Atlas Shays, Precision Craft PRR M1 super sale at the Train Heaven

[daniel_leavitt2000]

Why doesn't someone just call them and get it figured out and report back?

Well we wouldn't be able to complain if we actually do something about it. Thats just redicilous.

[ljudice]

"We come in peace... here are your N-scale Pennsy M1's - and the formula for DGLE"

[C855B]

My question... the M1 discussion is moot - have the Shays from the new run actually been delivered? Last I heard, Atlas was still working out kinks with the new supplier.

[u18b]

The "new" Shays are moving toward about 4 years overdue.

Atlas has done what I have never seen them do before in 20 years-  they totally removed the announcement.
It's as if they are "starting over" and will re-announce the Shay when they all their supply/whatever problems worked out.

(which makes sense to me.  People hate vaporware- just look at the negativity toward BLI.  Intermountain has also done this- announcing something and then taking years for it to arrive- remember all the Bagdad Bob jokes about the SD45-2s?).

I wish them the best.  The Shay is a delicate little loco- but they are wonderful.

[daniel_leavitt2000]

I thought they said the latest run was officially canceled. As nice as it was, I think they shay was just too ahead of its time.

[peteski]

This thread turned out to be pretty amusing!  I could have called them to get confirmation but I didn't because I had no interest in Shays or M1 (or anything else that was on sale). But I'm surprised that nobody else called them either (especially to ask about those M1s)!  I suspect that the Shays are from the 1st run as they sometimes get a hold of new old stock items.  IIRC, the last run of Shays has been officially canceled.

[kelticsylk]

It has occurred to me that the only available through E-Mail and phone seems kinda suspicious. It's also over a weekend when you wouldn't be able to contact the company for confirmation. The "sale" avoids any secure payment methods the the company might use online. Is this the normal way this company operates?

I'd really like to see the header and source info on the e-mail. In any other circumstance this would be considered a scam. I'm not sure why a con artist would target model railroaders, but I would not include my credit card numbers in any e-mail, especially when the "product" appears to be imaginary.

If anything we should let the dealer know about the e-mail. It may be totally bogus.

Frank Musick

[peteski]

Frank,
Toy Train Heaven is a legit company.  Relax.  I said that I would forward the email to the interested parties but the point is now moot.  I also heard from one Railwire member who spoke to the TTH staff and they didn't have any M1 in stock.  Oh well.... 

[Dave V]

This thread turned out to be pretty amusing!  I could have called them to get confirmation but I didn't because I had no interest in Shays or M1 (or anything else that was on sale). But I'm surprised that nobody else called them either (especially to ask about those M1s)!  I suspect that the Shays are from the 1st run as they sometimes get a hold of new old stock items.  IIRC, the last run of Shays has been officially canceled.

It crossed my mind to call, but so certain was I that the M1 does not exist, I felt it would be akin to jumping off a roof just to confirm gravity...   

I don't think it ever will exist to be honest.

[muktown128]

OK - Disclaimer here - I really don't believe the PCM M1's actually exist.  But to find out the truth, I decided to bite on the email offer that Peteski mentioned.

I called toy train heaven today to follow up on the email order I sent yesterday.  They indicated that they could not confirm they actually have the M1's in stock, since their inventory is at another warehouse.  Their order processing system, from what I could understand, is that they email the orders to the warehouse and then the warehouse sends the items to the shop to be shipped out.

When I asked if they could confirm these items are in the warehouse, the response I got was "we get thousands of orders and cannot possible confirm each order.  You should check your credit card in a few days to see if it was billed for the order."

I stated that the item that I ordered was something that was announced several years ago, but does not appear to exist.  I asked them how could they send out an email indicating how many pieces they have in stock without really knowing it if was in stock.  They replied that was the information that they got from the dealer (I believe).  Finally the person mentioned that there were some issues with the email sale announcement and that some of the items may actually be for advance reservations and not actually in stock.  At that point, I realized that this email sale listing was probably an error on their part and that the M1's are not really in their warehouse.

I ended my conversation with them by telling them that if the M1 was for an advance reservation and was not actually in stock that they should cancel my order.

If by some unbelievable fluke that I get the PCM M1 that I ordered, I'll post a picture.  In the meantime, I'll be waiting for superturbine to make an M1 shell casting.  I'm thinking this is a much safer bet since I've seen the pictures he posted of the K4 shells he has done.

Scott 

[Dave V]

If by some unbelievable fluke that I get the PCM M1 that I ordered, I'll post a picture.  In the meantime, I'll be waiting for superturbine to make an M1 shell casting.  I'm thinking this is a much safer bet since I've seen the pictures he posted of the K4 shells he has done.

Scott

If you actually get your PCM M1, it will no doubt have been hand-delivered by one of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse.

[kelticsylk]

Just for the shear anguish of it, I just emailed Broadway Limited about this page on their website...
http://www.broadway-limited.com/paragon2prrm1am1b.aspx

I asked them to confirm the availability or to let me know if this was "pre-order"

I can afford one of these things even if they were available (at least until my boat sells), but I just have to know.

"The truth is out there"

Frank Musick

[kelticsylk]

Got an answer from Broadway Limited and I quote...
"We announced them back in 2005 or 2006, then for various reasons have never been able to build them.  At this point, we still take reservations, and still intend on building the models, but delivery is still at least a year away if we started work again tomorrow. 

Sincerely,

Matt Williamson
Broadway Limited Imports, LLC"

[Philip H]

So, in other words they are trying to capitalize the project up front with reservations, and response has been way less then expected. I know there are all sorts of legitimate reasons not to run a project, but taking people's money for something you aren't committed to really stinks.

[Dave V]

...but delivery is still at least a year away if we started work again tomorrow. 

Which they won't.