well viewers I's pretty cheesed off! About 6 months ago, I bought the last, NEW G/F 57xx (from Hatton's) and a Dapol 195 Autocoach (from Bideford). They live on a shelf and neither have been out of the box. Imagine, yesterday, when i had another fond look at my lovely, lovely Autocoach, and noticed the bogey was loose in the box! When i took it from the packaging, and found that a crappy, rivetty, thing, that obviously allowed the aforementioned bogey to swivel, has fallen out! Who designs this!! will this Bideford bloke take this thing back and give me a complete and working model? £16. worth of rubbish. I have cancelled my Dapol order with Hattons for a 57xx. No more Dapol stuff for me!! who else makes an Autocoach model please? regards, Raving Rodders
Osbornes are pretty good at returns. I just had to return my 3850 to them when it arrived in its usual Dapol state of not being able to go around corners.
I had exactly the same problem with my first Dapol autocoach that I got as part of their 14xx + autocoach pack (the two I got in Osborne's special edition pack were ok). I got the 14xx pack from Townfoot models up in Hexham who requested a new pin from Dapol. Took about 5 months I think. The 14xx was also one of the 50% or so of them with a bent chassis too.
I had to heavily modify my Dapol Hall to make it run vaguely reliably (didn't help that it had a bent axle) and after that my Dapol policy is very simple. If it doesn't run out of the box it goes back for a full refund and I don't plan to buy any more Dapol steam engines.
Hi Rodders,
Sorry to hear you have had a bad experience. I am not biased to either manufacturer, but i had a similar experience with Farish.
I bought a brand new Farish class 57 diesel, it also sat on my shelf for months but the day i went to run it, it stuttered and limped!!!! Split Gear!
My point is, whatever the manufacturer, these models are made in China, by people who quite frankly dont give a Toss about the UK N Gauge model market (Right or wrong who can blame them for that wage?!)
Unfortunately Quality control is an issue here and im sorry you have been stung, however if all Dapol or Farish models were always this bad, both would have ceased trading many moons ago.
It looks like you have been unlucky enough to get a 'duff' model. My advice would be to give them a second chance, as some of their stuff is first rate.
By the way, i have had duff Dapol models as well in the past, contact them direct, report it and they will sort. If not, then let us know!
All the best
OwL
Quote from: Zwilnik on April 25, 2013, 01:00:08 AM
I don't plan to buy any more Dapol steam engines
Nor me. I've now had four diesel locos, two new [bought in the UK] and two almost new secondhand [bought in New Zealand] which have either had to be returned or be sent to my tame local repairer - all at my expense. The problem can usually be traced to poor soldering on any PCB included, and I only run DC!
I keep getting tempted by Dapol's new models then I factor in the extra cost and inconvenience and resist.
Never had a problem with any dapol truck, coach or loco I have 15 locos by dapol all steamers and all run ace :D
Quote from: OwL on April 25, 2013, 01:11:59 AM
I am not biased to either manufacturer, but i had a similar experience with Farish.
And that's the nub of the matter - a 'rouge' model can strike at anytime and is not just confined to any particular model or manufcaturer. It's really a matter of how the retailer deals with any problems.
H.
Is that one wearing lipstick? ;)
I bought 4 of Dapol's panniers from the first batch and all 4 are perfect runners straight out of the box and am very pleased with them. I also have 2 of the Dapol autocoaches, again both perfectly fine out of the box although they have now been modded to take internal lights and a tail lamp.
Even if I'm not going to immediately use a new purchase I always go through the run it in routine to make sure all is ok before I pack it away.
I've had a few Dapol duds - more than there should have been, but never had a problem getting them replaced if faulty.
The bogie pins work well - but if the postie played football with it, or it went to the shop in a parcel some courier dropped or threw around I can see it coming out - better that than breaking the bogie itself though.
