A year ago, I bought a Roco SBB Dining car (74398) in the new livery. About a month later, I received some matching passenger coaches and decided to unbox the dining car to see how they looked together. It was then that I discovered that the model was damaged. I noted that some of the add-on parts on the roof had detached, which could easily be popped back into place, but more seriously, I noted that one buffer was loose and lying in the package.
Upon examination, it became evident that what used to be a minor issue was now much more complicated. The buffer part sticks onto a pin which is integrated into the coach body. The damage broke the pin and as a result, the buffer could not be reinserted or attached to the coach.
I immediately contacted the dealer, who requested a replacement part from Roco.
That was now over a year ago and I am still waiting.
I recently sent Roco an email asking about some parts for a different coach. I was looking for replacement door parts for older SBB EWII (44325). I was hoping that with the new production, I could get a set or two as spare parts, as a few of the coaches in my collection (used) have damaged parts. I received the reply:
Quote:Für unsere Wagenmodelle führen wir folgende Teile als Ersatzteile: Puffer, Drehgestelle, Kupplungen sowie Deichseln. Als Ersatzteile nicht erhältlich sind: Dächer, Wagenkästen, Fenster-Einsätze, Inneneinrichtungen, Beladungen etc. sowie am Modell montierte Ausstattungsteile, die nicht in einem separaten Zurüstbeutel enthalten sind.
"We stock the following spart parts for our coach models: Buffers, Bogies, Couplings and Coupling Shafts. Not available as spare parts are:
Roofs, Coach Bodies, Window Inserts, Interior Details, Car Loads, as well as mounted detail parts, which are not included in separate parts bags." (My translation)
In order to repair the dining car, I would need a complete new chassis for the model.
I have spoken to the dealer and raised the issue again and was told that they will address with their Roco Rep.
Over time, the model is now listed as Out of Production and I am getting very close to the point where I will demand a refund or credit and try to source a replacement elsewhere.
Has this happened to anybody else?
Regards
Mike C