Hello Everyone,
Did any of you deal with Takom in regard of missing kit-parts? I've wrote twice already to [email protected] (the only email of theirs I could find) but received no answer so far...
TIA,
Israel
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Takom Customer Care (or the lack tehereof)
ReluctantRenegade
Joined: March 09, 2016
KitMaker: 2,408 posts
Armorama: 2,300 posts
Posted: Tuesday, August 15, 2017 - 02:07 PM UTC
canismalus
#465
Joined: September 12, 2014
KitMaker: 398 posts
Armorama: 394 posts
Posted: Tuesday, August 15, 2017 - 04:05 PM UTC
Hi Israel,
I don't know if this will help, but I tried to get a missing part for a Meng kit from their German distributor Glow2B, who also is the distributor for Takom in Europe, it seems. They wrote back within a week and said it would take 11-13 weeks to get the part, but that's certainly much better than no response at all (that was about a month ago, I haven't gotten the part yet).
Their address is http://www.glow2b.de, and if you click on "Service" in the top row of options, it will lead you to an "Ersatzteilformular" (spare part form). It's worth a try.
Good luck,
Jerry
I don't know if this will help, but I tried to get a missing part for a Meng kit from their German distributor Glow2B, who also is the distributor for Takom in Europe, it seems. They wrote back within a week and said it would take 11-13 weeks to get the part, but that's certainly much better than no response at all (that was about a month ago, I haven't gotten the part yet).
Their address is http://www.glow2b.de, and if you click on "Service" in the top row of options, it will lead you to an "Ersatzteilformular" (spare part form). It's worth a try.
Good luck,
Jerry
vettejack
Joined: November 23, 2012
KitMaker: 1,277 posts
Armorama: 1,254 posts
Posted: Tuesday, August 15, 2017 - 05:45 PM UTC
I had 2 separate shipments in a row from Hobby Link Japan. One in June, the other in July. One shipment contained Takom's M47M and the other shipment the AML 60. The M47 had a short shot on upper hull glacis plate while the AML had a missing sprue G and all 5 tires. Contacted HLJ of the issues. I included sending photos of both kits as opened, then took into account the communication thread and time zone issues that would be added to the shipping process/time. In both cases, within 3 weeks, HLJ got replacement parts, from Takom no less, and then air shipped the parts, from Japan, arriving at my door just 2 days later. Probably ordering your kits from HLJ might be that good go between if part issues arise...letting HLJ be your contact point.
ivanhoe6
Joined: April 05, 2007
KitMaker: 2,023 posts
Armorama: 1,234 posts
Posted: Tuesday, August 15, 2017 - 06:26 PM UTC
My story:
I bought a kit from a member here and it was missing a semi-important part. I could scratch it but am attempting to get the right part through Takom. Anyway, it's been a long process. Last Email was, " costs to ship the part would cost almost as much to ship a new kit. Would I like to buy another kit? Then they would enclose the missing sprue/part in the new kit."
Now I am waiting to find out about the cost and the shipping for their new M3 Lee kit. It's something I was going to get anyway. But what a half a$$ed way to get my part. And who knows, It might be too costly to go that way and I do end up scratch building the part.
I know that shipping is costly. A few months ago one of our Swiss members needed a few, flat shaped pieces that I happened to have. I told him that he could have them for free. It cost $13 to ship them in a padded envelope.
If this helps, I'm dealing with somebody named Queenie at Takom.
Good luck with your problem !
Tom
I bought a kit from a member here and it was missing a semi-important part. I could scratch it but am attempting to get the right part through Takom. Anyway, it's been a long process. Last Email was, " costs to ship the part would cost almost as much to ship a new kit. Would I like to buy another kit? Then they would enclose the missing sprue/part in the new kit."
Now I am waiting to find out about the cost and the shipping for their new M3 Lee kit. It's something I was going to get anyway. But what a half a$$ed way to get my part. And who knows, It might be too costly to go that way and I do end up scratch building the part.
I know that shipping is costly. A few months ago one of our Swiss members needed a few, flat shaped pieces that I happened to have. I told him that he could have them for free. It cost $13 to ship them in a padded envelope.
If this helps, I'm dealing with somebody named Queenie at Takom.
Good luck with your problem !