You've got a two year warranty for most faults present at the time of sale so just return any problem items. If you've got the missing peg however it should just clip back into place. Osborn's is the kind of place where they'll just send you the missing peg if you ask nicely.
Alan
To help balance the thread, I have a good fleet of Dapol 73's, 58's and 86's. They've all been great runners, and not one problem over the years.
Quote from: EtchedPixels on April 25, 2013, 09:54:52 AM
I've had a few Dapol duds - more than there should have been, but never had a problem getting them replaced if faulty.
The bogie pins work well - but if the postie played football with it, or it went to the shop in a parcel some courier dropped or threw around I can see it coming out - better that than breaking the bogie itself though.
You've got a two year warranty for most faults present at the time of sale so just return any problem items. If you've got the missing peg however it should just clip back into place. Osborn's is the kind of place where they'll just send you the missing peg if you ask nicely.
Alan
I agree with Alan - if you purchased a duff model (loco or anything else) then return it. It is by monitoring returns that the manufacturers can gauge reliability etc. and make incremental improvements. I have had problems with both Dapol and Farish locos although in my experience Farish are more consistent.
Paddy
Quote from: captainelectra on April 25, 2013, 08:13:15 AM
Is that one wearing lipstick? ;)
:smiley-laughing:
Sorry to hear about the problems with your Dapols. I don't think I can add much to what has been said. It is rotten luck to get a duff one, whcih happens more than it should. But the nub is getting them fixed and running. It can be a pain, but once it's done you have the stock you want, and with ever increasing quality of detail. I agree with H, dealing with a good retailer is important.
I have Dapol diesels and all are very good so far, really good runners on creep. No problems with my GF diesels either except for a shorted and burnt out (brand new) 37 that is now a dummy in a double header.
I have two Dapol A4s (the Modelbahn Union Mallard and the Dapol special Silver Fox) but both so far have been static models (not even run in yet) as my layout is too full of diesels.
From what I've heard, Dapol's diesels are generally better designed and more reliable (got my Class 22 on pre-order).
So far my non engine Dapol rolling stock has been ok apart from the one duff autocoach but I'd not put the issues with the steamers down to bad luck. 3 out of 3 (4 if you count the Ixion Manor that has no traction) is purely down to awful engineering design where model weight, dimensions and components are chosen to look good on a shelf rather than practicality for running on a normal N gauge layout (or just shrunk down from OO where there's more wiggle room in the tolerances). The designs also don't consider practicality for construction or quality control
Dapol's designers appear to be very skilled at modelling detail but don't have enough knowledge in the actual engineering design at least for the tolerances required for N gauge.
I suspect they've not been called on it because probably 50% of Dapol's stock ends up permanently looping around on eBay as collectibles with their low production runs.
I think Dapol went through a slightly poor period arround the time of the Ivatt and early 9f runs, but I'd buy a steamer or diesel from them now.
Some of the Ivatt/14xx/9f models inparticularly can be very poor runners, which I believe is due to their chassis design more than anything (quartering issues, pickups, front bogie of the 9f, Ultra delicate valve gear Ivatt etc)
The 67, 58, terrier and most recent incarnation of the 66 (I can't speak for anything else) are superb if properly maintained, and the 28xx has raised the benchmark for N steam yet again, along with the A4.
Paul A.
I have three 26s,a 27,two 121s,a 122, a 57xx pannier,one 58 and 2 auto coaches and not had a single problem with any of them,so it's not all doom and gloom with Dapol products..... :thumbsup:
so far this in the balance list for me!
positives
these all work very nicely so far...
- hst
- class 58s x2
- class 56
- class 121
negatives
- one of my class 73s is a bit dodgy (but this was ebay purchase)
- massive delay on the intercity swallow mk3 buffet!!!!
tim
I had terrible experience with Dapol Hymeks. Beautiful model, but I purchased 5 over the past several years trying to get good one (hoping each time a different batch would help), but all 5 have been returned for either mechanical or significant finish defects. I ended up just getting an unpowered one. I swore off Dapol at that point.
