Problems with Essex Miniatures UK

Gollum9 · Post by **Gollum9** » Fri May 09, 2008 5:26 pm

I am just getting back into ancients (the FOG rulebook drew me in!) and chose Seleucids to start with. After seeing Essex had an offer on I ordered a starter army using their offer (£60 less 10% = £54), which I thought was a good place to start. The postage was £8.50 so I expected to pay £62.50 total. I have been charged £68.58 which includes VAT on postage (which I can find no mention of on the site) and another £4+ charge for (well at this point I really don't know what for). I have sent mails to them and the only possible reasons I have been given are high fuel costs they are charged and the fact that my 2 elephant packs cost more and so the overall pack may have been underpriced in the first place.

The strangest thing is that the resolution given was for me to send the army back to them and get a full refund. If I pay for the postage I have lost more money than just accepting the mistake, and if they pay it is more than the amount in question!

I was just wondering if anyone else had a similar experience as I am really not happy and not sure what to do next.

hazelbark · Post by **hazelbark** » Fri May 09, 2008 5:44 pm

I have always had good service from Essex, albeit it has been their US distributor.

neilhammond · Post by **neilhammond** » Fri May 09, 2008 7:01 pm

I've always had good service from them in the UK over many years. If there is an error they it's almost certainly a genuine mistake. I've never come across them "loading" extra hidden charges. You might try phoning them?

Brainsnaffler · Post by **Brainsnaffler** » Sun May 11, 2008 7:13 am

I had a charge given to me when I ordered my Carthaginians from Baccus. I worked out all of the costings from their online catalogue and then called the order in. In the end, it was about £15 higher than expected because the site didn't include VAT charges. I take the point of charging for this, but I really wish the TOTAL cost would be specified clearly which I don't think it was.

On the up-side, I would accept no substitute for Baccus in 6mm - the quality is superb!

I would think it would be acceptable to expect a VAT charge but if the company cannot justify the extra £4, then why should they expect you to pay it?