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The background:  The smoke unit in my MTH Premier Erie Geep suddenly stopped working.  I took off the shell to assess the situation, and within minutes had the smoke unit working again.  I put everything back together, put it on the track and ughhh...the only things now working were the smoke unit and the lights!  No sounds and no movement.  I charged the battery overnight and tried it again the next day...still no sounds and no movement. 

 

I contacted MTH Service and we did some basic trouble-shooting over the phone.  After checking for all the obvious things like loose connections, pinched wires, etc., I decided it needed to be looked at by someone more experienced than me.  I don't have any MTH authorized repair locations close to me (several Lionel, no MTH), so I decided to send it back to MTH.  I got an RA # and when I asked about how long it would take, I was told that since it was non-warranty, it would be about 8 weeks.  MTH received it on November 30th, so I expected to get it back by the end of January.  I did put a note in with the engine explaining what had gone wrong and politely asked if there was any way they could move it along a little faster as I was hoping to run it for the Holidays.

 

Fast-forward to today.  I received a call from MTH Service telling me that the problem(s) were identified and repaired.  Only 21 days...what great news I thought!  Until I was told the cost of the repairs.  As it turns out, both the processor board and the power board were fried, and both were replaced.  Here's the itemization...

 

$45  labor (one hour)

$120  processor board

$80  power board

$20  shipping back to me

$265 total

 

Ooouch...I truly appreciate the fact that they turned it around rather quickly, but this was not exactly the present I was hoping for!  I had no idea that it would ever cost this much.  You see, I have only had to send one item (MTH crossing gate) back to a manufacturer in about 25 years of accumulating trains, so granted, I've been one of the very lucky ones.  They say payback is a b*&%$!!

 

Before anyone jumps on me, this is totally my fault!  I'm soooo upset with myself for not asking more questions up front, BEFORE I sent it to them, such as "if the boards are fried, about how much will it cost for the repair?"  At least I would have known what to expect.  Maybe it would have motivated me to shop around, or broaden my geographical search for someone else to repair it, possibly at a lower cost.  What is even more maddening is that I don't know what I did when "fixing" the smoke unit to damage the boards.  I certainly don't want to make this same costly mistake again.

 

Assuming that MTH properly diagnosed the problem(s), I was hoping that some of you trained repair techs and/or experienced DIY'ers on the Forum could tell me if $245 (leaving the $20 shipping out) is about the going rate for this type of repair.  Your comments will be much appreciated and will either make me feel better ...or worse !  Bring it on...either way, I deserve it!!  I will admit that just writing this post makes me feel a tiny bit better.  

 

Last edited by CNJ #1601
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Joe,

I'm glad to hear that your engine was repaired and I'm sure you are as well. I do believe they should have at least emailed you or called you with an estimate for the repair. This way you could have diecided to do or not do the repair.

I work at a car dealership. I was a service manager at one point in my career, if I ever did work on a customers car without prior authorization it would've been a major problem. I think that's crazy that the work was done without some kind of prior notice. I would complain to their service manager and see if something could be done about the repair bill. Maybe they can offer at least a discount or free shipping back to you. Something.

Just my opinion.

Anyway, as I said before, I'm glad you got it fixed.

Mike R

Thanks for the replies, guys. Pat, I appreciate your input on the cost of repair. Makes me feel a little better about that. However, as for the repair costing less than a new locomotive, I didn't really want or need a new one. Although it was out of warranty (barely), this one only had about an hour or so of run time...that's pretty new in my book! I still wish I knew what I did to cause the damage.

Some times you eat the bear and sometimes the bear eats you... just a fact of life... for all the enjoyment, learning and the fact that the engine is repaired and gone over by pros that in itself has to compensate a bit at the price . Let it all go and enjoy the holidays. Sometimes I wish my knee would bend the other way just so I could kick myself in the a**, for when I can't usually someone will do it with a shocking bill. For peace ,Let the love of your hobby and self just" let it go". best regards for a great holiday and may this note find all my train friends in good spirits and leave you in better ones.

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OGR Publishing, Inc., 1310 Eastside Centre Ct, Ste 6, Mountain Home, AR 72653
800-980-OGRR (6477)
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