And then came the 26. The first couple I bought from the first batch were bullet proof. Fantastic models. Based on that experience I ventured into the Dapol waters again and now have a 14xx (bought second hand, but a lovely runner), an M7 (also bought second hand. Apart from jack rabbit starts, it runs well too), two 9Fs (Just OK, not great. Also second hand and both required fiddling, which is probably why they were being sold, though the Evening Star one has become a very good runner.), an Ixiom Manor (bought new and a superb loco), a couple of 122s (1 was exchanged because it wasn't as superb a runner as the second one, and the replacement was fine). I also bought new two more 26s from the second batch but both were returned (one because of poor running and the other because of poor assembly). So I bought another 26 new (and old stock one from the first batch this time) and it was perfect. My blue 56 is also superb, And then there is the A3 (which I got a bargain on from Rails for less than 80 quid!) and it was and is fantastic, too.
I also have a Q1 from last years batch which required exchange because it kept stalling over insulfrog points. The replacement arrived with the mechanical lubricator rod not attached, but it was easy enough to fit. It has no issue with the insulfrog points, so there must have been a pickup problem with the first one.
I've bought and returned both a B1 and B17 - the former would not settle down even after running in, and the B17 front bogie kept hopping off the rails. The B1 was replace by a Farish B1 (which itself had to be exchanged!) and I decided to live without a B17.
I recently bought an Easten blue/grey HST set new. It took a while to run in but is now a super runner. Assembly and finish quality were maybe an 8.5 out of 10, but nothing I couldn't live with. I just wish Dapol would offer some more Mk3 coaches in that livery now to go with it!
I haven't had any problem with Dapol coaches or wagons. They've all been nice models.
I'm glad I gave Dapol a second chance. In my experience I'd say you are more likely to get a dud Dapol than a dud Farish but I've certainly had to return and exchange quite a few Farish models, too. The prototypes that Dapol have chosen to model interest me so I expect to buy more from Dapol in future, even though I expect some of what I receive will have to be exchanged.
And having said all that - I will not be buying much more from either manufacture if prices continue to skyrocket as they seem to have been. To it's credit, Dapol's prices don't seem to have been increasing as quickly as Farish's.
Matt
Quote from: whiteswan on April 25, 2013, 08:19:46 AM
...
Even if I'm not going to immediately use a new purchase I always go through the run it in routine to make sure all is ok before I pack it away.
Always a disappointment when your new purchase fails to satisfy. I've had two, both GF diesels, that had to go back but no problem with either shop regarding replacement or refund.
I think Caz has the best policy and it's the one I certainly I use.
Dave G
I have 13 Dapol locos. With the the exception of the Halls they have all run fine straight out of the box after the normal oiling and inspection. My problem with the Halls is that they needed adjustment to get them to run around 9" radius curves (See separate thread). If you discount that I have had 100% success.
I've not had any issues with any of the Dapol locos I've purchased, including a new NQP items sold as non-runners, which I coaxed back into life.
That said, I've not got a proper layout, so they have been limited to tootling up and down a bit of Unitrack.
Not sure the subject title is particularly helpful when it comes to getting the NGF taken seriously be the big manufacturers, though.
Quote from: Zwilnik on April 25, 2013, 01:00:08 AM
my Dapol policy is very simple. If it doesn't run out of the box it goes back for a full refund
Why should that policy be specific to Dapol? If I buy anything new that is not fit for purpose, I return it to the shop. That is what statutory rights are for.
I have only had one dud out of over a dozen Dapol purchases (most of them steamers). It was returned to the shop and came back a week or so later with a new motor.
I have been quite happy with most of my Dapol purchases. I can't comment so much on Farish as I only have a couple of locos from them. Until their most recent set of annoucements they appeared to be allergic to anything with a copper cap which limited my interest in their range to the Warship and class 14.
