We received our Fort Washington Bell Tower today. Call me disappointed. It's tiny, not much bigger than a Little Light. (I know, I should have read the description) Seems like not much for $45.00 and $8.95 (!!!!! I calculate $4.35) shipping. And I got #590. I ordered a day or two after it appeared on the web, so I was hoping for a much lower number.

Let me just say, though, the detail is exquisite. A couple of nice trees and a little boat. But somehow it just doesn't make up for the disappointment. Maybe if it were cheaper, I'd be more satisfied, but the HL budget isn't unlimited!

I was really looking forward to getting it and now I'm seriously considering eating the shipping charges and returning it and spending the money elsewhere.

But don't let my opinion affect yours.

[This message has been edited by Larry (edited 12-20-2001).]

Hi Larry,

Mine was delivered today too. I got #580, don't remember how quickly I called in, back in the summer (did we order then?) I wasn't on the Forums everyday.

Yes, it is small. I never even read about the size. It is a very cute piece but it is the size of Sunken Rock which was $25! I do agree the price seems high especially when full size HLs are only about $15 more.

Ths shipping is sooo typical of companies. They charge whatever they feel like, if you don't like it don't order. I know the argument that someone has to pack it etc. But they all make money on the shipping. I always love the companies that charge by the cost of the order, not the size, weight or destination.

Anyway, being a die-hard collector I'm not sorry I ordered it.

Donna

Got mine yesterday!
Ordered based on email before it was posted on Forum Didn't read it was a bell tower 'til later. It was an HL assumed it was a LH. Time will tell whether it was worth it - 1200 pieces. I got 218. I'd bet they reserved many low numbers for themselves. Did HL keep the usual first 10 pieces John? Comes in a box the size of a mini. Big plug for Chesapeake Chapter of US Lighthouse Society on HL minature parchment paper. Haven't gone over it in detail yet fot an opinion?

If anybody gets #219, let's make a trade. Bob I know the collector that get's #218.

Got mine today yes it's small but looks real nice I like it
Larry

Did anybody get a tent card I didn't get one?
Larry

I got mine today, I ordered 2 the same day the info was posted. I got #147 and #466.

I like the piece and it's size. The cost of shipping..... way, way, way over priced and frankly thats the reason I don't buy from them very often.

As far as the numbers go, I am sure they have many autoship customers or regulars of their own who are taken care of before the occasional customer like myself.

Has anybody gotten the # that they asked for?

My Fort Washington pieces arrived yesterday and they did indeed send me my autoship number. Thanks to John for setting that up.
There appears to be a very thin line between calling these pieces HB's or regular Harbour Lights pieces when they come in the familiar blue boxes that we have come to love and instantly recognize.
Jim
Johnson

Mine arrived yesterday! Looks like there are no tent cards with this one. Nice to get an early Chirstmas present! I like this one and am glad I ordered it!

Thanks for the update Jim, my fingers are crossed and thanks again to John!

My Fort Washington came into today and I received my two-digit auto shipment number.
The box is a typical Harbour light box. The difference is that the sticker on the box says “Historic Buildings” and as Jim said it has a HB prefix on the number. The number is HB901. Wonder why they didn’t start with 101?

Daniel

Received our Fort Washington's today, and did receive our autoship two digit numbers! Seems like the shipping charges were "too much" for this small box! Oh well!

Received my Ft Washington today and got the autoship number I requested. Yeah it's a little small and yeah it's a bit steep, but they only made 1200 of 'em. That's comparable to some Reunion pieces.

Mine arrived on Friday. It is number 424. It is nice, but they downplay the fact that there IS a light in the tower, so I think it should be considered a lighthouse! It is also marked as a lighthouse on the Mid-Atlantic lighthouse map. I am glad I had a chance to visit it in October after the reunion.

Suzanne

I received my Ft Washington on Friday. Its number is 20. I really like the piece, although the size was a little surprise.

Hooray! Got my autoship today!

I heard a rattling of my screen door this morning and when I checked no it wasn't santa a bit early but just as good.It was 2 packages one with my 2 ft. washingtons and 1 with my piece I have been looking for a long time 3 sisters of nauset.I admit Ft.Washington is small but so are bell houses in comparison to lighthouses and this one makes up for size in nice detail I am glad I got them felt like an early Xmas.Bill O'Brien

Who made your 3 sisters piece Bill?

Way back when I won the "Register and Win" contest I asked Kim if it would be possible to make the 3 sisters at their original location with keepers house and was told no.
I thought a 3 light piece would be neat and possibly doable at an affordable price since they are small lights but no luck.

This has no keepers house just the 3 lights.Bill O'Brien

I received my piece today. I did not get my autoship number, but I do my primary business with another dealer so no surprise. I am mildly disappointed in the piece. It's not a matter of size as much as the detail. It is very plain in my opinion.

Got my piece yesterday (24th) at 5 PM. The mailman was loaded down and he was a substitute to boot. I had about given up hope but the USPS came through even though for the price of shipping it should have been mailed overnight. The cost of shipping is one reason I will njot buy from Lighthouse Depot unless there is no other source. Anyway, they sent me my autoship number, thanks to John, and I'm happy with the piece and it looks good with Point Allerton and the Lifesaver figures.

Rich

I recieved my Ft. Washington on Friday and I have to say, overall I like it, although there is what I consider a GLARING mistake.

First off, the price is a little high compared to similar H.L.'s, but still worth it as far as I'm concerned.

Now, the problems....

First, the light in the tower is kinda big and weird looking. I would have liked a smaller, painted light instead of the pink see-through thing. But the real, and may I say surprising problem, is the light is on the wrong side of the tower! At least on my model, and the model they show in the picture in the catalog, the light is over one of the sides that have the orange triangles, when in fact it should be on the side opposite the door. I guess this is really no big deal, but you'd think for the money Harbour Lights or Lighthouse Depot would have picked that up.

Otherwise, I'm glad I bought it and look forward to more!

Mike

Received as Christmas Gift. #270

looking mine over 1st a bell tower is supposed to be much smaller and lhe light is a lantern the thing in the very top isthe bell personally I like it.Bill O'Brien

Got the 2 pieces I ordered on the 22nd. I had asked for 2 specific numbers. I received 1 (#231) but was surprised when I looked at the box of the 2nd. That piece was #002. The piece is nice,but could have been a little larger, but it was an extremely low edition. Dave

Just received mine that I ordered earlier this week. I received #75 so I guess there is no method to the numbers in regards to how early a piece is ordered. I did not make any special # request but am pleased to have such a low #.

I like the piece. Reminds me of what I wish the event pieces still were.

Tim

I recd mine this past week. It's a great little piece. I'm sure with such a small number of pieces made and being the first in a new series, it will appreciate rather quickly. My only complaint, though, is that it did not come with a tent card.