FYI ONLY
Sent two steam locos in for repair to BLI. They received them on May 14, 2007 from me UPS.
As of this morning, I was quoted 8 weeks on all repairs. Was told that I will receive a call telling me what the charges will be for repairing my units at that time (8 weeks out).
I think an 8 week lead time is a bit long, but not unfair or unreasonable. However, I do think waiting 8 weeks for a disposition is too long.
What do you think?
I don’t think it’s too unreasonable when you consider that they at least can repair their items. Some other manufacturers would tell you to just throw it in the dumpster and buy another one, or would not even offer that much advice.
That’s typical as far as I know.
I have a Bachmann locomotive in for warrantee repairs since late March. They say it will be another three weeks approximately. Also, most hobby shop repairmen have long waiting lists from what I hear (not my own experiences).
It simply does not bother me. This is a hobby. I have plenty of stuff to do without having that one locomotive on the layout right now.
15 months ago, it took 8 weeks to get a decoder changed by BLI. It cost me USD$7.00 for return postage, and that was it. It is such a nice locomotive that I was willing to allow them to put it right and to return it to me in perfect condition. So far, so good.
Another way of looking at it is that it will be like the first time you ever saw it and got to play with it when you finally get it back in your enthusiastic hands.
Selector, you are right, that is the way I look at! And the point made about the time passing and doing other things is also very true. 8 weeks is not unreasonable.
People seem to forget this stuff isn’t made here. The parts may well have to come from China and that is going to take some time. Back in the 70’s, my brother-in-law waited 15 weeks for a starter for a Toyota from Japan.