Some unfortunate news out of France, Blast Models will be closing their doors.
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SgtRam
Contributing Writer
#197
Joined: March 06, 2011
KitMaker: 3,971 posts
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Posted: Sunday, January 12, 2014 - 02:22 AM UTC
Maki
Senior Editor
Joined: February 13, 2002
KitMaker: 5,579 posts
Armorama: 2,988 posts
Posted: Sunday, January 12, 2014 - 03:11 AM UTC
Do we have any confirmation from the owner about closing of Blast? Perhaps I'm reading the announcement wrong, but I think they are relocating the store out of Paris and will be continuing the business after the move.
Mario
Mario
SgtRam
Contributing Writer#197
Joined: March 06, 2011
KitMaker: 3,971 posts
Armorama: 2,859 posts
Posted: Sunday, January 12, 2014 - 03:16 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Do we have any confirmation from the owner about closing of Blast? Perhaps I'm reading the announcement wrong, but I think they are relocating the store out of Paris and will be continuing the business after the move.
Mario
I have included what was posted on the Blast site, they are stating the end of the current online store and physical store, but will be relocating and continuing just the resin line sometime in the summer.
Shaun6115
Joined: April 23, 2012
KitMaker: 32 posts
Armorama: 31 posts
Posted: Sunday, January 12, 2014 - 04:18 AM UTC
I hope this works out for him, I'm a big fan of Blast.
Shaun
Shaun
bison126
Joined: June 10, 2004
KitMaker: 5,329 posts
Armorama: 5,204 posts
Posted: Sunday, January 12, 2014 - 06:31 AM UTC
Quoted Text
This doesn't sound bad
Not quite right as Blast were also the importer for some Asian brands in Europe like Meng Models.
It really is a sad news for us French modelers as this was certainly the best modeling shop in France.
warreni
Joined: August 14, 2007
KitMaker: 5,926 posts
Armorama: 712 posts
Posted: Sunday, January 12, 2014 - 07:31 AM UTC
The website is bizarre.. They don't have prices on anything until you have created and account, logged in and ordered it!!
Littorio
Joined: September 15, 2004
KitMaker: 4,728 posts
Armorama: 504 posts
Posted: Sunday, January 12, 2014 - 07:39 AM UTC
Quoted Text
The website is bizarre.. They don't have prices on anything until you have created and account, logged in and ordered it!!
Must be something odd from your end Warren as when I enter the site select EU and then English all the prices are there, although in Euro's (easy conversion) that's without a login.
I have used Blast in the past and have been happy with the service.
1967er
Joined: March 12, 2012
KitMaker: 224 posts
Armorama: 201 posts
Posted: Sunday, January 12, 2014 - 08:04 AM UTC
I agree with Littorio - I have searched their complete webstore today without any account or anything like that.
Arnzer
Joined: August 01, 2013
KitMaker: 26 posts
Armorama: 23 posts
Posted: Sunday, January 12, 2014 - 09:06 AM UTC
It's a very bad news.
I agree with Olivier, it was the best shop in France ... I used to order from Blast since ten years without any problem.
I agree with Olivier, it was the best shop in France ... I used to order from Blast since ten years without any problem.
pseudorealityx
Joined: January 31, 2010
KitMaker: 2,191 posts
Armorama: 1,814 posts
Posted: Sunday, January 12, 2014 - 01:48 PM UTC
Just took advantage of their discount... unfortunately for the last time.
Glad to hear their resin line will continue, but I'm sorry to all our European friends on their shop closing down.
Glad to hear their resin line will continue, but I'm sorry to all our European friends on their shop closing down.
amoz02t
#192
Joined: November 25, 2009
KitMaker: 1,383 posts
Armorama: 1,281 posts
Posted: Sunday, January 12, 2014 - 02:04 PM UTC
Sad news as I have really enjoyed their offerings. Hope the quality of the resin continue in the future. Wishing them much success
bill_c
Campaigns AdministratorJoined: January 09, 2008
KitMaker: 10,553 posts
Armorama: 8,109 posts
Posted: Monday, January 13, 2014 - 07:16 AM UTC
Well, I can't say that their customer service won them many friends, but it was fun going by the store on a previous visit to Paris in a neighborhood with a nifty flea market and some good North African cuisine.
