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Now, see, if he’d built the thing himself, he wouldn’t be dealing with this at all.
I find it hard to believe that this guy shelled out $2.7M and then decided he wasn’t getting his money’s worth. Sounds more like he is trying to stiff Rail Dreams for his changing his requirements after the work was underway. Given the 10’s and 100’s of millions these guys have gotten away with, I’m surprised he even noticed a measly $2.7M.
Paul
The 2 mil for a 1/2 basket court size - museum quality layout does not sound unreasonable to me having worked for a major layout builder myself. On locatiion costs can build up real fast depending on the size of the crew. On average our layouts took 5 days, 6 to 10 crew. The costs would be delivery, (depending on size, multiple tractor trailers), motels, per diem (food and personal), labor (usually time and half and double time on sundays when on location). It sounds like in this case the on location time was a lot longer due to a deadline they had to meet. Building a large layout can take from 3 months to a year or more depending on size and level of detail, museum quality can take a long time. Our in-house crews tended to be about 10 to12 full-time professional crafts people, including carpenters (cabinet grade), licensed electricians, scenic artists (many from theater and film industries), model builders and a couple of advanced model railroaders for the strickly mr stuff. The $700 000 would barely cover materials for that size layout.
I think it’s a case of sour grapes he must of lost his money in the stock market plunge and is trying to get out of paying…
And I thought I had overpaid for my Z8 from Division Point. Seems like a bargain now.
CZ
I know I hate it when that happens! [8D]
modelmaker51 -Yep, and consider the crew is staying on Long Island which aint a cheap place to stay and do work. I would be curious to see the exact details for $2 million in over runs though. It’s not often a project exceeds it’s estimate by over 200%. It’s not like we’re talking about $10k going up to $30k.
With a hedge fund fella, it’s not personal, it’s business!! [:-^]
my mind boggles at spending $700,000 on a layout . or $2.7 million . or having half a basketball court to build it in .
and why would it matter if it was done in time for his daughter’s wedding ? is she a model railroader too ? were they having the reception in the layout room ?
and what did the guy do with the other half of the basketball court ?
there are too many unanswered questions in this story
[:)]
ernie
Lordy, 2.7 million!!! of course, the layout is half a basketball court and museum quality. The problem is the hedge fund guy will most likely win.
Point is,has he told the wife yet.
Steve
Well, first, they have to make a profit building it for him!!!
Well, GOLLY GEE!
I guess my “TOY” 3x5 FOOT HO layout doesn’t compare!
And yes, he’d have had more satisfaction building it himself out of his “pocket” or “walking around” money. Then again, maybe $700,000.00 IS “walking around money” to him!
If only I had HIS problems…
Then again, maybe not…
DCC anyone? anyone? anyone?
He is probably mad because that was his bonus. I agree he would have been more satisfied building it himself, but he was probably on his private yacht.
Will
…but at 50’ x 50’ museum quality, how old would he be when he finished it. [;)]
What I find so funny is this guy problably paid for the layout with the money he slushed off his investors. Now he’s accusing someone of ripping him off. Should be an interesting case to hear the builders side.
Let’s see. Items consistently added to, changed, added costs due to fuel costs going up, ah–gee. Bud, y’know–them’s the cost of wanting a high priced item—if one factors in square footage by around $250-275—HMMM—definite chin stroking time—
BTW–what is the actual square footage of a basketball court anyways?
Can he get the death penalty for filing a frivilous lawsuite?[:-^]
He sure as HADES deserves it!!![}:)]
And with additional “cruel and inhumane” treatment!!![:-,]
Just more proof that the hobby is dying because:
It’s overpriced.
The manufacturers are gouging the poor hedge fund running hobbyist.
Craftsmanship is no longer valued.
[(-D] [(-D] [(-D] [(-D] [(-D] [(-D] [(-D] [(-D]
I thought this was an April Fool’s piece. It’s even funnier as “serious” news.
Andre
Pro basketball court is 94x50 = 4700 sq feet
Halve that x $275/sq ft = $646,250.00
Sounds like he was getting a deal and suffered buyer’s remourse.
50’ x 100’ or 5000 sq ft, so this guys layout is about 50’ square or 2500 sq ft. Must be nice
You know what they say, a million dollars here, a million dollars there, pretty soon you’re talking about real money. His layout would cover up a small corner of the one in Hamburg Germany.