A message from Robert & Malcolm at RMLectronics

ROYAL MAIL POSTAL CHARGE INCREASE

 

You will probably be well aware that Royal Mail has increased charges commensurate with the size and weight of parcels.

We feel that we have been put in a difficult position in relation to charging postage on orders, and we are not alone.

 

The postage charge of parcels has all but doubled generally.

 

At present we send our parcels "Signed For" as, prior to this, some were allegedly going "missing". When parcels go missing, it causes us a lot of administration work outside ‘the norm’. However, for now at least, the loss of parcels appears to have ceased.

 

The reason we send our parcels “signed for” is to extend the integrity of our quality to you and to ensure that our customers ‘get what they pay for’.

 

Royal Mail now grades their Parcels as small, medium & large. Depending into which bracket the parcel fits, this then decides the rate which is again variable by weight.

 

Regrettably, therefore, our Postage & Packing charges will be increased "across the board" with effect from Saturday 28^th April 2013.

 

If, however, in cases where the actual Postage charge is found to be much less than  £10.00, we will issue a part refund in goodwill where possible. Please note that this will not be applied automatically and each charge will be checked per. individual case.

 

Please note that the price we charge is not only a Postal Charge, although this does form the greater cost, but the price also reflects the cost of materials and time.

 

Personal Customers : Our “flat rate" to customers will increase to £10.00 per order.

 

Trade/Retailer orders : Due to the larger size, parcels will increase to a "flat rate" of £10.00, and any charge in excess of this, nominally, will be invoiced "at cost".

 

RMLectronics will always seek to send your goods at the most economically viable cost but we will not compromise the safety and quality of our products in transit as far as we are able. Goods “in transit” are, obviously, the responsibility of the carrier but we will try to ensure, by selecting the most appropriate delivery service that goods arrive safely and in reasonable time.

On occasions we may seek other carriers depending on the size and content of the parcel.

A signature will nearly always be required irrespective of carrier.

Thank you for your understanding on this issue.

 

RMLectronics

April 2013

Welcome to the RML Blog for December 2012.

Hello all, and welcome to the Blog for December..........

                First I would like to extend our sympathy to all those affected by the continuing floods in the South, and parts of Wales. It can’t have been easy, and we sincerely hope all is returned to normal before too long, and the ‘clean-up operation’ - and Insurance claims - can be settled quickly and without further stress and inconvenience. Best wishes for a successful outcome.

                As a young lad, growing up in the West Riding, we never seemed to be affected by floods where we lived. We were on the top of the hill, though, and not far from Leeds Bradford Airport (called then, by my Dad, Yeadon Aerodrome), which now holds claim to being the highest Commercial Airport in the UK. It is often difficult for planes to land due to high wind and cross-winds. We once experienced this effect when returning from holiday when the Pilot & First Officer couldn’t put the plane down due to an “air-pocket” which kept it twelve feet off the runway. There was no option than to increase thrust and go round for another try! Scary at the time, but expertly controlled. Thankfully!

                So, the Hull Model Railway Show was, once again, a success for all involved. The hosts, the Hull Miniature Railway Society, produced a super show and gave us expert hospitality. Thank you to all involved. We must also record our thanks to the hundreds of visitors who came through the door and visited our Stand. Customers from North, South, East and West all came to say hello. I think the furthest travelled were customers from the West Coast of the UK who braved the cold winter morning to travel across the Pennines. It was a cold and foggy start to the weekend and we were grateful to all who came, and to those customers who came specifically to see us.

                Well, my Blue Pullman arrived and what an absolute beauty it is! I think there is little doubt that the model, in its various forms, 00, N, Yellow End or plain end, will be a sell-out. It is just superb and all I can say is, that if you can afford it, or need to save for it then do just that; you won’t be disappointed! I’ll try and upload some pictures in the New Year.

                Our Website has been the over-riding subject of the month and, unfortunately, we have been plagued with difficulties. Malcolm has coordinated the issues with our Site provider and we hope that, at least, many of the issues are resolved. I apologise to those Customers who have had to wait a little longer than usual for the goods. At one stage we had to revert to paper methods to administer the orders. That seems odd practice these days, but never the less it worked. When ordering on-line it was customary for us to send an acknowledgement and order number. This part of the system was of some concern and we were unable to access order details. That issue is now sorted and we have had to change some procedures in relation to it. However this now takes a little longer and customers should now receive an acknowledgement. Hopefully, by Christmas, we should be sorted out.

                Our charging for Postage & Packing also went awry but this is now working. Only £3.50 per order will be charged for the next twelve months as our price revisions have now been set to occur in October each year.

                A number of commissions have been completed this year and we are grateful to all those customers who, in turn, have written or emailed to thank us for the work we do. We really do enjoy making up products “to order” and this is a welcome diversion from our main thrust of work.

                Christmas Holiday closing this year will be a little longer than usual. We will be carrying out a comprehensive stock-take and have a good tidy up session in the new workshop!

Orders can still be placed, but the acknowledgements may take a little longer.

