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 laffe wrote:

 Ravenblade666 wrote:

 laffe wrote:

Dingleson wrote:
Wish I had not pre-ordered £70 worth of X-wing in August

I pre-ordered it in 2011 when Maelstrom first put it up on their shop. I thought about cancelling the order when FFG delayed it for a year but I figured I could wait. I wish I had cancelled it... I have now bought it from Spirit Games instead.

It seems that MG never even got it in stock at all.

This also happened to me sadly :(, brought from Wayland and Firestorm both where excellent with their communication and speed of delivery, not the case with Maelstrom sadly.

The worst wasn't the money -- I'm out of 25 quid, I can live with that -- but the feeling of preordering a game, waiting, waiting, waiting, waiting... and more waiting... and then when it's finally launched you realise it's starting to turn up in every shop from your FLGS to other internet retailers, but not the one you ordered from. And they don't even say a word about it!

That's just it. I'm seeing copies everywhere! Trying to resist picking up my order again but with them not answering the phone there is no chance of finding out from MG when/if they will get another delivery from Fantasy Flight Games.

 Grimtuff wrote:

 GCMandrake wrote:
Their phone line is fine. It either rings and rings because they're ignoring us, or gives the busy tone because someone else is trying to ring. It's not a technical problem, they've just shut off all lines of communication to stop us getting our money back.

Yes, that's exactly why they're doing it.

Since you appear to have all the answers and are pretty keen to defend them, can you also tell us why they don't reply to emails either? Maybe all their phone-based comms are down? That happened to me earlier this year - lost internet, phone and cable tv all at once from the same provider. Oh! But then how could they be sending new "sale" emails every second day along with "order split" and so forth?




Perhaps you could go in there and ask them directly if you're local. Bring a camera. I'm sure a lot of us would like to see what the place properly looks like (EOTS at least).


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 azreal13 wrote:
Ok, so my point that it may be beneficial for both parties if customers held off panic cancelling still stands?

Once again, I must state I completely understand those that are getting jumpy, but just consider if you are chasing them for a refund that your actions and those of others that are doing likewise may be the very thing that actually causes them to fold and you to lose your cash. If (and I DO realise it's a big if!) you can hold your nerve you may get your goods and allow Maelstrom to keep going.

Not saying anyone should, just trying to add to the discussion.

Even if we take this posit into account, there's the simple fact that they lied repeatedly to myself and many others about when our orders (paid for) were going to come into stock. The suggestion that people should accept a stream of "later this week", "middle of next week" this coming Friday" BS excuses is insulting, particularly when that has the capacity to take people past the 45-day PayPal safety net. To put it another way, I'd still be waiting for the stuff I ordered in August if I hadn't cancelled my stuff. Including stuff that was listed as "in-stock" when I ordered it. It's almost November now. What about the guy who pre-ordered X-Wing last year? Should he "not get jumpy" and let them keep his cash when they apparently have no intention of fulfilling his order? (Hope you paid by CC, mate!)




Automatically Appended Next Post:

 Grimtuff wrote:

So you think they've ran off with yours and everyone else's money to go driving around in brand new Porsches and have swimming pools for their gardens.
No.
Granted they *should* put up a notice on their website or something to put people's minds at ease, but to think they're just trying to up sticks and run off with people's money is just asinine.

Read the bloody financials that have been posted half a dozen times. They split off EOTS and Mierce, leaving Maelstrom as a sinking shell company with all the debt. No-one has said anything akin to "they've moved to the Caymans", so stop trying to straw man the discussion.




Automatically Appended Next Post:

 Grimtuff wrote:

Of course they're screening emails. Do you really think they're going to dedicate a person's entire shift to simply answering the many hundreds of "WARRS ME TOY SOLDJARS!" emails. That's why most companies have the auto update things on your order (some even mention on their site to not contact them about your order, as it's usually covered by their FAQ). In the nicest possible way, you're just wasting their time and holding them up from picking and packing orders by asking the same question over and over again.

Don't get me wrong, I sympathise with people who haven't got their orders, but this fething witch hunt over them is just getting preposterous.

