MR TOS Enterprise - new pics

[CessnaDriver]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(pyxl @ Feb 8 2007, 08:06 PM) [snapback]1415067[/snapback]</div>

I'm going to post this on the MR forum, but I thought I'd see who will blow a gasket here first.

Who would be willing to pay a small fee for close scrutiny on their ship/prop from a company like MR before it finally gets shipped to them?

We all know some "errors" are going to get through the cracks. I, for one, would be willing to pay an additional fee (or have it as a special service for the collector's society?) to have someone at least verify there are no paint chips, dings, electronic failures, unfilled seams, poorly fitted parts before it leaves MR. This wouldn't prevent damage occuring from their doors to ours, but some of the more easily identifiable issues that relate to "hand made" production could be caught early.

I'm sure someone here will say, "They should do that on all of them...we pay a lot, check them."..but I suspect that they will say that many of the issues are too subjective (i.e. paint job, weathering, grid lines). I'm primarily talking about poor finish as it relates to pieces improperly fitted, unfilled seams, clear imperfections in paint...not damage that can occur from shipping...or items we'll never all agree on.

Quality control in mass produced items usually involves spot checking. I'm suggesting that I'd pay a special fee (join some kind of society ) to ensure someone specifically checks mine for problems.

Thoughts?
[/b]

I would pay more for a premium version, but not a whole lot more.
If the ships were graded like a comic book or coin grading system.
Sure. In this case I would have, but probably skipped paying more for signatures. Now many studio models I would not. A Y-wing or X-wing just isn't necessary it be perfect in my thinking.

 

[DarkKnight]

well the arrow shows the area of missing paint ist pretty small rest of ship looks pretty good am reluctant to send her back and maybe get one that s worse, maybe a little paint will solve the problem although I think they might have caught this with stricter QC, I dunno what do you guys think

 

[Joeysaddress]

That scratch would be a non-issue for me. I wouldn't be concerned about it. That's just my thoughts on it though. Some might think it's horrible.

 

[CessnaDriver]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(DarkKnight @ Feb 8 2007, 08:47 PM) [snapback]1415100[/snapback]</div>

well the arrow shows the area of missing paint ist pretty small rest of ship looks pretty good am reluctant to send her back and maybe get one that s worse, maybe a little paint will solve the problem although I think they might have caught this with stricter QC, I dunno what do you guys think
[/b]

Do not sweat it. If your going to have missing paint that is the place to have it because nobody will ever see it there. And I bet eventually we will get the right match for paint and a quick touch up with a toothpick will take care of it.

Now that giant black arrow has me a little worried.

 

[DarkKnight]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Joeysaddress @ Feb 8 2007, 10:59 PM) [snapback]1415107[/snapback]</div>

That scratch would be a non-issue for me. I wouldn't be concerned about it. That's just my thoughts on it though. Some might think it's horrible.
[/b]

its kindof minor, but still a bit irritating, given the cost of the ship, I'm look ing for other flaws and she looks pretty good so far

 

[CessnaDriver]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(DarkKnight @ Feb 8 2007, 09:02 PM) [snapback]1415111[/snapback]</div>

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Joeysaddress @ Feb 8 2007, 10:59 PM) [snapback]1415107[/snapback]

That scratch would be a non-issue for me. I wouldn't be concerned about it. That's just my thoughts on it though. Some might think it's horrible.
[/b]

its kindof minor, but still a bit irritating, given the cost of the ship, I'm look ing for other flaws and she looks pretty good so far
[/b][/quote]


If that is the only problem. Man I hope my replacement is the same.

 

[BrianM]

What if they already do this, but the QC guy draws his line of pass fail in a different place than you do? Drawing the line at 1% customer reject sounds like their plan.

I like the ship touch-up paint idea for the 1%

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(pyxl @ Feb 8 2007, 08:06 PM) [snapback]1415067[/snapback]</div>

I'm going to post this on the MR forum, but I thought I'd see who will blow a gasket here first.

Who would be willing to pay a small fee for close scrutiny on their ship/prop from a company like MR before it finally gets shipped to them?

We all know some "errors" are going to get through the cracks. I, for one, would be willing to pay an additional fee (or have it as a special service for the collector's society?) to have someone at least verify there are no paint chips, dings, electronic failures, unfilled seams, poorly fitted parts before it leaves MR. This wouldn't prevent damage occuring from their doors to ours, but some of the more easily identifiable issues that relate to "hand made" production could be caught early.

I'm sure someone here will say, "They should do that on all of them...we pay a lot, check them."..but I suspect that they will say that many of the issues are too subjective (i.e. paint job, weathering, grid lines). I'm primarily talking about poor finish as it relates to pieces improperly fitted, unfilled seams, clear imperfections in paint...not damage that can occur from shipping...or items we'll never all agree on.

Quality control in mass produced items usually involves spot checking. I'm suggesting that I'd pay a special fee (join some kind of society ) to ensure someone specifically checks mine for problems.

Thoughts?
[/b]

 

[pyxl]

Hey Dark Knight....
The paint chip isn't too bad, but how uncool was it for them to paint that weathering "arrow" pointing right at it. Man.

