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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Member
Joined: 6/5/2007 Posts: 2,754 Location: Sarasota, Florida, USA
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First off, the cylinder issue could be done with a metal system. I have a couple of DPM Komatsu ADTs and both have a telescopic lift cylinders that are metal and something like an antenna.
Second, as far as spare parts go. I have had issues where I needed replacement parts. I had a Norscot model break a track, contacted them and was told "we do not have them nor can we get them". I have lost/broken parts on NZG models, contacted, got spare parts that I requested in about a week, had issues with one part (rubber track got crushed in the mail) contacted and they sent out another in a box!! I have had no problems with NZG as far as parts go only don't get return email. I just had issue with my one Conrad crane, contacted, got return email and just yesterday I got the outrigger pads I needed (only needed one but got 4). So I have not had any bad customer service from Conrad or NZG.
What I do as a model purchaser is to research all I can. I utilize Ian's Cranesetc.co.uk and Steven Downes's Miniature Construction World's reviews and the forum responses to get an informed decision as to what I want to buy. I don't hold a company to task but (as in the case of the MT4400) I would not consider buying it after all the responses about it.
My opinions but the way I do things for buying models.
Dain
I'm a kid at heart, so I will play with any model construction vehicle from 1:87 scale to 1:1 scale!!!!
Age is a state of time NOT a state of mind!!
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Rank: Member Groups: Member
Joined: 3/21/2013 Posts: 54
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Hello everyone, I can't help but feeling that my original post has created some turmoil in what was originally an innocent thread simply seeking information on a questionable asset of a particular model. The responses have caused said thread to snowball into a p#&$&@g contest of sorts and I would like to apologize to Mr. Bridle if I made you feel as if I was attacking your opinions or "hijacking your post", as it was not my intent. I do agree with many of you in that I believe in holding a model maker accountable for an acceptable level of quality. I tend to agree with Chuck when he suggests first contacting the retailer to resolve any issues, as retailers are the vehicles that ultimately distribute a mass number of any maker's goods, and thus we would expect that a maker would bend over backwards to accomodate any level of dissatisfaction with their product. Obviously, some people may get more satisfaction from dealing directly with the maker, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that approach either. Regarding particular material or design choices that model makers choose to pursue, and for whatever reasons they make those decisions, I'd like you all to consider this: For many of us, short of the occasional model show or Chuck's Open House, the opportunity to see these models and handle and inspect them both physically and visually, is probably rather rare. Thus, many of us rely on the reviews that Ian and a few others provide. Most of us make a decision based on either reviews such as this or marketing campaigns designed to highlight the release of new models, and to some extent our hands are tied upon receiving the model and the occasion that it doesn't meet our lofty expectations. If the model is damaged or otherwise unacceptable, I am sure that 99% of retailers would gladly offer a refund or exchange, but really aren't in the business of sending out models to allow everyone to form opinions of said models, whether good or bad, post or share those opinions in whichever way they see fit, and return those models because they maybe weren't quite what we had hoped for. We assume a certain amont of risk as collectors and the way we secure the additions to our collections, as I'm sure most of us rely heavily on the internet and dealers that we have come to know and trust, and in fact we will always face an element of the unknown until that package arrives on our doorstep and we are able to open it, handle it, and at that time form our own opinion of it. To those who cannot accept that element of the unknown, I would encourage you to personally attend as many toy shows, model shows, open houses, etc., as you can afford, and at that point form your own opinions, and YOU make the final decision whether or not that model deserves a spot on your shelves. Thanks Everyone, for the Forum, and again, my apologies if I hurt anyone's feelers!
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Member
Joined: 10/3/2013 Posts: 744 Location: North Wales, UK
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Insanity40 wrote: my apologies if I hurt anyone's feelers! Nah, Tonkin's already beat you to it
New UK based Scale construction forum. www.scaleplantandconstruction.co.uk
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Member
Joined: 2/27/2006 Posts: 1,298 Location: Somewhere in the USA
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IVE GOT IT!
Display the 4400 that's missing the decals in an enclosed case with only the front showing....problem solved....Tonkin style!
There are two rules for success: 1. Never tell everything you know.
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Member
Joined: 11/15/2003 Posts: 1,142 Location: North America
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Interestingly, but not surprisingly; the post on page 2 with the left side photo of the model with no decals has been deleted! If diggnriggs could please send me photos of both sides of the model, I will ensure that they get posted on other forums. digggerr@hotmail.com
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Member
Joined: 6/26/2007 Posts: 1,706 Location: Australia
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You last three need a slapping…ROTFLMAO …aaaand first prize is one only Tonkin D6 with a blade that doesnt't touch the ground, second prize is two plus a dumper that doesn't dump..
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Member
Joined: 6/26/2007 Posts: 1,706 Location: Australia
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I'm smilin" Jeff…I'm smilin…I still cannot believe that in 2014 even the lonely chinese guy putting them together can"t get it right. We won't even speak about the line of people the model goes through for inspection after him.
