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[Muleears]

UPS is picking up the box and the broken deck tomorrow to return to MiniSteam.  At least its progress.  I hope I get the new deck soon, I'd like to start on the boat!

[Muleears]

I just got this interesting letter from MiniSteam:   

"Hello, Calvin,
UPS is not going to honor any claim on this shipment.
 
I pulled a new one off the shelf and looked inside. It has a board in it also where the punch-out pieces are already to begin to come out.  I don't think it will survive a shipment and with the cost to ship we are reluctant to ship this item also and face the same consequences of broken pieces.   
 
We will gladly refund all your money. "


In my reply I pointed out that the pieces falling out of the sheets was not the problem, it was the cracked deck.  I went on to ask if they are going to stop selling the Victoria and where else could I get one.   This answer confounds me.  Aren't they in business to sell kits???  Where else can I get a Krick Victoria?

[john s 2]

Yes shipping can cause problems. But so much depends on how an item is packed. If say a deck was packed between two boards then all would be ok. Sadly the cost would be high. It does seem that often damage can and will occur. Possibly you could contact the makers directly? John.

[justboatonic]

I just got this interesting letter from MiniSteam:   

"Hello, Calvin,
UPS is not going to honor any claim on this shipment.
 
I pulled a new one off the shelf and looked inside. It has a board in it also where the punch-out pieces are already to begin to come out.  I don't think it will survive a shipment and with the cost to ship we are reluctant to ship this item also and face the same consequences of broken pieces.   
 
We will gladly refund all your money. "


In my reply I pointed out that the pieces falling out of the sheets was not the problem, it was the cracked deck.  I went on to ask if they are going to stop selling the Victoria and where else could I get one.   This answer confounds me.  Aren't they in business to sell kits???  Where else can I get a Krick Victoria?

Why wont UPS 'honour' the claim? Was it sent to you uninsured?

Anyway, I guess the supplier thinks damage will be made to any kit they send and perhaps dont want to insure due to extra cost (insurance can more than double the initial courier costs).

But, imho, for such a small bit of damage as shown, I wouldnt have been bothered providing there had been no other damage. Others may disagree, all Im saying is for such small damage, i wouldnt bother asking for a new kit or replacement.

[grasshopper]

I am thinking along the same lines as 'Justboatonic' - from the photograph it's really quite a simple fix, if it's only a subdeck and will be planked then there's less of an issue.
The supplier has been willing to refund you but if getting another one from elsewhere is such a problem stick with the one in your possession and repair.

[CF-FZG]

I am thinking along the same lines as 'Justboatonic' - from the photograph it's really quite a simple fix, if it's only a subdeck and will be planked then there's less of an issue.
The supplier has been willing to refund you but if getting another one from elsewhere is such a problem stick with the one in your possession and repair.

There lies the problem,

UPS is picking up the box and the broken deck tomorrow to return to MiniSteam.  At least its progress.  I hope I get the new deck soon, I'd like to start on the boat!

Mark.

[grasshopper]

The customer is the one in the driving seat at the moment. Cancel the claim, decline collection and keep the slightly damaged goods - as long as the customer is happy-ish then everyone will fall into line.

[Colin Bishop]

Was the kit returned? That is the question!

If it wasn't then a repair is the obvious way forward. If it was then a refund seems to be the only option and then look for an alternative kit.

A replacement deck would have been the best solution. When my Deans hull was damaged, Deans sent me a replacement which was very well protected and not at all heavy.

Colin

[CF-FZG]

The customer is the one in the driving seat at the moment. Cancel the claim, decline collection and keep the slightly damaged goods - as long as the customer is happy-ish then everyone will fall into line.

It was due for collection two weeks ago, and to answer

Was the kit returned?

In my experience - UPS won't make a decision on the claim without everything in their posession.


Mark.

[Muleears]

The problem is, UPS required the return of the kit and the box, so now I have neither.  My point of view was that I had paid for a complete undamaged kit and that was what I expected.  As it stands now they have offered a refund which I am inclined to accept, IF it includes a refund of the original shipping cost.  But now where do I get a Krick Victoria?  Had I known from the start that ending up with no kit was a possibility I would have kept the one I had, but unfortunately that is now not an option.

[Muleears]

 
Now I have a new letter which sounds like pure and utter BS to me.  Let me point out that I live just outside a large metropolitan area.  Here is the latest from MiniSteam:

"UPS declined the insurance claim.  It was costly to send the boat to you.  It does not make sense to send the same boat in the same packaging by the same service to the same address.
 
We will still carry the boat but we can not take the risk shipping to your area.
Sorry
Doug"

I don't know what's going on here but I'll buy nothing else from MiniSteam.   Anyone know where else (in the US) I can get a Victoria?

[pettyofficernick]

Hi there, have you tried an email to Jotika LTD, they are a uk based company who has a distributor in the US, I am sure they will be able to help, alternatively, A Model World, also based in UK but very helpfull and very reasonable pricing. Good luck with your search.
Regards,
Nick.

http://www.jotika-ltd.com/

A Model World - RC Model Boats - Never beaten on Price or Service
www.amodelworld.co.uk/

[Circlip]

Pity you don't know anyone in the USAF and get it "Transported" via Mildenhall, Lakenheath or Fairford.

  Regards Ian.