Longinus
Joined: December 18, 2008
KitMaker: 18 posts
Armorama: 15 posts
Posted: Monday, January 13, 2014 - 07:24 AM UTC
This is bad news indeed.Pity.
Sean50
Joined: March 20, 2007
KitMaker: 340 posts
Armorama: 328 posts
Posted: Tuesday, January 14, 2014 - 05:14 AM UTC
@Bill. Are you sure you mean Blast and not those jokers at Azimut? I've been a happy customer of Blast for years, never had any problems, always excellent service. Likewise everyone I know who's dealt with them. Real shame they're closing.
terminators
Joined: February 20, 2012
KitMaker: 1,932 posts
Armorama: 1,907 posts
Posted: Tuesday, January 14, 2014 - 05:29 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Quoted TextThis doesn't sound bad
Not quite right as Blast were also the importer for some Asian brands in Europe like Meng Models.
It really is a sad news for us French modelers as this was certainly the best modeling shop in France.
And they were very fast for deliveries. And restocked their site regularly.
bill_c
Campaigns AdministratorJoined: January 09, 2008
KitMaker: 10,553 posts
Armorama: 8,109 posts
Posted: Tuesday, January 14, 2014 - 06:37 AM UTC
Quoted Text
@Bill. Are you sure you mean Blast and not those jokers at Azimut? I've been a happy customer of Blast for years, never had any problems, always excellent service. Likewise everyone I know who's dealt with them. Real shame they're closing.
Nope, the Rue Crozatier, down from the flea market at the Place d'Aligre.
I stopped in two years ago, and a Gallic Chill was in the air. I even identified myself as a (then) editor at Armorama. I could've just as easily been offering them some fresh dog poop from outside on the street, haha. Didn't expect them to kiss my butt, but I did hope to have a conversation with them and maybe see about a feature behind the scenes. Non, merci.
Hey, no one has an obligation to be nice, but in the States, we usually try to live by the philosophy of "the customer is always right."
None of that changes the fact that I'm sorry they're closing. LHS are disappearing all over the place. I am glad their online operation will continue.
Sean50
Joined: March 20, 2007
KitMaker: 340 posts
Armorama: 328 posts
Posted: Tuesday, January 14, 2014 - 07:30 AM UTC
OK, sorry. Thanks for clarifying.
Surprised me a bit, that's all.
Cheers,
Sean
Surprised me a bit, that's all.
Cheers,
Sean
hugohuertas
Joined: January 26, 2007
KitMaker: 1,024 posts
Armorama: 1,013 posts
Posted: Tuesday, January 14, 2014 - 07:36 AM UTC
Bill, you really made me laugh loud with that "Gallic Chill" thing...
I'm with you on this, I like a lot Blast's resin stuff, but after visiting their shop once some years ago, I believe it will be very hard to find someone with less empathy with customers coming from the other side of the world than their crew.
As you said, nobody has the obligation to be nice, but as a customer you have the right to expect a bit more attention.
Anyway, I kept buying their stuff through the website, and with no doubt will keep doing it on the future, their products quality is usually top notch.
Sad to see one more LHS closing its doors, but fixed costs are killing this kind of bussiness. It's the Century XXI way...
I'm with you on this, I like a lot Blast's resin stuff, but after visiting their shop once some years ago, I believe it will be very hard to find someone with less empathy with customers coming from the other side of the world than their crew.
As you said, nobody has the obligation to be nice, but as a customer you have the right to expect a bit more attention.
Anyway, I kept buying their stuff through the website, and with no doubt will keep doing it on the future, their products quality is usually top notch.
Sad to see one more LHS closing its doors, but fixed costs are killing this kind of bussiness. It's the Century XXI way...
bison126
Joined: June 10, 2004
KitMaker: 5,329 posts
Armorama: 5,204 posts
Posted: Tuesday, January 14, 2014 - 07:08 PM UTC
Quoted Text
I believe it will be very hard to find someone with less empathy with customers coming from the other side of the world
Don't be worried about that. It was exactly the same treatment the French customers got unless they were personnally known by the staff.
Anyway, their online shop was probably the best for their customer service.
Maki
Senior EditorJoined: February 13, 2002
KitMaker: 5,579 posts
Armorama: 2,988 posts
Posted: Tuesday, January 14, 2014 - 07:55 PM UTC
I experienced the same Gallic Chill through my email conversations with the owner. They have some amazing resin products, but I really hope I will not have to email them again.
Mario
Mario
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