One would think that a logical assumption. On my short time on theses forums I have noticed this almost rabid defense against any negativity towards manufactures, and Model RR related products. You have this small core group that shouts folks down and defends each other when the moderators show up, then they clap each other on the back and brag about how quickly the “N00bs disappear.” [:-^] Makes for a real welcoming environment. I understand that complaining can be irritating to some, but to complain about the complainers is just as bad. Some of the manufactures and producers deserve some of the scorn they are getting, and while I have no desire to see these forums become the Ranfest Daily, it would be nice if someone would remind the clique that a forum is about diverse discussion, and once you lose that you end up with a boring old boys club that no one wants to participate in.
[quote]
If nobody complains, then MR won’t know that there is a problem.
My problem with the DPB series is the marketing strategy, which, as some have mentioned, mimics the Time Life books-tape-video-whatever series. I believe this to be one of the sleaziest forms of marketing known to man (or woman).
I received my first (and only) DPB dvd without out having requested it from Kalmbach. According to postal regulations (in the US anyhow) if someone sends you something you didn’t request, you are under no obligation whatsoever to either return it or to pay for it. I chose to keep it.
Then, Kalmbach kept sending me “friendly” reminders that they would appreciate it if I either returned the dvd to them (so the could forward it to some other poor schlep) or to pay for it.
I went to the USPS website and copied their regulations regqarding unsolicited products and pasted it into a polite, but firm letter to MR and I haven’t been troubled by them since.
As the original poster, I failed to point out the good things about the DPB series - and that is not like me, and I apologize.
I really did enjoy most all the DVDs that were construction or layout oriented. And, I also enjoyed the ones on prototype industries. The rest were just of no interest to me. For the record, I have all the DVDs up to the one I just received yesterday, and returned today.
I did call Kalmbach and had them drop my name from the mailing list, and that was a painless thing to do. Oh, right after that, I called the Kalmbach subscriber number and updated my subscriptions to Trains, MR, CMT, and Classic Trains.
My only problem with this is that I can not get them since I live in Europe. I would love to have them pop in to my mailbox now and then. I would gladly pay!
I sent the two back I got the week after Christmas, then I paid for the DCC one which everyone else had last year, now I have two more, which I haven’t had time to watch. I think they’re too expensive and they make too many extras with “filler” liscensed railfanning features which could have their own run (Oh yeah, the “Trains” series). Stick to modeling in all scales, layouts including notorious ones and prototypes. Features on potential industries to model are very useful such as coal and steel. I’ve written them twice but no personal response, just more videos!!! Last time I begged them for some loose change to spend at the LHS.
The DPB series appears to have been produced under license from Kalmbach. I received the fiirst one “free”. Included was a request for me to either pay for or return the DVD.
My wife and I enjoyed the first DVD but it contains little information of lasting value. Being aware of this type of promotion, I took the trouble to send an email to the company publishing the DVDs, requesting additional information regarding price, frequency of additional DVDs, how many total DVDs there are in the series, etc. I did not receive a response.
Quid Pro Quo.
No response from them means no response from me.
And yes, USPS regulations are very clear regarding products received unsolicited through the mails - the receipient is under no obligation to do anything.
I don’t think Kalmbach is doing itself any favors by lending it’s name and hard-earned outstanding reputation to this type of promotion.
I have already received one friendly reminder, which got tossed. Additional friendly reminders will cost them additional postage and will provide additional material for our local recycling efforts.
Actually, MR appears to be doing the videos themselves - at least their staff appears in them.
My only problem with them is the frequency. My hobby dollars are finite and they come faster than I want to buy them. So I selectively keep some and send others back. But I have enjoyed the ones I kept.
I received the trial DVD a few months back, but the price was way too steep for me.
I’m more concerned with the “URGENT WARNING!” notice I just received with a subscription renewal form telling me not to renew my subscription if I’m contacted by two known scammers by phone. I’m curious to know how these outfits could get our personal info from Kalmbach’s database.
