What has happened to Hornby Quality control ?
I purchased one of the new Hornby City of Sheffield and was delighted with the new sound concept, so much so I bought another ( to swap the body with a Duchess) After giving it a run and starting to fit the "accessories" I noticed there were moulding marks on the tender which had been sprayed over.
For an item costing nearly £200 I thought this is not on and spoke to Hornby asking if they could send out just the tender top. "We do not have spares and you will need to send it back to the retailer for exchange." So at my cost I reluctantly sent it back, the retailer was supportive and turned it round in a day. The new one arrived , I unpacked it got ready to set up the address etc. and this too is faulty, the wheels keep locking and I just cannot fathom it out. After studying it for 10 mins it has me beat so yet again at my expense I have now have to send it back to the retailer. This is the 3rd Hornby Loco in a row that has been faulty and at these prices it is just not acceptable. A friend of mine has had similar problems with a brand new Q1 out of the box with a short circuit which did the decoder in as well. It really is not good enough, if these things cost £20 I could accept the odd fault but they are no longer " toys" and need pre- testing to ensure they work. I have heard "rumours" that Hornby are now coming out of the same factory as Bachmann and am wondering, if this is true is it a good move.
Am I just unlucky or is it more widespread?
I purchased one of the new Hornby City of Sheffield and was delighted with the new sound concept, so much so I bought another ( to swap the body with a Duchess) After giving it a run and starting to fit the "accessories" I noticed there were moulding marks on the tender which had been sprayed over.
For an item costing nearly £200 I thought this is not on and spoke to Hornby asking if they could send out just the tender top. "We do not have spares and you will need to send it back to the retailer for exchange." So at my cost I reluctantly sent it back, the retailer was supportive and turned it round in a day. The new one arrived , I unpacked it got ready to set up the address etc. and this too is faulty, the wheels keep locking and I just cannot fathom it out. After studying it for 10 mins it has me beat so yet again at my expense I have now have to send it back to the retailer. This is the 3rd Hornby Loco in a row that has been faulty and at these prices it is just not acceptable. A friend of mine has had similar problems with a brand new Q1 out of the box with a short circuit which did the decoder in as well. It really is not good enough, if these things cost £20 I could accept the odd fault but they are no longer " toys" and need pre- testing to ensure they work. I have heard "rumours" that Hornby are now coming out of the same factory as Bachmann and am wondering, if this is true is it a good move.
Am I just unlucky or is it more widespread?