dbaker48 wrote: Jeff,YOU ARE 100% CORRECT, WRITTEN COMMUNICATION IS SUCH A POOR FORM OF COMMUNICATION. AND IF I READ INTO YOUR POST THE FALSE INTRUPETATION. I APOLOGIZE The whole thing is gone astry.
Jeff,
YOU ARE 100% CORRECT, WRITTEN COMMUNICATION IS SUCH A POOR FORM OF COMMUNICATION. AND IF I READ INTO YOUR POST THE FALSE INTRUPETATION.
I APOLOGIZE
The whole thing is gone astry.
It's really not a big deal...Jeez these places can get crazy quickly.
Honestly, I now realize that my post about Jim Trumpie reordering today was uncalled for and for that I'm sorry. I apologize to Jim as well as Jaabat. Like I said, emails and posts can easily be mis-read as abrupt or nasty. I feel this was the case w/ Jaabat. I am a matter-of-fact type of guy. When I asked in the email, please do not order again (I did say please), it was to save us both the trouble of a repeat experience...him trying the fluid again and being unsatisfied and me having to process another return/ refund from the same party.
Jim Trumpie got to me today because, for whatever reason, he would not addess the things he posted when I asked him about them. The reason I asked was because, after reading his posts, I thought he did not like the product. Then I get a call from him wanting to order again. With a strong statement like...anyone who uses Mega-Steam probably has sludge in their smoke units...it makes me question the reasoning behind the order (I'm sorry, but it's my nature). It's more than being about the money of another order, if it was just about the $$$ I wouldn't have asked about the posts at all and just taken the order. It's about having a customer being satisfied w/ my product.
I'm tired of arguing about these things and the arguments these forum generate in general...it's the biggest reason I rarely visit any forums anymore, much less post to them.
Jeff ..
I sincerly APPOLOGIZE, for taking up so much of your time with this issue. I too, have a business and when I read the first post of this subject posted today, I misunderstood your meaning.
As a result of seeing your post at the top of this page, and reading it correctly I understand your intentions where well placed.
I PUBLICLY STAND CORRECTED AND APPOLOGIZE, FOR INSINUATING THE LACK OF CUSTOMER SUPPORT FROM YOU AND YOUR COMPANY. IF ANYTHING IT IS THE OPPOSITE EXTREME, PURSING THE MATTER, AT THIS LATE OF DATE TO ENSURE RESOLUTION.
Don Baker
Don
Jeff in NJ wrote: It wasn't you. dbaker48 commented in his post stating "talk about a vandetta"...My run-in years ago w/ Jaabat (Jim Apitz) is just that...in the past. I honestly think that the case w/ that points out the problem w/ email or posts...things can end up sounding abrupt or nasty when they weren't meant to be. The were just meant to be read as matter-of-fact. When actually speaking, you can hear HOW things are being said.Thanks for the welcome.
It wasn't you. dbaker48 commented in his post stating "talk about a vandetta"...
My run-in years ago w/ Jaabat (Jim Apitz) is just that...in the past. I honestly think that the case w/ that points out the problem w/ email or posts...things can end up sounding abrupt or nasty when they weren't meant to be. The were just meant to be read as matter-of-fact. When actually speaking, you can hear HOW things are being said.
Thanks for the welcome.
As I stated earlier, I have no issue with the product. It seems to be responding different for me, I might be doing something incorrect I don't know.
And I sincerly hope this has been one BIG mis understanding.
AND IN NO WAY DO I BELIEVE THIS IS A FREE PUBLICITY ISSUE. YOU ARE A SPONSOR AND ADVERTISER IN CTT AND ON THE WEBPAGE
(I read ahead again to see if something was posted while I was editing)
rtraincollector wrote:You brought a subject up from the grave and you had to dig to find it and then it just happens to be what you sell gee I'm not that stupid! neither is the rest in here. most subjects that are over 6 months old are real deep you had to 1 know about it and why take 8 months to reply easy want to get my name and my product in front of people again yes theres some neg in the article but there also some real good especially from some of the top posters in here.
You really look way too much into things...
BTW- it's easy to find this thread by searching "Mega Steam" on the forum home page. I visited this thread back in June when a friend emailed me about it. When Jim Trumpie reordered today, I revisited the thread to re-read what he posted to compare it to what stated on the phone today.
One of these days, when I get a chance, I'll do either a gas or liquid chromatography analysis of all of the different fluids I have on hand.
I've heard it stated that JT's fluid supposidly uses a higher grade of mineral oil than other brand.
