Missing kit parts - what's a person to do?

[Daliab]

Over the last year and a half, I keep reading about missing parts in kits from members of this forum. I to have been short changed in parts and have emailed the manufactor's sponsored UK store where I originally purchased the kit only to hear crickets in return. As everyone can agree these kits aren't cheap,  not counting shipping.

Why, as a forum, we don't publish a listing of kit manufactures with their contact info that we as individuals can use to get the missing parts replaced. Hobby store only sell the products thus the reason for the unanswered emails. Going to the manufacturers goes to the source where the problem can be fixed.

This forum, with all its members, can make or break a manufactor's kit based on the quality and workmanship of their kit. When parts are missing, I don't care how good the quality/workmanship is, it's a ding against their product and doubly frustrating when you don't hear back from them when you reach out to them for replacement parts. I'm sure manufactures zero in on sites like this to see what they say about their products. I've seen new, upcoming, kit manufactures be very responsive to individuals on this site but this not the norm..... but we're buying from these new upcoming manufactures. Manufactures want you to buy their products and not pirated kits that are cheaper. What say you? Is it possible to publish contact info of kit manufacturers?

[ccoyle]

Well, you have a bit of a dilemma there. First of all, missing parts are a nuisance, to be sure, but middlemen retailers are not obligated to replace missing parts (though one, Model Expo, will, if you purchase the kit from them). Replacing missing parts is a form of customer service, and some companies are more responsive on this issue than others. You do  more or less need to contact each company on a case-by-case basis. And we do have their contact info here. But not all companies monitor the activity here; sometimes it's an issue of language barrier. So, when you buy a kit, you take your chances. If the manufacturer doesn't respond to your inquiries, remember: Once bit, twice shy.