern by email, and was given a perfectly polite and reasonable reply. Through further messages a resolution was reached. (And as with my favorite vendor,) I was completely satisfied with the resolution. More than satisfied. Downright pleased. I felt valued as a customer.
As I say, I can not speak for anyone else's experience. For me, I have no complaints from my dealings with Sosna. I feel I have been treated well.
From my own experience:
I expect occasional flaws with any castings -- pewter or resin, although perhaps more with resin. I have resin castings from many sources. I often find minor flaws. True with Leva, with JR, with Mainly Miniatures, with ODGW (back when they sold resin buildings under their own line). I've even casted my own scratch-built resin buildings and trenchworks. Bubles get in. Flaws occur.
In fact I've had casting flaws with GHQ models as well. Rarely. But I've had them.
Additionally, I have also experienced mis-shipments. From many vendors. Even from GHQ. Again, rarely. But I've had them.
The key, to my observation, is not whether a vendor is perfect at all times, but how the vendor deals with dissatisfaction when it is brought to their attention.
As an example, every time I've brought a concern to GHQ's attention, I was completely satisfied with the resolution. More than satisfied. Downright pleased. I felt valued as a customer.
I have also bought items from Sosna -- although not many. The models I have received from Sosna were of pretty good quality. As I said, I expect occasional flaws in resin castings, but so far have not seen any worth mention.
However, in one of my purchases we had a misunderstanding. In this case it was not over product quality, but over how pricing and/or shipping was quoted to me. I raised my concern by email, and was given a perfectly polite and reasonable reply. Through further messages a resolution was reached. (And as with my favorite vendor,) I was completely satisfied with the resolution. More than satisfied. Downright pleased. I felt valued as a customer.
As I say, I can not speak for anyone else's experience. For me, I have no complaints from my dealings with Sosna. I feel I have been treated well.
-Mark 1
Difficile est, saturam non scribere.
"It is hard NOT to write satire." - Decimus Iunius Juvenalis, 1st Century AD
Difficile est, saturam non scribere.
"It is hard NOT to write satire." - Decimus Iunius Juvenalis, 1st Century AD
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Bull`s eye
- Posts: 49
- Joined: Fri Nov 10, 2006 12:09 pm
@ Mk1
With a few words : you are satisfied, and i´m completely NOT. Not with service nor with quality. And that is our private experience. Nothing more.
But what is more than private is, that " SOSNA " describes " facts " like he wants, especially ref. his lisence contract with leva, and no, i´m not a jackal .
He told twice the untruth, he prentends to be " european ghq distributor ". For what ?
These are the aspects, which fed my discomfort. And yes, that´s the reason for massive distrust. Ah, did i mention the wrapping ? Without any protection simply in a cardboard box ( and remember, it´s resin )
And by the way ; i got the orthodox church from GHQ some days ago, and it was perfect. And i have asked many users of the old leva range, an they told me, that there have been no complaints.
So there are personal complaints dealing with my order and there is , let me say, some strange behaviour of SOSNA
And the sum of both is the reason to say : " No, never again ".
Everybody, who wants detailed informations, can use PM.
With a few words : you are satisfied, and i´m completely NOT. Not with service nor with quality. And that is our private experience. Nothing more.
But what is more than private is, that " SOSNA " describes " facts " like he wants, especially ref. his lisence contract with leva, and no, i´m not a jackal .
He told twice the untruth, he prentends to be " european ghq distributor ". For what ?
These are the aspects, which fed my discomfort. And yes, that´s the reason for massive distrust. Ah, did i mention the wrapping ? Without any protection simply in a cardboard box ( and remember, it´s resin )
And by the way ; i got the orthodox church from GHQ some days ago, and it was perfect. And i have asked many users of the old leva range, an they told me, that there have been no complaints.
So there are personal complaints dealing with my order and there is , let me say, some strange behaviour of SOSNA
And the sum of both is the reason to say : " No, never again ".
Everybody, who wants detailed informations, can use PM.
