White Ensign Models

I've ordered two or three times - service was good and fast considering I'm in the United States. I'm getting ready to order some brass in the near future.

Val Kraut

Was it a credit or a debit card? I used my debit card to order and this was my reaction:

Hi William,

Yes, the order was for two tins of paint. However, your order was declined. VISA card ending **** and expiring **/**. We should have emailed you at that time. However, that Friday was a day off for John and I, so Dave Carter was deputising on that day, so I have no record of whether he did or didn't email you. Regardless, you never received a message from us, for which I will apolgise.

Anyhows, could you check the expiry on that card and get back to me? The total was 3.58 GBP.

Well, I had some bad luck this time...

Here is the message: Dear Mr Powell,

I am really sorry to have to tell you that card number 2 was declined as well (ending ****, expires **/**).

My feeling here is that your US bank has blocked the card for overseas use. A single call is all it takes to remedy this situation, which is very common. I can try again in a day or two.

Best Regards

Caroline Snyder, Director,

If anyone has no problem, why me? Or has anyone had problems in the past? So my days with WEM is over....

William

I think Caroline is right...you need to find out why the bank is declining your card...don't blame WEM, they seem to be communicating clearly what the problem from their end is.

I've had nothing but great experiences with them.

Nat

Call your card company, I had a similar problem once and it was a block on international purchases that they (card company) automatically put on.

credit cards also charge you for that. in many cases, federal and your state consumer protection laws mean you are paying for something you get free. ymmv.

Then complain to the bank about that. If they want to add charges tell them adios and look for a better deal. When I moved my store my card processor Discover Business wanted to tack a $35 relocation fee. The only item that changed was the address the bank account and corporate info was the same. I told them they could charge me but if they did they were "fired". When they did so I got a new credit card processor (with much better service and rates) 7 days later and told them to take a hike. I guess losing several hundred a month in processing fees wasn't worth it. To me I made out much better.

Dave Henk

Have you done as they suggested? We have run into all kinds of problems over the years with cards. The vast majority were resolved by checking with the bank that issued the card. The retailer has zero control over declined cards. They never even tell us why. For us it's either Yes or No. Please ask your card holder. I'd also note that Squadron/MMD has started carrying the WEM items. We got the Schellboot and U-boat photoetch in last week from MMD.

Dave

I've had no problems with WEM. But on 1 ocassion we booked a Carribean cruise - paid with the credit card. Then when we went to use our card on the cruise to establish an account for tours, bar etc the bank initially declined. Took a ship to shore call (the shipline paid) to give them my mother's maiden name etc to convince them it was really me. Credit card fraud is rampant. I was initially annoyed but it all worked out and in the long run I'm happy about attempts at better security. I've heard of similar problems with cell phones. A friend went to Europe and couldn't use his phone. The company told him calls from out of US were blocked and if he wanted to use it in the future out of the US he would have to apply a month ahead of time. Don't blame WEM for your banks security procedures. Talk to the bank and if you're still unhappy get another card somewhere else. In fact I'd really have a problem with your card provider - imagine getting off a plane in England - going to dinner and finding out your cards no good when you go to pay. I've had nothing but fast courteous service from WEM and am getting ready to place another order. Don't forget they loose too when the bank won't cooperate.

Val Kraut

Thanks for the tip. I hope they're carrying the paint! Cheers,

The Keeper (of too much crap!)

Tragically, they are not...

The Keeper (of too much crap!)