Bachmann's Geep

[faraway]

Well, as long as this thread is on the Bachmann Geep, I ordered one, and first thing, I wanted to replace the couplers with Kadee 158 and replace the dummy plug. So I had to do a lot of figuring-out and reference to the (unhelpful) instruction sheet and discovered I needed to remove 6 small metric screws to take off the body. Naturally, one of those went south. So I e-mailed Bachmann for a replacement -- nearly every company will replace lost parts, in addition to missing. I got an e-mail from the service department saying they'd forwarded my e-mail to the parts department, asking for some sort of official bureaucratic permission to do this. Several days later, I got a reply from parts, saying the cost of the screw would be .25, plus $5.00 P&H, please send your credit card info right now. I objected, and they e-mailed back saying well, if there was a missing part under warranty, they'd replace it, but this is one you've lost, so you owe us $5.25.

$50 for a loco, and 10% of that to replace a bleepin' screw? Out comes the Dremel. Darn coupler pockets don't fit Kadees anyhow.

The two screws hidden under the tank are a nasty trick. It took me some time to discover them
Which screw got lost? Only the coupler screws are critical. One less of the hidden screws under the tank is not critical. Tank can be mounted with dual side sticky tape s well. I would have problems to get a specific none metric screw here in Germany but it should be easy for you in LA?
I did simply replace Bachmann's couplers with Kadee #158, no pocket used. Only minimal sanding was required to let them freely swing.

I think Bachmann has to be nitpicking on that screw. In their low cost segment would the shipping eat their profit. However I am sorry for our trouble.