How Often? (1 Viewer)

[Lo1863]

How often do you order some soldiers and some arrive with chips in the paint? I had some come today and there were chips in the paint. It was nothing too major but it does drive me crazy. Some you have to look close to know they are there but they ARE there.

 

[yeoman]

Hi Cameron,

Speaking as a manufacturer of Yeomanry Miniatures 54mm figures I always try to package orders to the best of my ability and, to date, I have had a modicum of success. However, in case of damage in the post I offer a repair and replacement service to my customers as part of the package.

regards,

Brian.

How often do you order some soldiers and some arrive with chips in the paint? I had some come today and there were chips in the paint. It was nothing too major but it does drive me crazy. Some you have to look close to know they are there but they ARE there.

 

[Larry Allen]

I am happy to say "ALMOST" never.

When you buy from top dealers in the hobby to can be 100% assured that you will receive a perfect piece. I do a lot of dealing with George at Minuteman and Nicholas at Crown Toy Soldiers, Matt at Hobby Bunker and KingsX; Never had an issue. But I know if I did, it would be fixed immediately.

A lot of that is due to their attention to detail and service.
Also, the packaging on K&C (at least the recent boxes) and John Jenkins is wonderful.

Still, I have ventured into the eBay world and once in a while I have been a bit disappointed when I see the figure up close. Only once in 15 years have I been burned.

(But Also, a set of Tamiya, or Model Master Paints and an OOO brush can work wonders!!!)
Larry

 

[TomNT]

It has happened to me a few times, mostly from sets i have purchased off ebay. It is annoying as you pay good money for these sets and sometimes sellers do not pack them correctly. I do realise however that damage is also caused from shipping (especially in my case as i live in a remote locality) and i also suspect that on occasion customs inspect the items and do not re-pack them correctly.

Tom

 

[PanzerAce1944]

It may be common for a fragile piece like a bayonet to get bent or broken off, but paint chips mean it happened before it shipped {eek3}

 

[uksubs]

Well never had any problem with kc , figarti flakey paint on there old stuff but Cs you always need a tube of superglue to fix there broken parts

 

[hsm]

Attention Larry, Tamiya paints are mixed with some type of Alcohol base, and not water like other Acrylic paints. Please be carefull or you may end up doing more damage then repairs....

I am happy to say "ALMOST" never.

When you buy from top dealers in the hobby to can be 100% assured that you will receive a perfect piece. I do a lot of dealing with George at Minuteman and Nicholas at Crown Toy Soldiers, Matt at Hobby Bunker and KingsX; Never had an issue. But I know if I did, it would be fixed immediately.

A lot of that is due to their attention to detail and service.
Also, the packaging on K&C (at least the recent boxes) and John Jenkins is wonderful.

Still, I have ventured into the eBay world and once in a while I have been a bit disappointed when I see the figure up close. Only once in 15 years have I been burned.

(But Also, a set of Tamiya, or Model Master Paints and an OOO brush can work wonders!!!)
Larry

 

[PanzerAce1944]

In cases where the post office may have gotten a little rough, I am willing to use a dab of super glue to fix a part that may have come off. Most times it is worth doing that than trying to send the item back....less hassle and things do happen which may not be the senders fault.

 

[Blowtorch]

How often do you order some soldiers and some arrive with chips in the paint? I had some come today and there were chips in the paint. It was nothing too major but it does drive me crazy. Some you have to look close to know they are there but they ARE there.

I don't think dealers have anything to do with it...and I've received defective items multiple times from at least one of the dealers in Larry's post, to which I assign no fault. As Larry said, the dealer always made good on defective pieces. With K&C the problem is very rare, and when found is usually some minor chipping around some soft bending metal like a sword or bayonet as mentioned. To the newer brands, the problems are more prevalent & I can see they are generally growing pains on their part with respect to the more nitty gritty aspects of model design, what kind of joints glue will hold, what joints glue will not hold, what kind of quality control can they reasonably expect out of their factory workers.

Having built & kit bashed many models, I know what kind of time & patience it can take to properly assemble a tedious job & how a factory worker would be very motivated to put a band aid on it & send it on down the line & into the box.

 

[Larry Allen]

Attention Larry, Tamiya paints are mixed with some type of Alcohol base, and not water like other Acrylic paints. Please be carefull or you may end up doing more damage then repairs....

