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srinjayray · 05-30-2011, 04:50 PM

I got in touch with Model Art, Delhi a couple of days back. I wanted a Merc S63 AMG and it was available with them in both Silver and Black. I requested them to post it across to me to Kolkata, which they said was not possible. Hence, I asked a friend of mine, staying in Delhi to visit the shop and pick up the one in black for me. Though he is not into this hobby, but has a fair bit of common sense on checking damages, paint quality etc .required whiling buying a diecast, since he has accompanied me to the Model Art shop 2-3 times before. Now my friend gave me a call while he was at the shop checking the models, he told me the black Merc had scratches on the sunroof and the Merc logo in the front seemed very fragile and the paint wasn't shiny. Similar defects were visible on the Silver one and another Ranger Rover model that I asked him to check. In spite of all these odds, I told him to pick the better S63 among the two (since right now I don't have much options for getting an Autoart for myself), but he quite convincingly told me that they were noway worth 6 grands and I realized that it would be pointless to add a wet tissue to my collection.

Autoart is a brand which checks each of their products thoroughly (in a similar way the 1:1 cars go through different levels of tests and checks) before they deliver them to the distributors/ retailers. And these jerks manhandle these pieces of diecasts to such an extent that you just have a look at your favorite model and end up not buying it.

When I buy stuff on http://www.ebay.com these problems hardly seem to matter, but why is it so that here in our country we have overpriced damaged stuff on display??? I don't think anyone has the answer to it.

These kind of experiences are making me skeptical on making online purchases too. I want to see what I'm buying.

Arkin_scalemodelnerd · 05-30-2011, 05:53 PM

There is already a thread about this. By me. Only after days of displaying my new S63 did I realize that the rear bumper was misaligned by a third or quarter of a mm, apparently stuck back. Luckily, it is not a major defect; I had to use a magnifying glass to actually realize it looked like glue, and a slight touch up w/ a biro did the trick. so I'm relatively happy.

I don't think Automania (the Kyosho-Minichamps etc. dealer) will send you models with defects though; the owner runs the shop, and is a collector himself.

For online purchases, be safe, and source your AAs via KV (Dreamcarmodels.com).

I stopped buying from modelart long ago. They sell expensive stuff, but have the audacity to treat them like their RC toys. - frustrating. Let me warn you; NEVER, repeated, NEVER buy from modelart w.o looking at them in flesh. Your friend in delhi is god sent!

BTW, I'm clearing some of my collection to make space (and money) for models I need desperately. I might hafta give away my LR Discovery (and maybe range rover), but I'm not sure about it. Will let you know anyway.

**winstoncds** · 05-30-2011, 10:57 PM

Give up on Modelart people unless you are sure you are going to buy their models personally. While I will not blame Modelart for keeping models in display cases, I will certainly not encourage them to sell these models to unsuspecting customers. They are ruining someones experience and looting their hard earned money. Would anyone buy an expensive watch if it has a scratch on the dial. This funda is lost on them.
Also remember that QC levels of Autoart and Kyosho have been dropping. Multiplicity of parts and some of them being very delicate are a sellers nightmare. I would still suggest you buy from someone like KV whom you can trust wholeheartedly or buy it in person.

srinjayray · (This post was last modified: 05-30-2011 11:22 PM by srinjayray.)

@Arkin and Winston: Thanks much. I've firmly decided that I'm not visiting them anymore :| They are morons who don't keep interests in the hobby themselves.
Could you please tell me how to get in touch with KV, send me him a personal message here???....there aren't any Aas on the dreamcarmodels.com site and most of the Kyoshos are out of stock.

And after going through these disappointments for the last 2-3 days, I'm a proud owner of a Welly Miura - I'm simply loving it Smile

***aritrim*** · 05-31-2011, 02:09 AM

They are probably importing factory seconds like most asshole wholesellers selling imported stuff here. I am not talking about diecast importers alone but other hobby material importers as well.

Recently I contacted a German manufacture for some defects in the world class material and they replied which meant, "Ya, you motherfuckers import our rejected items. What more can you expect?"

So, avoid any Indian bulk importers, unless you really trust them.

**winstoncds** · 05-31-2011, 02:41 AM

Ari, you are right. Most foreign companies do not think much of the Indian market. They still think of us as backward people with tigers and elephants roaming on our streets. So they think they can pass us substandard products and get away it it. Also it is genetically induced into us to want good quality for cheap. Good quality never comes cheap. While many of us would not mind spending reasonable amount of money for a good product, many more of us really do not care as long as it comes home with lots of change spared. Also got to thank our goverment for not sparing us of any tax be it locally made or imported. Tax us till we bleed.

***aritrim*** · 05-31-2011, 03:18 AM

Talking about the Govt Winston, this Govt. has definitely got to go in the next election. But by then, most of the scumbags will definitely fill up their cash boxes with enough Gandhis to survive for 10-20 years.

**winstoncds** · 05-31-2011, 03:24 AM

Ari, new govt, new day, same shit. Just imagine, they have raised prices of booze here by as much as 40%. Petrol is also so damn expensive at nearly 69 a litre. Now you really cannot drink and drive. Either you drink or you drive.

srinjayray · 05-31-2011, 03:32 AM

Moreover, being in Kolkata doesn't even allow me to check the stores, compare prices unless I visit places like Delhi or Mumbai. At times I've money but I don't know how to get a premium-brand model for myself. All we have here is Bburagos, Maistos and Wellys (thanks to Welly that I don't have to buy the former two anymore).

Sellers from the U.S. and the other so called developed countries sell their products at a whooping 9-10k a model on http://www.ebay.in. These buggers should simply be banned from here. Today I checked the Autoart Veyron priced at 28,000INR. Common you can't charge me three times of a product just cos you consider us an underdeveloped nation. Developing/ backward is not the financial condition of a country its just the mentality and tastes that prevail in the minds of the people.

**winstoncds** · 05-31-2011, 03:44 AM

Sri, Global Ebay prices supposedly include import duties besides premium courier charges from US to India and a cut for the reseller too. The prices have no logic. I generally compare rates for the same product in the US and see if it is reasonably shipped to India. Also having a 10% discount coupon helps in the buying decision. Just have patience and keep searching for good deals. Don't bother with Autoart or Kyoshos. They are priced simply too high.