That’s exactly why I like the series. Their latest one, about the coal mines, was interesting. Even though I live in SW PA, and coal mines are all over the place, I can’t really see how it all fits together. Most of the facilities are off-limits, or a pain to get to. MR did a nice job on that one.
One would think that a logical assumption. On my short time on theses forums I have noticed this almost rabid defense against any negativity towards manufactures, and Model RR related products. You have this small core group that shouts folks down and defends each other when the moderators show up, then they clap each other on the back and brag about how quickly the “N00bs disappear.” [:-^] Makes for a real welcoming environment. I understand that complaining can be irritating to some, but to complain about the complainers is just as bad. Some of the manufactures and producers deserve some of the scorn they are getting, and while I have no desire to see these forums become the Ranfest Daily, it would be nice if someone would remind the clique that a forum is about diverse discussion, and once you lose that you end up with a boring old boys club that no one wants to participate in.
[quote]
If nobody complains, then MR won’t know that there is a problem.
My problem with the DPB series is the marketing strategy, which, as some have mentioned, mimics the Time Life books-tape-video-whatever series. I believe this to be one of the sleaziest forms of marketing known to man (or woman).
I received my first (and only) DPB dvd without out having requested it from Kalmbach. According to postal regulations (in the US anyhow) if someone sends you something you didn’t request, you are under no obligation whatsoever to either return it or to pay for it. I chose to keep it.
Then, Kalmbach kept sending me “friendly” reminders that they would appreciate it if I either returned the dvd to them (so the could forward it to some other poor schlep) or to pay for it.
I went to the USPS website and copied their regulations regqarding unsolicited products and pasted it into a polite, but firm letter to MR and I haven’t been troubled by them since.
What? no advice or tips about model railroading, off topic about model railroading! this whole thread is about a video series that deals with nothing but model railroading from the biggest publisher of same, this thread is about the good and bad of said series and peoples thoughts on it, please read my earlier post on here for a fuller explaination on this thought. Also when i read the chapter heading for this area of the forum it reads "General discussion-Advice, tips,questions and general information on the hobby, to me this thread fits at least three of those areas.
Okay, so this thread is about other sources of how-to hobby information besides this forum … but hey!
In an ever-so-slightly broader sense, this forum exists to help us all learn more about the hobby, which in case you haven’t noticed, includes references to sources beyond just this forum!
“What’s the best ____ ?” is a common question on here. There’s no modeling advice in most of those threads … just people’s varied opinions. Since when is insight on where to best spend your limited model railroading funds OFF TOPIC on a model railroading forum?
I think some of you need to go back and read the original post, which is what I had reference to. Where is there anything about model railroading? It’s all about dissatisfaction with packaging and marketing and the fact that he doesn’t receive as many free gifts as he thinks he should. He hints that he had enjoyed the series, maybe that’s the reference to model railroading. Or maybe this is the reference, “…I really want to watch something that will stimulate my “Dream, Plan, Build” juices.” Whatever.
But anyone can post any thing they want, anywhere they want, and I guess anytime they want. After all is said and done, as Bill Murray would say, “It just doesn’t matter.” Which, of course, makes me the stupid one for even responding to a useless post; and it makes me even stupider for responding to a response to my response.
Yeah there is more off topic discussion than is necessary, but I think it’s more a result of folks (especially new members) not having any desire to post due to the fallout from the “Experts”
I really think a lot of folks on these forums need to redefine their concept of what a newbie (or n00b as some of the more jerkinsh forum members call them) is. Right now I know many veteran Modelers…some that has even appeared in RMC and MR that won’t come within a 100 feet of these forums not because of the off topic nature of many threads but because of the immaturity and myopic attitudes of so of the so called veterans, it’s like a friend of mine said at our last get together…if folks can’t have an opinion without Joe Rivet counter calling them names they are going to start talking bout other things…that’s a good point I think.