Dapol went through a rough period around 2-5 years ago but im pleased to say the recent models, 58 and 86 seem alot better than some of the first 66s. My neighbours actually complained about the noise because to them it sounded like i was using a drill!
Richard
I have a fairly balanced mixture of new stock from both Dapol and Farish - 2x GF Class 108s and 4x Dapol Class 156s: GF HST and Dapol HST: plus GF Class 04 and 37 (split-chassis model, not new DCC ready one).
All my DMUs have been 100% reliable so far, the only criticism I can really find is that the dummy end of the 156s are too light causing lighting flicker over points. Easily rectified with a bit of added weight though ;)
The Dapol HST has also been reliable, however I can't say the same for the split-chassis GF one. This suffers from needing to be poked to get it moving sometimes and occasional jerky running even when warm. Funnily enough the split-chassis 37 has now developed the exact same characteristics! :worried: So far the cause of this has eluded me, and it's certainly not down to a cleanliness issue.
Paul
Just for further balance I have had cause to return locos from Dapol, Farish and Peco.
I can't be arsed with messing about - if it doesn't work as it should it goes back.
Strangely enough I did mess about with my Dapol A4 which had a problem with it's front pony truck. Even more strangely my efforts were successful :laugh3:
Consider it a 'one off' though
Just to also add balance my father bought a 37408 in EWS livery back in the poole days, it went back 6 times before it was rectified!! I find the older ones a doddle to repair quite frankly to the extent i look for non runners as normally its something very easy to sort, the newer ones are quite frankly a PITA so i dont touch with a barge pole!
Richard
Ah thanks Geez, would never have thought of that one but will give it a try :thumbsup:
Paul
Quote from: rodders on April 25, 2013, 12:48:06 AM
well viewers I's pretty cheesed off! About 6 months ago, I bought the last, NEW G/F 57xx (from Hatton's) and a Dapol 195 Autocoach (from Bideford). They live on a shelf and neither have been out of the box. Imagine, yesterday, when i had another fond look at my lovely, lovely Autocoach, and noticed the bogey was loose in the box! When i took it from the packaging, and found that a crappy, rivetty, thing, that obviously allowed the aforementioned bogey to swivel, has fallen out! Who designs this!! will this Bideford bloke take this thing back and give me a complete and working model? £16. worth of rubbish. I have cancelled my Dapol order with Hattons for a 57xx. No more Dapol stuff for me!! who else makes an Autocoach model please? regards, Raving Rodders
To summarise, because of one very minor fault on your one and only purchase from that manufacturer which is literally seconds to fix (probably less time than it took you to type that rant) you are defaming the entire range?? If the dealer won't exchange because of the time since you bought it, I have to ask did you check it when you bought it? If not why not? if you did and it was OK then, any damage is due to how YOU have treated it since.
Raving indeed...
I own 2 Dapol hst's,a 156 dmu,a 121 bubblecar,a class 58 and two class 56's.None of these loco's have given me any trouble so my experience is one of complete satisfaction.Most of these have been bought from Rails and tested on their track before leaving the shop.I almost always buy in person,the only exception to this rule was when I discovered a deleted Farish class 37,the last one they had,from Cheltenham Model Centre.I bought this over the phone and it arrived a couple of days later.This was the only loco I have had any trouble with but even so,at the time,my abilities to get a loco running properly were non existent.Just as well it was only a lighting problem that required the brass contacts on the lighting boards at one end to be bent out a tiny bit and it was ok.
Now though,I can confidently strip a loco down to its component parts and clean up all the packing grease which for some reason goes all waxy which I'm guessing puts more strain on the motor which leads to premature death.Having stripped both non dcc ready and dcc ready Farish diesels,I have absolute confidence in my abilities to make these loco's run better than when they were new.
Of course,we shouldn't have to do this when we buy new stock but when the warranty runs out it becomes almost a necessity to do things yourself and seeing as I am fitting sound to my loco's as and when money allows me to,it is at this point that I do the work to ensure ultra smooth running qualities and so far,I have been completely successful.All my dcc sound fitted stock runs beautifully.
