According to MRExpress, Kalmbach is producing a new DVD periodical entitled Dream-Plan-Build. Sounds like a great idea to me! However, does anyone know whats on it or how often it will be published (Hopefully Monthly). I’m really anxious to see this.
!!Hey Terry Thompson!! Give us some info, our dear friend!!
It is a mix of railfanning video, layout visits, and some how to do it material, such as airbrushing tips.
Dave Nelson
I received the initial mailing, which, other than the DVD itself, doesn’t tell me much of anything. For instance, there’s not even the slightest clue as to the COST of each new release, only that they will be billed at “the regular subscriber price plus shipping & handling.” So is the “regular subscriber price” $9 or $90 or somewhere in between? How much will “shipping and handling” amount to? I realize there’s a “full satisfaction” guarantee, but why do we have to subscribe before finding out what a subscription entails?
What’s more, the only contact information is an email address, and the snail mail address to which the payment is supposed to go. NO Web site, NO other information, and NO way, apparently, to get any. At the very least, I’d expect a high-tech effort like this to have a prominent, well-designed Web page giving all of these and other details.
OK, I emailed the address in the brochure and asked.
The DVD’s will be issued every 2-3 months. The price will be $19.95 + $4.95 for shipping and handling.
They sent me one of these for free without me asking a few days ago. It’s been pretty helpful.[:)] It has layouts, prototypes and techniques for building layouts. Jim Kelly shows how to make hills out of plaster cloth on mine. Now I know how to use the stuff![:D]
I believe you have to mail it back to them. One was sent to me, it details the cost to be $9 and comes w/ a free token/ coin ?, return mailing label is included if you don’t want it. Not sure if you will be billed for the $9 DVD if not returned. I wasn’t that happy about receiving it, only to have to return it-- what is this a record/ magazine club tactic…
Bob K.
If someone mails you something unsolicted, it’s yours to keep. The Post Office has rules to deal with any claims for compensation in such cases – it would be illegal for Kalmbach to require payment.
Mine actually arrived today and I opened it at my desk, standing around in my bare feet. I knew there was a DVD in the box, so I got it out and was kind of stupidly looking it over with the shipping box in my other hand, thinking I had it empty. Then I heard a sliding sound, followed by a metallic clang off the floor, right next to my big toe!
Turns out I wasn’t expecting the coin.
Anyway, my toe didn’t get bruised – the darn thing is rather nice, plus hefty – and the gimmick made a grand entrance I couldn’t help but notice.
I kind of like the commemorative coin. Mine’s a rather nicely done FT Demonstrator 103. I assume they are all the same and new ones will be issued as the series progresses.
Being a grad student, I’m kind of on a budget that sees too much already spent on trains in general. But I’ll check out the video. It does look like a rather extensive bill of model and prototype stuff. Maybe I’ll bite for the series. And yeah, they should just tell you how much it’s going to cost, because $25 isn’t really unreasonable if the content is up to snuff.
And if I subscribe, the next time I’ll be expecting the coin and have my shoes on.
Mike Lehman
Urbana, IL
“Because you didn’t ask for the special video, you don’t have to participate or send it back and you
can consider it a free gift” per the notice.
Amazing how many folks didn’t just read the letter that came with the DVD, eh? [:p]
Lack of additional cost info jumped right out, why? I’m disappointed.
I watched the DVD last night. Running time was about an hour and a half. The backdrop painting and detailing sections are very good. My wife tinkers with painting and so she even watched that part. I need to load it into my computer as there is also a collection of printable pdf files as additional information. I’ll be happy to send them $9.00 for this one. At least on the additional releases you get to preview them before you decide to send them back or pay the $25.00. The coin is well done too.