[Muleears]

Hi there, have you tried an email to Jotika LTD, they are a uk based company who has a distributor in the US, I am sure they will be able to help, alternatively, A Model World, also based in UK but very helpfull and very reasonable pricing. Good luck with your search.
Regards,
Nick.

http://www.jotika-ltd.com/

A Model World - RC Model Boats - Never beaten on Price or Service
www.amodelworld.co.uk/

Thanks Nick, I sent an email to Jotika-Ltd, we'll see what happens.  I have also requested a full refund from MiniSteam.  Through this action they have lost me as a customer.

[Muleears]

As an update on my quest to get a Victoria,  as mentioned I sent a letter to Jotika Ltd. and got an immediate response from John Wright.  Mr. Wright told me he would forward my letter to Mr. Krick himself and he was sure Mr. Krick would be in touch with me soon.  Well it has been over a week and I haven't heard anything from Mr. Krick or Mr. Wright even after a reminder letter.  The only positive note in this so far is I have gotten a full refund from MiniSteam.  I had no idea it would be so hard to buy one of these kits.  It astounds me.  I am not sure where to go from here...  As I see it my only option may be to buy one from the UK and pay an additional $70+ shipping and run the risk of damage again.  I am open to suggestions....

[Muleears]

I received a letter from Mr. Wright at Jotika Ltd that informs me that Mr. Krick is at a toy expo in Nuremburg and he is sure Mr. Krick will solve my problem upon his return.  I am keeping my fingers crossed.

I did find another source for the Victoria in the States but it was $98 more than I originally paid...

[HS93 (RIP)]

are the two splits shown the only damage done in transit, if so a drop of aliphatic resin or whatever you are going to use to build it would have fixed it in seconds, far less time than all the emails  etc that you have sent from what I gather the part is even coverd ?   sorry its a kit  if you read Neil's post on how a kit or 3 are put together you will see that there is not a lot of profit for the manufacturer , you have found that it is the cheapest you will be able to get one by far so just stick it. when you start building you will know doubt break other parts or cut them a fraction short etc that is what happens with kits you have to learn to fix these little problems as you build or every kit you buy will be scraped at the first hurdle, this might sound harsh but kits are kit's a kit of parts you have to fit together.

Peter

[Muleears]

are the two splits shown the only damage done in transit, if so a drop of aliphatic resin or whatever you are going to use to build it would have fixed it in seconds, far less time than all the emails  etc that you have sent from what I gather the part is even coverd ?   sorry its a kit  if you read Neil's post on how a kit or 3 are put together you will see that there is not a lot of profit for the manufacturer , you have found that it is the cheapest you will be able to get one by far so just stick it. when you start building you will know doubt break other parts or cut them a fraction short etc that is what happens with kits you have to learn to fix these little problems as you build or every kit you buy will be scraped at the first hurdle, this might sound harsh but kits are kit's a kit of parts you have to fit together.

Peter

Peter,

I agree with you, had I realized from the start that this was the sub-deck that was split I never would have sent it back.  My fault for not being familiar with the kit and its construction. 

[irishcarguy]

My advice to ANYBODY shipping anywhere in the world, DO NOT USE UPS. I ship & receive lots of auto parts on a regular basis & I will not use UPS. I will also not allow any supplier to ship to me using UPS, if they insist I will not buy from them period. In all my years ( over 10 years) until I stopped doing any business with UPS either shipping or receiving, I have never received or shipped anything with UPS that did not cause me a problem & I never collected a dime on a damage claim. I have the letters & documents to prove it. My biggest loss was over $1400.00 & not one cent refunded. One of their regular staff told me he would never ship by UPS, he used another company, not a ringing endorsement I would say. However I have never had a problem with Fedex, it may cost a little more but no hassles. I have shipped & received parts in excess of $200,000.00 some years so I have lots of experience with shipping companies, believe me. Mick B.

[Jerry C]

I once had a box of foam aeroplane wings deivered by Australia Post and right in the middle it had a hole that was the exact shape of a forklift blade, sent photos and a letter to them and was told It should have had a layer of 3mm ply either side to protect the foam wings.
Fought it and won the complete value back but I would love to know who sells the 3mm ply that is impervious to forklift attack!

[muleears]

Well, I have decided to try again.  This time, since they won't ship to my address I'm having it shipped to a friends house in a nearby city.  Hopefully have it next week and get started next weekend.  I'll probably start a build thread then.  Actually, due to my lack of experience and no one nearby, it will actually be a question asking thread!  Wish me luck, both with the shipping and the build.

[Tug-Kenny RIP]

Ask away, we love to help. 


ken

[muleears]

Ask away, we love to help. 


ken

I have a PMR 8M twin for the motor and a Macsteam 3.5" horizontal boiler.  Does this sound like a good power supply for this boat?  I originally bought this pair for an African Queen but the 'Queen was only 30" long and I realized the motor and a full boiler would probably sink the boat!

[kiwimodeller]

Muleears, I have fitted the PMR V Twin in a 42" Kingston Mouldings hull and it pushed that along really easily so for the Victoria I am sure you will have power to spare. Just make sure you mount the propshaft in such a manner that you can fit a big prop. Based on my experience I think you will need to fit at least a 3" diameter prop and it might be better to get a Propshop steam prop which has more pitch than the diameter. That way you might get away with perhaps a 2.5" prop with a 3.5" pitch. You need to load the engine up and keep the revs down so it does not use too much steam. Hope this helps, Ian.

[muleears]

Ian, that's great advice !  I would have thought of shaft placement about the time I tried to put the prop on for the first time which probably would have been too late!  So you think the 3.5" Macsteam will provide enough steam? 

The Victoria II will be in my hands Wednesday.