I do know that with Dapol diesels,the bogies detach quite easily so any work that needs to be done is mainly with the pin point pickups in the axles and bogie contacts.What happens is this,Dapol chemically blacken the wheels but only clean the wheels where they come into contact with the track,not on the axle ends.The coating does wear away on the axle ends but like when a car collides with another car causing paint swapping,the black coating just transfers to the bogie contacts,so a good clean with a glassfibre scratch pen does wonders,no need to add weight either.I uave applied this to all my Dapol stock with pin point current collection and all have immediately displayed much improved running qualities.
Again,we shouldn't have to do this but I would rather spend time running loco's than driving back to the shop to swap them and besides,doing this does not affect the warranty so I always check them after running them in.
Might help someone out to know this and prevent the need to take an item back and causing them to lose confidence in such a good manufacturer.
I also agree that the thread title may cause Joel and Dapol Dave to not take our wonderful forum seriously,even though there are complaints of this nature on other forums as well,its just that its like everything else.A perfect example is this,I once owned a Ford Fiesta 1.8 diesel and it was the most shickingly awful car I have ever owned,but a few of my mates and workmates have owned them as well and they loved them,mine was terrible.
Manufacturers never get a product 100% right,thats why they have customer service staff and warranties in place to ensure,or at least try to ensure that their customers are happy.
Pete
:Class31: :Class37: :NGaugersRule:
Quote from: PLD on April 26, 2013, 12:01:24 AM
To summarise, because of one very minor fault on your one and only purchase from that manufacturer which is literally seconds to fix (probably less time than it took you to type that rant) you are defaming the entire range?? If the dealer won't exchange because of the time since you bought it, I have to ask did you check it when you bought it? If not why not? if you did and it was OK then, any damage is due to how YOU have treated it since.
Unfortunately some people are like that. One little problem and they go to pieces and overboard. The forum consists of all sorts.
Quote from: Pete Mc on April 26, 2013, 12:03:27 AM
I also agree that the thread title may cause Joel and Dapol Dave to not take our wonderful forum seriously,even though there are complaints of this nature on other forums as well,its just that its like everything else.
Yep, I agree, and probably not just Dapol but other manufacturers as well. They'll reason that if the forum allows members to vilify manufacturers in such an unprofessional, unbalanced and OTT rant, that even resorts to name calling, then . . . .
However, errors and problems should be aired but also balanced with how they were resolved (if at all) and certainly not in such a bombastic maner.
Just my tupence worth.
H.
I have a few Dapol items, a repainted Autocoach - really nice coach! .....a 156 which has lighting issues on trailing vehicle! 4 Dogfish Wagons which are very, very nice!
All in all i would still buy Dapol products, I agree with other comments, can't just blame them, Farish models have faults too, just as they also have perfectly working models!!
I have many Farish models, an old Class 37 which runs brilliantly, couple of 31's one runs perfectly, the other has split gears repeatedly (irritating), 97201 which runs smoothly but had an lighting fault (fixed now - Woohoo), new class 101 the best model i have!
I really think it's better to buy in person, albeit the internet is a great place to buy, especially Ebay, you just can't depend on the quality the same, or the handling by postperson!
After having read posts about problems with Dapol steam locos I've been a bit cautious about buying them but the ones I do have all run well as do the diesels I have bought.
On the rare occasion that I have had problems with manufactured items I have found it is far easier to get any problem resolved if I'm polite, I can always rant and rave later if I'm treated badly by the retailer or manufacturer but most are eager to help.
Veronica.
Quote from: bees on April 26, 2013, 07:13:15 AM
I really think it's better to buy in person,
Quote from: silly moo on April 26, 2013, 07:21:16 AM
On the rare occasion that I have had problems with manufactured items I have found it is far easier to get any problem resolved if I'm polite,
Two very good bits of advise.