It's money. It's hours of my (and everyone else's) lives spent working at our jobs. It's customer service. It's their business and their obligation to do so. Again you're trying to write it off as "unimportant". Next shall we get a comparison to starving kids in Africa? What about AIDS? The Black Plague?

 scipio.au wrote:
Stuff

Sorry, I can't take any of that seriously as I just read your posts in a John Cena voice...

All I'm doing is providing some kind of Devil's advocate here and am giving Maelstrom the benefit of the doubt due to their history. Who knows, maybe a few months down the line I'll have to eat these words if Maelstrom goes belly-up so I'd better keep em short and sweet. There's a lot of hyperbole being thrown about more or less calling for the owners of Maelstrom to have their heads put on spikes (because nothing says "Obey me!" like a head on a spike) on the walls of Dakka, even though their past dealings should give them a little bit of a leeway IMO.

Are we clear? I'm in no way affiliated with Maelstrom and am continually annoyed they have nothing in stock for Warmahordes (had my own debacle with them trying to get a WM rulebook. They sent me the Hordes one by mistake, had to send it back to them. Then the one I bought got sent to someone else. So it's not been all buttercups and roses for me with them.). I *want* to support them and give them cash for PP stuff, but they are my secondary (at best) place to get Warmahordes from. http://wargamestore.com/ is miles better for stock levels than Maelstrom could hope to be.

Hey Grimstuff, as you're so close to them (presumably), can you pop in and take some happy snaps and see if you can hear their phone ring in the background?

Would clear things up a bit on the speculation!

Here's my experience with Maelstrom:

Been ordering stuff from them for 4 years, never has it been really fast but I've got what I've ordered eventually.

But, I ordered X-Wing and a bunch of expansions from them back in september. Since then nothing, order stays in processing and the stock levels have not indicated they've got any products for that line so far.

Been trying to cancel my order for two weeks, by e-mail (and the "contact us" form they have on their website). No replies, nothing.

Other stores can get the products, they can't => reason enough to cancel.

S.

To those that are wanting refunds but not getting replys to your emails/calls it is a simple case of contacting your credit card company or bank. They will recover the money as is your right and are better equipped to do this as well.

I have had this situation before and I can tell you PayPal we good for nothing, barclaycard/visa had the money back in my account in 6 hours.

I have also had much e perience of suppliers going into administration/receivership, and maelstrom bears all of the same hallmarks. At this point judging by the clamour on this thread it has gone beyond a rumour and is now self forfilling even if it wasn't true before. Just a matter of time.

True there may be bargains to be had but it is a gamble: will they dispatch your order before they are wrapped up. If it is outstanding at that time you will not get anything out of MG and the administrators will prioritise their own fee, then large debtors before customers. You might get some relief from a credit card company but I suspect PayPal although the technically hold MG money will have to freeze those accounts pending judicial review before having to forward it to administrative accounts.

So I guess I am saying is people are right to be wary, administration can happen overnight with little warning to those that work there - I know of one supplier I had that knew less than 2 hours before they turned up. Suffice to say allot of staff who will probably not be paid might look for alternative renumeration at that point.

This was a weird thread to stumble across.

I ordered some stuff from them at the very beginning of the sales wave (when it was just a few select ranges on sale). Received the parcel very quickly, discovered some errors, contacted them, got a quick reply + a replacement package within days. Had no idea things had gotten this complicated.

It's pretty sad, and I sympathize with the frustrated customers who don't have their stuff, their money, or an explanation. But at the same time this thread has featured some pretty distasteful posts from people who pounced on the fire-sale, then went full chicken little and cancelled their order while inundating Maelstrom with emails and phone calls. Regardless of how deep the shenanigans may ultimately go, and what effects they are having on Maelstrom's service, expecting top notch call-and-response customer service during a massive sale/purported warehouse move seems unrealistic and entitled. Act like an adult, stay patient, and be conscious of any time limits that may exist among the financial bodies you deal with (most of whom will be able to return your money if you truly never receive your items). Freaking out and trying to desperately claw back a refund seems unhelpful.