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Matt D
- Posts: 45
- Joined: Tue Feb 22, 2005 11:25 pm
- Location: Boston
There are a few other manufacturers not yet discussed that I'd like to add to the discussion. I've ordered from several manufacturers worldwide and have an opinion on several that have already been mentioned, as well as a few others.
Starting with GHQ, I would consider them to be the standard bearer. Not because this is their forum, but because it's true. I still think that some of the buildings are small, especially when compared with other manufacturer's models that claim to be 6mm. I was told by GHQ that there's are true to size. But when placed in a city setting the two and three-story structures always seem to be puny.
Another well known line is from Irregular Miniatures. This line of stuff makes JR Miniatures look like GHQ's. On the plus side the selection is huge. Where else can you order, in 6mm scale, a dead human with a crow sitting over it? On the face it seems like a neat way to enhance a scene. But when you get the thing, which I did, the reaction is a major disappointment. There aren't many photos on their web site so most of what is available has to be purchased sight-unseen. I did this years ago from a dealer in Canada. Fortunately they were nice and let me return the order for a refund as there was no way I would keep the stuff. Picture little silver blobs with little to no detail and you've got an Irregular Maniature model. Their civilian vehicles are decent enough but I was not impressed. The best option are the civilian figures, especially the oxen pulling a cart. They have several models made up of a horse or ox pulling various types of wagons. The detail is good enough and really adds to scenarios where civilians are clogging roadways.
Another manufacturer is Hovels in the UK. Their larger scale models are excellent. However the 6mm scale just don't match up with their bigger brothers. Most of these models are well known, and even if you've never heard of Hovels, visit their site and look at the 6mm photos. Chances are they'll look awfully familiar. I'm not much of a fan because the buildings are relatively small compared with other lines. Furthermore, when setting up a diaorama or game the Hovels buildings always seem to be out of place. Then again, maybe it's just me.
Other lines that I haven't seen in a while are Old Dominion that was previously mentioned in another post. The models are real good and made of a hard white resin or plastic. I'm not sure which but the end result is good. I bought a workshop with an attached waterwheel that's a nice addition to a small village (although the waterwheel is small and some fine painting is needed to make it look like one.) I was told by the company years ago that they would expand the line but never followed up.
TimeCast is excellent and ranks at the top with GHQ and Leva. Check out their web site and you'll see lots of photos.
CinC is good but has a limited selection. Like their vehicles there's not a lot of detail in the buildings, which in some ways are good. Taking an example from TimeCast, I like to create posters and signs to give the buildings life. Some other types of models out there are too cluttered to add these posters, but CinC's smooth surfaces are perfect for this. So there is a suilver lining.
Mainly Military is good but they've GOT to include photos on their web site. Like JR Miniatures they have hand drawings which tell you nothing of the quality. But unlike JR Miniatures, where the drawing is infinitely better than the model, Mainly Military's stuff is actually pretty good.
There are other manufacturers out there that are really obscure. One is from Australia that makes small dioramas out of rubber (I think). I had their web site years ago but lost it and never got around to finding them again. Shipping aside, these would be good ways to add to the game board without buying several pieces and putting it together. It's been a while since I've seen their web site so maybe they've made changes.
Vac-U-Cast is another that appears to be out of production.
I hope this helps in a small way.
Starting with GHQ, I would consider them to be the standard bearer. Not because this is their forum, but because it's true. I still think that some of the buildings are small, especially when compared with other manufacturer's models that claim to be 6mm. I was told by GHQ that there's are true to size. But when placed in a city setting the two and three-story structures always seem to be puny.
Another well known line is from Irregular Miniatures. This line of stuff makes JR Miniatures look like GHQ's. On the plus side the selection is huge. Where else can you order, in 6mm scale, a dead human with a crow sitting over it? On the face it seems like a neat way to enhance a scene. But when you get the thing, which I did, the reaction is a major disappointment. There aren't many photos on their web site so most of what is available has to be purchased sight-unseen. I did this years ago from a dealer in Canada. Fortunately they were nice and let me return the order for a refund as there was no way I would keep the stuff. Picture little silver blobs with little to no detail and you've got an Irregular Maniature model. Their civilian vehicles are decent enough but I was not impressed. The best option are the civilian figures, especially the oxen pulling a cart. They have several models made up of a horse or ox pulling various types of wagons. The detail is good enough and really adds to scenarios where civilians are clogging roadways.
