What's problem about Hiroboy.com, I can't see my order

[TurboGuru]

Originally Posted by ZoomZoomMX-5

This "you must call if there is any problem" type of situation is exactly what keeps people from ordering in the first place.

I guess if he's so busy he won't respond to emails it does not matter that there are people who want to be customers but choose not to because of situations just like this.

Just sayin'...it's one reason I have not ordered, and have steered people to places I know that have good customer service...aka the ability to communicate.

I do find the inability to respond to emails quite bizare considering what a great guy steve is.... yes being busy is one thing, but if you cannot have time to respond to customers general inquiries then surely taking on another employee would fix things.

Its a catch 22, one could say he couldn't afford too, yet then again he is too busy fulfilling constant orders?

I do feel the lack of response via email is a great let down for his customer confidence abroad.

If you check the help/FAQ page again I am sure there is an email address strictly for orders so you could try that.

My only problem is, I love ZERO PAINT!

[klutz_100]

My order of Nov 10th was Order #19898
Your order of Nov 25th was order # 20170

Assuming consecutive numbering (looking at my order history over time I think that is a fair assumption), the means Steve received roughly 270 orders over 15 days - an average of 20 orders/day to process and fill. (BTW, I get the same number when I look at the order #s for my 2007 purchases)

Assume 30 mins per order for gathering, checking, packing and addressing? That's 10 hours solid work. Add on time for stock ordering, shelf filling, paint mixing, going to the WC, answering phones... it does seem a lot for just one person

Can he afford to hire someone? Do the maths on that yourselves
Make an assumption on average order value, make an assumption on average margin per sale (paint will be very high, parts and kits probably much lower) and then factor in overhead costs and his "cost of money" i.e his return on investment and salary...

I'm guessing it's Catch 22. Successful enough to cause problems in service but not large enough to expand his cost base. He needs a new market and more volume....?

Having said that, all my orders (bar one) have been handled promptly, perfectly and without any problems at all. 100% perfect service is a goal but it's not real life. None the less, Steve really does need to find a solution to his email "issue" because it will bite him in the a$$ sooner or later

[TurboGuru]

Yeah, my orders have been fine, and I always know that if I really need to get in contact with him Telephone is the best way. Shame others are unable to reach him by phone.

[jano11]

Originally Posted by klutz_100

My order of Nov 10th was Order #19898
Your order of Nov 25th was order # 20170

Assuming consecutive numbering (looking at my order history over time I think that is a fair assumption), the means Steve received roughly 270 orders over 15 days - an average of 20 orders/day to process and fill. (BTW, I get the same number when I look at the order #s for my 2007 purchases)

Assume 30 mins per order for gathering, checking, packing and addressing? That's 10 hours solid work. Add on time for stock ordering, shelf filling, paint mixing, going to the WC, answering phones... it does seem a lot for just one person

Can he afford to hire someone? Do the maths on that yourselves
Make an assumption on average order value, make an assumption on average margin per sale (paint will be very high, parts and kits probably much lower) and then factor in overhead costs and his "cost of money" i.e his return on investment and salary...

I'm guessing it's Catch 22. Successful enough to cause problems in service but not large enough to expand his cost base. He needs a new market and more volume....?

Having said that, all my orders (bar one) have been handled promptly, perfectly and without any problems at all. 100% perfect service is a goal but it's not real life. None the less, Steve really does need to find a solution to his email "issue" because it will bite him in the a$$ sooner or later

He really should hire someone, maybe a student for a part time job, 2-3 hours a day. I'm sure he would find someone given how the market looks right now.

[empire4th]

Yes,I orderd lots of paints on 25th,Nov. If waiting more than one month, I think it is understandable.

Please look at my account from this picture, I can't see all of order in 2009,only display orders in 2008 and before.



So, I can't check my order status and I encountered a trouble is that I can not make international phone call to steve.

Somebody can help me to make a call to steve to tell him about this problem? Thanks!

[eFWoRKs]

hiroboy...

they never replied my emails.,
what a services, considering it's quite well known among modellers.

it's quite inconvenience for international buyers if they have to make phone to steve, because an international call, cost quite expensive, and it should be enough by emails.

I found a lot of complain regarding the unreplied emails, and i found that hiroboy not/would not make any solution.

since then I only use hiroboy as reference, and i order stuff from another online shop.

[dedhaz]

Originally Posted by eFWoRKs

hiroboy...

they never replied my emails.,
what a services, considering it's quite well known among modellers.

it's quite inconvenience for international buyers if they have to make phone to steve, because an international call, cost quite expensive, and it should be enough by emails.

I found a lot of complain regarding the unreplied emails, and i found that hiroboy not/would not make any solution.

since then I only use hiroboy as reference, and i order stuff from another online shop.

Evrething is right, I'm wrote to him a lot of e-mails about payments, and I have an answer after 1 month (+- 1 week). I consolidate with You, this is very good internet page for reference and news. Unfortunately I want to buy some paints from him, but I'm read much more bad comment on different modeling forums about Stive...

[star21]

Originally Posted by dedhaz

Evrething is right, I'm wrote to him a lot of e-mails about payments, and I have an answer after 1 month (+- 1 week). I consolidate with You, this is very good internet page for reference and news. Unfortunately I want to buy some paints from him, but I'm read much more bad comment on different modeling forums about Stive...