WOW {eek3} ... okay ... good to know .... THANK YOU!!!!
What brand do you recommend?? -- Larry

 

[Lo1863]

Model Master Paints seem to be good (from what I know at least).

 

[PanzerAce1944]

If I were a dealer, one thing I would certainly do to alleviate problems would be to open each item and inspect it and properly pack it prior to shipping. Too easy IMO !

 

[Blowtorch]

If I were a dealer, one thing I would certainly do to alleviate problems would be to open each item and inspect it and properly pack it prior to shipping. Too easy IMO !

Nah, can't say I expect them or would even want them to check, as long as they have a return policy. That would be a lot of work to physically check each item & repackage it correctly, and I think it would just introduce a new source of breakage

 

[PanzerAce1944]

Nah, can't say I expect them or would even want them to check, as long as they have a return policy. That would be a lot of work to physically check each item & repackage it correctly, and I think it would just introduce a new source of breakage

If a dealer for example ships out a figure that has a paint chip you would rather go through the hassle of sending it back via return policy versus receiving a new mint condition piece that you paid for and wanted in the first place. The shops I buy from check out the contents per my request as I do not want to go through the hassle of sending it back to get what I wanted in the first place. 2 years ago I got a tank delivered and when I opened the box found the whole right side track broken off of the hull. The factory seal tape was still intact around the inner foam packing.Talk about a dissapointment :redface2:

Since that incident I have had no problems as the dealer checks the contents prior to shipping. Oh well...to each his own I guess ?

 

[hsm]

I use Andrea paints-

WOW {eek3} ... okay ... good to know .... THANK YOU!!!!
What brand do you recommend?? -- Larry

 

[Lo1863]

If a dealer for example ships out a figure that has a paint chip you would rather go through the hassle of sending it back via return policy versus receiving a new mint condition piece that you paid for and wanted in the first place. The shops I buy from check out the contents per my request as I do not want to go through the hassle of sending it back to get what I wanted in the first place. 2 years ago I got a tank delivered and when I opened the box found the whole right side track broken off of the hull. The factory seal tape was still intact around the inner foam packing.Talk about a dissapointment :redface2:

Since that incident I have had no problems as the dealer checks the contents prior to shipping. Oh well...to each his own I guess ?

I agree with you! I was thinking of asking the dealers to check them out next time before I buy. May I ask who you buy from?

 

[Blowtorch]

I got a tank delivered and when I opened the box found the whole right side track broken off of the hull.

I see your point. Polystone tracks have been known to arrive in pieces (PzIII/IV/Chaffee) & for such a large item with a well know quality control problem it is indeed worth checking if not for that very one issue.

If Andy is reading I am certain the problem is that the cavity in the styrofoam isn't being dug deeply enough for the tracks. The tracks should hang in the wind; the chassis should take 100& of the chassis gravity & packing force. As soon as those boxes get stacked & compression takes place, if those tracks are making contact with the styrofoam, they will have no place to go & end up snapping.

 

[PanzerAce1944]

I agree with you! I was thinking of asking the dealers to check them out next time before I buy. May I ask who you buy from?

PM sent......Thanks !

 

[peterr88]

Model Master Paints seem to be good

 

[OzDigger]

I see your point. Polystone tracks have been known to arrive in pieces (PzIII/IV/Chaffee) & for such a large item with a well know quality control problem it is indeed worth checking if not for that very one issue.

If Andy is reading I am certain the problem is that the cavity in the styrofoam isn't being dug deeply enough for the tracks. The tracks should hang in the wind; the chassis should take 100& of the chassis gravity & packing force. As soon as those boxes get stacked & compression takes place, if those tracks are making contact with the styrofoam, they will have no place to go & end up snapping.

I had this happen with a Figarti set I purchased several years back. The box was still sealed so it obviously occured when the person in the factory was in a hurry and used the "if it doesn't fit - force it" packing method. Figarti did pay me to have the item repaired rather than ship it back to their factory for repair which I think was the best solution. As usual they were unable to send me a replacement because they were sold out it being limited to around 100 pieces. Which makes you wonder if a second mold and increased production numbers may be more cost efficient for them if such damage occured often.