Saw in an earlier post somewhere that Microscale just discontinued their "Overnite" decals for 28' trailers. Is this true? And at a time when Alan just produced pretty much the first of these types of trailers in N scale! What made them carry these until now? Are they becoming out of touch with current events? I am a huge Microscale fan...just a bit confounded with some of their decisions. Russ
From my understanding (having asked some store owners a similar question) Microscale doesn't keep all their decals in production all the time. Looking at the catalog, I don't know if they could. So, apparently, they'll rotate which sets they print. This may not have as big an impact as it sounds, though, as I'm sure that many or most are still in stock either at the retail or wholesale level. Does this sound right?
Matt tried to get some of the Overnite ones for a customer who ordered some RTR pups, but none are in stock If anyone knows the whereabouts of some, I or Matt would be pleased to hear
Several trucking compamies Overnite included have banned the use of their logos and names.They have forbidden decal companies such as Micro-Scale from reproducing them once current stocks have run out.I suppose it all boils down to licenceing fees,and/or the supposed possible improper use of the logos/name. <marquee>North American Rail Alliance</marquee>
At one point, my friend Jeff and I couldn't find any SP redwings. All our local shops tried to order them and "couldn't" get them. Jeff contacted Microscale directly. The employee went and looked on the shelf and replied that they had plenty. A few days later I had four new sheets to play with I didn't really want to bother with this route but it worked when all else failed.
???? Im not getting your point or purpose of message John. The whole discussion was that Microscale discontinued producing these items and that they dont have any, so how would contacting Microscale if they have any be a solution? Or am I missing something? Mike Antkowiak
From my understanding, Catt! has the reason down pat - licensing and trademark protection. I read somewhere, in a thread similar to this, there is an obscure law stating if a trademark or logo is not protected through licensing, after a period of time a near copy can be created by another and used as their trademark. I'm no legal eagle, particularly in US law, but this is my interpretation from memory. Mike, I think what John is getting at is, though they have been announced by MicroScale as discontinued, there may be some stock on a shelf that has been overlooked. Someone may take the time to go and look. John's example, though not of a discontinued line, shows he was told the SP decals were not available when in fact they were, and then got them direct. Nothing ventured, nothing gained... perhaps? Gary.
I have found that Microscales qaulity has gone down considerably in the last few years since the original owner died (or left, but I think he passed on). On the new SD70M sheets for instance (which I did not use for my UP SD70M), the wings they put on the sheet were the same ones for their UP E units, just straightend out. Also, the white lines running through the wings should be thicker. If that werent enough, I decalled some SD60's for a friend with these decal sheets and the striping just fell apart int the water. Their availability is down on a lot of parts, as is qaulity, etc. Not the way to run a business. Stock up now, before things start really going down hill!
Mike John's reply was clear -- he was told they were out of the SP decals he needed, but when he called them they actually had them in stock, so the left hand did not always know what the right hand is doing. With thousands of decals to run in scales from N to G, MS has their hands full. They are in the process of digitizing all their artwork as sets come up for reprinting. They are also in the process of putting all their decal sheets on line so you can see what's included. To see what is already on line go to this URL: http://www.microscale.com/Decal_Sheets I am not sure but I don't think Overnite is one of the trucking companies forbidding the production of decals using their logo - I know that ABF, UPS and (I believe) Carolina do have such restrictions. FYI Overnite is (or was) a wholly-owned subsidiary of Union Pacific. Their website is behind as well. They use an independent contractor to update it, and he is way behind the 8-ball. Alan Will check our local shop for these N decals Don B [ 05 July 2001: Message edited by: dbn160 ]
Thanks Gats and Don, My point was exactly that, I was told sheets weren't available and was able to get them anyways. I too have heard that Microscale is finally going to the name of Superscale and is currently in the process of redoing alot of sets. I'll agree with Craig that quality has been down but I'll give you an example of them [Microscale] trying to make it up: Sheet 447 I believe is the standard SP sheet I buy alot of. At the bottom is several of the red fire extinguisher markings. Years ago you could read them but lately you can't. Well now in the last couple of sheets I've gotten there was a supplement of new red markings that you could read. I found this very cool and encouraging. John
FWIW - the walthers web site says N scale overnite decals are due 12-Jul-2001. click here I think Carolina and ABF are one and the same and I read that they were protecting their logos. I had not heard about UPS - but I think Walthers just released some new UPS goodies so I would find that hard to believe. Maybe I should be stocking up...
