Awful Time With K-Line!

Classic Toy Trains Forum
1

I send this letter and an email everyday. I’ve called, but usually can’t get an operator no matter how long I hold. Any helpful suggestions would be great!

Bruce

K-Line Electric Trains
MDK, Inc.
P.O. Box 2831
Chapel Hill, NC 27515

Dear K-Line Electric Trains’ “Candy”:

What is the status of my order of “Buy two and get the 3rd free” business car order? My credit card was charged and I have not received anything. I’ve sent a copy of my bank transaction that shows that K-Line received $164.00 on October the 12th.

After several inquiries I received a voice phone message from a “Candy.” Her contention is that Fed Ex delivered the cars on October 14th at 11:47AM. They may have delivered the package somewhere, but on to my address:
885 Rock Street
Fall River, MA 02720-3623
She said that I had three email addresses and she was unable to reach me.

When I informed, “Candy” that I was at work at 11:47 AM on Friday, October 14th (I’m a school teacher) her position was that your carrier, Fed Ex, left it outside. Fed Ex does not leave packages outside in Fall River, Massachusetts to my knowledge. I don’t use them for just that reason. UPS does leave packages when I am at work and I prefer them for that reason. I also ask her what email address she had on file and she had the correct one:
brucev@verizon.net

This is a K-Line problem not my problem. I spend on an average of $1,500.00 yearly with K-Line and when your carrier does not deliver on prepaid orders I expect you to deal with them.

Either send the cars or a check.

Sincerely.

Bruce E. Vincelette, KCC VIN007111

TCA #95-41166
“World’s Greatest Hobby” ambassador
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/reefermadness/ moderator/owner

CC: Maury Klein, CEO K-Line Electric Trains
Nicholas B. Ladd, Director of Sales

2

Might I suggest just calling your credit card issuer; telling them that you are disputing the transaction because you have not receved the merchandise ordered (and nobody can prove otherwise if you didn’t sign for the stuff); and let them take it from there?

3

Tell them to provide you the FedEX tracking number so you can see for yourself what FED-X did with the package. Their tracking is quite detailed. It will also show if they left the package at another address and who if anyone signed for it.

FedEx does not normally leave a package without signature unless the recipiant or sender specifically check a box and sign the form that the package is to be left without a signatory.

Good luck in resolving this!
Roy

4

YOU PROBABLY NEED TO HURRY A BIT TO DISPUTE THE CC CHARGE. THERE ARE TIMELIMITS ASSOCIATED WITH WHEN A CHARGE CAN BE DISPUTED, SOME CC COMPANIES LIMIT DISPUTES FOR NON DELIVERY TO 60 DAYS FROM DATE OF PURCHASE.

GET THE TRACKING NUMBER IF YOU CAN AND USE THE FED EX SITE TO GET THE DETAILS OF WHAT THEY DID WITH THE PACKAGE. IF YOU HAVEN’T SEEN THEIR SITE, IT IS QUITE DETAILED OF EVERYWHERE THE PACKAGE WAS SCANED.

FED EX WILL LEAVE AT THE FRONT DOOR, IF ON YOUR ORDER YOU SAID IT WAS OK.

YOU PROBABLY WANT KLINE TO KNOW YOU ARE SERIOUS. GET ON LINE AND OBTAIN THE NAME OF THE CEO AND THEIR OFFICIAL PO BOX ADDRESS FOR COMPLAINTS, ALL COMPANIES HAVE ONE. THEN ADDRESS THE LETTER TO THE CEO DIRECTLY, SEND IT WITH SIGNATURE/RETURN RECEIPT. MOST COMPANIES WILL TREAT SUCH A LETTER MORE SERIOUSLY WHEN IT GOES TO THE CEO’S INBOX…BEEN THERE, DONE THAT…THERE’S USUALLY A 48HR RESPOND REQUIREMENT TO LETTERS TO THE CEO, IF YOU CAN GET IT THERE. BE STONG IN YOUR WORDS, GET HIS/HER ATTENTION. TELL HIM YOU HAVE DISPUTED THE CHARGE WITH THE CC AND HE SHOULD EXPECT A CHARGEBACK. THAT CHARGEBACK PROCESS MUST BE COMPLETED IN 30 DAYS BETWEEN KLINE AND THEIR MERCHANT BANK OR YOU ARE HOME FREE IF THEY DO NOTHING. BE ATTENTIVE TO YOUR CC BILL, WATCH FOR A RE-CHARGE IN 45 DAYS AFTER THE DISPUTE IS COMPLETE… SOME COMPANIES DO THAT AUTOMATICALLY. IF IT HAPPENS, THEN FILE IT AGAIN WITH THE CC COMPANY AS A DISPUTE…AFTER THAT YOU ARE HOME FREE.

HOPE THIS HELPS.

