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Other Stuff => Bazaar of Obscurities => Commercial => Topic started by: robh on December 24, 2015, 08:32:50 PM

Title: (COMMERCIAL) BTD 4 day sale.....half price on historical and fantasy ranges
Post by: robh on December 24, 2015, 08:32:50 PM
Black Tree have announced a 4 day end of year sale, 25% discount on Doctor Who ranges and 50% discount on all historical infantry and all the fantasy ranges, ends Sunday night.

http://eoeorbisuk.com/ (http://eoeorbisuk.com/)    UK/European site
http://eoeorbis.com/ (http://eoeorbis.com/)       USA site
Title: Re: Black Tree Designs 4 day sale.....half price on historical and fantasy ranges
Post by: Rhoderic on December 24, 2015, 09:04:24 PM
Damn it. I thought the 40% off everything sale last month was the best I was going to get and jumped on that. I'd have saved a good £40 had I waited (yeah, I made a very big order for almost £300).

I think the discount in the Doctor Who section is in fact 50% as well. The figures are cheaper now than when I bought them at 40% off. (Still fairly dear at over £2 per figure, though.)
Title: Re: Black Tree Designs 4 day sale.....half price on historical and fantasy ranges
Post by: robh on December 25, 2015, 12:16:08 PM
I just picked up enough Zulu War British and NNC figures for a complete force for T&T or "Men Who Would Be King" for less than it would have cost in plastics.....amazing.

This is just the first part of the sale, I get the impression that different parts of the ranges will be similarly discounted after Sunday.....Zulu War Artillery at these sort of prices
  :o
Title: Re: (COMMERCIAL) BTD 4 day sale.....half price on historical and fantasy ranges
Post by: Jacksarge on January 22, 2016, 08:52:49 AM
I bought some stuff from them in the sale....12 days later still no confirmation of dispatch. I emailed them, but no response. ???
A quick look on their public Facebook page shows that I'm not alone, some blokes have been waiting 20 days after multiple emails, & still nothing: https://www.facebook.com/blacktreedesignminiatures/

Sales are a great thing, and I guess they may be running around like headless chickens trying to get their stock organised....but a little bit of communication goes a long way to keeping the customer happy.

Anyone else having the same issues?
Title: Re: (COMMERCIAL) BTD 4 day sale.....half price on historical and fantasy ranges
Post by: Mr Brown on January 22, 2016, 09:15:04 AM
I had a long wait last year after their Holiday sale but everything turned up eventually. It is easy to forget that almost all wargames companies (I'm averaging out the very small one man in a shed types with the larger GW esque level beasts) are small operations which can can quickly become swamped. The sale items I received this year, as with last, were newly cast to order. Factor in how long it can take to get casters to make your figures, coupled with a big sale and you can end up with delays. This can be further hampered through staff illness, issues etc.

I appreciate how annoying it is when something you order does not arrive in a timely manner. It can be further compounded by a lack of communication. I've had to wait considerable time for figures from BTD but they have always arrived and they have always arrived in good, well cast condition. Not much consolation I guess but I'd suggest you give it another week or two. If all else fails you can start a refund based on the manner in which you paid?
Title: Re: (COMMERCIAL) BTD 4 day sale.....half price on historical and fantasy ranges
Post by: Jacksarge on January 22, 2016, 09:45:59 AM
Thanks for that, I'll give them a couple more weeks. I paid via PayPal, so at least I can open a dispute resolution with them if it continues.
Title: Re: (COMMERCIAL) BTD 4 day sale.....half price on historical and fantasy ranges
Post by: Rhoderic on January 22, 2016, 10:28:08 AM
For what it's worth, I can confirm that at the moment they're in the process of casting at least some of their things to order. I received most of the items in that mammoth order I made two months back, but a few things are still to be sent in a second shipment because for whatever reason they're taking time to get cast up. They've offered me some free packs for the trouble (although, again, I did make a very large order so I can't guarantee everyone will be getting that same offer).
Title: Re: (COMMERCIAL) BTD 4 day sale.....half price on historical and fantasy ranges
Post by: robh on January 22, 2016, 10:53:46 AM
I made 2 orders during the sale, received one early last week and one this morning. I do know that during 2 weeks of sale they got more orders than they would normally in 3 months so they are kinda busy.

