I called the Dream Plan Build video folks this morning. (800) 339-0964. I bought the first 13 tapes that they made. However, I did not buy tape #14 and #15 and returned it to them. The woman on the phone said that is why they did not send any more tapes. I explained that I did not like those two tapes and so returned them per their policy. She had no response but offered to send tape #16. She said that the series is now up to tape #23. SO, I guess if you don’t buy 2 tapes in a row, YOU ARE OFF THE LIST (or maybe on the list)!!
I have returned two in a row, but still recieved the next one. Wierd.
I’ve got all of the newest series except for the last one that hasn’t been released yet. They all show Pelle Soeborgs layout on the cover yet it isn’t in any of the videos. Was it featured in earlier releases?
I bought the first one & returned the 2nd one with a “review”…never heard from them again!
I have issues #1-13 and viewed #14 and #15. I never saw anything about Pelle Soeborgs layout. I have purchased about 25-30 tapes from Allen Keller. I am still on his mailing and e-mail list. One would think that Kalmbach Publishing would realize that the Dream Plan Build video series is going to appeal to only a small select audience, model railroaders. So, why drop someone from THE LIST for returning a few tapes. At least, if there were specific number of tapes returned by an individual, I can understand why they would stop sending the videos. But at least that policy should be printed somewhere. Or, they could inform an individual that they were in jeopardy of having the delivery of the videos stop unless certain criteria were not fulfilled. I am sticking with Allen Keller but will give DPB one last opportunity.
They are doing the bookclub marketing, they give you a great deal at first and keep sending new ones until you cancel or return enough of this months selections knowing a certain percentage of people will not return the items in time. Not the best of series anyway although you can say that about a lot of DVD’s marketed to the hobby market (there are also some excellent ones so no blanket statement).
I have returned three to them over time and still get them on a regular basis - I think I am up to #12 but understand that later on in the series they do more layout features and less ‘helpful hints.’
What did the DVDs cost?
I have a few and enjoy them and would like to get some more.
Who is this Allen Keller person?
Cuda Ken
It would be nice if the would publish a list of releases, old and new, and let you order the ones you’re interested in.
Hi, Ken.
The DPB DVD’s cost about $25 each. I don’t recall how many editions have been done to date, but there’s a BUNCH of them. Yes, some are better than others.
I have returned a few of them from time to time. Usually the ones returned are those that feature non-model railroading themes. I did keep the one on UP’s Big Boys. Unfortunately, I’ve gotten behind on my viewing so I have quite a few that haven’t been seen yet. In addition, when I received the last issue, I tried to view it on my backup computer and got a message that says I don’t have a decoder for my DVD player. That’s a surprise to me! I didn’t even know I needed a decoder! Can’t understand why the DVD player doesn’t work now since it worked last year when I needed to use my backup computer. My backup computer is now my main computer since my original 'puter died. Salvages the hard drives, though.
Allen Keller produces (produced?) railroad programs on real and model trains. IIRC, each tape was a visit to several model layouts. I don’t have any of Keller’s videos but I understand they are excellent and professionally produced.
As the the DPB series, I think I’ve just about reached the end of my purchases. They just don’t have the interest they once did, hence the reason why I’m behind in viewing them. I also get behind in reading the monthly magazines, too. My subscriptions to N Scale and N Scale Railroading have expired. Don’t know if I’m going to re-new or not since I
Hey Cuda Ken about those Allen Keller videos, I think he advertises in MRR or RMC and if I remember right they go for around $50, I hear they are good and I want to try one, but at that price probably will not get many, and as far as the DPB series I called them and asked about being able to buy just the ones you wanted off a list and the nice lady did not sound real hopefull about that, and as far as returning them she said that yes if you return 2-3 in a row that they kicked you off the list unless you called or put a note in with the return saying please send the next volume and actually i do that with all the returns and so far so good, and as far as the number of these in the series I found an eBay listing that said he had the whole set and there were I think 52 of them! hope this helps.
Chuck & Heather.
" Ya know, there’s only so much time you can spend in the “reading room”! LOL"
Fiber is your freind!
Chuck & Heather
Funny … same thing happened to me.
I guess they don’t like “Reviews” jerry