I believe there are tons of satisfied customers. Otherwise would he still be open? This debate goes back and forth with those who are considering ordering from him (or had bad experiences with him) and those that have actually had good results from him. Why not as much good reviews? How often do you see people leaving good reviews about a business or person? Sadly, not much. This is why corporations or similar will conduct surveys.

I've made 2 orders in the past 1 1/2 months (Zero Paints) and haven't had any problems. The only gripe I have that really wouldn't be in his control is the shipping cost. It's a killer to my address! (paint in a glass jar can be HEAVY). All in all, though, I do feel its quite worth it.

If you really think about it he's one of the few websites that offer a somewhat comprehensive and user friendly site. Yes, there are other stores out there online that offer color matched paints but are they usually user friendly or have a wide selection? Not really.

[gionc]

Mmm I'm delay like ever...

BTW: I purchased several times from Hiroboy, often with tricky stuff like custom made paints: I still think that the service is superb, and I never had a trouble. I got few small troubles in the begin and he ever replaced FREE the stuff.

Yep, may be the communication is not easy, due the issues we know: he's overbooked, busy and can't/won't get emplojes, this is his choose and I respect it.

Looking at me, the benefits to purchase from him (big stock of detail parts, custom color in small quantity and quick, quality of products, the fact that he's european and I wouldn't pay taxes)are much more than the small faults.

Fiuwwwwww, looks like that browsing less or none this site due the fact that I'm busy too I lost also the few english I got....

[Didymus]

Originally Posted by TurboGuru

You should of ordered more paint.

Hey - maybe he's building two kits!

Ddms

[Didymus]

Is there any other source for Zero paints?

Ddms

[star21]

Originally Posted by Didymus

Is there any other source for Zero paints?

Ddms

Nope because he owns Zero Paints. Do you see the dilemma and even more of a reason why he's so busy?

Incase someone might be wondering I think he's already covered why he does not wholesale it (?) in the Zero Paints FAQ.

[klutz_100]

Originally Posted by Didymus

Is there any other source for Zero paints?

Ddms

Yes. Lechler paints.

AFAIK Zero Paints are regular Lechler mixing system paints - but you will still need to know the color code of the particular color you are looking for.

The real added value in Zero paints is NOT the paint itself (although it IS great paint, most automotive paint systems will give a similar result I suspect). It is the fact that you can buy it easily and in small amounts at a reasonable price plus the fact that in many cases, Steve has already found the mixing codes and therefore you can buy colors "off the shelf" rather than do a lot of leg work.

When I was last in the UK I went to Halfords and I could buy a tin of eg a Ferrari red but WTF would I do with a litre of it?!?!? How many models in the same color do I want to build??

[Didymus]

Originally Posted by klutz_100

The real added value in Zero paints is NOT the paint itself (although it IS great paint, most automotive paint systems will give a similar result I suspect). It is the fact that you can buy it easily and in small amounts at a reasonable price plus the fact that in many cases, Steve has already found the mixing codes and therefore you can buy colors "off the shelf" rather than do a lot of leg work.

From everything I've heard about Zero paints - I haven't tried them - they sound exactly like the automotive urethanes I buy at Finishmasters, a chain that sells mainly to body shops. They also cater to one-man repair businesses that specialize in ding-and-dent removal and buy in small quantities.

I've had no problem buying "touch up" quantities of PPG, Omni and Dupont 1k urethanes from Finishmasters. A 2 oz. bottle costs about $14. It's reduced 4 - 1, so it's actually very economical. A bottle will cover two cars, plus. The store has several codebooks that I use to select the color I want, either by code or by eye. The codes go back about ten years; for earlier cars it's strictly by eye. They mix the paint while as I wait.

Until recently, they haven't had small quantities of 2k clear coat, but the last time I was there I noticed quart or liter size cans, and small cans of hardener. I didn't ask about it, since I'm perfectly happy clearing with U-POL Power Can clear from Ditchek. It's perfectly compatible with Tamiya TS and automotive urethanes.

Finishmasters recommend the use of medium temp reducer for the urethane. That's good advice: I learned the hard way that ordinary lacquer thinner can curdle the urethane.

Not every town has an automotive paint supplier, and some suppliers might not be willing to sell retail or in small quantities. The great advantage I see in ordering from Hiroboy is that he sells retail and ships small quantities. And he apparently provides instructions specifically intended for modelers. But just about every town of any size has a body shop that uses automotive urethane. They have to get it somewhere.

If Steve is too busy to handle the volume, a little effort may uncover other sources for similar products.

[hirofkd]

For street cars, I usually look up codes at
http://www.automotivetouchup.com/
or
http://www.paintscratch.com/
Then, I run a google image search to verify the info, and order the smallest quantity from them, or pre-thinned paint from Scale Finishes.
http://www.scalefinishes.com/

It took me less than a week to receive custom mixed paints that weren't listed on Scale Finishes site (in the U.S., that is), so it has become my most favorite model car paint store.

Also, Model Car World is a well-established supplier of paints for hobby purposes for a long time, and they have many race car colors.
http://www.mcwautomotivefinishes.com/index.html