From previous discussions I have had with them very little in their range is held as "stock", most orders being cast as required.
Title: Re: (COMMERCIAL) BTD 4 day sale.....half price on historical and fantasy ranges
Post by: joroas on January 22, 2016, 10:54:15 AM
Their Zulu War range looks good ..... and then you notice the lack of any mounted figures!!!!!
Title: Re: (COMMERCIAL) BTD 4 day sale.....half price on historical and fantasy ranges
Post by: Mr.J on January 22, 2016, 11:44:06 AM
I'm in a similar position, placed a reasonable order 12 days ago, emailed and PM'd on FB and not heard back BUT there are a number of messages stating that they are swamped atm so I am not overly concerned yet.

Like you I paid over Paypal so can raise a dispute but won't be doing so just yet as I'm keen to get the figures. I placed a small order some time ago and the service I received was excellent. My only concern is they did have a bad reputation a few years ago but they do seem to have overcome that.
Title: Re: (COMMERCIAL) BTD 4 day sale.....half price on historical and fantasy ranges
Post by: Mr.J on January 23, 2016, 09:54:25 AM
I've just noticed that BTD have launched yet another 50% off sale. I'm now slightly peeved as they still seem to be having issues with fulfilling orders from their previous one.
Title: Re: (COMMERCIAL) BTD 4 day sale.....half price on historical and fantasy ranges
Post by: beefcake on January 23, 2016, 10:02:15 AM
BTD always have sales on it seems. I think it is their modus operandi. They just change what is being on sale a lot.

I made an order around Xmas time. It took a while but did arrive.
Title: Re: (COMMERCIAL) BTD 4 day sale.....half price on historical and fantasy ranges
Post by: Lowtardog on January 23, 2016, 10:18:08 AM
yep, its monthly if not weekly business model with products rotating.

I have ordered from them several timeslast year. I think you need to expect slower service than you may be used to. Not what people want to hear but its the case and has been for a long time with BTD
Title: Re: (COMMERCIAL) BTD 4 day sale.....half price on historical and fantasy ranges
Post by: Atheling on January 23, 2016, 12:55:06 PM
yep, its monthly if not weekly business model with products rotating.

I have ordered from them several timeslast year. I think you need to expect slower service than you may be used to. Not what people want to hear but its the case and has been for a long time with BTD

I don't know about the company now, but a few years ago it was a very long wait.

Cheers,
Darrell.
Title: Re: (COMMERCIAL) BTD 4 day sale.....half price on historical and fantasy ranges
Post by: Mr.J on January 23, 2016, 07:41:59 PM
I avoided ordering off them for years then placed one a year or so ago and it arrived fine. This ones just frustrating as I'm getting no responses. I get they're busy but it is poor.
Title: Re: (COMMERCIAL) BTD 4 day sale.....half price on historical and fantasy ranges
Post by: Drunkendwarf on January 23, 2016, 07:50:01 PM
Their Zulu War range looks good ..... and then you notice the lack of any mounted figures!!!!!

I was also a bit surprised; they use to have british lancer in their Zulu war range.

DJ
Title: Re: (COMMERCIAL) BTD 4 day sale.....half price on historical and fantasy ranges
Post by: Rhoderic on January 23, 2016, 08:35:43 PM
I was also a bit surprised; they use to have british lancer in their Zulu war range.

I have the impression that BTD is retiring old products piecemeal as the moulds run ragged and stock runs out. Some of the ranges don't seem to be as "complete" as they once were.

Interestingly though, they seem to be advertising for sculptors (or "designers", which I assume to mean sculptors) for both historicals and fantasy. I don't think they've released anything new in a long, long time (although they've had some finished sculpts - including pirates and WWII stuff - knocking about, waiting for a chance to be moulded and cast, for a long time as well). According to their "About Us" page they're also planning to release a range of paints and hobby accessories in 2016. They also mention plans to release "games", which I suppose must mean rulebooks (and possibly box sets).

Browsing their Facebook page reveals that their business seems to be stumbling on various genuine problems on a regular basis (a family emergency, a co-worker having a heart attack, a warehouse move, the company that does their casting unexpectedly closing shop for two weeks because of the flu, that sort of problems). At least they're being up front about it.
Title: Re: (COMMERCIAL) BTD 4 day sale.....half price on historical and fantasy ranges
Post by: Mr.J on January 23, 2016, 10:47:14 PM
Quote
I have the impression that BTD is retiring old products piecemeal as the moulds run ragged and stock runs out. Some of the ranges don't seem to be as "complete" as they once were.