Tom 
jwest21
Joined: October 16, 2006
KitMaker: 3,374 posts
Armorama: 3,126 posts
Posted: Tuesday, August 15, 2017 - 10:06 PM UTC
Quoted Text
Hello Everyone,
Did any of you deal with Takom in regard of missing kit-parts? I've wrote twice already to [email protected] (the only email of theirs I could find) but received no answer so far...
TIA,
Israel
I used messenger on Facebook and they got back to me within 24 hours. The only problem I had with the service was I was missing one small FT17 tow hook and had to pay for the entire sprue plus shipping.
ReluctantRenegade
Joined: March 09, 2016
KitMaker: 2,408 posts
Armorama: 2,300 posts
Posted: Wednesday, August 16, 2017 - 12:40 AM UTC
Thanks all for your advices!
You know guys, I find it really strange that Takom (or any other large kitmaker for that matter that does/did the same) stops updating/maintaining its website completely. If you enter the "/news" section, the latest one is the release of the 1/16 Girod-tower Renault FT...from 2014! I know FB takes over more and more internet related activities, but abandoning a website altogether in favor of FB doesn't seem like a wise marketing decision. I mean if a company stops maintaining its website, it might as well take it off the web. Leaving a dead email (or one that nobody checks anymore) on a long defunct website doesn't do any good for the business. If you don't have a FB account (like me) and you need to contact the company you're practically on your own...
Quoted Text
I used messenger on Facebook and they got back to me within 24 hours. The only problem I had with the service was I was missing one small FT17 tow hook and had to pay for the entire sprue plus shipping.
You know guys, I find it really strange that Takom (or any other large kitmaker for that matter that does/did the same) stops updating/maintaining its website completely. If you enter the "/news" section, the latest one is the release of the 1/16 Girod-tower Renault FT...from 2014! I know FB takes over more and more internet related activities, but abandoning a website altogether in favor of FB doesn't seem like a wise marketing decision. I mean if a company stops maintaining its website, it might as well take it off the web. Leaving a dead email (or one that nobody checks anymore) on a long defunct website doesn't do any good for the business. If you don't have a FB account (like me) and you need to contact the company you're practically on your own...
ReluctantRenegade
Joined: March 09, 2016
KitMaker: 2,408 posts
Armorama: 2,300 posts
Posted: Wednesday, August 16, 2017 - 12:41 AM UTC
Quoted Text
I used messenger on Facebook and they got back to me within 24 hours. The only problem I had with the service was I was missing one small FT17 tow hook and had to pay for the entire sprue plus shipping.
Was this part lost by you, or simply missing from the box?
brekinapez
Joined: July 26, 2013
KitMaker: 2,272 posts
Armorama: 1,860 posts
Posted: Wednesday, August 16, 2017 - 01:18 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Thanks all for your advices!Quoted TextI used messenger on Facebook and they got back to me within 24 hours. The only problem I had with the service was I was missing one small FT17 tow hook and had to pay for the entire sprue plus shipping.
You know guys, I find it really strange that Takom (or any other large kitmaker for that matter that does/did the same) stops updating/maintaining its website completely. If you enter the "/news" section, the latest one is the release of the 1/16 Girod-tower Renault FT...from 2014! I know FB takes over more and more internet related activities, but abandoning a website altogether in favor of FB doesn't seem like a wise marketing decision. I mean if a company stops maintaining its website, it might as well take it off the web. Leaving a dead email (or one that nobody checks anymore) on a long defunct website doesn't do any good for the business. If you don't have a FB account (like me) and you need to contact the company you're practically on your own...
I don't do facebook myself, and resent companies that shift to only one platform for representing themselves. Not everyone in the world uses facebook, and I shouldn't have to sign up for anything to browse a retail web site.
KurtLaughlin
Joined: January 18, 2003
KitMaker: 2,402 posts
Armorama: 2,377 posts
Posted: Wednesday, August 16, 2017 - 04:51 AM UTC
Quoted Text
I don't do facebook myself, and resent companies that shift to only one platform for representing themselves. Not everyone in the world uses facebook, and I shouldn't have to sign up for anything to browse a retail web site.
It probably won't make you feel any better to learn that they don't advertise on radio or put inserts in Sunday newspapers either. You can resent that all you like - or even boycott their kits (seems to be the go-to solution for many) - but it's not going to get better for you. It's just the way of the world.
