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Post by davestubbs on Oct 1, 2016 18:20:07 GMT -5
Hi Guys,
Once again thanks for all the new products. I have some questions about the GP38. I am going to assume the chassis isn't a problem anymore and have to ask will it fit my 3 old gp38's that sit with broken frames. I really miss my BN :'(they looked so cool pulling the coal porters . I am also going to assume new frames will not be interchangeable with old model motor and trucks, so will you be offering just the chassis for sale. Lot of assuming going on but would like to know before I buy.
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Post by Rob Albritton on Oct 1, 2016 22:32:44 GMT -5
Hi Dave,
1) it is a new metal split frame (new material and design) that hopefully will NOT have any problems!
2) the new design was required because we are using our latest motor (used in the E8, SD70ACe, F3, etc)
3) Old motors will not work in new split frame - as far as I know.
4) we WILL offer bare locomotives (no shell) if you want to keep / use your old shells. These will include split frame, PCB, motor, and BLACK trucks. These will be sold as spare parts for about $50/ea, but we will require a core exchange (send us your old damaged split frames) They are NOT ready yet. While we ordered them at the same time as our current run of GP38-2, they were not delivered at the same time due to back orders at the factory. We hope to have these shipped in early 2017.
Best,
-Rob(A)
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Post by DAZed on Oct 1, 2016 23:22:02 GMT -5
Are the trucks interchangeable between old and new mechs? My failed loco has silver trucks and I would prefer to use them. I can still send in black trucks from another GP38 and get them in exchange, that isn't the issue I'm concerned with. I just want to avoid having to paint silver trucks.
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Post by ztrack on Oct 2, 2016 9:21:00 GMT -5
Yes the trucks are interchange. AZL has created a standard truck that does not differentiate between the chassis.
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Post by davestubbs on Oct 2, 2016 11:47:29 GMT -5
Got it, Thanks
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Post by shamoo737 on Oct 2, 2016 14:10:28 GMT -5
Are the trucks interchangeable between old and new mechs? My failed loco has silver trucks and I would prefer to use them. I can still send in black trucks from another GP38 and get them in exchange, that isn't the issue I'm concerned with. I just want to avoid having to paint silver trucks. Why do we have to go through the trouble of returning damage frames. I think the large amount of fail chassis is enough proof. |
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Post by DAZed on Oct 2, 2016 21:20:13 GMT -5
Are the trucks interchangeable between old and new mechs? My failed loco has silver trucks and I would prefer to use them. I can still send in black trucks from another GP38 and get them in exchange, that isn't the issue I'm concerned with. I just want to avoid having to paint silver trucks. Why do we have to go through the trouble of returning damage frames. I think the large amount of fail chassis is enough proof. I'm guessing the idea is to discourage participation. So, after facing the prospect of paying $50 + $12 shipping plus $6 shipping to send it in--to fix a manufacturing error--you might as well just buy a new one. |
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Post by markm on Oct 2, 2016 21:52:13 GMT -5
Why do we have to go through the trouble of returning damage frames. I think the large amount of fail chassis is enough proof. I'm guessing the idea is to discourage participation. So, after facing the prospect of paying $50 + $12 shipping plus $6 shipping to send it in--to fix a manufacturing error--you might as well just buy a new one. I don't know AZL's reasoning, but there are a couple of good business reasons. First and foremost, it gets defective product out of the public domain. I think Samsung is doing something like this over their new phone. How else would you be able to verify ownership of a defective unit? One could see orders for 300 replacement units for an original ship of just 250. |
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Post by shamoo737 on Oct 3, 2016 7:26:27 GMT -5
Mark, when you are at fault, then you need to make it right. With Samsung, you really don't want your customers to be walking with a exploding phone. It's a liability issue.
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Post by DAZed on Oct 3, 2016 8:21:31 GMT -5
I'm guessing the idea is to discourage participation. So, after facing the prospect of paying $50 + $12 shipping plus $6 shipping to send it in--to fix a manufacturing error--you might as well just buy a new one. I don't know AZL's reasoning, but there are a couple of good business reasons. First and foremost, it gets defective product out of the public domain. I think Samsung is doing something like this over their new phone. How else would you be able to verify ownership of a defective unit? One could see orders for 300 replacement units for an original ship of just 250. I think $50 is pretty good verification. If they were doing it for free (which they should) then I could almost see sending them back. To clarify...after reading again, it looks like we just have to send in the frame, not the entire mech? That is a *little* better, and somewhat explains the cost. (and they have to send the motor since the old one won't work) I guess ideally I would have preferred "new materials, old design" versus new/new but anyway as long as the trucks still work I guess I'll pay to play....but I agree sending in the old frames is pretty unnecessary. (to be honest, now that I think about it I'm not even 100% sure I kept the crumbs? ...sigh) Photo verification should suffice in the 2010's. Doug |
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Post by emaley on Oct 3, 2016 9:17:18 GMT -5
If the end result is a working loco, then so be it. Things happen. MTL's solution to documented SD40-2 issues was to charge $50 per hour + parts to fix a loco that they had no replacement parts for. At the least it would have cost me the service fee and shipping, and then I still would have no loco. So far the few issues that I have had with AZL, have been addressed and in a timely manner. I'm good.
Trey
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Post by mgatdog on Oct 3, 2016 9:52:45 GMT -5
Mark, when you are at fault, then you need to make it right. With Samsung, you really don't want your customers to be walking with a exploding phone. It's a liability issue. Lol Guess you never watched Addams family . You tube it Addams family exploding train . ( na he just blowed up the bridge ) |
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Post by Rob Albritton on Oct 3, 2016 9:56:37 GMT -5
I'm guessing the idea is to discourage participation. So, after facing the prospect of paying $50 + $12 shipping plus $6 shipping to send it in--to fix a manufacturing error--you might as well just buy a new one. Our total cost to replace the mechanism is about $50. This is a new motor, PCB, Trucks, Split Frame - everything except the shell. Why do we have to go through the trouble of returning damage frames. I think the large amount of fail chassis is enough proof. We are basically selling zero mile, brand new locomotives at our cost. The idea here is to help out folks who got a GP38-2 frame that did not last as long as they would have liked (we didn't like it either.) It survived past the warranty date, but instead of saying "hey, too bad, you're on your own!" we are trying to do the right thing by offering a replacment mechanism at our cost. Now, there are probably some folks out there who would like to buy a brand new locomotive for $50 - especially to kit bash it into something unique. Well, that's not what we are trying to achieve with this program. We are trying to replace some mechanisms that did not last as long as we would have liked for a reasonable price. So we ask that you send us something (the split frame at a minimum - you can keep the motor if you like) just so we know we are really replacing a worn out unit. Best, -Rob(A) |
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Post by shamoo737 on Oct 3, 2016 10:40:56 GMT -5
Ok, that makes more sense, but what about Doug. He didn't keep his frame, but its documented in this forum of his problem. I think we should be able to send back the motor or the frame. Some of us didn't keep the damage frame.
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Post by DAZed on Oct 3, 2016 13:11:15 GMT -5
Ok, that makes more sense, but what about Doug. He didn't keep his frame, but its documented in this forum of his problem. I think we should be able to send back the motor or the frame. Some of us didn't keep the damage frame. It's ok John, I have some N-scale frames lying around I'll just smash them to bits and put 'em in a zip lock....AZL will never know the difference.   (Just kidding...I checked and discovered I do still have the crumbled frame.) |
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