We will close on Friday 21^stDecember 2012 and begin trading again on Tuesday 8^thJanuary 2013.

It only remains for me to say ‘thank you’ for your custom in 2012, and to wish each and every one of you our very best wishes for Christmas and a successful, healthy and prosperous New Year.

Season’s Greetings, and happy modelling.

From Robert, Malcolm and the Team.

Welcome to the RML Blog for November 2012.

Hello all, We hope all’s well in your part of the World.

            With the clocks going back last weekend it now signals the onset of the Winter Exhibition Season! Our next Exhibition is on ‘home turf’ at the Costello Stadium, Hull. This is a very important and respectable exhibition for us. We like being invited to this traditional show which always provides first class exhibits as well as respected trade support. If you are in the area or feel the need to see a quality show, then please come along, say ‘hello’ and have a look & buy our products “Factory Fresh”. Details can be found on our ‘Links’ page and of course we look forward to welcoming you.

            There’s just a few ‘shopping days’ ‘til Christmas the Hull Exhibition will give you an opportunity to look for that special gift, stocking filler, or that Christmas treat you’ve been promising yourself and saving up for all year!

            Hot on the release stage – and bang on schedule for Christmas (!), is Bachmann’s Blue Pullman, in 00 and N gauge. We have read that major retailers are already receiving their stock. I need say little more, but the fact is, that there is certainly an exciting ‘buzz’ about this imminent release and it is sure to feature in the front pages of the Modelling Press. Exciting times! Mine is ‘on order’ and I’m sure that the “child-like thrill” will occur when the Postman calls!

My Great Auntie shopped at Kirbys Toy & Model Shop in Bridlington (now long gone, but the building is still there). They had a brown paper wrapping dispenser. When it was near a birthday or Christmas, it was a great thrill to see the postman coming down the path with a brown paper parcel under his arm - A gift from Auntie at Bridlington. She also sealed the string at the back with red wax and an indented ‘seal’. The thrill is the same, but soon dashed when I realise it’s my pockets which are empty now!

            We recently had some excellent exposure from ‘Railway Modeller’ and we thank Steve Flint, Editor, for requesting a selection of our products for review. Our reviews graced the Pages of the August and September editions. However, some of the prices quoted in the magazine have been superseded by our October price revision but we do still have a few pieces of pre-increase stock which will be available at the Hull Exhibition..

            In relation to prices. It is unfortunate, and we held off as long as we could, but the prices of raw and finished materials have risen sharply during the Summer. Needless to say we have had to increase our prices to an extent that we’re really quite sorry that this is so. There has only been one overall price increase in the last three years and during that time we didn’t charge any postage & packing either. We have now had to increase our prices and charge postage on all our products but we hope that you, the paying customer will understand the situation we are in. Practically all major retailers – (who have far superior buying power) – charge postage & packing. Some even charge per item.

            For retail sales we are charging only £3.50 per order which, when you look at other retailers is, we think, a very fair price. We are still producing high quality handmade goods; we would like to be absolutely clear about this. We are not into automated “mass-production”.

            Thank you to all the customers who have sent their good wishes following my recent spell in hospital, again, but I have been in the background and getting in the way. Malcolm has been a great help and I thank him for his enormous help recently and lightening the load.

Remember to look out for our new products for the year which are beginning to take shape and added to the Website - Barley Twist Lamp - Swan neck wall lamp - Pickering Station Lamp (North Yorkshire ex NER) - Smoke Units for both Locos and Buildings - ‘0’ gauge Buffer Stop -  uprated Flashing Rear Light Kit - LED strip - Layout wire in various colours - Flickering Fire in Oil Drum – Red or Orange, still very popular

Hope to hear from you and see you soon.

Happy Modelling and Best Wishes,

Robert, Malcolm and the Team.

Welcome to the RML Blog for October 2012.

Life at RML has had its ups and downs, but now we’re back ‘on right track’ again we’re gearing up for a busy Exhibition Season and preparing orders leading up to Christmas!

Thank you to all the customers who have sent their good wishes following my recent spell in hospital, again, but I have been in the background and getting in the way1 Malcolm has been a great help and I thank him for his enormous help recently and lightening the load.

At the recent Railway Modelling Exhibition at Pickering, courtesy of the Scarborough and District Model Railway Club, it was good to see so many friends who we have become acquainted with in many ways, both in person and through our website. Our Trade stand was very well placed amongst likeminded traders and an excellent weekend was had by all. Thank you for coming to say “Hello”.

Our good friend Ian Harper was exhibiting “Haymarket Cross” which features many of our products. If ever you see this layout in the advertising press, pre exhibition, do try to make the venue as seeing this layout alone is well worth the entry fee!

Ian also won the “Best Layout in Show” category, and well deserved it was too.

