Intermountain SD40-2

[mu26aeh]

So my replacement parts from IMRC showed up today.  My invoice they sent me via email showed 1 windshield wiper and 1 ditchlight housing.  Pictures show what I ended up with...

First up, 2 itsy bitsy little parts and they send a 9x4x3 box





So yeah, I got my parts, but I have to remove the parts that are glued on to a shitty shell that's seen it's better days and already has parts missing.  Fan covers, front conductor handrail are missing and other handrails were obviously manhandled and someone tried gluing them back on.  And they must have used a tube of CA trying to "repair" it before sending back to IMRC.  Glue everywhere.  I'm not sure if I'm supposed to take what I need and send back or what, given the parts already missing. 

[tehachapifan]

Is it possible you got the wrong item shipped to you?

[mu26aeh]

Is it possible you got the wrong item shipped to you?

I'm not sure why anyone would want the shell I received.  Engineer front handrail was missing, 1 numberboard missing, 2 fan covers missing, cab is glued in place on one side.  Someone attempted to glue walkway to long hood, attempted to glue engineer handrail (longhood piece) to the sill and the rear handrail to the walkway, terribly failing at both.  There is CA everywhere along the walkway from attempted gluing and on bottom of long hood, also up on the cab by windows.  Also missing the horn.

Only thing this is good for is a wreck scene or sitting at locomotive facility awaiting repairs.

[C855B]

Maybe it's a "community cannibalization" project? "Here - the parts you asked for are on this. The missing stuff is from other customers taking what they needed and passing it forward through us." A virtual scrapyard, more or less.

[mu26aeh]

Maybe it's a "community cannibalization" project? "Here - the parts you asked for are on this. The missing stuff is from other customers taking what they needed and passing it forward through us." A virtual scrapyard, more or less.

That's why I had that last sentence in my post, " I'm not sure if I'm supposed to take what I need and send back or what, given the parts already missing. "  Screw it, I took all the grab irons off, I will use them on something else.  Keep it in my parts bin.  Always someone looking for handrails and such.

[chessie system fan]

FWIW, I had emailed them about my issue.  I ended up sending the whole locomotive to them and received it back with a better shell.

Can I call dibs on the dynamic brake section?   

[peteski]

Maybe it's a "community cannibalization" project? "Here - the parts you asked for are on this. The missing stuff is from other customers taking what they needed and passing it forward through us." A virtual scrapyard, more or less.

I think that's it. These are assembled (glued) in China and I don't think that IM gets many (or any) actual spare parts (unassembled). So they ship what they have, and he was lucky enough to get lots of extra, albeit glued, spare parts.

[squirrelhunter]

mu26aeh, chessie system fan hit the nail on the head- the easiest way to get what you want fixed is to ship the whole locomotive back to them. I did this with my MKT unit that had a crooked cab and got back one that was assembled properly.

I had an MP double eagle that had the MU receptacle on the fort pilot deck broken off. I would have asked for a new MU receptacle except for the fact the deck where it was supposed to be looked like it had been hit with a punch for driving out ins, there a was a good, rough edged divot that would have been impossible to fix without removing the surrounding tread detail.

So I sent it back. The problem? The one they sent back had the cooked cab disease (and the decoder made a burning smell when it tested it) so I sent it off this week to be replaced again. I think they have a supply of whole locomotives for exchange, but they don't have many spate parts.

[BCR751]

I really hope all of this replacement is going to impact their bottom line.  At some point, this procedure is going to cost them more than getting the items done correctly in the first place and that point can't come soon enough.  You can complain all you want and nothing happens but hit 'em in the pocket book and see how fast they respond.  I am soooo glad I cancelled my pre-order for one of these units.

Doug

[soo]

I have three deuces...no real issues to discuss. Just wish I had the other two Soo numbers.
Y

[mu26aeh]

My first two, I had zero issues.  My third one, was only missing two very small parts.  Had the ditch light housing not been missing I wouldn't have worried much about the wiper.  In this case, just really confused that I was invoiced for the individual parts and ended up with a complete, albeit, what I'm going to say was a customer destroyed shell that they returned after destroying it.

[nscalbitz]

... or perhaps instead of griping in public, a simple direct phone call to them would solve several problems at once.

Really all this b*** when many times I've read of IM giving great recent support to warranty and repair issues, even to say 'free' parts and service when not even asked for.

If you get something so out of reality with what was requested- sure a straight thinking person is going to ask.
Yes, by all means reduce packaging or doesn't Colorado have any environmental laws and guidelines?

You have a mobile; they come with free calling or minutes to spare; try using it as a phone and not a computer for a change.
All this second guessing is just  a waste of everyones time and energy.
FWIW

[squirrelhunter]

I for one am very happy with IM's customer service. I've emailed with them and called them over the phone and had great results.

I wish their factory did a better job, so I'd have less reason to bother them. I want our n scale manufacturers to be successful, and although I am very glad they will do exhchanges to ensure the product is as advertised, I'm sure it hits their bottom line, which isn't as good for their long term health.

[ek2000]

I think IM has the most generous warranty policy of all manufacturers. The wty carries over past the original buyer as long as IM is still able to support the item. I will support them just for this reason if no other.

[daniel_leavitt2000]

IM used to just send parts sprues back when they were molding them in the US and assembling them in China. I believe they are molded and assembled in China (but still tooled here). That is why they only have the decorated shells in stock. You can purchase undec engine "kits" but these are pulled from stock in China and I believe the lead time is measured in months.

For me, I really like the "we'll just toss the shell in" response. You get extra parts. They come pre-painted. Sure they may be glued, but they usually come off with a minimum of effort.