Delays Update

Good afternoon folks! Today I just want to run through some issues we are having with the store these last few months that have begun to impact us. 

The General Issue

As some of you may be aware and I expect you are, we run pre orders on the website for upcoming items some we don't intend to stock permanently but would still like to give you the chance to purchase as well as general pre orders for new items in ranges we do keep in stock. But it has become increasingly difficult with some of the delays we have been experiencing from the manufacturers to keep to the expected release dates. 

I want to be clear though we aren't blaming the distributors who provide us with them but the folks who make and ship them to the distributors. Our distributors have gone out of their way to try and get us updates on multiple items over the last few months but have almost always been unable to give us much information. And I'm sure I've annoyed them enough with constant requests for updates without blaming them too.

But that being said we've noticed a worrying trend of certain manufacturers vastly missing their supposed release dates, some being over 8 months since their supposed release, with no updates to give. whilst we have noticed the same manufacturers selling the items on their own sites and them being in stock, I myself walked into a store the other week and saw a product we had been waiting on 6 months without an update just on the shelf of the store that makes them.

I must stress it really isn't a distributor issues, that specific product is available from 3 different distributors we use and all 3 of them had no clue or info when their stock would arrive. And of the few we do get updates for we're seeing even more worrying issues appear. such as the holiday items, Christmas themed bits which have been updated to arrive in January, and again I've seen them in stores of belonging to the manufacturers that folks can go in and buy off the shelves. 

Whilst some shipping delays can be understandable and do happen, such as the upcoming Pokémon set where one item from the release will arrive with us a few days after the release date. But that's an understandable delay that was clearly not intended and was well communicated to us by them. its not 6-8 months late like some folks.

These delays have begun to damage our reputation as we're now feeling we have to refund customers for their orders given they can just go buy it elsewhere and in some case we have done so. We do really appreciate it when customers are understanding with the issues we face and choose to keep their order open but are always happy to issue refunds, but we're generally just asking today for a people to bare with us.

Specific Issues

As to specific there are 2 main product lines we will no longer be running pre orders for due to these issues.

Warhammer Plushies - Made by TOMY under the Club Mocchi Mocchi Brand

Kobold Press - All titles 

This is because their release dates have been missed time and again of late with no updates from them as to when our stock will be here, these are also lines who are available and in stock on their own sites, and stores so we can't in good conscience continue to take money for something you may be waiting 6+ months for after their listed release date, if they ever arrive.

This is a real shame as the Warhammer plushies have in the past and continue to be big sellers for us. But the uncertainty isn't worth it anymore.

Summary

An 6+ month delay is not acceptable to us, as these items are clearly available and in country so it is not a shipping or manufacturing issue and is clearly just the stores choice to provide to their own points of sale than the wider community making us look bad for failing again and again to meet the most basic standards. 

Whilst the issue isn't limited to those 2 ranges they are some of the most egregious and repeat offenders, we could easily add another 3/4 to the list but they just manage to meet their updated release dates or actually communicate issues to us even in a minimal capacity and we have a fair amount of understanding for them, times are hard and sometimes they may hope or rush a release date and not meet it the hobby world is exciting. But 8 months after the release date with no communication despite us trying is just bad. 

As an independent business mostly run by myself with a little help from a few others here and there it is a lot of work keeping up with everything but I always do my best to keep folks updated and if I don't know the answer I will always look for one. Whilst I'm not a prideful person I do enjoy running the store, and I enjoy talking to customers and using the products we sell I am crushed every time we have to refund an order due to these issues or I have to tell a customer their order won't arrive in time especially if its a birthday present or similar. Because I know that's how I'd feel and because it generally sucks.

But all that being said thankyou for the continued support and trust you've shown us over the last 3 years and we hope to continue to provide what we can from our little corner for a long time to come.

If you have questions regarding a specific order or items we are happy to answer them as best we can. you can contact us at: customersupport@tychosgames.com