Model Train Journal

On the OGR forum there are complaints about mistakes on the new 3rd Rail E-8/9 3rd offering. Scott posted a long comment telling the complainers to back off. Most of Scott's response made a lot of sense as he generally does but part of his thread is below and I'd like some comments.

Once an "Expert" starts to exert his opinion on a product, others customers who read but don't post, begin to focus on the "Mistake". Previously they had no idea of a detail correctness or not, and were perfectly happy until someone points out the "glaring" error. So what's the point of that? Seems like a negative for both the buying public and the manufacturer. Did I learn a lesson by getting cancellations? No

BH

up148 wrote:On the OGR forum there are complaints about mistakes on the new 3rd Rail E-8/9 3rd offering. Scott posted a long comment telling the complainers to back off. Most of Scott's response made a lot of sense as he generally does but part of his thread is below and I'd like some comments.

Once an "Expert" starts to exert his opinion on a product, others customers who read but don't post, begin to focus on the "Mistake". Previously they had no idea of a detail correctness or not, and were perfectly happy until someone points out the "glaring" error. So what's the point of that? Seems like a negative for both the buying public and the manufacturer. Did I learn a lesson by getting cancellations? No

BH

What mistake(s)? From who/what customer block?

Rufus T. Firefly wrote:

up148 wrote:On the OGR forum there are complaints about mistakes on the new 3rd Rail E-8/9 3rd offering. Scott posted a long comment telling the complainers to back off. Most of Scott's response made a lot of sense as he generally does but part of his thread is below and I'd like some comments.

Once an "Expert" starts to exert his opinion on a product, others customers who read but don't post, begin to focus on the "Mistake". Previously they had no idea of a detail correctness or not, and were perfectly happy until someone points out the "glaring" error. So what's the point of that? Seems like a negative for both the buying public and the manufacturer. Did I learn a lesson by getting cancellations? No

BH

What mistake(s)? From who/what customer block?

What mistakes? Since there have been mistakes (some huge) on many of the recent diesel offerings, I don't think it makes much difference. Complainers mostly 2R and 3RS and supporters mostly 3R or just 3rd Rail groupie minions. I was concentrating on the comment, that paraphrased, sounds like "quit pointing out mistakes to those too stupid to notice or everyone will be up in arms". Just sounded like a strange comment to make to defend yourself or product.

BH

up148 wrote: I was concentrating on the comment, that paraphrased, sounds like "quit pointing out mistakes to those too stupid to notice or everyone will be up in arms". Just sounded like a strange comment to make to defend yourself or product.

Not the best wording or thought to post, but I guess after a while and the endless harping about stuff that is easily addressed, one could get just a little frustrated.......

Saw something about red grab irons over there and was wondering whether any of them knows what a paint brush is and how to use it....

A personal opinion, then.

If you're making models, it matters. If you're making toys or collectables, it doesn't matter.

Look at the grouping; modellers are complaining, toy-guys and collectors are defending.

Scott makes his call as to where his business focus might be; the money apparently is with the latter pair in Scott's view.

sarge wrote:Look at the grouping

Which is why I asked "From who/what customer block?"

modellers are complaining, toy-guys and collectors are defending.

RTR 3 rail scale guys are complaining..........maybe that's modelers........

Typed a long response to post #2, but it disappeared. I am with Martin - a small paint brush, some water-based ATSF red, and seven minutes of careful effort, and problem solved.

As long as Scott's customer base has a large percentage of 3-rail scalers, he will have problems with absolute accuracy. Note that there are no Proto-48 modelers complaining about small errors above the belt line.

And restricting folks from commenting is not the answer.

There you go - Opinion.

bob turner wrote:,,,,,,,,, a small paint brush, some water-based ATSF red, and seven minutes of careful effort, and problem solved.

Right.

As long as Scott's customer base has a large percentage of 3-rail scalers, he will have problems with absolute accuracy. Note that there are no Proto-48 modelers complaining about small errors above the belt line.

Disagree that this has anything to do with the number of rails and far more to do with folks that can't DIY or believe that that's something that they should not be dirtying their hands doing. Conversely yo your rail #, I seriously doubt that 2-railers are settling for less accuracy, but rather just fixing what they can fix and moving on.

And restricting folks from commenting is not the answer.

Commenting, sure. Whining endlessly..........gets old fast, particularly from old men.

I agree on the color issues with this "E" loco, if that's all that is wrong. They are just starting to be received, so we might need to reserve comments. I understand the painted swoosh on side of the SF car body should be under the Farr grill, not on top of it (the F-7's were correct) and I believe the hand grabs on the nose are wrong, along with some headlight discussions.....all fixable, but not expected by customers.

But, what about the F-7 "B" units that had a correctly modeled roof overhand (point) on one end and no overhang on the other. Sure you can cut off the (correct) overhang and make them both wrong, but you need to touch up the paint. Or, you can add another correct overhang and still have to do paint work. FT had this same roof overhang issue prior to the import of the F-7's and it wasn't fixed. SD40-2 were missing a front porch step. Seems to be a pattern here.

Are these issues fixable...sure...but why should a customer have to fix a brand new model with beautiful paint? Great drives and sound and upgraded DCC are wonderful, but when the basic structure has glaring errors, that is asking customers to accept too much... And when the importer says "if you didn't point out these "glaring" errors most customers would never see them" that statement speaks volumes to me.

Just saying....

BH

up148 wrote:.....all fixable, but not expected by customers.

Has any model ever been imported w/o flaws?

And when the importer says "if you didn't point out these "glaring" errors most customers would never see them" that statement speaks volumes to me.

Yet they sell out............which also speaks volumes.....and for the overwhelming majority, he might be right.

Henry's SP 4-10-2 had zero flaws that I'm aware of.

Jay

Jay Criswell wrote:Henry's SP 4-10-2 had zero flaws that I'm aware of.

Jay

1 model? Over 6 decades of time....

Price tag was what and when?

You asked if any model had been imported with no flaws. You didn't provide any other conditions.

I read that to mean, "Give me one example" and I did.

Jay

Jay Criswell wrote:You asked if any model had been imported with no flaws. You didn't provide any other conditions.

I read that to mean, "Give me one example" and I did.

Wonderful.....either you're running for office, a lawyer, or both!

It just simply amazes me that a posting runs for 3-4 days over on the NK site, and as soon as the importer tells everyone
to get off there backs the powers to be Rich jerks it off. Now if I was said importer and a paid sponucer I would raise holy hell
that they choose to do this. Scott has always explained himself and made amends, but they were getting hammered.

May be they have a right but badgering and bashing draw the line. Yes the man had 2k spent and was not happy,a
and a specific true color SF red with product number was given.that was used in production OK repaint and Move on[/b][/size]

It was proven that they indeed had yellow hand rails and grab irons. I posted a tong and cheek comment about the weatherization
hatches looking to low and said my Diagram book called for them to be 9 3/16" high and they were 9" instead and how could 3 rd rail miss that.
Should I send the back. No one commented on that they zeroed in on the handrail color and just flipped.

People need to get a life. Hope fully none of them will come to O Sale West next week.

Bill Basden