I need a small self-powered truck for a project I’ll be doing with a Jordan Products Mack 15-ton switcher. Bachmann’s 44-Ton diesel truck is just the right size, and they’re available new and direct for only $15, so I bought one. Bachmann was quick to ship it out, and it arrived in only a few days. When I got it out, both axle gears were unusable. I contacted them about getting new gears, and they shipped another package free of all charge on the same day. I just got the new package, and inside was a second full-powered truck with perfect operation! Thanks Bachmann!
Just thought I’d put in another good word for them here. Their quality control may not be the best, but they sure have good customer service! For reliability’s sake, I drilled out both of the new axles just a tiny bit, so the wheels still press in (although not tightly. I’ll use a bit of super-glue for each one), but it won’t be enough to cause any cracking or warping like the last axles.
Good for you Darth, the one time I had an issue Bachmann handled it very professionally, I haven’t seen any mention of it here but Bachmann’s online parts website has greatly improved, I have purchased parts for use on other projects, like the 4-6-0 tender trucks and wipers.
I have several Bachmann DCC OnBoard locos in my fleet, both steam and various diesels. They all run great. I have yet to have a problem with any of them {k-nocken on the wooden}.
I also have some older DC Bachmann F series diesels taht gave me no problems either.
My Athearn ran quiet good out of the box on DC, but I can’t get the [banghead] stupid DC plug out and the DCC plug-n-play in place SO I don’t have a liking for it, and don;t run it as I haven’t run DC in 4.5 years. It is the ONLY one of my fleet of 15 locos thatt is not Bachmann.
I have yet to have to experience Bachmann’s service {now watch tomorow something will break} but should I have to, I will look forward to great service as I have heard so mucha bout it.
It seems if their products are not “perfect” out of the box or after some use, they do right by their customers and serve them well.
The majority of my steamers are Bachmann Spectrums. I only had a problem a few years ago with two engines, one was a 2-10-0 and a phone call to Bachmann and a replacement was on its way. It turns out that there was a major problem at that time with their 2-10-0.
The other was a very used Doodlebug, it had a cracked gear and unfortunately the Doodlebug was no longer in production so I was given another engine as a substitute.
So my dealings with the service department were very positive. I have also had good dealings with BLI, my dealings with Walthers not so good. Once your warranty is up your on your own. Both BLI and Bachmann cover you forever.
I really like the products they’re bringing out in N scale, but most reports continue to be hit or miss in the quality control department… I suppose you get really good at customer service and dealing with returns when you ship a lot of crap out that needs to be returned… Not being critical, just sayin’…
It’s like that for a lot of things these days-- I reckon its a toss-up whether to spend the money on the front side or the back side. Probably there’s lot’s of product that never gets returned-- or maybe even opened or run long enough to be an issue. So spending the bucks on the back end and acting all apologetic may actually be the smarter solution.