Price, Timing & Guarantee
Masterpiece Models are not cheap – neither would you expect them to be for strictly limited edition individual models of this quality and accuracy. Prices for 0 gauge models range from £2500 to £3500 depending on complexity and variations within the class of locomotives being modelled. However, compared with buying decent kits and time spent on construction plus the cost of wheels, motors, sound systems, name and numberplates, painting and lining, etc., Masterpiece Models offer very good value-for-money, reaching a level of accuracy and quality difficult to achieve elsewhere. VAT is included in the listed price but if you live outside the E.U., VAT (currently at 20%) can be deducted from the listed price.
Timing
Because our research is so thorough, we do not impose a schedule on such an important aspect. When we are satisfied that our research has gathered sufficient information to build highly accurate models, we commission the build. At this stage, although research is still capable of further development, the build will be formally announced on our website Experience suggests that completed models should be ready for delivery about eighteen months to two years later. We anticipate delivery of a new class of model locomotive every nine months to a year.
To keep up-to-date with the latest information about specific builds of interest, you can take a look at relevant websites when you have time. However a much better way is to register for our 'Latest News' for each special build of interest. You can do this by going to 'Register for Latest Up-dates' and complete details. The relevant 'Latest News' will be immediately sent directly to you as it appears.
Our Commitment to You
Masterpiece Models is sufficiently confident about the integrity of our models that should anything prove faulty, we guarantee to either put the fault right or return your money. Our decision. This guarantee is valid for a period of one year from the date of sale but excludes damage, unauthorised repairs by the customer or misuse. None of this affects your statutory rights. Masterpiece Models also guarantees to correct errors in workmanship for three months from the date of sale – otherwise your money back. This is limited to three months because, in order to maintain the integrity of our limited editions, some components are deliberately destroyed a few months after the build has been completed and delivered. So we urge you to thoroughly inspect your model on arrival and report any problems within the three month period. Also make sure nothing has been damaged in transit. We hope you understand our rationale for limiting this aspect of our guarantee to three months.
In either case, the model must be returned to Masterpiece Models in the condition it was received. We will do our best to make sure everything is absolutely correct because we want our customers to be satisfied with their models.
Masterpiece Models will involve everyone with a reservation with full information about the project at all times, particularly at the Build Specification stage and both inspection stages. The inspection stages are vital. The 1st inspection is the most crucial. This is when the initial production model is carefully assessed by our advisers and others. We will display the 1st pre-production model at appropriate Shows but realise timing and location will not always be right or convenient for everyone. We will therefore forward detailed photographs of the 1st pre-production model to everyone with a reservation. Please carefully assess these photographs and report any aspects that might be of concern and in your opinion, requires correction. This is the time when modifications are relatively straightforward to make. By the 2nd inspection all agreed modifications should have been built-in, with the model fully painted and lined. Again photographs will be provided for your further assessment. None of this is obligatory of course; we have our own experts to advise about accuracy. Masterpiece Models simply believes it important to involve everyone with a reservation in all aspects of the build. That is our commitment to you.