I read somewhere on their fb page that they were remoulding some of their packs which is why there are gaps in some of the ranges.

Quote
Browsing their Facebook page reveals that their business seems to be stumbling on various genuine problems on a regular basis (a family emergency, a co-worker having a heart attack, a warehouse move, the company that does their casting unexpectedly closing shop for two weeks because of the flu, that sort of problems). At least they're being up front about it.

I have every sympathy for their troubles but if they impact on their business maybe they should consider closing the store in the same manner as Khurasan do when they are unavailable.
Title: Re: (COMMERCIAL) BTD 4 day sale.....half price on historical and fantasy ranges
Post by: Dolmot on January 23, 2016, 11:02:27 PM
I got a shipping confirmation for my New Year order on Wednesday.

And I remember when their "summer sale" was extended so many times that it turned into a Christmas sale with no breaks whatsoever. lol
Title: Re: (COMMERCIAL) BTD 4 day sale.....half price on historical and fantasy ranges
Post by: Belgian on January 25, 2016, 07:37:28 PM
Ordered somewhere late 2015, my order arrived today. Some missing packs but the note said these were coming soon. Worth the wait excellent sculpts at very good prices. Wondering why Black Tree Design isn't more popular, the sculpts are very nice.
Title: Re: (COMMERCIAL) BTD 4 day sale.....half price on historical and fantasy ranges
Post by: Mr.J on January 25, 2016, 08:53:10 PM
Quote
Wondering why Black Tree Design isn't more popular, the sculpts are very nice.

They had a bit of a reputation a few years ago which put people off. I hope they have turned that corner now, it certainly appears that they are on their way too. Also the images on the website don't do the minis justice at all.
Title: Re: (COMMERCIAL) BTD 4 day sale.....half price on historical and fantasy ranges
Post by: beefcake on January 25, 2016, 09:01:02 PM
I was very impressed with the quality of the castings I received from them. Price is very good especially when you catch them on a sale.
Title: Re: (COMMERCIAL) BTD 4 day sale.....half price on historical and fantasy ranges
Post by: Mr.J on January 29, 2016, 10:18:22 PM
I just think that it is worth saying that although I haven't had a formal reply to my written inquiries I did make a phonecall earlier in the week which was answered and I am pretty happy.

The result of which is I know have 16 packs out of the 20 ordered and an update on those I am waiting for. Beside this of the 20 packs that I have ordered I have only paid for 17 and am awaiting an invoice for 3.

Although initially the customer service wasn't amazing I am reasonably satisfied thus far. I'll let you know how the rest of my transaction transpires.

 
Title: Re: (COMMERCIAL) BTD 4 day sale.....half price on historical and fantasy ranges
Post by: Jericho on January 30, 2016, 08:50:49 AM
So I gather if you wait long enough you will receive your order?

Because I ordered 7 packs on december 29th and we're now just over a month later...
Sent an E-mail yesterday, but I shouldn't hold my breath for a response according to this thread.
Title: Re: (COMMERCIAL) BTD 4 day sale.....half price on historical and fantasy ranges
Post by: joroas on January 30, 2016, 09:20:26 AM
Reminds me of the old adage:  You can have the work cheap, fast or excellent, but you can only choose two of the three .........
Title: Re: (COMMERCIAL) BTD 4 day sale.....half price on historical and fantasy ranges
Post by: Dolmot on January 30, 2016, 09:42:14 AM
So I gather if you wait long enough you will receive your order

I cannot guarantee that personally for everyone, but I placed mine on Dec 27 and received it this Wednesday so quite exactly 1 month cart-to-door.

A shipping confirmation was sent in my case. If you haven't got even that, it's admittedly quite sluggish. Nevertheless, I'd count it as inefficiency, not an outright scam.
Title: Re: (COMMERCIAL) BTD 4 day sale.....half price on historical and fantasy ranges
Post by: Jericho on January 30, 2016, 10:32:23 AM
I cannot guarantee that personally for everyone, but I placed mine on Dec 27 and received it this Wednesday so quite exactly 1 month cart-to-door.

