f1specialties, anyone used them before?

[mickbench]

Are the Replacement 1/20 F1 Tamiya Decals on this site from out of kits, or are they produced by f1specialties?

http://www.f1specialties.com/main/

Also, anyone ordered from them, no online ordering you have to fax or email the order, sounds a bit dodgy passing CC information over email or fax...

[lumpulus]

I have ordered from them many, many times. do so with confidence, though it would be nice if they would have a web ordering sytem.

The replacement OEM decals are just that, original Tamiya.

they also have "fill in" sheets for what Tamiya left out on certain kits.

[Spitfire7]

I ordered a sheet of decals from them a few weeks ago. Shipping to the UK was very fast - much quicker than I expected. The only thing is that you have to send your order by e-mail, which isn't particularly safe if you're sending credit card numbers, but of course you could phone them up

The replacement decals are the same ones from the Tamiya kits - they aren't made by F1 specialities. I ordered a decal sheet for the Avex Dome NSX which was the same from the original kit.

[freakray]

I've heard a lot of good about them but can never find what I need on there so haven't ordered from them yet.

[mickbench]

Ah right, sending CC info across email is risky. I can split the card number into two emails etc and send 10 minutes apart, or if they are using SSL email I can encrypt it.

I've got two model F1 tamiya kits that a dead beat ebay seller sold me some months back. Mclaren Honda 4/4 and Honda FW11 and the decals are yellow in places..The white Honda logos and parts etc are not great.. It will show if I used them, plus the honda 4/4 decal sheet is curved. These decals are cracked I can see they are - decal saver will save them, but not remove the yellow.. Sunlight might, but they will just crack even more. Never mentioned this when I asked him if the kits were all fine and no problems with the decals.. This place has replacements - Bonus..!! Not bad prices either, plus they have tabacco decals as well.. Bigger Bonus..!!

[RallyRaider]

Dealt with F1 Specialties several times over the years and they have always been great. Make sure you check out their carbon fibre decals too, they were one of the first on the market and still the best.

[generationx]

Agreed with everyone else. I've used them several times and they've always been fast and efficient. Recommended.

About the credit card problem, as you say send it over a couple of emails, replace the zeros with 'o's, try to be as safe as possible. Then once F1specialties have your details you don't need to send them again the next time you order (which you will...)

[lotus_man]

My order from them arrived in the UK within two days of them dispatching it. Top quality service, although the address was a little bit iffy... something got lost in the translation from UK English to US English :-)

I rang them up, rates to the US aren't too bad otherwise just use the 'two e-mail' approach. It isn't great I admit, but then neither is given you CC information to some guy in another country by phone. It would be nice if they did online orders for sure, but they were the only people who had what I needed (Perfect Parts set for the F2001 Tamiya kit).

[mickbench]

I emailed them, they replied and wanted a fax order..?? The fax at work is currently busted, and I don't have a fax at home, I mean I ripped out all forms of old commications other then a POTS telephone years ago..!! I have something called DSL now.!!

It's bad they don't take CC orders online, but I bet it's just because they don't want to install an SSL veri sign server, and they don't want to use paypal due to rip off paypal charges, so until the only fax at work is working again, no decals for me..!!

Guess i could call them but what a mess around..

[mickbench]

Bah.. I called them and made my order.. God only knows who I spoke with, could have been someone from planet venus for all I know..!! If I get a LARGE credit card bill for dodgy porn sites then I know all wasn't what it seemed..!!

Couldn't understand a word he was saying, bet I sounded funny as well with my UK northern twang..!! Anyhow, new decals to replace the decals from those two kits I get from that worthless deadhead ebay seller..!! Even after I left bad feedback he was adamant I had no idea what I was looking at.!! Said the decals were slightly aged..!! Oh king of crap he was..!!

Thanks all, and if I get a credit card statement that looks well dodgy, be on your heads it will..!!

[mikemechanic]

Originally Posted by mickbench

If I get a LARGE credit card bill for dodgy porn sites then I know all wasn't what it seemed..!!

You mean you don't already?? Am I the only one?

I have heard nothing but good things about f1specialties. One of my friends knows the owner (unless it's changed hands) and speaks highly of him.

[lumpulus]

Originally Posted by RallyRaider

Dealt with F1 Specialties several times over the years and they have always been great. Make sure you check out their carbon fibre decals too, they were one of the first on the market and still the best.

I would disagree with this. they are good to be sure, but I think the Modelers and SMS decals especially are better than F1S decals.

[RallyRaider]

Originally Posted by lumpulus

I would disagree with this. they are good to be sure, but I think the Modelers and SMS decals especially are better than F1S decals.

Well everybody has different opinions. To me the F1 specialties is much easier to work with, it responds better to my techniques. Less brittle and tempramental than SMS. More flexable than Modellers. As well it is a darker shade and finer, more consistent pattern, which looks better to me.

[mickbench]

Each to their own when it comes to preferred supplier of whatever.. I've ordered some SMS CF decals, but I'm always ready to try varying products..