Small Scale Military Headquarters

My friend just got off the phone with 21st centrury about the mobilewagon I had bought about a month ago.I had bought it off ebay still factory sealed the left gun shield was broken at the pin.I had called a few times before but was told they had no parts for it and to check back again.Which I have done a few times.When he called today they told him since I had bought it on ebay that they will not do anything about it(after telling me before it was just because they didnt have any parts at that time.) So im more than mad right now,its not so much the part as the idea they had told me before they would replace it when they got some parts in.I have bought 14 1/32 scale vehicles this month alone and one 1/18th scale plane and had plans to buy more.Now I seriously doubt I will continue with buying ANY 21st century products any more if this is the kind of reaction they give to a lousy broken part(she had said it might have been "doctored up' by the seller to look like it was never opened which it wasnt)OK im done going off to cool off Kim

Why don't you take it up with the Ebay Seller? Perhaps they shipped it with insurance (UPS is automatically insured). If that's the case, get yourself a new one with the claim money.

I,m afraid I would have to be on 21st side on this case. I can see where you are unhappy with someone at first telling you they did not have the part, but a company should in no way be responsible in this case.

when I recieved the item the box was factory sealed you couldnt even see it was broken i did not even notice it was broken till I had it out of the box. I had called 21st to see about a replacement part the lady had so no problem just had to wait for one to show up there to get the part.So I saw no reason to pay to ship it back to the seller. plus they are hard to find right now.It justs seems with all the problems 21st has had on quality control they would be more reasonable on replacing parts.After I talked to her I also added details to it such as painting tracks etc so not like I could return it now anyways. Kim

I've discovered that while most companies have strict policies and guidelines in place , you may get several variations of them if you talk to enough people in the company. One says yes, one says no. Another says sure, while another says doubtful. Their moods seem to dictact their repsonses.

Customer service is like a roulette wheel ...if you're lucky you'll land where you want. Otherwise, you loose.

I have to side with 21st. While they are typically really good with something like this... really I could easily see and understand if they said they would not replace any things bought from a third party source, like E-bay.

My point is they knew it was from e-bay when I first called about it.I was told they just did not have any at that time and to keep checking back once in awhile till they did. So I went ahead and modified the tank after I was told this.Then later to be told no we wont do it is what I am most mad about.I will take ziegler2112's advice and try another time. Thank you all for your comments Kim

it's to bad that your tank had a broken gun, I know that I would be bummed. On of the problems with mailing, some times things get broke, I've had that happened to me. Still 21st is a lot better that FOV. I always have to fix things, right out of the box. Why send to back, if your just going to get another broken item. I think you should try getting you things through a dealer that you know and trust. At the long term you will save a lot.

You don't necessarily have to tell them where you bought it. Just tell them it's new, and its broken.

It seems to me you need to contact the seller, ask if there was shipping insurance (if it was shipped UPS or FedEx there probably was - it comes standard up to $100 or so dollars).

IMHO the real problem extends to a lot of imported goods besides toys, the importers bring in lots of finished products but few (if any spare parts). It's so much easier to transport a complete item than spare parts, but then the importer doesn't want to "ruin" a saleable item by stealing its parts for your repairs. Have you noticed it's easier (and usually cheaper) to buy a new DVD player or VCR than it is to have an old one repaired? You're dealing with the same philospohy.

I'm afraid broken parts are not an uncommon part of this hobby and this may well not change in the near future.

Is there any way you can fix it with a bit of krazy glue, Kim? Since i don't think the shield is a moving part maybe just gluing it into place will do.

Once you glue it wait a few hours (i wait 24) and then brush on a tiny bit of Testors dullcote to get rid of the shiny look the krazy glue will leave. If you don't wait long enough for the krazy glue to dry and put dullcote on it it will turn white...so that's why i suggested waiting.

Kim,
If you don't get any satisfactory results.I need the guns and the chassis for a custom I'm working on.Send me a message and I'll buy it from you.

Mark