Midwestern Model Works Latest?

[bob turner]

Here is a big part of the statute. Unusually easy to read!

§ 435.2 Mail, Internet, or telephone order sales.

In connection with mail, Internet, or telephone order sales in or affecting commerce, as “commerce” is defined in the Federal Trade Commission Act, it constitutes an unfair method of competition, and an unfair or deceptive act or practice for a seller:

(a)

(1) To solicit any order for the sale of merchandise to be ordered by the buyer through the mail, via the Internet, or by telephone unless, at the time of the solicitation, the seller has a reasonable basis to expect that it will be able to ship any ordered merchandise to the buyer:

(i) Within that time clearly and conspicuously stated in any such solicitation; or

(ii) If no time is clearly and conspicuously stated, within thirty (30) days after receipt of a properly completed order from the buyer. Provided, however, where, at the time the merchandise is ordered the buyer applies to the seller for credit to pay for the merchandise in whole or in part, the seller shall have fifty (50) days, rather than thirty (30) days, to perform the actions required in this paragraph (a)(1)(ii).

(2) To provide any buyer with any revised shipping date, as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, unless, at the time any such revised shipping date is provided, the seller has a reasonable basis for making such representation regarding a definite revised shipping date.

(3) To inform any buyer that it is unable to make any representation regarding the length of any delay unless:

(i) The seller has a reasonable basis for so informing the buyer; and

(ii) The seller informs the buyer of the reason or reasons for the delay.

(4) In any action brought by the Federal Trade Commission, alleging a violation of this part, the failure of a respondent-seller to have records or other documentary proof establishing its use of systems and procedures which assure the shipment of merchandise in the ordinary course of business within any applicable time set forth in this part will create a rebuttable presumption that the seller lacked a reasonable basis for any expectation of shipment within

[E7]

This is obviously opinion. If you are willing to put out money on this sort of thing, you better be willing and able to lose it. Regardless of the legality or morality, it (loss) is a definite possibility. Now how many of you guys are in for the series of 25 Heritage engines? I'm 77 years old.... :

So Bob T. ask yourself one question: (I'll give you the old Dirty Harry line) Do I feel lucky?

[bob turner]

I have no deposits on anything outstanding. I am about to buy a bunch of Challenger parts, but the total will be under $150. All the airplane parts I order seem to arrive within two days.

I am just a cheerleader, in that first I applaud folks who actually advance the state of the art, like Henry Bultmann, Bob Stevenson, KTM, and of course Erik when he started out. I would guess that the latter is in some legal jeopardy, as outlined in the statute above. It is possible that the new administration will choose to not enforce such consumer-friendly statutes, but as of right now it looks like a couple of complaints would get a giant ball rolling. One cannot accept deposits and fail to either refund or produce. It is literally against the law.

[up148]

Sadly the days of OMI, KEY, PSC and others is behind us. Those guys took a $300 "goodwill" deposit and nothing else was due until the model was ready to deliver. They took all the risk and responsibility to bring the models in and they usually did it within a year or so. None of this multiyear or decades to complete production.

Today's builders (KOH's and MMW) and maybe more, expect you to pay for the model in stages (1/3,1/3,1/3), so the customer actually pays for the cost to produce the model. Totally BS.

[robert.]

Wonder how things go in the event of war? None of our product is covered. I’m shocked he has not received a Louisville slugger dental plan. Buyers must be to old for swinging a bat.

[Erik C Lindgren]

On Facebook of recent this story has had some interesting comments weighing in on its current state of affairs. Sad

I’ll let the comments posted on Facebook in this screenshot explain.

IMG_1537.jpeg (839.82 KiB) Viewed 8382 times

I wonder who managed the great privilege of adding these one of a kind pilot samples into his or her collection. I’ll keep hoping they get produced; be nice to pick one up on the secondary market someday when I decide to start doing 1980s 1990s stuff.

[Jay Criswell]

Eric,

Which FB page is that posted?

Jay

[up148]

That news is so bad at so many levels. I loath liars and cheaters and he had to know what he was doing.

[Jay Criswell]

I heard a rumor that Erik is still around but moved to Indiana?

Jay

[Erik C Lindgren]

That would be great news Jay! I hope Mr Stott can get his projects done. Such beautiful models, truly innovative in so many ways.

[Erik C Lindgren]

Eric,

Which FB page is that posted?

Jay

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=2023510294740351&set=gm.576973328371961

[Jay Criswell]

Erik,

I guess because I'm not a member of that group I'm not allowed access.

Can you provide the name of the group?

Jay

[E7]

The March meet is not all that far away (dang, I won't be going again). It will be interesting to see if MMW makes an appearance. I have no skin in the game, but I hope he pulls a rabbit out of the hat for the sake of those that do. I DO NOT derive ANY pleasure from other folks pain/losses.

Rich

[pitogo]

I first saw MMW at O Scale National in 2012. Glad I didn't get suckered into it.

[Chris Webster]

"ClassOneModelWorks" recently posted this youtube video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w0XTjA8h8zo

Their video shows an HO scale EMD diesel that has [1] realistic rotating fans on its roof and [2] hood door(s) that open to show a model diesel engine inside the shell. The model may also have working walkway lights judging by the step light visible at the 2:11 mark.

Those three features -- realistic working fans, opening hood doors and illuminated lights everywhere the prototype units have them -- were innovations that MMW's models were supposed to have. Now they're available in a mass-produced HO plastic model.