Topic: My new Victoria arrived BROKEN, what do I do? (Read 20695 times)

Muleears · « **on:** January 04, 2012, 09:45:13 pm »

My new Krick ($$$) Victoria arrived today from MiniSteam with a crack in the main deck! It appears to have happened in shipping as the box was somewhat crushed. My question is what should I do? I could repair it and it would be barely noticeable, BUT, should I? Or should I get on the phone with MiniSteam and see if they will do anything. The package was left at my door while no one was home, so no one saw the damage before delivery.

Here are a few pics:

There are two cracks, the one above the level of the pen is clean through. The one below is just a crack about 2" long.

Is this something I should just fix myself or should I make an issue out of it? I am NOT a master model maker, a flaw like this will probably blend in with all the other flaws when I am done. So, what do I do?

Muleears · « **Reply #1 on:** January 04, 2012, 09:51:31 pm »

After posting I realized it may be hard to tell what is a crack and what is supposed to be there. Below I have highlighted the cracks in the deck.

Welsh Wizard · « **Reply #2 on:** January 04, 2012, 10:17:25 pm »

Contact them and tell them you want a replacement I would not stand for it myself

Dave

dodgy geezer · « **Reply #3 on:** January 04, 2012, 10:19:22 pm »

With any kit or service of any kind, if you have any issues at all, you should make these known to the provider. Whatever the issue, they are the ones who will need to deal with it, and I am sure they would much rather find out from you directly than from reading your comments on a modelling forum.

Colin Bishop · « **Reply #4 on:** January 04, 2012, 10:33:40 pm »

I had a Deans kit delivered recently and the same thing happened, the box had been crushed in transit and the hull badly damaged but it was not at all obvious when I took the delivery, it had clearly been pushed back into shape before being given to me. It looked OK on the outside and you can hardly open up and inventory a well wrapped kit on your doorstep before signing for it. I contacted Deans and Ron sent me a new hull by return of post with no quibbles. Full marks for that. He told me that transit damage is a common problem but it is almost impossible to get the carrier to accept liability.

So yes, get back to Ministeam and explain the situation. It is incumbent upon them to remedy the problem and take it up with the carrier if they want to do so.

Colin

DickyD · « **Reply #5 on:** January 04, 2012, 10:47:48 pm »

Ministeams problem not yours, get in touch with them they are legally responsible to sell undamaged goods.

Muleears · « **Reply #6 on:** January 04, 2012, 11:08:08 pm »

I have sent a polite email to them outlining the situation. We'll see what they do.

snowwolflair · « **Reply #7 on:** January 04, 2012, 11:42:59 pm »

Anything broken I find when unpacking I stop and photograph it. The less unwrapped the better.

I send them to the suplier both to get a replacement but also to help them make a claim against the carrier.

The worst I ever had was a laser power supply, not an insubstantial bit of metal, reduced to a quarter of its thickness. and full of airfield mud.

The carrier (DHL) said a lorry had run over it, but without a complaint from a recipient their policy is to delivered it.

The funny thing was that Customs had subsequently inspected it wrapped it, mud and all, and charged duty on it.

I got it replaced FOC. After some trouble customs waived the duty on the second unit when I threatend to send a photo of what they had done to an appropriate government bureaucracy hating tabloid newspaper.

dodgy geezer · « **Reply #8 on:** January 05, 2012, 01:18:06 am »

Quote from: Muleears on January 04, 2012, 11:08:08 pm

I have sent a polite email to them outlining the situation. We'll see what they do.

They need to know what is happening to their packages - if there is a poor service they may want to change their carrier. It does their reputation no good for people to receive damaged goods...

The long Build · « **Reply #9 on:** January 05, 2012, 02:11:01 am »

Quote from: snowwolflair on January 04, 2012, 11:42:59 pm

Anything broken I find when unpacking I stop and photograph it. The less unwrapped the better.

I send them to the suplier both to get a replacement but also to help them make a claim against the carrier.

The worst I ever had was a laser power supply, not an insubstantial bit of metal, reduced to a quarter of its thickness. and full of airfield mud.

The carrier (DHL) said a lorry had run over it, but without a complaint from a recipient their policy is to delivered it.

The funny thing was that Customs had subsequently inspected it wrapped it, mud and all, and charged duty on it.

I got it replaced FOC. After some trouble customs waived the duty on the second unit when I threatend to send a photo of what they had done to an appropriate government bureaucracy hating tabloid newspaper.

That the best bit of damaged kit I have seen..

Guy Bagley · « **Reply #10 on:** January 05, 2012, 09:23:50 am »

Quote from: snowwolflair on January 04, 2012, 11:42:59 pm

Anything broken I find when unpacking I stop and photograph it. The less unwrapped the better.

I send them to the suplier both to get a replacement but also to help them make a claim against the carrier.

The worst I ever had was a laser power supply, not an insubstantial bit of metal, reduced to a quarter of its thickness. and full of airfield mud.

The carrier (DHL) said a lorry had run over it, but without a complaint from a recipient their policy is to delivered it.

The funny thing was that Customs had subsequently inspected it wrapped it, mud and all, and charged duty on it.