I met up with a number of modellers from our “home” club, Hull Miniature Railway Society, and Peter Goss was showing the construction progress of his next scratch-built creation “World’s End” which includes the immediate area of Knaresborough Station, with its magnificent viaduct approach, river and houses. I shall say no more on the subject as it may not have a further outing until completion, but what a fantastic model this is going to be. Peter’s mainstream Layout “Rowlands Castle” is another one of those layouts which should not be missed. It’s a beautiful recreation of WW2 troop activity at, and around, the Station and Village. Quite simply, it’s brilliant. (There are Spitfire & Hurricane sound effects too!).

On the subject of North Yorkshire, “Scalby Station” layout made its last appearance before being offered for sale. This will probably have fallen into the hands of a private collector as a ‘show-piece’ and what a lovely representation of Scalby and the Yorkshire Countryside in an unusual, but fitting, crescent shaped layout. I was willing to prepare a bid had it not been sold on the day....but I’ve not heard any more. Whoever bought it has a real gem on their hands and it would be nice to see it on “the circuit” again.

So, what progress for RML? We’re building up a decent stock level so we can continue to offer a good service with minimal delays in dispatch, hopefully, and we look forward to hearing from you – whether it’s for a ‘stocking filler’ or some new lamps for your layout, you know that you’re always welcome and we’ll do our very bet for you.

 One area, though, and not a good one to finish on, but it has to be said. We’re introducing Postage & Packing charges from October 1^st. We have held off for as long as we could, but the last extortionate price rise from Royal Mail has had a significant impact on our outgoings. Customers will still receive the same service, but we have had our hand forced by the increase, which is very unfortunate.

A flat rate is to be charged at only £3.50 and most items will be sent “Signed For” in order to provide tracking.

New products for the year end and the beginning of next year should see the release of the Barley Twist Lamp, a single swan neck wall lamp, Pickering Station Lamp (North Yorks ex NER), Smoke Units for both Locos and Buildings, various type of Lamp on the ‘0’ gauge Buffer Stop, an upgrade to the Flashing Rear Light Kit and some LED strip which are limited stock. We also have 3meter length Layout wire in various colours – and don’t forget the Flickering Fire in Oil Drum – Red or Orange, which are selling very well already. Most new products will appear on the Website before Christmas, but all products are available either to order via email or can be obtained at Exhibitions.

Our EXHIBITION attendance for the rest of the year is at Hull, Costello Stadium on the 10^th and 11^th of November 2012 and we look forward to seeing and meeting friends old and new.

2013

Worcester  9th & 10th March 2013      TBC http://www.wyreforestmrc.com/

Derby         11th & 12th May 2013        Confirmed http://www.mmrg.org.uk/mayExhibition.php

Wigan        15th & 16th June 2013       TBC

Pickering   17th & 18th August 2013   TBC http://sdrmweb.co.uk/

Cumbria    ----- TBC -----

Hull             9th & 10th November 2013 TBC http://www.hullmrs.org

 

So, until the next time, Happy Modelling, and we look forward to hearing from you or seeing you soon. Best Wishes, Robert, Malcolm and the Team.

Welcome to the RML Blog - a personal message from Malcolm Pearson.

We apologise for the long gap between Blogs; life has been very hectic for us as RML continues to grow and continues to get known in the hobby, and for all the right reasons!

Since I started RML in 2009 my main aim was to provide a really good quality product for the genuine model railway enthusiast. My goal was then, and still is now, to help you believe in your layout. We can’t do that with cheap mass produced plastic rubbish that I’ve seen on so many sites, and the flood of products from China. These are great for a kid who just wants to play trains…but that’s not what I wanted; it’s not what we wanted, and we know it’s not what you wanted! There are hundreds of you out there who, like me have a passion for modelling. It’s not acceptable to design and build a layout only to let yourself down by fitting cheaply made products. They do spoil a serious layout!

Our products are scale, prototypical, and made, by hand, in Britain, for you.

During my time building up RML I have had some wonderful help from another lifelong modeller, Bob (Robert) Denton who has some 50 years experience under his belt, and who carries a wealth of practical experience with him. However........Bob has suffered with extremely difficult and life-threatening health issues recently.

About 18 months ago he was forced to take ill health retirement from his 32year career in industry after a near-death collapse and emergency cardio-vascular surgery.
As part of his recovery I engaged Bob’s help in the design and manufacture of the lamps we produce. This kept him occupied and his doctors agree that it will help with his long-term recovery. Bob’s full-time working days are long gone, but he enjoys the relaxing therapy of being able to lend a hand and offer his expertise every now and again.

I would like to take this opportunity to publicly thank Bob for his help and I am particularly grateful to him for all he has done - and on an unpaid voluntary basis. He is more interested in the success of RML and its products rather than a ‘profit making machine’ – and that is not what we are.
He says his reward is in being able to sit quietly and ‘ponder’ - lend a hand, give advice and post your parcels(!) after what has been a very personal and traumatic journey.
Bob needs to continue to rest in his home surroundings, and he is, under Doctors orders!

Get well soon Bob, and of course we all hope you’ll be able to guide us again after a few months recoup.

Best wishes from Mal & 'the team'.