I think Colin's perception is very reasonable - well versed, accurately put, and without bias.
We are all entitled to opinion and often see things differently, a bit like backsides really, we've all got one - some exude aroma different to others, but how offending the smell is, is down to opinion!
I have a Dean's kit that has been put on hold through lack of experience, I'm very much a novice and have found some of the plans/diagrams and certainly the instructions both a tad misleading, and not easy to understand, but I really like the finished model and am determined to do it justice.
Some of the white metal parts are awful and serve only as as guide to scratch building replacements, even the photos on the available cd are baffling in as much they include varied changes during the prototype stages, with no indication of which photo defines the accepted final assembly method . They are certainly NOT kits for a novice, but do offer a fantastic range of model that no other manufacturer produces, always found them to be as friendly and helpful over the phone as you would expect, yet when parting with cash you are fully entitled without question, to receive items as described and fit for purpose and that can be assembled without rework or modification needed to overcome inherent defects. We have been a 'self assembly flat pack' society for some time now.
Perhaps the vast range of models may be Dean's Achilles heel, perhaps too much time and cost into constant development of new models, without the infrastructure or finance for ensuring total quality component production and proven user friendly script.
Somethings are learned the hard way - I'll do it for the experience and the challenge, it should make a really nice model, time will tell!
