Ok I just got a call back from them. They will accept a return, but i have to get an RMA approved first. Need to mail them RMA request first, then send the print back after.
Michael
CEO- Mile-HI-RailroadPrototype: D&RGW Moffat Line 1989
Motley Thanks I was going to just eat it. But you are correct that it looks so bad he shouldn't be selling that.
Thanks I was going to just eat it. But you are correct that it looks so bad he shouldn't be selling that.
Agree'd and those are pricy backdrops as well.
BTW, what backdrops companies are out there. I realize none will be cheap, but some may be more competitive. I may be looking for something that may work for the Grand Junction CO area look.
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
riogrande5761 Motley Thanks I was going to just eat it. But you are correct that it looks so bad he shouldn't be selling that. Agree'd and those are pricy backdrops as well. BTW, what backdrops companies are out there. I realize none will be cheap, but some may be more competitive. I may be looking for something that may work for the Grand Junction CO area look.
Motley Ok I just got a call back from them. They will accept a return, but i have to get an RMA approved first. Need to mail them RMA request first, then send the print back after.
Ok. I was thinking that after you spent $900 bucks with them, it would be in really bad taste if they didn't work with you.
Also, what does "custom printing" mean? If they offer only these backdrops, why don't they have an inventory of them in stock? Its not like's its a custom, one of a kind photo they are printing. Put the St Louis back on the shelf and send you the Denver print.
Unless there is a variety of mediums they print on. Paper, vinyl, styrene, etc. and they wait for the customer to specific what picture on to what medium.
- Douglas
I used to recommend BDW, as I used their products 8 yrs. ago when I did mine.
I'm happy with the product, but after looking at the quality of other backdrop suppliers, I think backdrops have improved a lot, with sharper images, and better resolution.
If I were to do it again, I'd shop around.
Mike.
My You Tube
Doughless Motley Ok I just got a call back from them. They will accept a return, but i have to get an RMA approved first. Need to mail them RMA request first, then send the print back after. Ok. I was thinking that after you spent $900 bucks with them, it would be in really bad taste if they didn't work with you. Also, what does "custom printing" mean? If they offer only these backdrops, why don't they have an inventory of them in stock? Its not like's its a custom, one of a kind photo they are printing. Put the St Louis back on the shelf and send you the Denver print. Unless there is a variety of mediums they print on. Paper, vinyl, styrene, etc. and they wait for the customer to specific what picture on to what medium.
They do have different quality of material they print on. Their website says all orders are printed on demand, so they don't print and stock this, so when they take back the St Louis one, it could sit on the shelf for a long time (and if people keep seeing this thread - that 'long time' could be 'forever' - but that was their choice to chop the arch like that).
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
I just read (or maybe it was a YouTube video I watched) that showd how to make your own. There's a software package that does what you need, normally expensive, but the free trial doesn't time out, and the limitations have no effect on the use of the program to make a backdrop. It's not photos, it's rendered by your computer, so it can take a long time to generate, and then you have to find a place to print it out, which is the expensive part, if you want it on quaility material that won;t yellow over time. I did download the program and tried to play with it for a few minutes - there's a STEEP learning curve, so I gave up for now. But I may revisit it and try to follow along with the video I watched, or see if there are any other tutorials to follow. Seems perfect for a simple trees/hills/sky backdrop, an dif you have a color printer, you can do small ones to test it out before you make a 20 foot long one on vinyl wallpaper, which I think it what the guy in the video did. That seemed like a good material to use, flexible to go around corners, sturdy so it won't tear while you are trying to install it, and easy to install without bubbles behind it. If I can find the video again I will link it.
rrinker There's a software package that does what you need, normally expensive, but the free trial doesn't time out, and the limitations have no effect on the use of the program to make a backdrop. It's not photos, it's rendered by your computer, so it can take a long time to generate, and then you have to find a place to print it out, which is the expensive part, if you want it on quaility material that won;t yellow over time. I did download the program and tried to play with it for a few minutes - there's a STEEP learning curve, so I gave up for now. But I may revisit it and try to follow along with the video I watched, or see if there are any other tutorials to follow. Seems perfect for a simple trees/hills/sky backdrop, an dif you have a color printer, you can do small ones to test it out before you make a 20 foot long one
If I could scrape up the cash, if i were to do it over again, these new hi-rez backdrops are the way to go, exspecial;ly if you can get the specifid ones need for you location.
Mine were done BC (Before Computers - and huge printers) so are hand-painted. That can be intimidating. My Silverton backdrop is like that because of the detail. I actually intended to go over it and add more detail, but it hasn't happened in 2 decades, so I'm starting to believe it won't.
