[:(!][:(!][:(!][:(!] I sent my spectrum 2-8-0 to them almost 2 months ago & still don’t have it back[:(!][:(!][:(!] I know they recieved it because I had shipping confirmation from the P.O. and they got it 3 days after I shipped it. Bachmann must not think their stuff is worth fixing because when there is a problem they always tell you to send it in. Well, I will never deal w/ B-man again. I’ll never buy another one, I won’t waste time w/ their service. I’m MAD I haven’t got this back yet[:(!][:(!][:(!][:(!][:(!][:(!][:(!][:(!][:(!][:(!][:(!][:(!][:(!][:(!][:(!][:(!][:(!][:(!][:(!][:(!][:(!] I e-mailed them yesterday about this but haven’t heard back from them yet.
I do not like to ship locomotives, and I have none there at Bachmann. I needed a part to replace one broken in shipping (whistle). I called them on a REAL telephone and spoke with them, and then sent them a REAL snail mail letter outlining the problem along with a copy of my purchase receipt. Ten days later I got a complete locomotive die cast boiler with a new whistle in place. I’m pretty happy with the service myself.
For every horror story it seems there is a flip side.
I was going to wait a month before complaining and it’s been well over a month but you know what? I don’t want this engine back. Let them keep it. It’s the biggest piece of junk I’ve ever owned. (not kidding at ALL)
most time the buch man will just send a newer unit not the one you sent in
just give it a shot you wont be sorry they have fixed at least 8 locos for me
thanks jenny
if you still hate it just snap a pic and I bet you it gets a bid in the first few hours
It would be helpful it you told us what was wrong with it, dingoix. It may help others who are considering buying that loco. I have heard nothing but praise for it on this forum.
I know how you feel, though. I have ordered locos that should have taken about 2 weeks to get to me, and they took 4. It is funny how we build a timetable in our minds, and then almost self-destruct as the timetable seems to fall apart…often through no fault of any particular organization.
By all means, call them, hear a real voice, and maybe you’ll learn that it is on its way.
I also got a bad 2-8-0 Bachman steamer.[V] I returned it to the place I bought it, (online), and requested a replacement from a different manufacturer.[:D] I think I’m through with Bachman Steam loco’s. This is the second of two that I got that was bad.
My bad. The wires to the tender were broke out of the box. I’ve had it for about 7 years. Had it fixed by a local guy TWICE at a cost of $5 each time and there has been NO improvement. It shoots sparks from under the tender and then the power pack overloads. I’ll never buy B-man again. (well, actually this one was an X-mas gift)
I’ve had only one experience with Bachmann’s service and I can say that I’ve been treated well over my expectations.To me their service is excellent and I feel I had to say it.I just wi***heir stuff was that good…
Wow, that is the most [:(!] icons I have ever seen in one place! [;)] I cannot blame you thought, it has been awhile. I think what is happening is that Bachmann service is overloaded with returned engines from all the loyal Bachmann customers. They may only have 1or 2 people doing repairs and if one is off on a vacation things backup real quick. You hardly ever hear of anyone on this forum sending in a loco for repairs to Kato, Atlas, Stewart, Athearn, or Walthers / Proto. You sure hear about alot of them going back to Bachmann. Perhaps a better strategy is do what Virginian does, request just the part(s).
So true! It’s funny how the anticipation of a new toy can bring even the strongest to their knees!
As an owner of a Bachman 4-6-0, I can say that while it is not the best running steam locomotive I have ever owned, it is the one I most often use. It just looks so cool wiggling down the track. And someday it may even become part of a small layout based on the Mobile & Gulf railroad.
With 7 Spectrums, I’ve formed my own set of rules for dealing with Bachman locomotives, with the help of the good folks at my LHS.
Test drive before buying, no exceptions. Froward, reverse, slow and medium speed, check lights at the same time. Look for signs of out of quarter operation, twitches, wiggling, sidewinding.
Inspect finish and details closely before buying.
If you need two, order 3, planning to send one back. Bachman’s quality control demands this. Out of 7 4-6-0’s looked at, one is out of quarter, one had a dead headlight, one didn’t run at all, and one corkscrewed merrily down the track in forward and reverse. Four found their way home with me.
When you sift for a good unit, Bachman steam is a beautiful thing, but I have this feeling that the distance between “rock” and a “hard place” is narrowing for Bachman. If they don’t address quality control and soon, news of all the failures is liable to kill their market. The word on the gorgeous detail is out on the street, now is a great time to chase the bugs out of the manufacturing process, set up even a basic QC routine integrated with various stages of assembly, and tighten up on these problems. Later on may be too late.
Bachmann steamers seem to be trouble the world over - I’ve got an LMS “Jubilee” class 4-6-0 that suffered from both the out of quarter wheelsets and out of gauge wheels. It took me about six months to get it properly tuned, I didn’t bother returning it as on a return visit to the LHS I’d seen a couple being test run that behaved in exactly the same way, so I figured I was better off fixing the problem myself!
Bachmann really need to get their act together at the prices they charge. Hornby make some far nicer locos for the same sort of money, so Bachmann end up looking overpriced. Their diesels are excellent, just a pity they can’t manage the finer quality control needed for steamers.
I understand that your bummed out , but if you had it for 7 years, and had a local guy do repair work on it twice, you probably voided your warrenty. Why didn’t you return it to your LHS or return it to Bach 7 years ago when you first noticed the problem? I’m not trying to stick up for Bach products or their service dept., but it kind of sounds like you dropped the ball on this one.(I’m not trying to tick you off Dingoix, but it sounds like you may have not persued the proper channels in the first place.)
I have over 100 Bachmann engines in HO and N gauge. Overall i am very pleased with all of them. They have good points and bad just like most manufacturers.
The best way to contact service is the phone. 1-215-533-2684 or 1-800-356-3910. Don’t leave a message but call until you get a person. They are busy but have always nicely answered my questions.
Out of 100 engines i have only had to call for parts maybe 5 times. Only once did i need a replacement engine and they sent me one without sending in the old one. They have sent me new motors in N and HO with no questions asked, at no charge, and it only has taken a week for me to get them.
I do my own repair and fix problems on all my engines so far.
From Walthers i needed a motor for GP9, From Life-Like i needed new gears and a circuit board, From Atlas I received a new engine and truck assembly, From Broadway i needed screws for drivers. All have provided good service when needed and at no charge.
With engines coming from China you may have to wait for more of that model to be shipped in for parts.
Bachamnn steam in HO is some of the best on the market and i hope they continue to make new models.
I Don’t Blame you Guy’s,I too had aproblem from Bachmann.I have a few Locos from them I have a Building I had that got Broken and Bachmann said “NO”.hey will not sen d me another one.So now I am stuck without the Builing I looked everyware and No luck cannot find it no more.
Sometimes mistakes happen. I had send back an entire set to them. Well after a month past I called, and they couldn’t find my set at all! (Good thing I had my tracking number as proof) So Bachmann sent me out a new one the very next day and were very appologetic. Customer service has always been very polite and helpful. (This is what has saved me as a customer.)
Give them a chance. Their locos are hit or miss sometimes. But when you get a hit, it’s a real winner. I had two bad 4-8-2’s. I got the second one working with a bit of tinkering on the pickups, pilot, and cow catch. And I have a great 2-6-6-2 I wouldn’t give up for the world. (Too bad they stopped making these. )
Hey Bachmann, I guess I couldn’t convince you to do a H7(A) 2-8-8-2 for the C&O? (These are significantly different from the y6b by the USRA)
)
(These are significantly different from the y6b by the USRA)