We're communicating with Andersen Model Kits in California about a custom roundhouse for Vigdis' layout, and are almost ready to make a deal. They seem very nice and professional, and the service is impeccable, but before we place the order I would just like to hear if anyone here has done business with them, and what your experience is.
Thanks,
Svein
I haven't done business, but I've been to shows where they've had a vendor's table. They have real products and have been in business for some years. I'd feel confident. If there is in fact a problem (which I don't think would happen), they advertise in the Gazette, and Bob Brown is good about following up with advertisers.
JWB, thanks for your reply, and sorry for my late feedback.
Just to sum it all up: We ordered the roundhouse and some accessories, we ended up with a four stall roundhouse with an attached machine shop. The accessories are all castings of different roundhouse interior details, stationary steam engine and boiler, overhead shaft and pulleys, and different machines like a drill press, a table saw, a wheel grinding lathe with a crane, another lathe and a milling machine. Total order was in excess of $540 including shipping, rather hefty for a roundhouse, but with all the details I think it will be a great eyecatcher on the layout.
As for the company itself, I have nothing but positive comments so far. We had a great dialogue all through the planning process, and he (Tom Andersen) followed up on all our different druthers and requests. All in all a great experience, now we're just waiting in anticipation for the shipment to arrive!
Svein
Wow , lots of $$$ but it sounds like a very exclusive kit and , if you're happy with it , that's all that matters , right ? Post some pics when you start building it .
Terry
Actually, the roundhouse itself wasn't all that bad, at $35 per stall plus $30 for the machine shop. It's all the whitemetal castings that made the total price so high, plus almost $50 in shipping. But we figured we needed some extras to complete the scene, since the whole interior will be visible.
It's Vigdis' project and her layout, and she will do the building, but I'll be right next to her with the camera ready
Svein