Mr. fatalxsunrider43 Unfortunately in the event of dissatisfaction with the paint selection, we have no means of offering replacement as all of the units will be painted in the same exact manner. All I can suggest is that you contact your hobby shop and we will work with them or their distributor to return your locomotive if you are dissatisfied. If you choose to keep the locomotive I'm sure you will find it is an excellent performing locomotive as we have always prided ourselves on the running quality of our locomotives. Regards, Kind of says they are not concerned about paint, only run-ability ay ? fatalxsunrider43
I think it says what it says... The painting process is the painting process. They can't guarantee that you'll receive a better painted loco than what you received.
Sounds like the definitive answer. I am still awaiting a response from the vendor about the GN BSB to see if mine is an isolated incident like the rep at Kato would like to believe (I would like to believe this too, but I am not optimiistic after what I have seen and heard so far).
I read it more as they know they made mistake with the paint but can't fix it, and they want to point out that their locomotives have other good points.
I wonder if these kind of issues are going to cause them to do things differently in the future ? fatalxsunrider43
I don't think that this means that they aren't concerned about paint. Painting is done in Japan and the US boys can't fix it for now. Steve E.
I do not think you have an isolated situation. I had a freind bring his over to install DCC etc and I took a long look and saw the color bleeds as you have described. Sorry! Fortunately, I know a few great painters who can make these look right.
I cannot speak on this issue specifically, as I don't own any of the locomotives...........but I would like to put in my 2 centavos in regards to Kato's "customer service"..........I found it to be non-existent!! Some years back, when they came out with the corrugated passenger cars, I happily went out & bought two sets ( on a fixed income ). Long story short, the couplers were abysmal. After a better than 2 month battle with them to get the situation fixed, their basis response was "too bad, so sad". (they then released new couplers to fix the problem awhile later, full well knowing they were bad in the first place). I haven't bought much Kato since........... Just my humble opinion.
Oh well, the world is really changing, the heart of man has really hardened, there is no caring for others and it is in business and private circles as well. I do not think is is going to get better, but worse, this is a sample of things to come I suppose. fatalxsunrider43
To say Kato "cant" fix this is absurd. What they mean is they wont fix this. The molds are already there. A few cents worth of plastic, a few cents worth of paint. A few dollars in labor. a few cents in shipping per unit. I'm sorry,Kato as with all the top dogs in any market you have gotten too big for your britches! I work for one of the largest communication companies in the world and our customer service is an embarresment. I have to wonder how long we can continue this before it ruins us.
I agree with you fully, but I must give Kato some credit that they did offer a solution even if it isn't what the customers want to hear. But I still will wait and see to all new purchases because it is the new business model. Close is good enough. And it simply isn't neither is the attitude of society these days.
I'm not sure I consider it to be a solution. When it is all said and done, I will probably be out the shipping cost both ways (shipped to me and returned to the store) which will probably total over $14.
well, I hope that the e-tailers let them go for a song, so I can get them cheap and paint them intom SP...Thank you Kato for buggering up your once great loco's!
It is a typical standard corporate reply. Acknowledge the concerns Give the bad news. Explain what can be done. End on a positive.
I'd like to point out as well, that Kato's response-- even though you may not like what they say-- is very professional and courteous. Unlike a few other statements from manufacturers over the last couple of years that have basically been filled with insults and anger. Manufacturers may not agree with the public, but they should at least be nice. Good job Kato.
Well I disagree...it is not a 'Good job Kato'. Its a take what we give you and be happy attitude, and in this day and age with many other good models out there, we dont have to accept that from a manufacturer....not even Kato. Like someone said earlier, and it may have been in a different thread, we are not talking $1 hot wheel cars.
I hate to drag up an old post, but for what it is worth I finally saw a Kato SD45 in the GN BSB scheme that did not have the huge flaws in the white stripe (inconsistent width and overspray). After all of my whining and complaining I was tempted to buy it, but left it where I found it. I guess I am getting fickle as time goes by. On another note, I managed to get a great deal on the new BN U30C and I will give Kato kudos for this one. Here I was getting rid of my six axle power and now along comes this. I have been looking at the BN bicentennial paint scheme, but all of the pics I see of it make it look toyish. Does anyone here have one and what do you think of it? Pics would be great.
