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RonH56
Crew Chief
USA
829 Posts |
 Posted - 12/23/2010 : 09:58:51 AM
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This may be redundant but...
Many of you may have read in the Challenge, Challenge thread about my FUBAR Branchline Boxcar kit, purchased from an unknown Hobby dealer while traveling. Well I sent an e-mail to Branchline explaining the issue and requesting a quote for the stuff I needed to complete the kit, since it was obviuosly not their fault. Wel, I got a package the other day from them with all the replacement parts needed at NO CHARGE!!
This is the kind of thing that brings repeat business! |
"What the heck wuz that?!"
Ron Haviland
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ELK RIVER RR
Fireman
USA
1099 Posts |
Posted - 12/23/2010 : 12:21:53 PM
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| I emailed Walt at Rusty Stumps about a kit he no longer is making and he was kind enough to give me suggestions of how I can get one or make one. It seams he is always trying to help. Tom |
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Frederic Testard
Engineer
France
16524 Posts |
Posted - 12/23/2010 : 2:54:06 PM
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Ron, I love your story and find it provides a big - and pleasant - contrast to Gary's bad adventure with another manufacturer.
Seems there are much more nice ones than bad ones, though, and this, too, is a pleasant thought.
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Frederic Testard |
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belg
Fireman
USA
4381 Posts |
Posted - 12/23/2010 : 4:44:48 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by Pennman
First, I must admit that I have recently gotten into the hobby, so I haven't purchased a great deal of items from many of the manufacturers, but my hat goes off to Brett Gallant of Sierra West Scale Models.
I found a webpage(Sierra West),offering some kits,so I purchased one using paypal. Little did I know that they had been sold-out years ago. I telephoned Brett, and we chatted about it for a few minutes, and low and behold, he offered to make me the sold-out kit I wanted! I also purchased another sold-out kit from him, that was no longer available. What an experience from a great guy to an amateur modeler like me! I would say that this is an example of service beyond the sale, to have someone whom you do not know, treat you better than family.
This is really great for you, but at the same bothers me a little. If kits are limited and sold out how can "extras" then be made???? |
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Frederic Testard
Engineer
France
16524 Posts |
Posted - 12/23/2010 : 5:37:33 PM
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Well, Pat, there are manufacturers who don't want to enter the 'limited' kits and are ready to re-issue them when they are asked for. As far as lasercut is concerned it's easy, a bit more complicate with castings and - simply - putting everything in a box which is generally full. To my opinion, the 'limited series' concept is more a matter of allowing higher prices on resell market, the lack of which I wouldn't personnally consider a sad thing.
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Frederic Testard |
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sierrawest
Engine Wiper
416 Posts |
Posted - 12/23/2010 : 6:26:34 PM
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These kits were not limited run and numbered - just out of production stock kits...
I get bored making kits and then stop making them. Sometimes if I get enough requests I will run a few to satisfy demand...
Brett |
Edited by - sierrawest on 12/23/2010 6:28:17 PM |
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belg
Fireman
USA
4381 Posts |
Posted - 12/23/2010 : 6:46:03 PM
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| Brett, thanks for clearing that up. I was under the wrong impression thinking that once the kit were sold out it meant they were no longer available. Pat |
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dallas_m
Fireman
USA
3136 Posts |
Posted - 03/19/2012 : 4:01:38 PM
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Old thread, but seems like the best place ...
Silflor/Mininatur scenery products -- It's tricky to find dealers for these items in the US. Scenic Express carries some of them, but not all of the items.
Placed an order for a bunch of Mininatur items with "Irresistable Force" (dealer) in Australia and received the items almost exactly 2 weeks later (which means they shipped immediately!) They have a deal with FREE SHIPPING (even to US) for orders over $30, so that works out quite nicely too as long as you're not in a rush:
http://www.irresistibleforce.com.au/
Look under "Scenery & Terrain" for the Mininatur items ... and note that the prices are in Australian dollars (which are worth more than USD at the moment.) There are multiple shipping options, so be sure to review those before placing an order. Thought this link might be handy as (a) it seems to be a friendly, English-language source for the Mininatur items and (b) since they specialize in non-railroad miniatures, it might not be a source familiar to my friends here.
Rusty Stumps -- Walt Gillespie
Walt is a forum sponsor and frequently noted for his outstanding service. I approached him about doing a couple of his "regular" items in my "irregular" scale of 1/35. He replied with very friendly terms and supplied the items amazingly fast -- I mean, it would have been GREAT service for a stock item ... but for custom items, it was just ridiculously great ... thanks, Walt! 
http://www.rustystumps.com/
(Loads of neat items in various scales ... and he'll even work with weirdos working in non-traditional-railroad scales!) [:-blindfold] [:-propeller] |
Edited by - dallas_m on 03/19/2012 4:04:33 PM |
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wvrr
Fireman
5018 Posts |
Posted - 03/19/2012 : 5:47:44 PM
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Dallas,
I whole-heartedly agree about Walt. I needed some windows for a kit that only provided printed acetate windows. Yuck! Walt liked the windows, added them to his catalog and made me several sets at a reasonable price. He was right up front and telling me he doesn't usually do that, but since he liked the windows, he did.