H.
Quote from: PLD on April 26, 2013, 12:01:24 AM
To summarise, because of one very minor fault on your one and only purchase from that manufacturer which is literally seconds to fix (probably less time than it took you to type that rant) you are defaming the entire range??
I almost typed the same yesterday...
These models are precision items, sent half way around the world and then sent from importer to retailer to customer. That there is a small proportion of models that are then not in perfect running order is not surprising. Whether this be from transit or quality control in the factory doesn't really matter.
If you think this is unacceptable then Dapol and Farish would need to remove every item and check they are running perfectly; instead they just ship them out and replace / repair them as necessary. If they did check every item, the price would be much higher and then people would complain about the cost.
You can't have everything.
Dapol's two year warranty, to me says they are confident in their products. Frankly, this is the way to go and Farish should take heed.
Of course, the pessimistic will say that they have a two year warranty because their stuff breaks down a lot... Or that they have done this to mitigate buyers apprehensions after reading the negative threads like this around the Internet.
Come on, guys, this is a British company, providing employment for a number of people and providing us with great models at a great price. We should be rallying round companies like Dapol, especially given the state of our economy, not slating them because a bogie pin falls out in transit.
Quote from: bluedepot on April 25, 2013, 05:58:01 PM
so far this in the balance list for me!
positives
these all work very nicely so far...
- hst
- class 58s x2
- class 56
- class 121
negatives
- one of my class 73s is a bit dodgy (but this was ebay purchase)
- massive delay on the intercity swallow mk3 buffet!!!!
tim
Hi Tim,
OK, in the interests of sharing here are my experiences with Dapol locos...
M7 0-4-4T Tank* Purchased
new in April 2007
* Lovely looking model but very light
* 1st model had defects on the bodywork
* Replacement had a perfect body but would not run smoothly despite running in
* 2nd replacement had the same running issues
* 3rd replacement was very good
* Excellent service from Hattons
9F Standard 2-10-0 "Evening Star"* Purchased
new in September 2008
* Ran well but the body had defects, returned to George at Dapol
* Replacement model much better althogh a couple of months later it stopped running
* Sent locomotive to BR Lines for repair - gearbox drive shaft/connector had to be replaced (cost me £14)
9F Standard 2-10-0 Weathered version* Purchased
new in December 2010
* Front bogie would not rotate in reverse - fixed by loosening the screw and oiling axel
Class 35 Hymek* Purchased locomotive 2nd hand as part of a set with six milk tanks in December 2011
* Missing one buffer (not blaming Dapol for that) so purchased a replacement from BR Lines
* Noticed a problem with the bogie side frames splaying out causing the axel ends to drop out of the brass pockets.
* Sent locomotive to BR Lines who had to do a full service plus replacement of bogie top drive gears and bogie frames
B17/6 4-6-0* Purchased locmotive
new in December 2011
* Locomotive damaged on arrival plus front bogie kept derailing
* Replacement ran well but front bogie stilld derailed. Traced fault to front bogie coupler catching on the guard irons behind the steps. Removing front coupling solved the problem
Q1 0-6-0* Purchased
new in August 2012
* Not added to Shed 13C roster yet
* Lovely looking model
Class 26* Purchase
new in February 2013
* Not added to Shed 13C roster yet
* Lovely looking model
There you go...
Paddy
I bought a Class 26 and on removing the body to fit a DCC chip I was clumsy enough to break off one buffer,this buffer is part of a moulded base plate.
This was entirely my own fault.
However, when I contacted Dapol Dave I was informed that spares were not available and were never likely to be available.
For that reason alone I will never buy another Dapol loco.
Allan
Quote from: silly moo on April 26, 2013, 07:21:16 AM
After having read posts about problems with Dapol steam locos I've been a bit cautious about buying them but the ones I do have all run well as do the diesels I have bought.