5

I still say you’re better off just calling your credit card company and disputing the charge. Why waste time with the details regarding shipping, signatures, etc.? Let them do it for you.

And for any customer buying trains via mail order: ALWAYS require a signature on delivery! Almost all of the major carriers (and merchants) do that automatically unless you request otherwise, and I can think of no compelling reason to request otherwise. “Leave it at the door” is just asking from trouble these days. There was a time in this country where people didn’t have to lock their doors; could leave the keys in their cars while shopping; and could have packages left on the porch or doorstep for many hours. but those days are long gone!

6

I live in Massachusetts too, and let me tell ya, FedEx DOES leave packages without a signature. Heck, they don’t even leave the packages on the doorstep! I saw a FedEx guy drop off 2 packages from LL Bean on Saturday at my house. Good thing I saw him, too. He re-taped the largest of the two, which was opened, then tossed them onto my driveway, right in front of the garage door. Never rang the doorbell or knocked. Just left them there. What if I hadn’t seen him? I could easily have driven over the packages or at the very least, had them sitting there for a day or more. I’ll bet a lot of parcells go missing or end up damaged because of service like FedEx provides. Say what you want about UPS, but their drivers DO leave packages on the doorstep where they belong. Then they ring the doorbell to let you know they’ve been there.

Sounds to me like FedEx is to blame. Not K-Line. Hopefully, they shipped the stuff insured. Dispute the charges.

Jim

7

Sometimes in outlying arias, they (FED EX), will use a contractor; like a guy with a truck!

Hit them in the purse strings!

8

Sounds like Fed Ex messed up!! K-Line is very good about shipping and delivery. Track the package with Fed Ex!!

9

Today is the day K-Line is supposedly being sold to the Chines train maker (Sandar Kan or something like that).

Jim

10

In a nutshell, Sanda Kan filed to buy, K-Line filed to sell, and if they’ve been able to work out the details [inventories, staff, real estate, office equipment etc etc etc etc], I believe the hearing to allow Sanda Kan to acquire the assets of K-Line is today.

When we see a document on the court system confirming this, we’ll let you guys know. BTW one of the previous court documents said both sides agreed that there would be no official press announcement.

11

What’s your take on this, Bob, providing it goes through? Is this a good thing or a bad thing for O gauge?

Jim

12

If they acquire the company lock stock and barrel, is it any different from any of the other companies that have been aquired? I guess they’ve aquired a “name” known to their primary target audience.

13

I suspect it is far better than worse (and I’m sure someone out in the cyberworld is already working up a negative spin) - especially since SK produces so many of the Western world’s electric trains.

I believe that between KL and LNL, they owe SK roughly $10 million, so if that secures SK’s future, then it will also secure the production source of the other outfits that use SK. So the hobbyists win.

14

I have been away for a while. Has K-Line closed?

They owe me an SD70 and a Power Chief transformer that I sent to their shop for repair! These things are paid for!

Terry

15

I am not certain, you may be considered a creditor under the new bankruptcy code. You might consider doing a google for the name and address of the Trustee for the assets of K-Line and ask how this type of claim is going to be handled. As part of the bankruptcy proceedings under the previous law, the Debtor was required to list its assets, liabilities and creditors. I suspect that would be the same under the new law, again not certain. Good luck.

16

I was looking in OGR magizine and seen K Line Blowouts.
Too bad they had a lot of nice looking equipment.
i really like the scale mike and hudson.
got some really nice passenger cars.
but iam waiting to see if the prices of K Line falls even lower.
i dont really see K line becoming collectables.
but who knows.
Nstrackman
MP N-369

17

Your situation is not unique when Fed-Ex is a part of the equation.
I truely am sorry to hear your difficultes resolving issues regarding the K-Line shipment.
Bad enough the corporation is entangled with bankruptcey litigation accompanied with all the financial and emotional tryests accompaning disasters of that nature.
You have obviously approached the matter with K-Line in a very professional and direct manner deserving a immediate response.
It is my belief under normal circumstances your problem would have been dealt with in a far diferent way.
Having said the preceding it is possible Fed-Ex has played a part in your delemma,experiance has shown me situations regarding carelessness rivaling any incompetent shipper known on the planet.
Jaabat posted in my opinion the right assessment ant protocal in your case by contacting your credit card source if for no other reason than proof of intent by means available to you.

18

At this point, anything related to K-Line should be followed with the warning “Buyer Beware!”

19

I’m still waiting for my infrared Coke set. Better check my credit card statement!

What a MESS!!!

20

It has been mentioned about what Fed Ex’s methods are and reliablility (or lack of). One anecdote, when they filmed the movie “Backdraft”, they used real helmets from retired firefighters and widows of firefighters. When the helmets were shipped back to Chicago, Fed Ex lost them! Having been a firefighter, I can tell you that this would be a major issue. To my knowledge, these helmets have never been found/delivered.
dennis