I have a Bachmann Spectrum Ho scale 2-8-0 Steam Engine.
Not surprisingly, one of the wires from the 4 pin connector that connects to the tender, broke off!
It's almot impossible to re-connect the wire, because the pin is super tiny and my eyesight is not that great at my age.
The loco is only 3 months, I contacted Bachmann and sure enough only defective motor and moveable parts are covered in the warranty and NOT broken wires.
Honestly, I think their products are poorly made and the wire connector should have been stronger.
Anyway, they have the replacement part for around $5.00, but the shipping cost to my house here in Ontario Canada is a ridiculous! $US 16.00!!!
The product weighs less than 1/2 an ounce and when I did some research at the US Postal Services, I found out that it could be sent in a regular envelope for around $US3.75 to my address!
I later contacted Bachmann again and told them that the part could be mailed for $3.75 and so why was their shipping cost so much higher?
The agent had no answer for that and if the cost was $16.00 at checkout, then that is what one pays.
Are there any retailers that carry Bachmann parts or am I forced to buy from the manufacturer and pay that exagerated shipping cost?
i don't think the cost is out of line if it includes handling ...
after all, someone has to pay for the person to put the part in the envelope, put the address label on, and take it to the post office , and it's a pretty good bet it won't be the vendor
I don't think that is out of hand. I live within an 1.5 hours drive from a BIG model railroad supplier in Milwaukee, WI., and their minumum shipping charge, no matter how small it is, is $11.
I have a Bachmann Spectrum 2-8-0, with DCC and sound, from 2006, and I have had no problem, BUT, I don't unplug it that often, and I keep it in a longer, different box, and leave them connected.
I just bought an item from Kaslo Shops, in British Columbia, and the shipping was the same as your $16., and I thought it was a good deal !.
Mike.
My You Tube
I have had Bachmann locos for at least ten years. You have to be careful with them. I use a small jewelers flat blade screwdriver to gently pry the connector partially out.
I have used this type of connector in electronics before. You cannot be ham handed with this type of electronics. Think twice before doing anything. This is not old school model trains.
Rich
If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.
Thank You all for your imputs.
I just talked to a friend of mine who has been modeling trains for 65 years.
He will hard wire the loco for me.