But if what you need is just distant mountains and forests, it's way cheaper and faster to go with DIY paint. This example shows a pretty decent depth of field from this technique , which is also helpful
Mike Lehman
Urbana, IL
rrinker Doughless Motley Ok I just got a call back from them. They will accept a return, but i have to get an RMA approved first. Need to mail them RMA request first, then send the print back after. Ok. I was thinking that after you spent $900 bucks with them, it would be in really bad taste if they didn't work with you. Also, what does "custom printing" mean? If they offer only these backdrops, why don't they have an inventory of them in stock? Its not like's its a custom, one of a kind photo they are printing. Put the St Louis back on the shelf and send you the Denver print. Unless there is a variety of mediums they print on. Paper, vinyl, styrene, etc. and they wait for the customer to specific what picture on to what medium. They do have different quality of material they print on. Their website says all orders are printed on demand, so they don't print and stock this, so when they take back the St Louis one, it could sit on the shelf for a long time (and if people keep seeing this thread - that 'long time' could be 'forever' - but that was their choice to chop the arch like that). --Randy
I agree that the half-arch is pretty bad, but I don't doubt that they are printed on-demand. Many materials, ink, and even the wear and tear on a high-end printer are not cheap, so I have no trouble believing that they only print as needed.
Visit the Chicago Valley Railroad for Chicago Trainspotting and Budget Model Railroading.
rrinkerTheir website says all orders are printed on demand, so they don't print and stock this, so when they take back the St Louis one, it could sit on the shelf for a long time (and if people keep seeing this thread - that 'long time' could be 'forever' - but that was their choice to chop the arch like that).
So their name "Warehouse" is quite incorrect isn't it?
To me it looked more like someone had a paint roller, found some gray paint, and deliberately defaced the backdrop. But no - there it is on their website's version (small and easy to miss, but it is there) and caveat emptor I guess. Maybe the most astounding thing is that they said other people bought it and liked it. As measured by what, of course. Repeat orders?
The mail-order bride business comes to mind.
Dave Nelson
There's an itty-bitty font "data" between Backdrop and Warehouse. So small you can't see it. Data warehousing is a thing, and it seems like that's their thing. Then they extract on demand.
Ok so last Friday I ordered a Denver city backdrop from Railroadbackdrops.com. I just got a shipping nofication, and my order is already complete!
Backdrop warehouse takes 4 weeks, and have problems with one print.
Railroadbackdrops has Denver print and completes in 4 days. I sure wish I had ordered from them in the first place.
Motley Well I actually just found some Denver city backdrops at railroadbackdrops.com I didn't even know they had Denver, which was what I need anyways. I'll be ordering that tomorrow. At least the mountain backdrops look good.
Well I actually just found some Denver city backdrops at railroadbackdrops.com I didn't even know they had Denver, which was what I need anyways. I'll be ordering that tomorrow.
At least the mountain backdrops look good.
as im sure you have seen i collected 30 big boys & i think when i build my layout im going with those backgrounds of denver .
post up more pics of your progress
RailroadBackdrops.com Over 570 backdrops published on line, over 3000 still to be processed. Most durable backdrops, sized to scale, Won MRR readers choice first place for backdrops 2019. Check out this video featuring Dana from MRR https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fVIa_2Kwmds&t=37s he is hillarious.
Motley Ok so last Friday I ordered a Denver city backdrop from Railroadbackdrops.com. I just got a shipping nofication, and my order is already complete! Backdrop warehouse takes 4 weeks, and have problems with one print. Railroadbackdrops has Denver print and completes in 4 days. I sure wish I had ordered from them in the first place.
Michael, you caught us on a good day We try to get backdrops out in 5 business days; however, since we custom blend multiple backdrops to give a clean natural continuous horizon and we send you digital proofs for your approval it can take longer and also when we get busy we can get backlogged like anyone.....but thanks for the kind words.
PS. We also offer 100% satisfaction with replacement or exchange if you don't like the backdrop for any reason and you have not installed or damaged it in anyway.
dj-l-ectricRailroadBackdrops.com Over 570 backdrops published on line, over 3000 still to be processed. Most durable backdrops, sized to scale, Won MRR readers choice first place for backdrops 2019.
What would you recommend for the Grand Junction Colorado area - and west of Grande Junction?
thomas81z Motley Well I actually just found some Denver city backdrops at railroadbackdrops.com I didn't even know they had Denver, which was what I need anyways. I'll be ordering that tomorrow. At least the mountain backdrops look good. motley i love those backdrops you still doing union pacific as im sure you have seen i collected 30 big boys & i think when i build my layout im going with those backgrounds of denver . post up more pics of your progress
Motley
Well I actually just found some Denver city backdrops at railroadbackdrops.com I didn't even know they had Denver, which was what I need anyways. I'll be ordering that tomorrow. At least the mountain backdrops look good.
motley i love those backdrops you still doing union pacific
That's Steve Otte in the video, not Dana.
Your "build" thread
http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/11/t/277318.aspx?page=1
Motley thomas81z Motley Well I actually just found some Denver city backdrops at railroadbackdrops.com I didn't even know they had Denver, which was what I need anyways. I'll be ordering that tomorrow. At least the mountain backdrops look good. motley i love those backdrops you still doing union pacific as im sure you have seen i collected 30 big boys & i think when i build my layout im going with those backgrounds of denver . post up more pics of your progress Hi Thomas, thanks for the kind words. Yes I am Modelng UP, D&RGW, BNSF. I have a build thread here. http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/11/t/277318.aspx?page=1 Wow! You have 30 big boys? that is just awesome!
mbinsewi That's Steve Otte in the video, not Dana. Your "build" thread http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/11/t/277318.aspx?page=1 Mike.
