d9002

Should we decide to promote another event, and should I be involved in the organisation, then I shall learn the lesson and engage the services of this forum as well as any others I can think of.

Perhaps if he HAD given it 100% (as most businesses need at start-up) instead of 30% then we wouldn't be in this mess now ?

"Final though on this for now. Whatever the true situation with the Clayton, it might be asked what would have happened to confidence in DJM if the money hadn't been repaid when it was? Would people have started jumping ship then as regards other projects and could the refund therefore have been seen as a necessity whatever "pot" it came from to protect the business?" Roy LS ....exactly so. Having received ,y refund, like you, I assumed it was my own money coming back and not obtained by delving into another "kitty". I must admit though that particular episode dissuaded me from any further "investment" in DJM, preferring to wait until there was something more substantial than vague promises and "maybes"

I have located the email from DJM with regards to the Class 17 saga and should anyone be interested, I will send it to them in a PM rather than clutter up this thread with it. I had no need for either a Class 92 or APT so was not involved in that ...toyed with a "King" but the alarm bells were starting to become quite strident by then

The Class 17 was indeed originally a "pre-order" with no monies submitted, but then became a "cry for help" in the respect that he asked for payment "up front"to enable the project to proceed. However, when the tooling ownership problem arose, he put the Class 17 project on indefinite hold and (so far as I am aware) regunded all those who [paid in advance.....myself included.

Stationmaster's observation with regard to the time and effort involved in starting and developing a business properly is profoundly correct. When my (now ex) wife and I set up a small tea parlour, the hours and effort involved were stupendous. Certainly we had neither time nor funds to take holidays and cruises in such various exotic locations as the Caribbean, South America, South East Asia, Iceland, India, Nepal..........

My tongue WAS firmly in my cheek when I posted that comment !

If he WERE to start a new business in the same line of work then it may even be "third time lucky" ?

There might even be an update on the website by then ....

Perhaps he does indeed have an ad now...but bearing in mind the lead time for publications, I wonder if the ad was booked before his Mayday bout of "hara-kiri" ?

The cynic in me suggests that "not much of note" has been delivered yet anyway

"I expect to be able to give better communications, sales service, after sales service and back up than any of the current manufacturers today." Hmmmmm.....

Was there also another project which was going to produce an N gauge Tamper vehicle, some years ago ?

"Crispy" - a valid point

Thanks....aware of that ...what I meant was that he must surely be aware by now of the repercussions of his statement and clarification, yet does not seem to be doing anything to reassurre his investors that they will receive a return for their investment ?

I am frankly astounded that he has not made a further announcement by now.....

I really do not recall any of the retailers "getting on board" for the DJM Class 92 project ....yes, Digitrains are tied in with the N Gauge "King" which was the only way (it seems) that one has managed to progress to the tooling stage.

I can't say that I blame them unduly .....although a 92 is not on my list anyway as I don't have any desire to model string over my layout. Some may disagree but I would say it is good business sense ....and it gives the customer what they want

Speaking personally, I DO feel somewhat let down by the DJ saga....although in my case (unlike some, it seems) I did not lose out financially as all those who funded the Class 17 project were re-imbursed. Certainly I have no desire whatsoever to "get back at him" in any way and I concur with the sentiment expressed that the ultimate possible consequences must be avoided at all costs. Were the "clarification" to be clarified with an assurance that the models WILL be produced and that the intent of the original announcement was not to try and throw a hand grenade into the model railway market, then I for one would feel better. I could even cope with some of the plans being shelved so that his attentions could be concentrated on one or two projects in each scale, rather than the "scattergun" approach that seems to be the case at the moment. I am certain that, should a proper model locomotive make it to the shelves from this manufacturer then credibility would be restored

Still as clear as mud, IMHO.......

I was among those who, whilst not stifling or shouting down his denigrators, was suggesting that he be given chance to "put his money where his mouth is". However, I am now among that fraternity who is no longer prepared to support any of his projects (a.k.a pipe dreams) until I see tangible evidence that he is willing AND ABLE to deliver on said projects.

Like many others, I would MUCH rather have seen a model coming ! Having watched that video interview, I'm afraid that I was also less than impressed - a few points spring to mind 1) Would you buy a used car from this man ? 2) He made at least two truthful statements - he HAS made mistakes and he HAS changed the list of forthcoming (?) products significantly

I cannot help but wonder how many of those who have stumped up monies for the various projects "in the pipeline" will now be put off paying any further installments.....and whether said projects will then end up being cancelled as a consequence.

And whether a lawyer is already on standby if the agreement is cancelled ?

When DJM first started announcing his plans (particularly for N Gauge) I was extremely grateful and personally told him so at TINGS some years ago. But, so far as N gauge is concerned, none of the first announced plans have ever reached fruition ....and it now seems that the first N gauge loco to emerge from the tunnel will be a "mobile kettle" (sorry, steam fans !). Even THAT is assuming that a further derailment does not occur before delivery ...... Yesterday's announcement, IMHO, casts serious doubt on the ability of DJM to ever produce anything other than specious promises. I DO hope that I am wrong in that assumption and will be more than happy to pay for a DJM product in N Gauge - but ONLY when I have the ability to examine it for myself first. I would imagine that the vast majority will have the same opinion now.