[quote user=“rayw46”]
Everyone has to start somewhere and those with experience ought to be helpfu
If you’re looking for the perfect forum, HH, you’ll never find it. And if you ever do find it, don’t join it…because you’ll ruin it. (Just like ALL of us would because we aren’t perfect.)
My point being - every forum, every organization, every club - is going to have their sour grapes and folks that you aren’t going to get along with or feel that they have the “right” to tell you what you “need to know”. My suggestion: Take what they say with a grain of salt and learn what you can.
We have a variety of folks here, with a variety of interests and talents, who have a variety of reasons why they come here to the forum: Some come to learn. Some come to share and help. Some come to socialize. Some even come to vent and complain. All usually come for any or all of the aforementioned reasons.
Thankfully, there are folks here on this forum that do look out for newcomers (or “newbies”) with open arms and will go out of their way to help them out with questions. Why? Because that’s what they enjoy doing. And, they usually remember what they felt like when they first set foot on the forum those many weeks, months, or years ago.
One of the challenges to coming to a new place is finding and learning about and getting to know the constituency of the group. Unfortunately, you end up having to run across folks who will “rub you the wrong way”. It’s inevitable. Also, how you speak out on the forum (but not always) will often time dictate how others will respond to your words. (I’m speaking generally here; not anything specific.)
So, if you want to get bent out of shape about this forum, yea, there are reasons to (and legitimate ones) for doing so. However, I would encourage you while you lurk to observe the folks who do aren’t the “rivot counters” and spend more time wit
I must be used to my Homeowner’s Assn forum (whogotanewdogfencecamper.com) and this one is way more civil and enlightening. Politics, opinions and experiences are part of the hobby, and I’ve learned a lot in the year or so I’ve been reading and posting thanks to those who share them.
My autistic nephew just got his first DPB DVD and he loved it!!! So there’s a happy ending for this thread…(you’re welcome).
I am undecided about the Dream Plan Build series. I like the idea of it but the production on the first one wasn’t “$25” to me. Doubly so since a portion was recycled material from previous videos and “toy train” stuff I couldnt care less about. I am looking forward to the second so I can see how the series goes.
As for the Forum… I read the title of thread. If I am not interested I don’t read it. Easy. There do seem to be a few folks who are a bit on the negative side but thats life. I am a lot better with the issues people have with products… where else will you get the dirt since reviews elsewhere tend to be sweetened up. I do take issue with folks being overly critical in tone about the efforts of others.
I am not going to get into the “discussion” about using the forum to complain about this manufacturer or that one other than to say; the last time I checked the Constitution, we are all guaranteed freedom of speech. I like that concept and I’ll stick with it. If someone wants to complain about anything the want, that is their right. If I don’t like it, I either respond with my own opinion or usually, I just ignore it if I don’t agree.
Now then for a couple of positive opinions…
#1 - I hesitate to spend $30+ for a DVD that usually covers things that I already know. There are two DVDs I’ve found that are definitely worth the cost and I think are more than worth the money spent. Those are the two DVDs from Paul Scoles (http://www.paulscoles.com/). They are the best I’ve seen so far. I’ve watched them over and over many times.
#2 - Joe Fugate is a regular here and as far as I’m concerned, probably one of the most knowledgeable and helpful persons in the hobby. In my opinion (there’s that word again), his status is just shy of being a god in the hobby. [:)]
Last weekend, I ended up on Joe’s web site (http://siskiyou-railfan.net/) and was looking around his DVD offerings. I discovered that he offers one of his DVDs as a download at a much reduced price. I have broadband Internet access, a computer with DVD burner and all of the fancy software to burn DVDs and create the labels so why not give it a try? Twelve bucks and some change and an hour or two of my time and I had his Ten Mile Creek part 1 DVD playing on the TV. Joe even provides images of the disk label and the front and back cover for the DVD. And, you don’t even have to purchase and download the entire DVD. For two or three bucks each, you can download ju