On the rare occasion that I have had problems with manufactured items I have found it is far easier to get any problem resolved if I'm polite, I can always rant and rave later if I'm treated badly by the retailer or manufacturer but most are eager to help.
Veronica.
Totally agree Veronica. When I have had issues the service I have received from the Dealers and Dapol has been first rate.
Paddy
QuoteQuote from: Bikeracer on April 26, 2013, 08:44:34 AM
I bought a Class 26 and on removing the body to fit a DCC chip I was clumsy enough to break off one buffer,this buffer is part of a moulded base plate.
This was entirely my own fault.
However, when I contacted Dapol Dave I was informed that spares were not available and were never likely to be available.
For that reason alone I will never buy another Dapol loco.
Allan
Unfortunately the spares problem is the case with most manufacturers nowadays with short runs and batch production. They don't carry a full range of spares like they used to but sometimes they can cannibalise other damaged returned locos to provide spares.
A friend of mine had a Hornby loco with a distorted tender top and was told the same thing as you. Hornby do seem to have lots of spares for chassis though.
Regards
Veronica.
Quote from: Bikeracer on April 26, 2013, 08:44:34 AM
I bought a Class 26 and on removing the body to fit a DCC chip I was clumsy enough to break off one buffer,this buffer is part of a moulded base plate.
This was entirely my own fault.
However, when I contacted Dapol Dave I was informed that spares were not available and were never likely to be available.
For that reason alone I will never buy another Dapol loco.
??? I am baffled by this - why not just replace it with one of the aftermarket supplier's buffers? I am sure you can get a replacement from N Brass, the NGS, TPM etc etc
It seems an incredibly over the top reaction to stop buying Dapol.
Doesn't seem that unreasonable. Dapol's spares position has been rapidly improving however and a lot of spares are now available even if not the class 27 buffers.
It's one of the costs of accuracy. Old Farish buffers were always available because they stuck the same basic few buffers on everything. The 27 buffers are accurate so they are on relevant to one model.
The lack of mechanical spares is always a bigger problem - eg replacement motors and gears.
(and for balance I've had a dud Kato model!)
Alan
I have never had a Dapol model and what I have read in this post would not put me off buying one, as if there was anything wrong with it they have a good returns policy then I cannot see the problem, the amount of models on the market there is bound to be the odd bad build and it is down to the owner to sort it out, I am sure other manufacturers have had the same problem, there are a few things I am waiting for in the Dapol range and I will not have any hesitation buying these products, or sending them back if there is a fault.
I have two Dapol Diesels -
An Original Class 66 - Which has been converted to DCC. Runs brilliantly (I can run it at a scale 2MPH) and always did.
A Class 73 - Not yet converted to DCC but also runs brilliantly.
Will I buy more - Yes - without hesitation. I need a couple more 66's and a 73.
Quote from: Bikeracer on April 26, 2013, 08:44:34 AM
I bought a Class 26 and on removing the body to fit a DCC chip I was clumsy enough to break off one buffer,this buffer is part of a moulded base plate.
This was entirely my own fault.
However, when I contacted Dapol Dave I was informed that spares were not available and were never likely to be available.
For that reason alone I will never buy another Dapol loco.
Could you not simply glue it back on? Job done and no need for a replacement. Plus there are also plenty of Farish parts that are not available as spares - will you stop buying their products when you accidently break one of thier bits?
H.
Sounds like the majority of people in this thread either a) have a Dapol model that runs fine, b) have had one repaired under warranty or c) bought one, there was a problem and got a refund.
So why all the botching about a British company, employing British people, providing highly detailed models to a niche market? All the negative rants on this thread really sadden me as they can so easily put the new-to-the-hobby off buying superb models, thus jeopardising a great company that have helped move the scale and the hobby in to the 21st century.
Kudos to those trying to give a balanced view but I think this thread should be locked as it is doing no good whatsoever, either to the hobby or Dapol.
I've read through all of the posts and think that there has been a fair exchange of views on this topic so I am going to lock it.