A shipping confirmation was sent in my case. If you haven't got even that, it's admittedly quite sluggish. Nevertheless, I'd count it as inefficiency, not an outright scam.

All I have got is the order confirmation. No shipping confirmation so far.
Title: Re: (COMMERCIAL) BTD 4 day sale.....half price on historical and fantasy ranges
Post by: Rhoderic on January 30, 2016, 11:46:45 AM
It seems to me that some specific items are taking them an especially long time to re-stock. How soon you'll get your stuff can depend on what exactly you've ordered. I'm still waiting for some wood elves, high elves, helsinians, a walrus and a couple of Doctor Who figures that didn't come with the previous parcel.
Title: Re: (COMMERCIAL) BTD 4 day sale.....half price on historical and fantasy ranges
Post by: Jericho on January 30, 2016, 12:31:45 PM
I ordered historicals: 4 packs of German chiefs & champions and 3 packs of late Roman armoured infantry.
Title: Re: (COMMERCIAL) BTD 4 day sale.....half price on historical and fantasy ranges
Post by: Belgian on January 31, 2016, 09:02:26 PM
I ordered historicals: 4 packs of German chiefs & champions and 3 packs of late Roman armoured infantry.

Also ordered the German chiefs and they are splendid! Ideal to be used for Lord of the Rings Dunlendings alternatives.
Title: Re: (COMMERCIAL) BTD 4 day sale.....half price on historical and fantasy ranges
Post by: Jericho on February 03, 2016, 07:37:50 PM
Just wanted to let people know I received my package today and the stuff looks great, well worth the wait after all.
I got a response from John Olsen at BTD and before you knew it was mailed.
I'll be ordering there again when my funds and the lead mountain permit me  8)
Title: Re: (COMMERCIAL) BTD 4 day sale.....half price on historical and fantasy ranges
Post by: robh on February 03, 2016, 07:45:45 PM
I received my package today and the stuff looks great, well worth the wait after all.

Good news.
BlackTree have really sorted themselves out and the problems of a few years ago are a thing of the past.
Great figures, good quality castings, amazing prices and reliable service. Can't ask for more really.
Title: Re: (COMMERCIAL) BTD 4 day sale.....half price on historical and fantasy ranges
Post by: londoncalling on February 04, 2016, 09:01:52 AM
Yup I can also back this up, bought a load of zulu war stuff in Christmas sale. I think it took about 1 month to turn up, which I am happy to attribute to holiday period plus they were probably deluged and maybe casting to order.

Package included a note to say 2 items outstanding. These were then sent a week or so later.

Very happy with product and pricing, also received email updates.
Title: Re: (COMMERCIAL) BTD 4 day sale.....half price on historical and fantasy ranges
Post by: Mr.J on February 04, 2016, 09:50:38 AM
Still waiting on the second part of my order but I'm not overly concerned, I just wanted to chime in again and praise the quality of the sculpts and the castings. Out of the 100 or so minis I bought I have one which has a very slight miscast but is still very serviceable. Very good!
Title: Re: (COMMERCIAL) BTD 4 day sale.....half price on historical and fantasy ranges
Post by: Jacksarge on February 15, 2016, 09:46:42 PM
Anyone got any updates on receiving their orders?
I still haven't received mine from the 10th January, so well over a month.
Just checked their FB page and it looks like a number of people still not receiving their orders.
I just don't know how long to wait before opening some sort of dispute through PayPal. I wouldn't mind so much if they would just shoot me an email to say how things are progressing.
Title: Re: (COMMERCIAL) BTD 4 day sale.....half price on historical and fantasy ranges
Post by: Mr.J on February 15, 2016, 10:24:47 PM
Still waiting on 3 packs and loads of shields as part of my order.
Title: Re: (COMMERCIAL) BTD 4 day sale.....half price on historical and fantasy ranges
Post by: Jacksarge on February 15, 2016, 10:57:52 PM
Sigh...I just opened a Non receipt dispute with PayPal in the hope that BTD might actually talk to me...even just a little email would do. 37 days without any communication is too long I think.
Title: Re: (COMMERCIAL) BTD 4 day sale.....half price on historical and fantasy ranges
Post by: Mr.J on February 16, 2016, 03:26:39 PM
I must admit I haven't received any formal contact at all, I rang them and spoke to someone and chivvied along my partial order but haven't been able to speak to them again. The figures are very nice and I'm sure I'll get the rest at some point but I am beginning to think is it worth the bother. Which is a shame as I had planned on adding to my order to complete my army but I'm in two minds now.
Title: Re: (COMMERCIAL) BTD 4 day sale.....half price on historical and fantasy ranges
Post by: Jacksarge on February 16, 2016, 10:14:57 PM
I must admit I haven't received any formal contact at all, I rang them and spoke to someone and chivvied along my partial order but haven't been able to speak to them again. The figures are very nice and I'm sure I'll get the rest at some point but I am beginning to think is it worth the bother. Which is a shame as I had planned on adding to my order to complete my army but I'm in two minds now.

