[MED]

Hi everyone,
A topic posted recently about collectors' expectations about model quality got me thinking. Am I the one person who always receives the models with "damage" on them? How common are flaws on the models you all receive? In other words, does every model you buy have at least some small flaw - like a chip, scratch, etc.? Also, how many imperfections would need to be present for you to return a model - or do some of you never return a model?
I think this is an interesting topic.
Thanks for the feedback!
:feedback

 

[Guest]

For the most part my models have all arrived in perfect condition, but there have been a few minor exceptions:

AUTOart BMW M3 - A tail-light had fallen off. Not a big deal, just glued it back on.

Welly VW Touareg - Ditto, as well as the driver's side mirror.

UT McLaren #59 Ueno Clinic - Left side "59" decal is split due to the contours of the chassis and age. I got it for a good price so it's not a huge thing.

UT McLaren #38 and #39 FINAs - A couple of very minor chips in the decals. I figure the real cars weren't perfect looking after the race so... Also, you really have to look to see them.

All-in-all I'm very pleased with my results so far as some of my models have come from quite a distance; mostly Europe and a couple from Asia. I worry a lot more with the 1:18's which is one reason I've started collecting more 1:43's.

 

[Guest]

The only one that was truly damaged was a Classic Carlectables Ford Falcon. The whole front end had collapsed, the suspension/steering rack was broken in a bunch of spall parts. Sent it back to the seller (linpin_ca on Ebay, btw, who I strongly recommend if you need an Aussie V8 racer) who agreed to replace it with no hassle. Received the second one, and one front wheel had slightly less camber than the other one. At that point I didn't really care, as I was already overwhelmed by the customer support I had received, so I kept it, and it's not noticeable unless you really spend time looking at it.

Both my AUTOart Viper GTS-R's had the rightside mirror loose in the box. I've just bought a 3rd one, we'll see if it suffers the same fate.

Sometimes I wonder why I have this hobby... I have clumsy hands, and always end up breaking stuff. Wipers, mirrors, wings, I think at least 25 of my cars have been "fixed" due to my clumsyness.

 

[DC4ME]

My biggest disapointment is my Exoto Sauber C9 #62. The paintwork on it is terrible!!!!! I purchased it from a vender in Canada that shipped it to me at the same time i bought a CMC Transporter which is FLAWLESS!!
I thought that the C9 was my holy grail but the CMC is my pick by far.
It is too bad.
DC4ME

 

[LUW]

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The problem with UT's is that they're old, so eventually ALL models will have problems with the decals.

 

[Guest]

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This is true, and another reason I was not upset. I think UT stopped in 1995-1996 so these models are around 10 years old. Scary...

:cheers

 

[LUW]

The last UT model is supposedly the GT2 R Evo, released in June of 2000.

 

[Guest]

I guess I'm pretty lucky since only about 1% of my models have had problems that needed to be returned. If the model is damaged to the extend that it's not repairable, then I usually return it (if possible). With 1/18 models, I can spot flaws in most of my models, but for 1/43, the models are pretty hard to spot a major flaw unless it's significant.

 

[Guest]

I've got loads of Kyoshos with less than perfect paint. My Exoto GT40 has seriously weak paint too. The paint is far too easy to chip. In all of the years i've been collecting, i've only damaged one model. Within the space of a very bad couple of minutes I managed to snap a wiper and break a door mirror off of an AUTOart RS Cosworth. ullhair .

:cheers