I got it replaced FOC. After some trouble customs waived the duty on the second unit when I threatend to send a photo of what they had done to an appropriate government bureaucracy hating tabloid newspaper.

come on david, with your talents thats a quick fix !!!

hopeitfloats · « **Reply #11 on:** January 05, 2012, 10:12:54 am »

way down here it would have to be fixed. too expensive to get a replacement. bit of tin bashing, tube of glue, some silicon sealer and its good as new.

Muleears · « **Reply #12 on:** January 05, 2012, 11:20:56 am »

Quote from: hopeitfloats on January 05, 2012, 10:12:54 am

way down here it would have to be fixed. too expensive to get a replacement. bit of tin bashing, tube of glue, some silicon sealer and its good as new.

I'm afraid I may have to end up just fixing the Victoria and living with the crack. It would probably cost another $50 to ship the kit back to MiniSteam. I may have to decide if its worth another $50 to have a uncracked deck. It would make me very happy to just receive another deck in the mail. That seems to me to be the simplest and cheapest solution.

Colin Bishop · « **Reply #13 on:** January 05, 2012, 11:48:54 am »

Quote

It would make me very happy to just receive another deck in the mail. That seems to me to be the simplest and cheapest solution.

That's what Deans did for me, just replaced the damaged hull in armour plated packaging!

Colin

Muleears · « **Reply #14 on:** January 06, 2012, 12:49:00 am »

Well, its been a day and no response from MiniSteam...
I want to do something with the boat but I don't dare till this is resolved. I guess I'll wait another day or so.

pettyofficernick · « **Reply #15 on:** January 06, 2012, 02:15:58 am »

If you have to repair your deck, any evidence will be hidden by the planking, which completely covers the subdeck.Here is a link to a good set of photo's of a Victoria build that I found when I got mine.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/90322523@N00/sets/72157605148425113/

derekwarner · « **Reply #16 on:** January 06, 2012, 05:38:56 am »

Muleears ....I agree with pettyofficernick regarding the fix.....which would be technically and mechanically sound with two reinforcing strips glued under the decking.....

You could always pen a detailed costing note to Ministeam...quoting ...the return costs + new deck cost + return shipping costs back to you.......scenario.......

Make an estimate of each ....then suggest that you would be happy with a Ministeam voucher for say 50% of the actual costs for redemption at their store.......just a thought

......Derek

Muleears · « **Reply #17 on:** January 06, 2012, 09:28:41 am »

MiniSteam replied last night at about 830. Apparently they are trying to get me a new deck. I would be satisfied with that.

Circlip · « **Reply #18 on:** January 06, 2012, 11:27:58 am »

Probably one of the worst times of the year to persue any claims/complaints. No doubt they are now getting their 2012 heads on after the festivities, it's only the 6th of a new year. At least they have responded with what looks to be an agreeable solution.

Now to start actioning a claim with RM for lack of delivery.

Regards Ian.

Muleears · « **Reply #19 on:** January 06, 2012, 12:08:12 pm »

Quote from: pettyofficernick on January 06, 2012, 02:15:58 am

If you have to repair your deck, any evidence will be hidden by the planking, which completely covers the subdeck.Here is a link to a good set of photo's of a Victoria build that I found when I got mine.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/90322523@N00/sets/72157605148425113/

Great pics, thanks Nick. These have given me some ideas. It is my goal to have the Victoria finished by my annual vacation in mid July. We stay on a lake in central New York for a week, perfect opportunity to learn to steam!

pettyofficernick · « **Reply #20 on:** January 06, 2012, 05:08:16 pm »

You are most welcome. I will post some photos of mine when I resume the build, It has been idle on the slipway through lack of funding. I see you come from Virginia, I have been watching a most interesting TV show about a Virginia coal mine on TV, thoroughly enjoyable!
Regards,
Nick.

CF-FZG · « **Reply #21 on:** January 06, 2012, 05:26:26 pm »

Quote from: Circlip on January 06, 2012, 11:27:58 am

Now to start actioning a claim with RM for lack of delivery.

What's it got to do with RM

Muleears · « **Reply #22 on:** January 07, 2012, 12:37:39 am »

Well, I got a pleasant call from Suzann at MiniSteam tonite. They seem to be diligently working on my problem. They are trying to get me a new deck from Krick and are opening a case with UPS. UPS may want the entire package back though, kit included. So I still can't do anything with it! I must say, so far MiniSteam is getting a

CF-FZG · « **Reply #23 on:** January 07, 2012, 01:21:31 am »

Looking like a good result so far

Mark.

Circlip · « **Reply #24 on:** January 07, 2012, 12:01:14 pm »

Quote

What's it got to do with RM

Nothing as far as the Ministeam claim is concerned. Just hope my own to Royal Mail goes as smoothly, - - - but I know it won't.

Regards Ian.

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Author Topic: My new Victoria arrived BROKEN, what do I do? (Read 20695 times)

Muleears

Muleears

Welsh Wizard

Muleears

snowwolflair

The long Build

hopeitfloats

Muleears

Muleears

pettyofficernick

Muleears

Muleears

pettyofficernick

CF-FZG

Muleears

CF-FZG