Maybe they all believe that Caterpillar make dozers that don't touch the ground with their blade??…Doesn't Caterpillar endorse these models also??..OOPS…they didn" inspect them very well either…did they??
I seriously hope they read this forum at times…maybe it may assist them in their attempts to make a good model…one day. The worst thing is I was looking forward to getting a couple of the Tonkins, but now it is the safety of Norscot for me. A bit of extra work on them (I have just upgraded a D10) and they look great.
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Member
Joined: 2/27/2006 Posts: 1,298 Location: Somewhere in the USA
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GC1 wrote:I'm smilin" Jeff…I'm smilin…I still cannot believe that in 2014 even the lonely chinese guy putting them together can"t get it right. We won't even speak about the line of people the model goes through for inspection after him.
Maybe they all believe that Caterpillar make dozers that don't touch the ground with their blade??…Doesn't Caterpillar endorse these models also??..OOPS…they didn" inspect them very well either…did they??
I seriously hope they read this forum at times…maybe it may assist them in their attempts to make a good model…one day. The worst thing is I was looking forward to getting a couple of the Tonkins, but now it is the safety of Norscot for me. A bit of extra work on them (I have just upgraded a D10) and they look great. I guarantee you there is a BIG difference between what is presented to CAT and the production version of a model. If I had to guess the marketing presented to CAT said something along the lines of their models being built by the virgin Mary herself and wiped down with albino unicorn tears before being packaged in CAT branded boxes made of ivory. If CAT is signing off on the models that we are expected to accept then I am going to have to suggest that they fire Helen Keller and hire someone with an attention to detail. For a dealer to have to take up for a model manufacture is pretty sad IMO as well. A customer should not have to order a model, wait for it to be delivered to find out there are discrepancies such as parts installed backwards or missing decals, contact the dealer to get a replacement, wait on another replacement to be delivered, then send back the old model. If I have to pay more to make sure xxx puts the decals and parts onto a model in a manner that is presented at toy shows and on dealer websites, then I have no desire to provide the manufacture with a single penny of my money. I agree with you totally, I was excited for several products from Tonkin but have decided it would be in my best interest to stay away until they correct the issues and come up with a legit customer service department.
There are two rules for success: 1. Never tell everything you know.
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Member
Joined: 2/27/2006 Posts: 1,298 Location: Somewhere in the USA
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Response to a post on Tonkins page regarding this thread:
Tonkin Replicas Jeffery, yes I read that and it baffles my mind and honestly it makes it difficult for the majority of collectors when a guy who claims to be a reseller to us makes bizarre comments on forums. It is counter to support of the hobby which recognizes Tonkin Replicas as the fastest growing global manufacturer of scale models in trucks and construction. The industry and OEMs have been incredibly supportive and so enthusiastic about the value we bring we have had to become more selective in choosing what to build. The response from the rest of the collector market is excitement over new models with new options to purchase. As we grow we certainly have models with issues but some comments in there just want to make you sigh. I think people on forums often forget on the other side there are also people. No deities, as I believe was suggested, but as an equal opportunity employer we are open to such hires if the posters are aware of any looking for work. With our growth pace we would welcome one or two on staff especially if they were multi-lingual.
My Response:
Thank you for taking the time to reply I believe what most are concerned with are the flaws that seem to be making it through the pipeline somehow such as complete decals missing along with parts installed incorrectly or flawed paint and what not. Some have mentioned that Tonkins customer service has been less than supportive in resolving issues with models that they purchase. One gentlemen on our forum had issues with a Tonkin wheel loader and was told by a Tonkin rep to "Choose another pose for display." Is this normal procedure? Again, not trying to be a pain, just trying to take some clarification to the forums
There are two rules for success: 1. Never tell everything you know.
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Member
Joined: 10/7/2005 Posts: 2,495 Location: Shetland
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Ouch!. 63% and not even "Recommended"...... http://www.cranesetc.co.uk/library/tonkinreviews/30001/30001review.htmIn it's current form and flaws, no thanks.
Scania V8. The best sounding truck in the world.
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Member
Joined: 10/3/2013 Posts: 744 Location: North Wales, UK
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I just watched that this second Paul and was about to comment the same. Those lift cylinders look truly shocking!
New UK based Scale construction forum. www.scaleplantandconstruction.co.uk
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Member
Joined: 12/27/2003 Posts: 1,628 Location: Australia
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I would like to ask when it was a Bucyrus MT4400 what was it like as a model?
I posted my pic of it tipped up next to a 795F & 793F on DHS facebook page and it,s virtually the same angle and does not look like it,s tipping shallow. I aligned the telescopic cylinders straight once raised and holding the pose and a month later it has not moved and displays perfectly statically in my cabinet.
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Member
Joined: 6/1/2006 Posts: 4,065 Location: Dublin Ireland
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Man those rams were funny! please please please Tonkin stop with the "reasons" "excuses" , the "you can send it back"
All we want to hear is "We are actively on it" or "doing our best so these issues do not arise again" and then follow it up with a model run to back up the claim
I too was like others,had my eye on some of the larger offerings,988,994 and MT4400D
Why is "phonetically" spelt with a "ph"?
