I purchased a started set from K-line a little over a year ago. I was very happy with the product,runs great. Recently,however,the little pacific would not go into reverse. I packed it up,and sent it back to K-line,requesting that they correct the problem and that I would gladly pay the cost. I did not have the sales receipt to include with the return. To my surprise,a week later,I received the little Pacific,fully repaired and back to running status at “no charge.” Thank you K-Line !!! Here’s one consumer,you can count on for future purchases. Easter.
Easter, first of all I’m glad you had a great experience with K-Line. That is what is called “great customer service.”
However, for me not enough time has passed or has the chips fallen completely for me to have that warm and fuzzy feeling such that I will purchase a new medium ($300-$500) priced locomotive from K-Line. For some reason, I don’t think the Fat Lady has finished singing. [%-)] If more positive posts, such as yours, are forthcoming, I assume I will get over my malaise rather quickly and open the pocketbook (Now you know why I have been looking rather lovingly at Atlas. Those new CSX engines are nice.)
Another thing that bothers me, is that it seems that it falls on the shoulders of the local “brick and morter” dealers to explain away the concerns a customer may have with a particular toy train company as it relates to the future.
Well, I don’t know abouty the high-end stuff, but I have about seven or eight of their neat, little Plymouths, and just a couple of days ago ordered my first Porter. I figure they’ll be around for a while, and I’m certainly not going to let any of the little industry “glitches” dissuade me from enjoying products I like and have waited for.
Easter,
Your positive interaction with K-Line makes me feel good as well. It’s great to hear that they acted so swiftly to rectify a problem with their product. It is really great to hear that they did so without any quibbling. Charles Ro offers a large assortment of K-Line products and I like a lot of their animated accessories. I wouldn’t hesitate to drive down there and buy one.
Jim
Gotta jump in here. I have had no problems with any of my K-Line products. I have the KCC Trainmaster, the scale Hudson, the Plymouth switcher, and most recently, a matching ABBA set of F units - the newer release with upgraded details. They’ve all been flawless. Oh yeah, I almost forgot my first K-Line purchase, back in 2000, a set of 4 18" passenger cars - no problems with them either.
Joel
Easter, my experiences with K-Line are like yours, tops in customer service. Whether it has been some bulbs for passenger cars or a repair, they have stood behind their product and were speedy in doing so.
K-line worked with me on my Rdg F3 and after two returns and repairs they replaced the unit at no charge. I was just leary of what they have to do with a repair of cruise control components so I had Engine House Hobbies perform the repair (replace with Proto2) on my B&O light pacific. I hope they can stay in business. The 8 engines I have from them run very well.
Easter,
How well does that starter set Pacific smoke?
Jim
I had a remarkable experience with Williams, too: I MAILED them an order for a caboose (on sale) and a bottle of their smoke fluid last Saturday. I RECEIVED the order from UPS on Wednesday! You can’t beat service like that! Bravo Williams!
Sure beats the heck out of Lionel’s customer un-service. [:(!]
I own several K-line engines, PRR Mikado, PRR A5, and a PRR RS-3 and am quite please with all three. I did have some problems with the A5 but K-line took care of them quickly and at no charge. I was quite impressed.
Maybe I am lucky but I also never had a service issue with MTH or Lionel either when I returned items to them for repair. Although I have not done business with Williams for a number of years when I did they also were more than helpful. I believe we are lucky to have quality manufacturers in O guage.
Jim,this little pacific doesn’t have a cam,so the smoke isn’t synchronized. It just smokes like a chimmney. You don’t need a gas mask for this baby but it’s still a nice effect.I’m pleased with it. Easter
I don’t own many trains, but the 2 running now are K-Line…a semi-scale Mikado and a F7 A&B. A marker light was not working on the steamer, but the dealer replaced it same day. Glad to hear their customer service is decent. Joe
My complaint with Lionel isn’t about a repair, it’s with a parts order. On 10/16 I ordered, on-line, the sound activation buttons for my halloween layout but had to make an emergency trip to Florida. I get back late on the thursday before halloween and no parts arrived so I call them early friday am. The response is absolutely rediculous, the order is in the system and parts are available, so I ask if the shipping can be upgraded to arrive monday the response “OH, WE DON’T DO THAT”, but the real kicker is she says “You must remember that this is our busy season”. They have still not arrived. [:(!]
Doug, sounds like my experience with MTH. Thought my order was forgeotten and one day I get a message on my machine, we are shipping your order and charging your CC $XX.XX.
I just received my C&O allegheny from Western depot. My 1st steamer since
gettin back into trains after a 50 year absence. Had TMCC and cruise
upgrade and Railsounds.This things smokes like a motha, and the price
was right at 350.00. I know it’s not a 1.000 dollar engine, but it sounds great
and runs pretty good. I won’t hesitate to bye another k-line.
[#ditto][#ditto][#ditto][#ditto] On the Allegheny , Mine runs and smokes great, as does my K-Line Big Boy. As a matter a fact, I think I’ll go run them now…Tim