Buyer Beware! Black Tree Designs

Dagorlad · **Posted:** Sat Aug 09, 2008 1:08 am

Black Tree Designs are the suppliers of, amongst others, the Legions of the Realms (LOTR) range of minis and have been in the business for years. I have always had good dealings with them in the past and had no reason to suspect that they were risky to deal with.

But all that has changed.

I placed an order with them for £50 worth of models at the end of June to take advantage of their 35% off sale. I have not received them yet, the money has been taken from my credit card, but the order has not progressed from being 'queued' in all that time and they are ignoring all of my emails and other attempts to contact them.

Looking around on other sites (Frothers and TMP) it seems I'm not alone either; many other people have been waiting months for their orders, or have only received parts of their orders, or the wrong figures. And all attempts to contact them (phone, email, etc) are being ignored.

So avoid these guys like the plague.

General Haar · **Posted:** Sat Aug 09, 2008 2:23 am

Thanks for the heads-up, Dag. I hate when companies pull that nonsense. Hope it works out for you, though. :\

JohnandTricia · **Posted:** Sat Aug 09, 2008 3:53 am

hey I know a reliable guy who can get you items when you want and has an awesome sale coming up real soon.

Dorthonion · **Posted:** Sat Aug 09, 2008 9:36 am

Hopefully this is not going the same direction as Battle Games By Mail did 3 years ago (still £132 down on that).

Dagorlad · **Posted:** Thu Aug 14, 2008 10:33 pm

I think it may be heading down that direction Chris. The number of complaints is growing daily and I have learned they also owe people money for painting commissions. I have contacted my credit card company and asked that they investigate it - so hopefully I can get my money back ...

... and then spend it at Bolt Action Minis* instead.

*Sorry John, but you don't have any 28mm WWII stuff yet.

JohnandTricia · **Posted:** Fri Aug 15, 2008 12:24 am

Totally understandable Alan but we are going to start carrying them this weekend.

Dagorlad · **Posted:** Wed Aug 20, 2008 12:52 am

Just got a very apologetic email from Black Tree Designs. I replied respectfully (despite feeling like giving them a severe bollocking) and so hopefully I will get a result from this - I'd much rather get my models than my money back.

lorderkenbrand · **Posted:** Wed Aug 20, 2008 12:59 pm

You should have given them that bollocking, its all they deserve. Hope you get what you paid for. Do you think they just clocked on that they were messing with the admin of one of the largest miniature forums lol

Dagorlad · **Posted:** Wed Aug 20, 2008 9:37 pm

No, I doubt they would be aware of our site. Aside from their small LOTR range (which they are trying to sell the rights to), they mostly do WWII, Zulu Wars and Ancients, plus a nostalgic Dr Who range. So we're off their radar probably.

I chose the softer path and it seems to be working. My minis are being shipped today apparently, less some that are out of stock and need to be cast.

If they arrive in a timely fashion, then I will be happy.

Dagorlad · **Posted:** Fri Sep 05, 2008 7:50 am

Well, they arrived. Not exactly timely, but they're here none-the-less.

Dorth, you'd like this - the models include an 88mm Flak gun, a Kubelwagon, a US Deuce-and-a-half, a BMW motorcycle and sidecar, plus a Dalek.

I have a weird war project in mind for a rainy day.

BilboOfTheWhiteTower · **Posted:** Fri Sep 05, 2008 2:58 pm

Glad that they finally sent the models out to you...nothing worse than paying for something and feeling like you've been taken to the cleaners.

lorderkenbrand · **Posted:** Fri Sep 05, 2008 3:22 pm

Great to hear they have arrived Dagorlad, better late than never

eBob · **Posted:** Thu Sep 11, 2008 6:05 pm

Dagorlad wrote:

No, I doubt they would be aware of our site. Aside from their small LOTR range (which they are trying to sell the rights to), they mostly do WWII, Zulu Wars and Ancients, plus a nostalgic Dr Who range. So we're off their radar probably.

I chose the softer path and it seems to be working. My minis are being shipped today apparently, less some that are out of stock and need to be cast.

If they arrive in a timely fashion, then I will be happy.

It was my understanding that Black Tree no longer have the rights to make or sell their LoTR range - so it's curious that they are trying to sell the rights. They don't own the rights. They can sell the moulds - but I'm not sure any buyer would have permission from Tolkien to cast anything using them.

Buyer Beware! Black Tree Designs

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