A few days ago I sent a note to Micro Scale, after seeing that they are um, FIVE months behind in updating their site. Within the hour I recieved a note back with a listing of all there new and updated decals. Too bad I had to ***** and COMPLAIN to get the info. I use their website to see what is available and what is new. Between their lack of interest in keeping their customers up to speed on their products and the lack of quality of the decal sets I have been looking into other sources for decals I might need. If any one wants the listing I was sent please let me know and I will be more then happy to send of post it.
Easy, guys...Microscale has a lot on their plate at any given time, and can sometimes fall behind schedule (who doesn't?). They do a lot of artwork and contract work for other decal and model companies, in addition to train decals, so it's not always easy to schedule presstime for all the decals. Having to do other work may delay decals for railroaders, but hey, it helps pay the bills! And as for sets being discontinued, it usually happens because a company gives them a cease-and-desist order (copyrights and such, like was mentioned earlier), or because a set has/will be re-made and improved. If anything, I've found that Craig and the other folks at Microscale are pretty receptive to modelers needs, and are willing to help. If there's a problem or something missing from a set, let them know, and they'll try to make it right.
Aside from the fact that the Micro-Scale webmaster has a fulltime job other than the website I seem to recall him mentioning a total redo of the website. Any of you with your own website know all to well that it's not a 5 minute job to update it. [ 05 July 2001: Message edited by: Catt ]
They can't be as bad as Athearn can be sometimes, as long as they keep bringing out the product I would be happy, as maybe there is a reason for all of this. Eg. UP hit an low after the absorbsion of SP, and now they are on the rebound from that, and have been for the last while....to the best of my knowledge (albeit, I have no interest in UP so I don't follow it that closelly) they are doing fine for themselves right now. Happy Railroading! Dane
Craig: FWIW (I think - these acronyms kill me, and I'm a GI!) I have been told that exposure to humidity (ie, most of the earth's atmosphere) and extended storage (esp when hot/cold swings occur) can cause the decals to break down and become fragile. I've had a LOT of problems before with the Scotchlite striping for MoPac diesels for this reason. This has led me to two conclusions: 1: Never buy decals at a swap meet unless you gotta have them. 2: If possible, special order the decals. Also works well to support the smaller local shop (yes, I know, I've been there before) And that's the rest of the story...
I get frustrated with Microscale, I have sent them inquiries with SSAE and never got a reply, and have sent them e-mail looking for their DT&I decals and was told with a form letter that no such decal existed even though I had a part number of 604304, only to find some at Des Plaines Hobbies (with NO help from Microscale). Des Plaines sold me their version which were MUCH nicer quality and less expensive. Don't get me wrong, Microscale is OK, but their service leaves much to be desired, good customer service does not have to cost more or take more time than poor service.
Dane, SSAE = Stamped Self Addressed Envelope (wouldn't work from Canada) Seriously, though, on old decals. I purchased some of MicroScale's liquid decal film. I use this on old decals, all MicroScale Decals, and especially Northeast Decals' decals. I also use it over dry transfer lettering applied to decal paper (ever try to apply dry transfers to an N scale single sheathed boxcar?). [ 06 July 2001: Message edited by: Gregg Mahlkov ]
Most countries subscribe to the International Postal Convention and you should be able to send along an IRC (International Reply Coupon) for return postage on a letter from the US back to Canada. For all other countries it would probably be best to check with your local postal authorities. eNjoy Don B
