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All: It is not in my nature to "flame" a company but I feel that my recent experience with Bachmann Industries justifies letting others know of potential issues. BACKGROUND: I bought a Bachmann HO Consolidation two months ago and was pleased with it. The quaility seemed to be outstanding. Having a DCC system and wanting this engine to be a highlight on my layout, I added a Soundtraxx decoder which required the inside of the tender to be altered. Yesterday, the engine began making a grinding noise. Instead of opening it up, I contacted Bachmann for technical support and was told to send the engine back with a check for $20. I questioned sending a repair fee since this engine should still be under the 1-year replacement warranty. Bachmann claims that the alteration of the tender voids the warranty. No alteration of the locomotive itself was done. The motor and gears are located in the locomotive, not the tender. ARGUEMENT: Voiding the warranty for an alteration may be legal, but it is bad business and bad customer support to charge a customer for a manufacturer's defect that is not related to any minor alteration. In the days of DCC, minor alterations are a necessary evil. Bachmann doesn't recognize this and they should not be rewarded for it by gaining the business of DCC customers. Bachmann had reputation of producing lousy products when I was growing up, but I gave them a second chance with this Spectrum line. They have now blown it. I will continue to buy products made by IHC, Mehano and Athearn for my steam needs. My recomendation is for DCC model railroaders to avoid Bachmann products until they change to a more DCC-friendly policy. Davie
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