I've also wanted to test and see if there's any validity to the claim that OGR made several years ago about lamp oil vs. smoke fluid.
All of these things would be relatively easy and straight forward to test for-I've just not had the time to sit down and do them. If I am able to do so, I will certainly follow up here.
Just a thought regarding the gummy residuals: This might be a result of using various brands over a period of time. I had a bunch of those little vials (MTH and Lionel fluids) you get with a new engine or smoking caboose, some of Lionels probably going back to the early 80's. I was running low on one of my favorite JT's (Cranberry Woods) so I added one of the Lionels to the JT's to stretch it (sorry Jeff) and it instantly coagulated (won't say what it looked like) and settled to the bottom of the bottle, I'd just shake it (the fluid) before using. That was a while ago, I finished the bottle and by that time my LHS finally got more in. I've been using JT's exclusively for at least two years and I run smoke almost every evening, I am very pleased and have not had any bad experiences with the product. But other than cooking various mixtures (brands) in the pot, can't figure why poor performance issues would not be consistent for all users? Just my
I guess Jack Welch (GE) was right, "If your not confused, you don't know what's going on"!
If something ever does go wrong, I'm going pink (thanks Chief)
Stack
Life's hard, even harder if your stupid John Wayne
http://rtssite.shutterfly.com/
rtraincollector wrote: this brings another light on the subject as Ididn't realize the time warp here It seems its an effort to get some sales going again as its getting close to xmas so this is a way to avertise for free which is no allowed on this site.
this brings another light on the subject as Ididn't realize the time warp here It seems its an effort to get some sales going again as its getting close to xmas so this is a way to avertise for free which is no allowed on this site.
Hold on...exactly how is this free advertising?
If you're referring to the web links, I've removed them.
rtraincollector wrote: Jeff you just came across to me wrong sorry I didn't mean it to be a vendetta...Also a big it was rude of me not doing that before adressing you about a comment .
Jeff you just came across to me wrong sorry I didn't mean it to be a vendetta...
Also a big it was rude of me not doing that before adressing you about a comment .
My run-in years ago w/ Jaabat (Jim Apitz) is just that...in the past. I honestly think that the case w/ that points out the problem w/ email or posts...things can end up sounding abrupt or nasty when they weren't meant to be. They were just meant to be read as matter-of-fact. When actually speaking, you can hear HOW things are being said.
dbaker48 wrote: Wow !! I am completly blown away by this thread!!I've gotton quite a bit of Mega Steam, and was trying all different scents. And enjoying them. I have noticed the phenomen of reduced smoke volume. I didn't pay too much attention at first, but it has become more and more obvious. And it is pretty much consistent with all my inventory; Lionel, Mth, Steamers, Diesels, and our Brewery. So I did get some MTH fluid, due to a unrelated problem with the Brewery, I ordered some replacement parts, and to help defray the postage cost ordered some of the MTH scented at the same time. (Didn't know MTH also had scented. Initially thought it was just MegaSteam, under the MTH label. But is does seem different, lighter viscosity.) So started putting the MTH smoke in the engines, and the volume immediately increased, and doesn't seem to run out as fast. As a matter of fact its going crazy with my MTH Mikado. Now, what surprised that "Jeff" (from Mega Steam?), went and brought this thread back to emphasize that "jimtrumpie" HAS purchased some today!! That's unbelievable!!!! I would think that Mega Steam would have been quite happy that this thread had disapearred. This thread is NEGATIVE for Mega Steam, why go and dig it up from the Grave? And, then only to point out that someone, who had posted in DEC of 2006, that was not happy and discarded the product, has bought some more.???? 10 months later !!! Unbelievable !!! (Talk about a vandetta.) What was (is) he thinking, trying to establish that the former customer is not credible? And this is how you increase sales? As a result - I then get the opportunity to read the email that was sent to Jim Apitz. I don't know if it was written by the same "Jeff" or not, hope not. But certainly has created enough concern for me! Someone needs to establish some Customer Service classes in new england!! If one of my customers has a product that THEY THINK is defective, then we advise them to return the product, and we will evaluate their concern and if its valid WILL replace the product AND refund the return postage. To offer a $3.50 refund is insulting. And then...... the logic of bringing it all up again when it was dead? Seems like suicide!!! I am convinced, my tests are abruptly completed. Even IF this was the best product ever conceived, with this type of customer relations, and decision processing, I sure dont want to be involved with them. Too many other alternatives.
