I'll only consider buying a refurbished model from BLI if it's old stock and I can't get it antwhere else. I buy a lot of my BLI loco's from Trainworld because they sell them brand new cheaper than BLI's refurbished ones!
Aussie Jim.
Jim
Factory Direct trains (FDT) is not the same as the refurbished locos. FDT sells only new items. It is owned by the brother of the owner of BLI.
Check the plug on your J1. Look for a bent pin or even it may not be plugged in all the way. Mine was real hard to plug and I really had to push hard to seat it.
If you call BLI or email they will send you a UPS shipping label for your waranty repairs. They will even send parts for free if you want to do the repair yourself.
Pete
I pray every day I break even, Cause I can really use the money!
I started with nothing and still have most of it left!
Just after Easter I bought two T-1s on the 'two fer" deal that was being offered by Factory Direct Trains. I assumed they were refurbished. The C&O version has worked well so far but the Pennsy J-1 had to go back to the shop because it had problems in the logic board. It would go through it's start up sounds and then die as it started to roll. They fixed it and returned it. Now it runs great but the sound and headlight cut in and out during operation. Sounds like another circuitry glitch. I run it in simple DC mode. I'm sure that if I send it back ( at a cost to me of about $11.00 UPS ) they'll "fix" it again but this experience leaves me wondering just what the ultimate life span of these engines will be. I have brass pieces from the '60's and 70's that still run fine. They don't do all the fancy stuff with sound and lights but I can reliably run trains with them forty years after they were built. Now that's durability for you!
I bought two "refurbished" locos from BLI and both were just like new - no sign of wear and use. A good deal for me!
Erik Fiske
I couldn't fix your brakes, so I made your horn louder
I have not purchased an Outlet Direct engine for over three years, but I got two of my steamers that way. Both worked well upon receipt, I noticed no cosmetic defects, and the warranty was honoured on one occasion when the decoder quit for some reason. So, after two such purchases for engines, and two others for 6-packs of H2a hoppers, I am very satisfied.
You are dealing with someone just down the hall from Matt Williamson, himself, and he runs the operation largely from the point of view of development and sales for BLI.
-Crandell
Got a Blueline T1 for $175. Thats $40 less than FDT. Runs and looks great and sounds awesome. If you do the warranty online it will be extended to 2 years.