How bad, really, are Dapol and Farish

[austinbob]

Everyone knows that subscribers to forums tend to post about problems they have rather than the good experiences they have with a manufacturer. What I would really like to know is what percentage of people are happy or not happy with the output from Dapol and Farish

[port perran]

We seem only to be able to vote in one category. Is that intentional?

[MikeDunn]

Wot he said ... your poll is bust 

I'd also argue that it's pretty black & white ... no shades of grey allowed.

I'm happy with GraFar stuff (so that comes in OK) - but I'm OK I guess on Dapol - but that's not allowed.  I have to be either hating them or ecstatic ...

[austinbob]

You are all correct!!

My intention was to give everyone the option to tick any of the boxes!!! How do I do that

Sorry for the goof!!

Bob Austin

[talisman56]

You need to change the 'Maximum Votes per User' item in the poll setup...

Although in this case you may not get a proper distribution of Happy/Not Happy votes (ie respondents could answer 'Happy' and 'Not Happy' to the same section).

[austinbob]

Thanks but how do I do that? I don't see any options on the poll setup

Thanks for your help

Bob Austin

[Newportnobby]

I'd be interested to know why the data on Dapol is required and what you intend to do with any data collected. If the interest is purely Dapol, why even bring Farish into the equation?
Given that, on average, some folks get good 'uns and some get bad 'uns, I'm really not sure you're going to get any solid/presentable information
If I have concerns about Dapol, it is more to do with their customer interface/PR than anything else

[johnlambert]

Generally happy with both manufacturers locos and rolling stock.

I've had disappointing locos from both manufacturers but I'm lucky that they have been the exceptions rather than the norm.  My return rate is about the same for Dapol and Farish.  Because my main focus is BR Western Region in the early 1960s Dapol makes more locos that I "need" (Hall, Manor, Grange, Panniers, bubble cars), which is a bit of a shame as the newer loco drive coreless Graham Farish steam engines seem to run a little better (looking forward to the new Castle class).

As for diesel locos and multiple units, I can't say I've had a problem with either manufacturer.  My Dapol Western was a bit tight but it has improved a lot with running in.

The biggest problem I have with rolling stock is that NEM pockets aren't nearly as universal as I'd like.  But, conversely, the way Dapol has added NEM pockets to the Siphons has messed up the coupling distance.  I've no problem with the newer design coaches from either manufacturer, although I think the factory weathered maroon BR Mk1s in the current Farish range are a bit of a questionable choice (but I've got one so I'll probably try and build a complete weathered rake now).  I do however like the weathered wagons that Farish does.  To be fair I've also got a weathered Dapol Siphon G which looks miles better than the unweathered version; unweathered goods vehicles always look a bit too plastic to my eyes.

Hopefully that's positive enough.  There is always room for improvement but I do think we've never had it so good.

[Newportnobby]

Thanks but how do I do that? I don't see any options on the poll setup

Thanks for your help

Bob Austin

Under 'Edit Poll' you'll find various options. You need to change the number of votes allowed to 8

[austinbob]

I don't see that option.

Any more info would be appreciated

Bob Austin

[austinbob]

I'd be interested to know why the data on Dapol is required and what you intend to do with any data collected. If the interest is purely Dapol, why even bring Farish into the equation?
Given that, on average, some folks get good 'uns and some get bad 'uns, I'm really not sure you're going to get any solid/presentable information
If I have concerns about Dapol, it is more to do with their customer interface/PR than anything else

I'm just trying to work out which supplier gives the most reliable product on average. I've had bad and good experiences of both

Bob Austin

[talisman56]

In the picture below, the red box shows the 'Maximum Votes' option. Leave it at one to give the respondents only one vote (as you have the poll set at the moment). Change it to a number greater than one to allow multiple answers.

[smg id=13194]

Having not set up a poll, I don't know whether you can change this after the poll has been set up - if you cannot see it now, then you may not be able to...

[scotsoft]

I'm just trying to work out which supplier gives the most reliable product on average. I've had bad and good experiences of both

Bob Austin

I tend to rely on my own experiences as it may only take one bad experience for a person never to buy from that company again.  One persons good loco may well be another persons nightmare 

cheers John.

[Caz]

To me a poll to be meaningful shouldn't be so black and white, it is a bit like the old chestnut of "Having you stopped beating your wife yet" I think it would've been better to have some sort of rating, say on a scale of 1 to 5 or 1 to 10, gives people a little leeway to give a meaningful answer.  Just my two penny worth.

[scottmitchell74]

With my limited purchases and limited run time I'd say my Farish locos have been good-to-great (not great pullers, but my Life-Like locos spoil me) and the rolling stock is gorgeous, but they uncouple like mad.