Now I just have to build the kit! It is on my short term list of to-do's, Walt!
Chuck |
Wyoming Valley Railroad
http://sites.google.com/site/wvrails/ |
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andykins
Fireman
United Kingdom
3951 Posts |
Posted - 03/20/2012 : 06:55:23 AM
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Since dallas brought this thread back up. might as well add to it.
boulder valley models.
Cant remember the name of the owner ;) but way back when i wanted a boxcar for a railtruck project, i asked about a million questions regarding sizes and how the kit is made. this being one of my 1st contacts with an american company i was most impressed with the promt, polite and useful replies as well as the quick shipping, fair rates of shipping and quailty of the kits.
Also, a big plus for me is that he was happy to sell me a part from a kit, but not just prescent kits, but kits that have been out of production for a little while. top service and something i really appreciate.
not sure how many british avtive members we now have, or the traffic from the uk, but.
modeljunction (slough)
being an american outline store, has prooved most useful for me. more so since the prices are fair, the range is good and service is polite and friendly was happy to get in some stuff for me that was out of stock, also unlike some, have a choice of shipping rates rather then a set rate. although shipping is sometimes a little slow, this is down to them being a walk in shop frist, and online retailer second.
and again another chime for walt. i ordered some doors stair stringers etc walt gave me a very nice email regarding my question of postage rates, then another email reminding me i had made the order but not paid (to figure out the correct postage rate) and gave me the opition of paying by paypal (saving me a pound or two that my bank charges for making a payment overseas..) my order came quickly and was well packed, and even included a rustystumps pen :D |
"Is it really "rivet counting" if it's regarding NBW castings?"
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Popz
Crew Chief
USA
539 Posts |
Posted - 03/20/2012 : 07:59:48 AM
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Hi Guys
Walt is the best no question another one would be Full Steam Ahead both of these guys are super business men and will go way beyond the norm
Mark |
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RonH56
Crew Chief
USA
829 Posts |
Posted - 03/20/2012 : 08:29:44 AM
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I've said it before, HOGTRAINZ. limited selection but what they do, they do right. LOW prices, great service.
AND
I 'd like to add to the list Tony's Train Exchange. I called with a couple of questions, got Tony himself on the phone. Placed the order stuff was here in (3) days. no fuss no muss. |
"What the heck wuz that?!"
Ron Haviland
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Ray Schofield
Crew Chief
USA
509 Posts |
Posted - 05/18/2012 : 7:56:27 PM
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I posted a negative about Athearn on the Atlas Forum some time ago and have apologize to Athearn and Horizon, when I got to Athearn / Horizon directly, there service was outstanding. Thank you Chuck.
quote:
Originally posted by AVRR-PA
quote:
Originally posted by brakie
As a customer I found Horizon very upbeat..
Hi, Larry --
Did I find the "right" Horizon Hobbies?
http://www.horizonhobby.com/
Don
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wesleybeks
Fireman
South Africa
2254 Posts |
Posted - 06/20/2012 : 10:45:07 AM
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Hi guys
I thought I’d share my story of a kit manufacturer going way beyond what is required of them.
I’ve been having problems getting Rembrandt chalks here in South Africa. And if I ordered through Dick Blick, the shipping cost would be more than double the price of the chalks. So I put a message on the Sierra West Scale Models Forum asking if there was another place to buy these chalks.
An hour later I had a reply from Brett (the owner of SWSM) saying that I should order the chalks and have them sent to Him. He would then pack them with my shipyard kit he was sending me at no extra cost.
I’ve just picked up my kit from the post office, and in the box was my chalks nicely packed and in perfect order. It’s so nice to know we have people like this in our hobby.
The fact you can rely on someone on the other side of the world that you have never met, leaves you with a really good feeling in the pit of your stomach.
Thanks Brett |
Regards
Wes.
Dont leave for tomorrow what you can do today. |
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Jim from Valencia CA
Engine Wiper
USA
141 Posts |
Posted - 06/20/2012 : 11:04:29 PM
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| Hogtrainz is great. I first heard of them when someone on the Atlas forum bagged on them. So many Atlas forum members said good things in response to the post that I looked into their website and placed an order. I have bought from them many times since. Paul is a great guy. |
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Excellent customer service
