Pendraken Miniatures Forum

Pendraken News & Info! => General Pendraken => Topic started by: nikharwood on 02 September 2014, 08:51:51 PM

Title: Customer Service 101
Post by: nikharwood on 02 September 2014, 08:51:51 PM
At the risk of sounding (again?) like a fanboy and sycophantic idiot, I would just like to acknowledge (again?) the outstanding level of customer service that we get from our friends at Pendraken.

They do the simple things exceptionally well - and consistently: and that, for me, is a marker of high quality in a wargames (wider, retail) world of astonishing mediocrity.

It's the fast response to emails, answered with courtesy & delight, simple manners and absolute efficiency and warmth. I love it. It actually makes me want to add more stuff to my order - and I know that this is not a marketing /  customer sales strategy, but just a genuine desire to provide a quality product to customers - selling with pride.

I'm half tempted to start driving now & get to that unit to say thanks in person (you fecking know I'm going to to do this...one day)

Anyway, well played once more, Leon, well played.  8)
Title: Re: Customer Service 101
Post by: Womble67 on 02 September 2014, 09:30:50 PM
I totally agree about pendrakens exceptional customer service.  Especially since I've just had a well known 10mm company be just about as un helpful as you can get.

I'm in two minds whether to publish the emails on my site but worry about any legal consequences which could result.

Take care

Andy
Title: Re: Customer Service 101
Post by: Ithoriel on 02 September 2014, 10:02:47 PM
Having had an order for 10mm stuff from another manufacturer turned down because they were to busy to deal with it I am always grateful for the times Pendraken go above and beyond when dealing with me.

Pendraken aren't just good at the bread and butter stuff but also at the small touches that raise good service to excellent.

Hats off to you, ladies and gentlemen!
Title: Re: Customer Service 101
Post by: Dave Fielder on 02 September 2014, 10:09:34 PM
Orders turned down? Why on Earth would a 10mm company do that? ... anyway back to Pendraken, when Mr Harwood turns up with an empty car boot please make sure he gets me some stuff as well ;-)
Title: Re: Customer Service 101
Post by: Duke Speedy of Leighton on 02 September 2014, 11:00:37 PM
What Nik said. Top company.

:-bd
Title: Re: Customer Service 101
Post by: paulr on 03 September 2014, 05:03:58 AM
Couldn't agree more =D> =D> =D> =D> =D>
Title: Re: Customer Service 101
Post by: Leman on 03 September 2014, 05:29:16 AM
 :-bd :-bd
Title: Re: Customer Service 101
Post by: Steve J on 03 September 2014, 06:31:39 AM
Yep, couldn't agree more :).
Title: Re: Customer Service 101
Post by: fsn on 03 September 2014, 06:49:17 AM
Nicely said Mr Harwood.

I think it's fitting that we (the butterflies in the Pendraken meadow) occasionally take the time to say "thank" to the good people who keep us out of those places to which court orders sometimes send us (or is that just me?). I do believe that Middlesborough was chosen as the halls of the Dark Lord especially because of it's ability to deter visitors. Just imagine if Pendraken was based somewhere nice? They'd never get work done as we'd all be day tripping there.

I raise a glass to the quality, service and friendliness of the people of Pendraken.
<:-P
Title: Re: Customer Service 101
Post by: Techno on 03 September 2014, 06:57:20 AM
Quote from: fsn on 03 September 2014, 06:49:17 AM
I do believe that Middlesborough was chosen as the halls of the Dark Lord especially because of it's ability to deter visitors. Just imagine if Pendraken was based somewhere nice? They'd never get work done as we'd all be day tripping there.
=O =O =O =O =O

It's not that bad really......Is it ?
Cheers - Phil
Title: Re: Customer Service 101
Post by: Leman on 03 September 2014, 08:00:11 AM
Don't know as I've never been, but I believe Roseberry topping, which is very near, is quite nice.
Title: Re: Customer Service 101
Post by: Orcs on 03 September 2014, 09:21:20 AM
Quote from: Techno on 03 September 2014, 06:57:20 AM
=O =O =O =O =O

It's not that bad really......Is it ?
Cheers - Phil

I believe that Pendraken is its one redeeming feature. :)

It has the following downsides

Grown men playing Xbox's naked   :-&
Young ladies who's services are avaliabel for Half a pint of lager and a kebab ( I am quoting the Dark Lord on this) - actually that might be another redeeming point  :d
It rains a lot
ITS UP NORTH !!!!

