www.katomodels.com is dead on Friday the 13th!

to2leo Jul 15, 2007

  1. to2leo

    to2leo TrainBoard Member

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    Does anyone know what happened to our beloved www.katomodels.com site in Japan?

    It seems the official site has become a generic site after Friday the 13th!

    Creation date: 13 Jul 1999 16:13:34
    Expiration date: 13 Jul 2007 00:00:00

    I do hope Kato Japan does not decide to put down its site. The site was just becoming more Internet friendly with a faster server.

    In the meantime, the Kato Japan site is still online for all to enjoy browsing or purchasing items directly from the manufacturer.

    http://www.e-katomodels.com/scripts/eKato/user/vb_bridge3.dll?VBPROG=Us_LoadIndex
     
  2. Stourbridge Lion

    Stourbridge Lion TrainBoard Supporter

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    Looks like they forgot to pay their bill and this is what quickly happens within hours.

    Alternate Website: http://www.katousa.com/
     
  3. CofGa_Fan

    CofGa_Fan TrainBoard Member

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  4. alister

    alister TrainBoard Member

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    Looks like someone was asleep at the Sushi bar :eek:mg:

    Wouldn't ya know it, post a smart comment and they fix it!
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jul 15, 2007
  5. AB&CRRone

    AB&CRRone TrainBoard Supporter

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    I don't see Parts sales on any of these websites. At least not on those that have English translations. Has anyone bought parts? I need traction tires for Japanese style steam locos.

    Ben
     
  6. to2leo

    to2leo TrainBoard Member

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    The site is now back online. According to the TTS Forum (an overseas site), someone in Kato had forgot expiration of the site. As a result, a generic site took over and had demanded a non-descript amount for Kato to get it back. I guess it is a good lesson to learn on Friday the 13th and a good lesson to learn for all of us.

    Speaking about clumsiness, Kato Japan has been acting un-Japanese lately for its Japan models. It seems like many of its products that are made for its domestic market have been delayed time and time again (ie: E4 Shinkansen model to name a few). Either this is the sacrifies of expanding Overseas product lines or a new manager on board, I hope Kato Japan will get its act together soon.

    Having that said I also wonder whether Kato Model USA INC. foresees this and had decided to announce new models in two weeks notice?

    Just my 2 cents.
     
  7. Glenn Woodle

    Glenn Woodle TrainBoard Member

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    If you go to the N section, the US models begin to appear at Page 19. On Page 27, it appears Kato may have more heavy Mikes in line. I can't read the Japanese but it would appear KatoUSA could have some more models to import & release???
     
  8. ljudice

    ljudice TrainBoard Member

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    There is at LEAST a 30 day grace period after the expiration of a domain name. So the story about Kato being "blackmailed" is total B.S.

    Lou
     

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