My apologies, I was told it was Dana....sorry to both Steve and Dana.
riogrande5761 dj-l-ectric RailroadBackdrops.com Over 570 backdrops published on line, over 3000 still to be processed. Most durable backdrops, sized to scale, Won MRR readers choice first place for backdrops 2019. What would you recommend for the Grand Junction Colorado area - and west of Grande Junction?
dj-l-ectric RailroadBackdrops.com Over 570 backdrops published on line, over 3000 still to be processed. Most durable backdrops, sized to scale, Won MRR readers choice first place for backdrops 2019.
Well listen this. I sent the RMA form to them and they just received it. And they are now refusing to take the backdrop back and refund me.
He claimed that they have a 15 day policy for returns. From the date I received and the date they got the RMA form has been 25 days. I did not see any where on the RMA form about 15 day return policy.
Also he kept refurring to their website photos, and I should have seen what I was purchasing. it is very difficult to even notice on the website photos. And the return he gets they will not try to resell them and end up throwing it away.
This is no way to run a printing company. I am not happy right now.
I opened a disupute with my credit card company. Hopefully the dispute works in my favor and I get my refund.
What Backdrop Warehouse is failing to take into account is the negative publicity they are getting from this experience. How many readers are reading this story thinking, "no way am I going to do business with Backdrop Warehouse". How many potential customers have the lost and potential profits, but sticking their feet in cement and refusing to acknowledge:
1) That picture of St Louis with the piece of an arch is an visual abberation that looks bad,
2) It's up to the customer to notice it on the website and decide to tolerate it or not.
3) If they didn't notice it, tough - buyer beware. (some customers might be older men building a layout and not notice that bad abberation.)
Backdrop Warehouse has decided to not honor the RMA as they would lose the money, but if the RMA was completed in a certain time frame sounds like they would lose the money also.
So they have chosen to enforce their "fine print" time frame of 15 days even though they were contacted by the customer and were "at first" going to resolve the original issue. They can, of course, enforce their written terms, but at what cost to future sales and profits?
All the readers of this forum topic are aware of how Backdrop Warehouse does business, they will factor that into future purchases. IMO, this is a black mark on their name now.
I am planning to build a layout, whose construcction has already begun, and am considering backdrops I may need. I am a potential sale lost after reading this.
At the end of the day Backdrop Warehouse needs to consider the "cost" of how they handled this entire backdrop purchase experience and how the potential customers here at a major Model Railroad magazine company forum is perceiving their handling of the matter. There are other fish in the sea as they say, who may be happier to have our business for back drops. Just sayin...
Yeah, there is such a simple solution to this that it's mind boggling to me.
They should acknowledge that their St Louis skyline product is a poor execution, refund Michaels money, and just not offer that particular backdrop for sale anymore. Instead, they offer a poor product with the belief that a buyer knows its flawed but doesn't care and buys it anyway.
Its not like they have 20 of them sitting around that they need to sell. Simply give Michael his 200 bucks and take that choice off of their website.
riogrande5761What Backdrop Warehouse is failing to take into account is the negative publicity they are getting from this experience. How many readers are reading this story thinking, "no way am I going to do business with Backdrop Warehouse". How many potential customers have the lost and potential profits, but sticking their feet in cement and refusing to acknowledge:
Exactly! I always reccomended them when ask about backdrops. NO more.
That's insane, 15 day time frame, and pruposely putting him off until they new it would not be in time.
Speard the word, there are other better looking backdrop suppliers.
And this is how a small business dies....
Yes Backdrop Warehouse will be dying soon.
I just called and left them a message about this thread here on ModelRailroader forums, and that everybody here is aware of their shady budiness practices.
mbinsewi riogrande5761 What Backdrop Warehouse is failing to take into account is the negative publicity they are getting from this experience. How many readers are reading this story thinking, "no way am I going to do business with Backdrop Warehouse". How many potential customers have the lost and potential profits, but sticking their feet in cement and refusing to acknowledge: Exactly! I always reccomended them when ask about backdrops. NO more. That's insane, 15 day time frame, and pruposely putting him off until they new it would not be in time. Speard the word, there are other better looking backdrop suppliers. Mike.
riogrande5761 What Backdrop Warehouse is failing to take into account is the negative publicity they are getting from this experience. How many readers are reading this story thinking, "no way am I going to do business with Backdrop Warehouse". How many potential customers have the lost and potential profits, but sticking their feet in cement and refusing to acknowledge:
Taking it one step further, I was not really thinking about backdrops at all for my layout. Now I am, but not from them........
Sheldon
Is this the Backdrop Warehouse that's in Salt Lake City?
maxman Is this the Backdrop Warehouse that's in Salt Lake City?
No they are in Durango CO.
I received the credit card dispute from my bank. I will be sending it with a photo of the bad looking grey roller paint job. And I will be stating they agreed to give me a refund, and are now splitting hairs on the 15 day return policy (which is BS).
As a consumer I have the right to a product that I paid for is acceptable.