Wow !! I am completly blown away by this thread!!
I've gotton quite a bit of Mega Steam, and was trying all different scents. And enjoying them. I have noticed the phenomen of reduced smoke volume. I didn't pay too much attention at first, but it has become more and more obvious. And it is pretty much consistent with all my inventory; Lionel, Mth, Steamers, Diesels, and our Brewery.
So I did get some MTH fluid, due to a unrelated problem with the Brewery, I ordered some replacement parts, and to help defray the postage cost ordered some of the MTH scented at the same time. (Didn't know MTH also had scented. Initially thought it was just MegaSteam, under the MTH label. But is does seem different, lighter viscosity.)
So started putting the MTH smoke in the engines, and the volume immediately increased, and doesn't seem to run out as fast. As a matter of fact its going crazy with my MTH Mikado.
Now, what surprised that "Jeff" (from Mega Steam?), went and brought this thread back to emphasize that "jimtrumpie" HAS purchased some today!! That's unbelievable!!!! I would think that Mega Steam would have been quite happy that this thread had disapearred.
This thread is NEGATIVE for Mega Steam, why go and dig it up from the Grave? And, then only to point out that someone, who had posted in DEC of 2006, that was not happy and discarded the product, has bought some more.???? 10 months later !!! Unbelievable !!! (Talk about a vandetta.) What was (is) he thinking, trying to establish that the former customer is not credible? And this is how you increase sales?
As a result -
I then get the opportunity to read the email that was sent to Jim Apitz. I don't know if it was written by the same "Jeff" or not, hope not. But certainly has created enough concern for me!
Someone needs to establish some Customer Service classes in new england!!
If one of my customers has a product that THEY THINK is defective, then we advise them to return the product, and we will evaluate their concern and if its valid WILL replace the product AND refund the return postage. To offer a $3.50 refund is insulting. And then...... the logic of bringing it all up again when it was dead? Seems like suicide!!!
I am convinced, my tests are abruptly completed. Even IF this was the best product ever conceived, with this type of customer relations, and decision processing, I sure dont want to be involved with them. Too many other alternatives.
dbaker48 wrote: "(I'M EDITING THIS BEFORE POSTING, AND LOOKED AT THE CURRENT ADDITIONS AND SEE JIM HAS RESPONDED TO CHIEF'S POST...)""IMO Jeff owes Jim an apology for the post today..."
"(I'M EDITING THIS BEFORE POSTING, AND LOOKED AT THE CURRENT ADDITIONS AND SEE JIM HAS RESPONDED TO CHIEF'S POST...)"
"IMO Jeff owes Jim an apology for the post today..."
Where is Jim's response to Chief's post, was it deleted? I'd like to read it myself.
Again, you do not know the whole story that led up to todays post and will not know unless Jim wants to post about it.
Jeff you just came across to me wrong sorry I didn't mean it to be a vendetta either just that quite a few have mentioned that they had build up well its something to look into. on the other hand as you notice I included other companies as well I was trying not to be bias as I have not had the prilvage to use your product or MTH or any other than Lionel. Just that I have 2 bottles of lionel liquid and don't use smoke all that often. one bottle acually is from the fundimentions period . so its about 25 - 30 years old . now to be honest i got out of trains back in the mid 80's up till about 10 years ago I started up again. I only have 3 steam engines that smoke 2 239's and 1 (recent aquire) 671RR. I may be looking into your product my self in the near future as I would like a scent other than the normal. I've been thinking of christmas as if I remember it being advertise and it supose to have a scent of apples and cinnamon.
I hope thou you understand where I was coming from with what facts I had and of coarse Jim didn't state that he was going to give it another try and speaking of jim seems you had a run in with another jim that a few in hear don't think we have heard the whole story either so as I said I didn't mean to cause a war. Just hoping for some better facts maybe from all but I did direct them towards you sorry
ChiefEagles wrote: I find that I replace the wicks but with pink insulation. It works better and lasts longer... ...All on Mega Steam.
I find that I replace the wicks but with pink insulation. It works better and lasts longer...
...All on Mega Steam.
I usually use Tiki Torch wicking in my smoke units. It works well and lasts quite a long time. Not using enough fluid could cause some problems (charred wicks) as could overfilling your smoke units (makes a mess more than anything).
Nice shots...I love the Postwar stuff...I run a variety of scents in my 675 and 2025 steamers all of the time...Fireplace, Hickory Wood, Cedar, etc. I love the wood scents. Around Christmas I'll change to X-mas Berry, Cranberry Woods, etc. I also run Lumber Mill or Fireplace in the K-Line sawmill on my On30 layout. My daughter runs the "Hot Chocolate!!!" scent in her Polar Express set.
