Thanks for the update. But (and I hate to complain and am trying to be objective)... He has still not communicated with me (and I assume others directly that pre-ordered). First excuse I heard was that he was waiting on a shipment of decoders. Second excuse was that the decoders were defective (or something to that effect). 3rd excuse is the research you were kind enough to find about the wheels. Yet - no attempt at apologizing to pre-buyers. No attempt to ask if the delay is acceptable. I feel that is a poor excuse for customer service. Delays on the product can be expected and predictable, but to not let the pre-buyers know directly is not right. And he even got a nice write up in Z Track this last issue....
Just my view of it I've been following this thread since it started. I think Gerard's switchers look awesome!!! From the first interactive posts between fellow Z scalers and Gerard I faintly recall a communication issue was present. When I say communication issue, I mean a major difference between languages. Almost like a barrier, something more than typing out what you want to say and having Babelfish translate it into a language you know very little. I have yet to have Babelfish or any other translator do a good job of translating!!!! I hope the best for Mr. Huet and his switchers. Hobo Tim
Don't Send Money I'm not sure what to think about my prospects for getting these switchers. Recall that I paid the balance (paying in full) early August because I was told that the switchers were ready to go THEN. Since then I've heard a variety of reasons from a various sources (waiting on boxes, waiting on decoders, now problems with wheels) for the delay. I would counsel that no one send any money (downpayment or balance) until there is some feedback from customers. Brian
I do agree.... This way of doing business is at the border of dishonesty and in my own case it prevents me from purchasing any of these switchers although they indeed look fine. So I will continue to rely on my Geeps to do the switching work on my layout.... Dom
It nothing to do with language problems - he has been winding up his French customers as much as the international ones, see: forum-train.fr Apparently his business philosophy is as follows: Perhaps some French speaking member can translate it for our education (otherwise google translator ...) It's a pity, because his models promised so much. Perhaps you should take French lessons and learn "Gallic shrug" :tb-biggrin:
Here is the French English translation. "... as to" time "production, a craftsman who works alone can not give deadlines. Either it is all available from stock ... because we do not sell (and this bankruptcy quickly ) / or it sells a lot, and since we do not earn much money in the model, it lacks the financial means to pay for the stock. It is better to an artisan who has long lead times (that is that a lot of work, so long held) that a craftsman who delivers everything you instantly (that he certainly did not have much work).
Excuse me, but this guy lives on another cloud in a different galaxy. He should just pay back his customers (if he didnt yet spend the money) Here are the "last news" from him, he is now in pension. http://proto87.team.pagesperso-orange.fr/news.html Yes he has new projects, even a G44 and so on........... (developped for the moment already by Gerhard Hannemann) If you want to greet him, he is here
Sorry guys, arriving too late for a french to english translation...BTW this way of doing business is incredible. Dom
Bad business. Period. Maybe he'll make the best swithers in the world...but money is money, and when you trust people with money and do not talk...major problems. My 2 cents...he is in over his head.
Also there is the "Say-Do" ratio. If you say your going to do something you need to keep your commitment. I was told in early December that he would ship them out "next week" (that would have been week 2 of December). Nothing was shipped, no future replies...and I am out my deposit. But more importantly is that I feel taken advantage of...it is not just the money...it is lack of integrity. Pitiful way to treat an eager and trusting customer base. Even if his intents are good...his credibility and communication are not....
One other point...If I was him - I would have posted photos of the finished products (not just the original samples on the website. He stated that there were wobbly wheel problems, DCC problems,...all the supposed reasons for delay...yet no photos updated on his site...which makes me wonder if they were even fabricated...the engines...or the excuse....
You've hit the nail on the head. I was told that the switchers were ready in August, so where are the updated photos? I'm beginning to wonder if they exist. The photos on his website show one Z scale switcher on what looks like Z scale track, but photoshopping could take care of that.
I have just emailed Mr. Huet asking for some photos of the locomotives I have paid for, and I have given him one week to produce some proof. If I do not hear from him, I will post here and elsewhere his failure to produce evidence that they exist. (By the way, his website now posts sketches he has produced of his trip to New York--so he has time to post these, but no time to reply to my queries--or finish the locomotives).
I haven't ordered one of those switchers and I'm glad. It's bad for your guys paying deposits or even in full and not receiving anything, not even a word... What makes me somehow angry is that this will impact orthers. I mean any new small manufacturer or builder trying to launch a new product/project and politly asking for a deposit will be seen very scepticel now. This is reallly putting a whole "industry" in discredit, even there are hundreds of good experiences. Very sad...
