(COMMERCIAL) Ongoing issues with Black Cat Bases, recent developments: pp.21ff.

[Dr. The Viking]

Today, I contacted PayPal by phone. I told them, that Black Cat Bases is still collecting money after nearly two years while customers are reporting that they have to open disputes to get their money back. And how their webshop seems to work on its own (automatical pseudo updates and illness-disclaimer). I mentioned, that I also was refunded by PayPal last summer and probably nothing changed since then. Because there are many forum-threads about that topic, one containing 17 pages now (guess which one…). PayPal will check BCB’s account now.

Big thumbs up!

Whether it is by choice or ill fortune, they need to be stopped or told off or something. 

[Too Bo Coo]

Bravo! Needed to be done.

[Quendil]

I found and old business card from them with a mobile number on it if anyone wants to try it.  It is probably from a few years ago though

[CollarSarge]

Hope PayPal will shut down the BCB-account until they are really back again. The employee I talked to visited the BCB-homepage simultaneously and noted all info. But there will be others to process the query. So it certainly will help when other buyers not only open a PayPal dispute but also tell them about the coherence. Don’t know how a former great company could be transformed to worst and how the people deal with their situation. Therefore this way is not about ‘punishing’ BCB by charging them for penalty. But at least it simply could cut off the misuse of collecting money.

And I'm still tempted to order their pipe-smoking fisherman captain again. And many others. Sad situation.

[pacarat]

I'd be happy to just get my $200 back...

[ShortscaleDave]

well it's been over a year now since I ordered £45 of minis and stipulated store pickup.  I have now sent them a message requiring a response and stating that if I have not received an update within 7 days I will visit the store seeking either an update of progress or a refund.  It's a shame to have to waste time and effort like that.

[CollarSarge]

Wish both of you luck but PayPal won’t refund you after missing the deadline.  Perhaps like many others who fell for the illness-disclaimer and had regards on the suffering BCB member. Not knowing that Ben is healthy enough to enjoy a game meeting every Monday like the Moonfleet guy stated on TMP (http://theminiaturespage.com/boards/msg.mv?id=378274). Over here in Germany it would be fraud if someone collects money while knowing that he would/could not deliver. (I’m a jurisprudent). But if more victims would tell Paypal about their experiences, it would be more likely that they shut down the BCB account.

One problem with Paypal is that they accept transactions even when you don’t have a PayPal account (or disable PayPal on eBay). Just for the fees they can collect. But PayPal don’t want to lose money. First they freeze money on a sellers account until they get their fees and are sure there is enough remaining to refund. If there’s no money left it might affect their decision to refund a victim. Because all customer protection is only a voluntary service and no enforcenable claim.  On the other hand, PayPal USA or Europe might not know what happens to customers in different countries. The more people will contact them and send links to LAF or TMP threads, the more chances rise to stop the BCB PayPal account.  But that is up to others.

[commander bernhardt]

There's been a development
A day after opening a dispute with paypal I received a mail saying that the models are on their way. now a few days later the models arrived!

So it is still possible....

[Dr. The Viking]

There's been a development
A day after opening a dispute with paypal I received a mail saying that the models are on their way. now a few days later the models arrived!

So it is still possible....

Ha! I recieved that too, but that was on the last day I could escalate to a claim. Never got the models. Escalated to claim and got the money. 

[Corpus]

Has anyone received an order in the last two months?

It isn't very nice to know that you have only the opportunity to get your models through a paypal claim.

[tomcat51]

It sounds like BCB is just either burying its head in the sand or worse, just trying to get away with it. If they were really having issues then surely they would just close the site. They are just taking the piss now.

[Scruffyzombie]

Hi guys, just registered with lead adventure so I can share this information with you. I will be sticking around for what appears to be a fantastic forum!
I have just found a working number for black at bases at this link. http://www.wheregb.com/black-cat-bases-ltd-489172
I spoke to an actual human, seemed completely casual about the issues and confirmed they are still trading. When I asked whether they were aware of this forum they said they were and they are MOSTLY caught up with orders. I smell a massive pile of BS. I am so angry as imagine others are as I have been waiting for a year for my order. When pressed on the issues the lady abruptly hung up. Do with the link what you will.

The scruffy zombie

[pacarat]

My order is two years overdue....

[Klener Zorn]

OK now i am 99% convinced that they are just taking a pi** at everone !
i just got this mail a few minutes ago


Detailed Invoice
Date Ordered: Thursday 03 April, 2014
The comments for your order are: Hi, sincere apologies for the very long delay which was caused by severe and extended ill health, your order is now on the way, thank you so much for your patience and understanding, if you have another order outstanding it will be on the way as soon as possible, we are catching up as fast as we can and will of course be honouring all order. Jo

Your order has been updated to the following status:
New status: Dispatched
Please reply to this email if you have any questions.


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i will update you if my stuff arrives or not ( i guess not)

edit: Just realized that i cant recieve anything that they may send me because i moved to another city in the meantime and i dont see any point in filing forms that the package may be redirected on the whim of a chance that the models may actually arrive !
I mailed them my new adress...lets see if they aswer my mail.....in about a year that is

[Scruffyzombie]

They are totally taking the piss. Confirmed.

After my comment above I have been phoning non stop. When I got an answer the second time they refused to admit that they were black cat bases, I must have caught them on the hop the first time! I told them I didn't believe them and told them of the letter I was sending to trading standards in Hampshire regarding their activities. Giving them one week to send out the two orders I was chasing. Low and behold a few hours after hanging up on me I had a despatch notice. My order arrived the next day. A full two years after I ofdered. Now if they were genuinly catching up on orders, pacarats order above would be first as his was ordered way before mine.
It seems the only way to get your order is to bully them into submission. I didn't want to, I understand how illness can affect your whole life and business but their lack of honesty is disgusting. Totally vile behaviour. Has anyone else noticed that the info on the front of their website has changed again also. Albeit a subtle variation on the poor us theme again. So they have access to the Internet, and they have the stock. They are just being dicks about the whole thing. My letter is still going to trading standards, It invites them to check this thread so please post if you are still waiting for outstanding orders. Or just ring them non stop like I did.