Replicas & Miniatures Co of Maryland

[Ace-Garageguy]

16 hours ago, Richard Bartrop said:

It does sound like those of us who live outside the US are just out of luck.

Many financial institutions worldwide will issue International Money Orders in US dollars.

I can't imagine Norm refusing to take one of those...but contacting him to confirm that would be advisable.

I know it's a PITA, and there are usually fees for money orders, but his stuff is so good, it's worth jumping through a few hoops to get it.

Edited February 26, 2024 by Ace-Garageguy

[vamach1]

Norm’s booth at ACME last October.

[Exotics_Builder]

Before moving back to Washington state, a club I belonged to in Illinois did a bulk order so folks wanting only one or two parts could benefit.  We had a focal point collect and make the order then distribute it to the parties in the order.  A tad of work, but helpful to those of more limited means.

For me, I build up an order for myself and go as big as I can.  That was especially true when a lot of the Ferrari focused parts were available from Norm.  

[Richard Bartrop]

9 hours ago, Ace-Garageguy said:

Many financial institutions worldwide will issue International Money Orders in US dollars.

I can't imagine Norm refusing to take one of those...but contacting him to confirm that would be advisable.

I know it's a PITA, and there are usually fees for money orders, but his stuff is so good, it's worth jumping through a few hoops to get it.

Trust me, I am very familiar with international money orders, and on his order form he is very specific about money orders from a US Bank.

All the same, I've sent an email, and we'll see what happens.

[peteski]

23 hours ago, Richard Bartrop said:

Trust me, I am very familiar with international money orders, and on his order form he is very specific about money orders from a US Bank.

All the same, I've sent an email, and we'll see what happens.

When I (in USA) had to use money orders, I got them from the Post Office (not a bank). Not sure how different that is from any other money order issued in US Dollars.  I would imagine that if they are issued in US Dollars, they would be ok to use, but I would confirm that with Norm.

[Richard Bartrop]

On 2/27/2024 at 4:10 PM, peteski said:

When I (in USA) had to use money orders, I got them from the Post Office (not a bank). Not sure how different that is from any other money order issued in US Dollars.  I would imagine that if they are issued in US Dollars, they would be ok to use, but I would confirm that with Norm.

I sent an email query in February, and still no reply.   The parts do look very nice, but if he really doesn't want to do business with me,  what can I do?

[vamach1]

1 hour ago, Richard Bartrop said:

I sent an email query in February, and still no reply.   The parts do look very nice, but if he really doesn't want to do business with me,  what can I do?

You might try emailing Norman again with the subject line stating you would like to order R&M co of MD products.

[peteski]

15 hours ago, Richard Bartrop said:

I sent an email query in February, and still no reply.   The parts do look very nice, but if he really doesn't want to do business with me,  what can I do?

Since you yourself communicate trough email, you likely know how unreliable that type of communication can be.  While the email process itself is reliable, Spam filters often "eat" legitimate emails or send them to a Spam folder full of real unwanted emails.

Having said that, and realizing that you're dealing with a very small one-man (plus wife and maybe sometimes a helper?) operation, super-busy casting superb quality parts the old-fashioned way (not just plugging in a 3D printer and spewing dozens of parts at a time). I would not give up so quickly.  I suspect  some legit order or info request emails get lost in the shuffle.  Norm focuses on the production, rather than sifting through Spam emails.  It would be different if he could hire a dedicated person just for customer relations, but that is not realistic in his business model

If you really want those parts (and from personal experience with Norm's product I know they worth the extra effort), I would try emailing Norm couple more times (possibly from different email addresses if you have them). Clearly state your purpose in the subject line (something like "RMCoM info request"), and give some time for the response.  Not sure if a phone call would be feasible for you, but that would be another avenue to explore.

To put it bluntly, Norm doesn't need any more business - he is already super busy filling his orders already.  That is why the customer that really wants Norm's products, might have to go through extra hoops to get it.  Think about this like what people do to get the newly released Xbox video game console. People camp out at the store the nigth before to get a chance to get it.  Same here: you have to be persistent trying to get what you want.  If not, oh well . . .

[Richard Bartrop]

I have my own opinions on the intelligence and mental stability of people who camp out to buy game stuff.

I suppose I could camp out on the guy's front door, but a trip to Maryland does seem a little excessive, and he might not be all that pleased by finding some stranger sitting on his front porch waiting for parts.

[peteski]

2 hours ago, Richard Bartrop said:

I have my own opinions on the intelligence and mental stability of people who camp out to buy game stuff.

I suppose I could camp out on the guy's front door, but a trip to Maryland does seem a little excessive, and he might not be all that pleased by finding some stranger sitting on his front porch waiting for parts.

Maybe that was not the best example, but I was basically trying to say that if you want something bad enough (especially if it is very desired or top quality), you might have to go through some of those proverbial extra hoops to get it.

[Richard Bartrop]

I sent out another email.  Still no reply

No matter.  Maple Leaf Modelworks had what I was looking for.and was willing to do business.  I should be getting it in a couple of weeks.

[bobss396]

I cut Norm a lot of slack, he is no spring chicken but seems to be in good health. He used to make a lot of bigger shows, but one good show wipes out his inventory. And he winds up selling me his display pieces at times.

This is a natural progression. The casters that used that tan diesel-smelling resin are slowly going away. Guys like Norm started using that white resin that can be cast very thinly. Plus it takes a lot of knowledge to get the masters and molds just right. The molds last only so long. 

Now we are onto 3D printing, which has revolutionized the hobby. Files can be shared, bought or created with a learning curve. 

[Richard Bartrop]

I can see one big benefit that services like Shapeways offer to the small scale parts maker, and that's dealing with all the messy business stuff.

[TransAmMike]

3 hours ago, Richard Bartrop said:

I can see one big benefit that services like Shapeways offer to the small scale parts maker, and that's dealing with all the messy business stuff.

Shapeways expensive shipping with service fee plus tax turns me away from them.

[Richard Bartrop]

1 minute ago, TransAmMike said:

Shapeways expensive shipping with service fee plus tax turns me away from them.

Whatever works for you.  They only wanted $17 for shipping, and even that was waved with a large enough order.  The service fee was $6.  I don't like extra service fees either, but people keep telling me how I should be prepared to jump through some hoops.  Compared to some of the other hoops I'm supposed to jump, I can live with this.

I wish Norm well, and he can run his business however he wants.  If he's going through some personal crisis, then he has my apologies and my sympathies.  This fact still remains that it doesn't do me the slightest bit of good if he won't even answer my emails, much less take an order from me.   Shapeways may be making me pay through the nose, but at least they'll take my money.

[Can-Con]

On 2/26/2024 at 10:16 AM, Ace-Garageguy said:

Many financial institutions worldwide will issue International Money Orders in US dollars.

I can't imagine Norm refusing to take one of those...but contacting him to confirm that would be advisable.

I know it's a PITA, and there are usually fees for money orders, but his stuff is so good, it's worth jumping through a few hoops to get it.

A little late, Bill but,, My first order of chrome I did with LMKC, I sent Dale a Canada Post money order in U.S. funds. Should have been good anywhere in the States but none of his local post offices would honor it, even though it should have been %100 good. 

Dale sent it back and he got Paypal just so I could do business with him. I don't know if he ever did that for anyone else.

Really gonna miss that guy but wish him a great retirement. He deserves it.

Edited July 1, 2024 by Can-Con

[vamach1]

Norm and Brad a few weeks ago at a MAMA meeting.