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Post by jeffreythancock on Nov 2, 2019 1:16:36 GMT
I hate writing this, but I am at the end of my options. I placed an order with John Roberts of Naismith and Roundway on July 22, 2019. After paying and waiting 2 months with no product and no feedback, I contacted John via email and twice received promises to fulfill my order in 2 weeks. Another month later, no order and now John won't respond to email. Does anyone have a phone number?
I recommend avoiding any purchases from John unless it is at a show with the product in stock.
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Post by paulhannah on Nov 2, 2019 1:35:56 GMT
I get broken-link error messages when I try to access the Naismith / Roundway website. Sadly, that may be your answer.
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Post by martin on Nov 2, 2019 7:30:15 GMT
I’ve asked for info on the new (seemingly well supported) Groups.io Ancmed site....will report back.
Hope he’s ok, and normal service resumes soon.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 2, 2019 8:50:08 GMT
I get broken-link error messages when I try to access the Naismith / Roundway website. I can confirm that the site shows a "We can’t connect to the server at naismithandroundway.co.uk." message. :-( |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 2, 2019 9:01:00 GMT
I’ve asked for info on the new (seemingly well supported) Groups.io Ancmed site....will report back. Link to the thread at ANCMED.io - is.gd/eTjqbL |
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Post by jeffreythancock on Nov 2, 2019 15:36:18 GMT
Lo and behold, my order arrived today. I appreciate John keeping his word and fulfilling my order. Making your hobby a business must be tough, and I hope John finds balance soon.
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Post by paulisper on Nov 2, 2019 17:38:07 GMT
Lo and behold, my order arrived today. I appreciate John keeping his word and fulfilling my order. Making your hobby a business must be tough, and I hope John finds balance soon. Such is the power of Fanaticus  P. |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 26, 2019 9:34:36 GMT
This is a bit of a techie post but it may be of assistance to those suffering similar problems, especially those in the UK:
Phase I - Discovery I wrote to John as his site was down and tonight he replied saying that the web site was working and so was he. So I tried to place an order. Here's what happened: - I tried to get to naismithandroundway.co.uk/ and it gave me a "This page can’t be displayed" error. I got the same result using four (yes 4) different web browsers on one PC and one more on my tablet.
- I also checked using a couple of services like down.com and rather strangely they showed that the server was online. I didn't understand this at all.
- I then used a simple free VPN to change my IP and connect via Sweden and the site worked. I even placed an order!
- Finally people on ANCMED reported no problems accessing the site from the UK.
Something was clearly not right somewhere. I was intrigued. I decided to do a bit of digging and see why this isn't working for me.
Phase II - Problem Identification I clearly had a problem and I was "alone" in this respect.
- On more digging it looked like my current IP address has been blocked by the web server that runs John's site.
- I could get round this using a free VPN from any number of countries; even the UK! I use the Hoxx VPN extension for Firefox which is easy to use.
- Using a few checking tools my current IP, provided by Plusnet, is on a couple of blacklists (this is not uncommon) and this may well be the root cause.
This will hopefully change when Plusnet assign me a new IP address; which they do every so often.
Phase III - Lessons Learnt
If John's site appears down double check with down.com, or some other tool, and if it's online try a VPN as your IP may be blocked too. Final thoughts I have written to John and suggested he checks the blocking with his web hosting company and I hope this post will help others suffering similar problems despite the technical stuff involved.
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Post by Vic on Nov 26, 2019 10:16:33 GMT
I don't want to pile on or anything, but I'm wondering what's going on. I've ordered from John in the past and haven't had a problem, and I appreciate that running the shop in his free time must be quite taxing, but I'm perplexed that you've been able to talk to John, Martin.
Back in early September I placed an order for a few codes to round off my Koreans. I didn't hear back from him for a while, but that's fine - I'd enjoy a bit more information but I'm in no hurry so I don't mind waiting a month or two if I know the figures will eventually come. A month or so later, I received a package, but unfortunately the figures were wrong - I had ordered packs from the Samurai & Far East range (with codes Sxx) and what came was the same code numbers, but NSxx - so from the Napoleonic Spanish range - a perfectly straightforward mistake. I contacted John to explain the situation, adding a photograph, and offered to send the wrong minis back as I had no use for them. After a reminder a few days later, John responded, saying that there was no problem and he'd get the packs ready to ship as soon as he received the Napoleonic packs - so perfect outcome. I sent them back the next day and let him know. This was back in mid-October, however, and I haven't heard anything else from him. I wrote again to ask if he had received the minis and everything was OK a fortnight ago, but so far I've got radio silence.
I don't know what to do, other than spamming his mail regularly - something that, obviously, I'd prefer not to do.
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Post by Tony Aguilar on Nov 27, 2019 14:02:18 GMT
I have ordered from John several times and each time I have had to follow up to make sure he gets my communication.
I haven't had a problem getting anything from him, but it is a bit disconcerting when you don't receive a reply when you email him.
He is a nice enough fellow, but not sure if health/other work is what is to blame for slow communication.
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Post by Vic on Aug 5, 2020 15:31:08 GMT
Has anyone been in contact with John lately? Is he active?
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Post by Peter Feinler on Aug 6, 2020 3:28:05 GMT
I put in an order in April this year and after waiting a couple of months I sent an email to find out what was happening. John did respond within a couple of days or so and said he had been ill and undertook to complete the order. I received it about 3 weeks later (in Australis). So it looks like he's still in business but service may still be patchy.
Peter
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nikg
Munifex
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Post by nikg on Aug 7, 2020 8:35:20 GMT
I ordered some stuff in June and it took just over a month to arrive. Likewise a friend who ordered about the same time. I did chase but had no reply to my email - but as the stuff turned up it worked out if a bit concerning for a while.
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