Thought I would treat myself to something extra so stopped by the hobby store. I purchased a 2nd hand kit, an Atlas N 3-stall roundhouse. The problem is parts are missing, and of course the pieces are the important ones. The base piece and from what I can tell all the outter wall sections are gone. The detail parts still remain. I am a little bummed it wasn’t a full kit as I bought this with the intent of being my first serious model structure kit.
So I’m left with a few choices. The first is to get some scratchbuilding materail and build the roundhouse, as per instructions. The second choice is to get some materials and scratchbuild my own engine house, using the detaili parts from the kit to finish the structure. The final choice is just ot leave it all, set the bottle of cement aside, and use it as a parts kit.
Suggestions as to what I should do? Any other ideas?
I would like to suggest that you take up some scratch building. You can use Plastruct or Evergreen styrene plastic, a straight edge, and a good hobby knife to create the walls you need. One other suggestion is to purchase a Walthers cornerstone series wall kit and glue them together to create the walls you need.
The only other suggestion I have, is to notify the manufacturer and explain your story to them. Let them know what kit it is and maybe they can work a deal out with you to obtain the parts you need…chuck
You are missing too many vital parts. I would rather be missing some of the smaller detail parts. I agree with the other post - - take it back to the hobby shop where you bought it and demand your money back or at least get store credit.
Buy it new and start all over. It is currently on sale at Walthers.
I think you got ripped off, gyped, schmuckered, snoodeled and stiffed. I would first take it back and tell them 40%-50% of the kit is missing and see what they have to say. If “all sales were final” you are through.
ANything used like that I would have inspected in the box…It would be very easy to note a missing base and side walls! One reason I don’t buy second hand unless sealed in origninal box or already assembled where I can see if there are missing pieces.
You could write to the Manufacturer or Walthers, but with it out of stock, I dunno if that would be much help.
You could buy plastruct styrene brick walls and make your own walls. Base you can trace the the built building and make a template for.
If it fails to take it back, or to get teh parts, heck try your hand at scratch building…making cardboard {cereal boxes} templates first, then cut the styrene with a good hobby knife blade and score and snap the pieces out and give it a whirl. You can’t loose much if your scratch building doesn’t work so hot either!
I’m not sure I would “demand” my money back. I would ask if it’s possible. This may have been a consignment piece, so there is probably a no return policy. Perhaps you should have checked it out before hand?
Lesson learned is - If you can’t return it, maybe you will look more closely next time when buying used items.
It may even be a blessing in disguise. If the kit had had all the parts and you assembled it S.O.B. (Straight Out of the Box) it would be instantly recognizable on your layout. However, if you scratchbuild replacement part and, perhaps, change it here and there to suit your needs, people will wonder where did you get that cool looking roundhouse!
Also, think of it as a “teachable moment”. Next time you want to purchase a second hand kit, ask the seller if you can open up the box and look at it before handing over your money![;)]