All of that's just in response to the recent customers who have been having (and apparently making) problems. To the dudes who placed orders months ago and still don't have their stuff -- any anger or desperation you may be feeling is completely justified. That really sucks.

I dont see why someone who ordered recently should be any less frustrated or worried than someone who ordered a while back.
Both parties are still in limbo and still want to know what is going on.


I've been buying with Maelstrom for ages, just because my latest order was recent doesnt change the fact I (like many others) was lied to or left in the dark.

I had only had one bad experience with Maelstrom, it was like two years ago. One of the items I had ordered had missing bits (wich is actually a problem of the manufacturer - a box of 4 45th Highlander Galwegian for Infinity). I contacted them to ask what to do (should I send the box back? etc). For months, one guy responded me telling me that I would receive another box, once and again, but it never arrived. I kept insisting, until another guy responed me. He said that the other guy was fired, and inmediately sent me the box. I could see that in the website, another order had been added to my orders list, including only the box. In about a week, the new box arrived.

Surprise, this box had the same problems. So I had 8 highlander bodies, without heads and arms. I contacted them again, and they never answered. I contacted Corvus Belli, the manufacturer, and in about three days I received from them the missing bits. For 4 higlanders. I have 4 extra free bodies :\

After that all my orders had been succesful. When this sales wave started, I ordered some GW 40k scenery, wich is still processing. After ordering the scenery, I received another mail talking about big discounts only for items in stock. I ordered some Infinity models and received them in about a week or ten days.

My guess is that they are doing the best they can.

Interesting, Eye of the Storm Ltd has been renamed today to Maunsfield Gaming Ltd, wonder what's going on ...


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Sorry MAUNSFELD GAMING LTD


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Get ready for another website

maunsfeld-gaming.co.uk

Maunsfeld is the archaic form of Mansfield, if it wasn't obvious.

What is this about...

Its archaic alright, like Maelstroms archaic CS practices hmmmhmm.

I don't think the administrators will care how many different names they (maelstrom) give to a company - it all has it's roots in the same place

16 calls to them about one o clock, each after each other, non stop.

No answer.

17th call, "user busy."

Calling every 20 minutes, "user busy."

I want my money back for the order they have canceled, not much to ask!

If it's true they are near bankrupcy I am pretty sure you won't see your money back.

I am in the same boat as some people, I ordered some Warmahordes (in stock) , now it's saying all out of stock but still no shipping status :(

I will lose about 120£ , which is allot for me since I am a student, it was the money I got for my birthday -_-"

Oh well I guess there are worse things in life, but still I am a bit sad lol

If anyone is worried about their orders then they should call their card companies and get a refund.

The sale is on until the 22nd which is Monday. IF Maelstrom goes into administration after this 'final' sale, and its still an IF, after this it will be too late.

Don't waste money if you think that you may loose it.

 Grimtuff wrote:

 scipio.au wrote:
Stuff

Sorry, I can't take any of that seriously as I just read your posts in a John Cena voice...
.

Interesting how you refuse to even acknowledge that he has made some very valid points.

 Grimtuff wrote:

Are we clear? I'm in no way affiliated with Maelstrom and am continually annoyed they have nothing in stock for Warmahordes (had my own debacle with them trying to get a WM rulebook. They sent me the Hordes one by mistake, had to send it back to them. Then the one I bought got sent to someone else. So it's not been all buttercups and roses for me with them.). I *want* to support them and give them cash for PP stuff, but they are my secondary (at best) place to get Warmahordes from. http://wargamestore.com/ is miles better for stock levels than Maelstrom could hope to be.

I'm not sure I believe you about no affiliation. You obviously have spent time in the store so I am going to assume you probably are at the very least friendly with some of the staff. Just playing devils advocate? Not so sure about that either. What is the point of playing devils advocate at this point? People are, at the very least, being actively mislead about their orders. At the very worst MG is purposefully defrauding new customers to buy stock to fill old orders. I find it very odd that you would keep making excuses for the company while at the same time never answering legitimate questions about their conduct.

I popped into the retail store in Mansfield last weekend, there was very little stock in, certainly of GW products and MTG in particular, used to be full to the rafters.

