Anyone heard from Hilary Stone recently?

My theory is that HS sells the same item to several individuals before realizing due to multiple threads/sales/jumbles etc that it has already been sold to several individuals before you've dibs'd. The 'lost in the post' 'will offer a refund', is a polite and intentionally honorable excuse.
Struggles to follow through though....

Just a theory..but definitely a recurring story.

It concerns me that in his email about an item I enquired about he wrote:
"PLEASE confirm after you have made your payment and THEN send me your NAME and ADDRESS."
How does he know to keep an item for someone if they haven't even told him they are buying it until after they have paid for it?

The man is being strangely quiet, I saw something today he just posted on here, was tempted but saw this thread. Very odd that he hasn't commented if he is still posting stuff for sale.
I think I will hold off for a bit until I hear he has made good with you lot first!
http://www.lfgss.com/thread62406.html#post2054884
http://www.lfgss.com/thread62335.html#post2051845

How hard would that be to reply to a buyer with an apology about double selling the same item and refund the money right away? We are all human after all. I think he'd earn more respect that way than igonoring the lot of us.

I've now got a reply with an offer for a refund. Would rather have the pedals tbh but at least he's got back to me.

ordered a part from him over the phone. said he would post it friday. saturday morning its waiting for me downstairs.

Finally got my refund, I am finally happy ish... Hope that supposed to be mine stem went to a good home or back to Hilary than sitting at a corner of a sorting office someplace.

^That'as for sure. I'm not sure i'd bother checking ExTra.

My theory is that HS sells the same item to several individuals before realizing due to multiple threads/sales/jumbles etc that it has already been sold to several individuals before you've dibs'd. The 'lost in the post' 'will offer a refund', is a polite and intentionally honorable excuse.
Struggles to follow through though....

Just a theory..but definitely a recurring story.

Or maybe Royal Mail really dislike Mr Stone and intentionally misplace his posts regularly?

I am pleased to say I now have my refund from Hilary. Sent with 'very sorry' but no other explanation.

he didnt reply my email too..

he didnt reply my email too..

It is three in the morning. Give him a break.

Sorry to drag this up again, has anyone been in contact with Hilary recently? he owes me money and has done for a month and a half, ive sent him about 5 PM's and countless Emails to the address on his website but no reply and no refund. Always had good dealings with him up until now, has he turned bad?

He's not the most communicative of chaps but he is good on his word. He's always got a lot on, and is generally away a fair amount sourcing new bits and bobs for our delight.

Patience is a virtue and all that. If he says he'll give you a refund, he will. Sometimes it just takes a little while.

To be fair a month and a half is a long time to wait even for the most patient.

Think hes been in Germany for a while and is back now.

Agree that is word is always good but that is a looong time. Think there is a phone number on his web site. You should call him.

(0044) (0)117 951 0619 or (0044) (0)797 104 3290

I live in Denmark and will not call him. But if any of you guys do, will you ask him how long waiting time you have to expect? I ordered a BB and I am very much looking forward to hear if it's gone through or not.

I'm waiting for a seat pin which was paid for five weeks ago - apparently he mislaid the original and was going to send a second one - that was three weeks ago.

Five weeks is too long to wait Hilary!

PS - tbh this is the first time in about two years buying from him regularly that he's let me down.

Usually very good in my experience but need this set pin to finish build.

[hilary stone excuse] he's pretty busy at the moment [/hilary stone excuse]

[hilary stone excuse]he's abroad [/hilary stone excuse]

and so on…

I've found if you send replies to already lenghty PM conversations reading just the email, and even sometimes viewing via the forum its hard to work out what the other person has actually just written.
advice > write a fresh message as its easier to other party to pick up.

Just bought a seatpost and a saddle from Hilary.

Wrote him July 4 to ask about availability and combined postage to Denmark. He answered July 6 with paypal details and a total cost. Paypal'ed him the day after and sent my address and a confirmation. Picked up the package at the post office today.

Everything went smooth, my only remark is the lack of an email when the package was sent out

He does fish up some gorgeous bike, as does RIH.

Phone him on the number on his website, I did and everything was sorted within ten minutes

Bought a mint hs the other week from Hilary - all copacetic... Having once worked in the same office, suspect half the time any delay is he's got to unearth the stuff from where it was, er, 'carefully filed' :)

Just bought handlebars, stem and brakes from Hilary. Query, details and payment all last Thursday evening, turned up in the post today. Smooth as. Very happy.