Is this the death toll for Modelzone?

[takeslousyphotos]

........ and whilst we lament the passing of Modelzone (if indeed that happens).......... Perhaps we should spare a thought for all the independent retailers, not just model shops, that have been put out of business by large retail chains ....... and tha patronage given to them by customers...........

Peter

[Gern]

........ and whilst we lament the passing of Modelzone (if indeed that happens).......... Perhaps we should spare a thought for all the independent retailers, not just model shops, that have been put out of business by large retail chains ....... and tha patronage given to them by customers...........Peter

Quite right Peter. You get what you pay for - and if you don't pay High St/corner shop prices, you lose your High St/corner shop.

To be fair though, it's not all one-sided. Many High St shops seem to have lost the basic idea: you have to supply what the customer wants - variety and service. A wide range on the shelf in your shop and the willingness/ability to go get what you don't keep already. I once asked my local MZ at Merry Hill for a Revell paint colour they didn't have on their display stand. Their reply was "If it ain't there, we can't get it!"

Gern

[Guest]

In Jersey the model shops just do not get it. Go for acrylics I say every time I enter the shop. For the youngsters it is so much easier & cleaner (and for mother). But no they cling to Humbrol Enamel.

Tell them, there are 3 of them, acrylics Oh why what. Nuts !

Laurie

[Guest]

Well the website is now down with the notice of the administrators

ModelZone

Update - someone on Facebook just stated a manager at a store has been given 9 days before the axe falls!

[Guest]

So is everything going cheap for nine days?

[Vaughan]

I'm off down to Modelzone this morning to spend my voucher, lets hope they're still open for business.

[Vaughan]

Just been to Modelzone in the hope they were still trading. The store looked as normal with offers in the windows of 20% discount on selected items so no change there. Staff said that they had only found out yesterday by email of the receivership issues. I said are the vouchers still valid they said yes but only to half there value, this is really galling as my son had bought the voucher. Anyway I purchased a model a Hasegawa 1/32 Fw190 A5 and the new Humbrol clear acrylic varnish and Decalfix(its not available in the only existing model shop, Langleys, left in Norwich).

Here's hoping that the staff don't lose thier jobs as there was talk of store closures. I'm still annoyed abut the voucher as my son doesn't earn a great salary.

It's like going into Tesco and purchasing £10 worth of food, handing over a £20 note and then being given no change. Modelzone still have my sons money but there's nothing I can do.:sad:

[Guest]

If the store hasn't gone into liquidation and/or closed down then im sure theyre obliged to offer full redemption for the voucher.

If the store is noted officially as in receivership or liquidated then the voucher owner becomes an unsecured creditor and has to register a claim with the liquidation company, the claim will be considered when all the main creditors/banks/shop staff have been paid (so no chance really)

Offering half value just seems to be their way (legal or not) to pay out less than whats been taken in and I'll bet it wasn't written on the terms and conditions that should be either printed on the voucher or the customer told in person or directed towards an online copy.

Myself and business partner went through all this when we wanted to offer vouchers for photography services at our shop, too much red tape ... So we didn't bother.

If offering half measures is acceptable by law these days then it stinks and you and your lad have my sympathy.

[Guest]

Answer do not trust these companies.

Photographer I have worked with handed over in the morning £7000 for his international advertising for the year. In the afternoon the company were declared bankrupt.

Death of trust & voucher presents.

Laurie

[Vaughan]

Just looked at my receipt from Modelzone and they gave me the full £20 on my voucher their till can't have been adjusted to take half the value. I'm one happy man:thumbsup:

[Guest]

good news Vaughan, lets hope it works that way for a few others before they realise

[Guest]

Just to add to the sad news of modelzone,their Ebay shop has stopped trading.The shop is still there but there is no stock.

[ojays]

I spoke to the staff at our MZ this morning and was told they close shop on the 17th!

Gregg

[Dave W]

Visited Modelzone at Lakeside shopping centre yesterday.Closing in seven days time says a notice outside the shop.Still a few shelves of kits on sale.Mostly Academy and not discounted by much.

[Guest]

I have to say i don't really hold with people losing their jobs, however with the death of model zone the local corner shops might well start attracting more business again which could see local shop prices fall a bit. My local shop in birkenhead are and have always been very helpful in the sense that if they don't have it they can usually get it in and quickly too, I was never a huge fan of MZ as they never seemed to have anything i wanted and most especially needed so i won't be sorry to see them go... i have had one or two bargins there but thats all really. As for the internet i do use the net but i have to say iam a little old fashioned and like the freindly atmosphere in my local shop as they do go out of their way to try to accomodate my needs.

scott