A sensation in customisation
The Model Centre has taken bespoke model customisation to another level with its new website.
In the previous issue of Model Rail we explored The Model Centre’s history, from its inception in 1998 as Trafford Model Centre to where it is now. In this issue, owner Chris Yates explains how the company is always looking to move forward, and details how a new website with an improved customer interface is one of the ways it’s achieving this.
“Since high-quality weathering and model customisation are our major unique selling points, we really wanted to make a website that shouts about it. Alex (my son) has spent months designing a new system to make it easier for the customer to order a model from us and make it clear what customisation they desire.”
Customisation options for each model are listed as a series of checkboxes on the website, with the price for each clearly labelled. Checking a box updates the price at the top of the page and there is also an additional box in which customers can write extra information for the team.
“Sending your models for customisation is also simpler, thanks to the new design. You can now specify the type of model you are sending (for example a ‘OO’ gauge steam locomotive or an ‘N’ gauge wagon) and tick the appropriate checkboxes for the customisation you want done. Once we’ve received your model we’ll send you an acknowledgement e-mail. The work is usually carried out within a week, after which we return the model to you.”
PRIORITY SERVICE
“Customer service has always been my highest priority, so making things easier for the customers was a key part of the new website. They are able to specify exactly what they want and are even able to upload a prototype photograph if they want a weathering finish to look the same as an example they have. We will also provide them with the best
Before and after photographs of a customer’s renumbered and weathered model from TMC. Even under close inspection you’d be hard-pressed to find the difference between that and a factory-finished model. products for their model, regardless of the price to us. For example, fitting DCC sound costs £140 in ‘N’ and ‘OO’, even if we have to buy in the most expensive decoder.”
Why order your models and customisation from TMC? Although standard models from the main manufacturers are available from The Model Centre they specialise in custom finished models. The team of experts are able to carry out a huge range of work, including applying three grades of weathering to suit any budget, add a high-gloss finish, fit DCC and DCC sound, rename and renumber locomotives and install multiple finishing touches.
The nine team members are all experts in their field and have over a century of experience between them. Since TMC began the weathering service, Chris estimates that each member of the team has weathered over 10,000 models each year, being a mixture of locomotives, coaches and wagons of all gauges.
“We aim to produce a finish that is as good if not better than factory finish. For example, if you’re ordering a model with a new number, we aim to make it appear as though it was printed on at the factory.”
This is certainly true. While visiting The Model Centre, Chris showed Model Rail one of the renumbered locomotives and it was impossible to distinguish it from a factory-printed example.
Next issue we’ll take a detailed look at the ordering and weathering process, and show you exactly what happens to your models when you send them to The Model Centre.