Jeff in NJ wrote:This is not a vendetta. The readers of this forum do not know the whole story that led up to todays post and will not know unless Jim wants to post about it. I'm glad Jim decided to give it another shot and I hope he's happy w/ it this time around. I just want my customers to be happy w/ the product. From reading his forum posts he wasn't happy w/ it at all, so I honestly didn't understand the motivation for the new order.I have thousands of users who have never had a problem w/ "sludge" and still do not have a problem. This problem has NEVER been brought up to me personally, so how could I have ever addressed the issue? Maybe the issue should have been brought directly to me first rather than on a public forum I rarely visit only for me to read about it months after the fact and after the readers of this forum have already passed judgement on the issue.
This is not a vendetta. The readers of this forum do not know the whole story that led up to todays post and will not know unless Jim wants to post about it.
I'm glad Jim decided to give it another shot and I hope he's happy w/ it this time around. I just want my customers to be happy w/ the product. From reading his forum posts he wasn't happy w/ it at all, so I honestly didn't understand the motivation for the new order.
I have thousands of users who have never had a problem w/ "sludge" and still do not have a problem. This problem has NEVER been brought up to me personally, so how could I have ever addressed the issue? Maybe the issue should have been brought directly to me first rather than on a public forum I rarely visit only for me to read about it months after the fact and after the readers of this forum have already passed judgement on the issue.
I don't have any reason to say anything negative at all about Mega Steam, I have noticed a decrease in smoke volume when I use it, but that does not make it bad. Just different, (unless their is a subtle problem brewing).
What irked me was the initial post made TODAY ! Check the history, look at the dates! Talk about a faux paw, that's it. I don't think anything positive could be made out of that post, other than ... LOOK HERE WHAT HE DID......HE BOUGHT FROM US, WHEN HE SAID HE WOULDN'T
With all the other prior posts made in December and January, why open this box?? From a marketing perspective. A NEW thread would be much better, ....expanding on the idea that the previous alleged problem LOOK HERE THIS GUY IS NOW BUYING OUR SMOKE AGAIN. (Makes as much sense, and doesn't bring all the dirty laundry back out.
(I'M EDITING THIS BEFORE POSTING, AND LOOKED AT THE CURRENT ADDITIONS AND SEE JIM HAS RESPONDED TO CHIEF'S POST. THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN THE NEW THREAD THAT WAS CREATED!!!!! INSTEAD OF THE POST THAT WAS MADE !!!! )
.
The post made on this thread takes a product concern to a CUSTOMER RELATIONS concern. IMO Jeff owes Jim an apology for the post today. I can work with ANY company that has product snafu's but not one than disrespects customers.
I am off my soap box, and have no reason to comment further, If I do it will be 1:1.
I find that I replace the wicks but with pink insulation. It works better and lasts longer. I have found that I do not use enough fluid and so have increased the amount I add to units. About every six months [on engines I run a lot], I replace the pink. Usually it has some char. I've posted this before but [Lionels that are older versions of scale SD80's]:
Post Wars too:
All on Mega Steam.
God bless TCA 05-58541 Benefactor Member of the NRA, Member of the American Legion, Retired Boss Hog of Roseyville , KC&D Qualified
csxt30 wrote: Jeff : to the forum here !! Always use your smoke fluid with no problems. I wanted to ask you about one fella having a residu like sentiment or something dark in the bottom of his bottle of fluid. I can't remember now which type it was ! That was a while back & I haven't heard anything more about it. Thanks, John
Jeff : to the forum here !! Always use your smoke fluid with no problems. I wanted to ask you about one fella having a residu like sentiment or something dark in the bottom of his bottle of fluid. I can't remember now which type it was ! That was a while back & I haven't heard anything more about it.
Thanks, John
Thanks John, Spankybird, ChiefEagles and others...
As I just posted, I have thousands of users who have never had a problem w/ "sludge" and still do not have a problem. This problem has NEVER been brought up to me personally, so how could I have ever addressed the issue? The first I heard of this issue was June 2007 on this thread. Maybe the issue should have been brought directly to me first rather than on a public forum I rarely visit only for me to read about it months after the fact and after the readers of this forum have already passed judgement on the issue.
