Locomotive Warranties - Learnings

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

Hi!

I’ve been fortunate over the last 55 years of model railroading to not have to seek warranty repairs. Yes, I’ve needed parts and there were instances like the drive gears for the P2K GPs, but never work that required warranty support. That wonderful streak ended late last year, and since then I’ve had warranty work done by BLI, Bachmann, and Walther’s Proto.

These three highly (my opinion) reputable companies took care of me (some more easily than others), and in the process I learned a few things that I would like to pass along to you.

I bought a “new in the box” HO P2K E7 A/A units with DCC & Sound. I got them from an Ebay store (not an auction), and paid $325, which is $175 under list. The units quickly arrived and in my estimation were truly brand new - all wrapped and sealed with all the papers, etc.

When I removed the foam inserts from the shells, it was obvious they had both been inserted correctly and had cracked the side ladders (under the cab doors) on both sides of both units. I contacted Walthers and got their OK to send them in for warranty replacement or repair.

Well, a gentleman called today and said that they didn’t have replacement cabs, but would go ahead and repair the steps. HOWEVER, he said that Walther’s ONLY honors warranties from their authorized dealers - and the place that I got mine from was NOT authorized. Well, I surely never knew that, and frankly was surprised.

As this loco set was just recently put on the market, and what I got was very much “new in the box”, I just wonder where my dealer got them from - as he is “not authorized”.

Hey, I’m thankful Walthers is taking care of my problem, so this is not a complaint. I’m only passing my learnings on to you all - as it may save you so

2

I think you can expect any items sold on e-Bay to be considered by a manufacturer “Not an authorized dealer.” because most of them are not registered with the manufacturers as legitimate brick and mortar hobby shops. If they were, the items wouldn’t be sold at such a discount.

3

Cacole,

What puzzles me is how did they get the locos in the first place. My thought is that in order for them to get a wholesale price from Walthers, and buy them in the first place, they would have to be an authorized dealer. Obviously they are buying them for resale, and Walthers - giving them a wholesale price - would know this.

Ha, the only other thing I can think of is they “fell off a truck”!

Again, I’m not registering a complaint, just passing along some info…

Mobilman44

4

I can only speak for Bachmann, but this well known e-bay dealer is in fact an “authorized” dealer as confirmed by Bachmann.

http://cgi.ebay.com/BACHMANN-SPECTRUM-HO-3-TRUCK-SHAY-BLK-TRAIN-WVPP-81909_W0QQitemZ370318392692QQcmdZViewItemQQptZModel_RR_Trains?hash=item5638b23d74

I am sure there are others as well. M.B. Klien has an e-bay store as well, I bought a number of Stewart diesels from them.

5

All you have to do is buy from Walters under the name of your brick and mortar store then sell them out the back door as an Ebay Store under a different name.

6

What is MB Klein’s store or user name on Ebay? I have never been able to find them on there. Thanks!

7

I have only had one PK engine fail so I cannot speak about Walther policy. But, For what BLI is lacking QC and lube there services department is first class. I was sweeting bullets when I sent by first batch of BLI’s and PCM’s engine’s. Never asked where they came from, there age or for a receipt.

Far as falling of there truck, to bad it did not dump some in front of my house.

Cuda Ken

8

Modeltrainstuff

9

Wouldn’t this be an issue of damage during shipment and not a warranty claim?

Factory warranties are supposed to cover defects in manufacturing, not damage during shipment. I think Walther’s was very generous, as the eBay store should have made a claim with whatever shipping insurance they purchased (if any).

10

Though it wouldn’t have fixed the problem, an eBay claim may have been the way to go in this case and may still be an option to help cover costs. I recently purchased a Mantua 2-6-6-2T from an eBay store that had a damaged driveshaft. I found out that the seller doesn’t communicate with their customers. Mantua was going to honour their warranty, but they didn’t have the part in stock and had no idea when it might arrive, if ever. I made an eBay claim and won my case, so the system does work. It’s cost me a few bucks, but I’ve repaired the engine with NWSL parts and it runs great.[:)]

I’ve also purchased items from the eBay store referred to in this thread and have only good things to say about them. [:)]