Just got my order that i made on monday only a small one carefull to only order stuff showing as plenty in stock thats 2 orders in 2 weeks that went ok but saying that , i reckon they are winding down i worked quite high up for a local company a few years back and it started doing things the same way and even us staff couldn't get the anawers from head office, like how our orders for stock were being refused ,alot of bosses do stick their head in the ground untill it ends while the workers just carry on as best they can.

Anyone else wonder about all these success stories from posters with one or two posts in this thread only?

12thRonin>> Not really, actually. I am visiting another forum where two other members (long standing ones) state that they just recently received their orders.

Nah, though I guess you could say I'm a success story, I suppose? Admittedly, it was 3 dudes...

However, I just think I was lucky and going for something relatively obscure that they had kicking about.

only just joined dakka after starting wh40k again on my son's insistence, got to this thread because i wanted to order from MG but thought this warehouse move seemed odd, nothing to do with them never been there, and glad i didn't bother getting any wh40k with them

oldandcrabby wrote:Interesting, Eye of the Storm Ltd has been renamed today to Maunsfield Gaming Ltd, wonder what's going on ...


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Sorry MAUNSFELD GAMING LTD


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Get ready for another website

maunsfeld-gaming.co.uk

Eiríkr wrote:Maunsfeld is the archaic form of Mansfield, if it wasn't obvious.

What is this about...

EotS is listed at companies house as being registered as a trading company formerly called Maelstrom Games. In the event of MG going under it would be a simple task to lay liability for debts at eotS's door as they are the same thing, the name
Only changing in the last six months. To all intents and purposes a name change is irrelevant in a insolvency/administration situation.

Maunsfeld Gaming ltd was registered in Jume this year and is directly link to EotS as it is listed as their former name, and therefore connected to Maestrom Games. If they are avoiding creditors then they are doing a poor job of it as i have found that out in 10minutes on an iphoe on a train; all very weird behaviour.

12thRonin wrote:Anyone else wonder about all these success stories from posters with one or two posts in this thread only?

Well Pacific has posted the same so it's good enough for me. The thing is I have no doubt that MG are trying to gain orders and forfill them as they uave done before. But overtime because of stock their ability to do so will be limited and will only get worse. My concern is that it's just when the hammer falls customers will be caught out.

On the subject of completed orders, the one I placed at the weekend turned up this morning.

I was just curious. Threads like this often draw certain types of waterfowl at times.

12thRonin wrote:
Anyone else wonder about all these success stories from posters with one or two posts in this thread only?

In my defense, I only post when I've got something that's even remotely useful/funny to say.

 notprop wrote:

12thRonin wrote:Anyone else wonder about all these success stories from posters with one or two posts in this thread only?

Well Pacific has posted the same so it's good enough for me. The thing is I have no doubt that MG are trying to gain orders and forfill them as they uave done before. But overtime because of stock their ability to do so will be limited and will only get worse. My concern is that it's just when the hammer falls customers will be caught out.

Haha thanks for the vote of confidence mate!

I've used Maelstrom many times in the past, and haven't had problems generally. That being said, they have been pretty crappy when I have ordered something that isn't in stock - although not only them, but Wayland and Dark Sphere on occasion as well (the latter surprised me with a blister pack once that I had ordered about 4 months before, and completely forgotten about!) Sadly it often becomes a problem where the bigger the company, the further their customer services level drops.

In light of my own experiences I would say if you want to take advantage of the current 30-50% offers they have on then go for it, but make sure the items are in stock, or possibly not showing just a single item in stock (anyone who has worked in a warehouse will know that there is a good possibility the item is not actually there).

Redacted to keep the peace.

TheHamDroog wrote:
Balls to this, for those of you that don't know Maelstrom Games has been the subject to a HMRC tax investigation and fined, this is the root cause of all their cash flow problems. They also took business grants and did not fulfil the conditions for which they were given. The business is still under investigation. The management have already confirmed within the industry that Maelstrom is closing and creditors will not be getting all of the money owed.

Can people please now stop saying that they have a problem with their telephone line.

This is common knowledge within the industry.

Do you have a source for that?
I'm not a british jurist, but I'd say that some of these things would be part of public record?