Has anyone else had a similar episode?
I bought the Landscaping Learning Kit this weekend. Nice package that stated "will accent a 4'x8' area". Sweet I thought. I neeed to get starting that I can do a whole 4'x8' section with this little box. I snatched it right up and broke every speeding law fromthe LHS to home.
I opened the box up, read the directions and off I went. Or so I thought....
It's for accenting a 4'x'8 area. Not completely landscaping it. Crap. Here I was, everything ready to go, son all excited about seeeing grass and bushes. And when I was done all I had completed was about a 1'x2' area.
Dr. Frankendiesel aka Scott Running BearSpace Mouse for president!15 year veteran fire fighterCollector of Apple //e'sRunning Bear EnterprisesHistory Channel Club life member.beatus homo qui invenit sapientiam
TA462 wrote:LOLOL, I did the samething about a year ago but I bought two boxes. Was I ever disappointed.
Wow, I can accent an entire 4X8 by covering 2 square feet! Where was this when I had the Plywood Atlantic? Oh yeah, the PA was never sceniced beyond standing a few trees around and sitting a passenger waiting at the station. I think using a starter kit had better be a good way to learn or yet another item my wife got us for Christmas will be going to waste. I've always loved how some retailers advertised stereos back when I was in that field. A 100 watt PER CHANNEL receiver with surround sound was called a 600 watt stereo(even if the subwoofer output was only line level and required the buyer to choose a self powered sub). Frozen dinners are always pictured being served on a plate even tho everyone eats the quicky meals right off the plastic they come in. Buying is as much an emotional thing as it is logical. That's why you read right past the "accent" and got excited about creating a masterpiece. That's also why you FEEL cheated even tho you know that you technically weren't.
"Photos on this box may be enhanced, your results will most certianly vary."
It's called learning and understanding the English language. The box says its contents will create a scene that will ACCENT a 4x8 layout. To "accent" is to create a highpoint, or focus of interest, or attention. It implies nothing more. Such labeling is not misleading, in my book, but rather an accurate statement of what the product is intended to accomplish! There is no implication that it is intended to cover anything like a 4x8 foot area.
CNJ831
I am a great believer in Woodland Scenic stuff. I've used it and I like it. But like every other manufacturer of stuff like this, they need to let an inexperienced person write the instructions. Why? Because experienced folks tend to overlook the simple stuff they can and do take for granted. Thats another reason to buy the CDs amd DVDs that show how to use the stuff.
Irv
CNJ831 wrote: It's called learning and understanding the English language. The box says its contents will create a scene that will ACCENT a 4x8 layout. To "accent" is to create a highpoint, or focus of interest, or attention. It implies nothing more. Such labeling is not misleading, in my book, but rather an accurate statement of what the product is intended to accomplish! There is no implication that it is intended to cover anything like a 4x8 foot area.CNJ831
That's the way I would read it, although I do understand that a relative newbie could be "misled" by the term. To me, accenting means allowing you to spruce up a couple of drab places on an otherwise fairly complete layout of that size. Othewise, it would be a "scenicking kit" for a full 4X8, which is does not claim to be.
Maybe we should be resurrecting the threads about the true costs of layouts per square foot now and then so that folks get a better feel for how much it should cost to cover a 4X8. It would, in LHS costs using Woodland Scenics, run about $60 for three different shakeable plastic containers of ground foam, some "bushes", and the glue to fix them in place. Maybe? And then another how much for some trees...if WS they would run between $40-100 depending on density and the forestation look you want.
Not inexpensive by any means.
I'll agree that the WS products are fairly expensive when you come right down to it. For instance, I use their 'foliage mats' a lot while I'm planting the Tahoe National Forest on my Yuba River Sub, but I'm finding that instead of using their plastic evergeen tree castings, if I just tear the mats into little pieces and stick them over a painted and 'filed' shishkabob skewer, that I can get a lot more 'background' trees for the money.
And as far as the Scenic Cement--throw the sprayer away, put on a dribble cap, wet the area you're going to cover with a spray-bottle of plain water and a couple of drops of liquid detergent, sprinkle on the ground foam, re-spray, then dribble the cement on, and repeat until you're happy with the results. Lots cleaner than trying to manipulate the Scenic Cement sprayer and fight all of those stray globs.
IMO they put out a lot of awfully good products, but I find that you have to use a LOT of ingenuity to use some of them. However I find that I'm replacing a lot of my clump WS 'fall' trees with Scenic Express "Instant" trees and various colors of flock. Gives a better 'see through' impression.
But overall, I really like the WS product--like anything, you have to do a little experimentation to find out how to put it to best use.
Tom
Tom View my layout photos! http://s299.photobucket.com/albums/mm310/TWhite-014/Rio%20Grande%20Yuba%20River%20Sub One can NEVER have too many Articulateds!
I had similar experience with those bottles of green stuff. Sprinkle... 8 dollars. Another 8 dollars sprinkle again.
I dunno. Live and learn I guess.
I was in no way attempting to bash WS. This is totally my fault. I really like the WS product. I believe I stated that it was my fault in my original posting.
I should have done more homework on "accent". I realized after opening the package at home that the little hill they are "accenting" in the picture is exactly what you get in the package. I saw the price tag of under $14, and jumped on it...
Sparky, I haven't taken your opening statement as bashing WS overmuch. I think you were a little dismayed at your own naivete, which I feel you were alluding to. In that respect, I have made errors of the type that end up costing me more money than what I had intended, so we are the same in that respect...we learn and move on.
-Crandell
Sparky--
I didn't get the idea that you were 'bashing' either. I've seen the 'accent' kits from WS, though I've never bought one, but possibly WS could be a little less 'specific' about the area that the kit is designed to cover and just say that the kit is designed to 'accent' areas wherever you feel the need to.
Just my
But I like their product, too.
Any company that will take Matte Medium, rename it "Scenery Cement", and quadruple the cost, is one where you really need carry a large shaker of cynicism when reading their print..
I hope at least the kit proves fun to use.
Chris
No bashing here! It's fun to learn how products come out.
I tell ya, Woodland scenics have helped me with a variety of issues in trains.
The last time I did scenery was plaster on screen with wet newspaper strips.