ModelRailroadForums.com is a free
Model Railroad Discussion Forum and
photo gallery. We cover all scales and sizes of model railroads. Online since 2002, it's one of the oldest and largest model railroad forums on the web. Whether you're a master model railroader or just getting started, you'll find something of interest here.
Has anyone bought any DA Coupler Lift Bar AAR type 1 #2212 lately?? This is the bulk package of 10. It retails for $5.50 (that's .55 per lift bar).
I've bought several packages from different suppliers lately. They are all coming in bent way out of shape, some not even usable. I've returned them to DA and received exactly the same condition back directly from them.
I don't know if they moved to a new manufacturer or what, but their quality control has dropped way off. Also the formed wired lift rings they are selling now are huge compared to what they used to sell.
Thankfully Plano makes 4 different sized lift rings. Now I just need to find a new manufacturer of coupler bars. OK, I'm done ranting for today!!
Jerome, I had exactly same problem with the last set of lift bars I got from DA too. I don't know what the problem is, they always had pretty good stuff before. I notice a lot of their products are backordered also. I hope this isn't a sign of financial problems.
I've used Cal Scale lift bars before and, although they are more expensive than the DA bars, the quality is good.
I *think* RailFlyer was working on their own lift bars.
I have not bought any in a long time, as I have a HUGE stock of them, though the lift rings are running out.
I think Details West makes some brass lift rings and they are MUCH nicer! It is what I have switched to as of recently. I haven't noticed the coupler cut bars because my benchstock is not quite empty yet! Maybe a trip to Caboose Hobbies in the next week is in order before its too late!
-Rich
Bet that this is a case of them getting damaged in shipping inspite of the padding. Just because the package may be padded, it doesn't mean it won't get damaged in shipping. I've had prescription drugs come in that were in heavy duty, padded envelopes that had the plastic bottles cracked or completely smashed.
Bet that this is a case of them getting damaged in shipping inspite of the padding. Just because the package may be padded, it doesn't mean it won't get damaged in shipping. I've had prescription drugs come in that were in heavy duty, padded envelopes that had the plastic bottles cracked or completely smashed.
I might agree with you if it wasn't coming from 3 different places, and the last 4 packages came directly from Detail Associates as replacements for bent ones that I returned to them after explaining the problem. The others that I've received bent all up came from my LHS and Bowser. I've got 18 more lift bars going back to Detail Associates today. Lets see what their response is this time. Meanwhile, if anyone purchases any of these, it would be wise to look real closely at the package before you bring them home. In 30 years of buying these lift bars, I've never seen this kind of problem from DA. And being in the military for 22 of those years and having them shipping all over the world to me.
Update, I received a package and a letter in the mail today from Mr. Williams (the current owner of Detail Associates). Here's his reply:
Sorry for all you have had to go through to get good 2212 parts. I went back thru all our stock and did find some on the shelf like the ones you returned which I have pulled. Traced the problem back to someone who was filling in helping us package.
Enclosed are 6 new packages of #2212 which are in proper form. Thanks for using our parts, more new items will be released soon.
Now that's what I call customer service, I signed letter from the owner.
Now that's awesome! I just wish Smokey Valley would email me back and replace these handrails...
I'm glad to hear that, Jerome. I've used lots of Detail Associates parts over the years and hated to think their quality control was getting sloppy. That shows a guy who cares about his business and customers if he's willing to go through his stock of such small item, admit there was a problem, and make it right. Too bad Toyota doesn't take lessons from Mr. Williams.
I have to say generally speaking that I noticed that the customer support from model railroad vendors has been really good, even from the large companies like Atlas RR.
Dave
Affiliate Disclosure: We may receive a commision from some of the links and ads shown on this website
(Learn More Here)
