Tragic Damage to a Rare Bus Model

[John P Boogerd]

bus1.jpg (54.33 KiB) Viewed 12892 times

I purchased a Transit Graphics Code 3 Bondi Beach bus model a few months ago through Ebay. It was one of only 3 made by TG. I have bought over 100 bus models from Australia and never had a problem and I had previously bought bus models from the same seller that arrived in perfect condition. Imagine the heartbreak when I opened the box and found the model was literally shattered. I think it happened because it didn't have the plastic insert on top holding it in place. Then Australia Post wouldn't even consider a claim for damage. I'm not much of a model builder but I might try to rebuild it as best I can. Take a look at the pics of this terrible tragedy. I am heartbroken and $350 poorer.

[nbus]

I would ask Australia Post to pay for it or get the shop to take it up with them.

[Ben_Daui]

Ouch, Have you approached Transit Graphics?
Surely another standard MKV model reskinned into the B&B Livery provided there are any around could be arranged but for AP not coming to the party for reimbursement/responsibility is poor customer service.

[system improver]

How did you pay? If you used Paypal, you can ask for a refund through the seller as there maybe an insurance component.

[John P Boogerd]

Thanks guys - I could ask Transit Graphics to do a new one but it costs about $600 for a Code 3 model - I am now retired after a hip replacement and I don't think I could do that - I did send them the photos, though, so they can see what happened to one of the three models they made. I have bought most of my TG models from them directly and I hold TG in very high regard.

Paypal has no insurance component. I could ask for a chargeback but that wouldn't be fair to the fellow who sold me the model - he sent me a mint model and the packaging was exceptional - it's only that neither of us noticed the missing plastic insert that holds the model in place. He sent me several other rare Code 3 models that arrived perfectly.

[boronia]

If the item wasn't packed properly, you could hardly blame Australia Post for the damage or expect compensation from them.

Was there postage insurance on it? Even so, they might deny paying on the above grounds.

[John P Boogerd]

If the item wasn't packed properly, you could hardly blame Australia Post for the damage or expect compensation from them.

Was there postage insurance on it? Even so, they might deny paying on the above grounds.

I agree. I didn't figure that out until only a week ago when I opened the display case to see if I could rebuild it. Too bad, though, that such a lovely model is now lost.

[Swift]

Insert swear word of your choice here ____

[Tim Williams]

Hi John,

So sorry to hear and see of the damage to such an expensive and precious model. I must admit that I am puzzled at the scale of damage - even without the security screws in place, I would have thought the damage might have been limited to external mirrors and perhaps internal fittings, such as seats and bulkheads etc. becoming loose and moving around. The fact that the whole bus body was broken suggests a sort violent hit - ie. the scale and extent of damage seems totally out of proportion to simply a model banging around within its plastic container. So, I suppose the next question is - what condition was was the container in?

[Sydney_Buses_CB60]

I've recently had an issue regarding Australia Post with OZBus 20002 where they we're rough with it and the mirror was broken off so I told them that it had clearly been handled roughly so they asked me to bring it in for an inspection which I did and now they are refusing to give it back to me so I have been very peeved off with Australia Post lately. . .

[Sydney_Buses_CB60]

Appalling - Fragile Stickers are there for a reason. Sorry to see that yours has received far worse damage than mine did. One day those bastards will cop what they deserve...

[Swift]

I've recently had an issue regarding Australia Post with OZBus 20002 where they we're rough with it and the mirror was broken off so I told them that it had clearly been handled roughly so they asked me to bring it in for an inspection which I did and now they are refusing to give it back to me so I have been very peeved off with Australia Post lately. . .

They are refusing to hand back your property? Can you expand on this?

[Tim Williams]

Just going back to the original topic of the post and adding to my earlier comments, the more I look at this damaged model and clean and straight "cut" makes me 100% certain that this was not damage caused in transit. In fact, looking back through the photos, the basic outer carton looks to be intact.

I am certain that neither Australia Post nor Transit Graphics can be blamed for this strangely severe damage. As I mentioned in the previous post, missing retaining screws could cause damage to mirrors and may be interior fittings, but that clear angled cut across the body is certainly not postal damage!!!!