I just purchased a powered "new" ATSF E6 B unit on eBay, to match an A unit I already owned, and while it runs and sounds great, the roof paint is shinier than my A unit and it is so thick it obliterates the roof rivet details. The seller insists the unit is new and doesn't take returns. He suggests I get a new shell from BLI. In other words, it's my problem, not his. Since I'm into this for close to $200, I intend to turn this into eBay resolution center and make it his problem too, but in the interest of fairness, has anyone else seen thick paint issues with BLI units? All others I own (PA's, E7's) have fabulous paint jobs... Thanks, Otto
Otto, prepare to communicate with the seller for at least a week with emails back and forth calmly stating your concerns and doubts about the item. THEN file a claim with eBay. They are more likely to side with you if you have made ever effort to resolve the matter first in a calm and reasoned manner. I had a bad experience with a seller who advertised an AB set of locomotives as "NEW" with poor photos (Should have been suspicious right off the bat). After playing email tag with the seller for a week explaining that the locos were nowhere close to new, shells were beat up and were barely running or not running at all in the case of the B Unit, I filed a claim with eBay and had my money back in my PayPal account that evening. But I don't think I would have had such results if my communication with the seller had been volatile or had consisted of a single email crying foul. My communication with him was well documented and reasonable despite getting the same response you did - "Sorry. You bought it, and it's your problem." If it is not as advertised, you should have to live with it. But be prepared to send the item back if you get your money returned.
Well, an update: the seller claims that his other AB set has the same problem; a crisply painted A unit and thick paint on the B unit roof. If that is true, than it's a BLI problem. I'm posting a side by sidee photo and I would appreciate if any of you that own these units could check to see whether they have the same problem. Thanks in advance. Otto K.
I have a Mopac "A-B" set, & the paint looks fine to me. No difference in the two that I can see. I also have another 9 BLI engines on which the paint is also "perfect". I suppose there could be a problem with just the ATSF "B" units. Hope you get it resolved to your satisfaction. I know a lot of people have good luck with eBay, but things like this are what scares me away.
HI the B units do not have all the rivet detail that the A unit has. silver is a problem paint. i looked at a friands B unit and it looked liked yours.
BLI's paint is extremely bizarre (and unlike anyone else's). Basically it's some sort of weirdo powder-coat/plating scheme, and god help ya if need to strip it, it can't be done! -Mark
Well Mark, the sad part is that the A unit is incredible, the stainless looks stainless and the painted surfaces have a nice crisp flat satin silver sheen; a wonderfully done contrast. The B unit is just as good, EXCEPT for the roof...there is a thick gloss goop which has a a different color.... so my question still is, is this factory, or did someone do this, but if so, I cant figure out why. Mystery unresolved until I hear fro someone who has another ATSF set. Thanks, Otto
HI as i posted the B unit looks just like yours. the roof is a shade different then the A unit. and I was at the show when he got his set. and factory sealed.
I'm sorry, who are you and what did you post? And who is "he" ... I never identified the seller. Again, as I noted in my first post, I'm asking this question in order to be fair to the seller. If there are other B units with this problem, it's obviously a BLI issue. If not, then somebody gave it a thick coat of gloss silver
Oh, NS sorry, I missed your first post.... so you're saying these units have less roof detail and thick paint? Okay, that would be a BLI issue. i did send an inquiry o them, but have yet to hear back from their service dept. Otto
My guess is that the QC guys found an error with the paint (maybe a black roof?) and decided just to paint the roofs over with silver than re-run the B unit shells.
Fair enough, thank you. I missed your first post. Looks like in fairness to the seller, I'm stuck with the unit, not his fault f they are all like this. Waiting for BLI to get back to me.
I'm pretty sure I see it on my MoPac units which I purchased new about six months ago. I'll try to get a pic later.
John, that would be funny, if it were somebody else's engines... Well, I did hear back from BLI and they found a last shell in their bone yard they will send me.... Apparently it's not perfect either, but they are making an effort. We'll see when in gets here.... Otto
Rest assured that the post was not directed at you but at the manufacturer since it seems like there were others with the same issue that left the plant. Missing one or two I could understand but it appears that the shipment was checked to see if it contained the locos only and then sent off to the customers and venders and that was it. Not good in my opinion. I recently ordered and received five Kato cars which were advertised up front that they might have a minor blemish or two and the price lowered on account of that. One of the cars did have a minor blemish which is easily overlooked. Now had those cars been advertised as new at full price and those blemishes were there I would have been just a tab upset and would have been on the phone to Kato. So I do feel your frustration.
John, no offense taken, hence the little smiley in my post... if nothing worse ever happens, we're all in good shape! Kind regards, Otto