:D



Title: Re: Customer Service 101
Post by: Ithoriel on 03 September 2014, 09:59:35 AM
My sister lived in Guisborough (very near Roseberry Topping) for several years and we would go shopping in Middlesborough from time to time so I can confirm that it is not that bad ... it's worse :)

Roseberry Topping is nice though, especially over ice-cream :D
Title: Re: Customer Service 101
Post by: Leman on 03 September 2014, 10:13:36 AM
Quote from: Just a few Orcs on 03 September 2014, 09:21:20 AM

ITS UP NORTH !!!!

Because of course the South has lots of redeeming features: massive sink estates in London, a population that drains the rest of the UK (no wonder the Scots are p****d off!),
not a mountain in sight, and supercilious southerners - oh, and generally crap beer, apart from Fuller's. Plus some Orcs live down there apparently.





Title: Re: Customer Service 101
Post by: Lord Kermit of Birkenhead on 03 September 2014, 11:13:26 AM
Remember that civilisation only exists west of St Helens, north of the Welsh Dee and south of the river Alt. Rest ois either Wales, south and west, London, south and east, Yorkshire, east, or Scotland, north. All inhabited by very strange people who murder english.

IanS
Title: Re: Customer Service 101
Post by: Leman on 03 September 2014, 11:42:24 AM
Wor ee sed, lah.
Title: Re: Customer Service 101
Post by: Leon on 03 September 2014, 03:30:26 PM
Thanks for all the comments, it's always nice to read things like this!  Makes the long shifts worthwhile!

Quote from: Dave Fielder on 02 September 2014, 10:09:34 PM
Orders turned down? Why on Earth would a 10mm company do that?

I thought that as well, unless it's a personal problem getting in the way of the business, I can't see why anyone would turn down a sale.  Even if you have to explain that it might be a month to get the goods out, at least it's keeping the money turning over.

Quote from: Ithoriel on 03 September 2014, 09:59:35 AM
Roseberry Topping is nice though, especially over ice-cream :D

Roseberry Topping is a great little walk out, me and the eldest go up there each year on the shortest night.  We set off at 3am and get up there for sunrise.

(https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn2/v/t1.0-9/1016487_10151423060362522_1561209697_n.jpg?oh=c8b7cf935815aa0a9504a32645265aba&oe=547C6DE9&__gda__=1416681695_71fab500a70ecc2ac089ca8115ef9c75)

(https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xfa1/v/t1.0-9/1005870_10151423060242522_473106956_n.jpg?oh=76b36552b0bbdd18533ae5d7a719ff84&oe=547F79A8&__gda__=1416225959_ab7427ed560c04771824eea7b1e3e126)

(https://scontent-a-lhr.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/v/t1.0-9/1012620_10151423060967522_372660168_n.jpg?oh=04e462f88afc4a6ed0ba9f4b308a820e&oe=5470CE01)
Title: Re: Customer Service 101
Post by: Techno on 03 September 2014, 03:40:38 PM
Is that a sundog or rainbow in the last piccy, Leon ?
Cheers - Phil
Title: Re: Customer Service 101
Post by: Leon on 03 September 2014, 04:00:22 PM
Quote from: Techno on 03 September 2014, 03:40:38 PM
Is that a sundog or rainbow in the last piccy, Leon ?

Full rainbow, I had to use the panorama function to get it all in though.
Title: Re: Customer Service 101
Post by: old smokie on 03 September 2014, 04:07:25 PM
also had an order turned down by a 10mm company as well, told it was to much hassle  =)
Title: Re: Customer Service 101
Post by: Ithoriel on 03 September 2014, 04:11:17 PM
Quote from: old smokie on 03 September 2014, 04:07:25 PM
also had an order turned down by a 10mm company as well, told it was to much hassle  =)

