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Paragon 2 problem & disappointing BLI customer service

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  • Member since
    November 2007
  • From: California
  • 2,388 posts
Posted by HO-Velo on Thursday, May 7, 2015 9:17 PM

Can be frustrating having defective merchandise and then having to rely on a service dept.  

Couple years ago I was gifted a new BLI Paragon 2 SW-7 dcc locomotve that was defective out of the box.  It made two round trips of long duration to BLI service center and was still not fixed.  I then politely requested an exchange to which BLI agreed.  BLI did cover all shipping charges except for the initial return.  Probably should have requested an exchange after the first failed repair, but still, I feel that BLI ended up doing the right thing.

Good luck and regards,  Peter

  • Member since
    February 2015
  • From: Ludington, MI
  • 1,862 posts
Posted by Water Level Route on Thursday, May 7, 2015 4:50 PM

No luck with the change to CV29.  Guess for now I am stuck with them operating like this.  Not a problem I expected with the Paragon 2 having been out for some time now.  Apparently all new programming for each engine instead of only new sound files?

ricktrains4824
you may have to wait, or replace the sound/decoder system with another brand

  I've thought about that, but was less than excited about dropping even more money on these engines, but I'm sure I will reconsider the first time it causes an issue!  Hopefully if or when that happens damage will not be the result. 

ricktrains4824
sometimes, hard to give a good answer, as there sometimes is not one

True (I've spent a few years in customer relations myself), and in this case I would have been happy with a promise to correct even without a timeframe.  I find it hard to believe they wouldn't fix an issue with one of their products, but was given no promises from their CSR.  I was given a maybe.  That is what frustrated me the most.  I can accept an occasional issue if they will fix them.  With this being my first experience with any BLI loco, it sure gives me pause about purchasing more.  Hopefully my experience with the 2-8-2s won't be the same.

Mike

  • Member since
    November 2006
  • From: NW Pa Snow-belt.
  • 2,216 posts
Posted by ricktrains4824 on Thursday, May 7, 2015 4:08 PM

It sounds to me, like a script problem in the programming of their decoder. It may take a long time to find the error, and fix, unfortunately. Being a former retail CSR it is, sometimes, hard to give a good answer, as there sometimes is not one. (Not condoning in any way, shape, or form any response that does not consider the customer, or is rude or condesending. There is answers, and then there is the way the answer is being said. I get that.) So, unless you are looking to get rid of them, you may have to wait, or replace the sound/decoder system with another brand. 

Sorry, I know, not the answer you were hoping, but, I can't give any other.

Ricky W.

HO scale Proto-freelancer.

My Railroad rules:

1: It's my railroad, my rules.

2: It's for having fun and enjoyment.

3: Any objections, consult above rules.

  • Member since
    January 2002
  • From: Canterlot
  • 9,575 posts
Posted by zugmann on Thursday, May 7, 2015 4:00 PM

Water Level Route
I hear you CZ, but I am still very disappointed in the tone of the email. It seemed more of a "sorry about your luck" than a "We will fix it" answer. Maybe just an inexperienced CSR.

 

Had that same type of response from them a couple years ago with an issue.  And a friend with the same issue got an even nastier reply.  Customer service is not their strong suit.  That's ok, I haven't bothered being their customer since.

It's been fun.  But it isn't much fun anymore.   Signing off for now. 


  

The opinions expressed here represent my own and not those of my employer, any other railroad, company, or person.t fun any

  • Member since
    February 2008
  • 8,878 posts
Posted by maxman on Thursday, May 7, 2015 3:56 PM

selector
They owe you rectification of one kind or another IMO.

Ummmm, what?  You think he wants to be turned from AC to DC?

(yes, I know that rectification has another meaning)

 

  • Member since
    February 2015
  • From: Ludington, MI
  • 1,862 posts
Posted by Water Level Route on Thursday, May 7, 2015 3:30 PM

 I hear you CZ, but I am still very disappointed in the tone of the email. It seemed more of a "sorry about your luck" than a "We will fix it" answer.   Maybe just an inexperienced CSR.

Maxman, you are right, an easier hand would solve it, but that shouldn't be the fix.  I was hoping someone had seen this before and you knew of a setting I had missed. 

 

Selector,  thanks for the tip. I will try it and let you know what happens.  I did do a hard reset and it didn't help. 

Mike

  • Member since
    February 2005
  • From: Vancouver Island, BC
  • 23,330 posts
Posted by selector on Thursday, May 7, 2015 3:23 PM

I would say it is unfortunate.  They have been forthright and have stated that they are attempting to deal with it.  Not much left to say, unless you want your money back. 

I have a number of P2 locomotives and have yet to experience this.  Have you programmed a value of 34 in CV29?  That will take care of any spurious DC detection by the decoder.  They are known to sometimes run away at high speed unless the decoder is rendered 'non-dual mode' by assigning a value of 34 to CV29.

You could always try a hard factory default restore/reset and then re-address to the cab number.  Make sure you include the CV29 step and then try it.

Sorry for your experience.  It would be very disappointing, especially if nothing you do works.  I would return it to the place of purchase if that is the case.  They owe you rectification of one kind or another IMO.

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • 3,264 posts
Posted by CAZEPHYR on Thursday, May 7, 2015 2:18 PM

If they are working on the problem and know it is a problem, give them time to fix it.  It sounds like they are aware of it and are trying to fix it.   

This is an engineering problem and I know they need to fix it but sometimes the problems take time to correct. 

CZ

  • Member since
    February 2008
  • 8,878 posts
Posted by maxman on Thursday, May 7, 2015 12:52 PM

I'd solve it by using a gentler hand on the throttle.

  • Member since
    February 2015
  • From: Ludington, MI
  • 1,862 posts
Paragon 2 problem & disappointing BLI customer service
Posted by Water Level Route on Thursday, May 7, 2015 11:29 AM

Hoping the MR community can help me with this one.  I recently received a pair of BLI's latest HO 4-6-2s w/ the Paragon 2 decoder.  The problem I am having is in regards to momentum programming.  Whenever I power up the layout, both engines default back to the factory momentum settings until I hit the direction button twice, at which point they will follow the settings I programmed in.  Does not matter when I hit the direction button.  For example, I can power up, select a loco, change the direction twice right away, and it will then behave as I programmed.  I can also power up, run the loco (taking off at break neck speed), change direction (again taking off at break neck speed), change direction a second time, and it will follow my gentler momentum effects.  Anybody see this before?

 

I contacted BLI about it and they were able to recreate it at their facility but the last response I received from them left much to be desired.  What they told me was that they do not have a fix for this currently, but are working hard at making sure the Paragon 3 does not have the same issue.  When they solve the issue on the paragon 3, they may be able to re-write the p2 code, but they are really busy right now, so no idea if/when that will happen.  Nice.  Sure makes me wish I didn't pre-order a pair of 2-8-2s with the P2 as well.

 

Anybody run into this before, and if so, how did you solve it? 

Tags: BLI , Paragon

Mike

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