KL
brekinapez
Joined: July 26, 2013
KitMaker: 2,272 posts
Armorama: 1,860 posts
Posted: Wednesday, August 16, 2017 - 06:27 AM UTC
I don't read the paper, and I gave up on radio in 1996. But I visit lots of e-commerce sites, and as a former merchandiser understand a fair amount of what helps draw people in.
I do know the importance of an open web presence for a retail entity, and how it costs sales if you make access conditional. I worked for Borders Books, and their failure to establish a user-friendly web site when Barnes & Noble and everyone else was diving into the tech to reach new markets, was one of the reasons for their demise (They also utterly dropped the ball on e-books). Borders felt content to believe people would come in because we had coffee shops.
How would you feel if before they even let you walk into a store to look at the merchandise, the store clerks made you fill out a form of personal info? Just blocked the door and thrust pen and paper in your face.
I do know the importance of an open web presence for a retail entity, and how it costs sales if you make access conditional. I worked for Borders Books, and their failure to establish a user-friendly web site when Barnes & Noble and everyone else was diving into the tech to reach new markets, was one of the reasons for their demise (They also utterly dropped the ball on e-books). Borders felt content to believe people would come in because we had coffee shops.
How would you feel if before they even let you walk into a store to look at the merchandise, the store clerks made you fill out a form of personal info? Just blocked the door and thrust pen and paper in your face.
jwest21
Joined: October 16, 2006
KitMaker: 3,374 posts
Armorama: 3,126 posts
Posted: Wednesday, August 16, 2017 - 06:42 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Quoted TextI used messenger on Facebook and they got back to me within 24 hours. The only problem I had with the service was I was missing one small FT17 tow hook and had to pay for the entire sprue plus shipping.
Was this part lost by you, or simply missing from the box?
The part was lost by me.
KurtLaughlin
Joined: January 18, 2003
KitMaker: 2,402 posts
Armorama: 2,377 posts
Posted: Wednesday, August 16, 2017 - 03:33 PM UTC
Quoted Text
I don't read the paper, and I gave up on radio in 1996 . . .
How would you feel if before they even let you walk into a store to look at the merchandise, the store clerks made you fill out a form of personal info? Just blocked the door and thrust pen and paper in your face.
It doesn't matter how I'd feel. The world is drifting to Facebook and Twitter just like it drifted away from newspapers and radio. They are instantaneous and go directly to those who are already interested or to whom an algorithm says might be interested.
The quarter of the world's population that joined Facebook didn't do it so that they could view commercial products - they were already there. They think about the requirement to be on Facebook the same way we think about that restrictive sign by the door of the 7-11: "Pfft! What kind of loser would go to a store without wearing shoes and a shirt?"
KL
ReluctantRenegade
Joined: March 09, 2016
KitMaker: 2,408 posts
Armorama: 2,300 posts
Posted: Wednesday, August 16, 2017 - 03:55 PM UTC
Quoted Text
I used messenger on Facebook and they got back to me within 24 hours. The only problem I had with the service was I was missing one small FT17 tow hook and had to pay for the entire sprue plus shipping.
I wonder what happens if the kit's missing some parts. Do you still have to pay for them...?
ArtyG37B
Joined: August 13, 2009
KitMaker: 420 posts
Armorama: 416 posts
Posted: Wednesday, August 16, 2017 - 06:45 PM UTC
Quoted Text
Quoted TextI used messenger on Facebook and they got back to me within 24 hours. The only problem I had with the service was I was missing one small FT17 tow hook and had to pay for the entire sprue plus shipping.
I wonder what happens if the kit's missing some parts. Do you still have to pay for them...?
I had parts missing from a kit. the owner of Takom told me to go back to the place I purchased it from. if that didn't work out then he'd deal with it. as it worked out the shop went back to the distributor to get the missing parts, who then went back to Takom.
ReluctantRenegade
Joined: March 09, 2016
KitMaker: 2,408 posts
Armorama: 2,300 posts
Posted: Wednesday, August 16, 2017 - 09:18 PM UTC
Quoted Text
I wonder what happens if the kit's missing some parts. Do you still have to pay for them...?
I had parts missing from a kit. the owner of Takom told me to go back to the place I purchased it from. if that didn't work out then he'd deal with it. as it worked out the shop went back to the distributor to get the missing parts, who then went back to Takom.