Yep, I feel the same. Like you said, it's a shame as the figures look cool. But we are not in the 1980's any more when folks used to send off their mail order form in the post with a cheque and not expect to hear anything for months - email has been around for years, and things are different.
Title: Re: (COMMERCIAL) BTD 4 day sale.....half price on historical and fantasy ranges
Post by: Jacksarge on February 17, 2016, 02:53:52 AM
Good News!
After raising a non-receipt of goods claim through PayPal, plus sending another email to John Olsen to alert him to this, I received the following email:

Quote
Thanks for your email.

My sincere apologies for the delay with your order and for not replying to your earlier email.

Our Big Sale went much better than expected and caused some chaos and delays. Our casters have been struggling to catch up. We are very close. Your order has been shipped to you today and should arrive with you in about a week. I am very sorry that your first order with us was so much trouble.

I'm thankful I paid with PayPal. Looking forward to receiving the miniatures  :) (all being well  ;) )
Title: Re: (COMMERCIAL) BTD 4 day sale.....half price on historical and fantasy ranges
Post by: Hawkeye on February 24, 2016, 09:10:16 PM
Just want to chime in with my good experience with BTD. I ordered some Orcs after Christmas, and while it took a few weeks for the order to arrive, it did arrive. The price per model is very reasonable, the Orc miniatures I ordered are fantastic, and other than taking a little while, everything went smoothly. I'll be ordering from BTD again soon.
Title: Re: (COMMERCIAL) BTD 4 day sale.....half price on historical and fantasy ranges
Post by: Mr.J on March 03, 2016, 06:36:07 PM
I had a small parcel delivered today with the remainder of my order. It was posted exactly one month after the first parcel and nearly two months after the order was made. In this time I have no email response or reply to my PM on Facebook. I have however been able to speak to someone over the phone on several occasions who has been very polite and helpful. Of the c.100 figures I have bought I have had one slightly miscast mini but nothing dramatic or that cant be fixed reasonably easily, the rest have been top notch. I even have three extra packs of figures that I inquired about thrown in for free (whether as a gesture or in error I am not sure) I like to think it was a nice move for the delay.

All in all great figures but the turnaround and communication has been poor. I could overlook this had the turnaround had been slow but the communication be good but this was not the case. I will probably have another punt when their next sale throws up something I fancy to see how hit and miss their service is and whether I have just been unfortunate in what I have ordered corresponding with low stock and their warehouse move.
Title: Re: (COMMERCIAL) BTD 4 day sale.....half price on historical and fantasy ranges
Post by: Dr. The Viking on March 12, 2016, 09:01:21 AM
I have been waiting since December for my package now,...

I have mailed them thrice, contacted them via their online form and via facebook,

Through Facebook I got a reply saying that the American people would nudge the British ones into action, but nothing has happened,.

I guess I will have to file a dispute at Paypal then,.
Title: Re: (COMMERCIAL) BTD 4 day sale.....half price on historical and fantasy ranges
Post by: Dr. The Viking on March 14, 2016, 03:57:54 PM
Amazing... I opened up a PayPal conversation about the missing package... and minutes later it arrived!


So now I feel like a turd for complaining. Even though it's been since December.
Title: Re: (COMMERCIAL) BTD 4 day sale.....half price on historical and fantasy ranges
Post by: Chairface on April 20, 2016, 03:58:55 AM
Took advantage of the free shipping offer for a few minis I've been wanting and voila, it came today, just over a week from the UK to Canada. Top notch