More InterMountain folly

[sirenwerks]

I've been thinking about some 50' single door  modernized AAR boxcars for my line and had an InterMountain pre-built model I bought some time ago. After spending more time than I expected trying to pry it apart, I decided instead to just email InterMountain to see if it was possible to get kits, which they don't advertise. Even just a box of parts that equal a complete model would be fine too.

It took them a week to respond and Jerry in customer service tells me they don't make a 50' AAR single door boxcar. I know my eyes are going, but what is this? - http://www.imrcmodels.com/n/html/65921.htm

Maybe he meant to say they don't have kits? But I can see that's kinda obvious from their web site. Or maybe IM is just not interested in selling product anymore? And they've assumed a marketing campaign based on denial?

[Mark5]

Odd that it's not listed here:

http://www.imrcmodels.com/n/nkit.htm

Hmm, ask again until you get the right answer?

Mark

[sirenwerks]

Odd that it's not listed here...

Wow, exactly what I admitted above, that it's not available as a kit. Thanks for confirming that.

Hence my inquiry as whether it could be purchased, somehow, as parts. When the manufacturer's response is "InterMountain does not have an N scale 50’ single door boxcar." you gotta scratch your head and wonder.

[cfs]

I don't know anyone at InterMountain named Jerry, Sherry yes, but no Jerry.

[wcfn100]

Intermountain stated in their last 'modelers club' (or whatever) e-mail that ALL of there products were available as undecs, which I'm assuming are kits.  I'd be interested because I inquired about 60' flat car kits and they said they wouldn't be offering them.


Jason

[Van Horne]

Not too sure why you'd assume undecs would have to be kits.  Typically in N, they are not, unless you go back quite a ways with Microtrains.  In any case, I fail to see the problem here.  Intermountain doesn't appear to have given out any wrong information that I can see.

David

[wcfn100]

Not too sure why you'd assume undecs would have to be kits. 

David

Is there an undecorated model that isn't a kit besides #67200?

Jason

[sirenwerks]

Good lord, everyone's missing the point. The point was they said they didn't make the 50' single door boxcar. Not necessarily whether it was a kit or not (though that's what I wanted to make the project easier) or available in undec (I know how to use paint stripper, but again it would make life easier) - the point was they make it and they said they didn't.

But according to the second response I got minutes ago, all cars are available as undec kits. They're not marketing such and you need to a) call to order and b) expect to wait, as it's a special request.

[keystonecrossings]

You can have your dealer special order you any of the cars as an undec kit. However, they aren't available all the time. You need to order them well in advance and when they run that body style in a decorated version they will hold back your undec kits.

I had ordered -- and still have -- F3 locos as undec kits. All the parts for any phase. Had planned to swap the number boards from FT's, which I also have. Hmmm, gotta sell these one of these days... already have Digitrax decoders in the mechanisms.

[CVSNE]

Good lord, everyone's missing the point. The point was they said they didn't make the 50' single door boxcar. Not necessarily whether it was a kit or not (though that's what I wanted to make the project easier) or available in undec (I know how to use paint stripper, but again it would make life easier) - the point was they make it and they said they didn't.

But according to the second response I got minutes ago, all cars are available as undec kits. They're not marketing such and you need to a) call to order and b) expect to wait, as it's a special request.

You're looking for the undec version of this model:

http://www.imrcmodels.com/n/nboxcars.htm

which means the stock number should be 65900.

Jerry may have been confused by the nonmenclature - send him a note specifying which car you're looking for with the number - it's really the same car as the 50-foot double door, all they have to do is change out the slides in the mold. 

[Chulvis]

I don't know anyone at InterMountain named Jerry, Sherry yes, but no Jerry.

There is a Jerry who works in customer service at IM, he's been there for years. He's always been extremely helpful and is easily one of the best CS people in the industry.

I'm sure this is a simple case of misunderstanding between Jerry and sirenwerks. I would follow CVSNE's lead, I think he is right about this.