 

[Racer_X]

On the tracking number front, I called MR today to see if they had a tracking number yet for my shipment that I was notified about on Monday. Unfortunately, they have no idea what my number is. I hope BrianM's information that I will get his delivery tomorrow is correct. I also wonder if I will somehow end up getting two deliveries....

 

[rad1701]

On the occasional paint chip, I'm becoming more convinced that since these are happening at joints, etc. that a good portion might be happening in transit. Even though the Enterprise is packed extremely well, when two parts meet (like where the engine struts meet the secondary hull) there is a lot of potential for a tiny bit of paint to chip off. So some of these very minor defects may not be able to be caught in a final inspection. Which was why I suggested the tiny touch up paint bottle. Heck, a $30K car sometimes even needs that.

 

[Treadwell]

True, but I think it more likely that, since the parts are painted before assembly, that the workers are simply clocking the parts against each other as they're fitted, resulting in chips.

 

[BrianM]

Whooo.

MR finally came through with my actual tracking number. DHL should atempt delivery today.

Now, I need to sneek out of work early to be there to sign for it... :confused

I hope to have an on-topic post here soon.

BrianM

 

[Joeysaddress]

Brian...you really don't sound well. Is that a fever I detect with my medical tricorder? I think you should leave work ASAP.. You don't want to infect your co-workers. Cough...cough. You have DHLitis. Now GO.

 

[Racer_X]

Well, I just got my LE delivered a few moments ago, # 12 of 1250. I opened her up, plugged her in, and she works fine. A quick check shows that she doesn't have many of the issues that others have brought up. Sure, there's a few painting issues around those areas where two complex curves meet up, such as the hanger deck dome, and there's also a slight chip on the saucer rim, but all in all, I am very happy with her and I don't think I'll need to return her based on the paint job or anything.

I'm not a big fan of the stupid grid lines, though. I can't wait to get her refurbished 15 years down the road with a new paint job. That being said, I find the paint color to be perfect. Interestingly enough, the 3-inch Johnny Lightning die-cast Enterprise from a few years back is exactly the same color, and it just looks right (If you don't have a JL Enteprise, get one.).

I'm also not a big fan of the electronics. I would have been more than happy with a static model, a la the original 3-footer used in various promo shots. Probably would have saved a few bucks, too. I'm surprised MR didn't start with a static model, then offer the electronic version later on - it would probably have helped them work the kinks out before having people pay a lot of money for one.

Here are a couple of quick photos I took (Warning: they're large, almost 2 MB each):


In this first picture, the starboard nacelle end cap is being attacked by a small piece of space styrofoam. Whoops.


In this second picture, you can barely see the small paint chips on the saucer rim, at about the 8 o'clock position, just radially outward from the square window doohicky. Anything bigger than what it is, I probably would be annoyed. Still wouldn't mind getting some of that touch-up paint we're all talking about.

So, like I said, I'm quite happy with the old girl. Whoever's keeping score, put me down as an 8 out of 10.

Oh, and big kudos to BrianM for letting me know I was getting mine delivered today...

Racer X

 

[rhboyd]

awww c'mon..... SO pretty...

can't wait...

thanks for the nice big pics...
-r.

 

[rad1701]

Looks like a nice one Racer X. I got #0006 you got number #0012. Now bring on that touch up paint bottle MR.

 

[yt]

I am no nit picker and I haven't really got involved with the quality discussion but even a cursory inspection of this posted picture show numerous flaws that I would not consider acceptable in a piece in this price range:

Honestly with some of the garage kits coming online, I could build a model myself with these same flaws for 1/4 of the price. However, it sounds like I may be waiting until June to decide. :rolleyes

 

[BrianM]

AAAAAARRRRGGGGG. :cry :cry :cry

I raced home to find the dreaded "attempted Delivery" slip on my door...

Great shots RacerX, I hope I don't get #13
BrianM

 

[pielock373]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(BrianM @ Feb 9 2007, 04:05 PM) [snapback]1415572[/snapback]</div>

AAAAAARRRRGGGGG. :cry :cry :cry

I raced home to find the dreaded "attempted Delivery" slip on my door...

Great shots RacerX, I hope I don't get #13
BrianM
[/b]

13 is already been spoken for and it came in great shape to the owner. I wish I had the dreaded "attempted Delivery" slip on my door. Your only one day away from seeing yours. Amy can't even tell me when I will see mine

Steve

 

[rad1701]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(yt @ Feb 9 2007, 04:03 PM) [snapback]1415568[/snapback]</div>

I am no nit picker and I haven't really got involved with the quality discussion but even a cursory inspection of this posted picture show numerous flaws that I would not consider acceptable in a piece in this price range:

Honestly with some of the garage kits coming online, I could build a model myself with these same flaws for 1/4 of the price. However, it sounds like I may be waiting until June to decide. :rolleyes
[/b]

That's my Enterprise and again in my view it's acceptable to me. That's a pretty extreme closeup, to your normal viewing you really only pick up on the paint chip where the strut meets the hull. I've said it before and I'll say it again - it's going to up to the individual owners on what they will accept and what they won't. Overall I think my ship is pretty darn sweet looking and in great shape.

Oh, and here's another cool shot to help you decide about getting this ship....