ContactAustrains
Australia's leading manufacturer of HO scale model railway equipment
Page Last Updated: 28-APRIL-2013
Austrains News
26-APR-2013
Updated Retailers Page - LINK
Updated VR M Cattle Wagon Page - LINK
Updated NSWR 80 Class Loco Page - LINK
Updated NSWR 80 Class Order Form - LINK
Updated Contact Page - LINK
7-FEB-2013
Exhibition Diary updated - LINK
NSWGR GSV Sheep Vans - Pack SV1 - SOLD OUT
18-JAN-2013
NEW! Austrains VR 4 Wheel Cattle M Wagons - LINK
10-JAN-2013:
NEWSLETTER #59 January 2013 version 1 - Adobe PDF Download
8-JAN-2013:
LHG Goods Brake Van - New page added - LINK
NSWGR Z20 Steam Locomotive Page Updated! - LINK
81 / G and BL Class pages Updated! - LINK
6-JAN-2013:
Exhibition Diary updated - LINK
24-DEC-2012:
Please note the Contact Email address: info@austrains.com.au
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Previous Updates - Archive 2013
Previous Updates - Archive 2012
Previous Updates - Archive 2011
Previous Updates - Archive 2010
Recent Newsletters
Current Newsletter:
Newsletter #59 - January 2013, V1
Adobe PDF Download
Important Information
Warning to customers of Austrains Pty Ltd
Be very careful when purchasing product from on-line auction sites. It has come to our attention that a trader on eBay is using the "Austrains" name.
The individual also has other trading names and is not an authorised Austrains dealer, nor does he have any association with Austrains Pty. Ltd whatsoever.
Austrains Pty. Ltd. does not sell its product on eBay or other web-based auction sites. Nor does it sell any other company’s product at all.
Be careful of what you purchase on on-line auction sites. In many cases you could be paying an inflated price for something that is generally available in the normal retail market place for much less.
Austrains Pty. Ltd. will not cover any warranty for goods purchased secondhand through any source other than Austrains Pty. Ltd. direct or an authorised Austrains dealer.
If you have any problems with items purchased in this manner, do not come crying to us.
Unfortunately, you have been warned.
Warranties:
All Austrains products are covered by a 12 month Replacement warranty. In other words we replace rather than repair most items returned to us under warranty. This warranty only applies to items sold by Austrains or by an authorised Austrains retailer. We are currently disputing a warranty claim made by a customer in Queensland for a locomotive purchased in supposed new condition from a retailer who apparently claimed to be an authorised Austrains retailer. It appears that the loco was second hand and the retailer was most definitely not an authorised Austrains dealer. Nor are items purchased second hand over eBay covered by warranty. Be careful. Check the Austrains dealer list on this web site before purchasing a supposed new product.
Our arrangement with Retailers:
Please take note of this to avoid missing out on some models:
For a peaceful life our preference would be to supply all our product to retailers from day one and allow them to do all sales while we disappear into a contented semi retirement. However this is just not a viable option for any manufacturer who wishes to expand their range and stay in business. The reasons for this are many and complicated. Suffice to say that the reason there are so few Austrains retailers usually relates to the inability of many of the retail trade to carry the amount of stock we deem necessary to promote the range as we wish to see it promoted. Current Austrains retailers have proven that they can do the job for us and we are happy to continue supplying them as we can. Surprisingly there are a few retailers who would probably qualify for an Austrains franchise but have never approached us. That is their loss.
The other part of this equation is that the cost of new tooling in China is horrendously expensive. To offset this initial cost we need a markup on cost better than we can get by just supplying retailers. This is why we direct market. Not all Austrains products, especially new tooling items, are available immediately to the retail network. Rolling stock items are especially expensive to tool compared to the retail return which can be made on them. So, while you may walk away with a happy heart after placing an order for a new Austrains product with your friendly neighborhood hobby shop that does not guarantee that you will get it. We have even had recent examples of orders being placed with retailers who are not Austrains authorised dealers. In these cases those placing the orders missed out completely.
Austrains retailers are aware of these conditions when they accept a franchise. Please check availability before placing an order for advance delivery with a retailer.