Longer standing customers took precedence was what I was told. I presumed my £15-£20 quid order wasn't big enough for them to bother with. To be fair no one is going to starve for the lack of the sort of cash I have to spend these days.
Title: Re: Customer Service 101
Post by: Leman on 03 September 2014, 04:19:53 PM
Roseberry Topping! Look what you southern softies are missing. Take a deep breath of diesel fumes.
Title: Re: Customer Service 101
Post by: fsn on 03 September 2014, 07:05:36 PM
Ooooooh! Is that the hill under which the Dark Lord dwells? Does the top belch dark fumes as the casting dwaves toil beneath? On a still day, can one hear the chink of hammers and the faint cries of the benighted workers as they mine the white metal that is crafted into the Dark Lord's fancy? Are these the parks wherein Milady hunts the green stuff whenever there is a waxing moon? Woe betide any who come across the Dread One's distaff prowling neath the dark sky, pitted with scudding clouds whose eerie path leaves the traveller now in shadow, now in the full brilliance of Earth's sister, the flicking causing wraiths to jump and dance in the imaginations of the timerous? Woe betide the unwary who meet Milady, muttering her imprecations, her hair stiffened with mud and spiked to give her the appearance of an ancient beast, beneath her arm a basket in which she keeps the green stuff she has found, in her hand the brass blade that she uses to scrape the precious material off the underside of wetted rocks?

If we can summon the courage, would we see the Dark Lord, atop his dread black steed leading a forlorn line of fresh dwarves to their fate, the one attached to the next by a silver chain that loops around the necks of each? Would we hear their piteous moans as the unfortunates sense their fates and sniff free air for the last time?

No?

My mistake.   
Title: Re: Customer Service 101
Post by: Leman on 03 September 2014, 07:28:53 PM
Fetch him the purple pills Lemmy!
Title: Re: Customer Service 101
Post by: Duke Speedy of Leighton on 03 September 2014, 08:05:41 PM
On my way!  :o
Title: Re: Customer Service 101
Post by: Techno on 03 September 2014, 08:22:46 PM
Make sure they're the double strength ones, Will.
Cheers - Phil
Title: Re: Customer Service 101
Post by: Dave Fielder on 04 September 2014, 07:01:34 AM
The only fumes in Devon and Cornwall (down South for you Northerners) is from the tractors and the farmers adding extra growth capability to the fields. Furthest North I've been this year is the Northern tip of Scotland during a NATO live fire exercise ... we killed those rocks at Cape Wrath ... followed by a helo drop off at Stornaway and a long trek to get anywhere half decent. "Southerners - divnn't nah ya born yet"
Title: Re: Customer Service 101
Post by: Leman on 04 September 2014, 07:39:06 AM
Nah, South west, it doesn't count. When we northerners talk about down south what we actually mean is those prats in the sarf east.
Title: Re: Customer Service 101
Post by: Hertsblue on 04 September 2014, 08:10:29 AM
When you northerners talk we can smell the stench from Highgate Hill.  :-& :-& :-&
Title: Re: Customer Service 101
Post by: Techno on 04 September 2014, 09:26:38 AM
(In my best Mr Winner voice.)

"Calm down dears, calm down."  :D
Cheers - Phil
Title: Re: Customer Service 101
Post by: Hertsblue on 04 September 2014, 02:37:59 PM
Well, he started it, miss...
Title: Re: Customer Service 101
Post by: Techno on 04 September 2014, 02:45:29 PM
Waddayamean...."Miss"....(Dead parrot sketch ?)  ;)
Cheers - Phil
Title: Re: Customer Service 101
Post by: Orcs on 04 September 2014, 03:14:14 PM
Quote from: Dour Puritan on 03 September 2014, 10:13:36 AM


ITS UP NORTH !!!!

Because of course the South has lots of redeeming features: massive sink estates in London, a population that drains the rest of the UK (no wonder the Scots are p****d off!),
not a mountain in sight, and supercilious southerners - oh, and generally crap beer, apart from Fuller's. Plus some Orcs live down there apparently.

Fortunatley I live in the Bucks countryside.

As for the beer we have some very good local breweries round here.  The Tring Brewery and The Chiltern Brewery are all within about a 15 min car drive and do some very good real ale .

THe Orc sare no trouble, Just keep them in miniatures, Beer and Totty and they are as god as gold.  
Title: Re: Customer Service 101
Post by: Leman on 04 September 2014, 07:48:32 PM
FK, he said god, he said god!
Title: Re: Customer Service 101
Post by: Dave Fielder on 04 September 2014, 08:47:16 PM
Watford. It's their fault, they've got a Gap and that's were the divide started. Weren't we talking about Pendraken customer service BTW .
Title: Re: Customer Service 101
Post by: nikharwood on 04 September 2014, 09:28:30 PM
Quote from: Dour Puritan on 04 September 2014, 07:39:06 AM
Nah, South west, it doesn't count. When we northerners talk about down south what we actually mean is those prats in the sarf east.

