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Hey guys. I posted a few weeks ago asking if some damaged railing on a brand new gondola car was worth sending back or if I was better off just teaching myself how to repair. I learned a lot about DIY fixes in there, but most importantly that trying to glue this style of flexible plastic (the term for it is escaping me) is almost impossible. So, back this set “c” went to trainworld.

I received my replacement today- and sure enough I don’t even need to take it out of the wrapper. Same issue (pic attached). At this point I don’t even want to make it a train world issue, it’s just bad packaging design on Lionel’s part. A few mentioned I should request replacement parts on the last set, that’s what I intend to do tomorrow. Not sure if these just pop in and out, but I suppose I’ll find out. Thought I’d give a heads up to anybody on the fence about these! Bummer

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Last edited by F19Pacific
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When I took out the observation car last week I noticed that the side gate (that you have pictured) moves back and forth and you have to push it back in place when you remove the styrofoam. Not very sturdy.

Sunrise

Yes! I was able to pop this section back in after I posted this, and got excited until I realized the rear railing is sheered off in 2 different spots. They should probably just ship it disassembled..

@Donf posted:

I received three new lionel milk cars and each one had a broken coupler on one end.  The packaging was at fault, very poor job on Lionel's part.

I refuse to join the crowd that can’t do anything but bad mouth modern Lionel pricing, quality, value, reliability, etc. but for all of the above to come in to question while the packaging has stayed the same practically forever- these “prestigious” offerings get more and more detailed, fragile and ungodly expensive is so frustrating. I’m not a wealthy man, these were a splurge, and I picked up all 3 sets. I had high expectations. A first defect is understandable things happen. Now it’s clear it’s a production defect and I’ll be lucky if they can even offer me the spare parts. The time I am out from filing the first claim, to waiting for this set, just to have to do it all over again has taken away a lot of the appeal and has buyers remorse setting in. I’m in my mid 30’s and I don’t dare tell any friends or family what this stuff all truly costs, they’d think I’m insane- and they’re probably right!

Last edited by F19Pacific

I got ahold of customer service at Lionel. Waiting to hear back if the spare parts I need for these units even exist. That was earlier this morning, did not hear back today. If not we’ll see if the 3rd time is a charm with Trainworld, hope they receive statement credits for these cause it doesn’t sound like Lionel can fix them!

Lionel confirmed they do not stock spare detail parts for these cars.
I called trainworld and was directed to their automated online return center again- very frustrating, I wanted to discuss a plan to make sure this doesn’t happen again in transit (modify the packaging, take the railing off, whatever that has to look like to save us all further headache, time and money!) They weren’t interested in any of that. Likely my last order through trainworld.com

Sounds like a refund is the best strategy, unfortunately.  I've never had a retailer refuse return and refund in the rare situations like the one you are in.  One advantage of using credit cards is that at least for longer term, big dollar clients they will readily reverse charges if the retailer is resistant.  Not a perfect solution, not always entirely fair to the retailer, but it is their responsibility according to most state laws to provide a functional product.  Let them deal with Lionel on the issue if you can.  That's their legal and ethical responsibility.  Sorry for your disappointment and additional aggravation/lost time.

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