... It's better to be silent and thought a fool, then to speak up and remove all doubt
The complex of Newgrange was originally built between c. 3100 and 2900 BC,[2] meaning that it's aproximately 5,000 years old. According to Carbon-14 dates,[3] it is more than 500 years older than the Great Pyramid of Giza in Egypt, and predates Stonehenge by about 1,000 years.
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Member
Joined: 6/1/2006 Posts: 4,065 Location: Dublin Ireland
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Gavin84w wrote:I would like to ask when it was a Bucyrus MT4400 what was it like as a model?
I posted my pic of it tipped up next to a 795F & 793F on DHS facebook page and it,s virtually the same angle and does not look like it,s tipping shallow. I aligned the telescopic cylinders straight once raised and holding the pose and a month later it has not moved and displays perfectly statically in my cabinet. MCW has a review of the Brami Terex Unig Rig MT4400 and to my memory the model,back in 2008 has 3 stage rams as appose to 4 rubbery looking rams Does anyone have the Terex Unig Rig version and the Cat version? if so can they compare both?
Why is "phonetically" spelt with a "ph"? ... It's better to be silent and thought a fool, then to speak up and remove all doubt The complex of Newgrange was originally built between c. 3100 and 2900 BC,[2] meaning that it's aproximately 5,000 years old. According to Carbon-14 dates,[3] it is more than 500 years older than the Great Pyramid of Giza in Egypt, and predates Stonehenge by about 1,000 years.
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Member
Joined: 3/21/2006 Posts: 5,046 Location: B-town
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Not gonna defend a model I don't have but an observation of mine (that speaks to an earlier comment) is that CCM is no saint when it comes to good scale movement replication......the 992 and 988 loaders for instance....the 390ME and first edition 769 truck.....and these cost a bit more comparatively speaking. Now I can't comment on the 4400 but do have several of Tonkin's 775 trucks and am quite happy with them. Yes the lift angle of the bed is limited and there is a minute bit of play in the front wheels but these are things that have plagued a good number of haul truck models from Norscot to NZG (CAT 793 an example). EDIT oh my on those lift cylinders though......sheesh
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Member
Joined: 12/27/2003 Posts: 1,628 Location: Australia
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Gavin84w wrote:I posted my pic of it tipped up next to a 795F & 793F on DHS facebook page Sorry, the Tonkin page https://www.facebook.com/tonkinreplicasinc/photos/pcb.768669559849972/768669469849981/?type=1&theater
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Member
Joined: 12/27/2003 Posts: 1,628 Location: Australia
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gbarnewall wrote:[quote=Gavin84w] MCW has a review of the Brami Terex Unig Rig MT4400 and to my memory the model,back in 2008 has 3 stage rams as appose to 4 rubbery looking rams 2nd pic down check the RHS lift cylinder, hmmmmmm http://www.miniature-construction-world.co.uk/terex-mt4400ac.html
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Member
Joined: 6/1/2006 Posts: 4,065 Location: Dublin Ireland
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Yep,review says they are loose and won't hold the pose, but if you are trying to say the Brami/Bymo ones are just as bad as the Tonkin ones.............. and the Brami/Bymo ones are "chromed" where they should be too
Why is "phonetically" spelt with a "ph"? ... It's better to be silent and thought a fool, then to speak up and remove all doubt The complex of Newgrange was originally built between c. 3100 and 2900 BC,[2] meaning that it's aproximately 5,000 years old. According to Carbon-14 dates,[3] it is more than 500 years older than the Great Pyramid of Giza in Egypt, and predates Stonehenge by about 1,000 years.
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Member
Joined: 6/21/2010 Posts: 142 Location: Brisbane Queensland Australia
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Foofighter wrote:This is quite informative I have to admit. Without going on the merits of a particular model or model brand, I do want to highlight some experience I had customer service with two manufacturers.
I had issues with a Conrad model, and they dispatched a load of parts and extras for free and I received it in a few days. Amazing. This is not just a one off. I had some other issues, self inflicted and approached them again for parts, quite a few in fact. And they sent me everything I asked for and a bit on the side. I did pay for it as I offered it and cannot expect it for free. But they sent it without asking for payment before delivery. Again, amazing customer service. Based on this, I have no qualm buying a Conrad model at all, as I know my investment is sound even if there are issues with them out of the box...or sometimes not.
Then I approached NZG, for the same issue that Ian had on his R9400. A missing windscreen wiper. I just got a response stating that we don't have spare parts to provide you. Now for a new model and at that price I have to say I am disappointed. I will get NZG stuff again, but I cannot help feeling anxious should there be an issue with a model. Not making excuses, but I think the difference here is that Conrad Models are made at their own factory in Germany where they can just walk in and grab the parts required. NZG although based in Germanys use a factory in China.
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