Atlas Undec 40' DD boxcars

It certainly would bug me as well Ray. For that price and undecorated...I'd need that to be half the price charge frankly. Fortunately your eminently qualified to build these to a very high standard, but that is still not the point.

Bob

Ray,

That price (not to mention the missing parts) is unfair for an undec kit since they charge the same for decorated, assembled models. Considering the exposure you have given 2R O in the hobby press and highlighted Atlas products indirectly in the process, they owe you some consideration on this. (Heck, they should owe any customer some redress).

Perhaps an email thrown in at the top of their organization might at least get you some money back?

Bill McBride

Ray, I feel your pain. Now, what about them live steam shots. Where does pne find the best magazine for that area of the hobby as I thought it a project with my one acre.

Phil

I would, respectfully, disagree.  I believe Jim Weaver and others have in the past explained on this forum and elsewhere why a kit may actually cost MORE to produce than an assembled model*.  Further, I believe market experience shows that undecorated models are "less sellable" than the decorated ones, and it is my belief that one reason Atlas offers undecorated models is because it can share costs with the excellent spare parts support Atlas provides -- compared with, say, an MTH.

As someone who has bought Atlas undecorated kits, and would have bought only them if they were always available, I'm thankful Atlas does it just the way they're doing it, including price.  And as far as being shorted parts, I think anybody that has dealt with Atlas knows that they WILL make it right.

"Opinion", as bob2 would say.

Best regards, SZ

*My experiences in pricing, based on costs, for 'subassemblies' vs 'the whole thing'

in industrial manufacturing support this in many instances. 

Fair point and you're right.

I have benefited from lots of engine spare parts for detailing diesels over the years from from Atlas.

I was thinking that the undecs "should" have been less expensive than a decorated unit...

Steinzeit,

#1, they advertise these cars as UNDECORATED, not as KITS. I clearly state that can be dealt with. I may still have bought them if they were advertised as kits but the photo I made my decision on from the web site showed a RTR model. Not a kit.

#2, missing parts. Atlas WILL make it right even if it takes them a month to do it, that is part of the reason I say that this situation is not up to their usual standard of operation. One only has to wait for them.

#3, the partial shipment of parts arrived, enough to do one car. They were painted parts, obviously off of another car. Three metal end steps and one plastic one. If they are going to use undecorated KITS for parts you would think they would set back a couple of these just for parts.

#4, if they are going to post RTR photos of undecorated cars they could at least write a line to acknowledge they are kits.

#5, I am thankful that Atlas is even producing and making available this car. The least they could do is to check to see if the parts are in the box. The manufactures may have explained some of this on other threads and forums, so their web site offerings may be ever so slightly off the end result mark?

I love a good argument.