Another manufacturer is Hovels in the UK. Their larger scale models are excellent. However the 6mm scale just don't match up with their bigger brothers. Most of these models are well known, and even if you've never heard of Hovels, visit their site and look at the 6mm photos. Chances are they'll look awfully familiar. I'm not much of a fan because the buildings are relatively small compared with other lines. Furthermore, when setting up a diaorama or game the Hovels buildings always seem to be out of place. Then again, maybe it's just me.
Other lines that I haven't seen in a while are Old Dominion that was previously mentioned in another post. The models are real good and made of a hard white resin or plastic. I'm not sure which but the end result is good. I bought a workshop with an attached waterwheel that's a nice addition to a small village (although the waterwheel is small and some fine painting is needed to make it look like one.) I was told by the company years ago that they would expand the line but never followed up.
TimeCast is excellent and ranks at the top with GHQ and Leva. Check out their web site and you'll see lots of photos.
CinC is good but has a limited selection. Like their vehicles there's not a lot of detail in the buildings, which in some ways are good. Taking an example from TimeCast, I like to create posters and signs to give the buildings life. Some other types of models out there are too cluttered to add these posters, but CinC's smooth surfaces are perfect for this. So there is a suilver lining.
Mainly Military is good but they've GOT to include photos on their web site. Like JR Miniatures they have hand drawings which tell you nothing of the quality. But unlike JR Miniatures, where the drawing is infinitely better than the model, Mainly Military's stuff is actually pretty good.
There are other manufacturers out there that are really obscure. One is from Australia that makes small dioramas out of rubber (I think). I had their web site years ago but lost it and never got around to finding them again. Shipping aside, these would be good ways to add to the game board without buying several pieces and putting it together. It's been a while since I've seen their web site so maybe they've made changes.
Vac-U-Cast is another that appears to be out of production.
I hope this helps in a small way.
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Bull`s eye
- Posts: 49
- Joined: Fri Nov 10, 2006 12:09 pm
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jtompk99
- Posts: 23
- Joined: Sun Jan 23, 2005 9:32 am
- Location: Denver, CO
I just got an order from Vac-U-Cast last week. Their stuff is pretty good and at a good price.
Les Batiments, LLC is selling Leva stuff through the Nafziger site. I believe it is new castings; but I'm not sure. Just put an order in with them and will let you know how it looks when I get it.
Old Dominion quit producing terrain earlier this year.
Les Batiments, LLC is selling Leva stuff through the Nafziger site. I believe it is new castings; but I'm not sure. Just put an order in with them and will let you know how it looks when I get it.
Old Dominion quit producing terrain earlier this year.
Joel T.
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Bull`s eye
- Posts: 49
- Joined: Fri Nov 10, 2006 12:09 pm
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robdab
- Posts: 26
- Joined: Mon Feb 20, 2006 11:13 pm
Inquiring Minds Want To Know ...
Just for my own information, is it safe to assume the "Bull's Eye" is none other than our old friend "Ulrichww" ?
I've heard that Nafziger is hopping mad about Leva rights/molds being sold by Alain to the "soon to be" Canadian vendor in Manitoba. There certainly seems to be a "misunderstanding" somewhere there, as usual, about money and geographic distribution rights.
But as is usual, for us the buyers, its "hurry up and wait".
I've heard that Nafziger is hopping mad about Leva rights/molds being sold by Alain to the "soon to be" Canadian vendor in Manitoba. There certainly seems to be a "misunderstanding" somewhere there, as usual, about money and geographic distribution rights.
But as is usual, for us the buyers, its "hurry up and wait".