Scale Model Shop

**Guest** · 12 April 2006, 09:50

DUDE THAT SUCKS!!!!

I'm really sorry to hear that, its so soul destorying when something like this happens! If theres anything i can do to help just let me know!

Would overbraiding of helped?

**Guest** · 12 April 2006, 10:00

Ive been trying to track what exactly is burnt on the MF unit... and the likely culprit is a one of the ic's i need an LA4558/2N9 chip.

New MF unit from Tamiya is a whopping £290.......They are taking the pi**.

**Guest** · 12 April 2006, 10:10

really sorry to hear that terry, did the fire go out once you turned everything off or did you have to quickly take the top off??

£290!!!! thats nearly the price of the original kit!!! maybe you should just risk getting a whole new kit off hk cowboy for £300, using the mf unit and selling it as a static display model on ebay again!!! (their 1:16 static models for for bout £100 anyway)

**Guest** · 12 April 2006, 10:19

I have just tracked down a supplier for the burnt out ic (90 pence each, Total cost of parts inside the entire MF unit doesnt come to more than a tenner. Man, Tamiya know haow to make money!)...I'm hoping its the cure...if not your idea looks likely RJ....unless Squiff can pull something out of the bag with his man at Tamiya.

**Guest** · 12 April 2006, 10:40

Sorry to hear of your misfortune Tiger. These things come to try us and to remind us that we are playing around with expensive and delicate items.

I am sure we all have similar stories in our past of smashed aircraft, sunken boats etc. I am getting to the point where I am nervous of putting the steamer on the water as there is a lot of money and two and a half years in it so far. If that sunk I think I'd be falling on my sword!

Non of which helps you exept maybe the thought that we sympathise and sincerely hope that you can get sorted out quickly and cheaply. If anyone can help with the trade Squiffy can.

**Guest** · 12 April 2006, 11:16

Cheers Bunk, Squiffs on it as we chat.

**Guest** · 12 April 2006, 16:54

I think, to be fair to Tamiya, what would appear to be very high costs are as a result of much research and development and, as such, you are not actually buying actual components but you are buying the fruits of thier expenses.

I know it doesn't always look that way when you have a huge bill for a couple of cheap solid state items, but hopefully our inginuity as modellers will see us through.

Also, as I have said before, be very aware of vendors such as "Hong Kong Cowboy" who are breaking the law and shouldn't be compared with legitimate international sellers.

**Guest** · 12 April 2006, 17:21

Bunk mate, I hate to say this, but i dont see how HKcowboy is breaking the law...even if you managed to cop for import duty it still makes the tank £300 excluding delivery (230+70tax). Apart from Tamiya law that is. Where they say you must sell for no lower than a set price or lose your dealership.

I would still like to know where the other £150 comes from to make the UK price (£450). If HK Cowboy is doing them for £230, he aint a communist, he must be making a profit.

**Guest** · 12 April 2006, 18:25

Hong Kong Cowboy is deliberately misleading customs and excise by describing the items on his manifests incorrectly thereby avoiding duty. If this is discovered in transit by Customs and Excise the buyer could well be liable as much as the seller if it could be proved that you knew. Don't forget that Customs and Excise have more powers than the police when it comes to investigations, access to premises, detention of suspects etc..

I accept that his prices are also a lot cheaper than just taking the duty off which, when he is the only one in the world selling items at these prices, it has to beg the question "Where has he got them from?"

Maybe I am too old and cynical but I still beleive in "There is no such thing as a free lunch!!"

**Guest** · 12 April 2006, 18:40

"There is no such thing as a free lunch!!"

Well, i shall enjoy small nibbles from the "free lunch" while it lasts.

After all, I think if you take exchange rates into consideration also...his prices are probably about right, even if he did it "legally" people would still buy from him...simply down to exchange rate...and as far as i know it is'nt illegal for one country's money to be worth less than another!

Cowboy is listing tons of Tamiya stuff and he's been doing it for yonks, surely it cant have all fallen off the back of a lorry?

**Guest** · 12 April 2006, 18:51

Make the most of it while you can and you may be right Tiger but I don't think I will be buying anything, just in case.

He doesn't do seperate Tiger boards does he?

**Guest** · 12 April 2006, 19:02

man,...your real funny....that hurt!!!

i have already emailed him BTW

**Guest** · 12 April 2006, 19:30

Terry there is a bloke selling all the king tiger bits and bobs on ebay at the moment !! everybit of the kit is available mate

**Guest** · 12 April 2006, 19:35

Sorry to hear of your misfortune Tiger.

I imagine we've all done something similar in our pasts, seems "tinkering" is a prerequisite for modelling, a bit like 'chicken and egg'?

Hope you get fixed up with minimal expense.

(This is why I don't model aircraft/helicopters)

J.

Scale Model Shop

Tinkering Not Good For Your Bank Ballance

Tinkering Not Good For Your Bank Ballance

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