Quote from: Dave Fielder on 04 September 2014, 08:47:16 PM
Watford. It's their fault, they've got a Gap and that's were the divide started. Weren't we talking about Pendraken customer service BTW .

They're right, y'know  ;)
Title: Re: Customer Service 101
Post by: Leman on 04 September 2014, 09:39:47 PM
Yes, Pendraken customer service is rather good, don't you know, FK.
Title: Re: Customer Service 101
Post by: Hertsblue on 05 September 2014, 07:46:53 AM
Quote from: Dave Fielder on 04 September 2014, 08:47:16 PM
Watford. It's their fault, they've got a Gap and that's were the divide started. Weren't we talking about Pendraken customer service BTW .

You do know the Watford Gap is nowhere near the town of Watford? It's up near the Midlands somewhere.

And yes, I've always found PD to be helpful and flexible as regards making up oddities (German guns with Japanese crews springs to mind), and the hours Leon seems to put in, I wonder sometimes if his children recognise him when he walks in the door.   :)
Title: Re: Customer Service 101
Post by: Subedai on 05 September 2014, 09:33:52 AM
Quote from: Hertsblue on 05 September 2014, 07:46:53 AM
You do know the Watford Gap is nowhere near the town of Watford? It's up near the Midlands somewhere.

And yes, I've always found PD to be helpful and flexible as regards making up oddities (German guns with Japanese crews springs to mind), and the hours Leon seems to put in, I wonder sometimes if his children recognise him when he walks in the door.   :)

The house must be full of photos so that they know what he looks like. :)

Back on track, I made my first order a week ago and was pleasantly surprised to find an email in my inbox saying my order had been despatched. Can't remember having one of those before. Nice touch. And as everyone knows but not many companies seem to practice, it's good customer service that gets people coming back.

P.S. I live in the far south-east -Kent to be exact, and we have some beautiful countryside -a modern wargamers terrain wet dream- literally just up the road. Although my favourite beer is Tetley from the wood, there are quite a few reasonable substitutes here, Shepherd Neame to name but one. I've been to the Dark Side -Birmingham- and managed to survive for 28 years but I am a lot happier here.
Title: Re: Customer Service 101
Post by: FierceKitty on 05 September 2014, 10:33:12 AM
Am I being appealed to as the master-atheist or the last-ditch grammarian?
Title: Re: Customer Service 101
Post by: FierceKitty on 05 September 2014, 10:35:08 AM
(Both are, needless to say, roles requiring a certain intelligence, attention to detail, reluctance to accept meaningless gibberish no matter how many voices shout it, and of course great modesty).
Title: Re: Customer Service 101
Post by: Ithoriel on 05 September 2014, 10:45:58 AM
So close ... and yet, fell at the last hurdle. Ah well, the search continues :)
Title: Re: Customer Service 101
Post by: Hertsblue on 06 September 2014, 10:27:16 AM
Quote from: FierceKitty on 05 September 2014, 10:33:12 AM
Am I being appealed to as the master-atheist or the last-ditch grammarian?

The point about we atheists is that we don't acknowledge any master. And "last ditch grammarian" sounds like a faller in a steeplechase.
Title: Re: Customer Service 101
Post by: Leman on 06 September 2014, 10:29:34 AM
My money was on Shy Talk.
Title: Re: Customer Service 101
Post by: Hertsblue on 06 September 2014, 10:31:34 AM
 ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Customer Service 101
Post by: Techno on 06 September 2014, 10:48:38 AM
 X_X X_X X_X
Title: Re: Customer Service 101
Post by: O Dinas Powys on 12 November 2014, 11:27:42 PM
I know we often joke about the Order Time Machine on here when a package arrives before the confirmation email is sent, but Pendraken had literally managed to cast my Warfare order before I'd placed it via the website!  :o

Okay, okay; so it was a single packet of figures and I'd PM'ed Leon, but you know, I WAS after the deadline and ...

:-bd

Cheers,

Meirion
Title: Re: Customer Service 101
Post by: Lord Kermit of Birkenhead on 13 November 2014, 12:15:57 PM
Spooky.....

IanS
Title: Re: Customer Service 101
Post by: old smokie on 13 November 2014, 12:38:46 PM
do do do do  picture a man   X_X