Out-of-register decals - what to do about them?

ChernayaAkula · February 21, 2011, 04:15:40 PM

Recently wondered what to do about out-of-register decals?
Have got some sheets where some decals are so out of register they simply can't be used. They'd stand out like a sore thumb on the model.
And that applies not only to decal sheets from kits, but also to some aftermarket decals.
There are some aftermarket sheets that I bought for some specific markings. When these markings are so out of whack they're beyond use, the sheet is basically worthless to me, regardless of how many other options there are on it. Money chucked out the window.

What should I do about it? Contact the seller? The manufacturer?

Are out-of-register decals something you just can't avoid? You pays yer money and ya takes yer chances? Or would this mean that an unusable sheet (by my definition) is something that would entitle me to get my money back or at least a replacement? I mean, with other appliances, if they don't work (or don't work according to specs) I take 'em back to the shop.

How do you guys feel about this?

rickshaw · February 21, 2011, 04:33:24 PM

If you bought it new, contact the manufacturer and ask for a replacement. Most countries' consumer legislation has a "truth in advertising" feature and a requirement that something sold must be "fit for purpose" and "free from manufacturing defects".

If you bought it second-hand, you could ask the seller to refund your money but really the old adage "caveat emptor" - "buyer beware" applies. One feature I like about EvilBay, for all its faults, is that it does have conflict resolution and the power, if purchased via paypal, to refund monies if they agree with you that you've been gypped.

Maverick · February 21, 2011, 05:15:03 PM

Ebay's resolution system isn't that flash regardless of their advertising. In one instance, I was stiffed $100-200AUD for some doco DVDs. I contacted Ebay post haste and was told that to avail myself of their dispute resolution, I would have to pay $30USD (this was when the USD was worth quite a lot more than the AUD). Considering this wasn't my fault, it was done under the auspices of Ebay and paid through PayPal, I felt that having to pay was quite rude to say the least.

Regards,

Mav

rickshaw · February 21, 2011, 08:03:31 PM

My experience with the conflict resolution stuff was quite good. It was speedy and resolved that the person who had sold me some computer stuff a known swindler. End result I got a refund. It didn't cost me anything. Considering that they'd identified him for who he was, sent out a warning to all the people who'd be dealing with him and accepted my version, about non-delivery, might have had something to do with it, I admit.

ChernayaAkula · February 21, 2011, 08:38:06 PM

Yeah, "truth in advertising" is all fine and I think it would work with the big guys like Hannants or the manufacturers themselves, but what if the person to decide that (such as an eBay employee) isn't exactly versed in model making things? They probably won't reckon that a misprinted decal is worth the hassle. I guess it really is caveat emptor in this case and avoiding manufacturers with a certain track record on eBay.

One thing I constantly wonder is why some decal manufacturers don't go the two-part decal route? Best example are the Syrian and Egyptian (UARAF) roundels (and their kill marks on Israeli planes). The little stars in them are out of whack in almost all cases. Got a lot of sheets from a couple different manufacturers, and not a single one of them has them all in register. In some cases, a couple are good to go, but never all. I don't like two-part decals as much as the next guy, but in this case, they're about the only way out.

PR19_Kit · February 22, 2011, 07:32:48 AM

I've sorted some out of register sheets by scanning them and re-doing the artwork with the centres centred........if you can say that of course. OK, sometimes it's impossible because of the 'Cant print white' issue, but a good proportion of the time it's OK.

And just let any manufacturer of such rubbish accuse me of copying their proprietary product!

rickshaw · February 22, 2011, 04:01:03 PM

Many years ago I was heavily involved in a GIS project at a University where I was working. As part of that project we had to scan maps. When I raised the issue of the copyright, I was told by the University's pet shyster that as long as we altered the original work, the University would then own the copyright of the altered work, which is what it was interested in. The original copyright owners of course, could still sue but would find it impossible to prevent the University of using it's works for it's own benefit.

So, as long as the scanned images are for private use only and you make no effort to sell them, they'd find it very hard to sue you, Kit.

Maverick · February 22, 2011, 04:27:24 PM

There's also the current BS about the RAF's insignia being Crown Copyright. Our own Richard Chafer (Gekko) had some issues releasing decal sheets of the type because of the problem. A bit rude considering all, especially when the US armed forces seem happy to have their stuff plastered around all over the place.

Regards,

Mav

rickshaw · February 22, 2011, 04:35:34 PM

Ah, yes but in the US there are some very enlightened laws about Government copyright. Basically anything the Government owns copyright on, which has been collected/created by the Government is automatically placed in the Public Domain, as long as it is not restricted obviously by security concerns.

When I was working on that GIS project and the Australian Federal Government was bringing in "cost recovery" for all data collected (ie you had to pay for it), it was becoming cheaper to teach students using US data sets than Australian ones, which were free. Under dear leader John Winston Howard, that only became worse, with no exceptions allowed. The result was the ridiculous situation that we couldn't teach Australian geography students about the geography of their own country when teaching them GIS - a skill which the government had identified as being of high importance for the future development of the country!

Jennings · April 04, 2011, 02:23:17 PM

Sorry for being late to this party. I'm a decal artist of 20+ years, and a former decal seller. If you get a decal you can't use, you haven't got what you paid for. Send it back and ask (nicely) for a replacement that's in register. Ultimately whomever's name is on the decal is responsible, since they shouldn't have sold it out to a distributor in the first place. They didn't get what *they* paid for from the printer. But that's not your fault as the end user. As the end user you have a 100% inalienable right to purchase a quality product, and a decal that's out of register simply isn't a quality product. Send it back!

J