A rather ackward way to deal with a problem which is obviously the manufacturer's fault, not the distributor's...
11Bravo_C2
Joined: May 12, 2015
KitMaker: 475 posts
Armorama: 394 posts
Posted: Wednesday, August 16, 2017 - 09:50 PM UTC
Quoted Text
How would you feel if before they even let you walk into a store to look at the merchandise, the store clerks made you fill out a form of personal info? Just blocked the door and thrust pen and paper in your face.
This is
, but...You can always sign up to Facebook with an alias and not give out personal information. Not that hard to do.
11Bravo_C2
Joined: May 12, 2015
KitMaker: 475 posts
Armorama: 394 posts
Posted: Wednesday, August 16, 2017 - 10:02 PM UTC
Quoted Text
Quoted TextI wonder what happens if the kit's missing some parts. Do you still have to pay for them...?
I had parts missing from a kit. the owner of Takom told me to go back to the place I purchased it from. if that didn't work out then he'd deal with it. as it worked out the shop went back to the distributor to get the missing parts, who then went back to Takom.
A rather awkward way to deal with a problem which is obviously the manufacturer's fault, not the distributor's...
Yes, but its a common way. I purchased a Bronco Models ship which was missing a decal sheet and a sprue.
I emailed Bronco and they told me to make the claim trough my retailer, which in turn contacted the wholesale distributor, and eventually the message got to Bronco. A month later I had my decals and sprue.
11Bravo_C2
Joined: May 12, 2015
KitMaker: 475 posts
Armorama: 394 posts
Posted: Wednesday, August 16, 2017 - 10:07 PM UTC
Quoted Text
What kind of loser would go to a store without wearing shoes and a shirt?"
KL
Jeff Spicoli
KurtLaughlin
Joined: January 18, 2003
KitMaker: 2,402 posts
Armorama: 2,377 posts
Posted: Thursday, August 17, 2017 - 04:11 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Quoted Text
How would you feel if before they even let you walk into a store to look at the merchandise, the store clerks made you fill out a form of personal info? Just blocked the door and thrust pen and paper in your face.
This is
You can always sign up to Facebook with an alias and not give out personal information. Not that hard to do.
And it's not like you have to do it for every "store", every time. Once is all you need.
KL
ivanhoe6
Joined: April 05, 2007
KitMaker: 2,023 posts
Armorama: 1,234 posts
Posted: Thursday, August 17, 2017 - 05:47 PM UTC
My update: It looks like I've hit a brick wall dealing with Takom. After a few Emails going back and forth the solution was to buy a new kit from Takom direct and they would include the D sprue that I was missing one part off of for $2. No problem buying a kit as I will definitely be getting the new M3 Lee. Catch is, I have to set up a PayPal account to buy it. Well, I'd rather not do that. It would probably be a smart thing to do in general. I'm going to see what it entails to set one up. If it's easy I'll do it. If not, scratch building will be the way to go.
In all fairness to Takom - good communication and a reasonable solution to the problem. Just the PayPal thing......
Have a good weekend everybody !
Tom
In all fairness to Takom - good communication and a reasonable solution to the problem. Just the PayPal thing......
Have a good weekend everybody !
Tom ReluctantRenegade
Joined: March 09, 2016
KitMaker: 2,408 posts
Armorama: 2,300 posts
Posted: Thursday, August 17, 2017 - 06:59 PM UTC
How did you contact Takom?
ivanhoe6
Joined: April 05, 2007
KitMaker: 2,023 posts
Armorama: 1,234 posts
Posted: Thursday, August 17, 2017 - 10:52 PM UTC
Israel, Somehow I couldn't copy the link to the Email but here it is anyway : [email protected]
It was a pain in the a$$ to find it. Got lucky I guess.
My contact person is Queenie.
HTH & good luck !
Tom
It was a pain in the a$$ to find it. Got lucky I guess.
My contact person is Queenie.
HTH & good luck !
Tom
ReluctantRenegade
Joined: March 09, 2016
KitMaker: 2,408 posts
Armorama: 2,300 posts
Posted: Friday, August 18, 2017 - 12:08 AM UTC
Thanks Tom, you've been a great help! I've wrote to the mail appears on their website ([email protected]), but apparently the "02" makes a big difference...
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