As for the cause, I do not know although I have had customers who claim that Mega-Steam helped clean out their smoke units (I can not attest to this myself and wouldn't advertise as such). They state that when doing normal maintenance on their smoke units (change wick, clean resistor, etc) the Mega-Steam seemed to have cleaned a brownish/amber gunk out of the fluid chamber. After everything was cleaned out, wick replaced, and reassembly the "gunk" didn't come back in future wick changes. Maybe this is what is being referred to as the "sludge"? Maybe it's a reaction between whatever fluid was previously used in the unit and the Mega-Steam fluid. I don't know, but if that's the case, even the MTH loco that Jim mentions that he only used Mega-Steam in would have had MTH fluid in it from the factory. The units are primed w/ company fluid at the factory to help preserve the wicks and for QC testing.
Also, it IS NORMAL to have to change out the wicking material on these modern smoke units occasionally as part of your locomotive maintenance. That's why the instructions for doing so are included in the manuals (at least in the MTH manuals). The wicks are subject to the wear-and-tear of normal usage. Wicks can easily become charred if the units are run when the wicks are the least bit dry. Smoke unit maintenance should be part of a somewhat "scheduled" maintenance plan for your locomotives.
MEGASTEAM here.
laz57
Jeff in NJ wrote: Posted by jimtrumpie of Monongehela, PA..."However, the biggest reason I stopped using Mega Steam was because of what it leaves in smoke units...That made me can about $100 of Mega Steam. I was wondering if I got a bad bottle, but I bet everyone who uses Mega Steam has sludge in their smoke unit(s)...I just wish I didn't buy 20 bottles of Mega Steam, because now I have no use for it." Funny, he must NOT have stopped using Mega-Steam considering he just placed another order...http://www.megasteam.com/http://www.mega-steam.com/
Posted by jimtrumpie of Monongehela, PA...
"However, the biggest reason I stopped using Mega Steam was because of what it leaves in smoke units...That made me can about $100 of Mega Steam. I was wondering if I got a bad bottle, but I bet everyone who uses Mega Steam has sludge in their smoke unit(s)...I just wish I didn't buy 20 bottles of Mega Steam, because now I have no use for it."
Funny, he must NOT have stopped using Mega-Steam considering he just placed another order...
http://www.megasteam.com/
http://www.mega-steam.com/
Personally I think this statement is in poor taste . If your trying to defend your product give proof it doesn't do something Don't pick on one of you customers past or present. In time it all comes out. But so far more than one claims yous gives a residue build up . Well I'm sure others do to but which is worst there's or yours? And who has proof to show it.
I did quit using it for a while, but I figured I'd try it again. However, I do not feel that it is proper for someone to point the finger at a customer because of the customer's opinion. If I did not want to use your product any longer, do you think I would have ordered today?
fifedog wrote:jaabat - WAS SANTA GOOD TO EVERYONE? (page 1).......and you had no idea that you and Paris Hilton were such kindred spirits...
jaabat - WAS SANTA GOOD TO EVERYONE? (page 1)....
...and you had no idea that you and Paris Hilton were such kindred spirits...
All in fun, fife old dog!
Modeling the Baltimore waterfront in HO scale
jaabat wrote: jimtrumpie wrote: Dep, The cause of the smoke coming out by the linkage was due to a bubble that formed in the smoke unit, not because of too much fluid. After adding fluid, blow down the stack. That eliminates any bubbles.Just as I said, Jim. A bubble in the stack. I'm glad we concur on this diagnosis. The only TV law enforcement officer I've ever looked like is Barney Fife!
jimtrumpie wrote: Dep, The cause of the smoke coming out by the linkage was due to a bubble that formed in the smoke unit, not because of too much fluid. After adding fluid, blow down the stack. That eliminates any bubbles.
Dep,
The cause of the smoke coming out by the linkage was due to a bubble that formed in the smoke unit, not because of too much fluid. After adding fluid, blow down the stack. That eliminates any bubbles.
Just as I said, Jim. A bubble in the stack. I'm glad we concur on this diagnosis.
The only TV law enforcement officer I've ever looked like is Barney Fife!
Sorry...I'm strictly an Ernest T. Bass man when it comes to that show
"It's me it's me...it's Ernest T!"
Jim: Sorry...I missed where you suggested bubbles. Thank you!!!
Dep
Virginian Railroad
jimtrumpie wrote:Dep, The cause of the smoke coming out by the linkage was due to a bubble that formed in the smoke unit, not because of too much fluid. After adding fluid, blow down the stack. That eliminates any bubbles.
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